day 407 | September 20, 2010 | Red joins the fray

It started at 12 midnight. This time around, I knew what to expect. When my every 30 minute contractions started getting closer together, I took a bath, informed H that today might be the day, walked around, and distracted myself with some work, patiently waiting and tracking for the gap between contractions to narrow down into 7-8 minute intervals.

A novel experience -- my water bag broke as I was washing my hands in the kitchen. At that point of time, 3 in the morning, I knew it was time to pick up my emegency bag, and get driven to the hospital. Must get admitted, before the pain transitions from moderate to debilitating. As I was in labor for my second baby, I was once again reminded that the keenest of pleasure is the cessation of pain. Particularly proud that I didn't beg for an epidural. Held on to the resolve not to use it this time around. 

7:49am on the 20th of September, the wait is finally over. Red has joined us, coming out of my womb with an irritated scream, clear bright eyes, and a patented scowl that looked adorably grown-up on her. Like Roo, she was light and small at 2.63kgs and topped with tons of hair. Roo could hardly contain herself from petting and patting her little sister. This is her birthday gift delivered, straight from her momma's babymaker. Grin.

One 10-month adventure is over...another big adventure begins!

day 403 | september 6, 2010 | bookworm neverland

one thing i'm enjoying about pregnancy, especially the last couple of months, has been the "expectation" to slow down. my hubby will refute my claim that i have slowed down, but i do think that emotionally, in terms of what i expect to get done in a day, i have paced it down by a bit. i'm hanging out with roo at the pool a bit more, and i'm indulging my fiction addiction both in books and in online fanfics. will likely have very little time to read after red arrives, so sending off my brain to la-la land while i can. =)

decided to represent our family's love for books and reading (which we hope to share with little red) in this post. above is how roo usually hugs her little sister. she's quite enthusiastic about a new little one joining our family. i just hope that the sentiment is sustained once the reality of a newborn baby is upon us. 

day 400 | september 3, 2010 | On the Food Trail

I've never eaten so much in my life. Averaging about a kilo of fruits a day, excluding main meals, and popcorn, and steamed peanuts, and random biscuits, and peanut butter and chocolate sandwiches, I can't help but feel oinky. Waking up with floating images of random fruits and veggies and treats I'd like to eat for the day. Thankfully, little Red seems to take on all the nutrients, and the food is translating into energy instead of weight. 


I've been craving Pecking Duck and Marang. Unfortunately, both remain unsatisfied. Haven't found a good duck place in KL, and might have to fly to Borneo just to get a whiff of Marang. Two very naughty indulgences are Coke (which features greatly in my daydreams) and Skittles littles sours. I promised myself i would allow both treats during labor, to help ease the pain. Otherwise, holding on to very little self-control from taking both sugary treats. Gobble gobble gobble.

day 398 | September 1, 2010 | of birth days and birthing days

It's the first day of September, and it's with a mix of trepidation and excitement that I turn another year, and await the arrival of little Red. This is my second pregnant birthday, and it seems natural that my own celebration is overshadowed by excitement for Roo's birthday as well as Red's coming out. Such is the case when you and your little ones share the same birth month. =)

Growing older is such a strange thing. I still expect lightning bolts of life-changing realizations every year, and catalogue what I’ve managed to do versus what I dreamt of doing at this point in time. It’s a humbling process – realizing that there is no quick wisdom, that plans are always fluid, and that life throws you a lot of sneaky surprises because that’s just the way it goes. 

There are simple truths though -- truths that are often forgotten or underappreciated. My personal truths revolve around my commitment to family, and thankfulness for the littlest things, and good friends that span across distances, and constantly dreaming and striving to get to those dreams, despite the many heartaches. These are things that put a rosy tinge on my visor and bounce to my step as I go through life, one day at a time.