Temper Tantrums during Pregnancy... I thought I was the only one

After reading this article...

http://www.ninemonths.com.au/woman-who-have-temper-tantrums-during-pregnancy-put-babies-at-risk-of-heart-problems/

According to a new study anger can affect the development of babies' hearts in the wombs.

Researchers say angry behaviour even things such as door slamming, shouting loudly and even binge-eating whilst pregnant can affect the development of babies’ hearts.

Infants born to mothers more prone to these impulsive and aggressive acts had less variation in their heart rates after birth, the research found. Variation in heart rate is thought to be healthy because it indicates the body is flexible and adaptable to change. For example, different breathing patterns should affect the heart rate.

But if the heart does not adapt to change it is more at risk of disease and infection. It is already known that adults who have a lower variation in heart rate are more likely to develop heart problems.

Researchers also say the hormonal changes in the body which trigger aggressive behaviour may pass through the placenta to the unborn baby, and could have an influence on the way cells develop. And so staying relaxed and calm whilst pregnant is important – what a better excuse for a spa day!!

The study, led by researchers from the University of Sussex, recruited 49 pregnant women aged between 22 and 39 from childbirth classes. The volunteers were tested to see how likely they were to develop ‘impulsive, uncontrollable bouts of temper’. The women were asked in interviews to describe how they normally dealt with anger and their brain activity was monitored to see how they responded to certain sounds and images designed to prompt a negative reaction. They found 22 women fitted into the ‘angry’ category, nearly half of the volunteer group.

The researchers said this was a higher proportion than would be expected in the general population, attributing this to the fact that the study had been advertised as investigating the effects of temper on foetal hearts and attracted volunteers concerned about their anger.

After the women gave birth, the electrical activity of the babies’ hearts was measured using an electrocardiogram, or ECG. They found newborns whose mothers were in the angry group had a lower variation in their heart rate.

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I realize since we can't really control these kind of emotional outburst, it is important that we do when we're pregnant... I've talked to my husband about this, it really helps if we do.

Christmas Day... picnic at a waterfalls in Bentong, Pahang

It's Christmas day... and we decided to celebrate it at a Waterfalls, at Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia. Had a nice picnic there and enjoyed the scenery.

We really had fun. It was actually a bit far than we expected... in fact, everyone was actually hungry once we got there.

The food was nice... Pinakbet (a popular Ilocano dish from the Philippines) (it's a mixture of pork, bitter gourd, eggplants, tomatoes, string beans, and okra with bagoong alamang (shrimp paste)), Rellenong Bangus (stuffed Milkfish) (you actually have to take out the fish bones, take the bangus meat mixed with peas, raisins... to create the stuffing), Tinapang Isda (smoked fish), Black Pepper Chicken and Sweet and Spicy Chicken.

After having our lunch picnic there... we went to the waterfalls... just wading in the water... the kids went for a swim at a deeper (yet safe) part.

The water was cold... so we all enjoyed it. It was a bit dangerous though, cause of the rocks. We just had to be careful going down to the waterfalls.

My hubby took some good pictures of the waterfalls from a better angle... at the top of some huge rocks.

It was a good Christmas... we really had fun. :)

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Dinner)

It's always good to spend the holidays with good home cook meals, laughter and cheer with family and friends.

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Tita Ruby's house. I made Tacos... both Beef and Chicken... since Uncle doesn't eat beef. Tita made some Pancit Bihon (Filipino dish), Rellenong Bangus (Stuffed Milkfish), and others.

After stuffing ourselves with good food... we hang out at the living room, watching some movie... chatting... and they had some Guinness Stout Beer. If I wasn't pregnant, I'd probably be drinking with them :) hehe. Guinness Stout is actually nice cause when you drink it (right amount though, not too much) you wake up the next day, feeling fresh... none of those really bad hang-over.

We had a great time. My hubby and I went back around 5am already. There house was just a few minutes drive from our place anyway.

Pasar Malam (Night Market) before Christmas

My hubby and I visited the Pasar Malam (which they always have every Wednesday night at Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia).

We like just going around the pasar malam, find some interesting items or buy some fresh fruits and veggies, or fish and meat.

They also have clothes, bags and watches. The best part is... it's cheap and near our area. Only a few minutes drive from our home.

Here, we actually bought some vegetables and meat to cook for Christmas... and to stock at home for the week so we don't have to keep running to the grocery for items.

Happy Holidays!!

To all my dear lovely blogger friends...

May the Christmas season

fill your home with joy

your heart with love

and your life with laughter....

Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

God bless you all! :)

Studying while Pregnant

I'm going through my final year of Law School right now. I've actually emailed the University in London, to ask if I could at least move my exam date around November instead of May, since my Due date is in April 2010.

They sent a reply saying that it wouldn't be possible, and that if I would like to defer, it would have to be in May 2011... which is ridiculous... I can't wait another year for it. I thought I could at least ask for November since exams for referrals occur during this time... and perhaps, maybe they could also give some leeway to students with special cases by moving it to November.

I'll still try and contact them in London about this. If the response is still the same, I guess I have no choice though, I have to buckle down for it.

I've read the thread of post about Dealing with Pregnancy and Studying:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Dealing-With-Pregnancy-and-Studying&id=2166769

I know there are a lot more pregnant moms who had to go through this, so it should be fine.

Here are some advice from the article that I find could be useful:

1. It is best to perhaps cut down on their number of social obligations and recreational activities in order to use those times to rest and rejuvenate. Particularly if these activities are daily or weekly in nature, temporarily removing them from a pregnant woman's calendar can allow for more time to rest without compromising a busy work or study schedule.

2. Women who are pregnant should avoid the use of caffeine while pregnant. Ordinarily, caffeine's stimulating qualities may give a woman the added boost that she needs to get through a busy day, but research strongly indicates that caffeine consumption during a pregnancy can greatly restrict the growth of an unborn child.

3. Every woman's pregnancy is different and few know what they will be able to endure while pregnant until they are actually with child. Making decisions based upon her physical health, energy, and overall strength is an important issue that a woman should discuss with her obstetrician, as the doctor will be able to lend valuable insight to assist her in making her final decision.

4. The woman's family should also be allowed to discuss the issue so that she can receive the care and support that she will undoubtedly need from them during this time.

It goes on to explain that whatever a pregnant woman's decision could be in these situation, whether to defer for a year or two or (having no choice) continue with the course, there are things that a pregnant woman can do to assist in having a healthy pregnancy. These are: getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, keeping all medical appointments and maintaining an emotional balance. Every decision during this time could impact not only a pregnant woman's life but it is also a crucial time in the life and development of her new child.

Hope everything goes well.

Cooking at Home - Chopsuey (Filipino Style)

This is actually my hubby's favorite dish.

The recipe for this dish actually includes Pork, which we didn't include here. We just added Chicken liver & gizzards... which when I cooked this dish, I tried to cut down as well... cause I've read some articles that said liver is not really good for pregnant women.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 kilo chicken liver and gizzard, sliced to small pieces

• 1/4 kilo cauliflower/broccoli, broken to bite size

• 1/4 kilo string beans

• 1/4 kilo snow peas (sitsaro)

• 12 baby corns (fresh), cut into halves

• 5 cloves garlic, diced

• 2 onions, diced

• 1 carrot, sliced thinly

• 1 piece red bell pepper, cut in strips

• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, dissolved in 1/4 cup of water

• 2 cups chicken stock (broth)

• 3 tablespoons of sesame oil

• 3 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce)

• 4 tablespoons of corn oil or vegetable oil

• Salt to taste

Directions:

• In a big pan or wok, sauté garlic, onions then add chicken liver and gizzard. Add 1 cup of stock, pinch of salt and simmer for 15 minutes or until chicken giblets are cooked.

• Mix in all the vegetables. Add the remaining 1 cup of stock, patis and the dissolved cornstarch. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are done. Add the sesame oil.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

• Serve hot with rice.

This dish is easy to prepare. It's also a quick and healthy meal.

Ohs and Aws...

Isn't this picture cute? Well, that's what I'm feeling now.

I'm on my second trimester... today's exactly my 21 weeks and 3days... 19 more weeks to go (can you believe how time flies?)

This morning I woke up due to my baby's sudden kick on the right side of my tummy... and then another... and another... but by the time my hubby placed his hand, the kicking stopped. Only to find out a few minutes later that the kicking would occur on the left side of my tummy.

He was so happy when he felt the baby kicked this morning. I actually just woke him up for that. Hehe.

I could tell he was still sleepy cause we slept around midnight, but after he felt the kick (which I would say was kinda strong) he woke up right away, got excited and asked the baby to kick some more for him. :D

Despite all the Ohs and Aws I felt when the baby kicks, I'm just so ecstatic to know that he/she's well and active. I'm sure most mothers would agree that your baby could really brighten your day by just being there and doing all the adorable things that they do in the morning... and that's what my baby did to me today.

When he/she kicks, it feels as if the baby's saying "I'm here Mommy... talk to me" It's amazing. :) I really thank God for this wonderful blessing.

Cave Trekking: Gua Tempurung, Perak, Malaysia

Last year, my hubby Matth and I decided to go to Cameron Highlands (Malaysia) for Christmas. Although it was definitely not easy to get a place to stay, since it was peak season, we still went there for the holidays. I guess it's a change of scenery from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Anyway, after a few days at Cameron, we just felt like we wanted to go some place else. We didn't really feel like going back yet.

So... we went to the Tourism Center, took some brochures of places we could go.

There were other nice towns and even jungle trekking and tour packages we could try, but Matth really like going to caves, and we saw this brochure for Gua Tempurung (Tempurung Cave). We also saw the photos from the brochures, and it was beautiful, so we decided to look for it. It was then that Matth and I knew that we're both adventurous.

We drove down from Cameron Highlands quite early, and by the time we arrived at Ipoh, it was almost around noon. We actually had no idea how to get to the cave, all we know was to get out of Cameron and go to Ipoh. We had to ask around... and eventually found the cave we were looking for.

I really thought we'd be walking in the cave with flash lights, and with bats flying around. Hehe. Lucky for me, since bats are nocturnal, they were asleep that time... and of course, it was a well lit place, with pathways. :)

We walked through the pathways, and as we go deeper to the cave, it was getting a bit humid. Which explains why you could see our oily faces. It was warm, so if you guys decide to go for the trekking, really bring a bottle of drinking water with you.

As we were walking, the was this one place where it was actually windy... so we had to stop there for awhile, relax and took some picture.

The cave is actually more than 3KM long... and of course there are parts that you couldn't really go through. It was really a good experience and we would definitely go cave trekking again and other caves... especially in Sarawak.

After cave trekking Gua Tempurung, we were so tired and hungry. We drove around looking for a nice place to eat. There were a lot of nice places... but we were lucky that we ended up at this nice town called Kampar.

When you get a chance to go to Kampar, you should try their specialty Chicken Curry Bun.

After Kampar, before heading back to KL, we actually saw this road sign that said Lata Kinjang. So instead of heading straight to the Expressway that goes to KL... we thought of taking a drive there.

If you pass the North-South Expressway, you could actually see it. Since there were several times when we use the N-S expressway, we could see the waterfalls, we decided, why not check it out.

Lata Kinjang (Kinjang Waterfalls) is actually one of the tallest waterfalls in Malaysia. Once we've reached the place, there was actually a lot of families camping around it (since it was a holiday).

It's a nice place to relax, have picnic with the family, or just go there to hang out with friends.

Cooking at Home - Chicken Afritada (Another Filipino Dish)

Here I am at the kitchen again last night... lol. I guess it shows that I love to cook... actually, it's more like, I love to eat! ... and of course, prepare for my hubby too. ;D

Last night’s dish was Chicken Afritada.

Here’s how it’s done:

Ingredients:

• 1 kilo chicken, cut into pieces
• 5 pieces potatoes, peeled and halved
• 2-3 pieces carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 head garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
• 2 chicken stock (broth)
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce)
• 3 tablespoons of cooking oil

Direction:

• In a cooking pot or wok, heat oil.

• Sauté garlic and onions.

• Add chicken and slightly brown.

• Pour the tomato sauce and stock. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is almost cooked.

• Add potatoes and carrots and continue to cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes and carrots are cooked.

• Add the green, simmer for an additional minute or two.

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Serve this chicken recipe hot with steamed rice.

This was actually a quick dish that you could also prepare when you don't have much time.

After work, which was pretty late, we made a quick stop at the grocery store, bought the ingredients and peeled and cut the veggies. We made sure that the chicken we bought was already cut into stew portions.

Cooking these dishes every night, makes us feel like we're back in the Philippines. :D

No One Cared For Me Like Jesus

Every time at the office, I would try to keep my Live365 tuned to Worship Hymn Radio.

Although there seem to be no conclusive research that supports the conclusion that links music to smarter babies.

I quote:

"There are no studies on the effects of stimulation before birth on intelligence, creativity, or later development," says Janet DiPietro, a developmental psychologist who studies fetal development at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.

However, there are studies indicating that fetuses can hear and react to sound by moving.

I'm listening to songs of worship & praise, in hopes that he could hear it too.

I heard this really lovely song. It was the lyrics of the song that touched me. I hope that when you read the lyrics (and hear the song too) you would be touched my the message as well.

No One Cared For Me Like Jesus

By: The Benson Studio Singers

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me,
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms about me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

Ev'ry day He comes to me with new assurance,
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I'll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There's no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

It's just amazing, no one has really cared like He does for us. How many times I've been out of His sight and in the dark... and yet He brought me back. He's always taken care of me, even though I'm so unworthy for his attention and love.

That's how I know that His love has NO bounds.

Cooking at Home - Kare Kare (Filipino Oxtail Stew)

We just moved in to our new apartment... and as you could see, it's still a bit empty. We're filling it bit by bit with stuff. My hubby and me are just glad that we have a proper kitchen, cause we both love to cook.

Last night, after work, we went to get groceries and decided to cook at home. I've been craving for Kare Kare since last week. Finally, I got the chance to cook.

My hubby loves kare kare as well as I do. I think it has something to do with the peanut sauce... and contrast with the shrimp paste.

Here in KL, I couldn't really find Atsuete oil (Annato oil). So, I thought it would be better if I'd use Mama Sita's Kare Kare Mix. It's easier too, since I don't really have all the time to prepare coming from work and all.

If you're currently outside of Philippines and you'd like to make Kare Kare, you've got to head on down to the nearest Filipino specialty store and get some of those Mama Sita Mix. They're quite good too, and saves you time in preparing your food.

Here's how I did it:

Ingredients:

• 2.2 lbs oxtails, or beef cut into small chunks
• Egg plant, cut into pieces (about 1 1/2 cup)
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup beef broth (usually, I use the broth to boil the oxtail)
• 1 1/2 cup string beans cut into 2" lengths
• 1 cup bok choy (pechay)
• garlic and onion
• salt to taste
• Mama Sita's Kare-Kare Mix - Just Add Peanut Butter!

and of course, Shrimp paste (Bagoong) - sauteed

Directions:
Cut the oxtail into serving pieces, boil until tender, leaving about 4 cups of broth. Skim off fat from the broth. Set aside meat.

Dissolve Mama Sita's Kare-Kare mix and peanut butter in about a cup of the broth.

In the pan, saute garlic and onion. Mix in the oxtail and the sauce mixture of Mama Sita Kare Kare mix with peanut butter. Add the remaining broth.

Let it boil. Add eggplant and long beans into the boiling broth until almost cooked. Add bok choy. Salt to taste.

Serve with a side dish of Shrimp paste (Bagoong) and rice.

It's that simple.

My hubby likes the sauce with more of a peanut taste, so I'll just add a bit more extra for him when I cook it. It's a bit sticky than the normal stew... but he likes it.

Our Baby listens...

Here are some interesting facts from studies:

• By nine weeks, a developing fetus can hiccup and react to loud noises. By the end of the second trimester it can hear.

• Whether or not a fetus can taste, there's little question that it can hear. A very premature baby entering the world at 24 or 25 weeks responds to the sounds around it, observes Als, so its auditory apparatus must already have been functioning in the womb. Many pregnant women report a fetal jerk or sudden kick just after a door slams or a car backfires.

  Even without such intrusions, the womb is not a silent place. Researchers who have inserted a hydrophone into the uterus of a pregnant woman have picked up a noise level "akin to the background noise in an apartment," according to DiPietro. Sounds include the whooshing of blood in the mother's vessels, the gurgling and rumbling of her stomach and intestines, as well as the tones of her voice filtered through tissues, bones, and fluid, and the voices of other people coming through the amniotic wall. Fifer has found that fetal heart rate slows when the mother is speaking, suggesting that the fetus not only hears and recognizes the sound, but is calmed by it.

  This was from an Article written in Psychology Today, October 1998, by Janet L. Hopson.

  
  

  When I used to have morning sickness (around my first trimester and beginning of second trimester), I was worried that I had to go to college. Can you imagine going out of class in the middle of a discussion? ...while your Law professor stares at you when you walk back in, wondering why you had to visit the toilet for almost every 15mins.

  I really thought this scenario would happen to me in college, since every time after lunch at the office, I would go to the toilet and throw up... some times, I even wish I would have never gone to work.

  One day, I went to college (despite having morning sickness) while I was walking, I was feeling nauseous, I entered the class, I had to sit next to my friend (wearing this REALLY strong perfume), I know for sure right then and there I might just embarrass myself in class by throwing up.

  When our Law professor started his lecture, I just sat there and listened. Trying to ignore the perfume smell (that I think even the last row could smell) and just listened to the lecture. And to my surprise, I stopped feeling nauseous. The whole time sitting in the lecture hall, even with the smell that makes me feel dizzy, and yet, I didn't feel uncomfortable.

  Several times this has happened, and all those times during the lectures, I didn't feel my morning sickness coming in, as like when I'm at work. See, the thing is, it's not that I moved around in the office... most of the time, I'm just sitting in front of the computer. And yet, I only feel comfortable when I'm at lectures.

  The thought came into my head, maybe, our baby's also listening to the lectures. He must have also enjoyed listening to what my Law professor had to say about Hart's Theory in Jurisprudence or about the Brussels 1 regime in Conflicts of Law.

  He may not understand, but he could have just been listening.

  I told my husband about this and from then on, we try to talk to him. Like, in the morning when we wake up, he would say good morning to the baby and kiss him.

  Our baby's been healthy and active, Praise God.

Mars Bar... Anyone?

I've notice a craving for Mars Bars... and it's been weeks since I've been eating a Mars Bar almost once everyday.

I read this article (since I'm always checking the internet about what I've been eating... being worried about whether I've been eating the right food for my baby) , it's from: http://www.pregnancywizard.com/food-diet-nutrition/chocolate.php

Quote: A recent study done by the University of Helsinki in Finland has shown that consuming chocolate while pregnant may benefit babies. The babies studied were tested in areas of smiling and laughter, and fear of novel situations. The babies of mothers who ate chocolate smiled and laughed more, and they also showed less fear when put into a new situation. Overall, the babies of mothers who ate chocolate had a much more positive mood than those who did not. -So, I guess it's good, I'm gonna have one happy baby.

Actually, most of the articles on chocolate during pregnancy, stated that it's ok to eat chocolates, but there are limits. Of course, excess of everything is definitely not good.

Honestly, coming from a Filipino culture (or Asian), I've heard a lot of superstitions on what and what not to eat during pregnancy (or some are not really superstitions, but just a comparison, like, some Mom's would advice not eating certain type of food cause this is what they've experience, and this was the effect on their babies, etc.).

Like, if I ask my OB about whether it would be alright to eat veggies, he would say, "of course, it's good that you're eating vegetables"... But a friend of mine advised me, not to eat certain type of veggies, like kangkong (a.k.a water glorybind, water spinach, water convolvulus (sounds like a scientific name... hehe) and swamp cabbage... and believe me I had to look up it's english name, all the while I thought it was always known as only "kangkong", didn't know there are so many names for it).

...anyhow, I was told that it's not good for pregnant mothers to eat water spinach. I do not know whether it's true, since my doctor didn't say that I should avoid eating it. Even pineapple and papaya, I was told that I should avoid eating those.

A friend of mine told me that certain times, a pregnant mother would crave about something because that's what their bodies need for their growing baby... and I believe that makes sense. For instance, when I was on my 7th week, I notice craving for Fish, which before I was pregnant, I wasn't really eating much of it. Since fish has (as we all know) Omega 3 and DHA, which is also essential for fetal development.

Christmas at the Pavilion

This year, Matth and I went to Pavilion to do some shopping. We actually like their Christmas decor this year, instead of last year. Although, last year's White Christmas was also spectacular, with the Big White Christmas Tree. This year's Christmas Decor, kinda reminds you of those Walt Disney Christmas (of course, they play the Disney Christmas songs too).

Around end of November till December, there's always the Year-End Sale event to look forward to every year (which I believe most foreigners come to KL for).

To make things feel like we're back in Philippines, of course we'll have Noche Buena (Christmas dinner) with our Filipino friends. With all the Filipino food, chatting with friends and a good Karaoke night.

Next Christmas, we're both excited (my hubby Matth and I) cause our baby's celebrating his/her first Christmas with us.

Can't wait for that. :-)

On my 19 weeks...

...this is me ...already 19 weeks pregnant. My baby bump's already showing, and I'm so happy.

My husband and I work in the same company, and every time he would walk pass my table, he kept noticing my tummy and with a smile on his face he would say "wow, baby's bigger now, huh?"

It was just like a few weeks back, with the first ultrasound, all we could see was a small, peanut sized fetus. Now, whenever we go for the prenatal checks, and an ultrasound is done, we're just so happy to see our baby moving around. As if he knows that an ultrasound is done to see what he's doing in there.

Now, I know it won't be easy for me to juggle both my work and my evening classes... so I might have to find a freelance work soon.

I don't really mind working and studying cause I can't stand just staying at home too. I feel kinda restless at home. I guess I got used to the work & study schedule.

I'm just glad that my hubby's been really sweet... doing all the household chores when we get home from work. I try to help out too, whenever I can.

Cravings for today

... Beef Steak (Filipino Style)... or "Bistek" as we call it in the Philippines.

I'm talking about cooking it till theres hardly any sauce left... and the meat is soft... or almost burnt.

hmmm..... can't wait to make one later. ;-)

Should pregnant women take the H1N1 Vaccine?

An Article at: http://blogs.discovery.com/tlc-dr-rob-blog/2009/10/should-pregnant-moms-consider-the-2009-h1n1-vaccine.html

09 October 2009

Pregnancy can affect a women's immune system, as well as put added stress on her heart and lungs. These factors increase the risk for getting the flu, as well as developing secondary complications such as pneumonia. This can set up a cycle of events that may increase the risk for miscarriage and premature labor. This is why the annual "seasonal" influenza vaccine has been encouraged for pregnant woman to help prevent these potential problems.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER THE 2009 H1N1 VACCINE?

The 2009 H1N1 flu has caused more significant health complications in pregnant women than the general population. As of the end of August, the CDC reports that twenty-eight pregnant women have died from complications related to the 2009 H1N1 flu, and another 100 pregnant women had been hospitalized in Intensive Care. Needless to say, this is concerning and is a key reason why pregnant women are encouraged to receive the 2009 H1N1 “flu-shot” (pregnant women can't get the nasal spray -- the inactivated influenza injection is the only option) in order to decrease the risk for their getting the flu, as well as decrease the risk for health complications (pneumonia, others) related to the flu. There is also a side benefit to a pregnant mom’s unborn baby: the antibodies from these types of vaccines cross the placenta and may help to provide her newborn with several months’ protection from the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. This is especially important since infants less than six months of age do not get the vaccine.

IS THE NEW VACCINE SAFE?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to have a safety and side effects profile similar to the regular "seasonal" influenza vaccine, which has a very good record for safety. Vaccine trials on healthy people in the United States and the United Kingdom have gone well without serious adverse effects. From what I can gather, the National Institutes of Health has vaccinated more than 60 pregnant women as part of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine study to see if it was safe and effective. They intend to vaccinate more as part of the ongoing study. Up to now there have been no reports of serious side effects.

I realize this is a tough decision, and one that is very personal. Please speak with your Obstetrician and/or Family Physician, as well as continue to monitor information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) and Discovery Health www.health.discovery.com

Excited parents...

You really wouldn't know the feeling of being blessed with having a baby... until you actually have one.

I know there are times when parents wish they were just single and carefree... but, I'm sure they wouldn't trade the happiness they felt when they first saw their baby and held them in their arms.

The other day, my hubby Matth and I bought some baby stuff... they're all so cute. I really like those from Baby Gap... their colors and patterns for baby clothes.

We actually don't know the baby's gender yet, but we've already planned the baby's name. If it's a boy, we'll name him: Gideon Micah; if our baby's a girl, we're naming her Gabrielle Miriam. Both names are actually from the Bible, and I chose them because of the story behind those biblical characters.

Notice how both names have an initial of G.M... which is actually my hubby's first name initials.

Matth's really happy to have our first baby, that he would kiss, stroke my tummy and talk to the baby before we go to sleep.

We really thank the Lord for this wonderful blessing.

Online ordering and delivery woes...

It just sucks when you finally see a nice and affordable maternity dress/top that you really wanted, and then find out that they just don't ship to your country.

I find it hard to find a good online store for Maternity clothes that actually delivers items to Malaysia.

I checked out Topshop Maternity line, and I really love their designs, but they can't seem to be able to send to Malaysia. I even went to the Topshop branch here in KL, but they don't have the Maternity line at this moment.

Even Nordstrom doesn't send items here... how long and how difficult it is to send here anyway.

Hope to find a good online shop that actually delivers here, it would really help.