(Photo by Zung)

Even though she's due for labour, Elizabeth Lee-Yong still proved to be a great sport when she met us with a bright smile in Publika Shopping Gallery.

Still dressed to impress, Elizabeth was not like most mothers-to-be. She was energetic and bubbly like her usual self. 

It had been a whirlwind trip for Elizabeth who married Benjamin Yong last year in an extravagant carnival themed wedding, which was dubbed by many as 'The Wedding of The Year'.

Soon after their honeymoon, she realised that she was pregnant. She says, "Honestly, I had a freak-out. So, I went to another doctor to confirm because it wasn’t in our plans to have a baby so soon."

But as our meeting went on, we could tell that she was ecstatic about her first child, who she confessed will be a baby girl.

She went on to share with us her journey of preparation in anticipation of her daughter's arrival into this world.

 

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(Elizabeth Lee-Yong at her baby shower with husband Benjamin Yong)

When I finally accepted my pregnancy, I took on this psyche of becoming an alpha female and started to read on various topics on pregnancy and babies.

One of the most interesting books I read was about babies' brainwaves. Basically, it teaches you how to understand what babies want through their actions, sounds and expressions.

I’m really bad at attending maternity classes because I am constantly at work for my brand and The Playground Borneo. So, I decided to just learn most of them from YouTube.

My mum taught me to watch the clock and time myself when I’m having contractions during labour. She said it will help ease my nerves and take my mind off the pain.

She also reminded me to never neglect my husband because he is always my first baby. There will be a huge shift of attention to the baby when she arrives, but I must never forget to give the same love and care to Ben.

I’ve read books that said I would be the nester, but so far I think Benjamin is the real nester, who has built a beautiful room for the baby.

He actually went nuts shopping for toys and decorations when we were in London recently. He even bought his own special stroller, so that he could bring our baby around Publika when he goes for work.

Both Ben and I don't really like to have too much pink for the baby room, even though our baby is a girl. So, everything is focused around shades of greys, yellows and whites. The floor is completely black (laughs) and we also have a wall decal that says 'Dream Big'. The colour scheme is rather similar to some of Ben's restaurants.

We haven’t decided on the name yet but we have been going through all the 'B' names because Ben is fixed on starting her name with a 'B'. But we still went through the 'E' names and I have to say, there are plenty of nicer names that start with an 'E'.

My sister Shen-Tel, who gave birth six months ago, has also been extremely helpful in prepping me with all basic baby products that I need including baby bottles, breast pumps and swaddles.

 

We recommend:

• Elizabeth Lee-Yong's baby shower
• Benjamin Yong and Elizabeth Lee's carnival-themed wedding reception