baby chungkin i wore this today preg-o yay yay yay!: Jelly Belly mommy & me
by natasha
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chungkin’s seconds of fame
In the past 3 days, baby chungkin & I shot our first ever tvc & print commercial. And boy was it an eye-opening & interesting experience.
[background: advertiser needed a preggy lady as one of the main talents and somehow production felt the real deal was still better than having an actress pretend to be like one; so one call led to another, my post-natal massage lady (a friend of one of the production crew) asked if I was free & interested to try out. And since I didn't have a job nor commitments to attend to - I agreed to it, plus I was also curious to find out what it was about and would be like.]
The main gist of the ad was to promote fairness in the workplace and to give everyone a chance (i.e.: not discriminate the pregnant, elderly, handicapped etc.) and I thought it was a pretty good message to be part of.
I had dearest mommy who volunteered to chaperone me on all 3 days (thank you mom!) while the very grateful husband was busy mugging for his upcoming exam. And turns out, she had a blast getting to know the various production people/crew on set as well!
It was also amusing when some of the talents asked if my belly was a ‘prop’ (a fake tummy) / and if I was donning it on throughout to really get into my role on separate occasions! While others would asked which agency I was from. Turns out that most of them were either freelance talents or managed by an agency and had some form of acting experience vs. clueless mama here.
I had a fantastic time, albeit feeling a little worn-out from the 2 days of filming especially on the first day when I didn’t quite know what to expect. I did manage to start getting the hang of it (and basically ensuring that I had ample rest on the night before) by the 2nd day, and was very well taken care of throughout – lots of sitting (they would even have someone bring in a chair for me to sit between takes), rest breaks in between and very well-fed…there was almost always food & drinks available. And getting first hand scoops/stories/experiences/accounts from the people I worked & chatted with was of great hilarity !!!
Never again will I look at tv shows & commercials in the same light. Filming/ shooting is definitely hard work and there’s just so much that goes into producing that mere 30 sec or 1 min commercial, let alone a tv series or a movie.
Kudos to the great production team I worked with and I can’t believe that chungkin’s already famous in-utero! HAH!
Here’s some pix taken between the 3 days, with none on set because we weren’t allowed any photos by venue’s gate-keepers. :x
{dearest mommy & me}
{the 33-weeks+ belly}
{with wardrobe artist, Ms Annie who was a darling… helped massaged my swollen legs & feet}
{done for the day!}
{with mom at Gill’s salon for a much-needed haircut}
{doing a moisturizing hair treatment}
{mother & daughter}
{sporting a shorter hair cut – 4 inches off}
4 more weeks to full-term!
The single-digit countdown
A few days ago, I turned 32 weeks in my pregnancy (and little chungkin weigh in 2.15kg).
That’s 8 months, which meant…there was only 1 more month to go, 5 weeks to full-term, 2 weeks to baby being able to room in with us should he decide to say “hello, mom & pop” early. Someone on Facebook even helped calculate that we had some 35 more days to go (she’s kinda my birth buddy, with her EDD just 2 days after mine).
35 more days. wow.
I can’t believe how quickly 8 months of pregnancy bliss have just whizz by. There I was, some 6 months ago, wondering if it will all work out (still in disbelief that we got our first bfp)…proceeding the weeks with caution, envious of all the 3rd trimester bellies that I was greeted with when I started pre-natal yoga in my 16th week and BAM – suddenly I was one of them now. I was going to be a mom-to-be now.
It also wasn’t till I started seeing chungkin’s cute little clothes being hung out to dry in the sun yesterday that I realized how close a gap we were to seeing him now. For months, I was just buying stuff for our little bundle and chucking them aside each time I got home. But as I finally unopened each item’s packaging this week, the emotions that hit my heart were just overflowing with so much joy…BIG TIME.
I haven’t started packing the hospital bag nor sort out the administration for the husband to settle the necessary paperwork in a folder. I’ve been procrastinating for about 2 weeks, still thinking that we’ve got time but truth is I know we don’t. Another birth buddy reminded me that I ought to get the cot delivered by at least next week when we hit 33 weeks so that there would be enough time to sun the mattress and let the cot ‘breathe’ among other preparations. I couldn’t agree more. The last thing I wanted was to just sit on things till the last minute (like the wedding, which thankfully turned out well thanks to a team of trusty friends) and frustrate myself & others around me unnecessarily when I could channel all that energy to being a positive & relaxing one instead.
It’s all getting extremely exciting now. I can’t wait!!!
a cozy bday celebration
My birthday celebration this year was simple. Yet cozy.
No cake, no candles, no drinking, no travelling, no noisy merry making, no party.
And it was fine by me, because I already had the best birthday present – who was actively making his existence known in my tummy through the day.
Though the husband wasn’t the first to wish me as I had initially hoped, nor was he able to take the entire day off to spend my hatch day with me – he didn’t forget about my birthday after all! He did take a 1/2 day off after some compulsory meetings & company CNY luncheon, shuttled between venues to get my birthday plans & gift sorted out before meeting me for our quality time together – a lovely afternoon tea followed by some window shopping, watched a movie, before ending the evening with a hearty dinner from a delish heartland hawker.
There wasn’t anything fanciful but it sure tugged the heartstrings out of me that despite managing a busy work schedule & mugging for an impending exam – the Bo still made time.
Mom & J.J also pampered me silly with their gifts too (thank you!), and this really made me tear knowing how blessed I was.
And of course, the celebrations with my friends & family which led into the following day were nothing short of amazing. The food we shared, the laughs we had, the sweets we ate, the catching up…utterly enjoyable.
I had such a great time that I was practically knackered by the time I got home at about 11.30pm last night (having start my day at 10am in the morning).
{a photo booth shot before starting out my lovely day}
{a sweet surprise from Annie – yummy birthday cupcakes!}
{with my gorgeous mommy friends}
{I had a cookies & cream cupcake all to myself}
{Birthday dinner with the cousin at Zaffron’s}
{finishing off the evening with a cuppa hot choco at Max Brenner’s, which was disappointingly sweet}
{And some tutti frutti waffles}
{with the cousin. note to self: unflattering arms}
What an amazing year of adventure it has been, and I know the year ahead will be an even more exciting, albeit challenging one. Thank you Lord for the many blessings, opportunities, for providing & showering me with oodles of love & grace.
And while I’m still in disbelief that this will be my last birthday celebration become I become a a mommy (and birthday celebrations will no longer be in the same, carefree fashion since we will obviously keep thinking of the little one regardless whether he will be out with us or not), I’m totally looking forward to my next birthday celebration, where the chungkin will obviously be a part of it!
{happy 31 weeks}
bobo & me i wore this today people i love weekends yay yay yay!: resolutions
by natasha
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A cozy goodbye to ’11 and first few moments of 2012
Obviously the plan (from NYE 2010) to celebrate NYE 2011 in NYC didn’t work out since baby chungkin came into the picture this year (no flight mandate, remember?). Not that we would trade it for anything else.
Hence this new year’s eve was celebrated with mom and bo over a hearty dinner (thank u mom!) & desserts before we welcomed 2012 under a spectacular display of fireworks amongst thousands at Marina Bay Sands! I loved how ‘em 2 angels were also busy protecting b.chungkin from getting squashed/squeezed/hit in the belly from the crowds. :)
Had a wonderful time bonding with them, albeit pockets of exhaustion hitting me in between dinner & fireworks despite an arvo snooze earlier. B.chungkin was a good boy, or so I thought, responding mostly when we ‘communicated’ with him via talking or light pats on the belly. Just wanted to check in to see if he was enjoying himself too, and I could only assume he was, since his mama was having such a ball of a time.
{graze}
{family}
{mushroom soup & accompanying bread was delish}
{mom absolutely loving her appetizer – and oh those prawns!}
{the bo enjoying his lamb, which was very juicy & sweet}
{my order of baby roast chicken which was sweet, tender and not a wee bit dry}
{a lobster-red looking bo, just after a pint of beer}
{before we head out for desserts}
{mommy & me}
{Marina Bay Sands}
{Just before the countdown to 2012}
{the first of a spectacular display of fireworks to welcome 2012}
Happy 2012!
Here’s wishing you lots more love, joy, laughter, peace, patience, understanding, friendships, relationships, and that your resolutions, ambitions, goals, desires take that one big leap towards being fulfilled. xo.
baby chungkin bobo & me i wore this today people i love weekends yay yay yay!: Christmas
by natasha
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Christmas 2011 round-up
I had the longest nights in the past 3 days – turning in only at near to 3am due to festive celebrations (and sadly still waking up at 9am due to habit) but boy was it worth every moment of yawn & exhaustion; knowing that I had a little party-mate who was enjoying himself in the belly – bobbing and dancing to music played loudly & giving a little punch of acknowledgement each time I gobbled down some lovely cakes and ice-cream.
This Christmas, spending our last as a couple was also made extra special as the Bo took us on little dates & strolls in between; enjoying the last bits of us-time as we reflected how much has happened (for the better) since 12 months ago – when we were still deeply desiring to be parents then and how difficult it was for me to enjoy the festivities because everyone was practically asking when we were going to be parents (which really sucked because I wished they would just say ‘Merry Christmas’ back in response and let me enjoy those few hours instead). And thanks to a very supportive husband who would constantly whisper to me that our time will eventually come and that it would be magical, I managed to survive through christmas 2010.
So back to this year’s roundup, I totally enjoyed feasting on the spread (as always) being prepared although I was reminded to limit my quantity on prime ribs, beef & lamb (but they were just soooo good) and desserts (instructions from the gynae). The Bo also allowed me a sip of his cloudy bay – which was all I wanted anyway. It was extremely heartwarming receiving gifts mostly for b.chungkin from the usual suspects (I did receive a very beautiful box of baby shower bingo and maternity-styled dress from the cousin for myself though :p) too. And too hilarious when some started asking the Bo if we had really decided on baby’s name to be ‘chungkin’ (along with a puzzled look) – due to my sign off in the card. (p/s: chungkin is really more of a term of endearment for us and yes, he will have a proper name).
{family shot}
{pre-christmas dinner with mom}
{christmas dinner with the BR}
{posing with BR’s gift to me}
{after a midnight tea with BR at the hotel lobby}
{iphone candid with mom}
{iphone candid with the Bo}
{group shot with the godparents}
{just us 3 by the tree}
i wore this today people i love photography yay yay yay!: mommy & me
by natasha
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Merry Christmas everyone!
{taking a picture with my lovely mom, wearing loef’s toga maxi dress which could fit me nicely!}
One for the road just before we do our party hopping on Christmas eve!
xo.
Bring on the parties!
Since we got married, the Bo & I would always take year-end trips out of Singapore to usher in the New Year as a way to reward ourselves for working & playing hard (and fit in some baby-making activities of course – we had to be ‘relaxed’ right? lol).
Last year, we spent New Year’s Eve and ushering 2011 in Japan – shuttling between temples (writing our wishes of being parents in the new year) after dinner, listening to bells chime, participating in some local activities, pub-hopping (it was only about a 15min walk plus it was winter so it didn’t feel as bad as it would in Singapore), drinking ourselves silly and mingling/taking photos with the locals while waiting for our train back to the hotel. New Year’s Day was also made special taking a 2-hour ride on the Shinkansen to visit my aunt & cousin in Gifu for the first time (after last seeing them in Singapore over a decade ago); when my aunt prepared a wonderful Japanese spread with some Singapore dishes (curry). And as we broke our ‘lucky chopsticks’ apart (something like a fortune cookie sort of thing) as they usually do in the Japanese New year – she teased me about my reading: that the year of the rabbit would be a very fruitful year to have babies. I secretly wished in my heart that would come true (and of course it did eventually – with God’s help of course).
This year, with a no-flight mandate from the excited Bo, we’ll be spending NYE and ushering 2012 in Singapore. And it was only till a shower ago that I realized that I hadn’t made any plans. Obviously NYE is quite a biggie in Singapore, so I freaked out a little when I realized that I had just about a week to make the necessary arrangements & reservations.
Thank goodness my prayers were answered when I rang 2 places & managed to book in dinner & desserts just before we go fireworks watching at the stroke of midnight. And not at cut-throat prices (like those going at $198+++, $298++, $388++ per person). Since next year’s arrangement is going to be quite different with an infant to care, if I was going to celebrate my last few festive occasions without much worries – it had to be now.
So there – activities all planned till the last day of 2011. I’m one happy mama all ready to boogie.
The start of merry-making
My legs nearly gave way after 7 hours of Christmas shopping today as I took on the last leg of the race. Happy to report that I’ve settled almost all presents for the family and friends except for a final 1 or 2 which will have to wait till Thursday because I really need to recuperate before hitting the shops again unless of course I have my husband / mom next to me to ‘fend off’ pushy, inconsiderate people whose eyes just seem glued to everywhere else except to the direction they are walking in.
Meanwhile, Christmas merry-marking parties kicked-off last Friday with an all-preggers gathering-cum-celebration. And in midst of all those feasting, drinking (mocktails, of course), laughing, chatter; it felt really good to have b.chungkin participating with all his wonderful kicks, rolls, punches and even the occasional annoying pelvic pain at the most inappropriate times.
I can only imagine next year’s Christmas celebrations – when we all become mommies with our little bubs – might have to be confined to home-based venues instead….we’ll see!
{group shot of dragon-babies-mamas}
{Cousin organizes a little celebration for her preggy friends & relative}
{Taking a much needed break after 4.5 hours of Isetan Cardmembers Sale shopping}
{A very happy mommy}
{I’m a card-person, so giving one to the Bo was a definite must}
{Christmas/Birthday present for the Bo – who needed a new pair of shoes.He was so happy with these paid :p}
And now…back to last bit of spring cleaning, wrapping of gifts and resting before the Bo takes the rest of the week off tomorrow for some quality couplehood time before +1 comes along really soon.
xo.
One Happy Day
Today was a very happy day.
1. 2.3 more days before I get to see my husband on Saturday morning. I’m happy & thankful for the invention of Skype nonetheless. We had a good 40 minutes video chat where he gave me a little tour of his room, bathroom, view of the city/beach etc. But yet I don’t feel as ‘alone’ because of baby chungkin’s existence. The little one has been really active of late – kicking and moving a lot more now during the time daddy’s not at home. I think he knows! Or maybe I talk too much and too loudly about it :x
2. My very very good best friend – the BR -…came over and spent an afternoon from her precious leave to help me pack the very messy walk-in closet; after the wonderful job which she helped with in creating cot space within the bedroom previously. Baby chungkin officially has wardrobe space – hanging & folding. Whee.
3. My Ralph Lauren parcel for b.chungkin arrived (shame on you, Vpost for your horrid delays) thanks to someone special in US who helped me post this out. The packaging was lovely, in RL style on doubt, and came complete with a little note & hangers for all the pretty clothing.
4. Spent the evening / dinner with BR and did some good ole’ catching up. I miss hanging out with her and I’m glad that we’re able to spend more time together these days…more to come when b.chungkin comes out when she gets into her fairy godmother duties.
5. We finally confirmed on a deal with a contractor, with another to be confirmed on Saturday. Changes, albeit minor, are finally on the way for mister house and will commence in Jan. I absolutely love changes, especially when it’s for the better. Change is good.
Just a few more Christmasy stuff to do, few more presents to wrap; and I’m all set for merry-making!
baby chungkin preg-o shopping bag weekends yay yay yay!
by natasha
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Taka sale attack! and adventures of the shopping monster…
I’ve never been much of a Takashimaya departmental store shopper due to the perception that things sold in there cost more than they should and would at other departmental stores. Perhaps it is the way the brand name has always been marketed, or the presence of many established luxury boutiques and labels available within the store; or that they do not have attractive sales/discounts as often as their competitors such as the likes Robinsons, Isetan and Metro.
Hence when I do spend at Takashimaya departmental store, it is usually food related (because they have an entire basement dedicated to sell a range of food inclusive of those with an exquisite packaging and price) and event related (they also tend to organize relatively good baby/christmas/lunar new year/mid-autumn festival fairs in a huge atrium where you can purchase everything ‘under one roof’).
So when my cousin and a friend told me to consider signing up for one of the Takashimaya members cards now that I was expecting, and how I could enjoy an additional 10% off discounted merchandise during baby fairs and members sale (their baby fairs though far & few between usually have lots of big ticket & heavy items available which you could purchase all under one roof inclusive of free delivery with purchases over $150) – I knew we had to sign up for it (considering this was coming from 2 people who were already mommies & whom I had similar purchasing patterns with). I figured that it would also be the start of many ‘baby’ cards (i.e.: Toys R Us, Mothercare membership cards etc.); now that baby chungkin was on the way = additional expenses – every little bit of savings helped.
This weekend was Takashimaya’s members sale from 1 – 4 Dec and boy was I in much of a delight. The model of breast pumps that I had been eyeing on was going at $699 before an additional 10% discount (that would bring it down to $629), as compared to what was usually being sold at retail stores ($899) and at the ongoing baby fair ($768) – inclusive of a 1 year local warranty – thanks to another friend/mom-to-be who had called me days earlier and shared with me her research on prices and reasons for getting one with a local warranty. I helped her purchase a set too :-)
Amongst other things purchased were also wet wipes, some infant clothes, bundles of stretch mark cream, other knick knacks and a lovely Christmas/early Birthday present from the Bo :) We were 2 very happy campers, and were pleased to know that we could redeem $180 worth of Takashimaya vouchers due to our recent spending. Nice!!!
Somehow shopping during this festive season made the entire exercise more joyous. I was practically on my feet for hours walking between malls – got myself some paraben-free cosmetics & new brushes from Sephora and some very affordable miscellaneous items from Daiso, gourmet & delicious smelling bread from Bread Society, shopped for even larger sized underwear (sad yet happy affair) et cetera.
I hear the next Takashimaya baby fair (the big scale one where other vendors will come in to sell their wares) will be held in Mar 2012; just weeks before baby chungkin greets the world in person. Till then, I’d just have to do my best to curb the shopping monster in me.
What can I say, shopping makes me a very happy person. They don’t call it ‘retail therapy’ for no reason! :)
Hope your weekend was just as fruitful.
’tis the season to be jolly
Happy December! I’m thrilled that we’re officially in the last month of the year!
We finally got our X’mas tree up during the week and thanks to the beanie in the belly, I was excused from doing most of the set up apart from tree selection & decorations!
Absolutely loving the smell of pine lingering in the house
This year, we decided to get a smaller tree because the Bo decided that since he was going to handle most of the carrying and disposing of tree alone, it made sense to go with one that was manageable.
And me thinks that when baby chungkin joins us for his first Christmas next year (I know, thinking way too far ahead), this size-of-a-tree will be a good enough background for the teeny weeny boy anyway.
I’ve always loved Christmas and all the merry-making it brings; along with the writing of greeting cards to relatives far and near, deciding the theme of our celebration parties, dressing up, buying of Christmas gifts (maybe not the wrapping since I suck at it), and just spreading good cheer around. And knowing that this year’s Christmas will be made extra special with the little one in the tummy to enjoy all the fun is icing on the (log) cake.
***
For the shopaholics, Dec. also means end-of-season sales! And after our yoga session today, me and ms.A decided to check out what Takashimaya’s card members sale (additional 10% off) had to offer. We spent a good 30 minutes at the baby section sussing out prices and offers (and to take notes for comparison at this weekend’s baby fair) followed by a good 60 minutes or more shopping thereafter for comfy shoes to pamper ourselves! Haha, loved that it wasn’t too packed when we first arrived though we starting seeing a bigger crowd in-store shortly after & more preggers strolling in to try on some shoes too!
I’ve never been a fan of flats (since I’m rather height challenged), but I guess when your husband at nags you enough to abandon any form of heels regardless (now that baby matters more than vanity) and then rewards you with one that fits you comfortably without needing to put on any band-aid due to unsightly blisters…it grows on you.
Plus, I’ve been warned by mom & the Bo that all wedges/heels will have to take a backseat till baby chungkin can walk steadily on his own since I can get rather clumsy & trippy when it comes to any other form of shoes, flipflops inclusive. I’m some sort of a walking mishap especially in crowded places.
We left the shop extremely happy with our new purchases. Although I was almost undecided on an additional pair – in a very pretty dusty pink no less! But hoarding on to 5 pairs to try on till I made a decision made me feel like a bad person so when the salesperson asked if I could ‘release’ that pair to another customer because it was the last available size, I took it as a sign that it wasn’t meant to be :)
All in all a good day, I felt like the weekend had already started judging by the crowds and happy vibes that filled the air. There’s a baby fair happening this weekend which I’m looking forward to attend with some friends too, now that I don’t necessarily have to buy gender neutral colours and we’ve crossed the halfway mark.
Yay yay yay!
Getting a mention from Rach
Remember I mentioned that once upon a time, through the very trying fertility journey, I got to know a community of like-minded (not to mention, awesome) ladies who made me feel less alone with their wit and humour? Well, today I would like to introduce you to one.
Meet Rach, who blogs at Eggs In a Row. And recently, she gave me a little ‘award’ by telling the world out that how much she enjoyed reading my blog (thanks again!!!), which meant big to me because apart from a select few, inclusive mom and J, I didn’t think that the stuff I blog about would actually appeal to anyone else.
She’s one of the few that I look forward to reading on a regular basis because she writes about the realities of life that is so easy to understand yet utterly relatable (unless you’re an absolutely moron who has no struggles on the baby front of course); that I feel a sense of closeness to her despite the miles and oceans between us.
She does her best to be optimistic, which is something I struggled with some months ago before that bfp (I actually wrote quite a bit of pessimistic stuff which are still in my draft folder because I didn’t want my mom to read and feel sad for me then), not to mention funny, adorably thoughtful and does her best to be supportive for those around her.
It’s the 2ww for her now, and I’m anxiously crossing my fingers, toes and rooting that her boobs will only grow bigger & sore for the better; and looking forward to reading her new milestones where I’m sure she’ll include more illustrations like this one.
Do send good vibes her way if you can too! xo.