i'm in my 19th week

I should be charting my pregnancy journey from the time I found out I was pregnant but did not have the time. Mummy have been pretty busy with koko Jacob, yes, your wonderful, bright and loving koko.

Mummy first felt your little kick at 16 weeks. I could tell based on my experience with your koko and I could identify the little movements you made. I was so happy. You were quiet at one point, at around 18 weeks, and mummy was worried so mummy got your Kong Kong to send mummy to a gynae clinic at Bukit Tinggi and saw this Dr. Soh who perform an ultrasound to check if you're ok. Mummy was so glad to see you moving so actively and just out of curiosity, mummy asked the doctor to check your gender. Told your Papa the news and he was overjoyed!

When mummy found out mummy was pregnant with you (somewhere in early October 2010), mummy had morning sickness for 2-3 days, which was rather unusual because mummy did not experience that with your koko. Mummy figured that we conceived you during our Perth trip in September. Anyway, both mummy and papa were happy. And on top of the short morning sickness, mummy had crazy cravings and was eating like a p**. Papa was so nice enough to cave into my cravings, like driving all the way to Coconut Flower in Teluk Gong to get mummy not just one cooking style of crab but two. Mummy also had endless cravings for desserts especially black sesame tang yuen in ginger soup which Kong Kong and Mama helped to ta pau on several occasions.

Yes, mummy had cravings until the 12th week and after that, the cravings died. However, mummy is getting the cravings now. Did mummy mention that this pregnancy felt different from the first?? Yeah, it was different because mummy's first pregnancy had no symptoms at all but mummy was glad that the morning sickness lasted only for 3 days.

Oh, mummy was going say that you'll be a tee tee to koko Jacob. Yes, you're a boy!! Our second boy and Dato Dr Siti Zaliha Zainal, mummy's favourite obstetrician, confirmed the news last Thursday evening when mummy went for the monthly check-up. Dr Siti delivered your koko and this time, we hope she will be around to deliver you.

Seeing Dr Siti can be a nightmare (don't get me wrong, it has nothing to do with her profession because she is a wonderful doctor) but it's the long wait. When mummy was pregnant with your koko and after many months of enduring the long wait each time we visited Dr Siti, Papa and Mummy decided to be at the hospital as early as 6am. Thinking that we will be the first to be there, boy, are we wrong! There were 4 mothers waiting at the door and mummy was the 5th.

However, this time around Mummy and Papa is fortunate to have a friend in Aunty Sherrene from Dr Lee Eng Lam's clinic (your koko's pediatrician) to help Mummy register for us.

I'm pregnant again!

It's been a while since i last posted any updates on Jacob or myself. And yes, this time, I'm blessed again with a second child. We are both very happy and can't wait for the arrival of our baby.

I'll be due 11 June 2011 and is having trouble finding a confinement lady. I've called like ten of these women but seven of which are unavailable and the others are either demanding or calculative. I was told that June seems to be a 'hot' month this time of the year. Wonder why.

Anyway, for future reference and for the benefit of some mothers out there, I've compiled a list of CLs recommended by friends and some found on the internet. (Note: not all CL's are compatible with you so do the interviewing yourself to know the CL better and to state up front what is required of her e.g. duties, do's and don'ts). Here is the list:

1. Mei Hua (Johor) - 017-716 4527

She was my first CL, very nice lady and helpful. My husband and I took care of our baby ourselves, which means the baby sleeps with us throughout the night and our CL only comes up to change the diaper when needed. MH accepts your views, doesn't question too much, obliging, not calculative at all, cleans the kitchen after use, clean my room and looks after the baby well. Cooking is mediocre and what was great was that she cooks for the family (incl. our maid) . She even stored chopped garlic/onions and sliced pork into small containers (e.g. a dozen serving) for us before she left. She couldn't do for us this time because someone has already booked her in Singapore.

Language Spoken: Mandarin

Fees: RM2,900 (2008), RM3500 (2011)

2. Ah Tai (Klang) - 017-918 7383

She was a friend's CL, also quite good, takes good care of the baby and can cook very well but not available.

Language spoken: Cantonese, Mandarin

Fees: RM3100

3. Leng Cheh (Ipoh) - 012-447 6600

Also recommended by a close friend but she too, is not available. Sounds like a nice person.

Language spoken: Cantonese, Mandarin

4. Aunty Mei Kum (Johor) - 017-710 1906

Was highly recommended by some ladies on the internet. Called her but she is only interested in Singapore clients. She was available but only accepts the job if she is paid Singapore rate of SGD2,500 (note: Singapore dollars, not RM). It way overpriced in Malaysia if you ask me.

Language spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese

5. Aunty Chia - 019-758 0034

Also came across as highly recommended but not available. Apparently after some searching over the internet, i found out that she is also known as Mrs. Ngiam, not 100% sure if she is the same person but they share the same phone numbers. She sounds like a nice, helpful lady and even gave me a few of her contacts.

Language spoken: English, Mandarin

6. Aunty (Kedah) - 019-473 4991

Spoken to her on the phone. Sound like a nice lady too but she is taken.

Language spoken: Mandarin

I'm still searching for a good CL and wish me all the best!