to p in aus:

i believe it lasts throughout pregnancy. i can only guess now because i'm only half-way through it. and it comes and goes whenever it wants. no control over it whatsoever.

things that i did not expect from pregnancy:

• how my skin would react - bright red spots (rashes) all over my legs. it looked like i had a really bad allergy going on. but thankfully, they were not itchy at all.
• the pain coming from my areolas - i was expecting pain in my breasts but not my areolas. it felt like someone was sticking pins into my areolas!

favourite drinks of the moment:

• lemonade (because it's sweet and sour at the same time)
• ribena + spritzer (a pretend soft drink)

additional comments on my previous blog:
i absolutely hate it when people, books, docs etc, describe the feeling of a baby movement is like the fluttering of a butterfly. who in the world has actually felt the flutter of a butterfly?! definitely not me and not many others i assume. so if one has never felt the flutter of a butterfly how would you be able to tell or notice?
when i mentioned that the very first time baby moved it felt like the flutter of a butterfly it was simply because it was so faint (this was about a couple of weeks back) so naturally i assumed that was how a butterfly fluttering would feel like (because they're beautiful, fragile and light?!). well, just take note that i think my description that it feels like gas would be more useful for who has never felt gas?

i have been feeling baby move for the past month or so now. but i only feel him move when i am still because he's still small (22 weeks to date). i must say it feels really nice. b asks me how does it feel and my answer is it feels like gas (not a very pretty image is it?). well at the very first time, it felt like the fluttering of a butterfly (a prettier description i guess).
he regularly moves when i am lying in bed at night before i go to sleep. and if i move into another position which he does not like, he'll move (or rather kick) so much that i have to move back into my original position. then he'll calm down (already asserting himself and me giving in!). another time when he moves without fail is at 5 am every morning. he's like my personal alarm clock.
i sometimes just let him be because it's nice to feel him move. at other times, i start talking to him and put my hand on my tummy and he'll stop. b and i simply can't wait for him to get bigger (me included) so that at least b will be able to feel him tumble around too.

cravings which can not be satisfied:

• a thick slab of steak prepared medium-well (i've already told b that this is better be my first meal after delivery)
• sushi
• bloody "kerang"

on top of our purchase of the buggy, we bought a cot as well. this time I found a real deal. i chose the ashton cot bed from mothercare. it was priced at RM800 +. i was prepared to fork out that sum when at the cashier, to my surprise it was only RM700 because the price i saw was before any discount. needless to say, i was overjoyed.
we have been looking at cots here and there and the prices were ridiculous! they all started from a thousand over and they were all so poorly made and not sturdy at all. while the really sturdy ones were in the range of 3k and above.
i was originally going to buy a cot from ikea. i know this is surprising to a lot of people (me included) but ikea baby items are very highly rated in my organic pregnancy guide simply because ikea does not use any toxic materials (eg paint) on their baby products. the cot in ikea was really sturdy and it was only RM630. well worth the money if you compare with the cots available out there. but i bought the mothercare cot as it is obviously nicer and has extra features.
so, below is a list of features of the cot:

• no drop sides as this is the most stable approach because there is less hardware hence there is less chance of parts going missing or breaking (i had to make sure that i could reach the lowest position though as we all know how vertically challenged i am!)
• frame is extremely solid and sturdy
• solid ends at both ends of the cot (ie no slats) because baby will be sleeping in the feet-to-foot position to prevent him from sliding under any blankets and getting trapped
• the thickness of the slats on the sides were not too thin
• mattress support is sturdy and held securely in place
• no wheels on the legs of the cot so there is less chance of forgetting to lock the wheels and having accidents with the cot
• three mattress positions available
• no corner posts to prevent baby's clothes from snagging on them and hence choking
• both side rails have teething rails and they remain firmly in place
• slats are not too far apart (try pushing a soda can through the slats. if it can pass through then the slats are too far apart. and yes i brought a soda can along)
• no protruding nuts, screws, etc
• most importantly, they were willing to hold the cot until nearer to my delivery date and the warranty also only starts from the delivery date.

so here's the list of what the quinny buzz travel system satisfied:

• the infant car seat reclines at an angle suitable for infants
• it comes with a handle
• it has a three point harness (two shoulder straps and a crotch strap)
• the infant car seat is easy to attach unto and detach from the stroller frame
• for the stroller meanwhile, the tyres are air-filled and hence they are more shock-absorbing, cushier and hence the seat is better supported (the jogging b is going to be doing)
• the front wheels swivel for easy maneuvering
• easy to fold down and unfold (remember the pneumatic system?!)
• the seat is padded and cushy
• easy to maneuver around
• has adjustable single handle height (good for parents varying in height like b & i)
• seat is reversible (forward facing and rear facing)
• has three incline positions in forward facing position and two incline positions in rear facing position
• brake mechanism is easy to use
• the frame is solid and sturdy
• the canopy has a clear plastic window so that we can check on baby from the top
• fabric is washable
• and most importantly, it fits into our car and the warranty starts from my delivery date even though we have brought the stroller home

so there you go, my checklist for infant car seat and stroller.