mellomouse* » Inspired

Universal Gyro Bowl.

mellomouse — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:30:43 +0000

What is it?
Watch this video and be inspired!

Super Snack Contraption
Is it really 100% child proof?

My Verdict:

Were you wow-ed by the advertisement above? I certainly was and immediately purchased — not 1 but 2 Gyro Bowls! It’s definitely an “Aunty” trap and I fell right in

When I shared this video with the husband later that night, he was quick to insist that it won’t work and teased my naivety. He didn’t believe that it could be 100% child proof.

True to his disbelief, when I gave Nate his cereal snack the next day, his tiny fingers turned the inner bowl upside down and poured everything in between. Although Nate did not spill his cornflakes all over the floor, he definitely challenged Gyro’s claim to be 100% child proof. So yes, Daddy was real proud of his Tiger boy *blek*

As I watch the video again, I am still hopeful. But then again, kids these days are too intelligent to be outsmarted by our idealistic inventions. Gyro just looked good as an idea with a clever name, in a stylish design

Good thing I only got it for RM19.90 and not USD19.99 *phew*

You Might Also Be Interested:
Baby Sign Language, pt 2 – Signing Time!
Dunstan Baby Language, pt 1 – Research.
Baby Wearing, pt 6 – Baby Carrier vs Baby Sling.
My Brest Friend, Nursing Pillow.
BabyNatey 48: Childproofing.

Dunstan Baby Language, pt 1 – Research.

mellomouse — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:34:47 +0000

I nearly overlooked this gem — the Youtube below — while browsing through my Facebook’s news feed yesterday. It’s a good thing that I left it opened in another window, else I wouldn’t have remembered to watch it earlier. And if it wasn’t for that little bit of fate, I wouldn’t be able to share this with you today

What Is It?

All newborn babies produce 5 distinct “pre-cry” sounds that signal their 5 most important needs. By listening for these subtle cries, you are able to prevent the crying from even starting.

Dunstan Baby Language System will teach you to identify exactly what sounds to listen for, so you know precisely what your newborn needs.

Find Out More!

What are the Benefits?

Correctly identify and address the basic needs of your baby.

Your infant will cry less, settle more easily, and have more uninterrupted sleep.

Experience an increase in satisfaction, self-esteem, and ability to care for your baby.

Feel less stress as your child becomes happier and more content.

And as your baby sleeps, so can you!

Now watch this
Even Oprah says It’s Amazing!

This truly sounds Amazing to me too! I wish I can try this out immediately and be wow-ed by it as well. I wouldn’t know if this will work for us and LBT, but if you have a newborn, please do give it a go and share with me ok. Do it after you had your 4 hour nap

I really look forward to sharing my own testimony of this system next May 2012. Will definitely keep everyone posted! Till then, I hope you will benefit from it first *yay*

You Might Also Be Interested:
Baby Sign Language, pt 2 – Signing Time!
Baby Wearing, pt 1 – The Research.
Baby Sign Language, pt 1 – Book.
Baby Wearing, pt 6 – Baby Carrier vs Baby Sling.
Lindam Easy Fit Plus Baby Gate.

Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 2 – Quotes.

mellomouse — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 14:16:46 +0000

I really enjoyed reading this book and was thoroughly inspired by it. It was an enlightenment to finally be out of the dark, clouded by many misconceptions and stereotypes of natural birth as seen on tv.

Here are some of my favourite quotes and awareness excerpted from the book, with links for further reading and references to find out more about what Mongan shared (I will add more links as I go). I hope you will also be inspired as I did and find these helpful

Hypnosis

A very natural state that most of us exist in during a large part of the day. When we become engrossed with our work and lose track of time or of what is going on around us, that is Hypnosis (pg 77)

What I Learned

When fear is not present, pain is not present (pg 3)

If the mind is dwelling on fearful, negative images of birth, the body is thrown unintentionally into a defense mode (pg 67)

Your baby knows when it’s time to be born. Trust him or her (pg 191)

Baby will descend when he and the birth path are ready. There is no need to rush (pg 129)

Inspiring Quotes

Birth was looked upon as a beautifully orchestrated natural function, designed to ensure the survival of the human race (pg 22)

Your uterus is perfectly designed to assist you to birth your baby (pg 49)

Preparing for your baby’s birth is far more important than any other major decision you have ever made. You simply can’t “Settle” (pg 93) – Note: If we didn’t just settle on our wedding plans, our child’s future education, or everything important in life, how can we settle on this?

The birthing environment should have the same respect and calm as a place of worship (pg 206)

Birthing is not an athletic event (pg 248)

During & After Birthing

The lower jaw area directly affects the vaginal opening (pg 122) — Note: Must remember not to clench your jaw! I had mine shut so tight that my lower lips was bruised blue black

“Pushing your baby out” is a rude concept that has no place in gentle birthing (pg 246)

Putting your child to the breast immediately has physical, as well as psychological benefits. This contact and stimulation at the breast causes your uterus to begin to contract, helps to expel the placenta and appropriately closes blood vessels to avoid any possible excessive bleeding (pg 267) Read this

Have skin-to-skin contact with your baby, rather than have your baby wrapped in a receiving blanket (pg268)

The umbilical cord is cut after it stops pulsating (pg 269) Read this & watch the clips!

When the cord is prematurely cut, it abruptly cuts off the flow of blood to the baby, depriving him of that source of oxygen and of the many nutrients that will affect his health for a lifetime (pg 269) Read this

Allowing the baby to take his first breaths with the continued benefit of oxygen from the placenta eases the task of taking air into his lungs once outside the womb (pg 269)

The expulsion of the placenta should be allowed to occur naturally (pg 269) Read this

Newborns not medicated during labor [can] crawl to the mother’s breast, just as other mammals do, and suckle (pg 270) Must watch!

You Might Also Be Interested:
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 1 – The Book.
Pregnancy Sucks.
Leap Frog Tag Junior.
The Murder of Jesus.
Vanishing to America.

Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 1 – The Book.

mellomouse — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:10:31 +0000

I came across the term Hypnobirthing when I was 5 months pregnant with Nate. Unfortunately I stopped there and did not explore further. If this is your first pregnancy, I hope you will find out more and not just rely on your Obgyn like I did.

With the word Hypno being short for hypnosis, you may agree with me that the name paints an immediate misconception. As a lay person, hypnosis is what I see on tv: Lost of consciousness and lost of control to someone else. If I read this book 3 years ago, I would have cleared that misconception and my birth story could have been very different.

My Verdict:

Movies and tv shows often portray birth with so much trauma. The poor Mommy would be screaming and cursing away at the husband. It’s no wonder I grew up with the idea that childbirth is a very painful and fearful experience.

Reading this book was an eye opener. Mongan shared about the history of birthing; how it was a joyful celebration of new life and all birthing were done at home before the second A.D. It was only in the 1800s that birthing moved from home to the hospital when drugs were involved. Birthing was never a medical emergency unless diagnosed as high risk.

As the book cover reads: Hypnobirthing is a breakthrough approach to safer, easier, more comfortable birthing. Mongan proved that without fear, we will experience Gentle Birth. She teaches us how to relax our mind with positive thinking, relaxation, visualisation, breathing and physical preparation for a comfortable birthing experience.

Do I believe her? Statistic showed that more than 10,000 happy couples have had their lives changed. But nothing beats knowing someone personally who experienced a hypnobirthing birth to further affirms this philosophy. And this is Joanne’s testimony to inspire us all

Now that I am much more informed of my choices as a birthing mother, I want my coming delivery to be as calm and as gentle — without all the drama that our tv portrays — to welcome my darling daughter. Preferably in a pool *winks* I owe it to Nate, to have things done “right” this time

With the help of Mongan’s book, I’ve already drafted my birth plan and gotten the green light from Dr Tan. Once it is ready ready, I will share it here

You Might Also Be Interested:
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 2 – Quotes.
Keepsake Book: Cute Baby Boy, pt 1 – The Purchase.
Keepsake Book: Cute Baby Boy, pt 2 – Filling the Pages.
Baby Sign Language, pt 1 – Book.
Pregnancy Sucks.

Pregnancy Sucks.

mellomouse — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:18:09 +0000

My Verdict:

I think I was around 6 months pregnant with Natey, when I saw this book on Dr Tan’s book shelf. The title immediately caught my attention. I thought to myself, finally someone have the courage to say it out loud and even published a book!

Not all pregnancies are a bed of roses. And not everyone — even loved ones, friends or strangers — have the empathy to understand the challenges. It’s like a taboo that no one speaks about because it’s not good to complain about life’s miracle.

It was really assuring reading this book that there are plenty of other women out there that shared my sentiments. Especially when 99% of the people I know, had their pregnancies on a bed of roses.

I loved how Kimes mixed humour and sarcasm in her book. She shared her experiences and some, month by month where each discussed a new pregnancy woe. I could totally relate to her and felt a huge load off my chest everytime I read the book at Dr Tan’s clinic.

Now 2 years later, I still choose to read this book while waiting for our turn. And once again reassured that it is ok to say the “S” word, because not everyone have it easy and some even tougher.

You Might Also Be Interested:
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 1 – The Book.
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 2 – Quotes.
Baby Einstein Lullabies.
Parentcraft – 2 of 3.
The Murder of Jesus.

Baby Sign Language, pt 2 – Signing Time!

mellomouse — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 08:04:48 +0000

I stumbled upon Signing Time! last year around this time when I was researching about baby sign language. It is a tv program from the United States that teaches American Sign Language (ASL) to children between 1-8yo.

I was immediately attracted to the program’s opening jingle and was very soon singing along with it. Won’t you join me?

There’s singing time
And dancing time
And laughing time
And playing time
And now is it our fave time
It’s Signing Time!

It’s signing time with Alex and Leah x2

Come visit our big tree house
You can visit everyday
There’re lots of room for everyone
And we can start today

It’s signing time with Alex and Leah x2
Come and play x4

Our Verdicts:

When I first introduced Signing Time! to Natey, he was still a bit young (4mo) to response to the program. But now he enjoys it very much because he is familiar with the things being signed. He loves seeing the kids signing in the video and smiles for my acknowledgement when he does it correctly *aww*

Since he can already say most of the signs in Volume 1′s My First Sign, it made it easier for him to pick up on the gestures quickly. Though some signs are still a bit challenging — especially if involved folding fingers — for his little hands to imitate, he knows what it means if I were to sign it to him.

Able to sign accurately
Milk, Eat/Food
Bird, Dog
Car, Book, Flower, Ball
Mommy, Baby
Sleep, More, Play

Able to sign vaguely
Water
Cat, Fish
Airplane, Shoes
Daddy
Want

A baby’s brain is like a sponge ready for knowledge, we just need to surround them with positive contents for positive results. It still amazes me when Natey points to an object and tells me what it is. When did I teach him?

I would definitely recommend Signing Time! for any parents that wishes to teach their babies and children an alternative communication tool. It’s fun for both parents to learn as well and turn it into a fun activity as a family

Read Part 1, where I shared about the benefits of signing with your baby. You won’t need much persuasion after that *winks*

You Might Also Be Interested:
Baby Sign Language, pt 1 – Book.
Dunstan Baby Language, pt 1 – Research.
Baby Wearing, pt 6 – Baby Carrier vs Baby Sling.
Angel Baby Bottom Balm.
Lindam Easy Fit Plus Baby Gate.

The Murder of Jesus.

mellomouse — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:26:25 +0000

Did the book title jump out at you? Surely the scarlet letter Murder did.

With today being Good Friday, there’s no better timing than today to understand what today is all about — a day of injustice that was premeditated and willed the Passion of Christ, 2000 years ago.

Today is that Day
We shouted “Crucify Him!” and murdered God

My Verdict:

I bought this book 5 years ago at MPH in One Utama. It wasn’t planned or was I even looking to buy a book that day. I’d like to believe that it found me, and changed my life.

Being a neophyte to the Catholic faith then — baptised the Easter before — I must admit that I never saw the crucification as Murder. I quote the book’s synopsis:

“An unprecedented conspiracy of injustice, cruelty, and religious and political interests sentenced a man guilty of no crimes to the most barbaric method of execution ever devised.”

When I watched The Passion of the Christ in 2004 — again this morning at 12.30am — I didn’t really give much thoughts to the story surrounding it: Why, How, When and Where.

Reading this book helped me to look behind the scenes and how such an heinous act came to be. The book pieced together the ancient account with such details that it literally came alive in my mind (as it promised).

There are 12 chapters spreading across 243 pages examining the event with references to the Bible. It’s not a short read but I promise, you won’t want to put it down until you are done.

Even if you are a non believer, this book is an impactful historical true story filled with drama, love, suspense and medical science that’ll leave you questioning our human nature. How could we be capable of such cruelty?

It’s 3pm now. And as always on Good Friday, the sky is overcast and heaven outpour. There is a reason. Read the book

Did you know that Good also means Holy? Here’s a little common knowledge as to why Good is Holy and today is called Good Friday.

Have a Blessed Holy Friday everyone. Now that Christ had died, let’s awaits His resurrection on Easter!

You Might Also Be Interested:
Leap Frog Tag Junior.
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 1 – The Book.
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 2 – Quotes.
Vanishing to America.
Secret Diary of a Call Girl.

The Carrie Diaries, Before Sex and The City.

mellomouse — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:59:01 +0000

My Sister got this for me last Christmas. If you asked me then, I would tell you that it is just another book. But ask me now and I would say that it is “the” must read prequel. What changed my mind?

I was never a fan of Sex and The City. Simply because before this, I never got around to follow the series to really understand what the show was all about besides its obvious dramedy. After watching its sequel earlier this year, the curiousity finally hit home — I wanted to know how Carrie met Big — and I downloaded all 6 seasons.

Within 3 months, I watched all the episodes — including the 3 Alternate Endings, 2 Farewells and Seminar — and I’m glad that I was never a fan earlier. It was definitely more fun watching one episode after another and becoming an overnight fan instantaneously. I have to admit that I am ~~heartbroken~~ sad that it is all over now that I am a fan *boo*

I did watch a few episodes when SATC debuted in 1998. Back then Mega Tv — Malaysia’s first pay tv — had HBO and oddly somehow escaped censorship. How else could a tv series with the word Sex in its title (and countless nude scenes) made its way into our home? How did they show SATC without butchering it silly? Especially the conversations. Do you remember?

I stopped reading at Chapter 7 when I started marathon-ing on the series. Now would be the perfect time to pick it up again and find out how Carrie became Carrie, The New Yorker

No Related Post

Turning 31, pt 3 – Oink.

mellomouse — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:38:20 +0000

Hail the King
Now where are the Birds?

I am oinking in delight! My very own Evil Green Pig, and a King no less. Am I a little old to be getting excited by a plush toy? *keke*

This beautifully crafted piggy is done by the Husband’s colleague, Justine’s Mom. Her handwork is flawless! She first started with the Red, Blue and Yellow Bird. Immediately everyone rooted for the Evil Green Pig too. Then a month ago the Husband retweeted her Angry Birds Cake. One word: Brilliant!

Tomorrow morning when Natey wakes up, I can already guess his reaction when he sees this. Everyone repeat after me: Ball, Ball, Ball

Thank you, Mr Tan for this lovely surprise *muaks*

You Might Also Be Interested:
Turning 31, pt 2 – I Am.
Turning 31, pt 1 – Pre Bday Dinner.
An Apple Anniversary.

Keepsake Book: Cute Baby Boy, pt 2 – Filling the Pages.

mellomouse — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 15:26:30 +0000

Remember this?
Natey aka LBJ was 36weeks then

I was going through Natey’s photo last night and stumbled on this 8 days old photo of him below *aww* Then I went on to dig out the photo above with the post I photoblogged about a year ago. It really seems too surreal that it actually happened.

I was 9 months pregnant, waddling around the house clumsily and still got around to set up the bookset on the balcony to take pictures. Not to mention that I had a very nosy Scubby in my way too

I know I had to blog about this when morning comes. So I whipped out my camera after breakfast, gave the over excited Natey his book — he recognised himself immediately — and snapped away!

The keepsakes begin
Time to bid the book cover baby goodbye

A book to call our Own
Mommy, that’s me!

Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
And Mommy, that’s you!

You Might Also Be Interested:
Keepsake Book: Cute Baby Boy, pt 1 – The Purchase.
Baby Sign Language, pt 1 – Book.
Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method, pt 1 – The Book.
Nursery Rhymes, pt 2 – He Sings!
Baby Einstein Lullabies.