Simple but Fulfilling

31. Yes, that's the magic number now! :) It turns out everything went well yesterday. And he got SUPRISED by my little present! :-> This is how we spent our day.....

For a start, we do some spring cleaning in our store-room in the afternoon. It feels so much cleaner and spacious now as you entered into our store-room compare to the day before! :) Those that need to be throw away, have been put away into the dustbin, and those which need to be recycle, have been packed and delivered to the recycle bin. Yes, I'm a big fan of recycling! :) Some of you may wonder how I recycle? Well, I have 2 simple rules for recycling:
1. Stuff that still new or useful or in good condition, but it is no longer useful to me, I'll put it to recycle bin. It can be clothing, books, basket, some food items, etc. etc.

2. Stuff that can help save the environment later e.g. newspaper, magazines, old batteries, paper bags, boxes, etc. I'll also put it to recycle bin also.

After that, we went out for dinner at this French restaurant. It's our first time and we didn't know what to expect but it seemed there were quite number of partrons who already there in the restaurant so we decided to give it a try. It turns out the food is delicious and I especially like the Creme Brulee!!! It's yummy! :) Hubby enjoyed his meal there too! Looks like we have another place to have dinner next time.. :)

Then, we went to pick up his fave dark choco cake which he has no idea I had pre-ordered it weeks before until yesterday.. heheh... it turns out the cake was soooo delicious. Even though we were so full after our dinner we managed to grab a few bites at the cake! hahah... Then, hubby proceed to opening his present! :) This is where he was most suprised!!! He thought it will be another photo frame from me this year but he was wrong.. heheh... The reason I bought him the present was to wish him - "May you be blessed with good luck in everything you do". Happy birthday sweetie! :)

So all in all, we had a fabulous day. One thing hubby suddenly said to me while we were enjoying the cake, "We will be celebrating this next year with our boy soon!". Aww... that was so sweet to hear dear... :)

Week 33

Your baby now weighs about 4.2 pounds/ 2 kilograms and measures approximately 17 inches/ 44 centimetres from head to toe. Your baby should already be getting ready for birth by turning upside-down - his head should be pointing down. >> So true!

Your doctor will be paying careful attention to your baby's position in the coming weeks - some babies do decide to turn back round again. Your baby's skull is still quite pliable and not completely joined, so he can ease out of the relatively narrow birth canal. But the bones in the rest of his body are hardening. Your baby's skin is also gradually becoming less red and wrinkled.

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

You may notice that your feet and ankles are quite swollen by the end of the day. Water retention, also known as oedema, is often worse in warm weather and late in the day. Surprisingly, keeping hydrated helps reduce water retention. Your body - particularly your kidneys - and your baby need plenty of fluids, so drink up. If you suddenly feel swollen or puffy in your hands or face, however, call your doctor - it may be a sign of pre-eclampsia.

Is it Safe to Eat Durians?

Dr Patrick Chia answers:

It is true that some Asian communities maintain a taboo against eating durians in pregnancy. For example, in the Chinese traditional approach to well-being, durians are believed to be too “heaty” to be eaten in pregnancy. As such, many ethnic Chinese communities in Southeast Asia advise their mothers-to-be to avoid this king of fruits.

Strictly speaking, there have been no studies about the safety of eating durians in pregnancy. At the same time, modern science has not uncovered any reason to believe it is unsafe to do so. There is certainly no reason to conclude that eating durians in pregnancy can cause high blood pressure or nappy rash in newborns.

However, a pregnant woman should eat durians in moderation as the fruit contains large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates – two medium sized seeds have about 60 calories. Durians are considered a high-glycaemic food so it is best to limit its intake in pregnancy. Those with gestational diabetes should avoid eating durians because of its high sugar content.

Some researchers have highlighted the benefits of organo-sulphur and tryptophan that is present in durians. These compounds have antioxidant effects. They also have anti-microbial, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties which may benefit pregnancy.

Week 32

No wonder you're starting to feel huge - it's crowded in there! The growing pressure on your bladder may mean frequent trips to the loo — which can make a good night's sleep difficult. You may be gaining around 500g/ 1lb a week now and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next seven weeks, fattening up for survival outside the womb. Thanks to these fatty deposits, his skin is getting plumper and looking healthier.

To accommodate you and your baby's growing needs, your blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since you got pregnant. With your uterus pushing up near your diaphragm and crowding your stomach, the consequences may be shortness of breath and heartburn. To help relieve your discomfort, try sleeping propped up with pillows and eating smaller meals more often.

You may have lower-back pain as your pregnancy advances. If you do, let your caregiver know right away, particularly if you haven't had back pain before, since it can be a sign of preterm labor.

Assuming it's not preterm labor that's ailing you, you can probably blame your growing uterus and hormonal changes for your aching back. Your expanding uterus shifts your center of gravity and stretches out and weakens your abdominal muscles, changing your posture and putting a strain on your back. Hormonal changes in pregnancy loosen your joints and the ligaments that attach your pelvic bones to your spine. This can make you feel less stable and cause pain when you walk, stand, sit for long periods, roll over in bed, get out of a low chair or the tub, bend, or lift things.

Merry Christmas!

Merry X'mas everyone!!! Here's to wishing you all the merry little joys of Christmas! Ho! Ho!Ho!

It's good to be back after a long holiday... :) Not that I've been to anywhere special recently... Well, I spent my x'mas with my dear hubby and we went shopping for baby stuff..... since it's a SALE season too! :D I have to say these 4 days really were tiring (and fulfilling) but it can be bored too if you do it continuously everyday.

I suddenly feeling a bit sick when I think of going out there to shop on the 4th day of holiday.... I dunno about you but I really have this feeling on that day. I guess, one could never just shop and shop even though you're rich! Shopping is just a therapy for me! I can just do it once in a while... unless I really have something to buy or do research on my purchase... and it's not a solution in your life! I couldn't understand how some people can just shop everyday without having to do other things! Anyway.....

Gees, time do flies very fast when you are busy on something. How do you spent your X'mas everyone? I hope whatever you do, you had a great time with your loved ones and had a fulfilling X'mas! :) A few more days we will bid farewell to 2009 and welcome 2010! :) I have to say 2009 had certainly been a great year for me and it's a special ones.

Top 3 highlights for me this year:

1. I'm pregnant and it's a BOY!
- I couldn't ask for more... the Lord have been blessing me with such a wonderful gifts. Praise the Lord for everything He has done in my life! Dear Father in Haven, please continue to bless me (and my hubby) the wisdom and faith which are lacking of in my life. And thank you for blessing us with such a wonderful gift in our life. We look forward to many more happy and fulfilling years with our baby with your guidance by our side. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

2. Holiday in Japan for the 2nd time!
- Bless dear hubby for the early anniversary gift! :) I truly enjoyed the time we were together all these years and I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

3. Hubby launched his first fund
- My hubby had been working very hard to launch his very own fund and finally last month he managed to achieve it! Well done hubby! I wish that you will continue to have faith in what you do. My prayers will always be with you.

Opps.. before I forget... Darling hubby had prepared a x'mas present for our soon-to-be-born baby. It's a Fisher Price baby gym. As for me, I have bought a book for my little baby. The title is Disney's Christmas Storybook Collection - A Treasury of Tales. Here you can find all characters of Disney with relations to x'mas. Hope he will likes it. Pics as shown below.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

A lot has happened recently and I dunno where shall I begin.

To start with, let me just say it out loud Christmas is just around the corner!!! :D 2 more days to go! Luckily I've done my x'mas shopping... but my dear hubby seems not prepared for anything.. >_<

Secondly, as I was too excited preparing for x'mas, I unintentionally skipped my usual afternoon nap for the past 3 days.. :s Yeap! that was how excited I am! :D shopping, shopping and more shopping... hahah... until forget to nap. Sorry baby dear, mummy will try to be more efficient next time.. since mummy can't walk too fast, shopping seemed to be forever!! Before, I never spend so much time at one dept store for so long, but I guess reality hits that I'm really "heavily" pregnant now... no kidding! Walking speed currently is at "snail level" now @_@"

Thirdly, I still haven't do my spring cleaning yet! To get all the old and torn stuff out from the house and reorganised my room to welcome my dear baby. To me, doing spring/annual house cleaning is crucial! It's just like recycling... if you don't get the old and unused stuff out from the house and you keep getting in the new stuff one day you will become a "HORDER"!!! I'm serious. Your house will be like a warehouse or a garage full of nonsense stuff! I prefer to give it away or recycling it to help keep the house clean and pleasant, and who knows maybe you can help others too by donating your stuff out :) It's a very clean and healthy process don't you think? That's why I love to do it as often as possible. But my lazy hubby, coming from a dirty and messy home environment previously, doesn't seemed to appreciate doing it :( I know, he is like a baby...

Fourthly, I have prepared something special for my darling hubby's birthday this year :D Ssshhh... can't revealed yet what is it I'm gonna do to him but I hope he will appreciate it. It took some time for me to prepare this new idea of mine! :)

Fifthly, hopefully my cot problem will be solved soon! Can't wait to see and prepare my dear baby's cot in my room now. But I'm sure, patient is virtue... we just have to look deeper and decide which is the best for our baby.

Sixthly, although I'm so excited about X'mas but I've no idea where to celebrate X'mas eve this year with darling hubby. He, ont the other hand, of course, as usual, not prepared with anything to celebrate with me... so boring rite to have a husband like him... Goodness gracious me, still accept him & his weakness regardless. If for another women, he will be kick in his ass! hahah...

Seventhly, I'm still waiting for my confinement lady to give me a call regarding the date she could make it to my house. I'm worried... anxious... dunno what to expect as she has another job in Jan itself. She went for holiday oredy and she said she will call me as soon as the Jan-lady give her a call. This week is the 2nd week oredy, still no news. Feel like calling her but I dun want to make it too forceful since she already decided 60% on doing my job. Now the thing is I just have to wait patiently... but until when??? Dear Lord, please help me to get through this rough patch soon... I think I might get depressed by just arranging for a confinement lady for my baby & me. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Eightly, decided to ignore the nosy-neighbour who always likes to poke her nose to other ppl's business (same for the her husband both very naive & busybody people). She make it sounds like she wanted to help you when you are in trouble but the actual fact is she just like to see you in trouble. Well, I just have one word for these kind of people - selfish b****!

Ninethly, was very unlucky that day coz I bumped into "broom-star's evil kid" and his slutty gf on my way to the toilet. Thank God that I managed to keep myself together and ignored the son-of-the-b****! And, when I was in the toilet (where normally will be well equipped with toilet papers) ran out of toilet papers at that particular time!!! :O really a "broom-star kid"!!! This kind of people is best to be kept ignored when saw in public like when a person sees a crazy person. Who do he thinks he is by calling my name!! My name is not for u to call ass-h***!! This is soooo exasperating! Arrrggghh... Hahah... Luckily with God's power & strength, I managed to calm myself down & acted normal... I just pretend I didn't see him and walk pass him as if he is not there.. :D He thought I will still be like last time so innocet to be bullied again! If u don't respect your own big brother, don't expect me to talk to u!

Oh well, bygone is bygone! Don't want to waste my time and energy on these rubbish!!! Not worth it!

Back to my happy moments..... ^-^

Well, well... Last but not least, I would like to wish everyone A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS! May you have a wonderful time with your loved ones.

Baby Formula

Thank you sweetie hubby for the info below. It's certainly very informative. Hope all new / frist time mothers can benefit from the info below.

This week I just want to talk about the do’s and don’ts on baby formula feeding.

Do: Ask your doctor for help in choosing a baby formula. Many doctors prefer certain specific brands because they’ve seen patients use them with success over the years.

Do: Wash your hands. Washing your hands is the number one way to keep yourself and your baby germ free. Be especially cautious to wash up before preparing your little one's formula.

Do: Warm the bottle. Some children will drink cold or room temperature formula with ease, while others prefer it to be warm. Feel free to warm your child's formula by placing it under running hot water, or warming it in a cup of hot water.

Don’t: Use a microwave to heat the formula. Microwave doesn’t heat evenly and the formula can have “hot spots” which can seriously burn your baby.

Do: Wash your baby bottles. There are parents who do a quick rinse of a bottle and then refill them. This is not a good idea because your baby’s saliva can encourage bacteria growth in the bottle, which can get out of control and potentially make your baby ill. Do sterilize your baby’s bottles as often as possible.

Don’t: Use a towel to dry your baby bottles. Air drying is much more sanitary than a towel. You can find drying racks just for baby bottles, and they are usually very inexpensive.

Do: Prop up baby so that his or her head is higher than their stomach. Hold the bottle so that the nipple stays full of formula and not air, which can cause uncomfortable gas. It’s also best to keep your baby’s head up higher so that your baby doesn’t gulp too fast. Have a burp cloth ready and burp your baby every so often during the feeding so there is not a build up of gas.

Don’t: Prop your baby’s bottle up. You must hold your baby while he or she is eating, there is no alternative. Babies have died from propped bottles: The item used to prop the bottle can fall on baby’s face and suffocate them, or the bottle can unexpectedly leak and drown baby.

Do: Abide By Expiration Date. There is an expiration date on the formula's packaging for a reason. The nutritional values of expired formula may varies hence your baby may not be able to enjoy the desired nutritional values of the formula

Do: Store unused formula properly. Formula has different storage requirements than breast milk. To ensure that prepared formula stays fresh, put any unused bottles in the back of the refrigerator, toss it if it's been in the refrigerator more than 24 to 48 hours, and do not freeze bottles.

Don't: Feel bad about using formula. Doctor's have said that breast milk is best, but breastfeeding is not always an option for everyone. If you decided to give your child formula, try not to beat yourself up about it (I went through this phase as my breast milk was decreasing I had to result to giving Vicky formula). Making sure your child gets the proper food and nutrients to thrive is the most important thing.

Do: Measure accurately. Follow the directions on the label and measure accurately when preparing baby's formula. For powder mixtures, only use the scoop that is provided and level off the surface with a knife to ensure the measurement is accurate to the manufacturer's directions.

Use your feeding time to bond with your baby. Gaze into your baby’s eyes and smile. Sing to your baby. Make feeding times, happy times.We notice that since Vicky started consuming Morinaga BF Infant Formula, she is more active and is always alert to her environment.

If you want to know more about Morinaga, you can check out their Facebook Fan Page at http://www.facebook.com/MorinagaMilkMalaysia which is managed by the local distribution and marketing company -Oz Marketing Sdn Bhd (http://www.oz-marketing.com).

Feel free to ask them any question about their products by Facebook messaging them or event contacting them directly at http://oz-marketing.com/cms/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=59 (their Contact Us Website Page).

My Dear Cot

I never imagine buying a cot could be this tiring and long process!!! >_<' I thought I saw the one that I think suitable for both me and our bedroom (of course, it has to be safe for our baby to sleep on it) but it turns out, according the salesgirl the shop will have their annual sale next week. Of course, logically, me & hubby decided to wait till next week for their sale (why pay more when you can pay less for the same item?? hahah..). Then, the next week approaches and I found out that the cot which I want is not in the store anymore (!!??).

Hhmmpp... then we end up buying the stroller for our baby which is a good thing at least we settled another thing in our to-buy-item. YES! we finally decided which stroller to buy for our baby. Long ago, daddy already set his eyes and interests on the MaxiCo. & Quinny stroller. Unexpectedly, we got the colour that we like and at a discounted rate. No complaint for this ;-)

So now, back to our first problem which is the cot! We went to other shops to look for alternative and end-up nothing!!! :( At first we saw the Ikea baby cot in blue but it's out of stock at the moment and the stock only comes in late Jan next year according to the salesman.

Then we went to Mothercare and found a suitable ones, but the cot a littler small and may not fit in the mattress that we want to buy... Therefore, we go for another alternative, which the colour not exactly what I'm looking for but it seems that we are out of choice here. But it looks solid and the mattress does fit in, but the salesgirl said they hve no stock in the shop and have to pre-order form the warehouse which may take 2-3 weeks.

Hhhmmmpppp...... what should we do now??? It's already taking 3 days to settle this problem... heheh... I guess God wants us to learn how to be patient and learn to find the next best solutions. I really hope that we could find a suitable cot for our baby soon before I can't afford to walk that much.

Dear Almighty Lord, please guide us in making the right decision and please show us the light if we caught up in the dark while make our decisions. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

These are the cot which caught my attention. Which do you think suitable for me? Pictures from top to bottom: Playbead by Mothercare, Mammut by Ikea, Obaby Jessica by Mothercare, East coast Anna dropside by Mothercare and lastly, Sniglar by Ikea.

Luke Kwon

Korean celebrity couple Kwon Sang-woo and Son Tae-young welcome a new member in their family following the birth of their baby boy on February 6th, 2009. The birth was earlier than its schedule, actually. And yes, that is the name of Kwon Sang-woo and Son Tae-yeong’s new born son. Before, Son has just had a photoshoot, right when her tummy was still growing. She model for Instyle, followed by the picture in the magazine.

Actress Son Tae Young has given birth at a maternity hospital in Kangnam, Seoul on 6th February. It was reported that Son Tae Young had felt a series of sharp pain the day before and eventually gave birth to her newborn son through natural childbirth means at the local hospital, 3 weeks in advance of her estimated delivery date on 27th February.

According to the report, Son Tae Young and her newborn son are both in healthy conditions and have gone back home for recuperation. Someone related to Son Tae Young revealed during a phone interview with Newsen on the 7th, “Son Tae Young left the hospital shortly after giving birth and is currently resting at home. The usual procedure for a woman after giving birth is for her to stay in the hospital for a few days. But Son Tae Young said that there was nothing wrong with her health and expressed her desire to rest at home.”


Hope it's not too late to wish him and his wife - Congratulations on the arrival of your newborn son! :)

Week 31

Your baby's movements are probably changing - they may seem less frequent and less forceful because she's running out of room in your uterus and can't turn somersaults any more. Your baby can now move her head from side to side, her organs are continuing to mature and a layer of fat is being laid down beneath her skin.

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Have you noticed the muscles in your uterus tightening now and then? Many women feel these random contractions — called Braxton Hicks contractions — in the second half of pregnancy. Often lasting about 30 seconds, they're irregular, and at this point, they should be infrequent and painless. Frequent contractions, on the other hand — even those that don't hurt — may be a sign of preterm labor. Call your practitioner immediately if you have more than four contractions in an hour or any other signs of preterm labor: an increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge (if it becomes watery, mucus-like, or bloody — even if it's pink or just tinged with blood); abdominal pain or menstrual-like cramping; an increase in pressure in the pelvic area; or low back pain, especially if you didn't have it before.

You may have noticed some leaking of colostrum, or "premilk," from your breasts lately. If so, try tucking some nursing pads into your bra to protect your clothes. (And if not, it's certainly nothing to worry about; your breasts are making colostrum all the same, even if you don't see any.) If your current bra is too snug, you might also want to pick up a nursing bra. Choose a nursing bra at least one cup size bigger than you need now. When your milk comes in you'll be grateful for that extra room!

As your magical growing baby obstinately refuses to shrink or give back any real-estate in your belly, you can sit back, "relax," and take in the heartburn and increased lower back pain. If you choose, you can always eat less with each meal, and instead opt for smaller more frequent meals, this should help the heartburn. As for your poor back, get off your feet and elevate them above your heart, double-check the names list, and how many key baby-items you’ve already got in your registry. If you’re lucky, you might just make it in less than eight weeks! Hang in there wonder-mom, we believe in you!

Until your baby drops down into your pelvis (at about 37 weeks for first pregnancies and not until delivery if you've already had a baby), you may be feeling breathless, as though you can't get enough air. This happens because your uterus has grown so large it presses up against your diaphragm - the large flat muscle that aids breathing. Relaxing helps, so try to rest as much as possible. Resting can also help if your baby is measuring small for dates.

Is your bump giving you backache? Switch to low-heeled shoes if you haven't already and avoid heavy lifting, which puts a strain on your softened ligaments. You may be able to get a maternity corset or belt which supports your back and holds you in place - not sexy but helpful if you find getting around uncomfortable. A lot of women experience hip pain as pregnancy progresses and, in some women, the ligaments supporting the pelvis loosen so much that the joint that holds the pelvic bones together doesn't work properly. This condition is called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) and is very painful. Oh, the joys of pregnancy!

Staying Upright

Tue, Apr 21, 2009 (Reuters Health) — Sitting up, standing or walking around during the first stage of labor may help moms-to-be speed the process along, a research review suggests.

In an analysis of 21 studies involving more than 3,700 women, researchers found that the first stage of labor was one hour shorter, on average, when women were mobile or at least upright rather than lying down.

There was no evidence of adverse effects on mothers or newborns.

In developed countries, it is standard practice for women to go through labor in bed, making it easier for doctors and nurses to monitor the fetus and labor progression. Epidural pain relief and IV infusions can also limit women's ability to move.

But the current findings suggest that women can safely choose to move around during the first stage of labor -- the longest stage of childbirth, during which contractions gradually become stronger and occur closer together.

"Women should be encouraged to take up whatever position they find most comfortable in the first stage of labour," write Dr. ANNE Marie Lawrence, of the Tonsilla Hospital in Douglas, Australia, and her colleagues.

Lying down, the researchers note, puts the weight of the expanded uterus on abdominal blood vessels and may weaken a woman's contractions, which could in turn make the first stage of labor longer.

The findings are based on data from 21 clinical trials in which women were randomly assigned to recline or sit up, kneel, stand or walk around during the first stage of labor.

On average, women who were upright had a shorter first stage of labor, though there were no differences among the groups during the "pushing"stage. Women who spent time in upright positions were also somewhat less likely to have an epidural.

Future studies, Lawrence and her colleagues note, should look more closely at how childbirth positions affect the risk of complications, such as hemorrhage, and whether allowing women more freedom to move around improves their childbirth experience.-- Reuters

For more info on stages of labour, please go to: http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-stages-of-labor_177.bc

Winter is Here

Yup, it's feels like winter is in my room every night now.... :) My darling hubby just bought us a gift for our bedroom, a new ECO-Inspired DESIGN, Cool, Stylish, and Energy-Saving air-cond from Panasonic!!! :D According to the salesman, this is a new technology just introduced not long ago into the market. What "inverter" here means:

1. Quick Cooling: As soon as the Inverter air conditioner is switched on, it provides the exact amount of power needed to rapidly cool the room. This enables it to reach the set temperature about 1.5 times faster than non-Inverter models.

2. More Precise Temperature Control: An Inverter varies output power to enable more precise temperature adjustment. In comparison, a non-Inverter air conditioner controls the temperature by switching the compressor on and off. This results in temperature fluctuations, leading to uneven cooling. With an Inverter model, you’re assured a uniform room temperature for extra comfort.

Other benefits of this new Panasonic Inverter air-cond are:
i. Advanced e-ion Air Purifying System
- e-ions are shot out to catch dust and deactivate airborne bacteria and mould. The positively-charged e-ion filter attracts

ii. Newly-Designed Patrol Sensor
- The sensor’s colour changes depending on the level of dirt, providing easy-to-understand visual confirmation of operation status to put your mind at ease.

iii. Mild Dry Cooling
- Precise temperature control helps prevent a rapid decrease in room humidity while maintaining the set temperature. (*Maintains an RH* of up to 10% higher than regular cooling operation. *RH:Relative Humidity).
- Ideal when sleeping with the air condition on.

iv. Advance Powerful Mode
- Pressing the “Powerful” button cools the room quickly. It provides fast comfort, at full power with a strong airflow. This is perfect for use immediately after coming home, or when unexpected guests arrive.

v. Quiet Mode
- Simply press the “Quiet” button to reduce the indoor unit operating sound by about 3dB. This function is especially convenient for operation near a sleeping baby.

Week 30

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20).

How's your life changing:

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.

Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

Importance of Kegel exercises — tightening and holding the muscles around your vagina and urethra — can help prevent urinary incontinence now and after pregnancy. By strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder, Kegel exercises can help counteract the pressure of an enlarged uterus during pregnancy. As few as 30 Kegels a day can prevent urinary incontinence, according to Carolyn Sampselle, a professor of nursing at the University of Michigan. Get detailed instructions on how to do them:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_kegel-exercises_1154885.bc?scid=mbtw_preg30:599&pe=2UyCdrP

Also on information regarding ultrasound (together with video), pls go to:
http://www.babycenter.com/2_ultrasound-exam_3658842.bc?scid=momspreg_20091208:2&pe=2UyCdrP

Dark Eye Circles

Dark circles under the eyes can show up at any age, in both genders (although they're more common in women) and in different intensities. Their causes as are varied as the treatments available, but understanding the reasons for their appearance is essential for getting rid of them.

Heredity
Dark circles can be hereditary. An inherited trait is a lack of hydrochloric acid in your body, which can lead to difficulty digesting protein. This, in turn, can lead to light carbon deposits developing under the eyes--an area where the skin is thin enough to let things show through. You can treat such deficiencies by upping your intake of vitamin B6 and folic acid.

Medications
Medications that cause blood vessels to dilate can cause dark circles to appear. These include drugs prescribed for high blood pressure and heart conditions. Vasolidation can also result from the use--both internally or through direct exposure--of ethanol, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Viagra, Adenocard (i.e., an anti-arrhythmic) and tetrahydrocannabinol (i.e., a component of marijuana).

Medical Conditions
The two most common medical causes of dark circles are anemia and allergies. Anemia causes dark circles due to a lack of iron in the blood. This means less oxygen is available, so blood pools and darkens under the eyes. Allergies can also cause the eyes to itch, prompting scratching and damaging of the skin. They also cause swelling and reddening. Other medical conditions that can lead to dark circles are eczema, asthma, poor circulation, kidney disease and sinus infections.

Sleep Habits
A lack of sleep makes the skin look paler, causing circles to be more apparent. If you sleep on your stomach, fluids can accumulate in your face, leading to the appearance of dark circles. This is made worse by a lack of proper hydration and excessive salt or alcohol intake, which not only affect the amount of fluid in the body, but also affect the quality of your sleep. People who sleep too little, wake up throughout the night or need to modify their sleeping positions due to injury, pregnancy or other issues can acquire dark circles.

Age
As you get older, your skin gets thinner. Thus, the vessels under the eyes will be more visible. Aging skin is also prone to sagging, which makes the under-eye section more hollow and visible. This is especially noticeable in thinner people. Hormonal changes, including those brought about by pregnancy or menopause, can also lead to the thinning of the skin.


Treatement for Dark Eye Circles:

1. Include antioxidant and Vitamin K rich foods in your diet. Antioxidants help heal cell damage and repair damaged skin. Vitamin K helps with blood coagulation and circulation. Since both damaged skin and poor circulation can increase the appearance of dark circles, eating foods like broccoli, carrots, cabbage, spinach and strawberries can lighten the circles under your eyes.

2. Take a Vitamin K supplement or a multivitamin that includes Vitamin K. A daily vitamin can help to reduce overall skin discoloration. The daily recommended dosage of Vitamin K is 80mg for adult males and 65mg for adult females.

3. Purchase a moisturizing eye cream that contains Vitamin K. To successfully strengthen the capillary walls and reduce the visibility of blood vessels through the thin skin under your eye, Vitamin K-based eye products should contain at least 5 percent of the vitamin.

4. Eat food with rich vitamins and iron. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet.

5. Grate cucumber or potato and squeeze fresh juice out of gratings. Dip two cotton balls in it and keep these cotton balls on eyes. This relaxes eyes and relieves tiredness of eyes. Considered as the best remedy for under eye dark circles.

6. Drink plenty of water (more than 15 glasses).

7. Dip two cotton balls in rose water and place them on your eyes, covering dark circles.

8. Recent research from Hirosaki University in Japan shows that eating blackcurrants may be an effective way to treat under-eye circles. Dark under-eye circles occur when blood vessels under the eye are too close to the skin surface. When Japanese researchers gave thirty-one women black currants to eat, they noted significant improvement in the appearance of dark under eye circles. It's thought that black currants increase blood flow to the veins under the eye which causes them to expand - reducing the dark, shadowed effect that's seen as a circle.

Black currants are a rich source of anthocyanins, compounds that are believed to increase blood flow through small veins and capillaries. A previous study showed that the anthocyanins found in black currants increase blood flow to the retina in patients with glaucoma, so it isn't surprising that they could be an effective way to treat under eye circles. Anthocyanins are the purple and red pigments that give fruits and vegetables such as blueberries and eggplant their color. They're also strong antioxidants that are currently being studied for their anti-inflammatory effects and their potential to lower the risk of diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes.

9. Eat healthy foods and be sure to have a well-balanced diet. Health problems can usually be attributed to lack of vitamins and minerals in the body. If you are anemic or you lack vitamin B12, you may see dark circles under your eyes. Swelling, puffiness and dark circles are also associated to inadequate intake of vitamin K and antioxidant. Include fruits rich in vitamin C like orange, cranberry and strawberry to strengthen the skin by building collagen that makes it more elastic and resilient. It's important to eat fresh fruits and vegetables including lean meat because the body needs protein. Check the food pyramid so that you will be guided to have a healthy and a well-balanced diet.

10. Reduce your salt and sugar intake. Take note that too much salt causes your body to retain water in different areas. This could make your skin under the eyes looking dark blue and puffy. Excessive salt intake can also impair the circulation in the body that causes the blood vessels under the skin to appear dark blue. Sugar will not only give you weight problems but also dark circles. There is a study about the action of insulin which shows that sugar can also lead to skin problems by way of inflammatory responses and its effect on protein. Glycation is a process when glucose starts to connect with proteins and causes the proteins to bind together. If this happens then it can age the skin and the body prematurely and inflammation starts where it may lead to eye puffiness and dark circles.

11. Take vitamins A, E, K and B12. If you're so busy that you can't get enough vitamins through your regular diet then consider taking a daily supplement. Vitamin A can erase those dark circles under your eyes by repairing those damage skin tissues. Vitamin A is known for its anti-aging benefits for the skin. Vitamin E is important because it regulates Vitamin A in the body and is an antioxidant that protects the skin against the sun's ultra violet light. Vitamin K removes dark circles under eyes by healing the damaged capillaries and arteries beneath the skin and help regulate the blood circulation around the eyes to avoid clotting. Lack of Vitamin B12 can lead to anemia, which means your body does not produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. When this happens, it can make you feel weak and tired.

12. Yoga can also help you to get rid of dark circles. Do pranayam for atleast 5 minutes everyday.

13. Slurp this juice to get rid of those tainted circles. Drink tomato juice with some mint leaves, lemon juice and salt.

Week 29

After weeks of obsessively counting down to the arrival of my baby, I have to say I have finally reached the third trimester (!!!). ^_^' Let's see what to expect this week.... ~~

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Your baby's very active now. Your practitioner may ask you to spend some time each day counting kicks and will give you specific instructions on how to do this. Let her know if you ever notice a decrease in activity. You may need a nonstress test or biophysical profile to check on your baby's condition.

Some old friends — heartburn and constipation — may take center stage now. The pregnancy hormone progesterone relaxes smooth muscle tissue throughout your body, including your gastrointestinal tract. This relaxation, coupled with the crowding in your abdomen, slows digestion, which in turn can cause gas and heartburn — especially after a big meal — and contribute to constipation as well.

Your growing uterus may also be contributing to hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels in your rectal area are common during pregnancy and usually clear up in the weeks after giving birth. If they're itchy or painful, try soaking in a sitz bath or applying cold compresses medicated with witch hazel to the affected area. Also avoid sitting or standing for long stretches. Talk with your practitioner before using any over-the counter remedies during pregnancy, and let her know if you have any rectal bleeding. To prevent constipation, eat a high-fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and get some regular exercise.

Some women get something called "supine hypotensive syndrome" during pregnancy, where laying flat on your back causes a change in heart rate and blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy until you change position. You might note that you feel lightheaded if you stand up too quickly, too. To avoid "the spins" lie on your side rather than your back, and move slowly as you go from lying down to sitting and then standing.

The End of November

Yeahh... It's oready the end of November and we welcome the month of December, which is the last month of 2009(!!!). Gees.... time do fly by when we were the busiest.. ^_^" This morning when I turned on my PC, (the screen flash the calender DEC 1) it suddenly dawn on me that today was the 1st of December 2009! Gosh.... The date to my due date suddenly is getting closer and closer... *started to get panic* as I really duno what to expect during the labour process... @_@ **will it be really painful? can I handle the pain? should I opt for C-section? should I take epidural? Is my baby going to be born healthy and normal? etc etc...** All these questions started to flow in my mind(!!!).

How I wish I know all the answers now.... All the anxiousness started to kick-in and I was overwhlem.... At night while we were chatting in our bed (as usual), my dear hubby was suddenly feeling a little nervous as he realised that the BIG DAY is actually not far away (yeah... he reads bible & pregnancy guide book to me & dear baby every night)! His long awaited "DADDY's role" was not as far away as he thinks now... he suddenly unsure whether he was ready to assume the BIG role?... hahah... Both of us had a good laughs when we were nervous especially we will be expecting something special from the Al'mighty Lord -- the day to see our beloved baby... ^_^

So far, apart from the morning sickness, nausea, back pain, swelling, headache, migrane, sleepless night, leg pain, mood swing etc.etc... I have to say I enjoyed my pregnancy which the Lord has blessed me (and my hubby) with. We felt blessed and thankful to the Lord for the special gift and I pray that HE will continue to bless me and my dear hubby. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Excitment Begins

It's exactly one month to Christmas!!!!! Hurray!!!! :D I can't wait to see Santa and Roudolf! hohohohoo.... (I just felt like a little kid again). To tell you the truth, among all the festives celebrations I love X'mas the MOST! Can't exactly describe the feelings here but one thing for sure is it's a joyful & thankful celebrations. Most of the shopping malls (and some towns) will be decorated with x'mas ornaments to light up the occassion (even the non-christians are also celebrating it.. don't you think it's bazzar when they critised christian but they themselves also want to be part of the occassion???). You will not miss seeing these two colours for sure you will see when you walk around... the joyful red and the ever peaceful green colour! :) BTW, my hubby already started playing his x'mas songs in his car since last week! ^J^ He even bought one X'mas CD recently to play in his ipone.

Besides, today it's also a special day to celebrate my blog birthday -- the total of "150 POSTS" (for 3 years now) which I've entered & gathered onto this humble little column since 2007. What an achievement! XD Never thought that I would be so hardworking in updating my blog until today.... I'm still updating and typing away my thoughts on this tiny space of the World Wide Web. So, Happy 150 Birthday my dear blog! :) Wish that I could put up more updates in time to come especially after my dear baby is born. Wish me luck! :)

In addition, today is the day where the X'mas SALE begins in almost all of the shopping malls!!! :D shop! shop! shop! till you drop... hahah... This will be a good time for me and hubby to go hunting for our baby stuff.. XD So, to y'all out there (who is also eagerly waiting for the sale to begin like me), I wish y'all -- HAVE A HAPPY SHOPPING TRIP (nomatter where you are). Don't forget to watch your budget oOhh... ;-)

Happy spending and have a nice holidays!

Week 28

Your baby can now open his eyes and will turn his head towards the source of any continuous bright light. His fingernails are budding, and fat layers are beginning to form as he gets ready for life outside the womb. If you like the thought of interacting with your baby while he's still in the womb, then singing and reading to your baby is a good way to do it - but don't worry if you feel uncomfortable - it's not for everyone. Read more information on your baby's development this week.

There's not long to go now. The final trimester starts this week and lasts until the end of your pregnancy - usually week 40 or beyond. Most women gain an average of 5 kg/11 lb during this time. You may see your doctor more often from now on but you don't have to wait for an appointment if you want to discuss anything - just ring.

You're probably vacillating between two feelings: "I've been pregnant forever" and "Help, I'm not ready for this." Don't worry, you're not the only one. Swapping experiences with other women in your antenatal class can be reassuring. If you're having your baby in hospital, try to arrange a tour so you know what to expect. Your antenatal class may organise one or the hospital may have an open evening, so ring to check. You could also read some of our birth stories to help you prepare for the big day.

If you're a dad, you may be beginning to worry about having to watch your wife go through childbirth and wondering how helpful you'll be. Knowing the different stages of labour is a good place to start, then read up about labour partners to find out what you can do. Make sure you know what to expect if things don't go straightforwardly. Your baby may need help to be born so find out about assisted deliveries and caesarean section.

Getting Baby into Position for Birth

Normal position for baby

What's the best position for birth?
The best position for your baby to be in when you go into labour is head down, with the back of his head slightly towards the front of your tummy. In this position, he fits snugly into the curve of your pelvis and it's easy for him to move gently down during labour. When he gets to the bottom of your pelvis, he turns his head slightly so that the widest part of his head is in the widest part of your pelvis. The back of his head can then slip underneath your pubic bone and, as he is born, his face sweeps across the perineum, which is the tissue between the back of the vagina and your back passage.

Your doctor describes a baby who has the back of his head towards the front of his mother's abdomen as being in an ANTERIOR position. Labour is nearly always shorter and easier if the baby is anterior.

What's a posterior position?
Some babies go down into the pelvis with the back of their heads towards their mothers' spines. This is called a POSTERIOR position and it can lead to several things happening:
• Your waters are more likely to break at the beginning of labour.
• You have a lot of backache during and in between contractions.
• Labour is slower.
• You may need forceps or ventouse (a suction device) to help you give birth to your baby.

The close proximity between the baby's bony skull and your spine can be very uncomfortable, and you might well find that the best position to labour in is on all fours. In this position, your baby drops away from your spine, helping relieve the backache. When your baby gets to the bottom of your pelvis, he'll need to turn through 180 degrees to get into the best position for him to be born. This can take quite a while, or your baby may decide he's not going to turn at all! In this case, he will be born with his face looking up at you as he emerges. He might need forceps or ventouse to help him out.

Why are some babies posterior?
It seems women leading a modern lifestyle are much more likely to have posterior babies than women who work in traditional ways in the fields, or bending over their cooking pots. So lifestyle might be one cause of posterior babies. It's not difficult to understand why. When you are sitting in your car, or curled up on a comfortable armchair watching television, or working at a computer for many hours, your pelvis is tipped backwards. This is always true if you are in a position where your knees are raised above the level of your pelvis.

When your pelvis is tipped backwards, the heaviest part of your baby, which is the back of his head and his spine, will also tend to swing round to the back. So he ends up in a posterior position, lying against your spine. If you have a lifestyle which involves very little sitting and a lot of upright activities, your baby is far more likely to go down into your pelvis in an anterior position because your pelvis is always tipped forwards.

How to help your baby into an anterior position?
There is a lot of talk nowadays about how to get the baby to enter the pelvis in an anterior rather than a posterior position. This is called "optimal foetal positioning". You can encourage your baby to take up an anterior position by making sure that your knees are always lower than your hips:

• Sit on a cushion in your car to lift your bottom up.
• Check that your favourite chair doesn't make your bottom go down and your knees come up. • Take regular breaks and move around if your job involves a lot of sitting.
• Watch television on all fours for 10 minutes every day.
• Scrub all your floors and skirting boards - our grannies used to say that washing the kitchen floor was a good way of preparing for labour. And they were right! When you are on all fours, the back of your baby's head swings to the front of your abdomen.

Incidentally, you don't have to worry about getting your baby into a good position when you're in bed. When you're lying horizontally, your baby is not being pushed down into your pelvis. It's when you're upright that he'll enter the pelvis either in an anterior or a posterior position.
One study has shown that women who did hands and knees with slow pelvic rocking exercises from 37 weeks of pregnancy to the onset of labour did not have fewer babies in the posterior position. However, in this study women only tried positions to help the baby turn for 10 minutes twice a day, and the researchers only recorded the position of the baby at birth or just before delivery, if they needed rotating manually or instrumentally, and not the position at the start of labour.

Previously, a review of hands and knees position concluded that adopting this position for 10 minutes when the baby is in the lateral or posterior position does have short-term effects on the baby's position. More research is clearly needed, however, expert midwives such as Jean Sutton, are convinced through their long experience, that the mother's posture during late pregnancy does have an effect on the position of her baby.

Getting ready for labour
If you are expecting your first baby, you could try to adopt the lifestyle described in the previous section from around 35 weeks of pregnancy. This is when your baby sinks down into your pelvis, and this is the time to get his position right. If you are expecting your second baby, even though the baby won't engage in your pelvis until later, it's still wise to try to keep his back facing the front of your tummy from about 35 weeks.

Sometimes women have a lot of niggly pains for several days before labour really starts. These can be very exhausting. However, the pains might well be due to the fact that your baby is trying to turn from a posterior position into an anterior. The best way to cope is to try and get as much rest as possible during the night, and during the day to remain upright and active, leaning forwards during the pains. Eat and drink regularly to keep up your strength. And don't despair. Nature is getting your baby into the best position for birth.

How can I improve my baby's position during labour?
Women instinctively know how to labour if they are left to their own devices. However, giving birth in hospital sometimes means that it's hard to do what your body tells you because of lack of space in the delivery room or because you have to lie down for various procedures to be carried out.

Try to:
• remain upright for as long as possible
• avoid lying on the bed for any length of time
• lean forwards during your contractions
• ask your labour companion to massage your back
• rock your pelvis during contractions to help your baby turn as he passes through the pelvis
• avoid sitting in a chair or on a bed in a leaning back position.
• If you get very tired during labour, lie on your side as this still allows the pelvis to expand a bit to give your baby more space whilst you are resting.

Week 27

Now that you're approaching the final stage of pregnancy - your third trimester - your baby is really starting to grow and fill the available space in your uterus. She can now open and close her eyes, sleeps and wakes at regular intervals, and may suck a finger or thumb. Although they're still immature, your baby's lungs will function with some medical help, if she's born prematurely.

Your body is altering rapidly now: your uterus is up near your rib cage and if you're unlucky you may discover the delights of leg cramps, haemorrhoids or varicose veins. (If it's any consolation, they should disappear after the birth.) Labour really isn't far away so if you haven't already signed up for a childbirth class, then find out if there is a space available on a course now.

You're likely to have another antenatal appointment this week and you may have a blood test to check for pregnancy anaemia, a deficiency of red blood cells. Many pregnant women develop a mild case of the illness because of normal changes in the body. If your blood group is Rhesus-negative and you tested negative for Rh antibodies at an earlier appointment, you'll have a further test around now.

Believe it or not, studies have shown that a mum's breastfeeding success has a lot to do with her husband's attitude. If you're a new dad, it's time to bone up on breastfeeding basics so you can provide support after the baby's born. Your wife will need looking after in the first few weeks after the birth so be prepared to help out more around the house and at mealtimes, particularly if she has had a caesarean.