3-Aug-2019

9am - first spotting, showered and bought coconut drink on the way to hospital

10am - regular check up at hospital, informed Dr Paul about the spotting during the check up and told to head to another block for tracing, very early stage of contraction exists but not felt entirely, vaginal opening was also measured but only at 1cm, allowed to head back home freely

2pm - had late lunch in Red Kettle with hubby in Starling Mall, bought play mat from baby fair in Starling Mall

4pm - napped till 7pm while hubby cleaned the house

7.30pm - had dinner in Wai Kee restaurant but no appetite

10pm - settled at home

4-Aug-2019

1am - slept after Netflix

4am - woke up from contraction, 5 to 10mins interval

5.30am - messaged mum and she immediately advised to head straight to hospital

5.45am - shower

6.30am - left house

6.45am - arrived at hospital

7am - measurement of fetal heartbeat and contraction pain commenced

8am - 1cm dilation (1st vagina examination of the day), admitted to delivery suite,  informed by midwife on the 3 alternatives to ease pain (ie epidural, pain killer injection and laughing gas) which will also cause drowsiness

9.30am - accompanied hubby for breakfast in SubWay and stroll around hospital with hubby to quicken the labour process as advised by midwife and we both ended up falling asleep near the fountain but with pain being felt, from lower tummy to upper thigh

12pm - visit from Dr Paul, being informed again on the pain relief alternatives as there is no need for going through the pain unnecessarily, also mentioned that baby might arrive today or the day after, I stood firm by my decision not to take any of the pain relief alternatives

12.15pm - mum came after her dharma class, being informed that I will get to see baby today (source: DMNN), mum went to DMNN early in the morning

12.45pm - fil/mil came and headed to Starbucks for drinks, I had orange juice from MBG instead

2.30pm - mum came and brought MX noodle, she left shortly and went for chanting in temple, before she left, she advised if the pain is untolerable, opt for cesarean instead

2.45pm - decided to head back to delivery suite as the pain is getting intolerable

3pm - randomly selected a Chinese movie from Netflix but ended up falling asleep and yet feeling the pain

5pm - 3cm dilation (2nd VE), after measurement of contraction pain at 4pm, told by midwife that it's the best time to administer any pain relief, I stood firm by my decision again

6.30pm - nurse brought the birthing stool for relaxation, turned out not effective

7pm - visit from Dr Paul followed by mum and fil/mil, asked Dr Paul if the Pethidine injection works (the only alternative that I've considered due to it's cost and most importantly, the side effect down the road), I could barely concentrate on the things dr said but I concluded that it may not completely effective judging from the choice of words used by dr, I told him I would reconsider again

7.05pm - told hubby that I might settle for the Pethidine injection in order to sleep through the night in case I don't deliver by that night, I felt it's almost impossible to go through the pain for another night, we both felt that 11pm might be the best time for the injection considering that it can only lasts about 4 to 6 hours

8pm - hubby left from hospital to shower & change and bring my pillow for comfort, leaving mum and mil in the delivery suite with me, they both chatted while i silently in deep pain

8.30pm - both mum and mil went to chat in the guest room located outside the delivery suite as fil is not allowed to enter the delivery suite, midwife came and checked my condition, she noticed that baby is in a lower position based on the location of the heartbeat and coupled with me telling her that I felt nausea, she said the time might come soon

8.45pm - mum came in alone to check me again, she stood near my bed as she was afraid I might fall off from the bed as I was holding firmly to the side of the bed whenever the pain attacks

9pm - asked mum to call nurse in as i can no longer tolerate the pain, nurse came in but didn't offer any solution, hence I didn't state my decision to take the pain killer

9.30pm - hubby back to hospital, informed him on what nurse mentioned earlier on the baby's heartbeat and that I feeling nausea

9.45pm - told hubby that I decided for painkiller injection due to almost non stop contraction pain, and so he went to inform the nurse in order to proceed (VE and inform doctor)

10.05pm - 5cm dilation (3rd VE) and hence, the painkiller injection can still be administered, changed into hospital gown (although own gown is allowed during the delivery) as being told that I would get drowsy  and can no longer get off the bed after the injection, brushed my teeth too despite the pain

10.15pm - Pethidine injection, turned out not effective except feeling drowsy, nurse informed casually that there is a likelihood that labour might be sooner with the injection

10.30pm - water broke, 9cm dilation (last VE), all gears (ie handle, pedal etc being set up) were quickly set up for the birthing bed, had my eyes closed all the time thinking that it might help with the pain at least, the midwife continuously exert pressure on my backside to release the water from vagina, felt the need to push but was told by midwife not to as it's not time yet, Dr Paul came and judging from my condition, he said it might take another 15 to 20 minutes to deliver the baby

10.45pm - while holding firmly to the handles with legs at the pedal, I was told to push whenever the contractions starts but not to shout while pushing as it will drain me out quickly

11pm - there was a total of 4 pushes and the next thing I know, I felt baby was completely out and she was placed right on me, I only managed to open my eyes and caught the moment when Dr received my baby

11.05pm - as baby was laying on top of me, I felt so relieved, hubby cut the umbilical cord and I could barely feel the pain when Dr was performing the stitching

11.15pm - baby sent for weighing

11.30pm - hubby called my mum and his parents

11.45pm - was forced to pee but failed, hence the nurse inserted a tube to draw the urine out, feeling a little pain but nothing beats the contraction

5-Aug-2019

12.00am - established first breastfeeding despite feeling drowsy

12.15 to 12.30 - texted family and colleague

1am - paeditrician came to inform that baby was OK except developing heat rash which is normal for newborn

1.30am - transferred to ward, baby sent to nursery ursery to allow mummy to rest after the long battle

2am - hubby left after arranging stuff for mummy in the ward

4am - nurse came with baby for nursing, to which I woke up with a smile, returned the baby to nursery after nursing, nurse also changed my clothes, washed my wound and assisted me to pee

6.30am - texted friends on the newborn baby

7.30am - mum came and followed by baby, had a warm chat

9am - Dr Paul came to check mummy's conditions

10am - hubby came after settling the baby cot

11am - lactation consultant came

12pm - Dr Eric came and informed baby is doing fine

1pm - mil/fil came to visit grand honey

8pm - mil/fil came, followed by relatives and finally my dad, mum and bro

6-Aug-2019

9am - Dr Paul came, he got to know I had problem with lactation, and suggested I stay for another night to which I was reluctant

10am - both mum and hubby came

7-Aug-2019

9am - Dr Paul came and agreed to give clearance for my discharge

11.30am - Dr Eric came and agreed to give clearance for baby's discharge

3pm - Finally discharged from hospital

Baby waking up every 3 hours throughout the night, both hubby and I had sleepless night

Merry Christmas!

Since August, my life has been very colourful with the presence of my LO... I would describe it as a roller coaster journey, hehe. I couldn't ask for more and ever since her arrival in this world, things have not been the same like before and it has taught me new things through trial and error.

I shall post the timeline on the labour day and shall show it to her when she is old enough to understand :)

Since the proposal, I've not updated my blog but I believe it's still not too late... I'm now writing as Mrs L :)

Our schedules were so tight in 2018 but I must say that 2018 is one of the best years, simply because I passed both of my professional exams, became Mrs L legally, moved in to a new place with Mr L and most importantly, we are waiting for someone's arrival :) Life has been a blessing and I am feeling so grateful each day despite the ups and downs... I must remind myself that life would not be a smooth sailing journey and that's not the purpose of life... In enduring difficulties, we become stronger, braver etc. Hence, we shall not be demotivated when things do not go our way!

From pre-wedding photoshoot, new house renovation, preparation for the big day etc, it drained us out.. I enjoyed the process and find it fulfilling though but I guess not so much for Mr L as there were so many things on his plate. His work schedule was way more hectic than mine, with constant late nights and to make him make decision with me is almost impossible but he tried his best in accommodating me.. He's always been there for me till now, whenever I need him. He could be more naggy than my mum but I do appreciate that deep down in my heart :) Sometimes, I do find him acting like a small boy that needs pampering and love, like any child does. How cute?!

We have been staying together in our new home for several months, just like how I visualised in the past. I could not imagine if he is not with me one day. Even we both are doing our own things at home and not talking to each other, but seeing him around makes my heart at ease and that's all I'm asking for.

I still do go trips now and then for training and audits. Unlike before, I no longer find trips without him being exciting and fun. After our wedding, we had a short trip to Genting & Singapore for food mostly. Although nothing fancy, but being with him anywhere, is the best I could ask for! We both are not perfect but he has something that I don't possess and I definitely ought to learn from him. I never tell him this before. Shall I tell him the existence of this blog? I might..

My working life has been as usual. For now, I guess this is where I wanna be for a couple more years. Guess I'm in a comfort zone right now and not anticipating for any significant change so soon. My focus is on another part of my life :)

Hello peeps, as we all know, it's the last day of 2017! needless to say, it's been a great year! though it's not smooth sailing but it turned out to be a fruitful year.. new working environment, new boss, new colleagues, new job scope, promotion, travelling to US, met new counterparts through regional conference.. come to think of it, 2017 is full of travelling until i decided to stay at home for the last week of 2017.. and i'm not regretting my decision at all.. my bf proposed to me on the 23rd Dec! and i'm getting married! i should stay at home more often than usual as i won't be able to spend more time with my family like before :(

The proposal was indeed a surprise. It totally caught me off guard. I did not expect it to be coming so soon from him. The moment he proposed, I gazed into his eyes and I saw hopes and sincerity. I said yes without hesitation. It was a simple fine dining in a Japanese restaurant and the usual me would have predicted his actions. Yet, I couldn't find anything amiss when he excused himself two times for toilet but he has always been a toilet frequent visitor :)

And oh yes, before I end my post, I'm a new self-acclaimed Chinese drama queen now. Unlike before, I had doubts on Chinese drama but once I started, there is no turning point! Chinese ancient dramas are usually around 60 episodes in total and yet, I can binge watch and finish within a week. Thanks to the good story development and full of creativeness as well suspense.

I'm so looking forward to 2018. That's all from me now. Let's end 2017 with a bang and start 2018 with new hopes :)

Happy New Year!

It's the time of the year again but it's rather quiet this year.. well, life goes on.. be grateful that it's just another ordinary day.. Mr. L is in Singapore and I'm here alone in my room with a lizard! Anyway, time for bed!

Hey peeps, I'm back again. As always, I'll make it a point to post something before the year ends... I've started working as an internal auditor in a new company and this is my third month into the job. Well, from external auditor to tax agent/advisor and now internal auditor. I'm still liking my current job thus far except the urgency of certain audits. I actually had withdrawal symptoms after leaving the previous company especially my friends. It's not that hard to adapt to new environment but things are definitely not the same anymore but time heals everything, I hope. Today is the last day of 2016 and I hope things will get better in 2017. I also hope that I will have the time to fly over to Singapore often to visit my bf. He's back since last week Friday and we went Ipoh with my family for food trip and sightseeing. We've been spending time together almost everyday and he's leaving the day after tomorrow. Talking bout that, we only meet once a month since he started working in Singapore. And the next time I see him will be one month later during the Chinese New Year week. Well, I'll stop for now as I need a nap🤓 Let's celebrate and welcome 2017 with a bang. Tata and happy new year!

HIHI, I'm not done with my last post yet... Now that I am still energetic, let's keep the momentum going. Well, it's not like anyone is reading my post but it's totally fine with me. During the one week holiday declared by my previous company, I brought my family to Penang for a short vacation. If I don't, I'm not sure if all of us will still be together again going for trips. I have chosen Penang as my dad couldn't travel to overseas. We were eating non-stops and I had stomach ache on the first day of the trip but thank god, everything was under control.  After three days in Penang, we stopped at Taiping to visit my maternal grandparents. If I don't, I'm not sure if I will have the chance to see them again in my next visit. We stayed for a night before we head on to Ipoh to visit my uncle. My uncle is currently living alone and working in Ipoh. His wife passed away since many years ago and my uncle has been taking care of their only daughter. His daughter is working in PJ, which is quite near to the place I'm staying. Once in a while, I would make an effort to ask her out for a meal and hangout. She's the best cousin I have who understands me well enough. I used to have three uncles and two of the them have passed away. Well, life is short and we have no idea what's gonna happen tomorrow. Hence, to anyone out there, please make an effort to spend more time with your loved ones.

Sometimes, I get too carried away with emotional feelings. Hello, I'm a human being too! Well, let's get back to the main point on how I spent the one week holiday. I flew to Singapore on the Thursday night to visit my boyfriend who is currently working in Singapore. If you ask me how is it like to have a long/middle distance relationship, I can only say that it doesn't feel good. So how do I get rid of this bad feelings? I tried not to think so much about it and focus more on my work or Kdramas? LOL... Well, apparently it works but sometimes it doesn't... I spent five days in Singapore and I hated the last day with him knowing that we will be far apart again... It's not that we can't communicate through skype or whatsapp but the feeling is different. Absolutely different! Often that not, I found myself hug deprived. Do not laugh but that's the truth. During the five days with him, we walked all the time as MRT is the most convenient and cheapest mode of transportation but I don't find it tiring most of the time, simply because I get to spend time with him. I wish I can spend more time with him but I will work on it later. We shall see...