I will always tell my friends or whoever I speak to of how difficult it was when I was pregnant with her. When comparing notes on nausea or "morning sickness", I can tell one I had the full works: migraine, flu, this is classic - 'facial congestion?", food poisoning, frequent feeling of faint due to low blood pressure, heartburn, very-very bad case of varicose and spider veins, lost of appetite due to nausea (could not down anything else except for RIBENA), no coffee, no tea, no MILO, no milk, sometimes I could take Nestum or Horlicks but most of the time was just RIBENA. Could not eat much as I had nausea till the last trimester of my pregnancy. Man, that was difficult.
However, as we waited patiently for her, I couldn't help but often wonder how she would look like. I suppose this will always be a REAL surprise as I will never know how my kids would look like until that magical moment after the last push, where we will finally meet face to face.
I have to admit that I was really excited and have been waiting for her for the longest time. Of course we had our fair share of ups and downs in between Ethan and having her. However, her arrival into our lives is really God's plan and God's promise of mercy and love. When we found out the gender, I basically was a little apprehensive and worried as we committed ourselves financially over some huge spending. But God's promise of providence and abundance flowed into our lives that I didn't have to buy much baby essentials for her as we were blessed with a wonderful neighbor who gave us everything pink anyone mother could think of. (I have a pink baby potty, pink toy vacuum cleaner, pink pajamas, pink clothings.... and the list goes on). I truly believe it was the gracious Lord working.
However, preparation was tedious as I had to get baby stuffs washed and cleaned up, and the house to tidy up.
Anyway, these are some details I would like to remember and perhaps could even tell Katelyn when she grows up.
Due date : 18 Dec 2011
and so,..
on the 1st Dec 2011,
an appointment was schedule with my gyne, Dr Fong for a regular check-up. Was timing my contractions and thought they were quite strong. Counted them, and it was somewhat consistent. Once in every 15-20 mins. He had a busy as usual, and so i told the nurses i was having contractions. once in every 20 mins or so. However, I was still fine. Drama happened when I was told to go to the labour ward. Gee, shouldn't have done so. They strapped me into the CTG machine to check on my contractions. Sure enough, there were contractions. However, there were not as strong. Checked my dilation, about 2 cm. So, I was just resting on the bed, not doing anything in specific. The ultimatum came from my gyne, to be admitted into the labour ward for "observation". Urgh... I didn't think it would be like this as tomorrow (2nd dec) would be Ethan's birthday and of course I would like to be with him instead. However, the gyne took no chances but stood firm on this decision. To be admitted for observation.
2nd Dec 2011
Woke up, and hubby came by after breakfast. I could take "home leave" to sort out my work in the office, and later went home for lunch and spend a short birthday afternoon with my only child (then), he was my world. I remembered it being really emotional for me because it will soon be him and "a sibling" and no longer him ONLY anymore. Ethan had been the only one in our lives for the past 3 years. I has been really-really good with just him. We traveled, we did things together as a family of 3, we had simple meals and it wasn't hard at all. I have to say he was all we ever wanted. However, now that The Lord decides to bless us with another member in the family, I am truly humbled and couldn't have asked for more.
3rd Dec 2011
Took another home leave. This time, we went over to SS2 Mall to celebrate dear Chloe's 1st birthday. Those who attended the party were rather surprised to see my appearance. And so I had to explain to them, that I was actually on home leave. The hospital was actually still monitoring me. It was a good outing for me, also taking my mind off the whole going into labour process. We brought Ethan to the birthday party as well, and boy, of course he enjoyed himself thoroughly. This boy loves outings, any sorts. And after a good 3 day of hospitalization, the 4th day was right on the dot - 38 weeks into my pregnancy. At 7pm, when I reported back to my "temporary suite", the nurse on duty told me that my gyne is suggesting that I should be induced as I had dilation and also irregular contractions. It will be the following day, 4th Dec. I was quite hesitant, but also anxious as I didn't know how long I will have to stay in the hospital. I agreed.
4th Dec 2011
7am - the nurses came into my room broadly smiling and asking if all was good with me. Had the tastiest jam and wholemeal bread for breakfast (didn't quite understand why it tasted so good), and then they got my to change to the hospital gown, ready for labour room check-in. Gee, it felt scary and at the same time relief as baby I knew baby was finally coming today. At 8am in the labour room, the nurse came in, all cheery on a nice Sunday morning, told that they will insert the laxative for me to past motion. In less than 3 minutes, I was in the toilet, passing out my nice strawberry and butter sandwich. Soon, they brought in their ..... And I saw my old friend, a pint of pitocin. Somehow, I have developed a love hate relationship with it. I hate it as it caused me so much pain while being induced when delivering Ethan. Love it as it really helped with escalating the dilation and labour process. Gee. I wondered how bad it'll be this time round as again, I opted for no epidural. They started Pitocin at 9am, with a slow 5mU/min. I was still looking around, talking to hubby and SMILING. At 10 am, I was 4 cm dilated. They increased it to 10 mU/min. I could feel it coming, not the baby but the pain! 11am, apparently my gyne instructed them to increase it to 15 mU/min. I was 5.5cm dilated. The pain was kicked in, and I was praying under my breath. At 12 noon, I was crying, screaming and yelling. Progress was slow, pain was unbearable, no signs of labour yet. Oh dear Lord. I could not hold it any longer. I was already thinking about what-it .. C-section? Screaming on top of my lungs for another hour. Finally, I was asked to push, at about 1.15pm. My gyne was supposedly on his was as he was having lunch. At 1.54pm, she finally came out. And there is she, my precious precious darling. Katelyn Chong Xin Yi.
Born, 4th December 2011
Weighing 2.97kg.
Her birthing story...
For the first time, we had a proper pot luck Christmas dinner. For years, our get together session had always been theme-less pot lucks.
Gabriel and Lauren swore that they took part in LEARNING Gabriel’s mum’s homemade slow stewed pork (which was really, Tai Thong standards!) The pot of meat melted in out mouths. Gee, the thought of it sends water in my mouth.
Sharon finally rang the bell with 3 tubs of Baskins Robbins which were whipped off the minute we took it out from the freezer. Needless to say, our beauty queen was late (again) but at least she showed up!
Mum and I partnered up to bake little Christmas cupcakes. Being 37 weeks, I was breathless most of the time, I only could bake the cupcakes and didn't manage to ice the cupcakes. Mum therefore helped with decorating the little delights. 
Yvonne was busy transporting plates of bruschetta from the toaster out to the dining table. We had the classic herbed tomato and brown button mushrooms bruschetta served as the appetiser. 
Braving the complicated step into baking a baked cheese cake, my sister Angeline made dessert a highlight of our evening. Ended the evening with heart warming carols and later did our little round of gift exchanges. It was indeed an evening dedicated to friends and thanking the Lord for the season of love and joy. 
