New Blog!

Mommy decided to combine her blogs into this one. Because her life is full of JOY now.

Week 40 – Here he comes

Sunday late afternoon, I felt some mild contractions that felt different from the contractions I felt before. This time the contractions seemed to start from my lower back. Around 5pm, I told my mom and we decided to go to the hospital. So I took a shower, washed my hair, got the bag ready, and had an early dinner. Hubby and two of my sisters prepared themselves to go with me. The contractions were getting stronger and more frequent by the time we arrived in the hospital.

The nurses did a CTG check, an internal exam, and decided that they were not real contractions! This was my third CTG check. The first was on 21 June night, curious check. The second was on 22 June, false alarm, I thought labor was on the way. So this third time when we were told to go home while expecting a real labor, we were really disappointed.

We were back at home by 7:30pm. Hubby and I watched DVD in the room to divert our disappointment and my pain. Around 9:30pm, hubby went to sleep. The contractions were still painful and bothering me, but I decided to sleep as well. But I couldn't. At one point, I got the urge to poo but felt a sharp pain in the tummy when I got to the toilet. My sister looked at me squirming out from the toilet and called my parents. Now the contractions have started to be very painful, I almost cried. Hubby woke up and got ready; my father changed and started the car. My father drove to the hospital, hubby and my two sisters came along.

I was 7cm dilated by the time we got to the hospital. Mom has already called my gynecologist. My gynecologist was on leave but his colleague would replace him. That was around 10:45pm when I started my fourth CTG exam in the labor ward. My two sisters waited in the waiting room while hubby stayed by my side, holding me, my father went home to fetch mom and my other sister. Mom came bringing me socks and a cup of honey, then she waited in the waiting room too.

I lost track how long I have to withstand the painful contractions. When I started to push, I concentrated on one contraction at a time… one push at a time… The nurses and the doctor gave their full support. Then the doctor said that she could see the head already, she gave me an injection to prolong my contractions so that I could push for a longer time. For the last few pushes, I felt like I could not do it any longer, so I pushed as hard and as long as I could. The doctor made two episiotomy cuts then I felt something warm slid out and a second later a baby was kicking and screaming near my legs. I stunned. I did not know how to express my feelings exactly, but the pain that made me suffer so much suddenly did not seem that bad.

He was 3.415kg, 50cm, with head circumference of 34.5cm. He was born at 1:38am on Monday, 26 June 2006. He was perfectly formed and perfectly healthy.

The doctor stitched me up, the nurses cleaned the baby, and hubby busied himself taking photos of the baby, it was about 45 minutes later that I could finally hold my baby and nursed him for the first time.

The nurses let hubby called my mother in. The excited new grandmother came in full of smiles, said the baby was cute, quickly kissed my cheek then proceeded to see her first grandson. She then called my sisters and father to welcome the new bundle.

Dearest son, that was how you came into our world.

Week 39 - Waiting game continues

Dear Darling,

We are entering week 39 today. I woke up at about 2am this morning because of sharp pains all over my tummy. Maybe it was a severe case of Braxton-Hicks. The contractions continued every 15 minutes or so until about 3:30am. Then because the contractions did not get any worse, I tried to sleep. Woke up at 4:30am and no contractions. I helped your grandma with the meal preparations, and then went for a long walk with aunt Yen. It was quite tiring; I decided to take a nap after the walk.

Today, the contractions came and went irregularly. I hope we can have you out by tomorrow.

In this instant age where we can get information about most things instantly, not knowing when you will be born could be a source of anxiety. We’re so used to have schedules on everything, and by opting for normal delivery, getting you out into the world is out of the schedule. Every night when I was about to sleep, I always thought that I could wake up in the middle of the night and head straight to the hospital. Same thing happened every morning when I greeted the new day. Every noticeable feeling around my tummy area would prompt me to think that you could be in your way out. Well, while sometimes this can be frustrating, waiting for you has made my life more exciting.

Dearest, if you’re ready, please just come out!

Week 38 and still waiting

Mommy could not wait to have you! I walked for half an hour every morning and late afternoon, did some squating, and tried some tips to start labor naturally, but no baby till now. I know it’s still too early to get all frustrated, it’s only week 38, but I just could not wait!

Actually we were scheduled to see the doctor again last Monday. Weekly visits. But since nothing seemed to go wrong, we decided to just wait at home. I want to go there tonight, though. Daddy asked me to go out for a date, having supper eating Indian snacks and drinking ginger tea. Hmmm, could be our last date together before you come out, Darling.

This week, you seems to move more! When I took shower yesterday, I managed to see a part of your body (I could not guess what, maybe your knee) sticking out quite far out from my tummy. Exciting! That made my day! Then Daddy saw the act too at night when we went to sleep. He took a camera and tried to record the action, but you have stopped moving.

We love you, Wowy!

Reaching full term - week 37

Dear Child,

The doctor declared you to be ready for being born last night, you could arrive anytime now! Both of us are so excited. But since today's date is rather scary for having a baby, we decided to start exercising by tomorrow.

Last week, on Saturday 27 May 2006, there were some chain of strong earthquakes that shook a region in central Java. Thousands of people died and hundred thousands others were left homeless and wounded. Grandma's sister and her families were slightly affected, thankfully they were okay. Anyway, help are still coming in to that region and reconstruction is on the way. I just write this for your history record.

Okay, back to the visit report. Yesterday, the doctor said that you were about 3kg (and I was 63.1kg) and your head would soon goes into the pubic bone, once you were latched there, you would not be able to move your head around. Poor baby, I hope that period won't last long.

*hugs* Mommy loves you, dear Son. I'll see you soon. :)

Week 37: Getting excited!

Dearest Wowy,

We’re going to the doctor to take a look on you again tonight! I am so excited! I hope the doctor will declare you to be ready being born by this week.

Love,
Mommy

Week 36: the preparation

Dearest Son,

I washed all your clothes, blankets, bedcovers, pillows, bolster, diapers, and the rest of the washable things this week. It took me and grandma about three days to wash, dry, and iron them. Now everything is inside your drawers, waiting for you to come out.

You moved and kicked harder this week, even harder than last week. My tummy growth seemed to slow down compared to the previous weeks. I got frequent mild cramps on the legs and tummy, they reminded me that you would be coming soon and that thought made the pain so insignificant.

Granddad seemed to be so concerned about you lately. He would scold your aunts or me when he saw us playing with you (in the tummy). He was afraid that all the pat-pats would disturb your sleep or something like that. He also scolded me if I went out too often and too long, afraid that I would be tired and you would be born prematurely. He bought me some dried herbal to make herbal chicken, and he helped grandma to pick cotton clothes to make nursing tops for me. Sweet granddad, isn’t he?

Today, aunt Ling had her second level CFA exam. We picked her up in the late afternoon with your other aunts and a friend of your aunt. Then we went to watch X-Men III and we had supper at this beautiful roadside eating place nearby.

Week 35: being crafty

Dearest Son,

I have made several animal finger puppets and some colorful figures to be hung as mobiles above your crib. During the last two weeks I’ve bought about 16 colors of flannel cloths with matching thread, two craft books for examples, and two tubes of all purpose adhesive. I hope you’ll love what I made, Son.

Monday, we went to the doctor again. This time, we could not see your face since you were facing my backside. My weight has increased to 62kg, officially adding 10kg to my pre-pregnancy weight, and you were approximately 2.7kg. Doc said that all was normal. Your kicks can be seen clearly on the tummy now, getting frequent and sometimes painful (I didn’t complain though, always happy to be kicked). Doc said we would have to go for weekly visit after week 37. Your dad and I are very excited to see you outside my womb, Darling.

Tomorrow is a public holiday (your Dad will be around the whole time, yay!) and we promised your aunts for an outing, watching movie together and maybe having lunch or dinner outside. Grandpa and grandma is flying off early in the morning to Semarang to visit your great-grandparents. They would be back on Saturday. Oh, and yesterday, your cousin, Kev, turned two!

Now you are kicking me again, babe. I don’t know if I can stand your kicks in the next weeks if you keep on getting stronger day by day.

Love you.

Week 34: The hand-me-downs

I got a baby changing table, a few blankets, and other baby stuffs from Aunt Ing today. Darling, you will have a lot of hand-me-downs you know. Some are historical since they were worn by your mother (and aunts) and by your grandmother (and grandaunts). To add to the historical values, most of the hand-me-downs were hand made. Some blankets, clothes, and mittens that were worn by me were hand sewn by your grandmother, and the ones worn by grandma were hand sewn by your great grandma!

Looking at those things, I had to believe that once your grandma and I were as tiny as you. Life is indeed amazing, don’t you think?

The Shopping weekend! - week 33

Wowy dearest,

I could not believe that both of us have arrived to the beginning of week 34, soon you will be a full term baby and can be born safely into the world.

This weekend was a shopping weekend. We went shopping full force and used up almost the whole of the two days for shopping. My poor feet look a little bit chubbier and hurt a little. Anyway, I am enjoying this pregnancy very much.

Saturday early morning, I suddenly woke up because of sharp pains at both of my legs, knee downwards. That was my first experience of leg stiffness. I could not sleep peacefully afterwards because I’m afraid that I’ll hurt my legs again if I moved in certain ways. Thankfully, that didn’t happen again.

You kicked me quite furiously when we walked for hours this afternoon. Were you excited or uncomfortable I could not phantom, but I was quite afraid that all the walking will somehow affect the womb and started the contractions. As much as I want you to come out immediately, I did not want you to come out and go straight into the incubator. I want you to come out straight into our warm embraces.

Some updates, we were looking at some cribs now and still could not decide which one to buy. If only you can try each one of them and tell us which suits you the most. And daddy got himself a pair of new glasses today, with lens that could go darker if the sun is too bright. Haven’t had the chance to try them though, the sun has set when we went out from the building.

We love you baby. See you in a few weeks time!!!

Week 32: Two kittens and a dislocated shoulder

Lots of things happened this week.

On Monday night, your grandma found two little kittens in front of our car port. Your aunt Yen gave them some rice and fish to eat. Then mewed and mewed and mewed. Lucky they stopped mewing during the night when we slept. But early on Tuesday morning, they started mewing again. When grandma went out to take the newspaper, they were under your dad’s car. But when your dad went to work, they were nowhere to be seen.

Sometime later, about half an hour after your grandpa and aunt Ling went to work, they called back home. Aunt Yen, who picked up the phone, told me that they found the two kittens hiding on top of the spare wheel that was kept under the car. Apparently, they heard the kittens mewing when they were trapped in a traffic jam. Grandpa stopped the car, went out to check, and found both of them there. Grandpa tried to get them out and got bitten by one of them; I think they were quite terrified by the whole thing too. Grandpa was afraid that they would fall off the car and got squashed by other cars if he left them where they were.

Poor grandpa and aunt Ling had to go back home after they left the kittens at the housing estate nearby. Grandpa needed to shower again since he was drenched in sweat and dirt. They were very late that day.

I helped grandma quite a lot too that day, the maid was not coming again. Washing clothes, dishes, sweeping and mopping the floor, then ironing the clothes, I did all that. I was quite proud of myself since I was usually very lazy to do those things. Grandma told me to stop doing all that for fear that you came out too early.

Aunt Can messaged me from Singapore, telling me that she was carrying a boy as well. All right, a playmate!

Then Aunt Val in Malaysia messaged me, telling me that her baby girl was born on Sunday. She seemed happy and we were happy for her too.

On Wednesday, your dad and I went swimming in the nearby sport club after your dad went back from work. After swimming for a few laps, I went up first to shower while daddy continued swimming. When I finished changing and everything, I found him still in the swimming trunk, walking towards me with a pain in his face. He told me he broke his arm. I could not believe it till he asked me to see his left shoulder. His shoulders were in different shapes, something was not right with his left. He felt a lot of pain and could not move his left arm. We planned to have a quick exercise that night, so we did not bring our handphones and wallets. Your dad obviously could not drive the car in his condition, I went panic.

Lucky, there was a swimming coach in the changing room and he helped to fix dad’s shoulder. His shoulder was dislocated because he did not do enough warm-ups before doing the butterfly style. After the coach’s touch, dad could move his arm, turned it around normally, only still quite painful. He rested for a while in the changing room. Then I called home for grandpa to pick us up and bring some food for dad. Dad is recovering well. Other grandpa said that he could not lift heavy object and do sports for at least three months.

Today, we went for breakfast with your dad’s side grandparents and went around finding a bed for you in a shopping mall. I bought a craft book about flannel cloth handmade accessories; I planned to make colorful mobiles and finger puppets for you, Darling.

We went back quite late and pretty tired, but your dad gave in to my wish of stopping at a shopping mall buying the flannel cloths and threads before we went home. How sweet of him!

The moves

We started to live in Kirana, in your grandparents’ house, Wowy dearest. If anything should happen, at least there is always someone with me.

This week, we had one new maid that we sent back today due to some reasons.

Last night, we stayed for a night in our house and this morning, Daddy asked me to dance to the classical music we put for you. Well, once in a year or so, your dad could be romantic.

You started to fill my womb this week and could move as a response to our touches. Usually you move more often in weekends when your dad is around. Is it because you know and you are happy when he is around?

the girl of your dream

Hey, My Little Baby,

Yesterday, when your Dad told me about his old colleague who was going to another city to attend his nephew’s engagement, I thought about your engagement. Oh well, I know it will still be very far in the future with you not being born yet. I just could not help but wonder.

Nowadays, when watching movies or even advertisements, I always think of you if I see boys in any age, from toddles to teenagers. I think of your body, how big you will grow, of your personality, of our relationship, well, of a lot of things, Wowy. I even think of the time you will tell me about the girl that you fancy. What kind of girl she will be? How sweet will your love life be? Oh well, do you think I imagine too much stuff? Maybe it is due to my nervousness to be a mom, huh?

Let whatever will be, will be. I just hope that we will have a great relationship, and that you will eventually think of me as your friend when you grow up. I love you, dear boy.

The last weeks

Dearest Wowy,

There will only be about six to ten weeks before you were born. Unlike the weeks in the first trimester, the weeks in the second trimester passed faster for me. Maybe the weeks in the last trimester will pass just as fast, or even faster with all the shopping and the preparation. Before I realize it, you will be outside my womb!

In the last few days, I felt something like a withdrawal symptom for my carefree days. You see, nowadays I usually spend the afternoon alone, doing things on my own whims. When you are here in the future, I will spend my waking time taking care of you. I am very sure that I will cherish and enjoy those moments, but I still feel some kind of lost for this relaxing period. This is a no-turning-back journey to motherhood, Darling. As much as I expect you to come sooner, there are some parts of me that still clinging to the soon-to-be-released non-motherhood state. This is a transition phase that you, too, will experience later on in life.

The last scary transition phase was last year, when I was about to stop working, move back to my homeland, and get married. That transition was in a sense scarier than going to motherhood. For this one, I am sort of expecting it and just feel a little loss for the freedom. I love most of the moments in this pregnancy, especially when you dance in my womb!

This week, you are more active than the previous weeks. I could not wait when you start to fill my womb and your body parts start to poke out. Your aunts could not wait for you to come out! They have even started to cuddle you now, tickling me in the process.

I’m praying hard for these last weeks, Wowy. Praying so that you will be formed perfectly and all of us can prepare everything to welcome you in time, especially for me to be a good mother for you.

Week 30: The mood swing and the visit

I had quite a bad mood swing in these few days. On Sunday and Monday I was in such a good mood that I could not scold your dad when he put a dirty book on the bed. Then I turned horrible on Monday night and continued to just now. I guess I am feeling better again now.

Yesterday, I stayed at my parents’ home. Your grandma and I cut some cotton clothes into big squares to make you some beautiful blankets. These blankets will be used by your siblings and cousins too. In the late afternoon, we went to visit the doctor. The long waiting time was cut short with shopping and a visit to granddad’s restaurant for two glasses of strawberry juice for your grandma and I. Your dad came just in time to enjoy some crackers and took some sips from the remaining juice before we went into the doctor’s.

Grandma was pretty excited looking at you on the ultrasound scan screen. You were moving your hands and head, at one time, putting your hand on your mouth. I thought you were sucking your thumb for a while. Everything was declared to be perfectly fine, and God, I really hope that everything will be just fine for my baby.

We went home that night, expecting to meet the strange guy again, but we did not see him.

Tonight, your dad went to the dentist and I was left in the house alone for the whole day. I did not have the mood to do the house chores, so I just played with the laptop, learning to do some multimedia stuff. I know I will not be able to have this lazy luxury when you come out from my womb… so, I’ll just enjoy my own free time as much as possible now.

I’m waiting for daddy to come home now, Wowy dear. I am really glad that you are here with me now.

The fun weekend

Saturday is Ie Yen’s 20th birthday. Your dad and I went for early evening swim before having dinner to celebrate the birthday. This time we went with your grandma who was going for an aerobic class at the sport club. Went home quite late after the dinner, found the area was dark with blackout and met a strange guy (that your dad met once on Wednesday night) and gave us a fright. We called your grandpa and all of us hoped that he was just some crazy old man with nothing to do at nights.

Sunday morning, we went to your other grandparents’ house very early, bringing the maid’s stuff with us. We returned the maid and she said she was going home to her village. We had breakfast there, and then we went to safari park with Kevin. The whole day was spent mostly in the car; we went back very tired and had a sound sleep.

Good Friday

You started to move more vigorously, darling baby. We could even feel some part of your body when you kicked.

The maid was very inexperienced and we did not think that we could use her help any longer. And she was pretty smelly, especially in the car when we brought her to your grandparents’ before we went to church. We really considered letting her go.

During the mass, you moved and kicked several times, and I loved every movement of yours, Wowy darling.

Grandpa and the little birdie

Tuesday morning, when your dad was just drove the car out from the carport, I found a little bundle of feathers that turned out to be a little bird on the floor. It was under the car and thankfully untouched when your dad pulled the car out (I could not imagine the mess if it got smashed by the wheels). I tried to put a newspaper to cover it, so that the cold morning air would not affect it so much, but it refused to be covered. I just left it there and went in.
About 2pm in the afternoon, your grandpa and aunt came. I told them about the little bird and we found it on the dirt below the chili plant. Grandpa scooped it with his hand and gave him trickles of water from the tap to drink with his fingers. Both your aunt and I were pretty touched to see this soft side of him. Then he drove to a nearby shop to buy some bananas for the bird to eat. Your aunt and I fed the bird with smashed banana. We put it on the mineral water card box with some branches and leaves for it to nest. It still looked pretty healthy when your dad came home. He also tried to feed the bird some bananas. Anyway, I found it dead when I wanted to feed it this morning. I was pretty upset to see the little bundle of feathers lying there, motionless inside the box. No more happy chirps, just a deadly silence.

Tonight, a new maid came from a little town in Central Java. She was quite old (her eldest son is 21 years old) and very inexperienced. She never worked as a maid before. She was polite and quite nice. I hope hard that our relationship will be well and long-lasting.

Week twenty nine: revealing the heritage

This week is a relaxing week. Monday and Friday are public holidays; the three of us can spend most of our time together. Today, we went swimming at the nearby sport club. We went with grandpa. Your daddy and I swam while grandpa did some other sport at the fitness room. We had breakfast in the club’s café, yummy chicken noodles and fresh juices.

Afterwards, your grandma brought down a box full of baby clothes. Those clothes (and blankets and diapers) were worn by me and your aunts when we were babies. There were even diapers worn by your grandma and grandaunts! Those were sewn by your great grandma herself. There were some cute crocheted baby mantels, shoes, and bonnets handmade by grandma, but they were for baby girls. Your grandma learned it from your great-great-grandmother. Can I make a cool crocheted outfit for you? It’s really a question of patience and determination. I don’t think I have enough of them to make one for you. So unlike your great-great-grandmother, great-grandmother, and grandmother, your mother is not as crafty with threads.

In the late afternoon, we drove to your paternal grandparents’. Your eldest aunt invited us for dinner. In the end, the dinner was canceled because your uncle lost his most-important little case with his wallet and keys inside. So we had dinner with the rest of the family sans them.

the 28th week

Darling, it’s already the 28th week!!! Seven month! In some ethnic groups in this region, usually the moms-to-be will undergo some ceremony to mark the seventh month. For us, we can now start shopping for your stuff. Yay!!!

You can be born quite safely now, but since your lungs are not fully developed yet, you will have some trouble breathing and has to stay in the incubator. So, take your sweet time to develop inside my womb, Darling. You can also hear more clearly by now. Daddy and I are trying to sing you some songs every night now, if he is not too tired, he usually plays the guitar.

Daddy’s beloved dog is currently sick. I went to the vet with your grandma on Wednesday and Daddy went again yesterday. The dog was diagnosed with kidney failure and there was a hole in the heart too. She was very weak, refused to eat or drink, and was unable to walk properly. Your dad said he cried a bit yesterday, when he stroked the weak doggie. I kind of knew how he felt, I myself cried hard and mourned for weeks when my dog died last two years. Both of us are dog lovers and we planned to give our family a doggie. You’ll grow to love dogs yourself I think.

My mom is going to visit my grandma again tomorrow. She just went back from there on Monday night. Let’s pray for a safe flight for her. Aunt Lan and my cousin will be with her.

Wowy dearest, sometimes I thought of the far future when I am old and you are a grown up. How tall you will be, how handsome you will look, and how strong you will grow… will you look like your Daddy, will you be as tall and as strong as him? Will you be a sweet boy? How will your girlfriend or wife look like? Can both of us raise you to be a responsible man with a wonderful heart? I always pray that whatever you will be, you will always have Him inside you. That way, I will always be assured that you will be just fine.

the twenty seventh week

This week is three-day work week for Daddy. It was so great to have him around and to spend so much time with him.

Monday, we went to celebrate aunt L’s birthday. Had yummy Chinese food dinner and stayed a night there. Your aunts love to feel your movement! They always asked me whether you moved and if you did, they would run to my tummy and placed their hands on you.

Tuesday, I went to the wet market with your grandma. Then my senior high school and university friend came to visit. We talked quite a lot about our activities and business… and I thought about how our lives have changed since our school time.

Thursday was a public holiday. Daddy and I went to visit your great-uncle. We met your grandparents there. We had a great time.

Friday, we checked you up again! You are now about 1.1kg, the doctor said after measuring your tummy’s cross section with the ultrasound scan machine. We also managed to see your face! Could not really tell whether you are handsome yet, but it was pretty exciting looking at your eyes, nose, and mouth! I am now about 58.2kg. Your grandma and aunt Y went to Semarang today to visit your great-grandma. Aunt Y will be back on Sat, while grandma stayed till Monday evening.

Today, for the first time in our history, we went as planned to the 6 am mass and visited my old Sunday school in the neighborhood. The last time I was there, I was 16 years old, a high school student, still single and yeah, so different from today. I went there and did what I did years ago, sang with the children, talked with my friends, everything with a maternity outfit, a bulging tummy, and you inside it. The children, aged 2 to 4 years old are closer to you than to me now. I might bring you there one day, Wowy dearest.

strawberries and chocolate ice cream!

We had chocolate ice cream with bread and strawberries just now. Yummy! I seemed to love ice cream more and more lately, sometimes ignoring the warning that it could make you so big and make the delivery difficult. Oh well…

You moved quite a lot in the mornings, late afternoons, and at night, around the sleeping time, like now. This week, you started to move in different ways, very exciting! Baby, I love you!

My grandma, your great-grandmother went to Singapore yesterday. Today she underwent a small operation on her leg to remove some blood clotting. All of us are praying that she will be all right soon.

twenty sixth week

It’s 26th week already! Your aunt just got offered a cool job in Ernst & Young Corporate Finance department with only one test and one interview. She’s a neat and hardworking girl; I hope you got these qualities from her.

Today I managed to sweep and mop the house and cooked fish. It is still another 10 weeks to wait for you to be a full term baby. I could not make up my mind whether it was a long time or a short time to wait. Sometimes, I could not wait for you to be outside, but some other times, I was quite anxious in having you outside. I am not that prepared yet to be a mom.

Daddy just bought you a CD, the first of our baby collection. I hope you love it.

25th week already!

You are kicking more frequently now. Each kick never fails to bring a smile to my face and a spark of happiness in my heart.

We are grappling with financial issues this week, trying our best to save up for your needs, especially your education. It’s never too early to plan and to save, isn’t it?

I read in a Lent reflection that joy and gratitude are the qualities of the heart by which we recognize those who are committed to a life in service in His path. Because real service makes joy; real service where we do the service for love and not for any rewards for ourselves. Just like a mother does not be rewarded for the attention she pays to her child, she does it out of love, and she does it joyfully.

A day of rest

The cold was getting worse and I took rest for the whole day. Now is about midnight and I am still fresh due to the super long nap. You just kicked a good kick, Baby.

24th week!

I tried to cook fish with a more complicated recipe. Your aunt L helped. It was a successful first attempt, I should say.

The sore throat that I had these few days was started to be replaced by cold! Oh no!!!

Still Positive

I am still tested positive for the two viruses. But the quantities are less than the last time. So the doctor gave me another round of anti-virus to take and we will check it again nearing your birth. Both of us are also still in our positive conviction that God will take care of you, protecting you from the viruses.

From the doctor’s office, we went up to check the available rooms in the maternity wards. It was the highlight of the day. The rooms were usual, smaller than I thought, but the baby could stay with me for as long as I wanted! And you will be given to me as soon as you are cleaned to be breastfed!!! I am so thrilled!

The 23rd week

Dearest Child,

The beginning of the week was marked with two birthdays of a beloved cousin and a dearest friend. Monday was Aunt R’s, and Tuesday was Aunt L’s. Seems like I love a lot of February people, huh?

You have been kicking and moving regularly and I am so happy each time I feel you moving! This Saturday we’re going to take a peek on you again. I’m going to test my blood again to check the two viruses that have bothered us last time. Hopefully, they are gone by now.

We love you Son!

Today is also the first day of Lent, the Ash Wednesday. We went to the neighborhood church for the first time. Hope that this Lent can bring us closer to Him and make us better parents.

God's Work

Yesterday God did something big for our family, dear Wowy. He saved your dad and granddad from a terrible accident.

They went to a town five hours drive from here with two of their friends to see a project. They have to go through a long problematic highway and roads on the mountain’s slope. After checking the project site, they drove to a nearby city for a night stay. They checked into a hotel and were going to have their dinner when they found out that the car could not be moved. Everybody went down to check for a big stone or hole that made the car stuck. That was when your granddad found the two front wheels of the car was no longer aligned. Apparently, the rod that connected the stirring wheel and the two front wheels has plopped out.

If this were going to happen in the highway when the car sped up, all of them could be sent straight to ICU or even heaven. Same thing if that happened on the winding sloping road. It was raining all the way too. But it happened right there in the parking lot of the hotel, with a car garage nearby. It was not logical at all, but it saved them from dangerous situation and a lot of trouble.

So they just walked to nearby eating place for dinner, slept early, and got the car fixed the first thing in the morning. Quite convenient, I should say. They drove back in the afternoon and already back at the house in the early evening.

All of us really thanked God for this one miracle, for nobody else could make such things happen. To think that I might lose a husband and a father at the same time made me even more grateful.

Thank you Lord. Thank you.

Week 22

We are in your grandparents’ house again. Daddy went to another city with your grandpa and their friends. As we returned the maid on Sunday, I have started to clean the house again yesterday. Both of us felt much comfortable at home without a maid.

This morning, two of your aunts managed to feel you. Third aunt felt you in the morning when I was going to go back to sleep after waking up so early to send your dad and grandpa away. Then when I woke up, I found out that your second aunt already felt your movement when I was sleeping. I did not even realize it when she touched my tummy all over to find you. She was quite amazed when she finally felt the gentle nudge you gave her.

Your grandma’s maid is also pregnant at the moment, at about three to four months now. Gee, so many pregnant women nowadays. Anyway, I kept on thinking of how lucky both of us are, to be able to be born and to get pregnant comfortably with daily intake of vitamins and milk and good quality healthy food.

I hope both of us will never take it for granted and always be thankful for these blessings, keeping in mind the less fortunate and be kind to them.

yay!

You have been moving actively these past two days since I felt you moving that midnight. But all along, whenever your daddy tried to feel your movement, you stopped moving. Only this morning he managed to feel your movement, Darling. He was excited.

I woke up early this Sunday because the new maid woke up early. She is positively pregnant and we are going to return her today.

The twenty first week

Dearest Wowy,

I feel like carrying a small watermelon inside my tummy. It was protruding and round. I felt you moving at about midnight last night. Were you somersaulting inside, Darling? I have difficulty sleeping these three nights. Tried not to take any nap today so that I can sleep tighter tonight.

We went to visit your eldest aunt in the hospital on Monday. She just gave birth to a bouncing baby boy, 2.9kg and 48cm. Still nameless until today, we just called him Kev’s brother.

Yesterday, I went there again to pick them up with your grandparents and your uncle with two helpers to take care of Kev and his brother. Kev was quite jealous when he first saw his mother holding the new brother. Hope he got used to the little one by now… they are going to be buddies, and your playmate.

Then we also picked up our new helper. She came from a little town in Central Java and has been in the city for only two months. Today I found out that she has missed her periods for quite sometime. Being a newlywed (newer than both of us), there is a high chance that she is pregnant. We might return her and ask for a replacement if she is indeed pregnant. This is my maiden experience of getting a maid on my own and I should say, I was (and still am) pretty nervous.

Keep moving inside there, Dearest! God bless you!!!

You are a BOY!!!

Dearest Wowy,

We went for another ultrasound scan last Saturday and found out that you are a boy!

Honestly, I have never pictured myself having a little boy on my own. Having three sisters and no living brothers, I am not familiar with raising boys. So, I kind of nervous in thinking of how to raise you up and wondering if I can be a good cool mom to you. Both of us are excited, very excited. You father has started to search for names again. This time, we can limit our search to boys' names only.

When we saw you through the ultrasound scan monitor, our hearts leaped with joy. You have grown much bigger than the last time we saw you. You turned around several times and moved your hands and feet. Then the doctor scanned the bottom side and announced your gender with a smile.

Going back to my parents' home, your grandma guessed with conviction that you must be a boy. She have said that the second she found out about my pregnancy. All of my sisters and your grandpa were joyful. Actually it doesn't matter whether you were a girl or a boy... But after four consecutive baby girl, a baby boy is very much awaited.

Most people in the other home guessed that you were a girl. That was because both of your parents have three sisters each. But anyway, they were excited when we told them that you were a boy. So your paternal grandparents will have three grandsons this year! One will be born next week!!!

Oh boy, I hope you will be a good boy. Naughty is fine, as long as you have a good heart and soul.

Love you so much, darling boy!

19th

Hi again Dearie,

You are about 15 centimeters crown to rump right now. I am still trying to detect your movement.

This Saturday, we'll see you through the ultrasound scan again and probably will see your gender. Let's see if you are a boy (like what almost everyone predicted) or a girl.

We love you!

week 18

Hi again Dearest Baby,

We spent last weekend in Singapore. We met a bunch of good old friends (most of them took a look on my tummy the second they saw me), ate some food that I missed, and did the administration stuff with my ex-company.

I got to see my god-daughter (and her parents, of course) and had a great time watching her. She's about a year older than you and I hope you'll get to play together often in picnics or gatherings later on. Looking at her mother feeding her, humming lullabies to her, cuddling her, I saw my future. I really hope I can be a good mother, Darling.

A great news came on Sunday night when my dear friend visited us and found out that she got pregnant! We hope that everything goes great with her pregnancy and you'll get a friend four months younger than you!

I have been waiting for you to start moving, Darling. There were times when I suspected that the movement in my tummy was you, but I could not be so sure. Pregnancy wise, everything is going great. Yesterday I did a lot of housework and was quite proud of myself for doing it. I still need to train myself more to be a good mother, though.

We love you so much, Darling. God bless you.

sweet seventeen

Dear Little Creature Inside My Womb,

I am still waiting to feel your movement. When will you start to vibrate, poke, or kick my tummy from inside?

Today I feel much more energized than ever. I actually spent more than half-a-day doing household chores and I did not take a nap even for a minute! Usually I took hours to nap if I did a home-alone in the house. I just finished showering and am now waiting for daddy to get home.

End of this week, three of us will fly to Singapore. I hope you can enjoy your flight. This could be your second flight since you were formed, Dear. The first one was when you were still a group of cells.

Love you, Dearest.

Mommy

weight matters

This week, my weight increased back to 52kg. I think I was 52kg when I got back from our 'honeymoon'. Then it went down to 49kg in the second month of the pregnancy. I was actually excited when I saw the figure went up in the scale!

This morning, I found out that I only can fit into the pregnancy pants (with elastic waistband) that my mom bought for me. I could not fit into my loose jeans (which I could still wear last week!) and two other elastic pregnancy pants was at my parents' house. I just washed 'the one and only pants' this afternoon and am wondering what I can wear for tomorrow.

I am getting bigger!

No, WE are getting bigger!

sixteenth week

Dearest Wowy,

Monday, 9 January, was your grandmother’s 50th birthday. I went home early from office with your grandfather. Aunty Y brought home yummy fried noodles when she got back from her lessons. We went for a merry dinner together that night. Tuesday was a public holiday, so we could stay up late.

That evening, before the dinner, my mom, my eldest cousin (mom’s side) and I went to see the gynecologist again. Just to check on you. I’ve spent two days worrying and worrying was not good. The night before, that cousin called me and comforted me. She said that whatever information I got about the virus, God was still the one who has total power on you now. He was still creating you inside my womb. And I should have more faith and trust that He will mould you in His own perfect way. He listened to the cries of His people.

We checked you again through the ultrasound scan, you were asleep again. Just like on Saturday. I started worrying again because you were jumping up and down the whole time we put you on that scan last month. What happened this month?

My best friend emailed me and told me that being a mother made you worry a lot of times. Suddenly now, there is this little human being that depends on me. Dearest, I do hope that I can really take care of you well.

Aunty Li said that you are Super Wowy. And yeah, I believe so. I think you are one strong baby and you can fight all the viruses inside the womb with God’s guidance.

My tummy is getting much bigger today. Now I look like a pregnant woman.

your 15th week

Tuesday, 3 January 2006

Dearest Wowy,

I stayed at home these two days. We just had a 12 hour drive from Semarang on Sunday and I felt very tired yesterday. I supposed I can go back to office tomorrow.

This coming Saturday, we will go for our fourth check up and we’ll get to see you through the ultrasound scan monitor again! I wonder what we’ll get to see this time. Will you be jumping up and down still?

According to the book, you’ll have more bones this week. You have soft hair called lanugo covering your skin to help you adjust your body temperature. You already have eyebrow and more hair on your head. Your face can have a few expressions now, such as frowning. We’ll see this Saturday if your CRL is about 10.4 to 11.4 cm now.

Your daddy is kissing ‘you’ every night before sleep and every morning when he wakes up. Both of us are really excited to have you.


Saturday, 7 January 2006

We just visited the doctor again and found out that I am infected by two kinds of virus. Both can have a bad effect on you and your growth. The doctor gave us an anti virus and a supplement to strengthen my immune system for ten days and I should check my blood for the virus again in six weeks.

When I got back, I searched the internet for information on the virus. I cried when I read them. I was so scared of you, my baby.