Ultrasound Circa June 2006

June 5, 2006

That small oblong-shaped area at the centre of the picture is the very first image of Baby Kate. She was 5 weeks old if i remember correctly, though the scan states she's at 6 weeks. Yep, the machine can also miscalculate. She was only 1.61cm in size. Not bigger than a peanut. But look at her now.

Day out at Botanic gardens

The whole "gang", baby Kate, my wife, my mom-in-law and our new nanny went out to Botanic Gardens today. Thought it would be a relaxing stroll around the park since there wasn't much sun, but fifteen minutes later after the entrance and everyone's already looking for the air-conditioned areas. It was humid and all of us we're sweating like pigs. Baby Kate also wasn't up for the weather so we didn't stay long. We did manage to get to the orchid garden which my mom-in-law thoroughly enjoyed. I guess Kate also enjoyed looking at the colours around her in the garden. Our trip made me realise that a clip-on portable fan is a must-have accessory for the baby pram.

1+1=

Me + Kat = Kate

Not sure who she looks more like, but i'm guessing its my wife

First sunbathe, 3-day old Kate

Jan 30,2007

Here's Kate getting some sunshine. We learned that Kate had a slight jaundice and elevated bilirubin levels when she was discharged. Sunlight exposure is supposed to break down the bilirubins on her bloodstream which are still not processed properly by her young liver.

We did this as the doctor advised for the next two days. However, our follow-up checkup with the paediatrician the next day revealed her bilirubin had not got down to an acceptable range. The doc advised us to have a photo UV treatment for Kate.

We initially intended to go to Thomson Medical Centre for that but we thought their rates for a simple UV treatment and ward is rather unreasonable. We went to KK hospital instead. To our relief, Kate only had to stay at KK overnight since her B levels went down the next day.

The UV photo treatment involves exposing a baby under a UV lamp for 24 hours or more, with their eyes covered, much like what you do when you're sunbathing. The only difference is the light from these lamps is not hot like sunlight. So no sunburns.

Sometimes the baby would require 2 set of lamps, top and bottom while they lie on a transparent container, depending on how elevated their B levels are.

Jan 31,2007

Here's a snap of mommy and Kate before she was checked in. Kat was still having a hard time getting up from a chair. It's only her fourth day after delivery.

KK = Kandang Kerbau Hospital

For me, its Kat and Kate hospital. :) Apt.

First face to face

Jan 27, 2007

Kat and Kate

And there she is.

Jan 27, 2007

Here are the very first pictures of Kate outside the womb. She was delivered by Dr Eunice Chua from TMC in Thomson with the help of two other nurses (which i didn't get the names). Kate was born under assisted delivery, which means a suction device was used to gently pull her out while the mother is pushing during contractions. Doc Chua recommended the device after a couple of attempts to push out the baby were unsuccessful. Kinda nifty device i must say.

And then Kate was out. Doc and nurses then agreed on why Kat was having difficulty in pushing. She was big. 3.9kg to be exact. I thought it was the gas that made Kat high.

Kat=wife | Kate=daughter

Contractions

Here are photos of Kat taken three hours apart.

1. Tiny contractions. That's Spongebob Square Pants on the telly. Recommended for parents-to-be in the delivery room.


2. Not so tiny contractions. This is when she started using the gas mask connected to the wall. Can't remember what gas that was but she became high after a few whiffs.

After i've taken this photo, one of the Thomson nurses told me that i should be refraining from taking photos or videos once Kat starts pushing out the baby. I was actually intending to video the event, however, the nurse said my assistance might be needed hence i should keep my hands and mind free from other things. She said I can resume taking pictures after the baby is given the all clear and gets transferred to the thermal mat. So even if i wanted to, there will be no pictures of the actual delivery.