Our boys’ new adventures

When life is sort of returning to normality (Michael is enjoying Shanghai and the new school, Ian’s and my work are going well), we have decided that it is about time to rock things a bit (again!).

Michael is going to be an older brother (“ge ge”) and the new bub is expected to come end of March 2010.  We don’t know the gender of the baby yet (and Ian says he’d like it as a surprise this time – we’ll see how long that lasts!).  Michael has no idea what is going on but we are pretty excited!  We just don’t know how to handle two children at the same time!!!

Michael’s Adventures blog will now be slowly transitioned into a “Lacy’s family blog” as we continue to share our life journey with our friends and family around the world!

Until next time, love from Shanghai.

P.S. Uncle Gary is getting married in HK next weekend and the Shanghai Lacy Clan will be crashing their wedding party!  Looking forward to it and there should be more photos then!

This was how Michael was brought to life and We are a BIG advocate of it.  This news clip gives a 101 version of what Hypnobirthing is all about.  If you are REALLY interested, there is a whole blog dedicated to it!  It really worked for us and hope it will do the same for you, if you’re considering a natural, drug-free birth!

Check out our earlier post on Hypnobirthing: http://apprenticelacy.wordpress.com/2007/08/25/hypnobirthing-%e2%80%93-%e2%80%9cohmmm%e2%80%9d/

Enjoy and until next time… love from Hong Kong.

Besides listening to babyplus or classical music, it is also advisable to have the father talk to your baby so that he can recognize his dad’s voice when the baby comes out.  So without fail, I make Ian talk to Monkey every morning (and night too!).  However this week, we are calling for desperate measures to have his father really talk to him (hoping Monkey would listen)!

Another visit to Dr. Ma this week revealed that Monkey has yet to move down the birth canal (the head is in the right direction pointing down, but not down quite enough) and he is now facing my tummy rather than my spine (which is the “correct” way to come out).  It doesn’t help that he is also 3.4 kg (or 7.5 lbs now!).  So, Dr. Ma and I hope that he is coming really soon so that I have a chance of a natural birth (better yet, hypnobirthing!).  This is where Ian’s talking comes in: he is supposed to tell Monkey to turn and point his head further down!

My office is also on high alert knowing that I could go into labor any minute … but mentally I am still waiting for a few things to happen:

1.  Gotta have my manicure / pedicure before labor!  (got that done on Friday with a girlfriend.)

2.  Gotta wait for my two brothers to return to HK (Frank is coming back from Oz for summer holiday and Vincent & Stella are returning from their holiday in England this week)

3.  Gotta wait until after Oct 15 to give birth, since a colleague of ours is betting that I will be this early! 

4. Gotta… I am running out of things to do now… maybe it’s time to give birth!

Here is Monkey’s photo for the week, although you can’t quite see what they are any more (right one is his legs and left one is stomach!).  If you’re wondering why there are question marks at the bottom, it is because he is off the charts!  When babies are too big or too small, the machine no longer provides indicative measures!

Until next week, I am the waddling penguin in Happy Valley at 37 weeks and Ian is anxiously waiting for me to go into labor.

Love from Hong Kong.

Right, at 36 weeks, there are no more excuses not to be organizing “the bag”!  After buying all the “necessary” items for monkey and washing these new items (numerous times), I am left with one last “to-do” item … packing the bag for the hospital.

The items in the bag are pretty straight forward – a bag (finally a gift for me!),  baby clothes & diapers, my clothes & toiletries, doctors’ notes & letters etc.  However the meaning behind all these is that the judgement day is finally near and there is no escaping!  It’s finally dawning on me that the baby I have been carrying for the last 9 months is about to emerge … and it’s a real baby! And a new member to our family!  How crazy is that?!  You are no longer a couple – you are a family of 3 (in our case four, with May, our helper!).  How profound and scary!  If you can fast-forward for about four weeks, I am sure I will be writing nothing but diapers, routines, sleeps, and breastfeeding.  But yet, at this very quiet moment on a Sunday morning at our home, it is just Ian and me waiting for the grand arrival of our to-be-born son!  We can absolutely not imagine what life will be like (at least I can’t – Ian seems a whole lot more confident! or is he in denial?!?) when Monkey arrives and yet we are SO excited for this new uncertainty in our lives!

Monkey is doing great at 36 weeks.  Dr Ma reckons he can come out any day now at 3 kg and is suggesting that I walk and climb the stairs a lot!  It’s really easy advice because she ain’t the one carrying this huge watermelon!  But being the dutiful student that I always try to be, walking it is.  While walking, I have to keep “hypnotizing” myself – “walking is good for me, stairs are good for birthing” – EVERY TIME!  All the good lessons learnt in hypnobirthing!

Here is Monkey with his tall nose & eyes on the right and yes, the pointy penis on the left!

Until next week, all is well and we “think” we are ready for Monkey’s arrival now.

Much love from Hong Kong.

Birth Plan (or otherwise called Birth Preference Sheet or Birth Wish List) is a document where you state your preference in how one would like their birth to progress during labor.

Being the “well-prepared” couple that we are, a Birth Plan was drafted and discussed with Dr. Ma.  I bet Dr. Ma had not received one before because she seemed taken aback when we gave her a two-page single spaced document!  However, being the patient doctor that she has been, she went through the document with us.  But we still couldn’t get away with:

- “Episiotomy is 90% likely since you’re going to be delivering a big baby!”

- “Even if you are dilating slowly, you cannot return home and have to stay in the hospital!”

- “There is no other birthing position, besides lying on your back upright!”

So much for a birth wish list!  However, at least she allowed me to be walking around; listening to IPod; and discussing with Ian on all major decisions before making any medical procedures!  And she was interested enough to put our document on file and reminded us to make enough copies for the hospital staff!  Let’s see how we progress as I give birth!

Otherwise, all is really well at 34 weeks.  Monkey is growing heaps!  Here are his latest stats and his picture (you can see clearly his spine on the right photo!):

- 2.7 kg (almost 6 lbs!) > Dr. Ma reckons he will be a 8 lb baby (one more reason for episiotomy!!!)

- His legs, head, and stomach sizes are all ahead ranging from 36 wks to 38 wks… another sign of being a big baby.

As for our sanity, we attended a wedding party before becoming parents and trying to look pretty when you are huge is not easy.  Definitely took a shopping trip and a major cosmetic makeover (which includes manicure, pedicure and serious make up!).  Life is tough when you’re pregnant – he he!  Some photos to share (for more, please click to The Lacys Photo Album)

Until next week, much love from Hong Kong.

p.s. we’re going final shopping for Monkey today!

After your nose has widened, the pounds are added and the legs are swollen, what could possibly be the next discovery of body changes???  Waddling is probably one of the most undesirable changes as Monkey and I get bigger!

My friend emailed me this week asking if I am waddling yet?!  What could I tell her?  That I am struggling not to waddle and yes, having your swollen feet turn outward and your hips waddle left to right are the most comfortable walking posture??  As conscientious as I could be, I fight the gravity of waddling and yet, the monstrous act still haunts me.  So if there are any good waddles around, write to me and tell me how I can waddle “elegantly”!

On the other hand, we had an exciting adventure attending a “Gweilo” dress-up birthday party on Friday night.  The theme of the party was dressing up as characters from cartoons, nursery rhymes and fairy tales etc.  We went there as the twins “Tweedledum & Tweedledee” from Alice in Wonderland.  It was a load of fun, as this is probably my last time out partying before turning into a mom.  And we thought that we dressed really well with minmal work but maximum impact.  Some pics to demonstrate (for more, click to our album):

We are well and now counting down the days at 33 weeks!  Much love from Hong Kong.

This week, our regular Hypnobirthing teacher was on holiday.  Hence, we got to receive our last class in the series: “Life after Baby”.  By the way, everyone who is thinking about having a family should seriously consider attending this class BEFORE you conceive.  Things you learn in that two hours can be enlightening:

- Swaddling: who knew wrapping a baby takes such practice and skill?  You are supposed to wrap him tight enough so that he doesn’t fidget his arms out but not so tight that he turns purple!!!

- Diapering: we were amused to learn that it is recommended to leave a boy’s dirty diaper in place while you collect everything you need for a “change” to protect yourself from a wayward pee!!

- Sleeping: as first time parents, I thought we’d be more likely to panic about whether the baby is warm enough.  But who would have known (in this case Ian did know and I was trully impressed!) that babies are not to wear hats while sleeping to avoid overheating!

So we sat through the night like good students and vigourously took notes about how the blankets should be wrapped for swaddling (Ian had to show off his engineering skills in drawing the exact diagram!).  We then looked at each other and said together, “what have we gotten ourselves into???”  Guess it’s way too late for questioning now but it is a godsend to have at least attended the class!  We are also feeling a bit better knowing that we can always go to Annerley for any needed rescues!

As my due date nears, my list going into Dr. Ma’s office is getting longer (circumsion decision – checked, hospital procedures – checked, pediatrician – checked).  Finally, Dr. Ma is happy with my weight gain (only 1 pound in the last two weeks for a total of 24 pounds) and all the gain seems to go to monkey now.  Here is a few stats and a photo (sorry you can’t see him too well – only the head this time) about our beloved Monkey:

- Weight: 2.1 kg (no wonder why he keeps kicking into my upper right rib, it’s really getting crowded in there)!

- Head: his head size is measured at 34 weeks  (although we are only at 32 weeks during the check up!). 

- Stomach/Arms & Legs: they are measured at the 33 weeks.  He will have long legs and arms just like his daddy.  Dr. Ma even said he is having a bit of fat in his tummy!  Not only will he be long, he will be chubby too!

All in all, things are going well with Monkey and Dr. Ma predicts that he might be early (otherwise there might be a chance of ceaserean delivery!)  I am still trying to introduce Dr. Ma about Hypnobirthing (she doesn’t seem too interested yet).  In our next visit, we will have our birth plan ready and will walk her through our wishes!  That shall be interesting!

Until next week, Monkey, Daddy and Mommy are all well in Hong Kong.  Weather is slightly getting cooler, although the apartment is still air-conditioned to near freezing.  Poor Ian and May are blanketed to the eye-balls as though they were living in the north pole while I complain about how hot the apartment is!  He he he…  the priviledge of being pregnant!

We are starting to get our shopping started.  The latest addition is our “forward facing” stroller.  It’s super lite (4.2 kg) and the handle can be moved so that the baby can face you or face outside.  We’re really excited about the weight given the stairs we have to climb to our apartment.  Check out the stroller here:

Besides the stroller, we also got a gift from our good friend Rita from Singapore.  It’s an educational Cot Mobile and is supposed to stimulate his development as it fills him with a sense of calm and contentment.  It’s also gender neutral so Monkey’s future sibilings will get to enjoy it too.  Thank you, Auntie Rita!

Here is a picture of new Cot Mobile (Ian still needs to assemble it onto the crib):

I have also taken my last chance to fly on a business trip early in the week.  No problem at all during both flights.  Oh, except one thing, when I landed in Singapore and smsed my dear husband my safe arrival, he texted back with “did you give birth on the plane???”  Ha ha ha, a very cheeky remark!  He must care for our well-being or something!

Otherwise, I am getting bigger and the daily routine is getting more uncomfortable.  If you refer to upper right hand corner for my latest bump photo, I don’t know how I am going to squeeze and stretch in that red t-shirt the next two times (at 35 & 39 weeks)!  But weight gain is going well and we have increased the frequency of visiting Dr. Ma from now on (every two weeks).  So another doctor’s visit coming up next week!

We’re happy and well at 31 weeks.  Counting down the weeks now.

Much love from Hong Kong.

Prior to Monkey arriving, we have added a new member to the HK Lacy Clan.  “May”, our new helper, has arrived safely this week from the Philippines.  I took a day off to give her some “training” … which is required to survive through this crazy household!  There are the general rules for the house (e.g. when she gets paid, working hours, etc.) and some quirky ones to follow (e.g. bed to be folded in “hospital corners”, Ian’s tea is to be dunk 50 times, Lacy’s exact way of folding socks!).  Knowing us, everything was written down for May to follow (from what to do on which day to what brand to buy for our tea / milk!).  One of the tips given on grocery shopping is, “if you don’t know which brand to buy, go for the ones from Australia – can never go wrong!!!”)  Initially, Ian and I thought we would have a hard time adjusting to a third person in our couplehood nest – oh we were SOOOOO wrong! 

To say the least, we have enjoyed this week – it was heavenly!  There are no more worries on dish washing, laundry, grocery shopping or bed folding.  Also tasks that were outsourced are now May’s duties too: ironing, shoe polishing, floor mopping.  Ian has put it in the best terms possible, “it’s like having a wife from the 1950s!”  It took me a few days to get used to the concept of being replaced as the wife … but, hang-on, I was never a wife of the 1950s anyway!!!  Would I want to swap?!  Tempting, but no thank you! 

May worked for a chinese family for four years prior to joining us and is having some adjustment to this “quasi – western” household.  As well as the fact that there is not a trace of junk food around the kitchen, she is also getting used to our Italian / Australian meals.  We are having fun teaching her our favorite dishes, such as risotto, apricot chicken, tomato pasta, etc..  Here is me (the sous chef) showing our new apprentice how to cook salmon risotto:

We will be dedicating our Saturday as “cooking” training day, until she gets our cuiliary skills right.  Until then, things are great for us three (or should I say four?!) and much love from Hong Kong at 29 weeks.

As we enter into the last trimester of pregnancy, things are getting intense.  Shall I correct that “I” am getting intense?  Neurotic is probably a better adjective.  Luckily I have a supportive husband who has been riding on the pregnancy waves of emotions in the last 7 months.  The list of neurotic things include (but not limited to):

1.  Wife getting too serious about the babyplus system (which is now an alarm clock for Ian EVERY MORNING, including Saturday and Sunday)

2.  Husband getting desperate to have his future son join him and gang up on his mom (daily talking to our monkey urging him to come out!)

3.  Wife complaining about Husband not being supportive (although he has been there at every prenatal checkup & scan, every shopping decision, and put up with babyplus system, my adamant diet & regimented 3-times-a-week Yoga practice, and my whinging about being huge since week 18!)

4.  Husband gaining sympathy weight with the pregnant wife – see for yourself:
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5.  Wife forcing Ian to join “hynobirthing” class – a “new age” alternative to the regular prenatal class!

But of course to a pregnant woman, the above seems normal and natural while she is concentrating soley on the pregnancy and birth.  Until someone tells you “Ian has been such a supportive husband, which probably helped and made your pregnancy a whole lot easier!”  And she was probably right!  Or as another girlfriend has said “all I can say to Ian is to stay “OHM…” despite all this crazy chaos!” - a Yoga term that is often referenced to stay calm and peaceful.  

So, to my supportive husband, Ian, thank you for putting up with all the above.  And I promise that more will come… he he he.

My test for diabetes has come back and all is good.  That deserved me an instant “Ball Luo Bau” – a sweet bun with tasty crust on top that I crave every single day. 

Until next week, we are well in Hong Kong at 28 weeks and stuck at home with a typhoon number 8 as our backdrop!