Pregnancy updates

I am now 33+ weeks along, and my tummy has grown so much over the last month that it's getting uncomfortable to sleep, eat and walk (or should I say waddle). Oh, I've also stowed way my rings as they are getting too snug to fit my swelling fingers. In fact every part is swelling up: my nose, my arms, my feet, my hips, just to name a few. Not forgetting to mention the numerous trips to the bathrooms in the middle of the night. Ah...the joys of pregnancy.
On another note, baby girl has been so active especially during the nights when I am trying to go to sleep. The feeling of her moving, dancing, somersaulting, hiccuping (yes, she hiccups a lot!) in my tummy is AMAZING! Though it can be a tad painful sometimes when I feel her sudden jabs whereupon her brother will say to her: "Don't kick mama, Sophie.." My own little protector, and yes, that's the name we are planning on giving to baby girl :)

Potty training - check!

I am so proud of Josiah. In just 3 days (of serious full on potty training mode), he has been successfully potty trained! He is able to tell when he needs to shee-shee and when he wants to pang-sai. Sometimes, a little bit of wee-wee and stool stain his pants but I am confident that with a little bit more of practice and self-control, he will be fine. Of course, he still wears diapers when we take him out and when he sleeps, but other than that, he is diaper-free. He does not even wear diapers in school and so far he has never wet himself. Here are a few pointers to potty training as a reminder to myself for future use with our baby girl :)
The key to successful potty training is that the parent/caregiver must regularly ask the child whether he needs to relieve himself. More often than not, Josiah's answer is no. But when I bring the potty to him, he wees almost every time. Secondly, have the potty nearby at all times and make sure the child can see it. This is to get him into the habit of telling when he needs to relieve himself and a reminder to him that that is the place to go to when he needs to. On the flipside, if there is no potty within range, he is most likely to wet himself because by the time you actually bring to potty to him or take him to the toilet, it would be too late. Finally, I believe that there is no point in forcing your child to sit on the potty if he is not ready. At 2.5 years old, I know that Josiah has reached a certain level of maturity where he understands the concept of wee-wee and doing big business in the potty. Instead of scolding him for still wearing diapers, I encouraged him to use the potty. Even when he wet himself on a few occasions in the past, I do not yell at him but encourage him to do it in the potty next time. No doubt it is frustrating when he wets himself and the cleaning up that follows, but when you see results, it is well worth the extra mile and patience. 

Week 30 and counting down the days

My dear baby girl is 30 weeks now. The countdown has officially begun. I can't wait for her arrival. We had a photoshoot on Saturday featuring my maternity moments and also our family. The pictures are being edited now but here's a little sneak preview:-
  My belly looks huge here and Josiah is so happy here. I think he is just as excited to meet his baby sister. I hear so many stories of jealousy and sibling rivalry. But Josiah is a lover. He loves seeing other babies and commenting on how cute they are. Whenever there is any reference to baby, he will immediately point at my growing belly. How sweet!

Potty Training

I have decided to seriously start potty training Josiah as he is 2.5 years old now. In the past I occasionally keep him diaper-free at home to let him experience pee-peeing/poo-pooing in the potty. However, as the training is not consistent, he still asks to wear diapers and refuses to go to the potty/toilet voluntarily. Today is the second day he did not wear diapers to school and so far it has been accident-free. If only he was with me 24/7, I am pretty sure I can successfully potty train him fully in a matter of days. I do expect some accidents where he wets himself, but that is the norm. This morning however, I was so cross that I yelled at him so hard when he wet himself even though the potty was right next to him and I asked him to do it in the potty but he refused to. As a result, Josiah was frustrated himself and yelled back at me. Of course after that he came crying to me and asked me to sayang him back. Note to self: to be more patient, do not yell and get frustrated and never ever give up.

Short trip to KL over the weekend: 18-20 January 2012

We went to KL over the weekend as Daddy had to attend a wedding and I took the opportunity to meet up with some friends from KL whom I have not seen for a while. They were my colleagues back at LHAG where I did pupillage in 2006. It was nice seeing how everyone is doing well in the legal profession. I have to admit that catching up with them made me feel a little bit nostalgic.
Daddy of course wanted Josiah to come along for the short break. Seeing how he has been a good boy and settling well into his playschool, I agreed.
It was a short trip but Josiah enjoyed himself. Here are two pictures of him playing at the small play area outside Toy 'R Us in Mid Valley Megamall. I think it's a clever idea to have the play area to attract children and customers to to shop there. Daddy couldn't resist and gave in to his request, much to my chagrin, to buy Godzilla the monster (now why would anyone buy their kids monsters, right?) Anyway, he enjoyed playing at the play area. He got up the slide all by himself and went up and down the slide several times. After that, he was totally KO-ed so while he slept in his stroller, Daddy and myself treated ourselves to coffee and cakes at Plan b. My little cheeky boy is now 2y 4m+.

Baby loves to kick Mommy

Week 24 & 6 days: Baby girl is really active. Her kicks really pack a punch! If I lie down still, I can see my tummy jiggle. Not that I am complaining - I love to feel her move! Although when I was carrying  Josiah, his movements were more gentle. I wonder if this means that baby girl will be very active and physical when she is out of my womb. I hope she will be a good girl with good temperament. 

First day of school - no tears at all!

Josiah's first day of school went well. He made a new friend called Jaden immediately and they played together. When I told him I was leaving to go to work and that I'd come pick him up later, he answered 'OK'. His class is from 8.30am to 11.30am. When daddy and I picked him up from school, the teacher said he did not cry at all. I'm so proud of my little boy. He is attending Taska Twinkle Tots this year and next year he will be off to Rajawali. I pray that he will enjoy school, make new friends and learn to be more disciplined.
Baby is growing well. Last scan revealed that she has long legs (like mummy). She kicks A LOT! I love it when she does that. I'm assured that she is well and active.
I have also been searching high and low for a confinement lady. I have called almost 50 of them  and they are all booked. I hope we can find one soon, otherwise I will have to go to Jia Yi. This time I would prefer to be at home because Josiah will miss me...and vice versa! It will also be easier for daddy as he does not have to travel back and forth to visit me.
Today is the second day of 2013 - Happy New Year! I look forward to this year, especially the birth of baby girl and anticipate lots of excitement and new experiences motherhood brings.