Thursday, May 28, 2009

My blog is 1 Year Old

Wow...time flies!

It has been 1 year since I starting blogging in Shu-Yin's Sanctuary.

Happy Birthday Blog!

Opera

Since this may be the last week I get to dine out (I should be real busy once I become mummy!), Peter brought me to Opera Restaurant in Upper Penang Road. I had wanted to try their set lunch there as I heard many good reviews about it.

We were the first patrons there at 12 .30 noon. Soon after, a few tables arrived. At slightly after 1pm, about 12 ppl came in. The business there seems good.

We went there with high expectations. With my stomach growling, I was hoping for a bigger portion. The appetizers and deserts are fixed for the day. We had choices for the main of either chicken or fish. We took one of each. And for the drinks, I chose ice lemon tea and Peter chose coffee which will be served later.


Drink - Iced Lemon Tea.
The iced lemon tea was very thick but refreshing. The worst iced lemon tea I had ever tasted is at Tanjung Bungah's El Mondo Pizza.


Appetizer - Stuffed Bean Curd Puff with Chef's Special Sauce.
Both of us are not fans of taukua. This version of taukua sumbat however tasted very nice. We liked the sauce so much that we asked for more.


Main - Grilled Chicken with Spicy Mushroom Sauce served with Fried Mantaus and Vegetables.
I find the grilled chicken goes very well with the fried mantaus. Although I hope that the mantaus are a little more soft on the inside.


Main - Steamed Fish Fillet in Banana Packet, served with Rice and Vegetables.
I like this dish although usually I am not a fan of any fish dish. But the sambal dip that goes with it makes it so nice. The rice is very fragrant too.


Desert - Apung-style wrapped with slices of bananas and served with Vanilla ice-cream with drizzled gula melaka sauce.
I love this desert. Although both of us were so stuffed after finishing our mains, we also finished every last drop of this delicious desert.


Drink - Coffee
Peter's coffee cane with a cinnamon stick as the stirrer. I love the aroma of the cinnamon stick!


Pic of both of us at Opera Restaurant.
I don't know why Peter is squinting his eyes!

All in all, it was a very worth set lunch at RM18+ per set.
Oh ya...portion is BEEG!

The dishes vary from day to day. Every day of the week comes with a different set lunch style.
Now that we've tried Thursday's set lunch, we are going to come another day the next time!

Opera
3-E Penang Road
10 000 Penang.
Tel: 604-2632893
Email: opera1pen@yahoo.com


(pics of the appetizer and mains were taken from lingzie)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I am ready and can't wait to POP!

Just came back from seeing Dr. Eric.
Through untrasound, Little Angel now weighs 3.36kg. His head is still broad - 2 weeks 5 days broader.

Little Angel is now ready to greet the world. At this point, the average full-term newborn is still building a layer of fat to help control body temperature after birth.

Dr. Eric says my cervix is soft now but is not dilated yet. And my amniotic fluid is beginning to thin down.
However, I am likely to POP sometime within this week. But if I do not pop yet, I may need to be induced. Will see how it all goes.

It is like a waiting game from today onwards......when? when? when?

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Cord Blood Banking

I was initially skeptical of banking my newborn's cord blood - mostly due to its high costs and also its uses.

I asked around a few mothers/fathers on their decisions on why they chose to/chose not to do so - and I got many feedback.
I also read up on cord blood banking and its history, testimonials, its uses, etc.

Some says that it is not worth it of the many 'unknowns'. But some sees it in another perspective. Because of all these 'unknowns', there are future potentials.
We are in such a high-tech era and I believe many R&D is in place and future uses will be more and more in years to come.

Anyway, all in all, it is still a matter on what you believe in.
However, the decision to whether to bank in or not is once in a lifetime - during your newborns' birth.

Next is to choose between the 4 private companies available in Malaysia. StemLife, Cryocord, CellSafe & StemTech.

After much consideration, darlin' and I decided to choose StemLife...mainly because of the company's stability as it is a public-listed company in Malaysia.
Company's stability to us is very important because we cannot afford to have the company go bankrupt.

Anyway, we paid RM2500 for the enrollment fee including 1 year storage fee. From the 2nd year onwards, it is RM290 yearly for the storage fee. Pretty expensive...i know!

To us, this is another form of insurance for Little Angel.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

HOT! HOT! HOT!

I don't know if it is just me...but I am sweating like a pig for the past 2 days. I can feel my sweat DRIPPING down my body!

I have been sleeping with the aircond on for the past 2 nights. (super big achievement since our room aircond had been under-utilized since we bought it 2 yrs ago....used less than 10 times I think! hehe)

I read somewhere in The Star Online which says that this hot weather/dry spell is expected to persist until September.

I think I am going to die if the weather is still so hot during my confinement period. I think if it is so, I am going to break all pantang-larang and bathe every day!!!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

37 weeks - Full Term Baby

This means that if Little Angel arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though my due date is still two and a half weeks away.

This week, most of the downy coating of lanugo is shed and the vernix caseosa - the cheese-like coating that covers Little Angel in the womb and protects his developing skin - starts to disappear, though some may remain at birth. Little Angel swallows both, along with other secretions, and all will stay in his bowels until birth. This blackish mixture, called meconium, will become his first bowel movement.

Dr. Eric said that by Little Angel's size and week growth, I may be in labour ANY TIME now...but then most probably still won't be for another 2 weeks. Phew....

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Chopped Chocolate Muffins

Could not sleep because I napped for 2 1/2 hrs this afternoon. Decided to bake some muffins because they are quick and easy to fix.
And furthermore, the Butter Cake I made just a few days ago are all gone.

I looked into my kitchen cabinet and see what ingredients I have. I see that I still have some cooking chocolate bars left. So decided to just bake normal butter muffins with chopped chocolates.


Freshly baked from the oven


All packed and ready to be delivered to mum's hse tomorrow morning

(pls pardon these blur and colour-off pics because they are taken using my Nokia 6300. My cam is with Shu-Min...arrgghhh)

Friday, May 15, 2009

36 weeks

Little Angel is already 2.9kg as of last Thursday (35 weeks then) when I went to see Dr. Eric. Wow...he is indeed getting big and strong.

According to babycenter.com, he is comparable to a crenshaw melon in size (whatever it is!).

His movements are different from what I felt last time. No more sudden punches and kicks. But instead, I can even feel him when he rolls about in my womb. It looks like waves. I guess he has little space left and thus I can feel every movement he makes now.

And when he decides to give his mummy a little punch and kick once in a while, I am sure to shout 'Ouch' coz it is now real painful.



I couldn't help but to post this pic below!


end of week 35 - 10th May 2009

Look at how big my belly is. This dress of mine (not a maternity dress) makes my belly look very obviously big (but that shows how big my belly really is underneath my clothes!)

Also look at how off-balance I now stand?
My belly is getting so big that it is really difficult for me to do anything.

My appetite is also growing. I seem to be able to eat more food at each meal (weird...coz my bible pregnancy book tells me that I am suppose to have trouble eating a normal-size meal).

Photo taken from: Baby Center

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Uniquely Fusion @ Francis Fusion Western Food

It was our first time to Francis Fusion Western Food @ Guan Hiang Coffee Shop.
The coffee shop is located at the corner of the Plus Zone traffic light junction in Pulau Tikus (somewhere opposite Maxim Cake House).

I had the Baked Bacon Wrapped Chicken (a healthier choice) while Peter took the Chicken Chop.
Both our orders were served with 2 slices of delicious garlic bread.
And mine came with baked potatoes while Peter's was with french fries.


Bacon Wrapped Chicken (Baked) - RM14.50


Chicken Chop - RM7.50

The portions are huge. No wonder there is not many choices of side dishes available.
We noticed that there was no soup menu (which we find weird!)

Anyway, I find the food really special and taste is good. I think it is quite value for money, given the big portion and good food.

It has been a month or two since I last met up with Chin Peng. And it has been ages since I last saw Tse Ling.
So we had a nice time chatting and laughing.


Chin Peng, me & Tse Ling

Butter Cake using Golden Churn Butter


I've baked butter cake a few times before but this is my 1st time baking it using Golden Churn Butter.
The price of a 250g butter is usually around RM10 in Cold Storage. When I saw it selling at RM7+ at Gama, I grabbed 2 of them immediately.



This time, I used the cake tin and not the loaf pan...so that there is a larger surface...more crust this way! ;)







It does indeed taste nicer than using Buttercup. But I find no difference when using SCS Creamery Butter.
Hmmmm........

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Belated Mother's Day Dinner

We celebrated Mother's Day later by 2 days this year - to avoid the crowds and also to avoid the over-priced eatery places.

We decided to have dinner yesterday in 2828 Restaurant in Perak Road - ala chu-char style!

And the best part is....both our mothers celebrated together!

Food was good and fresh and cheap. Talks were plenty. Smiles everywhere. :D




Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Maternity Portrait#1 of the '3 of Us' - Me, Peter & 'lil Angel - by Chew Win Win


Win Win, our friend photographer also gave us a free maternity portraint session. (I am so blessed with such good friends!)

These pics were taken on the 26th April when I was 33 weeks pregnant.




















There should be more pics soon. Win Win haven't given me the rest of the pics yet as she have not finished editing them! :D

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day

Dearest Mum,

Though there are lotsa of things we dont see eye-to-eye, I know you still love me and only want the best for me.

I am sorry for being such a brat sometimes.

I can't imagine life without you.
You are someone who listens to my daily ramblings.
You are someone whom I go to when I am sick. (you always nurse me back to health!)
You are someone who cannot stop buying stuff for my Little Angel even before he is born! ;P

Thank you for bringing me up and loving me.
Thank you for always being there for me.


Mum & me - June 1982: 27 years ago

Karen & WH's Wedding & ROM

Peter & I were late for the wedding dinner last night. Unfortunately, we were stuck in a jam due to the police diverted traffic from Kelawai Road to Gurney Drive (I assume because of the Wesak Day Procession).

We arrived just right after the bridge & groom march! Tee hee!

I was hungry and was glad that dinner was served even before my seat was warm. I ate quite a lot.
I must say that Starview's food that night was so-so only. Portions were also not big, just OK. Maybe because I had high expectation of Starview. I mean, people always say Starview's food is fabulous and I think the price is not cheap either. I find CRC Restaurant serve better wedding dinner-style food and much bigger portions.

Anyway, the company was great!
It is the 1st time after so long that the whole gang managed to get together for one of the wedding.


Standing fr l to r: Wai Min & Mich, me & Peter. Sitting from l to r: Daniel & Ee Xion, Siow Sen & Justin, Chun Hoer, Bee Wooi & Alan.
(pls pardon the blur pic....blame it on the waiter who was the camera man)


All of us had a good time juz chatting and laughing and eating.

And oh yeah....Karen looks great that night. And that was probably the 5th time I saw WH! :)

And to my horror, we were stuck in the jam again on our way back home from the dinner. Apparently, there was also a Mini Thaipusam procession going on. Traffic was diverted from Jalan Utama to Pulau Tikus and thus Burmah Road was choked with cars as well.
Argghhh....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, Karen & WH ROM was today - Moral Uplifting Society, Penang.
Look at how well she wore the traditional chinese wedding clothes (kwa)? Not many people can wear it as well as her.


WH & Karen

This is the only pic I took with my cam because my cam battery went flat suddenly! :)

Anyway, congratulations Karen & WH....hope you like our gift and also our angpows to you! :D

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Ebay.com.my

I just bought a few baby items from a wonderful seller at Ebay. She is French and she had twins - both boys. They are cute. I personally met up with her while she & her family came to Penang for a holiday.

I got below items for just a fraction of the original price. So far I am happy! ;)

The First Years: Nature Sensations Activity Gym


The First Years: Airflow Infant Sleep Positioner


Fisher-Price Ocean Wonders Mobile


Anakku Carrier Car Seat

When I have a chance to use them for my Little Angel, I will write reviews about them! :)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

35 weeks

Went to see Dr. Eric today. Told him I want to try ala-naturale delivery. He gave me some encouragement.

After peeking into 'Lil Angel's world thorugh ultrasound, Dr. Eric said he is still 2 weeks++ bigger. He still said it is normal and will see how it goes.

But I, being the super-worried-mum-to-be asked Dr. Eric if bigger babies have a more difficult labour. As you know, I am really terrified about the labour and delivery.

Dr. Eric then said 'Yes, they may have a more difficult time but bigger babies are easier to take care once they are out into our world'.

In my head, I was thinking 'Well, firstly, I need get him out of my womb first!'

Anyway, take a look at the mummy - ME!

Pic taken inside one of the ladies' changing room at Parkson @ Gurney Plaza - 3rd May 2009.

If you want to see a pic of me taken by professional photographer, then pls click Kee Sitt's blog. There are 6 nice pictures of me! ;D
I look so much better there!

Maternity Portrait#1 of the '3 of Us' - Me, Peter & 'lil Angel - by Lim Kee Sitt

You can view the '3 of us' in Kee Sitt's blog.
He was our wedding videographer and now he is our friend.

Oh my gawd...my belly looks so huge!
Give some comments after viewing ok?

Monday, May 4, 2009

36 more days to go...

Now with less just a month away from my EDD, everyone is asking me how I am feeling about giving birth to my little angel.

A part of me feel like wanting the moment to come soon...because my huge...and I mean huge belly is making me very uncomfortable nowadays.

I can't sit comfortably. I can't sleep comfortably. I feel clumsy. I feel heavy. My swollen fingers and feet are hurting.

But then another part of me is feeling very, very nervous and scared when the moment comes. Actually, I am TERRIFIED at the thought of labour. I know it is going to be a very painful journey.

I am in fact hoping for an ala-naturale delivery....with no epidural....though I am not sure if I am strong enough to make through it!
I think I will be screaming for 'epidural' halfway during labour!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Banana Muffins with Chopped Chocolate Pieces

Chun Huey called me last night and asked me if I want to have some bananas. I said 'yes, of course!' but little did I know that they were super duper too-riped bananas!

I had no choice but to bake them immediately when I woke up this morning. As our family loves chocolate, I chopped some chocolate pieces and threw them into the batter.


Look at the chocolate pieces and small chunks of bananas in my muffins.


Turned out nice and brown...the way I like it!

Actually, I have not tasted it yet. Too full as I cooked carbonara pasta with garlic bread for lunch! *Burp....excuse me.

Onesies & Mickey from China & HK!

Chiao Ju just came back from China & HK not too long ago from a business trip. She is forever so nice and bought some baby stuff back for 'lil angel.

There are 2 onesies (some ppl call it rompers...i never know the difference!) and a cute little Mickey Mouse toy all the way from Hong Kong Disneyland...woo hoo!

How lucky my 'lil angel is....he got something from HK Disneyland but I've got none... :(

Anyway, I think this forever-kicking-me-nonstop 'lil angel will open his mouth and call 'Aunty Chiao Ju before he will call mummy.....if that happens, I will faint! haha :D



Thanks Chiao Ju..... :D

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