We're back...

Hi Everyone!

Yes, yes, we know.. it's been a long time since we last updated our blog and we apologize for that. Basically, we were just plain lazy & have been chilling out, hence no exciting adventures or stories to share. Major baby shopping & preparation have all been done, so we spend our free time doing nothing at all!

Just some updates...

Two weeks ago on 25th June 2008, we made our way to the Antenatal Diagnostic Centre (ADC) at KK Hospital for Popcorn's 3D scan. This is an optional scan but Popcorn Papa wanted to spend $250 for the experience. We feel that it was worth it as we got to see our little Darling so clearly.

We spent a long time at ADC as Popcorn was sleeping & facing downwards when we went for the scan.. we realise that that's his favourite sleeping position in my womb as he's always like that at every, single scan.

Anyway, I was told to walk around & come back half an hour later... so I went to the toilet & shook my belly & stomped around. That woke him up & he was facing upwards when we went back. But, he was using both hands to cover his face & at one point, even used his feet to hide his face from us, what a naughty boy! I think he was irritated with us for waking him up from his beauty sleep as we saw him crinkle up his forehead at one point, so cute!

Anyway, after much nudging, poking & talking to him, he finally put both hands down & we managed to take a few shots of him.

The sonographer also took some measurements of Popcorn & his estimated weight at 28 weeks is 1.28kg.

Here's a side profile of him.



And, yesterday we went down to KK Hospital for Popcorn Mama's routine 30-week check-up.

As usual, I went for my routine test. This time, sugar was detected in my urine! I was so freaked out that I have got gestational diabetes but thank goodness, after a blood prick test, no glucose was detected. I'll just die without my coke & desserts! Phew...

I also did not gain any weight since my last visit two weeks ago but Popcorn did & he weighs a lovely 1.7kg at 30 weeks.. just two weeks ago, he was 1.28kg, so he has gained 0.42kg within a span of two weeks and I am very pleased.

We visit our doctor at The Private Suite at KK Hospital & it's really relaxing & spa-like. Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Antenatal Class

We have graduated! Yes, the Popcorn Parents have graduated from the Antenatal Programme conducted by the Patient Education Centre at KK Hospital.

Yesterday, we finally completed our Antenatal Programme which we have been attending since April. There are a total of 10 sessions which we attend weekly. The programme helps new mummies to cope with changes associated with pregnancy, prepares us for labour and gives us tips on baby care.



Papas are encouraged to attend the sessions to understand what we are going through as well as give us support. Like what our trainer mentioned, our hubbies are the best form of pain relief and I couldn't agree more!

We found the programme pretty useful, although some lessons really bored us to tears like the topics on medications and diet during pregnancy. Topics which touched on the three stages of labour and delivery were very informative to us. I also liked the lessons on breastfeeding & caring of the baby.. we were given a dummy baby doll to practise on and it was pretty fun! I can remember clearly what the lactation consultant mentioned about engorgement during breastfeeding. That we have to constantly pump/latch to regulate milk flow, we don't want to open a Hard Rock Cafe.. that really got Popcorn Papa and myself laughing away.

Our last lesson


Classroom where the programme is conducted


Popcorn Papa practising the position for labour


Popcorn Mama showing off her bump.. gosh, look at my huge nose... I do hope it subsides back to the original size after delivery!


Now that we have completed the course, we will be taking our 'final exam' in around 85 days' time.. I do hope we are good students and remember all that we have been taught.

Aquafitness

Every Saturday afternoon, I head to KK Hospital for my Aquafitness class. The programme consists of four sessions which lasts 45 minutes per session.

Just a brief introduction to Aquafitness... it is a water-based fitness programme specially designed for expectant mothers. The buoyancy of water cushions muscles and joints and supports the increasing weight of the body during pregnancy. The warm water helps soothe tired and aching joints and the movement of the water creates a massaging effect over the body.

When I found out about this class, I was very interested and immediately signed up for it. We needed to be attired in swimwear so I happily took out my Old Navy maternity tankini which I ordered online months ago. But, when I put it on, I just somehow feel like this animal.. heheh.

The Dugong



Anyway, this is the Hydropool where the class is conducted, the water is warm and soothing.



We do warm ups, stretching, marching, various aerobic moves as well as strength training using noodle floats and dumb-bells in water. I can even jump and hop around in the water and feel light as a feather. What a confidence booster!!

As water resists body movements, muscles work harder. The next day, I'll feel a slight ache and that means I've worked out right?

At the end of the session, there is a relaxation segment where we just float on our backs, close our eyes and relax... A really therapeutic feeling...

I enjoy my classes a lot as it's really fun and it makes me feel energised... not to mention that I also made more new preggy friends. :)

Mid-Week Pursuits...

Thursday is the day of the week where the Popcorn parents spend time apart in the evenings doing the things they like.

I go for my weekly pilates lesson located right smack in Bishan Park. The environment is relaxing and tranquil, perfect for getting myself back on track after a hectic week at work.

I decided to take up pilates after I passed my first trimester... somehow I felt restless not doing any exercise. I used to go for aerobics lessons twice a week before I got pregnant. I needed to have some form of exercise, lest I balloon (further) into a whale!

Pilates is recommended as a form of pre-natal exercise. It focuses on breathing, concentration, control, centering, precision and flow. I find that the tough bridge exercises and breathing techniques that we were made to do are essential for getting me prepared for the labour process. I just hope that I don't forget everything when the time comes.. heheh.

Bishan Park where the pilates studio is nestled in



Entrance to the pilates studio



This is the studio. I practise reformer pilates where the exercises are done on the reformer machine.



As for Popcorn Papa, this is what he does every Thursday...



Yes! Magic Cards!

For those of you who have got no clue what this game is all about, it's a collectible card game with a big following in Singapore (I didn't know that until Popcorn Papa enlightened me).

Getting together with a group of friends to play magic cards, that's how Popcorn Papa destresses from his hectic week at work.

"Jiak Poh" (Tonics)

I was never one who placed much emphasis on taking tonics to boost health & well-being. All I ever did was pop some vitamin pills on a daily basis and go for my workout classes twice a week, that was about it.

However, since I got pregnant, I found myself more concerned on taking tonics & supplements for my health as well as Popcorn's.

These are what I take on a regular basis.

Obimin, which is a multivitamin, Natal Care Plus which is fish oil rich in DHA & EPA for baby's brain development and function as well as Calcium supplements as I am not a great fan of dairy products. I take these supplements on a daily basis every morning.



Concentrated Bird's Nest with Rock Sugar. I take a tablespoon once daily before bedtime. I love Bird's Nest!



Essence of Chicken with american ginseng, cordyceps & huaishan which I take once every two days.



Grinded american wild ginseng powder from Eu Yan Sang. This is expensive man.. $260 for a small bottle (only 37.5 grams!). I mix a small teaspoon with water & drink it once every two days.



Walnut & black bean soup, brewed by mummy. I take this concoction once every two days. Walnut's for baby's brain development & black beans are supposedly good for lactation.

Shopaholic Strikes Again!

Gosh, I'm a shopaholic, aren't I? You are sure to agree with me after reading this post. :)

After work, I went back to my parent's place for dinner. Mummy brewed chicken soup with cordyceps specially for me, Mum's always the best.

After dinner, my sister wanted to visit the Home & Living Fair at Expo as she'll be renovating her new place soon. So, mummy, sister & myself made our way to expo. The Home & Living Fair was a disappointment, it was boring. So we went to the next hall, the Motherhood Fair & walked around. I ended up buying the Terumo ear thermometer & probe covers, it was going at a great price at nearly 40% off compared to the pharmacies.



I also bought 3 packs of Nepia diapers, one pack of newborn size & two packs of small size. It was going cheap too, with an additional four pieces thrown in. I am guessing we need a lot of diapers as babies poo & pee a lot!

Finally, I bought 5 nursing tubes & bras for only $70. What a bargain!

I'm going to tell Popcorn Papa that we better not go to the fair tomorrow as I've bought a lot already.. :)

Motherhood Fair at Expo

Today's the first day of the Motherhood Fair at Expo. I figure that the crowds will be really bad during the weekends, so I made my way there during lunch since my office is just a five minute drive away.

My main agenda was to sign up for the Bloom maternity photography package from Studio Loft but I ended up spending much more than I intended... hehe.

My photoshoot will be in early August, that's when I'm around 33 weeks. Maryann, the photographer mentioned that the bigger the belly, the better. She did ask me if I wanted to book my appointment when I'm 35 weeks, but I think that's cutting it a bit too close. I'll share the photos if they are fit to be seen, so no promises. I don't want to freak anyone out... lol.

There is a promotion going on for 'CordLife' cord blood banking.. $300 discount off when we sign up at the fair. Since we have decided on cord blood banking anyway but been too lazy to move our butts to sign up, this is the perfect time to do so. Anyway, if anyone needs a referral for an additional $50 discount, please do let us know.

This is the collection kit which we will have to pack into my hospital bag to pass to our doctor for the cord blood collection. It consists of some documents, the blood bag, syringes, test tubes & what nots.


I also signed up for the Motherhood magazine subscription & got a huge goodie bag.

Here are the goodies


Another one of my buys, a baby pouch from Pupsik Studio.


I also bought 4 bottles of concentrated bird's nest from the Eu Yan Sang booth, going at $110 for 2 bottles, it's quite a bargain.

We might pop by the fair again tomorrow.. Delvin wants to shop, he loves shopping for baby stuff.

A Scare!

I freaked out yesterday. My tummy tightened, hardened & felt slighty crampy. It made walking kind of difficult, I was waddling around like a duck.

I poked my tummy to wake Popcorn up & asked him to give me a kick to let me know he's fine. Popcorn listened to me & did so & that put me at ease. I was going to monitor the situation & see my doctor if I still felt discomfort but when I woke up this morning, I feel fine, Phew...

Hmm.. could I be experiencing Braxton Hicks?

Choosing that special name...

As some of you would already have known, we have decided to name our baby boy 'Devon' (pronounced as DEV un). How we came up with this name is rather obvious, basically our names combined, but I was joking to Delvin that Popcorn's name has my full name in it & his has only the letter D in it. Delvin corrected me by saying that Devon has four letters of both our names in it, so that makes us fair & square... ok, I admit defeat.. Boo!

It may seem really straightforward but it wasn't an easy task, we went through several names before finally deciding on this one. We feel that it's unique & a derivation from the both of us and that is what makes Popcorn so special.

There are several meanings of this name.. in English, it means a county in England noted for its beautiful farmland and in irish, it means poet. That's not too bad isn't it? Maybe we have a future Oscar Wilde in the making?