Eat, drink and be married!

In this world of parenthood, the range of products for every single thing is endless. And for us new parents, it was an entire learning journey altogether - what to get, where to get, when to get and most importantly which one to get. 

Sterilizing is a must - no matter which method used. When it comes to dealing with the little human being, we have to be extra careful because their immune systems are not fully developed and neither has they been fully vaccinated so paying for a peace of mind is always my mantra when it comes to considering products for his usage.

Why UV Sterilizer?

Trust me when we had endless discussions what kind of sterilizer to get - I was even contemplating resorting to the timeless method of boiling to sterilize when a dear mummy friend reminded me that boiling can melt parts and trying to sterilize in the middle of the night is in no means of fun or feasible. Turns out we had our share of using boiling water and I ended up buying spare parts for my pump within a week!

Steam sterilizing was the other option but the limited storage spaces of the sterilizers was a concern. Plus, the anal me was particular about having another container to store the sterilized items. Or, the water from the sterilized items would be dripping and I still had to wring the items in the open to clear the water droplets and spark off another debate about bacteria in the air.

Truly you can never sterilizer anything 100% but the UV sterilizer alternative appealed most because I was not restricted by the size of my items and not only could I sterilize baby's items, I could do so for our own things too! Instead of having to wash his toys, I could just throw them into the UV sterilizer. Granted that this technology is relatively new in the market but hospitals have been using this method to sterilize nearly everything!

1. Internationally acclaimed brand for baby products - This is super important for us because everything else is hearsay and trusted brands are the only way of discerning which brand to get!
2. The world's first sterilizer on bluetooth system! More about the benefits of that later. 
3. The compatibility of it that fits nearly every kitchen or bedroom. Its compact size makes it easy to fit nearly anywhere.
4. Storage size: It is considered a portable storage kit of its own taking up to 16 Milk Bottles, Teats, Pacifier, Breast Pump Accessories, Teether, Soft Toys, even household products like Spoon, Bowl, Toothbrush and Comb!

•  Touch button system
• Userfriendly touch system and LED lights
• 4 different modes: Auto (Drying and Sterilizing), Sterilizing, Drying, Sterilization Storage 
• Bluetooth system
• This made my sterilizer the smartest device in the household! 
• Through the Haenim App, I could control the sterilizer from literally anywhere in the house - SO convenient. Plus I get a notification when to replace the UV Lamps too. SOLD. 
• Sterilization Storage Function
• Continuous sterilizing is possible 4 times with 2 hourly intervals.
• Dual Ventilation and Heater Fan System
• This is key in ensuring that the sterilized items do not have residual smells thereafter.
• PTC Heater which offers excellent drying power, which is tops for thermal efficiency too!
• Dual UV Lamp
• With this, 99.9% of the bacteria is sterilized!
• Low Noise System
•  Late night sterilizing is possible without waking anyone up.
• Automatic Temperature Sensor
• Once temperatures soar higher than 45 degrees celcius, the sterilizer stops working. 

• SUS304 Super Mirror
• Excellent reflective power for sterilizing. 
• Air Cleaning Filter System
• Easy to clean under running water.

• COLOURS
•  Black, Blue, Pink, Green, Grey, Metal Silver
   
•  Yes I am frivolous like that, we opted for the metal silver in the end. Doesn't it look so sleek and forward looking??? 

Now, seeing it in action!



The instruction manual unlike my korean car seat is as idiot proof as it can get - simplicity rules.


 

I've got space for more! 
 


Easy to calibrate and use! All in a single press of the auto button.





Turns red when it's busy drying the contents.



And a cool blue to denote sterilizing!



Sterilized and dried bottles all done in 30 minutes! Easy, just got easier.





And if inconvenience gets the better of me, I can remotely activate the UV Sterilizer with a click of a button using the Haenim app!



Oh me, oh my, this convenience is one huge saving grace especially in the middle of the night where I need not fiddle in the dark and that crazed state of fatigue to activate the sterilizer. 


 
Our lives have been made easier with this and truth be told, even before being asked to review this we were already going to purchase one! Sleepless nights just got more bearable with my Haenim UV Sterilizer. 

So having said all about what I love about the product, what did I not totally like? 

There is still a mild smell that lingers after sterilization is complete - though they had already pre-empted!

It is a must to wring dry the bottles or teats prior to sterilizing otherwise the water droplets end up leaving water marks on the bottom of the sterilizer. 

 


Well they say, happy baby, happy mommy!

For my readers,  

Get $70 off the latest 3rd Gen Haenim UV Steriliser! Discount Code: themarriedchapter. Shop at www.TLO.com.sg (Valid only at the online store till 30 August 2016. Not valid at fairs or showroom.)

A Haenim 3rd Gen UV Sterilizer was given for review. No monetary compensation has been received.  All thoughts and comments are purely our own.

As with the crib, I knew way before we got pregnant that a Stokke stroller would be part of that list of things to get. But, the sums add up and we had to make adjustments along the way...thankfully, the things we loved about the Stokke strollers could be found in the lesser known brands for a fraction of the price.

So what exactly did I fall head over heels over the Stokke on?

The height so baby can see eye with us at the dining table - I have issues with baby smelling fart and getting all claustrophic in crowded areas.

Sturdy mechanism, three wheels and the suspension is SO good...Hubba had a field day shaking all the strollers to get a grasp of how sturdy they were. Unfortunately, the lighter they are they tend to compromise on sturdiness. Plus, hanging bags and groceries will not be advised for the lighter models.

We chanced upon these three brands at the Baby Fair and in a cafe, randomly. Somehow the stroller-radar hits an all time high when it becomes a pressing need.

Fedora S 11

Korean design, made in china. I suppose it is impossible to run away from MIC products anymore. This was the tallest of their range of strollers. Our car seat was purchased from Fedora and rightfully the stroller should have been as well...

Cobra

Taller than the Fedora, this German designed stroller reminds me of Stokke to a T. Not as stable as the Fedora, strangely but the height was such a temptation!


Doona

Israeli award winning design with a mechanism that doubles this as a baby car seat and stroller all in one! I was super for this stroller at first. My main grouse was the height of the stroller handles that cannot be extended and the worry that the button could be accidentally pressed when baby is still in it and collapses (yes, I know...the horrors that I put myself through).

So what did we get eventually? 

Penned at 36 + 2 days.  

Hi Baby, 

I am hardly lost for words...and where do I even start on this. Gosh, I feel tears already welling up...thank you pregnancy hormones. We should be popping soon - and the bets are on Week 38 being that golden ticket week though with you born over due and me at Week 39, I thought we'd be hitting the home run nearing Week 40. Which really leaves us under 2 weeks to be all ready to welcome our little man.

Was it not just yesterday that I penned the letter going from Miss to Missus and then we tried so hard for this promotion and now, this? Time does fly so fast all the time.

We definitely did not have things easy and I Thank God all the time - for you, for us, for Speckie.  I think we had one too many conversations about parenthood even before conceiving and you already made a good dad to me. How we hoped we would not make the same mistakes our parents did (though so much easier said than done).

Thank you for...

The patience during those trying times, each time I behave like an emotional nutcase on the run.

Letting me make wilful decisions on trying for a child. For sure you doubted the rash decisions I made on our behalf at some point and the success rates of assisted contraception even but because it made me feel better about the situation, you let me.

Taking on our cancelled trips like a champ - I think not being able to travel kills both of us. And I have guilt tripped you so many times for the sacrifices made for us because of my compulsory bed rest...yet all you did was take me into that tight embrace telling me - the countries will not run away.

Putting up with the pregnancy hormones, cravings and housework chores. For sure it felt like a Queen not having to lift a finger and each time you shoot me that impish grin and countdown to the day that I will take over all chores again - I am horribly guilt tripped too!?

Going for prenatal classes just cos it was supposedly helpful. I think it bored you to no end yet you were there for us all the way, as much as you could.

Those leg massages and ensuring I was comfortable every single night...did this stress you out so much that's why you ended up grinding your teeth too? :P

Loving the little man so very much. You never know how much your eyes light up when we talk about him, our schooling plans for him...and being the handyman for all the stuff that needs putting together. Cyrus, bet you did not know Dadda is going to shield you from all the hurt and ways of the world, the best he can and ever will.

Being the braver and calmer of us two because, who's going to be my pillar if we both are weak? You always say. I'm sure there are times that you are fearful and scared even, but because I am always the bigger mess, you give me that privilege time and again to be that sobbing mess infront of you.

I don't think we can ever be 100% ready to be parents, nothing can prep us enough for that. But I know you'd make an awesome dad. I may have lamented about how I'd love for our first born to be a little girl, threatening to dress him up in a tutu even...but I am glad you are the father of my child. <3

I promised to romance you for the rest of my life, to not let our conversations be just about Cyrus and not about us anymore...that we would have an existent couple life because we started and will end as two when the children have all grown up and left the nest. And I will try to the best of my ability, to give 'us' the life we once had before, even if...it barely resembles a fraction of it.

Perhaps tomorrow will leave us first timers lacking in sleep, food and all the niceties that makes marriage a more enjoyable chapter than parenthood, I may forget all the lovely things you've done for me in these 9 months because labour pain gives amnesia but deep down I hope you know, I love you so very much.

xx

Rightfully, 18 July would have been Speckie's EDD and I was somehow hoping he'd bake in the oven for a weebit longer (which reminds me, I have yet to even start writing about his birth story!). Turns out my plan to pen weeks 38 - 40 separately was already a sign of things to come. Mummy's instinct?

Alas, week 28 arrived. FINALLY. I'm not sure how many are like me who are seriously counting down to the end of the pregnancy..and I approach this last trimester with some apprehension. The last leg...I'm not sure if this will be the first and last pregnancy...hopefully the last 12 weeks or less will not be too uncomfortable.

This is known as the last stretch, and possibly the most uncomfortable. 

The bits that annoyed

By now the weight has more of less stabilized, thanks to GD. Weight gain was minimal in the last few weeks of the second trimester and hopefully I keep within my own targeted weight gain.

Leg/Calf cramps

These were coming on fast and furious, walk too much and I end up with sore calves. BOO. So far I've had three different cramp attacks, toes and calves and it is no joke.

Here big, there big, everywhere is big

I gave up trying to dress up and have a fashion sense. As long as I am comfortable, I could even go out in my pjs if possible. There are moments where I underestimated the size of the bump - I've abused it against the chopping board and sliding doors amongst so many things. Oops. I look forward to the day the bump can be used as a balancing act for my bowl or bag of chips.

The growing belly

The last trimester usually sports a faster growth than the first two, I end up a lot tighter at the belly after a heavy meal and the only position that keeps me happy is lying on my bed. I do not expect more comfortable days ahead, but that just means the end to this discomfort is near, at least!

Rashes

Between itching and pain, I would very much prefer the latter. An itch developed in the groin area and a private part that will not be named. Thank god for cooling powder that helped ease the discomfort a fair bit.

Groin pain

Out of the blue, I developed groin pain on one of the days during Week 30. Intermittent ache/pain that annoyed me.  Thankfully it went away after a night of propping my legs up.

Swollen ankles

I definitely was not expecting water retention since I survived so long without any - then they came harsh on me whenever I walked under the hot sun. By sundown, they were heavy, achey and nothing like the feet I know. Oh, if I stared hard enough at my toes, they became mini sausages. How-cute. Hurhur.

Ruddy red limbs

Thank you water retention, I ended up with flushed lower limbs - completely unsightly and a mere prod would cause a mark. SO fun. 

Hunger pangs

While I am thankful and so is the husband that we never quite got bugged by midnight cravings, the hunger pangs were coming back stronger than before. Even after what felt like a ginormous dinner at 7pm, I'd be rummaging my fridge at 10pm. 

Preterm Contractions

Whilst my group of mummy friends were no stranger to this, I was not expecting the rude awakening of a combination of cramps and what I thought could be Braxton Hicks/Pre-term contractions in the wee hours of the morning! They lasted all of 45 minutes with Speckie moving around like a baby under water though. Baffling much and all the hospital could offer was "to monitor". Ho-hum.

The countdown

With so many things being checked off the list, it seemed like there were still others left.

Week 29

The sugar cravings were still going strong - the more I am denied, the harder I crave for all things sugary! ARGH. My satisfaction of an icecream cone was gone in less than 10 minutes and I still craved another.

Settled the baby chair this week...and somehow I'm still left with diapers and sterile cotton swabs and all the itsy bitsy necessities. Oh, did someone say kimono tops are better for newborns? RAWR.

Nesting instinct kicked in with my obsession with cleaning stove tops, my fridge and every other corner that I seemed to over look in the last tens of weeks. BOO.

I developed an urge to cook strangely, more so than ever. Chicken thighs, vegetable casseroles, spring rolls even. What's happening?

We explored the idea of posturepro to adjust posture before birth and alleviate pains during labour - sigh, the costs put me off unfortunately. 

Week 30

I felt extra large this week, and almost started waddling like  duck. :( Midway to the next month's milestone, friends were all telling me how fast the pregnancy progressed and soon I'd miss having him inside me.

Week 31

Clothes that used to fit stopped - more so than ever. I spent a good 15 minutes pacing up and down the wardrobe thinking what can fit and contemplated taking MC because I couldn't find anything decent. Shame on me for not investing in gorgeous PJs that can also pass off as work wear.  Finally, the most unlikely piece of clothing actually fit - albeit too snug at the butt BUT beats having nothing to wear.

Going through old photos made me resent the current size, it is unfortunately devastating..and...:(

Week 32

Water retention started being a bane this week, exactly after the gynae's visit. It got so bad, for the first time my wedding band could barely fit, my lower calves and feet swelled up and were mostly a fiery red throughout the day. Not fun at all when these translated to weight gain on the weighing scales. BOO.

I was made to count his movements this week and by 10am I would have hit the necessary 10 movements. 

Week 33

I battled water retention hard this week, it got so bad that my left foot resembled a pig's trotter compared to the right. I tried all I could -  drinking more water, foot massages and getting them propped up when I sleep to ease the discomfort. Compression stockings were definitely the lastest of all resorts!

And the weight gain continues. BOO.

Week 34

When I thought water retention could be controlled, it went out of control with further swelling and hobbling like a hog with an injured hoof. BAH.

The cot arrived this week and I got alot more emo putting together his scrapbook...the journey thus far has been...one huge ride.

I battled insomnia on one weekend night, waking at 4am and all I could think of was how to do the bacon egg casserole for the Hubba. :(

Coconut juice started this week - HOORAY. This is godsent!

Week 35

His movements are definitely  alot larger and stronger by this week and apparently - his hearing abilities have fully developed this week! I wonder if he knows who I am...LOL...and high pitched tones scare him I realise, and he reacts by shuffling a lot inside.

I cannot imagine what my gynae would say about my ridiculous weight gain. I already hate my fat self. We discussed our  birthplan with our gynae and hopefully I get to stick with it despite the pain expected.

First episode of preterm contractions that scared me and I was this tempted to rouse the snoring Hubba and dash to A and E...(sigh)..thankfully they went away after 45 minutes and I slept like a hog till day break. The only takeaway was - the thought of epidural kept flashing in my mind. HAHA.

Week 36

Waddling like a penguin is sucha norm, I may have forgotten how walking used to be like without a pumpkin infront of me.

I experienced the most painful calf cramp to date and literally shrieked out in pain at daybreak. :( NO FUN. 

Week 37

Officially full term! *throws confetti*

Strapped on the CTG to monitor his heart rate and contractions during the ob-gyn visit...cervix check for dilation which hurt like a b*. I wonder how the bottom half of the body is gonna adjust to such hourly abuses when the real deal starts. Turns out, we should not be expecting the lil man to arrive this week afterall!

Braxton hicks coming on strong after midnight at the expense of sleep. RAWR.

The advice

Get enough sleep! 

We probably heard this so many times throughout the pregnancy but it got more frequent in the last 10 weeks or so. The bane of being me is sleep does not come like a tsunami and whack me hard, I sleep an average of 7-8 hours on most days, hardly ever more than 9 but I hit 6 or less on the remaining days. Yet, some say with motherhood having a stretch of 6 hours is a humongous luxury, even.

Enjoy couple time

Yes, yes, yes! Heard this loud and clear...and we planned a staycation and plenty of good meals before we get imprisoned and food will not be enjoyed but gobbled for the next one year at least.   

Eat at all the kid unfriendly places

I suppose our dining habits will take on a life changing stance - savouring is a luxury, gobbling is norm. 

Wait for the day you wake up without water retention

Old wives' tale?  I've been told this by a number of aunties to date. Anyhow, I shall see if the myth remains a myth or gets debunked!

So....pregnancy is not all roses and unicorns and candy floss happy. I'm sorry but it wasn't one of those times where I had the best time in my life - life is a lot better not being pregnant.

For sure, there is a life growing inside me and every fibre of my being should be rejoicing over that - but no, there are bits to it that makes this journey suck. Taken off the horse's mouth.

Mommy's Brain

The forgetfulness got so bad at some point - I got my staycation dates mixed up, forgot to note the order number of my online order...got so frustrated with myself that every Friday seemed like Friday the 13th though I was looking forward to end of week so much.

I hated being pregnant

The body that isn't mine anymore. The belly, girth, swollen everything...and weight gain. Having been weight conscious all my life, this was just beyond me to comprehend. The weighing scales and mirrors already started being my fiend from day one, and slowly it morphed into a monster that I dreaded so darn much. One fine day I even asked the poor husband if I can remove all mirrors in the house.

People showed off their bumps, I preferred to hide mine. Not that I wasn't happy with the living one inside but it was this physical change that no amount of comforting could ever help. How can wearing clothes become such a pain, and literally I struggled in and out of outfits for a special dinner and still was not satisfied with my choice and that swollen thing called belly getting in the way.

OF all the pregnancy symptoms, lower backache and bloatedness got me under my skin. SO BAD. And no home remedy seem to help - exercising was completely out of the question given my complicated history, and taking ginger is also out of the equation. Yet every other best remedies to bloatedness post had nothing helpful to say except

• Eat smaller meals
• Increase fibre intake
• Exercise
• Cut down on refined sugars

To which the darling Hubba summed up "as good as telling you eat, sleep, poo and repeat". 

Hormones that rage, more than you can imagine

First, I was angry at being put on bed rest. The trip cancellations during festive periods made me go bonkers literally on my couch - I could probably soak it twice through with the amount of weeping and emotional breakdowns I had.

Then, I had trouble sleeping which made me even angrier than angry.

Subsequently, getting so emotional and hormonal about teeny tiny things. Gosh, I hate myself already.

Gestational Diabetes

As much as this is an angel trying to help me lead a healthier lifestyle, it was a demon in its own right. I felt maligned and all the sugary intake was not even part of my usual regime. Preserved prunes and yakult became daily affairs to help with indigestion and gas and suddenly they were forbidden. The usual foods that I love so dearly with my heart became poison and I hated the diabetes mention so much, it was ear sore and every ounce of poison.

I have to admit the journey is not smooth sailing - more on that in a full entry. 

Countdown to week 40

Every passing week meant a week nearer to getting myself out of this misery. And that despite all the discomfort made me wee bit happier.

Written when still pregnant and angsty, I would imagine the angst hitting all notes of high when baby is here! 

Being a First Time Mom does influence the way I have made purchases or decisions in the last almost 9 months and amongst those things at brings on the great divide is the hospital bag.

I toyed with the idea of packing it sometime at Week 32 and started filling it in 33...

So here's what's inside my very pretty vacation bag - except it will not be as cushy as a staycation and barely half the fun.

For Momma,

• Maternity pads
• Sterile Gauze
• Nursing Bras
• Going home outfit
• Toiletries set
• Make up pouch
• Breast pads
• Breast pump (half hearted on this since the supply will not come in anyway!) 
• Gestational Diabetes Rental Kit (to return to the pharmacy on day of check out!)
• Snacks
• Handphone charger 

For Dadda

• Laptop battery
• Camera and charger
• Jacket

For Baby

• Going home clothes
• Swaddle 
• Mittens and booties
• Original copy of marriage cert to do the birth cert registration
• Bills to make claims
• Cordblood banking kit

And with that, we are literally a ticking time bomb now...!

I started out not having a plan, and then it became something more and that's when excitement finally seeped in!

Planning for our own home did not seem so fun, somehow...perhaps cuter things existed for the tiny tyke that made it more fun. I started out with a colour scheme in mind more than a theme - afterall, installing wall paper according to theme is going to be tricky when the tyke grows up and starts attacking the walls with crayons and what nots.

White it would be mainly, lots of sunshine and pops of colour here and there. One thing let to another and here's what we ended up with. 

A4 LightBox
http://www.alittlelovelycompany.nl/en/

At 16 weeks, I made my first purchase for speckie and it wasn't even an insurance policy yet. Frivolous momma had other plans in mind and it included a A4 sized light box. The hubba was clearly very amused but I justified and defended my purchase to no end. Shipping set me back by 20 euros and using master card another 1 euro which still worked out to be cheaper than the Cotton On alternative which coincidentally was already retailing at $80.

No offense to other mummies but I thought having those milestone cards were too cliche.

Cushion and Trolley
IKEA

I caved in to a number of items from IKEA because of the price mainly AND they really did resemble those from the high end shops at sucha fraction of the price! Buying for baby is bank breaking and budgeting is super important - plus we already splurged on the lightbox and the tula....something had to give yes?

Cloud cushion

Trolley

Playmat
Parklon

I was torn between getting a playmat and a rug.

And ultimately, the playmat won for practicality and hygiene reasons - I cannot possibly de-fur a rug per se. Stalking pupsik for a good discount on my Parklon mat was priority and I nailed one with a reasonable discount off, free delivery and a first time purchase discount too - please always look out for additional codes!

Delivery was settled in 2 working days flat, super impressive. While some may say nabbing these at a baby fair could be cheaper, I did my sums and having to drag the fella bag alongside all the other buys is going to be daunting.

The crib
Bon Bebe - Vermont

Stokke was on my dream and lust list for SO LONG. Oval shaped cribs are so uncommon amongst the brands and it can be converted along the way. With so many selling points, I still have to cave into a normal looking crib eventually. Price, does matter unfortunately.

Key things to look out for include casters, colour of wood and sturdiness. I contemplated a play pen and a cot but the flimsiness of the former put me off.

I had my eye on the Bon Bebe Alexia after rave reviews from the gf, and ended up with the Vermont since they ran out of white for Alexia. Sturdy and looks pretty enough for the nursery, one down and so many more to go! 

Blankie turned ornament piece
http://modernburlap.com/

I was sold on their swaddles with biblical verses printed, this would mean so much for us and Speckie whom we owe so much to God for. I thought it would be nice if Speckie grew up with a verse that would be instrumental, subsequently. So it ended up being on the wall like most mommas have done! 

Plus they have a super meaningful charity drive going on - one for a stranger.
http://modernburlap.com/collections/tots-kiddos/products/add-on-to-any-swaddle-to-make-it-one-for-one

Cotton Mobile

Needle and I's works are to die for...but but but I still did not cave into getting one to hang. Somehow plastic ones did not appeal to me as much as the cotton ones and I ended up with a musical toy from disney instead! Cute and squishy too!

You know how an unsatisfied lusting returns and haunts? I ended up with yet another cotton mobile off taobao - just because.

There are a ton in the market with prices varying depending on budget - and also a variety of styles. We wanted something journalistic, one that hopefully tells a story and captures the raw emotions. I sound like I want the heavens and the stars already. Baring the belly was not my idea of tasteful, somewhat - neither do posy studio shoots appeal.

I fell in love with Samuel Goh's eye for detail - though he specialised in weddings, I thought it would be great for this special chapter. A couple of emails and there we had our maternity photographer settled at 11 weeks. Whoops, too early maybe? But then again I learnt that nothing is too early to book.  

A visit at his studio and a conversation that dragged for hours, we found our photographer.

We decided to keep things simple for those 2 hours and traveled around our favourite neighbourhood.

Murals

We stumbled upon two wall murals in the vicinity - we are becoming a mini Penang here!

One Olive

This secret garden needs no further mention, though hardly resembling any other florist in town.

Plain Vanilla

My favourite cupcakery in town - I wish we got ourselves cupcakes too but this was the final location for the shoot.


We prayed for good weather and was given more than good weather, sunny skies, white fluffy clouds and heat. The Hubba was soaked through within 30 minutes and by the end of the shoot, we were both thankful that we are over and done with pre-wedding shoots.



My getup - who'd have thought chiffon could be equally hot too!? At 33 weeks, the bump was definitely becoming a permanent barrel!


Samuel was a joy to work with, he had a flair for details most definitely and a knack of digging deep into our inner selves through the things he asked us to do - whisper into each other ear's a song that we would sing to the little boy and others...at some point it got emotional for me, recounting our journey as a couple. Perhaps he should be a counsellor too!



Here's just one as a preview, the rest of the photos probably won't arrive till almost my due date!