The last babymoon

We were trying to decide on somewhere to go for our last little getaway before Baby arrives. Options included: renting a car and driving up to Malaysia, taking a ferry over to Bintan (Indonesia) or staying at Marina Bay Sands. I think if you're going to live in Singapore, you gotta stay at MBS at least once. It's the iconic building that looks like a big boat on top of 3 buildings. 

From our balcony overlooking Gardens by The Bay. 

From below

It was a little drizzly this day, but we still enjoyed the insane infinity pool on the roof. 

We had dinner downstairs and watched the sound and light show, which surprisingly didn't suck.

The Waiting Game

So the last 3 weeks we've just been waiting around for Baby to show up. The worst thing about being expat teachers is that all of our friends leave during the summer. Not only that, but everyone seems to be having the best vacations in the world and posting amazing pics of their European adventures which is KILLING us. 8 weeks is a long time to be in the same city. However, we've actually kept really busy and there have only been a few times when we've gotten bored. O has been lucky by having friends come in and out of town at various times so he's had someone to play golf, tennis, squash, and go on big bike rides around the island. He's explored more parts of the city which we didn't even know existed. I've been pretty happy to sit at home, watch tv, read books, get mani/pedis, foot massages, acupuncture treatments, shop for baby stuff, lounge by the pool. We usually go do our own thing each day and then meet up for lunch or dinner. We've been to both embassies together to get all the paperwork and get answers to all our questions. Sure, we could call or find stuff online, but why not just go visit each one. We've got nothing better to do. Saturdays and Sundays are designated pool days where we sit at the pool all day and order from the poolside cafe. Everyone says to enjoy your moments together and we've definitely enjoyed eating out- at least once a day! There are so many amazing restaurants and such a variety of food, we keep trying new places and we haven't come close to eating at every place even within walking distance of us.

We celebrated our 1 year anniversary in style. Took the cable cars out to Sentosa- a tiny little man-made island off Singapore. Oh, learned something new about Sentosa- there are wild peacocks that just roam around the island. They are really beautiful, but it's weird to see them just walking around.

And then had dinner at a new restaurant that was waaay too fancy for us. We had to google some of the words on the menu because we had no idea what we were ordering. We ended up meeting the owner (who we thought was the head chef) who came over to talk to us awhile. He's been in SG for about 10 years and his wife has had 4 kids here. This big belly sometimes gets lots of attention. 

It seems like the trendy thing to do is eat the top layer of your wedding cake on your one year anniversary. This has always grossed me out for some reason, I know it's frozen and all that, but still. We had cupcakes at our wedding, so I thought our tradition should be to have cupcakes on our first anniversary. Fresh cupcakes. Can you imagine if I had tried to keep cupcakes from our wedding in CA and brought it back to SG? They would have been smashed well-traveled cupcakes. 

There was one night where we really were bored and sick of eating out. I know, it's crazy with all the amazing food here. So we decided to make our own pasta from scratch with a pasta maker one of our friends gave us when she moved away. 

We couldn't get the pasta maker to attach to the kitchen counter or the dining room table, so we ended up setting it up on the table on the balcony. We started with ravioli and then tried spaghetti and fettuccine. The best part was pesto sauce I made from scratch- yes, I "cooked" and it was so easy and so yum. 

I've also added a few finishing touches to the baby's room. Even though baby will stay with us in our room to start because his room will have to be the guest room for awhile. I've washed all the clothes, sheets, etc. Everything has been sterilized and ready to go. Now it's just a matter of waiting for baby to make his debut. I've had signs of early labor, but he also hasn't dropped so who knows. So we are now not-so-patiently waiting. The exciting part is that friends are starting to come back in town! 

Hospital Tour

Medical Tourism- never heard of it? Well, it's all the rage in Singapore. Lots of people come here from the region due to our outstanding medical facilities. The government has a really great healthcare program that gives the best medical care to everyone regardless of socio-economic status, however your income determines how much you pay. I think this is completely fair and how all healthcare should be. We had already decided which hospital we want to give birth- this one is about a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk away from our place so that's a no-brainer. However, they give hospital tours and explain all the different packages that are offered when people are choosing which hospital to give birth. Yes, it's a very well organized business model. We toured each room from the shared rooms to the penthouse VIP suite which came with a shocking price tag of $15,000. Despite whichever package you decide, they all come with a complimentary limo ride home from the hospital. Ridiculous? Yes. We have insurance and so this is a pic of the private room we will have. It really reminded me of a hotel rather than a hospital. They will come around and take my order for meals and O can stay in the room- there's a little bed and he gets to pick out his meals as well from a fairly extensive menu. 

Not too shabby. 

Week 40

Best pregnancy moments- When the doctor said, he could come any day now! 

How are you handling the heat?! It's called indoors and it's a great place to be. Also, the pool is really nice and the haze is gone. It's actually been raining a bit which has cooled everything down. Apparently my body feels like a "furnace" according to O, but I haven't felt too hot most days. 

Weight gain: Woah. 

Maternity clothes- Whatever fits. Forget trying to be cute. 

Stretch marks- Surprisingly no. But I have this feeling I'll get major stretch marks like the day before delivery. 

Cravings: Nothing really specific. Just enjoying all my "fat girl" food while I can. 

Miss anything? I can't remember what it was like to not be pregnant. 

Kicks/movement- Slow and steady. There's not much room for him in there now. Occasionally, he'll give a big swift kick in the ribs only because he hasn't dropped yet. 

Sleep: Awake a lot during the night, but making up for it by sleeping during the day. 

Happy or moody: happy but starting to get bored. 

Looking forward to: going into labor! Let's get this started. 

Latest scan: We've had so many scans, I'm not sure if this is the latest one. It's been hard to get a good pic of his face because he has been moving his face around a lot during the scan, but in this one he's sleeping.

Ways to induce labor

So it's that time of the pregnancy where you are just ready to have a baby. Inducing labor without medication is definitely the way I want to go, as does our doctor. She doesn't want to have to induce labor unless I'm at least 10 days over my due date. Here are some things I've heard and read about. Nothing is really proven, but I'm trying it all. 

• eating spicy food- This is supposed to work like castor oil. Allegedly, it may stimulate your tummy and therefore stimulate your uterus into action. 

• sex- sex releases prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that are like the medications used to induce labor.

• reflexology and acupressure- I don't think this works. I'm obsessed with foot massages and have been going throughout my pregnancy. I now go about twice a week and nothing. Here's what I found about it: The first area on the body used for stimulating labor is located between the thumb and index finger. This point is actually the “webbing” between these two areas. Techniques vary, but this pressure point can be pressed and rubbed for several seconds or simply pressed firmly for approximately one minute and then released. This technique can also be used during active labor to relieve pain.The next area of the body used for stimulating labor is the ankle. This area actually has two different pressure points. The first pressure point is located on the outside of the ankle, just behind where the bony prominence is. Just like the first mentioned location, techniques vary but the pressure point can be rubbed or pressed for several seconds or one minute. The other ankle pressure point is inside the leg, above the ankle. This area may be difficult to find but it is more sensitive to touch than the rest of the leg. Another area is located on the back, above the buttocks and lower back. This area can also be pressed or massaged as tolerated. The final area commonly used for initiating labor is located on the neck, the large muscle between the neck and the shoulder. This area can be pressed or massaged as tolerated.

• nipple stimulation- Stimulating your nipples can help release natural oxytocin hormones thus causing the uterus to contract.

• drinking red raspberry leaf tea-  I have this in tablet form so it's easier to take. It is said to help tone the cervix and strengthen our entire pelvic region. Raspberry Leaf Tea may not help induce labor directly, but it should play a key part in your overall birth plan. It is full of vitamins and minerals that are essential to the health of your uterus. 

• walking a lot, especially up stairs- This was the only thing that was recommended by our doctor. She said stay very active and that will help induce labor. I do have to say that on the days where I walk more, I do have more contractions. Not the real contractions though. 

• drink a beer- I have no idea. I think my friend just made this one up. I'm going to have one on the due date. 

• acupuncture- I have an appointment on Monday with this really old Chinese man who says he can induce labor. There's a girl I know who went to him and then went into labor the next day. Here's what science says: One small study at the University of North Carolina found that women who got acupuncture were more likely to go into labor without a medical "push."The study included 56 women who were 39.5 to 41 weeks pregnant. (Forty weeks is full term.) Half of the women got three acupuncture sessions, while the other half did not. 70% of the women who got acupuncture went into labor on their own, compared to 50% who received standard care. The women who got acupuncture were also less likely to deliver by cesarean section -- 39% compared to 17%.

• Eat an entire pineapple- an old Asian wives tale- Tropical fruits like pineapple, mango and papaya contain a proteolytic enzyme called bromelain. This enzyme is said to help soften the cervix, stimulate muscle contractions, and for shortening labor. Eating large amount of fresh pineapple can also kick start your digestive system, which is also said to be a way to kick start labor.

• Blowing up balloons: the theory is that the build up of abdominal pressure encourages labour to start.