D20: We gave LilBums a good bath!

LilBums is D20 today, and I gave him a good bath, by myself!!! He's still so tiny and fragile, and it was super terrifying! I have to learn, sooner or later. Then Bums dressed him up. From lotioning, to powdering, struggled to put on his rompers, the full works la! We be so cekap parents!

Trying really hard to keep him from falling off!

Wipe, wipe! Powder, powder!

Almost done!

Handsome and all ready for next ( . ) ( . ) buffet!

Mummy was changing LilBums diapers earlier. She kept it open, and he decided he wasnt done. He gave one last poop explosion, which soiled the bedspread and splattered all the way to the floor. While we were cleaning up, suddenly he pancut upwards and had pee all over him and his face!! Then he happily smiled and giggled!! Day 20, and already wrecking up havoc!

Our son is finally here!

And a hero is born!

LilBums was brought into this world, dramatically, at 6.48am on the 7th of December 2013, at Assunta Hospital, Petaling Jaya via an Emergency Lower Segmental Ceaserian Section by Dr Jaswant Singh. Woot, woot!

I woke up early on Friday morning (6th Dec) coz I was supposed to send Mummy to class. The night before, I noticed my thighs were wet, but dint think much of it. But when I woke up, I felt more wetness and some dripping even. So, yea I was leaking liquor and I had to be speculumed. Got to Dr Jaswant's clinic around 10am ish, and after being speculumed it was confirmed I was leaking. Pooling visible, and liquor was clear, os was only 0.5cm. I was told to get admitted to Assunta pronto. I was still ok, no contractions yet.

Since I was still well, we went to McDs and whacked Prosperity Burger first.. teeeheheheheh, super epic! Got myself admitted to Assunta's Delivery Suit around noon. Was immediately strapped on for CTG tracing, which revealed one deep deceleration, with a poor pick up. Baby was in distress. He came around 3pm, and judging from the CTG, he suspected the possibility of Cord Compression. I was to be on continuous CTG tracing. A deep deceleration again around 5pm. At 7pm, labour was augmented with IVI Pitocin 2units/ml.  Os was only 1cm, contractions were mild and quite far apart. But from then on, I started experiencing stronger and more frequent contractions. I requested for ny first IM Pethidine, and instead of lasting for 4hours, it only calmed me down for a mere 30minutes! Around 9pm, contractions were almost 5minutes apart, lasting 10-15secs each. At 11pm, contractions were 3-4mins apart, and lasting about 15-20secs. 2am, os was still 1cm. We discussed the option of an EMLSCS, to which I was ready for. But both Mum and Bums wanted to wait it out and see if labour will progress. 5am, os was still 1cm, contractions were strong every 3-4mins and LilBums kept decelerating every time after a contraction. The CTG machine was beeping frantically.

I was wheeled in to OT, almost passing out from the contractions. Caught a glimpse of Daddy who was waiting outside all along as he wasnt allowed into the delivery suite. Was prepped and given spinal anaesthesia, while still having contractions. Minutes later I was numb waist below, and they started opening me up. I've assisted in surgeries as such many times, but to have one done on me is pretty scary. I caught reflections of my opened up lower abdomen from the lights above. Shortly after, they brought in Bums, whom  I was so glad and relieved to see, coz I was starting to get really scared and anxious. I looked to my right several times, and next thing I knew Bums was standing up and looking across to where they were operating on me. Was very proud of him, for not fainting and passing out. He witnessed the birth of our son, and next thing I heard were cries of our son. With an Apgar of 9/10, the nurses brought him over to me and that was our first contact, they showed me his cuckoobird to confirm he was male. At that moment, just for a split second, I couldn't think less of all that I just had to go thru. I was just glad LilBums was safe and well. He was wheeled out to the nursery with the excited new Dad tailing behind, after given the chance to carry him for the first time.

Bums told me later, that LilBums had his cord around his neck. Loosely, yet that was probably what was causing his distress.

I was discharged 2 days later. I was dragged outa bed to ambulate the very next day, and extremely proud of myself for making it all the way to the nursery and back.

Over all, my stay in Assunta was very pleasant. The nurses were mostly very helpful. My obstetrician, Dr Jaswant is a gem of a person. He dint charge us for consultation, and we only paid him for conducting the surgery. It has been such since the beginning of our Antenatal follow ups, an unspoken doctor-to-doctor code.

LilBums is 16 days old today. Im still getting used to being a mother, who is fully breast feeding her son, who cries for milk almost hourly >_< But seeing him smile occasionally, and having his lil head rest on my chest while he sleeps gives me a great sense of responsibility and splutter of joy. Of how Bums and I have brought in a wonderful being, who'll grow up being very pampered by his grandparents, yet charms us all with his cheeky smile.

Thank you for all that made is a miraculous for us. To some of the few who have visited us with warm wishes, gifts and yummy food. To many who called and texted. To several who's helped me out thru out confinement. My parents have been very supportive and helpful taking care of both of us, my Periamma who's done too much for us making sure we recover well and fit, and of coz my Husband whom I can strongly vouch, has been more helpful than most of other husbands Ive known.

Shall post photos soon!

This itself was written over a span of 2 days, in between ( . ) ( . ) service!

Ring Sling!

I think LilBums is too comfortable in there!! He's not showing any signs of exiting my womb anytime soon. And surprisingly, as we edge closer to our due date, I feel less pregnant. Perhaps coz, his very much engaged into my pelvic now and hence not giving me very much fundal pressure. I can breathe easier, and I dont feel so heavy and stuffed after meals. SPD has been ok too. All's good, all's going great!

Bums wrote impressively about our stroller shopping experience. Seriously, dont get fooled by the many expos and fairs around. The prices there arent really that cheap, as perceived by many. It's very important to do ample research on the type and design, and once you've finalized the kind you're keen on look around for a good deal. Bums mainly covered all the points, but I'd like to add a few. Apart from what he's mentioned, we also wanted a stroller that could be turned to face rear and forward. And the seat should be able to be reclineable. Have to admit, although we got a good deal, we kinda splurged on the stroller. There were probably other kinds that would fit the description as well, but honestly we kinda fell in love with the Quinny Zapp :) A striking red, 3 wheeler with it's super cool red Maxi-Cosi Cabrio car seat, was just simply too cool! Though, it does have a few disadvantages. For one, the handles are not telescopic, taller people may find it a bit uncomfortable if they may need to bend forward to reach the handles. Bums tried it, and he's pretty fine with it, and he's coconut tree height. Another setback is its storage space, or perhaps the very lack of it. Bums said we'll just carry along a backpack of everything we need, and plus I honestly dont like the idea of hanging everything onto the stroller. So, yea.. there you go!

From all that we've bought, Im most excited over our JumpSac Ring Sling PopArt! Ive been following their FB page from way before, been wanting one ever since. It's super cool, so convenient and so cantik! We got it for a steal deal at Fabulous Mom. Been learning to thread it and how to sling it, and its many ways of carrying!! It's quite cool in a way as it increases skin to skin contact between us, keeping us close at all times. We got a nice pink one, it's so vibrant and cantik!

So pretty, kan!

LilBums, there's so many cantik things waiting for your arrival. Come out quick!!!

Happy Mid-week ya'll...! Much love!

Price Matters!

One thing I have gotten to know while baby shopping is the abundance of things and items that are there in the market for all to purchase. Luckily me and my wife are rather level (and money minded) headed. You know its so easy to just get the most priciest thing in the market and comfort yourself that even though the price is steep you are getting the best for your child. Ting Tong! It is not always the case...

We have gone to a few fairs and compared prices. Dont ever think that all prices in the fair are discounted or the same price when you visit the store. Some of the items are priced more higher than if you got the item from the store. So beware.. just do your homework... dont get things from the fair just because you think the price is good. Do your research and find the best price that you can get.. after all uncle Google is just within a laptop away..

Our first purchase was a stroller that comes with a car seat. We have been looking online for quite some time, went to some fairs, shops and compared prices. We wanted a stroller based on a few factors:

a) The stroller has to be compact and easy to prop up. It is best to get a stroller that doesnt take too much storage space. From what i encountered, you have lots of things to put into the car trunk especially when you go travelling as a family. And a stroller has to be easy to put it up especially when you have 2 babies (Anan and lilbums!)

b) Price of course. We surveyed around and determined the price that we can afford. Of course, the stroller would be used for the future. So we dont mind getting a better quality one.

c) Have to be easy to clean. You dont want to get a stroller only to find out that stains are hard to clean. So get a stroller which is easy to clean with and doesnt leave any odor.

d) Must be in a dashing color. Having a nice color helps as this will make pushing a stroller a better experience especially for dads. It would not be cool if daddy pushes a pink stroller.

e) Looks slick and simple and easy to turn. Some stroller i realise are difficult to do a 360 turn. We want a stroller that we can turn with ease especially when controlling 2 babies out in the loose (Anan and lilbums!).

f) Stroller has to be car seats compatible. If your baby is out with you, life would be much easier if you can take the car seat and just plonk it into the stroller. It saves time (you can spend more time at the bar.... !) and effort especially when lilbums is out with either one of us.

We shortlisted a few based on these criterias and narrowed down to Quinny, Halford and Mclaren. We did research for each one of them and decided to get the Quinny as it fits our need. When we tried looking around for it, we discovered it is priced more than rm2100! and thats only the stroller without the car seat... . The price is just too high for our budget.. Just when we consoled ourself that good stuffs doesnt come cheap.. my wife discovered something over in mudah.my:... Tadaaaaaaa.... Introducing the Quinny Zapp Xtra 2.0 with Maxi Cosi Cabriofix set.....!

The price was about 30% cheaper than the ones we saw in fairs or shops. Initially we were quite skeptical because even when we were looking around for breast pump, we saw some advertisements that were too good to be true. But based on the seller's description, and also the company is registered with SSM and she has been in this business for some time, we decided to give it a shot.

We got touch with the seller and she appears genuine. Nothing like.. Oh!... the goods is in Timbuktu land. Please pay rm1000 and i will courier the goods to you... Nothing of that sort ok.. If you encounter that, then suggestion is to drop that seller like a hot potato! We made an appointment to meet on a weekend... Waited at the discussed spot.. She came as promised.. Took the box out, cut open the box seal in front of me... Everything inside it was wrapped with plastic and sealed just like how you will buy it from a store. Comes with the manual and guarantee card. Satisfied with it.. and paid the money. So thats how online sales are made. The important thing is to ensure the goods are received as to how you expect it to be. If you are not satisfied, then dont pass the cash.

So we were happy as we got a good price for our stroller and car seats. So the bottom line is shop smartly. If not, you will realize that you have over paid or unhappy over certain items that you bought.

Ok. thats all people! So this is our stroller story...

Raging hormones. Literally!

I seriously dont know where 9 months went! And can hardly comprehend, that in another 2 weeks we'll be 40 weeks pregnant! Like whooaaaa..... so, yea we are 38 weeks preggers today. No signs of labour yet. Thought I had contractions, but tak de pulak.

Chapati man said not anytime soon. Head still 3/5 palpable. Semangat to go walking and what nots, but it has been raining for the whole day today! Need to exercise more to induce contractions. I dont wanna be post date. Will try all means.

I think the whole anxiety and all has gotten my nerves tied in bundles. Im always pissy and easily irritated. Small things irk me easily, and Im just so edgy! Bums say Im thinking too much of so many things, mentally scheming things. Yea, I just want things to go smooth. Dheepa says I have to learn to just chill and take it easy and trust others with some of the chores as Im in no position to run around now. Sigh... shall try. Im just very nervous and anxious, Im scared and terrified, Im excited and happy. Haiyo.. seriously, I think Im going gila!

Having very supportive family and friends play an extremely significant role. Really, it does. An understanding husband, who tolerates me (to a certain extent!) helps. One who, although not from the medical line but tries to understand what Im going thru by Googling my symptoms. One who helps me out with perineal massages to I wont have a hard time delivering LilBums' head thru that teeny weeny opening later. Parents who try to make me feel comfortable and do everything for me. Some cousins who support me along the way, and make me feel better. A best friend who somehow reminds me things will be ok (ya la Dheepa, this is you!). Im so ever grateful.

Ok, enough of being emo. See, em hormones kicking in again.

I wanted to blog about our stroller shopping tips, and about Fabulous Mom. But tak jadi la, so late edi. Perhaps tmrw.

Nitey nite!