My baby Adele,
I will discipline my ARMS to be strong enough to keep you in God's moral boundries,
quicken my LEGS to be swift enough to catch you in your fall,
broaden my MIND to be loose enough to let your "wings of giftings" be as what God intended,
strengthen my HEART to be gentle enough to let you bruise yourself and then nurse your wounds,
constantly renewing my SOUL to be resilient enough to keep believing in you,
that God will keep you in His arms and never let you go.... no matter where I will be.
- DADDY TERENCE
Monday, May 21, 2007
The MAN of the HOME
Ever since we got married, I had been dreaming about having a baby.... Boy! Not! I had been enjoying the wonderful times of couplehood. Just my wife and I.. and this is truly happiness and joy as I look forward to going home and seeing my beautiful wife. If we happen to be going home together after having a dinner or any other events prior, we never fail to giggle our way from the carpark to the doorsteps of home.... ah, heavenly marriage indeed... soon all these will change and I will need to wait for another 2 decades or so before I can have my wife back ;p. Did I mention Boy? Yes, that was what I actually hope our first baby will be. I will not hide this and will face this like a man, slightly disappointed but soon overwhelmed with joy! With the knowledge that a life is in the hands of God as He wove her into being.... AWESOME! So it is official, I will have 2 girls to deal with now in our family. :)
I had been reading alot about pregnancy and babies and how to effectively educate them... and no, I do not subscribe to hearsay of modern methods. I diligently checked out the stages of fetus and infant development that are emprically recorded and square it against those modern teachings. For example, I found it totally ridiculous to talk and even play music to the fetus before 7 months old, since the frontal celebral and inner ear loops are not fully developed until then. The only reason why I talked to the baby is to solely comfort and "play" with my wife. After researching into all the facts, I had developed my personal conviction that pregnancy is ALL about the mummy-to-be and NOT the fetus - "Keep thy mummy well and all will be well with the fetus!"
Giftings of babies are already pre-determined. Playing music to the fetus will not add a "single note" of music recognition ability if the baby simply does not have what it takes. However, I do believe that the baby will be calmed by familar voices, music or even noise which he or she heard while in the mother's womb.
With the above understanding that indeed ADELE will be simply unique and not circum to any human whimps/wishes or "engineering", I will love her as who she is and not what she will become... simply unconditional love as God's Gift.
- DADDY TERENCE
I had been reading alot about pregnancy and babies and how to effectively educate them... and no, I do not subscribe to hearsay of modern methods. I diligently checked out the stages of fetus and infant development that are emprically recorded and square it against those modern teachings. For example, I found it totally ridiculous to talk and even play music to the fetus before 7 months old, since the frontal celebral and inner ear loops are not fully developed until then. The only reason why I talked to the baby is to solely comfort and "play" with my wife. After researching into all the facts, I had developed my personal conviction that pregnancy is ALL about the mummy-to-be and NOT the fetus - "Keep thy mummy well and all will be well with the fetus!"
Giftings of babies are already pre-determined. Playing music to the fetus will not add a "single note" of music recognition ability if the baby simply does not have what it takes. However, I do believe that the baby will be calmed by familar voices, music or even noise which he or she heard while in the mother's womb.
With the above understanding that indeed ADELE will be simply unique and not circum to any human whimps/wishes or "engineering", I will love her as who she is and not what she will become... simply unconditional love as God's Gift.
- DADDY TERENCE
Church Camp - To go or not to go??
After a month of praying and seeking earnestly for an indication, we finally drew up the courage to register for the church camp, despite that I would be in my 36th week of pregnancy. God revealed to Terence through Hebrews 11: 17 – 19
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
We were encouraged by Abraham’s faith in God when he trusted God for the preservation of Isaac's life. Afterall, it was God who had giventh him the child. We sensed that we need to emulate the faith and obedience of Abraham. I also received another confirmation though James 2:21-24 which also spoke about the faith of Abraham which is made alive by his works.
It was not easy making that decision because God’s way and thoughts are higher than ours and beyond our comprehension. Others cannot understand why we choose to “take the risk”. Indeed, we were faced with much persuasion against it. Even our gynae was not in favour of it. I must say the negative comments did cast some doubts in my own mind and I began to worry if I can withstand the journey there and what would happen if I develop any contraction there.... sigh.
Interestingly, a church friend came to us saying that our retreat site is just five minutes walk away from a hospital and conincidentally, he has a doctor friend working there. This must be another assurance from God
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called, concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.
We were encouraged by Abraham’s faith in God when he trusted God for the preservation of Isaac's life. Afterall, it was God who had giventh him the child. We sensed that we need to emulate the faith and obedience of Abraham. I also received another confirmation though James 2:21-24 which also spoke about the faith of Abraham which is made alive by his works.
It was not easy making that decision because God’s way and thoughts are higher than ours and beyond our comprehension. Others cannot understand why we choose to “take the risk”. Indeed, we were faced with much persuasion against it. Even our gynae was not in favour of it. I must say the negative comments did cast some doubts in my own mind and I began to worry if I can withstand the journey there and what would happen if I develop any contraction there.... sigh.
Interestingly, a church friend came to us saying that our retreat site is just five minutes walk away from a hospital and conincidentally, he has a doctor friend working there. This must be another assurance from God
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
First Antenatal Class
I went for my first antenatal class on 8 May. The first half of the session touched on nutritional care for pregnant ladies, which probably can also be learnt from books or pregnancy websites. We were provided a nutrition guidebook which highlighted the key nutrients, food sources and quantities required to achieve a balanced diet. It’s interesting to note that there are some foods which are deemed as “taboo” for pregnant woman simply based on old wives’ tales. Whoever said that it’s a taboo to eat pineapple during pregnancy? There is no scientific evidence proving that pineapple is harmful to fetal development or may lead to miscarriage. Whoever said that we can’t eat sushi or sashimi? How can the Japanese women survive then during their pregnancy? We are advised that as long as the raw food is prepared in a hygiene and clean environment, they should be safe to consume. The key is to eat in moderation and not over indulge! By the way, I did not abstain from caffeine during my pregnancy. I take one to two cups of tea a day. The strange thing is I’ve lost interest in coffee, a beverage that I was insanely addicted to before my pregnancy and I even suffered tension headache if I skip it.
Pregnancy is also a time one has all the excuse to get pampered with delicacies or expensive tonics. I started having bird nests during my second trimester and had it nearly twice a month. All thanks to my mum who took great efforts to prepare. I also had ginseng chicken soup occasionally. To a person who hardly touched tonics and supplement products, the bird nests and ginseng must have doubled or tripled their effect on me as I felt energized and radiant throughout my pregnancy.
The second half was a practical session on postural care, body stretching and breathing techniques. It was fun doing it together with our spouses. The hubbies looked quite amused and probably thought it’s some form of yoga session. Well, it’s easy to learn the exercises in class, but it requires more discipline to carry out the exercises at home. I sure hope I make an effort to do them.
Pregnancy is also a time one has all the excuse to get pampered with delicacies or expensive tonics. I started having bird nests during my second trimester and had it nearly twice a month. All thanks to my mum who took great efforts to prepare. I also had ginseng chicken soup occasionally. To a person who hardly touched tonics and supplement products, the bird nests and ginseng must have doubled or tripled their effect on me as I felt energized and radiant throughout my pregnancy.
The second half was a practical session on postural care, body stretching and breathing techniques. It was fun doing it together with our spouses. The hubbies looked quite amused and probably thought it’s some form of yoga session. Well, it’s easy to learn the exercises in class, but it requires more discipline to carry out the exercises at home. I sure hope I make an effort to do them.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Mother & Baby Bonding
It's such a tremendous feeling when baby Adele kicks and turns in my tummy. She's a real playful one and tends to leave me sleepless at nights. Yet I love to feel her all the time and even try to "communicate" with her through my special "morse code". That's what my hubby terms when I tap my fingers or run them around my tummy as if signalling to baby Adele to wake up and play with me.
What a wonderful feeling to know that I'm not alone even when my hubby goes on travelling assignment! Carrying my baby brings an instant comfort and warmth to my heart. I'll read to her bible stories at night... yeah.. this is what they term as "pre-natal education". It's not exactly proven that babies given such early education will indeed excel further than their peers who were depraved of it. I believed it is more like a means to foster mother-baby bonding and to nurture greater maternal instincts in one.
Nowadays, our shopping tends to revolve around baby Adele. We never fail to pick up any newborn clothings, feeding articles and other infant care items during our shopping. We've even furnished a room with shelves and cabinet dedicated to baby Adele's stuff. I guess it's hard to comprehend the excitement bubbling within our soul, unless you've been a parent yourself.
We're so looking foward to her arrival... dreaming about what she'll be like... imagine us bringing her to the zoo..etc, doing all the things we used to see other parents doing.
What a wonderful feeling to know that I'm not alone even when my hubby goes on travelling assignment! Carrying my baby brings an instant comfort and warmth to my heart. I'll read to her bible stories at night... yeah.. this is what they term as "pre-natal education". It's not exactly proven that babies given such early education will indeed excel further than their peers who were depraved of it. I believed it is more like a means to foster mother-baby bonding and to nurture greater maternal instincts in one.
Nowadays, our shopping tends to revolve around baby Adele. We never fail to pick up any newborn clothings, feeding articles and other infant care items during our shopping. We've even furnished a room with shelves and cabinet dedicated to baby Adele's stuff. I guess it's hard to comprehend the excitement bubbling within our soul, unless you've been a parent yourself.
We're so looking foward to her arrival... dreaming about what she'll be like... imagine us bringing her to the zoo..etc, doing all the things we used to see other parents doing.
I'll sing... sing I Love you
Third Trimester
I can’t believe myself! Into my 7th month of pregnancy, I became heavily involved in the church’s album production, doing vocal arrangements, training the singers….recording etc. I thought I had actually accomplished even more than before I was pregnant! Amidst all these, I hope at least Baby Adele gets to receive some early education in music and singing,.. and most importantly worship!
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Great Deliverance
Second Trimester
Part I
Part I
An Unexpected Twist
Into my 14th week of pregnancy, we were placed in another faith-testing situation. I was diagnosed with a cyst in my right ovary. It was suspected to be present before my conception, but we chose to ignore it and did not deal with it. During my first trimester scanning, it was detected again and apparently the cyst has grown and may still grow further. Our gynae advised us to remove it since I had passed my first trimester. Furthermore, the timing was just right for the surgery as any later stage into the pregnancy, my uterus would have grown and obstructed the removal of the cyst.
I can’t imagine we only had a few seconds to deliberate over the matter as the surgery would have to take place the next day after seeing our gynae. Somehow, we sensed the peace to go through it after being assured of the chances of success and that it would not affect the baby. We strongly believed that God will preserve the little life in my womb as this miraculous gift of life was granted by Him.
The surgery was a success, praise the Lord indeed! The process of the surgery, the pain and discomfort that came with it somehow prepared me mentally for the child delivery process in a few months’ time.
In addition, during the period of my recuperation, I had the luxury of time to browse through tonnes of baby books to familiarize myself with newborn behaviour and all sorts of nursing tips. Reading all these books would have certainly stirred up any maternal instincts in anyone!
Part II
Baby growing fast…. Gender unveiled. 
Like any typical Kaisu Singaporean couple, we began our fervent search for the “perfect” baby name even since the first trimester! Finally, our heart rested upon “Elliot” which is a version of “Eli-ya-hu” or “Elijah”, meaning “The Lord is my God”. Why Elliot? Because we had always felt that our baby is a boy!
On 16th February 2007, the 20th week of my pregnancy, we discovered that I’m expecting a girl. Ooh.. a little “Grace”! So after a couple of weeks of diligently searching and seeking, we decided on the name “Adele”. We thought it would fit her perfectly cos’ it’s sweet, cute, a little dainty and a little mischief all mixed into one. She is afterall a very lively and active baby who loves to move about to get our attention. Most importantly, the name stands for “God is eternal” and “noble” or "kind" in French and German.
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