The Great Expectation

Ha.. tot I will be more diligent and update this second pregnancy blog of mine more often, oh well I guess things are a little different second time round.

'Tired' is the key word! Constantly! I really wonder how other mothers cope with a 3rd or 4th...etc. It's not so much the pregnancy that is tiring, but it's the 'being pregnant and still need to tend to a super active toddler' part that is the more energy consuming. And also wanting to spend more time with the first one before the second one arrives. So here I am at the 7th Month of my pregnancy and only 2 more months to go!

Time flies, really. Week after week... and I am so close to the end of my second pregnancy that I really don't know what to expect this time round. And frankly, I am no where near prepared. Mentally not prepared for the labour and tending to a newborn, the sleepless nights ahead...etc. And since me and my sister in law is giving birth on the same month, ( her fourth girl- I take my hats off her! she's my idol. ) we cant borrow her crib or clothes or all the baby stuff. Nothing is prepared physically yet. No baby bed, haven't taken out the limited newborn clothes I have bought previously, the broken breast pump that needs repair...etc...etc...
I cant even remember the signs to look out for when I am in labour and no time to really sit down and plan what else needs to be done. Oh no... time is running out!

The other thing that is worrying me is how Tristan will react when the new baby is here, and how I am going to cope with it? I am no where near reading the chapter on toddler rival from my "Baby makes four" book that I got months ago. The only preparation I did was getting my husband to take on more roles with Tristan like bathing and cleaning Tristan, making milk for him and more father and son alone time.
And part of me wish to spend more time with him, other part wants to earn some more income before no.2 arrives. Cos I dont think I'll or have the means to go back to work then.

So... here I am at the last 2 months of my pregnancy and I guess I wont be filling up this blog as much as I wish. Here's a summary of events that happened in the last few months.

25/06/08 Tristan weaned...
:(...:)- missed it, but happy to take a break before no.2 arrives.

5/07/08 Baby kicked last week

13/07/08 It's a boy
(Yes we are having another boy. No real expectation of girl/boy, just pray for a normal healthy child. But seeing other little baby girls make me think of trying for another one ... we'll see how I go with 2 first :)

Till the next time. :)

Blocked ears and stuffy nose during pregnancy?

I had blocked nose and ears last week, I thought it was just normal flu. But today my ears are blocked again but no runny or blocked nose. Ah... so irritating, thought something wrong with me, I cant hear very well.

I just tried my luck to see if it has anything to do with being pregnant, well surprisingly, it does! Check this out...

"Because more blood is being pumped, the lining of the airways receives more blood and swells somewhat, narrowing the airways. As a result, the nose occasionally feels stuffy, and the eustachian tubes (which connect the middle ear and back of the nose) may become blocked. These effects can slightly change the tone and quality of the woman's voice."

Click here to read further

Blocked Ears and Nose during Pregnancy   http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec22/ch257/ch257d.html

Breastfeeding during pregnancy.

Wow... 2 blogs in a day?... hhmmm...cant sleep- nose is congested ... Decide to research on something which I wanted to do long ago.

Breastfeeding during Pregnancy.

I received a lot of concern from family and friends re: me breastfeeding during pregnancy. Most are worried for my depleting health, priority should go to the baby in my womb, and I should wean Tristan off.

Once again, lucky for me that I have my sister in law as a role model. She continued nursing her first one ( then about 1 and half years ) while pregnant, and continue breastfeeding both till about 3-4 years of age. So being pregnant does not seem to be a good reason to stop breastfeeding.

But I didn't have knowledge to back me up, so I got swayed away... reducing breastfeeding and actually thinking of weaning. Actually I don't mind the weaning part, it's just that I wish the decision to wean is between me and Tristan rather than doing it because of external pressure. I prefer to let him lead the weaning off breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is more than just a source of food and nutrition anymore, it's about the relationship and the bond between me and my son. I still want to continue to this relationship as long as we both want it.

Here are some interesting information that I found that really clear my doubts on whether it is safe to continue breastfeeding, whether is it ok, whether mother's or the health of the baby in the womb will be affected, and what nutrition should the nursing mother be aware of.

Kellymom: Nursing for two http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/index.html.

Nurtrition for Mom http://www.kellymom.com/nursingtwo/faq/04momnutrition.html

Feeling pregnant.

I finally feel that I am pregnant. Why?
Tired easily, cant exert myself too much without feeling some pressure on the abdomen. Wonder if this is partly psychological, because before I realize that I was pregnant, I was doing everything under the sun. Probably a lot of things that I shouldn't be doing like skipping meals and late nights editing website, stressing over work and stuff.

I was wondering why I am feeling so tired as compared to my previous pregnancy, where I was working full time, siting on a desk for 9 hours 5 days a week till I was 8 months pregnant, traveling via public transport through the Singapore-Malaysia Customs even walking across the 2KM Causeway when the traffic was bad. Now I cant even sit down in front of the computer for more than 2 hours, I get this uncomfortable pressure at the abdomen and I have to go lie down.

During the last visit to the Dr's last Friday, I asked if there was anything wrong and why I was feeling so tired easily. She said that I don't realize it but for the 1st pregnancy, all I have to do after work is go home and rest, sleep & watch Korean Series :) . But now, I have to take care of my little monster :) Which actually consumes more energy, instead of a 9 hours job it's now 24 hours 7 days a week. Luckily I still have a nanny to help me out. If not I will be flat out everyday.

Trying to do less and rest more, so here I am in a messy room full of laundry that is still not folded and kept away, table piled up with documents and papers, reminder letters for for Credit Card bills payments.....etc. ( Just the Annual Fee which I dont plan to pay... heheh)

Just returned from a 6 days trip to the Villages of Kuching, Sarawak.
( I still cant imagine I did all that while 2.5 months pregnant AND a super active 2 year old! Will load the pictures soon :)

We are pregnant !

Past 2 months have been so hectic that I forgot that I have missed my period. Got a pregnant test last week &...result is POSITIVE! It came as a surprise for both me and Chris. We are both happy coupled with excitement & fear. Reminded ourselves that we are going through everything all over again!

Being 2nd time pregnant, I'm actually more nervous then before. The first time round it was pretty blissful and smooth. And that was because.. "ignorance is bliss" now that I know what's going to happen, and what to expect... hhmmm.. I'm feeling a bit scared.

Excitement aside, I experienced some cramps and discomfort at the abdominal area and bleeding. Very worried, trying to rest as much as I can and pray the bleeding stops.

I searched online and read up on some information on Bleeding During Pregnancy.

From the American Pregnancy Association

Bleeding During Pregnancy

From MayoClinic.com

Bleeding during pregnancy: Why it happens, what to do

From BabyCenter.com

Vaginal spotting or bleeding during pregnancy

 

Pray that baby stay strong.