Happy Easter!

Today is a special day, it commemorates the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. So here's to the One who gave everything so that we can have something!

Have a blessed Easter everyone, from our family to yours.

And our little family is complete!

After much anticipation, Baby Eli was born on April 7th, 2009 at 9.35pm, weighing in at 5 lbs 11 3/4 oz and measuring 18 inches long.


Our sweet little boy, Mummy and Daddy loves you so very much and are so glad that you're finally here.

Our birth story started over the weekend. My mom arrived from Malaysia on midnight this past Saturday and on Sunday, we went to church together as a family and then us girls branched off to a little shopping. Nothing too interesting, it was mostly to purchase confinement type necessities as well as stocking up the pantry since I had been so swamped at work to do so. It turned out to be a 6 hour expedition.

Nevertheless, the cramping started at 2 am on Monday morning. It came to a point where it was 10 minutes apart and the doctor told us to come in. However, I was still only 1 to 2 cm dialated but the cervix was still up high. After an hour, we got sent back much to Mr J's protests.

The cramping never did stop and just got worse towards Tuesday night and by 3 am on Tuesday, the intensity of the pains had escalated but the frequency was still 10 minutes. Mr J was not going to be refused and called the doctor asking to go to the hospital. I think it was more of he was feeling helpless and not able to soothe my pains!

When we got to the hospital at 11 am, I was 3 to 4 cm dialated and 90% effaced but the cervix was still up high... hmmmm... I progressed to 6 cm within the hour and was more than ready for my epidural! Putting in the IV and epidural was traumatising for me since I have a low tolerance for pain but what a wonderful relief it was after the initial discomfort. It was pretty amazing to look at the monitor and gasp at the magnitude of some of these contractions I was having!

Things started to get tiring and baby was showing some signs of being worn out after 12 hours of this though and by 9 pm, the doctor decided a c-section was best since eventhough I was completely dialated, my pubic bone was too narrow for the baby's head to pass through. I will not lie, I was terrified since I've never had major surgery before but at that point, I would have jumped over a cliff to save my precious little bundle!

Mr J wasn't any better, I know he was terrified as well but put on a brave front and stood by me all the way. To make a long story short, the c-section was quick but yet, felt like forever as I could feel the tugging and hear the conversations but at 9.35pm, I finally got to meet this little man....


Seeing the little one for the very first time. It was a surreal experience to finally meet this perfect little thing.


Daddy's kissies.


A very exhausted Mummy with her sweet boy.


Twice the size of Daddy's palms?


I'm just half asleep Mummy!


Daddy's changing his first diaper.


With Grandma


With Grandpa

A prize!

I came home to a wonderful surprise! My prize from none other than CatCat for winning her weight-guess challenge. See if you can spot it???


The ever-efficient Hubby had put it with the baby stuff in his crib.


Yes, it's the diaper bag and a cute purple clutch! I love them both and cannot wait to put them to use. Thanks Cath!

35 Weeks and 4 days

March 16, 2009

Today was not only our routine Bio-Physical Profile scan but also our growth scan. The little bub measured 2 days ahead of his gestational age and weighed 5 lbs 9 oz, the doctor was encouraging and said that if he were born today, he'd be a-okay. Never you mind that booboo, you just stay in there and take as much time as you need to rest and grow... I think I shall be a lot more at ease once you reach that 37 week (full term) mark. That's only 5 days away!

What's also exciting today was that the little one was cooperative enough to pose for a profile and face shot and both were enough to illicit oohs and aahs from the ladies :)


Just me chilling and sucking on my fist... got to practice, practice as the Doctor says!


Just look at his chubby cheeks! Mummy can't decide if I look Asian like her or if I look like Daddy... she thinks I have her lips!

Everything seems to be ready and done now... just waiting for THE day!

Surprise Shower

March 19, 2009

Unbeknownst to your Mummy, my audit client in their trick-sy manner, threw us a surprise baby shower to celebrate your impending appearance. I think they’re looking forward to a junior auditor or simply a cutesy little thing to cuddle and love on.

Anyways, I really had no idea what was in store for me, I had a meeting with the Controller (which I thought was at 10.30am but it was actually at 10am) and got a call at 10.05 am asking if I was coming and when I made my way upstairs, I met the Controller on my way and as usual, was chatting away with her and she suggested we go see the Assistant Treasurer to discuss a few issues. Again, your blur Mummy is chattering away and then all of a sudden, there’s a loud “SURPRISE!!!!” and I think my temperature went from normal to flushed in a nano-second. Everyone in Accounting was there, the CFO included and I was stunned to say the least!


Your blur Mummy wondering what's going on???! Of course, at this time, I look like I'm about to burst out from my sweater/pants!


Finally realizing what's happening and note the flush... that's Beth, the MasterMind efficiently taking the work stuff away to start the celebration.

The Controller, Beth had put together a diaper cake complete with your nursery’s safari theme plus Daddy’s Alabama football passion. She even made little diaper cupcakes, towel candy and included the cutest little tinkle shield!!!


Beth's handwork on display.


Giggling at the little "tinkle shield"... looks like a little turtle shell.


Close up of the cutesy diaper cake and cupcakes. Note the little shoes complete with the cutest Bama themed socks! The attention to detail is amazing!

There was the yummiest white/chocolate cake with to-die-for frosting and this yummy sprite/ginger ale/orange sherbet punch with little duckies floating on it.


Trying on the cutest little outfit for size!

All in all, I was extremely touched by everyone’s thoughtfulness and kindness, I will have to bring you to meet your extended aunties and uncles. Little buddy, we're so blessed to have such kind and caring people in our lives aren't we?

Valentine's Day 2009

This is definitely a truly belated post but still, better late than never. Valentine's Day straddled the weekend this year and Mr. J and I decided to just go away for the weekend and spend some alone time before baby makes his presence. We decided on a whim to go up to Lake Guntersville, Alabama and spend the weekend in the brand new Lodge built up on the hill.

We were blessed with magnificent weather and truly enjoyed our time together doing nothing at all but enjoying each other's company. We toured the park, had unhurried dinner/lunch dates, went golfing (I drove the cart and enjoyed the scenery/weather), shopping. I am so glad we decided to break away together and look forward to doing more of that, even with baby!


The front entrance of the Lodge, love the wooden beams!


Enjoying the fireplace


View from our room


Sunset shared with Mr. J


Stopping by the overlook.... getting rounder everyday


Hitting the greens with Mr J

Baby Shower

Dear Little One - On February 24th, 2009, your Daddy and I rode to work together since your Mommy fried her car, that's another story for another time :) On our way, we stopped by Eddie's Market for Daddy's daily dose of coffee. There, I met Ms. Peggy and Brittney, they both work mornings at the market. Ms. Peggy is probably in her 80s and is one of the sweetest woman I've met and Brittney is in high school a bundle of energy. Both ladies got you a bagful of cute outfits and a pair of the cutest shoes...

Ms Peggy is working on a handmade quilt for you but she wanted you to know that you may not get it until after you get here since her eyes don't work so good anymore and also, she wants to sew on your birtday, weight and height as well. Your Mummy was so touched that these women who do not even know me or you would go out of their way to do something so thoughtful and kind. They even give Daddy free coffee everyday to thank him for his service. Pregnancy hormones or not, I had tears in my eyes by the time we left for work. We will bring you to visit her when you get here for sure.

Daddy picked me up from work in the middle of the morning to go over to his office where a gaggle of people he works with gathered to celebrate YOU.


The makeshift hall was prettily decorated in blue.


The yummy spread.


The gifts.


The yummilicious cake, it was half white and half chocolate cake, both so moist and the the frosting was heaven. Thanks Jami for getting this!


The jokes... Mummy and Daddy enjoying the banter as we open your gifts.

All in all, I was really overwhelmed by the experience, I have never met most of these people, yet they took the time and put the effort to be there to celebrate with us in our time of joy... I feel so blessed to be so lucky! And you, little one, are SO loved!


This is only part of what you got, I've really got to get things organized since the days have a way to just melt away!