One Month

I'm wondering how to start this post. As I'm writing this, Lexie is about 6 weeks plus. Things I have learned so far:

1) Everything everyone said is true. Motherhood is hard. You really will have no time to eat, drink, poop or breathe.

2) I hate breastfeeding with a vengeance. But I do it anyway. Sore nipples and leaky boobs. Thank God for breast pads. When Winnie came over and saw them, I went yea. They're just like period pads, except for your boobs. 

3) I hate my breast pump. But I do it anyway. :) (The smiley face shows that I'm semi joking lah)

4) I fall more and more in love with Lexie each day. I didn't foresee this though. That I would love this tiny human being with all my heart. I never thought I would be ok with so little sleep and still be able to function.

5) I still love Cs. One day, sometime in the first week or so, Cs and I were holding each other and he asked me: do u still love me? He said he was a bit worried that after baby was out, we wouldn't be the same as before, or that one of us would be neglected. I understood what he meant cos I felt that way too. My love for her is different from my love for him. Ick. So vomit inducing. Moving on.

6) There are good days and bad days. Of course. 

7) Will my jelly belly go away? I hate my body post birth. But so does everyone eh? Except maybe Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr, Megan Fox and all those perfect looking people. Looking at their bikini bodies make my eyes hurt. Where is the linea nigra? Where is the flab? Hahhaha. Bitter is my middle name now. Cannot blame me. I wanna see some flab and stretch mark lines. 

8) Speaking of stretch marks, I didn't get any. Phew. I used L'occitane almond oil every night btw. Any pregnant woman wanna try as well? 

9) Why am I typing in numbers? Might as well continue now. 

10) As each day passes, I'm worried about work. How am I going to go back to work? What will I do to earn a living? Meh. Moving on. Depressing topic.

11) I miss my sleep. Cs and I take shifts at night to take care of her. I love my husband.

12) I miss going on holidays. Cs and I fantasize about going to Japan, KL, Taiwan Singapore. Anywhere. And how are we going to bring her with us. Heheh. One day soon I hope.

13) As I run downstairs to wash and sterilize bottles, my ears are straining to hear baby cries. I run back upstairs only to find her still sleeping. But it seems every time I run to the toilet, she knows. Sure to wake up at the right wrong time.

14) I still don't have the confidence to bring her out by myself. Or ourselves. Bottle feeding makes everything complicated. Sien. Not really lah but she's picky over bottles too. For a period of time one bottle works, then another, then another. So we keep running out of bottles. I finish using one and hurriedly go to wash and sterilize it. It would be so much easier if she takes milk direct from my breasts. Telling myself that breast milk is still better than no breast milk. Don't complain. Also, I have to time my outings with pumping. Did I mention I hate breastfeeding?

15) One smile makes all of it worth it though. One laugh is priceless now. Still very rare. Her smiles come and go. I love discovering all her little antics. Sleeping with her hands over her face, scrunching up her face when she cries. Swear to God even her cries sound cute on good days. Instead of panicking as I did before, I can somewhat guess what she wants now and its easier to soothe her this way.

16) I still panic when poop explosions happen though. Hahaha. Panicking cos it goes everywhere! I guess I have it easier than moms of little boys though. Their pipe goes everywhere, including on themselves.

OK. Enough chatter. Photos:

Hmm..should I have cry now or later when mommy puts me down?

She looks so tiny here. She has since outgrown that onesie already! Some clothes cannot fit. How did this happen? How time flies!

First family photo. Sorta.

Mommy, mommy! Hello? No more selfies!

 Love this photo. Little koala bear hold.

So fun watching her grow. More and more pattern these days.

Even sleeping, she never fails to amuse me. Looked over in her cot and found her sleeping like this. Why are you covering your ears baby? Daddy's singing that bad? Heheh. 

Anyway. I update more on Dayre. Almost every day. Follow me there. Download the mobile app. Much easier to update and stalk people!

Laters.

The Birth Story

Since I'm free now and not so exhausted, I want to update life for the past few days. Lexie is sleeping. For the first time in the past few days, I'm not fighting sleep. I feel as if I can fully open my eyes only today.

I didn't get more than 4 hours of sleep the day before I went in to BMC (hospital) to get induced. I got admitted at 8 am on Tuesday morning. After a last sausage and egg McMuffin meal of course. Went in with my hospital bag and was so jittery. Good nerves. Got asked to strip almost immediately and checked in. Felt like being in a hotel to be honest. What do you want for lunch and dinner?

Btw, hospital meals not as bad as I thought. Healthy food. Except the steamed chicken. Bleh bland.

Doc came by about 9 am to induce me. (Induce = shove a pill up your vagina in order to let the pill work its magic and make your cervix open). I have to wait 6 hours till the next one.


Very early on with no pains yet obviously.

 In the meantime, everyone is hoping I'll have contractions. My contractions started late. Just some vagina pains (ouch) when I walk, and lower stomach cramps (like period pains) and lower back pain. I was so excited. Yessss. Its starting. But at the same time super apprehensive. 

Me: shit la. If this is mini contractions, how about the big ones later????

Cs: (didn't say anything). Wise guy. Just continued patting me and consoling me.

3:30 pm (I think): Doc came by to check if my cervix is open.

Doc: Bad news. Not even 1 cm. Not open yet.

Me: whattttttt?????????????????? You lieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.....

So I got induced a second time and he stretched my cervix even more. Might I inform anyone going for this that it hurts. It freaking hurts. I started bleeding. Boo Doc. Should be normal la but so I had to put on a maternity pad already. 

This time it hurts even more and almost immediately. They had me hooked to a machine so I could see my contractions, and baby's heartbeat on the monitor. I used my mp3 player and Cs as a distraction. This time the contractions really hurt but instead of growing stronger like they should, I felt them fading away as the hours went by. My family and his were with my most of the evening so that provided a distraction.

But about after 10 pm, I noticed the contractions becoming less gradually and the bleeding too. By midnight, I was sure that I wasn't going into labour yet. What a freaking waste of time to be in pain all for nothing. That was my thought.

Next morning about 9 am, Doc came to check again. Nope cervix not open yet.

Me: whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy?????? 

Shoved another pill up there and informed me: if your cervix is still not open yet, we have to do a C-section this afternoon. 

OK. I was all game. Honestly, the pain and waiting wasn't worth it. Baby's heartbeat started to get lower that morning so that was what worried me and Cs the most. Anything to keep Lexie safe. We were worried that she could be in distress. I noticed that she moved less too already.

The 3rd induction was weird. I felt almost nothing. No pain. I went to take a shower and washed my hair again cos I just knew it didn't work. I walked around feeling bored and updated my Facebook status. Boring.


Walking around trying to speed things up. Didn't work.

11 am: Nurses came to check on me again and informed me they were going to shave me.

Me: so I'm going to have a C-section? Confirmed?

Nurse: Ya.

OK. So that's it. I sure didn't look like I was going into labour nor was I panting in pain like the aftereffects of the second pill. Weird.

2:30 pm: Doc came to check me again and informed me that I'm going to surgery at 3 pm.

3:30pm: Got wheeled into the operating theater. Mom, Win and Cs accompanied me up. Cs could come in only. He went to scrub and gown up.

Me, I went to get a drip and spinal block. Everything seemed to happen very fast then. Doc informed me that they have to be fast due to my low placenta problem. Didn't want me to bleed too much cos he'll be cutting through my placenta. He was very reluctant for me to have a C-section because of this. But thanks to him, I am fine and have a baby right in front of me now.

Anyway. Where was I?

To be honest, the drip hurt more than the spinal block. But honestly, it was nothing compared to the contractions I felt the day before. The stretch and sweep of my vagina hurt much more.

After the spinal block injection, I felt my legs getting warm almost immediately and after that it just felt like being on pins and needles. My entire lower section of my body. I couldn't feel anything from my boobs down.

They put up a screen in front of me so I couldn't see. Started cleaning my abdomen and asked me if I felt anything?

Me: err....nope. You sure I'm numb? Completely sure I'm numb?

Nobody replied me btw. Think I said it too soft or they must be ignoring me. Probably cut into me already lol.

Cs was at my side then and I asked him to distract me. It didn't hurt at all. Mostly it was just the feeling of pushing and tugging when they pulled the baby out.

About 15 mins after I got wheeled into the operating theater, they got Lexie out already. Doc informed me they were going to push her out. The anesthetist helped push from above and two others were doing the same below.

For me, I felt a lot of pressure on my chest and breathlessness but that's it. Tugging feeling but no pain. 

Lexie crying. Cs said she cried even before they clamped the cord. Doc showed her to me briefly (my first thought: she's so tiny!!!) and they took her off to the side to clean her up. I started tearing up and was trying hard not to burst into tears as I heard her cries and when they pushed her to my side. Anesthetist offered to help take photos of us with Cs' phone (thank you!!). They even took some videos of us inside. Super considerate.

The sewing me up part took the next 45 mins. After Lexie was out, I felt dizzy. Really really dizzy and trying not to sleep. Cs was distracting me describing Lexie to me and talking about nonsense to make me smile. I was trying really hard not to doze off. For some weird reason, I'm scared I won't wake up. Hahha.

After the operation, I was wheeled outside and observed for 30 mins. They wrapped me up in blankets and asked if I was cold. Nope. But afterwards in my room at night, I did keep shivering though. Must be the aftereffects of the drug. 

My parents and Winnie were waiting in my room to see Lexie. She's the new princess at home.

I was bleeding heavily the entire night. No vomiting. Good news. That night was hell though.

There were a few births in the middle of the night so the nurses were mostly unavailable. And when nurses are unavailable and you're bleeding profusely, on IV drips, cannot move, have a catheter stuck inside you, and a crying baby, whom you insist on breastfeeding exclusively, it was hell.

Cs and I had no idea what we were doing or how to do it. But thank God one of the nurses helped me find a good breastfeeding position.

The next day, I had the drip and catheter taken out. Aahh much better. I remember the first pee took some effort. I had to go to the toilet 3 or 4 times to squeeze out some pee but after that it got better.

I was allowed to leave the hospital the very next day. They asked if I wanted to stay another night. Me and Cs: NO!!!

For some reason I was itching everywhere throughout my body and felt so dirty and icky. I showered immediately when I reached home. The wound hurt, yes. But the itchiness bothered me more then.

Btw, Doc took out my bandage before I checked out. Risked a peek and was pleasantly surprised: not a very long scar and very neat and clean. Hopefully it'll heal fast. (Right now, it doesn't look like that btw. It looks all yellow green bruised up and quite swollen). He sprayed on a water repellent thingy and I didn't have to put anything on it. I can take a shower like usual now (day 6) but on the 2nd or 3rd day, it still hurt when water touched it.

Also was pleasantly surprised to find that I could look down at myself. I mean, no big stomach in the way anymore hehe. Instead its now a wobbly jelly belly. Guess I have to wait some time before I can properly exercise and lose weight.

I only lost about 3 kg immediately after giving birth, to my surprise. Must be the water retention. I still keep waking up in the middle of the night covered in sweat. After some Googling, I realized this was normal. Just your body's way of getting rid of the water weight.

My days now consist of breastfeeding, pumping, eating, sleeping when she's sleeping, nursing some more, pumping some more, eating and drinking to keep up with her demands, and that's it. Day 6 already. I wrote this post over the past few days btw while she's sleeping. 

There's my little cutie: 

Most people say she has Cs' eyes. Confinement lady and his family thinks she looks like me though..we'll see in the following weeks. :)

Movie Reviews

Contains spoilers.

Some movies I watched recently:

1) The Expendables 3

IMDb gave it a 6.3/10 rating. Yeah I kinda agree on that. It was okay. Some scenes were meant to be funny but turned out pretty meh. A lot of fighting and action scenes as usual. New team this time but they got captured so typically the old team came back. Plus one super annoying guy who talks too much - don't know what his role was in the movie except to annoy the hell out of everybody. Jet Li's cameo role was just that. Thought he would kick some asses cos that's his specialty isn't it? But he just did some shooting scenes. 

2) Lucy

IMDb gave it a 6.6/10 rating. I disagree. I give it a 5/10 and only because Scarlett Johansson's hot. Cs says the movie is like listening to a science lesson. Hahah a lot of explaining. I feel they wasted a lot of time in the end with those travelling through time space, showing the dinosaurs etc. Honestly, the trailer looked better than the movie. There were a lot of things throughout the movie that could be better explained like, why those Korean gangsters are so powerful and can shoot outright at the end? And the ending sucks la. So she died but she built a supercomputer beforehand (those black gore yuck) and the speech "I am Everywhere" wtf. After the movie ended, I see a lot of people standing up immediately. Unlike some movies, people stay in their seats anticipating the after credits. Guess that shows I'm not the only one who thinks it sucks. Ok maybe I give it a 4/10. 

3) Guardians of the Galaxy

IMDb gave it a 8.6/10 rating. Ok I agree with this rating. It was surprisingly good. I like Chris Patt's performance, Groot and even the raccoon. Even though after the movie, everyone kept imitating Groot saying, "I am Groot and We are Groot". Lol. I like his playlist btw (the songs). Oldies but good stuff. :D

4) Hercules

IMDb gave it a 6.5/10. I give it a 4/10. I was so disappointed with this. I didn't want to watch the movie initially cos I didn't like Dwayne Johnson as Hercules simply cos he's too famous as the Rock or in Fast and Furious. I would prefer a less famous actor to act as Hercules. Secondly, it was disappointing because I thought the movie would focus more on his famous accomplishments, those labors but mehh it was glossed over. Overall plot was mehh. Don't like it. Disappointed.  

5) The Other Woman

IMDb gave it a 6.1/10 rating. I give it a 5/10. It was ok la. Typical movie. Guy cheats on wife and girlfriend. So three of them meet up and plot a revenge. But ahh..if I was Leslie Mann's husband I would get sick of her too. Why do they make her sound so irritating? Girl movie la. Not for men. Cs watching it halfway in between Clash of Clans: (yawning) not finished yet? (yawn some more). Kinda boring. 

The Big 3-0

When I was 18 (turning adult), I thought 30 was so far away. I envisioned 30 year old's with stable jobs, kids and you know, just mature people who have got it all together.

Now that I'm 30, I realize that adults are sort of whinging it too. Yes, my life is more put together than it was 10 years ago. At least I have my life goals and people I love and live for, but I'm also still clueless to an extent. Do I want to work for this company 5 to 10 years down the line? No. Do I want more kids? I don't know. Will I be a good parent? I hope so.

One thing I realize now though is, we should really start taking care of our health. Its never too early to start and we take too many things for granted. High blood pressure? Mehh. There's medication for that. High sugar levels? I'll cut down the carbonated drinks for a while. Blood test every year? Whatever for? I'm only 30! Work out? I'll start next week. I'm just too tired today. But its this kind of mindset that will cause us to regret it in our 50's.

Actually even now, I see some people (acquaintances) with health problems already. If we're not careful, we'll be battling diseases for the rest of our lives. But on the flip side, I also believe in fate. Some people have it, some people don't. Some people can eat healthy food, work out, don't smoke or drink, and yep still lung cancer and die. Sorry I'm so morbid when I'm not supposed to be on this post eh.

Turning 30, I feel settled, contented and more at peace with life now. I am more grateful for simple everyday things like spending time with my family and Cs. We have a house together,  we are expecting a baby together, we have the basic necessities of life, and it seems enough.

 Of course I want more money, to travel more and yes, buy myself a ridiculously priced hand bag, but materialistic stuff aside, turning 30 ain't too bad at all.

The twenties seem to be about enjoying life to the fullest, taking risks and having fun. But as I reached my late twenties, I find myself going out less, or if I do go out, we choose quieter place to drink and talk. Our topics of conversations among friends have changed. In the pubs, we are the ancient ones now. Its true: our stories start with: last time, when I was in college or high school and with a start you realize holy shit, was that 10 years ago?!!

I read on Business Insider about this 30 experiences you should have before turning 30. I'll post some of mine here:

1) Run a half marathon. 

Oops.. first on the list and I didn't do this. Actually, I never wanted to join. I don't like running. In Kuching, running marathons seem to have become popular only these recent years. Or maybe I just noticed only because more people are posting it on FB.

But its not too late to try. I can still do this in my thirties. Color run marathon looks so fun. This, I would be willing to try. Saw that there was just one recently in KL. Way cooler compared to Kuching marathon.

2) Travel somewhere exotic

Define exotic please. Exotic makes me think of beach destinations like Maldives or Santorini, both of which are on my to-go list. But for now, Stavanger, Norway seems exotic enough. Look at those houses. Gorgeous!

3) Buy tickets to a music festival

This was a very impromptu festival. Not a major one but still hundreds of people dancing and singing, with lots of booze and carnival games, so I guess it counts? One of the perks of living in London then. Woke up one day and housemates go: Amy, lets go party! Me: OK. Anything also on back then. The freedom of youth. Hahaha. 

4) Go skinny dipping

The outdoor bath at Hakone.

Does this count? I stripped off nude a few times to go for a hot spring bath with other Japanese strangers. But nude beach seems more open somehow. Don't know how is that different. Both nude also.

5) Splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime meal at one of the world's best restaurants

Don't think I have ever dined at any Michelin star restaurants or even Jamie Oliver or Gordon Ramsay's restaurants before. Fail. Quite kiamsiap eh. Its just that the portions always look teeny and I don't think I'll be full too. My more expensive meals always seem to be treated by family/relatives. Lucky me.

My most recent extravagant looking meal was probably this:

Its not just the food per se. It was the presentation and overall effort they put into serving you. It took 2 waiters several trips from the kitchen to serve this on our table. And no wonder why. Look how huge and heavy that thing is. And this is just ONE dish. This was at a glass house restaurant (the name in mandarin literally) in Taiwan. Don't know how to go there. Have to ask le cousin. Apparently she made the booking a few months in advance! 

6) Cook a huge meal and throw a dinner party for friends

Done this many times actually when we were still staying in MJC. Pool party always. I contribute one or two dishes and the others bring extra food and drinks. 

7) Test drive your dream car

I don't have a dream car. I frequently mix up car name/brands, much to Cs' frustration. Next.

8) Grab the microphone and perform at a karaoke bar

Done. Winnie and I went through a phase at Planet. Our favorite songs to sing included: moves like jagger from Maroon 5, If I die young, among others. We sound horrible yeah..but the good news is nobody can tell our voices apart heheh. Plus we throw in our fancy dance moves for good measure. To cover up the fact that our voices suck. Hahha.

9) Stay up all night partying in a big city like Los Angeles, Tokyo or London.

Done. Stayed up all night partying is what every uni student did especially after exams. There was a period of time where I did this every weekend. Think it was mid year, no exams what. Party. Not to future parents: don't send your kids to big cities to study. Too many distractions. Send your kids to Sunderland - boring small town with nothing hahah sorry but its the truth. Terrorists don't bomb Sunderland too. They target London. My logic works.

10) Watch a meteor shower

Nope but not for lack of trying. I tried many times. One of my efforts documented here. 

11) Go bunjee jumping or skydiving (anything that involves adrenaline)

Rollercoaster is adrenaline enough for me thanks. Lousy photo oh well.

I would try skydiving if I'm strapped to a hunky professional but I wouldn't jump out of the plane myself. Bungee jumping - nahh not interested.

Para sailing counted or not? Actually no adrenaline involved..just dizziness as an after effect. Heheh.

12) Throw yourself a huge birthday party

Done. I'm very beh siao li one. I did this at home and in the clubs.

This is one of the more special looking cakes. Don't know why they got me that. And yes, making a wish to a big cock is weird. Think that was the year I turned 25?

I blogged about my 26th birthday party at home and 24th birthday here.

13) Climb a mountain (it doesn't have to be Mt Everest)

Mount Singai counted or not? So nice even had the exact date and time we were there. This was quite an impromptu trip up there as well. Melissa and I both wore long jeans! Idiots. The guys all had shorts on.

Btw, that's Cs in the middle. He was so thin back then. Good job mi for fattening him up so far.

14) Learn to bartend

Well, I drink so much that I should know how to mix certain drinks already. Plus we have more than enough experience pouring drinks during CNY for dad and his friends. :)

15) Go scuba diving or at least try snorkeling

Went snorkeling at Pulau Sapi, KK. It was not bad. I would like to try scuba diving one day though.

16) Travel somewhere all by yourself

I went to Belgium all by myself to visit an ex-bf but he had no idea I was coming. All I had was an address and I spent most days wandering about all by myself too while he was at work. 

It was an experience all right. Quite daunting the minute I arrived at the station. Didn't even know if I arrived in Leueven or not cos the announcements and signs were all in French or Dutch.

17) Eat something that makes you squirm (bug etc)

Winnie and I having frogs and grasshoppers. The frogs definitely taste better. Less prickly bits. We bought these from a street cart in Bangkok after a night out. Supper in the hotel room. No, it wasn't gross at all. Maybe being tipsy helped. :)

18) Learn to speak a new language

I took Japanese classes for a while in Kuching after living with some Japanese people for a few months. I have always been fascinated with Japan - their culture, food and lifestyle. Living with them only affirmed that one day I would go to Japan! Sooner or later, I'm going. 

They taught me some Japanese words, phrases and card games. I came back to Kuching and decided to attend classes myself. Quit after a couple of months though (shame) because I went back to London for my Masters.

19) Spend a night camping under the stars

The first and last time I went camping was back in Primary 6. It was a school activity. 3 days 2 nights, if I'm not mistaken. One night in a cabin and one night in the tents. It was fun back then cos we were still kids. I wouldn't do it again - the cooking, the showering, toilet, insects part. Nope. 

Real life camping doesn't look as good as this.

20) Join an intramural sports team, even if you're not an athlete

Had to google intramural. Seems like its popular in the U.S. and Canada only sooo..next.

21) Splurge on an item you technically can't afford but will last for years

Like a house? Hahahha good investment what and far more realistic than an expensive bag. OK la I know what you mean. But if I have the money, I always spend it on a vacation first, house stuff, and then others (phone, ipad, clothes), in that order. 

22) Sign up to be a mentor, or spend some time volunteering (Guilty. Didn't do this.)

23) Go whitewater rafting

24) Apply for your dream job, there's no better time to try

25) Take a cross-country road trip (Cross country bus trip counted? London to Newcastle and back..did it countless times).

26) Attend a major sports event, whether its World Cup, Superbowl or World Series

27) Sign up for a summer share at a beach house, ski house or lake house (Not really popular here. In Kuching, we just go to Damai or Sematan).

28) Take a class that's totally out of your element, like golf or pottery making (No thanks.)

29) Get lost in a foreign country. Sometimes that's the best part of the trip. (Got lost in Tokyo underground - the roads are all connected. It was late at nigh and yet still soo crowded. Cs found it funny but I was so tired of walking in rounds by then that I was quite irritated). But it was an experience all right. 

30) Unplug for a full day or week (You mean laze around? Easy.)

OK. That's the whole list of 30 experiences you should supposedly experience.

What do you think? Seems like the twenties are the time to let go, try new things, live and see the world. I think I'll go google for experiences before you turn 40 first. 

This post is turning out way too long. Abrupt end.

Birthday stories

On the morning of, I redeemed my free tiramisu frappucino bright and early! It was only available for Wed, 13 Aug, which was coincidentally my birthday. Sore throat? What sore throat? :P

Convinced other August babies to redeem their free Starbucks drink that day too. 

This espresso cake is here because it serves as a reminder for myself. Never order this again. Well, actually Cs did. It tasted so strong of coffee - quite bitter. Kept baby girl awake and super active for hours. NEVER AGAIN!! My stomach felt so bruised and abused that day.

This might serve as a reminder to myself also: cut down caffeine intake while breastfeeding, cos apparently caffeine keeps her awake. Boo. Thought she would take after her daddy or grandpa, where coffee has no effect on them whatsoever. 

Was clearing out old boxes and found these!! Still new. Since we're waiting for the new house to be completed, I kept most of my stuff away in storage. New magnets from Japan, Taiwan and some countries in Europe courtesy of mom and Winnie. 

Le bff told me she got me some U.K. ones but lost them somehow. Hahaha..its ok. Its the thought that counts. Thank you anyway.

What a room at Four Points looks like. My first time here too. Pleasantly surprised that it was quite roomy, especially the toilet. The bed and pillows were so comfy..the type that you can sink into.

But I think they were cutting costs in some ways: no shaving kit, no shower cap, no hair dryer, no hand or face towels, and no extra toilet paper (to mention a few - have to call and request). 

All dressed up to go for birthday dinner NOT. Hahaha brought my makeup along but forgot to bring makeup remover. Sa gua jiu shi wo (who knows that song?).

I'm getting a bad case of baby brain these days. Its definitely more noticeable these days. I would give examples except I have forgotten them. =.=

See no touch. Boo. Flu so didn't dare risk it. Aih had to force myself to leave out my swimsuit so I wouldn't be tempted. Actually I wasn't really tempted to bare my prego body in my bikini. Not that confident cos the pool was just beside the restaurant. You actually have to walk inside the restaurant and use that door to go to the pool. Mehh.

We went to Bella Italia for dinner. Lasagna ftw! 

My birthday cake this year with the family at home..

It was okay. Cherries on top not nice. As I was making a wish, mom and dad were walking behind me saying stuff like: chubby, fat baby; or cute, chubby baby etc.

Fancy smancy filter to make this photo look cool. Its the only photo I OK-ed cos its of my back. From the front, I had too many things to complain about. Take again - face too fat. Take again - eyes too small etc etc. :D Heheh sorry sorry bear with me.

This photo was from 32 weeks prego sometime last month. Oh wait, I think it was one month ago on dad's birthday.

Finally using Cherrie as my phone case. Too bad she doesn't look this this now. Mom trimmed off a lot of Cherrie's hair and baby girl lost weight too. Don't know if she's pining for Eli or not, or mom is just doing a bad job of feeding Cherrie.

On the bright side, its so much easier to carry Cherrie now. Not as heavy or as round. But still cute. 

Thank you baby for my birthday treat and for spoiling me rotten. Thank you for everything that you do. :)

I want to write a proper post about turning 30. I'll do it in a new post as this is turning out longer than I expected. Ta.