Introducing Tab, my ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10"

My awesome birthday-and-first-wedding-anniversary gift from my hubby!

Introducing Tab, my ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10", complete with its "house" - a Folio Key Bluetooth Sleeve-Keyboard!

More about the ASUS MeMO Pad Smart 10".

 

Here's how Tab looks like when the sleeve-keyboard is closed.

The only thing now is NOT to install Candy Crush in it. HAHAHA!

0

Affirmation for Easier, Comfortable Birthing by HypnoBirthing

Photo source

I put all fear aside as I prepare for the birth of my baby

I am relaxed and happy that my baby is finally coming to me

I am focused on a smooth, easy birth

I trust my body to know what to do, and I follow its lead

My body and my baby knows how to work together in harmony

My mind is relaxed; my body is relaxed

I feel confident; I feel safe; I feel secure

My muscles work in complete harmony to make birthing easier

I feel a natural tranquility flowing through my body

I relax as we move smoothly and easily through labor and birth

My cervix opens and allows my baby to ease downward

I fully relax and turn my birthing over to nature

I see my baby coming smoothly and easily from my womb

My baby's birth will be easy because I am so relaxed and confident

I breathe correctly and eliminate tension

As my labor advances, I go deeper within to my baby

My baby is correctly positioned for an easy birth

I see my breath filling a magnificent balloon

I work with my body

I turn my birthing over to my baby and my body

I am prepared to calmly meet whatever turn my birthing may take

My baby gently moves through the birth path in its journey

Each surge of my body brings my baby closer to me

I deepen my relaxation as I move further into labor

I am totally relaxed and at ease

As birthing advances, I go more deeply within to my baby

My body remains still, and limp

I meet each surge only with my breath, and my body is at ease

I release my birth over to my body and my baby

I bring myself into deeper relaxation as my birthing advances

I breathe up slowly with each surge of my body

I see my baby descending through tissues that are pink and healthy

My baby emerges and my blood vessels close to the appropriate degree

I put all fears aside and welcome my baby with happiness and joy

I eat right and take care of my body and my baby

My baby's size is perfect for my body

We birth easily

I'm teaching myself to go into instant relaxation when I choose to

I look forward to birthing with joy and ecstasy

(Marie Mongan, Rainbow Relaxation CD)

0

Bumpity bump - #rockinthebump

I have always wondered how do I look like with a baby bump. Now I know! :D

Hubby and I love this baby bump very, very much!

Dear little bub, papa and mama can't wait to see you soon!

#rockinthebump

6

My birthday dinner @ Paddington House of Pancakes, The Curve

Finally! I have been wanting to eat something at Paddington House of Pancakes for the longest time ever!

Classic Buckleberry

 Real blueberry pancakes with scrambled eggs, cream cheese, mushrooms, and beef bacon.

 

Served with maple syrup. The best syrup for pancakes!

 

I love the blob of cream cheese in my blueberry pancakes. I'm literally in cloud nine when I bite into these soft, fluffy pancakes stuffed with cream cheese and dripping with maple syrup! I think my baby agrees too!

I love the savory bits too - beef bacon, sauteed mushrooms, and scrambled eggs with chopped capsicums, tomatoes, and onions.

 

Brussels

Beef / chicken bacon, onions, mozzarella, sunny-side-up egg, and sliced avocados on a very thin Indian thosai-like pancake. Served with side salad, baked beans, and a special homemade dip.

Apple Infusion

A pitcher of apple and honey. Look at the amount of crushed apple! I have a good time munching 'em. Fiber intake of the day is fulfilled! :P

Eat your way around the world

Yes, indeed!

0

Dinner at The Bee, Publika

Chicken Avocado Salad

Good combination of tender chicken chunks served with homemade avocado salsa on a bed of fresh mesclun salad leaves and juicy tomato quarters.

Smokin' Texas Slaw Burger

Succulent homemade beef patty topped with a slice of smoked Cheddar cheese, smoked mayo coleslaw with tomato jam, and fresh salad leaves.

Medium rare

Medium rare beef patty is the best!

Check out The Bee's burgers range.

The Last Polka - Guinness and Nutella

Guess which one is my flavor?

Guess which is which?

Both are priced under The Last Polka's premium range ice cream. Not to say the cheapest homemade ice cream available but we don't mind having them once in a while.

A very good quote: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot

******************************

Happy Anniversary to my most favorite person in the universe - my hubby! Looking forward to many, many years of everything to come!

0

What is helping me with pregnancy gingivitis?

I'm a very lucky pregnant mama. :) 

Before I was pregnant, I have successfully managed my pre-pregnancy weight by going through a 3-month program called The Right Approach (TRA).

A year later and being pregnant now, I haven't put on any excessive weight at all.

Not only that, I also learn what is helping me with pregnancy gingivitis. 

Pregnancy gingivitis

Photo source

Before I was pregnant, I have sensitive teeth and my gums bleed every single time I brush my teeth but I thought, nah... it's not a big deal. I have bleeding gums for so long but I'm still alive.

To my horror, my dentist confirmed that I have some form of pregnancy gingivitis when I was 4 months pregnant. I was really worried.

Do you know what is pregnancy gingivitis? Pregnancy gingivitis affects anywhere from 50 to 70 percent of pregnant women, and those with the disease are 7 times more likely to go into preterm labor, preclampsia and have low-birth weight babies! Oh dear.....

Pregnant women experience increased sensitivity and puffiness of the gums. The explanation is that pregnancy causes an alteration in estrogen and progesterone levels. This interacts with plaque present in the mouth and the result is an exaggerated form of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

No.....

The fix!

I learn that professional dental cleanings done by my dentist twice during my pregnancy help to mitigate the risk.

But that is on the side of professional help. Actually, what you can do on your own which I found did help was frequent daily brushing (two times a day) and flossing. These tips somewhat reduce gum swelling, sensitivity, and so on.

One thing I learn later is that the right toothbrush is very important. What I start to use is Systema's 0.02mm toothbrush.

Systema 0.02mm toothbrush

Have you heard of Systema 0.02mm toothbrush? I believe you remember the “Systema” jingle from radio ads and TV commercials.

What's the big deal about 0.02mm Super Slim Bristles?

 

Three main points:

• Penetrates deeper along gum-lines and in-between teeth, i.e. the hardest to reach areas in the mouth
• 9x CLEANER
• Controlled pressure while brushing that leads to less stress on sensitive teeth and swelling gums

Why I love Systema 0.02mm toothbrush range

    

My gums don't bleed anymore when I brush my teeth nowadays! My pregnancy gingivitis is under control!

Find out more about Systema 0.02mm toothbrush range on their website. I particularly love their revolutionary Systema Sensitive 0.02mm!!!


******************************


Okay, lastly, let me share with you some of the oral care tips I learned.

1. Choose the RIGHT toothbrush. 

- Bristles: super slim bristle tip toothbrush to effectively remove plaque and impurities from your teeth and gums

- Head: preferably small-headed to reach all areas of your mouth and hard-to-reach back teeth

- Handle: one that suits your level of comfort when you are holding your toothbrush

2. Don't brush too hard or aggressively! Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably 2 minutes each time.

3. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months, or once they begin to wear out for effective cleaning and to prevent fungus and bacteria from developing on the bristles.

4. Visit your dentist every 6 months, unless your dentist suggests otherwise.

Facebook page

Learn more about Systema from their Facebook page: Keep Smiling.

2

Our 1-year anniversary wedding meme

1. Where/how did you meet?
At a gathering with mutual friends.

2. How long have you known each other?
3.5 years from the day we met.

3. How long after you met did you start dating?
About 1.5 months.

4. How long did you date before you were engaged?
About 2 years. Engagement blog post here.

5. How long was your engagement?
About 6 months.

6. How long have you been married?
1 year! :D

7. When is your wedding anniversary?
The month of June.

8. Where was your wedding?
We had a beautiful Wedding Mass at St. Ignatius Church, PJ on a beautiful Saturday morning, followed by a semi-garden wedding luncheon at Rahsia Restaurant, KL. One week later, we had our dinner reception for immediate family friends at Ocean Restaurant, Kuala Terengganu. Wedding blog post here.

9. Describe your wedding dress.
The dress was chosen by my hubby. :) Sweetheart neckline, corset-back, princess skirt fitted with a can-can.

10. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?
Sunflowers, yellow gerberas.

11. What are your wedding bands?
Simple gold bands. My engagement ring is an Irish Claddagh gold ring.

12. How many people were there in your bridal entourage?
My sister is my maid-of-honor, 4 bridesmaids, 1 best man, 2 groomsmen.

13. Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony?
No, I was hyperactive and couldn't stop smiling! My husband too!

14. What is the most special moment of your wedding day?
The moment Father Gerard announced, "By the solemn exchange of vows, Joyce and David have been united in Holy Matrimony. I announce to you that they are now husband and wife."

15. Any funny moments on your wedding day?
The decorative bouquet of bear and flowers flew of the car when we were driving.

16. Any big disasters on your wedding day?
Not on our side, but a few of our guests encountered problems with their car on their way to our wedding luncheon.

17. When and where did you go on your honeymoon?
The next day after the wedding. We went to Da Nang, Vietnam. Blog posts here.

18. How long was your honeymoon?
About a week.

19. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change?
Nothing, it was already perfect!

20. What's your greatest strength as a couple?
We engage one another in projects we take on, i.e. household-related tasks, baby stuff, business trips, outings, family trips, etc.

0

Interesting interactions with people who saw my baby bump

Photo source

Note: I'm a petite 1.49m pregnant mama with a small baby bump.

Friend: You're pregnant already? Didn't you just get married?

Me: -__- (feel like punching her in the face before answering)

******************************

Chinese mixed rice stall lady owner (bewildered look): Eh, you pregnant ah? I thought you're not married yet.
Me: *speechless*

******************************

Receptionist: Pregnant eh? Dah berapa bulan?

Me: 7 bulan.

Receptionist (looking at my belly): Amboi, comelnya!

******************************

Me (squatting down to get something from the floor).

Auntie: Look at her, she still can squat!

******************************

Friend: Do you vomit a lot during your pregnancy?

Me: No, not even once.

Friend: Whoa, so good! My colleague vomits until nothing to vomit so she vomits water and gas.

Me: O_O

******************************

Friend: How many months?

Me: 7 months.

Friend: Really? But so small!

Me: First pregnancy's bump is usually smaller.

******************************

Me: I'm giving birth in two months' time.

Friend: HAR!!! You are pregnant??? How come you didn't put on weight? My sister has put on so much weight! She's giving birth in October.

Me: Yeah, I didn't put on much weight. I did a healthy weight management program called TRA before I was pregnant. It helps preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

******************************

Me: I order food first ya. Hungry. Baby needs food.

Friend: I was trying to guess whether you're pregnant or not when you walked through the door just now. You don't look that pregnant at all! How did you manage that?

Me: I did a healthy weight management program called TRA before I was pregnant. It helps preventing excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

******************************

My latest look:

 

0

June 2013 is here!

June 2013 means a lot to me.

Our wedding anniversary.

My birthday.

Entering the third trimester.

Exciting!

Wish me luck!

0