I recently visited this 5-star luxury spa, Go Place on my birthday. A much-needed relaxation, child-free, self-care time for just me and Will. After sharing some of the highlights on my IG stories, I got a lot of questions asking about this experience. So, I thought I’d share my experience in detail here for those who are interested and answer all the common questions.

What’s there to do?

Relaxing!

If you’re familiar with Scandinavian Spa, you’d be no stranger to just lounging, relaxing and basically doing nothing. Although you don’t get the scenic view in comparison, Go Place offers a more luxurious indoor experience with more things to do. You can take a dip at their gender-specific hot tubs and jacuzzi, relax in the shared saunas and themed therapy rooms and even work out in the fitness room. Play a friendly game of billiards and board games, eat, enjoy free Wi-Fi and just doze off in various recliners and loungers. They have a huge selection of books for your reading pleasure that’s enough to kill a few hours.

We pretty much used all their facilities except for the fitness room. Working out just wasn’t aligned with my goal to relax! I did book an hour of deep tissue massage with an RMT in advance. The massage was amazing. Not only did it relieve all my tensed muscles from head to toe, the ambience and calming music just made the whole experience extra relaxing.

Will also decided on an impromptu 30-min massage with a masseuse. While the experience was decent, he did find his neck in an awkward position since the massage was done in one of their recliners in an open area, as opposed to being done on a massage table in a private room like my massage.

Food-wise, it was convenient that they have a dining area where we could order lunch and a snack or two. Orders were taken from a tablet device and brought to our table. Their menu includes mostly Asian dishes such as fried rice, noodles, sashimis, sushi rolls, pork bone soup, katsu udon, lamp racks, oysters, just to name a few. They have a great selection of drinks, including my favourite, bubble tea!

Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea and Sashimi Platter

Stir-fried instant noodles and chicken wings with fries and complimentary birthday cupcake

Pork Cutlet with Udon in Soup

How much does it cost? What does the admission include?

It really depends on what you do there. Admission costs $63.95 per person that includes all access to the saunas, hot tubs, showers, fitness facility and therapy rooms. Lockers, towels and a two-piece Louis Vuitton-inspired spa wear are provided for free during your stay. Water is also available throughout the premises. 

Some extra charges could add to your total including facials, body treatments and massages if you wish to get one. Do note that RMT might be covered by your benefits coverage. For me, that’s a huge win, because I was able to claim my massage to my insurance. Make sure to find out from your insurance provider what’s covered and what needs to be submitted on your claims prior to booking.

Slippers are not included in your admission and are optional to purchase at $3. If you wish to complete the look, robes are also available to rent at $5 or $30 for purchase. Running shoes and socks are available to use if you wish to work out.

The cost for food is surprisingly fair and costs roughly the same as what you’d pay for the same thing at a restaurant. All the costs you incurred throughout your stay are added to your account by tapping your bracelet and billed at the end when you checkout.

Tax and a 12% gratuity are also added on top of your bill which their staff would tell you upfront and when you checkout. There's also a late charge of $15 if you wish to stay overnight or leave past 2 am.

Far Infrared Area

Is it safe to visit during Covid?

We felt safe during our stay. We came early on a Thursday when there weren’t many guests. People were very spread out as the premise is huge so lots of room to keep a distance from each other. Proof of vaccinations are required before entry and all staff are wearing masks.

Guests are also encouraged to wear masks in open lounge areas and are only allowed to remove them in hot tubs and steam rooms. So, it is important that you take your own safety precautions. We took ours seriously and kept our distance from others throughout. Masks and sanitizers are also available at counters and in various areas.

Is it Clean?

As soon as we exited the escalator onto the 2nd floor, we were asked to remove our shoes. They are then stored inside the shoe lockers. I could not speak to the men’s room but the ladies’ change room was clean and tidy for the majority of the time. Throughout our stay, we could see staff vacuuming, cleaning and tidying up everywhere. I did have to ask them to refill the tissues and toilet papers after they ran out in the ladies’ bathrooms at one point as more people started to show up late afternoon.

Was it busy? When’s a good time to visit?

During the week is always the best time to go. We actually arrived before 10 in the morning and there were already a few guests. Will got the whole hot tub to himself and I also got to enjoy a private steam room. Since Go Place opens 24 hours, more guests show up after lunch towards later in the afternoon. I was also told by one of their staff that the place gets busier during the evenings.

Other things to know

As a luxury spa, they use top-of-the-line products like L’Occitane branded wash and lotions and Dyson hair dryers. I also love the fact that they have compartments beside each therapy room to store away your cell phones. These are some of the nice little details that add to the overall experience.

Many guests, like myself, come here and get pampered on birthdays. Their staff noticed my birthday when we checked in upon arrival and gave me a complimentary massage chair experience. And like in the card game, Monopoly Deal, if you tell the dining room staff that “It’s my birthday!”, you’d get a cupcake as well. I thought that was very sweet (see what I did there?).

Final thoughts. Would I visit again?

After experiencing Korean saunas and bathhouses, Go Place is the next level up if not more. Luxurious indoor wellness experience that is great for couples or a group of friends (I mean, board games are available for rent after all!)

All in all, we enjoyed our stay and experience at Go Place. I’d recommend anyone who enjoys getting pampered and relaxation therapies to give it a try. We'd definitely be back. Hope this post is helpful!

Go Place 

3275 Highway 7 East, Unit 2,
Markham, Ontario L3R 3P9

905-261-7777

Open 24hrs - 7 Days a week

I can't believe 2022 is already here! Looking back, it feels like I didn't accomplish much the past year with the pandemic and Omicron variant still going strong. I know it might seem like we were never able to see light at the end of the tunnel. But on a positive note, there was still a lot to be thankful for. I was able to see my friends and family a lot more in 2021 compared to the previous year. I was able to take Justice out more often for some basic childhood activities after the lockdown was over. I got to celebrate my grandmother's 94th birthday when dine-in was allowed. Despite being a small, intimate celebration, she was happy she could see the people she cared for. And seeing her happy is one of my greatest joys.

I've returned to work in Fall from my maternity leave. There was a lot of uncertainty returning to work but thankfully, the transition back to work was relatively smooth and manageable. I'm lucky that Will was able to help out and look after Justice in the morning while I work. I also got accepted to a new job just before the holidays. It was something I wanted to pursue before I had Justice and now I have a second chance. I'm most excited about the new year because now I have a new job to look forward to.

Sales from my Etsy shop hit an all-time high. 2021 was the best year yet since launch. And I'm super thankful for all your support!

I hope you too were able to find things to be thankful for no matter how small they are. Let's hope that 2022 will be a better year!

Here's a recap of my posts from 2021.

Family matching pyjamas from Iffei

A Year in Review:

HOME

1. 7 Ways to Decorate You Home for Winter
2. Cute Ways to Improve Your Small Kitchen
3. 6 Ways to Introduce Farmhouse Design to Your Home
4. Useful Home Improvements that Make Your Life Easier

LIFESTYLE

1. Yoga Keep Us Healthy During Pandemic
2. 5 Tips to Look After Your Teeth
3. Inspo for Hosting an Intimate Wedding
4. 6 Deep Cleaning Tips for Your Home
5. How to Cut Down on Your Electricity Bills This Spring
6. Quirky Ways to Repurpose Your Old Possessions
7. Easy Ways to Keep on Top of Your Bathroom Cleaning
8. 6 Ways to Get Your Family Fit and Healthy This Fall
9. Heartfelt Personalized Christmas Gift Idea From Hooray Heroes

MOTHERHOOD

1. Justice's Superhero First Birthday Party
2. 7 Ways Friends and Family Can Lend New Parents a Hand
3. Personalized Gift Ideas for Parents and Children
4. How to Baby Proof Your Home
5. Nursery Room Update
6. Easiest Way to Holiday Shop For Your Children

TRAVEL

1. Weekend Getaway to Florence
2. Top Tips to Avoid Dehydration When You Go on Holiday
3. 5 Tasks to Do Before Road Trip
4. 7 Simple Hacks to Make Traveling Easier

DIY/TUTORIAL

1. DIY Christmas Holiday Shaker Cards
2. Love is in the Air Papercut Valentine's Day Card
3. DIY Stamped Christmas Wrapping Paper
4. DIY Yarn-Wrapped Letter Ornaments
5. 5 DIY Ideas for Valentine's Day
6. Easter Bunny Hot Chocolate Bombs
7. DIY Superhero First Birthday Party
8. Best Mom Ever Papercut Mother's Day Card

FASHION

1. A Guide to Looking Fabulous for Summer
2. Pink Tropical Family Matching Swimwear

FOOD

1. Recipe: Fiery Bulgogi Kimchi Burger

 

It can be an exciting time when you first learn you are soon going to become an aunt or an uncle for the very first time. After hearing the fantastic news, you may start to think about what gifts you will get for her newborn baby. Of course, knowing whether it will definitely be a boy or a girl is a big help when you are gift buying, but it may be the case the baby’s parents have deliberately decided not to learn what sex the baby will be before it is born. In that case, something gender-neutral will be preferred.

Here's a brief guide to what first-time aunts and uncles can buy for their niece(s) or nephew(s).

A Baby Shower May Be a Good Opportunity to HandOver Your Gift for Your Niece or Nephew

Baby showers are very popular in the United States for years and 2021 is no exception. They are an occasion where guests come to the mother’s home or another venue to congratulate her on her new arrival. Usually, guests also tend to provide the mother with gifts for the baby. So, when buying gifts for your new niece and nephew it may be crucial to keep in mind the date when the baby shower is taking place to make sure you manage to get the gifts in time.

However, it is not compulsory to hold a baby shower and many people also choose not to have one.

Baby Clothes and Accessories

Buying baby clothes and accessories such as bibs, shoes, socks, hats, mittens, and so on are a great choice of gift to go for as these are essential items that every baby needs. Babysoy offer a range of items that are top quality and will be perfect as a gift for your niece or nephew.

Get a Crib

A quality crib or some bedding is always a great idea as a gift. These items can be expensive for the new parents-to-be so gifting these will help to take some expenses off their shoulders. However, consider speaking to the parents before going out and spending your money.

Toys

Whether it’s a toy truck, a teddy bear, a doll, a spongey ball to play with, or plastic building blocks, babies love toys and spending time playing with them. Bear in mind that for the first year of their life, your niece or nephew will probably not have developed enough yet to fully appreciate playing with toys, but as they get closer to being a toddler, they may start loving to play with the toys you bought for them. We all have fond memories of the first toys that we had as kids.


Becoming an auntie or uncle for the very first time is a life occasion that you should cherish and look forward to with a great sense of joy and excitement.

When you give birth, you instantly become entitled to celebrating one more holiday – Mother’s Day. It usually includes breakfast in bed and hand-made gifts from your little ones, such as a picture frame made of macaroni. However, your first Mother’s Day won’t be anything like that. After all, your baby’s greatest accomplishment is not pooping outside the diaper and you still have a couple of years before you can expect any gifts from your little one. However, this doesn’t mean you cannot celebrate this holiday. You are a mom, and you deserve to have a day that is all about you. So, if you wish to commemorate Mother’s Day as a first-time mama, here are a couple of ideas you may like.

Do things at your own pace 

Every day you get out of bed, jump start your body with a dose of caffeine and power through the day doing four things at a time. Well, this Mother’s Day starts the day by having a cup of coffee in your bed while watching your favorite TV show, reading a book, or just looking through the window. You can also prepare yourself a nice breakfast to eat in the bedroom, or, if you are a lucky gal, have your partner prepare it for you.

Buy yourself a fancy piece of jewelry

You will want to remember this day for the rest of your life, and what better way to remind yourself of it than with something you can both wear and treasure. A gemstone necklace from Moon Magic is a perfect choice since it can easily dress up your outfits and basically never goes out of style.

Write a letter to your child

Kids love listening about stories about themselves from times they cannot remember. Therefore, take time to write a letter to your baby and tell them how excited you were to meet them, what the beginning of their life looked like or how they kept your up at night. Basically, there are no rules here and you can write whatever you wish. In a couple of years, take this letter out and read it to your child. They will surely be excited to hear about their first months and it may even become their favorite
bedtime story. 

Build a time capsule

There are so many things you can put into a time capsule, from your baby’s first shoes, their doll, a lock of their hair, or one of their nappies. Place everything in a box, wrap it, and put it somewhere safe. In a couple of years, you can open it together with your kid and see what is in there.

Buy fresh flowers

A bouquet of fresh flowers always brightens up the room, so do not hesitate to add some color and fragrance to your home. Whether your partner gets them for you or you pick them up yourself, they will surely look great in your house for a week or so.

Take off your apron!

This is your special day and that means no cooking and no washing the dishes. On Mother’s Day treat yourself to your favorite meal. You can order in, have your loved one cook for you or dine out. Oh, and do not skip dessert, on this day calories do not matter. 

You are in charge

Do you wish to take an afternoon nap? Then do it! Have brunch with your family, go to the park, spend an hour shopping for a new dress or watch that movie you wanted to see for so long. If needed, ask your loved ones or a nanny for help so you can enjoy a guilt-free day indulging yourself. Remember that Mother’s Day is all about you, so do not hesitate to do things you love and that make you happy.

Check out my other handmade gift ideas for Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Colouring Card Printable

Make Your Own Mother's Day Coupon Book Printable

Gorgeous Floral Mother's Day Card Printable

Ferrero Rocher Bouquet Tutorial

Heart in a Cupcake Tutorial

Setting up the nursery room was the biggest project I tackled during my pregnancy. I had a lot of ideas on how I wanted the nursery room to be like. But it was hard to start without first knowing the gender. So Will and I kept it fairly neutral at the beginning. We didn't find out about our baby's gender until I was 37 weeks pregnant. And it was one of our best moments to share with family and friends (pre-social distancing time). If you missed the post, check out our baby gender reveal party here.

I had so much fun designing and decorating this space for Baby Sue. I wanted the space to be inviting, airy and bright. So Will painted the room in bright white paint and an accent grey wall with the leftover paint we used on our main floor. It was impressive to see how a paint change could instantly lift up the vibe of a room.

Wall art - Sol Mari Art // Bunting Banner - Handmade // Cloud mobile - Handmade // Polar bear stool - HomeSense  //  Rug - Ikea

I didn't really have a theme to work with but I wanted to add some whimsical elements to the nursery. I found a cute rug from Ikea and it worked quite nicely with the colour scheme.

Originally, I wanted to do a wallpaper accent wall by the crib. But after doing wallpaper in our master bedroom and powder room, Will didn't want to deal with wallpapers anymore. So instead, I made some removable wall decals with my Cricut machine and had Will stick them up at the top. They looked pretty good and compliment the rug. Don't you think?

Above the crib, I decided to hang some art prints from one of my favourite illustrator, Sol Mari Art. I edited the illustrations a bit to better match the colour scheme and sent it to a local print shop. I bought some white frames and stuck them up to the wall using the Command strips. This is my go-to damage-free method for hanging frames on the wall. I absolutely adore the art prints and I think they work so well with the space!

Hemnes Dresser - Ikea // Diaper Caddy Organizer c/o Putska 

I hadn't gotten the chance to buy some shelvings and a mirror for the space above the dresser before all the non-essential retail stores closed for the pandemic crisis. This wall would be left empty for awhile unless I could find something I like online. In the corner, we set up a nursing area with a grey recliner. There's actually a small cabinet set up to hold all my nursing needs as well. I just couldn't wait to spend time with my little one in this cozy corner!

Finally, I wanted to throw in some personal touches. In order to have all the decor pieces tie in together, I went with the DIY route so I could customize it to my liking without spending a fortune. I spent most of my early maternity break finishing up all those decor pieces like the bunting banner, hanging wall banner, cloud mobile, wall decals and milestone blocks. I even gotten some time to make some personalized onesies too!

Handmade Hanging Wall Banner - Check out my tutorial here.

And there you have it!

Our sweet baby boy’s nursery reveal from top to bottom! What do you think? I absolutely loved how the space turned out and couldn't wait to bring my baby into this space and create memories together.

Check out my other pregnancy posts!

Our Baby Gender Reveal Party! (DIY Party Decor)

How to Look Stylish During Pregnancy

Ways We Saved Money on Baby Stuff
Pregnancy Journal: Third Trimester (Week 28-36)

Pregnancy Journal: Second Trimester (Week 14-27)

Pregnancy Journal: First Trimester (Week 1-13)

I can't believe I'm already in my third trimester. Time just flew by so quickly! If you haven't been following, Will and I are expecting our little bundle of joy this Spring! I started documenting my journey from my first trimester. You can read it all here.

Here's what my third trimester looks like:

Glucose Tolerance Test

I was asked to take a glucose tolerance test at around 28 weeks. The lab technician handed me what looked like a bottle of orange soda drink. I was asked to finish the drink in one seating and refrained from walking around in case I burned the sugar off. I waited for an hour before the technician could take my blood. I actually felt drowsy after drinking the soda and passed out at the clinic. Luckily, the result of my test was positive.  My sugar level was optimal but was found low in iron. Besides needing to eat more iron-riched food, I'm now adding iron supplements to my growing list of supplements and vitamins.

Taking Our Prenatal Classes

We took our prenatal classes just shortly after the New Year. And boy, there was so much information to take in in mere 2 days. We were taught about the delivery process, the type of medications to ease pain, how to prepare for labour and baby, and what the support person could do to help while in labour. We also watched some real video clips of birth mothers going into labour. Needless to say, it was very graphic. I wasn't prepared for that.

I do think the class has helped us understand what will be involved and better prepare ourselves for the little one. We even practiced wrapping diapers, bathing and burping a baby the proper way on a baby doll.

More Leg Cramps

Even though I didn't get much swelling and back pains but I did experience more leg cramps than my previous trimesters. I would wake up in the middle of the night because of leg cramps. I had to put up a fort of pillows to support my growing belly and lift my leg up to ease cramps.

Chiropractor Visits and Massage

Because of the leg cramps, I started regular chiropractor visits and continued with my massages. My chiropractor friend even recommended me to visit every week so she could help open my pelvis up to allow room for the baby to turn its head down.

At around 35 weeks, I also started feeling more upper back pain. I didn't think that has to do with my pregnancy at first until my chiropractor told me that the muscles were working hard to balance the weight of my belly. I kept feeling tightness in my neck and shoulders area.

Setting up the Nursery Room

I had a lot of ideas on what to do for the nursery but I didn't want it to be gender-specific. I wanted the room to be bright, airy and inviting. After all, I would be spending a lot of time in the room with the baby. Will painted the room white with a grey accent wall. We got a crib from a friend and bought a recliner glider chair for the room. I just need to add some wall arts and cute cushions to make them interesting. Stay tuned for the reveal!

Heart Palpitations and Discomfort

When I was at 32 weeks, I started to feel uncomfortable sitting at my desk during work. Something seemed to be always poking inside me at the strangest spot and I could never get comfortable. I also noticed my heart beat faster after consuming certain things like a cup of bubble tea. While my OB told me it's sometimes normal, I had to make sure I keep counts of my heart rate regularly.

Perhaps the next time I contribute to this journal would be after the baby arrives. How does your third trimester looks like? Would love to hear your experience as well!

Check out my other pregnancy posts!

How to Look Stylish During Pregnancy

Ways We Saved Money on Baby Stuff

Pregnancy Journal: Second Trimester (Week 14-27)

Pregnancy Journal: First Trimester (Week 1-13)

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, you may be looking for inspiration as to what gift to get for your loved one. Flowers are an excellent way to get into their good books. There're so many options when it comes to selecting flowers. And below you will find some ideas and options to help you express your love this Valentine’s Day.

Red Roses

Roses are always a popular choice for good reasons. The traditional red roses symbolize passion and fiery love. They can be seen everywhere from local florists to supermarkets during this time. If you aren't able to deliver the flowers in person, you can consider ordering online as well. Check out the best flower delivery in Bangkok.

Roses In A Variety Of Colours

Even though red roses are usually the go-to, you may wish to consider other colours that are not as common. For example, you can consider unique colours such as black and blue. With so many choices available, there is a colour for everyone. Here are some other choices:

• Yellow
• Orange
• Blue
• Black
• Purple
• Pink
• White
• Peach

Orchids

Orchids might not be the most popular choice for Valentine's day but its elegance and beauty make them a great option to give. The orchid is a symbol of love and also a symbol of delicateness, beauty, strength, and luxury. If that's not enough to convince you about orchids, know that they also come in a variety of colours. Choosing the colour of orchid that best fit your partner's taste can be as easy as 1,2,3.

Tulips

Source

Tulips are beautiful to give on Valentine’s Day, and they also come in many colours as well. Instead of paying for premium flowers, you can get red tulips that will look just as striking to express your feelings. For example, you can choose red-coloured tulips because they symbolize true love. Choose yellow ones to offer cheerful thoughts and sunshine. Tulips are also cheaper than roses, so they are an excellent option if you are on a tight budget but still want to show your partner how much you care.

Wildflowers

If you are looking for something a little bit different but still has the same sentiment, then you may want to consider wildflowers for your loved one this Valentine’s Day. You will find that they come in an array of styles and foliage and you can mix and match with different colours and texture to create a beautiful bouquet.

Something Homegrown or Handmade 

As an alternative to buying flowers that will wilt in a week or so, consider growing flowers on your own in a cute pot. Dahlia and daisies are both easy and beautiful homegrown. They'll last for as long as your partner takes care of it. And when they do, they'll get reminded of you. You can also make your own bouquet with chocolates! It is the sweetest gift that shows effort and thought and your love for them.

Check Out My Valentine's Gift Ideas

Quick and Easy Valentine's Strawberry Pocky Cheesecake

Ferrero Chocolate Bouquet for Valentine's Tutorial

DIY Valentine's Day Love Coupon Printable

Towards the end of my first trimester, my energy level had gotten back up. I could carry on my regular activities a lot more easily. I didn't notice much difference or changes in my second trimester. Sometimes I even forgot that I was preggo and had a baby growing inside my body.

Regular Exercise and Yoga

I still continued with my regular habit of exercising but started to take yoga classes. Yoga was said to help ease pains and help with delivery. I was careful with the different moves. I avoided moves that work out my abs and core. I also stopped doing the overhead press.

Going on a Babymoon

Will and I booked a trip just shortly after I passed my 3 months and after I got a clearance from my doctor. It took us a while to decide on where to go. The destination needed to be pregnant-women friendly and safe from Zika virus. We ultimately decided on Europe for a more tame and relaxing babymoon since I wouldn't be able to do anything adventurous like this and this.

I bought pregnancy compression pantyhose to help with my flight in case of leg cramps or swelling. Even though our trip was supposed to be relaxing, we were ambitious and visited Paris, Strasbourg, Colmar, Dusseldorf, Koln and Amsterdam all within just 2 weeks (post to come!). Despite going from places to places in a short period of time, it was still manageable. On average, we walked about 30,000 steps each day and I still felt great! My belly started to show a little bit but I was still able to hide it inside my regular clothes.

Eating was tough in Europe, especially in France. Although I had gained back the appetite that I lost in my first trimester, there was a lot of food that I needed to avoid. I couldn't eat any of their cheese, wine, deli meat, beef tartare, escargot -  basically most of the things that France was known for.

Keeping the Gender a Surprise

At about 20 weeks, my doctor was able to tell me the gender of my baby. But I really wanted to keep it as a surprise and do a gender reveal. What's more important for me was the baby's health and growth. Besides, I was so entertained whenever someone guessed the gender and shared me their theories.

Will and I also started keeping a list of names for both genders. But it was difficult to find a name that we both liked, not taken and worked well for our culture. We had fun picking out a few nicknames though.

First Flutters

I wasn’t sure when I actually felt my baby’s first flutters. I couldn’t tell if it was my baby kicking or just me feeling gassy at first. But when I started feeling it more frequently, I knew that must be it. The baby kicks that I was so curious about. It was really a special feeling. They felt like big bubbles or something was twitching from inside my belly. The flutters would occur in the middle of the night or when I lied on a certain position or when I ate a certain food. I thought maybe my baby was trying to tell me something.

Growing Out of My Clothes 

During this time, my belly was always itchy from the winter dryness. I had to put more bio-oil and moisturizer to soothe the skin. My clothes no longer fit me anymore. My go-to jeans would not buckle. So I had to start wearing maternity jeans and leggings and more dresses. Eventually, I was more comfortable wearing a more fitted silhouette and shape to embrace my growing belly.

Other than getting the occasional leg cramps, my second trimester was indeed a smooth-sailing like most people said. I was able to do so much and go everywhere with ease.

How was the second trimester for you? Did you enjoy it more than other trimesters?

Check out my other pregnancy posts!

How to Look Stylish During Pregnancy

Ways We Saved Money on Baby Stuff
Pregnancy Journal: Third Trimester (Week 28-36)

Pregnancy Journal: First Trimester (Week 1-13)

If you read my latest post, Decade in Review, you might know that Will and I have a baby on the way for 2020!  I wanted to document this entire journey and share with you my experience throughout the trimesters, starting with the first one.

Low in Energy

I still remembered the feeling when I first found out my pregnancy blood test result was positive. It was a mix of feeling skeptical, surprised, relieved and joy. I couldn't believe we were finally expecting our newborn after months of trying. The thought of being pregnant didn't hit me until I started feeling extremely tired. I would be doing absolutely nothing the entire day but would still feel like I had no energy and just wanted to nap. I was also expecting to experience some morning sickness or nausea. But I actually didn't experience any (so lucky!). This was probably why the pregnancy felt surreal to me. And in the back of my head, I was afraid the joy would be short-lived. So I had been extra cautious for the first 3 months and declined invites to activities like skating, snowboarding and lazy tubing. I didn't want to take any risks.

Lost in Appetite

I did, however, lost my appetite. As you know, I had always been a food lover. But I noticed during this time, I had lost interest in eating. I turned away from the food that I used to like. As a result, I actually lost some weight.

Cautious of Food

Speaking of food, I had to be extra careful with my diet. I cut down the bad food items that were not recommended by doctors. And these included all the soft or unpasteurized cheese, honey and milk, deli meat, salad, raw meat, runny egg yolks and sushi! It was a lot harder than I thought. I had to google every time before I put food in my mouth. On top of that, in my culture, I was told to avoid certain fruits and shellfish. They believed that eating shellfish would cause the baby to have allergies. And fruits like papaya, banana and watermelon would cause miscarriage or early birth. So that limited me on what I could eat. I also started to take more vitamins and supplements after each meal. But with what they called a "baby brain", I sometimes forgot if I even took them.

Cautious of Chemicals

I started replacing my regular skincare and beauty products to products with natural ingredients, just to avoid chemicals and fragrance that might harm the baby. At one point, I even wanted to swap out my shampoo to something that is meant for pregnant women. But I had been told that was a bit extreme. There were two things that I missed doing: getting my nails done and dying my hair :(

Dewy Skin

Even though I might not get to doll up like how I used to, I noticed my skin got more glowy, dewy and soft. The hormones or estrogen might have been a contributor to this which I won't complain about.

My First Ultrasound

I had my first ultrasound when I almost hit 6 weeks. They showed me an image of a marble-looking shadow inside my belly. I didn't know what it was. A gestational sac? I had no clue what that even means. It sure didn't look like a baby to me.

At my second ultrasound which was about 8 weeks, the sac had gotten bigger. By my 12-week scan in which Will was able to join me, the baby was all formed! We could see the profile of the baby very clearly. Everything seemed more real at this point. Will even told me he got a bit emotional when he saw the image of our baby for the first time.

As soon as my doctor said everything looked fine and normal, I started thinking about travelling. I needed to travel one more time before the baby arrives!

My parents completely opposed that idea though. They thought I should take more rest because this was my first pregnancy and I should be very careful. But I was a rebel. I'd prefer travelling now than after the baby is born. Besides, my tiredness had gotten a lot better towards the end of my first trimester. It convinced me that I would be physically capable to go on a trip with Will together one last time, just the two of us.

Now that I finished writing this post, I felt very grateful that everything was so smooth and easy for me during my first trimester. I couldn't imagine how it would be like to suffer from morning sickness and nausea throughout the first few months.

What was your first trimester like? Would love to hear your experience.

Check out my other pregnancy posts!

How to Look Stylish During Pregnancy

Ways We Saved Money on Baby Stuff
Pregnancy Journal: Third Trimester (Week 28-36)

Pregnancy Journal: Second Trimester (Week 14-27)