Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Hospital Bag

I know I'm only 7 months preggers but I'm the type of person who likes to be prepared. I can be a little anal with my To-do-lists, hence the reason why some people say I can sometimes be a "Monica". Anyhoo, slowly slowly I'll need to get things ready for the hospital bag so I won't end up rushing when the time comes.

Essentials
  • Robe & Slippers (and Socks too! very important)
  • Night shirts or Breastfeeding Nighties (x2)
  • Nursing Bra (x2)
  • Bra Pads - 1 box
  • Sanitary Napkins - 1 box
  • undergarments
  • Loose clothes (for going home)
  • Towels - 2
  • Nipple Cream (just in case)
Toiletries
  • Toothbrush / Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Body Lotion
  • Shampoo
  • Brush
  • Scruchies / bandana
  • Mouth wash
  • Cosmetics

Daddy's Things
  • T-shirts
  • Underwear
  • Towel
  • Toothbrush
  • Deodorant
  • Laptop or I-Pad & charger
  • Camera & charger
  • Video camera & charger
  • mobile chargers
For Baby's Arrival
  • Honey
  • First set of clothes in a Ziplock Bag
    • One Jumpsuit
    • Mittens
    • Booties
    • Hat
    • Badung 1 (Muslim Square)
    • Badung 2 (Swaddle) 
Baby's Box
  • Towel
  • change of clothes
  • Baby booties
  • Baby mittens
  • Baby Blanket (Shawl)
  • Baby hats
  • Diapers
  • Baby wipes
  • Diaper cream

Baby Toiletries (Optional)
  • Baby powder
  • Baby lotion
  • baby wash
  • Baby oil
  • cotton wool
  • Ear Buds
  • Nail Clippers
  • Comb

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Handling Heartburn

Apparently Heartburn is common in pregnancy but its one of those symptoms that can get very irritating and uncomfortable. Although heartburn cannot be eliminated entirely, there are a few things that can minimize heartburn. Here's the list:

  • Avoid food & drinks that can make it worse, i.e. Spicy Food, Citrus Juices, Chocolate.
  • Eat small meals frequently
  • Eat small mouthfuls and chew food properly
  • Do not smoke
  • Keep an upright posture, especially after eating
  • Eat at least 3 hours before bedtime
  • Sleep in a propped up position
  • Don't wear tight clothes
  • Do not bend over, always bend at knees.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Common Symptoms during Pregnancy

Found this list of common symptoms during pregnancy while surfing the internet. Lets see how many of them I have experienced so far.


  • Missed Period (Yes - March period missed)
  • Sore Breasts (Yes - Started to feel sore in the first trimester)
  • Tiredness (Yes - constantly)
  • Needing to urinate more (Yes - Started feeling this in my second trimester)
  • Morning Sickness (NO)
  • Constipation (NO)
  • Weight gain (Yes - gained 4 kilos the first month)
  • Backache (Yes - constantly)
  • Heartburn (Yes - recently in my 6 month have I only felt this)
  • Varicose Veins (Yes - Started in my second trimester)
  • Piles/Haemorroids (NO)
  • Urinary incontinence (Yes - started in my 6th Month)
  • Swelling of feet, ankles and hands (Yes - especially after Zee's wedding, feet just exploded)
  • Carpel tunnel syndrome (NO)
  • Stretch Marks (Yes- But already had them anyways)
  • Bleeding Gums (Yes - and sensitive teeth too)
  • Changes in your hair (Don't Know - I cant really tell)
  • Changes in your skin (Don't Know - can't really tell)

Not bad, 12/18....heh

Teaching Every Child to Read

I attended a Talk the other day at Orchid Garden Hotel with my sister in laws and it was hosted by Pengiran Dr. Rahmah of LEAPS Educational Services. At the Dinner/Talk, Pg Dr. Rahmah introduced to us Ms. Rita Dunn, the author of Teaching Every Child to Read.



Dr. Rita Dunn talked to us about the different learning styles there are and how each human being adapts to one certain style. There are different factors relating to ones learning style which all can be found in the book.

Interested parties should take a trip to LEAPS Educational Services, Unit 2-4, 1st Floor, Hassanin Complex, Delima Satu, Berakas to purchase the book.

P/S: All children are welcome to be tested on what kind of learning style they can adapt to for a little fee.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Baby Einstein

Thanks to my sister in law, I have been introduced to Disney's Baby Einstein which was founded by a Julie Clark. This product is especially designed to encourage discovery and inspire new ways for parents and little ones to interact. It also offers a wide range of developmentally appropriate products for babies and toddlers.

Baby Einstein products are created from a baby's point-of-view and incorporate a unique combination of real world objects, music, art, language, poetry and nature. This simply provides us parents the opportunity to introduce the world to our little ones in a playful and enriching way.

What really got me into Baby Einstein DVD's and to actually start googling it, was my husbands nephew, Aqiel. An adorable two year old who spoke as if he was already 4 years old. The words he spoke were perfect and round. No baby talk. I could absolutely understand him. This little miracle has baby Einstein DVD's to thank for. His mummy put the DVD's on everyday and he learnt from there. So, here's the list of DVD's from the Baby Einstein collection that I plan to purchase before Baby A arrives.

3-6 Months
  • Baby Mozart : Introduction to the joy of classical music
  • Baby Beethoven : Musical fun with the works of Beethoven
  • Baby's First Moves : Encourage developing of movement (dance, twist and clap.)
  • Lullaby Time : Lullabies to create calm, cozy & comforting moods
  • Baby Bach : Classical music
  • Baby Monet : Introduction to the Four Seasons through music & art
6-9 Months
  • Baby's First Sounds : Five basic sounds of babies
  • My First Signs : Introduction to words & sign language
  • Baby Da Vinci : Introduction to parts of the body
  • World Animals : Introduction to animals around the world
  • Baby Neptune : Discovering water
  • Neighbourhood Animals : First introduction to furry friends
  • Baby Van Gogh : Discovering colours through art, music & poetry
  • Baby Shakespheare : Discovering words through poetry, music & nature
  • Baby Santa's Music Box : An introduction to Winter Wonderland
9-12 Months

  • Discovering shapes : Five basic shapes
  • Baby Wordsworth : Introduction to words
  • Baby McDonald : Introduction to farm sounds & sights
  • Baby Galileo : Musical on discovering stars, planets & the sky
  • On the Go : Introduction to things that "GO"
  • Baby Noah : Musical of animals around the world

12-18 months
  • Baby's Favourite Places : First words around the town
  • Meet the Orchestra : Introduction to musical instruments
  • Numbers Nursery : Introduction to numbers 1-5

For more information on Disney's Baby Einstein products, go here

Week 26

My dearest peanut,

How's my munchkin doing today? I bet u feel much much better than on Saturday. Mummy had a touch of food poisoning and I'm sure it must of got to you too. Kesian my baby. Mummy promise not to go to that Murtabak shop anymore kay love. I put it down to the chicken curry that came with the Roti telur. That night mummy felt like she was going to give birth and I think I must of gave ur daddy a bit of a scare coz he kept on saying "Shall I call mummy? Do u want me to call mummy?" Of course, ur grandma would of been resting and I don't think she could of helped much despite her being very knowledgeable in the medicine world. She would of just told me to go to the hospital. But mummy sucked it in and stuck it out until the cramps subsided. Thank God it went away. Maybe this episode will teach you to be a strong baby and bear pain AND if you're lucky, you might just inherit mummy's tolerance for pain :)

At mummy's last appointment at the clinic all went well until I weighed my self. Mummy has put on a considerably large amount of weight. Within two months mummy gained 8 kilos, thats twice of what I should gain in that amount of time. So, its the GTT test again for mummy. Sigh! Results are out tomorrow so I have to pay another visit to the clinic. Last week we had to do the Ultra sound again since I didn't drink enough water the last time. Doc said that ur of normal growing size so it must be mummy's weight thats been ballooning like crazy. Oppss!

We've attended the seminar on "How to teach your child to read" with ur daddy's sisters at OGH the other night which proved to be a positive thing for mummy to attend. Apparently every child learns in a different way (Tell me something I don't know) so when ur out here and the time comes to start reading, mummy will hafta start experimenting on the different channels/ways of learning that u will feel comfortable with and can easily adapt to. Mummy is soooo getting into this mummy/teacher role coz I even bought the book written by Rita Dunn.

On Sunday night as well as last night we watched daddy play football. Seems like the atmosphere of a football field really gets you going coz as mummy sat there I kept on feeling you kick. It was as if you were imagining you were the one on the field..hehehe...could u be a boy?

Tonight, ur daddy and I might go and watch the basketball match at the indoor stadium. An introduction for you to the world of Basketball. Prepare yourself sayang for the noise and the shouting (Most probably coming from ur daddy). If all goes well, this sunday we'll be meeting with uncle ewan & auntie izzah at the beach. Our last picnic before the Ramadhan month starts. Mummy will only be able to enjoy the scenery. Sigh....definitely won't be able to play on the beach buggy's....


Anyhoo sweetums, until next time mummy writes...love u loads.

Thursday, July 31, 2008

Week 22

My dear lil'peanut,

Before mummy starts blabbing on about nonsense (which u will read one day when u can understand the English language and when u can read for that matter), mummy needs to apologize for not finding time to sit down and write to you. Mummy's got the 'bestest' excuse ever!

Your Auntie Zee will be getting hitched this month, so mummy has been incredibly busy helping her with preparations. The first function will be this sunday, August 3rd, followed by the nikah ceremony on the 8th, the berbedak ceremony on the 9th and bersanding on the 10th. So, as you can see, its not that mummy has forgotten you (How can I when u've been kicking like crazy recently), but mummy has been sorting out stuff for the wedding and also because of mummy putting weight on like theres no tomorrow, i've been designing all sorts of "bajus" to wear for the wedding that will last me through raya. Not an easy job. I just wonder how and when do pregnant mothers make their raya bajus when they just keep on expanding. Anyhoo, mummy and daddy have decided raya will be celebrated on a down-low for us this year. So mummy has just made a couple jubah-dress outfits that will do.

As for you munchkin, I was abit worried earlier this month when I was suppose to feel "flutters" in my stomach as a sign of your kicking but I wasn't really sure until July 10th during lunch time, while daddy was taking his lunch time nap and mummy was beside him just resting, then suddenly "Pow Boom Pang" (mummy exagerate sikit lah ah!) I finally felt u kicking like a crazy horse! hehehe....From then onwards, you normally have a kicking session during my lunchtime rest and around Maghrib time (Tanda tanda kan sembahyang kah tu, when u get out? Aminn). I also realize when mummy has anything chocolatey, u also start kicking afterwards. Atu guaranteed hyper..hehehe...sorry peanut, nyaman bah chocolate atu :) plus mummy only has it once a week...errmmm, for energy ...(mummy's excuse..hehehe). The other day, during lunch, while mummy was resting, u started kicking as usual, skali daddy started singing his latest favourite song and you actually stopped...awww..he sang you to sleep. Get used to daddy's voice also kay peanut and always listen to him. Daddy always knows best.

Last weekend, mummy did her rounds of sending invitations to ur aunties & uncles, and it seems like it was very much a 'rezeki' day for mummy. First, Ur auntie Fau gave me some maternity tops and pants then we made our way to Auntie Imah's in Kota Batu and she was so kind to give me a-garbage-bag- full of maternity clothes. Okay okay, so its mummy's rezeki but urs too coz auntie Imah was so nice to give mummy this little foldable bed for you and some baby blankets. I think your bottom-drawer of stuff is increasing darling....Yayyy!!!

As for your gender, at the last ultrasound, because mummy didn't drink enough water (Take note that 2 and a half glasses is not enough) the doc said she wouldn't tell me even if she knew coz its too early to tell. Apparently there have been expecting mothers who were informed wrongly, about 80% , so we are still not sure if ur a girl or boy. I guess mummy will hafta paint the nursery brown...then again, most probably mummy will take a trip to Yayasan to meet Dr.Ding to get an ultrasound done there, in 3D nonetheless, and we'll tape it on a DVD for you to see when u are bigger.

So, my growing peanut, its time for mummy's trip to the loo again. U take care my sweetums and continue growing into a healthy baby kay...Love u loads.