4th month checkup!

I was quite nervous to attend my 4th month checkup last Saturday. Reason was because previously the doctor kept on nagging that I did not gain enough weight. The most ideal weight a petite like me should gain is 2 kgs A month. But I gained a total of 0.5 kg only for THREE months.

Since I feel a lot healthier in second trimester, no more vomiting, I gained 2 kgs since my last checkup, Alhamdulillah :)

Anyway, this is how Little Precious looks like now..

Dah besar!! :)

I'm in the pink of health. The results of blood test and urine test were perfect! Alhamdulillah. Progress of the baby was good, started kicking about a week ago, Love was so excited everytime he got the chance to feel his/her kicking.

We couldn't take a look at the gender yet, but it's ok.. Both of us were not yet ready to know, though we were so looking forward to know.

Went for monthly checkup at homeopathy for second opinion, the doctor looked happy with my progress. Alhamdulillah. Thank to the Almighty.

I am currently in my 19 weeks pregnancy, half way to see you, Little Precious! At 14th week, my morning sickness stopped altogether, and so did my back pain and tummy cramp.

About a week ago, I started doing routine exercise to build up pelvic muscle under Mom's supervision by the guidance of Jane Fonda. Started to learn the breathing technique, the correct posture, etc.. cuz apparently Mom delivered all the three of us normally without any stitches and she thought part of it was due to Jane Fonda's workout.

I feel a lot heathier to do some shopping for Little Precious nowadays. After my checkup last Saturday, I went to Baby Love Warehouse Sale at Taman Connaught.

Verdict? Tak best! It was a very small area with limited options and not that cheap.

However, we did grab some items where the price were quite fair..



Mosquito net: RM30; Baby cot organizer: RM19; Thermal blanket (last piece): RM6 and lapik getah: RM8.

I am so looking forward to shop for my maternity clothes now that Mega Sale is starting. But, Love and I have been juggling time between the baby stuff and the stuff for our new home, so much things to do. But life has never been more contented :)

Breastfeeding

Today is World Milk Day!

And the first thing that comes into my mind when I heard the word "MILK" is breastfeeding, now that I'm pregnant.

I must have been blessed since I am surrounded with a community where breastfeeding is a must in my office.

Thus, I've recently bought myself a Spectra 3 - Jingle Jungle Basic Back to Work Package from Fabulous Mom with a very fair price, RM481 inclusive of the filter!

I guess the best thing about Fabulous Mom is that my warranty starts the day I give birth to my baby rather than the day I buy the pump.



I pray so that I can fully breastfeed my baby until he/she reaches 2 years old. Semoga Allah SWT perbanyakkan susu. Dad always told me that when our intention is good, insya Allah everything else will follow smoothly. I have faith :)

Below is the article I excerpt from the Breastfeeding Essential.

ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING FOR BABY

1. Due to the anti-infective properties of breastmilk, breastfed babies tend to have less incidence of or less pronounced symptoms of ear infections, respiratory illness, allergies, diarrhea, and vomiting.

2. Due to the digestibility of breastmilk, breastfed babies are rarely constipated.

3. The stools of breastfed babies are mild-smelling.

4. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is less common in breastfed babies.

5. Breastmilk is constantly changing in its composition to meet the changing needs of the baby. It has the exact combination of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and sugars needed for the human infant at various stages of his growth.

6. Breastfed babies are constantly exposed to a variety of tastes through their mother's milk.

7. Breastfed children are at less risk for chrohn's disease and juvenile diabetes.

8. Children who were breastfed are less likely to need orthodontic work such as braces due to the unique sucking action required with breastfeeding. They also seem to have better overall dental health than formula-fed children. Children who were breastfed need speech therapy less often than those who were bottle-fed.

9. IQ levels are an average of 8 points higher in children who were breastfed.

10. Adult daughters who were breastfed are at less risk for breast cancer.

11. Adults who were breastfed have a lower risk for high cholesterol and asthma.

12. The bond between mother and child seems to be enhanced with breastfeeding.

ADVANTAGES OF BREASTFEEDING FOR MOTHER

1. Nursing immediately following delivery causes the uterus to contract lessening the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

2. The uterus of a breastfeeding mother shrinks to its pre-pregnancy size more quickly.

3. Calories are burned while breastfeeding. It takes approximately 20 calories to produce an ounce of milk.

4. Women who nurse their babies for at least 6 months lessen their chances of pre-menopausal breast cancer.

5. Osteoporosis and cervical cancer are less common in women who breastfed.

6. The return of fertility is delayed with breastfeeding.

7. Breastfeeding is more economical than formula feeding. The cost of formula for 12 months is approximately $1000 - $1200.

8. Breastmilk is always available, clean, and the right temperature.

9. Many mothers feel a special satisfaction in knowing that they alone are meeting the nutritional needs of their babies.

P/S: Special thanks goes to Kak Sumay, Eyfa and Kak Iza for providing me with the best examples on how a mom shoud be.

First stage of renovation

Alhamdulillah, I managed to cross off another item in my "To achive list 2011".

The first stage of renovation has been completed last weekend, now we have installed the grill and awning. This weekend we are going to install the lights and fans :)

I am not a big fan of fancy grill.


I prefer the simple one.


But, picture above seems too simple for my liking.

I don't fancy wrought iron because it looks like my mum's house.. macam rumah orang tua ;p


Stainless steel? Too expensive.

Pictures above from google.
We settle down with the normal steel, and for me, there is no other better colour for grill other than white! This is how our home sweet home looks like now with grill and awning!




Awning!


Happy :) I am very satisfied with the work of our contractor. I can't wait to move in to our new house!!

The 3 restaurants I just discovered

Woke up feeling like a zombie today.

Got home around 12 midnight after having a night of fun at La Risata, Jalan Ampang with Hasihir and co. Italian dining, really nice ambience but the food was so-so.

I love most the pizza.

Anyway, on the eve of our anniversary, we tried a new place for dessert called Fruitland in Subang.

We tried Rainbow Lolo and some Tao Fu Fa glutinous rice ball.



Rainbow Lolo was so-so.



But the Tao Fu Fa was super yummy.

Also, a week ago, Love and I had some free time for ourselves!!

Finally, after a while being super duper busy with baby and Homer (our new home!), Love decided to bring me to The Curve for a little break.

Again the main dish was so-so.

But, this dessert (which I forgot the name) has got to be my favourite :)



Anyway, rezeki baby!! Last month, I became a permanent staff and thus, gaji saya naik this month!!!!! :) And starting from this month, our company starts to give monthly transportation allowance. So, walaupun this month baru start potong zakat and tabung haji, still gaji lebih from last month. ALHAMDULILLAH!!

The tipping point

Now that Love and I were busy finding out names for our precious, I realized one thing...

"Why is the name Rayyan suddenly become so famous for boys? And Qasreena for girls?"

Weird.

And the fact that how suddenly Red Velvet Cake or Macaroons became so overrated when just yesterday you never even heard of them.

What caused this epidemic?

Well, according to the book that I read not so recently "The tipping point" (One of my convo's pressie from Love, thank you Sayang!), these are the three agents that caused epidemic;

1) The law of few
2) The stickiness factor
3) The Power of context.

The law of few describes the three types of people in the world.

1) The connector: Those people that link up the world and have many friends
2) The mavens: Those people we rely on in giving us new informations
3) The salesman: Those people with powerful negotiation skills (So Kapal!)

The stickiness factor is how we give some informations to others so that they will remember what we told them. Really need to master this, so that my student can remember what I taught them and finally score for final!

And the power of context is how we are easily influenced by the surrounding around us.

Very very interesting, this book! It really is eye-opening :)

Now, I'm off to my next Gladwell's book.. "What the dog saw"!

BIL's wedding

My brother in law got married last Thursday!! Congrats Abang Long and Kak Izrin!!

Some pics from aqad on Thursday..

I especially love the bride's wedding gown. Very breathtaking!

One of the hantaran from the girl's side was none other than.. MACAROONS (From Whisk that I've been wanting to try for ages!!) Moment of truth, took a bite and the first thing that came out from my mouth was, "OMG! Too sweet!!!"

Still, I'm happy that I finally got to try the famous Macaroons and glad to know that I am no longer craving for that now. Hehe.

On Friday was the bride's reception. We were all excited pimping out our Hanbok (Korean's traditional gown)



Then on Sunday was the groom's reception.

Make up paling cantik!!!


At this point, I got so tired walking around greeting the guests. Tadela jalan banyak sangat on, but now perut dah berat ;p Went to mom and said, "Penattt...."

Then mom said, "Mestila penat sikit, nak dapat sister in law kan."

And the realization made me smile.

Kak Izrin, WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!!

Such wonderful events, and the penat lelah, totally pays off. Congrats again to Abang Long and Kak Izrin :) Nothing more that we wish for other than you two will be happy together until the end of time.

3 days to our anniversary :)

If you have a minute
Why don't we go
Talk about it
Somewhere only we know ;p