One more sleep ...

Wow! I cannot believe that it's just one more sleep before I get to meet and hold my babies in my arms! It's been such a long time coming and I am so grateful that it's finally happening! The last 5 days have seen me rather tired and ravenous - yes, ravenous! I have been gorging on corn chips topped with cheese and salsa or anything "naughty". The babies are sure expanding a lot of energy, surely they must know something is up!

I received a call from the Obstetrician's room today informing me that we are to head to the hospital earlier tomorrow for the elective caesearean. Instead of 1:45pm, it will be 1:00pm. That means, I will be wheeled into the operating theatre fully-awaked at 3:00pm instead of 3:45pm and the babies will be born sometime after 3:15pm instead of 4:00pm! Wow! I am going to be a REAL mummy and will be my babies for the FIRST TIME!

I am so excited, grateful and relief that it's all coming together and happening in such an orderly manner.

Jared and I are so blessed to have such a wonderful marriage and great friendship with each other. We both know how deeply blessed we are with our miracle twins and will cherish them for the rest of our lives.

It's finally happening!

The last two months of my pregnancy has been physically and psychologically challenging to state the least. As I admire my burgeoning body and marvel at its ability to nurture and grow two healthy beings, it comes as no surprise that my energy levels have also plummeted to support the the miracles as well as my poor battered body!

The sharp prolonged ache on the pelvis, on my private parts as well as my water goblet of a belly which measured 46 inches last weekend makes resting very challenging. Every change in position to prevent 'dead leg' or one of the many awful symptoms of being sedatory, takes CONSIDERED effort!

Yes, friends who are parents assure me that all this is NOTHING as compared to parenthood. Oh dear...

At the appointment with the Obstetrician more than a week ago, he had given us three dates for the caesarean to take place - Friday 15th April, Good Friday or Friday 29th April (The Royal Wedding). I expressed my concern for the first date because the babies will only be 36 weeks young. Obstetrician assured us that they are of good weight (in fact, I am carrying two full-size singletons!) and can be "taken out" if I want to. Geee...the offer is tempting however, I told him that I would prefer if we took the 'wait and see attitude' since we check in with him every week.

Who would have thought the week after the appointment was certainly the WORSE week of my pregnancy so far?! My ever present constipation returned with a vengence, my body temperature spiked (another pregnancy symptom), physically I was worse than ever...oh dear....

This week, we went back to the Obstetrician for our weekly Monday check-in and I told him that I CANNOT make it to the Royal Wedding! Then I went on to describe my psychotic and physical state. He then suggested next Tuesday, 19th April as D-Day. I smiled with relief. He then told me to hold my horses because he has to check availability at the hospital since it is the week of the Easter and Anzac Day long weekend...oh dear...

God answered my prayers - the hospital and the medical team are available! YEAH! I felt a sudden surge of hope and energy knowing that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am still the same person - the person who likes to know what is happening and when it is happening. I need a plan!

Yesterday was a momentous day for me as I looked at the clock when it struck 1:45pm (next week on the 19th April - that's my check in time at the hospital), 3:45pm (that's when I will be in the operating theatre fully awake with Jared by my side and 12 other medical staff), 4:00pm (that's when our babies will be born and we will get to hold them in our arms).

Today is another momentous day for me because this time next week, not only will be I be 'new' mummy, it will also be my 33rd Birthday! Yes, isn't that simply perfect! The best Birthday, ever!

34 weeks, 7 days: Counting Down

I underwent my last ultrasound scan at 34 weeks last Friday and all is well with the children. They are growing on track and combined weight is 9lbs 13oz! Yes, its quite amazing that I am carrying that amount of weight! We are please that they are of good sizes too! Our daughter weighs 5lbs 1oz (2.3kg) and our son weighs 4lbs 12oz (2.1kg).

On the following Monday, we saw the Obstetrician for our weekly check up and he assured us that all is well and then he dropped the bombshell:

Obstetrician

 "You can have your babies next Friday (15th April at 36 weeks) if you like!"

Me

(Speechless for a few seconds)

"Isn't that a bit too early?!"

Obstetrician

"Not at all.
They are a good size and that's the average timeframe Twins are being born. Since you have opted for elective Caesarean, you can choose.
It can be next Friday, Good Friday (only for emergency cases), or 29th April (that's your absolute last date)."

Me

Ok. I plan to keep them in me for as long as possible so we play it by ear based on our weekly appointments?

Obstetrician

Yes. Let's do that. In the meanwhile, take this Indemnity Form home.
Read it thoroughly, sign it and bring it back next Monday when I see you.

Me

Ok.

32 Weeks, 4 Days: A Never-Ending Rock Concert from Within

Time seems to go by so slowly since there isn't much to do at home and perhaps I should just confess and state that I am in no mood to do anything more than the essential requirements. Day time television programming is drain on my intellect, the hordes of books on my bookcases have been re-read umpteen times are now very predictable, pre-recordered shows I have watched so many times I now know the dialogue, etc...

Sorry for the whinge. One thing for certain, I am very bless. Bless to not have to fulfill work obligations and a husband who does not berate me for doing little - in fact, he's been more than understanding and wonderful.

We saw the Obstetrician today for our routine fortnightly appointment and once again, it was rather uneventful. The usual complaint from me about being breatheless - the Dr smiled and told me that there's nothing he can do to fix that! Gee...thanks! hahahaha

Babies' heart rates check out fine and yes, I am doing well.

The never-ending Rock Concert from within my belly led by two lead 'drummers' more appropriately known as my children have been keeping me amused, uncomfortable, body temperature hot, inability to slumber at night and constantly breatheless.

Yes, it is annoyingly tough and amusing assuring all at the same time. One thing for certain, yes, I seem to enjoy using this term, I am grateful for them. Grateful that they are active & well.

I shall continue to count down and every night I am unable to slumber draws them a day closer to being born...I shall remind myself that.

30 weeks, 1 day: Sleepless in Brisbane

Yippeee! I am very close to the finishing line, so to speak and haven't had a good night's sleep for the last 2 weeks. Must be mother nature's way of preparing me for motherhood.

It's been wonderous feeling the active movements of both children coupled with Braxton's Hicks - however, the hot and humid Autumn weather in Brisbane has been awful for all of us especially those of us who are pregnant. I am often breathless due to this and it is not a nice feeling.

I started putting together my toiletrie bag today which will go into the hospital bag - hopefully, I will get it all packed and ready by this weekend, just in case. I do not like not being prepared.

What I will have in my hospital bag

• Toiletrie Bag containing travel sized items such as shampoo, conditioner, facial wash, toner, moisturiser, toothpaste, toothbrush and comb
• Comfy button front pyjamas (easier for breast feeding)
• Heaps of comfy underwear
• Heaps of maternity pads
• Heaps of breast pads
• Bedroom sleepers
• Comfy shoes for coming home
• Outfit for coming home
• Pens that work because there will be heaps of forms to fill in
• A note pad so that I can record whatever that needs to be recordered
• Two jumpsuits for the babies when they come home with us
• Two pairs of hand mittens when they come home with us
• 2 blankets when they come home with us
• 2 swaddle blankets when they come home with us

Next Monday is my routine fortnightly appointment with the Obstetrician and prayfully, it will be yet another uneventful appointment where he tells us that all is well and that the physical discomforts I have been enduring are all part of the package we call 'Pregnancy'.

29 weeks of Gestation and 7 more weeks before birth!

Yippeee!!! 29 weeks as of today and both babies are growing well and active! In fact, the boy is more active than the girl - perhaps, he's got my hyper gene afterall!

The 3D scans were very interesting because we can kinda make out their features - one thing for certain, they are both very cute, sport chubby cheeks and have long feet! The girl has gorgeous delicate features such as a define nose (like her dad) and the boy has a flat squishy chinese nose like mine!

Regardless, they are both healthy, active and well - all parents desire that.

When I asked the Obstetrician this weeks at our fortnightly appointment when he anticipates their arrival, he looks at me - looks at the chart and unceremoniously declares, "At 36 weeks!" I sat dumbfounded because I have always been of the view that 38 weeks is full-term for twins. Oh well, he knows what he's doing and so far, he has been SPOT ON with my progress.

Am I nervous about labour? Yes and No.

Yes because of the pain and the unknown however I am assured that the medical team will know what they re doing and I am afterall, giving birth at one of Brisbane's leading hospitals which prides itself on having all the mod cons and also I have been there on two separate occassions for other surgeries and both times, I have been so well looked after.

No because it is part of pregnancy and I have been looking forward to motherhood.

I believe all parents will attest that labour is the easy part, it is the nurturing and upbringing of the child or in this case, children that will be the hardest on so many levels and I am looking forward to it.

Please GOD, let me have easy children who will obey my every word!!!!

28 weeks and 2.2kgs worth of babies

Valentine's Day this year was particularly special for us because we had an in-depth scan at 27 weeks 4 days.

Once again, it was marvellous to see our children on the screen - grateful for their growth and appreciate their active movements. This time, we had a much better look at their feet with toes (yes all 10 on each child) and their faces! Oh wow! They are so cute, chubby and absolutely perfect! Yes, I am biase and not ashame of it.

The icing on the cake was when the sonographer told us that our babies are the same size as singletons at this gestational age! Wow, just when I thought our babies are slightly smaller due to the compact size of my belly...each baby weighs 1.1kg~ there you have it, people, I am carrying 2.2kgs worth of babies in me...no wonder the fainting and breathelessness!

I love touching my belly, feeling their movements and having conversations with them. They are the absolutely sunshine of my life and I will do whatever I can to hold them in me for the next 10 weeks.

Thank you God for gifting us these miracles and also for creating science so that our dream for a family is possible. Amen.

27 weeks, 1 day and very sleepy

Blind me! I cannot believe how tired I am. Actually, I can. I so desperately need a nap right now and wish I have a mattress underneath the table that I can crawl and lie on it.

My babies are zapping me of every remaining ounce of energy - they must need a lot to grow at the rate they are. My stomach feels like its permanently full and bloated due to its hardness. I am wadding like a slow moving duck and everything takes a little longer to accomplish with my burgeoning physical being especially in the digestion department. Yes, I am still terribly constipated and have been since the 4th week of pregnancy.

Despite that, I love touching my bump especially when the babies are active as they remind me of the immense honor and privilege of being their mummy. A role I've been wishing, hoping and praying earnestly for the past 4 years.

27 Weeks and Panting...

Today marks the 27th week of gestation with our twins and it is becoming more of a physical struggle with each passing week (no surprises there!).

In fact, one such exhaustive episode took place yesterday (yes, the eve of the 27th week) on the morning train into the office. I was sitting on the train and had just passed the South Brisbane station when an unfamiliar discomfort took over - my hearing dimished, feeling physically unwell, breaking out in cold sweat, etc. I knew then and there that I was going to experience another fainting episode just like the one two weeks ago while lying in bed watching the Australian Open. I was so ill and uncomfortable that I was almost incline to press the red emergency button on the train which will result in delays on my train line as the train will have to stop, telling the male communter sitting across from me and witnessing the horror on his face, etc. I chose to do neither and instead breathed in and out, got up steadily on my feet when my train disembarked at Central Station where I walked up the hill very slowly to fill my lungs with 'fresh' air. To cut the long story short, I rang the boss who ran down the hill to meet and walk with me up to the office, rang the husband who picked me up an hour later and I spent the next 4 hours sleeping in bed and another 2 hours just lazing in bed because I was still not feeling up to it.

Tomorrow is my last day at work for the next 13 months and it is with mixed emotions that I leave work for now, I am also relief that I am able to do so because I really need the rest and 'operate' at a much slower pace.

26 Weeks (First Day of CNY): When will my baby rabbits be born?

Today is a special day for us chinese because it's the first day of the Lunar Chinese New Year. Even though we don't celebrate it here in Brisbane like we would back in Singapore, this particular day holds much special meaning to us. It's the 26th week of gestation for both our babies.

I met with the Obstetrician earlier in the week and he used a doppler to check their heart-rate (which was music to my ears), it was during that visit that he told me that they have turned around (yet again). The so-called fist movements that I have been experiencing via my daughter is in fact, her head! My son's heart rate has also increased which signals increased activity. Oh, I love them both so much.

With each passing day, I am feeling the physical strain of pregnancy - the breathelessness, constipation (yes it does not seem to want to leave), crankiness (must be the heat + breathelessness), low energy level (there are two babies in me afterall), heart working harder (with +30% blood volume), etc. I am able to sleep without difficulty each night however sleep has become interrupted as I move to work out more comfortable positions to accomodate all three of us (excluding the husband and the cat).

Each passing day also signals the end of work for me. There's only 7 more working days before I go on maternity leave and it is with mixed feelings, naturally, since I have been here for 8 years!

As one chapter closes (for now - with work), another one is about to open with parenthood. I wonder if I will meet my babies in 10 weeks or 12 weeks time.

Will they have a full head of black hair, blonde hair or red hair?

Will they fart like their father (loud and proud)?

Will they have loud voices (like me)?

Will they look into my eyes with love and admiration (I will be)?

Will they know my voice and be comforted by it?

There are a few things I know for sure:

• I will do whatever it takes to keep them incubating in me for as long as possible so long as it is for their best well-being

• I love them with my entire being and will do everything and anything possible for them

• I am head over heels in love with them and their father who has been my pillar of strength, inspiration, support...

25 weeks update and absolutely buggered!

Today officially marks the start of the 25th week of gestation with my babies and I am feeling rather strained, physically.

For starters, I have been told that my blood volume has increased by 30%, no wonder, my heart is working harder as usual and hence, I am breatheless for a slightly longer period of time after walking up a slight hill towards my office.

To put it simply, I am feeling buggered. My energy levels from 4 weeks ago have certainly diminished today and find myself retiring to bed when I get home from work for about an hour before I am able to get dinner together. Wow! There must be a lot of activity happenin within me that I am unable to fathom, yet! This body of mine is incredible, to state the least!

Here I am in the office, about 12 days of work left before I retire and resume my place as full-time incubator...

I look forward to having my babies in my arms and start my new chapter as mummy..however, not too soon please. I would love them to grow in me for as long as possible, preferably till end April, with the hope that when I leave the hospital, they can come home with us.

24 weeks, 1 day

Wow! Yesterday was the start of my 6th month and I continue to marvel at this miraculous development thriving within my body. There's certainly no denying that I am pregnant because I physically look it and trust me, I feel it!

I love checking out my pregnant belly whenever possible and am particularly in love with my children nestle in it. I still cannot believe I am a mother of twins! Two beautiful children that I have been dreaming, wishing and hoping for. 

Thank you God for blessing me so abundantly.

23 weeks, 4 days

Due to the unprecedented floods in Queensland last week, we were unable to go to the office from Wednesday to Friday. Coincidentally, IKEA sent us notification that the wardrobe organisers have arrived! Yipppeee...why not be productive since we are home-bound?

A fortnight earlier, we had purchased a white change table from the same place and have yet put it up. Armed with our newly acquired wardrobe organisers, we got down on our hands and knees (more so Jared) while I supervised (!!!) to assemble the flat packs.

Once they were assembled, I did what I do best - organisation! I have placed all the baby clothes that we have acquired from friends into their separate catergories (everyday, going out, winter, pjs, etc) - one 6 basket organiser for the boy and another one 6 basket organiser for the girl.

The next day, I spent a few hours at Carindale Shopping Centre checking out baby clothes and bought a few pieces for our daughter because the clothes we have been given so far are for boys. I was mindful not to go over-the-top because we know how fast they grow and we will also be receiving heaps more as times goes by.

We are well-please with what we have achieved thus far. Bit by bit, the nursery will stop resembling that of a bits-and-pieces room and one that will be comfortable and cosy for our children.

Last night while laying in bed with a book, our daughter did a most peculiar thing. She did a full on somersault because I could feel a hard limb against the upper abdomen! It's wonderful! Her first full on movement!

I love feeling the pokes from both my children and look forward to many more.

22 weeks, 4 days

Another week, another milestone.

On the weekend, we attended a very informative Multiples Birth class conducted by a Midwife who has had 2 sets of twins (talk about credibility!) at the Mater Women's Hospital. It was a full class with at least 10 couples and the 3 hour long session could certainly be stretched out to 6 hours because there was just so much information!

It was lovely being in the same room with other couples who are expecting twins. Many of whom conceived via IVF and no doubt we all have been on a similar journey to get to where we are.

I have read much about breastfeeding two babies at once and it's great to be given a demonstration with a fully clothed midwife - it is definitely possible with the aid of a great feeding pillow that not only supports the mother's back and also enables her to have both children with her at the same time! We are so getting that pillow!

In addition to the practicals and strategies on coping with twins including avoiding eye contact with strangers in public places if you want to get the shopping over and done with to putting on easy listening music in the nursery so that babies are used to noises, we were also given a tour of the nursery.

It was a lovely floor that can take up to a maximum of 90 babies at any one time. It was heartening to see how personal those spaces or 'pods' are. They are about 8 cots to each pod and each cot has 2 recliners which allows mums and dads to spend time 'kangeroo cuddling' or feeding their baby(ies). I was teary a few times when I saw more hands-on the dads were! It's wonderful that hands-on parenting from dads are now a common sight and no longer a stigma like in the past.

Today, I went to see my Gestational Diabetes Doctor and she was very assuring and encouraging about my progress. I stepped on the scales and in the 8 weeks since I first saw her, I have put on 3kg. She is very please with that because as she rightfully pointed out. I am overweight pre-pregnancy - to have lost 6kg in first trimester and only put on 3kg so far, is NEUTRAL weight gain and absolutely perfect for someone like me. The babies are growing on track with their gestational age so all is good.

I am relief and very grateful. Bring on more pokes, babies!

21 weeks, 6 days

Today is my last day of week 21 and so far it has been brilliant. I have felt pokes from both children and my daughter is certainly the more active child as oppose to my son who is quite content just laying still and conserving his energy. This was confirmed by the Obstetrician yesterday when I saw him for the routine monthly check up.

It never ceases to amaze me that I am nurturing two little beings in me and they are thriving! I feel so bless to be part of this journey and what a priviledge to be their mummy too!

My tummy is a tight little package and my weight gain has only been 2kg so far. When I voiced my concern to the Obstetrician, he teased me and said,

"How much bigger do you want to be? You are only 5 ft 1 inch.

Look at Crown Princess Mary of Denmark (who is due to give birth to twins this week), she's tall and her tummy is about your size!"

Okay, he's right, as usual. I shall stop worrying and continue to enjoy this pregnancy knowing that both my children are growing on track and that I am a healthy mummy to be.

20 Weeks 1 Day: Feeling the pokes from my daughter

About two nights ago while watching some DVD movie at home, I felt a most peculiar albeit gentle poke on my right abdomen. Just as well I was sitting still or else, I would have missed it. I was speechless for a good 3 minutes with Jared none the wiser next to me. I encouraged it to poke again by pressing it gently and there it came again. After that, nothing. Cheeky little girl!

I've been looking forward to this magical moment. Many books as well as internet resources have stated that I will be feeling movements...like 2 weeks ago! Oh well, once again, every pregnancy is different and mine sure has defined most of the stereotypical symptoms!

Last night while lying in bed at 10:30pm, I felt the poke once again. This time there were a few more pokes! I was absolutely thrilled because I can feel it on my hand when I placed it next to the spot where it first took place. It was such a thrilling feeling! It kept me awake for another hour because I want it to happen again!!!

Oh my little girl. I love you so much. I look forward to more pokes from her and also her brother when he grows a little bigger (he's the smaller of the both of them).

I feel so bless. Poke Poke Poke...

19 weeks

Officially, 19 weeks as of today. Yesterday, we underwent the 19th week Morphology Scan at Queensland Ultrasound for Women.

The Sonographer who was assigned to us had just returned from holidays and all their ultrasound machines have also been upgraded in her absence hence she struggled through the 2 hour scan for a variety of reasons. Therefore, the scans weren't brilliant this time.

We were slightly annoyed but patient and kind, as usual. We saw our developing children and they are well. All their organs are functioning well and they are active even though I have not felt the movements myself.

It was wonderful that there was nothing sinister and both babies are growing well according to their gestational ages. So far so good. Here are some 4D scans of both children for your viewing pleasure:

Our son with arms up around his face - his sleeping pose exactly like his dad!

Our daughter was very active during the scan - hence only a good shot of her beautifully developing ear which looks suspiciously like her dad's slightly crinkly ear!

Our daugher again - this time it looks like she's telling her to keep quiet!

It would appear that they have inherited some physical attributes from their dad however I am certainly they will inherit my great skin and beauty!

Our next scan will be held on my 27th week of pregnancy and it falls on Valentine's Day!

Another Wet Weekend in Brisbane

It was yet another wet weekend in Brisbane so what does two parents-to-be do? Essentials Browsing for the Twins! (yet again)...

This weekend, we checked out more strollers and are impressed with the 'Baby Jogger' brand specifically its range in City Mini and City Select because:

• They are lightweight (in the twin category) - even I can lift them!
• They collapse flat in one swift motion - even I can do that!
• They assemble in one swift motion - even I can do that!
• They are rather stylish looking - we must look good too!

Then we checked out more cots and change tables, etc. My-oh-my, there are so many choices!

We have not bought anything as yet and will wait till January next year. I have a list of the essentials, here goes:

• 2 Cots plus 4 sets of bedding (2 sets for each) including flat sheets, cotton blanklets, woollen blankets

• 2 baby capsules for traveling in the car (to be rented from the Queensland Ambulance). This is suitable from newborns - 6 months of age

• 4 swaddle blankets (2 for each of them) to keep them nicely wrapped up

• 4 bath towels plus 4 face towels plus toiletries

• 1 bath support to be placed in large laundry tub for bath times

• 24 newborn clothes - combination of jumpsuits, tops, bottoms, mittens, socks, hats, singlets, etc

• I change table stocked with 150 diapers (weekly), 2 bottles of wet ones, 2 bottles of lotion, 2 bottles of baby powder

• 4 plastic milk bottles for water

• 12 Cotton clothes for drapping over shoulders while burping

• 1 twin stroller

• 1 nappy bag for going out

Am I missing anything else?! My brain is losing it....

18 Weeks 1 Day

Ahhhh...yes, I am going to gush about my babies and this pregnancy. I love them so much and they have been such a wonderful source of comfort, assurance, gratefulness and blessedness.

We are in the midst of working out what names to give them and who would have thought it would be this difficult or even contentious?! At the rate we are going, I wouldn't be surprise if they remain unnamed until we see their faces and check out their personalities!

The belly has continued to grow - some people tell me that I look small for my gestational age whereelse, I think I resemble a big watermelon! Oh well, so long as the doctors tell me that their growth are on track with their gestational age - I shall learn not to take comments about the lack of my size affect me any other way except in happiness and gratefulness that they are the right size!

We have also started checking out baby 'stuff' and there are so many on the market! I quite literally get a headache just thinking about it! LOL...one thing I know for certain is the importance of a safe cot with good quality mattress that is inline with the Australian Standards and car safety seats with the same safety accreditation. Other than that, everything else like clothes, toys, etc - I do not intend on spending too much money on because they grow out too quickly and seriously, babies couldn't care less what they wear!

Yes, I am quite a practical kind of a mum. I suppose having had to wait for 5 years has wisen me up! It's not the material posessions that make a family - it's the time, patience and love that makes a family, a true family.

We are so grateful to be gifted this opportunity.

All Clear!

I went for a routine monthly appointment with the Obstetrician yesterday and he had received the full result from Mater Pathology following the Amnio test last week. It's all good! We knew from the initial call last week that all will be well however hearing it from our Obstetrician cemented that reality for us.

We are very, very grateful that both babies are developing well and healthy. The best news every parent desires and we are so grateful to be one of those parents.

Here's a collage of Ultrasounds and 4D scans taken at 12 and 16 weeks respectively:

Twin #1 at 12 weeks - gorgeous button nose and pouty lips

Twin #2 at 12 weeks - with legs up and mouth opened

Here is the both of them side by side at 12 weeks

Twin #1 with strong straight spine at 16 weeks

Twin #2 with strong straight spine at 16 weeks

 4D ultrasound of Twin #1 at 16 weeks - shy and discreet as always

4D ultrasound of Twin #2 at 16 weeks - boisterous and
looks like he's praying

4D ultrasound of Twin #2 at 16 weeks - check out that handsome face and head of black hair!