1st Trimester, Month 0-1 (I knew I was pregnant before I was pregnant)

Read: New Chapter in Life

1 Dec 2016 – 31 Dec 2016

Yes, you read it right. I knew I was pregnant before I was pregnant. You see, the 1st month of pregnancy is a funny thing. It is because, doctors count estimated due date from the first day of last period. With that said, the 1st and 2nd week is my period week. Most couples do not know when their Little One was conceived but I did because I had a period tracker app that I religiously update.
Technically, it's the end of the 3rd week when the embryo implants in our uterine lining but this is just an estimation. According to my app, Little One was conceived on the 3rd week which was 6th Dec 2016.

Are you following me? I hope I don't sound confusing. Haha

Anyways, after 1 week of conception, I starting to have this 'feeling' that I was pregnant. I don't know how to explain it but I did and I just waived the thought in my head thinking I was silly. Days passed and that 'feeling' was there and my supposedly next period was coming.
2 days before expected period, I couldn't wait and took a pregnancy test for fun.

It was negative. My heart went "huh" while my brain said "I told you so".

On 22nd Dec 2016, my period came and it was just blood spotting. Thinking the official 'waterfall' will come the next day, I didn't think much of it. The next day, it was in fact, the same and that was it.
At that point, I was confused lah. I was stressed during that time period but I've never encountered such experience. Despite of having no blood, I did had cramps. I remembered Fizah mentioned about cramps and pregnancy so I checked with Mr. Google.

The results were there in writing.

[source]

22nd and 23rd Dec 2016 was the day/days of implantation of my embryo which explains the early negative, the blood spotting and cramps. I waited about 2 more weeks before taking another pregnancy test. At that point, I had very mild nausea but brain was still in denial. haha

Side note: Jhon didn't know I bought the first pregnancy kit because I thought I could surprise him with the news but that didn't turned out. We bought the 2nd pregnancy kit together but he didn't know when I would take it.

***

Sorry to leave you with what seemed to be an incomplete month 0-1 story but I am trying to squeeze and divide according to months. Obviously, when I took the 2nd pregnancy test, I was past 1 month pregnant (according to first day of last period).
We obviously know what's the results lah but want share how/when we reacted and what happened next.

Read More:
1st Trimester, 2nd month (Morning sickness and Blurness) Part 1

   

New Chapter in Life...

Guess what? I am pregnant. 😊

Bun in the oven, knocked up, stung by a serpent, expecting, preggers, with child, eating for two, hooked whatever you call it, Jhon and I are having a Little One! If you have been reading my blog, you should know we have been 'trying' since October. You may read about it here.

At this point of writing, I am already at my 2nd trimester or 4+ months along. The reason for delaying the news was for obvious reasons. Mainly because the 1st trimester is the most sensitive and fragile part of the pregnancy and further delay, well, I just like to lay low. Now that the Little One and I have mostly settled and get acquainted, get ready for my series of pregnancy posts.




We would never thought after 10 years of getting knowing each other, we will be married and let alone have a kid but that's how it always works right?

I know sharing about one's pregnancy can be taboo to some group of people. Especially when the world is getting more sensitive with everything lately. But this IS my online journal where I allow other people take a sneak peak into my life and perhaps learn and/or share experiences.

The only precautionary control I am practicing on sharing is delayed posts on my pregnancy and I am not making any pregnancy announcements anywhere but HERE. At this point, only immediate families and closest friends knows and I will let others know organically. As in, when we meet up for family functions and they notice my growing belly.

So if you happen to be in my circle of friends or my cousins (yes, I know you read), PLEASE keep this to yourself. Haha Can or not? I'm just trying to be chill about it, okay?

I will try to be detailed as much as possible as per normal and I can't wait to share it all to my future self and anyone who is willing to read it.

   

Marina Square Balloon Exhibit + I-Light Marina Bay

It's been a while since we went out jalan-jalan with Mak. Since we also had food cravings and found out there were fun things to check out at Marina Square and Marina Bay, I asked her out. (yes, this outing was on March)

The initial plan was to have early dinner at Seoul Garden but that was a bust because the place was filled with reservations. Luckily, we had a second craving which was for pizza hut that happened to be right next door. No complains here!

After our dinner, we checked out Marina Square Balloon Exhibit: Sea of Wonder.
I've been wanting to visit their yearly balloon exhibit for years and the plan never worked out so I was thrilled I get to see it. Yes, I am old and still crazy with balloons and don't get me started with bubbles. Plus, how can you not appreciate the hard work to create such masterpieces? I can barely create a balloon animal unless a snake counts as one.

Mak was very happy too and being her auntie self wanted to take and pick the balloons off. lol

We took a break hanging outside the mall while waiting for darkness to really enjoy the I-Light exhibition at Marina Bay. Unfortunately, we didn't get to really visit every exhibit showcased because as the night gets later, the crowds kept coming and we were getting a headache from it.

There was a long queue to get a proper shot into this exhibition so I said we just take a shot outside and play with out silhouettes.

And turned around for the awesome lighting.

We passed Art-Zoo and yes, I would wanted to go in even there were no children with us but circumstances disallowed us to.

So that's about it. Not much photos but we really enjoyed ourselves especially Mak. She said one thing she loves about going out with us is that we tend to walk a lot. (everyone in the family as a car but us haha) She said she loves it because she always feel physically better after going out with us as all her muscle cramps will disappear. Whatever it is, it was definitely a easy but fun night.

   

Coldplay - A Head Full of Dreams Tour (Singapore) 2017

Hands down, Coldplay brought the house down at Singapore National Stadium on 31st March 2017 and probably on 1st April 2017 too.

Their performances were to the T, entertainment value to the top and although Jhon and I had back seats row, we still could feel the overflow of passion, love and music beam through our hearts and soul.



I had my share of concerts over the years, especially in my younger ones where standing pens were life. Just on top of my head, P.O.D, Sum 41, Lady Gaga, Keane, Backstreet Boys, Kylie Minoque, The Cranberries, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers and more but NONE had let me to experience with such an sensory overload and I was just sitting at the back.

I did cried once when I went to Coldplay's Viva La Vida concert in 23 March 2009 and it was while they were played "Fix you" (as corny as it was).



But not bashfully, I cried buckets as soon as Coldplay played their first song from A Head Full of Dreams, Yellow, Every Tear is a Waterfall and The Scientist. It was the darn lighted wrist bands and the way it synchronized with the music. (& damn you if you didn't return it back for other fans to enjoy) And yes, I still cried couple more times in between.











I would be completely fine with just Coldplay's live music enveloping my ears but the pyro, the confetti, the balloons, the fantastic laser light show did it. The crowd was fantastic too. It was a beautiful and joyous concert that I will never forget.

Like I said before in my Instagram, no photos or videos (good quality or not) can justify the entire concert. You just got to be there.

Thank you Coldplay, Live Nation Lushington and every single one who helped with everything happened, because it was definitely one of the most memorable & special concerts I've ever attended.

   

Angono, Rizal, Philippines with Tita Lilia

Just in case you missed,
Philippines 20th - 24th Jan 2017
Inang's 90th Birthday in the Philippines

Tita Lilia's place has a special dedicated blog post for our 2017 trip in Philippines not only because we got to visit her and cousin's house, her location was way up a hill with a wonderful view.

Even the trip to her house was a mini adventure. We had to take the bus and tuk-tuk up a steep hill. The place was filled greenery and air was fresh. Jhon told me there was an experience when the tuk-tuk he took rode on it's hind wheels due to the steepness!

We spent most of our day in Tita Lilia's house. Chit-chatting and we got to eat her delicious Pancit (something like Bee Hoon goreng). She was so sweet because the day before at Inang's birthday, I wanted to eat the pancit served there but there was pork. So we made one without just for me. hehehehe



Jhon was also close with his cousin, Laarni so there were plenty photos of young Jhon with the family.





After lounging around, we headed further up the hill to the top so enjoy the view. Laarni was actually heavily pregnant so kudos for her to climb further up with no problem. Pregnant woman goals.

I don't know if you can tell in the middle of the picture is the highest point of the hill and on top of it is a church. Laarni actually got married there.









Jump shot! Yea... I faked it though. lol I got my reasons...



Couple shots!






Photos probably does not do the place justice but believe me when I said the place is pretty. It's so nice to live in such an area and waking up to such a scenery but the trip out of the area is leceh though. haha

   

(Bourjois) Anti-Fatigue Foundation & Concealer?!?

sponsored review

What is better than a flawless coverage while applying make-up?
A vitamin infused make-up product that that erases all signs of fatigue for a
fresh and healthy-looking complexion.

Introducing, Bourjois Healthy Mix Anti-Fatigue Foundation and Concealer!



Both foundation and concealer contains 3 types of vitamins to aid our skin towards a healthy-looking skin such as

Vitamin C - Anti-Fatigue Effect (for a fresher & rested look)
Vitamin E - Anti-Oxidant (for a natural & luminous skin)
Vitamin B5 - Revitalizing Action (to reveal the radiance within)

Featuring, my nude face for your inspection but don't zoom so close ah?
For someone turning 33, I think my skin is pretty okay. I barely have wrinkles or excessive blemishes besides the standard discoloration, dark eye rings, black heads, redness around the nose, random pimples or blemish. On top of that, I have fine varicose veins on my cheeks (something I had since young).



I had the Bourjois Healthy Mix Anti-Fatigue Foundation in shade Beige (54).
To be honest, I don't always wear foundations. When I do, it's only for special occasions where I need to look more dolled up with long lasting coverage.

Bourjois's Foundations promises long-lasting, medium coverage up to 16 hours and it is semi-Matte, ultra-lightweight which provides a delightful, bare-skin sensation. It provides all day 24 hours hydration for maximum comfort throughout the day and gives 70% more radiance for a natural healthy-looking glow.



I am a big fan of matte make-up because my skin does get really oily. One pump of the foundation was actually more than enough to cover my face and neck and I love that it's lightweight so I don't feel like I have a thick layer of make-up on. The foundation clearly evens out all the discoloration on my face and even some blemishes. If you like light-weight, natural looking make-up like me, this the foundation to go to.

On top of the foundation, I applied Bourjois Healthy Mix Anti-Fatigue Concealer in Medium shade on top of their foundation as that's the usual make-up sequence I normal do. On ordinary days, I just put on concealer and a cake powder/foundation for my base.

Bourjois' concealer has light-reflecting pigments for immediate radiance and undetectable finish. It also has spherical powders to blur and smooth your skin for a silky finish.



By the time I applied my concealer, the foundation has set, that's why a slight difference in tone and since the foundation itself had given me enough coverage, I didn't need much help in the concealer. This means my expectations for the concealer is quite high since I am expecting like real smooth coverage. Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of their concealer. It was really 'meh' for me, at least for my skin.


[Yes, I am very aware, my pictures are like real estate/ ID shots. hahaha]

Just to have a completed look, I finished my look with my everyday make-up by setting with powder, did my eyebrows along with eyeliner, mascara, blusher and lipstick on. I actually accidentally took a nap and went out for a dinner date afterwards. As I mentioned before, I have oily skin but it does not seem obvious and even after an oil-blotting session, my make-up still holds which I appreciate because I don't have to do any touch up.

There are plenty of shades to choose from and you can get your hands on both the Bourjois' foundation and concealer at S$29.90 and S$17.50 respectively at major Watsons and departmental stores.





For more info, check out Bourjois' Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BourjoisSG/
and SampleStore.com for more reviews http://bit.ly/2mgYzhB