Val Below the Wind

Anchors Aweigh

shoop80 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 09:04:22 +0000

We spent a lovely afternoon out at sea today with the whole gang. Most of us were off from work as it was a bank holiday. We departed from the Marina at Sutera Harbour Resort and spent hours around the islands of the marine park. It was a very relaxing trip and most of the guys slept after partying the night before.

Back on dry land.

My Recent Buys For My Expanding Belly

shoop80 — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:42:49 +0000

I have really tried hard to wear my pre-pregnancy clothes for as long as I can but unfortunately my waistline has started to expand at an alarming rate. Trousers that fit me last week had no chance of closing this week. The only items that I can stiill wear are my leggings with empire cut tops as well as empire-cut dresses. It was not a choice to force myself into tight clothing but more of a necessity.

I went to various maternity shops here in KK and have been disappointed with what they had on offer. Multidues of large pregnant dresses made me fun for the hills. Does being pregnant equal sacrificing your sense of style??? I think not!

Solution: I went online and found an online shop based in Malaysia called Bump In Style. The owner, Sharmaine has been really helpful in answering all my questions. Here are some of my recent buys

I also got a couple of nursing tanks in different colours.

I’m Back… and Burnt

shoop80 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:42:12 +0000

We went on a mini vacation 3 days ago to Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort to spend Hubby’s birthday and to check out their new Ocean Wing. We came home with bad sunburn and we did not even go out in the sun. I put sunblock on and stayed underneath the pool umbrella reading my book and got my front burnt to a crisp! The reflection must have been killer, my large pregnant belly is red and sore

The rooms were nice and I liked that that bath tub (oversized) was on the balcony. The balcony itself was easily the same size as the hotel room. The pool area is exclusive to guests of the Ocean Wing and so is the wonderful breakfast at Coast restaurant. If you are staying in the Garden Wing, I would highly recommend that you pay extra and get upgraded to the Ocean wing just for the great breakfast. There were a few negatives but I am not in the mood at the moment to list them as I am in a very good mood and don’t want to spoil it by thinking any negative thoughts. The good mood I am in was brought on by some wonderful news! I am going to be politically correct and not mention said news. Take my word for it- I am happy happy joy joy today!

Count Your Blessings

shoop80 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:52:15 +0000

My hubby and I have been either extremely lucky or blessed by God. Conceiving was unbelievably easy- we didn’t have to try. We just decided that it was time for our first baby and wham, I got pregnant on the first try. It actually took a while before I took a pregnancy test because I thought it was impossible for me to be pregnant so quickly. It was my colleague who had bought a home pregnancy test for me and all of us girls gathered ’round to see the result. I had mixed emotions upon seeing those 2 blue lines. The first was elation. I was so happy to be pregnant. The second was shock! How could I have gotten pregnant so quickly after being with my husband for 6 years and never using birth control? Peanut is really a blessing and I feel that I must have done something right at some point in my life to deserve this gift.

The reason why I am so grateful is because I have a few girl friends who have been trying hard to conceive and it has been a struggle for them. I have been very careful about talking about my pregnancy because I don’t want to hurt their feelings. My heart really goes out to them and I pray that they too will receive a gift as precious as being a mother.

We (hubby and I) are leaning towards the name Matthias. Hubby likes how it sounds and I like its meaning. The name means “gift of God”. I really think it is a very appropriate name for our little peanut.

p.s.

Our boss has the same name and for all of you who are wondering, No, there is no connection. We just really like the name.

The Skate

shoop80 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:17:34 +0000

This is the Peg-Perego skate. In my opinion, it doesn’t get any better than this. It’s a convertible stroller that can be used from birth up to 4 years old. It can convert from pram to buggy and you can have baby face you or face the world depending on your (or baby’s) preference. The coolest feature is that it is adjustable in height and is also telescopic. The only stroller I know of that can do this is the Stokke Xplory- but weighing the skate’s features against the xplory, there is no competition.

The skate’s seat converts from a bassinet (removable) to a normal telescopic seat that can recline 3-ways so baby and you can have a great view. The colours it comes in are also very nice.

Peg-Perego have outdone themselves with the skate design. I was torn between this one and the Bugaboo Camelion but after doing research, I found the skate to be far, far better.

I can’t really say much more as I haven’t actually seen or touched it but I have read many reviews. For more info look here and read the review here. I also know where to get one in Malaysia for RM 4,495.00. I f anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll give you more information.

The Rat Infant and Child

shoop80 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:57:00 +0000

Rat babies love to be loved and cuddled. When they are young, Rat babies tend to depend tremendously on their parents, but later in life they develop natural leadership qualities. During their baby years, Rats mature slowly, but gain momentum as they become toddlers. Eventually, they begin to exhibit active mentalities, so, in the early years, plenty of sleep is necessary. In school, the young Rats are eager to learn. It is then, too, that Rats begin collecting things, and like to fill their bedrooms with pebbles, shells and keepsakes of every kind. Generally, young Rats are smart little people who are artistic and literary students. They are well-rounded and many of them do well in sports, too. Being born in the first sign of the Chinese horoscope motivates these children to be pioneers and gives them a need to be first in line.

Boy or Girl?

shoop80 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:01:00 +0000

My sister called me from England a few days ago..

Sis: ” You are having a girl?”

Me: “No… Peanut has a penis!!!” …..

She was so sweet to have bought baby clothes for little peanut. The problem is, apparently, she thought I was having a girl and had bought pink clothes. My poor sis has to go back to the shops and switch them into boy’s apparel. Bless her.

We are still not 100% sure about peanut’s sex. Hopefully we get a much clearer view next week during our doctor’s visit. I am praying that its definately a boy, otherwise one of two things might happen… My sister will either kill me… or the baby will have to wear clothes made for the opposite sex!

Peanut has a Penis?

shoop80 — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 05:04:00 +0000

I went to SMC yesterday for my third doctor’s appointment with Dr. K. I asked the doc during the ultrasound if he was able to find out the sex of baby peanut already ( I am 16 weeks along). He asked me what sex hubby and I wanted. I said a girl and hubby said it didn’t matter. Doc started looking at peanut from different angles and said he could see a little penis! My first thought was “peanut has a penis”?!

I won’t deny that I was a little disappointed as I had pictured dressing peanut in cute little dresses and do her hair and do all the lovely things that girls do. I also thought that a little girl wouldn’t be as naughty as a little boy. Especially if said little boy would take after his daddy who was quite naughty as a child. Another huge reason is the fact that we can’t find any baby boy names that we like. Hubby told me to find an Italian sounding name that isn’t Italian! I can’t think of any. I must go and get us a baby names book now!

OK, I’ll admit that I am ranting a little but deep inside I am grateful for our little peanut who I believe is a gift from God. Boy or girl… I love my little peanut so much and I am sure that as soon as we see each other face to face it will be love at first sight penis and all.

Pastillas de Leche

shoop80 — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 11:22:00 +0000

After reading Market Man’s blog entry on Pastillas, I quickly phoned my mum in Manila with strict instructions to order 2 boxes of Iya’s Jumbo Pastillas and bring them here to K.K. posthaste.

When I unpacked my mum’s suitcase and found the green boxes with the cows on it, I quickly thought, jackpot!!!! We opened the first box as fast as we could and each took one piece. At first glance, it looked like how pastillas were supposed to look, white cartolina covered by a layer of white paper. The pastillas itself were large but I would not call them jumbo either. When we would normally buy pastillas, they were usually an inch long, the Iya’s brand were easilly double their size.

It had a lovely creaminess to it which melts in your mouth. They were so soft and fresh just like good pastillas should be. It was love at first bite, but after chewing for a bit, I realised that they were a little bit too sweet for me and I had to drink half a glass of water after each piece.

All in all for 250 pesos per box of 24 pieces, they definately cost more than your run of the mill pastillas, however, I think that 250 is a fair price and I would definately get more when I go back to Manila.

To get yourselves some good pastillas, call Iya’s at 729-0325 and make sure you make your orders at least 2 days in advance.

Lihi atbp.

shoop80 — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:22:00 +0000

In the Philippines, pregnant women have this condition called “lihi”. It’s when a pregnant woman strongly craves for something, usually but not limited to food. Now, I have heard of really outrageous cravings from women around here. One woman at work pined, craved and would not rest until she got to eat a koi fish! Other examples of strange cravings are the combination of pickles and ice cream, chewing on bath sponges (without swallowing) and even mud, clay or laundry starch! The condition of craving for non edible foods is called Pica. It is believed that pica occurs when the mother lacks certain vitamins or minerals in her diet. If any of you yummy mummies experience the need for eating inedible substances, please tell your doctor right away.

I on the other hand, do not have cravings for mud, or anything “weird” in that sense. The weirdest thing I’ve had so far are green apples dipped in soya sauce! What I have been craving for on a daily basis is ketchup! I find myself salivating over the thought of french fries and burgers smothered with ketchup. I also crave for a lot of food that I can’t find over here and it has been very frustrating! I miss my old Filipino favourites like pastillas de leche, green mangoes and bagoong, polvoron, bottled tuyo, Brazo de Mercedes, mum’s mechado, and tamarind candy. Thank God the Philippines is close enough that mum can come in a moment’s notice to fulfill my pregnant desires. While waiting for her to get everything on my list together, I often have a look at Market Man’s blog and find myself craving for even more goodies from back home. I am a hopeless case. hehehe

Here in Sabah, Malaysia, people are very superstitious. Old wives tales are taken very seriously and ever since people have found out about my pregnancy, I have been hearing a steady stream of advice on what to do and what not to do. Last week, I was sitting in the staff canteen hapily eating a few slices of pineapples. Little did I know that people were watching me and later informed me that pregnant women should not eat pineapples. I was shocked! They said that pineapples were very acidic and are used to terminate pregnancies over here. Huh?! Really? Wait, I have another one to top that. I was told to keep a lime in my pocket. They believe that a pregnant woman’s blood is sweet and carrying a lime in your pocket disguises the sweetness so that the monsters don’t bother you and take your baby away. Wow. Monsters after my baby? That’s a bit far fetched for me but I still respect the ladies’ words of wisdom and love how sweet and caring they are over here. Sabahans are the best!