In a Sentimental Mood

Feeling kinda contented listening to 'In a sentimental mood' by Duke Ellington & John Coltrane and holding a sleeping Hannah in my arms. She is 10 weeks old now and time is really flying by so fast. I'm torn between wishing that she will stay her small little cute self or watching her develop into this beautiful girl with unique personality. I can't believe this little girl is mine to keep. I may be bias but isn't she the cutest baby ever. 

I have not been keeping to my promise of blogging more often. Hopefully with the new year approaching, new resolutions will spurn me on *crossfingers*. On that note, 2015 is ending and I got to say that this year have been such an adventure with all the travelling, moving to US, getting pregnant, Rockstar studying and motherhood. Phew.. I feel like everything went by in a blur (note to self: that's why blogging is so important). 

Anyway, since Rockstar is turning 29 tomorrow and today is a momentous day in going to dedicate this blog post to him. I went shopping on my own and left Hannah with Rockstar for 2 hours. It's pretty long considering this is the first  time I've been apart from Hannah since January. Definitely had withdrawal symptoms and I missed her so much. But it was a good 2 hours of freedom. 

Rockstar is an amazing father. He gets better and better each day. Hannah is blessed to have a father who is involved in her life. Just a week back, she gave the biggest smile ever (she just started experimenting with her smile and facial muscles) and I'm glad that Rockstar was there with me to experience that moment. I did not managed to capture in on camera but it was indeed a moment for us. 

Here are some photos of my two loves. 

Holding her..

Playing peekabo

and hide and seek..

Comforting her..

Lazy feeding ;p

Watching cartoons

Feeding on the go

Tummy time

Cuddles..

At the doctor..

Sleepy mornings...

Happy 29th Birthday Rockstar! Loving you non stop.. 

Tummy time

Last night, she rolled over.. *fist pump*. After feeding her, I put her on her back on the bed beside me as I read a book. Next thing I knew, she has flipped over onto her tummy. And as I watch her, she turned her neck twice. It may just be a 1 time coincident but babycenter.com says it may take 5-6 months for a baby to flip over from back to front. But who cares, I sure am a proud mama today.. 

I don't do a lot of tummy time. Or at least I try too. But with the constant feeding and sleeping, there isn't much left for playtime. I can count with 1 hand the number of times I put her on her tummy this first month. But the days gets much easier now. I believe we both have come to some sort of an understanding of each other. I am so looking forward to more tummy time and playtime wit her. 

She is getting more alert lately.. Just opening her eyes wide and staring at things. She has not yet learn to react to sounds but I'm pretty sure it will be soon. She likes looking at shadows and lights, and playing games with daddy. 

Loving every minute spend with her. (Yes, even those 3am wake up calls) 

Turning 1 month old

Oh gosh.. Time does fly. It feels like it's just yesterday when I brought home a tiny wee human being, yet at the same time, everything feels like a lifetime ago. I feel like I've aged so much and learn so much since then. 

1 week old 

As I'm typing this out, I'm holding her in my arms as she suckles at my boobs. Breastfeeding is a such an experience which I will leave for another story. I watch her grow and her tiny wiggly legs and arms have filled out. Not yet into chubby rolls but it's on it's way there. Her newborn cry have turn into a louder, more intense cry. But she mostly only cries when she is hungry and doesn't get her food fast enough. Her eating habits are not yet define, as she still feeds on instinct and demand. 

Amazing swaddle from Love to Dream 

I could watch her all day. Awake, she is animated and alert, with her own tiny expressions and in awe as she discovers the world. Sleeping or half asleep, she has her own quips and mannerism. She is developing her own sound, expressions, and actions that is so her own. She's likes to be hold most of the time. She sleep best when she is in my arms.

Catching an afternoon nap when the baby sleeps

Being her mum feels like an adventure. From the feeding, to the diaper blowouts, to bathing and more. Everyday is different. But I am still learning and beginning to slightly adjust to our new normal again. 

She's almost done feeding.. I hope. Or at least done for maybe the next 20mins before she starts looking for the boobs again. 

3 weeks old...

I'll check in again whenever I can.. Hopefully soon as I would really like to record everything down to remember.

Happy 1 month old baby girl! Mummy loves you more each day. 

Till then... 

*p.s. All photos are mine and are not to be used without permission. Thanks :) 

D-Day

Written on Oct 15, 2015

 

Beautiful sunrise fro my hospital bed

Hello little one! You are such a drama queen. Not even out yet and given your daddy and mummy so much drama. 

Last week started all good and quiet. But then the speed train ride. During checkup on Thursday, doctor said you were measuring small and advice us to go in for a sonogram. So we did. After the sonogram, doctor look at the results and gave us 3 options: to induce and delivery you that day, check in to hospital to go on drip or go home and load up on fluid. You were only 6%, a huge drop from already being small at 30% and the amniotic fluid that keeps you safe was at a low of 5.7% only. It's was pretty scary for mummy. We did not expect you for another 3 weeks and we hope our decision to wait will not bring any harm to you. Over the weekend, mummy ate and drank so much. All hoping that the nutrients will go to you. After sonogram on Monday morning, mummy did a little happy dance inside when the doctor said that the fluid level has gone up to 6%. Yay! But that afternoon, we received a call from the doctor who had concerns and advice us to prepare for your arrival that week. After another checkup on Tuesday, mummy was scheduled in to induce delivery on Wednesday. 

So here's mummy now, just a week later. Lying in a hospital bed with tubes and monitors attached to me. Last night, mummy started taking pills to prepare the passage for you. The sun is peeking over the horizon now. Mummy didn't get much sleep with all your kicking and the contractions she is having. She's been praying for you and hoping you will be healthy. Mummy is also praying that you will start kicking up a fuss and prepare to come out. Mummy don't want anymore drugs to bring you into the world. You are meant to come at God's timing and she is trusting God to take control. Mummy wanted to experience a drug free, natural labour but whatever helps in bringing you safely into the world, she will accept it. Please be safe little one. Please stay strong and healthy. 

It's a new day! Daddy and mummy eagerly waits to welcome you. 

Some pictures to remember.

 

Holding my orange apple smoothie on the way to the hospital

Dinner that night

I hate needles!!

External monitors on my belly to monitor baby's heartbeat

last breakkie

Facetiming with my parents before everything turned crazy

a big fat whale

i feel like a whale
a belly side up whale
a whale with many gills aka stretchmarks
and scaly, dry skin
i have a blowhole with lots of gases
they releases without warning
i have something in my big belly
that moves very, very often
it looks like fishes (or worms) squirming left and right
and fighting fishes throwing punches and kicks
i surface on and off
when i have the urge to release
and when i crave for some food
i try to eat healthy
i take naps very often
i count the fish moving in my belly
i read books
i clean and wash
i pray and hope
my body creaks 
my back ache 
my hips hurt
my belly pushes down
i smile
i laugh
i cuddle
i love
i am a pregnant 32 weeks lady

Baby Bump Photo for Week 31

Brown Vintage Dress : Hand-me-down from my mum

Chain Necklace : Hadasah Hannah

Leather Strapped Watch : Longines 

Baby Bump Photo for Week 32

Blue Floral Shift Dress : Liz Clairborne

Gold Long Necklace : Hadasah Hannah

Letter to My Little One (Week 30)

Week 30 (21st August 2015)

hello my little one! it's me again, your mummy..

3 weeks have flown by and you are now 30 weeks old. you have grown so much and you are getting so big and heavy. mummy can tell that you are growing stronger by the kicks and punches you are giving mummy. mummy's belly looks like a watermelon and she feels like a whale. it's getting harder for mummy to move around. especially in bed. just to turn from the left to the right side takes many tries. and the stretchmarks you have given mummy is so humongous. mummy's appetite comes and goes too. sometimes she feels like eating but the feeling of heartburn prevents her from doing so. and feeling like someone is constantly kicking mummy in the groin is so painful. daddy says you got to be nice to mummy. can you, little one? please be good.. 

but you know what? all of that does not matter because mummy loves you. she wants you to be strong and healthy and beautiful. she hopes that you will grow up to be kind and gentle and sweet. and to have a caring heart and to have understanding and wisdom. and most importantly, mummy prays that you will be a woman who loves God and who follows His commands. 

daddy and mummy loves you and wants you to have the best. 

you are almost there, sweetie.. just a few more weeks to go.. the kind nurse told us that you are a little small in size but you are healthy and strong.. that's good, baby girl.. stay strong and healthy. mummy is trying her best to provide all the nutrients you need. 

we love you little one.. 

Baby Bump Photo for Week 27

Navy Blue Shirt Dress : Uniqlo

Beaded Earring : Hadasah Hannah

Leather Strapped Watch : Longines

Baby Bump Photo for Week 28

Floral Printed Midi Skirt : Ladylike

Gold Black Earring : Hadasah Hannah

Leather Strapped Watch : Longines

Baby Bump Photo for Week 29

Brown Silk Top : New York & Company

Gold Loop Earring : Hadasah Hannah

Gold Aztec Ring : thrifted from flea market

Life lately...

Wow! Time flew by so fast and it is 1 month since my last update on life.  So here's what's I've been up to lately...in photos :p    

Lunching at a pretty French cafe. Food was so yummy..

Steamboat/ Hot pot at home

 

Loving my check-up at this beautiful hospital..

Tacos! Yums...

Celebrating my baby girl with a huge cupcake :)

Taking long walks in the evening around the neighbourhood.. 

Lots of eating.. and baking.. too much spare time :)

Japanese for lunch..

...and satisfying my hamburger craving.

Shopping.. sorta.. kinda hard to buy clothes when everything makes me look fat -_-

Arab food for lunch.. oooo, the curry is amazing!

Tacos by the roadside...

Lots of tea times... and book times

Got myself a membership at the local library too.. *bookworm mode on*

Visited the local farmers market

..and indulge myself with an apple turnover. 

Selfie before another doctor's checkup..

Spotted some cute sidewalk chalk drawings during 1 of my evening walks.. 

More eating.. 

Pancakes from IHOP..

Homemade crepes.. 

And more food... Home-cooked spaghetti bolagnaise..

.. and pad thai at a local highly Yelp rated Thai food cafe.. 

Took my local driving license..

Did lots of thrifting...books, clothes, shoes :p

Made creme caramel custard pudding..

...and banana pancakes..

Welcome drink from church..

Eating again..,lots of fruits and yogurt.

Baked mini apple pies.. 

Got a bag load of winter wear hand me downs from Rockstar's cousin.. 

Lots of Facetime and Skype time with my family and friends..

And a final picture of my belly at Week 27... 3 weeks ago. 

It's growing so big so fast.. I am feeling like a whale lately. 

And tomorrow I'll be going for a holiday... cum babymoon.. and most importantly I get to see Rockstar after being apart for 2 months. Yay!! Till then...