Because Rae Says So

2018 had a lot of things going on. 

It started with a bang, we got married on the new year's day. It was an unconventional (Asian) affair where we did at the comfort of our home. I didn't hire any planner and it was quite an experience that I'm unsure I would like to do it again LOL.

What came next (or rather the announcement) was that we are expecting. That's one of the reasons I didn't enjoy my wedding planning, I was tired most of the time. Other than that, it's quite an easy pregnancy. Due to our age, we also did a NIPT to ensure there isn't any genetic mutation/defects. At the same time, we found out the gender of Kiddie (that's what he's called now, we haven't decided on the name yet but it will be an English name as first name and a Korean name as middle name).

My first trimester was comparably easy - limited to just tiredness, bloatness and gassy. There wasn't any huge nausea. I went through planning for my wedding and thereafter I kept myself busy by attending the first German language course at Goethe Institut.

Second trimester saw me travelling a lot. Spent almost 3 weeks in Germany and Austria - an appropriate time to practise and test my German language proficiency. There was a LOT of FOOD. and WALKING. A lot which I'm hoping to ease labour. We went at a great time - time for asparagus, tulip and cherry blossom!

A week after that, we jetted off to Australia for a babymoon in Gold Coast and an intense and exhausting week of Tony Robbins' Date With Destiny in Cairns. 

I'm quite happy I survived that week - I'd never expected to attend a second Tony Robbins' seminar after UPW in Sydney few years ago. Flying in to Australia gave me a little jolt for I experienced swollen ankles and feet for the first time and that gave me a slight worry if I would be swelling again on the flight home (which I didn't, fortunately).

On another note, we finally finalised our marriage paperworks and squeezed in the registration on the day we flew to Australia. 

Visiting Australia has always been great. It's my third time and visiting new Aussie cities (first two trips was Sydney). Great weather and great food and what was impressive to me was there are (free and clean) toilets literally everywhere (pregnant women's primary need)!

I will have to admit I started my preparation for Kiddie pretty early, as early as during first trimester for I knew I'd be travelling quite a bit during second trimester and experienced moms shared with me how stressful and tired last trimester was so I didn't want to go through that. I began making the list of what we need then and started to purchase during second trimester, there were some stuff we acquired when we were in Germany/Austria. Only purchased a couple of Uniqlo onesies, didn't invest in clothes at all for I plan to swaddle Kiddie and since Malaysia is of tropical climate, I don't have to worry about cold so Kiddie will be naked most of the time, or at least in his swaddle (and diapers).

It's gonna be another 2.5 months to go... so... til then!