New Chapter of Our Lives

I was scheduled for another check up on 23^rd May.  It was just like any other day, waking up thinking: When will this little one coming out?  In fact, Andrew and I have decided to induce the baby so that I can deliver him somewhere around this week.  We found out from my gynae that we can wait for maximum 2 more weeks for my baby to be delivered after my due date – 25^th May.  But my gynae would not be around early June.  Since I have been complaining on this heavy load that I needed to carry for the past 9 months, we thought it would be good to ‘unload’ this bundle of joy as soon as possible.

I have been praying for a clear sign when the time comes.  It was about 8am.  After washing up and changing into a decent outfit, I felt water flowing out uncontrollably.  My immediate reaction was:  Is this what people have been described – a gush of water?  I waited.  I felt water flowing out and my pants were wet.  Surprisingly, I was calm.  I checked my bag which was packed sometime ago.  Making sure everything was there, including some last minute stuff, eg camera.  Then I took a quick bath.

Andrew has been waiting for me downstairs for quite awhile.  Finally he came upstairs to look for me.  I told him that I suspected my waterbag has burst.  He looked at me in doubt.  Then my pants were wet again.  Another gush of water?  I thought it was a one-time-thingy.  I didn’t hear from others that there’s going to be a few times???  Anyway, I was hungry.  I told Andrew that I needed to grab something for breakfast before going to the hospital.  So, we headed for Old Town.  Oops, did I mention I got to change again?  :p

When we reached Assunta Hospital, we went straight to the labour ward.  I was admitted around 9:30am.  From 8am till then, once in awhile I felt water flowing out.  I lost count of how many times.  I was ushered by the nurse on duty to change into hospital outfit.  Then they checked on my pressure, temperature and all the other normal procedure.  One of them told me that she’s going to check on my cervix.  After applying some cream, she inserted her fingers into my cervix.  Uncertain of her finding, she asked another senior nurse to do the same again.  They both confirmed that my cervix has not opened and my contraction was still far apart.  So, what’s next?  Wait.  Wait for the cervix to open.  Wait for the contraction to be stronger and closer.

Waiting.  Waiting.  That’s what Andrew and I have been doing for the whole morning.  Andrew was asked to pay deposit of RM3k and confirm the room.   The hospital has provided lunch for me but Andrew needed to go to the café to grab a bite.  Then I was forbidden from eating and drinking since then.  Every hour the nurse came in to check my pressure and temperature.   The contraction was 15 minutes apart and it was very mild.  I thought to myself:  Could this be the pain that everyone is talking about?  Am I the ‘lucky one’ that do not experience great pain like some describing as passing motion?

Finally my gynae came.  He checked on my contraction.  Then his conclusion is I can go home if the contraction remains as it is.  Andrew and I were shocked!  “But her waterbag has burst!?!”, Andrew said.  Looks like the nurse did not inform my gynae on that.  Then my gynae suggested to induce. 

The nurse inserted a pill in my cervix.  This is to soften the muscle around my cervix so that it may open.  Then after 3 hours, they put drips on me – to bring about a stronger contraction.  Then I started to feel the pain.  Labour pain.  The nurse taught me on the breathing method to ease my pain.  I followed.  My contraction was then 8 minutes apart.  Nurse checked on my cervix again and she said it was about 5cm dilated.

Around 6pm, I agreed to have an injection to ease my pain.  Maybe it helped.  Maybe it didn’t.  Every contraction I held tight on Andrew’s hand and practice on the breathing.  When there was no contraction, I dozed off to sleep.  My gynae visited me again and he encouraged me to take the epidural.  I was stubborn not to accept epidural due to my previous experience when I delivered my eldest daughter.  However, the intensity of pain has humble me to accept epidural at 8:30pm after Andrew persuaded me.

To our surprise, instead of giving me an epidural, the nurses came in and informed us that I was ready for the final push.  They placed my legs apart and taught me how to push when the contraction came.  I followed their instructions as much as I could.  I was tired.  Exhausted.  Yet I knew I need to press on.  A short while later my gynae came in.  Andrew described him to be like a butcher, with his transparent helmet and gloves on.  He did episiotomy on my cervix area.  We found out later it was about 1 inch long.  I knew he performed a surgical cut on me but the labour pain has overpowered every other pain.  Finally, at 8:55pm I gave another push and the baby’s head was out.  The medical team encouraged me to give another push but I was too weak by then.  However, my gynae managed to somehow grab the baby’s head and pull him out completely.  Andrew was marveled at how he did it!

The nurse passed the baby to me but I only manage to steal a look at him.  My baby.  Weight around 3.1kg.  There wasn’t any special or emotional feeling.  I guess I was too worn out.  I was then left resting while my gynae stitched me back.

The funny thing is, I couldn’t describe or remember the pain thereafter.  It was gone!  I know I have never experienced such pain before nor can I ever imagine it.  And I certainly do not want to go through it again!  But, nothing can I put into words how painful it was. 

We thank God that everything went on well and there are no complications.  Baby Erwyn is healthy and Andrew was with me all the time. 

This is just the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. 

Elyse's Sense of Direction

Andrew and I have agreed long time ago that our little girl has a better sense of direction than her mummy.  When we were staying in our apartment at USJ, there's a Carrefour at ground floor and some children rides at 1st floor.  After bringing her for a several rounds, she would know exactly where to turn to for the rides or which cubicle to go to for toys in Carrefour.  Once or twice she may lost her ways, yet a gentle reminder would always bring her back to the right path.

The latest incident being, yesterday night when we brought her to Sunway Pyramid for a stroll, we were heading towards the Orange Atrium at LG2.  Then suddenly she told me, "I want to go to bookstore."  and off she ran ahead of us.  Of course, Daddy needed to chase after the little girl since Mummy is walking as slow as a snail nowadays.  Before Daddy was able to stop her, she stood still near the escalator and asked Daddy, "Where's the bookstore?"  Well, she was absolutely right that the bookstore is located at this corner of the mall, but one floor higher - LG1.

Both of us are facinated with Elyse.  At such a tender age she's able to know her way so well.  After all, we have not been to Sunway Pyramid Popular Bookstore for quite some times but she can still remember there's a bookstore at this corner.  Aren't she awesome?  My joke with Andrew is, next time little girl is going to give direction to Mummy rather than the other way round.  Surely, we are proud of her. 

Awaiting...

In less than 2 weeks' time my baby is due and we all hope that he will see the world sooner than the expected due date.  Well, the reason is simply because everyday it is a struggle for me to carry this huge tummy around. :p  Thank God that my backache is not as severe as the previous months but whenever I sit or stand for too long it still hurts.  The latest problem I'm facing is the increase on my body weight has caused much pain to the sore of my feet when I walk or stand for a period of time.

I am now on a weekly check up.  Last week my gynae sent me for a CTG scan.  I was not sure what it was as none of my friends have mentioned such scan before.  Though this is my second pregnancy, many things have been quite different from my previous one because one is C-section and another is normal delivery.

This scan was done in the delivery ward.  I have just visited the ward one week ago.  One of the nurses led me to a room and put two belts across my bump.  It checks to see if baby is having good accelerations of its heartbeat, and also to note if there's any contractions!  The nurse also gave me a button to press on every time I felt the baby moves!  It turned out to be every time the baby moves there's a raise in his heartbeat.  My gynae told me my contraction was 8 minutes apart.  However, since it was a painless contractions so there's nothing to be worried about.  He gave us the green light to go back to TI.

We are happy to find out that the estimated baby weight is around 2.9kg now.  Elyse was only 2.06kg when she was born.  She was so tiny but thank God that she has grown a lot since then.  Although she may appears to be on the smaller side, just like her mother and grandma.

I also notice that this baby boy in me moves very vigorously compare to Elyse.  Many people commented that boys are generally more active than girls.  His movements have sometimes caused a lot of discomfort to me though.  Of course it is a joy to know that he is moving and kicking and punching and doing lots of stunts in me.

Now that all of us are ready for his arrival, yet we are also very concerned on how well Elyse may be able to accept this new member into the family.  Although we have been 'educating' her, she is still very hostile especially when it comes to sharing toys and her mummy with the baby.  Twice she told me that she doesn't want to have a baby brother. 

All in all, we continue to pray and shower our love to our precious daughter.  One step at a time, right?

JB Trip

We stand in awe as we ponder upon God's perfect timing for everything.  Indeed, God's thought is higher than ours.  And God watches us every single moment.

Last year August, Air Asia launched a promotion sales.  I decided to grab such opportunity to purchase air tickets for Elyse and I to fly back to JB.  After looking at numerous options, I bought 2 air tickets to visit my family in April.

Few weeks later, we found out that I am expecting!  Though it is a good news, our plans to JB may be cancelled.  We decided to leave things as it is.  Worse case, forfeit the air ticket since it is quite a cheap flight.  However, I thought it would be good for me to fly down one last time before I deliver my second baby.  After all, it would even be more difficult to take a flight down to JB with a toddler and a baby all by myself next time.

As things unfold, my sis visited me in March and offered to leave her maid behind for a couple of weeks as I settled down in TI.  Just as we were planning, we realised that the maid could fly down together with me.  Now the problem is:  Does AA has any restrictions for expecting mom to board the plane?

Thanks to the advanced technology via internet.  After posting my question in AA facebook, we found out that expecting mom from week 28th to 34th may fly with AA provided with a medical report.  Anxiously we checked on our side.  To our surprised, I will be flying off on the 33rd week and back on the 34th week!  Now don't you agree with me that God's timing is prefect?

There wasn't any problem when I flew down to JB.  It was a bit troublesome as I have to filled up forms and showed it to the security guards and the air stewardess when I board the plane.  But when I came back the following week, JB side seemed to be more concerned.  The lady at the check in counter intercom her colleague and said, "Perutnya besar tapi dia nampak sihat saja" (she looks healthy though her tummy is really big).  After waiting for quite awhile at the counter, again, I was asked to fill in the form.

The real drama began when I was already in the plane and it was about time to land LCCT, an air stewardess came to me and asked me, "How are you?  Are you feeling okay?  Do you feel uncomfortable?"  I smiled and answered that I was fine and that's nothing to be worried.  Then she told me that she didn't know that I was on board.  My medical report was not passed to her directly and she just saw it.  She even said she wouldn't have allowed me to board the plane because I am 34 weeks and 5 days.  hmm.... I wonder how she counted that???  Then she continued, "Are you going to deliver in KL?  Please don't board the plane anymore."  LOL

I am fine throughout the entire journey.  It is worthwhile going back and spending time with my family.  Elyse enjoyed herself a lot as well.  And I really thank God for His goodness.

Cameron Highlands

Since this is the last week kakak is with us, daddy & mummy decided to grab hold of the opportunity and bring me to Cameron Highlands for our first family vacation of the year.

Mummy has never been to Cameron before.  This was her first trip up the hill, too.  I was a good good girl, slept through the entire journey up and down.  Not making a fuss in the cars.  Giving mummy a break so that she does not get car sick since the road is very winding.

We left on Sunday afternoon.  It took us around 2 hours to reach Cameron.  Daddy was lost trying to look for Eight Mentigi Guest House.  Since it was a little bit last minute planning, we couldn't get Cheefoo or other places.  Daddy found this guest house via internet.  So he decided to give it a try.  Eight Mentigi Guest House is located at Tanah Rata, but after driving around several rounds, daddy finally gave a call to the PIC.  And 5 minutes later, we were there.

Peter, the PIC of the guest house, welcomed us at the front gate and showed us our room.  After unloading and unpacking our stuff, we headed for OMF and Cheefoo at Brinchang.  We have no specific agenda.  Just some family time and giving ourselves a break from all the house moving.  Mummy saw some photos posted by Aunty Audrey in her blog of this OMF Bungalow.  She loves the scenery.  So, daddy brought us over to take a look since we couldn't stay there. 

I certainly enjoyed running around the big garden.  Played slides, sea saw and the swing with kakak and mummy.  There was so much fun!  An aunty who stayed there gave us a few cookies to try on.  She said it's home made cookies at OMF.  D&M like it.

Then we went to Cheefoo for a quick glance.  I was so excited when I saw the slides and the swing.  D&M said we may stay there the next time if we ever visited Cameron again.  Of course, prior booking is required and hopefully there's a discount for us since Cheefoo is a property of the Methodist church.

Next stop at Brinchang town.  We went for a stroll around the town.  Then back to Tanah Rata town for dinner.  As the temperature was dropping, D&M decided to have steamboat.  After the delicious meal, we walked to the Pasar Malam nearby.  As the sky turned dark, I pestered D&M to bring me back to the guest house.

I was so happy when I laid down on the bed and played my puzzle.  D&M and kakak took turn to wash up and killing insects (mainly mosquitoes) in the room.  D&M closed all the windows to prevent more mossies from attacking me.  Soon the room was getting a little stuffy and D&M decided to take a walk outside the guest house.  They thought I wouldn't want to join them.  How can I miss the fun?  All 4 of us went for a walk all the way to the town. 

It was a short 5 minutes walk to the town.  I enjoyed looking at the night sky.  The stars are so beautiful, I sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' all along the way.  Kakak and I visited the souvenir shop while D&M have light supper.

Back to the guest house again, everyone was exhausted except me.  Mummy stayed up talking to me while daddy and kakak went to sleep.  Finally I also doze off.  The next morning Daddy and kakak complained there were mosquitoes and they did not sleep very well.  But thank God that Mummy and I are spared.  We have a good night rest though we slept later than them.

Daddy brought me out for a morning walk while Mummy and kakak packed our stuff.  The morning breeze was cooling, refreshing and nice.  Then we have breakfast at the guest house and checked out after that.

Our first stop was the strawberry farm.  I saw a lot of children rides.  Sat on everyone of them though Daddy doesn't have any RM0.50 coins for the rides.  Upon query, Daddy found out that apparently there wasn't the season to pluck the strawberry.  So, Daddy brought us to another farm near the Equatorial Hotel.  That farm is full of ripen strawberry!  Daddy paid RM20 for us to pluck 1/2 kg of strawberry.

Next stop, the Rose Valley.  Entrance fee is RM4 per adult and RM2 for children.  I am consider free!  We saw lots and lots of flowers.  But what caught my eyes were not those beautiful plants, it was the slides and the swing that I was having fun with! 

Then we headed for our lunch at Lee & Chew Farm Restaurant (Water Cress Valley).  Daddy ordered a plate of vege, venison curry and sweet & sour fish.  The food is nice with reasonable price.    But the juice is a bit pricy - RM8 per glass.  The scenery is nice, too.  The haphazard farm terrace in the valley makes an intriguing view with its fresh air.  However, it was quite hot today.

Our final stop was the Kea Farm.  All the marketing of vegetables, flowers and potted plants, etc is there.  D&M bought some vege and flowers to bring back home. 

All in all, I enjoyed this vacation with D&M and kakak.  But I also missed home.  I told D&M I wanted to come home when we were at the Kea Farm.  Mummy said I'm a typical city girl.  The greenery doesn't seem to attract me that much.  But D&M enjoyed the fresh air in the highlands.

Priceless Experiences Part 2

Elyse was not an easy baby to take care with.  Being inexperienced made things worst.  In Part 1, I've mentioned that Elyse drinks her milk rather slow.  Since she was under weight (only 2.06kg) when she was born, we were very concerned of her intake of milk.  Not only did she drink very slow, she drank very little, too.

She was also very fussy when it came to sleeping.  I remembered there was a season her internal clock is upside down - sleeping during the day and wide awake at night.  Each of us have to take turn to take care of her at night. 

Then another season when she refused to sleep on her bed.  I would need to carry her to sleep for almost 2/3 hours.  If I ever put her down too quickly, she would cried non stop.  Now we thanked God that she was not heavy.  Just imagine how tiring it would be for carrying a baby for 2/3 hours.

Even while I continued to breast feed her, Elyse fell ill when she was 4th month old (if I remembered correctly).  Feeding medicine was yet another challenge.

I was grateful for having my in laws around during those tough days and months.  My father in law needed to wash Elyse's nappies 2 times a day to ensure sufficient supply.  My mother in law did not only cook, but cleaned up the house and took care of Elyse.  I couldn't imagine how Andrew and I would be able to manage without their help.

Part 3 I'll tell you the story of my delivery.  Again, it is quite a traumatic one.

Priceless Experiences Part 1

As my due date is approaching, I am becoming more and more nervous with the arrival of my new born baby. 

I remember those first 2 weeks of frustration when I tried to breast feed Elyse.  Thanks to all the baby books.  All of them claimed that mothers would have sufficient supply of milk for their babies, as long as we feed them on demand.  However, it is not so in my case.  My milk flow came in rather late.  Leaving me very depressed for unable to provide for my baby girl.  Determined to breast feed my baby, I've tried every possible ways.  Breastfeeding is really not that easy after all.

Finally when I got used to breast feeding and reassured myself that Elyse was feeding well (she is growing and putting on weight), I have an infection on my wound (C-section).  I needed to go back to my gynae every week to clean up the wound.  It was very painful each section.  The nurse and my gynae would need to poke a hole with a needle or use a knife to cut my wound and pressed on it to make sure it is cleaned.  No pain killer was provided.  Each week I prayed and hope for the best.

Due to the infection, I was under strong medication.  It is not advisable to breast feed my baby.  However, to ensure my milk supply in the future, I expressed out my milk and threw them away.  I did that every 2 hours, even at night.  It was very tiring but I persevered, hoping that this may help to increase my milk flow.

So, every day and night after feeding Elyse, I would need to spend extra time expressing my milk and washed and sterillised the equipment.  By the time I laid down to rest, just moments later I needed to repeat the entire process again.  Thanks to my in laws who helped me tiredlessly.  Many times they helped me to feed the baby.  Elyse drinks her milk rather slow even till now.  There was once my father in law fed her for one hour!

Finally I was healthy again there came another incident.  My body was full of rashes.  Chinese called it 'fong mo'.  Some people said I shouldn't have drink wine, some people said I should have avoided fan blowing directly on me, some people said it's the air cond.  Whatever the reasons may be, I was really saddened by this incident.  I was quarantined for 2/3 days until the rashes was gone completely.  Since the baby was still young, we do not want to take any chances.

Just when everything was fine again, our bedroom was invaded by bugs.  Both Andrew and I have been bitten all over our bodies.  Thank God that Elyse was spared from this.  At first we thought it was mosquitoes, until one fine evening I discovered a bug on my shirt while taking a nap.  We moved the bed frame outdoor and sun it.  Cleaned up the entire room.  Washed everything.  Then peace and quiet was finally restored again.

The next part of the story I'll write about how our lives were messed up by this precious angel.