A weekend to Malacca

The only reason why we decided to go to Malacca for a weekend trip is to make up for the times that Adam wasn't around on the long weekends a few weeks before because he was away with Isaac to US. This trip also marks Eleanor's first road trip with us and she just turned 4 months as well. We decided to make this a laid-back trip and wanted to depart close to noon, with Malacca only about 2 hours away from where we were. However packing for 2 kids is quite a challenge. I felt like bringing the whole house but the most important things were pampers and milk. Others, we could buy or live without. 

However, when we were on our way, I realised that we have forgotten the baby carrier! I can't imagine carrying Eleanor around without one. Yes, she can be in the stroller but it is also much easier to control Isaac by strapping him into the stroller as well. Out of desperation, I blast out a plea for help in a baby wearing group and to make it short, a sweet momma from Malacca agreed to loan us her carrier without any fee. 

We made our way to our bed and breakfast place after picking up the carrier. We've always picked to stay in Wayfarer whenever we were in Malacca. I adore the location and love the balcony where I could just watch the sunset with the boats going to and fro the river. 

Our room in Wayfarer

My boys at my fav balcony. Love the view

Sleeping soundly in her baby seat

After checking in, we had lunch at Malaccafe. The cakes were to die for as they are from Gula Cakery but the beef lasagne was too oily for my liking. We strolled along the river with Isaac requesting to go on a boat ride every 5 minutes. 

Chocolate Pavlova and Double Chocolate Nutella. Both were so good!

Beef Lasagne

Because the lighting was so ONZ 

I love my two kids 

Cool watermelon. Look how drenched Isaac is

We eventually went on a boat ride and Isaac was grinning ear to ear. We even bought those cliche souvenirs for keeps of our boat ride. We ended the day with dinner at Jonker Walk with Eleanor in her carrier and Isaac in the stroller. Im glad a fellow momma helped me out in times of desperation. I couldn't possibly enjoy Jonker Walk without a baby carrier. Eleanor slept throughout our dinner thanks to the baby carrier.

Happy boy 

Happily sipping my coconut shake 

The next morning we started our day early hunting for breakfast. Yes, another walking session with the kids along Jonker. Came across Kaya-Kaya Cafe. I had the salted egg mushroom with toasted bread with their speciality coffee. It was so yum I decided to bring home some and made pasta to go with it the next day!

The lovely courtyard at Wayfarer

Adam holding a banana 

Very yum. But I'm a sucker for anything that is related to salted egg 

Came across a Chetti Temple which I included in my lecture this semester 

On our way back to Wayfarer we dropped by an antique bazaar and Adam bought a couple of toys for Isaac. We packed our stuffs and head home after 12 pm. The traffic was so good to and from Malacca we reached home in no time. All in all it was a short but fulfilling trip. Eleanor was so well behaved throughout the trip. Our next trip? Cherating here we come! 

Hello VBAC! (Part 3)

As I was being wheeled to the labor room. I felt calm and was aware that a million possibilities might happen tonight. The midwives calmly enquired if I would want to walk about for a while which I said I don't think I can walk much. I have urges to push. So i laid down on the bed and was examined. I was 6 cm dilated which explains the pain that I was experiencing since 2 pm. The midwife asked me,"Were you not in pain to come in at 6 cm?." I said I was! But it was bearable. They proceeded to inform my gynae and I know my gynae lives nearby so she was in the labor room in no time. 

Tremors 

She examined me and said your baby is small and is so close to coming out. She will be out within an hour and try to push her out within an hour because if it is more than an hour it will create unnecessary stress to the baby. My gynae broke my water bag and she said we will start pushing soon. I asked the nurse what would be the right technique in breathing during labor and I started pushing when my gynae signalled me to do so. Was i in pain ? No. I was very excited. You can ask Adam. He was there throughout my labor so he can verify that not even once I told him I was in pain. Truth is the pain in giving birth is more on the second stage of contraction which I went through at my in laws place (not knowing it was contraction). Alhamdulillah Eleanor was out after 40 minutes in the labor room. When my gynae placed her on my tummy, the first thing I did was check whether she has 20 fingers (I'm sure i am not alone in this)

As soon as Eleanor was wheeled out of the labor room, Adam told me that I did a good job and we can have another baby. Aih men... 

A few minutes after Eleanor was wheeled out of the labor room 

Fresh from the oven 

Zombified mommy 

The daddy and the daughter 

Grandparents, Grant Aunty and Abang Isaac 

My Precious Eleanor Azizah Johnston 

Hello VBAC! (Part 2)

This post is a continuation from this https://sillyducklingwalks.blogspot.com/2018/06/hello-vbac-part-1.html

So yes, I had terrible cramps just when we were cleared to go home. Thinking I had UTI, I brushed it off and made a mental note to check whether I have leftovers painkiller and antibiotics from the previous case of UTI I had a few weeks before.

We came home, unpacked and I checked the medicine cabinet and we didn't have any. At this point the pain radiated towards my back and I told Adam we need to drop by any general clinic and get some medicine for my UTI. Since we had plans to break fast at my in laws we dropped by a clinic in Seksyen 7 and the doctor gave me the medicine after I explained that i have cramps and I self diagnosed myself as having UTI (which was silly of me to do so)

While Adam and Isaac had their dinner downstairs, I proceeded to rest on the bed and told my in laws I was in pain. Nobody suspected that I was currently having contractions because I was just discharged that day. I diligently diffused White Angelica and dropped a few drops on the pillow as well to help me manage my discomfort. Adam came up about 9 pm and said we should go home but I told him maybe it is wiser to just stay at my in laws since the hospital is closer. Adam agreed but he said he would want to go home and take some of his clothes from our house while I opted to stay in bed. Despite taking the medicine my pain didn't go away but it was still bearable. The funny thing is that I even called one of my friend to ask if contractions leading to labor would be more focused on the lower back or on the tummy itself (in which my friend answered it would be on the lower back). I told her I think its UTI because the pain was actually bearable.

I only started to realise the probability of me having contractions when during one of my toilet trips, I literally felt the baby head came down and my mucus plug was out. At this point, I started to feel an urge to push every 10 minutes or lesser. I felt bad for Adam because he just came back from our house and was JUST trying to sleep. I had to tell him that I think that I was having urges to push every 10 minutes now and this might be it- I am going to give birth! Adam turned to me and said are you sure we can't go in the morning? I actually hesitated but told him I think its best that we just go to the hospital.

I peed in my pants in one of my toilets episode (its okay, pregnant woman are prone to peeing in their pants anyway. this is a fact!) so I grabbed anything that I could wear which was a kain batik only to realise at the hospital that it was torn in many parts that it barely covered anything. It was a procedure in AVISENA that all cases after office hours are referred to the emergency department first before deciding that you might need to be warded. When we arrived I was referred to the emergency department but I told the registration counter I would want to be in the labor room. Of course he hesitated but once the doctor in charge came around to see me and I told him about my pushing urges he straight away said this, " wheel her to the labor room!"

.... to be continued in Part 3 (the final part, promise!)

Hello VBAC! (Part 1)

If you remember I have a previous post which I was contemplating between going for an elective caesarean or to attempt a VBAC. I decided to go for a VBAC and signed the papers to agree that I am aware of the risks that I am taking when attempting for a VBAC; which was scary by the way thinking about how I could have suffered from internal bleeding and also the risk of losing my child as well. 

So here is an entry of how Eleanor was born 

On Friday (25th June), I had slight cramps which comes and goes at the office. I continued working and even managed to do some shopping plus had dinner at Publika with Adam. However on the morning of Saturday (26th June), I told Adam that we probably need to go to the hospital as I couldn't sleep well the night before due to the cramps. So we went to the hospital thinking this might be it. Our baby will be out today! However, again the nurses detected that my blood pressure was on the high side and I am aware that if it continues to be high, there is more probability of me to be wheeled into the operation theatre for the second time. My gynae came in about noon and said that there are only two choices, to be cut open or to be induced. I was only about 1 cm dilated hence I asked my gynae can I have a 3rd choice? I would want to wait for my blood pressure to drop to normal. She agreed but with one condition; I need to be warded to be monitored. I was left with no choice but to agree and to the ward we went. 

Happily went to work on Friday not knowing that I will give birth over the weekend

Isaac and my MIL came to visit me when I was warded. Also in this photo is the same gynae who greeted him when he was born 

Throughout my stay in the hospital, I tried to stay calm and if you are familiar with essential oils, I used White Angelica for positive energy and Lavender to just keep calm to keep my blood pressure normal. What I did was to put a few drops on my pillow and try to rest and rest and rest. Everything worked well, and somehow the cramps went away. 

I didnt use Peppermint but my husband took out all of the oils I had in my bag 

They detected no contractions so I thought this must be another case of UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) which I had a couple of weeks back. After gaining clearance from my gynae, I was clear to be discharged but she said that my blood pressure is to be monitored on a daily basis. However, during the discharged process, which was about 2 pm, the terrible cramps came back! I didn't inform Adam because we were going to be discharged and I don't fancy being detained again. In my mind, I kept on thinking this must be UTI, I just need some medicine and I should be okay. 

... to be continued to part 2 

To VBAC or not to VBAC

My gynae has been asking me what is my preferred method to deliver my second child. My first thought was I wanted to try going for a normal delivery or better known as VBAC (Vaginal Birth after Cesarean) since I went through a Cesarean when I had Isaac. 

She said there are risks that I have to be aware off. Honestly, delivering a baby is a risk all mothers take regardless whether it is a normal delivery or a Cesarean. For some women, even being pregnant is risky. However, when she laid down the risks, I would not lie to myself that I had doubts about choosing VBAC. Adam? He decided it was too gory for him to think about it that I caught him playing with his phone while the Gynae was talking about the possibility of a uterine rupture. If you look at the image, yes scary! 

I also told my gynae I am open to the idea of Cesarean IF all fails. The most important thing is to get my baby out as well as me in one piece, with minimal damage. 

I will know what is my luck in delivering my second child in a couple of weeks. The waiting game has officially begun at 36 weeks plus. She is currently 2.2kg which is well above Isaac's weight at this very same week so whenever you are ready, girl. Remember, minimal pain for mommy please. 

note: I'm pretty sure that when Adam reads this post he would ask, "Are your sure you don't want to opt for an elective cesarean, bb?"

Our Babymoon in Tanjung Jara Resort_Part 1

We are finally back again after 3 years. We were here when I was about 30 plus weeks with isaac and now we are here with another at 34 weeks. Why tanjong jara again? Because we enjoyed ourselves so much the last time that we made a promise to come again when we have Isaac with us ( this little one in my tummy wasn't in the picture at that time but we love you, baby adik!).

When we arrived we were greeted by the sound of the Gong to signify there's incoming guests. We were then seated at their lobby for our check-in process.Yes no lining up at the reception to check-in. Cold towels and beverages were provided as well. While waiting Isaac was really anxious about going to the ocean. The check-in process duration wasn't too long but u need to bear in mind that a deposit of RM1000 is needed during check in. We were shocked ( it is quite an amount, yes? It's usually much lesser than that) when they asked for it the first time we were here but we were well aware of it this time. This deposit can also be deducted throughout our stay. So, the activities/food (mainly food in our case) can be charged to the room or you can opt to pay on a separate account upon checking out. 

With a grinning Isaac 

We were placed much nearer to the reception area this time which was a relief to me but with that, we are much further from the kids' pool. Granted that we are near to the adult pool but in TJR, the adult pool is only meant for adults, which was fine by us.

So here is the Serambi room and it is spacious for sure. I just love the bathroom area. Wished we had space to make this at our own home.

Main bed area 

Bath tub that Isaac claims as his 

A day bed which I use it as my sleeping bed because this momma needs space 

Went to the beach on the very same day because we promised Isaac to bring him to see the ocean and as a treat because he was amazingly well behaved throughout our journey. I've come to realise that Isaac loves road trips and can entertain himself with his toys (Thank God). He had a joyful time at the beach, playing with a set of beach toys that we bought from Happikiddo. 

I would like to thank Adam for driving us here, having the energy to play with isaac after that long drive and sponsoring this trip. We love you, daddy! So very much.

Hello America ( October 2017_part 2)

I've decided I can't possibly document everything we did on our US trip because we went for 3 weeks.Therefore I would probably focus on the highlights of our trip. 

I remember Isaac being cranky the very next day when we arrived. We went to the Tyson Corner Mall with Adam's aunt and he insisted that we carried him all day long which is unusual for isaac because he is usually comfortable being pushed in his stroller.

I was honestly dreading the whole idea of oh my god, are we going to have to endure with this the whole 3 weeks? I can't do it too often because I was merely into my 1st trimester and I felt sorry for Isaac when I see him wanting me to carry him.

First day out

With daddy

Isaac wants a Tesla 

Shadow play with Tok Moi 

I can't blame Isaac because I felt really sick the few days we were there too and thank God for my mom's Assam jawa recipe. It cured my sore throat and I was all better for our road trip to NYC and Niagara Falls. Isaac became more like himself a few days after as well. He was probably adjusting with the weather and time zone. So next entry is on our trip to NYC and Niagara Falls!

Note: Isaac had a meltdown in the next entry. So much to learn from a child, yes?