Good Evening folks!~ Crossing Bridges 7 has just been announced on PhotoMalaysia. This year destination is Philippines.  Organized by 5 online photography forums, the annual event is exclusive to only 15  chosen photographers from the each country (Singapore-Clubsnap, Malaysia-Photomalaysia, Indonesia-Fotografer.net, Vietnam-Photo.vn and Philippines-Photomanila.com).  Crossing Bridges is an annual photography trip aimed at fostering relationships with photographers from around the various online Photo Forums in Asia. This year’s trip will be about 8 days covering Cebu, Bacolod and Iloilo. Don’t ask me where are those places. I m stoked up about this trip and applied because I have not been to Philippines before in my life. So lets hope the Photomalaysia admins consider my application.

In 2008, my application to join Crossing Bridges 5 in Cambodia was approved. My first shooting trip overseas. Overjoy and unprepared actually. I went there but didnt really shoot much. Maybe it was the culture shock. First time shooting with so many photographers. The more out going and adventurous photographers had a field day shooting in Cambodia. I came back with a few keepers. This young monk’s picture is one of them. Thanks to good direction from Dr Teh, we got the young monk to sit at the staircase. Up the attap or ceiling, the light rays were shining down. He looked up and voila. You have a good catch light in the eyes. He smiled and I pressed the shutter. Kee Chak!~

The Smiling Monk

Morning all, Little Nathania is almost one month old. Time flies. Yee Woon has been a very good mother. Little Nathania is on Full Time Breast milk formula. Its the best milk in the world. Full of nutrients and its able to cover all the essential needs of Little Nathania for 6 months. It s not easy to breast feed the baby full time. Yee Woon has to wake up a couple of times at night to feed Nathania. I think she is deprived of the minimum 7 hours sleep I tried to sleep in the room with the baby. It lasted a couple of nights only. Hahahaha. I moved to the hall to sleep. The other night, I tried again. But alas, it didnt last. Mummy decided to bring baby out the hall to sleep. Baby was in a cranky mode. I think she is too used to being cradled to sleep. Here is a pic of her in her cranky mood.

Ngwahhhh!!!~~

Good afternoon all!~ It s Saturday!~ Nathania is officially 5 and 1/2 days old. Yes, it s all exciting to being a father.  Am gonna talk a bit being a father for the first time. To be honest, it never crossed my mind that one day I ll get married and start a family. If you know me, you will understand my concerns with my family. But that s another story. I have learn to accept and move on. First thing that most new parents do when they have a newborn in the family, is to register them with Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN). I did Nathania’s at Kepong JPN. My dad went along with me. According to him, registering a baby is different now compared to the old days. Gone are the days where you are only required to produce a declaration chit from a ‘doctor’ or ‘clinic’. The following items are a MUST to bring during registration:

• Filled up form (with the given name, complete with parents’ detail)
• Original and photocopied Marriage Certificate
• Original and photocopied ICs (Yes, both mom and dad even though mom is not there)
• Original and photocopied check up and follow up book (Hospitals and clinics)
• Delivery note from the hospital

All information will be verified at the counter. It s a good move from JPN. The number of ‘foreigners’ ending up as Malaysians seems to be on the increasing trend in recent years. All newborns has to be registered as soon as possible. I read somewhere there is a penalty or fine for late registrations. A nice birth cert is issued upon confirmation. A baby myCard will be issued within 3 weeks.

For newborns, you can choose between breastfeeding or formula milk. We opted for breastfeeding. Breast milk is the best stuff you can give to your newborn. During the first 3 days, the baby gets the best nutrition and defense system via the yellowish substance called colostrum.  It s good stuff as people pay premiums to buy those  commercial ‘Colostrum’ available at your local pharmacies. It may seems little but rest assured, despite the small amount, baby is getting enough for the first 3 days. Loss in weight is common. Don’t be surprised by the low urine output. Its common. Nathania wet one diaper a day for the first 3 days. She only had her first poo on the fourth day. Milk production goes full scale on Day 4. You will need to let the baby suckle on the nipple every two hours or so. This is to maintain stimulation to ensure ample milk production. You may notice milk trickling out from one of your breast as the baby nurse on the other. This is common too. Hahahaha. I was wondering by my wife’s shirt is all wet. You can alleviate the problem by using nursing pads. But according to a fellow pharmacist of mine who gave birth recently, the best method is to pump the milk out. I am using a manual pump instead of electrical. Regrets..Should have gotten an electrical version.

Nathania’s poo poo is healthy yellow colour. Nice!!~ Hehehehe. Some folks say that if you take breast milk, poo production is low. I cant verify that yet. But according to mum, it s easier on the bowel movement compared to commercial milk powder. Some may be too rich in iron hence hard stool. Yesterday, I had a huge scare. Baby Nathania wet her nappy. When mummy did the nappy change, she saw blood stain on the nappy. I was shocked and worried sick when I saw that. Did a quick check with mummy, “Is baby crying?”, “Fever?”, “Unusual movement?” Thank God no. Made a quick call to Dr Teh (By the way, Dr Teh is a pediatrician besides a great photographer). Dr Teh, thanks for answering my queries! According to him, it s common for baby girl to have menses during the first weeks. Now we know!~ Hahaha. Plenty to learn. Baby’s face is changing everyday. Here is a pic shot on Day 4. Had some guidance on BW conversion from MunKeat (Do check out his work. Absolutely love his vintage conversion). Same as photography. Its about a journey rather than a destination. I got to practice more Photoshop. Signing off for now. Ciao.

Eyes look like who ar?

Nathania Ng En Qi was delivered safely on the 19th of July 2010 1.48 am. It was a sheer joy and relief for both me and my wife. I am going to share a story with a first time parents to be. Last Thursday was the last checkup for Yee Woon. Nathania was due to arrive on the 23th of July 2010. We were informed by the Dr, if Nathania is not delivered by 22th of July 2010, Yee Woon have to be admitted on the 22th. We were required to record baby movement as it nears the delivery date. From 9 am to 9 pm, if the baby registers more than 10 kicks, its SAFE. Less than that, please head to the nearest hospital. What we didnt know was, it s pretty normal for the baby to limit its movement as the delivery date approaches. We got panicky on Fri night when Nathania movement decreases. Sat morning, wifey woke me up and said “Dear, Baby didnt move since last nite, can we go to the hospital later?”. Imagine the shock on my face when she said that. I got out of the bed immediately and prepared to head to the hospital. Bag=Check, Baby’s gov clinic progress book aka Passport for delivery= Check, Nappy and Baby Stuff= Check. Off we went. The journey to the hospital was quick. Double signal on!~ I got to HUKM from Segambut Dalam in about 15 minutes. We stopped at the O&G check in.

Yee Woon got into the inspection room and was attended to immediately. They have this device which was known as ‘Portable Karaoke’ once upon a time. It s used to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. What a relief it was when we were told that the baby is fine. We were told that the contraction has started. Yee Woon had to be admitted immediately. Fine by me. It s around 7 am and we got to Wad Nilam. By 11 am, wifey is having some form of contraction. Every 3-5 minutes or so, Yee Woon’s tummy contracts and it turns into a very hard ball. So…This is what they call contraction. Hehehe. I thought Yee Woon will give birth that day (Sat). I was wrong. From the ward, the cervix needs to open until 4 cm before they transfer you to the delivery room. I waited till 8 pm..Guess what..It s only 1 cm. LOL!~ Back home I went.

Fast forward!~ Its Sunday morning. Called Yee Woon and asked “Dear!~ Berapa cm dah?” Yee Woon answered 2 cm. She sounded like she is in pain which was true. As the contraction gets stronger, you will feel more pain in the cervix. I got to the hospital around 11.30 am. Dr prescribed her Pethidine 75 mg IM. This is because Yee Woon was in pain. Best thing is, she got very sleepy instead after the injection. Not much of a painkiller if you ask me. I waited till 4.30 pm to get some confirmation of the cervix opening. After another VE (vaginal examination), I was told its only 3 cm. I decided to head home and told Yee Woon I will be back around 8 pm. It was raining. I was hungry. Havent eat my lunch yet. I bought some Maggi mee from Mont Kiara 7 Eleven. I was almost back home when Yee Woon called me. “Dear!~ Water bag burst!~ They are transferring me to the Delivery room. Come! Quick!” Panic mode kicked in and I was like “WTF!~ I am almost home!~” I took a quick bath and rushed back to the hospital. In my mind..I thought by the time I got to the hospital, the baby is out. Hahaha. Talk about first timer. I was WRONG!~

Registered myself at the security for the delivery room pass. I got in and asked the Dr. “Macam mana? Dah bersalin?” The Dr gave me the weird look and said “Baru 4 cm aje.” I was like “Ok..Tunggu berapa lama lagi?” Dr look at me again and went ” 10 cm” I was like…Double WTF! According to theory, from 4 cm, they will burst the water bag if its not done yet naturally. Then the waiting game begins ( I didnt read up on this..I went unprepared. So I hope you guy will do so). Yee Woon went into the delivery room around 5 pm. By 12.30 midnite, it s only 5 cm. Can you imagine the pain she went through? Now only I know the greatest pain and love a mother goes through is labour pain. They hooked her up to a machine that measures the baby heart rate and contraction rate. I could tell when the contraction occurs. Zero reading means no contraction. The machine can measure up to 127. So when the number goes up slowly, you will know. How? Yee Woon’s facial expression changes, eye rolled and of course, she screams. It s the worst when the number hit 127. I couldnt do anything. The only thing I could do was to ‘Gas’ her. Apparently it helps. But it did not in her case. She was already cursing coz she was in so much pain. “Jason!~ Its all your fault!~ Why did you tell the Dr no Cesarean?” , “Please transfer me to the private hospital, I want Ceasarean!”, “Dear, the Gas is not working!”, “I am willing to pay, just get me to a private hospital!”, ” I feel like dying!!!”…It hurts me so much watching her groaning in pain, face twisted and eyes rolling..But what can I do? Except Gassing her Hahahah. I told her “Dear, you got to control your breath”. I know..Talk is easy. Seriously..If you cant take the pain, C-sec is your choice. No joke. Oh yeah, they gave her another round of Pethidine which by this time, we all know..It just knocks you out..But the pain is still there.

I couldnt take it anymore, I told Yee Woon, ” Dear..I am gonna take a short nap outside”. It s 12.30 am. Dr said its only 5 cm. By my rough estimation, it opens a cm an hour. So..I thought its gonna be in 6 am. I tried to sleep on the sofa. Its difficult. Not much space. I drifted in and out. Yee Woon’s painful groan can be heard all the way to the waiting area. Suddenly, a medical student taps me on the shoulder “Sir, wake up! She is ready..Its 10 cm!” I was like okok ! Come. I looked at the clock. O!~ Its 1.30 am. How come suddenly so fast? God answered my prayers la!~ I went in and got in place. Held her hands and say “Mummy, moment of truth is here” Actually, I have no idea what s gonna happen (its not the same as what we watch on TV k?) By now, we had about 6-7 medical students and Staff nurses. All were there to cheer her on. Some lubricant was applied to the vagina to ease the exit of the baby’s head. Instruction was very clear. Try pushing as though you are shitting in the loo. No sound or leaking sound allowed. The moment you feel the pain, push!!~ It s not easy. But Yee Woon did in 3 tries. Of course in between, the Staff nurse actually cut the vagina slightly ( now that s what the big scissors for!) Third push and the baby’s head exits. It happened quickly. The moment the head is out, the nurse pulls the whole body out and it was like Whooosh!~ All the blood, water, shit (baby’s) comes out.

Nurses inserts a tube into the baby’s nose to remove the liquid from the airways. They cut the umbilical cord and the baby is immediately whisked out of the room. They cleaned her up and I took some pics. Of course, I was in awe of everything that I was shocked for a moment. Happy coz it s my first child (flesh and blood wey..) and Yee Woon is no longer in any pain. It s surreal. But for those who followed me on Twitter and Facebook..Yes..I was updating non stop. Hahahah. So..They gave Nathania Vitamin K injection and Hepatitis B injection. They also cleaned up mummy. Some suturing was done. They removed the placenta. Funny, the Medical student asked me, “Sir, do you want to bring the placenta back?” It reminds me of something I read on Harian Metro. Some women believe that if you cook a meal out of the placenta, it keeps you young..EEyuck. I told the student they can dispose it. After they cleaned the baby up, I made some calls to family members, they brought the baby to mummy. Voila..Nature takes over. Breast feeding session begins. After I m assured that both of them are doing well, I went home. I got back around 5 am. Got to sleep by 5.30 am. A once in a lifetime experience (If satu anak la), this is not to be missed experience. I thank God for blessing us a beautiful and healthy child, I present to you all, Nathania Ng En Qi.

Born on 19th July 2010 Year of the Tiger

I think I need to get the camera out of the Dry Box and start shooting something. Hehehe. I got a wedding job tonite. What I meant was, to shoot someone or something. It s time to plan and execute a shoot according to plan. Cant just shoot here and there. Kekekeke. Here is a shot of my cousin Anson Ngiam. Some years ago, he pop-ed up at my place. And at that time, I have this wooden samurai sword bought from Penang. I asked him to pose for me. With the light source (window) from the left, it s perfect lighting. Shot using Nikon FM2n, Nikon 85 mm F2 AIS ( I regret selling this lens) and Fujifilm PRO H 400.