Sharing Pictures Animoto Style

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

These are some pictures that were taken in the month of May 2011. Actually, a majority of the pictures were taken by my son; It's the result of an 8 year old boy discovering the timer feature on the camera. It made me laugh looking at them posing for the camera and waiting for it to go click.

You can create fun videos like what I did here. It was so easy. Just upload the photos, pick the template, select the music and ta-dah! You can register for a free account BUT your videos will only be 30 seconds long. If you want to do longer videos, you can upgrade to their Animoto Plus account by paying USD5/month or USD30/year.

You can also use Animoto to market your business BUT you'll need an Animoto Pro account for that. Price currently is USD39/month, USD249/year.

If you like what I've recommended and want to register with Animoto, click on my affiliate link. Thanks.
I WANT TO ANIMOTO.

What's A Good Gift For Newborn?

A friend of mine just gave birth to her 2nd baby. I'll be visiting her soon and would like to bring a gift. What's a good gift to buy for a newborn?

AIN'T I A MOTHER OF 4?
I know, it does sound like a funny question coming from a mother of four. You'd think I would know what would be the ideal gift. With my kids, I received stuff like:

• Diapers
• Jewelry (from relatives)
• Baby clothes
• Flower bouquet
• Baby powder, soap and shampoo
• Soft toys
• Ang Pow (cash)

I appreciated all those gifts but I wouldn't call them ideal gifts. Maybe the most ideal of the lot is the "ang pow" coz' then parents can use the cash to buy whatever baby needs.

Diapers, powder, soap and shampoo are definitely useful but they seem more like essential items rather than a "gift". Plus, these are stuff that the parents would have in abundance already. Clothes are nice but what size would you buy? If you buy for newborns, they will outgrow it in a few months. If you buy a bigger size, then it gets kept in the drawer or somewhere and it might get forgotten. 1 year later the parents might find it and say "Hey, we forgot to bring this out for baby to wear. Oh no, it's too small already." 

Asking myself what sort of gift I would have liked to receive, I would say "I'm not really sure." Before baby was born, I would have already purchased all the necessary stuff. 

Some ideal gifts may be a bit to pricey for example a good baby sling.

What do you guys think about some cute baby booties? Or maybe something for the mother instead of baby?

So, what do you think are some good gifts to give a mother with a newborn?

Baby Is 21 Months

 Okay, I've not been very diligent with babyK's updates. I've been missing some months here and there. Can't believe in a few months time we'll be celebrating her 2nd birthday.
Well, here are some of her latest tricks and adventures:

•  See the picture above... Do you see something funny?
  Yup, she's got on 2 different types of socks. Every night, she will head over to our socks bin, grab a pair of socks (doesn't matter if they don't match) and then sit down and practice wearing them herself. She will take them off, put them on, take them off, put them on.... For some reason, it is easier for her to put the sock on her right foot but not the left foot. So sometimes, she'll put on 2 socks on the right foot. 
• She's showing signs of independence. She wants to put on her pants herself. She gets it right 50% of the time. The other 50% you'll see 2 legs in 1 leg hole.

• Loves to get piggyback rides. She's got 2 very willing "horsies" - K1 and D1. 
• Very quick to respond when you ask her to come bathe. She will immediately walk to the bathroom and take off her pants. She will sometimes grab D2's hand and ask him to go bathe too. AND she will diligently make sure the dirty clothes on the floor is deposited into the laundry basket. 
• Has learned how to scold (just like mommy). She will wag her finger at you and go "ji ji ji ji ji". 
• If she falls down, she will beat the floor. If she bumps into the chair, she will beat the chair. It's never her fault you know.
• I have to feed her in the living room. If she sits on the table with us, she will be busy trying to scoop this and that from the vegetable and meat dishes, even after we've already put everything on her plate. If I feed her in the living room, she will sit nicely and let me feed her. 
• When she wants to breastfeed, she will ask for "this". I think it is going to be very difficult to wean this little baby. When we tell her that she'll have to say goodbye to "nen-nen" in 3 months time, she starts crying. 
• She's becoming a little bit more friendly. She will wave her hand and say "awo" to people she meets.
• Lurvvvvves ice cream.
• Some words she can say: "babbit" (rabbit), "wek" (wet), "ter" (water), "sit", "walk-walk".
• Still prefers to pee like a boy.
• Almost toilet trained. She still have accidents but it is getting less and less.
• Can drink from a cup without spilling.
• Loves to drink soup.
• Likes to bully D2. Poor guy has had so many scratches to his face.
• Will feel jealous when the other siblings sit on my lap. She will come push them down so she can sit on my lap.
• She knows D2 likes people to rub his stomach when he wants to sleep. So she will go rub his stomach for him.
• If any of her siblings is crying, she will try to comfort them.

She's a cheeky little thing but she brings joy to the home. We love ya babyK.

Dumb Encounter With Curry Chicken

The other day, my son requested that I cook curry chicken. He has his father's and grandfather's cili-eating blood. So, I decided to get some "curry paste" from the Indian shop at the wet market. Usually, I just use curry powder, but decided to do something different. Unfortunately, I didn't quite know how to buy the curry paste. So this was my conversation with the shop owner:

Me: 1 packet please (pointing to the curry paste)
Shop owner: How much do you want?
Me: Errr... not sure.
Shop owner: What are you cooking?
Me: Curry chicken.
Shop owner: How much are you cooking?
Me: Err... 1 pot (gesturing about how big the pot is).
Shop owner: So, how much do you want?
Me: I don't know.
Shop owner: You don't know what you are cooking?
Me: I know. Curry chicken (feeling very embarrassed already).
Shop owner: How much chicken are you cooking? 1 chicken, 2 chicken?
Me: Ooh, 1 chicken.
Shop owner: Okay. Now I know how much to give you. You must tell me how much meat you are cooking.
Me: I see (feeling very dumb).

So, this is how much I got for 1 chicken.

 I really don't know what are the ingredients in this paste. I can only guess there is some "kunyit" (turmeric). I don't know what are the other stuff. Anybody out there can help identify the other ingredients?

Anyway, the chicken curry turned out awesome. Very delicious. I added in some kaffir leaves, daun kesum (laksa leaves), mint leaves and curry leaves.

What did my boy have to say? 

Thumbs up!

 

Shocking that my girl who doesn't really eat spicy food also enjoyed it. 

Don't ask me why she is wearing bunny ears to eat her lunch.

Parenting Tip:
Make sure you teach your children how to buy ingredients.

Four ways to be more 'green' at home

(ARA) - It doesn't take much effort to run your household in a more eco-friendly way. You might even be surprised by how much money you can save.

"A small change can make a big difference," says Charles Valinotti, senior vice president of insurer QBE. His company recently implemented a series of small environmental changes and the savings are adding up. "These are changes anyone could make in their own home. We just did it on a larger scale."

Here are four simple green changes inspired by QBE that could benefit any homeowner:

1. Recycle - and not just the obvious stuff.

Chances are, you're already recycling glass bottles and aluminum cans. But why stop there? Consider recycling before you throw anything away. You might also consider collecting aluminum cans and bringing them to your local recycling facility where you may get some cash for your efforts.

QBE's Sun Prairie, Wis. office recycles electrical wire, cabinets, shelving, scrap metals and light fixtures. In two years, not only did the company collect $4,000 for non-traditional recyclables, it also avoided fees for disposing of them.

2. Switch to high-efficiency lighting.

For years we've heard that high-efficiency lighting is the way to go. But did you know the magnitude of difference this one change could make? EnergyStar reports that each compact florescent light bulb can save up to $40 in energy costs over its lifetime.

In March 2010 QBE's Bellevue, Wash., site converted from halogen to fluorescent light fixtures in its parking garage. This one change is saving 378,554 kilowatt hours per year in electrical usage, totaling $26,575 in annual utility expense.

3. When it's not in use, turn it off.

Moms all over the world can be heard reminding their brood, "Turn the lights off!" While there's no doubt it makes sense to turn off lights, some may question when and if a computer should be turned off since it takes a bit more energy to power up than to leave it running.

The U.S. Department of Energy reports that for energy savings and convenience, consider turning off your monitor if you aren't going to use your computer for more than 20 minutes. Turn off your computer if you're not going to use it in the next two hours.

Like a lot of people, QBE employees don't always shut down their computers at the end of the day. Last year, the company began automatic shutdowns at 9 p.m. local time - saving about $55,000 in energy costs each year. The system gives a prompt 60 minutes prior to the automatic shutdown, allowing employees who are actively working to bypass the shut-off.

4. Paper - who needs it?

Valinotti suggests that taking baby steps toward a paperless existence can be natural and painless. For example, many homeowners already do their banking online - so why not also switch to paperless bank statements? Many utilities, credit card companies and municipalities also offer online billing.

By just moving a portion of its monthly reports online, QBE saves 2.5 reams of paper and $11 per day, totaling $2,000 in savings last year.

As you can see, just a few small changes can help you go green - and help you build financial strength as well.

How To Choose A Good Growing-Up Milk Formula

“What? There could be up to 13 teaspoons of added sugars in my child's growing-up milk formula?”

Shocking isn't it? I was at a supermarket and a promoter highlighted this problem of numerous growing-up milk formulas posing a health risk to my children because of their high added sugar content. She told me about the "semakgula" website where I can use a calculator to see how much sugar is contained in a milk powder.

This claim of excessive sugar in milk formulas has really created a stir among mothers. It's a MAJOR issue. Nobody wants to knowingly feed their children 13 spoons of sugar. BUT, is the claim really true?


IS THE CLAIM REALLY TRUE?
Well, being curious I googled "semakgula" and found http://semakgula.org.my. Interestingly, there is information there that highlights how the claim is misleading.

You see, when you use the semakgula calculator, you key in the amount of carbohydrates contained in the milk. And then, they use that to calculate the amount of added sugar. Well, not all carbohydrates are sugars. I don't know what mathematical formula is being used but it would be nice to know if their calculation segregates out the carbohydrates that are non-sugars. If not, the results could be more than what it should be.

One thing my professor taught me at University was to be more critical about claims we hear, even results from research. Don't take everything at face value. If research was done, find out how many test subjects were involved, how they chose those subjects, how was the test carried out, what were the variables etc.... Sometimes, research can be biased. So in this case of added sugar in milk formulas, investigate how did they come to the conclusion of 13 teaspoons of added sugar and if it really is an accurate conclusion.


HOW TO CHOOSE GOOD GROWING-UP MILK FORMULA

Seek For A Good Balance

Let's face it; I don't think you will come across any formula milk that has NO SUGAR. Definitely carbohydrates are needed. It is what gives our children energy. Even if you find sugarless milk, your child will probably reject it. Remember what Mary Poppins said "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down". So let's just accept that some amount of sugar is needed to make milk a little more delicious to our children. The idea is to choose a formula milk that contains an ideal balance of nutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, proteins, DHA and etc.... Yup, the keyword is BALANCE. A good balance will contribute to the optimal growth of your children.

WHAT IS GOOD BALANCE?
A formula milk that has good balance will address the following 3 areas:

• Strengthens Immune System
  You all know how terrible it is when your children gets sick. If you are concern about your children's immune system, then find a formula milk that can strengthen it. You can strengthen immunity by improving your gut's health. Some milk formulas like Mamil Gold aims to improve your children's gut environment. It has oligosaccharide mixture called IMMUNOFORTIS™ that helps increase good bacteria in your children's intestine.
  
• Supports Brain Development
  Definitely brain development is important. Who doesn't want a smart kid? Then look for ingredients such as DHA, AA, SA and Taurine.
  
• Aids Growth and Development
  Their little bodies are growing and so they will need proper nutrition. Choose milk formulas that include essential nutrients such as Calcium, Iron, Zinc and Vitamins. If the milk formula follows the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI), you can be safely assured your child will receive the right balance of vitamins and minerals.

So, don't get too hyped up about this "too much added sugar" issue that has been going on. It is a good eye-opener. Be aware of it but also, learn more about it. Do a bit of your own research so you can be smart about making good decisions for your children.

Stephen Covey's Habits For Your Family: Part 1

I've been reading Stephen Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families. 
Not just reading, but also trying to get the whole family to adopt and practice the principles taught therein. 

WHO IS STEPHEN COVEY? 

• He is on Time Magazine's list of 25 most influential American.
• He is the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. This book was named the #1 Most Influential Business Book of the Twentieth Century. The book that I am reading (The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families) shows us how to apply those habits to family life. And you know what? It is the No. 1 best-selling hardcover book on family.  
• He has 9 children and 44 grandchildren. 
• He is the co-founder and vice chairman of FranklinCovey, the leading global professional services firm with offices in 123 countries.
• Most of all, he is someone who has changed many people's lives. He is a great teacher, motivator, leader and consultant. 

 WHAT ARE THE 7 HABITS?

• Habit 1: Be proactive.
  You can choose. You are responsible for your life and your actions. No blaming others. Focus on what you can do rather than what you cannot do. Spend your time working on things you have influence on.
• Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind.
  What do you want to be, where do you want to go, what is your goal? Creating a mission statement to capture your vision of where you want to end up.
• Habit 3: Put First Things First
  Get your priorities right.
• Habit 4: Think win-win
  Learning to find solutions that are mutually benefiting. Nobody loses. Learning to achieve balance between courage and consideration. 
• Habit 5: Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood
  Improving our communication skills. Learning the art of listening.
• Habit 6: Synergize
  It's about teamwork and creative cooperation. Making our differences into our strengths. Coming up with better solutions together.
• Habit 7: Sharpen The Saw
  Renewing yourself in four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual. It is taking care of your well-being.
  

WE'RE WORKING ON HABIT 1
Above is a picture of our Emotional Bank Account box. This goes with Habit 1 which is being proactive. The idea is to make "deposits" to other people's "Emotional Bank". In other words, saying things to strengthen your relationships with each other. As parents, we are so accustom to barking out orders and pointing out what our children do wrong. Saying things like "Why are you always messing up the house?" or "Do your homework. Don't be lazy", are considered to be "withdrawals". The same way you would rather put money in your bank account than take money out, you want to make your family member's Emotional Bank rich, not bankrupt.

And so we nicely decorated a box to become our EBA box. It sits in our living room. At first, we only read the "deposit slips" after 1 week. But I find reading it at the end of the day is better because then, it is always on the children's mind. It motivates them to make deposits daily. So we've got stuff like "Thanks mom for playing with me", "I really appreciate you D1 for staying back after dinner to help clear the table and wipe the dishes" and "Thanks jie-jie for switching on the bathroom light for me".

Of course there are still lots of "withdrawals". Bad habits are hard to break. Improvements take time but at least we are doing something about our problem. Slowly, we can change the way we talk to each other: with kindness, courtesy and respect as oppose to shouting, demanding and with rudeness.

The kids look forward to opening the Emotional Bank every night. We had to tell them it was NOT a competition when they started comparing who had the most "deposit slips". Giving is as important as receiving.

There is still much improvements to do. We have to work on getting rid of blaming and making excuses. The kids' favorite line is "She do me first, so I must do her back" and "He force me to do it". Being proactive is a BIG change. However, it is better we take the steps to change now than never.

Tell me how can being proactive help your family?

What's New at Positively Organic

Positively Organic Baby Clothes produces kids clothes that are made from organic cotton. The designs can be described as bold, bright, hip but also simple.

WHY WOULD YOU NEED ORGANIC CLOTHES?

• Free from heavy metals.
  Nickel-free snaps and low impact chemical dyes are gentler on the environment and also ideal for kids with allergies and sensitivities like asthma and eczema. You reduce your children's exposure to harmful chemicals and toxins.
  
• Doing your part to care for the environment.
  What does "organic cotton" mean? It means the cotton was grown without using synthetic fertilizers and persistent pesticides It takes toxins out of the equation. It not only refers to how the cotton is grown but also how it is processed. Organic cotton reduces pollution.
  
• It is soft, cool and comfortable to wear.

Here are some new summer designs from Positively Organic.
Save some money with these coupon codes:

• 15% off: sas-5-11  
• free shipping: freeship75

Unisex Hoodie - Positively Organic

Perfect for those breezy days.

 

Swing Tunic - Positively Organic

You can mix and match with leggings, yoga pants or shorts.

Short Sleeve Polo Shirt - Positively Organic

Very comfortable for warm weather days. Look stylish with yoga pants and surf shorts.

Infant Gown - Positively Organic

Easy to put on and easy to change diapers. Comfortable and practical.

So, do check out the new designs at Positively Organic. 

And I'd love to hear what you think about organic clothes. Do you think it is worth getting?

Free Audio Stories For Kids

No time to read your children stories? Someone can do it for you: Storynory.
They have free audio stories for your kids to listen and enjoy. They publish a new story every week.

What kind of stories can you find?

• Fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson, Aesop, Perrault and 1001 nights. A few examples are Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, The Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, Beauty and the Beast and many more.
  
• Tales and legends from around the world. Listen to stories like The 12 Dancing Princesses, The Blind Man's Daughter, My Lord Bag of Rice, The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor and lots more.
  
• There's also many original stories. Follow the stories of Bertie, who once was a prince but now is a frog that tells stories. Or you might enjoy the stories of Katie, an ordinary girl but with also a witch that can do magic spells.
  
• Not forgetting Classic Tales by Oscar Wilde, Rudyard Kipling and Dickens.
  
• Educational stories e.g. Greek Myths, Knights of the Round Table, Tongue Twisters, Bible Stories.

So many stories to choose from. You can download them and play them in the car or on an iPod.
Make story telling time a part of your daily activity.
Happy Story Days to you and your children.

Get your family involved this summer

(ARA) - When the final school bell rings for summer break this year, many children will plan to come home and spend their three-month vacation in front of the television. However, by providing alternative activities that are still fun and exciting for kids, this summer can be more simulating and beneficial for your children.

Here are some suggestions for exciting activities to get kids away from the television and video games this summer:

• Plan a fun family day each week and let your children be involved in the planning process. Some ideas you might consider are: a trip to a local park; a day at the pool; heading to a roller or ice skating rink; biking along a local trail or even arranging a treasure hunt around your neighborhood. By setting aside just one day every week for a family fun day, you'll not only be encouraging physical activity, but also family connections.
  
• Form a local baseball, soccer, swimming or tennis team. If you have a lot of children in your neighborhood of the same age, encourage them to become part of a sports team.   They don't have to be the best team, or the most talented athletes to have fun. It will take a little organization from you to get the team's practice and competition schedules planned, but the benefits of team playing and outdoor fun will far outweigh the work involved.
  
• Encourage your children to become active in the community by getting involved in charity projects that you can work on together. A great cause for families to take part in is the Downy Touch of Comfort program, because it helps kids who are unable to go out and enjoy the summer. Through Downy fabric softener and Quilts for Kids Inc., you can create quilts for children who are hospitalized to give them a touch of comfort during their medical treatments. This program has already delivered 20,000 quilts to hospitalized children thanks to all the quilters who put their talent to good use.
  
  To help out and put a smile on the face of a child in the hospital visit www.facebook.com/Downy, where you can learn more about the program. You and your child can get started on making a quilt from scratch with helpful patterns and tips found at www.downy.com.
  
• Organize a talent show. Give the neighborhood children an opportunity to showcase their talents - whether it's dancing, singing, playing a musical instrument or even acting. Host the show one evening for the community, and then take it on the road to your neighboring community centers or a nursing home where residents will appreciate the young entertainers.

Don't just encourage your children to get out and be creative with their activities this summer - make sure you join in the fun. It will be a great bonding experience and you'll create special memories to look back on many years down the road.

Keep Your Toddler Busy With Step2 WaterWheel Activity Play Table

Every kid loves to play with water. The Step2 WaterWheel Activity Play Table is one way to allow your children to have fun with water without getting too messy. They'll probably still get wet because they are children and that is just what they do :)

Your toddler will totally love this water toy. Many parents have found that it also appeals to babies as young as 8 months old and even older kids like 8-10 years old.

YOU WILL LOVE IT BECAUSE...

• This water table is a good alternative to kiddie pools. It doesn't take as long to fill up and clean up. You can save on water too coz' you don't need as much water.
• You will actually have some free time on your hands to just relax or do whatever you want because your children will be so busy entertaining themselves. 
• It is lightweight enough for you to easily pick it up and pour the water out but sturdy so that children can't turn it over.
• Can accomodate 2-3 children. So siblings can play together. You can also arrange for some play dates for your children (a good excuse to have some adult conversation with other moms).
• Easy to keep clean and store. Some parents suggest getting a grill cover to keep out the leaves and dirt.
• When it is dry, you can bring it indoors and your kids can still use it as a play table. 

YOUR KIDS WILL LOVE IT BECAUSE...

• There is a water wheel feature. They can pour water into the funnel to make it turn.
• Have fun playing with boats and cups and whatever water toys you put in there for them.
• They can enjoy playing outside.

They have been some complains about it. The water feature is not a permanent fixture. Your child might keep knocking it down.This usually happens with really young kids because they are still learning to control their motor skills. The boats tend to come apart and parents wish there was more than just 1 cup.

However, the feedback is that this is still a very good for value toy. Currently, it is on Amazon's top 10 bestseller's list. If you are wondering what you can do to keep your children from getting bored at home, this would be a fun activity that would occupy them for some time.

Step2 WaterWheel Activity Play Table

The perfect toy for water loving kids

Special delivery: A comprehensive guide for parents-to-be

(ARA) - If you're an expectant first-time parent, or trying to conceive your first child, you'll likely rely on the support and experience of many people, including your partner, friends, your own parents and medical professionals. But don't be surprised if you still have questions - having a baby is a unique experience and few things can prepare you for all of the changes that pregnancy brings to your body, life and family.

"There are few events in anyone's life that rival the significance - and the joy - of childbirth," says Dr. Myra Wick, co-medical editor-in-chief of the "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy." Produced by Mayo Clinic's pregnancy and fertility experts, the comprehensive guide provides information on all aspects of conception and pregnancy. "You want to do all you can to help ensure a health pregnancy and a wonderful beginning to your child's life."

Your doctor will be a valuable source of information, but don't be afraid to seek out answers on your own, especially for important decisions such as when to begin trying and how to get pregnant, what type of delivery is right for you, and whether to breast-feed. To get you started thinking about these decisions, here's what Wick and the book have to say on some important first pregnancy questions:

Getting pregnant

When is the right time to have a baby? Only you and your partner can answer that question. Some phases of your life, however, may be more conducive to pregnancy and new parenthood than others. The "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" helps you explore the various factors to consider, and also offers plenty of information on how to get pregnant, diet and exercise recommendations to help improve your chances of becoming pregnant, and all of the latest knowledge to help you have a healthy pregnancy.

The C-section question

Cesarean delivery (C-section), a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen, saves the lives of many babies and mothers every year. Doctors may recommend a C-section for many health-related reasons. Sometimes the reasons will be an emergency, such as labor not progressing or the baby experiencing an abnormal heart rate. Other times, a doctor might recommend a planned C-section if you know you will face a serious health obstacle that may make a vaginal delivery dangerous.

Many medical professionals and pregnancy experts are concerned by the growing trend of healthy women choosing to have C-sections with their first babies. These planned C-sections are done to avoid labor or the possible complications of a vaginal birth, or so that the baby can be born at a more convenient time for the parents, doctor, or both. "These C-sections aren't performed for health reasons," Wick says. "Instead, they're done out of fear or wanting to avoid an inconvenience. And those are not good reasons to have a C-section."

When you're considering the decision of an elective C-section, it may also help to keep in mind that once you have one C-section, you may not be able to have a vaginal delivery with subsequent pregnancies. VBACs (vaginal birth after C-section) are possible in many cases, but are not without risks. "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy" includes in-depth information to consider about elective C-sections and VBACs.

Breastfeeding basics

To breastfeed or not to breastfeed? It's a question many expectant and new mothers have. Experts agree that in terms of nutrition, breast milk is clearly best for baby, and offers health benefits to mom as well. But breastfeeding may not be possible for all mothers. Formula-feeding shouldn't make a mother feel guilty. If you're undecided about breastfeeding, ask yourself these questions:

• What does your health care provider suggest?
• Do you really understand both methods of feeding?
• Will you be returning to work and how might that affect your feeding decision?
• How does your partner feel about the decision?
• How have other mothers you trust and respect made their decision?

A first pregnancy is an emotional and exciting time. Gathering ample information on important pregnancy decisions can help ensure your pregnancy is happy and healthy, with as little stress as possible. For more pregnancy information and insights, visit www.facebook.com/MayoClinicHealthyPregnancy.

Bicycle Park In Seremban

 If you happen to take a trip to Seremban with your family, take your kids to the bicycle park. It has got road signs, traffic lights and a round-a-bout. Kids can learn to obey traffic rules. You don't need to bring your own bicycles (although you can), they have bicycles for rent there. But whether you use your own bicycle or theirs, the rate is RM2 for 1/2 hour.

It is a lot of fun for the kids. Good way to get rid of that extra energy of theirs.

And for those little ones who can't ride a bike yet? There's always the horse. Hehehehe. Yeah, there's a playground outside and inside the park. Actually, I've seen some parents rent those little tricycles for toddlers. They attach a rope to the tricycle and pull their little kid around. If you're looking for some exercise, that could be a good idea.

The park is located near the lake gardens. Weekdays it is opened from 5pm-7pm. Weekends and holidays are 8am - 7pm.

Bring everyone together with a family game night

(ARA) - With family schedules full to the brim, it can often be challenging to find quality time to spend together. One way to create a night of fun without distractions is by planning a family game night. Parenting expert and Family Adventure Mom, Deb Geigis Berry, offers tips for sharing sweet moments of family fun during game night:

• Schedule a date and time - The best time to play is after dinner. If it's a school or work night, agree that homework and assignments will be finished so you can focus on the fun.
  
• Build excitement with lunchbox invitations - Turn game night into a special event by making an invitation for each family member. Simply fold a piece of paper into a card and write "Are you game?" on the cover along with the date and time of your game night inside. Place the note into lunchboxes for kids to discover.
  
• Sweeten Family Game Night - You can substitute playing pieces in games like Hasbro's SORRY! with different Hershey's Kisses Chocolates. Players can choose from chocolates in silver, gold, orange, purple, striped or polka-dotted foils. The iconic candy also makes the perfect treat when the game is over at the end of the night.
  
• Pick a game that's new to your family - It may be the next family favorite! Be sure to designate one person as "Game Captain." That person will review the rules prior to game play and present them to each of the players at the start of the night.
  
• Create a comfortable atmosphere and eliminate distractions - Why not play in your pajamas? Feeling comfortable boosts the enjoyment factor. Also be sure to turn off cell phones, televisions and other distracting devices during the event.
  
• Present a door prize - When players eat a Hershey's Kisses Chocolate, have them roll up the wrapper into a ball and place it in a small clear jar or vase. At the end of the evening, have everyone guess the number of foil balls in the jar. After the official count, award the winner (closest to the correct answer) with a prize.

"Family game night is a fun and interactive way to encourage your kids to turn off the television and spend quality time together as a family," says Berry. "Everyone loves Hershey's Kisses Chocolates and incorporating the iconic candies is a simple way to help make your family's time together even more special and memorable."


For more game night ideas, visit www.kissesfamilygamenight.com.

Pineapple Fried Rice

There are so many ways to cook fried rice. Yesterday, I did pineapple fried rice. Thought I'd share the simple recipe with you.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast (marinate with salt, pepper and a little soy sauce)
• French beans (sliced thin)
• Carrot (cut into strips)
• Garlic (sliced or chopped finely)
• Pineapple (cubed)
• Cooked rice
• Kaffir lime leaves and basil leaves (4-5 leaves, not too much. You just want the aroma; You don't want it to be too overpowering. Cut into strips.)
• Eggs (beaten)

Directions:

• With a little bit of cooking oil, stir fry the chicken breast. Put aside when chicken is cooked.
• Add a little more cooking oil, then add the garlic. 
• When garlic is just turning golden brown, add carrots and french beans.
• Add in some oyster sauce.
• When carrots and french beans are cooked, make a little hole in the center of your wok and pour in the eggs.
• Scramble the eggs, then add the pineapple cubes.
• Stir fry for a few minutes before adding the cooked rice.
• Add in soy sauce, salt and dark soy sauce.
• Just before turning off the fire, add in the kaffir lime leaves and basil leaves.

Just FYI, I cooked 4 cups of rice, 1 chicken breast, 3 eggs, 1 carrot and 1/2 a pineapple. 

Happy Cooking!

How To Tell If Your Children's Teacher Is Good

Last Monday was Teacher's Day. The Saturday before that, my kids asked me to take them out to shop for presents to give their teachers. My daughter bought 3 presents while my son bought 1. They were not elaborate nor expensive presents, but they were symbols of their love and appreciation for their teacher. I didn't even have to wrap the presents; they did that themselves.

My kids have only been attending this school beginning of this year. In the previous school, my kids didn't even bother with Teacher's Day. They never bought their teachers any presents, not even a Thank You card. Come to think of it, I believe they use to say "No need to go to school today ok? Teacher's Day is very boring."

Seeing this change in my kids, I asked them, "Do you think the teachers in this school is better than the old school?" Unanimously they said "Yes!" 

So, how do you know if your children's teachers are good?
See what they do during Teacher's Day.

A good teacher is one that earns their respect, touches their heart and inspires their mind.

Breastfeeding Help For New Moms

"I'm expecting my first child and I plan to breastfeed. But what should I expect?"

Does this sound like you? There is no doubt that there are many benefits to breastfeeding. However, being a first time mother, you are naturally worried if you are able to do it. I'm not going to lie and guarantee you that there everything will be smooth going. Some people have no problems while others find it very challenging.

As for me, I successfully breastfed all 4 of my kids for 1-2 years. While expecting my first child, I read up all I could about how to do it and also potential challenges. I was very determined to do it and turned a deaf ear on people who told me otherwise. My biggest motivator was money. Yup, I am not ashamed to tell you that my husband and I were struggling financially then. I did not want to burden him with having to buy milk powder. Breastmilk was free and it was good. So I told myself that I would make it work, no matter what. I'm not telling you this to boast. I just want you to believe in yourself and know that you will make the best decision for you and your child.

The act of breastfeeding for the first time is something you can never really prepare for. Learning how to hold the baby and get them to suckle can only be learned through first hand experience. However, gaining breastfeeding knowledge before hand is important because it will raise your chances of being successful.

So, for all new moms out there, here are a few things to keep in mind:

BREASTFEEDING TIPS

1. Know where you can turn for help.
Not all doctors and nurses are breastfeeding experts. You will get expert advice from a lactation consultant. Find out if there is a La Leche League near you. Attend their meetings where you will get the support and help that you need. It also helps to seek out other breastfeeding mothers. There are many online groups that you can join. If you are having problems, you will definitely find mothers who have "been there, done that" who can offer valuable advice.

2. Many mothers, including myself, found it very handy to have a bottle of water next to you as you breastfeed. You will feel very thirsty.

3. You don't have to measure how much milk your baby is taking in.
Just feed on demand. Your baby knows how much it wants to drink. Some people have the idea of pumping out the milk to see how much baby is drinking. Unfortunately, that is not accurate. Baby is more efficient at sucking your milk than you are at squeezing it out. If you want to know whether baby is drinking enough, count how many wet and dirty diapers you have to change.

4. Be led by your baby, not the clock.
You may feel like you are feeding very often. This is natural as their stomachs are so tiny. It fills up quickly. They also get hungry quickly too. Generally you feed your baby every 2-3 hours. However, don't set your alarm clock. Don't force your baby to live by a rigid schedule. With my first baby, I was constantly looking at the clock. It was very tiring indeed. It seemed like just when I put her down, it was time to feed her again. I was more relaxed with my other babies. I let the baby tell me when to feed and didn't bother about the clock anymore.

5. Don't fall for the "you don't have enough milk" scam.
Yes, I call it a scam. One way to ensure you have enough milk for your baby is to let them suckle more. Your baby and your body have a perfect understanding. If your baby keeps on sucking, your body will keep on manufacturing milk. When my mom sees me breastfeeding my almost 2 year old, she will say "sure you still have milk?" I get that comment too from some of my friends who learn that I am still breastfeeding my toddler. Well, the answer is "Definately. For sure I still have milk". I will only stop producing milk when my baby stops sucking. Also, your body will eventually adjust to your baby's demand for milk. You know why I say you don't have to look at the clock to feed your baby? Because your body will automatically tell you when it is feeding time. If your baby is feeding every 2 hours, you will feel your milk "let down" after 2 hours. It is like your boobs are saying "Hey, it's time, where's the baby?"

6. Don't get anxious and worried when you don't see milk the first few days.
Your milk will "come in" when it's ready. Meanwhile, your baby is getting colustrum and all its wonderful benefits like carbohydrates, proteins and antibodies. This is also the time for you to make sure your baby keeps on suckling (even if you think there's nothing coming out). Like I mentioned before, your body will adjust. Your suckling baby will trigger all the milk production you dream of. In the end, you might be screaming "Oh, my breast is too full".

7. Before your milk comes in, don't give in to the believe that you need to "top-up" with formula.
Some well meaning people might tell you that you are starving your baby. The will try to convince you that you must feed your baby formula milk because clearly, you don't have any milk yet. Please know that baby will NOT starve in the beginning. Their bodies are designed to survive those few days on colustrum before you milk comes in. Remember how to tell if baby is getting enough? Yup, count those wet diapers.

8. The most essential part of breastfeeding is getting baby to latch on properly.
Improper latch on will lead to sore nipples and baby not getting enough milk. You have to suffer the pain and baby gets frustrated. Definitely a problem you want to avoid. Here's a good video to teach you how to do it. Get ready for images of bare breasts :)




There are many more things you should know about breastfeeding. Read as much as you can so you know what is truth and what is not. I wish you all the best in your breastfeeding journey. Remember, trust yourself and enjoy the bonding.

If you are an experienced breastfeeding mother, leave a comment on what helped you.
If you are a new mom and have a concern about breastfeeding, leave a comment too.

Breastfeeding Accessories You'll Need:

• Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover, Mint Chocolate
• L'ovedbaby 4-in-1 Nursing Shawl Clay Gray
• Kushies Washable Nursing Pads, WhiteKushies Washable Nursing Pads, White
• My Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow, NaturalMy Brest Friend Breastfeeding Pillow, Natural
• Earth Mama Angel Baby Natural Nipple Butter - 2 oz.

How To Put Together A Quick and Fun Treasure Hunt For Your Kids

My kids are always asking me to play more with them and so today, I decided to do this treasure hunt activity that I had read somewhere online. If you have a digital camera (which I'm sure you do), this is going to be a very easy, quick and fun way to create a treasure hunt.

INSTRUCTIONS

• Make sure the kids aren't looking. I asked my kids to wait in their room. AND made sure the door was closed :)
• Go around the house (inside and out) and take pictures of things or places you want them to find. Take close up pictures so it's not so obvious. 
• Put a token / reward at those places so they know they've "found the treasure". You know, like Easter the kids would find an Easter egg. I just drew some stars on pieces of paper and that was what they had to find. 

That's it. If you want, you can print out the pictures. I don't like to waste ink so I just downloaded the pictures unto my computer and showed it to them on the monitor. 

My kids enjoyed it. I gave my older girl a chance to take the lead by handing over the camera to her. Her clues were even tougher than mine coz' most of them were blurr :D

Well, I hope you try out this activity.. It is especially good for restless kids. Tell me how it goes.

MORE RESOURCES:

• Treasure and Scavenger Hunts: How to Plan, Create, and Give Them!
• Scavenger Hunt for Kids
• 365 Smart Afterschool Activities365 Smart Afterschool Activities
• Great Big Book of Children's Games: Over 450 Indoor & Outdoor Games for Kids (Ages 3-12)Great Big Book of Children's Games: Over 450 Indoor & Outdoor Games for Kids (Ages 3-12)

Get ready for a season of outdoor family fun

(ARA) - It's only natural to be excited about warm, sunny weather. But it's not always easy to get the family outside. With work and school schedules, video games and the Web at your fingertips - not to mention the ever-present household chores - sometimes the hours slip away and the opportunity is lost.

To prevent spring and summer weather from getting away from you, a little advance planning goes a long way. Spontaneity, backed up by preparation, is the key, says lifestyle expert Colleen Burns, "The Mom on the Run." Burns is the mother of five boys ages 6 to 16 who regularly offers parenting advice on local and national TV, as well as her website themomontherun.tv.

As part of a partnership with Lance Sandwich Crackers this season, Burns offers tips for how families can spend more fun time together while enjoying the outdoors.

Turn on the "time finder"

Capturing the free moments you have is the most important thing you can do. And if you know how to look for them and plan to create some free time, you'll be able to fit more fun into the family schedule.

• Add "kid time" to your calendar. Set aside an hour or two when the only focus is an activity with your child.
  
  
• Tackle chores together. By involving the kids in the daily chores, they learn responsibility and the value of hard work. You get your lawn mowed, gutters cleaned and flowers planted. It's a win-win that frees up more quality time to do fun stuff.
  
  
• Plan for small windows of time. Make a list of fun activities you can do with your children in an hour, a half-hour or even 20 minutes. It will help you take advantage of unexpected and priceless free time with your children.
  
  
• Switch it up. It's okay to change your routine. Push back dinner or bed time occasionally to do something fun and be present in the moment with your children. Stay up late to look at the stars or have a family game night.

Plan to be spontaneous

One of the best ways to take advantage of even small windows of free time is to place a pre-packed "spontaneity bag" in your car or by the door. Add these items (and any others particularly relevant to your family) to the bag:

• Sunscreen: Make sure it's waterproof with an SPF of 30 or higher and is broad spectrum (blocks both UVA and UVB).
• Water bottles: Metal bottles take life's knocks well and cut down on waste.
• Snacks: Think of treats like Lance Sandwich Crackers that are easy to pack, and keep kids satisfied without preservatives, trans fat or high-fructose corn syrup.
• Adhesive bandages and pain reliever: For those unexpected bumps and bruises.
• Small- to medium-sized towel: Perfect to sit on outdoors, wrap up if it's chilly or dry off if you're caught in the rain.
• Balls: Depending on the age of your kids, have a variety of shapes and sizes to play with outdoors.
• Bubbles: Have a contest to see who can keep their bubbles from popping the longest.
• Sidewalk chalk: An easy game of hopscotch, Tic-Tac-Toe or Hangman is right at your fingertips.
• Jump rope: Also a great way to stay active together.
• Small kite: Lots of fun on a windy day.
• Whistles/kazoos: The outdoors is the perfect place for noisemakers you usually avoid at home.

You could also pack themed spontaneity bags - such as a picnic-themed bag, a swimming bag or a campfire bag, tailored to your family's favorite activities. Regardless of what you choose to put in your spontaneity bag, you'll need to pack drinks and sensible snacks like Lance Sandwich Crackers. With a little creativity, you'll be perfectly prepped for family fun throughout the season.

To access more outdoor fun tips from Colleen Burns, visit www.MomsLoveLance.com.

Is your baby's developmental delay 'normal' or a symptom of autism?

(ARA) - More children will receive an autism diagnosis this year than will be diagnosed with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined, according to the Autism Speaks organization. You've probably heard or read at least some of the often-emotional debate over the causes and cures of autism.

Yet one thing everyone agrees on is that the sooner a child's autism is diagnosed, the sooner that child can get the help he or she needs.

The nation's fastest-growing developmental disorder, autism affects an estimated one in every 110 children. With such a high incidence rate, many parents may agonize over any developmental delays, wondering if what they see is just the normal variances in children's development rates - or an indication of a more serious disorder.

Dr. Rebecca Landa, head of the Center for Autism and Related Disorders at Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, recommends concerned parents act early, rather than waiting to see if developmental delays resolve themselves. Early intervention can have a big impact on the development of children with autism.

"Our research suggests that the 'wait and see' method, which is often recommended to concerned parents, could lead to missed opportunities for early intervention," Dr. Landa says. "By identifying these early signs of autism and acting early, we are providing toddlers with tools and skills to increase social opportunities throughout their lifetime and positioning them to have the best possible outcomes."

Researchers at the Institute have recently made major advances that now allow the signs of autism to be detected in children as young as age 1. Parents concerned about their child's developmental delays should look for these early warning signs:

• Little or no attempt to attract attention - It's typical for infants and toddlers to seek the attention of those around them. Attention-seeking tactics can range from making silly facial expressions, moving their limbs and making babbling sounds in babies younger than 1, to talking and acting silly in children older than 12 months. Children who don't attempt to attract the attention of others in these ways could be at risk for autism.
  
  
• Poor eye contact - By the time they're 2 months old, infants can make direct eye contact with an adult. Children who later develop autism often avoid making eye contact and are more interested in staring at objects or other facial features such as the mouth.
  
  
• Poor or no response to own name - By 6 months, typical children will respond when an adult calls their name. Parents should be concerned if their child infrequently or inconsistently responds to his name.
  
  
• Delayed speech/babbling - Delayed babbling and then delayed spoken language is one of the most recognizable signs that a child's development is delayed. Children should be babbling as young as 6 months.
  
  
• Doesn't mimic facial expressions - As early as 2 months old, babies mimic the facial expressions of others, smiling when someone smiles at them. When a baby does not voluntarily reciprocate a parent's smile, it's a red flag for autism.
  
  
• Engages in unusual play - Unusual play is another red flag. For example, a child might spin, flick or line up toys and objects in a purposeless, repetitive way. This can become more noticeable as children reach 2 or 3 years old.
  
  
• Unusual body movements - Parents can often easily identify differences in how a child moves. Children with autism might repeatedly stiffen their arms or legs, flap their hands or arms, twist their wrists or move in other unusual ways.
  
  
• Repetitive language - Children with autism may engage in repetitive language. These children may be able to recite the ABCs before they can make word combinations.
  
  
• Does not express desire to share interests - At 9 to 12 months old, and in some cases earlier, children want to show or share their interests with others. They might point to something and wait for a parent to react, or hold up a toy to see and comment on it. A child with autism may not attempt to engage socially in this way.
  
  
• Disinterested in imitating others - Babies and toddlers love to imitate the actions of others; it's how they learn to laugh, eat and play. An early warning sign of autism is often a child's disinterest in imitating others. A child might occasionally mimic others, but more often observes rather than imitates.

To learn more about early detection research, visit www.kennedykrieger.org.