Preparation for No # 2 or rather the lack of...

I just love this shot! Feel so close to Ally.

Hiyah, The first child always gets it all. A few months before Alison was born, Mark and I had bought tons of things for her - the cot, the pram, car seat, a ga zillion outfits, painted the walls of her room with little flowers and fairies (courtesy of my mum in law). When she was born, we had like a thousand and one visitors and even more baby clothes, toys, a confinement nanny, my in laws came over everyday... you get the picture.

Now, 2 months before Angeline is born, we have bought? NOTHING! Yup, not one thing. I'm starting to wonder if we're a little bit mean... heh. They say the lack of attention is worse when the second one is the same sex as the first. Perhaps it's true.

I can't bring myself to buy more clothes, not when there are stacks of Ally's clothes ( some hardly worn) in the closet. Unless of course Angie turns out really fair, then most of Ally's bright coloured neon type outfits which flatter her tan skin might not be so suitable lah.

Cot? Pram? Car Seat? Angie will use her older sister's. We bought two of each the first time round anyway, haha, in our enthusiam or rather kiasu ness. Well, it's actually wisdom on our part now. We now know it's best to WAIT and see if the child likes something first and if they really need it. Yup, no more reckless stocking up on one brand of milk teat - only to find Ally hates the Avent milk teats and bottles. All wasted.

And really no need to kan cheong. Everything can be bought even after the baby is out. Confinement doesn't mean hubby cannot go out and buy the stuff...

Don't get me wrong. I am going to love Angie with all my heart. But it does seem like lots more have to be done to make sure Ally adapts well. So, we've been spending time preparing her to sleep in her own room ( Awww, she's going to miss her early morning sessions with Mummy and Daddy!) and going to pre school ( that's been delayed because of HFMD and chicken pox outbreak in the school! Eeks)

And oh by the way, I'm doing things differently myself this time round too.

My birth will be a quiet affair The first time round I SMSed the whole world once I gave birth and everyone came to visit in hospital. That was real sweet but toooooo exhausting! I cried each night in hospital from sheer exhaustion from entertaining endless guests. That also means I won't be getting the giant suite either - silly me thought it would more comfortable for numerous guests. Yes it was way too comfortable, many stayed on very very long. NO offence to anyone please, THANK YOU FOR VISITING ME! This time though, I have made the decision to get more rest and recover faster.

No confinement nanny, no special confinement food and no herbs for bathing I'm going to do it all on our own this time, because there is just no space for another person in the house. I believe Mark, myself, my maid and my mum-in-law are experienced enough now. As for food, I'll just eat healthily and sensibly. The pots of vile black herbal chicken soup and red date tea ( I was only allowed to drink that the last time, nothing else not even water) was, I'm sure, the cause of my viiolent outbreak of rashes all over my body! So heaty!! As for herbs to bathe in , forget it. Who's going to boil for me? Haha.

I might be spending the money saved on a doula this time though, to get me though a good natural birth Still deciding on this, to VBAC or not.