Marking Assignments with Triplets

It's this time of the year again where it's assignment marking time.

Every year around April -July I'll be involved in tutoring a course module which is offered by Royal Academy of Dancing (RAD), London. The course module that I'm tutoring is CBTS 103 - The Healthy Dancer (Certificate of Ballet Teaching Studies). It is a distance learning theory module which I will be interacting with the students via emails or phone calls.
Reading and trying to figure out what some of them trying to write really make my eyes go blur. Of course there are also works which are excellent and straight forward.

In the past years, during the marking week, I would be really busy. Reading 2-3 study tasks (mini assignments) per student, giving individual feedbacks, then read, feedback on the draft assignment, allocating time for 1-1 tutor (via phone). Finally receiving their final assignments.

Looking at the pile of courier envelops, could really make me wonder how could I finish reading, marking and writing reports for all of it within a week. I need to submit all the reports within a week to UK. However, every year I did manage to complete it.

Last year was rushing all the marking with my huge belly...

And the huge belly turns out to be my working desk :)

This year... marking the study task is making my already almost sleepless nights become totally sleepless because during the day, I need to prepare food for the triplets, feed them and play with them. They are at this stage where they need lots of attention. They want to be encouraged, they want to be praised. I tried to do the marking in the day, but their cuteness just attracted me over. The time that I can actually start to do the marking, it's time when they all fast asleep at night, that's the best time.

So, one more week of marking to go... and a new bottle of vitamin B, C and coffee will be at my bedside.

More updates on the triplets will be after all these...

Triple joy: Helena and Kenz’s amazing birth story.

28 April 2011 at 11:28

Helena and Kenz’s first pregnancy joy tripled when they found out that they were going to have triplets. They share their amazing journey from pregnancy till the birth of their three boys Evanz, Enrique and Eytan Lee.

The best Chinese New Year gift


Helena:
It was around Chinese New Year (February 2011) and I was around 10 weeks pregnant when our excited doctor showed us three heartbeats on the computer during an ultrasound scan.

Our (or rather Kenz’s) initial reaction was one of disbelief. The triplets were conceived naturally and since there was no history of twins on both sides of our families, we were naturally surprised. We informed our families immediately - they shared our surprise, joy and excitement.


Finding the right hospital


Kenz:
Our first few antenatal checkups were at a private hospital in Selangor.

In the meantime, we were still looking at various options as to where Helena would deliver our babies. This was no ordinary pregnancy and we knew that apart from our need for quality medical care, we also had to take into account the cost factor as having triplets was going to be expensive. We not only had to account for the delivery cost but also for the neonatal care for prematurely-born babies, common in the cases of multiple births.

Government hospitals provide antenatal care and delivery services at minimal cost so we made trips to a few hospitals within Kuala Lumpur and Selangor such as the Universiti Malaya (UM) Hospital and their Specialist Centre (UMSC), the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKM) and Selayang Hospital.

Finally, we decided on Selayang Hospital. We felt that this was the most baby-friendly hospital (for us) and it had an impressive NICU unit.

Although Selayang Hospital is a government hospital, we chose to with a ‘full paying patient scheme’for the antenatal care. We paid more for the medical services and got to choose our medical specialist (for birth and antenatal care). We also had shorter waiting-time during our visits and got ultrasound scans every month.

These medical checkups including the scan, blood tests, medications and supplements cost us around RM60 per visit.


Three-in-one delivery


Kenz:
Carrying our triplets was hard on Helena even as early as second trimester. On doctor’s advice, we had to be extra careful and I helped to ensure Helena had a lot of bed rest with limited walking and no other strenuous activities including cooking or washing.

We were advised to prepare ourselves for an early c-section delivery. The initial estimate for delivery was at 34 weeks. However, Helena’s water bag broke at 32 weeks and she had to have an emergency caesarean.

Helena:
Our three little ‘cubbies’ (they were born in the year of the tiger) Evanz, Enrique and Eytan arrived on August 11, 2010. They were healthy with birth weights of 1.8kg, 1.6kg and 1.1kg.


It was overall a very positive birth experience as we were comfortable with the doctors and well cared for by the rest of the medical team.


Postnatal care


Kenz:
After her delivery, Helena stayed for about a week in a private room at Selayang Hospital. The whole cost for both the c-section delivery and for her week-long stay at the hospital cost us less than RM1,000.

We went back to Selayang Hospital for Helena’s postnatal check-ups twice. We also registered at a government Mother and Child Health Clinic near Petaling Jaya, Klinik Ibu Dan Anak Kampong Dato Harun, that provided free infant checkups and routine immunisations for our babies.

Helena:
I was well cared for at Selayang Hospital with plenty of encouragement and guidance on breastfeeding my triplets. Although the hospital serves vegetarian food (I am a vegetarian), I opted for home-cooked meals. All my confinement food was prepared by my mother-in-law.

My babies stayed for almost a month in the NICU unit at Selayang Hospital. It was a confined area, strictly parents only with 24-hour care. They were breastfed throughout.


Feeling blessed (three times over)

Helena:
We are indeed very tired but also very happy parents. We are also proud and see our boys as triple blessings from God.

Also, I am extremely grateful that we chose Selayang Hospital for their optimum medical care and for the fact that we didn’t have to mortgage our house to get it!

Kenz:
Selayang Hospital felt like a private hospital; everything was clean and new with plenty of warm and caring doctors and nurses.

At times, looking at my three identical boys, it almost feels surreal. I am indeed thankful that we were blessed with triplets and for Helena’s overall healthy and smooth delivery.

I do occasionally think about having twins next – girls this time!

Published in www.babycenter.com.my

The triplets were once so small & tiny...

Was looking thru my birth photos and it seems like this is the first time I actually look at every picture in detail.

Trying to identify the triplets cubbies but all babies do look alike. I could only judge it from the sequence of photos taken.

Saw one of the photo where baby cubby-Syuen was taken with me, he was so small and tiny. He's just like the size of my big head. And now, the 3 of them are growing up healthily. I'm so blessed!

Till now, I could still recall the moment I heard their first cry. I was so excited at that moment and glad they were safely delivered. They even had a mini orchestra to show their happiness in the arrival.

Thank you to all the O&G, Operation & Paediatric Team (which consisting almost 20 professional personnels) who did a great job!

Baby Cubby's first kiss

Baby Cubby-Syuen (2nd Triplet) peeping at cubby angel or may be he is sensitive to camera

Week 30 - Cubbies Movement

Week 30

Babies' movements getting more intensed!!!

These 2 weeks, babies movement is getting more and more frequent and intensed. Babies are constantly moving here and there, changing positions or may be playing with each other.

I could actually sit and observe their movements for hours.  Watching the round smooth tummy becoming bumpy here and there. Sometimes the tummy shape may even change from round to sharp triangular.  It is really amazing to see the rise and fall of the bumps. Occasionally the movement will be like jumping and bouncing - fast rhythmic movement.  Sometimes it is like waves moving from one end to the other. Luckily so far,there's no strong kicks or punches which brings pain.

I can get extremely excited and fascinated with the movements and start playing hide and seek with them. It is hard to believe that there're 3 living babies moving inside this 'small' tummy.

Week 29 - Doc Check Up

Went for Doctor Check up today...

Doctor was unavailable on Monday or Friday, so I had to see him on Wednesday instead.  Kenz was unable to come back on a wednesday, so sis and mom-in-law accompanied me for this week check up.

Everything is good, I'm healthy, Babies are healthy.  Guess that is the most important thing for now.

Thanks sis for being the photographer for today's doctor appointment!

Weighting Procedure - I'm 75kg!!!

My Gynae - Dr Roslan

together with nurse Isna

Ultrasound Scanning the Cubbies

They look GOOD!!!

Trying to see their gender... 3rd cubby is still hiding his identity :)

Stretch Marks

1st sign of Stretch Marks - Week 29

The 1st sign of stretch mark was visible on week 29. It was witness by dear hubby when he helped me to apply lotion on the tummy.  The stretch mark appeared at the lower abdomen where it is not possible for me to see it.  My vision can only reach mid of my belly button,anything below it, is not visible.  No wonder recently I kept feeling itchy at the lower abdomen.

CubbyDaddy with cubbies

Cubbydaddy always have new game with the little cubbies....

Sometimes cubbydaddy just listen quietly to little cubbies.... trying to figure out which cubbies is making the most sound

sometimes... cubbydaddy falls asleep while listening... he says "the feeling is so peaceful"

then cubbydaddy will make lots of kissing sound to excite the cubbies...

when all of them are excited, especially cubbydaddy... he will start to have some rough game....

some tiger roaring and biting game!

and lastly some cubbies kicking and cubbydaddy head knocking game

hehehe.... thanks dear for running to and fro to set up the camera self-timer to catch all these interesting pictures  

Sniff.. sniff

Sniff.. sniff...Nasal Congestion is really getting worst.  Nasal are congested all the time...

Nowadays, I dare not blow my nose or clear it too often because at times it will start bleeding.  The blood that comes out from the nose is actually quite little, and it stops almost immediately.

This bleeding is caused by the expansion of blood vessels increase the pressure of blood in the body.  When the pressure of blood in the blood vessels inside the nose rises beyond a certain limit, nose bleeds occur.

The scarier part is when the blood does not appear from the nose.  It mix together with the mucus and flow into the throat to appear like phlegm.  When the phlegm is spit out, a piece of blood clog comes out.  It frighthen me the 1st time....but eventually i got used to it, thou it still looks scary.

Lesson learnt: Do not blow the nose too hard!

Week 27 - 4th July 2010

27th Week

Went for check up on last Fri.. Everything went on very well. Blood pressure is alright, no sugar or protein found in urine.

As usual Dr Roslan and nurse did the scanning, hubby and mother inlaw looking at the monitor and trying to figure out which limbs belongs to which baby, and this time we have a special guest - Dr Erwin (pediatric) was there too.

Did ultrasound and dropper scan... glad babies are healthy.

Babies are growing very well.... they are reaching almost 1kg each.  Hope they will continue to grow bigger.

And surprisingly, all three of them are located on the right side of my belly... they only occupied half of the belly, wonder what's inside the other half???

Took 2 shots of steroid (Dexamethasone), one on Fri afternoon, another on Sat morning (12 hrs apart).

These shots are to boost the babies lungs development just in case they are born premature.

Got the 1st shot on my left butt, Ouch... it hurts....

2nd shot on my right butt... OUCH!!! it hurts and numbs the butt.. can't really walk for the next 5-10minits.

Next Check up - in two weeks time...

Reminder from Dr Erwin: bed rest... no shopping, no walking, no cooking, no washing.... 

Photo taken 4 July 2010

Week 27

Weight 73.5kg

Waist 46"

Week 26 !!! 2nd Trimester Pregnany Discomfort

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

25th Week!!!

Yes!!!! 

Week 25 ! (6th Month now...)

Waistline 45"

My belly is getting so huge... Most moms-to-be's bump are just starting to show, but mine looking like I'm going to deliver anytime now.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I always thought this term only happen to those people who sits in front of computer all the time.  Didn't realise pregnancy will also have this problem.

It all started one month ago when I begin to feel numbness on my hands and fingers whenever I sleep.  At times I can feel very strong pulse jumping on the hand.  After consulting doctor, he says it is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.  Due to water retention and extra blood supply in the body, the blood vessel became wider and hence pressing on the veins.

These few days the numbness had turn into pain at the wrist.  The wrist begin to feel discomfort and pain.  Not so flexible to twist and turn.

Had tried few tips found from website to relieve the pain:

• Position which can reduce the pain, is to sleep with the hand place above the head level.  This does help to reduce the pain.slightly, but after awhile the pain will come back.

• Applying ice packs on the wrist area - not much help for me...maybe I should try it more often

• Raising the hand high up above the head for few minits does help to reduce the pain slightly.  when the hand is raised up, the wrist could perform slightly more movement.

Week 21

WEEK 21

My belly is growing...
Sis kept asking how 'big' I look like ... At last manage to snap a picture of me at week 21
 

WAISTLINE: 41"

PHOTO TAKEN: MAY 23 2010

EDD: 4TH OCT 2010

Uploaded this picture as my profile pic on FB, and the comments just can't stop coming in.

Thanks all friends and relatives for the wishes.

A Night of Games....

Last nite, I had a great evening playing games with my dear..

Initially I was playing some kiddy games as usual on the pc.  Then he challenged me with a game called "Creepy Crawlers" found on http://fun.familyeducation.com/.  It was a single player game, but we got real excited watching each other's "maomao choong" got eaten up.  However, there's bug in this game, the game will end itself once it reached certain score. 非常扫兴!!!.

So, I'd decided to google for this game in the net... Unfortunately, we were unable to find the similar game.  But we found another fun kiddy game...which can be played by 2 player at the same time.  This game is call "Fire Boy & Water Girl"

              

Each of us is to control one of the character, by using the keyboard.  The aim of the game is just very simple, we need to collect the treasures and lead the character to the exit.  However, what we really enjoyed in this game is that it needs teamwork.  At most of the stages, both the characters need to work togehter in order to assist one another to complete the level.  Some of the stages really work out our brain to plan the correct strategy by using the available bricks/stones to overcome the obstacles.

The total number of levels & stages.. We manage to complete the map within a night..

What i wanted to share is not only on how fantastic the game, but mainly is how we enjoyed each others company.  This is just one of a very simple way where we can easily enhance our relationship.  It doesn't need any materialistic or expensive items to pleased each other.  We had good laugh at each other's mistakes while playing the game.  We discuss the strategy together, sometimes he is quicker in solving the puzzle, sometimes when he is stuck, I came out with a different solution, these help us to appreciate and acknowledge each other's strength.

Thanks my dear for taking time to play games and laugh with me... the 3 cubbies were also laughing and enjoying all our giggle and laughters because each time I laugh, my whole belly moves vigorously.  

Me & my 16 weeks Belly!!!

At last manage to snap a few photos of me with my big belly...

I think it is considered quite huge for 16 weeks ....
(wasitline 39")

My Blemish Free Face......

Hormonal Changes!!!!! AAaarrrggghhh.... There goes my blemish free face...

I used to have no worry on having pimples on my face...
but these 2 months, lots and lots of pimples growing on my forehead and nose area...big and smalls.....
my t-zone is getting oily, everyday i have to wash my face several times and dare not apply any moisurizer cos it will make the condition worst.

Actually the pimples not only grow on the face.. it spread all over my back and chest as well..

The only thing that i'm applying now... "cooling powder a.k.a 水粉" and also calamine.

Lucky thing, all of these will get away once the babies are born... So, i just have to bear with the current condition for another half year....

This is how my forehead looks like...

Shopping for a better Doctor & ...fees! (PART 2)

26 MARCH - NOON

UMSC

Since we have time in the afternoon, me & cubby-angel decide to give it a try on UMSC since we heard some good names from some forums & an old friend of my mom (a retired senior nurse in UMMC)

First thing is the car park is under refurbishment (with the sign board "to serve u better!"). we found that the building was kind of small & new, the environment look smore comfortable & established as a specialist center, with a cafe located at the ground floor, a lobby with few uncle & aunty lying on sofa reading newspaper...overall the environment looks quite peaceful & we're comfortable with it.

We made the appointment this morning & they mentioned the doctor we r booking got 52 patients today & the other got 4...what the hell makes this much difference? so we follow the crowd & book the 53rd place, but luckily, since today is working day, we're there much earlier & got the 3rd Q-no...haha...besides that, we observed that the nurse or the officers there is much warm & efficient that waht we got in UMMC this morning, especially those chairs...i like them so much, i lean on it & almost fall asleep cos it's so comfortable, then we was laughing at it & we guess this is in the bill later...

It's 4PM, i recognise the Prof. who appeared the same as what we saw in photo online. We wait for our turn...

OK, finally we get to meet the famous Prof, he sounds expert in this field no doubt. he starts to ask some questions & tell a bit of jokes, he is very caring & nice, asking us to be caution on certain thing. then he starts the ultrasound scanning, oh gosh...the equipment is so old!!! they should let it retire, the prof did it secretly without letting me to have a view on what he is doing...then he was shocked to discovered that cubby-angel is carrying 3cubbies...

what is even more surprising is...Prof suddenly changed his tone, he is telling us this is so risky...for him, i though a Doctor of professor as a medical practitioner should be putting concern on their patient first, then he continues that he is not the right person to visit, asking who intro us to visit him & other junks, then he intro us to see his colleague for such so called "risky" pregnancy case... me & cubby-angel both opens our eye big big, i totally lost confidence with him immediately...how could he lecture the students if he can be such a piece of certificates producing academician?

Even more fantastic is...what we predicted was right, the comfortable chair was in the bill, the so-called consultation fees was 100% more than SDMC...hear me rite, SDMC. the antique-ultrasound was 200% more expensive than SDMC, and that's all... Conclusion, we shall not step in here ever again for such professional professor O&G services...

to be continues...

Shopping for a better Doctor & ...fees! (PART 1)

Everyone need to shop, as a smart consumer for delivery of cubbies (babies)...we need to ask enough question to find out all the hidden costs & charges that is going to impose on some specialist services, especially on delivery of babies...for me & cubby-angel's case, we have greater concern on the doctor that is helping us to deliver the cubbies. Therefore, we planned for several visit to other hospital for this round of visit back home.

26 MARCH

First in the Friday morning, to avoid the jam in the noon during the prayer session & the long lunch break (3-hrs), me & Cubby-angel rushed to UH, the semi private hospital (UMMC) in the morning and the full private specialist center (UMSC) in the afternoon. below is the summary of our finding:

UMMC

the Car park was extremely lousy designed, you hit the columns, wall or even other cars if skills is not that good, and worse thing is you have to turn all the way till to roof top for a space, which is 6 storey above. Then you will find that there's no direct access into the hospital building, you need to get down all the way & cross a very congested & busy internal road, with lots of cars & taxi jamming the way and you reach the main lobby, which is hidden under the tunnel which was there since the time i was born here, mroe than 30 years ago. but before the tunnel, i'm very impress with the latest touch screen large screen panel displayed in order for us to find out where is the O&G Dept, rather to wait & ask the info counter, which is not available.

we follow the direction shown on the screen but it didn't lead us to the correct location, so we gotta start asking ppl, and we got the right direction for the O&G clinic, which makes us walk a very long corridor, i guess about 100m away. We're happy that finally found this ancient piece of treasure...haha..

We want to register right away , so i approach the counter, stood there for almost a minute, looking at those ppl working inside, trying to find out who is actually on duty, but nobody cares and so i asked one of the lady & she just ignore me, then the other ask me to press for the Q number which located further from the counter. then we start to wait for our number, there's nobody before us, and it took at least 15-20 mins to wait for our Q-no for the registration, a senior personnel is conducting it, we are not allow to choose doctor, even special case such as twins, triplets & so on. So i feel no point to continue but since we're, just make an appointment on early of MAY. Now back to the registration counter, they put up a sign there, PAY RM10 cash for the registration, then i get ready the money & we waited for another 15mins, it's done...but they didn't ask for any money, according to the lady, we can pay next time when we visit...this part is the best & i love their trust on us...but end up we didn't head back for the consultation due to the poor accesibility there and i worry much this is the speed when the deliver my cubbies... cubby-angel agreed with me & we get off to shop to share this experience with our parents...

to be continued...

Morning Sickness

Many ppl might face the morning sickness during the 1st trimester...
However, I'd only started my morning sickness on week 10 (it had just started for 2 weeks).  Hopefully it won't last till the end of pregnancy.

I don't understand why is it called morning sickness when I have it throughout the whole day and night....

I will try to control not to vomit immediately after food.  Giving the stomach some time to digest & absorb the food before it is all throw up.  I have many small meals and many small visits to the toilet bowl for throwing out...

One thing I'm glad is that the morning sickness only comes every alternate days...
meaning I can have a day rest in between, I can go out and eat all I want during the rest day...



and the other day will be staying indoor & visiting the nice toilet bowl...

2nd Gynea Visit...

Since first Gynea visit during last month, we expecting so much for the 2nd visit, which is today...2PM !!!...this puts us in a much anticipated situation which i keep reminding myself of the few questions which i need to ask, but she makes us wait almost an hour before she appear to start the consultation sessions...luckily we're no.2, there's 32 Q number on the table.

Our Gyneacologist Dato Dr. Siti was shock for the 2nd time when she look at her own report...& says: "It has been quite sometime i don't have a Triplets...", she continues the process with much smiles on her face...

VIDEO

So we carry on with the scanning of cubby-angel's stomach...but before she starts that, i "ON" the video mode of my N95...& start filming quietly...(before this i thought of to ask permission, but then after i consider...normally this kinda request are not granted due to protect of interest of the Medical center, Doctor with her skills and also the type of device...so on so on...therefore, i decide to make the process simple, i took the video without asking permission and i think the nurse & doctor saw what i'm doing but hey don't stop me...) kinda lucky, although the quality of the video is quite bad, at least our parents get to see how is the process of scanning and make them know that their three little grand cubbies are in good conditions...that's my major intention!

DANCE WITH JOY

i first saw the vieo it was like...wow! how come they become so big...i was pushing myself much forward to the TV, i think my dear cubby-angel lying down there happily anticipating & enjoying the scanning process...the little cubbies looks so big for me, they are so real...in facts...they are real! haha...then Doctor was measuring the littlecubbies...they are about 23mm, about 1 inch, they are so tiny little inside there, but we can see that the shape of their head & body is so obvious...their limbs are there...their heart are beating...and SUDDENLY...cubby no. 1"boing"...it's like jumping...from its original position...then another cubby no. 3 also "boing"...start to jump also, mayb they know that we are watching them, and they wanted to attract attention too...we expect that & you'll never know nowadays babies are much much much more smart than we are 30 years back...haha...ops...imagination starts to distract my rational mind...haha...not to forget also cubby no. 2 which is so gentle, lying down there at the center...quietly watching other 2 siblings jumping in joy...this should be a good boy/girl...much patience...can't wait to see them joining our family...where they can be nurture to be very very wonderful dancers...which i like to see them becoming 1 of them, i'm not so greedy...i mean 1 fro each of them, hahaha!!!

i think my dear cubby-angel must be very happy seeing me so excited, happy, joy at the same time with so many questions marks on my face...the whole process was really remarkable...memorable...that's y i must capture little video as i can...sorry that i can't hold your hand while we watch together, the setting of the scanning machine, the place the Doc stands and also both the nurses are so much of a "road-block" for me...but since we're excited, i already forget about it ...but i think i should suggest them to lok into it, since such wonderful process/moment should be in the "holding hand" type of scenery la...dun you think so...? thanks for agreeing me on this...i can totally understand that...

I asked but Doc didn't explain what is happening to the little jumping cubbies or mayb i'm too excited admiring them and forget what ever things Doc was saying... hihi...the Doc after took their measurement, then re-calculate the maturity as 12 weeks 4 days...she got d whole thing memorized, cos i didn't see her checking any tables or charts...so PRO...i feel secure if my she is helping to bring my little cubbies to the world...

this is consider quite a long session, i think Doc spent about 20-30mins with us fro start till complete the scan and also some consultation after that, the other i can see them mayb in&out within 5-10mins...

Thanks my dear cubby-angel who brings so much fun & luck into my life...without you i got nothing...I LOVE YOU!

Looking forward for the next session again...eagerly...19th APR...