Thursday, August 31, 2006

Happy 49th Merdeka Day!

Happy Merdeka Day!

It's a perfect day today. No sun no rain. Just nice. Agnes still sleeping in her bed while I'm blogging here. I also on the television to witness or 'listen' to the grand Merdeka celebration at Padang Merdeka.

This morning, there is a charity sale organised at salvation army, Ban Hock Road and bappy's company, Great Vision Associates Sdn Bhd, has set up a charity stall there. So, bappy goes to help out his team early in the morning at 6.30am.

My parents in law also go to the charity sale to buy some food with 2 charity coupons they have, 2 * RM10 per coupon. They bought 2 packets of 'lui cha', 1 small container of chicken curry, 1 packet of 'yong tofu' and 1 packet of fried kueh tiaw. They didn't see bappy there as too crowded.

- chicken curry, RM5 -


- yong tofu, RM5 -

- fried kueh tiaw, RM5 -


- lui cha, RM5 -

Okay, Agnes wakes up now... waiting for me to serve and entertain her... :D

B! let's breakfast!

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

wear mine ...

Eversince I'm pregnant, I start 'brainwash' my agnes to accept and love her future brother or sister with hope they will love each other. Yea, this is what all mothers' hope lar.

Yesterday night ...

mummy: B, baby 出来没有衣穿,怎么办? (translate: B, baby doesn't have any clothes to wear when the baby is borned, how?)

*without any consideration, she answered me ...

agnes: 穿我的. (translate: wear mine)

WAH!!! I impressed with her quick reply. I feel touched indeed...

I hope when the time comes, she will generous enough to share her everything with her future sibling and love the baby. Oh.. I love them both! :)

the day before 49th merdeka

This year, Kuching set to host 49th National Day grand parade and celebrations. This is the second time Sarawak is hosting the national- level Merdeka celebrations. The first was in 1993. I'm not sure people around me is more in Merdeka mood or holiday mood. :D But I'm more in holiday mood. Haha...

..::..::.. the day before merdeka day ..::..::..

Rain showers early in the morning...

many cars on the road...

many roads blocked for Merdeka parade rehearsal ...

sad fact to tell - I'm in office...

I'm wondering what can I do at home tomorrow... watching tv with agnes? nah... TV1, 2, 3 and even NTV7 will show the celebrations at Padang Merdeka. Boring ley.. :P.. arrghh... better think of something fun to do tomorrow... else I will be buzzed by my agnes till crazy..

Wondering if the next day after Merdeka Day is public holiday for Kuching? Haha... rumours only... they say everyone will be exhausted after celebrating 49th Merdeka whole day and have no spirit or energy to work next day wor...

Kuching hotels is FULL! FULL of People! People!!!

wondering which hotels those VIPs like King, PM and ministers stays? where hor? I feel want to see them in person but is impossible for me. I'm not allowed to join the crowed. Dangerous for a preggie mah.

On the stroke of midnight, Abdullah will lead the people in shouting 'Merdeka' seven times while a fireworks display lights up the sky. So, agnes and I will stay late to witness the beauty of the fireworks from home. How lucky! Don't need to squeeze in the smelly hot crowd mah...

Sigh, why I'm in office? To surf internet. Shhh...

Happy Merdeka Day to Malaysian!

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

'two tigers'

Agnes had her lunch with her friends in school today. She usually take her lunch at home but today I have something on in office. Yea yea, something going on and I fetched her after lunch.

On the way home...

mummy: have your lunch with your friends just now?

agnes nodded her head with smile.

mummy: happy or not?

agnes: happy.

mummy: you full?

agnes: full ar. I'm full. Cannot eat anymore.

mummy: oh... what did you eat?

agnes: soup soup... fan fan (translate: rice), #$%#&%$ (I dunno wat she say) and 两只老虎 (translate: two tigers.)

HUH?! what ?! agnes eat two tigers?!! nah... hahaha!! actually I found out what 'two tigers' means few weeks ago... and I find it is funny...

for her, 'two tigers' is ... ...

- tofu -

Why tofu = two tigers? I think she confused between the two words, tofu and two tigers.

Tofu in mandarin, 'dou fu', and tigers in mandarin 'lau hu'. The 'fu' and 'hu' sounds similar to her. But why two tigers? This is because she sings a chinese children song called 'two tigers' 两只老虎. So, she only knows 两只老虎(two tigers) but not 老虎(tiger). She keep forgetting how to name this tofu and always give me the wrong name - 'two tigers'. Silly gal huh?

For those who don't know what tofu is. Let me briefly explain what is tofu to you. Tofu is made of soybean curd. It is cholesterol free and it is also high in healthy protein. Normally we fried them or cook them in soup.


handcrafts fun

Last Sunday morning, we bought some easy handcrafts for our agnes from a superstore called SuperSave located at Tabuan Jaya. The handcrafts are sold in folders and categorized according to different group of children. Each folder has 10 different cards. We don't need glue or scissors for these handcrafts. So, it is quite safe and easy activity for very young kids like agnes.
So, we start with these 3 cards.

- the handcrafts cards -

agnes teared the objects from the cards and I helped her to fold the crafts. Agnes found a lot of joy in the progress as these are very new to her.

-agnes having lotsa fun-

The following are the final crafts we made. They are very interesting to agnes.

- paper 'cai shen ye' (God of $) -


- paper bee -


- paper dinasour -

After finish folding the crafts, agnes busy take some pictures of them. I can see she is very happy and proud to take picture of her own handcrafts. Think she has learnt something from her mummy - busy taking pictures on everything and everywhere! Haha! I gonna show her funny pictures she took next time. :)

Monday, August 28, 2006

she wants me to stay with her

Just before sleep ... ...

agnes: ah mah, good night.

ah mah: oh, good night good night.

agnes: ah gong, good night.

ah gong: oh... good night.

agnes: bappy, good night.

bappy: good night, dear dear.

after Agnes greeted everyone good night, we went to the bedroom together and ready to sleep ...

mummy: B, good night. *hehe... I purposely say good night to her, I know she don't like I say good night to her

agnes: no... no... *with smiling face

mummy: ??? why? It's late and you have to sleep now. Good night. *I know the reason she say 'no no'... I just pretend 'I don't know'

agnes: I want mummy.

mummy: mummy is here ... don't afraid. Good night, dear.

agnes: no.. no.. I want mummy.

mummy: oh, ong ong liaw (translate: sleep now) good night. *I say good night again... haha

agnes: I want mummy. no no good night.

mummy: ... ... *pretend to zzzZZZ

so agnes sleeps tightly next to me, worrying mummy will leave her alone.

as usual, agnes only say good night to everyone except to her MUMMY.

For her, if we say good night to each other, mummy will leave her in bed alone and stay in the living room with bappy, ah gong and ah mah. She just want me to stay with her until she sleeps. That's why she doesn't say good night to me and she doesn't like me to say good night to her. Oh B... B...

Saturday, August 26, 2006

our home

- hand in hand -

This is my 3-year-old agnes' lovely hand on top of my hand on the left and her bappy's hand on the right in the picture. Yes! I finally took this wonderful pic for my diary. This picture will be my one of the most important 'souvenier' from a 3 year old agnes. Agnes is growing up every day and I won't see her small hand when I'm old.

Agnes, (if you happen to see mummy's pic here) this is your little hand in mummy's and bappy's hands when you are 3 years old.

and remember our home in our heart ...

- our happy home in our heart -

Mummy's finger on the left and bappy's finger on the right are the roofs while agnes's finger will be the pillar of our home. Sounds familiar for some of you? Hehe... copycat the idea from a hongkong series. For me, it is a sweet idea to tell us that each member in the family is very important to build a happy home. Parents will be the 'roof' for their children while children will get protection and love from their parents and give support to the 'roof' as they grow up.

Friday, August 25, 2006

don't urge lar

This morning, bappy already drove to work after finish his breakfast. B and I not yet finish our breakfast. We are ladies mah so slow slow lor. :P We listened to the radio and there is a radio advertisement sounds ... ...

radio operator A: 快点了,快迟到了! (translate: Quick, going to be late!)

mummy: B, 听到了没有,快迟到了。。。 (translate: B, do you hear that, going to be late!)

radio operator B: 现在几点,不要催啦! (translate: what time is it, don't urge lar!)

B: 不要催啦! (translate: don't urge lar!)

mummy: ... ...

B enjoy licking her sweet jam on the bread.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

I just want to have breakfast with you

Every morning, I brush my teeth, /flush (poo poo), hand wash 3 persons' clothes (B's school uniform, bappy's office wear and mine) , take a shower, dress up office wear, wake B up (the tedious part, sigh), take her to shower and dress her up tidily in her uniform, dry the clothes under the sun, tidy up the bedsheets and blankets and have breakfast with my darling hubby and B. Yea, that's all.

Today, I woke up at 6:40am. It's already late 10 minutes and it's a big deal for me. Because I might miss my sweet moment having breakfast with my hubby and B. It's 7.20am after washing the clothes and took the shower. I get abit frustrated and panic. 'I'm late! I'm late! B wake up~~~ ' When I entered the room, Bappy already took his shower and start dressing up. 'Argg!! He is so damn fast. Sien'. He looks at me with smiley face. 'I can see his mood is pretty today but I'm not ... because I'm late! '

bappy: Why you so panic? Still early...

me: It's late already. Look at the clock! I should have taking B to shower at this moment but I'm still here! *looking for my preggie dress in wardrobe

bappy: I take her to shower lor...

me: no lar... later you late to office... I will take her to shower... just help me wake her up now... *busy combing my long hair

bappy: why so rushing since you start work at 8:30am? want to catch time to blog har?

me: no ar... u don't know why I always 'racing with time' every morning ? *busy put on body lotion and B finally wake up after many callings for her name

bappy: ... ....

me: I just want to have breakfast with you. * I don't want to have a lonely cold breakfast :( Sien, he is not sensitive enough to understand me leh!

bappy: I wait for you lor...

me: but you will be late to office. I don't want to see you late for office... * of course I don't want he late lar... not good for his career

15 minutes later ... B and I ready for breakfast. Bappy ready the morning drinks and kolomee for us in dining room. Bappy also helped to dry some of the clothes under the sun for me. Thanks ling. Yes, I'm still on time to take breakfast with bappy after rush rush rush! Phew! I don't feel left behind and lonely as long as I have breakfast with him. Hehe. My mood turns pretty now.

This morning, I took 2 pieces of durians after finish kolomee! First time to take durian during breakfast in my life. So happy! But bappy never take durians before goes to office or meeting. He says he will burp* after taking durians wor. He doesn't want to torture his fellow colleagues in office with this 'killing' smell mah. But... I don't care lar since I have been moved to 'isolated island' temporary.

Yea yea, hubby bought some durians again at taxi stands yesterday night. His durian choosing skills really improved alot compare to few years back! yes, can see him getting old too. Haha. The durians he bought are fresh and smell nice. But, I can only take 2-3 pieces of durians only. No More! Sigh... how nice if I don't have this gestation diabetes hor. Then I can eat as much as I can. aiya.. I better stop dreaming lar.


Warning:
don't talk to me ... my mouth is very smelly today...
if you really want to talk to me, use your keyboard.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

birthday gifts for her

a birthday party

This year, we decided to arrange a small birthday party at play school for agnes to celebrate with her friends. :) We guess this will be the best birthday gift for her - a very wonderful birthday party. She will be very excited to have her friends and teachers sing her birthday song and celebrate with her on her big day. Wah... how great she can celebrate her birthday with her kiddy friends. She definitely finds many many joys in her birthday party today. That's called a true fun birthday party for her, at least to me if I were at her age. :D

We get her a yummy birthday cake and some snacks for the birthday party to share with her friends. Let's party!!!

Since she is so in love with a cartoon movie - Macagascar, so we get her this cake. Haha!

- a zoo'y cake for her party at school -

another birthday cake

- lovely cute cake from po po -

- a close up pic from the popo's cake -

eve, here you are... This is the close up pic from popo's cake that I could find. My brother help me take the pics. The middle of the cake is a blue big 3! And the green thingy you can see around the number 3 is trees. Cartoon characters? Erm.. only the 2 winnie the pooh that you can find on the cake. There is no small house neither dinasour. The cake looks very pretty, cute and simple. I love it.

2 little winnie the pooh

- winnie the pooh from popo's cake -

electronic keyboard for 3 year old kid?!

- an electronic keyboard from her popo -

WAH~~ It is not a toy keyboard. It's an electronic keyboard with many functions and sounds. Popo wants her to be a great musician when she grow up? Will it be too soon to start 'planting' her interest to music?... or.. there is never 'early' to learn something.. ?

When I look at the keyboard package box, I see this ...

- warning for parents -

Oh... oh... What should I do? what should I do? She has a 'monster' mouth. She loves to put anything into her mouth. Oh... If I let her play under my observation, I think you gonna hear my voice more and louder than the keyboard sounds ... 'No No No.... dear dear.. NOOOoo'

education fund

wua gong gave her 'ang pow' - pocket money. This will go to her 'dream' fund. That's great! Her dreams getting brighter.

2 juicy steamed drumsticks and 2 hard boiled eggs

- the warmest and sweetest gift from her ah mah! -

Her ah mah prepare her 2 juicy steamed chicken drumstick and 2 hard boiled eggs for her lunch. So yummy! Why 2 drumsticks and 2 eggs har? I think 2 is a nice number. She ate 1 and half eggs and I ate another half egg. I gave her some bites of drumsticks and the rest is mine. What what? I'm celebrating my annivesary of being a mother mah... so I also deserve it.

lovely red pouch

- little red pouch from her teacher -

She likes the pouch very much. It is a purse for her but she doesn't keep money inside. She keeps something she likes only. e.g. snacks! She insists to bring it out with her whenever she goes out.

a small sweet cake

- a sweet small cake from her bappy-

Bappy get her another small cake at night because her bappy and mummy not yet sing her birthday song with candle light cake mah! We had a happy moment with her yesterday night.

Happy birthday agnes!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Happy 3rd Birthday agnes!

happy birthday to you...
happy birthday to you...
happy birthday to tze tze...
happy birthday to you...

Today is her 3 year old birthday and is my anniversary day of being a mother .


-i wish... i wish to have a candle cake in front of me everyday -

tze tze,

mummy wish you have a birthday that's as wonderful as you are and love mummy more and more each day. Hahaha!

Monday, August 21, 2006

not mm (part 2)

We just having our 'battle' kind of lunch and we are going to my mum's house now.

mummy: B, next time you must eat your meal yourself, okay? don't let bappy feed you.

agnes: mm... *busy finding her pink watch from the drawer.

mummy: B, tell mummy you will eat your meal yourself.

agnes: mm... *get her watch and put it on her wrist.

mummy: B, do you understand or not? Tell mummy you will eat your meal yourself. B...

agnes: mm... *busy wear her watch on...

mummy: B, do you hear what mummy say? tell mummy you will eat your meal yourself

agnes: mm... *still busy wear her watch on her wrist herself...

mummy: B! not mm!. Quick! tell mummy you will eat your meal yourself, B!

agnes: mm... *ready to go!

mummy: B! NOT mm!

agnes: mm... *head to the car outside leaving mummy alone...

mummy: NOT Mmmmm!!! *mummy fainted...

not mm (part 1)

agnes: mummy, mummy, my pencil blunt. *showing me her colour pencil...

I was watching TV programme but I heard what she said. I answered without looking at her colour pencil

mummy: mm...

agnes: mummy, mummy, my pencil blunt already, cannot colour.

I take a quick glance at her colour pencil in her hand and I reply her...

mummy: mm... *and get back to watch my TV programme

agnes: Not mm!!

I didn't pay attention to what she say, but i know she said something to me so I just simply reply her...

mummy: mm... *again

agnes: mummy NOT mm!! *frustrated with angry face

mummy: oh oh...blunt already har. Mummy will fix for you later okay.

agnes: oh...

Saturday, August 19, 2006

la la la~~~

Yesterday night, when we were on the way home from my mum's house ... ...

mummy: bappy, B likes to sing me a song recently.

*Then I hummed abit to bappy... agnes turns shy and smile

bappy: B, sing bappy the song ... bappy want to listen your song leh..

*Then agnes turns to a shining singer in the car... and we all keep quiet and listen to her like her fans ...

Baby Finger, Baby Finger,
Where are(s) you? <-- she sing the 'are' as 'arsss'
Here I(m) am, here I(m) am, <-- she sing the 'I' as ' I'm '
How do you do?

Baby Finger,
Baby Finger, Where are(s) you?
Here I(m) am, here I(m) am,
How do you do?


* notice she sings the same lyric repeatedly...

Baby Finger, Baby Finger,
Where are(s) you?
Here I(m) am, here I(m) am,
How do you do?


Baby Finger, Baby Finger, *bappy: *whisper to me.. eh... the song never ends ar? *I just smile back at him
Where are(s) you?
Here I(m) am, here I(m) am,
How do you do?


Baby Finger, Baby Finger,
*bappy and I look at each other with smiley funny face... ... and Agnes still sing her song happily
Where are(s) you?
Here I(m) am, here I(m) am,
How do you do?


Baby Finger, Baby Finger,
Where are(s) you?
Here I(m) am, here I(m) am,
How do you do?

The car stops at traffic lights junction and bappy quickly claps his hands (intend to stop B from continue singing ) and praises her happily on her song. Agnes finally stops singing her cute song and we all feel happy that she sang the song for us. We feel very funny on the song she sang to us. She repeats the song without knowing tireness. Yea yea! Potential to be a singer. hahaha!

Agnes always sing me this song when I fetch her home from school or when I bathing her or when I try to put her sleep in the afternoon. As usual, I want to learn her song and sing with her. There is a time she noticed I cincai (anyhow) sing her song, then she teased me 'mummy dunno how to sing.' Of course I feel abit embarrased in front of her as I always want to be her super talent mummy for her mah...

As a shy mummy, I don't go for teachers to ask for the correct lyric. Haha! So, I went to google (internet search engine) to find the actual lyric of the song... I found this but not sure is the correct version. But I will try to sing this to her and see her expression to know if this the correct version of the song. You get what I mean? If she shows funny face when I sing this song, arrr... then I will know that's not the song she learned from her play school lor.

Tommy Thumb, Tommy Thumb
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?

Peter Pointer, Peter Pointer
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?


Toby Tall, Toby Tall
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?


Ruby Ring, Ruby Ring
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?

Baby Finger , Baby Finger
Where are you?
Here I am, here I am,
How do you do?

Finger Family, Finger Family
Where are you?
here we are, here we are,
How do you do?

Friday, August 18, 2006

chilli tomato pasta

-yummy chilli tomato pasta-

Last Sunday, bappy and I made a special yet simple dish for lunch. This is an simple pasta recipe that I love to make when I want something special but I don't really feel like cooking!


INGREDIENTS:


  1. canned tuna chilli tomato
  2. water
  3. dry spiral fusilli
  4. pork mince minced pork
  5. sliced button mushroom
  6. chopped garlic
  7. chopped onion
  8. 4 packets of cheese
  9. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to boil and add the spiral. Cook until al dente. Drain well. Return the pasta to the pot it was cooked in.
  2. Heat up the vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Stir fry the chopped onion and garlic for about 2 minutes.
  3. Then add pork mince and sliced button mushroom. Stir-fry for another 5 to 6 minutes.
  4. Add in tuna chilli tomato and add some water (If you prefer thick gravy, just add abit water). Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  5. After that, pour the gravy into the pot with pasta and add in the cheese. Stir and combine the mixture well.
  6. TADA! Ready to serve.

Yummy! Bappy and I enjoy the meal very much. I can't stop eating the pasta although I'm full after having 1 full big bowl. It's just simply nice to me. Agnes tried some of it but can't finish it because it's hot and spicy to her. Should try to use tomato sauce next time so that she can enjoy with us. Poor little her. Hm.. and I think the pasta would taste nicer if we have it with beef mince minced beef instead of pork mince minced pork. Wah.. miss that alot. Okay. I'll try next time.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

why no sweet food for me

FYI, I'm into 24 weeks preggie and so 'lucky' I have gestational diabetes. So, I cannot take sweet food. I must control my diet. I don't know why and how I got it. I have no family history of diabetes. I am not over age of 35 yet. I'm not a sweets or chocolate monster. So, why I got it?

What is gestational diabetes? It's a type of diabetes that occur during pregnancy only, which affect 2 -3% of pregnant women. See, told you I'm so lucky. My body is not able to produce enough insulin to break down sugar (glucose) to be used as energy. Without sufficient insulin the amount of sugar in the blood rises. Most often, gestational diabetes goes away after the baby is born.

Why my body cannot produce enough insulin during pregnancy? According to articles on internet, the placenta generates some kind of hormones to support the baby as the baby grows but it is believed that these hormones also block the action of the mother's insulin in her body. So, for mothers who have gestational diabetes, their pancreas works overtime to produce insulin, but the insulin does not lower the blood glucose levels. That's why my body always complain not enough insulin but in fact I have enough insulin, just that the hormones block my insulin action mah.

What is the effect of having high blood sugar? The baby will grow larger than normal size. Okay, let me explain according to my understanding from internet source. Insulin does not cross the placenta to the baby but glucose and other nutrients do. So extra blood glucose goes through the placenta, giving the baby high blood glucose levels. This causes the baby's little pancreas have to make extra insulin to get rid of the blood glucose. Poor little one, his/her pancrease has to start work hard in mummy's tummy. Since the baby is getting more energy than it needs to grow and develop, the extra energy is stored as FAT. So here you are, you get a fat baby. Larger baby may cause preggy mothers to have more difficult delivery or need a cesarean section.

After birth, baby may have a low blood sugar level. This is because the baby's pancreas makes extra insulin in response to the mother's high blood sugar levels. Shortly after birth, the baby may continue to make extra insulin even though high levels of blood sugar are no longer present. Sometimes babies are given an early feed of a sugar (glucose) solution through a drip to correct low blood sugar.

It also increased risk that the baby may have jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or congenital problems, such as a heart defect. An increased risk of the baby developing type II diabetes or being overweight later in life.

Sigh, that's why I cannot take sweet food lor. Currently, I'm quite busy taking regular blood tests to check my blood sugar level from time to time. These tests will let my super strict doctor know if my diet and exercise are keeping my blood sugar level normal. Since my blood sugar level still under acceptable level, so I don't need to take medicine to control my blood sugar level. Thank God! :)

As for my diet, I avoid eating foods that contain a lot of sugar, such as cake, cookies, candy, ice cream, chocolates or soft drinks. I eat foods that contain natural sugars, like fruits. However, my father tells me better avoid sweet fruits like oranges, bananas or cherries. Bappy says guava is the best fruit for me to take wor! Besides that, I also avoid taking much those high carbohydrate food like, fried mee, fried beehoon or fried rice.

Ya ya, my pregnancy journey sounds so boring with so many 'laws' and 'No No No'. What to do. But sometimes I'm naughty and steal 'some' chocolate from my dear friends sitting behind me. Err.. actually abit only lar. Don't worry.... :) Shhhh...

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Durian Durian Oh Durian

Yesterday night, we went to taxi stand to hunt for durians. :D Yea yea! It's durian season! We, including little Agnes, are durian lovers. She enjoy watching her bappy choosing durians at the stall. She sees and touches the durians with smiley face. Hm.. she wants to learn how to choose durian issit?? Haha. Finally, We bought 4 durians for RM10.

For my kuching friends info, the durian hawkers at taxi stands will be moved to Satok behind the Esso Petrol Station from 16 August 2006. The business time is 7pm till 12pm.

-For those who dunno what the durian is... Nah! This is how a durian look.-

When we reach home, Agnes can't wait to eat those durians. She started to carry one of the durian herself from the plastic bag and walk from the kitchen to the dining table. AH!!! This really scared me! I worry she will drop the durian and kenak her little pretty foot. So, can you see how much she crazy about durian?

This time, bappy's durian choosing skill improved alot. About 95% of the durian is fresh and nice to eat. Oh! You are super lar bappy! Bappy, Agnes and PIL enjoy the durian very much, especially the little Agnes. Everytime bappy open a durian, she sure say 'This is mine. I want to eat'. She even touches the durian meat with her fingers. Her way of reserving the fruit? I dunno. When her ah gong grab one piece of durian from the newly opened durian, she says "Ah gong, this is mine! this is mine"

I can't eat much sweet durians, poor me. I hope I can you know. The durian is soooo tempting. Okay.. okay. Let me explain to you why I cannot take sweet food in my next post ya.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

I'm proud of her...

My little 2-year-old Agnes likes to help me folding the dried clean clothes after the laundry. I never stop her helping me. At those time, she helps me = make more mess to me. However, I don't mind the mess she creates. I believe she will slowly take up the skill and learn to help me one day. Until recently, I find out her folding skill improved alot. Here's some pictures I manage to snap. :) It gotta be my very sweet memory.


-turn the clothes inside out first-

-turned and ready to fold-


-lie the clothes and fold in half-


-fold to another half. How tidy!-

Wah. She did it herself! :) Now, she can fold her little hanky, little towels, little shirts and little shorts. So proud of her.

Why Folic Acid?

My dear friend comes to me with few very basic and important questions and I think it is nice to jot down and share with you all here. :)

My Questions:

Eh moni,
Does your doctor ask you to take folic acid? or you take on your own?
You take it before or only when you are pregnant?
what is it for ler?

My Reply:

Eh friend,
I take on my own when I'm planning for a baby. Then after first time checkup, the doctor asks me to continue taking folic acid during pregnancy wor. For me, folic acid is important to increase the chance of having a healthy baby.

My Explaination:

First of all, I would like to briefly explain what is folic acid. Folic acid, sometimes called folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, orange juice, and enriched grains.

Folic acid is needed for the development of healthy red blood cells. Women who get enough folic acid daily before having baby and during early pregnancy will reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) by up to 70%. The baby's neural tube is completely formed by the fourth week of pregnancy - when many women have not even realised they are pregnant.

So, it is best to start taking folic acid supplements while preparing for pregnancy or as soon as a woman realises she is pregnant.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Deep Fried Pepper Anchovies

- My No.1 Snack-

Snack with a kick - and high calcium.

INGREDIENTS
  1. Anchovies
  2. Pepper to taste
  3. Cooking Oil for frying

DIRECTIONS
  1. Clean the anchovies by peeling off the heads and 'shit'.
  2. Rinse gently the anchovies for 2 times. This is to rinse off the dust and the extra salt on anchovies.
  3. Sprinkle with some pepper on the drained anchovies. Preheat the oven to 150 Celcius and bake the anchovies for 10 minutes.
  4. Heat the cooking oil until hot in a wok. Stir-fry the anchovies slowly over medium heat until golden brown.
  5. Drain the fried anchovies by putting them on the cooking tissue. Sprinkle with some pepper when it is still hot. You can sprinkle more pepper to it if you like hot stuff. :)~
  6. Ready to serve.


TIPS

  1. Fish bones rich in calcium. So, peel the 'shit' only and leave its bones in the body.
  2. The reason we bake before we fry the anchovies is to avoid oil spitting all over the place during frying and anchovies will be turned more crunchy this way. Trust me. :D


-peeled anchovies-

-rinsed anchovies and ready to bake-

Friday, August 11, 2006

antenatal class

To expecting parents,

There is a community health awareness and education program organised by Kuching Specialist Hospital. It is a special program to help you and your hubby to be more confident and ready to welcome your little one when it's time.

Date: 16th September 2006, 16th December 2006
Venue: Dewan Santubong, Level 1, Kuching Specialist Hospital

-PROGRAM-

01:30 PM Registration

02:00 PM How a Baby is Born

02:30 PM Pain Relief During Childbirth

02:50 PM Tea Break

03:05 PM Dealing with Common Baby Illness

03:35 PM Breastfeeding & Baby care Basics

04:00 PM Tour of Delivery Suite

04:15 PM Lucky Draw & Hands-on session on Baby care Basics

Notice the dates of the class are 16th September and 16th December. Choose any of the date that you are convenient to attend the class and of course before your EDD (Expected Delivery Date). The speaker is Dr. Philip Kho, the gynae of the Kuching Specialist Hospital.

I would say this program benefits those expecting mothers, especially for non-experience mothers. Experience mothers are welcomed to join and take it as your 'revision' class. Hehe. It is FREE admission and you are welcomed to bring your hubby along.

Those who interested please register yourself at clinic 12, Kuching Specialist Hospital. I'm not sure if you can register through phone calls. But you can give it a try. :)

Address:

Kuching Specialist Hospital

Lot 10420, Tabuan Stutong Commercial Centre,Jalan Setia Raja 93350 Kuching, Sarawak.Phone: 082-365777 Fax: 082-364666Email: kcsh@kcsh.kpjhealth.com.my

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Fish Oil Good or Bad?

Is it safe to take omega 3 fish oil supplements during pregnancy? Actually not all fish oil supplements suit for preggie mothers. Okay, my dear preggie friends, please be aware that there are 2 types of fish oil supplements -- those made from the liver of the fish and those made from the body of the fish.

Preggie mothers should avoid supplements made from the liver of the fish, such as cod liver oil because it contains the retinol form of Vitamin A, which can be harmful to a developing baby. As for fish oil that derived from the body of the fish contains lots of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

DHA, also known as omega 3 fatty acid is essential for your baby's normal brain, eye and vision development, especially during the last trimester. Some experts recommend eating two fish meals per week. Fish especially rich in omega 3 fatty acids include tinned or fresh mackerel, shark, swordfish, marlin, salmon, sardines and tuna. But there are reports saying fish from the sea can contain high levels of mercury. Developing children and preggie mothers are more sensitive to the mercury in fish. So, it is better for you to take a fish oil supplement if you want to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids without adding mercury to your body. Get your gynae to recommend you one or choose one formulated specially for pregnant mothers. Fish oil supplement is kind of main source of omega 3 for those are not a big fish eater or NOT a fish eater at all. :) So, you don't have to force yourself to eat fish you never like in your life. Haha.

Also, fish oil reduces the blood’s ability to clot, which makes it dangerous if you have uncontrolled hypertension, a clotting disorder, or you’re taking blood thinners. My sister-in-law actually advised me to stop taking fish oil supplements at least 2 months before my EDD. So, I suggest you to ask your gynae how far you can take fish oil supplements during your pregnancy if you are taking some now. :)

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

agnes' red fish

-lovely red fish by 2-year-old agnes-

wah! better security system...

Yesterday, the management has improved our company security system. Wah.. So fast! The management's slow-to-act practices briefly changed. The manager took quick charge on the situation. :) Okay, let me show you what have my management done for the office security system.

-before improvement, long shackle padlock is used on our metal door-



-Now, bigger padlock is used on our metal door-


That's it! That's the improvement we got. They have changed the long shackle padlock to a bigger padlock on the metal door. Can you see the difference or improvement on this? Yes yes, the padlock is different. And somemore the big padlock is believed to be a second-hand padlock. Not a new padlock. I believe they have switched the long shackle padlock with this bigger padlock somewhere. Very funny! How can they made such stupid decision after the robbery incident? To save money?! Arr... I have no comment here.. I have used to it liaw. Kiam siap management!

And here comes a new rule of the office. Starting from today's lunch time, the last person who leave the office will be responsible to lock the door and the grill together. No no, I will never be the last person to leave the office. No way.

So, this is the improved security system that I'm talking about. What do you expect? hahaha!