35 weeks

Baby Aaliyah has grown to 35 weeks this coming Monday. She is one active babygirl, and i love it! I went for my umpteenth check-up yesterday and Doc says everything's going great! She is now 2.3 kg while her mummy is still at 55.5 kg. =) I just need to eat more iron pills so that i won't have a 'bloody' labour, according to Doc. He asked me to eat meat everyday. Become a barbarian. So what is this mummy feeling right now? Anxious? Relaxed? Jittery? Worried? The feelings are all mixed up in a bowl of tossed salad. As in weddings, there are still the nitty gritty details that needs to be taken care of. Like... washing of baby's clothes with baby detergent, buying a baby clothes wardrobe, unpack baby stuffs and stuff it in said wardrobe, unpack the stroller (again) which still lies in its box, redecorate room with baby stuffs. I have just pre-admitted (or was it pre-registered) myself to the hospital yesterday. So when the time comes, I will straightaway head to the labour ward in any case of emergency. I will be due in mid-Dec (40 weeks), however, as a lot of 'they say' quoted, it could be earlier i.e. 37 wks onwards.

So, roughly, i will be full term in 2 WEEKS TIME!!!!! ok ok, kanchiong already. Seeems soo fast! I have been watching a lot of 'Discovery Health and Living' on Starhub channel 425. A LOT of labour and pregnancy stories and information has been absorbed into my brain. But i know that when the time comes to push, all that will seem far far away, I know that it feels like, just get this baby out of me! I don't know how contractions will feel like, I don't know how epidural will feel like and if I could withstand the pain enough not to have it, I don't know what will happen.

As of now, I am living for the moment. To feel those flutters in my tummy, see a part of my stomach suddenly jutting out in a weird way when Aaliyah is punching or kicking or elbowing, eat to my heart's content without worrying about putting on weight, keep strangers(mostly on MRT) thinking it is a boy due to the shape of my protruding tummy (yes, they asked), always get seats on the MRT, have reasons not to carry out certain housechores, have good reasons to be really well taken care of by my Darling Husband. =)

So if you were to ask me, yes, as much as I want to bring Baby Aaliyah into the world, I still do want to experience as much as I can, this feeling of being pregnant. It is a miracle.

There are no photos in this post. But do stay tuned for my maternity shots with our good friends from Spacefifty!!

31 weeks has passed....

Tomorrow will be my official 31 weeks! 6 - 9 more weeks to meet u baby Aaliyah! Hope you are growing well in Mummy's stretching tummy! She is currently at 1.3 kg and is still growing. Sleeping is becoming very uncomfortable at night, especially when I want to turn from my right side to my left side. Imagine taping a sack of 1kg rice on your stomach, lie down on one side, and then carry the rice, using your tummy muscle strength to switch to the other side. It takes a whole 5 seconds at least. I have been having really crappy weird dreams too! Haha! Maybe it is the uncomfortable sleeping position or maybe it is just one of the symptoms that baby is also dreaming. There was also a night when I woke up with a sudden cramp on my calf. I can't straighten my leg at all! I had to wake Hubby up to help me massage the muscle cramp away. Luckily Hubby is understanding. =)

I have begun to waddle like a marshmallow man (as per Hubby's words, haha!).But so far, ALL train and bus commuters have been very very kind to me, giving up their seats. I am blessed. Maybe it's the silly MRT jingle that helps to remind them... "give up give up give up your seat!" Haha!

Work has been a little bit more challenging. What with PTC coming up again in a month's time! And those 15 little 3-yr old "angels" of mine leaving a trail of chaos everywhere they go. Phew! I am indeed VERY VERY TIRED. My job totally drains out my energy physically and mentally. One parent said I am a Superwoman and wondered how I managed. I am grateful for understanding parents to my class children. I do sometimes feel like I am going to miss my class when I go on maternity leave. They have taught me many qualities that I do not even know i possess; endurance, confidence, flexibility and patience, patience patience. Everyday is a learning experience and I hope to instill my teaching experience in bringing up Baby Aaliyah. =)

 

My Baby Aaliyah 

My mom has just undergone an operation (total hysterectomy) to remove her uterus/womb/cervix. What was supposed to be a day surgery turned out to be 9 days in the hospital because she has been vomiting and was not able to eat solid food. I have been visiting her almost everyday after work to check on her well-being and now she is recuperating at my aunt's place. I am very lucky to have very kind and understanding relatives around me. There are 3 strong women in that house (my mom, cousin and aunt) and I look up to them a lot as they have gone through so much. Little Afiqah is super adorable too and I love to play with her and 'train' myself to be a Mummy. =) 

Oh have I told you that I LOST my iPhone... as in i mistakenly left it in the ladies at ION! I was horrendously terrified and cried like mad! Sigh.... i know one of the pregnancy symptoms is forgetfulness and not to mention clumsiness. But oh what a fateful day! And on that day, Hubby's true colours shine. He helped me so much and I love you, Hubby. 

Song of the moment - Just the way you are by Bruno Mars

Imagine your guy singing this to you every single day, wouldn't you melt?
A guy who tells you everyday you are beautiful no matter how you look like, make-up on or not.
A guy who tells you everyday you don't need to be concious of your weight because he will still love you and not tease you fat.
A guy who tells you everyday to stay the same and not change a thing about yourself because you are perfect just the way you are.....

The thing is: Is there such a guy?
Reality Check: Yes, IF you look like Nathalie Kelley from the video!



Oh her eyes, her eyes;
Make the stars look like they're not shining.
Her hair, her hair;
Falls perfectly without her trying.

She's so beautiful;
And I tell her every day.

Yeah; I know, I know,
When I compliment her
She won't believe me.
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think she don't see what I see.

But every time she asks me "do I look okay?",
I say:

When I see your face,
There's not a thing that I would change.
Cause you're amazing,
Just the way you are.
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while.
'Cause girl you're amazing,
Just the way you are.

Her lips, her lips;
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me.
Her laugh, her laugh;
She hates but I think it's so sexy.
She's so beautiful,
And I tell her every day.

Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change.
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same.

So, don't even bother asking
If you look okay;
You know I say:

When I see your face,
There's not a thing that I would change.
'Cause you're amazing,
Just the way you are.
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while.
Cause girl you're amazing,
Just the way you are.

The way you are.
The way you are.
Girl you're amazing,
Just the way you are.

When I see your face,
There's not a thing that I would change.
'Cause you're amazing,
Just the way you are.
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while.
'Cause girl you're amazing,
Just the way you are.

Tracking my pregnancy

I have gone through a tremendous journey. When I first got to know that I am pregnant to the current 6 months process, the feeling is just indescribable. There were times when I felt worried, and there were times when I felt hyper-excited! There was even one time when I felt really really low and started to hate my body thinking that I depend so much on others that they will hate me for it. Well, that's the stark truth of having a huge physical change in one's body. But that feeling has worn off in just one day and I was back to myself again. When I felt the baby kick my tummy and responding to my touches, I was so awed! Whenever the baby kicked, I smiled to myself and people might be thinking I was crazy.

Hari Raya visiting was even more exciting. Relatives etc touched and rubbed my tummy like it was a crystal ball or something, trying to get some baby dust!! Haha! That's hilarious! But hey, I didn't say it may not work. *winks* So let the pictures below do the talking and this post is mainly as a record for me too. =)

A miracle is waiting to happen.... The miracle of a baby being born.... soon.

my secondary school franss

Baby Aaliyah is moving non-stop today. Ever since I woke up in the morning till now! I keep singing to her, talking to her, eating for her, and the more she gets excited and keep on dancing inside my tummy. I am now wondering why is she so restless? I can feel round ligament pain too at my lower bottom tummy. I guess my uterus is expanding to fit Baby Aaliyah!

Oh yea! Teacher's Day has come and gone and I LOVE the day where I get to be spoilt with presents and lovely gifts from the adorable children in my class. It was a no-lesson day and the teachers were treated to surprise celebration by the parents. There were dress-up contests and funny videos of us in action. Haha! Also a dedication video from the children! I love it when my kids say "I Love Teacher Sha!" Melt melt! The parents were very generous with their gifts too with chocolates, flowers, lotions, frames, cards and whatnots. I wish everyday was Teacher's Day! Hahaha! Ok, now, have to think about Children's Day and what to get all 15 of THEM!

Recently, I met up with my secondary school friends for iftar at Aisyah's house and a few days later, Aisyah gave birth... Congrats to Aisyah and Murad on their second baby girl. It's great to have friends who have experienced motherhood and labourhood. hahaha. Great tips and advice!

Do click on the Nuffnang Silkair advert to your right to support this blog! Thanks!
p/s: I am still very very kaku carrying a one-day old baby!! So fragile! Aaaarrgghh!! Motherly instinct! Come to me quick!

Mummy and Daddy Loves You, Baby Aaliyah.

Darling Hubby has been surprising me (or rather, Baby Aaliyah) with shoes and sneakers every other week when he comes home from work. He's like Doraemon, coming back from work, come into the room and exclaimed, "Hon, see what I buy!" Then Taaadaaaa!!! A shoebox appeared from his bag. My reaction will be ... "Again?" wide-eyed! Then I go all awed when i saw what Hubby bought. He is an avid shoe collector himself and I guess he just cannot resist looking at shoes for Baby Aaliyah too! =) Scouting the whole of Singapore just for Nike baby shoes (which stocks do not come in anymore, so all the shoes were purchased at full price). So far, Baby Aaliyah owns 7 pairs of Nike shoes even before she is born. All because of her Daddy. =) 

As for the clothes department, Hubby left that territory to me. I was overwhelmed when i stepped into Baby Gap or Cotton On Kids.. Oh my gosh, I became all ooey goooey looking at how small those cute little things are! Then i went crazy and splurged. As first time parents, we do not know what to expect, so we felt the sugar rush buying stuffs for our dear little baby. Then there's online shopping too which I have yet to explore. Gah! The other bare necessities were bought at the Taka baby fair which I think was a good deal for a steal as the discounted items were worth it. We have yet to buy baby's stroller and cot, as truth be told, we really do not know what brand or make is good!? I only know some brand names like maxi-cosi, quinny, Maclaren, but we don't know which is good and worth it. We need help from the experts!! Anyone? Do leave your comments under this entry. =)

Latest sonogram of Aaliyah showing her face.

Another interesting sonogram of Baby Aaliyah when she was so shy and scared to show her face. She covered her face with her hand. This is the position when Hubby sometimes sleep too.

 

And that's why we call her.........

Baby Bump Time!!

Rant: I want to do something to my hair! It's getting waaay out of control. I dyed and highlighted it when I didn't know I was pregnant and coming to 6 months later, I cannot dye or highlight it again. =( So the black roots are awfully showing. I can't rebond or curl it too as the chemicals may be harmful for baby. I guess I have to wait until Aaliyah is born to do somthing to it. Nvm, It will be so worth the wait. Baby is sooo much more important. I can rock other looks during Hari Raya. =)

It's a GIRL!

Hubby and me have been discussing names over the past few days, even though we do not know the gender of the baby yet. It's really interesting to go the websites and find out its meaning. He is really interested in Mohamed Ali if it is a boy. A few of our relatives thought we were crazy to give that name as it sounds quite ol'skool or 'kampong' as some may have heard. Hahaha! They influenced me too and I tried to change hubby's mind but it was futile. haha! If it is a girl, he would've given the name Aaliyah Dana Haughton... ok ok kidding. Just Aaliyah. A name that he absolutely loves and adores soooo much. I love it tooo! Even when we were in the BGR stage, that name has already popped up when we talked about our future. =) So choosing that name was a breeze for us. 

We do not have any preference to any gender, just as long as our baby is healthy and 'cukup sifat'. Though my father really really wants and prays for a boy (he was really disappointed that I came out a girl... yes.. that long), I keep telling myself that it is up to God's will and me and hubby will be very happy with either a boy or a girl. Even the 7 pairs of NIKE baby n toddler shoes that Hubby has bought/collected are in unisex colours. =) Baby is gonna collect Nike sneakers just like Daddy. Haha!

So I went for my check-up yesterday and casually asked Doc if it's a boy or a girl. Doc gave that aaaaahhh face and scanned around in my tummy which contained a very very active baby. He pointed to its bum-bum and we can clearly see its 2 legs! In between the bum-bum, Doc pointed to something and said," You see, this one, here, got three lines with the flesh in between."

Then I said," ohhh yarr! That one the bird-bird ah?!"
3 lines got flesh mah.... so i tot that one the cuckoo bird la. Hubby was calm and collected as he waited for Doc to finish up his sentence.
"No la.. it's 60-70% chance girl. You see the 3 lines.... Ahhh.. If boy will have 2 balls and a thing in between it ahhh. you know ah," Doc said.
"Hahahhaha!! So it's a girl!" I screamed.

Me and hubby came out of the room smiling so widely. We are happy that we finally got to know the gender!!

Shezai & Jojo Joget Jr Goes SingFest 2010 @ FortCaning Park

Complimentary Pass Thanks To Wife ':D

The Stage

Shezai & JoJo Joget JR

Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco Teasing The Crowd

Old Skool Funk, Kool & The Gang

Mister West is in the Building! (Kanye West)

Kanye Touchin The Sky, Sky High..

SingFest 2010 was actually totally out of the story until the Wife entered some 'SMS Lucky Draw' & the next thing I know, she won a pair! At first she wanted to sell her ticket (cos of pregnancy) & therefore I have to sell hers but then I persuaded her to go in which eventually she said yessah!

The original plan was just to go & slack around at the back with the crowd as a fear factor. As the beats thumpin' was getting 'bassy', we went to sit around nearer to the stage, this time laying 'The New Paper' on the grass. Once Diane Birch finished her final number, the host went up the stage & was going to introduce Lupe Fiasco as the next act. By then the crowd has started standing, packing up the mats & papers on the ground. We then decided to move in with the crowd. I've to admit that I was quite a lil worried for the Wife. Soon after Lupe Fiasco was Kool & The Gang. By the time Kanye West perform, we're already quite in the front rows & before I knew it, the wife was already dancing!

Lupe Fiasco, likewise Kool & The Gang performed for an hr,. Kanye West? 1150 - 0120. Even if I paid for this event, I think definitely it's money well spent.

Oh yea, for those rumours blaming Kanye or Lupe or Diane or K & G for their delay (soundcheck), I say, 'Blame The Organisers & not the world-class professional Artistes, they are just repaying every cent that you guys paying for the entry & they performed even beyond their time slots. Now do you hear anyone complain about the whole event that ended way past the 1200 time-slot?'

Enjoy the videos below!

Out on our usual HOT DATE!

It has been a very very long time since we went out on a real hot date due to clash of work schedules. So I was damn excited when I could spend time with Hun today. We first intended to head to Geylang to buy our Raya outfits, but then, eventually decided against it. So our legs brought us to Orchard. Wanted to catch a movie, but we have watched most of em good ones at Cathay. It was such a relaxing date, with no timeline to adhere to. We just let our feet do the walking. Just like old times. Talking and joking all the way. Just like old times too. We then headed to Metr-o Paragon and bought things for our room. It felt different. Like as if we have suddenly grown up. *Knock ourselves in the head, we ARE grown up* But instead of buying shoes and clothes for ourselves, we bought bedsheets, towels and bathrugs!! Together! Hahahaha! Forgive me, i find it tingly and hilarious. Like finally, we are like a married couple, whose wife is knocked up, going grocery, towel and bedsheet shopping. Surreal as it felt, the taste of reality is there. Sweet sweet reality of...... SheZai becoming parents.

We headed to the Mothercare department in Metro and I went all gushy at the cutesie baby stuffs. Hun (being Hun) suddenly said," EH! So cute!!!" And so I was wondering what is it that my husband is SO fascinated about. I was so interested to find out what does HE think is cute....... Could it be a cute romper? Or a cute hat? Or a cute toy? Well, guess what... He went straight for the cute little small HANGERS. Hahahahaha!! Then we imagined having those cute little baby hangers in the baby cupboard with white pure rompers ALL hanging on them. Like a factory assembly line.. hehahhaa! ok ok. I am crapping here. I have never felt so so good at this stage... like as if i emit a soft glow around me. I can already feel Lil SheZai Jr kicking and moving inside me, responding to my voice, touch and sounds. It felt really great but surreal though! Baby's Daddy is also being the nicest bestest hubby to me, opening doors for me, massaging me, pampering me, taking real good care of me. I LOVE YOU, HON!

yes i photoshopped the left side coz it was very unsightly with neighbours' laundry hanging out to dry.

Week 20/36
4 more months to go! Getting really excited.

Me and Hubby are really into DAVID SIDES now. His piano works are so marvellous!! He inspired us to bring down our dusty synthesizer which has been kept on top of the cupboard for more than a year now. Stay tuned for our tryouts.. hahaha! Yea right. Here is a YouTube video of DAVID SIDES with one of his superb piano-playing. I would kill to play like him one day... AND HE PLAYED BY EAR starting at the age of 10!! Lil Junior is lovin' him too... I am letting Lil Junior listen to ALL his piano songs now. hehehe! Piano Maestro in the works!

Me and Lil Junior

Well I realised that I have not uploaded any photos of myself nor my baby bump ever since i got pregnant. Maybe I have not gotten used to the feeling yet. Oh c'mon! It's midway through my pregnancy already!! 5 months and counting! So fast right! As this is my first pregnancy, I do get a little bit nervous when people stare at my tummy, especially when I am walking (more like waddling) around the polytechnic (my workplace) or standing on the train/bus. The difference is that now, I get a seat on the train!! Thanks to the considerate commuters who gave up their seat to me in the split of a second. Mostly gentlemen, though. Nyonyas can't be bothered. Most school/poly children can go and screw their snobbish faces. A few working-class aunties are really nice too. Sitting down feels good....

My nausea and vomiting is gone. It's really true what people say. First trimester morning sickness will come and go in a flash. I won't miss it though. It really don't feel good with bile stuck in your stomach and throat every morning, noon and night. I currently have superbad backaches and the bump is still small! Can't imagine if it's at 8 months and I still need to bend down/squat down and talk to my tiny little children in class. Apart from work which is taking a toll on me, I feel darn good being preggers!!! Hubby is always entertaining me and the baby with his hilarious wit and jokes. I love him more everyday. Hope we will get through this phase in life strongly together. The pics below do not show my tummy so vastly prominent (yet). Well, I have no idea what to expect in the next few months. Do pray for our wellbeing. Thank you.

Me at 16 weeks and me at 18 weeks.

Price of Resale houses at all time high.

Have you read the papers yesterday? Flats in Queenstown are selling at close to $700K with COV about $25-30K! Crazy or what!? Sooner or later if the property market keeps on climbing, in 3 years time, it will reach $1000K for a 5-room flat there. Other hot location includes Bishan and Marine Parade. Where to get so much money to buy a house for first time buyer? Then those who want to sell their house to gain profit will eventually part with their money anyway if then want to upgrade or downgrade. Haiz.... Singapore, singapore. Freaking stressed to be living in this country.

According to Mom who heard from some other sources, " Ever since the RWS and MBS (casinos) opened, Singapore has been cursed with so many disasters. Floods, trees falling, people dying, Wallahualam."

Our Future Home

Well i guess I am ready to blog about SheZai's new abode. It is no longer a surprise nor a secret as most have already known. Searching for a house to call home in Singapore is ridiculously tough, I am sure some can attest to that. If you are looking at location wise and it does not matter to you, then Sengkang and Punggol will be your best bet and you will definitely score a place a few years ago (not compared to now though). However, Hubby and I are worried about location. My family lives in the East. His family lives in the West. He works in town. We have been eyeing resale flats around the West area but the price is Oh My God atrocious! No wonder we didn't even got down to call up agents or do any research in the Classifieds. We figured it's just not worth it! And so we waited. Even before marriage, Hubby has tried to apply for a BTO but our queue number is well beyond negligence by HDB. So don't bother to even print that letter to us.

The 4th time, we tried for a BTO project at JWest since it's near to MIL's place in Clementi. Again the queue number was way beyond infinity (ok just exagarating). So we got rejected for that too. So again, we waited. Close to 4 years in looking for that perfect home, HDB came up with Dawson @ Queenstown. Target acquired. December 2009, we applied for it, crossing our fingers praying, hoping and wishing, as it is the best target. Keyword: SUPERB LOCATION. Convenience is also key. A few MRT stops away from MIL and Hon can cycle to work at Orchard just a few distance away. The next few months were gruelling... it even made me write to HDB to enquire. All they said was to wait... and so WAITED we did. Again.

Then the package arrived for us to pick our flat! We were ecstatic! It was luck indeed that we got rejected at Jwest the first time. And it landed us this sweet sweet property. The day arrived when we are supposed to pick our flat and believe it or not, we did not even do any research on which corner, balcony or not, pricing etc. We just left it to fate. So when the time came, we seriously randomly picked one after a mutual agreement between husband and wife. =) We didn't even argue much. We knew that flat was the perfect one, with much considerations being done.

There are 3 blocks 86, 87 and 88. It is not a wonder that block 88 is fully chosen, what more with the link to the carpark and the sky garden view above the carpark. Since we didn't own a vehicle (nor intend to yet) we don't see it as important to choose a flat with the link to the carpark. So we chose one which faces the carpark sky garden just aptly to have a nice view. Ours is on the 10th floor (out of the 46 floors). We do not see the need nor the practicality of buying a flat with a loft since that flat is reserved for those living with their parents. It's a joint flat, so yea.. not practical. If our parents wanna drop by, we have a guest room specially for them. We are appreciative just by the simple fact that we have secured a future home for our growing little SheZai family. =)

Our future 4-room flat. We chose the one with 3 bedrooms (considering future plans). 3 years is gonna come and go in a flash. Before you know it, I am gonna blog about moving in to SkyVille @ Dawson Road. =)  (That is after I blog about SheZai Junior at least. hehe!)

Do click on our Nuffnang Ads. Thanks!

One of the funniest Mr Brown Productions ever!! Haha! Kudos!

This is freaking hilarious! Courtesy of Mr Brown. He has the baddest most entertaining brain ever. I like. =) He sings of the recent Singapore flood which hits island-wide and how people got in such sticky situations. The images are really good too! Oh How they blame everybody else. Well, what's new with the blame game ey? Pointing fingers is Singaporeans' most favourite past-time.

Singapore should lighten up, dun be so serious! Have a laugh at yourselves!