The Hubby on Being Daddy

I must say it has been an interesting journey observing how the hubby has changed throughout my pregnancy.

At the initial stage, he was really rational about things and tried to play down my excitement level, which made my feel slightly disappointed. You know how TV would always show dads-to-be in an ecstatic state, like they would throw confetti and do a unicorn dance if they could. Well, hubby was happy, but not THAT happy. HAHA! Hence, the early stage was threaded with caution, with the hubby advising on when I should see a doctor and nagging at me to eat my supplements, etc. What got him really pumped up (in a bad way!!) was be my refusal to eat. Dinnertime would sometimes be such a dread as it would end up in scolding sessions as I didn't feel like eating and I was losing weight.

In the mid-stage, it was pretty much the norm for me. I recovered from my morning sickness and I went about the days like I would when I was yet to be pregnant. No special treatment from the hubby. BLAH! Again, the practical side of him took charge, forbidding me to make any baby purchases until we knew the gender and even after that, no purchases were allowed until I clear my crap (things I no longer use) to make way for the new items. And even then, I wasn't allowed any big purchases (e.g. Pram, car seat, cot) until the later part of the pregnancy as he reasoned that we don't have much space at home. Raaaaah!

The bigger changes in him were observed to take place in the 3rd trimester. We started to take a concern in baby stuff and he was actively giving me his inputs based on practicality and his past experiences. He would tell the kids to help me out whenever we had to carry more bags of shopping. Towards the later stage, he would also not allow me to carry any heavy items. I would often insist on helping to carry a few items, but he would always nag at me to enjoy the privilege while it lasted. Yes, indeed. Getting him to carry my bag in the past was soooo tough but he would readily volunteer to carry my bag nowadays.

Towards the later stage of the pregnancy when my tummy started to grow bigger, he started to take an interest in playing with my tummy, and my non-existent belly button. He would take the initiative to rub and feel my tummy, putting his ears against my tummy in the morning and asking if the baby was active for the day. He would also wait for me as we walked, taking the initiative to hold my hand, ensuring that I was doing fine. What more, he would also voluntarily take charge of a lot more household chores, ensuring that I do not get over exhausted or strain myself. It is a very different him, as if it finally hit him that a baby is on the way. It's a very nice change which I cherish and appreciate. =)

Recently, his radar for babies seems to have heightened! He would take a look whenever he hears a baby nearby and would make comments like it would be how we would be like / life be like when our baby is out, etc. Upon hearing that I'm likely to give birth very soon, he immediately suggested that we go buy a pack of NB diapers as standby (he was so reluctant to buy any just a few weeks earlier) and also purchased a thermometer suitable for the baby. It was almost heart-melting and cute to see him take a second look and studying the baby items at stores that I feel this stage of change in him is too short!

Well, I don't want to make it sound as if the hubby was uncaring and indifferent in my earlier days of pregnancy. In fact, he does so many things for me on a daily basis, even since pre-pregnancy which I don't even talk about. I just want to document the change in him for my personal relishing, just so that I would be able to look back and remember this part of my pregnancy with a smile on my face. It has been an amazing journey so far and it certainly would not have been possible without my hubby by my side.

I love you, hubby! <3

Hello, 3rd Trimester!

The long awaited third trimester is here! It's kinda scary when the countdown app shows that it's less than a 100 days to Baby Y's birth. Meaning, the day is drawing really near.

I entered into the 3rd trimester last week and whoa, it seems like a new ball game altogether! :D

New experiences: I experienced cramps for the very first time on Sunday (19 Oct) while shopping at the supermarket. It was a shock as I've never experienced any cramps during my first 2 trimesters. I guess it's what many called to be Braxton Hicks as the cramps were very short lived and felt like those experienced during menstruation. I also felt slight tightening sensations at my tummy area while lying down, like as if someone was pulling a string down at my tummy. Uncomfortable but still bearable.

Baby Movements: Baby's movements have become much more frequent and strong. It kinda worries me because the timing in which baby is active is making me wonder if he's a night owl like me! Go to bed when it's late, baby! I've read somewhere that the timings when the baby is active could be a reflection of his/her active timings after birth as well. Guess I should cultivate good sleeping habits so that the baby would sleep well too. :p

The movements of the little one is getting stronger and I can see my tummy's shape changing as he moves. He loves to move more on the right side and is much quieter on the left side, hence the bulge is usually on the right side as well.

Food Preferences: during the initial period of pregnancy, I really loved salty and spicy food. However, in recent weeks, I've graduated to become a sugar monster. Throw me anything sweet and I would chomp it down happily. A bar of Crunchie? Sure! A bag of mini Snickers bar? I'm game! Ha and did I mention that I love soft drinks? I've been trying to cut down on sweet stuff, but it's not easy. One step at a time! :)

Weight gain: My weight has been climbing up! I'm so happy! Right now, it's around 68kg, about 5kg gain from pre-pregnancy. :)

Sleeping patterns: I have not been sleeping well in the night. I would always toss and turn and wake up in the middle of the night. While I could still go back to sleep, I feel slightly frustrated. Probably also because I feel much warmer than usual and at times, I would switch on both the air conditioning and fan before I could fall asleep.

My favourite sleeping position is on my sides. Not because of the baby's weight but it has been a habit already. Baby doesn't seem to prefer my side-sleeping habit as he would always kick me on the sides. Hehe, maybe mummy is too heavy for baby!

Well, as we progress into the third trimester, it's a lot of excitement counting down to baby's arrival. I'm also thankful that the aches in the butt is gone and hasn't returned. I'm thankful that I don't suffer too much bodily discomforts like backaches etc. I'm really thankful for this. The only more common discomfort would be my inability to stand for too long or walk too much as I tend to tire more easily.

May our little one continue to grow healthily and happily in mummy's tummy! Daddy and Mummy love you and we are looking forward to.your arrival! :)