tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58152769607446297182024-03-06T00:20:56.648+08:00💋 Malinalism.Just some thoughts & ideas. Nothing more, nothing less.Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.comBlogger439125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-38231540676227550582020-11-02T00:02:00.004+08:002020-11-08T19:21:09.342+08:00Living My Best As a Working From Home Mom<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="." style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="828" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNCZ8cEbdVhSLbYBZ90tPYQ48rTM-MAJ0xI6p6QEnvwZcaKZZ5R_AOxIKLVAYhESQ0Or8ChTYUJyCdPmNUAURehNTmPb0nn3tOONrkApUn_rBFaujhfuIWx3o2gp7zr2W1rmAEYgsoQA/w640-h472/Malinalism_WFHM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Ahh, working from home mom. Living the best of both worlds. Is it twice as hard or easier?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: justify;">Let me share you my day as a working-from-home mom.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am blessed and lucky enough that my husband only works twice in a week, so most of the time he will be at home helping me with Alana and I can give 110% focus with work. But the day gets so hard if my husband is at work. I will have a daily meeting at 9am and Alana will wake up at 9.30am, for milk and to change diapers. Let's say if my meeting ends before 9.30am, then I can attend Alana right away. Imagine if the meeting extends until 10am, then Alana will not receiving a proper attention from her mother and it kills me inside. LOL.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To feed her via direct breastfeeding in the morning, change her diapers, wipe her face and clean her teeth. Then I will leave her on her play mat for her playtime, I can get back to work. An hour after that, she needs her breakfast. I need to prepare her food and feed her myself. I usually do not let her to feed herself if she is alone with me without my husband because then who's gonna clean all the mess? I am busy with work, so certainly not me! Hahah! Then back to her playtime until 12 noon, I will be focusing with work. Hardest part is yet to come, guys.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">12 noon, her lunch time. Again, away from laptop to prepare her food and to feed her. Then breastfeed. Yes, I do not feed her with expressed BM because I am so lazy with the fact I need to pump. So yeah, direct BF is FTW! Then 1pm, her nap time. YASSSSS. I can get back to work, do daily tasks, finish my projects, reply emails and Skype chats and tackle Microsoft Teams tasks, prepare presentation slides and so on.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But not for long, Alana will wake up at 2pm and the hardest time is here. After 2pm, Alana turns into an overly attached baby. She is the most baby in the history of babies in the universe. She gets super-clingy. She wants me to hold her, all, the, time. If I ever put her on the play mat, just to go to the loo, or to the kitchen to get a glass of water, she'll bawl her eyes out.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hence, I need to hold her on my chest to continue with my work. That is considered as easy if I don't have meetings. Imagine meetings after 3pm, for one hour. With a baby strapped to my chest, her sneaky little hands keep reaching for the keyboard or mouse. Let say I need to unmute the meeting and it is my turn to talk, Alana also wants to join the meeting and started talking and screaming and babbling. If it's just among my team members, they will think it is cute. If the meeting involves the stakeholders and members from other teams, they will think it is unprofessional. They may understand because everybody is working from home now, hearing kids' screaming at the back is kind of the new norm for all working parents, LOL, but I don't want to seem "inappropriate". That's all.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Continue with snacks and naps and playtime, 6pm is here. Finish with work, can finally prepare Alana's dinner. I usually will prepare her meals for entire week on Sundays. So I just mix the food together; for example, I have blended, cooked and prepared broccolis, carrots, rice, chickens, pumpkins all in separate containers. When the day comes, I just mix the food I want to give her on that particular day and heat it up and serve.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Changing diapers in between work is nothing, it takes only about 5 minutes. But to feed her (feeding meal and direct BF) and to attend her if she cries take more time. Alhamdulillah, my husband's shift really works in our favour so that he could basically takes care of Alana the entire day while I am working, only calls me out when Alana needs her milk.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I can focus on preparing stuff for dinner after I finish working, after 6pm. Can only start to cook once my husband's home from work at 8pm. So we usually going to have our dinner a bit late in the evening if it is my husband's working day, because I cannot leave Alana alone in her playpen while I am in the kitchen. She needs at least one of her parent to be in front of her to watch her play with her toys. LOL. Super manja this one. Manja or dependent? Hmm.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Once my husband home from work, since its Covid-19 era, he needs to go straight to the bathroom without seeing us first. After that, time to bathe Alana, feed her and at 9pm, I can only start cooking for dinner. Then dinner time and next, attend Alana for her final feeding time before she goes to bed at 11pm.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">11pm, tidy up around the house, store her toys away, TV time, me time, phone time or chatting with my husband while he massages my feet. I love my 11pm time! Speaking of which, I am typing these words at 11.30pm, right now. LOL!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have no complaints though. I may be completely knackered and no time for myself, but at the end of the day, everybody sleeps with a full tummy and at the end of the month, I get to splurge online. Kidding! I can help my husband or ease his burden, financially. We can provide more for our Alana and have a comfortable home to live in and I am thankful and always grateful for that, Alhamdulillah.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Other than that, of course, I have no transportation costs at all by staying at home and working from home. I even buy groceries online and they will send it on my doorstep. No costs of going out. Also, no costs for paying for kindergarten/play school/babysitter/carer since my husband and I can take care of Alana ourselves. Basically, this current situation really cut us some costs that we have more money to save or invest and to buy high-quality grocery products.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is honestly a blessing in disguise for me, despite the pandemic but yes, I am super lucky to see my daughter grows up right before my eyes up until today, she is now 7 months old, without missing a single minute. It may be overwhelming but nothing beats the feeling of being present for my baby girl that I was there with her when said her first word, which was, "Ibu". InshaAllah I will be there for her first everything. Looking forward to work from home forever. LOL!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">X</span></p>Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-86488239481976051382020-11-01T23:51:00.003+08:002020-11-02T00:09:33.602+08:00SAHM vs WM vs WFHM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="828" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFT6PibE0zdFm6fhYUV0drlme4SmnS_VhB5aMWBzA1OWzeM5NwPe3MfDwtxdd7vNyBkI4V-gn_NyhzPsDGXdta63wktONflSGhKOr_Ea0IkwF033aLV-m59b9cgsVrf4d9UXr-wv0Z_7w/w400-h395/IMG_2122.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="828" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxgSnrbgfUSDk9emI-hSxcVlsZQGOhY2OEHXtJ44gQHgtoSxakUtaLx2WaYo78ofoe4LewT6f4V89HBIT3UX-6BGJoo6uf5r440icPGWOI2GS6NmDPqbmeIYS2FrqHvf3r0OGpytu4tI/w400-h336/IMG_2123.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I posted a question in my Instastory on Instagram, asking moms around me; Would love to hear opinions about whether they're stay-at-home moms, working moms or working-from-home moms. 69% of moms who participated are either working/working from home moms and 31% are stay at home moms.</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And my next question was to describe and share how is it going for them so far to be in those situations. Here are some of the answers:</span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">Stay-At-Home Mom (SAHM)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pros</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More time with kids and family</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More time at home</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have time to tidy up the house</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have time to prepare food</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have time to do chores</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More consistent routines/ Stick to schedules</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Can focus on kids</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Get to interact with other SAHM</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Always there for the kids for everything; first word, first step</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Understand the kids more</span></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cons</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No me-time</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No breaks, constant chores</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Overwhelming/frustration</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Feel trapped</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;">Reduced finances to the household income</li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wishing to have more me-time</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hardly to have social life</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Boredom/loneliness</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Miss to have conversations with adults, in person</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">Working Mom (WM)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pros</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Me-time</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More time to do other things</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More focus on work</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Easy to prioritise and allocate time to do something</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Adding more income to the household</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Become positive role models</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Raising kids to be more independent</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have stories to tell other than personal life</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good standard of living</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No dependence on the husband</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Still have a social life</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have conversations with adults on daily-basis</span></li><p></p></ul><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Cons</div></span><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No time for kids and family</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Less time at home</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Limited amount of time to do chores</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More tired and more stress</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Constant worry of kids being away</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Missed out on the kids' progress while being away</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Kids may feel alone</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Caveat; font-size: large;">Working-From-Home Mom (WFHM)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This is something that I can relate to since I am one. I have been working from home since March (even before Alana was born, due to MCO - Covid-19 first wave in Malaysia) until today and Alhamdulillah it gets much easier now compared to the first few weeks I started working from home with a baby after my maternity leave ends. Here are some of the answers from WFH moms, also added points from my end too:</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Pros</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">More time to spend at home</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have time to cook and prepare food</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have time to prepare food</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have time to do chores</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Adding more income to the household / more stable finances if the husband is working too</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have stories to tell other than personal life</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Good standard of living</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No dependence on the husband</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Have conversations with adults on daily-basis, but virtually</span></li><p></p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cons</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lack of focus to do work</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Lack of focus to take care of the household</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hard to juggle between two roles at the same time</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Super-stressed trying to keep up</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No social life, physically (but since it's MCO, everybody basically does not have a social life outside their home anymore)</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No me-time</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No breaks</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Constant responsibilities</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So little time, so many things to do</span></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">These are common answers I received from you mommies on Instagram. Thank you for your participation and thank you for your honest opinions about your current situation as a mom.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">My intention to do this is not to see who's the best or the worst nor to compare between moms. I want to know how challenging it is once you become a mom. Doesn't matter if you're working or staying at home, we all have our own hustles, hurdles and life to deal with. We go through these pros and cons for our loved ones. Everybody wants to do the best, be their best and give their best to ensure happiness for the family.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No one has it harder or easier. First rule of being a mom: Do it your own way, stop comparing yourself with other moms out there and never ever compare your child with others. Focus on providing the best you can, inshaAllah, God will make it easy for you. Trust me, it'll get better. Well, you will get more tired each and every day (LOL) but you will get used to it as time goes by. SAHM, WM, WFM and all kinds of moms in the world, keep it up. You are doing your best and I am proud of you X</span></p></div>Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-39964639949756223632020-10-08T14:27:00.007+08:002020-10-09T14:03:27.598+08:0013 Ultimate Must-Haves For Your Baby's First Solid Food<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKfRMMX0SB4EWZS2Gl42NGXsIGlF8FTzTrJwzU2WfBlnuwuyqCsPty5XpVR8ErCdZIANp8Zh54IA4lad9KgAg-ecntFQkBjt5T1srYZhqrD9QZkCnCDltkUoYz0uAPDLzoH1pGlfguIc/w512-h640/Malinalism-AlanaSoraya.JPG" width="512" /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">x</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Starting your baby's first solid food is nothing but fun! And a mess too. LOL! But personally, for me, it is the most fun part about having a baby, meal time! I love to see how my daughter really enjoy food other than just breastmilk and at times she will be like spaced out in-between spoon for me to feed, and most probably she is thinking, "Wow, I wasted my whole 6 months of life tasting just the milk from my mom whilst there are a lot more other flavours in the world?". That dialogue is 99.9% accurate because a mother knows everything. LOL!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It is an exciting journey and it can be pretty daunting too. Parents will think, "What to buy? Which one to choose? What is the best products or brands in the market right now? If this really works for my baby? I am busy, I do not have time to do all these. What to Google for them? What is solid food? What is puree? Do I need to buy bunch of other things?"</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">No worries.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I have prepared this list for you to take a look at and to get some ideas on how to start and what are the ultimate essentials for your baby's first solid food. Let's begin!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>1) High chair / Booster chair</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Jellymom Wise Chair</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBFSHQxC2QQU5KJoUu9BywpXzQNIUTyk6FsKfi6YYB-E-BLsLGHP89TKMStizMd_iJe3IW6_MWWM5cEBDFCCD3sx2p7NMyNEPNBWK7OmIVmIwqhhWjHvdKoa0CgKcx9H85uwiW3CfqrQ/w320-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_JellymomWiseChair.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3O5XhRTDCrnO5BO2DSxcOpqAWkotyOxuRWW0VfGOEziJ6dSkL0Yxv9Nxpiu0G1urOkrl-4Cj9g-kybKhFKhW7pz9N4rRX4DX3ACBvXRE5OH2n6y5UoQz5qL7lD9nd9xZmm6_ZNEPbJ6g/w320-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_JellymomWiseChair2.jpg" width="320" /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was contemplating at first on whether to buy the high chair or just a booster chair like this one. Thought of buying both but space is a luxury thing. So I opted for Jellymom Wise Chair since it is easy to carry one, for example if we were having meals at restaurants, I can just pop this chair under the stroller, push it around and since most restaurants do not allow their customers to bring in the stroller due to space limitations, I can just bring this wise chair inside, attach it onto the restaurant's chair and let my baby sit on it instead of me carrying her while I am enjoying my meal (if you don't opt for the restaurant's shared highchair). It also acts as a booster seat, so we don't have to buy any other booster seat as our kids grow older. Other than, I also use this chair for my baby's playtime. She can play in it that I just put on the floor on her playmat without me worrying her falling off from a high place. It is easy, it is safe, it is comfy for my baby to sit on since it has a jelly-like silicone seat, it is easy to clean, no problem with getting it wet, it is pretty, I like the colour choices and I can use it for years!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://www.jumpingbabyjacks.com/products/Jellymom---Wise-Chair-(Sage-Green)/6385" target="_blank">Jumping Baby Jacks</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>2) Baby Food Processor / 2-in-1 Steamer/Blender</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Philips Avent Essential Baby Food Maker</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="765" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrmq9GUy1MBPcU1NgleQWsZimsgjVWssLUP_iO49I846Avhwbhou2txvKH1YiXcqyljbklv_eosRQGORNFJvtFLgy6qPHz4EqY6-heE534iFA13F0MDpLmr2Td_GzoiPUyZPV0_MXuqo/w320-h234/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_BabyFoodProcessor2.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYCLspTboQhzijecuUKW_NK1iQ-kJKEnqEYYxPECuud6CxVBp-VnFjOs_CvyUa5StMTjjIdo6F_ueM0Su-1K47uMpakzp78kxW-3YBdSSnRAv2UTUWlMpAOy5sEj5Q9ZHPEIHimW6AGY/w226-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_BabyFoodProcessor.jpg" width="226" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I opted Philips Avent instead of the rest because, number one, the price. I honestly think Philips has a good price range on their products, it is not overpriced and I know it is a good quality product and a reliable brand. This is something I can trust and afford to buy. Since babies only eat pureed food until they reach one year old, spending thousands of ringgit for only 6 months usage, is something I think about -A LOT. I prioritize on the functions of a baby food maker/processor, make sure it has something that can ease my way to serve food for my child. Steam, checked. Blend, checked. To cook rice in it, checked. It is so easy to use, easy to clean and no messy kitchen, that's important. I like how clean the design is, how firm it is; you immediately know this is a good product. The steam works well, the blending part is so easy. Never thought of preparing food is this much fun. LOL!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://shopee.com.my/Philips-Avent-Essential-Baby-Food-Maker-Free-Food-Mug-800ml-SCF862-01-i.5396214.3217232103" target="_blank">Shopee</a></span></div></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>3) Silicone food utensils</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Beaba Silicone meal set (4 pcs)</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BuI9bcmnUwNOADaS8yTPLqIkHr4-DXUlTuYQ6Kkig1zasKVI4wx4lptTNvLxZ3geiLywlLdTw1cgYvz6qCMOdRf9frKeSRLikPj0NNqP2nVifo6XhZjNbAc3mDBlZtZP2q9iTQe0GV0/w320-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_SiliconeMealSet.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsuPeqGaIJ3dvUVjJpqohQMeicpSRsLUQ0lliLJJOPUz_z2b9zflk9W4BbOpOTiygciEXdrX9sPFdE_fI1O9xrdoH8rTznKeIlIMj9dGuOz081hC0ItdwXFayfq-xH_WrfhPTzS41tn8/w320-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_SiliconeMealSet2.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Let me tell you, THIS, IS, BASIC, NEED. Silicone utensils with suction bottom is a game-changer. No more food spills, no more mess, no more flying plates and cups, no more breaking plates and cups. Those are few reasons why. LOL. Next is, I love that it is silicone so that my baby can bite on it when she tries to feed herself. The cup and spoon are soft to bite on. It is light, easy to clean and this is the basic item you will need to start the journey of your baby's first solid food.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://www.babydash.com.my/beaba-silicone-meal-set-pink-4-months.html" target="_blank">Babydash</a></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>4) Silicone baby food dispensing spoon</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Haakaa food dispensing spoon</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlR6_lmN5yWmj8PiuWa1rJzwIJDbm6e8V-LvsVdPUNyVSiZqGxQ7IwDgmw4Yn-8bVqGa0qNxC3dkH2cQor_sLnehdGaA99PdgMXjOZqZwMeS0-1c64_byxgGqI7GX2TwnUqRL109vFSs4/w400-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_SiliconeFoodDispenser.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You might need this and you might not. It depends on your lifestyle and depends on your preference if you like to feed them with a bowl and a spoon or just through this food dispenser. For me, personally, I really enjoy using this food dispenser spoon. More like on-the-go kinda thing, also I need things to be fast and super easy with no mess, then I am all up for it. I use this for snacks that I can easily reach it and it is just one spoon away to feed my baby. The food only comes out when you press on the silicone tube and pop the lid back if you finish feeding your baby. Just wash the spoon part and you can use it again without wasting any food. I also use this for expressed breast milk to feed my daughter to train her on using spoon since she still say no to bottles. And it works, thank God!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Where I bought it: </span><a href="https://www.babydash.com.my/haakaa-silicone-baby-food-dispensing-spoon-grey.html" target="_blank">Babydash</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>5) Food feeding teether</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dr. Brown’s™ Fresh Firsts™ Silicone Feeder</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="458" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeubE7cZc7GLVKRNp0CdiJXZ3U33iknR9k7mxXXG8coFa5N75R7Jl8oh1awZYqrZ-NfRtO2vNgQycfeLHSTPr0OcGBLyWw_7Rx-2upV0-ZEzQ0JZ5FLBYKCpfdN3tylQMro59Z_hesRS8/w400-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_SiliconeFoodTeether.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This item definitely a must if you opt for BLW instead of puree. I use this product to introduce my daughter with new food especially for snacks, like, avocado or steamed apple. Just enough for her to taste new flavours and at the same time, for her to get the nutrients while exploring new food. And oh yes, this also promotes your child's motor skill since they need to hold the food feeder to feed themselves.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>Where I bought it: </span><a href="https://shopee.com.my/Dr.-Brown's-Fresh-First-Silicone-Feeder-(Mint-Grey)-1pc-i.12708420.2461862642" target="_blank">Shopee</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">6) Silicone bibs</span></b></div></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUyNtr8n69Pmqax5j_TRieKI7TQEjrL9SCN6QoLZjWYy-kzfRHDCRBsjn67K-t_v7GL4HcLAf8wPBpP1wXEEQ2I700lBCHX-5c2yzHZIyhjPC_dKtl40OMS6LOTmcsGCoFzl1R3j3Xkxc/w400-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_SiliconeBibs.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is no doubt a must-have item in order to keep your house neat and clean while your babies are happily enjoying their meal. You will need this. There is catcher at the end of the bib to catch any food spills, so you don't have to worry about any mess happening on the floor. It's silicone, so it is easy to clean, just wash off any food stain with soap and water, dry it off and you can use it again for the next meal. Say no to disposable/plastic products!</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://shopee.com.my/search?keyword=silicone%20bib" target="_blank">Shopee</a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>7) Splash/Splat mat</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="452" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFucaUaCh9HgMmkfBu4GSA2llBcyq_xIoygSpJ28iB07TrbQgmQcleNllGZxPxAch_arw1C35JF-BM6L2idEO95lpYqBS7fGZbSCfLRsqXcPl7pyLqM3oLCLN_TWU0YuFqI2ZsMWjp1kc/w400-h308/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_SplatMat.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Splash mat is needed when you allow your child to feed themselves, especially baby led-weaning. Those food nicely arranged in your baby's plate won't be inside the plate anymore. It will be all over the place especially when they are new to this food world! They will eat using their hands (yes, plural. Hands), but the food sometimes missed their mouth. It will be on their faces or they will throw it, mash the food and splat it all over the floor. So it is better to have a splash mat placed under your baby's highchair or wise chair, so that they can explore the food better without the parent(s) interrupting them. You can choose the washable plastic mat that can be washed with washing machine for hassle-free, easy cleaning.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://shopee.com.my/140cm-Large-Highchair-Splash-Mat-Baby-Paint-Splash-Mat-Large-Protective-Floor-Splash-Mat-Waterproof-and-Anti-Slip-i.241583205.6029264737" target="_blank">Shopee</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>8) Baby rusks / food-to-go</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Heinz: Farley's Rusks Original & Heinz Baby Fruit Puree</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QMLEoElN6WIzdert3xXzBZDIVjKC0Xgy4gvQ7C5cyA2fuikQET0-CNSezrctB0O479rd6hw7uBygQUj6Iy6-lr83W4iLnct6gNVm4WQGzvBHZ3kvFF5GwLncQiKK2GCrfhegNXwmfXw/w320-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_BabyRusks.jpg" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTwX-k7E46egRjYGhoz8T0cPohmmuRIWbinRa_466d4b2zFjuER_eGm0Gu1cT34w0jBKLoTtpNPuv0W7tUodwaobYskHZb1hyF487pccgmQEr50f7eU9B8r7ZuVFt0fIK6KbgXcxRkdg/w320-h320/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_BabyFoodToGo.jpg" width="320" /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Food-to-go is needed mostly when you're lazy. HAHAH! That, and also when you are traveling. No such thing as bringing all those food processor and bowl and buying groceries while you are on a trip. But this is an option because certain parents won't allow their child to have any processed food until they hit a certain age, so they would prefer to bring their own food for their baby when traveling.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://www.babydash.com.my/formula-food/food/puree-jars.html" target="_blank">Babydash</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>9) Baby Led Weaning recipe book / cookbook</b></div></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>The Baby & Toddler Cookbook</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="318" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1ZrjjiMBxl4vxY3SVfg-clX8peuMNLtxSOXZg3nxfwhFXPKzQ9WGcJL63wwwWk8kWy3eyX0SB0rFzULguXbAo_8CQYMAAlVOkCaYgRqLr9PDDZzVZnHC2XaAPjxnNcu_PozWFU8s5pM/w354-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_BabyCookbook.jpg" width="354" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Any baby cookbook would do based on your preferences. Any recipes that suit your baby will do just fine, just be in mind on the age of your baby whether or not they can consume the food yet. You should read and do a lot of research or ask your pediatrician whether your baby age can eat the food and also don't forget to check for your baby's allergies as well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/products?utf8=%E2%9C%93&is_searching=true&restrictBy%5Bavailable_only%5D=1&keywords=baby+cookbook&taxon=&x=34&y=16" target="_blank">Kinokuniya</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">10) Wet wipes</span></b></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Applecrumby™ Extra Thick Premium Baby Wipes</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrQ4XYoyVwJiBeC1bwIq7fJOmIDxBVmbIvE-CMeoNQkCL-WY9QxsqWoqnf9SKUxOvZIc4BwNZQuF0FpxArly9cf6NEXTBsXUhE7yQUA8lrqLOZrQJ8guCKltpyV7yIJoMVctNd89i_RkM/w400-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_WetWipes.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because it will be a mess all over your baby's face! And hands. Sometimes shoulders and hair. And the food tray. LOL! So it is best for a quick wipe before you head to the faucet to clean them with water.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://www.applecrumbyandfish.com/wipes">Applecrumby</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>11) Baby food storage cups</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Autumnz EASY Baby Food Storage Cups</i></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTDTXkd1hiqgYrbeyhc2zmFE-luZN5s8n1WQ3bzLK8IIBcFO2l9rUVnp80qhblsjgiDQ5MKeYjXQt49zCws5bHhEXQ9VIOmfpqhumz7iQlBAhnb-0iLWcXTBBHRZeHcc1ZU4z8kXxvuQ/w400-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_BabyFoodStorage.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Yes, you will need these babies to store extra purees you have made. Babies only eat a small amount of food per serving and usually the food you have prepared by the food processor is always more than per serving meal. This will save time and energy for the next meal preparation. Hop on to a steamer or microwave to heat it up and you can serve the food right away.</div></span><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://www.babydash.com.my/catalogsearch/result/?q=Autumnz+EASY+Baby+Food+Storage+Cups" target="_blank">Babydash</a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>12) Bottle/Utensils cleaner</b></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Applecrumby™ Bottle & Utensil Cleaner</i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="1100" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UuJCqdX1bOhaQKy0tzc8IuLIkHNjeHAFhe-TM1S4H9dgro3aY24Y2AUe2F0N4A4lnoU26aMBnCnU0uGBmslKLpmE-DA0tYXo3r-U1gql-9dhehIvBDoGVBIzQssHsqMpBCzY6oSip20/w334-h400/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_UtensilCleaner.jpg" width="334" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">You need a good 'ol trusted, organic-ingredients products for your baby. I am using Applecrumby Bottle & Utensil Cleaner to wash Alana's cutleries and bibs. Only one pump away to the scrubbing sponge and everything will be as good and clean as new.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Where I bought it: <a href="https://www.applecrumbyandfish.com/product/16713">Applecrumby</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>13) Groceries</b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1024" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHdmOYdtq2Uq8yMk_3XfVPopG7tDfyi6dBlnIBWKGIwyYbFnDa-7iwBlK4m-ecGsCMeQy0HNpfUrw1szsMaXzZU8qsjg5va3dgm40esAbyDReRqtd55W-HstSYulwKuCqTzf8NwzTSa8/w400-h270/Malinalism-FirstSolidFoodMustHaves_Groceries.jpg" width="400" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Preparing food for your baby is so fun! From picking the best and freshest food products in a market, to preparing it and to feed them are nothing but joy. Groceries and good food products are actually the ultimate must-have to feed your baby their first solid food. Opt for all natural food like, fruits and vegetables. Do research beforehand on what you can or cannot give them at their current age, check for allergies as well before you buy your groceries. First food I bought for Alana were baby rice, bananas, apples, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, avocados. My pediatrician asked me to only give Alana rice porridge for the first week of solid food, then can gradually try and mix the rice with some veggies like broccoli or carrots.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">x</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Different baby has a different growth rate. No babies are the same. Kindly seek for your pediatrician on when to start your baby's first solid food and enjoy the journey! It is fun!</span></div>Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-18815313748381626332020-08-29T00:37:00.002+08:002020-08-29T00:37:58.144+08:00Alana's Daily Routine - 4 months old baby<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alana Soraya's Daily Routine. Welcome. Let's get to know her busy schedule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9am:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tummy time / playtime</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11am:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nap in her rocker (45 mins - 1 hour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">12 noon:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bath time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tummy time / playtime</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nap - lie flat (45 mins - 1 hour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tummy time / playtime</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nap in her rocker (45 mins - 1 hour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bath time (with wet wipes)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change new diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fresh new PJs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tummy time / playtime</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nap - lie flat (45 mins - 1 hour)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wake up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Relax, lie in her rocker (Turn down TV volume, dim the lights down)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11pm:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Change diapers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3am:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cooing for feeding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Continue to sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7am:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Cooing for feeding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Feeding time</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Continue to sleep until 9am</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of diapers changed per day: 6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of hours nap per day: 4 to 5 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of hours sleep per day: 10 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Number of hours for playtime: 6 hours</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This has been ongoing since Alana is 3 months old. Alhamdulillah. What a punctual little baby.</span><br />
<br />Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-68130936484824756482020-08-29T00:14:00.001+08:002020-08-29T00:17:27.483+08:00A Blessing in Disguise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="828" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3-L60zoioZhyphenhyphenPtgA16_WFiiUqnK9xkMwLs5bbzfVtl1Uaz6rNeAxaAFmAgptIEDoHn6ZkyH_pNBi3Zwwl8RZCGjyMhGw8aYSAXMswoG27r_cQzTiDg0XS_vrP9PMSxTIiakWbgqpwx8/s640/IMG_0779.jpg" width="640" /></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">"<i>Sometimes life takes you in a direction you never saw yourself going. But it turns out to be the best road you have ever taken.</i>"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">I found out that I was 2-month pregnant August last year and never thought that I could survived giving birth last April. It was the most amazing yet scariest thing I have ever went through especially to give labour without my husband by my side with Covid-19 pandemic happening in the world, today, as I am typing this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">2020 is by far the scariest year, most overwhelming and shocking pandemic happens as we speak. The current death toll of Covid-19 as of today, August 28th, is 836596 deaths with currently more than 24 million confirmed cases in 213 countries. Innalillah. To victim's friends and family members, stay strong and let's do our part to stop spreading this virus.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Since my title is about blessings, I count them twice and I count it again. Alhamdulillah, despite of scary things happening around us now, I am blessed with a sweet, healthy, happy daughter. Alhamdulillah, I am beyond grateful and will never stop be thankful for I have a tiny family to be with right now.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">I was taught since I was a little kid, to be thankful with what I currently have, no matter how tiny or insignificant it is to others. So never take things for granted and always make the best out of everything that you have, be thankful and be happy with it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">The obvious one to be thankful for is of course, I have more time to spend with my family. There were some few missing years with my family when I was studying for my degree that I can finally make up to. I stayed with my parents and my sister in my parents' suburb home after I gave birth to Alana, did my confinement there for three whole months. Spend time with my loved ones, plus an addition of a tiny one to our family member are the cherry on top.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">After my confinement ends, we moved to our newly-renovated home (our kitchen is finally done! Yay!) along with a tiny new housemate, LOL! As a working mom, it will be hard to start working and go to the office and leaving my daughter behind, separated from her, whether at home with a babysitter or relatives or drop her off at a nursery or kindergarten. Wow, it tears me up just to think of it. But Alhamdulillah, I have not go through that yet, not now, since my company allows us to work from home. That is the second blessing. Not to be separated from my baby girl and I can spend time with her, take care of her without no help from some strangers, I can monitor her and watch her grow right in front of my eyes. I have never separated from her since day one, well I am sure it will be hard in the future since she is still exclusive , direct breastfeeding but I have faith that once I introduce food to her, she can adjusts herself to expressed breastmilk via bottles. LOL. Pray for me!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Adjusting and juggling myself as working-from-home mom took some time at first. I have to learn on how to go back and forth between laptop and early morning meetings and late night meetings and handling daily tasks and projects with breastfeeding, burping and changing diapers, bathing time and at times holding Alana in my arms while attending meetings. Its hard at first but I get the hang of it eventually. It gets easier each day. Alhamdulillah, Alana is not a fussy baby and she is very punctual in pooping and sleeping and feeding. So I can work on my time around hers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Third blessing is when my husband gets to work only twice a week! Syukur Alhamdulillah. More time with Alana and my husband! He also gets to take care of Alana and being present to watch her grow. My work and house chores are easy now that my husband is always around to help out. He can keep Alana entertained while I am swarming with work and attending meetings. Couldn't be more happier.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Fourth is of course our financial is more secured now that transportation cost to work cuts to almost zero, house and car loans are exempted for six months due to Covid-19 as a moratorium from the government. So we have the opportunity to save and invest more, also, enough to cover our expenses especially with a baby and her things.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Last by no means least, I love our life now that we do not have to face people out there. I mean, I have always been the person who hates crowded places, be in a crowd where people never cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough, people who stands so close to me like I do not have an invisible bubble, basically, I do not like to be in a place where I don't trust the cleanliness and the people and their germs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Now that lockdown is here, or Movement Control Order (MCO) has been introduced to us since last April, I have never felt more safe. I know the virus is still there but the fact that I can control what I do, who I meet and where I go without people hating me is the best. I am taking extra precautions to protect my family and my home and nothing is wrong with that. Better be safe than sorry.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">Limited number of people to be inside a store or restaurants, sanitizers are everywhere, people wearing face mask, means, no germs from their body to be out in the air, everybody prefers to stay at home than going out and somehow decrease the road traffic and at the same time, road accidents. Social distancing is the best of all since people must stay away from each other for at least 6 feet apart. I have been doing that before this pandemic happens and I love that everybody is finally doing the same.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">I may sound like a complete arse, but its true. The main blessing is, surely, Earth is healing. Rivers and oceans are so much cleaner and clearer now, flora and fauna grows rapidly, skies are clearer that you can see more stars and air quality has improved since the lockdown.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: georgia;">This pandemic forced businesses, flights, cars on the road, industrial activities, all human activities to shut down that causes a positive impact on environment, on air pollution, on greenhouse gas emissions all over the world. Though Covid-19 has brought chaos to lives and economies all around the world but air quality is improved and the world is finally healing.</span></div>Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-78826157417042212752020-04-22T20:24:00.001+08:002020-04-28T21:53:47.771+08:00Let's Shop Online For Your Baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="828" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhJh6pKq6_WlCfN-O1fBHGtsG2xrJcq6Ku22HNtXp0C9t_OtJVV0hGkPrc3k0hx_x3MiRTskKBdFzhPFB1Dv_3-TQ2LB3eR0WOyoVZIt-Ttn4tXU_xQ48WS_V4deFjWSTOyhe-7qtzCw/s640/Malinalism_shoponline.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are the most visited websites (by me) when it comes to online shopping for Alana. I bought most of items for her from these stores, via online. Browse, click & wait for your stuff to arrive on your doorstep! Take note that there will be slight delay for your parcel to arrive due to overwhelming orders during MCO. Happy browsing, happy shopping! Hope you find the one for you and your baby!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tips: It will be good if you already have browsed and surveyed the item beforehand (see & touch the item you wanted to buy in person from the store) for a better judgment of the product, especially, items like; baby cot, car seat, stroller, bottle, teats. If that makes sense to you. But you can buy items like cleaning products, diapers, wet wipes, etc. straight away via online without seeing or touching it first, of course. LOL! Take note that these are the stores from Malaysia.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.happikiddo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happikiddo</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.babydash.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Babydash</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.babyandcomalaysia.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby&Co.</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mylovelybaby.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My Lovely Baby</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.mothercare.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mothercare</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://babydots.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Babydots</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://supremeglobal.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Supreme Global</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.bebehaus.com/" target="_blank">Bebehaus</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.jumpingbabyjacks.com/" target="_blank">Jumping Baby Jacks</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.motherhood.com.my/" target="_blank">Motherhood</a></div>
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<a href="https://shopee.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shopee</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.lazada.com.my/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lazada</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stay home, stay safe, stay in & let's shop online for your baby's essentials. Don't forget to have your purse (for your debit / credit card) with you! Yay!</span></div>
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Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-82508406784484532622020-04-22T13:50:00.001+08:002020-04-22T19:39:43.903+08:00First Few (& Essential) Things to Buy Before Your Baby's Arrival<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKnVfUf0NH5zpwHKWrYUNQsTPR1KlnEbdSWX1Fg-jCa0Q_5rdRE8-zy8KmI3CTnJRlEnP3MhUKRJAKvq1hHRPJuYD921480vt2YaaCMD1P9gqRy-YHcno1OYKZQyby-hKsOkYmAFFVR4/s640/IMG-4570.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>For you mommies:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Breast pump - Automatic</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Haakaa / Autumnz manual breast pump / collection cup</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Breastmilk storage bags</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maternity/nursing bra</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cotton disposable panties</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Maternity pads</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Breast pads</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nipple cream</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bengkung</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Stretch mark lotion</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Epsom salt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ice pack</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A good massage from your husband (wink*)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good hair scrunchies (if you have a long hair and long bangs)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>For your little ones:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wet wipes (lots of it!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diapers (NB & S size)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Burp cloths (lots of it!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few onesies (NB & S size)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mittens</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Booties</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hats</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Swaddles</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bottles</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Formula milk (in case if your milk is not enough/hasn't produced much)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nappy balm</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby lotion</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bath tub</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Head-to-toe wash</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blanket</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cotton buds</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cotton pads</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alcohol swabs</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">ClevaMama - ClevaFoam Infant pillow (you can buy other brands, but I am using this one for Alana and she sleeps soundly with this)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Minyak telon</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Plush toy (to accompany your baby while sleeping)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby grooming kit - nail clipper, thermometer, nasal aspirator / nose cleaner, comb, scissors</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hooded towels</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Huge towels</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Nursery essentials:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Waterproof changing mat (this is compulsory to change diapers, you need this, I swear!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby laundry detergent</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Breast pump & bottles cleaner / baby dish wash</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bottle brush</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby mosquito net</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mosquito repellant sticker</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bottles drying rack</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diaper pail/bin (Any bin with covers/lid will do)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bottles warmer</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Drawers (act as storage system & your changing station by placing changing mat on top of it!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Can buy this later after your baby's arrival:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Car seat</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby cot / crib</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bassinet / snuggler</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Swing / rocker</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Glider / rocking chair</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Baby wrap / carrier</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Play mat / play pen</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Toys</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Soft books</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Teether</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pacifier / Soother</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Night light</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Humidifier</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Air purifier</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bottles steriliser</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bottles steamer</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Diaper bag</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bibs</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">High chair</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Milk powder dispenser</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Multi-surface cleaner</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">More stocks for diapers & wet wipes (because these are never-ending items)</span></div>
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Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-2654755480427693172020-04-21T01:26:00.002+08:002020-04-21T01:28:02.818+08:00The Name is Alana Soraya ❤️<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SQTdQ_WmBx5LjFzn3A3tJ3L1XO_tFUsTaX1bAeRS9JpySe8pCIiqwh7GijKJWEflcScEfbmamDFHOxAzMFj-hAHwEtK1RKkt7lUqiG0HA5WKVY3XoGTP2LWTwRFKSxJpBP8gWZa5Odk/s640/IMG-5233.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">| A L A N A |</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: left;">It can be derived either as "precious" or "a cailĂn leanbh" for "child". Other term is "beauty" or "serenity".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">| S O R A Y A |</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">It is of Persian and Arabic origin, and the meaning is "gem, jewel".</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Alhamdulillah for my precious baby girl and a beautiful gem; ALANA SORAYA </span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14px;">❤️</span></div>
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</span></span>Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-65029032116209484592020-04-21T01:18:00.000+08:002020-04-21T04:31:05.029+08:00My Labour Journey / Diary<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>25 March 2020 | Wednesday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Week 39 Day 2 - MONTHLY CHECKUP</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">MCO time. Had to travel from my parents' place to the hospital for our second last checkup before my estimated due date (EDD). Everything was normal, my gynae checked and I haven't dilated yet. Not even 1cm. So I need one more checkup, no need to be admitted today. Alhamdulillah, baby is okay, she is taking her own sweet time to be inside me. Not ready to face the world yet due to the pandemic, I guess. What a smart girl. My gynae asks me to walk a lot, do squats and sit on a gym ball to ease the labour process, to have the dilation faster. Well, I was a lazy-ass mom-to-be, so all I did was walking from the living room to the kitchen and walking up and down the stairs to/from my room and some squats. I did sit on my gym ball but not so often. Just "cukup syarat". LOL! My bump was so heavy since the baby is already "dropped" or in position for labour / lightening. The baby can come out anytime soon now, I just had to prepare myself, physically, mentally, spiritually & emotionally for this new role as a "mother". It sounds weird but I'll do my best. By this time, my husband already packed our hospital bags and put all of them in the car, in case of emergency (water breaks, bleeding). Our hospital outfit is prepared and hanged in the closet, ready to be worn.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>30 March 2020 | Monday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Week 40 - EDD CHECKUP & ADMISSION</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day one when the government announces that we Malaysians cannot travel more than 10km. Though we had to travel to Gleneagles Hospital in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur for our EDD/week 40 checkup, but everything was easy. Went through only one roadblock and told policemen that we have prenatal checkup, and of course, they let us go. Hospital bags were in the trunk, we are ready in case if I need to be warded immediately. Reached the hospital, went up to level 7, in we go to the consultation room. It was no fun when the gynae tries to check the dilation, manually, vaginally. It is only 1cm. She told me that one labour room is booked for me today at 10pm, in case if the dilation can be 5cm by 3pm. She asked my husband and I, whether we want to go home first and we can come back later when my water breaks or the contraction starts to feel more frequent and more intense or whether I want to be admitted right now and wait for the labour to start at the maternity ward. We decided to be warded right away because it will be a troublesome to travel here and there during this MCO period. It'll be easy to just wait at the ward.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the way, due to this pandemic, the government has imposed the rule of taking the Covid-19 test to whoever that needs to be warded, no matter of their illness/reason(s) to be admitted to the hospital. My only reason is to go for a labour, hence, I need to take the test.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We registered at the registration counter in the lobby at Block A of Gleneagles Hospital, it took quite awhile for them to call out my name though I have pre-registered earlier. Then, deposit of RM6500 needs to be paid upon admission. After that, my name was called for the Covid-19 test. One healthcare worker assisted me to the A&E area, leaving my husband alone at the registration counter. I was freakin' nervous because I am aware of the procedure for the test. So as we walked to the A&E room, I asked the healthcare worker, "Does it really hurt? Especially the nostril part?" and she replied with, "Let's just say that it is very uncomfortable, but I think you can handle it" and she walked me through a room with two staffs covered in hazmat suit, saying, "Come on in, *and told the healthcare worker to close the door for her and she needs to stay outside*, I cannot touch anything else other than the swab for the test. How are you today?" and of course I told her I was nervous and asked if it really hurts and she said, "I'm not gonna lie to you, it is not the best thing ever, it will be a little uncomfortable" and she explains to me that there are gonna be two swabs; one through nostril, the other one is through mouth to get to the throat. And she sadly said, "The youngest one I did so far is a 5-day old baby, its tough, but I had to do it". 5 days, guys. 5 freakin days.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That is when a long-ass cotton bud with thin-ass stick down my throat through my left nostril. It was a weird sensation, painful and annoying, felt like something burning around my sinus area. Tears were rolling down both of my cheeks. She swabbed it good for whole 5 seconds and she took it out and onto the new cotton bud, for my throat. Then she said, "This time, I need you to say Aaaahh, until you gag." Okay, gag. I don't like the sound of it but okay. It wasn't that bad. Compared to what my nostril has been through, throat was doing alright. Then she yelled, "Alright, open the door! She's done!", the same healthcare worker opened the door and assisted me out, back to my husband's arms. I was crying and I just can't wait for this to be over. I wanted to get out of that place and just go back and just give birth at home. I was stressed out because I was and will be alone (for the delivery) to face the biggest event of my life, without my husband with me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then, another hospital staff assisted my husband and I to the maternity ward. I asked for one-bedded room and with extra single bed for my husband.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So yeah, I was admitted on week 40. Waiting for active labour or any contractions to start but I did not feel anything. No pain, at all. Nurses kept on come and go and asked questions, "Can you feel any contractions yet?", "Any painful sensation?". Nope. Absolutely nothing. I feel like it is my normal day at home and I was thinking, "Should I be here, in the ward right now? Is this really happening? Is my baby coming out soon? Maybe I should be at home. My baby is not coming out today." Then my gynae came in and checked the dilation. Still 1cm at 3pm. So she asked me to walk around the maternity ward to get the dilation happening. She was disappointed that I was napping on the hospital bed instead of exercising and walking around when she visited me in the ward. There is something about hospital beds and the A/C that make me sleepy and wants to sleep all the time. LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since my dilation is only 1cm, my gynae cancels the 10pm labour room reservation and let the waiting game begins until tomorrow morning to "manually" dilating me. So, we shall see.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">31 March 2020 | Tuesday</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am one day past my EDD. My gynae came to the ward and checked my dilation. It is still 1cm, unfortunately. So she had to do what she was about to do. Manually dilating me. By manually, it means she needs to "force-open" my cervix with her fingers. And umm, it was very uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt that much (remember my nostril?), but it was, wow. I did not expect that. I did not know that there is such a thing as dilating it in that manner. LOL! But, to look on the bright side, hey, I am 3cm dilated! Woohoo!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My gynae advised me to walk more to get the dilation at least to 5cm before we can go to the labour room, as she already booked for labour room for me at 2pm. I did not think of it as delivering my baby right away, I assumed it was just to have my epidural and I will be back in the ward while waiting for contractions. I still remember my gynae said to us earlier, "I have a booked a labour room for you at 2pm, so we can go there after your lunch and after Zuhur. You can pray jemaah with your husband and we can go after 2pm."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those who don't know, I opted for epidural with normal birth mainly because my pain threshold is too damn low so I do not want to feel the contractions or the pushing part or the tearing and stitching part, hence, the epidural.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>11am</b> - Laxative / suppository (rectal route) was inserted. I got shot while lying on my side, it was unpleasant because I was supposed to hold it for good 10 minutes but I had to go number two right after the nurse left the room. I gave it like 30 seconds then everything was out. Thank goodness I made it to the toilet just in time before the explosion happens. Haha!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2pm</b> - After our solat jemaah, it was 2pm sharp. Nurse came in and asked if I'm ready to go now, told her I will be out in a minute. Taking some time with my husband because apparently due to this Covid-19, another person is not allowed to be in the labour room with the patient. So, imagine going to the labour room without my husband with me. I did not bring my phone to the labour room with me because I really thought it was going to be the epidural insertion then I will be back to my husband in the ward but hell no. I had to stay in the labour room, alone, without my husband, without my phone, waiting for my baby to come out, anytime soon. Sigh. It was a difficult time but I remain calm, telling myself its going to be alright.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">First, I was immediately connected to a cardiotocography (CTG) machine - placed on my stomach - to monitor fetal's heartbeat and my contractions. Then, a nurse asked me, "Do you want to start the dilation now? Or you want to wait for epidural first? Because if you want to start the dilation now, I can proceed with inserting oxytocin (pitocin) but you can feel the pain of contraction. Or you cannot handle the pain?", of course I told her I want to wait for epidural first because I do not want to feel any pain, at all.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>4pm</b> - Epidural time. An aesthetician finally came in to the labour room. (Still not contacting my husband - for 2 hours now) The procedure is to inject a local anaesthetic in to the space around spinal nerves on my lower back - I had to sit down for this - instead of lying on my side. It took around 15 minutes for her to setup and tape stuff on my back until she injects it in. She was very friendly, I loved her, very "mak-mak modern" type of lady, telling stories about her life and kids and told me that this Covid-19 sucks with the fact that my husband could not be inside the labour room with me while she's working on my back. LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>First injection</i> - first <i>anaesthesia</i> is to numb the area before the epidural injection. Give it about 5 mins until the area is completely numb, then, the epidural!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Second injection - Epidural.</i> It was not a great feeling. I can feel the needle going down, towards my tailbone. As she inserting it, I was crying. It was painful, I'm not gonna lie. Because the first injection is to numb the exact place to inject a hole on my back, but not to numb my whole lower back that I can feel it traveling down. Maybe its my (very) low pain threshold that I feel it very painful or maybe I cried because my husband was not there with me to hold my hands and kiss my forehead and tell me its gonna be okay and I got this. I had to replay the last time my husband did and said to me before I went inside the labour room. I think that's the reason why I was crying while the epidural is inserted, not because of pain or anything. Haha! So the needle for epidural is in, but not the epidural analgesia yet. They need to proceed with the pitocin to induce my labour, to start the contraction, to have my cervix to dilate more than 3cm.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>5pm</b> - Still no contraction. Zero. Nada. Then pitocin comes in. My gynae comes in and explains to me the pitocin and stuff. Basically, pitocin is a natural hormone that causes the uterus to contract used to induce labour, to enter into active labour and strengthen labour contractions. Once the pitocin's in (via injection on my wrist - branch it into two - one for dilute oxytocin solution drip, the other one is IV drip), the contraction will start. Right after the pitocin, its epidural time. I can feel the coldness of the solution running through the needles and into my spine. Like literally can feel it fill in the epidural space of my lower back. Love the sensation. Then, insertion of the urinary catheter to collect urine from the bladder since I cannot move or go to the toilet (due to epidural). Basically I cannot feel the bottom half of my body. I pinched my thigh, nope, cannot feel a thing. Epidural is amazing, ladies!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>7pm</b> - The CTG machine shows that I am having a strong, frequent contractions. But I don't feel a thangggg! Thanks to my new best friend; epidural, I was busy having my dinner while watching TV, happily. Nurse came in and saw the CTG and told me that it was amazing that I still can have my meal while big contraction is happening. Hahah! Then another nurse came in and gave me a phone and said "Your husband was at the entrance and asked to pass you your phone". Yay! At last, my phone's here, I can finally contact my husband! Immediately FaceTime him and that was the best moment ever, to have him "inside" the labour room with me. Update him with everything (and I cried a bit...) and doctor came in to check my dilation while I was on the phone with my husband. I was still at 3cm and we shall wait until I can push this tiny human being out of me.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>11pm</b> - I was sleeping, epidural side effects on me were sleepy and shivering. Though I am on epidural, I can feel the contractions are getting stronger. The pressure woke me up from my sleep and its making me feel like pushing something out though I don't feel the pain. I felt the urge to pass motion, so I called the nurse, she checked on my dilation, she said I am at 8cm that I can start to push at 11.30pm and she will call the doctor since I am already in active labour. Wow, am I ready to do this? Is it really, now? I'm going to have a baby soon! She is coming out soon!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>11.30pm</b> - Push time! I kept on repeating "Allahu la illa ha' illa anta subhannaka inni kuntu minna zzalimin". Nurse came in, "Okay, you can push now. Imagine like you need to pass motion, push it hard. Once you feel the contraction, take a deep breath and push it hard for as long as you could. Don't take a second breath, you'll lose the momentum to push. Once your breath is at max, relax. Breathe like normal and wait for another contraction to come to push once more. Just keep pushing whenever you feel the contraction." It was intense since I feel the contraction every 30 seconds. I took one deep breath, I pushed it long and hard for 15 seconds and rest. I breathe normally for 15 seconds to get ready for another round of pushing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>11.45pm</b> - My doctor came into the labour room, perhaps she only comes once my dilation hits a certain number of cm or maybe when its birth crowning (the appearance of baby's head). So she took over and guided me through on what to do, when to push, how hard to push and what to recite. She helped me a lot in calming me by reciting surah, zikir and duas. I pushed it hard for half an hour and Alhamdulillah, heard her high-pitched cry and voice for the very first time. Immediately fell in love.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1 April 2020 | Wednesday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Week 40 Day 2</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>12.01am</b> - Alhamdulillah, I safely delivered a healthy baby girl, weighing at 3.21kg, 50cm tall (so cute, LOL!), with a head circumference of 34cm on April 1st, 2020, Wednesday. Alhamdulillah, I am beyond grateful and I am officially a mom to a beautiful baby girl! Tabarakallah. Allah is Great.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>12.15am</b> - After the delivery, skin-to-skin contact, delivery of placenta, first breastfeeding, stitching and settling down, I finally can reach my phone to FaceTime my husband. It was heartbreaking that he cannot be there in the labour room to witness the birth of our first, precious child, but Alhamdulillah, everything was easy. Allah ease my labour journey. Still remember my husband's face when he first saw the face of our daughter (via FaceTime). It was priceless.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nurse came in, told me that my baby needs to be cleaned and brought to the nursery and I needed to rest for a solid hour before heading back to the maternity ward. I told the nurse to bring my baby along with me since my husband hasn't met his newborn daughter yet, also for azan & qamat. The nurse cleaned me up, I was all dressed up with a fresh, new hospital gown and they brought me in once my baby is ready from the nursery.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2am</b> - Maternity ward with my daughter, finally reunited with my husband after 12 hours. He finally met his daughter, did azan & qamat to her and I finally feel at home. Alhamdulillah. I had no energy to blast the news to the family, so my husband was the reporter. Big thanks to you, sayang! ILYSMOMG!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2 April 2020 | Thursday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got one whole day of resting on April 1st (since my baby was born at 12 midnight) and it is time for discharge! We managed to cleared out billings and filling out paperworks and a lot of things to do and keep for the baby's registration at JPN and everything. Got into the car at 5pm and off we go. Onto a new journey; PARENTHOOD.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Signing off as a new mother to a precious and beautiful baby girl,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Malina Azman x</span></div>
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Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-80379468185632869632020-04-19T15:44:00.000+08:002020-04-19T16:01:19.043+08:00Alana's Nursery Journey & Updates<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have three rooms in our home and decided to have our second (largest) bedroom to be our daughter's room. Master bedroom is ours and third room (smallest room in the house) to be our (walk-in) closet and bilik solat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My nesting started back in my second trimester of pregnancy. Before the painting and drilling works began, we hired a contractor to do our flooring. From tiles to vinyl flooring, it makes so much different to our spaces. We updated our flooring in all of our rooms and also in the hallway. It took a month for the contractor to prepare materials to be sent and installed into our home, which it should be done within two weeks, but we were busy with other contractors as well, so we asked the flooring guys to start later. Loving the dark colour of the vinyl, it pops out with the bright/white/light grey colour of the wall also with black detailings e.g.: curtain railings, blinds, frames, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then we continued with drilling works; installing railings, racks, frames by our contractor. Then painting job. We painted light grey for the wall & the same grey shade polka dots for the feature wall. I have b</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: left;">een wanting a grey and white nursery room for my baby and now that I am having my own child, I got the chance to do it my own. I don’t want a pink room for a girl or blue for a boy, I love “gender-neutral” colours so that I can have the room for either boys or girls. I love to do DIY mini-project myself. Funny thing, I actually used my recently-finished white pepper bottle cap to do the dots. I just stamped it all over the wall with a grey paint & I’m loving the whole look of the room. YAY!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once the painted wall dried, we began to install the furnitures. Most of them are from Ikea & Spotlight. We installed those items within a day and onto arranging Alana's essential! Diapers, creams & lotions, booties & mittens, hats, onesies, pants & tops, wet wipes, cotton pads & buds, changing mat and waterproof mat, swaddles, burp cloths, towels. To keep all these in order, drawer inserts (SKUBB box) from Ikea are the best. It comes in two different colours, black / white, to put all tiny items in the drawer.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From doing drilling works, installing vinyl flooring, painting walls, building Ikea furnitures, it took us approximately a month plus to finish it up. At this point, we haven't bought a cot for Alana yet, and I shall update a new post soon for a baby nursery must-haves! I am currently staying at my parents', so most of Alana's stuff were sent here instead of our home. I will post up a finished look for Alana's room once items are all ready!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before the painting work starts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Installing drawers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One drawer done, one more drawer to go.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ikea SKUBB drawer inserts are TDF!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lots of love,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Malina x</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-35416905025370686252020-04-15T12:02:00.001+08:002020-04-15T16:25:20.803+08:00What's in My Hospital Bag? | Daddy Edition<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Daddy needs two bags as well. One luggage for Daddy's essentials & one bag for snacks! LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Inside the luggage</b>:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Small pillow</b> - Most hospitals provide extra bed (upon request) along with extra blanket and pillow but trust me, none of them offers a nice, comfy pillow. So its best if your husband can get a good night sleep with a comfy pillow from home before the arrival of your bundle of joy</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Blanket</b> - Again, to ensure comfiness of your husband's stay in the ward with you, just bring extra blanket</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Hoodie</b> - Hospital ward can get very cold during the night, so its good to wear a hoodie or cardigan for comfort</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Shoes</b> - Your husband might need to walk a lot to bring stuff for you and to be on his two feet for quite awhile to accompany you in the labour room, so its good to invest one and wear a proper and comfortable shoes/sneakers</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Slipper</b> - For a quick trip from the pullout bed to the toilet. LOL</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Socks</b> - One to wear with shoes and the other pair to wear for sleeping</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Long pants</b> - To beat the coldness of the maternity ward</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>T-shirt </b>- Your husband can bring 2 - 3 pair of t-shirts depending on how often he wants to bathe and to change clothes</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Cap/hat</b> - Because your husband has no time to wax his hair once the baby arrives, hence, ask him to wear a cap to cover his head. Haha!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Toiletries</b> - Toiletries bag is provided only for the patient, so your husband needs to bring all of his personal products for the 2 or 3-night stay</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Towel</b> - Hospitals will only provide towel for the patients (moms), so your husband needs to bring one for himself</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Inside the snacks bag</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Make sure your maternity ward has a fridge to keep all these! Also, these snacks are meant to be consumed while you are waiting for labour, not after the delivery.</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Biscuits/crackers</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mineral water (Hospital will provide daily - 1.5l mineral water and a thermos for hot water, but in case if you need more, you can buy one since you are also sharing with your husband)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Juices</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Smoothies in a bottle</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chocolates</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dates</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Milk</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sandwiches</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Comfort food from Family Mart (Oden?)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Junk food (For your husband because your meal will be provided 4 times a day, so you will be full but not your S/O. Hihi)</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Something extra</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did not bring these but oh how I wish I did!</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Night light</b> - If you have a night light or a small table lamp, do bring it. Unless you don't mind of a bright ceiling light on your night pee trip to the bathroom. A small table lamp with a dim light while you are about to sleep is essential (for me)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Extra towel</b> <b>for you</b> - You can use the hospital ones for your hair (because it is thin AF) and your good ol thick towel to wrap your body because hospital ward is damn cold and thin towel is not FTW</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I hope this post really helps for all mommies-to-be out there. I was clueless as well, but after a lot of reading and doing research, I can conclude that these items are the only necessity you need. You do not need more. I was admitted for 4 days and 3 nights and these are items that we need during our stay in the hospital. Hope this helps! X</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-63146399720510608342020-04-15T00:32:00.002+08:002020-04-15T16:26:53.126+08:00What's in My Hospital Bag? | Mommy Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mommy needs two bags. Yes. One hand luggage and one tote bag. Why?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Inside the luggage</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Everything you need only when you're in the ward/discharge)</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Going home outfit</b> - Please do not bring or wear a long dress that requires you strip down butt-naked for breastfeeding. If you really need to wear a dress, make sure it has a zip or button in front (chest area) for easy access to breastfeed in the car</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Disposable panties</b> - Because you don't want to use your pretty and expensive undies with massive maternity pads to get stained... TMI, whoops. Hence, my advice is to wear disposable panties for as long as possible, even after you got discharge from hospital. You can just throw away if it gets stained or change to a new one daily</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Maternity/nursing bra</b> - Again, for easy access to breastfeed in the car. You don't need to wear any while you are warded unless you are expecting visitors</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Maternity pads</b> - Hospital will provide maternity pads for you but you can always bring extra</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Breast pads</b> - You do not need this on the first three or four days after labour because breastmilk does not start to leak yet, but you can always prepare in case if your stay extends</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Lotion</b> - To prevent from dry skin from the ward's A/C</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Massage oil</b> - For that last minute massage before you go for labour</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Nipple cream</b> - If your nipples start to crack before you start to breastfeed (which I doubt so because it does not happen to me), but you can always bring it in case if your stay extends</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Socks </b>- Because the ward is damn cold, you need to wear one. I brought 4 pairs of socks with me</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Indoor slippers</b> - You need this to walk around inside the ward and also to walk around the maternity ward area to induce labour</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Sleep mask / eye mask</b> - I need this because even when you turned off the lights, nurses/cleaners/doctors will come in (or barge in) to your room and simply turn on the lights while you are still in bed</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Bathrobe / kimono gown</b> - Easy for breastfeeding if your hospital robe is not breastfeed-friendly</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Toiletries</b> - Most of hospitals will provide a toiletry kit consists of small bottles of conditioning shampoo & bath gel, toothbrush & toothpaste, face towel, lotion, cotton bud, shower cap, comb, etc. You might need to bring your own if you only want to use your own trusted products. Extra things to bring are; deodorant, facial wash, facial scrub, shaver(?) or whatever you think are needed for your daily use</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Makeup</b> - If you want to look good in case you are having any visitors in the ward, or you want to look good upon checkout or even during labour (why not?)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Extra towel </b>- You need your own thick towel from home because hospital's towel is absolute no go. LOL</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Inside the tote bag</b>:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(Everything important that is needed upon registration/for easy access)</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Hospital documents</b> - Buku pink from Klinik Kesihatan Malaysia (KKM), your hospital book, appointment cards, pre-registration for warded card, IC</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Purse</b> - Make sure you have enough cash / balance in your bank account as deposit is needed upon registration</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Phone</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Phone charger</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Laptop</b> - Why? Because hospital has a a very bad TV program and a very good WiFi connection for you to watch Netflix while waiting for active labour. LOL!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Laptop charger</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Multi-socket</b> - Because sometimes you and your husband need to charge your gadgets and devices at the same time</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Pillow/bantal busuk</b> - I brought one to the hospital because it prevents me from having a panic attack about the idea of pushing a human being out of me. Haha!</span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hope this helps for you, mommies-to-be out there! X</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-1528053130471720462020-04-12T17:19:00.001+08:002020-04-12T17:26:02.021+08:00What's in My Hospital Bag? | Baby Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMAhRtxAYXlxoyi8Me5IeVy1fi-JaBcGRa2Wl-GYv31pTH-j-oPr-IIc4RDURoLJP60jyxZK9nEMDMSyBhA4uM2jz8FXTXrf9tH_WuTQ24gidC2CG4QoXnlwXr_TsvEtQs7OyrbidpOY/s640/Malinalism_hospitalbag_2.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the duffel bag:</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Take home outfit</b> - Because apparently my hospital did not provide any outfit for the baby. You can ask your hospital if they will provide one. Else, you have to bring your own</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Onesies</b> x 2 - Buy and bring two different sizes and designs (NB size & 1-3m size), in case if the baby is too small or too big for the onesies</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mittens</b> x 2 - Buy and bring two different sizes and design, in case if its too small or big for the baby</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Booties</b> x 2 - Same goes like mittens: buy and bring two different sizes and design, in case if its too small or big for the baby</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Hats</b> x 2 - Buy and bring two different sizes and design, in case if its too small or big for the baby</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>NB diapers</b> - My hospital provides whole package of NB diapers for the baby, so I did not use mine for the whole first week of my labour</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Wet wipes</b> - My hospital does not provide any</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Muslin/swaddle cloth</b> x 2 - I used one as a swaddle and the other one is to cover the baby out from the ward to the car at the main lobby. Would not want to risk it by exposing my newborn baby to public</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Burp cloth</b> x 2 - In case if you need to wipe stuff in the car on your way back from the hospital</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Infant head support pillow</b></span></li>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You don't have to sweat it out by packing unnecessary items and too many things thinking that your baby might need this and that. Your hospital most probably will provide everything that your baby needs especially if you send your baby to the nursery and let nurses take care of them. They will only send your baby to your maternity ward every 2 hours for you to breastfeed them (if you opt for that). If you tell them to go for formula milk, they will prepare the formula for your baby and will only send your baby to your room if you ask them to. So basically, *everything is provided for your baby; top, hat, blanket, swaddle cloth, diapers, wet wipes, bath time, sleep time for the entire time you are warded until your bill is out for discharge.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So your concern is only to prepare things after the discharge, on your way back home. That's all. Hope this helps!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*Depending on your hospital. You can ask them beforehand about this for clarification.</span></div>
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Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-13737091223834232402020-03-23T13:12:00.000+08:002020-03-23T16:40:02.875+08:00Third Trimester of Pregnancy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbgC-OAlE34o4yrshCKswHIM3OZFm2O9pzwn7-6A3e4fsLX2ojxhrcZVF7CCzI7RO0igZ5PQq_N4r2O8d_-b5ai7ku_a2UJV7i4vzkdXETkBe9UIT9Z5hHAUjhlNcSAjFIiZLMo2Lnfs/s640/Malinalism_blogpost.jpg" width="480" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finish line is almost here! No more backache, hoorays! No more itchy skin! Finally I can reach my toes to give it a scrub-a-dub and to cut my toenails myself and to be able to bow down to wear socks, to put on my shoes, to tie up shoelaces, to lean over or squat to pick up things on the floor and not grabbing things with my feet anymore, to change my sleep position in peace and cannot wait not to bear this 3.4kg belly weight anymore. LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don't get me wrong. I love being pregnant. They said, "<i>Pregnancy is the easiest, embrace it. Trust me, once the baby is out, you are no longer you.</i>" HAHAH! I think I can imagine that, to live life as a mom, taking care of your lil kiddo is no easy task. You literally have no time for yourself, only focusing on your baby and taking care of the house while your husband is out for work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am enjoying my last moment of being pregnant and I am super grateful to bear this healthy baby inside me and Alhamdulillah, no complications detected so far and I am in my week 39 of pregnancy, also baby is already in its position to be delivered anytime soon now, no breech.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But due to this Covid-19 pandemic currently happening all around the world, I tend to get worried and anxious about the fact that I will be delivering my first baby in a world like this, in its worst state. I talk to my baby every day, telling on how sorry I am that my baby has to be born in times like this and I will do anything to protect my baby from those harmful, cruel, evil things out there. This pandemic, included.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you ask how's my third trimester, I'd say, "<i>Fine, I am enjoying it...</i>" but in a way, deep down inside, I am panicking whether or not I can provide the best things for my baby and have to learn on how to fully protect my baby. This outbreak is absolute no joke and it is a serious matter that most of us take it very lightly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am already in my 9-month of pregnancy and my husband is working and he rarely comes home due to his shifts, and its kinda dangerous for me to stay at home all alone in case if my water breaks whilst my husband is at work. Not funny. So, I have been staying at my parents' for almost a month now, I have been working from home and been self-quarantine with my family here for a week plus due to the restriction of movement or movement control order (MCO) by the Malaysian government until end of this month, inshaAllah. But let's say if positive cases in Malaysia does not go down by then, I think we might have to extend the MCO, maybe? I don't know, I don't want to spread any fake news or anything, it is just my personal opinion but I think we are still not fully protected. Boo you, ignorant people out there. It's not that hard to save lives by doing nothing and stay home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well anyways, enough of this negative, headache-guaranteed issue, back to my third trimester. Ehem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alhamdulillah, I am healthy, baby is healthy and moving around A LOT! Very active baby, this one, and a heavy one too (3.4kg for week 39), stretches a lot, tiny feet hitting my ribs for several times a day, thumb-sucking kind, probably right-handed human being because sucks his/her right thumb, loves to smile every time we check his/her out via ultrasound scan. He/she shares 85% of my husband's features, LOL, and fat fingers and fists, symmetrical feet, hiccups once a day for like 5-10 minutes, very much in deep sleep after eating, moving around a lot when hungry. I am so in love with my baby, can't you tell?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What hurts during third trimester and how to overcome it?</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Backache - massage and sleep with tons of pillows with you</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sole (tapak kaki) & calves lenguh - massage</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hard to get a perfect sleep position - sleep with tons of pillows with you and keep changing positions</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hard to walk due to heavy baby - wear a maternity belt and hold your belly while walking and ask someone to support you</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes you pee a little when you sneeze (LOL!) - wear a panty liner, do Kegel exercise, pee often so that your urinary bladder is not full</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shortness of breath - try to focus on your breath, do a proper breathe in (through nose) and breathe out (through mouth)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Muscle stiffness all over your body - do stretching especially if you have been sitting for too long, walk around every half an hour</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yawning - I don't know about the rest of you, but I tend to yawn a lot. This is due to lack of oxygen in your brain, dehydration and tired. Tackle this by drink plenty of fluid, get enough rest. You can sleep as much as you want now because you won't get any once the baby is out. LOL!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other than these, I also been doing a lot of research by reading articles and asking people around about more essential items for newborn baby once he/she is here, what is the best stroller, car seat, baby crib/cot, best breast pump, either auto or manual, do I need baby formula milk, lactation cookies/supplements and stuff. Pretty much haven't bought anything yet. Reason number one: current MCO happening across the world, reason number two: my baby will choose it on behalf of me, so I need to wait until the baby is out to make sure it suits him/her. Or else, I will buy it for nothing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hospital bag for three of us: me, husband and baby are all packed. Birth plan is ready. I opt for epidural because one, my pain threshold is very low, I can stub my toe and I will scream my lungs out loud because the pain is freakin unbearable. Two, I plan to have a lot of babies, so I don't want my first one to be like, "<i>alright, that's it. It's painful, I don't want another baby</i>". Three, I want to enjoy the labour process. Four, why not? Why do I want choose to feel the pain rather than opt for something that is painless. Right? I mean, at least that is my plan. Epidural, normal labour. In case of any emergency c-section, I would go for it. Anything that is necessary, of course. I just want my baby and myself to be safe and healthy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well yeah, that basically it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next post will be about "What's in my hospital bag?" for all three: the mom, the baby and the dad :) Thanks for still sticking around, guys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">X</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-12972975521438443322020-02-03T13:28:00.002+08:002020-02-04T00:07:07.086+08:00To Pantang or Not to Pantang?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="512" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDh6KJgX9azzgvQXZtEnBV4iMX1Zb64DyaPG3jrlY5Dz05aJ0qE79xkUX3aGNVolwfamC4JGwwa7nynkd47XSGJAGh4uWLnggkY6G2t3ceTlGXFZEYM-qAsrkLD-YnhrkeStFSuaXe7IA/s640/pantang.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">*To my international readers, this post is written specifically for my fellow Malaysian readers who can understand Bahasa Malaysia and Malay culture about postpartum confinement. This post may contain a few different languages than English :) And Pantang means Confinement in Bahasa Malaysia (in this case after childbirth care for both mother and the newborn).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Biggest question of all: <i>To pantang or not to pantang?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Although I am a millennial, I am not saying that I am a modern human being that does not believe in culture or traditional way of doing things. I still ikut some of the Malay culture that our mak mak told us not to do when we were kids (but not all lah), for example, balik rumah sebelum Maghrib or jangan keluar masa Maghrib or jangan mandi malam, which I do mandi malam just that now dah ada water heater system in the house, so takda lah sejuk sangat nak mandi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So bila nak bercakap tentang tradisi turun temurun, ikut kata mak mak or nenek moyang kita, one of it would be "<i>Amalan Berpantang Selepas Bersalin</i>". I put this in quote because that is what my doctor/gynae literally did when I ask her about this. Tinggi tangan dia naik to do the quote sign every time she said the word "pantang".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So as you know (or may not), that I am now currently in my third trimester of pregnancy and of course lah banyak benda kena fikir on packing the hospital bags - which bukan takat satu bag untuk the mother je, but ada lagi dua bags nak kena packing - one for the baby, one for the husband. My other concerns include nanti lepas bersalin nak tinggal mana, because my husband for sure will be working only a week after my labour, so tak kan nak tinggal rumah sorang sorang. Alhamdulillah I still have my parents and a sister for me untuk menumpang kasih (LOL!) while taking care of my newborn, inshaAllah. Orang kata kalau lepas beranak, tak boleh duduk rumah sorang because postpartum depression is real, guys! So tak healthy lah kita nak kena jaga anak sorang sorang, takda suami, takda family members and takda siapa for us to rely on to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bukan nak jadi clingy or nak depending on other people but you know what I mean. It is an overwhelming event and feeling to have little human being with you for the first time and you need someone with you to get used to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because of this, we tend to need someone to help us go through the day. But if you do not have your immediate family members with you, or relatives or even your friends, this is where you need that confinement lady to help you out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am writing this blog bukan secara membabi buta and bukan nak go against it or kata I modern and ada orang kata nanti kalau tak pantang dengan betul, boleh sejuk badan, masuk angin or even meroyan. Well, I did a lot of research about this and even dah approached beberapa gynecologists and medical doctors and also beberapa pakej pantang yang ada di Malaysia untuk tanya more details about it and MY GOD, harga pakej pantang makcik makcik sangat cekik darah! Imagine if you beranak dekat private hospital dah cecah RM3-4k above, imagine pakej pantang ni lagi mahal than that. 14 days pakej pantang dah cecah RM4k above. Baik aku beranak kali kedua dekat the same private hospital. You get what I mean? If you ada banyak duit and takda choice untuk jaga diri and jaga baby after bersalin, then you might be tak kisah to keluar duit sebanyak tu for "berpantang". For me, with that RM4k, you can get the best stroller in town, or the best baby nest/lounger, better options for carseat and create the best nursery room for your baby. You know, spending on things more important than berurut.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Speaking of berurut, below is the list of things most pakej pantang di Malaysia buat (based on 7 different centers yang I tanya):</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For mother:</span></b></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Urutan pantang/tradisional</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Relaxing massage</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Urutan jenis-jenis herba</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tangas</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mandi bunga</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mandi herba</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bengkung</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Urutan payudara</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Urutan lancar susu</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Urut peranakan/urutan rahim/sengkak</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sengkak muka</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sauna</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tungku</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tungku halia</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hair wash therapy</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Param/pilis/tapel</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Rendaman kaki</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pakej slimming</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lulur</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Detox</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scrub badan</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Penutup pantang</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ikatkan rambut</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pakaikan stokin</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jamu</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For newborn:</span></b></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cuci tali pusat</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Urutan bayi</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tungku</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tuam bayi</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">These centers offer the package for 3 days, 7 days, 14/15 days, 44/45 days, and also 90/100 days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Below is my <b>Q&A session with my gynae</b> during my antenatal checkup visit yesterday and I could not help but to ask everything about "pantang" to her and these are our conversations:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: I have few questions about pantang. Is there any scientific research and whether or not it is <b>scientifically proven that pantang really helps on heal better after bersalin</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Here's the thing, define "pantang". What is "pantang", and why orang "berpantang"? In medical term, no such thing as "berpantang". Because our body memang dah ada system untuk heal sendiri. Whatever it is, bersalin ke, accident ke, patah kaki ke, anything, semua Tuhan dah buat our body system untuk heal sendiri. But kita on the other hand, kena jaga-jaga to make sure apa kita consume or buat, takda effect and tak kacau body system tu. So in this case, bersalin, Tuhan dah buat, okay, badan wanita bila bersalin, ada baby semua dekat dalam uterus, mesti ada cara juga untuk Tuhan heal kan balik dalam keadaan asal. From your uterus to jadi this big, dia mesti akan kecut sendiri. In science or medical world, memang ada study that <b>uterus akan mengecut and jadi semula ke bentuk asal (tunjuk fist) dalam masa 45 days</b>. If you tak buat apa-apa pun, memang akan kecut dalam masa 45 hari. Don't worry. That is why pantang orang lama kata berpantang tu biar sampai 44 hari. So if orang dulu-dulu kata <b>berpantang tu is a process of uterus mengecut ke bentuk asal sampai tunggu 44/45 days, then it makes sense</b>. But problem here is, what you do during that period of time. So this is when benda benda mengarut semua ada.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: I have done research and tengok all those business pantang buat, ada urutan, tangas and all that, takda any <b>side effect to our body</b>? Because we are in a process of healing, so bila usik those muscles or nerves, tak ganggu body system ke?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: One thing, berurut memang sedap. Sangat sedap. Especially you lama baring atas katil and asyik terjaga every two hours nak jaga baby, so bila dapat urut tu, rasa relaxed. Tenang. Memang sedap. For example, if you tak pregnant now, you pergi spa and asks for massage and facial, sauna semua tu, memang sedap kan? Jadi tenang. So itu sebenarnya. <b>Berurut just rasa nak sedap badan and nothing to do with masuk angin</b> ke apa. No such thing as masuk angin dalam badan. Takda. Angin atau udara masuk bila kita inhale oxygen melalui our nostrils or mulut, Itu je. Mana ada masuk angin dalam badan. Kalau buang angin through kentut or sendawa, itu your digestive system. Bukan masuk ikut kaki because tak pakai socks and sejuk badan semua tu. Semua itu nonsense. If you want to berurut, silakan. If tak nak, takpa. But have you heard of "Sekak" or "Sengkak" or urutan rahim? That one, sangat sakit. Memang sakit. If you tak selesa with sakit, tell that person tak nak do the sekak thing. But no scientific proven kata sekak boleh turunkan your rahim. If you tak buat tu pun, <b>rahim akan turun sendiri without berurut</b>. So tell that person, no need.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: What about <b>pakai bengkung</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Bila pakai bengkung, memang sedap. Because perut rasa selesa, rasa everything is tight and perut tak rasa bergerak or "menggelebeh". Bila you dah beranak, your perut jadi macam deflated float, excess fats and skin ada dekat situ. So <b>pakai bengkung tu sama macam berurut, hanya untuk sedap dan selesa</b>. Bengkung tak kan membantu untuk you get your old abs or tummy if you tak workout or do any exercise. So pakailah bengkung lama mana pun, if tak workout, your perut/abs tak kan balik ke rupa asal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: So does that mean we can <b>workout lepas bersalin</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Give it a time. Sama macam kalau you sprained your ankle, ada muscle tear, you berehat dulu bagi heal. Maybe a week or two after that, you can start workout dah. You pun ada tengok those mat salleh mana ada pantang-pantang macam kita, their appearance and body lagi elok rupa and also they are much healthier than us. <b>Selain pengambilan makanan sihat, they go and workout</b>. Bukan duduk rumah tak buat apa, terbaring and berurut sampai 44 days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: I ada tengok beberapa packages offer to <b>tungku for newborn</b>. Is that okay?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Tungku for the mother I have heard, but the baby, no! Not advisable. Bertungku tu basically sama macam you pergi spa, minta urut with batu panas. That is all. Tak mendatangkan anything except for relaxation. But for baby, no, I would go against that. I don't think its safe because if you kena bertungku, you can tell the lady that the batu is panas for you to handle, but if baby, how can they tell you? So, tungku for baby, total no no. <b>Tak mendatangkan kebaikan and also will harm the baby</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: What about <b>pengambilan jamu</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: First, you <b>cannot consume jamu or any herba for the first few weeks or first month if you breastfeed</b>. Because it will go to your breastmilk that somehow will affect the baby. Kita tak tahu what's inside the jamu, the ingredients and all, takut effect the baby yang baru nak get use to their diet, yang kita tak tahu apa yang dia allergic to. Second of all, jamu sekarang dah commercialized. I doubt they use authentic or natural ingredients to make it. Orang dulu dulu punya jamu, dia sendiri pergi petik all those daun and herba and tumbuk and jadikan air. So kita tahu where does it comes from, but now punya jamu yang macam dalam tin or in powder form, we do not know the source of the ingredients. So, not advisable. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One thing, jamu tak sedap. Pahit. Yang penting, eat healthy food, ada cukup fibre, protein, carbs, vitamins, fruits and veggies, tak perlu ambil jamu semua tu. So, <b>jamu is not helping you with anything if you dah ikut pemakanan seimbang</b>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: What about <b>pantang food</b>? Ada kata tak boleh sambal, tak boleh daging, tak boleh minum air sejuk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Itu semua mengarut. Makan lah apa awak nak makan. No such thing makanan tajam lah, makanan sejuk, tak boleh makan ayam lah, tak boleh makan ikan kering. Makan je. Tak jadi masalah. <b>You have to consume healthy, balanced diet</b>. So each meal you take, kena ada protein, carbs, vitamins, high-fiber food, fruits and veggies. No such thing tak boleh makan itu ini. You tengah nak heal, so you kena ambil all dalam food pyramid. And <b>hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of water</b>. Orang dulu dulu kata minum dua gelas air je sehari, mana cukup. You nak heal properly, so kena minum banyak air. Also ada juga kata tak boleh duduk dalam aircond, nanti sejuk. You buka je aircond. Tak kan nak berpanas sampai berpeluh. Buka je aircond, kalau sejuk, pakai selimut or jacket ke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: Pantang orang tua kata <b>tak boleh minum air banyak</b> sedangkan we need to drink a lot to heal and to breastfeed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: This is another one yang nonsense. It makes no sense at all, You nak heal, you nak breastfeed, you dehydrate, and yet you tak boleh minum air banyak. Nonsense. <b>You need to hydrate yourself</b>. Kalau dia bagi air sikit, you curi-curi minum je. You need more water now that you are in the process of healing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: What about <b>param/pilis/tapel</b>?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: <b>Tak membantu dalam process nak heal</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: <b>Ikatkan rambut</b> bagi tegang?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Angin tak masuk ikut kepala. Itu yang silap, angin tak masuk ikut mana mana kecuali bila you bernafas. You inhale ikut hidung and mulut, itu lah angin nya. So sampai nak <b>sikat rambut, ikat ketat-ketat, that is all for nothing</b>. Rasa sedap je lah orang main rambut kita.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: Why ada <b>mandi bunga</b> and mandi herba and all?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: If you nak rasa layanan seperti seorang puteri, silakan. Because bila lagi orang nak datang rumah, mandikan you, petik bunga satu-satu letak dalam bathtub or baldi, siramkan atas kepala, you duduk je situ diam-diam. Bila lagi. Tak kan nak panggil masa you bukan bersalin, dah buang tebiat ke apa pula kan. Orang dulu dulu mana ada sabun, shower gel, bath gel with scent, floral scent semua tu. Orang dulu takda sabun, so kena lah mandi bunga. Bila lepas bersalin, kita ada darah nifas. Darah nifas tu lagi teruk bau than darah haid. Bau lagi hanyir. So tu yang orang dulu kena mandi bunga. Tak mandi biasa. Tapi kalau <b>zaman sekarang dah ada macam-macam jenis shower gel bau lagi wangi than the bunga itself, so mandi lah pakai sabun</b>. Lagi bersih, lagi wangi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: Berpantang tak boleh keluar rumah. Kena <b>stay at home for the whole period of pantang</b>. So if 44 days pantang, tak boleh keluar langsung for 44 days?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Mengarut. Itu diorang panggil tak boleh jejak tanah. Orang dulu dulu agaknya takda kasut, takda selipar. So family members dia tak bagi keluar rumah because kaki kotor pijak tanah. Boleh kena penyakit kalau tak pakai kasut bila keluar. Zaman sekarang dah ada kasut, kita pun travel naik kereta. Bukan jalan kaki dekat tepi jalan penuh tanah. So nak keluar, keluar lah. If you larat and also if you think that will make you happy, then keluar. No problem. If duduk rumah tak jumpa orang, tak tengok dunia luar sampai 44 days, boleh depressed. So to make you happy, tak depressed, go ahead. Boleh keluar rumah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: What is "meroyan"? Orang dulu kata kalau <b>tak buat proper pantang, boleh meroyan</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Saya pun tak tahu apa term meroyan tu. Kalau nak kata depression, yes, postpartum depression is real. But tengok balik apa source, apa sebab jadi meroyan. Kalau tak bagi keluar rumah, tak bagi makan daging, tak cukup minum air, duduk dalam keadaan panas takda aircond, of course boleh jadi rimas and depressed. Kena ada orang with you, for you to get the groove on the newborn. Kena ada strong support system from family and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Q: To conclude, <b>perlu tak berpantang</b> secara tradisional?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A: Up to you. For me, its all back to one thing; your relationship with your family members/relatives. Kalau dah mak mak and your aunts and grandmas semua suruh you pantang juga, ikut kan je lah. Because tak nak gaduh, tak nak naik suara. Jaga hubungan sesama keluarga lebih penting. But if let's say, sesuatu activity tu boleh memudaratkan you, then you politely say no. Contohnya, minum jamu. You tak percaya the source and apa sebenarnya dalam jamu tu, then you can bawa that jamu and flush down the toilet. Buat belakang-belakang, jangan bagi orang lain terasa. Also kalau orang tak bagi you minum air, you pergi minum senyap-senyap. Duduk dalam bilik ada aircond senyap-senyap. Takpa. Daripada kita pun stress nak gaduh and keep on saying no boleh sampai depressed, kan susah tu. Also, if dia nak urut rahim atau sengkak, yang tu you boleh say no to tukang urut because boleh membahayakan your body system. Rahim tak perlu diurut. Dia akan turun sendiri. Yang penting, consume healthy diet, keep yourself hydrated, lead a healthy lifestyle, workout, go out or do whatever makes you happy so that you tak depressed - or maybe tak "meroyan" if we want to use that term, then we're okay. Kalau your family members boleh terima your opinion about this and decided not to do the traditional pantang, then don't do it. Bazir duit je nak bayar package semua tu. Because tak perlu pun, your body is amazing, Allah dah buat for your body to heal itself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There you go. What a long conversation between my gynae and I. Hopefully, this post dapat bagi benefit untuk sesiapa yang clueless like me. LOL. My dad, my husband and I memang against this amalan berpantang because I did not see any benefits or sebab yang munasabah untuk I buat and also untuk keluar duit sebanyak tu. Bukan kedekut, but I belajar untuk pandai berbelanja and pandai menilai sesuatu benda sebelum I proceed to do it. If takda mendatangkan kebaikan and lagi banyak memudaratkan diri sendiri and orang sekeliling, then I won't do it. I will not do something just because it is adat turun temurun since 1900 or I won't just do membabi buta just because orang lain asks me to do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Plus, for me, it's always Science > Culture. <i>I believe in science... </i>LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ada I tengok pakej pantang sampai ada kemaskan rumah, do laundry, masakkan makanan pantang, mandikan baby. Well, for me, dekat situ, husband kena mainkan peranan sebagai seorang suami. This whole pregnancy thing, bukan the mother je yang kena hadap, the father pun ada roles dia. If the mother yang beranakkan, yang hadap sakit, yang kena breastfeed, so tugas seorang suami and seorang bapa kena lah buat kerja rumah sikit. Takat laundry, masuk baju dalam washing machine je. Bukan kena sental beriya guna baldi. And kemaskan rumah? Allahu, vacuum pun once a week je. Do dishes, every time habis makan kena basuh pinggan, so memang tak kan ada pinggan berlonggok dalam sink. Nak masak? This is the tricky part, maybe some husbands ada yang tak reti masak. If you duduk rumah parents after labour, if parents larat nak masak, then boleh minta tolongkan masak. Or suami boleh tengok resepi online. If memang takda orang juga nak masak for the mother, then you can opt for that, or ambil maid ke. For me, I won't simply trust anybody to cook for me, lagi lagi kalau dia masuk my kitchen and use my stuff like its their own. I don't know, that is my opinion lah. And mandikan baby? Maybe the first few days tu, you might need someone with more experience to show you until you get the hang of it, but after that, si suami boleh lah tolong. Si ibu pula, kena lah belajar buat sendiri. Sampai bila nak minta orang lain mandikan anak kita sendiri. Kan? Second of all, I do not trust some strangers to datang rumah and ke hulu ke hilir dalam rumah like their own house. I mean, maybe this comes from experience that we never had a maid before since I was a little kid, so, its only the four of us at home and to have somebody from God-knows-where inside our home, I don't feel safe or at ease. I don't know their background, their lifestyle, where they have been, their penyakit (if there's any), their habits, ada any weird perangai ke, you know, stuff like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alhamdulillah, I have the most supportive husband and parents and sister and in-laws to help me get through this. Syukur dapat suami yang tak malas buat kerja rumah and sendiri yang meng-offerkan diri to do things without me asking him. Bless you, sayang. Also syukur ada Mommy, Daddy and Sissy for agreeing and wanting to take care of me and my newborn soon and allow us to stay at their place for as long as we want sampai we get the groove on living with the new addition to the family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">InshaAllah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Semoga Allah permudahkan segala urusan kita, dunia dan akhirat. Ameen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love, MA</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-60968487879077510632020-01-19T18:01:00.001+08:002020-01-19T19:08:28.887+08:0011 Pregnancy Essentials<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="973" data-original-width="1440" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_oKOn-cyicuCP14Ni78kgS025ZB59Urb50CVYHl4fzB2jEEWbMimeRBD5k23OskGqE-nyV10SVqoEPhU2Ae1ORbZL2NC9KRkpHOzScgkyIC1r63e3U3DbwECch2XfVj9ZYdneb18bF4/s400/Malinalism_10PregnancyEssentials.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now that you knew you are pretty much pregnant and aware your body is changing (& growing), what's next?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I totally understand on how you feel. Overwhelming. Do not know where to start. Where is the beginning? Where does this ends? Should I start buying now? Should I wait? Or should I just lead my life as usual? What things should I get for me?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, I am here to help you new preggos out there. Bear in mind, I am no different than you and this is only my first pregnancy and I get it that you do not want to ask people around about this whole pregnancy thing because you are afraid you might seem annoying and people might not get where you are coming from.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I get that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But, "<i>malu bertanya, sesat jalan</i>", am I right?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I did ask people around especially moms, new moms, women who are in their first or second and even fifth pregnancy. I did (& still do) some research as well, and by some, I mean A LOT. I read articles from reliable sources, downloaded baby apps on iPhone, and let me tell you one important thing: NEVER READ FORUMS. Why? Because different people experiencing different things. So when you want to know something, its best if you just Google it and click on tabs from reliable sources (will list down some of trusted sites and apps I've visited), not the discussions between people in forums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know I did the same by asking people around but that is just to get an insight and some ideas on what is it really about rather than trusting it and taking it point by point on what you want to know. You need to make your own judgment based on what you have read from doctors, reliable sources on the internet or your gynae, conversations between you and your friends/family members and maybe some of the discussion in the chatroom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you are having troubles to make your own judgment, that's where I am here to guide you on what I feel right and even my gynae and nurses approve!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here are some of the essentials that I think most preggos can get to make your pregnancy journey fun, easy and graceful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1) Vitamins/supplements</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Iberet Folic 500</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Contains: Iron, vitamin C, B Complex, Folic Acid</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Consume: Once a day. I take it every night after my dinner</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacy e.g. Guardian, Watson's</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: The reason I bought from the shelf instead of taking Obimin from Klinik Kesihatan because of the side effect I got from Obimin - Nausea (everytime!) & diarrhoea. Told my nurse and she asked me to get other supplement but I refused. LOL! Went to my private gynae, she approves my intake of Iberet Folic 500 *thumbs up*</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Blackmores Calcium + D3</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Contains: 600mg Calcium, vitamin D3500 IU</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Consume: Once a day. I take it every night after my dinner</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacy e.g. Guardian, Watson's</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Because calcium is needed for pregnant women to ensure you and the baby get enough calcium for teeth and bones' growth</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Scott's Fish Oil 1000mg capsule</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Contains: Omega 3 (DHA + EPA)</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Consume: Once a day. I take it every night after my dinner</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacy e.g. Guardian, Watson's</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Though this is not "compulsory" for pregnant women, you can choose not to take this but I believe in healthy brain growth for both mom and baby. There are a lot of benefits of fish oil if you take it daily even if you are not pregnant! My gynae says its good to take this for best growth and development of the baby. IMPORTANT NOTE: Please make sure you consume fish oil, NOT cod liver oil! It is not safe for pregnant women to take cod liver oil, so please read the box carefully!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2) Pregnancy belt / maternity belt / pregnancy belly band</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oppo Maternity Belt</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to wear it: Every time when you go out and do a lot of walking, during exercising (walking on treadmill), or doing chores around the house that requires a lot of standing. You don't have to wear it while sitting or lying down</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacy e.g. Guardian, Watson's or hospital</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Though this is not "compulsory" for pregnant women, but I have lower back problem and the weight of my belly somehow affects my back and it is good to have a support so that you can improve on your posture. Also, you can tackle your daily activities comfortably!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3) >1.5l Big bottle / tumbler with lemon water</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">>1.5l water bottle / tumbler</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fill in your huge-ass bottle with water and slices of lemon and bring it everywhere!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Lemon water promotes good hydration for our body especially when you are pregnant, you need more water to keep yourself hydrated, not to mention a good source of vitamin C, improves skin quality (that is where you get the glow!), it aids digestion, it freshens your breath (you do not need your mint anymore) and also helps prevent kidney stones. As well as, it tastes better than the normal water. LOL</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>4) Hot/cold pack</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hot/cold Pack</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If you want it to be hot, put the pack in a microwave, if you want the cold one, you can use the same pack to put in the freezer</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: I got it from my physiotherapist at the hospital but this can be found in any pharmacies or you can buy from your hospital. You can go online shopping too!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: This is recommended by my physiotherapist during my physio session due to my back problem but this can be used for pregnant women as well because you might get back problem too later in your third trimester. So this thing actually can make your life more comfortable! I use the cold pack during the day and hot one at night before I go to sleep.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>5) Coccyx pillow</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Coccyx pillow</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to use it: I bought two, one for driving or seating in the car (passenger seat) and one for office use.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacy or hospital</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Though this is not "compulsory" for pregnant women, but if you are working 9-5 in an office, a desk job, or while you are traveling (roadtrip or by plane), you need this because you are sitting for too long and by using this it might help ease on the pressure on your tailbone and also to fix your posture. Remember, sitting is the new cancer!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>6) Gym ball / yoga ball / exercise ball</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to use it: When you are watching TV at home, lounging around</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacy or any sports store</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Though this is not "compulsory" for pregnant women, but this is again, to correct your posture. If you are tired by sitting on it, you can use it as a pouffe or stool to put your legs up while you are sitting on a sofa or working at work. This is to ensure a good blood flow and making sure blood does not pool in your feet that can cause swollen feet.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>7) Tights / leggings / maternity pants</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Good high-waisted, elastic, stretchy, breathable cotton pants are good for your growing belly</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to wear it: Anytime, anywhere, 24/7. LOL!</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Any maternity store or sports attire store, Uniqlo, Cotton On Body</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Because it gives you comfort and extra support to hold your belly up without any restrictions to move around!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>8) Pregnancy pillow</b></span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are three types of pregnancy pillow: U-shaped, C-shaped & three different pillows with you (for your head, your back & between your legs). As your belly grows bigger, you might need to sleep on your side. This is to ensure that your blood circulation flows nicely.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to use it: When you are lying down and sleeping, of course</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: I bought the C-shaped pregnancy pillow from Parkson</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Experts recommend pregnant women should avoid sleeping on their backs during second and third trimesters because the entire weight of the growing fetus on your back, intestines and vena cava (the main vein that carries blood back to the heart from your lower body. The pressure can lead to backaches and hemorrhoids which can make you dizzy.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>9) Bio-Oil / stretch mark lotion / lotion</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bio-Oil Essence</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to use it: Every morning after shower, every night after shower</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Common pharmacies e.g. Watson's, Guardian</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Apply this twice a day, every day to have less to no stretch marks around your waist, lower belly, breasts, thighs, knees, back of your armpits </span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Lotion</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to use it: Every morning after shower, every night after shower or whenever you feel like your skin is extra dry that day</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: On the shelf in any common supermarkets</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Apply this twice a day, every day to have moisturized , glowing skin. This is not to avoid stretch marks though I think it helps in some way because all your stretched-out skin is not cracked and gets enough moisture. I apply this especially on my knees, elbows, across my arms and calves, thighs, my back and pretty much everywhere on my body to get a full coverage of moisture</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>10) MASSAGE, OMG YES PLEASE!</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You can ask for prenatal massage (but never asked for the masseuse to massage your belly! It's dangerous!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to have it: When you feel sore especially your feet and back.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: There are a lot of massage places to go for, but I do not trust people to massage me while I am pregnant, so I consulted with my physiotherapist on the correct way to massage due to my back problem (again *roll eyes*) and to make sure it is safe for pregnant. So she taught my husband on how to massage me... so my masseuse is my husband. LOL</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: Because trust me, YOU NEED IT. Your body will feel a lot better! YES!</span></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">11) Download pregnancy/baby apps on your phone</span></b></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What app: BabyCentre & Pregnancy+</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When to install it: Right after you know you are pregnant</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Where to get it: Free to be downloaded on iOS and Android</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Why this: To keep track of your pregnancy journey and your baby's development week by week. It is a trusted site from reliable sources with day-to-day information, diet, pregnancy tips, baby names, keep track of your fetus' size in your womb according to which weeks you are right now, and everything. You name it, all questions you have about pregnancy and parenting and baby care and your roles (literally from a-z) are available in the app.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Happy pregnant, new Mommies! x</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-7650764756211067072020-01-08T14:40:00.002+08:002020-01-08T14:41:29.236+08:00Meet Malina's 9 Stages of Pregnancy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>1st Trimester: FEAR</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 1: Woot</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>Confused. Am I happy? Is this really happening? Am I really pregnant? Why on Earth they created that pregnancy test kit? Okay, maybe I'm happy but honestly, I am freaking out!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 2: Boo No Wine</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>Boo, no Pepsi! Boo, no more caffeine! Boo, no more sushi and sashimi and anything raw!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 3: Barf City / People think I'm fat</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>I vomited every morning, evening and night but only lasted for two weeks, thank God. I gained some weight, and belly is shown but not too much. I think people were confused, "Is she really pregnant or she's just full?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2nd Trimester: ACCEPTANCE</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 4: Welcome, muffin top!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought:<i> Everyday questioning my husband and everyone around me, "Do I look like I'm pregnant? Or people just think that I'm skinny but with fats?"</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 5: I got this</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>Me trying to tie up my shoe laces, and try to wear socks and apply lotions from knees and below and try to clip my toenails, "I got this!", but my husband went like, "Let me help you, baby."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 6: I need a new kitchen now!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>Literally, "Baby, we need a new kitchen now!" So we did. Currently our house is a mess, we are doing the entire kitchen, floorings, plaster ceilings and mini project for each room in our tiny house. Mostly, kitchen and baby's room!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>3rd Trimester: FEAR & FOOD STAINS</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 7: Obnoxious comments from strangers</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>Umm, hell yes. Every comment I received about this person knows best about being a mom and pregnancy and baby's stuff are just literally, annoying. I will ask you when I want to seek for your opinion. If not, then don't.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 8: Violet Beauregarde</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>Yes, soon. I may have gained a few kilos but it doesn't seem to show on the outside, though. But maybe, Violet + Augutus Gloop.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Month 9: I will cut you</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What was my thought: <i>I am annoyed with everything right now and maybe I will be more annoyed with every single thing soon. I am so particular and picky with every thing. Especially, my new kitchen. I hope it will turn out good because we spent a lot of money for it.</i></span></div>
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Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-53835793896831042822020-01-08T14:17:00.002+08:002020-01-08T14:17:27.068+08:00Second Trimester of Pregnancy <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcoming and also ending my second trimester with... lower back ache! Yay!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No, its definitely not a "yay" thing to celebrate but I managed to go through my second trimester with flying colours! If there is such a thing with rating it like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alhamdulillah, my second trimester went smoothly. No more vomiting after my fourth month, I gained back my energy, I finally can do my chores but I was hospitalized during my week 17 due to my backbone that caused by my previous injury happened in 2009.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hospitalized for a week, went for couple of hydro physiotherapy, did some swimming and cat poses, my best friends became from human beings to medicine; Perskindol, AcuStop & ice packs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then it got worse. I cannot walk, I could not get up from the bed, basically need my husband 24/7 to lift and carry me everywhere, getting inside the car was bad, getting out of it was worse, I need my coccyx pillow all the time (currently I have two coccyx pillows; one in the car, another one at work). I need my pregnancy pillow every time I lie down on my side to support this heavy baby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Asked my husband for a babymoon on November 11 to spend time and celebrate our 2nd year anniversary. Nothing fancy or far from the city, just someplace special for us to focus on our relationship and being truly present while the baby is still inside me. LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Going for monthly checkups are the best thing because I can meet our baby - though just from the screen, yes. But seeing my baby breathing and moving and smiling and playing with the cord are so overwhelming. Never failed to make me think, "Allahuakbar, there is a tiny human being inside me. We made a tiny human, husband. And its inside me right now."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blessed. Alhamdulillah.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though this backache problem will not go away anytime soon but I know it will be all worth it. To have this baby is no doubt a blessing. We are truly blessed, my husband and I.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for the well wishes and duas from friends and family. InshaAllah, may Allah ease my pregnancy journey and this prenatal jaunt to practice ourselves to become parents :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love, MA</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">x</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-52565710772734241292019-11-17T13:57:00.000+08:002020-01-08T14:17:59.520+08:00First Trimester of Pregnancy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5uJGlzBO_orN5SLxTmwJqZh86RhT9_qlb5nIUl6inv6oN-uHMatMJK38KG_jQoxpuPfTAZW_5zdIsA6GN0qfJGSt9CX2e1GiErDLlBQklxXxTAz9MiZwyn-voZUiz9qjmYTZ_q0RhB0/s640/21B55E13-B640-460D-AD06-205BE5D1989F.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My first trimester was amazing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No morning sickness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No headache.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">No weird cravings whatsoever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I still can focus on my work and still driving and sleeping comfortably on my back and switching positions with zero problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One thing for sure, I WAS TIRED AND SLEEPY that I just want to rest my head on my fluffy pillows 24/7.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other than that, pregnancy was amazing! First trimester was good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Except for the last one week before I entered second trimester.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vomiting? Every morning, evening and night, yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Headache? One spoonful of it every evening, please.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cravings? Not so much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Allergic to certain smell or food? Nope. Nothing. Still surviving with any food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tired and sleepy? Lesser and lesser each day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was on week 17, my lower back pain started to occur. Was hospitalized and went through for physiotherapy for two weeks. I fell on my back, back in 2011, and somehow I fractured my coccyx (aka tail bone). The pain came back and said hello now, after 8 years, is because my pregnancy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hroughout pregnancy, hormones affect a woman's muscles and joints. The hormones relaxin and progesterone relax muscles and loosen ligaments and joints, especially in the pelvic area. The extra weight and body changes in pregnancy along with these loosened joints and ligaments can cause discomfort and even lead to injury. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As your uterus grows and becomes heavier, your center of gravity changes. This can lead to problems with balance and the potential for falls. The weight of your baby and weakening of belly muscles pulls your lower spine forward, adding strain to back muscles. Many women respond by leaning back in an awkward posture. This increases back strain and pain. (<a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=134&contentid=52" target="_blank">Link</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is not normal to have this back pain early in your pregnancy, it should occur later in second trimester but it is a different case for me because of my previous injury. The pain comes early because the relaxin hormones is released that my muscles could not endure the pain that has been there for years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hence, intensive physio sessions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I still need to apply AcuStop and Perskindol on my back until today and also to wear the pregnancy belt (yes, now as in first trimester). I have to apply hot pack and ice pack every day, twice a day to help ease on the pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My husband has been nothing but totally supportive and lovely as ever to help me get through this journey. I had to take sick leaves for bed rest and doctor keeps on giving me MC and ask me to rest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My colleagues are very supportive and they help me get through my days by tackling some of my workload, which I truly appreciate. Thanks, guys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At this point in life, despite this painful lower back, I am doing my best focusing on eating healthily for the baby, making sure that I did not miss the multivitamins that I have to take every night, think positively, listening to more Quran verses and also piano classical songs, read more and catching up on news, taking care of myself, try not to stress out so much especially with crazy traffics in KL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am doing my best to tackle everything at once. I need to practice this now as there is a new responsibility coming my way. A mother :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love, MA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">x</span></div>
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</style>Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-74559664577439777372019-11-17T13:21:00.000+08:002019-11-17T13:25:01.829+08:00I AM PREGNANT!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being pregnant and knowing that you are pregnant are absolute no joke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We certainly did not plan or expect this to happen but God knows best and He knows more than you do that you are ready for this next chapter in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being born.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Growing up as a kid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">School.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Universities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Graduated.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Job interviews.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Getting a new job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Excited for having a long term relationship with someone who is finally serious with you and you also want him too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Get engaged.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Being married.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Switching jobs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And now, being PREGNANT.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">God has a beautiful way to guide you through it all and here I am. With the weight of 59kg (previously I was 52kg before I got pregnant) and fluffier cheeks and fingers and toes, huge appetite, wanting to sleep all the time, back ache, vomiting and to have a husband who is extraordinarily nice even sometimes I got superbly moody (sometimes?), God is great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Never in my life that I could be relaxing, lounging in my bedroom, on this king-sized bed, with Mozart/piano classical songs on Spotify running through my ears and perhaps my growing baby in this belly can hear it too, while blogging this, typing these words... that I am pregnant. With a smile on my face. Happy, motherly smile I would say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How did I get the news? How did I find out that I am pregnant? Here I go...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been having this sore breasts for like a month now and I told my husband about it that he wanted to bring me to see a doctor for a checkup but I said no, every single time. Because I was in denial. I thought it was breast cancer or something. It hurts so bad that it grows and I can feel that it is tight and hard. But never in my mind I would think that it is one of the symptoms of pregnancy. I do not have a regular menstrual cycle so not having my period during that month was just a normal day for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A month goes by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was at work, it was almost lunch time. I called my husband and told him that I think I should go for a checkup because it hurts like hell. He picked me up from work, I asked for a time off and went to the clinic I usually go to. Told my doctor about it and she said, "I think we should go for a urine test." Still, I haven't had a single clue that I was pregnant. I thought it was something else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Peed in a small jar. Passed it to the nurse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">5 minutes later. Doctor calls my name. Both husband and I entered the consultation room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"You see these two lines???"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I looked at my husband, staring at him with my eyes wide open.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No, doctor. What does these two lines means?". Because ladies and gentlemen, I have never done any pregnancy test before so I do not know what is that stick doing with lines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"These two lines means, you are pregnant! Congratulations!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My eyes were wide open, swear to God it looked like my eyeballs are gonna fall out. I looked at my husband again, then the doctor started to explain things, pills, vitamins, dieting, this and that but everything was blur for me. I kept looking at the stick with two lines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I'm pregnant? Seriously? There is an actual human being inside me right now?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So the doctor started asking me when was my last period, I said I don't know because I never keep track on it, never really count the days and what not, never bothers about getting pregnant and all because I just thought that it won't happen to me, yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, folic acid once a day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Calcium and some multivitamins. Iron. Vitamin C and B3.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was (& still is!) surreal knowing that I am pregnant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Out from the clinic, my husband hugged me tightly, "We are going to be parents!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was still in shocked and I was laughing scarily, both laughing and crying at the same time. I asked my husband thousands of questions, "Do you think I can be a mom? Like a good mom? Like I mean, really good mom? Do you think I have what it takes?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That is what I did when I freaked out. I tend to ask millions questions that I know I won't give them time to actually answer me. Those questions were meant for myself, that I just said it out loud.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Back in the office.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Immediately told my teammates because I freaked out. Of course with a smile on my face but... on the inside... it was more than just freaking out. Overwhelming. And I just couldn't remember how the rest of the day went. Maybe I fell asleep in my husband's arms or maybe I cried myself to sleep, I don't know. LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, there you go.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A little bit of an introduction of my pregnancy journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day one of knowing there is an actual person inside me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alhamdulillah. God is great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am truly blessed. No joke. X</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-54753988259759350662019-11-17T12:43:00.002+08:002019-11-17T12:43:43.124+08:002nd Wedding Anniversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1080" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3gajBxfrpk1OZyFpljFAuhDpiaosRY2X94ml7PPas3NclK05VRDWHxTnwQ44_ji1bNsbiK-6uniF33UtaoEoN_OtNz94SlHTYl-Lyd1Vi06_AV7VLrb2u1GOXU5dU0yLtEwX_U4GjDM/s640/1A3B177F-65A6-428C-8337-144136B1E365.JPG" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11 November 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two years ago</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Married to the most lovable man on Earth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I am blessed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for making me happier each and every day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you for being the best husband one could ever have</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">& I love you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">x</span></div>
<br />Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-76128949603447267042019-08-08T17:04:00.002+08:002019-08-08T17:09:05.817+08:00Public Toilet Etiquette<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I don't usually post in my blog about daily complaints I have in my life, but when I do, I either must've been so pissed or I have done things to make it better but nope, IT DOES NOT GET ANY BETTER.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From the title itself (see above and come back here), you are well-noted that this girl must have been through a lot the fact that she wants to talk about what happens in the ladies room? The answer is, HELL YES.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let me simplify this for you, you don't just go in, do your business and go out. No, you thought wrong. There is an art to it. There is a way or shall I say, civilized ways to do it. I don't ask for red carpet or a bow before you want to pee, but there are a lot more than just peeing and pooping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">When you are sharing things in public places, just respect these two things; <b>OTHER PEOPLE'S PRIVATE SPACES & THINGS AROUND YOU.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Let's say there are 4 to 10 toilet booths/stalls in each washroom, and all of them are empty (available), <b>please don't go beside the occupied booth</b>. Have some manners. Understand the <b>concept of people's invisible bubbles</b> and spaces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="545" data-original-width="1200" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwxvvvT3GNIpKqnlhgqONlZYkVfOwCADKVxlaS-eOlxdeQDIybhwVqxv3pEZxbtfNCZXX0fmuEgbeeZmyskUrxY8Hvj110RVz_ovJCAe8B13XAmC3igjOF19_XznxuYOOFLMjMSUg-owg/s640/toiletstuff1.png" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Same goes to the washing basin/sinks. Just go somewhere else. There are always available sinks in there. People doesn't want to sniff you. God knows what you smell like and you don't want other people to smell you too. You are standing way too close with your wet hands and the water might splashes the person beside you and they do not like that. So <b>keep your distance</b>. AT ALL TIMES.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. <b>Know how to queue</b> if the booths/stalls are all occupied. If you live in Malaysia, especially if you go to Suria KLCC, people do not queue in front of the toilet booth's door. We queue before the booth starts. So just be a lady and queue like the rest of us. If you see nobody's queuing in front of the door, don't be a hero and try to do it because you might get scolded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. I know that some of us don't really do business in there. If you did, I know it should be long done, but you are <b>taking too much time in there due to phone usage</b>. I know you have been scrolling around your Facebook and Instagram and there's nothing coming out from your system anymore but little that you know (and how selfish you have been), people actually needed it more than you do. So please mind others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. Tissue matter. Well, try your damn best <b>not to wet the whole tissue roll</b> with your wet hands because simple, it is plain disgusting. Bring that tissue roll home because nobody wants to use it anymore, just you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">6. <b>Squatting on a seating toilet</b>. This is the most common issue and I am freakin sick and tired with this. Well there are some of us does not know how to sit on a toilet seat, maybe because either you are from the third-world country or you are disgusted with the idea of sharing bum-prints with strangers. Let's say you are either one of these two, please go to the squat-style toilet OR lift up the toilet seat and squat without the seat OR take off your bloody shoes and wipe it back! Do you know that your shoe-prints are more disgusting than people's butt? So please, kampung people. I beg of you, be civilized.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">7. <b>Sit on the toilet seat nicely and properly</b>. I noticed there are some who doesn't want to sit on the toilet seat due to germophobe but please think that your pee and shit are way more than just germs/bacteria. Sometimes there are pee/poop stains. Check before you leave the toilet and see if there is any stain on the toilet, and clean it up before you go. It is not that hard, unless you leave it for days then yeah...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">8. <b>Try your best not to wet the floor</b>. I don't understand why some of you like to wet the whole booth area. I mean, you just want to wash one or two places on your body and everything should go down the toilet bowl, not the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">9. I noticed this a lot that MANY OF YOU slams the door (toilet booth's door). Once you swing them open, you just smash it against the sharing wall and slams it again when you close it, and when you are done with your business, you slams it open and just let the door slams back without you holding it before it closes. I mean, why? <i>Why, bitches</i>? What are you so mad about that you just want to slams things? Is it because of your diarrhea? Or constipation? Or did you lose your job or your mom never taught you to respect public's facilities? Just, <b>DON'T. SLAM. THINGS</b>. Teach your kids that so that they won't be like you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">10. Learn how to flush down your <i>things</i>. People don't want to see it. You may be proud of what came out of you but honestly, you are the most disgusting person on Earth. If you encounter a problem with the flush that your things just float around and too stubborn to go down for a sewage treatment, ask the cleaner or the management to help you out with it. Don't just leave and let people see it. And no, covering the toilet seat is not a way out. <b>BE RESPONSIBLE OF YOUR OWN SHIT</b>. Make sure to look twice if its gone or not. You know what I mean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">11. <b>Women & their things</b>. You know what I'm talking about. Not all washroom provides the blue bin in every booth/stall so be a proper lady and <b>wrap it nicely</b> with a tissue or two and dump it at the bin outside the booth. The bin should always be there unless you are too stupid to see it. Just wrap it nicely (with a bow if you like), like wrapping a present for Christmas, to put it under a Christmas tree. Wrap it tight and good so that it won't come out even the cleaner is trying to clean it up. Let's say if you are in a situation where the bin is full, don't just shove it there. Ask the cleaner to clear the bin. Yes, it's their job to always make way for new rubbish/trash in there and to make sure that it is always tidy and clean and smells good, but you should make it easier for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Take this as your new motto to live in a civilized world with civilized people:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>HIDUP JANGAN MENYUSAHKAN ORANG LAIN.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let us create a better future and a better toilet experience. Cheers to pee/poop in peace! Woohoo!</span></div>
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Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-55206353815516881942018-11-13T17:32:00.004+08:002018-11-13T22:14:03.733+08:00One year with you ♥<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"<i>Aku terima nikahnya, xxx dengan mas kahwin RM xxx tunai.</i>"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This happened exactly a year ago. November 11. 2017. #theWanforMalina</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was overwhelming and it still is today though it has been a year been happily married to the most wonderful man on Earth. Every night before we both go to bed, we always talk and say to each other that it is so bizarre that we are now married. After what we have been through throughout the whole two-year journey before we got married, it was amazing how we got to this day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I leave up to your wildest imagination on the countless challenges and hurdles and shittiest things that have ever happened to both of us. It is true that people said "<i>good things don't come easily</i>", "<i>no pain no gain</i>" and also "<i>diamonds are made under pressure</i>". When you reached to this point of being married, you'll know! This is so true! Diamonds are just ugly, useless rocks without pressuring it and polishing it and cracked it open and get to the core of the rock/stone. Well, here we are. Diamonds. Not literally, but you get what I mean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many people asked me, how does he proposed? And how to know if the guy is ready for marriage? How does he knows that you are the one because most guys does not have any idea how to be in a relationship? How can you get him? What did you do to make him want you? You give any hints on getting married anytime soon to him that he is pressured to do so?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well, let me share with you our story. LOL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those who know me, I am not the kind of lady who likes cliche stuff. I do not believe in fairytale, have zero expectation of Prince Charming or knight in shining armour nor the guy has to proposed in some romantic gesture that I should said yes immediately. I also do not believe in arranged marriage. In fact, I did not have any plans on getting married as I grew older. (<i>Fun fact</i>: Back when I was seven, yes SEVEN, I had a dream that I will get married when I turn twenty-seven, which will be in 2017. So I made the calculation in that tiny little brain of mine, 20 years to go until I found my man. Well, dreams do come true then, guys. Literally.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So I will answer it based on these common questions I often get:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How does he proposed to you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I cannot tell you exactly how he proposed because it was more like a discussion between two of us rather than a "Will you marry me?" proposal. It was at night, we just got back from a dinner date, he sent me home. On the journey back home, he asked, "How about we get married in November 2017?". Yes, out of the blue he asked me that question. It was around August 2016, and we have been together for a year and six months at that time. I told him, "So it will be about a year plus to go. You're okay with it? Wait for me? What if there are some other bitches who want you? Will you still want me to be your wife?". I did not treat his question as a proposal because I genuinely think that was just a discussion and somehow he has that crazy idea of being married to me because I am honest AF and sometimes can be so straight-forward that people might think I am rude. But, yeah. I did not pay much attention to it because if he's serious, he will show me. Not just say things out of the blue like that. I would like to see some actions, baby! LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, it was December 2016. He asked me again. This time he said, "I told my parents that we are getting serious and my family would like to meet your family, some time in January. Is that okay? Could you please ask your family?". Err. Okay, this guy is serious. Honestly guys, I have no expectation and never think of a life being married and married Malina is not fun. I don't know how to be a wife. I mean, living in a house with a stranger? What the hell? No way. I am the type of woman who will never meet my boyfriend's family, will never go to their place and my boyfriend is not allowed to meet my family. I will never bring my boyfriend home because he is a complete stranger to my family and he will invade my family's space. So no. He asked me to discuss with my family about this and I gave it a go. My family is keen to meet him and the whole clan, so we did. January 7th 2017 was the date. We had dinner at my family's place and then they talked about being engaged on the next month.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After they went back, I couldn't believe that my family met his and my brain could not stop thinking that, "Eh am I getting married soon? Is this for reals?".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then came a week after that. He came to pick me up and we went out for breakfast at 6.30am. I still remember that morning, he just got back from work at 5am, haven't got his sleep yet and called me at 6am to go out for a breakfast date at the nearest Oldtown in our neighbourhood. Both of us went out unshowered, with a hoodie on and still in my PJs. While waiting for our meal, he asked, "Are you busy on November 17th, 2017?". I replied with "I am not sure, let me check my organizer." (yes, I bring my organizer everywhereeee). Whilst I was checking it, he said "Let's get married?" with a question mark. I was stunned. OF COURSE I WAS STUNNED! That came out of nowhere! My eyes were wide open, froze, I swear to God I did not blink for like 10 seconds. My body was sliding down from the nook chair in Oldtown. Swear to God I looked like that!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was laughing and said again, "Let's get married in November!". I sat up straight, and said "You never give up, do you?". He said "I know you are the one for me. So yes, I would like to marry you and have you as my wife. Will you?". And next thing, there's the engagement ring he bought earlier and went to buy it behind my back. Damn. So yeah. That's the proposal story. I still checked my schedule in my organizer and November 17th is wide open, no bookings made. So what did I say to him? I cried and said, "So I will be free on November 17th but are you sure? Aww, thank you for not giving up on me. Of course I would love to be your wife." Wow. How time flies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For those who doesn't know why it was 17th and we were married on the 11th, the initial plan was on the 17th but there are no halls available as we went to find the venue after the engagement in February, they were only available on the 11th. So we brought it a week forward.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">How to know if the guy is ready for marriage? How does he knows that you are the one because most guys does not have any idea how to be in a relationship? How can you get him? What did you do to make him want you?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I once asked him this question and I swear this is his answer. This does not comes from me. It's my husband's. Here we go. I went on few dates before I met Malina. By few, I mean a lot. I went on dates and met some women and had some conversations but none of them have the quality of being interesting. I usually do the talking, maybe they are shy but I don't feel the mutual feelings. Sometimes they like me too much or maybe they do not care at all. When I met Malina, she has different set of mind and mentality that cannot be found in others. She is different. We clicked right away and she made me laugh with her jokes and the vibe that she gave me is beyond anything else. She is not afraid to be herself and I know that she is confident by the way she talks, walks and laughs. That confidence she has, she wants people around her to feel that as well. She does not care what others think about her because she knows what she's doing. She has that good vibes and stuff that she talked about, I know she's different and smart and knowledgable. She doesn't do small talk or talk about other human beings. She focused on her goals and self-improvement, which not many can do this. She reads a lot so she knows what she's talking about. She has her own words and nothing can stop her from growing and moving forward in life. Those qualities are somehow what I was looking for to make somebody as my wife.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You give any hints on getting married anytime soon to him that he is pressured to do so?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think he was the one who feels pressured that he is not married to me yet. LOL! I was busy focusing on myself because I was unemployed at the time and I need to find my passion and travel around before I settled down. Save up more money and to reach my certain goals first. Which I was busy with working out at the time, just to get myself sorted out by leading a healthy routine. Also to have a rockin' body for myself. Why not. Hahah! But not now though... After being married, I gained so much weight that I looked like a skinny balloon. Still skinny but bloated. You get what I mean? Sigh.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>How do you keep the relationship healthy and interesting after marriage?</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPZzpJ0C7UHD2vji9-qi32OD7kHcCDdQUXlyrAsN0iyFCqkwdIILODObiZ37h8Na_ZA5WdMwRIeYPGGPFsLj7KUbFREHvQEhhM-JufAdK_O0H-9EGKWNBUW8WM-pLgK-w3Gumu-cXHj0/s1600/gif4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="155" data-original-width="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPZzpJ0C7UHD2vji9-qi32OD7kHcCDdQUXlyrAsN0iyFCqkwdIILODObiZ37h8Na_ZA5WdMwRIeYPGGPFsLj7KUbFREHvQEhhM-JufAdK_O0H-9EGKWNBUW8WM-pLgK-w3Gumu-cXHj0/s1600/gif4.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Until the next post! LOL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Thanks for stopping by to read this! And thank you for the lovely wishes I received via text, Facebook and Instagram!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">X,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Malina</span></div>
Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-62954374263390451642018-09-11T19:29:00.000+08:002018-09-11T19:38:08.113+08:00101 Beach Essentials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxM9mt_yj7-Qvc-9zLo-6mu9VravULe9QU6mfUPRxA3UHeKRFF9kk0HwkbLBszgcaMwe_xCiHHrc3um6l63vIgPz4ScOvyxCltqTB_D7v36wCEdLhTKUL5K4JcZykazb4tILDj7Tsp9-Y/s320/IMG_1379.jpg" width="240" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLiznvF6KGAwjhVRKObzDz4ElDq8fPbYaubgaRdEJwYTSNihLcN-NGChyphenhyphenTpiUdkY_qd5nAq2zPR2XWRusVPMa1akk8QrmsjMIYWrZpL32Qe0aamxw1YHRZoIpUfNgnZuiqa4AcxkzNtMo/s400/IMG_0377.JPG" width="400" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFx2ThiDF3QGTo5-YfB3HJU6uKQPp9X5dOZ1K6qVuoYyys8DQtzbmJI09Cu3BExBKKboR2Pk2nIA34nu4_y0OsXGuVEdaa7MNVh2Z1_lvjIa-M3TMsoR-2qMF0HPkQchMxRTF4DZ5lauY/s400/IMG_1671.jpg" width="400" /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcyiFAWUgEO3vpDBOrNqH8hJ01K2inAy4W5mAAaKpq1Wft94n135A1mpqRYmaHbmF8wzMq_pZ1xj-BtZ9brkgyxMgFEgTKwQCd-iZgefnp8_BsVOnZ1OrNuYUOy12pTdE2X2019lzG9c/s320/IMG_1418.jpg" width="240" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What did I bring during my recent beach vacation? </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I had two luggages: Travel backpack for my trip to island & wheel hand-carry luggage for my city trip once I back to mainland. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One rattan bag to be used for both trips, also wearing the same pair of black sandal, black hat, shades</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>ISLAND TRIP: <i>What's in my travel backpack.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">(I put my clothes in different plastics for different days, so that I could use those plastics back to put all the dirty laundry)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>CLOTHING</b>:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 1 - 1: Black coverups, arena wetsuit, a pair of bikinis (top and bottom)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 1 - 2: Same dress I wore upon arrival, long cardigan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 2 - 1: Playsuit, same long cardigan. A pair of bikinis, same wetsuit</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 2 - 2: Same playsuit, same long cardigan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 3 - 1: PJs (I only brought one PJs). A pair of bikinis, same wetsuit</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 3 - 2: Blouse, jeggings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just in case, two sets of undergarments. Aaaaand, that is all for clothing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>TOILETRIES</b>: (everything put in one zipped pouch)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Toothbrush</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Toothpaste (in case if the hotel does not provide any)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Facial wash</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Comb</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Conditioner (sometimes the hotel only provides shampoo w/o the conditioner)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Deodorant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sun lotion (I used SPF 50)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Aloe vera gel (for soothing your sunburnt skin)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Pencil eyeliner (upon checkout, if you want to look prettier. LOL!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lipbalm/lip oil</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hair scrunchy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hair pin</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tissue</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Wet wipes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>WANNA GET A LIIIIL BIT FANCY:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Beach mat/beach towel (for you to sunbathe or lounge around the beach, read a book by the beach, etc.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A book</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Floaties (some hotels have them to be rented out but its FCFS basis)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Air pump</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Your own goggles/snorkelling mask (I brought my own because I don't like the fact I share with strangers)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>DEVICES:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Phone</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">GoPro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">GoPro stick</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Waterproof phone case</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Chargers (phone, GoPro, etc.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Multi-outlet socket</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>FOOD ITEMS:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Energy bar (for a quick snack in-between activities)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mint</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>A-MUST:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Print out of your bookings (make two copies, the other one put it in different place)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A copy of your IC, driving license, marriage cert (if you are married) - in case if your purse/wallet lost or stolen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dry bag for your purse, keys, money</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>CITY TRIP: <i>What's in my wheel luggage.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Two undergarments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">PJs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 1: Flare pants, blouse</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Day 2: Dress, cardigan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>*Put (last) your toiletries bag at the top of your backpack, so that you could throw that into the wheel luggage.</i></span></span><br />
<br />Malina A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/17767451719506032280noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5815276960744629718.post-56164813555860877362018-09-11T18:44:00.003+08:002018-09-11T18:44:29.286+08:00Basic Itinerary : Trip to Terengganu
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