V excitedly announced that he prepared a surprise for me, daddy’s not allowed. I’ve been bugging him for a week about the surprise and he never gave in.
Finally the day came he was up before his dad and was very excited to go to school. He even chose what dress I should wear and declared I look pretty.
His class prepared song and dance for us Mums and gave each of us a card.
“Mama when baby comes out I will teach her my song too for mother’s day.”
I love you V!
Along with my craving for salty food I also miss some fresh salad’s from back home. Growing up in Davao we were spoiled with good quality seafood. You should see my Aunt’s house it’s garden path was once covered with oyster shells, oh yes we had a bountiful of grilled fish, seashells and seaweeds every weekend that we enjoy by the beach.
One of the seaweed that I enjoy eating and truly miss is called Lato. My sister sent me a photo of what they had for lunch paired with some grilled liempo.
I can just taste the sea with each pop of the seaweed’s tiny bulb. If only I can find some here in Dubai.
Ensaladang Lato
-a bunch of Lato (about 250 to 300 grams)
-2 tomatoes
-3 small onions
Carefully clean the lato with water. Cut tomatoes and onion in wedges. Arrange it on the plate.
For the dressing our familly enjoy it with a tablespoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Or just eat it that way.
Information from BabyBump iphone app:
Your baby’s respiratory system is rapidly growing, lungs are developing in preparation for breathing, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. For now your baby still gets oxygen through your placenta.
Weight: At my doctors appointment last March 10, I gained 2 kilos after 4 months of trying to gain weight. Now I just have to maintain slowly gaining and eating healthy.
Physical: I still have a strong sense of smell that the slightest unpleasant odor gives me headache and makes me dizzy. The change of weather happening here in Dubai does not help since during this time I usually get migraines which makes me spend more time in the bed thus our house is a mess. Comparing this pregnancy to my first I think I’m on the smaller side now people asking me how long I am still can’t believe that I’m on week 24. The bump is much more obvious now and I am feeling our baby girl having a party inside.
Cravings: Salty food! Oh my I’ve been eyeing salty condiments from back home like dayok, bagoong, and tuyo! Whenever C see me about to grab that bottle of salty delight he is quick to remind that I can’t have them. Meanwhile since I have this craving C has been calling my attention that the meals I prepare are becoming salty.
V’s reaction: For the first time V felt the baby move and he was completely happy! As soon as he gets back from school he whispers in my tummy “baby, Kuya is here” and sometimes he gets a movement. The reaction on his face is just priceless.
Dad’s reaction: One night the baby decided to stay on the right side which gave me a hard time I let C touch it and he got scared (lol). According to C he could as if feel the baby’s bone. I think the baby is such a Daddy’s girl whenever C talks to the tummy telling the baby to let me sleep or to not give me a hard time this little girl listens.
November 2015 Update
A good news! Our favorite restaurant has re-opened at Business Bay under the new name Taipei Dao Teahouse Restaurant & Café. Visit facebook page here.
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A sad update from Sino Chai
After a glorious run of several years, Sino Chai will no longer be serving it’s customers after 31st January, 2014.
We thank you all for being a part of this tremendous journey with us – all this would not have been possible without your amazing support and encouragement.
***
Whenever we crave for a good dim sum, C and I always choose to eat at Sino Chai. It’s a plus that on weekends they have an eat-all-you-can dim sum.
C opted to order Fried Rice with Sweet & Sour Chicken while V and I shared the dim sum. The server asked if we preferred any dim sum to be served to us and since we can’t decide I asked to try one of each dim sum available.
This Chives Pancake is one of V’s favorite. Crunchy but doesn’t feel oily.
Before I forget the eat all you can comes with a free soup of the day. I forgot the name of the soup but it’s a rich broth infused with tea with chicken shreds and tofu.
Lotus Leaves Dim Sum – a steamed sticky rice with chicken and shrimps.
Mix Dim Sum. I can’t remember all the name but what we have here if I’m correct they are Shu Mai, Beef Dumpling, and Vegetable Dumpling. We had to request another batch of this since V ate almost everything. Sharing is strictly not allowed but when I asked if I can share it with my 4 yr old the server said yes since he was still a small boy, they just don’t know that he had an appetite of a 7 yr old when it comes to dim sum.
Checking our bill I think what we have here are the dim sum cakes: Radish Cake, Tofu Skin, and Seafood Cake. Radish cake was the least favorite, the texture didn’t appeal to us.
Fried Dim Sum Plate: Chicken Spring Roll, Almond Prawn, Beef Fried Dumpling. The fried Almond Prawn on the left was a favorite. I stopped V to order another set of them since I know I’d end up eating everything and I no longer have any space in my tummy.
We ended our meal with some Red Bean Cake, and Sesame Ball.
And of course the meal wouldn’t have been complete with some bubble tea.
Total bill: 198 Dhs.
This includes C’s seafood fried rice and sweet and sour chicken, a diet coke, bubble tea and my Dim Sum lunch promo that cost 78 Dhs.
Sino Chai specializes in Chinese and Taiwanese food prepared in a healthier way and they also have a wide range of tea available. For all of you tea lovers and would like to try some healthy good food drop by this hidden gem inside Healthcare City.
Remember when I told you here that I ordered some reusable nappies back home? Well my sister took care of it for me and she already got the package.
Thank you myTots!
When we had our scan at 15 weeks our sonographer asked us if we wanted to know the gender of the baby. C replied not really we’ll wait till we are in our 20 weeks. The lovely lady insists that we can find out at our current week. C was still not convinced.
Another scan at 18 weeks was done (baby scan is done every time we go for a monthly check-up) and once again our sonographer told us the baby’s gender. C still wanted to wait till we do our full detailed scan.
Finally the day of our full detailed scan (20 weeks)Â at Fetal Medical Center came, and before we left the house it has been settled that what we find out today will be final.
Doctor checked the baby’s head, hands, heart, tummy, feet and…
“Do you want to know the gender?”
“Yes, Doctor”
Mom, are you sure?
YES. I’m going to have a baby sister.
For the past week I’ve been reading about cloth diapers and boy was the information overwhelming. There’s like a secret language when you’re into cloth diapering. Here’s some of them that you would encounter:
CD – cloth diaper
MCD – modern cloth diaper
AIO – All in One
AI2 – All in Two or Hybrid
Fitted
I have so far been eyeing the following diapers
bumGenius
itti bitti
Grovia
good Mama
Cushie Tushie
*clicking the image will direct you the the brand’s site.
I’m still not sure whether the AIO or Pocket cloth diaper will work for us that’s why we have decided to try each kind available and work on our diaper stash when the baby arrives. As what other mom’s suggested online you will never know which one will work for you unless you’ve tried it yourself.
I assumed that cloth diapers will be available in the UAE market but I was wrong and didn’t find one single store in the mall that have them. Luckily I found a lady who sells the Australian brand itti bitti and cushie tushie, we have yet to meet her.
We also found 3 brands that are made in the Phillipines so I’m definitely going to get some from them as well.
By the way when I told C about using cloth he initially thought of the old kind of cloth diapering where you wrap the baby in cloth and use diaper pins. After showing him some youtube videos on cloth diapering he too was amazed at how modern cloth diapering is now.
Why have I decided to use cloth diaper ?
-Initial investments are quite big but in the long run one family will actually save a lot since you get to RE-USE each diaper. The most expensive diaper I found cost about 30USD and the cheapest is 7USD.
-Save the planet. Yes we want in our little way be responsible for our planet. With all the natural calamities happening around us it is the least we can do.
-Cute! oh my how lovely will my baby’s bum be with the lovely colors and beautiful designs available in the market.
The BabyBump forum in my iphone have helped me a lot in understanding the benefits of cloth diaper as well as other links listed below.
Cloth Diaper Overview from Eco-Friendly Family
We had our full detailed scan* at Fetal Medicine Center last Saturday. My OB required me to do the scan just to make sure that our baby’s growth is normal.
Thank God that everything is normal and baby’s growth is inline with what is expected in 21 weeks.
Along with the scan we have already confirmed (for the 3rd time) the gender of the baby but that deserve’s another post with some cake 🙂
Our next check-up will be on March 10 hopefully I’ve gained some weight by then since I’ve been losing since the start of the pregnancy. I’m eating well now and often look for something to eat every 30 minutes.
*Detailed Fetal Scan – 1000 dhs
Cuddles and Crumbs 