Lord, please give us the wisdom the make the best decision for Valerie

Went for my bi-weekly check-up yesterday. Valerie is healthy and fine... but she's not in the correct position (head-down) for delivery. She's in a breech position (head is up at the top of the uterus)... which she was already in while we went for the ultrasound 2 weeks ago. We were optimistic that Valerie will move to head-down position on her own when the time draws nearer.

Sadly, yesterday, the doctor said we must make some decisions soon. Kind of like preventative measures. Here are my options:

1. Schedule for a C-section on the 38 week and be done with it.

2. Play the waiting game. Wait till labour starts on its own... and pray very hard that Valerie would have already turn to head-down position by then. If not, I will be going for an emergency C-section.

3. Have a procedure called an external cephalic version (ECV). This procedure tries to turn Valerie and gives me a better chance of a vaginal delivery. It is done by applying pressure to abdomen and manually manipulating the baby into a head-down position. ECV works about 58 percent of the time, but sometimes the baby refuses to budge. And some babies even rotate back into a breech position during labour, even when ECV was successful.

We'll be going back to the doctor next week.... and ask more questions. Major queries are:
1. What are the risks for a scheduled C-section VS emergency C-section
2. What are the risks for Valerie if we do the ECV... I know it'll be painful but we need to know if there will be side effects for Valerie.

Option 1 seems to be the easy way out... and after reading many forums... many mothers seem to go for a C-section anyways in the end. But as a first time mom... would really love to delivery the "normal" way, to experience the "pain" of childbirth. Call me sadist... but it's a challenge and pain that I want to go through.

There are other non-medical options (Paul thinks that they are silly). One site recommended Hypnosis, others said, acupuncture might work (either the needle or burning type). Also read that making somersaults in the pool or sitting in a bath tub may work too! In fact Doctor asked me to try to go down on my knees and elbows (the butt being higher than my chest) and stay in that position for 10-15min, 3 times a day. The gravity pulling my tummy might encourage Valerie to turn or flip to head-down position. The main rationale is that when Valerie's head is pushed to the top of the uterus, it might make her uncomfortable, therefore forcing her to flip opposite direction on her own...

But the final word is I need GOD's wisdom now... to make the right decision next week. My gut feeling is to play the waiting game, and let GOD do his miracle. And when natural labour time arrives...we shall see how Valerie wants to be delivered. Coming out through the vagina or through the tummy.

Please keep us in your prayers. Thanks!

Counting down...

5 more weeks to go... time do fly fast... It seems like yesterday that i just got back from Hawaii. In fact, I wish I was still in Hawaii... ehheheehehe.... lovely place... fantastic beaches.... dreamz.....

This journey has been an eye opener... so many changes just for a little baby. Very excited and yet anxious. Valerie is getting big. I could feel the heaviness of my tummy and I seem to start walking like a penguin. She now weighs a tad over 5 pounds and is just over 18 inches long. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products... yucks!! Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight... oh no... means she gets heavier, therefore I'll get even heavier!! Hahahahahaha....

All is well so far... I could feel her movement everyday... although sometimes it might hurt... but still love the feeling, knowing that Valerie is alive and kicking.

Valerie's Crib

This is the Cherry Wood colour crib that we bought for Valerie

This picture shows how the crib can be converted into a transitional bed or day bed.

This will be the bed that Valerie will sleep till she is maybe about 4-5 years old. Depending on how fast she grows. This crib can be converted into a transitional bed and also a day bed.

Had some difficulty in deciding what crib to buy too... not as headache as the stroller. We didn't want to buy the expensive ones... cos they cost about $300-500... but yet we worry the cheapest ($60-$90) would be too flimsy. So we decided on a $120 one... but after bringing it home and setting it up this afternoon.... it still feels kinda flimsy, eventhough it states that the crib is made of solid wood. Maybe we should have just bought a 2nd hand one. Sigh... and we want to bring this crib back to SG... so that Valerie can continue to sleep in it... till she outgrowns it or when her sibling comes along to take over. Hahahahahahaha....

Now that Valerie's bed is all fixed up... time for papa & mama to go to bed... good night. Zzzzzzz

Graco or Combi?

Finally, we've decided on a stroller. It was such a dilemma at first. Mainly because there were 2 very distinctive strollers that we liked, Graco and Combi. In fact there was only one... but we later found out or realise that the stroller of our choice, Graco, would not work very well in SG. Due to its size and weight, it's impossible to carry it around... unless by car. The other disadvantage is that it's so huge it might be an inconvenience pushing it around the Singapore crammed aisle and walkways. Combi is half the weight, a third smaller in size, but doesn't look sturdy or very comfortable (cushiony with lots of padding and space). Furthermore, we want to buy it new... and use it for our next kid too... therefore alot of thoughts and words were put into making this purchase.

To buy a huge, heavy and sturdy stroller that may not be used again in SG or to buy a smaller, lightweight but flimsier one that many Singaporean moms recommended? There's a price difference of only $20-30 between the two, therefore no issue there.

Eventually we've decided on the smaller stroller. It's called Combi... and among this brand... there are alot of models... which we finally have decided on. It's called the Combi Cosmo EX in Mango colour. Let's hope that Valerie loves to be in it as much as we love buying it.

This is the Combi Cosmo EX
















This is Graco Quattro (the competitor)

Starting to panic...

How do we know if we're prepared for Valerie's homecoming or not? In fact, are we even prepared for the labour itself? We're 5 weeks to her due date... it is getting very near... and sometimes I ask myself, "Am I fully prepared?" "Do I have all the knowledge and information that is needed for this labour?"... and the list goes on.

I was just talking to one of the new mommies today... and we agreed that there are alot of things out there that we can buy for the baby, but not everything is a necessity. Alot are luxuries... and even unnecessary things. Eg. Baby wipes warmer, why in the hell do we need to warm the wipes? Worry that baby's buttock might catch a cold? hahahahaaha...

Anyways, we are going for our first Childbirth preparation class tomorrow, from 9am to 4pm. And the following week too, from 9am to 2pm. Let's hope that the classes will resolve many of my fears and queries. This will also be a chance for Paul to find out what Labour is all about... can't get him to read the books or magazines that I have, so have to resort to paying for these classes and therefore he will go.

Sayonara!!

The ABCs of Friendship

A friend recently sent me a Valentine's Day E-card... I find it very thought-provoking and agreeable. It's kinda like a gauge... and when I read through it... certain names or faces will appear... for either having these traits below or not. And I'm going to use this as my own gauge too... so that my friends won't be shortchanged. I guess these are the expectations that I was mentioning before. Although it seems overwhelming with 26 things to do... but I realise that when you're true to a friend... it comes naturally. I hope that these ABCs are as encouraging to me as it is going to be for you.

Take care my dear friends... know that you're always in my thoughts and prayers. Love & misses you!!

A - Accepts you as you are
B - Believes in you
C - Calls you just to say "Hi"
D - Doesn't give up on you
E - Envisions the whole world of you (even the unfinished part)
F - Forgives your mistakes
G - Gives unconditionally
H - Helps you
I - Invites you over
J - Just be with you
K - Keeps you close at heart
L - Loves you for who you are
M - Makes a difference in your life
N - Never judges
O - Offers support
P - Picks you up
Q - Quiets your fears
R - Raises your spirit
S - Says nice things about you
T - Tells you the truth when you need to hear it
U - Understands you
V - Values you
W - Walks beside you
X - Xplain things you don't understand
Y - Yells when you won't listen
Z - Zaps you back to reality

Welcome, baby Jinde

Our friends, David & Suhui just delivered their first baby boy less than 2 weeks ago. CONGRATULATIONS! Here are some photos of Baby Jinde, his parents and all the Kaypoh aunties who were so excited to see him!!! We visited the hospital the day that he was born. Born on 3 Feb 2006, weighing 7 lbs 9 ounces.














Here's baby Jinde... sleeping soundly... But he'll open one of his eyes...once in awhile... to kind of peep and see what we are doing or talking about.

And here is Jinde's tired looking father, David....he's going to be so busy taking care of the little guy & mommy. And his happy & relieved mother, Suhui. Wonderful job you guys!! Take care and all the best!






And here are all the kaypoh aunties... hehehehe... who have been looking forward to this day... to welcome baby Jinde to this wonderful world!

Welcome & Farewell dinner

The whole trade had a welcoming and farewell dinner for the guys on Sat at the Claim Jumper. Ken & Sew just arrived 3 days ago from Spore, and YeowTeck & Weijie will be leaving for Spore next Wed.













We were hungrily waiting outside to be called in to the restaurant. There were 16 of us... in fact, almost the whole trade attended, except for Suhui & David (our new Daddy & Mummy) The place was super crowded.











When the food arrived... yum yum...

Karen & Jordon were very amazed by their supersized Prime Rib that was aged for a few days before being served. Delicious.

I had Fillet Mignon and Paul had Crabcakes... Simply wonderful. Paul & I learnt the BabySign for eat... which is to have ur fingers touch your mouth in an upward motion.

This is actually called Spicy Thai Slaw... but it tasted just like Yue Sang... only missing the raw fish. So, I did have Yue Sang in US... during Chinese New Year.

Who does Valerie looks like?

We went for our biweekly check up at the gynae yesterday and also went for an ultrasound. This time, it is a 3D/4D image... and Valerie is 33weeks. A little disappointing as we were expecting to see much more of Valerie. But apparently, she has decided to sleep facing the left and also because she was in a breeched position, her head was upwards. And an amazing feat she has done, her legs were propped up touching her head!!! I think our gal is going to be a future gymnast!!

Anyways, here are some pictures and you can decide for yourself who does she resemble.

As for us, we think she has Paul's thick and sultry lips (Hahahahahahaa) and definitely has my round nose and face shape. Therefore, in conclusion, she might turn out resembling Janice (Paul's sister)!!! Hahahahahahaa....

PS: Janice, you already know how we got that conclusion yah? ;oP Can you please forward me a picture of yourself when you were a baby? I'll post it up side by side with Valerie's and we shall let the whole world compare!!!

AA steamboat lunch at our home

Waiting for the food to be ready... sigh... men... only know how to relax... ehheheehee....













Finally get to enjoy the food... al fresco style!!













What do the women do, u might ask. Wash up lor.. what else!!!


























And what do we do after makan? Gamble of course... what else is there to do during CNY? Haven't you heard of the saying? "Whenever chinese gather, there's always gambling."


We ladies have better things to do... we talk about knitting!!












(from top left) Group photo.
Paul, Jordan, Don, David, Chris aka Mr Tan (the head of AA), Me, Karen, Patricia, Suhui, Susie, Tony, Edwin, Yeow Teck.

CNY Potluck at Felicia & Jason's home

Yummy food... we had Baked chicken, Ngoh Hiong, Fried springroll, Vegetarian vegetable, Orange chicken, Yam cake, Longan Almond jelly & Chocolate cake. Not featured, was also stir fried noodles.
















All of us at the Potluck. David & Suhui, Me & Paul, Vincent & Jess, Bernard & Ailin, Jason & Felicia, Junxiong & Xiao Bai.

Chinese New Year dinner

Paul, the Kung Fu master... doing the "dragon dance" Hahahahahaha.....

















The lovely AA wives (from top left, Patricia, Susie, Karen, Me & Suhui)












More lovely wives, Felicia (left) & Kathryn (right).