Boy or Girl??

We had a meet-the-parents session yesterday with baby. Baby is doing really well, and throughout the scan, Baby waved alot to us! I can see Baby's little hands, fingers, thighs, toes very clearly. It's a really amazing feeling to have a little life growing inside u.

And Baby was very cooperative and revealed its gender clearly to us.

It's a boy!!

I was almost tearing as the gynae told us this and showed us the signs. Daddy even exclaimed out loud to me: "There goes your pink dresses!!"

Why was I tearing? Honestly, I don't really know. My gynae had told us before that Baby could be a girl in an earlier scan. Then, I was actually quite disappointed. But yesterday when it was confirmed that Baby is a boy, my feelings were really mixed. Totally happy, but kinda disappointed too. To be frank, I have no preference for a boy or a girl. Perhaps it could be just that I would have so much more fun dressing a girl up than a boy. But still, I can still dress up my boy with lots of blue apparels, can't I? And that also means, I'm going to have two guys to love and protect mummy from now on! Woo hoo!

And so I made a mental note to myself: Since Baby is a boy, I must start watching more macho shows now. Haha! Does it make sense? Not much I think.

So far so good. I am 5 months now and have put on 3.5kg so far, gynae says it's just nice. But watch out world, I think I am going to ballon up at an alarming rate in the next few weeks, cos Boy-boy is certainly making very good progress and his kicks are getting alot stronger now.

Boy-boy, here are some pictures of ur cousins...u are going to have such a good time growing up having fun with them u know?

Happy 10th Year Anniversary

Baby is kicking me as I'm writing this....

But I'm dedicating this post to my Big Baby:

Baby, it's been 10 years since that night in Steven Pang's room where you strummed the guitar and I sang. It all began that night.

The numbers 2001 holds such memories for us. Whether they are happy, sad, regretful or tumultous, I'm grateful for them cos they have all but made us stronger and wiser.

To my Big Baby, I'm glad that I have spent my past 10 years growing old with you. I look forward to many many more decades growing grey alongside you.

I love you.

蓝月

Yup, it's blue moon time and it's time for an update.

Baby is about 5 months' old now and I can feel it kicking and pushing already. It's a most wonderful feeling, like having little butterflies fluttering in your tummy. Baby is still quite small now so the sensation is still enjoyable. In fact, I rather be kicked and pushed and 'disturbed' by Baby than not feeling it at all. Sometimes, when Baby have been quiet for some time, I would stroke my tummy and tell Baby: "Baby, can you kick Mummy to let me know that you're all right?" And amazingly, Baby would respond and give me a little push or shovel. Baby is a clever baby :).

The Tokyo trip was one of the most beautiful times I've had in a while. I think I did more walking during the trip than I did in the past few months. Steve was my tour guide, train master, rock. Indeed, I wouldn't have been able to quite enjoy the gruelling walks without him beside me encouraging and taking care of me. Yes, the bump is getting rather obvious and I can feel the extra baggage on me. Sleeping and the act of turning over in bed without having to think twice about making too big a movement has become a thing of the past. Thanks to this short holiday for us to take a breather out of the country, the little passenger and I have put on 2kg in a matter of just 6 days. It's good progress and I love and adore every bit of it, flesh or flab.

Lots of pictures from Tokyo to share.

Our first bento from the airport

We need some of these in Singapore don't we

At Shinjuku station. It's total mayhem!

On our way to our hotel which is located just a stone's throw away from the station

A Christmas treeful of teddy bears in Takashimaya

The next day, on our way to Akihabara

Having ramen at a little eatery at the train station

Walking around Ginza where everything is posh and expensive

It's Steve's birthday and we had such a difficult time finding cakes because it's already late and all the stores are closed. We finally manage to get 2 pieces from Starbucks.

The next day we visited a fish market, forgot the name liao. People mountain people sea queuing for the freshest catch of the day.

This is a most interesting place, small but warm and cosy, like at home. The boss is a very friendly host and he speaks English and Mandarin very well too. We even had free English-Japanese lessons during our 1.5 hours there. What's even more interesing about here is that Jay Chou had frequented this place twice, where the boss said Jay loves its unagi-don.

The amicable and lovable boss. He always has his camera ready at the side and the walls are adorned with photos of customers (incldg Jay's). Too bad we forgot to take a shot of them. But if you happen to be there you might just be able to see our photo on the wall too. He keeps a guestbook where customers are invited to leave messages. It's about 8 A4 sizes thick now.

This is the front of the restaurant. Oh! The lovable boss gave us a tuna sushi replica as a souvenir. We would love to be back.

At Ueno Park

At a shrine in Ueno Park

We had wanted to catch the autumn leaves but guess we're too late to do so in December

Donuts madness in Tokyo! This Krispy Kreme outlet is located just opposite our hotel and EVERYDAY EVERYTIME we pass by, there would always be a long long queue. We finally gave in and joined in tonight.

This board shows the average waiting time from this point onwards. 40 minutes is considered short already. The longest we've seen is 1hr 40 mins. Most comforting act is that they will give out a free donut (fresh and krispy from the oven!!) to every customer as they reach the front of the queue. This kind of thing will NEVER happen in Singapore.

We bought a dozen but can only finish 6 :(

Very greedy but worth every bit.

On a boat ride to Tokyo Bay

Rainbow Bridge in the distance

Replicas

Curry Katsu Don. I've been craving for this since we reached Tokyo but after this meal, I don't think I will touch curry katsu-don for at least half a year. The serving is too huge!!!

This guy beside Steve does nothing else but dons this funny costume and stands motionless outside an electronic store. Take photo is free one.

Shabu-shabu!! The wagyu was so well-marbled with fats it melts in the mouth! We had this for dinner for 2 consecutive nights.

Very satisfied customer

Another bizarre translation. I wonder how a Roman taste like.

Our last day in Tokyo. Takashimaya is just a road's cross away from our hotel.

The Thunder Gate is the main entrance of Asakusa Kannon, one of the oldest temple in Tokyo and a major tourist spot

It's really cold and this piping hot soba lunch was really welcoming.

Tired faces on our way back to the hotel.

The lobby of our hotel, Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku. We got a promotional rate of an average $130 per night. It's a really good deal and the location's fab.

The room's small but adequate for the 3 of us.

I love the toilets in Japan. Would love to ship one home had it not been so troublesome.

I didn't buy anything much in Tokyo, only a mascara for myself, and loads of local delicacies for relatives. Baby's due and there's so much more expenses coming up that I think it's better to save as much as I can to help chip in the household income in a way. Besides, I kept telling myself that I will be back in Japan soon.

By the way! Here's a picture of me having a scan.



I've cut my hair short, my first time in I think about 10 years. Sob. I miss my long hair but it's getting too long in this heat. I'm due for another detail scan in a week's time and by then, Baby's gender would be confirmed. Do you think it's going to be a boy-boy or girl-girl? If you ask me, I don't have a preference. Boy or girl, we know it's going to be very loved and cared for by Daddy and Mummy, right Baby? :)

2 + 1

FINALLY!!!

I can proudly announce the year's greatest news!!!!

If the fact that both hubby and I have gotten our PhDs this year is ranked second, then the first would undoubtedly be that.....

I AM EXPECTING!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you look at the baby ticker on the right, you would realise that baby is already about 3 months plus old now. Yup, I've been keeping this little secret for the past 3 months and reckon it would be best to announce only after the 1st trimester is over.

And I had such a hard time keeping the secret!

The first few weeks after knowing, all I wanted to do was to really shout out from the top of the building that I'm going to be a mother soon! Steve had to pinch me a couple of times on the arm to hush me up whenever we meet friends and I just have the strong urge to announce the good news. I really can't help it you see :)

Now that the three of us have survived that all important first trimester, I am all out to showoff our newly gained status, and figure.

Very happy right!!!

Let me share some bites about the times when we first knew about the pregnancy. It all came as quite a surprise because the ovulation kit had failed us, and we really didn't expect the conceiving at all. When we found out and did a calculation, we realised that I had already been carrying baby when I was in Edinburgh for my viva. That means, baby was in the examination room with me and of course, ran that mad sprint with me in Heathrow. Isn't that quite amazing to think of? Steve kept remarking that baby's a champion and I agree with both hands and legs.

The 1st trimester was hard to bear. I was tired and breathless most of the time, my blood pressure was an all-time low. The morning sickness was terrible that I can't bear to eat for most of the day, which explains a little weight-loss (what a time it came). The occasional cramps was bearable but worrying and thus tiring. All in all, I was a useless big lump of flesh most of the time, not fulfilling the household chores yet spending the days watching TV and spending time my niece and nephew.

But all this while, Steve never had a word of complaint. He was supportive, encouraging and always loving and always understanding. Many times he would suggest to bring me out for shopping or just to get out of the house for some fresh air but I would either always express disinterest, or become totally breathless while we're out that he has to drive us home straightaway.

Sometimes I think to myself: Is it not a good time to have a baby now, considering that I'm not contributing any income and it all lies upon Steve now to support the three of us?

And usually when I have these thoughts, I would cry and express my guilt to Steve.

But Steve would always tell me to just do my part as a mummy, because that's as good as helping him support the three of us.

I tell baby during our baby talk that Daddy is going to be the greatest Daddy ever, and I'm sure baby will know :)

Now, my appetite's increasing, the bump's beginning to show slowly but surely, and I never thought I would get to say this, but I'm a C-cup now. Incredible right?!

Ok, I think I should resume blogging regularly so that baby's journal is consistent.

Oh oh!! And baby's due date is actually coinciding with my birthday! Well not exactly, but baby will come a day later. The 8th of June that is. But this kind of things very difficult to say for sure. I just know that my birthday present for 2008 has come alot earlier than expected and it is going to be the best gift, ever.

Kids

Mama and Dada

Memory Lapses

I think I have been forgotten, or rather I have quite, quite forgotten what's happened to myself for the past 2 months or so.

It's not as if I have been so busy with work that I couldn't afford the time to blog. In fact, I have all the time in the world to do so.

But if you ask me what have I done with all this time? I can only tell you:

I don't know.

Yet, it has been a very eventful October/November for me. But then again, it was so tranquil and lethargic that I'm convinced that I've become an absolute waste of space.

Anyway, recently, only recently, I went up to Facebook for a browse.

What I don't understand is:
Just what is its difference with Friendster???

I've received many invitations to go on Facebook but to date, I have yet to start an account myself.

The reason: Because I'm already on Friendster.

Perhaps the difference is really just a generation thing. Or maybe the true reason is, Facebook is a much more grown-up, mature revamp of Friendster, which to many is a version for kids.

To me, they are just platforms to showcase a way of life.

To friends or to the public, it is still only just a facet of the whole.

And since I've already got one, is there really a pressing need for me to put on just another in a different place?

Maybe it's a part of evolution. After all, the only constant in life is change isn't it?

Perhaps one of these days, I might get off my lazy ass and migrate to Facebook, but I seriously don't foresee myself to be doing so.

I'm too lazy you see.
And really not that bothered to do so.

Sigh, I must be getting old.

No lah, I am indeed getting old lah.

On a sidenote, Steve and I will be making a short trip to Japan this December. Strangely, it's not the shopping frenzies that I'm looking forward to, but rather the scenic walks and tours that we will be making together hand-in-hand.

Told you, I'm really getting old.

The Final Showdown

Twisties are not chocolate.

Anyway, the final showdown between Alonso, Hamilton and Raikkonen is finally here.

All shall be decided in Interlagos this weekend.

Wah I can't wait to see Alonso lift the championship title!

I love tofus!!!!

Alonso, 加油！

Hamilton, 漏油！

Fans of FA Unite!!

Question:
And do you believe in miracles?

Fernando Alonso:
I believe in miracles, for sure. I think anything can happen, this is Formula One. If you think the racing is boring or the sport is boring because always the same cars are winning the races and there is nothing to expect from the weekend, F1 is unpredictable sometimes and we have seen it many times, especially in wet races. If you said now that maybe it is raining again on Sunday, then anything can happen. Until mathematically you have no chance in the championship, you don’t give up.

It looks almost certain that Lewis Hamilton will take the championship this year but that is of course what the british media is brandishing about.

For me, I too believe that miracles can happen and that my tofu-silken-faced Alonso can defend his championship title.

This weekend in Shanghai, may all the Chinese gods favour FA instead of LH.

Yeah!!

Sai!