Bitter Sweet Memories

Aditri Ariella Om

2010-10-07T07:48:00.001+02:00

Now let's proceed with Aditri's birth story…

My contractions had been increasing over the last week, but having had 2 previous hospital admissions, with one being a false labour, I was determined to “get it right” the next time I made a trip to the hospital

Monday morning the 7th of June- i woke up at 8 am with light contractions. I was so used to it by now, I simply passed it off as Braxton hicks. I had an appointment with the midwife later that morning so I got dressed and went about the daily household chores.I silently rejoiced when the contractions got more frequent and intense but I didn't make a big hoo haa out of it like I had previously, raising everyones hopes.I was determined to get it right this time. By noon though the intensity had increased I kept reassuring myself that I could wait a little longer for the contractions to get more regular... I waited and waited til midnight. Took a nice warm shower, checked the pregnancy bag & camera and then waited for Alvin to get dressed and take me to the hospital. At 1230am on 8th June 2008 we arrived at Blekinge Sjukhuset.

The contractions were 10-20 minutes apart but still bearable. I was ushered into a room and was hooked onto the cardiotocogram(CTG), knowing this would last at least several hours, we made ourselves comfortable...

The midwife in-charge;Giselle Tham the same lady who delivered Aaren :) came in, introduced herself and we started chatting and successfully distracting me from the pain.she did an internal test and announced that I was doing very well, 5 cm dilated! It really sounded too good to be true.

I handed her my birth plan and she took it to her room to look thru it leaving Alvin and me in the room. Alvin began taking pictures and we chatted away. He was making me laugh thru my contractions trying his best to ensure that I remained distracted. He kept telling me how brave I was, that men are not cut out for labour, that god chose women after himself to be able to bring a life into this world... :) isn't he the sweetest!!!

We had just begun to discuss the birth plan. It was close to 130am.Giselle came in and asked if I'd like to have the membranes ruptured or if I'll like to let nature take it's own course. I chose to speed things up. She ruptured my water bag and told me that the contractions are going to be more frequent and intense

I told Alvin I'll practise the first pain relief option at 230am. Having something to look forward to made me hang on and I tolerated the pain while looking at the clock waiting for 230am.I used the yoga ball to move from side to side, swaying my hips to reduce the pain and tried walking with support..all this when the only source of relief was a supply of Entonox(laughing gas) I felt high! when the contractions were at their peak, nothing seemed to be able to ‘take the edge’ off it.

Was I regretting not having an epidural? No! I was determined and I knew that no matter how painful, I'll eventually get thru it. I had already made a mental note never to use epidural.. Not with the first,not now..

Experience of a Lifetime

The next few minutes were the most happening! My contractions soon increased in frequency, reaching a stage where a second contraction would mount before the first had completely subsided. The Entonox only helped regulate my deep breathing.My hubby and midwife offered lots of comfort thru words. “Breathe in deeply”,"you're doing great", "you're almost there" etc.

Giselle did an internal examination. Announcing that I was already 10 cm dilated and we could now proceed! She immediately called for 2 other midwives. One of whom wad a student from stockholm (I had consented for her to be present at my delivery – after all, she has to practice to master)
Giselle was probably the most consistent in offering words of encouragement and comfort.I know Alvin was tensed and was trying so hard not to show it. Afterall, it came as a surprise to him when he was asked to put on gloves and get ready to receive. Little did he know that he was about to deliver our baby in a few seconds.

God Bless the Midwife

Finally, my midwife propped me up with some pillows, positioning me for delivery. Despite the pain, I could not help but marvel at God’s amazing design of the human body. Having no epidural to numb my sensation, I could tell exactly when to push and was surprised that it was easier than expected. Each contraction helped to propel my little baby from the womb out into the world, and the pain seemed to have a very specific purpose now. It all seemed to fall into place, the body doing what it needed to do to complete this miracle of life.

After the 2nd push my hands were directed so that I could feel her crowning.I felt lots of hair! Alvin was instructed while I pushed. (i will get him to blog on this part) 6 pushes later, I hear Ariella's cries. A very happy man who had just delivered his daughter came over excitedly with her in his arms

I never needed an episiotomy,no tears...nothing! I remember a feeling of immense relief and release when Ariella fully emerged from the womb at 340am She cried immediately at birth and was placed on my chest after her cord was cut by her daddy.

My placenta was delivered and shown to me. The midwives explained it's function and how the baby was within. I could still feel my uterus contracting intermittently, but knew this was normal and expected.

I forgot about all the pain and exhaustion as soon as I got a glimpse of her. After she suckled on my breasts she cuddled up and fell asleep as I just looked on at the product of our love: Aditri Ariella Om
Alvin called home and informed mummy who in turn told our relatives back in Singapore.

Ariella never left my side after that. We were served our Fika (Fika is both Swedish noun that roughly means "to drink coffee," usually accompanied by something sweet)

Within the hour, We were transferred to a post natal ward for recuperation and bonding. I quickly showered and got dressed in my home clothes.after which, Alvin went back home and brought Aaren and my mum for a visit.

Mum was so excited to see her grand daughter. She is very afraid to carry new borns but when she saw Ariella who wad 4.32kg and 52cm tall holding her head steady, she was amazed and carried her. Aaren was playing with his dad and me, not noticing his little sister :) We were to stay there for 2 days. But Ariella had to be kept in the hospital, under observation for the next 5 days due to a suspected infection. Alvin and I stayed in as I had to breastfeed. On the 4th day, Sunday the 12th June, Alvin drive to Copenhagen to pick papa and Chandini up.they came straight to the hospital on reaching karlskrona to see our little gal.

Ariella’s story doesn’t end here, it merely begins. Our lives have been turned upside-down with her arrival, but we treasure her as a gift from God. All stories must end somewhere, and this is where we will leave it, for now.

"Semper Amemus" -our love is forever

2010-05-07T15:35:00.000+02:00

We couldn't possibly have known when we began our married life how entwined our lives would become
in our journey as husband and wife. With every year and each passing day you manage to say "I Love You" in so many different ways. May our anniversary remind us, as we start the year anew, that we share a special happiness life gives to just a few...

It's amazing how time flies. It's been 7 whole years since I got to know my sweetheart and we've been married legally for 5 years now!

4th May 2005 we registered our marriage. It's a great date because we share the same anniversary as another very loving and cute couple- my parents! They've been blissfully married for a whopping 33 years now and are a very good example to us :)

My sweetheart had been busy all week preparing stuff for a function at work. He managed to however bring Aaren and me out on a nice dinner to the new sports bar in town -Stars & Stripes, all revamped, brand new and with a beautiful ambience.. It was previously known as O'Learys. We enjoyed a nice dinner, I had Beckham's grilled Salmon with key lime, Aaren had a sausage bun with fries from the kids menu and Alvin had some BBq ribs. Unfortunately I didn't bring my mobile phone and couldn't take snaps of the cute moments where daddy dearest was being fed pop corn by his lil angel :) it sure was a moment to remember.

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News updates

2010-04-30T22:43:00.001+02:00

No. In case you were wondering like everyone else, we were not affected by the Iceland's volcanic ash. Maybe other parts of Sweden but not where we reside. :)

I'm in the last league of my pregnancy!
This is the end of week 34. 3 more weeks to full term and It'll be safe to deliver anytime after may 19th...
Well that's still some time away.

Next weekend is what I'm looking forward to... My mum will be here!!! I'm so excited I can hardly wait.
I can't wait to see how Aaren will take to her or how he and she will bond, the new things Aaren will pick up from her and it's just so lovely to see the grandparent pampering the grandchild... My mum isn't one who spoils a child. She's quite a disciplinarian and I'm looking forward to seeing a more disciplined lil boy. Most of all I'm looking forward to being a child again ;)

Aaren is 18 months old and is picking up words very fast. He's able to clearly say words like bicycle, ice cream, chocolate, milk, cake,pear, apples, butterfly and so many others. He's growing fast and learning even faster. He has begun to repeat things I tell him... "Please sit down" is one of his favourite phrases!
I tried potty training him but I couldn't follow thru due to my big tummy so it's on hold right now. But he has learnt to say pee pee and pop poo, potty and yucks because I keep repeating it..he is able to remove his diapers when he soils them.I'm sure he'll pick it up once I'm fully into training him...

He has always been very attached to his daddy but nowadays it has taken a whole new meaning. He skips his naps just to be with his papa and at night he wouldn't sleep without him. I have more than half the bed to myself cuz the boy will cuddle up nicely with his dad at the other corner:) he loves spending time with his papa and the word papa from Aaren's mouth sounds sooo sweet! They even dress alike when possible... I just watch them both while a tingle warms my heart. I love u both!

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Sweet tooth

2010-03-26T16:08:00.001+01:00

Banana walnut cakes and scones are baked almost every week so this time along with them, I tried a simple sponge cake. I have 2 tubs of cream cheese so I decided to do a cream cheese filling instead of butter cream. I dusted some cocoa powder for a little more flavour! I made a thin layer, divided in into halves and had only 4 slices instead of a whole lot.
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IndoChinese Fried Rice

2010-03-18T16:43:00.001+01:00

Chinese because it has soy sauce. Indie because it has corriander & chilli powder in it :) a simple dinner for it's vegetarian but I added sausages to my Husbands plate as he always likes something on the side.

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Simple Sweet Scones

2010-03-18T16:32:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I went for my Glucose Test in Centrum early in the morning on an empty stomach. I had to gulp down a whole glass of syrup! Yes it was super sweet and not in a good way.2 hours of waiting got me really hungry! After that we went to have breakfast at "Waynes Coffee" I had coffee instead of hot chocolate. Been crazy over caffeine lately. Alvin and I shared some savoury chicken sandwich.

We walked around centrum- H&M basically. Alvin did shopping for both himself and Aaren. Unfortunately I didn't see anything worth buying. Then a short walk to Bokia but sadly I couldn't find any Novels worth reading either!

Just two shops away from Bokia, there is a cafe. Emily had brought me to Siesta Cafe during my last pregnancy and introduced me to this really yummy cake. I still dunno what it's called but it seems only this particular cafe has it. I couldn't resist so I went and got myself 2 slices of cake and a scone.

Today, I felt like having scones again... Filling but light and not much sugar or guilt involved. It took me 1/2 an hour from measuring ingredients to putting the first bite in my mouth. Unimaginably fast and yummy :) and the ingredients are always available in the house!

You can have it with your choice of jam, butter or cheese :) best enjoyed warm. Can be frozen and stored away for up to 2 weeks. Simply reheat in microwave at high for 1 minute!

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A Lunch Date

2010-03-16T20:09:00.001+01:00

I had a friend over for lunch today. It didn't take me more than 1.5 hours to prepare these:

This was lunch for Alvin as well so I had to prepare it by 1130am. It had to be stored away in the oven and i didn't secure the foil tight enough thus it got a little dry :( the aloo ki tikki was okay just a tad bit too salty for my liking. I don't think anyone can go wrong with Raita so yeah... A simple hearty lunch.

When you have good company time flies and today was no exception. We chatted away til 5plus and then it was time for exchanging good byes.., til the next time :)

-- Post From My iPhone

28 Weeks

2010-03-16T20:01:00.001+01:00

This pregnancy seems to just glide by. I remember with Aaren I was waiting anxiously for the first trimester to be over and with baby number 2,I'm already in the third trimester!

Yesterday at 1305hrs, after we came back from a nice walk... Hardly 3km but it took me an hour. I enjoyed every bit of it. It was great feeling the sun on my face.
Looking at the ducks and seagulls and swans! Beautiful I tell ya!

Alvin went off to get us some take away lunch and I fed aaren some choc cereal and sat down with a big glass of water.

My tummy tightened and the sides of my tummy felt a familiar pressure... A pain I remember going thru in my first pregnancy... Only then it was when I was in labour. I was panicking! I was having contractions and this early? At 28 weeks!!

I called the emergency number and was directed to the delivery ward. The midwife I spoke to asked me about my symptoms and said it'll be best if I could come for a check up.

They hooked up a machine on me to monitor the contractions & Baby's heart rate. They did a cervix check to ensure that the contractions were not altering it in anyway. An ultrasound to check on our baby, her position and the amount of amniotic fluid. Also if the placenta was fine and intact. Baby has already assumed the head down position and was moving actively.

Thank god everything was fine and after all the checks I was free to go... I am having contractions according to the midwife but since it's not effacing the cervix so there is no cause for concern.

With strict instructions to get as much bed rest as I could and not lift any heavy stuff I was sent home. Those 2 hours that I was there, all I could do was pray and hope that I don't go into early labour. It's way too early... At least another 9-10 weeks. So baby dear hang in there, we're awaiting your arrival but there still is alot of growing and developing to do inside...

-- Post From My iPhone

Claypot Chicken Rice

2010-03-12T20:49:00.001+01:00

Yet another simple and quick one pot meal. A complete nutritional one with grains, shitake mushrooms, chicken bits and seasonings.I added a chicken sausage as substitute to the Chinese sausage. Garnished with spring onions because Colours do make a dish more appealing so I use herbs and garnishes in my daily cooking!

The chicken breast meat was marinated with sesame oil, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, a dash of salt & pepper and cornflour. I had to cook the chicken and mushrooms til 1/2 done before combining it with the rice which was 1/2 way thru the cooking process.

I sauteed some garlic together with the washed and drained rice then added a lil dark and light soy sauce and a dash of pepper.

By the time the rice finished it's cooking process, the chicken that I had added on top of it was cooked, tender, juicy & succulent

I didn't use a claypot. Cooked it in the conventional rice cooker and i still got pretty good results! The smoky flavour with burnt bits :)

-- Post From My iPhone

My very own recipe: Egg Biryani

2010-03-12T14:41:00.000+01:00

I hate being clueless about what to cook so each night before I tuck in, I plan the next days' meal.

Last night I pondered hard and long but I couldn't come up with anything. I knew I needed to use up the 2 cartons of 15 eggs each before they expire.

I was over zealeous and had asked Alvin to stock up on my baking supplies so that I can bake whenever I want. Unfortunately the guilt caught up with me and I decided to stay clear of the fatty, sugary stuff which isn't just empty calories but also something that's gonna haunt me after my delivery.

I woke up this morning and started off with chopping the basic ingredients that are required by almost every Indian dish- onions, tomatoes, chillies and some Ginger & garlic paste. Corriander & mint leaves for garnishing

Lazy me is always thinking of cutting down on work these days- a one pot meal is what I need... Eggs, rice all in the same dish. Biryani! That's it I'll make egg biryani I decided.

When one thinks of Biryani, the things that immediately come to mind are- rich, mughalai, orangy tints, nuts& raisins, basmati and aromatic!

So to begin off with Aroma, I heated a little oil in a heavy bottomed pan, added cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. Once the aroma filled the air, I added all the chopped veges and stirred ocassionally. I also added in some of my garnishings and some raisins. I didn't want to use water as the base for my gravy cuz it'll be too bland. I did think of milk but then it's too watery so I went ahead and added half a cup of yoghurt.

To spice things up, I added some garam masala, chilli powder and a little turmeric powder and salt. while this simmered, I took another pot, added water, cumin seeds and a little oil and put it to boil. I washed and drained the basmati rice and added it to the boiling water allowing it to cook till it was 3/4 done.

I then drained the rice and kept it aside.I oiled one of my Pyrex glass dishes, lined a layer of rice, added the sliced hard boiled eggs, topped it with a little gravy and repeated the process till all the gravy and rice was used up.

I covered they dish with aluminium foil and put it to bake in a preheated oven at 200 degs for 10 mins.

Remove, garnish and serve hot!
I didn't expect much from it... So long it was edible would have been good.

Alvin and I really loved the flavours. Very distinct. Not only was it light and fluffy, you could taste every component in it. The sweetness from the raisins, the tinge of sourness from the yoghurt, the fresh Mint and corriander. It was really delicious!

Alvin said and I quote " each time you try to create your own or modify another recipe instead of following it, the results are always much better!" now you know what keeps me experimenting ;) having someone appreciate your efforts and give constructive feedback.

This one was so spontaneous and it came out really yummy. It's going to my one pot meals favourites folder!

Anyway all I used were the Pyrex ware and 2 small pots. All the washing is done and my food is conveniently stored in the pyrexware which will be the only thing I have to wash before bed tonight hee!!!

-- Post From My iPhone

Curry Puffs, Epok-Epok, Karipap

2010-03-09T15:47:00.001+01:00

One dish known by many names but no matter what you call it, it's delicious! I don't think I actually had cravings for this one until Alvin mentioned the magic words one fine day.

The quest for a good recipe then began. I've made samosas before but the texture of both the pastries vary a little. Samosas call for a thicker crust while curry puffs need a lighter but crunchy wrap. The fillings are almost the same, depending on your taste. They also have another variation of the curry puffs; sardine puffs!

I made them this afternoon. I only made 12 pieces but I 'll be making them again pretty soon if I don't get sick of the 12 today ;)

The even colour comes from frying them in a good amount of oil, evenly heated

The filling was made ehile the dough for the pastry was sitting for 20 minutes. It took me about an hour and a half to make everything from dough, fillings to frying them! Perfect for last minute tea time guests.

Weekend Specials

2010-03-08T18:43:00.001+01:00

Alvin and I decided to be vegetarians all week and only have non-vege food on weekends only.
I didn't want to cook the same old thing I always do.
I used salmon which was lightly pan fried and dumped all the vegs( chilli, green onion, red onion, brinjal after a tasks of mustard, fennel, Ginger n garlic) and the Asam pedas paste : 20 minutes to simmer or til veges soften!serve hot ;)

Sunday, Alvin requested for chicken curry. How can I ever say no to him ;) so I whipped up a spicy chicken curry dish that was based on yoghurt. A little more flavourful than adding plain water also the consistency of the gravy can never go wrong with yoghurt... It also aids digestion :) served with plain basmati rice with roasted cashewnuts and raisins and a salad made of ground peanuts, cucumber, carrots, sesame seeds, sugar salt n vinegar for that extra crunch!

Quick & Easy

2010-03-05T20:05:00.001+01:00

Before I got married, I used to see how mum
got all stressed up about what to cook at each meal. I used to mock her cuz I thought the possibilities are endless when it comes to cooking. She cooked mostly vegetarian meals because both dad and she are vegetarians.

Now each day I am faced with the same dilemma. Though I can also cook non vege dishes and I should have more options than what mummy had... If you're a housewife and you got to cook daily, I am pretty sure you've been thru this yourself and know exactly what I mean.

Today I was home alone with my little tod all day. Not wanting anything too heavy, I decided on experimenting with something soupy... I always have a ready supply of egg noodles and basics such as onions, chicken breasts etc at home so here's what I did- I put a pot of water to boil, added some crushed Ginger,peppercorns, spring onions, a lil green onions, a small piece of chicken breast, a dash of salt, a dash of sesame oil and soy sauce. Simmer for about 1/2 an hour, add egg noodles and viola!

A warm bowl of chicken noodle soup-

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My search finally ends!

2010-03-04T15:14:00.000+01:00

It's rather simple to make a pizza provided you have a good recipe. I've tried various recipes but could never achieve the results I desired with the crust. It either turned out too thin, too chewy or too soggy... Today my search officially ends! Yes! I have the perfect pizza crust recipe.

Pizzas are a pretty wholesome meal. Simple yet yummy and depending on what the toppings are, they can be healthy too.
My Vege pizza took approx 1hr to proof and 20 minutes to bake!

Tea time with friends

2010-03-03T19:05:00.001+01:00

The weather has taken a turn for the better and since the sun is out, it's now time for everyone to be up and about. My friends were over at my place for tea today and it was fun. Nice to see em' after such a long time.

I tried making sabudana vada( sago & potato patties with nuts)something I learnt from mummy. She still makes them on Mondays when she and daddy fast..

Not bad for a first timer but I could have added more flavour I believe. I was glad they didn't disintergrate though no binder(bread crumbs, eggs,flour etc) was used.

Masala tea served with the cookies I've baked and banana walnut cake. One of my friends brought along yummy homemade kueh dadar while the other pal got some great bites from the confectionery.( I forgot to take pix of em' :(

Time flies when one has good company and today was no exeption. Gals, we should do this more often!
What say?!

-- Post From My iPhone

Feeding my appetite

2010-03-02T19:14:00.000+01:00

I'm in the 25th week of my pregnancy. All this time I was suffering from pretty bad nausea to the extent where I had to be rushed to the A&E and the docs recommended to put me on drips. Of course I opted out and suggested I take an alternative instead. How could I leave my lil boy alone? Even if just for 24 hrs?
I took home some suppositories and thank god they worked. I could at least keep some food down.
Soon after, my appetite got back to normal and recently, the cravings kicked in.

Yes, this is not Singapore. You don't just get what you crave for from a stall. You've got to get down to making it yourself from scratch.

My good friend Emily had baked some goodies for the Chinese New Year and she was sweet enough to share them with me.Her kueh tarts were marvellous and then there was my all time fave kueh bangkit and cashew cookies!I gobbled them up faster than you could count em'...and that's how it started!
Craving #1-

I craved the pineapple tarts so bad that my hubby decided to bake them for me. It was past 8pm on a cold wintry night and it was snowing like crazy yet my darling went out and got me the ingredients.we embarked on our project close to 9pm. The dough for the tart was done in no time but the pineapple filling had to be blended, cooked and seasoned and that took up more than an hour.Without the traditional cookie cutter, we decided to do rolls instead and yes! Our efforts paid off. We made close to 100 rolls and are still feasting on them a week later!

I've also been drawn to bananas... Banana walnut cake to be exact! I've baked them at least 4 times in the past month. Not only is it filling, I can have them without feeling guilty...fruits and nuts can never cause any harm to our health ;)

One fine afternoon when Aaren was napping, I decided I needed something else to munch on. Something easy to make and tantalizing of course... So here you are: pandan & dessicated coconut cookies!

The cottony Japanese cheesecake! Now if you haven't tried this before, you don't know what you've been missing! It's on the top of my list and I just had to have it. Emily to the rescue again! I got her to teach me how to bake one and there u go! Best to be taken chilled...a day after baking!

Today I baked about 100 pieces of cashew cookies to have with some masala chai.

That's all for bakes for the past 2 weeks... Let's see what new cravings the days ahead bring!

White washed

2010-03-01T15:17:00.001+01:00

Since late November, it's been soo cold and grey... Ice and snow everywhere.Everything is white-washed. I would rather stay indoors than to put on many layers of clothings just to go out in this freezing weather. I am looking out of the window and these are my thoughts-

I miss the feel of the sun on my face
I miss the warm winds embrace
I miss those long walks we used to take
I miss the colours and the different shades

It's been so cold and grey
The birds no longer sing and play
I don't see anyone on the swing no more
Everything just looks cold and sore

The white hills, the white roads
Even the water has now froze
The darkness descends before you see light
And stays on... adding to ones plight

But things will change I am sure
For I hear Spring is near
I see a little Sun these days
And the rains are washing the whites away...

I can hardly wait for summer
Life will again be filled with colours
The birds will start to sing...
The sun will give life a whole new meaning :)

-- Post From My iPhone

What am I good at?

2010-02-27T20:24:00.003+01:00

My hubby has many hobbies... He has a collection of kyosho cars, a porsche, a BMW and a off road Buggy. He can spend hours just cranking up the engines and getting them tuned for maximum performance.He also has miniture planes, ships and tanks which he so carefully paints...He's good with xbox games.Sweden got him so interested in snowboarding that he waits desperately for heavy snow and Sets off in the morning that weekend to get on his board! He is very passionate about cars, he knows about every part of the car. He's fascinating I tell you... In all, he's a speed demon and anything that can accelerate, he'll be on it!

I always tell him how he has so much he is good at and he always asks me what I like doing? What's the thing I'll like spending time on?
I always shrug my shoulders and say "I dunno"

I used to be into poetry but after a while I stopped composing.I used to be into pottery & painting. I did take it up as an ECA in school but stopped after that...
I used to love designing my own clothes namely suits and blouses and get mummy's friend to see it for me...So all that is what I used to but what do I want to do now? What makes me excited and wat can I feel satisfied doing? What am I passionate about?

Hmm I like cooking... I like cooking for my hubby,family & friends and hearing that the dish tasted good satisfies me!I like baking but I am not determined enough as in when I try something and it fails, I don't try that again. I go on with new recipes not wanting to find out why and what went wrong...I rediscovered my love for reading after I started on the twilight series.Romance and mystery is my cuppa tea!
I love snapping pictures of my baby boy.I love word games...So in the end what am I good at?Cooking? Baking? I know of so many people who are better than me so how can I consider myself good at anything at all?

What's in the name?

2010-02-27T19:58:00.003+01:00

Names!!! I should be pretty stressed coming up with names and choosing one after deliberating with my other half and then finding something really wrong with it and deciding on another.
Luckily this time round I'm spared the predicament.
When I was due with Aaren, we came out with 2 names one for a male and one for a female just in case that penis we saw in the ultrasound was actually my umbilical cord. So we decided to be prepared ;) and that's paying off now...

Aditya Aaren Om is gonna probably have either Aditri Ariella Om/ Aarush Alvis Om as his sibling in a few months time!
Waddya'll think of these names? Once again it's a sanskrit name followed by a scandinivian name and the universal OM!
Aditri means- "Of the highest honour/ goddess laxhmi", Ariella means "the lioness of god"
Aarush means" First Ray of the sun" Alvis-"all-wise".

The sonographer said she's 80% certain that it's a girl but well there is still the 20% of uncertainity so we're playing it safe. Better be prepared for both scenarios ;)

The Longest Journey

2010-02-26T19:50:00.002+01:00

As I lay awake in bed at night
Suffering from the lack of sleep
I think of thoughts
I never thought would otherwise exist

The longest journey of ones life
begins not when u are born
This journey i am talking about
starts the day your baby comes home

From the day you conceive
you harbour dreams
of a life your child will live

The dreams and plans begin that day
and last till you are through
your child is going to live the life
you'd have always wanted to

you change your life and plans you had
you think of the best you can do
all these things that you could have done before
but till now it never occured to you

Its funny how the birth of your first
can alter the way you think
the things you once desired
now seem to hold no meaning...

The longest journey of your life begins...
the end is nowhere in sight
for thats a parent you see
and thats the truth of life

The journey of your life does begin the day you are born but i feel that you mature and really start thinking about life once you have children.Its becoming a parent that brings about the selflessness within you. The day you stop thinking about yourself and embark on thinking about another.... the LONGEST JOURNEY

Oct to Feb... and a comeback

2010-02-23T12:41:00.002+01:00

After being off blogging for so long, i have decided to make a comeback... its just that i had been very preoccupied with Aaren...housework, cooking cleaning and the list goes on and on...

i am into the 25th week of my second pregnancy and the fatigue is finally starting to cease...the morning sickness is showing signs of leaving me alone and my toddler is more manageable then ever.

I'll be back tomorrow with more pictures and updates. Leaving for my appointment with my midwife now... ciao

The big news!

2009-10-23T17:44:00.003+02:00

I peed on a stick
And what do you know!
In three of four months
I'll be starting to show!

Did I think I could stand it
This childbearing thing?
Did I want to miss out
On the joys it could bring?

Yes, I peed on a stick
And well, glory be!
Who'd a thought we could be
So elated by pee!?

Yippee! Yes I'm pregnant with number 2...
I'm in my 8th week now. We had planned to have baby number two as soon as Aaren turned one and thanks to the one above we didn't have to try too hard. September we decided we wanted another and in that month itself we conceived:) praise the lord for his works

I had an inkling that I had conceived but even after 3 negative tests I couldn't bring myself to believe. My body was sending me signals telling me otherwise so I waited another week before again I tried.
True enough I was right, It showed a positive and i ran out to Alvin with the stick. After confirming it against the box, we picked up Aaren and we just hugged...
So elated to be going thru the Miracle of pregnancy and childbirth again

Morning sickness has already set in and so has pregnancy fatigue. Daily chores have been handed over to Alvin who won't let me lift a finger if it were up to him.Aaren brightens up my day when I feel worn out and Alvin is as understanding as always :) and so my journey has begun again... Cravings, shopping and all the other little things:)

-- Post From My iPhone

Capt'n Aaren's partttyyy!

2009-10-23T17:44:00.001+02:00

Themed parties can be hard to carry off and I know one year olds hardly have any clue on what's happening but we wanted it to be a colourful affair. No doubt alot of effort was put in but what's the best part is that it was a successful event.

I had been putting off celebrating his first birthday for a few reasons. One of which is our family isn't present to bless him, secondly because he got his DPT/polio 3rd booster shots in the same week making him cranky and clingy another reason was that I have already conceived and more often than not, I am tired and lethargic.

So finally on 9th October we decided that the party was on! The theme was set and then the menu, venue, guestlist, party invites everything was set within a day... Invites were handed out the very next day and the preps began. We did some crafts and purchased some props such as flags, hook, swords, pirates hat etc

Alvin drew a treasure map on a single bedsheet and pinned it up on the ceiling.we had a pirate on watch with his telescope on the bathroom door and another pirate cut out on our bedroom door. Aaren's playroom had already had the theme long ago with his pirate ship and lighthouse so not much work was needed there.

We got pirate of the carribean party supplies and loot bags to giveaway to the kids. We also got each child a colouring kit with the pirate theme for the lads and Barbie/pooh theme for the gals.helium filled balloons were floating on the ceiling. We realeased them into the sky after the event :)

Food was prepared with help from 2 good friends... Alvin did the frying of all the finger foods and all the menu consisted of samosas, spring rolls, veggie fritters, sausages, fishballs,fried noodles, mutton curry, butter chicken and briyani rice..

65 guests including children some of whom came as pirates with pirate hats and eye patches
Thankfully everything went really well :) our efforts paid off.

Aaren received loads of presents and red packets from Alvins generous collegues...
Pictures are on FB ;) we went to vaxjo's toys'r'us which is an hour and a half's drive away, a week prior to his big day and got him a drum set, a wooden puzzle and some other toys :)

-- Post From My iPhone

10 months old

2009-08-12T01:01:00.003+02:00

His first word was "dada" at 7 months old. There are no words to describe the delight on Alvin's face each time Aaren called out to him.I admit I was green with envy for I wanted to hear "mama" so badly... As the saying goes, the fruits of patience are always much sweeter! Before he turned 8 months old, he could distinguish between the both of us and address us appropriately. He was very cranky one fine day and he wanted me to carry him... I was busy with household chores. All of a sudden I hear the magic word. A word every mother anticipates. A word soooo sweet and so meaningful- "mama". At first I thought I was just imagining it cuz I wanted to hear it so bad but he repeated it again and looked up at me from his playpen.

I had tears welled up in my eyes. I stopped whatever it was that I was doing and went straight to hold him. No matter how many times he calls out, and though it's been two months and I m used to hearing it, it holds a special place. I can't go on to explain what it feels like but I am sure any mother will understand.

He has been on solids. Prefers drinking from a cup instead of bottles. Is able to drink from a straw and feeds himself finger foods. Other words besides mama and dada are ball, bird, book, boat, cat (he says kach)he recognizes and turns to look at objects when we ask him where they are. Such as clock, helicopter, watch, ball, bird...
He claps and shakes his head on rythm when he hears songs he likes from the baby signing time cd or on playhouse disney.

He loves books and going thru flashcards. His favourite shows include little Einstin's and Mickey mouse clubhouse and the baby signing time series which he has been watching since he was 4 months old.

He sits confidently and crawling has become his forte. The tv console, the sofa, the railings are stuff he holds on to to support himself while standing.He likes bird watching with me from the balcony and likes popping bubbles.he can open drawers in the kitchen and well there is a long list of stuff every 10 month old baby can do so i aint going to go on about it...but i feel proud and take joy in the simplest things he does even if it means that i have a huge mess to clean up later on...
He is after all a baby who is curious and eager to learn about his surroundings and objects he comes across daily.

Thats my baby boy...the one who is turning 10 months old in 2 days!

Check this out

2009-08-05T22:12:00.004+02:00

Alvin was in the newspaper!

Click here

To Singapore & back...

2009-08-03T23:08:00.004+02:00

Aaren boarded his first flight SQ 351 to Singapore in Copenhagen on the morning of 4th of July.I was worried, almost petrified about the outcome. How will he react? Was he going to shout and scream and give Alvin and me a hard time? Was he going to be in pain when we took off and landed? 13 hours... How was I going to manage?
Having flown numerous times before, all I could recall of kids on planes were them wailing their lungs out.I prepped myself by reading and talking to friends. Shared my worries with Alvin. He kept reassuring me that it's going to be fine. Aaren would handle it well...

Yet we went out to get him new toys that would entertain him onboard, ensured my phone was charged well for it contained his favourite flashcards, milk, bottles, extra clothings, diapers and well everything a baby needs.
We drove to Malmo S and took a train from there to CPH airport.His first train ride! Checked in our luggage and went straight to the gate for boarding. That's cuz the check in took a long time. The baggage weighing scales were not working and there were some technical problems.we got into the plane and the stewardess brought the infant seat belt for Aaren and helped me fix it. Aaren hates being restrained... So when we put it on he couldn't move about freely and then he cried a bit. Once the plane started moving, he was interested in looking out of the window and so it went well except for a lil agitation here and there we pulled thru and we touched down in Singapore! Homeland!!!
I could hardly wait to exi
t and meet my parents... And I knew how excited they must be to see Aaren.so when Alvin was collecting the baggage, I caught a glimpse of my parents on the other side of the glass waving at us. Without thinking, I dashed out... Oops with all our passPorts...

My sis and mum had been fighting over who will be the first to carry him and they both tried catching his attention. To everyones dismay, he started screaming and crying. Shocked as I was, i was plagued with worry for i have never seen him cry this way ever since he was born.no matter what I did he won't stop. We came home, I fed him, gave him his shower, changed him and tried to put him to sleep. All this while he was still hysterical. Finally he fell asleep. After 3 hours when he woke, my mum, dad and sis were waiting by his side.

Slowly he looked around the room and then fixed his eyes on each member of my family and smiled. He leaped towards my dad and offered to be carried. Everyone took turns and soon he was comfy in the new environment.

3 weeks is a short time especially with loved ones. I had planned a few outings for Aaren and the family.The zoo, A day at the beach, marina barrage for waterplay, visiting relatives, aaren's mundan ceremony, our wedding anniversary dinner, a family photo session at the studio...temple visits... Etc
I'm glad we managed to do everything as planned :)

He adapted well to the weather and new faces of family members. He took to tasting everything... From chutneys to curries, durians to duku, samosas to pakoras...
He had a great time being loved and pampered by his grandparents.
Learnt to say words like book, bird, ball etc took his very first steps.... Turned 9 months old... Had his mundan function, his very first professional photoshoot.first shot at drinking from a straw and surprisingly he succeeded at it.

Met all his relatives even distant ones. Collected loads of angpows and presents.
He also had his very first fall and numerous others followed...Went out everyday and he still wanted more! Nani and nana spent all their time on him, feeding, bathing,changing, playing,loving... It's true... Grandparents love in their own unique ways and i've seen his accelerated development when he was with them...

He had many firsts...And soon came time to part.My mum started feeling it a few days before so many a times I saw her in tears *sigh*
I was calm and collected all the way til Malmo... And it hit me then, tears came automatically... I miss u mummy daddy and small fry! I had a great time back home! Thank you for making it a memorable one for us too!

Counting down

2009-06-01T12:34:00.002+02:00

Free Disney Tickers

Free Disney Tickers

Free Disney Tickers

Free Disney Tickers

life til now....

2009-05-27T22:56:00.001+02:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Make a Smilebox photobook

Alvin's 30 years old!!

2009-05-27T22:52:00.002+02:00

The morning started with me making traditional south indian breakfast for him...Appam with brown sugar.Once ha had his breakfast and shower he took Aaren out :) Weekends are Father+Son bonding days. He usually takes Aaren out for a walk while i have my personal time...I took this opportunity to bake him a choc Marvel cake with buttercream frosting.

It took me no less than 3 hours and he popped in a lil earlier and helped me with the decoration. He has a good hand i must say. see the silver balls and the piping of number 30? the chocolate sprinkles in the background...he did it all :) then i made Chettinad Briyani for lunch....

We had our lunch and in the late afternoon sat down to blow out the candles :P
Aaren looked so excited to see the candles and hearing the Birthday tune which one of the candles made.We sang the song while he looked on in amazement.
Finally all of us got a slice of cake...Aaren only got the buttercream and he seemed to want more...

Aaren got a Telescope from his campmates and i presented him with one more addition to his hobby- a helicopter!
Now he has a Falcon plane, 1 RC BMW, 1 RC Buggy and now a Heli...

so he went down to fly it while aaren and i watched from the balcony.
After dinner, we watched a movie and went for a long drive...
Alvin - i hope it has sunk in by now that ur 30 and a father of one :)
but so what if age is catching up? ur Still young at heart and can pass off as a poly student hehe
Hope u enjoyed the day!

From the kitchen

2009-05-27T18:16:00.004+02:00

I have been pretty busy recently...being a mummy is no childs play! but still i like being in the kitchen and experimenting
I can be busy busy busy but i find time to whip up something nice once in a while....
So i tried baking... a pineapple upside down cake on the 22nd of Feb as it was Sonias and Archana's birthday and hmm i just felt like having some fruity cake.
So Pineapple upside down it was!

Then i had craving for fruit cakes... none in the stores here as far as i know so i decided to bake one!
It wasnt too much effort. Just soaking the fruits in rum a day before and then the normal procedure.It did turn out pretty good...just a tad bit dry.

I baked a chocolate strawberry cake for our 4th anniversary :P i know it isnt fantastic looking..sumthing went wrong with the so called "cream" and it was super stiff but i still used it.

I also baked a Chocolate marvel cake for Alvin's 30th Birthday.This is one i am kinda proud of. It looks pretty good for an amatuer and it tasted good too. My hubby and i especially loved the buttercream.Picture is in his FB!

Been trying out simple dishes these few weeks. something light on the tummy and less fattening.
This dish was one of our favourites! Grilled chicken with mango salsa.Not only was it visually appealing duue to the splash of colours it was very tasty too and pretty much effortless to prepare

Alvin had been wanting a lil south indian food for some time.so i pulled out my south indian cook book and got to work
I made this Rasam from scratch and the Idli...hehe prepacked ones from Gits.

Mummy - I love U

2009-05-18T10:55:00.003+02:00

10th May marked Mother's Day this year.It was mine and Aaren's 1st one :)
Mothers day is a day to honor mothers and motherhood...Sometimes we take for granted the people in our lives who are always there when we need them.
This is especially true for -our moms.Somehow Dads get the respect they command, we always are more afraid of them while Mummmy's bear with the worst of us... our moods, our attitudes, and at times the lack of respect
but they never stop loving or caring for us and covering up our mistakes...and no matter what our age,we still need them... at every stage in life.

A mother is one who doesnt ever seem to get tired. Even after everyone is about to sleep, she is still hard at work..be it preparing the ingredients for the next days meals or clearing up after supper...Supermom? i dont think so, they do get all tired and achy after a long days work but her family keeps her going strong...
Mummy i just want u to know that i appreciate it all... i love u mummy!!!

For Everything...

How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid.

How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a caretaker, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.

I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I'd call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.

6months old

2009-03-31T22:39:00.003+02:00

It's pretty hard to believe but my little boy is growing up...Pretty quickly. He's gonna be 1/2 a year old in 14 days time. We had an appointment with the doctor today, to check on his growth and development. He weighs 7.945kgs and is 70cm tall. He has outgrown the weighing scale- his calves and feet jut out of the scale.

He can sit up unsupported for quite a while, he rolls over whenever he gets the opportunity; so now i m busier tjan ever cuz i cant leave him alone at all, not even in his sleep cuz he tends to roll while sleepin too!
He is not afraid of strangers :) that's one thing I used to worry about because he isn't exposed to many people but when he is, he doesn't mind being held by them at all.. It's getting harder for me to lift him so most of the time we are on his playroom's mat rolling and trying to crawl. Yes! He is starting to crawl- he lifts his upper body up by extending his arms and is able to push his butt up with his feet... I can't tell u how excited I was the first time he did it :)

He's been on semi solids for about two months now and seems to accept almost everything I feed him.
So far he has had a taste of the following:
Avocados, Applesauce, Apricot
Bananas, Blueberries
Cereal, Corn
Mangoes
Pears, potatoes

He falls asleep between 830-9pm and wakes again at 6am :)
Enjoys his bathtime, splashes about in the water ( sonia- Unlike before, i don't have to warm/steam up the bathroom anymore hee)

He is really fond of his father. He can't seem to take his eyes off him and everything Alvin does amuses him :)
I believe his first word will be - papa/dada
He is a good and cheerful boy and I can't thank god enough for having blessed us with him...

We're looking forward to our summer break as we'll be returning to Singapore for a month and my parents will me holding his mundan / tonsuring ceremony there. Laxmi Narayan temple is booked for the 26th of July , invites will be given in due course;)

Whats been cooking :)

2009-02-16T15:02:00.007+01:00

Soups are the "In" thing for us this year :) not only are they simple to prepare and healthy, they are packed with nutrition. i became a fan of soups after i got some during and after my confinement...thanks to the yummilicious soups Victoria, Emily, Fayvier n Jae prepared for me:)
here are some of the dishes i have whipped up in the previous week:

chicken with asparagus n baby kailan

chicken with corn n celery

fishball soup with cabbage spinach n shitake mushrooms

fish curry

claypot rice

pandan butter cake...recipe from Christine,baked this for snacks for our Stockholm drive

Stockholm

2009-02-16T15:01:00.007+01:00

Last christmas we made a trip down to the capital of Sweden: Stockholm...a 6hr drive from Karlskrona
we set out at 7am and had a great non stop 6 hr drive :) sweden is filled with picturesque places its no wonder that Alvin n i kept our eyes wide open thruout
Baby Aaren of course cooperated by sleeping :) and only waking for his 3hourly feeds...
we stayed in the heart of centrum at the Nordic Sea hotel which had a ice bar in it...
our 4 day n 3 nights stay was well worth it :)

here are some snaps:

Protesters?? we came across in Stockholm centrum

Christmas 08

2009-02-16T14:13:00.008+01:00

Deco in a shop displayed in Centrum

Our christmas tree

We had a little Christmas celebration of our own...just Aaren, Alvin and me.. a real christmas tree and loads of pressies!
Aaren loved looking at the twinkling lights at night.We really had a white christmas
Aaren with his Christmas pressie

Santa Lucia Carollers

"I" got Alvin a F16 fighting Jet from Kyosho and a black shirt, he got me a nice turtle neck sweater from Gant and a BabyBliss Pro 230 hair straightener ;) i always wanted one!!

We both got Aaren some toys from Brio ;) we got a wine holder cum candle holder from our friends Priyah & Naga

It was really fun unwrapping the pressies with my parents watching us on webcam LOL. I love christmas..maybe when we get back to SG, we should make it a point to celebrate christmas annually juz like we celebrate Diwali!

Snaps from my bday

2009-02-16T13:57:00.004+01:00

A year older

2009-02-04T23:15:00.002+01:00

25th jan marked me aging a year more.. I'm 27 :) I normally just do a little cake cutting with my immediate family but this year, my hubby threw me a mini party.. He invited my friends and their families over, had the food catered from the Indian restaurant and a heart shaped cake to mark the day! I got a 16gb iPhone from my sweetheart and almost 2k kroner worth of H&M gift certificates from friends. I was smiling from ear to ear and I don't believe anyone in my place wouldn't. It was a nice evening with some close friends and some really nice food. Thanks hunney for being such a darling. I was asked to make a wish when I blew the candles on my cake but there wasn't anything else I could wish for cuz I have a loving hubby who cares so much for me and there in my arms lay the glory of the heavens - Aaren :) it was a wonderful day indeed :) thank u everyone for your wishes, blessings and presence!

Obviously...

2009-01-30T13:57:00.003+01:00

I haven't had the time to blog...been busy learning about motherhood :) but I must add, life has never been more worthwhile. Time is slipping by like grains of sand in an hourglass. It seems just like yesterday when my water bag broke and in no time, Aditya is almost 4months old. He is growing and developing very rapidly. Not long ago he had to be swaddled and cradled in our arms. Now he is able to lie on his tummy and turn over...he has outgrown all the clothes we had bought for him and is fitting into clothes meant for 6-9month olds...he has cut his first tooth... Has a vocab of ga, goo, baa, aye,uh and some unspellable ones. He is full of expressions. He chuckles and giggles, he responds when we speak, tries to put everything within his reach into his mouth. He sleeps thru the night, has regular feeding times and the pediatrician says he can start on solids as soon as he turns 4 months old. But I guess I'll put that on hold till he can sit up without my support.

I read to him daily and sing nursery rhymes thru the day... I talk to him about what I am doing as I change his diaper and have finger puppet plays :) i dont think i've ever been so verbal before. caring for a baby is no easy task and it drains out every ounce of energy you have got yet somehow just looking at your child gives you renewed strength... Waking up each day to get that toothless(teeth still a tiny dot in the gums)smile is priceless.now I understand why I've been hearing parents say that kids grow up really fast...I am only repeating after them and stating the obvious :)using the iPhone to blog so can't post pix yet but will do so asap hopefully during the weekend!

The wait ends...for now...

2008-12-17T21:00:00.003+01:00

Click here toView Aaren's Album

Will carry on uploading when i have the time...still have hundreds and hundreds more!

Mothers

2008-12-05T15:19:00.002+01:00

I've always heard that giving birth is the most difficult part of having a child...
i am sure all mothers will agree that the statement isnt true at all...
Nothing is more difficult as raising a child... because when u give birth you are in pain and you know you willbe able to withstand it somehow...

whereas once a child is born, you are fully responsible for him... since he cant speak, you have to think of every possibility that could make him cry and then one by one eliminate them.It isnt the sleepless nights that tires a mother rather its the helplessness she feels when her baby cries and she doesnt know whats wrong with him...

I would like to thank my mother for she has endured and gone thru loads of pains to raise me , infact all 3 of us.She who is unable to take pain(even afraid of jabs) has been thru 3 labours... Thank you mother for caring for me all these years. Its now that i am a mother myself that i truly understand your worth.
I love you mummy!

Aaren turns 7 weeks old

2008-12-05T15:07:00.005+01:00

My parents visited us here in Sweden Karlskrona...the 3 weeks just flew by and it was time for them to leave very soon too.Alvin and i really miss them. The house seems so empty and quiet without them...

But the 3 weeks were great while they lasted. I got to spend quality time with my parents and they got loads of time with their grandson.It was awesome to seem how well they bonded with each other. I am sure Aaren misses his Nani, Nana and Maasi as much as they miss him.

Dad celebrated his 52nd Birthday with us :) Emily and her hubby were so sweet, they even gave him a nice present! After a long one year, i baked again. i baked dad a chocolate cake and made him some tiramisu...

Aaren celebrated his 1st month with them. His nani made Sevaiyyan and pooris along wiht the other gooodies...Emily his godma, even baked him a colourful fruity and delicious cake! yummy

Alvin for once seemed to be more relaxed when they were around... and we both learnt some tips and tricks on how to handle our newborn.I will miss those days and nights we spent talking. I will miss how Aaren got his oil massages from his Nani, though i continue to do so daily, nothing beats her touch.I will miss the head oil massages i got from Daddy and mummy. The squabbles and laughter i shared with chandini... Btw Chandini really surprised me.She is so pro at handling Aaren...from feeding him to lullabying him, she has mastered it all! :)

I can only miss those days and wait eagerly for July 08 when i will be able to fly back and see them once again...Aaren will then be 8 months old then:)

20 hours - Labor of love

2008-10-31T15:19:00.004+01:00

Friday 10th October:
915am:
I woke up on a wet wet bed. I know for sure my bladder is in control so it must be the waterbag i thought. Called Alvin at work and while he left for home, i called the hospital to inform them. They told me to come at the soonest so that they can verify if my waterbagf really burst.Took my shower, threw on some comfy clothes and set off for the hospital.

1020am :
we arrived at the hospital, were directed to a delivery room where something was inserted into my cervix to test if the stuff on my bed truly was amniotic fluid. Results shown on litmus paper: YES
I was to be placed under observation and wait for contractions to show up. If they didnt, i will be induced in 72 hours. We were housed in this 2 bedder room, of course the other bed was fdor my spouse! ;) it was really comfortable and the staff were really nice and friendly. Felt like a hotel stay!

every 2 hours:
I had this TOKO CTG machine attached to my belly to check for contractions. I did have some but they were very irregular and no pains at all...End of day 1

Saturday 11th october
Today same stuff again... was monitored for contractions but still none. Met and bonded with the hospital staff... cant say enough about each and everyone of them
They had this special touch...could feel the care and love really.very very supportive people.no contractions showed so the midwife- Ingryed suggested we go home for a change and come back after a few hours...she suggested a change in environment could do me some good. Came home, had a shower, had some food and went back to the hospital with some DVDs and reading materials.Monitored again but nothing...

Sunday 12th October
Told that we could go home and return tomorrow if we wished. So we came home at about 1pm...did the normal stuff we do at home and at all times hoped for some kinda pain to show up...nope nothing...then finally at 2am some pain in the abdomen.Was really happy! but it lasted only for 2 hours and was not at all intense. While timing it i even fell asleep!

Monday 630am
Had my shower, drank a lil juice and did a small prayer before i left for the hospital. "Its the day to induce labor.72 hours was up..our appointment was at 730am on arrival, we went back to our room, settled in and then the midwife came to do an internal exam. she said it was ripening and i was 2cm dilated :O i was getting really excited! i was induced at 745am.

she then tells me that the fluid previously that had leaked out was from a small puncture in my water bag and that she has to break the bag now.. so I let her perform the “act” we’re surprised when so much water gushes out of me. The bed is drenched once again and so am i. We get some clean sheets and change myself into dry clothes… it felt like a dam just burst and the water went gushing out…I’m still smiling…no pain yet.I have lunch… it was a delicious milky Swedish dish.Still no pain, had nice long conversations with most of the staff, talking about migraines, recipes etc.

1300hours
I am put on some IV one to make my contractions stronger and closer together and the other was an antibiotic for the baby.

1440hrs
I am 3cm dilated…still the progress was pretty slow so they increased the IV dosage.

1540hrs
I exercise my first pain relief… oxygen gas.

1605hrs
I use my second pain relief option Acupuncture. I’m at the same time practising breathing techniques and relaxation that my father had taught us during yoga sessions.all the time the only thing i think about is the end of the process when i will have AAren in my arms. I constantly change positions. I use the birthing ball and walk around the room while the contractions build up all the while talking to Alvin.

1645hrs
after an internal exami am told I am 5 cm dilated...
I have my dinner which was fed to me by my darling husband… he looks tensed but tries to motivate me. Contractions occur at 2 min intervals lasting 60 secs per contraction. At 645pm, I m 7cm dilated. I now use Nitrogen Oxide instead of oxygen…as pain relief. Each time they change shifts, the midwives come over to give me support. They say I m doing really well…very very cool.

1935hrs
Alvin is hoping it will be 10cm when they come for the next internal exam...
I am 8cm dilated. Yes the end looks near…I think to myself…they decrease the IV dosage to slow down the frequency of contractions and make the pain more tolerable…I still haven’t reach the peak of my threshold yet…

All thru the contractions, I m treated to milk shakes, ice cream and fruit juices…I am glad I am allowed to consume them
Johanna Granberg is the midwife who assisted me thru the last stage with her assistant Lena. I get more goodies to treat myself to and build up in the energy I will require later…mmm blueberry milk shake!

0025hrs
I am fully dilated… change positions and try pushing…each time the contractions build up I push with all my might…Finally after approximately 8 to 10 pushes, I hear that you have arrived.

They hold you up and congratulate Alvin and me. Alvin does the honour of cutting your cord and giving you the breath of life.They place Aaren on my breast and he instinctively start suckling. I forget all the pain and instantly become oblivious to the surrounding while I admire the gift of life; Aditya Aaren Om and marvel at gods creation… as he lay on my chest.

My placenta comes out intact. it looks marvellous. the tree of life is on it. the midwives explain things to us on ho it supported you while baby was within me. We take some pics, I am told I need to get stitches as Om came out head and right arm together causing me to tear very badly. how many stitches I don’t know but from the way they told me it seemed a lot and pretty serious as they mentioned that if local aesthetic didn’t work I will be moved to the operation theatre. Also I had a painful tailbone which they say could have shifted a little due to all the tension my body went thru. Well I did feel the needle each time it went thru but it didn’t matter. I had just done something unbelievable. I gave birth to a life…Aditya Aaren Om arrived on 14th October 2008 at 3am! Alvin and the staff commend me on how well I managed everything… I could never have felt prouder ;)finally 20 hours of work and i have our lovely child in my arms.nothing can beat the feeling

We stayed at the hospital for the next 2 days and couldn’t wait to get home.I would like to add that the staff at the Blekinge Sjukhuset made the entire process so much simpler and pleasant. I am still looking for a perfect thank you gift for them. Each and everyone of them hugged me and comforted me…commended me and supported me throughout. I owe them a huge deal! Thank you to all of them they have touched us in a way no one else ever might.

31st October

2008-10-31T15:03:00.003+01:00

He's due date is supposedly today...but he is already here and we're enjoying every bit of it! 2 weeks old. time really flies... but i tell ya its the greatest feeling being a mother :) god gave women the priviledge of givng birth... it truly is a process worth marvelling at. Will try to post more pics and update more regularly people

The Future is born

2008-10-17T22:04:00.004+02:00

Precious is he and oh so sweet,
tiny hands and adorable feet
Given to us by god above
A darling son for us to love.

Aditya Aaren Om arrived on October 14 2008 @ 0300hrs
More details when i am a little better...til then some pics for u guys to view!

http://www.ltblekinge.se/halsaochvard/blekingesjukhuset/klinikerochmottagningar/kvinnokliniken/webbisar.4.44822472110876093828000372.html

Week 36 of Pregnancy

2008-10-04T00:00:00.001+02:00

Our little one is now about six pounds in weight and measures slightly more than 20 inches in length. Growth will slow down now in preparation for birth, so our baby will be able to fit the narrow passageway to the outside and so he can store up the energy needed for delivery.

Our baby's skull isn't the only soft structure in his little body. Most of his bones and cartilage are quite soft as well(they'll harden over the first few years of life) — allowing for an easier journey as baby squeezes through the birth canal at delivery (and less poking for me along the way).

The skull bones are also not fused together yet so that the head can easily or well, relatively easily... maneuver through the birth canal.By now, many of baby's systems are pretty mature, at least in baby terms — and just about ready for life on the outside.

Blood circulation,has been perfected and our baby's immune system has matured enough to protect him from infections outside the womb. Other systems, however, still need a few finishing touches. Once such notable example-> digestion — which actually won't be fully mature until sometime after birth. Why's that? Inside his cocoon, baby has relied on the umbilical cord for nutrition, meaning that the digestive system — though developed — hasn't been operational...

Yipee 4 more weeks to go!!!

Knitting

2008-10-01T16:46:00.002+02:00

See those two scarves? I can proudly say I knitted them :) the all blue checkered one is for Chandini and the smaller grey blue one i knitted for a friend who is expecting too...thanks to Emily who introduced me to this past time which i think is realy cool and addictive.

Right now i am working on a mossa for Baby Aaren but this time professional help was needed so Emily brought me to the knitting shop she frequents in Centrum and i'm already on my way to getting a mossa done for Aaren... :)will upload pics when its done!

The headache that caused an alarm

2008-10-01T16:33:00.002+02:00

We had to hand our our old apartment on the 1st of october but before that an inspection had to be passed... and so my hubby started working and did all the back breaking work once again on his own while i sat there helplessly looking at him.
when everything was cleaned spotless, we returned home but to my dismay i had a slight headache...this was on sunday night,the ache disappeared later that night only to return on monday hitting me twice as hard. I had a long sleepless night.

I know that headaches during pregnancy are considered normal due to the hormone levels which are constantly changing but this one caused an alarm... just last thursday i had a urine test done during my appointment and there were traces of protein in it...my midwife said they had to send the sample for further testing....
thankfully further testing revealed no abnormalities.

i left my midwife a voicemail on tuesday morning and she had me come down at 1130am the same day (Despite being booked with patients all day, she made some time for me, i so appreciate that!) for a blood pressure and urine check.

I had read prior to the visit about Preeclampsia which occurs in later stages of pregnancy from this site -http://www.preeclampsia.org/about.asp

All along i was praying and hoping it wouldnt be anything of that sort...
Sometimes its good to be well informed and at other times, one would wish they didnt know the facts...Well so after having my blood pressure checked, which was on safe levels and another urine sample taken which revealed nothing was wrong...
I finally heaved a sigh of relief but more than me, the tension that had built up on Alvin's face disappeared... and what wouldnt i do for that priceless smile on his face!

Thank you God!

Week 35: Frequent visits

2008-10-01T16:05:00.001+02:00

i have gained about 8.5kgs...since i conceived
I'm beginning to feel cramped and heavier everyday.Its also getting harder for me to breathe and eat...I get breathless just talking at times lol.

Now that our baby is head down and (almost) engaged in preparation for childbirth, his head is pressing squarely on my bladder. The result? As before — to the bathroom i go. And i go again and again.

Did you know that the measurement in centimeters from the top of your pubic bone to the top of your uterus is roughly equivalent to the number of weeks of pregnancy?

Something else that'll remind you just how far along you are in your pregnancy: the frequent urination. Yep, it's first trimester deja vu all over again, but this time, instead of pregnancy hormones to blame, it's the position of our baby's head that's causing it and as if that's not enough, I'am also experiencing a lack of bladder control so when i say i gotta go...i really mean i gotta go!!!

Gender Poll

2008-09-30T17:11:00.001+02:00

Your guesses on the baby's gender so far; in Albhabetical order-

Abhishek -BOY
Chandini -BOY
Cindy -BOY
Emily -BOY
Jinesh -BOY
Madhu -GIRL
Manisha -BOY
Poonam -BOY
Priyah -BOY
Rinki -BOY
Renu - ?
Sunita -BOY
Sheetal -GIRL
Sonia -BOY
Sarwes -GIRL
Vicneshri-BOY

so the votes for now, Boy : Girl are 11:3
Renu, seems to be the busiest of us all!

Week 34 -

2008-09-19T03:00:00.000+02:00

2 more weeks to a full term baby!
6 more weeks to a full pregnancy of 40weeks!
This is day number 238

our baby's age since conception is 224 days / 32 weeks
There are 42 days until my due date! (15.0% to go)

Our Baby
our little one's length is approx (45cm) and weight is approx (2146 g).
As the uterine and abdominal walls stretch and thin, more light reaches the womb, causing him to open and close his eyes in response. It also helps him know day from night so he can sort of plan between activity and rest.

Our baby is taking calcium from me while his bones grow stronger and thicker.
baby now rests on my uterus and is no longer floating. His fingernails now reach over the finger tips and he can scratch himself if he aint careful.
our baby acts completely like a newborn, with his eyes opened when awake and closed when sleeping.I also find him settling into more of a routine for sleeping & awake times.

He has learned to blink. He can also see more clearly when there is a bright light on my stomach and probably has the outline of all my organs memorized!
Antibodies from my blood are being tranferred to him. These immunities continue to build until birth. Then breastmilk will add even more protection against disease.
our baby has already turned to a head-down position in preparation for birth.

All said and done... we can hardly contain our excitement. its a mix of emotions for me... anxious on what to expect during labour, bracing myself up for the pains i might feel and the sleepless nights ahead. I know it will be over in a jiffy but its a first for me and i am sure all first time mums feel this way. I can hardly believe i only have 42 more days left. It feels as if my pregnancy flew by...i mean i was just beginning to enjoy all the weight i am carrying around and all the kicks and punches, all that movement. hmmm...these 8.5 months have been wonderful really. its a totally different feeling to have your baby with you 24/7 no matter where you go...
but i look forward to my due date and i also hope it comes soon...cant wait to hold baby Aaren in my arms!

Pregnant & Hungry

2008-09-16T14:55:00.004+02:00

This is the most recent shot of me ;)

These are the stuff i have prepared to satisfy my hunger pangs the past week!
Aloo Gobhi, Pori and Kheer

Nasi Lemak with the sides -chicken wing,chicken satay, ikan bilis sambal and scrambled eggs

Its so much easier when you start off this way!

Chicken curry variation1

chicken curry the south indian Style

"Piggy mama" as sonia puts it...but i cant help it, i am hungry every half an hour and no matter how much i seem to eat, i still feel hungry! this counts even when i am asleep. i wake up and scavenge for food in the wee hours too! My craving for sugary sweet stuff is at its peak at the moment... i cant keep myself off chocolates and cakes! morning breakfasts must include hot chocolate and toast, after each meal i have to have dessert else i dont feel i actually even ate anythin ;) i hope i dont become "fatty mama"

Baby Gender Poll

2008-09-16T12:58:00.004+02:00

I labelled the scan for a clearer view, for those of you who cant make out anything ;)Click on the image to enlarge

Your guesses on the baby's gender so far; in Albhabetical order-

Abhishek -BOY
Chandini -BOY
Cindy -BOY
Emily -BOY
Jinesh -BOY
Madhu -GIRL
Manisha - ?
Poonam -BOY
Rinki -BOY
Renu - ?
Sunita -BOY
Sheetal -GIRL
Sonia -BOY
Sarwes -GIRL
Vicneshri-BOY

so the votes for now, Boy : Girl are 10:3

*Renu & Manisha are the only ones who havent guessed then! ;)

Dinner Invites

2008-09-15T16:21:00.003+02:00

Did anyone else catch the beautifully round and bright moon amidst the clouds last night? It was a beautiful sight! It was the mid autumn festival and we were invited over for dinner at Emily's place.I can safely call her "godmother" she is like so motherly and very very caring...she has helped us and especially me in so many ways! i cant thank her enough
From medical appointments, to strolls/walks, to dinner invites and teaching me how to knit...she has done so much for me...my gratefulness and appreciation are at its peak but a simple thank u is all i can offer for now...i hope i get a chance to do the same when she needs me someday.

Fayvier and Daniel are another awesome couple and how could i miss out adorable Cayden! we were at their place on Friday evening. It was Daniels birthday and we were invited for steamboat! :) we had loads of fun playing their Wii fit. i think Wii is a good passtime and it also gets you so involved in it, its not a game where you sit back and press buttons...u got to get up and get yourself working. Easily makes one pespire and loads of fun!

Moving to Polhems has brought many blessings indeed. The close proximity to the clinic and Centrum, the beautiful view of the lake and a bigger apartment are just some perks. the best part is that i am amidst some very caring people...

Settling in...

2008-09-15T16:16:00.003+02:00

We're almost settled in now... done up 3/4 of Aaren's room as well. just left with the nitty gritty stuff to sort out.Now, next weekend will be Annebo cleaning day. we got to clean and scrub our previous apartment before handing it over.They have inspections for the cleanliness and if they arent satisfied, you have more scrubbing to do!so far everyone says they had a nightamre with their inspection...so we're keeping our fingers crossed.I believe we have the kitchen oven and the toilet to scrub, the rest will shine without much effort.

This month has been a pretty hectic one...especially for Alvin.He's been busy with tests, presentations and shifting out and in.Reassembling furnitures and buying new ones... at least now the end looks near..he can rest and enjoy basking in the new apt once Annebo is handed over...rest and sleep well til baby arrives to keep him occupied! ;)he's super excited so much so its getting harder to contain it as the day draws closer :)

Your guesses on the baby's gender so far; in Albhabetical order-

Abhishek -BOY
Chandini -BOY
Cindy -BOY
Emily -BOY
Jinesh - ?
Madhu - ?
Manisha - ?
Poonam -BOY
Rinki -BOY
Renu - ?
Sunita -BOY
Sheetal -GIRL
Sonia -BOY
Sarwes - ?
Vicneshri-BOY

New residents @ Polhems!

2008-09-11T19:24:00.002+02:00

After 1 weekend of packing up and one afternoon of shifting, we've finally moved to Polhems, our new apartment.Its only in a live in condition for now so i wont be putting up any pics until we are all settled in and all the boxes have been unpacked...

I like it here, its really bright, cosy and spacious!i do miss Annebo, alot of things happened there, for one it was our first apartment after we got married.
Then I conceived in that house, Alvin got his Promotion and his PP2 in that house..alot of fond memories.But its ok we have to move on and this house is gonna be no less in allowin us to prosper and fill our life with more happiness and joys ;)We will have our baby in this house in less than 8 weeks! hurray!

we have gotten the crib and diaper change thingy but its still not set up.
I got some stuff to decorate baby's room and i cant wait to get it all done!
Will post pics soon!!!

Fortnightly reviews

2008-09-11T19:09:00.002+02:00

Once again i had my fortnightly appointment with Susan.. Emily drove me and accompanied me to this one as well as DH had something on at work.He did drop by during lunch to check on me ;)aint he the sweetest!

Well i had my Routine checks.
Blood pressure 111/72 -good
Blood count - increased from 118 to 125 - v good
Weight - 68kg..didnt increase or decrease...which is good cuz i had a sudden gain of 3kg so susan said it is good
Fundal height- from 29 to 31...v gd
Baby's heart rate-140bpm
she determined the babys position as well and told me that baby has gone down lower in preparation for birth ...baby is doing everything right on time! good job on his part!

33rd week of pregnancy

2008-09-11T19:08:00.001+02:00

This is day number 231
i'm 33 weeks pregnant
our baby's age since conception is 217 days / 31 weeks
There are 49 days until our due date! (17.5% to go)

Our Baby

our little one is almost 4 1/2 pounds and is gaining as much as eight ounces a week.
He continues to sprout like a reed, his arms and legs perfectly proportioned to the rest of his body. He measures a total of 19 1/2 inches and has little room to wiggle, but he's still quite active, even if it means he has to squirm around most of the time. our little one is preparing for life on his own by storing iron in his liver.There are approximately 2 pints of amniotic fluid sharing space in the uterus with the baby.

I'm putting on a pound a week now, but eating isn't as enjoyable as it once was.
After all, our growing baby is pressing up against my stomach, hampering digestion and exacerbating heartburn.

Your guesses on the baby's gender so far; in Albhabetical order-

Abhishek - BOY
Chandini - BOY
Jinesh - ?
Madhu - ?
Manisha - ?
Poonam - BOY
Rinki - BOY
Renu - ?
Sunita - BOY
Sheetal - GIRL
Sonia - ?
Sarwes - ?
Vicneshri- BOY

11th September 2008

2008-09-11T19:02:00.003+02:00

It may mark a day of disasters for millions around the globe but for me, it marks the day when I first laid eyes on my better half...I can still recall the occurences of that day so vividly and its hard to believe that 5 years have passed since then... how time flies. From Courtship,to a couple, to marriage and now to parenthood and starting a family! Our journey together has just begun... ;)I want to let u noe Jaanu tat i couldnt be happier and i really love u, ur sweet loving ways! muackz hugz n kisses!

Also would like to take the time to remember those who perished in the 911 attacks. Memorials may have been built, families may have been compensated in one way or another but the void left by them to thier loved ones will never be filled
May they be in a far better place than they were when they lived and may their souls rest in peace.
God bless!

Random Stuff ;)

2008-09-04T19:22:00.005+02:00

Week 32, 8 more weeks

2008-09-04T19:11:00.003+02:00

Your guesses on the baby's gender so far; in Albhabetical order-

Abhishek - BOY
Chandini - BOY
Jinesh - ?
Madhu - ?
Manisha - ?
Poonam - BOY
Rinki - BOY
Renu - ?
Sunita - BOY
Sheetal - ?
Sonia - ?
Sarwes - ?
Vicneshri- BOY

In the latest womb reports, our amazing baby has now developed sensitivity to temperature! This means I’ll probably get a swift kick if I put a hot pad on my ginormous belly. For the Blue eye lovers out there- yes, baby’s got blue eyes. At this point, all babies do, although depending on their chromosomal disposition, this could easily change after birth (or even between now and labor), but for the time being, blue it is.

Also, I have to be extra careful of lightheadedness during these last weeks. I've had them at least thrice in the past 2 weeks. The blood tends to pool in the lower limbs, resulting in low cranial blood pressure. So, I've got to watch out for the head rushes and get up nice-n-slow after sitting for long periods... I've still been speedy in doing normal daily stuff but i guess now i've got to slow down... ;)

Cool Ain't it?!

2008-08-31T15:38:00.005+02:00

Create Fake Magazine Covers with your own picture at MagMyPic.com

All Eggy

2008-08-31T15:16:00.000+02:00

Dum Briyani
Just a sudden love with eggs and I wonder is it because I read & heard they are good for the baby...those DHA and omega 3 enriched eggs!

Bombay toasts
These few days, breakfast comprised of Bombay toasts and either orange juice or milk.

Aloo ke parathay

2008-08-31T15:07:00.002+02:00

This time i tried making Aloo ke Parathe(Chappati stuffed with spicy potatoes)
It was a nice cold evening and i was in mood for some spice and experimenting so i embarked on making them.One thing I learnt from Mum, is that making rotis is an art in it’s truest form.Who ever has tried to roll them into the perfect circle with only the aid of a rolling pin, will know exactly what I mean. Mine didnt turn out to be circular like the moon or anything but well almost there...good enough for a novice really! Its so nice to have them with yoghurt :) i had 3 without any difficulty despite the little stomach space!!! :)

All boxed up

2008-08-31T15:04:00.001+02:00

Most part of this weekend was spent packing...All i did was sit afar and watch Alvin do the back breaking job.He wont even let me near, forget about helping him out... we're almost done packing afterall we only have one more week before we shift so except for some essentials such as a weeks supply of clothes, crockery, ration and toiletries...everything has gone into boxes!

We're only left with the bulkier items such as the sofa, bed, tv console and dining table to dismantle...I'm so excited to move because its gonna trigger off a string of events.... excited yet a lil sad cuz i will be leaving Annebo and some very sweet and thoughtful neighbours especially Serene! Thankfully Polhems is not so far away so we will still be seeing alot of each other!

After moving to the new premises and settling in, soon i will be due and baby will be in our arms, then my parents will be visiting!I can hardly wait!

Pregnancy Humour

2008-08-28T17:57:00.001+02:00

Some humourous questions and answers!

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?
A: If it's the flu, you'll get better.

Q: What is the most common pregnancy craving?
A: For men to be the ones who get pregnant.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?
A: 'Cause you're fatter than they are.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: What's the difference between a nine-month pregnant woman and a supermodel?
A: Nothing (if the pregnant woman's husband knows what's good for him).

Q: How long is the average woman in labor?
A: Whatever she says divided by two.

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Does pregnancy cause hemorrhoids?
A: Pregnancy causes anything you want to blame it for.

Q: What does it mean when a baby is born with teeth?
A: It means that the baby's mother may want to rethink her plans to nurse.

Q: What is the best time to wean the baby from nursing?
A: When you see teeth marks.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kid is in college.

Week 31: Fetal Development

2008-08-28T17:40:00.002+02:00

Our Baby's Development This Week: Activity in the Womb

As far as growth goes, our baby should approximately be measuring an impressive 18 inches and weighing more than three pounds. Before we meet, he would have gained at least 3-5 pounds or possibly more!?! His brain is working overtime these days,
developing faster than ever...our baby can now perceive information from all five senses....Of course he can't smell anything right now,cuz he is still submerged in amniotic fluid and needs to be breathing air to get a whiff of anything....

So what's our little dove doing all day while I'm busy feathering our nest for his arrival? Making faces, hiccupping, swallowing, breathing, pedaling with little hands and feet along my uterine wall, and even sucking his thumb. Did you know,that some babies suck their thumbs so vigorously while in the womb that they're born with a callus on their thumb (little suckers!)

Movin on up,my uterus can now be felt 4 inches above my belly button!This means tat my uterus is pushing all the internal organs that used to be there somewhere else. My stomach feels like it's in my chest and my lungs feel like… hmmm… they don't even feel like they're there anymore ;) ha-ha.

My growing uterus has compressed my lungs in accomodating for my growing baby...
limiting its ability to fully expand when I take a breath and causing me to feel like I've just run a marathon when I've only taken a brisk walk from the living room to the kitchen! I guess tat explains why I've been feeling a little spare on air lately...

On Rainy Days...

2008-08-28T07:27:00.001+02:00

Autumn is here i believe...sunny days have been replaced with rain and its been wet and cloudy lately...Dips in temperature definitely mark the beginning of Autumn.

Rainy days are a great time to laze around... I dont think anyone would disagree to that.I used to hate waking up on rainy days back when I was schooling.
Its so nice to stay snuggled up in the comfort of the sheets that have been warmed up by our body's heat....

Its also a nice day to have soupy spicy food.Today was one such day and I decided to make fishball meehoon soup.Its not time consuming at all.The results are a healthy, spicy, hearty meal.

I used the mushrooms Fayvier gave me, the ikan bilis Victoria passed to me a few weeks ago and some veges i had on hand.
Namely- cabbage, carrot, spinach, chilli, ginger
Then i concocted this!

it turned out pretty ok but sumthin was definitely missing...it wasnt spicy enough
So i took some dried chillies(soaked for 1/2hr) garlic, a lil ginger and some salt
pounded them til a paste was formed and complemented my dish with it!
It was goooood...and above all effortless and healthy!

The other day i suddenly woke up with a craving for hot steamy Poori, spicy aloo gobhi and sweet sweet kheer.I had all the ingredients and mummy's recipe so i made them.Alvin was so surprised at lunch. He said it tasted just like mummy's and kept saying...feels like Diwali!Lol.mummy prefers to whip up vegetarian dishes on occasions like Diwali and the 3 dishes are a must on that day! no pics were taken as my camera was out of battery! but my poories sure puffed up well!

Fortnightly Reviews

2008-08-27T12:07:00.005+02:00

I had my fortnightly appointment again today with my midwife Susan. Alvin wasnt able to bring me but luckily i have some very nice friends here and i didnt have any problem gettin to the clinic.Emily brought me to and fro and also saw the midwife with me :) Isnt she sweet;) I must thank god for having thoughtful and helpful friends around.

So here are my reviews:

Weight: 68.1kgs (i gained 3kgs in 3 wks! Oopssssss)
Fundal Ht: from 27 to 29cm gd progress on baby's part
Heart Rate: 136 which is gd (Emily said it sounded like a train!)
Blood Pressure:120/71 very good!
Xray reports: Good
Baby's Head Position: Downwards

So basically the midwife said that everything is looking great! Its a relief and i hope i continue to hear this till the end :)

I had a few questions for her today and here they are in case u want to broaden ur knowledge in Pregnancy and Labor.

What if the babys' head is not in the downward position when we approach labour?
In case he turns or shifts position, they will give an injection to relax the uterus and then the doc will try and move the head in to position or allow the fetus to move into birthing position on his own. As much as possible, they do not do C-sections. C-secs cause complications sumtimes and also make it harder for women to conceive easily in the future...so they are best avoided if possible!

My other concern was Episiotomy.
Episiotomy-an incision into the perineum and vagina to allow sufficient clearance for birth. She said this is the cause of worry for many first time mothers. Here they do not do episiotomy uless really required.Phew... bt wear and tear is unavoidable...it heals pretty quickly though and u wont feel a thing while in labour...u have bigger concerns at that time than to worry abt this ;Pbesides an anesthetic is given in anycase to numb the pain...

It was good to hear positive feedback from Susan. She's really nice and reassuring. I like the way their medical works here..For one,if u have an appointment at 93oam at 930am you are in the docs office chatting away with her...no waiting required!

They are friendly and very service oriented, fast and reliable...any concerns, leave them a voicemail and they get back to u almost immediately. There are times when i am a bit anxious during blood testing.. the nurses tell me to sing a song or talk to me to keep me distracted... in other places i know of, u will get "aiyoh! blood test u so scared how to give birth like that" kinda comments! Also if u do a blood/urine/glucose test, they give u the results instantaneously!

They believe in natural births and keep ultrasounds to the minimum.Xrays are unheard of during pregnancy elsewhere but here they make sure that ur lungs dun have any infection that u can pass on to ur child at birth.They explain every procedure to u and make sure you understand why a certain thing is being done... they take time to reassure you...

Its as good as it can get!
I'm glad and very thankful that i have an opportunity to give birth here in Sweden!

We went for breakfast at conditori after that... its been raining and what could be better than sipping on a mug of hot chocolate and muffin! :) I'd like to express my gratitude to Emily once again for being there for me and with me whenever the need arose! Thanks dear!

Surmising...

2008-08-26T18:48:00.011+02:00

Here in Sweden, they do not practise disclosing the sex of the baby. Initially we didnt want to find out either...we thought it would be good to be surprised
It really doesnt matter if its a boy or a girl but knowing will definitely help in setting up the nursery and buying stuff.Also when we bond with our baby it'll feel nice to be able to call the baby "he/she" instead of "it" or "the baby."

I had a strong intuition before i went for my ultrasound that our baby is a boy... Just some kind of motherly instinct i believe.Then during the ultrasound we saw what looked like a male genital.Of course i asked the Gyn and she said "well looks like a boy but... it could be the umbilical cord or sumthing too". After the ultrasound i was more confident that i am right... so we are taking the chance and buying blue baby clothes :)

If i really knew for sure, i would be more than happy to announce it.
But since i'm in the 50/50 mode i thought its best to keep it to ourselves.so my dear family, cousins and friends, i am not in denial...I'm left hanging in the middle myself

i guess i will only really be able to confirm once he's born to determine how right my motherly instincts really were. Its only in about 3 months time that i will finally be able to confirm what i have surmised this far.

Maybe you would want to take a look at the ultrasound pic and make a guess and drop a tag on what u think is the gender!

It doesn't matter! I just want it healthy! the joy of having a healthy baby is absolutely boundless...After nine long months, it will be great to have a healthy and happy child in our arms :)

Pregnancy Dictionary

2008-08-21T11:13:00.003+02:00

Came across this on the web, just for laughs!

Afterbirth
When the hard part begins.

Cravings
An excuse to hog, hog and hog your way through pregnancy.

Dilation
One of those things a pregnant woman has to take her doctor's word for.

Elastiphobia
Fear of making it into the Guinness Book of World Records for "Most Stretch Marks."

First Trimester
The first three months of pregnancy when you wonder, "Is it too late to hire a surrogate mother?"

Maternity Clothes
What a pregnant woman wears to show people there's a reason she's fat.

Miracle
1. The birth of a baby.
2. The fact that you lived to tell about it.

Pregnant Pause
The amount of time it takes for a nine-month pregnant woman to get out of a chair.

Prenatal
When your life was still your own.

Pushing
Final effort to get a ten-pound baby through an opening the size of a dime. }

Second Trimester
The time when you ask the question, "Will my husband notice if I eat this gallon of ice cream and the dish of biryani before he gets home?"

Third trimester
The final months of pregnancy when you wonder, "How much longer can I keep from waddling?"

What have i been up to?

2008-08-20T18:32:00.004+02:00

I've been missing in action for quite some time now...so while i eat out of my Haagen Dazs tub of choc choc chip, i decided to update a little.
Not that i've been busy or anything like that but i've got myself into a routine now... a habit of taking power naps every afternoon. My naps last anywhere between 1 to 3 hours! I guess its my body's way of making up for the sleep i cant get at night...Also i guess in the near future, i have to take naps when our baby naps... so its nature's way of making me get into the practise now ;)

Sleep at night is usually distrupted trips to the kitchen for some quick snacking or by muscle cramps and pulls.The uterus puts a lot of pressure on the bladder and can send one to the restroom frequently.If i were to note the number of times i visit the toilet, and the duration spent in there, I believe it would take half of my day.
Can u believe that the uterus has actually grown 500 times its original size throughout one's pregnancy!

I've not been going for frequent walks anymore... because its been raining lately.
Temperatures are slowly dipping...from 24degs to current lows of 14 degs.
Autumn is around the corner ;)

Besides finishing up chandini's scarf... i'm happy to have mastered the basics of knitting...also been reading up on labor and breastfeeding.
I've also decided to catch up on some VB scripting...Dad needs a solution for storing his cash flow data for the SRFoundation and i have undertaken the task of helping him come up with a simple way of doing it! I cant tell u i've surprised myself again with my abilities ;P in fact i seem to love doing it!

We've done a whole lot of shopping for baby til now besides the bigger items like the crib and other furnishings which we'll purchase once we shift to our new apartment.Yes we're shifting from Annebo to Polhemsgata~busy busy busy!!!

Pregnancy Updates

2008-08-20T17:06:00.005+02:00

I'm on the 208th day out of the total 280 days.
I'm 29 weeks pregnant.There are 72 days until our due date!

Our baby will grow rapidly from now until week 36, and then at a slower rate thereafter.Baby's eyelids are now open; its eyelashes and eyebrows are visible as well. It weighs about 1.4kg;total length is about 38cm long, two-thirds its final size.

Our baby will continue to open and close his/her eyes in the womb and may be able to see silhouettes of objects or even people in the right amount of light. Baby now `practices breathing` to get ready for life outside of my womb I sometimes can feel the hiccups that he/she has if she swallows the amniotic fluid.

Space in the baby's living quarters is now at a premium, so i've been feeling jabs and pokes from elbows and knees mostly. kicks are much more vigorous than before because our baby is stronger and excitedly responding to all sorts of stimuli.My husband is amazed and excited at every movement the child makes. He always rushes to my tummy when i tell him baby is active now...just to feel the kicks and nudges! ;)

The 2 hour Glucose Test

2008-08-06T13:03:00.002+02:00

Normally, this test is the STANDARD glucose tolerance test to test for regular diabetes in people who are NOT pregnant. In most parts of the world, however, it is considered the preferred test during pregnancy.
This test is done to determine if you suffer from gestational diabetes or glucose intolerance of pregnancy. I was strictly told not to have breakfast prior to this test...You arrive at the clinic, consume the Gucola-a drink with 75g glucose load within 5 minutes and wait

After a 2 hour period, your blood is drawn from finger sticks to be tested for the level of glucose. 140 and below are considered not gestational diabetics, anything above this reading will usually be sent for further testing.

After a sleepless night and no breakfast, I thank god for the good news. My results were 82mg/dl...My haemoglobin levels had decreased at the previous testing infact they were marginal from the very beginning. Normal levels should be 116 mine were 115then it dropped to 114 but during the glucose test,i found out that it had improved to 118 ;) couldnt be happier

Adding spinach to my diet really does help!!!

Looking Good!

2008-08-04T12:07:00.001+02:00

A recent pic taken after a long day out... hehe still looking good eh ;)

Frequently used words

2008-08-04T11:57:00.003+02:00

Here are a list of most frequently words used in my blog. I was reading Sunita's blog and she had this interesting link there.Wordle

How far along am I ?

2008-08-04T11:46:00.003+02:00

27 weeks have whizzed by... 13 more to go...

I’ve worked hard, done my research, endured a plethora of symptoms and would like nothing more than to have our wonder-baby on the outside.
Well, i'm all ready and digging in for the final endurance round and saying hello again to the familiar but not-so-lovable faces of fatigue and aches
Rapid weariness is caused by including the proverbial weight gain, shortness of breath and of course, sleep deprivation.

Yes, peeps, i’ve finally reached the infamous “live-on-the-toilet” stage. my feet are bigger, my belly is bigger, even my baby is bigger—and something’s
gotta give. Annoyingly, nature didn’t choose my butt and instead opted to compress my bladder, which is now being completely squashed by my baby.
So my best shot is to just accept the fact i'm going to need to urinate every 10 minutes (and if I manage to go longer, thank the good lord).
Besides tolerating the summer heat, I feel like I live in a sweat factory as a result of increased basal body temperature. Thank to our baby: this temperature increase stems from their body heat coupling with my own, which of course all adds up to one hot mama!

Saturday Shopping

2008-07-22T22:40:00.005+02:00

Saturdays are the only day we spend in Centrum or around Town shopping... We walk into departmental stores and instead for splitting up and going our own way to view the ladies and gents department, we race down to the Kids section! Yea both of us, its like we read each others mind and then we just go on a shopping spree for our Baby! We dont just buy clothes for newborns, we also buy some for toddlers...some that are just too cute to let go ;) and each time we tell ourselves...thats about enough, we end up looking at something cuter and picking it out too! The parental instincts i believe!

So far we've done this much for our darling child...
Also we got him a child seat that he can use when he is 6 mths old or when he learns to sit.. or even when he grows older...

Still looking for a good pram, crib and diaper change station...the list is endless

Me, Myself, our baby and Oakleys!

2008-07-22T22:05:00.003+02:00

The most recent pic of me, taken last weekend... i'm showing now...its really obvious aint it?

Into my 26th week now. I'm showing and i'm proud of it! :)
At long last, our little swimmer can see my womb! Our miracle’s little eyelids have finally separated (they were fused closed previously) and they’re probably having their first moments of sight as you read this. In addition to seeing their little studio in my belly, he's/she's recently acquired the ability to say “yes” and “no”
in rudimentary sign language as they can now move their head back and forth.

This is also the time where our little super star’s head hair is starting to grow!
A cute little cowlick or two may be springing into position right now, getting ready for years of cute-but-stubborn bed-head!

And how's mom doing? This is the final week of my second trimester.
Many women experience restless and jittery legs during the second half of pregnancy.
It’s a common condition known as Restless Leg Syndrome. Now i finally got the answer as to why i cant stay at home all this while... RLS...restless legs! now u noe why i ask u to bring me out at untimely hours jaan? lolz blame it on wild hormones! it was the RLS ...no it wasnt me....;)

Today's Lunch & Tea Break

2008-07-21T22:13:00.000+02:00

For lunch today i incorporated spinach in the Dhal... had tauhu sambal with cumin rice... been trying to take spinach more frequently to increase my daily iron intake.
Spinach... cuz i cant stand brocolli! *lmao*

I wanted to buy popiah skin and make this one myself but my darling husband bought me the pre made ones...Vegetarian ones that i love...with potato and pea fillings. It was deep fried and served with chilli sauce! reminded me of mummy!!!
Yummy! thank u Hunnie!!

Alvin's got a Blog

2008-07-18T21:11:00.003+02:00

Alvin decided that he wants to start blogging too...so he got an image and i used it and made him a custom made template. It helped me refresh my memory on html coding as well! :) cant wait to start reading! All the best hunz and be sure to update regularly!

Truly blogging is kinda healthy...helps one to express his feelings and thoughts and in a way its a venue by which your friends and family can be updated about whats going on in your lives! So really i think its great they came out with blogs!

Alvin

Pregnancy Updates

2008-07-18T20:25:00.002+02:00

This is day number 175. I'm 25 weeks pregnant
My baby's age since conception is 161 days / 23 weeks
There are 105 days until my estimated due date! (37.5% to go)

Our baby is almost completely formed. He/She is now between 1.25 and 1.5 pounds and is about a foot long.

The structures of our baby's spine are beginning to form while the blood vessels of the lungs develop as well. Also, his nostrils are beginning to open. Our baby now has fully formed fingerprints and his bones are continuing to harden.The taste buds of the baby are forming. He may be developing a weakness for sweets.

I'm feeling very good about my pregnancy at this point. I'm showing, people know and my overall health and energy have improved. Perhaps it is time to start thinking about what happens after baby comes.

Is the nursery ready? -Hmm not as yet but we've sourced for a crib and the other essential furnishings to be bought once we move or are in the midst of shifting to our new apartment in Polhems!

Where will your baby sleep? - He/She will have his own room but for the first few months he will be sleeping with us in our room!

Have you purchased baby clothes? - well as a matter of fact, i didnt want to but some of the baby clothes are so adorable...we couldnt help it!

Have you chosen a name for your baby? yes!!! that was a long and tedious process but we've come out with a female and a male name for our child... since its not confirmed til now if we're having a lss or a lad!

BabysHere.com

My midwife has already fixed the next 5 appointments til September to begin seeing me more often now. As the day grows closer she wants to monitor fetal heartbeat, movement and the fundal height which is approximately 24cm noq, as well as check my overall health.

My last appointment on the 16th of July went really well. Thank god, my urine and blood tests were great and my weight gain is steady. from a mere 52, i am now 62.4kgs... got to reach 65 to 70 kg according to my midwife :) working hard on that! lol

These days...

2008-07-18T20:11:00.003+02:00

Simple dinner

Was too tired to cook so made tandoori marinated chicken with garlic baguette and some rosti (mashed potato triangles) !!
Was simple, fast, no oil and thus really healthy and filling!

Spinach!!

Finally i can eat everything that i desire and we've decided to embark on a healthy diet...
Means we cut down on our sugar intake and try to eat more veges and cut down on the consumption of meat.
We started off with making sambal spinach :) and tofu etc...
and snacking on baby carrots instead of chocolates and cookies and ice cream! More plain water and lessening our carbonated drink intake

Knitting

2008-07-18T20:08:00.001+02:00

I mentioned some time back that i had started to knit...thanks to a friend,Emily who guided me thru the basics
This is how far i've come...even she was surprised when she saw it :) a great pass time really!

My first Wedding anniversary Gift

2008-07-18T20:04:00.003+02:00

I've got a small face... cant tell you how hard it is to get the perfect pair of shades for myself. They either always look too small or too big... i've never found the perfect fit til now!DH bought me a pair of oakley shades as a gift for our first wedding anniversary...the cost :) priceless. Bought with so much of love and care, it is invaluable to me.. also it fits perfectly and does the job its supposed to do uber well! protecting my eyes! Thank you so much honey! you're the sweetest! Can't thank you enough...you really spoil me! ;) love ya sweetiepie!

More on the shades
Lightweight C-5™ alloy is matched with stems of acetate to create a work of art that is meticulously hand assembled, hand polished and signed with metal icons.A single, continuous lens gives it sophisticated ease, and the PLUTONITE® lens material filters out all UV, not just UVA and UVB. The precise Three-Point Fit gives you comfort all day, and the uniquely feminine geometry includes side contours that optimize peripheral view. You also get the unbeatable clarity of HIGH DEFINITION OPTICS® (HDO®) with performance that meets ANSI Z80.3 standards
for both vision and impact protection. As far as visual impact, this is style that gets noticed.

Wedding Anniversary

2008-07-06T10:16:00.000+02:00

From the day that you proposed
Gave me that sparkling diamond ring
I knew that I had finally found
My most valuable thing

I love you baby,
I hold you very dear
With you I now celebrate
Our wedding anniversary of one year

we've been married for a year now,
A year of being one.
How splendid it has been,
hand in hand all seasons in the sun

We hung out together,
Everything fell slowly into place
And pretty soon it happened,
I became habituated to your face

You're loving, kind and sweet,
Generous, shy and smart
I just couldn't wait
For our life together to start

You get me to have fun,
To worry less and be at ease
You're really something else,
Sweet and gentle, like a cool summer breeze

Truthfully, you really spoil me,
You fill up, my heart
How I love this life,
Which together we did start

Yes, one year of marriage,
A year of infinite love
As concrete as our vows,
Sparkling like stars above

Just know you are my world,
The essence of my life.
Dear husband, lover, friend,
I'm so glad to be your wife

And a lifetime lays before us,
Such a joy you are.
One year of so many more,
I love you, you're my star...

Happy Anniversary Jaanu!
Our feelings and love are still as fresh as when we were dating...5 years ago
We still have so much to talk about and share, the long drives and evening walks
The holding hands while whenever we can, the care you shower upon me each day...
I really thank god for having blessed me with you... I pray that our love remains strong :) i love you baby!

The New Addition to Polhemsgatan - Us

2008-07-04T12:00:00.000+02:00

The Search is finally over.

We've been searching for a 3 room apartment in Polhemsgatan... God has blessed us with an apartment in 23B :) we've managed to book it and the contract papers have finally been signed! its a 77m2 area space, on the 5th floor with a veranda and a view of the beautiful lake. A nice environment, greenery and playgrounds.

Its in the vicinity of shop, medical services and preschools and merely a 10-15 minutes walk into the city centre.

We can move in on the 1st of October(Children's Day).Before I give birth i would be settled in my new nest( fingers crossed) ;)..The most important factor is that its within walking distance to the Vardcentral/Clinic where i will be seen frequently with my new born :) for his/her vaccinations and checkups.

With more than 14 singaporean families in this locality, it should be known as mini Singapore. Many friendly and familiar faces and lotsa helpful people. What more could one ask for?!

Something's Fishy

2008-07-02T14:06:00.002+02:00

So many things have changed since I conceived...
Besides my changing body, sleeping patterns, my taste in clothes and well...even food
I realised that i can't stand chicken which was the only meat i used to like
and now all of a sudden for the past few months, I crave fish! Something I used to despise.Funny aint it...

This afternoon alvin didnt come back for lunch so i had to cook something for myself and I made this:

Its a dish that can be prepared in no time and its healthy as well!
Not too bad on the taste buds either!

I only needed the following ingredients and 20 mins and some creativity
Came out with the following recipe!

Fishball noodles

10 pcs fishballs
1 pack noodles (any type u please)
1 tbsp Oyster sauce
3 tbsp garlic & ginger (i like mine gingery so i added more,u can adjust accordingly)
3 shallots
3 chilli padi
1/2 cube chicken stock
spring onions

1. Heat oil in a pan,finely grated ginger, garlic, chilli, shallots, fry til fragrant
2. Add fishballs, fry til slightly brown
3. In a pot,boil some water and add noodles in them for 5-8 mins til soft NOT soggy
4. Remove noodles from heat, drain
5. Add 4 cups water to pot, allow to boil
6. Add the fried ingredients to it and let it simmer for 10 mins
7. To serve, add noodles to bowl, pour soup over it and garnish with spring onions :)

U can add spinach or other leafy veges if u please ;)

I love my sergeant

2008-06-30T12:33:00.001+02:00

Give the world the best you have, and the best will come to you!
Congratulations on your promotion honey!

myspace comments & myspace layouts

You have proven time and time again what hard work and dedication can produce.
I wish you the best of luck and am sure you will continue to do what it is you always have: Put your heart and soul into everything you do.
We are so proud of you...

myspace comments & myspace layouts

Masala Dosa

2008-06-29T12:28:00.000+02:00

Today i decided to go with instant food but i added masala filling in the plain Rava Dosa that i made.
It turned out pretty well =) a quick snap of piping hot Rava Masala Dosa before it got gobbled up...

Whats going on?

2008-06-27T12:49:00.006+02:00

I've never actually sat down and thought about this until now...My life is about to change and i am so happy!

Ladiessss there's only 18 more weeks left!!!but thats not alot at all....wooow i cant believe how far I've come by now...only a few more weeks and I'll be in the home stretch: my third and final trimester! haha i sound like i am going to complete my last semseter at school and graduate!

Whats goin on with my baby
Our baby should weigh about 15 ounces, measures just under 11 inches head to heel, and is growing eyelashes and eyebrows. Little taste buds are forming on his or her tongue

Inspired

2008-06-25T17:00:00.001+02:00

Yeah for once i actually got off from being a couch potato and invested a "lil" time in jelly making.It was a quick process and i managed to get it done like "chotki bua" does.This aunt of mine from SG, shes an expert at agar agar. I had long wanted to try making the 2 layer ones she makes
A transparent layer and a coconuty layer. Last night i got down to it and today i sow the fruits of my labour!

Here's how!

Ingredients:

The Transparent Layer:

2 tbsp agar agar powder
1200 ml water
200 gm castor sugar
Colorings - green is a must and i use pandan paste, it not only gives the green, it fragrants the whole jelly.

The Coconut Milk Layer:

2 tbsp agar agar powder
400 ml concentrated coconut milk
800 ml water
200 gm of castor sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Method:

1. Boil above ingredients for the transparent layer except colourings till dissolved. Sieve mixture and return to pot. Leave it on the stove on the lowest heat or doubleboil to keep the mixture warm until the coconut layer is ready for assembling.

2. Boil the agar agar, sugar and water for the coconut layer till dissolved, then add in coconut milk and salt. Sieve mixture and return to pot. Leave it on very low heat .

Assembling:

1. Measure about 250 ml of transparent agar agar and colour it in the colour you like. Leave it to harden slightly(not too hard if not the jelly will not stick together. If too hard, just use a fork to lightly scratch the surface before adding the next layer.)

2. The second layer will be 250 ml of the coconut milk agar agar. Leave to harden slightly
Do the same alternating between the transparent layer and the coconut milk layer until all the agar agar have been used up.

3. Leave the whole jelly to cool down before refrigerating it for at least a few hours.

Baby signs

2008-06-24T23:15:00.001+02:00

I came across this site www.babystrology.com it teaches you sign languages you can teach ur child before he/she is able to talk
I think its great...to be able to communicate instead of wondering whats wrong when the child cries.

Alvin can feel baby's movements now...and its nice to see his palms on my tummy and he's adorable when he sings and reads to our child!
We are so excited... i cant wait for the 9 months to be up!

My appetite has increased.I can eat more than the small portions i used to.Craving spicy and sweet foods but cant seem to stand chicken all of a sudden.
I can eat them but if given a choice i would rather not.

Serene's Bakes

2008-06-24T23:14:00.000+02:00

Now that i can have dairy products, Serene has already started sending me her bakes! Boy i missed them the past few months!
Black forest and choc peach cream swiss rolls in the past 2 days. Shes a great baker...
I'd love to show u her professional looking and great tasting cakes but i couldnt take pics of them cuz i finished them off as soon as i laid my hands on them.
Shes the sweetest and how can i not mention hard working and energetic not only does she bake, she takes great effort in decorating it and presenting it as well!
Kudos to her.Someday i wish i can bake as well as her...I think when i leave Annebovagen or Sweden for that matter, i will miss a caring and great neighbour like her

Malmo, Kalmar & Våxjo

2008-06-24T22:42:00.007+02:00

Thursday thru Sunday were the Midsummer's break. Thursday we went to Vaxjo... for a lil shopping spree but unfortunately i didnt like anything besides the beautiful scenery during our hour long drive... We had dinner at Nivo with birthday boy Bob, Emily, her hubby, Kok Poh. It was a nice evening, they were having a flea market in Centrum and the place was packed. We had no prior reservations at Nivo but were lucky enough to get ourselves a cozy corner where we could see the bypassers and the band playing. it was a nice cool eve and the food was great too!

Friday we had decided to go to Kalmar but our friend informed us that most shops were closed so we changed our plans and stayed in town instead...drove around Karlskrona, did grocery shopping at the new City Gross utlet. went to the Lango beach in the evening spent some quality time with hubby

Saturday we drove to Malmo...two and a half hours away..Alvin wanted to buy a remote control car...those that run n gas. He had enquired if the shops will be open during the break and was told they will be... our disappointemnt started when we reached...it was a dead town... no shops, no eatery nothing was open. So we made the most out of it and visited the parks in Malmo and the St Petri's Church Lilla torg etc... Finally got Macdonalds before we drove out of Malmo. We stopped by at Eko, somesort of a super mart like NTUc back home... i was so happy i found the scrabble board game butwhen i got home and tore open the packaging i realised it was the swedish version...which didnt have a "W" but å, ä, ö instead... But we will play sumhow ;)

Sunday we spent driving around town, flying model planes. It was fun... overall i had a great time these 4 days and good quality time with Alvin... to me thats what matters

Pregnancy Updates

2008-06-23T12:05:00.002+02:00

I'm in the 21st week of my pregnancy and thankfully, have started to gain some weight. Been wanting to be out of the house so often now which is so unlike me. but it feels good to be in the sun, to enjoy the cool breeze and to be able to smell nature. Alvin is so glad i am the way i am...more lively and cheerful. But the sleepiness is still there. I tend to sleep alot in the day most likely because i cant get proper sleep at night... the frequent visits to the loo can be pretty taxing and now that there is a lil bit of pelvin muscle pain involved, even turning in bed is a chore... but I aint complaining... I'm glad that things took a turn for the better. Almost 19 more weeks to go...

We're still searching for an apartment. Hopefully we get one as soon as possible and can move in by September! :)

Midsummer's

2008-06-23T11:17:00.003+02:00

In 2008 Midsummer Day falls on Saturday June 21, but the festivities start the day before, on Midsummer Eve. Swedes celebrate Midsummer with equal gusto to how most parts of the world celebrate Christmas. Midsummer's Eve is celebrated all over Sweden, with dancing and singing around the Maypole. Maypoles are part of an ancient fertility rite that would ensure good harvests.
(The MayPole)
The May pole is still risen in all parts of Sweden and people dance around it and sing old songs. In many parts of the country, people like to dress up in national costumes, play folk music and dance old dances.

Family and friends get together, eat pickled herring ('sill'), the first fresh potatoes of the season, sour cream, crisp bread and drink snaps (vodka) and beer. Fresh Swedish strawberries are also an important feature (for dessert) Yummy!!

Simply Indian Food

2008-06-17T13:01:00.003+02:00

Last night Alvin and I ended up watching a movie til 1am...
and by the time we managed to go to bed, it was almost 2.I slept thru til 11am and when i woke up i had a quick serving of Cereal and milk.
I was feeling energetic so i decided to cook Jeera Rice, Tadka Dhal, Spicy Aloo and fry some Papadums ;) Simple, Spicy and Satisfying

Hamnkrogen

2008-06-17T12:40:00.001+02:00

Did i mention that finally there is a good Indian Eatery here! The food tastes great and I couldnt ask for more! We always order take away food from there on days that i dont feel like cooking or simply crave their "paneer(cottage cheese) dishes"
The last time i dined there was with Emily and her hubby. We ordered a fish dish, Palak Paneer, Chana Masala, Chicken Tikka and Papadums.Though there were 4 of us...we didnt quite finish the food...not that it didnt taste as nice but because we were really filled to the brim.

Last weekend Alvin and i went there for dinner...we ordered the usual, choley, palak paneer, chicken lassuni and rogan josh.
Despite the same number of dishes as the other time, this round we wiped out every bit! lol even when we were ordering the owner said.."u must be really hungry"

Indian Chai

2008-06-15T12:20:00.000+02:00

After dinner, we decided to sip on some indian tea... and after a 10 minute wait when the tea arrived, i was so engrossed in capturing the aroma it was emitting.
Alvin who isnt a big fan of such beverages thoroughly enjoyed his cuppa tea too.
(sometimes, tea is served this way in Indian restaurants)
Milk tea, or the "tea latte," has moved from India to East Asia to America, and now joins with the European tradition of tea with milk, Indian tea, or masala chai as we call it it prepared with spices, tea leaves n fresh milk.
It took me back to india...the street side vendors who serve tea in clay cups.It tasted and smelt exactly like that... Heavenly!
If you have ever been to india's suburban area you would know exactly what i am talking about.Indian chai sold by chai wallahs at train stations is usually made this way, and is very strong, milky, and sweet.
The unglazed clay cup used for serving is then tossed from the train as you travel down the line.

Father's Day

2008-06-15T12:00:00.000+02:00

All i could think of was dad at that time... Dad is a tea fanatic.. Tea is a must at least twice a day in his diet! :)When i was back in Singapore, i would prepare milk tea for him in the evening or suppers.
15th June was Fathers Day. I was missing home and dad. If i was back in Singapore, i would have single handedly cooked a scrumptious meal for him and pampered him.
I used to do manicure and pedicures for him followed by facials. Its a great feeling you know, for someone who doesnt indulge in all these. I used to do it for my parents ocassionally. Soak their feet in warm water with bath salts
then give their feet a good massage and scrub, dry them then remove any built up callous... Do a mud facial for them...it used to be so much fun! and it still will be when i return!
Thankfully Chandini went on with our long tradition for Fathers Day and cooked dad a meal. I am so proud of her! :) it was her first time and i heard she did a great job!
WEll done babe!

For my Daddy!
Daddy, for years and years you've been around
to pick me up when I was down.
You encouraged me to do my best,
to meet the challenge, to pass the test,
to hold my head up very high
and tell me it's okay to cry,
to answer my questions the best you can,
to try and help me understand
the little things a child should know,
to choose the path that I should go,
and even if the choice is bad,
you're there to hold me when I'm sad.
I'll love you forever until the end of time,
because you're my daddy, a friend of mine.