What was Mummy Busy with?

Didn't I have a maid? So what was I busy with? Apart from about two hours a day on rebuilding teaching resources, I spend most of my time with my two little princes, with occasional 'commercial breaks' with facebook. :)

First time capturing Gervin with a hearty smile that my hands shook!

Here's another smile!

Gervin doing his para-para dance.

Gerry likes this head band a lot.

Monster in action!

Gervin's 100th day

Not exactly 100th day yet, but yesterday, we brought him for a haircut, so as to make into a brush...

Curious little one...

My mum says he looks like me. I feel so too. :)

Cheeky fellow...

Another teacher is leaving...

Gerlyn's Chinese teacher is leaving. Today's her last day at the Centre.

We really feel grateful to her for all the effort and care that she put into nurturing the children in her class. It is not easy. Teaching is the easiest in the entire job scope. What about bathing, patting them to sleep, feeding, cleaning up during the toilet training period?

Realised that Gerlyn did nothave a photoshoot during Xmas with her. And that's because she was busy entertaining those children whose parents weren't at the gathering. Busy getting them food and drinks. Helping them get presents from Santa. Making sure that the presents were in the bag... How nice a teacher!

有缘能相聚。小猪妹，可能上辈子建了桥，才能在这辈子遇到您。贾老师，祝福您！

She has grown.

Gerlyn seems to know that taking photo means the teacher is leaving. She was less bubbly than before...

Spending time with children vs updating blog

Yesterday, a friend commented that I did not update the blog for a long time. I think I blogged the most last year because I spent a lot of time on work. This yr, I spend a lot of time with them, and that I am so tired by the end of the day...

I think I may form the strongest bond with Gervin. He's the one who gets me having the longest leave.

My mum says he looks like me. I feel so too.

Tamed.

Sister and brother

Gerlyn has picked up Gerrard's hobby - play com games. It makes her sit down for longer period of time. But problem being that she sits very close to the com and there is no one supervising her. I can't wait for Sun to come, when my confinement is over. I guess I will have to do the screaming again.

Mental Strength

Pregnant with Gervin made me stonger in mental strength.

Firstly, the pregnancy came as a surprise. I had IUCD inserted, and hence when I discovered I was pregnant after using the test kit, I was very worried that it may be an ectopic pregnancy and may had to abort it. Luckily the ultrasound scan verified that he was ok.

Ultrasound pic of Gervin when he was part of a sac.

Then came the cross-road in my career. I was to meet the VP to prepare for my interview for Level Head on Fri. I verified my pregnancy on Thurs night. Without much consideration, I knew where I should be heading. So, I talked to Mrs Soh on Fri morning, before I spoke to the VP, then the P.

The Maid. Sounds like horror story? It was for me. The first maid was clever. Too clever. There was a short period of time that sometimes I would pause and looked into space at my workplace, wondering what the maid was doing with Gerry at home. When we had a change in maid, it was slightly better, just that the concerns were different - wondering whether Gerry was hurt due to her carelessness or clumsiness.

The older children also required care. Worst episode was the chickenpox. While caring for the older ones, I was constantly mindful of the danger for the unborn one. That was tough, physically and mentally. Then it was handling Gerrard's problem. Bringing him for assessment, accepting it and then went with Liat for his first occupational therapy.

For this pregnancy, I had craving for food in the middle of the night, and that cookies and titbits could not fulfil my eating desire. First time in 4 pregnancies that I asked Liat to buy supper for me. Turned out to be a flat 'I am tired'. So, I ordered and ate Mac many times. Yah, unhealthy food, but what can you get after 11 pm without having to drive out of the house? So I always jokingly tell people that Gervin is a MacBaby.

SVT episodes were different this time. They were intense in the last trimester. There were 2 occasions that the doctors could not convert after the 3 injections of adenosine. Doctors then recommended me a Class C drug - able to cross the placenta and cause baby's blood pressure to drop. I requested for a cardiologist, hoping that the expert can offer me solutions rather than me choose the options. Shifting of responsibility? Maybe. Luckily, the cardiologist on duty was my doctor. He gave me a 4th injection with higher dosage and it worked! I was choked with emotions and tears welled up in my eyes. Is it fear? Or thankfulness? I do not know. I didn't end there. I was given a 14-day MC (longest MC ever taken). There was even a time I had to stay in the hospital.

After all the mental tests, what's next? I know I must take good care of myself. Only then, the children can then be well taken care of.

Our biggest Xmas present!

I was hoping we can wait till 2011 to deliver Gerry.

On Xmas Day, I had a 'show' and we had to rush down to the hospital. That was the 3rd time in a week that we had to go to the hospital. Previous 2 times, I felt unwell. Each time, we were turned back home as the doctors said the baby was not ready. I was seen by different doctors as my gynae was on annual leave.

With the 'show', we knew it must be it. On our way to KKH, I was experiencing contractions every 6 minutes. Reached the hospital at about 11.30am. By the time that my gynae arrived, it was about 1pm. After the waterbag was burst, things happened too quickly.

With a 'major' contraction, I informed the nurse. After checking the cervix, she said 'not ready'. The moment the 2nd wave came, I told Liat this is it. Indeed, it was a 'wave of no return'. Gervin just slipped out. The gynae was in the room just in time to cut the cord! So Prince Gervin arrived at 1.36pm on Xmas Day.

Being less than 37 weeks, Gervin is a bit prematured. Luckily that he need not be in the incubator. Immunity is a bit low though. He developed eye infection, most probably from visiting relatives. Also had jaundice. Hence, we are rejecting all visits.

He can drink quite a lot though. Hope that helps in catching up with the growth that he would have if he stayed longer in the womb.

New punk on the block

Infection in his right eye. Jaundice too.

Sleeping soundly at home

Seeing his daddy...

Moments after birth

3D image, showing head, chest and clenched fist