Making Baby #3: Exercise during pregnancy

I don't think you can take exercise out of me. Haha. (Ok, I can say that now cause I only have one toddler to care for. Perhaps when our 2nd baby pops out, I will tell you.. "WHAT IS EXERCISE??")

Kidding, I will definitely try to find some time once we are settled with our newborn's schedule and everyone's schedule.
I personally find it important to stay fit. How else are you going to keep up with 2 kids?

So, I've been going for brisk walks in the morning, attending pre-natal yoga and recently back at the gym for some indoor walking & working out with the gym tools. I'm trying to swim more than walk as my belly's getting heavier.

Went for a swim after so long.

It felt SOOOOOOO GOOD!

I felt weightless (almost forgot that I am pregnant) and I just went on laps effortless. :D

The props used at my Pre-natal Yoga class.

I wear my running (now walking) shoes almost every day ever since I passed my first trimester.

(Sorry for the blur photo.)

But going for walks has become a chore now. 

Time to switch!

Many asked if James is excited about the baby. I have to say, he's not really bothered most of the time. At times he will just give my belly a big kiss and say "I LOVE YOU BABY!!" and at times, he will just make funny faces in front of my belly as though his sibling will be able to see it. Haha..

We are going to have two cheeky young ones soon... God guide us!

Here's our boy showing some "brotherly" love.

The ask-a-lot/talks-a-lot/go-against-you-a-lot toddler

Every parent will be very familiar with this phase.

They ask you a lot! Talks a lot and most of all... go against you... almost ALL THE TIME!

(Which is good. Don't get me wrong. I love it when my son is curious about things, just shows that he's learning.)

But the going against you part, can be very testing. For example, every day after school, my son and I will have this conversation:

James: Mummy, can I play playdough? Can I? Can I?

Me: Yes, you can, James. But you have to take your nap at 2.30pm.

James: NOooooo! It's sunny day! We only sleep during night time!

Me: You have to take a nap. If not you will be grumpy boy.

James: NOoooooo! I'm not grumpy!!!! 

Me: There, you are showing signs of a grumpy boy now.

James: But can I play playdough first?

Me: Yes, you can play playdough first but when the clock strikes 2.30pm, you will have to take a nap.

James: OK!

Me: Promise?

James: Yes!

(This conversation will be repeated twice or three times in the car.)

He usually doesn't break his promise but when he does, I just have to go through the "You promised that you will take a nap after playing!" conversation.

So,  I go through this every....single....day!

This is just one of the many repeated conversations we have. (I did mention he talks-a-lot too!)

Nevertheless, I'm very very very blessed and thankful to have this boy in my life. 

He is still adorable.

He will always be..

(even though he gives me "charity" smiles.)

...the one that gives me intrinsic motivation and satisfaction being a stay-home-mum.

No regrets.

Love!

Making Baby #3: The First Trimester

I have to admit, even though we are overjoyed, thankful and all the happy things that you can think of since we found out that we are pregnant, there's still so much fear in us.

Like even a lil drop of spotting, sends us to "panic" mode or a little bit of cramp, then we'll go.. "HOW AR???"

We behaved like we have never been pregnant before. (We allowed ourselves to have less faith just because things happened.)

After a few weeks, we told ourselves, that we should keep cool, have faith.
Keep in mind: EVERY PREGNANCY IS DIFFERENT!
Just like how every child is different even though from the same factory.

My first trimester went smoothly. I had the "all day sickness" but I could still manage to keep food in. Could still do my "mummy duties" except that I wasn't allowed to do housework and carry heavy stuff (including my toddler. He's 17kg by the way.)

So this is me at 9 weeks pregnant...

My tummy was already showing but no one noticed it til I was way pass my first trimester. (Now I don't know if that's good or bad.)

Anyhow, the baby is growing well and I'm just so glad the first trimester is over. Of course, there's two more trimesters to go and it comes with all sorts of "worries". 

We will just have to keep praying and have faith! :)

He will never leave us alone

James & I spent the last 6 nights in the hospital. It was a very testing period for us (hubby too).

On Sunday, our boy couldn't stop vomiting til his stomach acid came out. He couldn't hold anything in. So hubby and I decided that we shouldn't wait any longer and rushed to the ER even though it was already 11pm. 

The Medical Officer (MO) told us that there's no choice but to admit him and put him on drips. The crying begun when the first MO couldn't find my son's vein on his left hand. He was poked twice but no blood came out. Then the next MO came, and tried on his right hand and still can't find it. So they decided to not put him on drips and just give him anti-vomit jab and let him rest for the night in the hospital.

By the time we got into the ward, it was already 2am.

The following morning, the vomiting continued and James was in pain. He only felt better... after vomiting. 

Feeling better after a round of vomiting. 

I sent this photo to my mum and she said.. "Wah, why does he look like he is so happy to be in the hospital?"

She don't know how uncomfortable he was when the pain strikes.

The vomiting continued at night and midnight, the purging started too! The nurses got very worried and called the Dr at midnight to ask for her opinion. So we had to try to get the line in at 4am! 

Another MO came and guess what, he failed too! (My son has almost invisible veins on his hands.) So they had to resort to place the needle on his arm. (Not the most preferred place as they have to ensure that he doesn't bend his elbow too often.)

Oh yes, more crying and I think by now, my son is afraid of needles.

He don't look so happy now eh?

Lying down, like a boss!

Once the drip is in, he felt a lot better. There was still pain, still purging and vomiting but he found his appetite for food that he can't eat. Eg: Mc Donald's, Pizza and Hot Chocolate

After two days being on drips and being able to drink without vomiting, Dr decided to take him off it.

He was very happy that he gets to walk around freely.

The boy wants brown noodles!

He gets brown noodles!

Just when I thought, he's finally recovering well (he was in such good spirits), he vomited again at night (only once), followed by purging an hour later . On that night, I couldn't take it anymore. I was so tired and just when there was a glimpse of hope, it was shattered once again. I was heartbroken and all I could do was go down on my knees and ask God to heal him. 

By the 5th day, I was already pushing myself so hard to just stay strong. I wasn't myself and I was just hanging on to God's promise and support from family & friends. Most of all, my son inspired me to stay strong.

He didn't stop being himself even though he was the one in pain, vomiting, purging and walking around with a bloated tummy. 

He could even smile.

(He gets moody at times, especially when he's in pain but he bounce right back once the ordeal is over.)

There's really no reason for me not to smile right back at him. :)

The vomiting stopped for a day but then we had to solve another problem, the bloated tummy. The Dr gave him a stronger colic drops and it helped.

On the 6th day, he was eating organic oven baked crackers.

Purging stopped on the 6th day and he had a good sleep on the 6th night.

Then we finally got the green light to GO HOME!!!

James giving me a thumbs up! ;)

It was very nice to be home. Less tiring for hubby as he don't need to juggle between work & hospital. (I believe being the bread winner is tougher, your heart is at home but you also have obligation towards your career.)

We have God to thank for not leaving us alone throughout this testing week. He gave us strength, gave us support via family & friends, shown us light at the end of the tunnel.

Home sweet home. :)

Making Baby #3: Thank you LORD!

I owe my readers an apology for not updating my blog for SO MANY months!

I thought there's no better way to revive my blog than to bring you good news!

Yup, we're pregnant! :) 

It took us 6 months and we almost went to seek for medical help. (Apparently, it takes a healthy couple 6 months to conceive, so we thought.. one more month and that's it! WE NEED HELP!)

Before we pressed that button, God gave us the answer. No medical help needed, just 9 months of waiting for our gift from Him. :)))))

I cried when the results came out positive. 

Haha.. I know...so emo.

We are truly blessed. I would also like to thank our family and friends for their prayers and support. Our "making baby story" may not be as testing as many couples but we are still thankful to be blessed with such wonderful support.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. -John 14:13-14 -

Love!

Hello! Troublesome Three!

Our boy turned three a couple of days ago. He's been very troublesome indeed.

Don't know what a troublesome three toddler is like?
Here are the behaviours:
1) Cries (most of the time crocodile tears)  or just go "AHHHHHH!" when you don't give in to his demands.
2) Understands you but pretends not to. *rolls eyes*
3) Fickle minded on what he wants. Really.. HOW CAN A THREE YEAR OLD BE SO FICKLE!!!???
4) Answers the total opposite when you ask him questions. (We know that he knows the correct answer, he just like being cheeky.)
5) Refuse to have anyone else carry him/do things for him besides Mummy (if you have a girl, it would be Daddy. but some boys are clingy to Daddy and vice versa.)
6) Ask A LOT of questions like "What happen Mummy?", "What are we going to do??" , "Who is that?" , "What is this?" , "What is that?", "Where is Dada? (5 times a day but when Dada is home, he chooses Mummy. *faint*)"
7) Clingy..
8) Clingy..

Of course, I'm very happy that he's superbly clingy to me but sometimes it's just too much. Parents with clingy children will get what I mean.

Nevertheless, he's still an adorable cheeky monster.
He does fake laughs now, which is very adorable and he'll say "It's SO VERY FUNNY! Hahaha.."
He loves to dance. The way he moves his body is just soooo fun to watch! Too cute!

Also love to play pretend which is very interesting because when I play along, I'm sometimes in "Green Land" and then "Red Land" and then "Black Land" and then "White Land".
We also have to be very careful of the "crocodiles" when we walk and we'll always see Green coloured Tigers and Horses wherever we go.
His imagination keeps us entertained.

On his birthday, I asked him, "How old are you today, James?" (He does know how to answer "3 years old!") but..

He answered.. "ONE!!!!"

*cheeky cheeky cheeky*

Hubby and I are very thankful to have been blessed with this cheeky young one. He does reminds us that we don't have to take everything too seriously. Just give it a laugh and say "It's so very funny!". Hahaha..

One happy family!

..praying for more members to be added to our lil family. :)

Love!

Day 3 - What do we see at the Zoo?

My son loves going to the Zoo. So we decided to make a trip down to Singapore Zoo.  It's not his first trip to Zoos. We brought him to the Zoo in Melbourne last year and  Zoo Negara a few months ago.

Again, I took a lot of photos but I won't load all of it here. So here are some of the photos...

Was trying to get my son to pose... but ya.. he refuse to and Hubby had to ask him to say "SURPRISE!" but my son still didn't want to. =.=

First up!

The Otters!

They are so adorable and smelly. LOL!

Well, we read that they use their urine and stools to mark their territory, that's why their "house" stinks. :O

The White Tiger!

IS SOOOO HUGE!!!!!

and healthy looking!

There were two of them.. roaming around the water and when they came out from the water.. 

we went.. :OOOOOO

Then we went to see the Hippo.

My son was more fascinated by the fishes. -_-

Elephants having some fun time in the water.

Elephant ride!

My son didn't dare to go on it.. so we didn't too. 

We went to watch a show which was a story about saving the Rain Forest.

Near to the end of the show, they brought out a snake.

My son then quickly asked to go nearer to the stage.

Immediately I said "EEEEYER.. mummy wait for you all here.. you and Dada can go in front."

I hate snakes!

Spot my hubby and son??

There they are!

Look for the red circle.

(Sorry, should have thicken the red circle.)

After the show..

We saw some elephants taking a walk. 

So adorable the way they hold "tails". 

:))

My son was looking for Sea Lions. 

So we went around looking for them but we could only hear them...

We saw the penguins.

Walked around more and my son shouted..

SEA LIONS!!!!

Ok.. not the real ones. :P

Our boy really enjoys the Zoo..

He even hugged Ah Meng.

Here's the Leopard. 

My son went.. "Shhhh! Be quiet.. he's sleeping."

The giraffes being fed by visitors.

And my boy wanted to take photo with the zebras but he refused to pose properly..

Jadi la.. like that.. -_-

We spent about 7 hours in the Zoo and got sooooo tired..

So we decided to take the tram back to the exit.

Both adults and kiddo had a great time. We admired how clean the environment was and how well fed and kept the animals were. For my son, it's more of a memorable childhood because every child loves animals. :)

Oh... our boy is also very fascinated by maps and signboards. I really have no idea why. He can stand there for a few minutes admiring it. That's probably why he likes to go to Zoos too, cause there's so many of them around. :P

Our trip down south - Day 1 & 2- Kluang & Legoland.

We made a trip down south to accomplish a few things in one trip. Glad that we made time for it and we spaced it out quite good that we didn't end up too tired from it.

Our first stop was my mum's hometown, Kluang.

Went for lunch before heading to my granny's house.

Tangkak Beef Noodle. 

Yummmm!

My 84 years old maternal grandmother.

She's physically healthy, no high cholesterol, no hypertension, no diabetes or whatsoever. But she has turned senile over the last year. 

She called me her daughter, my hubby, her son-in-law and my son, her grandson.

She's still an adorable lady even though I can barely understand what she says. (She speaks only in Hakka.)

After visiting my grandma, we headed down to Johor Bahru (JB). It's our first time driving around JB. Thank God for friends who are from JB and Google Map, we manage to find our way around.

The next day, we went to LEGOLAND!

We arrived early at about 9.30am because I was told that the queue is super long during the school holidays.

There were people already queueing but it was not super long. So.. *phew*

Ya.. we are kiasu like that. :P

My boy roaming around while waiting for the entrance to be open.

FYI,Legoland only opens at 10am.

So you can just view from outside while waiting.

Once the gates opened, we headed straight to the Mini City, which was really awesome!

I took so many photos but I won't load all here, shall just pick a few for you to view.

Here are the Petronas Twin Towers.

(That random dude walked in and stayed there when I was taking this shot.. -_-)

Here's part of "Singapore".

Canon folks, spot the I "Heart" Canon? :P

Can't remember which city is this.. but I would think it's Thailand.

(Those who went to Legoland, help me out here?)

And this is Sri Lanka.

They made a bunch of miniature human dancing. 

Really soooo cool! 

My hubby became my son's "tour guide". 

Perfect place to "show" my son the "world". 

Who needs to fly here and there just to see them cities? :P

We love this!

It's Mini China!

The red bricks are just SO RED! 

 I'm not that good at describing things but when you see it.. 

you will know what I mean.. :P

Family Photo!

L for LEGOLAND!

(My son did No.4 and said "PEACE". ROFL.)

The staff there were so kind to help us take a photo. 

Otherwise I would only have shots of my son or hubby & son. 

LOL.

The weather was cloudy when we arrived.. after 2 hours, it started drizzling. Thankfully, they have some indoor games to keep the young ones entertained.

Indoor train rides which my son refused to come down after the first round and the staff was kind enough to allow him to stay on for another round. 

Our boy seem to get his way anywhere he goes. -_-

Indoor play ground, our boy enjoyed it very much...

...til it was difficult for us to convince him to walk around more after the rain stopped...

Side track a little, for nursing mothers, Legoland is infant friendly. ;)

Adorable giraffes.

We walked around more ...

and then my son found his favourite fountain.

The Musical Fountain. 

As you walk pass each instrument, they will start playing. 

VERY COOL!

Here's a camel made of Lego.

Then it was time for us to shop!

Our boy's a "natural" when it comes to buying toys.

(He didn't get the stuff in the trolley. We only bought the most basic Lego set for him as memoir.)

Lots of Lego Keychains!

Oh.. and we played "Pirate" while shopping. :O

We didn't buy anything (except for a Lego set for the boy) from the shop as souvenir because we didn't think it was anything special.

Until we went to the photo booth to retrieve our photos.

We bought this Lego set!

They printed our picture on Lego!

SO COOOOOOLLLLLL!

(I do sound like a kid/teenager but I don't care.. it's SOOOO COOOOOOL!)

We spent about 6 hours at Legoland. It can be very warm (well, it is in Malaysia), so be sure to keep yourself hydrated at all times.

We loved it! Hubby and I grew up playing Lego.. so it was really a fun trip.. not just for our kiddo. ;)

Stay tuned for Day 3.. we drove down to Lion City! :D