Alvin and I, together with his colleagues, watched Sherlock Holmes at Gold Class Cinema in Golden Village, Vivo City. It was a nice experience… truly worth it! I so love the plush electronic recliner seats; so comfortable that it will really make you sleepy!

The movie started at 9:20PM but this time, Alvin and I arrived early (rare case)! We even had a little time to look for Murray Feiss lighting and a great dinner at Thai Express… yet I finished a whole platter of Nachos with four different dips while watching the movie. Honestly, I was not able to fully understand the movie since my little boy had been kicking me the whole time and I was so preoccupied with my Nachos and Alvin’s popcorn!

Hopefully next time, we’ll be able to watch a movie again in Gold Class Cinema… just before my little boy pops out in this world.

We needed a passport sized picture for our Pass renewal in MOM (Ministry of Manpower) last Monday and Alvin volunteered his ‘Azurrot Studio Photography‘ to do the job. He took my picture and I took his picture and just printed it out with my Canon Selphy Printer. Since his studio was already set, I also had my maternity shoot.

This is me at 25 weeks:

This is ‘Us’ (Dadh, Mama and Tamtam):

We like our pictures… but the passport sized picture was rejected! So I had my picture taken again at MOM.

***

Lolee, my sister, is itching to find a job overseas. Right now she is working as a Senior Analyst in one of the BPO companies in Manila. Hopefully, she can have a new job soon… as a business plan writer or a business analyst in a private banking business. To Lolee, don’t forget your gift for my little boy on your next visit here. You know what his Mama wants for him!

My next prenatal visit will be on the 30th of January and I am so excited to see the little boy and to know how big he is right now (he is very active now; always kicking my lower abdomen )… I also need to replenish my prenatal vitamins and have some test. Hopefully, everything is well with my little boy as well as with me, especially my weight gain issues! I am also planning to discuss my birth plan with my doctor; if I can have a normal delivery. Or is it too early?

I also need to reserve a hospital room. In Gleneagles, there were only two rooms to choose from in their maternity package; the two bedded and one bedded. Alvin prefers a maternity deluxe room so that he can stay with me overnight without paying any boarding lodge but it is not included in the package… So we’ll just get the one bedded room so that we can room in the little boy even at night (for two bedded, baby should be returned to the nursery at night time) and just pay for Alvin’s loadging fee.

Gosh, this is it! A few more weeks and the baby boy will soon pop out in this world!

Alvin wants the Maclaren XLR for the little boy… more spacious and seems more comfortable than the XT. Initially, his choices were Quinny and Bugaboo Bee but the two are very expensive compared to Maclaren and I also want a light weight stroller that the little boy can use from birth up to maximum weight of 15kg.

He already checked online reviews regarding Maclaren and he is quite satisfied… even after the Maclaren’s product recall worldwide. Honestly, the recall is not our primary concern since Maclaren already gave hinged safety cover to resolve the issue.

I also canvassed in some stores and so far the cheapest store is the one that is giving 15% off for XLR 2009 while others are only giving it at 10% off. We were also informed that Maclaren is regulating the prices of their products and that they are only allowed to display the 10%off.

We are so tempted to buy now… or should I wait a little more time? Even if 2010 will be released soon, I don’t think there will be much difference on functionality or even in the price since the 2008 XLR is just $30 cheaper compared to 2009 XLR.

*With regard to stroller and cot for the little boy, Alvin is the one who will be deciding… me? I am the one who will scout for the cheapest price online and in-store. That’s why I don’t have the time to read about this relacore thing on the market. Feeling busy, huh!

I happened to check the mailbox today since I am waiting for the hydroxycut reviews that I requested but I got more excited with Takashimaya’s Mail. Taka will be having a 5-day special (Wed 20 Jan to Sun 24 Jan 2010) additional 10% off for Takashimaya Cardholders and that the sale will start tomorrow; another temptation! Should I buy something for the little boy or should I wait for Taka’s Baby Fair or Babycare Festival this coming March? Whatever, I think I’ll have to check (shop ) on all the coming sales events.

It’s barely 14(?) weeks to go and yet I feel that I only have a few things for my little boy. Honestly, this is stressing me! Of course I want my little boy to feel welcome… I want him to have a comfortable place outside mama’s womb. But I don’t know where to start. I have a list; should I say a never ending list? As I look at his neatly ironed and folded clothes, I still feel that I am missing something… that I still need to buy some more. But when we are in the mall, I keep walking and walking and leaving the baby store empty handed because I really don’t know what to buy. I am just thankful that Alvin is patient enough to accompany me during this time (as long as I accompany him with his adult acne treatment hunt).

Last Saturday, we were able to buy a set of blanket, bib, romper and sleep suit at Mothercare. This will be the little boy’s take home outfit from the hospital. Well, the daddy wants the little boy to be like him, ‘puro porma’!

Hmmm… I just hope that the little boy will feel that Dadh and Mama love him so much.

After the eclipse, Alvin and I went out to buy some stuffs for my little boy… this time, we were able to buy the Safety First’s nail cutter and nasal aspirator. I did not buy the kit since I am planning to buy the Braun Digital Thermometer. I also bought a comb and hair brush and Avent silicone soother. Actually, I was planning to buy take home clothes for my little boy but there were only a few selections in Robinson’s at Raffles City.

After buying a few things, we had dinner at Osaka Town. Alvin had the steak beef set and I had the Pork Okos (okonomiyaki;Japanese Pancake). Alvin loved the steak (as usual) and I loved my Pork Okos. It was something new for me and I loved it… or was I just starved due to my fruits and veggies diet for the past few days? Anyways, I was so full… Oh my, how can I lose weight fast or at least maintain my weight without starving my little boy?

Have you ever heard about the superstition regarding pregnant women and solar eclipse? A long time ago, I read this myth that eclipse causes fetal deformities or harms the baby. I know, I should not believe in these things but still… I did not go out, pulled the drapes down for me not to catch any rays of the sun and just slept the whole time (I just hope that my dark circle under eyes will lessen).

According to the news, the solar eclipse would be the longest of its kind in the next 1,000 years and would last from about 3:10pm to 5:30pm in Singapore. Gosh, I had to wait for so long… my plan for that day was cancelled: checking baby stuffs along Orchard road particularly in Takashimaya, Tangs, Metro, John Little and Robinson’s. I am so stressed completing my baby list!

I’m on my 24th week now and I already started buying things for my little boy… Thanks to numerous sales in town! So far, here’s my list:

• kimono or tie sides
• romper
• wash cloths
• receiving blanket
• hooded baby towel
• booties
• mittens
• hats
• nappies
• Avent Digital Steam Sterilizer
• Avent BPA Free Feeding Bootles (4 oz and 9 oz)
• Swaddle Me Swaddling Blanket

I still have to buy:

• Braun Thermoscan Thermometer
• Cot
• Maclaren Stroller
• Bath sets
• Bedding Starter Kit
• Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
• Personal Grooming Kit
• Miracle Wraps from Mothercare
• Baby Bag

Hopefully there’ll be another sale for the coming CNY, before GSS or even Taka Baby Fair!

Speaking of CNY; CNY falls on Sunday, February 14. Monday and Tuesday are declared as public holidays. Long weekend for me and for Alvin! Too bad, I can no longer travel and we really need to save. So no more browsing of Outer Banks vacation rentals or any holiday destinations… just shopping for my little boy!

I am so glad to know that Alvin’s company renewed their health insurance. It’s really a great help to us considering the high cost of heath care here in Singapore… Last year, Alvin had colonoscopy and a minor surgery and everything was covered including his medications and check ups. It was a total relief! For the procedures done in accredited hospitals, the insured person doesn’t have to pay any upright fee considering that they have a letter of guarantee from the insurance company. For the check ups, we have to do a self payment first and send the claim form together with the official receipts for payment. And in just a few weeks, they send the money through our bank account. They are so easy to deal with as long as the documentation is complete…

Actually, I was also planning to apply the same insurance for myself but it is very costly… and right now, I cannot use it since I am pregnant. Well, I am also reviewing other health insurance leads but so far I am not yet convinced with other insurance. Hmmm… By the way, it is an international health insurance valid worldwide except for US.