Saturday, July 28, 2007

How God Blessed Us Today


One of the tires on our car needed to be replaced badly. We took it to a tire shop last Saturday to have it checked out. They said they can only let us know in a couple of days when they check the availability at the warehouse. My husband asked how much it will cost and the gentleman said approximately "$71". A few days after that, the gentleman from the tire shop called to let us know that the tires we currently have on our car are being phased out. However, they are replacing it with a better model that covers more mileage. It is a more expensive tire ($85) but he will give it to us for the same price of "$71" as he had promised when we were at the store.

We went to the store today to get this tire changed. We don't have the money for it and payday is next week. So, we decided that we were going to charge it to my credit card. After the tire was changed, I went up to the counter to pay. And the gentleman said "One Forty Four". I said "$144??!!But you said it was going to be only $71". He replied "No, I meant to say, One dollar and forty four cents" ($1.44). He replaced the tire for us for FREE. The $1.44 was for the tax.

Wow!! All I can say is that I know it wasn't anything we did or said.
It was GOD. Plain and simple.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Watermelons and Pregnancy

I just learnt something yesterday....watermelons and pregnancy DON'T go well together! In an earlier post, I talked about how much I love eating watermelons and how I select them. So, it is kinda hard to give that up even though I'm pregnant now. So, what is the problem with eating watermelons while you're pregnant, you may ask? Let me just tell you what happened last night. I ate 3 small slices of watermelon. I ended up going to the bathroom (to pee) every 15 minutes for 2 hours after that!! That's why!! Urrrggh....not pleasant! But SO worth it!!!

A Malaysian friend also posted a comment on my watermelon post saying that according to Chinese beliefs, it's one of the foods to avoid during pregnancy as it is a "cooling" food. I wonder if it is also to prevent pregnant women from having to go through this bathroom ordeal. I don't know if I can give up watermelons just yet :( Maybe I'll just cut it down to 1 slice every now and then!

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Confessions Of A Neat Freak

I am a self-confessed neat freak. I love CLEAN. I didn't say I love TO clean! I just don't like mess. I like things to be organised and tidy. Clutter just drives me crazy!

My husband on the other hand, is more laid-back and messy at times. You would think that with all the training he received from the Marine Corps, he would be able to make beds so well that coins would just bounce off them! Alas….that is just a fantasy when it comes to my darling hubby. I would be ecstatic if he just made the bed. Period! If you enter our bedroom, you can tell straight away which side of the room is mine and which is his. He jokes constantly about how a hurricane has just gone through his side of the room! HA! HA! HA!

With a toddler and a dog running around the house constantly, the cleaning can be quite time-consuming. So, I've worked out a schedule on when to do what. Now, if only the hubby, kid and dog will get with the program!! I've tried "being messy" and have this "tidak apa" (couldn't care less) attitude. Didn’t work. I guess I'm stuck in a "cleaning world".

I have posted a pic of my side of the bed and hubby's side of the bed. Can you tell which is which? LOL!!! But I still love him dearly :)





A picture speaks a thousand words


Yes, that's right!! We're expecting another baby! I just found out yesterday afternoon. I have yet to go to the doctor. But according to my calculation using a due date calculator this baby should be due some time in the middle of March 2008. Any guesses whether we will be having a boy or a girl? According to the Chinese gender prediction chart, we're having a girl. But it said I was going to have a girl when I had my first child...which turned out to be a boy. We're really excited and have been talking about baby No. 2 for awhile now. So, we're really happy that it finally happened. My husband really wants a girl. But I'm happy either way.

The only thing I'm bumped about is that my husband is not going to be around when this next one is born as he will be on a deployment to Iraq. But that's ok. Hundreds of military spouses have done it. So can I! I know I will be ok here as I have a wonderful support group here amongst my friends and church members.

I know this may sound strange but I think my son knew that I'm pregnant even before I did. He has been acting a little strange in the last week or so. He has been SUPER clingy and only wants me to do things for him. If my husband tries to hold him or do things for him, he gets upset! In the last few nights, he has also been waking up in the middle of the night screaming for me. So, I got this feeling that maybe he knew. So, after I found out yesterday, I had a long talk with him. Told him how he's going to be a big brother. And how Mommy still loves him very, very much, etc. And after our talk, he's back to his usual self! Not clingy anymore and he slept through the night. A child's instinct, I guess. Looks like I'm going to have to work with him a little bit more on this being a big brother thingy!

Monday, July 23, 2007

How To Select A Watermelon


I LOVE watermelons. I have been buying a watermelon almost every week this summer. Except for this one week when I bought this HUGE watermelon from a Farmer's Market that took us 2 whole weeks to eat it.

So, how do you select a watermelon?

This is how I do it :
Select watermelons that feel smooth and look slightly dull, not shiny. They should be symmetrically shaped with full rounded, not flat ends. The rind should be light green with dark green veins. The underside should have a cream or light yellowish colour, not white or pale green. I also pick it up to make sure it's heavy for it's size. I also know some people who pick it up and knock or tap on it to make sure it doesn't sound hollow.


However, all of these still do not insure a good watermelon. You just can't really judge a watermelon by the looks. But following the above, I have had 95% success rate till date.


The best bet is of course to buy watermelons that are already cut. Look for red, crisp, firm and juicy flesh which is not dry, mushy, fibrous, or stringy and has no white streaks running through it. Seeds should be dark and black or dark brown , not white, which is a sign of immaturity.



Info source :

Super Baby Book by Ruth Yaron

Early Signs of Pregnancy

During my first pregnancy, I did not know I was pregnant till I was 4 months into the pregnancy! I hardly had any symptoms except for the missed periods here and there but I just attributed that to stress. As a result, I felt "cheated" of the joys of pregnanthood in the first trimester. I vowed not to let that happen to me again. So, I began tracking my cycle and doing some research into early pregnancy signs. Here is a really good list I found :

Eleven Major Early Pregnancy Signs :

1. Breast Changes – This is often the first sign of pregnancy. Hormones immediately begin preparing your body for breastfeeding. As early as a week after conception the area around nipples becomes darker and breasts feel swollen and more sensitive.
I'm definitely experiencing this!

2. Missed Menstrual Period – Missing a period is an obvious sign of pregnancy. But there are also other reasons for a missed period, such as stress, dieting or medicine. If your cycle is very regular, missing a period can be an early sign of pregnancy.
As of today, I'm 7 days late.

3. Spotting – Light bleeding may appear 8 to 14 days after conception. The fertilized egg implants itself in the uterine lining causing pink or brownish spotting. Many women mistake this for a menstrual period, when they're actually pregnant.
Nope. Not for me. No spotting of any kind.

4. Cramping – Cramps similar to those experienced around menstruation are sometimes a very early sign of pregnancy. The uterus walls can contract as a result of any kind of physical activity.
I'm getting lots and lots of this!

5. Nausea – Feeling nauseated and sometimes even vomiting is called "morning sickness," but it can happen any time day or night. While nausea is common between weeks four and eight in about half of all pregnancies, some women experience symptoms as early as a week or two after conception.
I'm one of the lucky few. I did not experience this during my 1st pregnancy. So, I wouldn't be surprise if I was pregnant again and not experience any morning sickness.

6. Tiredness – During early pregnancy your body is going through major hormonal changes. Your heart pumps harder and blood flows faster to bring nutrients to the baby. Exhaustion and fatigue are understandable and usually go away as your body adjusts.
Actually, for me, it's quite the opposite. I suddenly feel charged with energy and have been waking up at 4am or 5am in the last couple of days compared to being really lethargic and tired if my period is about to come.

7. Frequent Urination – Many women experience more frequent urination as early as a week or two after conception. The most intense need to urinate typically takes place in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.
I have been going 3 times an hour!

8. Dizziness – Blood sugar is the primary source of food for a growing fetus, so it tends to drop more quickly than usual. Skipping meals or going too long without eating can make you feel dizzy, lightheaded or even faint from low blood sugar.
I felt a little bit of this yesterday when I ate my lunch an hour later than usual and also when I stand up too suddenly after sitting for awhile.

9. Mood Swings – You're not crazy, it's just hormones. Mood swings are common, even in early pregnancy. This can include irritability and crying for no apparent reason.
Arrgghh!!! I'm going crazy here because of this. I'm glad to know that if I'm pregnant, then it's the baby and not me!

10. Increased Body Temperature –Your basal body temperature (BBT), taken first thing in the morning, is higher when you ovulate and during pregnancy. So, it's a good early indicator of pregnancy when your BBT remains high.
I haven't checked so I don't really know.

11. Constipation – Pregnancy hormones slow down digestion and bowel function to insure maximum nutrient absorption.
Still normal for me.

Hmm....6 out of 11 signs. Could it be? Could it be? I know every pregnancy is different. So, even with all these signs, I guess I won't really know until I take a pregnancy test. But I'm going to wait a few more days before I do that. I don't want to take it too early in case it comes up negative even though I maybe already be pregnant. Stay tuned for an update :)


Info source :
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7107.asp