mellomouse*

My Birth Story.

mellomouse — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:44:43 +0000

My story began at approximately 4.07am on 23 February 2010. Being a 1st time Mommy, I was unsure and so I endured — almost turning this story and LBJ into a home delivery *gasps*

I recorded all the contraction time in my mobile as an unsent SMS. It was too early in the morning to wake the husband, so I laid patiently ~~awake in pain~~ until he was up and told him to take the day off. He even managed to go for a morning swim *pat on the back*

By noon the contractions were 7-8 minutes apart. Yet I was still unsure if it was the real deal because I swallowed all the pain as they came. The husband made a call to Dr Tan’s clinic and the Labour Dept asked us to come right in. But I was still adamant to stay put till I was 5 minutes apart. I must have been crazy! I didn’t want to go all the way there and come right back.

At 1pm, I staggered into the bathroom and took my last “real” shower. Finally half an hour later, I surrendered *sobs*

The normal 5 minutes lift ride and walk down to the basement carpark — 10 floors plus 3 — took like forever! We reached Gleneagles a little after 2pm — thankfully no traffic! — and that’s when the no-words-can-describe pain climaxed. I was already 7cm dilated!

As indicated in my Birth Plan, I only wanted Gas & Air and that’s exactly what I had. Was it any help? It doesn’t do anything for the pain and I was almost knocked me out every time it took effect.

I remembered Dr Tan came in twice. The 1st was to check on me, and the 2nd about 45 minutes later when I was ready to deliver. With 2 big pushes, LBJ was heard crying so loud! His Apgar Score was 9¹ 10⁵. After the husband cut LBJ’s umbilical cord, he was taken for a quick clean before passing to me.

I am a Mother!
♥ Filled with awe & thanksgiving ♥

3 Generations in a Flash: GrandMama, MelloMom & LBJ

LBJ stared at me with the biggest pair of eyes as he cried his little heart out. A head full of fine black hairs and neatly-tugged-to-the-side ears — not like Mommy’s Mickey ears — he was the most handsome baby to a Mother’s eyes! Immediately I fell in love with God’s Gift to us.

At that very moment, I was never more sure that the name Nathaniel was meant for LBJ than anything else in the whole wide world ♥

Possibly Related Post:
Postnatal Massage Therapy, pt 1 – The Research.
Missing Mello.

Missing Mello.

mellomouse — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:50:58 +0000

Holding on tight to Mommy
With all his little tiny fingers and toes

I’m still in Confinement

I’ll still be missing in action later

Do bear with the indefinite void *pleading eyes*

I promise there will be tons to share when I’m back!

(Just wonder if I’ll have the time…)

Possibly Related Post:
Postnatal Massage Therapy, pt 1 – The Research.
My Birth Story.

Gift of God.

mellomouse — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:18:08 +0000

That is exactly what his name means!
Nathaniel JW Tan was born on 23 February 2010

Weighing 2.915kg, Measuring 47.5cm
He was 38 Weeks & 6 Days old in gestation

(More pictures of Baby Natey on FB)

Possibly Related Post:
Legally Yours Anniversary.
It’s been 2 years! And counting…

Pregnancy Updates 45: Is This It?

mellomouse — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:37:54 +0000

At approximately 4.07am this morning, I was shot awake with a bad cramp in my belly. I’ve not been able to go back to sleep because the pain returns every 10 minutes or so. It is now 9.34am *yawn*

Could this be the real deal or a false alarm?

The contractions are similar to that of a very bad period pain like what experienced Mommies and books described it. They last about 1 to 1.5 minutes each time. Since it started 5 hours ago, the cramp has gotten more and more intense.

I know it’s going to take a long while before we can decide if this is it. Unless my water breaks — no it doesn’t happen like in the movies — or if there’s bleeding, we’ll have to wait until the contractions are 5 minutes apart before we make a move to Gleneagles.

We actually have an appointment with Dr Tan today anytime after 3pm. But it looks like I might not be seeing him in his room, but in the Delivery Suite instead *fingers crossed*

Am I scared? Out of my wits! (-__-||)

To be continued…

Pregnancy Updates 44: Headache.

mellomouse — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:01:24 +0000

Last night I gave the husband and myself a fright after an unexpected headache appeared out of nowhere just before sleeping time. We were happily exploring ~~like kampung kids~~ the mobile internet features on our identical Sony Ericsson when the sudden pain surprised me.

Remembering what the staff at Dr Tan’s clinic told us — headache could mean high BP — we went down to my parents to measure my blood pressure. Thankfully it was normal! *phew*

Causes of Headaches During Pregnancy

Headaches are common during pregnancy, especially during the 1st & 3rd trimesters.

In the first few months of pregnancy, they may be caused by normal changes in your hormone levels and an increase in blood volume and circulation.

During the 2nd & 3rd trimesters, headaches may also be caused by a serious condition called pre-eclampsia — high blood pressure during pregnancy.

I just noticed that I am still feeling a bit heavy headed now. My eyes are feeling especially heavy too, which I suspect is because I lack proper sleep. Nature has been calling me at every hour during the night and that has left me feeling more tired than ever — the body’s way of training for the days soon to come!

Somehow it is easier to sleep in the day than night. So I’m going back to bed in awhile, now that I’ve fed both myself and LBJ *waves*

Blogger’s Block.

mellomouse — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:43:55 +0000

If you’re a regular here, you’d know that I update my blog daily before I started growing a life last year. It wasn’t because I was busy, but because I’ve gotten so sick that I can’t even sit straight and called the toilet sink my BFF.

I began to pick back up the pace again in December when the horrid morning sickness took a back seat. And now as my days are quickly outnumbered, I’m stuck with the reality of a blogger’s block. I’m actually running out of things to write about! *argh*

Soon I’ll be too busy being a Mom to bother blogging. Even when I could possibly have tons of things to write about — like all the different colours of baby poo and how to change a nappy without being “aimed” at *LOL*

I shouldn’t complain. And I hope you wouldn’t too, because nothing beats cradling your own “Made-In-Me” and having him/her stare right back with those innocent eyes ♥

For the time being, I’ll try to find something interesting to blog about to fill the space before Mello goes code blue *beeeppp*

No Related Post

Pregnancy Belly Cast, pt 2 – It’s Alive!

mellomouse — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:41:38 +0000

Failure is the stepping stone for success. What do you think? But maybe if we paid RM119.90 in the first place, there wouldn’t have been a failure to begin with *pokes the husband*

After our homemade Belly Cast attempt fell miserably apart on Monday, we went to Isetan at KLCC that evening itself and bought the 100% Failure Proof Baby Art Belly Kit. Thanks to the CNY Sale, we got a 10% off saving. And I got to eat my Spider Temaki! I ♥ Sushi *yums*

The boxset comes with
1 pair Gloves, 9 packets of Plaster & 1 container of Belly Gel

The Baby Art Belly Kit
A super quick & easy to make keepsake that last!

Once again Scubby wonders:
Why Mommy never made a Belly Cast of me?

#1: Cut the plaster rolls into strips
(i) 15cm – Breast, (ii) 30cm – Chest, (iii) 40cm – Belly

#2: Prepare water for dipping the ready cut strips
Make sure they are not too wet when applying

#3: Press strips softly but firmly over belly
Overlap 3-4 layers to get a firm impression

#4: Satisfied with your masterpiece?
Remove carefully 15 minutes later

Voila!
♥ My 1st Pregnancy Belly Cast at 37 weeks ♥

And now it lays adorably in LBJ’s cot
Isn’t this a heartwarming sight?

Aren’t you tempted to do one too?
♥ It’s definitely a keepsake I will treasure forever! ♥

For the final finishing touch, the belly cast would need to be sand papered for a smooth look. The husband is busy this weekend, so hopefully next week he can get it done. Unless LBJ decides to surprise us with his grand presence!

I’m planning to get it framed later — to protect it from itchy hands! — but definitely after getting a shot of LBJ lying inside! *aww*

So look out for Part 3 ok

Pregnancy Updates 43: Blood Pressure.

mellomouse — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 11:33:52 +0000

During our last antenatal appointment, my BP somehow shot a bit higher than normal with a reading of 130/80. I’m still wondering how it got so high since I was seated the whole time waiting for our turn *puzzled*

Blood Pressure during Pregnancy

By the 6th month of pregnancy, you will have produced an extra two and a half pints of blood, which your heart has to pump around your body. All this extra activity may make you feel warmer than usual.

The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes the walls of blood vessels, which is why your BP often falls around the middle of pregnancy – especially during the first 32 weeks of pregnancy.

Your BP will return to normal in the last few weeks of pregnancy.

I have no idea what were all my previous readings because it never dawned on me to ask. We trust Dr Tan completely *an ignorant’s excuse*

By looking at the chart above, 130/80 does seem high. Should I be alarmed? Dr Tan did not mention anything when he took the reading, so I guess we shouldn’t be too worked out. It was his reception that cautioned us while we were paying. That’s how we knew about the higher pressure…

On Monday, my reading was better at 105/90. I’ll just have to be careful not to be over stressed – like how heavy LBJ would become! – and I will be alright

Pregnancy Belly Cast, pt 1 – Failed Attempt!

mellomouse — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:26:42 +0000

It was the 2nd day of CNY. With not much time left before LBJ decides to greet us, the husband decided to be adventurous and immortalise a part of our 1st pregnancy *2 thumbs up*

After watching the YouTube below, he got into his “idealistic” DIY mode and his heavily pregnant wife “faith-fully” followed suit, only to be left plastered without success 2 hours later

A picture paints a thousand words
And these unlucky 7 will say so much more

He may be cheekily smiling here
But trust me, it’s not for long

Because 2 hours later
His DIY Belly Cast fell miserably apart!

Poor LBJ was struggling the whole time as I worked the noisy blow dryer back and forth over my baby bump. Evidently he didn’t like being cast when there were no injury occurred, or being blown dry as he enjoys being wet *heh*

So what happened after this?

If there’s a Part 1, surely there is a Part 2. The husband wouldn’t be dampened and give up that easily when it comes to his DIY obsession

Pregnancy Updates 42: Little Benjac is 2.9kg!

mellomouse — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:45:44 +0000

Before I begin this post. . .

Our humble family would like to wish everyone a
♥ Roaring Chinese New Year this Valentine’s Day! ♥

xoxo
Benjac, LBJ & Scubby

Looks like I won’t be delivering today just yet since I am still here. And that leaves me wondering whether it is a good or bad thing, given my previous paranoia if I do.

A little on the heavy side for 36 weeks
Our Little Benjac Junior is now LOA in utero! *phew*

After waiting for “the usual” hour for our turn on Friday, Dr Tan was suddenly whisked away for a delivery. So our 3.30pm became 5.30pm, again. Note of Advice: Anyone who wishes to see a reputable ObGyn has to be prepared to wait, because it seems like the “whole world” is their patients *hint to impatient Fathers-to-be*

I am a happy camper now since knowing the exact position LBJ is in. He is lying on my left with his head down slightly facing to the back. That explains the kicking on my right all this while! And I thought he was on my right *duh* Turn a little bit to the right and he’ll be fully Anterior!

Somehow by the measurement of his tiny bones and skull, LBJ is now expected 5 days later than his current EDD at 3 March 2010. And he’s supposedly on the heavier side now too, which left me worrying should he gain much more before delivery. I don’t want to be cut opened! *panic*

The longer LBJ stays inside me, the bigger he might become and the harder it would be for me to push him out to this world. He gained 563 grams since the last check-up 12 days ago. By 40th week, he could possibly weigh 4.35kg! *faints*

I think I’m going to start praying for an early arrival now. Please keep me in yours too! *bows*