Chop chop!

Made one last trip to Jayne's before baby's delivery and this is what I look like now.





Told her to chop it all off and she said it would have to be real short to last through my confinement. No problem for me!

However, when she was done, it did surprise me a little that even the back was layered so much since she's always imploring me not to cut off my locks as I don't look good with short hair. Thing is, Jayne commented and I tend to agree that the texture of my hair has changed somewhat due to the pregnancy hormones... it's become more wiry and dry.

When I got home, hubby said that I look like I did 7 years ago and that I appear fresher. Unlike when I had long hair and looked like I was carrying a burden. Not the best compliment in the world but I love him for saying that. Made me feel as though I didn't make a bad decision to crop my hair before labour (as opposed to the advice given by Vicki Iovine in "The Best Friend's Guide to Pregnancy").

As I always say... hair grows anyway.

I've turned 30!

Yes, reached yet another milestone 3 weeks ago but that now pales in comparison to the bigger life-changing event that I'll be experiencing soon. Hubby was really sweet and brought me out for a nice romantic dinner at Marche mediterranean restaurant in Renaissance. We've been wanting to go for ages since Tim became chef there. Of course we got preferential treatment which came with lots of complimentary (no doubt very expensive) yummy stuff.... there was smoked scallop, followed by blue (?) mushrooms and then angel hair pasta with truffles and finally sorbet to cleanse the pallette before we were served our main courses. Dessert was superb.... I think it was called chocolate tortino and it was a bit like molten lava cake. Absolutely satisfying!

Mille Crepe Cake from Food Foundry courtesy of Val

On pregnancy....
Only 5 more weeks to go! Theoretically, I'm not considered full-term yet but I do feel ready to deliver. Have just been so exhausted lately that I'm pooped by 10pm. Of course that doesn't stop me from going about my daily chores and all but I'm moving in slo-mo these days. It's frustrating not to be able to run up the stairs or bend over without feeling breathless though but I guess I'll just have to deal with this for a few more weeks.

Also have not been exercising lately. Val and I have not been going for morning walks 'coz of the haze and I've not been to yoga for the past 3 weeks.

PIL might not be around when I deliver as they're scheduled for a 2-week trip to England, Italy and the States on 14th Nov. 'Coz of that, hubby and I thought it best to find out beforehand their preferences of how babe's name should be spelt. So now we're more or less settled on using Tik Chu. As for the English name, we'll decide once she's out whether she looks more like a Jade or more like a Natalie.

On the plus side, mum has just retired and so will be able to come to KL more often to help out. Phew! Will definitely welcome any help I can get especially after the departure of the confinement lady.

As for our preparations for her arrival, I suppose we're more or less on track with a few odds and ends to take care of. Friday night went to Babyland to get some baby towels and washcloths, disposable diapers, blanket, more nappies, etc. (Hubby also found Donkey playing cards and threw a box into the basket despite my protests so guess what we have been doing before bedtime?) Did most of babe's laundry yesterday, both the new stuff and the hand-me-downs (thanks to Molly, Siau Yen and Yeeps). Will be taking stock of the cot, mattress & stroller from Planete Enfants one of these days. Have started packing the bags for the hospital but not done yet. Was told to bring at least 4 nighties! Is that really necessary?

Tomorrow we have our last ante-natal class where they'll talk abt breastfeeding and demonstrate how to bathe the baby.

Taken on 8th Oct at 34 weeks