The unknown obstacle and tough decisions

Everybody wish to have a smooth-sailing pregnancy process. And so do we. Even though I've a strong feeling of having a healthy baby, King and I did talk about any unknown obstacles and what are our tough decisions. This was raised by my sister-in-law and I do think this is not a bad topic to discuss.

What if the baby is mentally ill?

What if the baby is physically ill?

What if the baby is a premie?

What if I diagnose with pregnancy hypertension?

What are we gonna do?

Shall we continue my pregnancy?

Shall we let go the fetus and try for another one?

I'm glad that King is open-minded to talk about all these with me. We are pretty clear and calm for this discussion. And, fortunately, our thinking is the same and we know what's in our mind clearly to answer all the questions above.

It's good to read more books and have a healthy discussion with our partner. We can't foresee tomorrow but we can remain calm and prepare for a tough decision. God bless our baby! =)

My baby, we are your Daddy and Mommy -- Who We Are.

Hello, my baby!

I'm please to tell you that we are your Daddy and Mommy! And, we are blessed to have you in this young family! Welcome to our family! Let us introduce ourselves to you now!

Daddy is a wonderful man. He's a caring and helpful person in his family and friends eyes. I'm sure you will love him very much when you meet him. He greets you every morning, I'm sure you heard it! Daddy can be your good buddy when you need one. He can be rational but also emotional, sometimes. It depends on how sensational a situation is. You'll explore his mindset when you are a young kid one day. I'm so proud of your Daddy because he is a marvelous man in my heart. Daddy is a smart person but he never hurt people. So when you are naughty, Daddy will lecture you when it is needed to. Please do not get angry at Daddy when he's in bad emotion. He might be busy with his own thinking; he might be struggling with something. And, we must provide Daddy our encouragement, love and support. Daddy needs that from this family that we build up everyday. I'll need your little help and cooperation to make this family be a happy and healthy family. =)

Mommy is a nice and funny lady. I'm pretty decisive. Hence, please do not try to change my mind once I've made up my mind or challenge my patient. Mommy is opinionated most of the time. I hope that you can share your thought and ideas with us frequently. So that, we can exchange our opinions and make our life more fun and loving. =)

Daddy and Mommy love you very much. We would provide you whatever the best for you and fit into your life, especially good education with world exploration. However, there's one important thing that we would like to emphasize to you - my baby, Daddy and Mommy are the priority to each other. We kiss each other first before kissing you. You will have your own life when you are an adult one day; you will start your own family when your timing is ready. Daddy and Mommy have each other when you have your own sweet family in your own sweet home. Life will be more than wonderful with a soul-mate or life-partner. You will understand this one day.

We have more to say and share with you, baby. We'll show you how wonderful and interesting the world is. We'll see you in July!

We love you, baby!

Love,

Daddy and Mommy

我要學習的 3 位媽媽偶像

要當媽媽了，當然是件開心的事情啦！我看看我周遭的媽媽們，當中有 3 位是我所要學習的好媽媽。

第一位當然是我媽啦！雖然我小時候是蠻叛逆蠻壞蛋的，但是我媽還是這樣把我帶大養大教育大。甚至是現在的我當了人家的老婆媳婦 3 年了，她還是教導我了很多處世待人的道理和手法。媽媽，我還有很多東西要向您學習呢！你一定要好好照顧自己！

第二位是 KELLY 的媽媽 －－ 我都是稱呼她為漂亮安第！她是一位很有智慧的女人。我欣賞她的情緒獨立和思想獨立，很讓我敬佩！特別是處理婆媳之間的關係，正是我最欣賞的一套。安第，我希望你也會過得快樂和健康。以後，我還有很多東西要向您指教呢！

第三位是老公的伯母。她是位慈母。慈祥到不得了！她的慈祥和耐心都把伯伯的大男人主意給融化掉。看見她的孩子們多麼得孝順她和伯伯，多麼得有成就，全都是伯母的功勞！身為一位母親，要把孩子教育成有智慧的人，真的不是一件容易的事，也不是紙上談兵的事。伯母，我喜歡你跟我講話時的親切笑容，還有拍拍我的手的感覺，真的很溫暖！希望您健康！

一個人的人生與成就，全都在於他／她的母親。母親的影響力遠遠勝過父親所能給的。我希望我能夠讓我的孩子有個美好的家庭記憶，當個好榜樣。不管孩子的人生如何，有個健康和快樂的家庭環境是我和老公的夢想。加油！

The first movement of my baby

We went for our scheduled First Trimester Prenatal Screening (FTS) on 9th of Jan. It was a wonderful experience!

I told my little one what we are going to have the FTS. And, I explained to the little one what we want to see from the test with his/her cooperation, especially the nose bone and brain structure. I touched my belly and smiled at my little one with full of my love. I told King that I wish to see our little one wave at us.

The FTS is mainly checking for down syndrome symptoms in between week 12 and week 14. I'm glad that I took the test although I'm not 35 years old yet. However, I was pretty shocked by the price.

Dr. Yap is a patient, joyful and friendly Gynae. She was so eager to see my baby. Based on the ultrasound screen, she explained to me and King what is this and that of our baby and da da da. And, guess what, our baby was so active by turning 360 degrees! King and I were very surprise and amazed! Our fetus showed us the healthy scalp and brain, nice nose bone (Dr. Yap called it an Andy-Lau-nose, my Godness, hahaha!), healthy fingers and toes, healthy kidney/bladder/heart/eyes/ears. I was touched by the baby movement and his/her cooperation. My little one really does understand me!!! =) It was a touching moment to me and King. Our little one was 7.4 cm that day and I was in week 12 day 6.

I was persuaded by Dr. Yap to do blood test for further details check up. We did it and the result will be ready a few days later. Hopefully, things will be alright. I know that I'm going to have a healthy and happy baby!

However, my blood pressure was in high measurement that day due to my bad quality of sleep the night before (I woke up at 3.30 am and back to sleep around 6 am, oh no!). And, I know that I might get the gene from my dad due to hypertension. Hence, I need to monitor my own blood pressure everyday from now on. I'm glad that Dr. Yap did calm me down and I'm going to stick to Dr. Yap until my full term.

I feel thankful and blessed to have a wonderful Gynae for guidance along my whole pregnancy process. It means a lot to me and King through out the whole pregnancy. =)

See you in 4 weeks time, my baby! Daddy and mommy love you! Muak! =)

趣事一則

最近的我，半夜總是會起來上廁所。然後，就很難再入眠。醫生說這是正常的。

今早凌晨 5 點多，老公醒來上廁所。然後，就輪到我去上廁所，順便也拉拉肚子。過了大概 10 分鐘，我上床準備繼續睡覺，我看見老公把自己包得密不透風的，而他的樣子應該是熟睡了。我確對他說，“你很像木乃伊哩！”！他沒回應我。然後，我又繼續說，“嘿，木乃伊英文叫甚麼嚇？”，我也不知道為甚麼我會問這種無聊問題。老公小小聲得說，“mum-my....”。我還 “甚麼” 了三次，才聽清楚。得到了答案之後，我們兩個又繼續昏睡了。

今天吃午餐時間，我們才想起這件事情。莫名奇妙地嘲笑對方有多麼得無聊和神經質。睡覺時間一個問木乃伊英文叫甚麼，而另一個還會在昏睡中給答案。天啊！！！！笑到眼淚都飆出來了！

懷孕期間多點無理頭趣事也不錯。笑笑沒煩惱！=D

Citizenship vs One-family

Before planning for our pregnancy, King and I actually planned for choosing citizenship for our kid(s). I know some people may think this idea is insane and ridiculous and wasting money. But everyone has own right to make a choice in life.

We were interested in American citizenship for our kid(s) based on some personal reasons. And so, we were interested in giving birth in the States, of course, in a legal way. However, the insurance cost is not a cheap ticket. It will cost us USD500 plus per month before pregnancy. And, we didn't know when could I get pregnant. The confinement cost and airfare are not cheap as well. Hence, we rethink of the timing and the budget, we finally made our judgement and decision.

Well, we decided to have a Malaysian passport baby, ha! Baby, we will migrate to a new country in one family. Daddy, mommy, baby and Coby. =)

Papa/Daddy, Mama/Mommy

King and I talked about how we like to be called by our little one one day. This is not a big issue, after all. Yet it's something meant to us because we are going to be promoted to be a father and a mother. The name of the seniority sounds important to us.

So, papa or daddy? Mama or mommy? Hmm...

We are pretty Americanized. So, we go for "Daddy" and "Mommy". We hope our little one will enjoy and love to call us that, too. Ha!

Congratulations, my father-to-be!

Congratulations, King! =)

You will be a father soon in coming July! I am able to sense the joy and excitement from you since the first day we knew about the surprise. And, I know how curious both of us were when we saw our little one from the ultrasound machine. And, I know how big your burden will be since then. Your feeling is a sense of complication.

Thanks for helping me out for doing the house chores when I need. And, I know my craving for food is like killing me and you all the time. But your patience melt my heart and my hungry tummy. Moreover, Coby enjoys his shower time with you, ha! I, sometimes, feel bad for leaving all these things to you. I can see how a father-to-be shape your characteristics day by day. And, I know that you will be a good father one day!

Thanks for telling me your jokes and your big smile all the time. Your big hug and morning-hello to my tummy makes my day everyday. We are one big family.

There are few more months to go before seeing and holding our little one. I hope and I'm sure that both of us will be able to enjoy my pregnancy process happily and calmly. I've promised you to take care of myself well and control my emotion if possible (yes, blame the hormone, haha!). I know that you are always there for me when I'm miserable and in doubt. You are a good husband, in deed.

I've so much to say to you, my love. I'm sure you are able to sense my appreciation.

Congratulations, my father-to-be! I love you! =)

The best number to be a newly dad/mom

I've heard it many times -- I'm regretful not to have kid(s) when I was younger; I should have started having kid(s) earlier on; I shouldn't wait till I'm old to have my own kid(s). I don't know, some people do have this in their mind.

King asked me once before, am I too late to be a father? I replied him, why would you think like that? Age doesn't put a big impact to a man, but a woman based on the biological view. I personally believe that the maturity of a person is way more important than an age. Age is a figure, age is a number. Being a mature parent, we would be able to teach and guide our kids in their life in a mature way.

I think differently. I believe things happened for a reason in good timing. It happened to you when you are ready. And, we'll get the best in our life. =)

Stroller - Our first baby item

It was year end mega sales in December in KL. We did shop for a baby stroller. Baby items are not cheap. It can be an expensive price tag.

I've a shopping list for our little one. Doing budgeting is part of my job as well. Initially, I wanted to get a 3 bicycle wheels type of stroller. I plan to bring my little one to the park for outdoor activities everyday in the future. Based on the limited choices and the expensive price tag, we forget about the 3 wheels.

So, in the end, we've bought a stroller for our baby -- Inglesina Zippy. Hopefully, the Zippy is able to match our lifestyle and need. King told me he has a strong sense of being a father while pushing our new baby stroller. I'm sure that's a sweet feeling to this father-to-be. =)

My dearest dog -- Coby

From the very first day we knew about my pregnancy, Coby did make some sense out of it as well. To our surprise, our beloved Labby started to protect me more often.

We couldn't believe that in the beginning. After getting some reliable sources from the Internet, we finally understand that dogs are actually making sense out of the pregnancy! That's so amazing!

Coby follows me most of the time, even lie underneath my chair. He seldom did that before my pregnancy. He waits for me right outside my bathroom when I'm showering. He keeps following me from downstair to upstair, from upstair to downstair. I have a new bodyguard, ah ha! When I walk Coby in the park, he walks slowly next to me after finishing his poo-and-pee business. He never did that to King, haha! So now, I'm the Queen to Coby! There was one night, we invited Ah Hua and Fong Chiao for a pizza dinner. Coby has not seen Fong Chiao before. He looked at 3 of us in the kitchen while we were making pizza. He was trying to protect me and the little one.

Deep down in my heart, I told my little one, we must love Coby more and more. Coby is part of our family, he belongs to this family. King loves Coby more and tries his best to spend more time with Coby. We did explain to him that I'm not feeling well and we'll have a new family member joining us soon.

Coby, we all love you. You are the blond star in our heart. =)

爺爺與外公

在 2009 年的最後一天，我們回到居鑾家鄉倒數迎新 2010 年。我們也順便把好消息跟未來的爺爺和外公分享。

我一臉嚴肅地告訴我爸說，“爸，我有一件事情要告訴你。”

“甚麼事？”

“嗯。。。你要當外公咯！”

“嗯，好呀！”

“嚇？就這樣啊？你不意外哶？”

“哦，我很高興啊！記得要問媽媽，該注意些甚麼哦？”

爸爸，總是把喜悅暗藏在心裡的最深處。

我家婆在吃午飯時告訴我家公說，“你今年又添多一個孫咯！”

“哦？” 然後頭轉過來問我老公，“那恭喜哦！是真的哦？”

“是醫生說的，應該是真的吧！醫生應該不會騙我們！”

哈哈哈哈哈哈！甚麼嘛！這兩父子實在是有夠搞笑的哩！

第二天一大早，外公打電話給爺爺，“嘿，慶雄有告訴你甚麼嗎？”

“發生了甚麼事？”

“你又要當爺爺啦！恭喜啦！哈哈！”

“哦。。。！哈哈！也恭喜你啦，要當外公啦！”

兩個人就這樣恭喜來恭喜去。很是歡喜。

Our baby names

We had some wonderful time with our good neighbors before and after the Christmas, 2009. These two fabulous families celebrated our good news with us with many funny input. We have been pretty closed to each other in our neighborhood. And so, we went to a fine dine restaurant for a little celebration with all kinda jokes and funny ideas. One of them was naming our little one.

David is an Irish man who has grown up in South Africa. I have him suggested some nice boy and girl names for us. Kuljit is a Punjabi who has grown up in Philippines and The States. He came up with some funny Japanese names for my little one -- Michiko. King and I just couldn't help ourselves to stop laughing. What a Michiko name?! After shortlisting the names, we've came out a few for our little one.

Boy -- Declan or Ian

Girl -- Megan or Drew

I personally want a nice name that match with King's last name which is Lau. And, it's not easy to find a nice name to match with this Lau. Too bad we can't change the last name, hahahaha! Anyway, we love these names. We hope our little one will love his/her name forever, too!

My Christmas Gift

Fortunately, my HP laptop is retired after 6 years of usage! And, here my new machine comes -- MacBook, yay!

This is one of the items in my wish list. Thanks to King to make my little dream came true! Microsoft, I wish you all the best! Haha!

Thank you, my dear friends!

I would like to address my appreciation to all my dearest friends who have been shared the joy with us! We are pleased and thrilled by the "surprise" since November, 2009! Thanks for sending us your blessing, your advices, your hugs!

I've someone special to thank to and I really appreciate the friendship between us -- me and Kelly! Kelly, thanks for paying me a visit right after sharing my good news with you! Your sharing and maternal books are really helpful and informative to me and King. I will never forget how much you care about me and support me when I'm down with some negative inputs. You make me feel more confident and happy! You are one of the mothers whom I should learn from based on your past experiences. Thanks for everything, my dear!

I have a long list to thank to. Your name might not be written here in this article but in our hearts. Thank you, all my dearest friends! May you all filled with happiness and luck! =)