Hitting second trimester and how it feels

Now that I'm in my third trimester (just hitting 32 weeks today!), I think my favorite trimester is the second one. Entering my 2nd trimester, I'm not as uptight as I was before knowing that my baby is stable in my belly. You have no idea how many unnecessary worries that I've had when I first found out about the pregnancy and all of these worries are related to my baby.

Not helping that I'm fed with horror stories of how pregnancies had gone wrong for some people. I know how precious is the little life that I carry in me and hearing some tragedies where parents lost their unborn child really break my heart. It makes me appreciate and be really grateful for my bundle of joy.

I was just entering my second trimester during our Krabi trip back in July. I still get tired all the times and back pain is my constant friend. So, the husband and I take it very easy in Krabi. We slept in and relaxing more instead of rushing everywhere. Upon returning from Krabi, I've got a nasty rash on the back of my knees. Maybe it was the weather or just my body but I'm always feel hot. The rashes resembled bug bites and left my skin red and bumpy. Not a beautiful sight for stranger. To make matter worst, it's itches like crazy. There's nothing that I can do about it except to let time heals my skin.

Another common occurrence for me during the second semester is nose bleed. I've got dried blood clot in my nose occasionally during the first trimester and I blamed it on the weather. But during second trimester, it got worst.

Normally it is just dried blood clot every few days and then it happened every day. Sometimes when I stuffed tissue up my nose. it's drenched in blood. Not a beautiful sight I told you. I've read that it is common during pregnancy, so it didn't bother me much.

But at one point, it got really worst that I think the blood capillaries in my nose is injured because it's hurt for me to even twitch my nose. I did consulted my doctor and she explained to me that my intake of irons tablet may have contribute to the nose bleed but it is nothing to worry about.

One thing that I really love during my second trimester is that I've slowly gained my energy back. I no longer feel tired and wanted to nap all the time. I also no longer feeling nauseous at night anymore. It feels like my old self is back again and the husband and I went on more date nights before the baby comes.

Must doll up because I don't want to be an ugly pregnant lady

Called me vain or narcissistic but I really cannot accept letting myself go even during pregnancy. It's bad enough that I sometimes feel like a whale and my self esteem dropped a notch, if I'm not allowed to put on makeup to make myself feel better, I'm really gonna flipped. Actually someone once came up to me and told me to stop putting on make up because the chemical will hurt my unborn child. Seriously? Which era are you living in?

I was furious but held my tongue since it is not worth it to argue with Mr. Know-It-All.  I did what I did best in these kind of situation. I ignored them totally. 

Since I'm feeling like my old self again, I started to be more laid back and had my cold drinks. Yes, I was totally off cold drink during the first trimester because people have been advising me so. I did asked my mom is it true but she brushed it off and said just eat whatever I want but in moderation. Even my doctor said so too.

So if you must know, cold drinks has no effect to your pregnancy. I was told to be off tea too which I'm sad about because I love my green tea. At first, I followed it diligently but the more I've researched into it, I've found that a little caffeine won't hurt you or your unborn child.

Pfft.. these people with their old wives tales! I really get tired of listening to people preaching to me about what pregnant woman can eat what cannot eat because mostly those are the old wife tales. I know certain stuff I really cannot consume eg raw fish/meat, raw egg etc. 

Luckily the husband is on my side all the times and even fed me my ice cream craving

I love bubble tea too

My appetite maintain the same but I've started to love junk food more now. I tried to limit my junk food intake but I really loves ice cream. I always sneak a scoop every nights because it is so good. Give my any flavor and I'll polish it off.

My weight during second trimester

At this point, I think I've gained around 5kg. When I went to polyclinic for check up, I was told to watch my diet because the weight gain is too rapid according to the nurse. But most of my friends commented how skinny I am even though I'm pregnant. Actually I eat a lot but in smaller portion and as much as I love my junk food now, I still try to eat as healthy as possible. Most of time I brought fruits as snack during working hour.

My favourite dinner combo is rice and fish 

These are my portion when I prepared my own dinner

The only time I ever wear maternity top, I was around 6 months pregnant here. 

I'm really grateful that my pregnancy has been a smooth sailing journey so far. Now that we are getting closer to the due date, my husband and I started to discuss about parenting. Both of us are chill, so I'm not gonna be the Asian tiger mom (finger cross I won't turn into one) that only emphasise on academic for my children. I want them to have the childhood that I've had. I've spent majority of my childhood exploring the world outside. I played with stick and dirt, I ran around with my siblings, we played doctor/house and anything that our imagination took us and my parents took us to playground or swimming pool on weekends. I want my children to experience all of these too instead of gluing themselves to technology that we have now. 

Our wedding reception

I was really reluctant to have wedding reception but come to think of it, it means more to our parents than us so a simple reception had to take place. Plus my husband is the first grandson to get married. We're so tired from the morning ceremony and napped till 3pm. I was a bit worried because my MUA was late and I tried to get hold of her but she's not replying my text.

Luckily she showed up at 4.30pm and in one hour, I've got my make up done and ready to leave for the reception. I love the hairdo and make up that she did for me for my reception. I thought such updo was impossible since my hair was short but with lots of pins and hairspray, anything can do.

The first photo prop that we grabbed. Very appropriate indeed.

My siblings and brother's gf are in charge of the backdrop. It was a very last minute decision for me to have backdrop for photo because let's face it, 80% of our guests are relatives and none of them would appreciate the photo taking opportunity (read:old). But then I thought it would be fun to pose with backdrop with my friends and family (read: the young ones). So, the day before the reception, we just bought whatever art deco that we could find and my siblings designed the backdrop while my husband's siblings were doing the photo props. We ended up having so much fun taking photos there after all of our guests left.

With my MIL

With my parents

I ordered my wedding cake from Stella's Bakery based on what I found on Pinterest. I love the simplicity of the cake and each tiered were flavored differently from peanut to blueberry and chocolate. The only downside was that they didn't provide stand for our cake, so it was rather low and you couldn't spot the cake for afar. 

It was a fun night of mingling and getting to know new relatives from both side of the family although let's be honest, I already forgot some of them. In a way, I'm glad we have this reception and I'm really grateful for my friends that came all the way from Miri and Bintulu to celebrate with us. Too bad I couldn't spend more time with them. Nowadays the only time that I get to reunite with my Uni friends is when one of us getting married.

Our actual wedding day 06/06/2016

I need to stop apologizing for all of the late post on my wedding stuff. What to do, I have a full time job to do and by the end of the day all that I wanted to do is to snuggle up to my husband and talking to my belly. I swear I'm crazy when I said I wanted to talk to my belly. The little one inside is very active these days and I love it when she responses whenever I talk to her.

Anyway, let's talk about my actual wedding day. It was on 06/06/2016. 

And no,we did not chose 06/06/16 because it is special to any of us but because it is the date that can accommodate the people that matter to us to join us on our special day. I was restless the night before and couldn't even sleep properly whereas few days leading to my actual day, I felt nothing.

To make matter worst, I woke up with sore throat and pounding head. FML. My make up artist came at 6.30 am to start on my hair and makeup and I looked like a zombie with horrible dark circle.

I engaged with Cass Bridal Secretary for my make up and hair because I like how natural her make up look. Although I have no idea what kind of make up that I wanted for my big day but I know what I don't want. 

I have gone through some MUA works and cringed at how ridiculous and OTT some are.

The final look. I like that I still look like my usual self just with higher nose bridge and better skin lol. But we have a little problem with my hair. It was so hard to put my hair in place because she curled the strands on the side of my hair and 5 minutes later, it turned straight again. Hair, Y U NO CORPORATE ON MY BIG DAY?!

The groom entourage arrived at around 9 in the morning. So my bridesmaids took the time to do their hair and make up. Relatives started to come and it was very busy and chaotic but in a good way.

With my sister

And my brother

Family photo attempt #1

Family photo attempt #2. The tip of the spray can really annoyed me but at least everyone is looking at the same camera now.

Of course my furry buddy have to be there for my big day

With my bridesmaids.

Thank you for all of my bridesmaids for agreeing to be my bridesmaids on such a short notice. My closest friends couldn't be my bridesmaids due to their work schedule. 06/06/16 was on Tuesday so they couldn't be off work. Luckily our family close friends were available and really helped out during the day. 

With the head of bridesmaids = my brother 

Meanwhile at the groom's house, the preparation started the day before. Both my husband and I are free spirits and not believing in any no basis pantang like bride and groom shouldn't see each other the day before wedding crap. So I was at his place to help  kepo with the preparation.

We are so lucky that there are so many kind souls that willing to sacrifice their time at nil cost to help us out. Thank you so much! And they helped us save so much.

The Xiong Di/Heng Tai are getting ready by filling their tummy

Ready to attack

My bridesmaids and I brainstorming the night before for games and got everything prepared super last minute. I am really a queen of procrastination. I decided on my bridesmaids dress theme a week before the wedding and went on crazy sourcing on the Internet for suitable dresses and most importantly fast delivery.

I specifically asked my bridesmaids to go easy on the games and omitted all the eating games because it is really gross. I mean what is the purpose of torturing the Xiong Di to drown wasabi+soy sauce+chili+ insert any gross food combination shot. Do you want their memory of your wedding to be having diarrhea the whole day? 

The Brothers are getting make over

The real brothers will save their brother no matter what. So cheeky ah, changing the order on their own.

The final game is for the groom where he have to answer some questions about me. And guess what, he only got 2 correct answers out of 5 questions. ='=

Wrong answer never mind la, I still want to marry him. 

My parents

My siblings

Plus my brother's gf

The way my dog look at my husband as if warning him to treat me good. hahahhaha

Arrived at my new home.

We did the usual ceremony of greeting elders in the family and have a simple buffet with friends and family at groom's house before we both crashing on bed and catching up on ZZZZzzzz before getting ready for the wedding reception at night. Who know getting married was so tiring but worth it in the end.

Many had asked me what kind of ceremony I would go for for my wedding. I'm Iban but not a traditional girl so it never cross my mind to have an Iban traditional wedding because I myself have no idea how the traditional ceremony are. Even my parents have no idea. So we decided to go for one ceremony only which is simplified Chinese ceremony and we were already dead tired. Imagine if I have to do two ceremonies, I probably will run away with my groom from my own wedding. Just kidding.

Now give me some time to procrastinate before drafting up the post for my wedding dinner reception.