The rest of my pregnancy

Hi Joshua!

As I write this, you are already 3 months old and sleeping in the baby carrier while I carry you. I am writing while standing up because you are quite fussy and don't like it when we sit down while carrying you in the carrier. You love to be carried or held...but before I go into how you are in the first 3 months, let me catch up with a blog post on my pregnancy while I was pregnant with you. It feels like a blur now so I better write down my thoughts while I still remember.

I didn't take photos for every week that I was pregnant with you but you can see my growing belly. Your big brother Lucas was good at reminding me to take belly photos on Sunday and he even took on the responsibility of writing the week numbers on the chalkboard.

Here is week 16 - I think this was the first week that I stopped feeling nauseous!
Weight: 58.9kg

Week 16

Week 18 - my birthday week! So here's a photo of my dinner date with Daddy in the city. Mummy got all dressed up :)

Weight: 60.5kg

Dinner date with Daddy for my 40th birthday

Week 19 - photo of Lucas writing the week on the chalkboard

Pregnancy symptoms:

I had pretty bad nausea and fatigue from week 6 to 16. All throughout the pregnancy I had to do blood tests every month, sometimes more than once to monitor my overactive thyroid (Graves disease). And then by week 23, I got diagnosed with borderline gestational diabetes - which meant I had to check my blood sugars 4 times a day and adhere to a special diet. 

Most of the pregnancy was the same though the thyroid issue went away in the third trimester so I didn't have to take any meds. Around week 36 at the OB's office, I was told my blood pressure was too high and had to be monitored and start meds. So I then had to go to the hospital twice a week to get something called an ECG which checked your heart beat and my blood pressure. 

During my hospital visit on Daddy's bday, my blood pressure went too high and I ended up staying in the hospital. We were supposed to have a bday lunch with Daddy but in the end, I was in the hospital getting some tests done. I told Daddy to get a massage since it was his bday and the nurses told me the blood tests would take 2 hours to do. As soon as Daddy left for his massage, the nurses came back and said I had to get a caesarian operation on the OB's orders! Poor Daddy was on the massage table and had to rush back to the hospital, just in time for you to be born that afternoon. So a very exciting day on Daddy's bday and from now on, you and Daddy will celebrate all your birthdays together.

Week 12: And it's a.....

BOY! We had our gender reveal on the weekend. Though Daddy cheated and saw the colour of the balloons before the actual reveal. Lucas was super happy to have a little brother. Most people (except Grandma) also guessed boy.

Weight: 58.9kg (no change, even a slight drop on some days when I weighed)
Symptoms: less nausea (puking) but still dry heaving. Surprised the morning sickness is still not over yet. Hopefully it will be over soon bc I'm starting work next Wed...
Cravings: fizzy soft drinks - you're definitely daddy's boy
Researching: Xmas presents

Lucas graduated from his child care on Friday. Here is what he wants to be when he grows up :)

Week 11 - skipped a week

I had my NIPT scan on Friday and based on the size measured during the scan, I was actually at 11 weeks 2 days. We got busy over the weekend and didn't end up taking a week 11 photo (yes, we've skipped week 10). I'm quite happy being further along bc hopefully it means my morning sickness will be over in a few more weeks.

I'm still suffering from morning sickness, still nauseous and tired. I'm taking meds that are reducing my immunity as well, so I've had a cough and flu-like symptoms for 2 weeks already.

It's been wonderful being able to rest the last couple weeks though. I'm not sure how I would have made it through working for a full day.

This week Lucas went to Luna Park with Daddy and was so brave to ride the big rollercoaster.  It was also Grandpa's birthday so we celebrated over lunch and dinner.

Weight: 58.5kg - I think the nausea has stopped me from gaining weight. I checked online for acceptable weight gain during the first trimester and it's only 0.5kg-1kg, so shouldn't be gaining much anyway. I am starting to show a bit though can still wear most of my regular clothes.
Symptoms: nausea, tiredness, random things make me puke and dry heave
Researching: xmas present ideas

11 weeks + 2 day scan

Such a brave boy!

Grandpa's birthday

Week 9 - finally some rest

I resigned from my job this week so was able to rest at home from Wed to Friday. Of course, Murphy's Law also means I got struck by a cold on Wed and have been coughing and feeling sick since then. On Wed when I was at home, Lucas was so sweet and told Dave's parents that he wanted to stay home to look after me and the baby.

I am glad I have the next 3 weeks to rest before starting my new job. These few weeks will see me through the first trimester. Hopefully I'll get my energy back for the 2nd trimester and I'll be able to feel more normal again.

Weight: 58.9kg
Cravings: fruit, cheese - this baby has the same tastes as Dave!
Symptoms: still extremely tired, have difficulty sleeping with all my coughing in the night
Researching: bought some maternity clothes today bc my clothes are starting to feel tight, my tummy is starting to show a bit now

Week 8 - Take 2

Went to the OB earlier in the week and was told my estimated due date is a week later than we thought on 28 June. This means we had to do week 8 photos again. Had an appointment with the endocrinologist and found I also have an autoimmune disorder. So now am on meds to control it.

This week was another very tiring week. I don't know how I am getting through the working days as I am vomiting at work and constantly need to nap.

I weighed myself on the weekend and found I've actually lost weight, just a kilo. It's been a tough week of more tiredness. The OB said the morning sickness will get worse before it gets better by the end of the first trimester. So another 4-5 weeks left to go!

Weight - 57.9kg
Symptoms - extreme exhaustion, headaches from the meds, not able to sleep at night, my body temperature seems to be quite hot
Craving - fruit! Cold drinks
Researching - nothing much. Trying to just make it through the day without feeling too bad.

Week 8 - nausea and fatigue

I was too tired to get dressed and take a photo last week. Lucas was asking about our Week 7 photo but it just didn't happen. Today he was super excited when I took the chalkboard out and wrote Week 8. He's loving the thought of being a big brother. He gives me kisses on my belly and asks when he'll be able to see his baby brother or sister. It was very easy to tell him because he had already figured it out when we took our first weekly photo. He actually told Grandpa the news and said: "Mummy has a 6 week old baby brother in her tummy".

In a way, it's good that we have 4+ years as an age difference. He's able to look after himself more now and he's very understanding when I tell him I'm too tired. On Thursday we had a long day with walking around Macquarie Centre in the evening waiting for Dave to travel down from work. By the time we got home around 8.30, I was crawling into bed. I told Lucas I didn't have the energy to read him bed time stories, so while I was in bed, he came into the room and asked to give me a good night cuddle before he went to sleep. I'm really glad to see how mature he is.

How far along? 8 weeks
Measurements: not sure. Last week was 58.9kg
Cravings: cold drinks, mints, congee
Things that make me nauseous: room temperature water, smell of onion, smell of the fridge, floral smells
Symptoms: so so tired, needing to nap constantly, nausea and dry heaving, diarrhoea (I know, ugh. Last week was constipation. I think it's my pregnancy vitamins)

Latest news from me - I have verbally accepted a new job offer. Thankfully once I resign from my job, I'll be able to rest through the first trimester at home. That will be such bliss. One more week of work to go.

Week 6 - never-ending tiredness

Morning sickness hit me full force this week. I have been so tired, I don't know how I made it through some days. Now that it's the weekend, I just want to spend all day not moving. In a way, I'm glad I have morning sickness because it means my body is working hard to create the placenta for our little bubba.

How far along? 6 weeks
Measurements: too lazy to check
Cravings: ginger, salty crackers, today I had a craving for char kweh teo - but more specifically for the lap cheung, fermented bean curd
Things that make me nauseous: room temperature water made me puke
Symptoms: extreme exhaustion, nausea, constipation, metallic taste in my mouth... makes me remember again how hard the first trimester is. I am dreading going to work tomorrow.

Lucas got so excited when I asked if he wanted to do a week 6 photo. He doesn't know yet about baby number 2 though he does relate it to the photos in my pregnancy album. He's been asking if he can have a baby brother or sister this week. Dave replied that he can have one in 9 months and Lucas replied, "It's not 9 months. It's 39 weeks. Like me"

I really had to force myself to do this photo, as you can tell - hair unbrushed, no makeup.

Week 6

Lucas had a great time dressed as Spider-Man at his school's Halloween party on Friday. He wanted to stay til the party was over, we didn't leave until nearly 7pm. You can imagine how exhausted I was waiting for the party to be over!

Retrospective for baby number 2! (Week 5)

I am so excited to be starting this journey again. After a couple years of trying and a few months of Lucas asking us if he can have a baby brother or sister....we are finally on our way to meet baby number 2!

It is still very early days, only 5 weeks into the pregnancy. I am scared, excited and a bit hesitant on whether to start blogging again but after seeing how interested Lucas is in seeing the weeks when he was in my tummy, I thought I would do this again so baby number 2 can have the same experience.

We found out we were pregnant last Sunday after I did no less than 4 tests! This week has been spent getting a few more blood tests to make sure everything is ok. I've already booked an Obstetrician and also the maternity hospital. I'm much more efficient the 2nd time around!!

How far along? 5 weeks
Measurements: 58.6kg
Cravings: None
Symptoms: None yet. I'm hoping to keep morning sickness at bay!

Lucas joining in for the first weekly photo :) We've decided to give Lucas the news when things have settled down a bit. Last week (before we found out we were pregnant), Lucas wanted a baby sister and wanted to call her Emily Curtis. This week he wants 2 baby brothers, one called Richard and the other called Rosie :)

Our labour story

Hello Lucas,

Here is the story of how you came into this world. It's a story that was a lot more dramatic than we would have liked, or even expected, but the important thing is we were both fine after the labour. So now that I have assured you, here is the course of events while it is still fresh in my mind.

Mummy's water broke on Sunday afternoon on February 17th but I wasn't really sure it was my water breaking because it was just a trickle. Daddy and I had dinner at Five Dock with your Grandparents, Mandy and Trevor. Our last meal with you still in my belly was a yummy seafood feast :)

That night I couldn't get to sleep. I kept waking up checking if more of my water was breaking and wondering whether every twinge I felt were contractions. Luckily I was able to pass the time playing a silly game called Candy Crush (that incidentally, both Daddy and Auntie Mandy were also addicted to!).  I drifted in and out of sleep and woke up at 5am to a huge gush of water breaking. I knew that I had to call the hospital but it was still too early, so I waited til 7am before calling the Mater. At this time, I still didn't feel any regular contractions. When I called the hospital, I was expecting the midwife to say we should wait a bit longer until I felt regular contractions. Instead, the midwife told me we had to get to the hospital right away due to the risk of infection since my water had broken yesterday afternoon.  I went upstairs to wake Daddy up and have never seen Daddy jump out of bed so quickly!

Week 39 (a belated post for our last week with you in my belly)

Hello my sweetie,

It feels a bit funny to be writing this post as I had you at 39weeks + 1 day. Since I had already taken a bump photo on the Sunday readiness for this post, I thought it would be a nice way to finish this bump series with one last photo of you still in my belly. I'll then follow this post with your labour story and our first week with you.

Here's a video I took of you moving around in my belly at 38 weeks + 5 days, so glad I took this video because you were delivered a couple of days later!

Week 39 bump

How far along? Week 39. You're the size of a watermelon (only now that you are born, we know you definitely were not that big at 39 weeks!)
Measurements: 70kg with a belly circumference of 102cm
Symptoms: The whole week I had trouble sleeping, in hindsight I wish I had slept more because now that you are here, I only catch a few hours of sleep at a time.
Obsessively researching: Can't remember now though Daddy and I got addicted to watching a korean drama on the weekend (though I'm sure Daddy will deny that he got addicted, haha)

Week 38 (2 more weeks to go...!)

Happy Year of the Snake baby!

We spent new year's day with Grandma and Grandpa Banh and your Auntie Mandy taking family photos at Eden Gardens and at our nearby park - it was a lot of fun though I think Daddy was tired of all the posing, he's obviously not used to it like the Banh family are! haha. I'd like to make it a family tradition to take family photos every Chinese new year, it will be a lovely way to document the years. I also got to use my new SLR camera and tripod, can't wait to use it more when you arrive!

Oh we also took some underwater maternity photos! It was a pretty funny effort, let's say it's very hard to pose underwater. I looked like a puffer fish trying to hold my breath! Your Auntie Mandy and Uncle Trevor were very patient taking photo after photo. Daddy was the props person and did a good job - when he wasn't laughing in the background.

Our weekly Dr appointment was ok, though I found out you've disengaged, which I was really disappointed about because you've been engaged since month 7 and suddenly you decide to move up my belly! Dr Morris said it's quite normal and nothing to be concerned about though it does mean you will be staying put in my belly for a little while longer. As of last Tuesday, you were 2.9kg so they are estimating your weight to be 3.5kg at 40 weeks, let's see how accurate they are!

Here are some family and maternity pics from yesterday:

Family photo

Mummy and Daddy at Eden Gardens

At Boronia Park with the crochet blanket Grandma made

Another family pic

38 week belly!

How far along? Week 38. You're the size of a pumpkin.
Measurements: 70.7kg- gained back the 2kg I lost last week - and swelling back up again with the heat.
Symptoms: I just noticed the funniest thing tonight while I was writing this post - my belly button has popped out! It's sooo weird! haha. My back is still really sore and only feels better when I sit on the exercise ball. I don't know whether it's the anxiety since we're getting closer to your due date, or maybe you're getting bigger and squeezing my bladder but I've been waking up the last few nights to go to the bathroom rather than sleeping through. It's not too bad though since I'm not working and can sleep in.
Obsessively researching: Househunting and interior decorating. Daddy and I saw a house we liked on the weekend, let's see what happens..!

Week 37 (full term, baby!)

Hi sweetie,

You've now hit 37 weeks, which is momentous because it means you're now considered "full term" and it will be safe for you to pop out anytime now. This was the motivation we needed to finally put together your cot today. Well, Daddy did all the hard work (accompanied with lots of complaining about how hard it was to put together, haha)

So this week was more baby prep - washed all your clothes, blankets and sheets. I also made more candles for thank you gifts and finalised my birth plan after seeing the dr for our weekly visit. Our appointment went well, Dr says everything is going great and he estimates you'll be about 3.3kg when you're born.

Thankfully the weather has cooled down this week, there was actually a thunderstorm warning on Friday which is a huge change from the heat wave 2 weeks ago! The cooler weather has meant I'm not swelling up as much. I actually lost 2kg since last week, I think it was mainly water weight. Unfortunately because of the thunderstorms, Daddy and I couldn't do our maternity photo session yesterday. We might do it in a couple of days but it depends on whether Daddy can take an afternoon off from work. Otherwise, I would quite like to take a family session after you're born. I decided to pamper myself in readiness for the maternity session and actually got lash extensions, which Daddy has been teasing me about for the last few days because he thinks my lash extensions look really scary, haha! What do you think?

Lash extensions

Week 37 bump

How far along? Week 37. You're the size of a wintermelon.
Measurements: 68.6kg- can't believe I lost 2kg since last week! My belly before breakfast was 102cm.
Symptoms: A very sore back, I think because of your position.
Obsessively researching: More amazon shopping

Week 36 (9 month milestone and my bday :)

Hi baby,

We've hit the 9 month milestone and boy, do I look it! Everytime I see someone, they exclaim how huge I look and ask whether I'm ready to pop yet. Well, realistically we still have 4 more weeks to go but after next week, you'll be considered full-term and it will be safe for you to greet the world! 

There were a couple other milestones that we hit this week, firstly it was Mummy's birthday on Friday and as everyone kept reminding me, my last birthday to enjoy before becoming a Mum. So, I went to the hairdresser with Grandma, got a pedicure with your Auntie Mandy and then we had a family dinner at a yummy seafood restaurant in the city. Oh and Daddy got me a beautiful diamond ring as a b'day/mummy gift which will hopefully fit once you arrive and all the swelling in my hand goes down.

On Saturday, Aunties Kathy and Pumi popped over and decorated some onesies for you, they look so adorable!

Personalised onesies

I also spent 2 days making a playmat for you, it's really nicely padded so you can practise tummy time on the floor. I chose coordinating fabric with giraffes and elephants, which fits in perfectly with the safari theme of your nursery.

Playmat

We have gone into full-prep mode for your arrival - I finally packed my hospital bag, we got the baby capsule installed in the car, and we are going to pick up the stroller and the little cot for you to sleep in from Grandma and Grandpa Tran today. The only other thing is to set up your nursery with the full-sized cot and buy a dresser for your clothes, though these things don't need to be done straight away since we are planning for you to sleep in our room for the first 6 months anyway.

Week 36 bump

How far along? Week 36. You're the size of a honeydew!
Measurements: 70.6kg (another milestone, over 70kg!) and that's 1.5kg increase since last week...a bit too much in 1 week I think. I'll have to monitor my diet and exercise a bit better.
Cravings: Not really
Symptoms: Even more swelling this week, which is quite common for this stage of the pregnancy. I've been trying to put my feet up more to help the swelling go down and watching my diet. My back was also really sore yesterday as well, again all normal at this point in the pregnancy.
Obsessively researching: Ways to reduce swelling

Week 35 (our weekend away to the Central Coast)

Hello baby,

Daddy and I just came back from our long weekend away to the Central Coast. We had such a relaxing stay at a boutique hotel called Bells at Killcare. I've posted some photos below showing how pretty the grounds are. We had a lovely couples massage there, dinner at a one-hatted restaurant called Manfredi and lazed around at some nearby beaches.

I also enjoyed the first week of maternity leave this week - it was lovely pottering about the house, cooking, making things. I've started exercising more regularly and reading the 'Pink Kit' which was recommended to me. I still have lots of it to read but am feeling a bit more prepared. What else? Oh, I also did lots of research into baby things like bottles, breast pumps, nappies. I went into research overdrive, I guess it's hard to give up using the computer so soon after finishing work

I also went to see the Dr on Thursday. He did an ultrasound and said you are doing well, still fully engaged but a good size. I finished writing up the birth plan and discussed with the Dr. Now I just need to start packing the hospital bag and install the baby seat and we'll be ready...well as ready as I can be.

Here are some pics of our weekend getaway on the hotel grounds:

Me and Daddy walking around the hotel

Passing by a cute little bridge and pond

Here is a pic of me and Daddy at McMasters Beach, a short drive from the hotel:

At McMasters beach

No bump photo today (Sunday) as Daddy was tired from the drive home and is taking a nap.

Here's a blurry bump photo that Daddy took of me last night (at 35 weeks + 3 days) after dinner. I felt so big and uncomfortable yesterday! I had to waddle to the Thai restaurant very slowly for dinner last night, I think it was from all the sewing and candle making I did during the day that made my back ache and made it harder to walk.

Week 35+3 days bump

How far along? Week 35. You're the size of a coconut!
Measurements: 69.1kg at 35 weeks + 1 day (that's an increase of 1kg since last week)
Cravings: Not really
Symptoms: Still lots of swelling...hoping the swelling will go away after I give birth. Also started experiencing some light braxton hicks contractions which are quite normal at this time of the pregnancy. I can't believe we only have a month or so before your arrival...!
Obsessively researching: Bottles, pumps, nappies, wipes, what to pack in the hospital bag...and lots more!

Week 34 (our first wedding anniversary)

Hello my darling,

Daddy and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary today. We are keeping to the tradition of lighting our wedding candles every year on our anniversary.

Our first wedding anniversary

 Mummy is on maternity leave now! Yay!!! Time to prepare for your arrival, rest up as much as possible and spend more quality time with Daddy. I'll be starting the week with a 2 hour massage tomorrow, then we have our next appointment with the doctor and then Daddy and I head to the Central Coast for a 3 day weekend. Our last weekend away with you in my tummy :)

We had our last prenatal class yesterday. Daddy learnt how to swaddle, he'll get lots of practise! We've also decided on your name....! Let's see if we stick with this name when you arrive, I think we have a couple options :)

Grandpa, Grandma and Auntie Mandy departed for their 2 week holiday to Singapore and Malaysia today, your Auntie Katrina and Uncle Daniel are meeting them in KL for the weekend - it's a full Banh family affair

Week 34 bump

 How far along? Week 34. You're the size of a butternut squash. Daddy keeps exclaiming how big my belly looks!

Measurements: 68.1kg today (a decrease of 400g) - seem to be fluctuating these past couple weeks

Cravings: Not really
Symptoms: Still lots of swelling...hoping the swelling will go away after I give birth
Obsessively researching: Changing table dressers

Week 33 (a durian fruit!)

Hi sweetie,

You are definitely getting bigger in there...I feel you shifting around a lot! It's Mummy's last week of work before I go on maternity leave - only 3 more days left, I'm counting down.

Daddy and I attended our first prenatal class on the weekend to prepare ourselves for your arrival....we saw 3 birthing videos - very scary! I hope our labour is easy but I'll be reading up and preparing during my time off from work.

I've been addicted to making baby bibs for you! I even made 2 extra bibs for a friend who's sister just had a little boy. The bibs are so cute! I bought more snaps to make more bibs, I heard babies will need lots of spares!

Handmade bibs

Today was so hot - one of the hottest days in Sydney! I don't know if that is the reason why my ankles have swollen up into balloons....I have cankles now! Ugh....

Cankles :(

I don't have a bump photo this week because we didn't have time to take a photo.

How far along? Week 33 + 2 days. You're the size of a durian fruit!

Measurements: 68.5kg today (an increase of 2kg which is a bit too much). My belly measurement before breakfast on Sunday was 101cm, an increase of 2.5cm

Cravings: None this week
Symptoms: Cankles!! and lots of swelling
Obsessively researching: Making bibs

Week 32 (New Years Eve 2012)

Hello baby,

It's the last day of 2012 and what an exciting year it's been. Daddy and I got married in January, we went on 2 holidays this year - the first to Malaysia with our friends in May and the 2nd for our babymoon to LA in October. Today is our 8 month milestone, so I've been pregnant with you for most of this year! How fast this year has flown by.

It has been a lovely week relaxing with Daddy during this holiday and we have another week of this before we both head back to work. I felt you hiccuping for the first time 2 days ago, it was the funniest feeling in my belly.

I made another hooded towel for you and some more burp cloths on the weekend, plus a cute nursing cover for when I feed you. I'm definitely getting better at sewing though the towel I made came out a lot bigger than I intended....

Hooded towel

Daddy wearing the 'cape'

The above photo is Daddy modeling the super-sized baby towel, he said it looked more like a cape!

Nursing cover

Week 32 bump

How far along? Week 32. You're the size of a squash.

Measurements: 66.4kg on Sunday (an increase of 200g since last week). My belly measurement before breakfast was 98.5cm... I've been inconsistent measuring my belly, so it's hard to compare.

Cravings: None this week
Symptoms: Nothing too bad, less swelling since I haven't been working
Obsessively researching: More DIY tutorials

Week 31 (Merry Christmas!)

Happy Boxing Day my sweet!

Daddy and I have the next 2 weeks off and we're spending it sleeping, watching movies and relaxing on the couch....bliss. This time next year will be very different with you, I'm sure we will be doing more family things and your grandparents will want to spend lots of time with you...you'll be 10 months by then and will probably be crawling around. We might even take you swimming in the pool - rest assured I have already bought you cute swimming clothes up to 2 years old! Mummy is prepared :)

You've been so active this week, lots of moving around during the day and night. Daddy can really feel you kicking and I can see my belly move when you're shifting around, it's so cool.

Week 31 bump

How far along? Week 31 (and 2 days) You're the size of a pineapple

Measurements: 66.2kg on Sunday (a decrease of 200g which is good because I'm still about a kg more than I should be). Just measured my belly, it's 100cm right now after breakfast - an increase of 2 cm!

Cravings: None this week
Symptoms: Lots of swelling, I think because of the heat
Obsessively researching: Not much, been watching too many movies and korean dramas....haha

The big 3-0!

Hi baby,

We've hit week 30 and are now three-quarters of the way through the pregnancy! Mummy only has 2 more working weeks left with a nice Christmas and NY break in between. Daddy and I will be making the most of this time before you arrive by going out to eat, watch movies and basically relax :)

We went on a date to Dee Why beach today and went back to the cafe that Daddy took me to 2 years ago for my birthday. It was our first time to Dee Why and we decided to re-live the memories. Here are some pics of our day together:

Dee Why - Sandbar Cafe

Dee Why Beach

Week 30 bump

How far along? Week 30 already! You're the size of a cucumber

Measurements: 66.4kg this morning (an increase of 800g! I think a bit too much good food this week). My belly measured 98cm (0.5cm more than last week)

Cravings: Nectarines
Symptoms: Getting used to only eating small meals, I can't fit much in my stomach with you fighting for room :P
Obsessively researching: I've decided on a nappy bag! Can't wait to order this one - the storksak sofia :)

Storksak sofia tan nappy bag