Day 1 - Dec 1

Oh, now it's so real… We're at the recovery room waiting to be transferred to the postpartum room.
Excited to see Shane back in the room after he gets his transfer out of NICU.

Today marks the beginning of Project 365. We were told that babies grow so fast and do so many amazing things in their first year of life… so I will attempt to do a daily ramble of Shane's first year of a blog entry or just a photo.

We have so many photos of day 1, this is still the favorite photo of the day - our first family photo.

Had our first real life learning session on how to breastfeed and what to expect in the coming days and months.

An Introduction

Hello World.
World meet Shane.
Shane meets world.

Shane Weisheng Lim (林伟胜）

Date - 1 December 2013

Time - 1:48pm

Weight - 7 lb 12 oz

Length - 52.5cm

Place of Birth - Pennsylvania Hospital

Braxton Hicks

A never knew what having Braxton hicks felt like. Duh... Never been pregnant.

Googling doesn't really tell you where and what exactly that feels like. All I read were forums where experienced mums shared their thoughts. They could have been mistaken too!!

So... After staying in the PETU and the L&D room for the last 36 hours, we learnt a lot from the nurses. What we thought was baby kicks (those massive movements), we found out those were Braxton hicks contractions. This means I've been counting wrong fetal movements?! I guess so!!

Final doc visit before the bean

So the leak was getting bad and I'm not sure if the waters really broke. In the afternoon, we went to PennMedicine to see Dr Rita Borromeo. She said it was best to go to the hospital after testing with the pH paper (it turned blue - meaning it could be the Amniotic fluid).

So that evening, we celebrated Mum's birthday a day early at Pumpkin on South Street... And prayed for her grandson to be born on her birthday. What an awesome gift that would be.

happy birthday mum and soon to be grandma

Later we proceeded to the hospital!! See next post on the hospital experience!

Week 39

Thursday 28 Nov was the thanksgiving holiday. I felt a small trickle of water. Not sure if the waters broke or not. It (the leak feel) was intermittent and not continuous. I figured that I had an appointment at PennMedicine on Black Friday anyway, so we decided to wait it out...

Meanwhile, we did make it to the Philly thanksgiving parade in the -2deg C weather. Never been to one... So it was an experience for us!

Loving the parade floats!!

D

Also, I managed to cook for our little 3-man thanksgiving dinner... Asian style stuffed roast chicken. Turkey was just way too large!!

Glad that I didn't have to spend this day in the hospital... Plus I managed to set up the X'mas tree.... Hoo rah!!!!!

And we also did get to check out the Black Friday sale after dinner.

It is NOW??

It suddenly feels so real... Bags packed, ready to go!

Car seat from the granny!

We have been blessed by another freebie from the granny (Z's mum).

Just got the seat out of the box and now and playing around with this... 

The Bean Squirms

Bean is always camera shy. He wriggles and squirms a lot usually. But whenever the phone camera is whipped out… he knows it, and stops! Then when I get tired of waiting for him to move again, he goes at it again. It's tough to get a shot.

BUT… I did manage to capture a video whilst at the bookstore. It's a short one… But better short than none!

Week 38 and a non-stress test for the bean

Usual stuff… Went in to see Dr Renbaum for the weekly checks in the midst of my Greenbuild Conference (so glad that Greenbuild was held in Philadelphia this year, and the doc was located a 10 mins walk from the convention centre).

She asked  if the bean was moving as much. Well, he wasn't exactly moving all that much as compared to a few weeks back. I read on google that it was because he's out of space and can't wriggle as much. But doc still did send me over to Penn Hospital for a non stress test. Ahhh… but that meant that I might not be able to attend the Opening Keynote speech by Hillary Clinton and the Bon Jovi concert after.

So, i got strapped and hooked up to this monitor thingy that looked like the EEG machine. He didn't move for the first 20 mins. So they decided to keep me for another hour. In the next hour, bean moved, kicked and squirmed so much, that he passed the test. Phew. This meant that he's ok…

The whole procedure took about 2+ hours… and yes of course I missed the opening keynote speech and concert. But it was more because I couldn't grab a cab to North Philly. Taxi shift ends at 7pm and seems like every driver lives in south philly!

Atlantic City

Since I'm approaching 38 weeks, there is not exactly that many places we could go to…
Even so, we were brave enough to make the 1.5 hours bus journey to Atlantic City in New Jersey. Still, we had our fingers cross that the little bean wouldn't decide that he's had enough fun with his placenta friend.

Anyhow, we made it there and back… Though my legs didn't enjoy the journey at all. It was almost numb throughout the journey!

Weather wasn't great, but it was a nice experience walking along the boardwalk, and doing a bit of outlet shopping, and spending the last 20 mins in the casino winning back our bus tickets. We bought a $15 bus ticket, and got $25 in casino voucher. Not bad huh! We ended up with more than $40. So that's a free bus ride! The preggers lady got funny stares from people at the casino… Am I not supposed to step into one when I've got a big belly???

Would definitely bring the bean here next summer… not the casino.
The beach is just awesome.

Week 37 now!!

And the bean is considered full term!

Today, I made a trip to Penn medicine to see Dr Renbaum again...

Blood pressure in check

Weight still in check at 150lb (68.1 kg) - probably due to the Big Mac meal I gobbled down before rushing to the doctors.

Group B strep test negative!

All is good except for massive bleeding nose that happens twice daily over the last 2 weeks!

Diaphragm and aches

Not sure what this is exactly but in the last couple of days I have been getting pains in the diaphragm and my upper back and shoulders when I'm slouching. But it gets better when I'm sitting straight or standing up!! Docs have no idea too and think it's gas and acid... Google doesn't help either!

Week 36 visit to Penn Obgyn

Today I got to see Dr Allison Bloom. I really like her... Anyway, usual routine checks. Again I'm at 50th percentile.

Also had an ultrasound done (separately). But unlike the ultrasound I'm used to in Dubai, this is like disappointing in terms of image quality. 

This was by far the best image of the face of the baby... How? Where? I couldn't tell!! See earlier post... At least I could see the bean's face clearly. The above image is just a mass of black and white bits... All fuzzy and no definition. Guess we have been totally spoilt by Dr Jozsa's cool images! 

When you've set your baseline that high, it's tough taking a step back. Fortunately the bean is about to pop in 4 weeks or so. So not that many anticipating U/S.

Presents and more!

More presents from Aunty Rachel & Uncle Jon in Texas!!

Thanks a million! We are looking forward to using this in the coming months when the bean can sit up!

Stroller Up and Running!

We finally set up our stroller today! 

Loving the forward and rear facing features!!

From the Bean's Grand Aunt and Uncle. Thanks :)

Bean's Movements

So... I felt the little bean as early as 16-18 weeks... and it's been little pokes. Then it graduated to kicks and punches.

Suddenly, one day at Week 30, I didn't feel a thing for 2 whole days. Then I started to panic, and was almost going to call the doctor, when he just decided to prod me again to put the phone down.

Last week, the bean was massively at it again... Swishing, swirlling, swimming... You name any movement, he's probably done it. We think it was his way of saying good bye to his Placenta Friend. They've been together for a good long 8 over months... Time to pack his bags and move out to the real world in a few more weeks.

Again, he's gone quiet over the last 2 days... Probably taking time off after his 1 full week of non-stop topsy turvy activity with his friend.

Belly at 35 weeks

Another 5 weeks to go!! Getting bigger each day...

Just look fat from the front view!!

Car Seats Dilemma...

Most new parents by this time would have already gotten everything sorted out - like the crib, car seat, stroller, baby essentials etc.

We're still waiting for the house to be done before we can even set up anything!! 5 weeks to go, and fingers crossed the bean does not decide to come earlier than expected! AND... we're having a really hard time getting a drivers license in PA. This means, we're not able to buy a car at all! And this means our research in getting the car seat we wanted goes out of the window.

After shopping around, we decided Maxi Cosi had one of the most comfortable seat (not that we have tried it out literally, but we think the baby would feel most comfy in that as compared to the Chiccos and the Gracos).

Our first choice was the Maxi Cosi Pria. This car seat can be used from infants till about 40lb. BUT... this means we'd need a car. It's hard renting a car and moving this big bulky car seat in and out of rental cars and carrying it around. (plus you look a little stupid doing that too)
Ohh... i just love the look of the Pria 70!!!

This means, our options are limited to an infant seat carrier - of which we short listed this to the Maxi Cosi Prezi and the Mico AP.

THE PREZI

It's got the rebounding foam (which absorbs impact) and the Air Protect Technology. Prezi could be carried around, and can be used to about 30lb. The seat itself weighs about 11lb. Imagine if the bean was 30lb, and seat 11lb... would any mom be able to carry a 41lb (that's a whooping 18.6kg) car seat on her arm? That's like lifting a luggage bag and carrying it everywhere you go without dragging the wheels. OK i admit, i'm not that strong. No way the bean's gonna be in this till 30lb.

Colours are limited though...
And is this really worth $289??

THE MICO AP

The AP (aka Air Protect) has the Air Protect Side Impact Technology which just means that during a car crash (touchwood), the impact will be minimized through the release of air. The Mico AP carries the baby till about 22lb. Which I guess is a good weight before needing to change seats.

A whole range of colours to choose from too!!! And they did recently release a white base one too!

 

 

 

Loving the variety of colors...

And it's going for $199 (which is $90 cheaper than the Prezi)

Decisions decisions....

Week 34.5 to see Dr Renbaum at Penn Obgyn

The last time, we waited about 40 minutes to see the doctor. 

Today, the waiting time increased to a whooping 1 hour!! Well, if you read reviews, that's the same complains that everyone has. Thankfully, I have not much to do before and after the appointment. Ahh the joys of being a poor housewife.

I've realized that there's no point incoming early. Your waiting time is still gonna be the same!

Weight check this week : 148lb (67.1kg)

Must be due to the 8 hour non stop walking around Boston!! Half kilo weight gain in the last 2 weeks... even after feasting on those lobsters

The usual tummy measurement was still 50th percentile and normal baby's heartbeat 145bpm.

Boston Before Baby

So Z has some school event in boston and it's probably the last time I can tag along freely without the bean in tow.

Chomped on lobsters, gobbled clam chowders and lobster bisque... So awesome!!! 

And at 34w 3days, I just look really fat in a puffy coat

Presents from the Bean's Aunty Sharon

Received our first mail order present from Aunty Sharon and family!

Thanks! We'll set it up soon and snap a few shots when he's in the rocker and the baby gym!

The Bean's got a Bugaboo!!

We have been blessed by a very generous grandaunt who has said "pick whichever stroller you want and it's my gift for the little bean".

OK... so we did. Since Dubai days... we did a few test with strollers at Dubai Mall, and also talked to veteran mums. We watched many reviews on the strollers (Babygizmo.com does very good youtube reviews on strollers). Amongst our options were:
1. Stokke Xplory
2. Bugaboo Cameleon 3
3. Inglesina Avio
4. 4moms Origami (oh this one is soooo cool - it folds by itself at the touch of a button, but unfortunately a little too heavy for me)

So we finally settled on the Bugaboo... only because I really like the colour!! lol
The colour I wanted was a summer colour and it was sold out everywhere. Suddenly decided to search it out again, and diapers.com had stock (but only 1 left!!). So we settled for the Bugaboo Cameleon 3, Jewel Blue.
Otherwise the bean would have gotten the new Urban Blue Stokke Xplory.

So we ordered our stroller from diapers.com and it finally arrived today via UPS!!!

Very excited, and cannot wait to set the stroller up!!!
We'll have to wait for Z to finish his exams before we set it up... Post will be updated soon.

Sciatica

Probably my first pregnancy niggles...

So far, I've been spared morning sickness, elephant feet, lower backache etc.

But over the last 2 days (since the start of 32 weeks), I've been hit with backside pain which goes down my left leg. This happens only when I've had too much dinner to eat. Tough to get to bed on a full stomach. When the food digest, the pain is gone. Oddly, pain doesn't come during the day even when I overdose on breakfast and lunch. Perhaps it's all the walking around Philly that is helping!! (On the average, I walk about 2-3 miles a day to and from the city!)

The doctor said it's Sciatica and it's common amongst pregnant women.

First Visit to Penn Obgyn

It's been 5 weeks since I last saw Dr Jozsa.... So technically, i missed one appointment in between.

So... seeing a doctor in the USA is so different from Dubai. With Dr Jozsa, I get to see the little bean every time I see the Doc. And I get to bring back souvenir images!! In the US, I would say it's pretty backward (considering that the cost of each obgyn visit is higher than Dubai).

For starters - blood pressure is taken using one of those old school hand pump with a dial. Not the electronic ones where you just push one button... and it's done. Blood pressure today was 116/72. A little higher than my usual, but still normal i guess???

Then... there's no scan. Doc just listened to the heart beat using a handheld doppler... And she used a measuring tape to measure the belly... Hmmm... that's really new to me. She said I was average, and the bean's heartbeat is about 138 (which is also about average).

Conclusion - I'm not considered high risk - which is great. But it was all over in like a minute.
I really would have liked to see the bean... This is one of the few times I wish I was back in Dubai. The grass is always greener on the other side.

Weight check: 147lb (66.6kg). That's another 2kg in the last 4.5 weeks!

Belly @ 32w 2d

And I am starting to get bigger Than Z now

Exercise

Before moving to the US, I used to swim about 2-3 times a week, and maybe do the dubai mall walk from the car park to the office (which is about 12 minutes each way)...

Couldn't exactly find a pool around the area to continue my swimming routine, and a tread to the UPenn pool is like a million miles away. But my daily walk to the city (just so I could get out of the house to escape the construction noise, dust and smell) made it all up!

Distance per day: 2-3 miles a day
Walking Time: 30 minutes each way (or there abouts)
Shopping / Standing around time: Hours and hours

Air Conditioning please

Ya it's true when they say you feel hot when you're or preggy. It didn't hit me till just this week at the end of week 31!

Night temperature was 18 and I was dripping in disgusting sweat...

Belly @ Week 29

First belly photo from the US of A!!

Bean vs the Pot Belly

Guess where the bean is hiding?

First Post from the USA

Who would have thought that the process of getting an appointment for the little bean (actually more for me and the bean) would be so difficult?!

Medical Records - they will need this before allowing you to make an appointment. The only way to send them the records are:

1. In Person

2. By Fax

No emails! So unless you're like in the country and can physically walk in with your file, or have sufficient $$ in the bank balance to internationally fax your entire medical records, forget about trying to be organized

So I took the files in, and was told "we will review your files, but there is no guarantee that the doctor will accept you as her patient". How warped is that???

I tell myself... "Welcome to America".

Awesome service.

I was also told off for giving my date of birth as Xth April 19XX. She said "lady, it's April X, not Xth April".

Again, I tell myself... "Welcome to America".

So it's been 4 days since I walked in. I said this was urgent as I'm almost close to 30 weeks and have no appointment! It's been 3+ weeks since I last saw Dr Jozsa.

Lets see how long this waiting game is... 

Baby shower for the little bean

Thanks Jo for organizing this baby shower... My first one! We had tea at The Farm at Al Barari. It's by far the place that looks least like Dubai... Couldn't resist not taking some photos around the place...

 

 

Love those balloons? Thanks Apolline, Nona & Helen! I love it!

 

 

We did some baby shower games including "guess that baby food" and make a baby using play doh. The winner was baby Greenie!

 



 

Then the exciting bit came... Presents! Who doesn't love presents. They're not really for me, but I'm very sure the little bean will be pleased...

 

Here's some overalls from Jo...

 

and some baby gift set from Disa

and more gifts from Disa....

 

A powfer puff from Enda & Joanna... oh this is so awesome because we used to use this at home last time!!

and from Sarah - the experienced Mom - she knows what toys and essentials i'll need...

Last but not least.... Swaddle Blankets!! I was just looking at this on Amazon.com... Now I can take this off my Amazon shopping cart!

It was a great day... =) Don't think i'll have more baby shower... but this was definitely one great one that I'll remember...

Visit #6 - The Final Dubai visit

Kinda sad knowing that it's the last time I'm gonna be at Healthbay. Everyone, including the nurses, midwives and doctor are so friendly. My first experience with even attempting to phone a doctor's office for an appointment in the USA was an impatient and annoying sounding American lady. They're just so grumpy... and snappy.

So... since the last visit to see Dr Jozsa, I put on another 2kg! So I guess it works out to be about 0.5kgs per week. And the little bean has also been constantly gaining 20% of the weight I put on. So this week, little bean measured in at 1.2kg. Getting bigger now!

 

 

I think the bean has been looking the same since we first had a picture of him.  The nose and the lips are a lot more well defined now...

 

 

 

And the bean is always covering his face... Can see his 5 fingers!!

 

In summary, Bean is doing great. He's in the right position (ie. not breached), doing great on size, and always kicking.

 

Another 7 days before I fly to the USA... I was prescribed a jab... and needed to jab myself before the flight. apparently it's for preventing clotting??

 

 

Passport - Check!

Visa Cancellation - Check!

Letter for flying - Check!

Jab - Check!

Compression Socks - Check!

Medical Records - Check!

 

All set to go... Hello USA... I'm coming!





Baby Shopping

Did quite a bit of baby shopping this weekend... Sales everywhere.

Somehow tried to look for neutral colours... but Dubai kids clothes (at least the ones on sale) are either blue, pink or purple, or very cheap looking.

Well... manage to buy... 17 pieces of clothing... which should last us at least 6 months!

Belly @ 27w 2d

27 weeks is when suddenly baby expanded! I feel a lot heavier... really like a truck. Cannot accelerate... only can trot along slowly...