Who's who?

Yesterday was Auntie Liwei's (Daddy's sister) wedding. In the morning on our way to Grandpa & Grandma's house, Daddy said on big occasions like this, he always thinks of what happened exactly one year ago and what would happen one year later. So there we were reminiscing in the car. A year ago on this day, Mummy and Daddy were on our honeymoon in New Zealand. One year later, our dearest Baby will be 5 months old...

Witnessing Liwei's wedding brought back many beautiful memories of my own wedding. How I loved my custom made wedding gowns and all the excitement on that day. In fact, I remember I could not even sleep a single wink the night before. I was so exhilarated.

Liwei's "Jie Meis" gave the groom a hard time at the door. Amongst the many challenges was one where the groom and his "Brothers" had to stomach two ultra "hot" sandwiches with sambal chilli and wasabe spread. It was one of the four tastes that they had to undergo. In addition, there were 3 drinks they had to take - vinegar "sour", extra bitter tea "bitter" and finally syrup "sweet". I couldn't help but remind Daddy that compared to Yongfu, he had a much easier time last year during our wedding. At least he only had to undergo the mental 'torture' and not one of the tastebuds.

During the cocktail before the wedding dinner started, Grandpa introduced Mummy and Daddy to his colleagues who couldn't stop commenting that we look sooooo alike, soooo compatible. They are certainly not the first to say that. Many other people have made the same comment before. Some even said we look like brother and sister. Haha... Do we really look that alike? It's one of my favourite photos...

Baby's present from Down Under!

Baby got his 2nd present from Aunt Carrie - an Aussie kangaroo soft toy. Aunt Carrie went to Sydney for a holiday and brought us presents!

Daddy got a "Baby on Board" sign for the car. But he took it down to the car before Mummy could snap a picture of it. Well, it's in the glove compartment though. Daddy says he will display it as soon as Baby arrives.Mummy got loads of presents too! First of all, Lanolin cream to prevent stretch marks. Baby has been stretching Mummy's tummy so much for the last few weeks that ugly white lines have started to appear... sob sob...

"Papillon Lanolin cream is specially formulated using the natural oils of sheep wool to provide skin a high level of moisture and protection. It helps to prevent stretch marks, wrinkles and damage caused by the use of soap to the skin. It can be used frequently all over the body. Ideal for pregnant women and sports people."Aunt Carrie also gave Mummy chocolates - chocolate marshmallows, chocolate biscuit, chocolate brownie bars...Yum yum...

According to a University of Helsinki study, "chocolate makes for happy babies". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3604275.stm
http://www.parents.com/articles/pregnancy/5657.jsp

So Mummy's going to load up on chocolates. Hehe...

Daddy sings birthday song for the 1st time

Mummy got the yummiest birthday cake - Big O cheesecake all the way from Wheelock Place. Daddy specially made his way there after work to collect it yesterday (without the car somemore!) Yum yum!

Well, it's the second year in a row that I can't celebrate my birthday properly. Last year, we were busy with the final wedding preparations as it was our wedding the day after my birthday. So we had an advance celebration. This year, we've got to attend Grandma's 81st birthday dinner at night. What to do... So we had no choice but to cut my cake in the morning. Well, we can't go out as I still get waves of nausea on and off, especially noon and after. Hence, I didn't feel like going out anywhere. Therefore, we decided to stay home for a quiet birthday.

Guess what? I almost forgot how old I am. Daddy had to remind me that I'm ONLY 26. Heehee... And for the first time, Daddy sings me a birthday song! He isn't even a bathroom singer... Mummy's so touched...

As for prezzie, well, I'm eyeing the Nokia 6111 which has yet been launched. So Daddy promised to get it for me as a belated birthday present as soon as it's launched. It's supposed to be launched in the 3rd quarter of 2005, or so says the Nokia website. Looks like I've got to have some patience here....

Anyway, Daddy got me a very cute birthday card. And it's pop-up somemore!

The Toilet Battle and its aftermath

It's been such a terrible ordeal today. I can't believe constipation during pregnancy can get this bad. I was in "The Toilet Battle" for like 40 minutes, the longest ever in my life. I was bent over, grunting and pushing as though my life depended on getting that rock out of my body. Even the suppository which was supposed to stay inside for 20 mins got purged out intact almost immediately after I inserted it. The pain was unbearable. Don't remember it was this rough even when I had my relapse of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I wonder if labour would like this... or worse...

Went to the GP after the battle. It left me exhausted and with a splitting headache, having lost almost 90% of my energy and whatever remained was lost with the perspiration. I've not perspired this much ever since I was pregnant, due to the lack of exercise. Sigh... that's another issue altogether. I miss my aerobics and swimming sessions...

Anyway, Doc. Choo was very empathetic. Upon realising the gravity of the situation, he suggested using the most primitive method of relief - using fingers. Then he went to the examination bed, opened the drawer underneath it, took 2 surgical gloves out and passed them to me. Eeeeeks! I already had a traumatising enough morning and here my GP is telling me to use my fingers???"That's what we doctors do for the elderly or young children who come in to seek immediate (medical) relief..." Which I think isn't that medical after all.... It's so disgusting.. The thought of sticking my fingers into that tiny little hole is grossing me out.

He went to the drawer and reached in again. "You've already given me two." I said instantaneously, almost in protest against the idea of having to use my fingers."It's ok, take more." And he gave me two more. Yucks... I couldn't discern if it was the thought of having to resort to this relief method or it was the sensation of holding the cold, plasticky surgical gloves that gave me the shudders. I quickly shoved them into my bag, just as I did to the first two.

"Ok, remember to take the Lactus three times a day. I don't recommend using it for the long term. Stop taking it if u manage to pass (motion) without such difficulty. And during your next visit to the gynae, ask him if it's alright to take it once every day or alternate day to regulate your bowels.

"Sigh... as if having IBS wasn't enough.

Right now, the 4 surgical gloves are tucked safely in my bedside drawer. I sure hope I don't have to use them!

Baby's 1st present

Daddy received a brochure in the mail about limited edition of the "Lunar Year of the Dog 4gm Gold Coins" from UOB. Each coin depicts a joygul Yorkshire Terrier ushering in the new year 2006 with the Chinese characters "Fu" (fortune), "Lu' (prosperity) and "Shou" (Health & Longevity) and an auspicious motif respectively.

"The coins are legal tender and have been struck in proof quality by Valcambi sa, Switzerland, under the authorization of the Bank o Uganda. Each gold coin is minted from precious 24K (999.9) fine gold with a brilliant mirror-like background and delicate frosted relief. The worldwide edition limit for each design is 10,000 pieces only..." says the brochure... blah blah blah.... whatever that means...And each of them cost a whopping $265.00!

Daddy was so excited about it and kept on chattering about getting either the "Fu" or "Shou" coin.After scrutinising the brochure, we realised that the "Fu" coin has a motif of a bat on it. "Bat" in Chinese sounds like "Fu". We thought the motif was quite repulsive. So finally, we decided to get the "Shou" coin which has a motif of a chinese longevity peach. We hope that Baby will grow up healthy and have a long life.