Being pregnant is amazing. I don't know about you, but I enjoyed being pregnant (well, most of the time).
Hello, bump. Long time no see!
I mean, what's not to love? (besides stretch marks, of course). The pregnancy glow, eating for two (well, you need to put on weight!), the extra attentions, baby shopping, maternity shopping, the bosom you've always wanted (heh)...
....and knowing that you're carrying a new life inside of you!
I think it's important to have a happy pregnancy. I've read here that there's a correlation between a mother's emotional life while pregnant and the later personality of her child (my mom also said the same thing). Mothers who have less anxious pregnancies, whose babies were wanted and loved tend to have emotionally healthy children. Mothers who resented being pregnant and felt no attachment to their babies are more likely to have children with emotional problems. So it's important to bond with your baby from the very beginning - right from inside the womb.
Talk to your baby (I didn't do this tho, because it felt weird, like I'm talking to myself), read to your baby (now this, I did), recite Quran, play soothing music and Quran recitation, and ask your husband to talk to your baby too. Sometimes babies respond by kicking and moving around. Such a precious moment!
Eating healthy food is also another way to bond because you're sharing food with your baby! The nutrients will be absorbed and passed on to your baby to support her healthy growth so make sure you eat right and take your vitamins and supplements. But if you have a poor digestion, you may not be absorbing all the nutrients that your baby needs.
The New Anmum Materna with Probio DR10 and Prebiotic helps to support a good digestive system for better nutrients absorption. Probio DR10 is a type of probiotic originated from yogurt and they are the good bacterias that provide us with digestive system benefits.
Prebiotic, on the other hand, is "food" for Probiotics, which supports their growth. Prebiotic, like Inulin in Anmum Materna is originated from plant, which is also a source of dietary fibre. 2 glasses of Anmum Materna is loaded with 100% folate, gangliosides + DHA, calcium and iron to support your baby's development and your well being.
Not only Anmum Materna is good for pregnant women, it's also suitable for women who are planning to get pregnant. You only need 2 glasses of Anmum Materna a day to get the important nutrients to prepare your body for pregnancy.
When I first got the invitation to Trudy & Teddy's first boutique opening, I was puzzled. First boutique? But I thought they have like several outlets already....
And then I realized something. Boutique - as in their own store! Not in department stores like all these whiles. How awesome!
I couldn't wait to see the interior of the boutique. I imagined there'll be lots of cream and pastel colors and wallpapers. Something classic European, just like their line of clothing.
I was right.
I fell in love with their boutique, the moment I stepped inside. It's so nice! I love the deco, the ambiance, the choice of colors, everything. Feels like a high-end boutique. The sales assistants even wear aprons! If I didn't know Trudy & Teddy brand and I happened to pass by the boutique for the first time, I would think it's a really expensive brands for children. And I wouldn't even think it's a local brand!
Me and my girls.
Did I mention that I went to this event with my girls and without my husband? That was the first time. And probably the last! Haha.
Some of their latest collection
And shoes!
My girls found a nice spot to sit
and cuddle
and make a new friend.
Of course there was a ribbon cutting ceremony. But this one if probably the cutest ribbon-cutting ceremony I've ever seen...
...because it was done by Trudy & Teddy's little ambassadors!
Drinks and appetizers were also served
Thank God Thara from Nuffnang was there. She babysat Raina for awhile while I did a little shopping (she bribed her with her necklace and bangles!).
With some of the mommy bloggers
(I'm wearing a Dorothy Perkins blouse and I don't like it. The black version is a lot nicer!)
Each of us received a door gift, which consists of a dress up story board book (with all the characters wearing Trudy & Teddy collection - how cute is that?), a bookmark for free gift redemption and RM50 cash voucher!
I redeemed the voucher straight away and got my girls these gorgeous dresses. The picture doesn't do it justice. They are more beautiful in person! Perfect for special occasions.
Trudy & Teddy boutique offers a spacious and relaxing shopping ambiance, with the most complete Trudy & Teddy's collection. They even have bedding sets for babycots!
Check out their one and only boutique (at least for now) at Lot 5.42.00, Level 5, Pavilion KL.
Hey moms and dads! (I don't know if there's any dad reading my blog, except for my husband. And my dad).
There will be a Mom & Baby Expo at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre this weekend, where you can get great deals on a lot of baby products - just like the previous expos. It's the perfect time to shop for your lil ones! If you haven't been to any of these expos, it'd be something like this.
My husband and I are planning to go to this expo just to stock up on MamyPoko diapers (and formula milk, kalau ada). Seriously, sila borong banyak-banyak because the price is the cheapest you can get!
MamyPoko NB and S Jumbo Pack: RM28 each
MamyPoko M, L, XL and XXL Jumbo Pack: 2 for RM66
MamyPoko Extra Soft Fit Regular Pack: RM18 each
MamyPoko Extra Soft Fit
MamyPoko Gentle Cleansing Wipes (2x80pcs pack or 4x20pcs pack): RM10 per pack
I love watching my girls sleep. I even have a special folder in my computer just for their sleeping pics. Can you imagine how many sleeping photos of my girls I have in that folder ever since they were born? Hundreds!
Here are some of my favorites.
There's just something so innocent... so angelic.... so peaceful about a sleeping baby - especially your own. When my girls are asleep, I'd go awwhhh, kiss them all over their faces, snap a pic or two (or three), then continue staring at them before I fall asleep. That moment, right there is just perfect. They are perfect, even tho they just scribbled my iPhone with a red crayon earlier. You don't want anything to ruin their sleep, especially a soaking wet diaper. No!
Babies need to sleep well to grow healthy and happy. Wet diaper is one of the main causes of night awakenings. You cannot avoid your baby from wetting her diaper, especially at night, but you can help to prevent wet, leaky diapers from waking her up by choosing the best one.
You know that I only trust MamyPoko brand when it comes to my girls' diapers. Now MamyPoko comes with a new tape diaper - MamyPoko with Stripes Pad.
The new packaging
Here's a comparison of the old (left) and the new (right) MamyPoko M size tape diaper.
Notice the size of the new one is slightly slimmer? It's also thinner compared to the old one but it's actually improved with natural cotton-like breathable cover for better breathability. This helps to release heat and moisture trapped in the diaper quickly to prevent rashes and irritation.
Old (left) vs. new (right) MamyPoko tape diaper.
If you look closely, you'd notice that the new one has stripes in the center. That's the stripes pad sheet. It quickly absorbs and locks urine in for a much faster dryness, because a wet diaper can be very uncomfortable for babies and could wake her up from her peaceful sleep.
When putting on your baby's diaper, make sure to pull the leakage guards upright. Don't pull them outwards because you don't want "anything" inside the diaper to leak! Adjust the tape to fit your baby's body. Here's a tip: if there are red marks around your baby's legs, that means the diaper is too tight. Allow 1-2 finger space around the waist for a comfy fit.
My baby can sleep at night in the new MamyPoko with Stripes Pad diaper for up to 12 hours without leaking - sometimes even more! It keeps her dry and she's able to sleep the whole night through. Makes me haaaaappy!
I remembered the first time I heard of Olympic Games (and actually watched the games) was in 1992, when I was 9 years old. My family lived in the UK at that time and the school I went to organized a lot of activities that were related to the Olympic games. Everyone seemed excited about the game - we learned about Olympic in one of the subjects in school. Heck, we even learned Greek language (or was it the alphabets or something) because the Olympic Games originated there (don't ask me anything in Greek tho - I have totally forgotten about it)!
It was hard not to get involved with the games at that time (and by "involved", I mean, watched the games). My favorite Olympic sports is of course the gymnastics, particularly the Rhythmic Gymnastics. I just love watching how graceful and very flexible the contestants were. And not to mention, their pretty and colorful outfits!
My favorite gymnastics apparatus would be the ribbon. Didn't everyone pretend to be a ribbon-twirling gymnast when they were a kid? I know I did! And I bet my little girl would do the same if she ever watches it.
Anyway, as you all know, the next Olympic Games will be held in London, in just a few months from now. Hmm.... London. I've always loved London. It's one of my favorite cities in the world. I've been there for only a few times in my life and would really love to go there again.
At London Tower Bridge in 1988 (I was 5 years old, the one in red coat)
Trafalgar Square in 1992
(I was 9 years old, the one in green and yellow color-blocked outfit ;p)
MSD London in 2006. The only pic I could find!
Anyway... Samsung is having a contest where you could become a Samsung Global Blogger and get the chance to come to London during the Olympic Games (watch this Jamie Oliver video below).
All you need to do is submit a 30-second video in English of you telling them why you would be great at hunting out the best stories London has to tell during The Olympics. The deadline for the audition videos is 29th April, so if you think you have what it takes to be a Samsung Global Blogger, don't miss it!
Last Monday was not like any other Mondays. It almost felt like the weekend.
Ayra's school made a trip to Kidzania and those who didn't join the trip get to stay at home. Ayra didn't join the trip because we wanted to take her there ourselves (plus, we've already been to Kidzania in Jakarta end of last year), so we went out for a little shopping and then I took my girls to Kid's e World at The Gardens.
The place is quite new and since it was on a Monday, there were not many people. My girls had so much fun. Heck, even I had fun playing on the slides and whatnot too!
Then later that night, we went to Pavilion for a pizza session with the Pizza Hut clans. You know, the usual. Vivy, Wei Zhi, Hanis Zalikha, KY, BeautifulNara, Cheesie, RedMummy, Audrey, etc.
Pizza Hut always come up with a new pizza on their menu every now and then. That's what I like about them because I like to try something new (only applies to food tho).
Their newest pizza is the Triple Chicken Sensation Pizza.
Triple chicken: chicken loaf, chicken salami and chicken floss!
This is not a tomato-based pizza, which I love! I am more of a rich-creamy-food person so I like the mayo sauce on this. It has a little bit of creaminess, sweetness, loads of chicken and a little nuttiness from the toasted sesame seeds. It's yummy!
Of course we didn't just have the pizza. These Pizza Hut people are so generous, they just served us everything we want. "Order la apa-apa kalau nak". Habislah kalau pelahap ^_^
Triple Sensation Platter
Hut's Platter
Everyone ordered at least 2 drinks -
I had Iced Lemon Tea and my favorite Strawberry Rave Yoghurt Smoothie.
I sat in front of these adik-adik manis.
HOW do they stay so slim eventho they eat a lot? It's not fair!
This is Hanis Zalikha's lil sister
The new mommy (BeautifulNara's wifey) with her lil bundle of joy.
The last time we met, she was just a few months pregnant!
Watching the TVC while chomping on our food
Ehem. Look who's taller! *hides feet*
Wei Zhi just started online business, The Patbingsu, selling clothes and accessories from Korea.
I'm actually wearing one from her collection - the Toni blouse. Love it!
Group photo
If you want to score yourself vouchers to try their new Triple Chicken Pizza, leave a comment on what is your favourite Pizza Hut moment and the best 5 answers win! (don't forget to leave your email).
This is Raina, when she was just a few months old.
I really miss that stage. She was a calm and easy baby - no cry, no fuss. As long as she has her fingers to suck on, she'd be at ease.
Raina, now at 1.5 years old. I know, right - time flies so fast!
Just like any other toddlers, Raina is quite a handful. Biasalah budak dah dapat kaki, mana boleh duduk diam. She is too busy playing and exploring everything!
Walking is one of the biggest milestones for babies. I remember Raina had her very first step when she was around 10 months old. It was so exciting! But it also means, dia semakin lasak. It's good that toddlers are active (even tho they can really test your patience sometimes!) because it's their way of learning about themselves and the world around them. The best thing we as parents can do is to keep an eye on them and provide a safe environment for them to explore. Wearing comfortable clothes is a plus too. No wait - wearing appropriate and comfortable clothes is actually important. And so is a good diaper!
I never thought a good diaper was really that important, until that day (about 2 years ago) when we decided to try a different brand of diaper. I won't mention the brand name here, but my God, it leaked so easily! Tak sampai 2 jam dah leaking habis. One time, Ayra was playing in the living room while I was in the kitchen and suddenly she came to me running and crying, showing something on her hand. It was her poop and it was everywhere! No, she didn't play with her poop (dia penggeli semua benda eew and yucky). Her diaper leaked! The floor, sofa and her toys semua kena. It was so frustrating and not to mention, stressful because I hate cleaning up! We knew we had to switch back to MamyPoko and ever since that day, we've never looked at any other brands. True story.
MamyPoko is, hands down, the best disposable diaper in terms of comfort and absorbency. It can last for hourssss without leaking. Trust me. And it's even better now that it comes with a stretchy waistband - the MamyPoko Pants Extra Soft Fit. Recommended especially for babies that have started crawling coz you don't have to wrestle with wriggly babies during diaper time anymore.
Sizes L and XL: Blue for boys, pink for girls
The MamyPoko Pants Extra Soft Fit contains Power Slim Absorbency Core with different absorbency focus, designed to suit boys' and girls' unique body shapes for better absorbency.
The cute Winnie the Pooh prints at the front and back are a plus!
My kids' going out essentials. No more big and bulky baby bag!