Dphotofolio Outdoor Maternity Photography

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The husband and I are extremely delighted to have our outdoor maternity photos taken by Dphotofolio. Established way back in 2005, photographers Alvin and Jane have come a long way indeed and accumulated a wealth of valuable experience from various photography projects. We met up at their studio located at King George’s Building a few weeks prior the shoot to browse at some of their work and exchange ideas as to how we want our maternity photos to turn out.

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As for the venue, the possibilities are endless. Alvin suggested shooting at a lalang field, amongst a few other places but I was totally excited to have our photos taken at a lalang field because I imagined that it would be perfect in capturing the blissful and magical moments of my pregnancy. I really admire Alvin and Jane for their willingness to push their limits, go out of their comfort zones and explore areas of photography that they have barely ventured into. Alvin was even adventurous enough to suggest underwater photography! I was kinda tempted but felt that my baby bump might get in the way and make things difficult for me.

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The day was a very special one for misterchewy and I. It was Valentine’s Day! Our fourth one together! The weather was kind. Very sunny and the sky was in a lovely shade of blue when we reached our first photo destination early in the morning πŸ™‚

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One of the most important things during a shoot is to be able to relax and have fun and that was exactly how misterchewy and I felt. The entire shoot was very enjoyable and it was also memorable as we felt Baby Chanelle’s gentle kicks when we were posing for some shots. It certainly brought a genuine smile to our faces and we just wanted to remember these special moments forever. Hope you guys like the photos as much as we do! Kudos to Alvin and Jane for being so passionate towards their love for photography and also for being so patient throughout the shoot! πŸ™‚

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Not sure if you noticed that there is also a ‘horse theme’ for our photoshoot because Baby Chanelle is born in the year of the horse! That explains the real horses and horse balloons in some of the photos πŸ˜›

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If you like what you see, and would like to view more of Dphotofolio’s works, simply hop on over to their website or Facebook page.

Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

Lizzie’s Little Rainbow Diaper Cake Hampers

Diaper Cake

Mummy Charlene and Baby Chanelle received quite a few gifts from our friends, relatives and colleagues but these DIAPER CAKES from Lizzie’s Little Rainbow really take the cake! Pun unintended. This is not an advertorial or sponsored review but I just felt that these diaper cakes are waaaay too adorable not to share! They were actually gifted by my maternal second uncle and auntie, and cousins. πŸ™‚ There is a complete price guide on its website and you can choose either a 1-tier or 2-tier cake depending on your budget. Plenty of diapers make up the cake tiers and the rest are beautifully decorated with other useful and practical items such as baby rompers, baby receiving blanket, baby socks, etc!

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Taken off Lizzie’s Little Rainbow’s Facebook page

Featured in the April 2014 issue of Mother & Baby magazine.

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Cute little rompers rolled into cupcake baking cups!

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Awww.. Baby socks for those tiny little feet πŸ™‚

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These Old Navy baby sandals almost made me squeal in delight!

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Premium educational toy is also included.

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A bottle of Benedictine Dom for mummy. Hehehe πŸ˜›

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A+ for effort and creativity!

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That’s all folks! Baby Chanelle wants more milk milk! Tata for now! πŸ˜€
Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

Little Misschewy Has Finally Arrived!

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SAY HELLO TO LITTLE MISSCHEWY!! πŸ˜€ Our little princess was born on 18th March, on a CHEWSDAY (Tuesday la) night! Guess what guys? My EDD was 12th March but everyone says that our baby knows how to enjoy life inside mummy’s tummy and refuses to come out so soon. Or maybe she enjoys going to work with me πŸ˜›

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During the wee hours of the morning at around 2-3am on 18th March, I started to feel really strong and unbearable contractions and this lasted throughout the night. I was drifting in and out of sleep because of the immense pain, and tried my best to time my contractions. The intervals got shorter with time and misterchewy decided that we should go to the hospital. I was pretty reluctant because I felt that I didn’t have enough sleep. LOL.

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Admitted myself slightly after 9am and was immediately shown into the delivery suite. Was asked to change into a robe and nurses did some checks on me before reporting to my gynae. I was told that my dilation was only 0.5cm! One of the nurses also administered me an enema and I washed up before being put on a drip which was to make my contractions even stronger to help with the dilation.

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The contractions became really excruciating and I felt like I was going to faint or die any moment! The hubs offered me his hand. No la I didn’t bite it but left quite a few fingernail marks on it. LOL. In the end, I begged asked for pain relief. EPIDURAL TO THE RESCUE!

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After that very shiok. The injecting of epidural wasn’t that bad after all. Better than having to bear with that bitch of a pain! I could still feel contractions but there wasn’t any pain at all. Felt so relaxed! My gynae popped in twice, first was to rupture my waterbag, and at around 4.30pm she worked her magic and increased my dilation to 5cm. Shall spare you the details.

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By late evening, I was damn sleepy already. Totally unprepared when gynae told me to start pushing. Besides, my lower body was feeling numb. I thought that I was using all my might to push already but my gynae told me, “You’re not pushing at all. You need to push harder.” Wah faints. Seeing that I was so tired, she told me to rest and she would be back in less than an hour. Sooo.. I took a nap and gynae came back at 7.30pm. This time, I was super determined and with the help of both gynae and nurse, I pushed until my face turned green and viola! Baby was delivered in 12 minutes! πŸ˜€

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That defining moment was truly indescribable. When a bawling Little misschewy was being tossed onto my tummy, I felt like I was going to burst into tears. It was all so surreal and I made a promise to myself that we will be her guardian angels and protect her with our lives.

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Mother and baby skin to skin contact πŸ™‚

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There you have it! Baby Chewy weighs a healthy 3.36kg!

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Our very first family photo! :))

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My 3D2N stay at Mount Elizabeth Hospital was a very pleasant and comfortable one. All the nurses were very forthcoming and approachable. From time to time, Little misschewy would be brought in from the nursery and I was really happy to have her in my arms πŸ™‚

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The hubs took leave from work to accompany me and also to see his precious baby girl!

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I almost forgot to take photo of my ward until the very last day when I was supposed to be discharged. The ward looks not bad right? There’s also an LED television. Pardon the mess πŸ˜› The ward actually looks much tidier in this photo because misterchewy had helped to lug all the gifts and hampers home the day before.

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Also wanna mention that the food is surprisingly quite good! There is a menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and you can check off the dishes that you want. I polished off all my food every single meal. How to lose weight?! Haha.

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We completed her birth registration before going home and decided to name her Chanelle πŸ™‚
Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ˜€

Studio Memories Indoor Maternity Photography

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Hellooo chewys! We are still anticipating the arrival of our baby princess! The feeling is very surreal. I would like to think that we have almost everything ready and are adequately prepared but deep down, we know that we can never be well prepared, especially since this is our first child. Really don’t know what to expect. Getting the jitters already! Haha. During my third trimester, misterchewy and I went for an indoor maternity photoshoot by Studio Memories.

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Living by the motto Capturing The Best Moments, Studio Memories is made up of a group of professional, accomplished and well-equipped photographers who each specializes in his or her own field of photography with years of experience. Blessed with a dynamic team, Studio Memories offers a wide range of services such as actual day wedding photography and videography, and various types of photoshoot for newborns, families, wedding couples and mothers-to-be. Created only in July 2013, Studio Memories has gained a popular following as evident on their Facebook page and it’s not hard to see why because of the high-quality photos that they produce at such a reasonable price that makes it so irresistible.

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Located at 28 Niven Road, the studio is impressively huge with several rooms, backdrops and props to cater to various genres of photography. Jacky was our photographer and he encouraged us to express our fun and crazy side. It wasn’t easy for misterchewy and I in the beginning but we slowly warmed up and enjoyed the photoshoot! What attracted and impressed me was Jacky’s creative and artistic flair in capturing these wonderful memories for us. Enjoy the rest of the photos and I’m sure you will agree with me! πŸ™‚

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Check out Studio Memories’ website to view their portfolio and package prices, and also ‘Like’ their Facebook page to stay updated on the latest promotions as well as giveaway contests! Catch them at BabyMarket from 18 to 20 April 2014 at Singapore Expo Hall 8 for exclusive promotions!

Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

Maternity Exchange Singapore: Buy or Rent Trendy Maternity Clothes

Advertorial

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Photo credit: dphotofolio

Do you know that one of the greatest woes of a pregnant woman is not being able to fit into any of her clothes? Initially, I found it quite amusing when my clothes started to feel tight around my baby bump, then it became frustrating when I could no longer zip up my dresses. It was not long later that I went into panic mode when I was left with only a handful of dresses that I could still force myself into. I was living in self-denial and refused to shop for maternity dresses, or what I call “XXXXL dresses”. LOL. Even my colleagues started to ask if I was planning to buy myself some decent maternity wear and advised me to get a few pieces as soon as I can as maternity wear can be quite costly. The earlier I buy, the more times I get to wear them before I deliver! Okay okay, I get the hint. I need clothes that fit a growing me!

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I did get myself quite a number of dresses, some online and some from retail stores. Ok I should also credit my mum for doing most of the shopping for me. I’m also glad to be introduced to Maternity Exchange, a long-standing innovative retail concept which offers mums-to-be the option of buying or renting outfits to create their own extensive maternity wardrobe without having to pay exorbitant prices. Plus, it’s also not practical because you won’t be wearing these clothes after you deliver (assuming you would have slimmed down) unless you intend to keep them for your second or third pregnancy.

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Maternity Exchange, located at Marina Square, carry the largest collection of imported and local designer maternity and nursing labels in Singapore, featuring international brands like Japanese Weekend, Maternal America and Jules & Jim Maternity, as well as popular local brands Mothers En Vogue and Dote Nursing.

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Also available at Maternity Exchange are maternity and nursing lingerie, swimwear, diaper bags, belly bands, maternity support belts, postpartum shapewear, and an assortment of gifts and accessories for mummmies and babies. We even spotted Sophie the Giraffe. It’s like a one-stop shopping haven for expectant mothers and new parents! If you prefer to do your shopping online, you will be pleased to know that Maternity Exchange stocks online exclusive maternity and nursing wear which is not available at the physical store.

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I was offered a 8-credit Basic Instincts rental package priced at $329. Two other packages with more credits – All Essentials and Indulge Your Bulge are also available. The renting system is very simple! You first pay the upfront fee for your desired package and you have one year to fully utilise each package. Each piece can be rented for a maximum of 4 weeks. Any item that features a rental price on its price tag can be rented. You can also rent by individual piece, where you will pay the full purchase price first and be refunded the difference between that and the prevailing rental price when you return the outfit. Regular casual pieces are usually worth one credit each, like this flattering black dress from Maternal America which I wore for one of our staycations.

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I also found a nice baby blue chiffon dress for my company’s dinner and dance late last year! Because some pieces are more expensive, they are worth two more more rental credits and may require a deposit which will be fully refunded when you return the rented piece in its original condition. Always remember to take good care of the dresses and check the washing labels to determine if the dress requires dry cleaning. If you really like what you are wearing and wish to keep it, you can simply purchase it!

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Photo credit: Studio Memories

Besides maternity wear, there are also nursing clothes available at Maternity Exchange. The collection is updated every 3 to 4 weeks so there’s bound to be something that catches your eye each time you visit the store! This lavender floral dress is only worth one credit and looks simple but turned out to be great in achieving a soft look for my maternity photoshoot.

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Photo credit: LiveStudios Photography

This has gotta be my favorite rented piece from Maternity Exchange which I wore to my cousin’s wedding at Shangri-La Hotel. It is an absolutely stunning V-neck beaded gown in an elegant shade of periwinkle blue by the brand Decode 1.8. I love how it fits me perfectly, even at 9 months, because I was close to believing that I wouldn’t be able to find a dress that could show off my ‘womanly curves’. Not only is the chiffon fabric very light and comfortable to wear, the fabulous cut helps slim the silhouette and the gorgeous pleated detailing at the bust and empire line adds a touch of glam. This piece retails at $499.25 but you can rent it for as low as 3 rental credits. I forked out $20 to have my gown altered by Maternity Exchange’s approved tailor because it was too long for me. Minor alterations can be done for a fee as long as it does not permanently alter the outfit.

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I have used up all the credits of my rental package and wish to conclude by saying that my 5-month long journey with Maternity Exchange had been a pretty pleasant one. You can read up on the FAQ section online if you have any queries or better still, head down to the physical store and browse through the amazing range of maternity clothes. Feel free to approach Maternity Exchange’s friendly retail assistants for advice. Nana had been a terrific help and was always so patient with me when I was at the store. Her cheerful disposition really puts me at ease and I didn’t feel bad about trying 6 outfits at one go πŸ˜› Do check out Maternity Exchange’s website and Facebook page to be updated on their promotions and clearance sales!

Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

Maternity Exchange
6 Raffles Boulevard
Marina Square
#03-108
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 6100 3924

The Second Trimester of Pregnancy

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Last December, I shared about my first trimester of pregnancy which wasn’t an easy one but I think I’m lucky when I compare myself to other pregnant mothers because although I did experience morning sickness, it wasn’t anything like a full blown one. I felt nauseous most of the time but at least I didn’t vomit. Currently, I’m in my last leg of pregnancy and decided to blog about my second trimester before I procrastinate even further! Cuz once I pop, I doubt I will have that much time and energy to blog πŸ˜›

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At about 20 weeks, I was scheduled for a Fetal Structural Anomaly Scan to check if our baby is developing normally and where the placenta is lying in the uterus. It was also through the scan that our baby’s gender is confirmed-plus-guranteed-chop! πŸ™‚

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The anomaly scan is a very detailed scan which typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. All of the baby’s organs will be examined and measurements are also taken. We even got to hear our baby’s heartbeat, loud and clear! After the scan, we decided to take up the antenatal package offered by my gynae, which includes the cost of this ultrasound scan. It excludes delivery fees as well as cost of supplements.

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Physical Symptoms
– An end to nausea
– More energy
– Decreasing urinary frequency (compared to first trimester)
– Achiness in the lower abdomen and along the sides
– Foot growth
– Slightly sensitive gums that sometimes bleed during brushing
– Increased appetite
– Fetal movement from the middle of second trimester

Emotional Symptoms
– Fewer mood swings
– Excitement whenever our baby kicks

Total weight gain: 8kg

How I felt about the second trimester: The second trimester (weeks 13 to 28) was the best! No morning sickness, I wasn’t lethargic and I didn’t really experience much mood swings. It was like I was back to my normal pre-pregnant state. I could even stay up late and not feel tired the next day.

Stay connected with us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

I’m 8 months pregnant at the time of writing.

Maternity Exchange X missuschewy Lookbook

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Hello chewys, happy Monday! Here’s a quick update on what I wore to my company’s Dinner and Dance function at Gardens by the Bay recently πŸ™‚ A few weeks back, I picked out this cocktail dress at Maternity Exchange which I thought would be perfect for the event.

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All photos in this post were taken by misterchewy.

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My baby blue cocktail dress is made of elegant chiffon material with satin lining which is actually quite cooling to wear. Since my baby bump is kinda huge at the moment at 6+ months, I think it’s a great idea to wear dresses made of chiffon fabric because it is lightweight and drapes beautifully.

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I like the sequined details around the neckline which helps to draw attention to my neck and no-longer-existent collarbone πŸ˜› The sequins also add a glamorous touch to the overall look.

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Thank you Maternity Exchange!
Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

The First Trimester of Pregnancy

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Chewy Junior at 6 weeks

As soon as I discovered I’m pregnant, I made an appointment for a prenatal checkup. I have always wanted to deliver at Thomson Medical Hospital but due to our working schedule and most gynae’s availability, we chose Dr Chia Yee Tien from Mount Elizabeth Hospital. She does night consultations at Choa Chu Kang’s The Edinburgh Clinic, which is very near my place. It also means that we don’t have to take leave for my checkups as misterchewy can accompany me after work. He used to work on Saturdays.

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During our first consultation with Dr Chia, she helped to determine my estimated date of delivery (EDD), asked about my medical history, did an early ultrasound to confirm my pregnancy and told me what types of food to avoid. We were to see her again 2 weeks later. At 6 weeks, Chewy Junior was about 2mm in length.

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Chewy Junior at 8 weeks

Isn’t she cuteeeee?! The hubs and I were very amused when our gynae said, “Oh look, you can now see your baby, like a little teddy bear.” LOL. And we could see our baby’s heart beating very quickly! πŸ™‚ Dr Chia also commented that our little one grew really quickly within that 2 weeks. Must be all that junk food I ate! If I didn’t remember wrongly, she was close to 2cm in length.

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Chewy Junior at 12 weeks

Visited Dr Chia when I was 12 weeks pregnant at her clinic in Mount Elizabeth Hospital to do the first trimester ultrasound (nuchal translucency) scan, also known as the NT scan. This scan aims to detect Down’s Syndrome and also many other chromosomal abnormalities. The NT scan, together with the blood tests, cost us about $500.

Here are most (if not all) of the symptoms that I had during my first trimester:

Physical Symptoms
– Morning sickness (it lasts through the day, not just in the morning but it’s the worst in the morning)
– Constantly hungry (found myself snacking in between meals if not I would feel nauseous whenever I’m hungry)
– Breast changes
– Bloatedness
– Fatigue (no amount of sleep could save me)
– More frequent urination than usual (visited the bathroom once or twice in the middle of every night)
– Nausea without vomiting (I think I’m quite lucky because I never once puked!)
– Increased sensitivity to smells (fried oily smell of food became a turn-off for me)
– Occasional headaches
– Metallic taste in mouth (making most food taste bland)
– Food aversion (certain fried food)
– Food cravings: sour sweets (esp Sour Power apple flavoured candy strips), tuna sandwich, tomyam, chicken rice, my mum’s cuttlefish and peanut porridge

Emotional Symptoms
– Frequent mood swings

Total weight gain: 4kg

How I felt about the first trimester: It was the most horrible phase of my life, no kidding. I felt like a nauseous zombie 24/7. It’s definitely one stage of my pregnancy that I will not miss!

Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

I’m 6 months pregnant at the time of writing.

missuschewy is 6 months pregnant!

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Hihi chewys! Just a little pregnancy update here lest you forget about Little misschewy! πŸ˜› We are past 24 weeks already! I admit that I tend to rely on my calendar and pregnancy apps in order to figure out which stage am I at. My second trimester has been really great so far and I wonder what the third will bring! The hubs helped to take a couple of baby bump shots on Saturday and I did some minor editing πŸ™‚

I’m also happy to announce that I’m collaborating with Maternity Exchange and I managed to pick out a few of their lovely dresses over the weekend at Marina Square. Will be sharing about their unique concept in a separate blog post. I’m still in the midst of drafting my first trimester post which hopefully will be out soon ok! Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

From Preparing for Pregnancy to Conception

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(Photo taken during CNY 2012 with my niece, Naomi)

Ever since misterchewy and I registered our marriage in September 2011, many of our close friends have been teasing us about the possibility of popping a Chewy Junior. Eh hello friends, want to pop baby then pop meh? LOL. We had to wait till our customary wedding was over before we could set up a family! Our baby is planned such that my EDD will take place early 2014 even though our BTO will not be ready anytime soon. Age is a concern (not that we are very old!) but we would like to have at least 2 or 3 kids so we gotta start early. I don’t wanna end up giving birth to our second or third child after 35 because of the possible risks and complications. Preparing for pregnancy and getting ready for a baby is very important because it will affect how both parents deal with the news! πŸ™‚

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About one month prior to trying to conceive, I started taking Blackmores Folate tablets which I bought off the shelves at Unity. The consumption of folic acid may reduce the risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects of the brain and/or spinal cord. I chose Blackmores because it’s a reputable brand and each tablet contains 500mcg of folic acid which is around the recommended daily dosage. Unity sells its own housebrand folic pills as well and at a much cheaper price. I also reduced my alcohol consumption (it was tough!) and started to be more mindful of my diet. I’m not sure what misterchewy did on his part. Probably hit the gym more often? Hahaha. The first trimester, or you can call it first 12 weeks if you like, was an absolute nightmare. I’m thankful that the first 3 weeks whizzed by because I didn’t feel a thing but suspected that I could be pregnant because I was missing my period by a week. Ignorance is bliss huh? πŸ˜›

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As a first timer, I was horribly embarrassed about having to shop for a pregnancy test kit at Watsons so I picked up a few makeup items while making my way to the cashier. Went home and peed on the Clearblue Pregnancy Test with Weeks Estimator. I recommend this pregnancy test because it lets you know the number of weeks you are pregnant for. It totally ups the excitement levels. I mean, don’t you wish to know that? We had our arms around each others’ waists while waiting for the results and I actually gasped, “F***!!” when the test showed that I was 3+ weeks pregnant. How could I not feel a thing for so long?! I’m carrying a life inside me! :O We were overwhelmed with joy as this marks another significant milestone in our lives and relationship. Shared the good news with our parents that week. πŸ™‚

In my next pregnancy post (not the next post), I will be touching on what mummies-to-be should take note of during their first trimester! Stay connected with us on Facebook www.facebook.com/missuschewy and on Instagram @missuschewy and @misterchewy πŸ™‚

I’m 5 months pregnant at the time of writing.