Adrielle + Ashlynn

I can never thank God enuff for them!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

34 Weeks n Warded at Mt Alvernia

I am bored stiff and decided to create an entry with my iPhone.
I seriously don't know how much of an entry I can manage with all these finger-typing but I shall try...

Am now resting in the Labour Ward of Mt Alvernia n I simply couldn't sleep. I tried to turn in at 11pm last night but ended up waking up every hour n have been wide awake since 3plus in the morning.

Don't get me wrong, I am not going into labour but I've been put under observation.
How did all this start?
Realized I had v mild spotting while I was with Daph early ytd afternoon. I didn't panic or freak out simply becus the same thing happened once when I was carrying Adri. Infact, the spotting I had then was slightly more significant. Back then, I panicked n spoke with Dr Chen n after hearing from me, she assured that it was alright n I had nothing to worry about n the episode was brought to a close. Hence naturally, I associated this to my previous experience n thought there wasn't a need to be overly-concerned since Dr was that assuring the last round. on top of that, my subsequent checks showed that the spotting had stopped n affirmed my belief that there wasn't a cause for worry.
I didn't call Dr Chen then n left it as it was.

Shared with Mart during dinner n after a quick discussion, we decided that it was better to 'play safe' n hence I ended up dailling the emergency line for Dr Chen but contrary to my belief (that it there was no need for fuss since spotting was extremely faint n had ceased), Dr Chen ordered that I check myself into Mt A immediately for checks.

Reason?
Surprises may come our way with pregancies after the first; you'll never know what to expect.

Reached the Labour Ward.
Dr assessed me n told me I had to stay overnight for observation. I was actually having regular contractions every 12 minutes n I didn't even know cos I simply didn't feel a thing. Thankfully, baby's heartbeat was normal n my cervix had not dilated. Doc then instructed the nurses to give me:

1. This jab that will speed up the maturity of baby's lungs.
Baby is only 34 weeks. Doc's main aim was to try to ensure that BB's respiratory system would function well, esp should BB decide to be real adventurous n want to see the world anytime soon.

2. Tablets to reduce/stop contraction.
Baby is too young. Doc wanted to keep her in my womb for as long as she possibly could. Doc mentioned that at least til Week 35, the safe zone.

How's Mummy?
I shall not deny that I was v worried. As much as I am eager to meet Ashlynn, I know fully well that Week 34 is way too early.
Colleagues n friends advised that I should think positive n not think abt work. Oh, Dr Chen mentioned that she wanted me to rest so I will not be going to work for the whole of next week. Thereafter? It'll depend on her assessment.
I don't deny I was thinking abt work cos all these came too sudden n I was nt ready with the handover; I thought I had at least another 3 weeks! Well, for now, work IS secondary.

Worried, esp after told I had to be warded.
Wat next?
I was reminded of the verse that I had read earlier in the week - the very number of hairs on your head is numbered (Matt 10:30) n the timing of your arrival is planned
Prayed was wat I did n i am feeling a lot more at peace now.

I m just hoping that I will be discharged soon.
I miss Adri n nothing beats being at Hm.

Ok, hp critically low batt...
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Sunday, March 21, 2010

My Two Princesses

This is rather embarrassing but I am home. I didn't attend my weekly church services cos i played wii with Mart til 3am yesterday and i couldnt wake up in time. Talking about good role modelling for Adri? But hee, Adri and Mart went ahead. Of course, I didn't explain myself to Adri. I only managed to drag myself out of bed to help her get dressed and taught her to put on a pair of matching shoes.

Matching shoes? Yes, you heard me right, I actually started Adri on "grooming tips". I have no idea why and when I started that. I just changed her shoe size and she now has 6 pairs of sized 8/9 crocs. I actually do talk to her abt the pair she should be putting on each day and I talk to her about the pair of sandals/shoes I should be putting on each day as well! In the process, my girl has learnt to be more choosy about her dressing; getting her out of home isn't that easy anymore! Just prior to leaving for service, she was choosing the colour of her panties! Cute, eh? =O

I am enjoying Adri more and more each day. She's quite intellectual and I enjoy reasoning things out with her. I find reasoning really helpful. Very seldom do i have to yell at her for throwing tantrums. I suppose all kids whine to a certain extent but Mart and I realised she is one who takes reasoning well; just explain to her the rationale behind why she shouldnt be doing certain things and she'll be fine. Cause and effect reasoning? Ha, it's the teacher in me at work again!

As I am typing, the washer is spinning away.
I was sharing with Daph days back that I think i am going through a weird phase psychologically. I have been really diligent of late - I wash clothes every day (at times thrice a day) til i have nothing much to wash; when i was a lot more mobile months earlier, I made it a point to use the osim icology regularly and made sure I steam-cleaned my home til it was spick and span; just last week, i cleared 30 pieces of compositions in a day (i could barely manage 5 in a day even though I was not expecting); instead of grabbing every minute I could grab to rest and sleep, i made it a point to have some time to myself at some nearby shopping malls although the walks could get rather back-breaking.

My guess - I am trying to leave life to the fullest.

My memory of how life was like when I was stuck at home during Adri's first three months really made me shudder. Adri was a real crying babe and I couldnt even leave her for a minute during both day and night. In the nights, Adri called non-stop from 12 midnight to 6am and in the day, she remained just as difficult. I recall feeling rather upset about being stuck at home all day, skipping lunches, having real late showers, being handicapped at household chores and watching the cat fur accumulate and worse, deprived of phone conversations! I felt absoutely lousy abt myself; abt being so handicapped at almost everything. I couldnt wait to run back to work and I actually felt a lot more balanced when I eventually curtailed my no-pay leave.

Perhaps, I am trying to do all that I can just in case Ashlynn turns out to be like Adri.
I am really praying that Ashlynn will be different from her sister in that aspect.
I am praying that she'll have a gentle temperament and maintain an eat-play-sleep routine. That will free me some time for myself.

Although Adri was a tough baby to take care of, she had her strengths.
Undenibly difficult for the first 3 months, she was one baby who slept through the night by the time was she 10-11 weeks old. Thank God for that!
That is something i hope Ashlynn will pick up. I shall try to be disciplined and practise parental-directed feeding again!

Yep, we are going to name Baby #2 "Ashlynn Wong Ke (3rd tone) Qi (2nd tone)".
We had a few names in mind but we introduced the above to Adri several months back and the moment we did, my smart little one picked the names up fast and got so used to calling her little sister "Ashlynn Wong Ke Qi" such that we couldn't change it anymore.
We tried introducing "Ainsley Wong Qi En" but Adri persisted in praying for baby Ashlynn Wang Ke Qi every night.
Well, I am most proud to share with Ashlynn that her sister had a part to play in deciding her name! =D

Meanings of Baby's names:
Ashlynn - Dreams and Visions
Ke Qi - absolute miracle of God

Other than how the names sounded, Mart and I placed much emphasis on meanings behind names when we picked names for our little ones. Can you imagine being ignorant and ending up calling your child "a loser" or "a cheater" every day? That said, there are names with such meanings! We would rather remind Adri that she's God's flock and God's grace to us and reinforcing that Ashlynn is one with dreams and visions and a miracle of God.

=)

Ashlynn is now 33 weeks, weighing approx 2.25kg. Prob another 4-5 weeks to her arrival.
Mummy is a still a little apprehensive about life at home but at the same time, I am looking forward to meeting my little endearing princess. =)
2.5 years apart, I should have gotten lots wiser and matured and should be able to cope with life at home lots better.

How's Adri taking it?
I didn't used to be worried about sibling rivalry but of late, Adri repsonds promptly with "No, i don't want!" when asked the question if she would like Baby Ashlynn to come out and play with her. Months earlier, she would yelp "Yes!" with much enthusiasm to the same question.

I hope the first experience will be so positive that Adri will prove to be the doting sister that I've always deemed her to be.
Some instances of Adri's thoughtfulness:
When Adri first learnt that i was pregnant, she took great care to sit on my lap instead of on my bulge whenever i had to carry her; she was very mindful about the new life in me.
Adri nodded to affirm me that she understood that I could not carry her because of the extra weight that was adding a strain on my back.
Adri prayed for baby every night.
Adri offered to share food with Ashlynn but not with Daddy or Mummy!

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I am really looking forward to observe how the two sisters will interact and play with each other. =)

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