@ 33 weeks and 4 days

When the front view doesn't tell alot anymore, I thought having more side view shots would correctly capture the growth of the bump. Then of course, there are differing comments to the growth: some commented it's too small as Mama is into my 34 week, some said it's normal while others saw me and then went (very insensitively): "Look at how much weight you have put on. You are so (I quote) FAT!"

Gosh.

On a separate note, Mama is happy to be told that MM and CH bought their air tickets to Chiang Mai and would be spending their Christmas here with us! There are so much to look forward to in the next couple of months!

@ 32 weeks and 3 days

Officially into my 8th month, the gynae now wants to increase the frequency of my visits and meet once every 2 weeks instead. As accurately as the gynae can tell (given Utt's not-so-ideal position for measurement), the baby boy weighs 1.8 kg and is starting to put quite a bit of pressure on Mama's pelvis. Everything has been so good so far, except for that Mama is walking slower these days (and consciously avoiding the penguin walk), having shortness of breath and taking smaller bites at meal times (regurgitation seems to be an issue if I feed myself to the brim). 

It's 54 more days before the big day!

@ 31 weeks and 5 days

Beginning last Wednesday, I have started utilising the remainder of my vacation leave (18 days left in total!) and will be taking off from work every mid-week. And so, I found the time for more rest, getting up at 9am and going for my now bi-weekly swim, having my weekly foot massage, cooking up something nice for the 2 of us (yesterday was roast duck leg with apple sauce and grill lemon salmon, and P gave multiple thumb-ups for my apple sauce all cooked from scratch with granny smith apple). Taking life at such a leisure pace wouldn't be lasting for long (exactly 58 more days before Utt's arrival basing on 15 September 2012 as current EDD) and I am very glad that I am able to enjoy the last stage of my pregnancy with as little on my mind as possible.

We have been getting all prep up every since before getting back from Sg: Buying all the essentials, i.e. crib, stroller, infant car-seat, baby wear and right down to baby laundry liquid, toiletries, the ideal bathtub, wet towels, diapers etc. It's a lot of preparation to do welcoming a new life, but nothing beats the emotional prep that I am not sure if either of us are ready yet. What I do know is as far as parenting is concerned, we are theoretically on the same page (but I sometimes wonder if we will apply the theories in practice once Utt arrives, i.e. not becoming submissive parents who give in to screams/wails).

As the frequency of kicks increase and the strength of kicks get stronger, the anxiety level follows suit. It may sound a bit crazy to say this after 5 years in Thailand, but it's only now that I truly feel that my family life is beginning in a place that I have to learn call home.

@ 31 weeks

Pumpkin is the new chocolate!

P's new creation for the pregnant wife:

Pumpkin ice-cream!



Paired it with scone this afternoon for Mama's delightful after-lunch dessert time. Yummy and finger licking good. Got to give P a pat on the shoulder for making vast improvements in his journey as an ice-cream chef but with 2 cups of full cream getting into the ice-cream (along with 1 cup of sugar and 6 egg yolks), this got to be a very sinful after meal craving.

TGIF!

Is she fat, or what? + Utt's nursery 50% done up

With Utt getting close to 8 months, Buddy can hardly come on my lap anymore. He has to settle for lying on the carpet close to me, and placing his head on my lap for some head patting moments.

I sometimes wonder if Buddy is puzzled about what is happening to this monkey friend of his. Deep down inside, he may be lamenting how unfair life is as the monkey feeds herself so much that her tummy is growing at an unstoppable rate.

Getting Utt's room prep for his arrival. Still many things undone: his mobile is arriving in a week, linens and his clothes are unwashed, cover for his changing mat is not sewn (but I guess we still have plenty of time for these!)

 
.... and everyone's waiting!

@ 30 weeks and 1 day

My Papa

Today marks a very special day. My Papa is 64 today. This day, he is also enjoying his first day as a retiree. I called home in the afternoon to make sure that he is doing fine on his first day as an official retiree, something that we all guess he would not be and need some time to get used to. Having dedicated 3 decades of his working life to the same company, retiring is not just about finally getting time off for some well-deserving rest, it also means adjusting to life without the place and people he is so familiar with.

I am very grateful for the fact that his company and his colleagues, some like family to him, have given him a very warm and unforgettable farewell. Being in the limelight is not something my dad is used to, but departing on a high note does mean something to him. I know he is happy, and it touches me to see his zest as he spoke about his farewell party.

My Papa is a very special man, not just because obviously because he's my Papa. My Papa is very passionate about work yet not a workaholic - I have not known anyone in this 30-year life of mine who is so in love with his job but yet is able to withdraw from it once he knocks off. He is always placing himself behind the people he loves and he never scrimps when it comes to meeting our needs and wants. And he's one funny guy who is always high spirited, I have almost forgotten when was the last time I see him down. There is close to nothing more we can ask from him as a Papa/husband.

And so from this day on, I hope my Papa will be blessed with good health. Good health that allows him to enjoy the many many more good years to come. Good health to grow old together with Mama. Good health to see his 2 darling daughters entering the next phase of their lives as Mamas and good health to see his grandchildren growing up, going to school and entering college.

Mama having some fun at the manicurist's

Half a decade down the aisle

Celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Sunday, with a family trip with Buddy in tow to a dam 20 km from our place. Armed with our Canon EOS and a tripod, we had wanted to takee some maternity shoots in the field and then after a sumptous lunch by the dam, the rain started to pour. And here Buddy shared our emotions as we waited for 15 mins in the car for the rain to stop, but it never did (and we chose to leave) and we shifted the shoot location to our nest. Came up with some really cheesy looking shots but had lots fun nonetheless.

Dinner was at a swanky restaurant that served mediocre food at exorbitant price (think Chiang Mai standard). Did grocery shopping after dinner and P suggested for us to go on separate ways to grab an anniversary present for each other. 20 mins was the give time. And so I roamed aisle upon aisle, trying to figure out what best (and most interesting) to get in a hypermarket. Ended up with an incredibly boring CD case and when we met at the cashier's, we both had a good laugh. He had intended to buy me an electronic weighing scale. In the end, we both decided that they are nonsensical buys and so, we left with just a pack of detergent and no presents for this anniversary. Not like we intended to do any gift exchange anyway, but the whole idea of impromptu shopping for one is pretty fun. It's probably more interesting than getting your hands on something physical.

And so, we ended our day back at home. Our 5th year together as husband and wife, and many more to come. Like P said cheekily, it just felt like yesterday.

@ 29 weeks and 4 days

Things to remember as a Mama #1

Think of parenting not as growing the person you want, but as a process of helping your child discover how to make his or her unique abilities and preferences fit well with the rest of the world

- abstract from "Welcome to your child's brain"