One of my favorite snacks during pregnancy, besides this yummy wholegrain cereal, is sandwiches. Egg, chicken, tuna - anything! I eat sandwiches almost everyday, either for lunch or in between lunch and dinner. It's so easy to make, and the best part is, it's healthy!


I'm gonna share with you one of my favorite sandwich recipes:


Poached Egg Sandwich

The ingredients:

2 slices of bread, toasted (I prefer wholemeal bread but I'm using white bread bcoz that's the only bread left)
1 egg
1/2 cup Vinegar
1 cup water
Salad - I use lettuce, that purple-colored veggie which I'm not sure what it's called, carrots, red capsicum, celery, cherry tomatoes and grapes (all chopped/thinly sliced)
Chili sauce
Mustard (it's a healthier alternative to mayonnaise bcoz it's lower in fat and calories)
Thousand Island dressing
Margarine


First, poach the egg. It's easy, really. Crack the egg and put it in a small bowl (make sure you don't break the yolk). Place the water and vinegar in a pan, and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiled, turn down the heat and pour the egg. The vinegar allows the egg white to congeal easily. Cook for about 3 minutes. Once it's cooked, lift the egg using a slotted spoon and put it aside.

Spread some margarine on one side of each bread. Layer the bread with salad, mustard, chili sauce, thousand island dressing and the poached egg the way you like it. I like mine to be salad, egg, salad. Here's how it looks like before placing the other slice of bread on top...

Yum!



Here's another sandwich I made for lunch the other day using avocado, chicken pistachio which I got from Mercato, cheese and boiled egg. I call it Double Decker Chicken Pistachio with Avocado Sandwich (it's a mouthful, I know).

I may be one of the minorities, but I loveeee avocados!

So I have decided to get the pink diaper bag that I have been eyeing for quite some time. It's not available here, that's why I had to get it when I had the chance!


Anyways, I decided to look for a diaper bag online since there aren't many choices here in Malaysia (plus, I'm new in this area). And boy are there so many!


Choosing one was easy bcoz I know what I want. I want:
a messenger bag so that it can be worn over the shoulder or hang on a stroller, easy-to-clean fabric, full-flap or zipper closure, not too big but spacious enough, have lots of pockets and compartments, simple and chic design, and most importantly nothing too handbag-looking nor cutesy-girly (even if I'm having a girl). In short, a functional yet fashionable diaper bag.


I googled for diaper bags, and found DiaperBags.com. That's where I started my own little research. There are a lot of designer brands for diaper bags to choose from (I never knew that before) and the best part is, they don't cost a bomb! Believe me. Most of the bags cost less than RM500.


The most fab designer diaper bag that I have come across so far is by Reese Li. Here are some of my favorites from the Lexington collection (there's a pacifier dangler on each bag. So cute!) :

There's also a matching Changing Clutch. Just how brilliant is that?


The only drawback of the Lexington bag is the flap closure. It's only in the middle, so it's quite open on both sides. Bag closure is one of my most important features to consider when buying bags, even handbags. I don't like the contents of my bag to be visible (and easily accessible) to others. It makes me feel bare and insecure. But even if it has full-flap or zipper closure, I won't be able to get it bcoz they only ship within the US, and the nearest Reese Li store from Malaysia is not even in Asia. It's in... Norway. I don't have any friends/family in Norway.


So I had to look for other brands...


...and came across this Grey Dot Messenger bag from OiOi! It's perfect; just what I was looking for. It's chic alright, and my husband wouldn't mind carrying it bcoz the exterior is not too pink and girly. The interior, trim and accessories are pink in color btw.

This bag also comes in blue and green lining.

I managed to get the bag with the help of my friend who is currently in Singapore. She's a total life saver! I don't mind if my baby turns out to be a boy, I can use it for myself! It can be used as a gym bag, too. Well, I am planning to take up a gym (yoga) class with my sister. Isn't that right, Wani? I'm just not sure when. And where. But that's not the case here ;p

How do I know if I'm having a baby boy or a baby girl, without having an ultrasound scan? My next checkup is in 2 weeks' time, but I can't wait that long! Plus, it's not 100% confirmed that the baby's sex will be revealed by then. I need to know ASAP. Like, now. I need to decide which color of diaper bag to get. I know it's still early. But it's now or never.


Some of you say, it might be a girl. Some say it's a boy. Here's some clearer info that might just help with the prediction:


1) During the 1st trimester, I craved for spicy food. Like reaaally spicy - cili padi spicy.
2) Now in my 2nd trimester, most of my cravings are of seafood - shrimps, crabs and scallops especially.
3) I love lemonade/lime juice. And watermelon juice.
4) I'm starting to have lotsss of pimples on my face. It's the worst ever! I look (and feel) horrible.
5) Currently, my favorite ice-cream flavor is Strawberry. Before pregnant it was Chocolate.
6) I love veggies!
7) I love chicken too. I used to be a fussy chicken-eater (breasts only), tapi skarang semua saya tibai! Kulit, lemak, etc etc. Especially if it's fried chicken.
8) I don't like burgers.
9) I don't really crave for chocolates. The only chocolate I crave for is the M&S Digestive Biscuits.
10) I don't have mood swings. Not even during the early days.
11) I'm so lazy to dress up, do my make-up and even shampoo my hair. Semua dilakukan secara paksa-rela.
12) I had morning sickness during early pregnancy (at week 8 until about week 14), but it wasn't really severe.
13) Now I don't have morning sickness anymore, but I have headaches (pounding head, more like). Like every day, especially masa baru bangun tido.


I think that's about it. I know predicting baby's sex by food cravings and whatnot might be an old wives' tale, but who knows.


Orrr...


Should I just get the color that I like (pink, of course)? After all, I am the one who's gonna wear the bag; not the baby!


What do you think?




**UPDATED!**




14) I love eggs!


Anyway, I found some articles on how to predict the sex of your baby on iVillage.com! Let's see.. (this is gonna be a loooooong entry!)

It's a boy if:

• You didn't experience morning sickness in early pregnancy. (no, I did)
• Your baby's heart rate is less than 140 beats per minute. (not sure)
• You are carrying the extra weight out front. (no)
• Your belly looks like a basketball. (not sure. What do u think?)
• Your areolas have darkened considerably. (hmm...not that much)
• You are carrying low (not sure)
• You are craving salty or sour foods. (umm... I guess)
• You are craving protein -- meats and cheese. (yes. But not beef/lamb)
• Your feet are colder than they were before pregnancy. (not sure coz I wear slippers)
• The hair on your legs has grown faster during pregnancy. (no)
• Your hands are very dry. (they're normal)
• Your pillow faces north when you sleep. (I don't know)
• Dad-to-be is gaining weight, right along with you. (he kind of look the same to me)
• Pregnancy has you looking better than ever. (hell no!)
• Your urine is bright yellow in color. (it's yellow-er than usual, but I'm not sure if it's bright or dull)
• Your nose is spreading. (no)
• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves in circles. (haven't tried that)
• You are having headaches. (yes)
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an even number. (yes)
  

It's a girl if:

• You had morning sickness early in pregnancy. (not severe, but yes)
• Your baby's heart rate is at least 140 beats per minute. (not sure)
• You are carrying the weight in your hips and rear (not really, I think. Or maybe not yet?)
• Your left breast is larger than your right breast (yes)
• Your hair develops red highlights (no)
• You are carrying high (don't know)
• Your belly looks like a watermelon (don't know)
• You are craving sweets (sometimes, especially in the 2nd trimester)
• You are craving fruit (not really the fruit itself. But juices and fruity-flavored ice-creams. Does that count?)
• You crave orange juice (sometimes. But I crave watermelon and lime juice more)
• You don't look quite as good as normal during pregnancy (YES!)
• You are moodier than usual during pregnancy (no)
• Your face breaks out more than usual (YESSSS!)
• You refuse to eat the heel of a loaf of bread (yes)
• Your breasts have really blossomed! (yes, and I like that ;p)
• Your pillow faces south when you sleep (not sure. What does it means south? East/West more like)
• Your urine is a dull yellow color (again, not sure about the brightness of my urine)
• You hang your wedding ring over your belly and it moves from side to side (haven't tried that)
• You add your age at the time of conception and the number for the month you conceived and the sum is an odd number (no)

And here's a Chinese Gender Chart. I don't know how accurate it is, but it doesn't hurt to try, does it?

Simply find the age of the mother at the time of conception on the chart below and then follow across to the month the baby was conceived to find the predicted gender. Although this chart is said to have a success rate of over 90 percent, keep in mind that this is solely for entertainment purposes. Enjoy!



IF according to that chart, I'm having a baby GIRL (age 25, conception in March)!


A friend of mine is also pregnant (she's about a week earlier than me). She had her ultrasound scan and her doc said she's having a boy. The chart also tells she's having a boy.


Can you mommies tell me whether the chart bole dipercayai ke tak? I mean, just according to the age you conceived and in what month (not according to ultrasound scan results). You have your babies already...

My decision of getting that pink diaper bag will be based on the accuracy of the chart! ;)

My husband and I are avid fans of Italian food. It's a must for us to treat ourselves with pasta or pizza or both on a weekly basis. And this time, it's Piccolo Mondo - the Godfather of Italian food, as it proclaims.


Since it was our first time dining there, we asked the waiter to recommend apa yang best.
So here's what we had (I forgot the names tho):


Pizza with all of my favorite toppings! There's a section of pepperoni, salmon, mushroom and chunks of chicken ham (it tasted more like calamari to me). I wish there's a section of shrimps as well. But it was nonetheless yummy!

Alfredo pasta with chunks of chicken and green peas. The pasta is made from tomato, so it's cheesy and tomato-ish all at the same time. The combination is absolutely delectable!

And then later for dessert, we had Baskin Robbins Waffle Ice Cream...

Gee, writing this makes me hungry!

Mmmhhh...
Heidi Klum. Angelina Jolie. Jessica Alba.

These mommies have bodies and bellies to die for!

At first glance, it looks like the contents of a trash can, isn't it? But that's no trash can. That's my bag - with lotsa "trashhhh" inside!


There's my wallet, MNG makeup case, Chanel lippies, some letters, a plastic bag (just in case I get nausea and vomit), Kwan Loong ointment, contact lens case, Ammeltz Yoko Yoko (my back and shoulders hurt if I walk/sit for too long now), tissue papers, mints, coins, receipts, business/name cards, crumples of tissues... what else do I have in there?


It's no wonder it took me ages to find stuff inside, especially lipbalm and mints.

My baby bump is finally showing (and looking more obvious than ever), at almost 5 months of pregnancy!

According to this website, at this time the baby measures about 6 inches from crown to rump.


And bcoz of that, I'm a little bit conscious about my current appearance, and I would always ask my husband the very same question every time we go out:


"Do you think people know that I'm pregnant, or they think I'm just buncit and fat?".


And he will always smile and say that I'm not fat, I'm just pregnant... but I'm not satisfied with his answer. Men would always say the things that you wanna hear, wouldn't they? And he jokingly suggests that I wear a t-shirt with "I'm pregnant" splashed at the front. Perhaps something like this:




Actually, that's not a bad idea.

I bought my very first Little Black Dresses, and I don't care if I can't wear them!


Oh no, I don't mean that...


I mean, this!

I managed to catch the Times Bookstores Book Fair at Pavilion last Sunday, so I decided to pick up something light and entertaining bcoz all this while I have my nose stuck in pregnancy books (not that it's no fun; it is, but sometimes I feel like I'm studying Biology all over again).

I wasn't really keen on LBD books before (I'm not sure why tho) but since there were not so many choices of Chick Lit books, I decided to give it a try. Plus, TPC members can get 20% discount on all books. So after skimming all the titles, I finally chose Falling Out Of Fashion and She'll Take It. I have a feeling that the latter one would be more interesting.


I'm just curious tho, what makes you decide to purchase or read a book? Besides books that are being recommended or best-sellers.


As for me, I would first skim the titles, then the illustrations on the book cover (or vice-versa). Then I read the very first paragraph of the first chapter. This is most important to me, and the whole buy/read decision is based on that bcoz it's a way to tell if I can click with the book. Synopsis doesn't help that much.


But let's see if those apply to the two books as well.

Now I am one happy camper!

Remember the day my sisters and I had Chanel makeovers at Pavilion? Well, we headed to The Loaf right after that to have a quick bite; my hubby and Wani ordered the U-hu-hu cheesecakes, and it just so happened that whoever purchased the cheesecakes (even just 1 piece) get to join the "Let's Say Cheese" contest that they were having at that time. So we had our pics snapped, and was told that the winners will be contacted soon. Nadia and his cute bro (whom I thought was her new boyfriend) were there too, buying cheesecakes.


It was months after that and all of us had forgotten about the contest, but suddenly I received a letter earlier this month saying we're one of the Consolation winners! Woo-hoo! I know it's not grand prize or something but hey, at least we won something! ;)

So hubby and I went to Pavilion today to redeem our prizes (just a Canon bag tho, and The Loaf Loyalty Card), and sure enough there were photos of the winners! It was exciting to see our picha up on the wall... ;p

And guess what? Nadia and his bro won the 2nd place! Jeles aku... but they sure deserved it (altho my sis and I think they should've won the 1st place). Just look at their photo...

Anyway, here's a close-up of our pic:

I've started to feel a few subtle kicks a few weeks ago. At first I thought it was my rumbling tummy - but tummy doesn't rumble only on the left side, does it?


Now the kicks and movements are a little more definite and more regular than before, and it's truly an amazing and magical experience! Hubby was the most excited one. There was one night when I felt the strongest kicks while we were lying on bed talking, so I took his hand and put it on my belly and he waited anxiously. It was quite a funny and cute experience for both of us that I couldn't help myself from giggling (plus, I'm a ticklish person) so it took quite sometime for him to feel the kicks. But at last the kicks came, a few times. Hubby asked if that was it. I said yes, and then he turned to my belly and said in a cute voice, "Hi in there! I love you!", and kissed my belly. I can sense that the baby feel loved, bcoz the mommy does! :)


I also noticed that my little one is the most active in the morning and at night. Especially when I'm lying down. The kicking and moving doesn't feel like butterflies fluttering, or popcorn popping, or a goldfish swimming around, like what I've read. Mine feels like... something (or rather, someone) is poking and probing around. It can get a bit ticklish sometimes.


Anyway, here's a video of baby movement I found on YouTube. It's amazing! I wonder if that's the baby's head or the leg....

Yours truly is craving for something chocolatey, but not really a chocolate (if you know what I mean), and I can only find these two that's the closest to "something chocolatey":
Herbalife Chocolate Peanut Protein Bar and Mars Bar.

I couldn't decide which one to have, so I ate both. But I'm still not satisfied.


I want something chocolatey and... and... something biscuity.
I'm actually craving for this!

Now I have to wait for another 2 days until I can finally satisfy my cravings (bcoz we usually go out on weekends only). Lamanya nak tunggu!


p/s: Can somebody explain to MZ that a pregnant women's craving is not the same as normal cravings? He doesn't seem to get it. Or maybe.... it's out of his willpower bcoz I was madly craving for those M&S biscuits at 12am last night. Grrr.... I wish M&S opens 24-7!

Looks like more and more Designers are teaming up with mobile phone manufacturers to produce their own signature fashionable phones these days. There's Dolce & Gabbana by Motorola, Prada by LG, Anna Sui by Samsung, Betsey Johnson by Samsung, Giorgio Armani by Samsung... What else now?


Here's my top 2 designer phones, which I can only dream for at the moment:


1) Chanel Choco phone

This is hands down the coolest phone I have ever seen! It looks like a chocolate bar (hence, the name) and is about the size of a compact powder. The coolest thing about this phone (to me, at least) is the mirrored surface and the optical fiber technology. Very futuristic. It looks like something you see in high-tech movies. You know, like- what's that movie Tom Cruise starred in? The one with point screen computers or something? *scratching my head* Ok, I think it's Minority Report. Doesn't matter. My point is, this phone is uber cool. And it comes with a Chanel logo keyring, so it's cool and fab at the same time! Definitely to die for. This phone is not yet in the market tho, but if it does, I wonder when I could afford it...


(Click here for more info)




2) Dior phone

I like this phone bcoz of the front casing - the signature Dior pattern, which you can see on most Dior bags and makeup casings. And yes, bcoz it's a flip phone. It comes with a clip-on mini-phone which is about the size of a USB key, and it's called "My Dior". If I were to get one, I would have a hard time choosing between the white or the pink one bcoz both are my favorite colors. This phone is priced at *gasps* $5,000! (Click here for more info)


There's also a crystal-studded version of this phone and before I show you the pic, lemme tell you the price. Get this, it's $26,000!! *faints*


Ok, so here it is...

(Click here for more info)



I was hoping Louis Vuitton would come up with its own signature phone too, and wondered how it would look like, but nope. So far not yet. LV has, however, its own USB memory stick. My first reaction to this was "pulak dahh.." ;p Click here for more info.


What else could they come up with? Designer cars? Perhaps Gucci by BMW. Now that would be ridiculous. Ridiculous, but... interesting.

It's nice to meet old friends and catch things up (Syaz couldn't make it tho). The last time we met was on my wedding day, which was hmm... about 5 months ago.

Anyway, Noreen (the one in the black dress) is getting married next month. I need to find something nice to wear ASAP. I've decided to wear my mom's kurung moden for the Akad ceremony, and hopefully I could still fit in it by then (dalam masa sebulan, perut bole tiba2 jadi besar ke ek? I hope not).


I have no idea what to wear for the reception. But I kinda like this creation by Rizman Ruzaini...

My little one refused to show its "toot-toot" during the last ultrasound. Its position yg sedang menonggeng makes it hard for the doc to determine its sex. Dia menonggeng, sambil gerak2 kepala, as if saying "No mommy, I'm not gonna let you see it yet!".

Haih... takpe laa. It's still quite early.

Anyways, there's a good news and a bad news.


The good news is, my uterus is now at the same level as my navel (the doc checked it by pressing my abdomen to "feel" it). Which explains why my lower tummy looks kinda buncit! All this while I thought it was just fat bcoz I eat a LOT. And I whined about it like 8 times a day. My sweet hubby keeps on telling me that I'm not fat, I'm just pregnant. I refused to believe that bcoz... okay, I know I'm pregnant. But I have always thought that the baby is still very teeny and at only 4+ months, it's not supposed to make any difference to my appearance just yet, especially my tummy. Well, I guess I was wrong. That buncit-ness is actually my little one + the placenta + amniotic fluid + uterus + whatever "equipments" that's got to do with pregnancy. So I'm actually quite relieved.


However, the bad news is... I can't fit in my size 25 Levi's jeans anymore. In fact, most of my pants/jeans too. It got stuck at my waist - it just won't zip. And I personally think that of all the stages in pregnancy, now is the most challenging stage in terms of finding what to wear. You look more buncit and plumper than you're pregnant. So it's really hard to find clothes, especially pants/jeans that fits perfectly (please don't suggest maternity clothes just yet). Currently I'm able to wear size 27 jeans and it fits my butt and thighs nicely, but not my waist. I wish the waist is an inch or two bigger. If I button it up, it'll be a bit tight and uncomfy. If I go 1 size bigger, which is size 28, it'll be too loose, even at the waist. Not fab.


But anyway, I managed to overcome that stuck-at-waist problem with the help of this genius invention! It's Bellybelt Combo Kit for pregnant women who still wanna wear their regular clothes, which I got from Mothercare for RM89.

The kit includes 2 sizes of bellybelt button-up, 2 sizes of bellybelt slide (I wear this mostly with my kain baju kurung) and 3 colored panels to cover the gap. You don't need the panels if you're wearing the short bellybelts tho.


It's cool, isn't it? I can still wear my old pants/jeans! Woohoo!


As for tops... well, I don't have much problems with that. I can still wear most of my clothes, except those with buttons at the front. I can only button the first one. I don't think I need to tell you why ;p

Ever since I got pregnant, I've been a fan of cooking programs; be it online (Kraft Foods) or on tv (Asian Food Channel). This is mainly bcoz I get hungry all the time so it's like, I have to always be in contact with food - whether it's eating or watching; tak kisah as long as it's got to do with food! It's no wonder that even when I'm on bed just resting and lazing around, all I can think about is food. I am so gonna get fat! ;p


So anyways, I've promised to treat my dear little sister (who happens to have a blog too) a lunch at Italiannies like eons ago bcoz she had never been there before. So yesterday we went to The Gardens to fulfill my promise but well, I changed the venue at the last minute. It wasn't my fault, really. Bcoz what happened was, I was waiting for my sis to pick me up at my PIL's house so while waiting for her Majesty, Princess Wani to get ready, I watched my favorite channel and the program at that time was License to Grill. One of the menus that Rob (the Chef) cooked was grilled tandoori shrimp. Oh my my myyy... I was drooling in front of the tv, what with my growling stomach and everything! And I said to myself (or it could be my little one): Must. Have. Shrimp.


So instead of Italiannies, I asked my sis if it's okay to have lunch at Tony Roma's and she's fine with it (well of course, I'm the one who's paying and pregnant ;p). We both had shrimps - Wani had Shrimp Scampi Pasta (loadsss of shrimps in there, like 20 of 'em), and yours truly had what she wanted - grilled shrimp!

The shrimps... Oh my GOD! It's juicy and perfectly grilled! Even the bell peppers were yummy that I finished all of 'em. The grilled shrimp is served with scampi butter, french fries and coleslaw.


Here's a close-up pic of the shrimps btw. (Adakah saya berjaya membuat anda terliur? Please do! ;p)

And here's some pics of me and my sister, since some of you have been wanting to see my latest pregnant-pics. Well, I don't have a big bump yet, if that's what you ladies are wanting to see, as I'm only 4 months pregnant. But I'm a weebit chubby here and there.

Hubby picked me up at around 7.45pm and we headed to Kelana Jaya bcoz he had a futsal game. Later we had dinner at a stall called William, which was recommended by his friends. Guess what we had? Shrimps! Again :D Well it was actually Seafood Creamy Pasta. The plate was overspilling with seafood - shrimps, lobster, sotong, mussels, scallops, ape tah la lagi. Dah macam aquarium pon ada. The food was nice, but the place is totally disgusting (especially the "tandas awam"). Seriously, some men just think they can pee wherever they like! *roll eyes*


By the way, I'm going for my next check-up this weekend, and hopefully we can see the sex of our little one! I can't wait! So, do you think it's gonna be Iza Jr. or MZ Jr.? ;)

I haven't been really taking care of my face like I used to, ever since I'm pregnant (must be the hormones or something). I often skip my night time facial routine; scrub and mask seem like a hard work. Instead of twice a week, I only do it once or twice a month. Not good, not good! It's no surprise that lots of tiny pimples are starting to show up on my skin, particularly on my forehead and cheeks as a protest against my lack of interest in skincare.


I also don't bother with makeups anymore. Now it's just loose powder + eyeliner. I do want to make extra effort to beautify myself, but I'm just too queasy to do so. Sometimes I feel like teaching my husband how to do my makeup so that I don't have to do it myself. I am that lazy! I don't know what's happening to me. Must be the hormonal change or something.


So when my dear little sister asked me if I want to have a beauty treatment at Clarins Institute as my belated birthday present (she's a Clarins Club Beaute member btw), I said yes straight away! It's what I need. It's what I want.

She was thinking of giving me the Mother-to-be treatment (for 3-6 months pregnant) which is a 2-hour body massage, but since I already had foot and body massage a day before, I decided to have facial treatment instead. The Skincare Specialist said I have congested area on my forehead due to hormonal changes in pregnancy, so she recommended a facial treatment called Truly Matte from Mogok. I was hoping that she would extract my whiteheads and everything, but she said it's just gonna be a deep-cleansing facial. And it was. My face was cleansed like 8 times I think, using different kinds of oil and stuff. It's a 1-hour facial, and the most relaxing facial I have ever done so far. I still prefer Kaj for facials tho, but if you're in for something relaxing, then this is the place to go.


After my facial, I decided to have Express Makeup (we're heading to Pavilion after that) bcoz... well, I feel all sleepy after being pampered for an hour so I don't feel like doing my own makeup, plus the treatment that my sister offered me was more expensive than the one I chose, so why not, ey? It's only RM60. The end result was a fresh-looking me (I didn't bring my digicam along, so no pichas were taken). It's amazing how a simple touch of color can make a difference. And I realized something; just bcoz I'm pregnant doesn't mean I have to abandon myself and not feel fabulous! I think this beauty treatment has somewhat brought me back to my old-self. Not fully 100% yet, but it's getting there. Thank you, sister.


I hope I'll get back to my old beauty conscious-self soon bcoz my pregnancy sickness is finally gone.



p/s: I bought the Bio-Oil that some of you have been raving about, and I love the scent!