Baby 2 - week 32

From week 30 onwards, its recommended to meet Dr Poon once every fortnightly.
Good to check if your amniotic fluid is at the right level, if baby's heartbeat is strong, baby's weight and skull/stomach measurements are doing ok. Really shows a lot of other factors like if your placenta is still doing well at supplying blood and oxygen to the fetus.
We didnt take up the pre-natal package this time but it cost SGD1200+ for 10 sessions (from week 15-week 40 only) excluding supplements if you are interested.

Confirming the hospital is also necessary by week 30.
We chose Mount A though we are impressed with Mount E Novena during the maternity visit.
Just in case of complications during labor, we want to keep the charges affordable.
Will be good if i can get St Jude ward this time too (:

Sharing more about the anomaly scan we did at Mount E Novena.
Waiting time was close to 2 hours and the scan was done in less in 40 mins.
Seems like baby boy is right about the average size at 20 weeks.
Remember to clear your bladder before the scan. I had to clear mine halfway cause she said its too full and its better empty.
They return the results to clinic or you can wait for 10 mins and they will pass it to you.
We had a few cute ultrasound photos from the scan hehe.
Glad all's well!

Right about at week 26, we opted for GD test at Dr Poon.
It cost SGD35 and takes 3 hours.
If he doesn't call you back after 3 working days, you are likely safe (:
Well, i kinda like the sugar drink the staff prepared.
Some hate it.
Super hungry after fasting the entire night, beggars cannot be choosers.

Here's a breakdown on what to expect during the 3 hours test.
10am: first blood test without food
11am: second blood drawn (you can see the spike in my reading but still under control. Maybe my body is used to breaking down sugar?)
12pm: final blood drawn (my reading went down, sugar broken down and Mama here was hungry for some food haha)

Sore and bruised arms on the injection site after the test.
I am just a little hyper sensitive to having my blood drawn and i hate needles!
Glad all's well too!!

At week 32, baby boy is about 1.9kg and im 52.9kg.
I have put on 6.6kg. My belly is already looking super taut and sleeping comfortably is impossible.
I will be contented if baby boy is delivered between 2.5-2.8kg.
Please be ready to meet your parents and little sister Audria at week 37-38.
We cant wait!

Baby 2 - week 25

First trimester, first appointment i was 46.3kg,
Second trimester at 23 weeks, i am 48.9kg.
I am visiting my OBGYN once a month for routine checkup and will be doing my GD test next week at week 26.

Last weekend, we went for Thomson Medical Centre Food Confinement event.
It is a free food tasting session but you have to register here.
It's about SGD1900 after adding in pig trotters as a "specials".
Food was served pipping hot so it was really yummy.
Upon sign up, you get a free goodie bag as well. Quite impressive!

Back in 2016, i was with The Natal Kitchen but now i feel TMC makes the most sense in terms of their diet and meal planning. The Natal Kitchen may be $300 cheaper but pros and cons. These days you also have the option of Tian Wei, which is heavy on social media marketing and using influencers. Prices are competitive but do your due diligence (:

TMC offers special prices if you intend to deliver there. Their food comes in tingkat and food warmers so it beats having them served in microwave containers like other caterers (i dont like the idea of wasting too many plastic containers anyways).

I dont want to mess with food and recovery because its my second child and my body just need more nourishment to recover faster. Age matters too. If im 25, i will probably heck it. Haha but now i really believe in taking care of my body and not letting wind/air go into it after labor. For the sake of myself and my family, im willing to eat better. So this time, we top up $150 for pig trotters (:

Hope to share more about my GD test and results next week!

Baby 2 - week 18

Weighing 47.6kg this week, i have gained 1kg!
Thankful that morning sickness eased up a little so i am pretty much more human now.

We found out the gender too!
In a rather humorous way haha

Baby's around 13cm something.
For this pregnancy, im less concerned with the growth.
Less uptight.
Just eat well and be rested, and naturally we saw growth.
As compared to Audria's time, she is always falling behind in terms of weight and length.
But now that she is 3 years old, shes caught up with her peers.
So all's good (:

Will update after anomaly scan at Mount E Novena in 2 weeks time.
In case you need more information, its $250 before GST.

Mount A cost $110 before GST, but only with 70% accuracy so we decided to try a more accurate one. We went for this in 2016 when i was expecting Audria. The price remains the same.

So far, BP is good and im finally cleared of my urine culture and swab culture.
What a scare! I thought im gonna be diagnosed with UTI but thank the Lord Jesus all's well (:
Placenta is a bit low but no concerns yet cause belly still growing.
I should really try to carry less groceries.
Audria's been a good girl, walking beside me and being gentle with my belly.
What a sweet child.

Baby 2 - week 13

2019 is the year we decided to give Audria a sibling.
Thankfully we conceived on the first try!
With irregular period cycles, I'm just grateful God have decided to bless us with this gift.
Booked an appointment to see Dr Poon King Fu on my 5th week.
Actually, we could have waited longer but the clinic assistant said its better to come as soon as possible, just to ensure the embryo is implanted in the right place.

First appointment was costly. Slightly over $200 for consultation.
Ultrasound, urine test and folic acid. But in comparison to 2015 charges, it hasn't been inflated much.
His clinic looks exactly the same, as if time stood still haha.

We saw the gestation sac and went back on week 7 to hear the heartbeat. Follow up was week 9 and week 12.

I started at 45kg and after increasing to 46.2kg, my weight dropped to 45.7kg during my 12 week visit. Better than the scary dip i had with Audria after countless of puking.

As compared to my pregnancy with Audria, i think i am coping better with the morning sickness but still feeling fatigue, nauseous as hell and feeling super unfunctional. Its week 13; i just had my first real puke after a yongtaufu breakfast.

Eating supplements is a struggle. My body fighting hard not to gag at the thought of medication.
Folic, calcium, iron, fish oil.....omg i really wish i don't have to take them. Makes me sick.

We went for the OSCAR test, same as Audria. NT translucency scan showed that the baby's back spine is slightly thick at 2.4. Below 2 is always better. But it needs to be companied with the blood test results so we shall see in 1 week's time.
My urine test came back horribly failed.
4 WBCs/hpf is the normal range. My reading was 25 WBCs/hpf. Which means i definitely have some infection somewhere and though not showing much symptoms, it could possibly be UTI. Was summoned to go back for another test this week. Bummer :(

Dr Poon said baby is growing well, strong heartbeat.
Thankful thankful thankful.
We are due to deliver on the 6 Nov 2019.
Likely at Mount A again.
6 more months to go, praying morning sickness goes away soon.
I want my energy and life back!

Review 2: Mulberry Learning Centre @ Marymount

After 5 months in Mulberry, i witnessed how much Audria have matured.

She enjoys her time in school; the teachers give unanimous feedback that she is a cheerful and obedient girl. She eats well, plays well with her friends and is enthusiastic when it comes to learning or singing.

Simple things like crossing her leg, hands on lap, giving me full attention when i read to her or pass her an instruction, i really reap the benefits of sending her to school. Keeping her toys, packing her bag, putting her shoes away nicely, using indoor voice when necessary are basic EQ kids pick up along the years. But im proud she has learnt it well and fast through her days in school.

As per all schools, they encourage self feeding.
They complimented that Audria feeds herself very well.
But i tell you, its a disaster at home ok!! Don't say liao..lol

By 26 months, she is able to differentiate left and right, recognise colours, days of the week, fruits, vegetables, vehicles, sounds, animals, 1-10, A-Z. All the stuff that kids will eventually come to know. I am learning to take the chill pill when it comes to education. Learning through play at this stage is more important to me. Biblical teachings, good habits, good mindset is top priority.

Ok please Audria, brush up on your mandarin. Don't end up like Mummy. Now i gotta learn some words from her chinese teacher too. Haha. Lets learn together baby.

I am only contemplating on ballet and Berries class when she turns 3.
Music, swim, can come later?
Or maybe send her back to Heguru since she enjoyed it so much.
But one thing for sure, all these supplementary classes must be conducted during school hours. I don't want to spam her with classes on weekends and/or after weekdays 5pm.
Rise when the sun rises, sleep when the sun sets.

Back to topic.

Library trips, excursions, holiday programs, musical, i sign her up for all.
The time with her teachers and friends is something i cannot offer even if the activity is the same.
I can bring her for library trip myself, save the $8 per school trip. But the experience is different, you know what i mean?

Ok, lessons wise, i think the school is doing a great job at putting Habits of the Mind into practice. No doubt.
Food menu, i see from frozen food (aka mantou) offered during breakfast. I try not to get too worked up. Mind you, Audria have yet to go McDonalds. Haha. We offer table food when she turned 2, but im still selective. Depends la.

She picked up some singlish at school. I am not ok with that so i raised my concerns with the J and the teachers. They are working on it right now.
I speak singlish, but definitely not to her.

Speaking of which, i have been to 1 Parent Teacher Session in April.
We chat on Audria's progress and they addressed my concerns etc.
I mean we can check with the teachers after school if we have questions or want to find out more about the kid's progress or mood or whatever. But PTS was a little more detailed.

I like her PN teachers.
I think they are really good and Audria is very blessed to have them.

They did mess up a couple of times. What, you may ask?

-forget to return her water bottle at day end
-forget to return me her milk container
-mix up her uniform with some other kiddo
-squeezed 2 legs into 1 pants opening, resulting in bruises, scratches
-wore her diaper front to back, back to front, resulting in rash outbreak
-full diaper, never change, resulted in accidents during her journey home
-soiled diaper, they didn't realise. so i brought her home with poop all over my arms
-missing information on student contact book
-administration delays and incompetency

And so i told J (the principal) some blunders shouldn't even be made.
I don't want to sound like a complacent parent, a trouble maker.
But hey, we pay $1xxx. Its x2 or x3 of other childcare.
With that, i have certain expectations.
They are a reputable school, thats 1. And it also reflects how they problem solve.
If they keep brushing it off or try to find excuses to "protect" their staff, then i guess when i reach my tolerance level, BUBYE Mulberry.

But otherwise, on average days, everyone is courteous and polite to each other.
Thats when they do their freaking job.
Yes, end of rant.

Sometimes they text me when they spot a bruise, which is something commendable because i don't check on her every time she falls down. Sometimes bruise takes a few hours or days to show up.

But honestly after 5 months, would i recommend particularly this centre, depends.
Go elsewhere, try other branch. They are good, but they are also not good.
Nothing special i feel, and i think with the teacher-student ratio, they have overlooked on way too many things. So little kids already, still make so many blunders.

What are your thoughts?
Am i too picky?
Write to me (: