Day 9 - Wee!

So you are now poo-ing a million times a day. While changing you just now, I was reaching out to get some moist cotton to wipe your bump.  When I turned my head back to your bump, there was already a fountain shooting at the curtains that's next to your changing table! Yikes! This is my 2nd 'shower or blessing' from you!

Talking about changing you a million times a day now, I'm so glad we bought the basic changing table from IKEA. Previously, cause of skimping, I changed your siblings either on the bed or on the floor with a changing mat. Boy my poor back... although it's a late investment, it's so worth it.

Today you also had another prick at the klinik to test your bilirubin levels. This time you cried as you were awake and very much aware of that prick. Poor baby. Your levels came down to 119. Praise God. Your face still looks yellow though.  Hence the recommendation to get another test done but the doc says we can stop testing now. Just waiting for the yellow to go off completely.

Other than that, thank God you are feeding and sleeping and growing well!

Day 8 - Name?

Can't believe that same day last week was when we first met! The week has certainly gone by quickly! The nurse from the klinik came to check you today and you have already gone back to your birth weight! 3.5kg today! Well done baby!

We are still in the midst of finalising your Chinese name. Tough one. But will need it sorted by this week! Working hard!

Am taking a big risk not sleeping yet as you will be needing your next feed very soon. Was spending the last almost 3 hours with Papa and doing some homework for your name. And couldn't resist watching you sleep so peacefully and soundly. So had to take a picture and post it up!

Day 7 - Poo!

It's the wee hours of the morning again and we smelled poo. Both Papa and I didn't want to have too high hopes as often times it was just a fart. In fact, Papa opened up your nappy to inspect on our bed as his expectation was low and out flow liquidy mustard green poo! Yes, onto our bed as well. Everyone got really excited and panic sets in too while we rush to get everything ready to change you - warm water, cotton,  nappy, switch fan and air conditioning off.... We ended up giving you a quick rinse as there was just too much poo to wipe. But all is well now. Thank You God for answered prayers again!

Day 6 - A Smile!

Yes! Caught that in time! It's probably a trump smile. Seems newborn release a smile when they release gas. Haha. I think you look very much like CheChe now. And you are tiny. Especially when left on the big bed. Most adorable.

Day 5 - Stump off!

Had the Klinik Kesihatan nurses over yesterday and today. You seem alright except that you are a bit yellow. So we brought you to the Sungai Dua Klinik Kesihatan this morning to check your bilirubin levels. Day 5 is supposed to be the peak and we don't want your levels to go above 300. Yours came back at 128. Brilliant! You also merely winced when pricked at the left heel for some blood.

Other than that, you have been waking up crying every hour to two hours. The only time you slept longer was this morning. Even after being pricked at the heel and prodded by the doctor.

It's now more than 24 hours since your last poo and I'm starting to get worried that you are constipated. Your cries seems painful and there were times today where you actually unlatched yourself after a few suckle in my attempt to pacify you. I also felt a hard lump in the abdomen area. Need to clear that. Shall wait till tomorrow to take measures if still nothing tonight.

Gave you a nice long wipe and washed your hair today. Hoping you won't get cradle cap like your siblings and lose your hair. Your umbilical stump has officially fallen off. You also got a nice massage with extra virgin olive oil after the wipe. You seemed to enjoy the whole routine. Only fussed when the water was too cold.  Maybe also cause there's lots of distractions around from your siblings! CheChe as usual wanted to help button you up. Kor Kor was all ready to put your dirty linen in the laundry bin. Papa stood by with the necessities. What a fun family affair!

By the way I had also witness a smile from you yesterday when I gave you a loud kiss! Reminds me so much of CheChe when she was a baby!

Features

You were born at 3.38pm weighing 3.4kg at 48cm long. At first you looked a lot like Kor Kor but by now you seem different, a bit like CheChe but mostly your own look. You don't have double eyelids yet but looks like you may have later just like CheChe. Doesn't seem like you have a dimple but I thought I saw a slight one on your left cheek. You have very fine eyebrows now and minute eyelashes. Your ears are very close to the head. Chinese says it's 'tip' and they love ears like that. Must be some good luck or wealth kinda thing. Your tiny nose still have millia. Mouth seems smallish. Longer neck compsred with borh siblings. Leaner body too though you are heavier than CheChe.  Long and lean limbs and nice long fingers and toesies. You are very hairy especially on your back and arms. Reminds me of CheChe but even harrier!  Guess overall you are more like Papa now but am sure you are still changing by the day!

Day 3 - Going Home!

All packed up. Waiting for Papa to arrive and sort out bills for discharge. Today your jaundice is about 142. Below the mark so it's good. I have to stay away from ginger and Chinese herbs for at least 2 weeks. By Day 5 we hope that your levels won't go above 300. So far I really thank God that we managed to stabilise your glucose level immediately after birth.  And your jaundice level is not high. My haemoglobin level taken this morning is also above 10 so we are all good to go! You are the champion in the nursery at 3.4kg. And I only lost 3kg when I went to weigh just now!!! Hmm... The lady who delivered at the same time has the runner up baby at 3.1kg. The nursery has 4 babies now and they are all boys!

Anyway Dr Vijay says we are doing really well. So glad to know all well from the fast delivery till now. Praise the Lord!!

So usually when we arrive home it's when the true colours of babies come out.. let's see if you'd prove me wrong, Little One...

It's now 12.45am. Just fed you an hour ago and you are fussing and rooting already. I am aching all over. Soreness at the nipples and flu-like aches at my joints. Feels like I am coming down with something. So I better try and get as much sleep as I can.

Meanwhile we survived first day home with you. Only panicked when we changed and wiped you just now. You were screaming away! CheChe was so eager to help. She buttoned up for you and wore your mitten. She kept wanting to spend time with you. She was so surprised and happy that you are home when she arrived back from school today. You already are so loved.

Day 1

It's now 5.53am. I slept at about 1am and got up since about 4 am. Can't seem to go back to sleep. Woke up drenched in sweat as the air just couldn't reach me. You were restless earlier but have been sleeping since 1am! Watching you sleep blissfully. Best time now before you start waking every 2hourly for feeds! I'm gonna try going back to sleep now before you wake up. Love you to bits Lil Bunny!

2pm You seem so sleepy. Your last feed was 9.19am! Shall try again soon as it is approaching 5 hours since least feed already. 

Aunt Janet came visiting during lunch time today.  

3.45pm Finally got you to suckle after numerous attempts since your last feed. Just found out from nurse too that they have topped you up after the 9th feed! No wonder you were still sleeping so soundly! A bit furious since I mentioned that we wanted to exclusively breastfeed you. Nurse said will pass down message not to top up anymore. 

I'm so sleepy.  Shall nap after feeding you. 

5.30pm They woke me up and served dinner! So early?! Meh...

9.30pm you are now sound asleep next to me in bed after a feed. I managed to squeeze out some milk! Yay!! Well done! You have been suckling so well that we managed to breastfeed you exclusively from day 1! Well except for that time where they topped you up. Papa, Popo, CheChe and Kor Kor came for a short visit and left early at 8.30pm so CheChe and Kor Kor can go back and sleep early. They can't wait for us to be home tomorrow! Ok am sleepy now so am gonna put you back in the cot and sleep... night night little love! 

Happy Birthday, Papa and Baby!

Yes.. what a blessing to share the same birthday as your Papa! It's a double blessing day!

Birth story

Ok. Will start recording progress in this post.

7.20am woke up 10 mins before alarm rang and Google-ed pain relief options. Pethidine is proven to be crap in terms of relief. Only gonna make us both drowsy.  Epidural like too drastic of what they say about fast delivery is true for 3rd time round. So I think I'm going with endorphins! Keep me happy and relaxed and I'll be fine!

8.05am Sent Che-Che off to school after a week of holiday. Had a bun and Milo gor breakfast. Kor-Kor already awake.  Tried to get him back to sleep as he slept super late but unsuccessful. So I finally gave up and went for a shower. By the time we left the house it was around 9.22am. Kor-Kor really wanted to follow us and he cried when we left but was Ok as soon as Po-Po allowed him to switch on the TV. Didn't even want to say bye to me after that. Sigh....

9.40am Had tomyam meehoon with some half-boiled eggs and teh-si ping without sugar while Papa had the rest of the eggs with toasts and wan tan mee. Bought some stuffs from the Chinese Medical Hall and came to hospital after.

10.30am Checked by Dr Ng and still only 3cm dilated. 71kg (must be the powerful breakfast!). Checked in to hospital. Room 418 double bedded with individual TV.

11.22am Pessary inserted after monitoring you for awhile. Dr Ng sped up the insertion by ordering the monitoring to be cut short. Haha. He wants you out fast!

12.25pm Served biscuits and milo. No lunch already. Thankfully had full enough breakfast vs last delivery! Feeling mild contractions about every 5 minutes or so so far....

1.54pm got wheeled into labour room 2 after I managed to empty bowels. Drip inserted and water bag broken.

Not long after starting the drip I could feel that I have to start relaxing and can't even use the phone anymore. I kept thinking of happy moments with Papa, CheChe and KorKor laughing and smiling. That helped me through the first hour of contractions. ... I was smiling myself through the contractions! 

It was probably after 3pm when the contractions got stronger. I was lying on my left side most of the time. The nurse did mention that it usually takes 1 hour to dilate 1cm! I was only 5cm when Dr Ng broke my water bag! The midwives said you will probably be out before 5pm. So long more to go!? Then I had an urge to empty my bladder again in the midst of the stronger contractions. After I turned on my back and empty my bladder on the pan

I had more urges to push. They stopped me and asked me to turn back to my side and asked me to take long breathes. I was grunting lots and had maybe in all 3 urges to push on my side but each one got told to wait. Then Dr Ng arrived during my next contraction and I had already started pushing. When it subsided, Dr Ng told me he was giving me some local in case he needs to do an episiotomy. By the second contraction, I continued pushing and was pleasantly surprised, equally shocked and thankful for answered prayer that I had felt you crowning and subsequently got 'squirted' out! It was only 3.38pm! Was expecting to have to 'tahan' the contractions a lot longer! 

After delivering my placenta, Dr Ng then went off to the mommy delivering her first baby next door and only came back to stitch me up about I don't know 15- 30 minutes later? Meanwhile we held you and talked to you and took lots of pictures and videos of you. 

5.00pm We were back at the wards. You were weighed and they found your glucose levels low and 1.9. Below the base of 2.6. So they handed you over to me to breastfeed first before bathing you. We tried establishing breastfeeding. You seem reluctant at first but we finally managed and I was pleasantly and amazingly surprised that you did so well! I never had the experience before of establishing breastfeeding in the 1st hours of delivery! You managed to suckle in both sides for about 35 minutes and then seemed contented. Amazing. They brought you back and later found your levels to have gone above 2.6. Praise God! So glad!!!

7.06pm Papa has gone back and will be back with CheChe, Kor Kor and Popo to see you later. I had my dinner and had my first pee. Messy... as there was no water in the loo! Gonna rest a bit now till they arrive. See you again soon!

Aunt Wee Lyn was our first visitor! And she brought Coffee Bean cakes for us to celebrate since it is also Papa's birthday today! Then Aunty Ee May and Uncle Kenneth together with Joel and Julian arrived together with Papa, Popo,  Che Che, Kor Kor and our temporary Kakak Jami. We had you wheeled back and had a mini celebration!! You slept soundly through all the ruckus! Our neighbour Uncle Alan and Aunty Laura together with Josiah and Jeremiah came with more cakes after. 

Your Che Che was very excited to meet you. Kor Kor seemed a bit confused though. Haha... They were both very happy with the little gift you gave them. An Elmo beanie for CheChe and a Cookie Monster one for Kor Kor. Everyone finally left at about 9.30pm and I tried feeding you but you were fussing away as you had poo-ed. We finally established latching again at around 10.30pm. Discovered you had poo-ed again as you were fussing again. 

1.07am You had been crying. Err. .. Opera singing?! And I had no idea what is the matter. Fed you again and hopefully you are now gonna sleep so I can sleep and the mommy next door won't curse me! Night little love. Mama loves you very much!

Lilies and roses

Got a bunch of flowers from your sweet Papa yesterday. He's not a very flowers-giving person but on very rare occasions when the moons are aligned, then I get some nice surprises... endorphins all the way... :-)

While waiting.....

Papa and I are now feeling pretty relax watching Dapur Nyonya drooling over the Mee Siam being cooked!!!! Haha... hope to continue laughing during my painless delivery to have more endorphins being released to counter the adrenaline!!!

D-day!

Have checked in. Just had pessary inserted. Now waiting for all the action. ... come on baby.... let's do it! Will see u soon!! And happy birthday to Papa! And you!

* had a show on Saturday while showering in the dark after the membrane sweep on your EDD on Friday morning. Was uncomfortable the whole day after that so mostly lying down or sitting. Then back to normal again on Sunday and we even went to a birthday party after church yesterday. Was trying to walk lots but still only 3cm dilated when Dr Ng checked this morning. Was supposed to arrive around 9am but only arrive around 10.30 after a hearty breakfast of tomyam meehoon (which I never got to eat 3 years ago during your Kor-Kor's delivery) and half boiled eggs and teh-si ping without sugar. Now praying all will go smoothly, quickly and painlessly! See u soon baby!

EDD today!

Ok. We are on the way to the hospital now for yet another progress check. I totally couldn't sleep last night. So am a bit zombified now. Not sure what kept me awake. I thought I have been quite calm and ready. Maybe subconsciously I'm afraid of being induced today. I would love to have an au naturalle birth without being induced. Just this once. But you still seem to be very comfy inside. So comfy that we managed to squeeze in a trip to the local Fun Fair last night!

Baby, baby... as we arrive in a few minutes at the clinic, I continue to pray for the concretions to begin and for my cervix to dilate. Lord, You induce me instead! I want to continue to claim in faith that things will go naturally. I also pray for you to stay in perfect position facing down, umbilical cord also in perfect position bot around your neck, that you will not poo-poo in there and you will not be in distress. I pray that you will be delivered quickly, and safely. I pray for God's hands to be with the health care professionals, the best for us, to be with us all the way. Know too baby, that you are loved and we can't wait to meet you!

Week 39

3.339kg and still no action from you. Praying I don't have to be induced again. And praying you are not too big when you are ready to meet us!

We are now actually at the Penang Interactive Museum. Have been wanting to come for some time. Since its Malaysia Day today and Papa has the day off and you are still very comfortable in my tummy, we thought we should take the opportunity.

Week 38

At Dr Ng's again today weighing 69.5kg. Doc will be checking my cervix to see if there's any action. Will insist he doesn't to do a sweep! Praying things will progress naturally. 

Was woken up around 5 am last night with some discomfort and pain. I thought I was having some contractions. Stayed awake for awhile and monitored. Guess it was from all the walking at the mall yesterday. We were at Queensbay Mall after Che Che and Kor Kor's musikgarten class getting some essentials. And later went to Gurney Plaza for more supplies after dinner. So that could have aggravated my pelvic pain and caused more Braxton Hicks? The plus point is we have everything (finally!) if you choose to arrive early. Just need to throw them in a bag!