Brotherly love

So how did Joshua react to Bryant?

I'll let these two photos do the talking =)

Joshie loves his little brother, or more affectionately known as "didi" (little brother in Mandarin). He'd always shower Bryant with hugs and kisses. I had a hard time telling him not to kiss his brother when he was down with fever and flu. 

Of course he had his moments of insecurity. And there was also a lot of whining when mummy can't do certain things for him anymore. I've had to deal with him screaming in the bathroom just because he doesn't want our helper to bathe him. But overall he's coping well. The hubs and I are very proud of him. It's so heartwarming that he loves his brother dearly. 

The birth of Bryant

Our first son, Joshua came at 39 weeks. Therefore for my second pregnancy, doctor advised that the baby could be one week early as well. So in full anticipation, I looked out for signs of labour as soon as I passed 38 weeks. Waited, waited and waited but there was nothing. During my 39th week check-up, doctor did an internal check and pronounced that I was only 1cm dilated. Disappointed I was, and she then asked if I want to be induced by 40 weeks or go overdue. Since the hubby had to fly to Hong Kong for business a week after I hit 40 weeks, we agreed to induce if baby still doesn't want to come out.

The day before I was supposed to be admitted, I felt downward pressure off and on but it did not progress to anything. It just went off and on with no regular interval. I was calm since my MIL was already at our place to care for Joshua and the hospital was a mere 10 minutes away. So we waited till 11pm and went to TMC to be admitted for induction. The nurse inserted a tablet slightly past midnight to dilate my cervix further.

I could hardly sleep as the tablet seemed to have created a stingy feeling down under. The downward pressure that I had been feeling all day seemed to get more intense too. After 5am, this was accompanied by pain and therefore, I called the nurse to tell her that I think it's time. Into the labour ward I went at 6am. I was 4cm dilated. Bravely, I told the nurses that I did not want an epidural, just like my first labour.

The pain was still bearable until doctor came and burst my water bag at around 7:30am. I was 5-6cm dilated then. The pain got worse and I distracted myself with my iPhone. Even managed to call home and talk to my Joshie. Around 8am, the hubs told me he was hungry and was going down to Delifrance to get himself some breakfast. "Breakfast???? You are hungry and I am not? And you just had a cup of Milo not too long ago!!" But my dearest hubby just ignored me and went off, telling me that he would make it real quick.

Not too long after, the pain was really really bad and I felt as though baby was coming out even though I was not pushing. Pushed the button and the nurses came running in. Told them that I think baby was coming out and she did an internal check, telling me it's only 7cm. "What? Only 7cm. Gosh, I do regret not taking epidural now." I was given the gas and taught how to use it. By then the hubby had come out and he started taking pics!!! I glared at him and scolded him. After that, everything seemed to be in a frenzy. The pain was so so so intense. All I could remember was hubby's face right over mine telling me to calm down and the nurses saying "don't push, you will tear". And then finally the doctor told me to give a good push. After 2-3 pushes, my little B came out, at 8:40am =)

At 3.23kg, he is lighter than his brother who was 3.37kg at birth. I really thank God for the smooth and fast delivery =) Much better than my first labour =)

Our 2nd baby

Baby Bryant born on 9 January 2012 at 8:40am.

Weight: 3.23kg

Length: 50cm

Head circumference: 33cm

Koko with Bryant

Staycation at Sentosa

Last month, to celebrate me turning 29, the hubs decided to bring us for a 3D2N staycation at Sentosa. Checked out a few hotels and finally booked a one bedroom villa at Amara.

Joshie as usual was besotted with the cake and sang a birthday song to me. After that, we used our forks and dug into the birthday cake just like that. Hehe, no need to cut since it's just amongst the three of us.

The bedroom and the living room are separated by a mini pool. That night, my little cheeky slept in a portable playpen provided by the hotel. No complains at all from him even though he can't fully stretch his long body.

The next day, we explored Sentosa, LOL. Walked up to Imbiah Lookout. Visited the insect and butterfly farm. Saw lots of Halloween decorations since Halloween was just a week away. That day, Josh learnt a new word - skeleton :) Hubby then decided to go on the Luge with Josh. Here is a picture of both of them with their helmets.

The best picture I could take of them going downhill. It wasn't very fast and the little cheeky enjoyed it.

In the evening, we relaxed in our mini pool before dinner.

Good time spent together as a family. However, we were disappointed with the hotel. The service and facilities were not what we would expect, from the price we paid. The main swimming pool was unimpressive, lousy spread of buffet breakfast, poor housekeeping and lots of mosquitoes swarming around!!! We will not go back there again.

Short holiday at Rasa Sayang Penang

The hubs has been wanting to stay at the newly refurbished Rasa Sayang hotel in Penang but we have always ended up at some other hotel, mainly because of the price. However, last September, I bravely went ahead and booked a room in the Rasa Wing (more expensive than the Garden wing). I told myself that we've not had a holiday this year so it's ok to spend a bit more =) hahahaha.........

There are additional perks for Rasa Wing guests; namely that we have our own lobby, fast check-in and out, all-day drinks (coffee, tea and soft drinks) and titbits at the lounge, high tea and pre-dinner drinks. Oh, and we have our own Rasa pool too, but children are not allowed.

Here's Joshie and daddy at the Garden wing pool. Cooling and shady. Mummy was lounging on the chair =)

A picture just before sunset. Joshie took this for us, with some guidance from daddy.

Our walk amongst the lush greenery.

Joshie and daddy sliding down the mega slide at the kids adventure zone. The adventure zone is situated at their sister hotel, Golden Sands which is just a mere 5-10 minute walk away.

Week 30

Preggo mummy with little Joshie at the waterfalls just before Halia Restaurant @ Botanical Gardens.

So far, weight gain is around 7-7.5kg. I hope not to exceed 12 kg by full term, which was how much I gained with Joshie. Feeling occasional aches in my lower back and bum bum thanks to the extra weight. Prenatal massage really helps a lot and I try to go once a week.

Baby #2 has been actively moving, especially when I lie down to sleep around 11ish every night. Hope he doesn't keep me up at that hour after he is born. =P

Child talk

We were having dinner at Bakerzin. I was still eating while Joshie had just finished his pasta. He turned towards me and said "mummy, I am waiting for you to hurry up."

After that, we headed to the car park and I was quite deep in thought. I knew he was asking me something but my mind was still not concentrating. He then said very loudly, "mummy, you are not clever like my papa."