New Template..

Entahlah..dh penat dah cari template baru..dengan Chichi...susah betul. At last..sebab dah habiskan masa berjam2 kat laptop cari template..terpaksalah pakai jer yg nie....walaupun taklah 100% berkenan. takperlah..for the time being untill I really can find the one that I like. But, Chichi suka template nie, especially the wooden panel at the back.

Apalah blog nie....

kenapalah blog nie buat perangai....apa yg tak kena? semua widgets jadi ke bawah pulak....mcm nak kena tukar skin lain jer nie...malasnya...

Dua minggu terakhir....

Sekejap dah masuk seminggu terakhir Ramadhan. Chichi pun ada sebut..."so fast...Hari Raya is coming soon". Dia sebenarnya tak sangka dia dapat puasa penuh mcm org dewasa setakat nie..tak tinggal sehari pun setakat nie. Mama Mia pun bersyukur sebab setakat nie alhamdulillah berjaya puasa...dlm keadaan kepanasan di Malaysia sekarang nie.

Minggu lepas dan minggu nie sgt mencabar kekuatan fizikal dan mental. Cuaca di tempat Mama mia sgtlah panas..mlm hari pun 30 darjah celcius. Bygkanlah..wanita sarat mengandung yg mmg sering kepanasan...mudah berpeluh dan sukar tidor...bertambahlah lagi penyeksaan di malam hari. Tak dpt tidur dgn lena...asyik terbangun hampir setiap sejam. dahlah kol 4.30 kena bgn siapkan sahur. Biasanya..tiap mlm cuma dpt tidor paling lama pun 4 jam..so terpaksalah qadha' tidur tghari...

tapi siang hari nak tidur lelama pun tak leh..sebab dlm dua minggu nie bz sgt ngan assignments yg kena submit before raya dan test. stress sungguh....tiap hari berjam2 dok kat bilik study...depan laptop. tiap kali study..perut nie mengeras jer...pinggang pun sakit..tapi tak siapa tahu. kat sini takder kawan rapat...lagipun sejak blaja nie dah jrg jumpa kwn2...hampir boleh dikatakan mcm takder kawan. takder tempat nak luahkan or share apa2....yelah.selama nie dah biasa 3 tahun setengah kerja..byk kawan...tiap hari boleh share mcm2..untuk tanya pandangan dan lepaskan tekanan perasaan. kita org pompuan nie kan sebenarnya still perlukan kawan pompuan....tak taulah pandangan org lain..tapi mama mia rasa women need women to confide with.

dlm masa dua minggu nie jugak...chichi cuti sekolah. lama pulak tu..dua minggu. sebab budak kelas lain peksa upsr dan psra (arab). so...dlm kesibukan belajar dna prepare untuk exam mama mia, mama mia terpaksa curi2 masa ajar budak sorang nie. takkanlah nak biarkan dia dok senang lenang kat rumah. dia pun tak tahan kalau sehari tak buat apa2 berkaitan blajar...at least pun drawing, art & craft dan baca story book. masalahnya..dia nak kita tgkkan dia jugak...terganggu gak mama nak study.

dua minggu nie jugak..mmg jarang sgt masak. seminggu adalah dlm 2,3 hari jer yg mama mia masak. sebabnya...kalau mama mia masak...nanti kepenatan.tak larat nak study. yelah..kalau masak..kena kemas dapur lagi..basuh periuk belanga, pinggan mangkuk....sapu dapur. kalau tak masak..masa dan tenaga untuk buat kerja2 tu semua blh digunakan untuk belajar. So..Papa lah terpaksa beli lauk bila balik dari opis.....apa nak buat...

Tahniah Birasku..

Alhamdulillah..biarasku dah selamat melahirkan baby girl pada pukul 3.13 ptg harinie...
seronoknya dengar.
bilalah pula my turn...
tak sabar rasanya..
tapi takut...

Expand Your Child's Vocabulary

To encourage your child's language development, parents need to stay quiet and let their child initiate conversation, according to a recent study from the University of Sydney. Dr Susan Colmar conducted a four-month study with 15 children between the ages of three and five.

Using picture books as an aid, she found her reading programme resulted in an 11-fold improvement in the verbal language skills of her subjects. "It is evident that parents and preschool teachers talk far too much when talking with children," she said. "Just like in a normal social situation, if you are talking to someone and they don't talk back, you tend to talk too much. It's the same with kids." Follow her easy tips:

•Use picture books with interesting storylines and about two lines per page.

•When opening the page, don't rush into reading. Pause first, let your child look at the page and let them talk first.

•Encourage their chosen topic with open-ended questions like "why" and "how" that require more than just one-word answers.

(frm Readers' Digest)

Teaching a preschooler to share

Make sharing fun. Teach your preschooler cooperative games in which players work together toward a common goal. Do puzzles together, taking turns adding pieces, for instance. Share projects, too: Plant the garden, paint the fence, or hose down the car with him. Finally, give him things to share with his buddies now and then, like a special snack for preschool or a roll of stickers to divvy up during a playdate.

Don't punish stinginess. If you tell your preschooler that he's selfish, discipline him when he doesn't share, or force him to hand over a prized possession, you'll foster resentment, not generosity. "To encourage sharing, use positive reinforcement rather than admonishment," Leiderman says. Keep in mind, too, that it's okay for your preschooler to hold back certain items. As he matures, he'll learn that sharing with friends — who are becoming increasingly important to him — is more fun than keeping things to himself.

Talk it up. When kids squabble over toys, help them figure out what's really going on. If a friend is holding something back, explain to your child how his buddy might be feeling. For instance: "Josh really likes that toy, and he doesn't want anyone to play with it right now." Help your preschooler put his own feelings into words too. When he's not acting especially generous, ask him what's up. Maybe you'll discover that there's a shortage of train tracks at his preschool or that he especially prizes his Pokémon cards because they were a present from Grandpa.

Teach your preschooler to problem-solve. If your child has a death grip on a toy truck that his playmate wants, chances are he's thinking, "It's either him or me." The concept of sharing the truck may not even have occurred to him. Encourage your preschooler to take turns with the truck (setting a kitchen timer to mark each child's turn may help), reassure him that sharing isn't the same as giving away, and point out that if he shares his toys with friends, they'll be more inclined to share theirs with him.

Set the stage. Before a playdate, ask your preschooler if there's anything he'd rather not share, and help him find a good place to keep those special toys. Then ask him to think of some things that would be fun for him and his visitor to play with together, such as toy walkie-talkies, art and craft supplies, building blocks, and sports equipment. That will put him in a sharing frame of mind when his guest arrives. Ask his pal to bring along a toy or two of his own as well, since your preschooler may be more generous if he's not the only one doing the giving.

Respect your preschooler's things. If your youngster feels that his clothes, books, and toys are being manhandled, it's unlikely that he'll give them up even for a moment. So ask permission before you borrow his colored pencils, and give him the option of saying no. Make sure that siblings, friends, and babysitters respect his things too, by asking if they can use them and by taking good care of them when they do.

Lead by example. The best way for your preschooler to learn generosity is to witness it. So share your ice cream with him. Offer him your scarf to fashion into a superhero's cape, and ask if you can try on his new cap. Use the word share to describe what you're doing, and don't forget to teach him that intangibles (like feelings, ideas, and stories) can be shared too. Most important, let him see you give and take, compromise, and share with others.

The 33 weeks...

How your baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

How your life's changing:

As your baby fills out even more of your belly, lots of things might start to change: Whereas before you were sashaying, you may find yourself waddling. Finding an easy position to sit in — let alone sleep — is becoming more of a challenge. And bumping into chairs and counters is par for the course.

You may be feeling some achiness and even numbness in your fingers, wrists, and hands. Like many other tissues in your body, those in your wrist can retain fluid, which can increase pressure in the carpal tunnel, a bony canal in your wrist. Nerves that run through this "tunnel" may end up pinched, creating numbness; tingling, shooting or burning pain; or a dull ache. Try wearing a splint to stabilize your wrist or propping your arm up with a pillow when you sleep. If your work requires repetitive hand movements (at a keyboard or on an assembly line, for instance), remember to stretch your hands when you take breaks — which should be frequently.

Do I Worry Too Much?

Your Worry Factor is 73%

The amount you worry is definitely borderline unhealthy. Even when things are going well, you find yourself fixating on the negatives. Try to remember the times you've been able to let your worries go. If you can do that again, you'll be much happier!

Do You Worry Too Much?

Aura....

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

Setelah dua minggu Ramadhan...

Alhamdulillah dah dua minggu. Bak kata org, dah pertengahan jalan dah nie. Setakat nie masih diberi kudrat oleh Allah Taala untuk menjalani ibadat puasa. Kualiti? Wallahu a'lam. Mudah2an segala amal ibadat diterima Allah, amin.

Wafitos pun dah makin "stable"...dah tak sebut pasal nak nak minum air time azan Zuhur or nak "cuti sehari" drpd berpuasa. Nampak pun dah tak lembik, agaknya bdn dia dah season. Afafita pulak masih puasa suka-suka..kadang breakfast heavy meal, then terus puas sampai ke petang, cuma bagi minum jer time azan asar. Kadang tak breakfast or minum anything from morning, tapi bagi mkn time lunch. Alah.bagi dia practice sikit2....lagipun next month baru genap 5 tahun...

Mama Mia? rasanya dah bolehlah sikit2...tapi bergantung jugak pada jadual harian dan pemakanan. Kalau selera mkn tinggi, mkn byk, bnyklh energy sepanjang berpuasa tu. Kadang2 tak selera..so.makan sikit jer....byk minum air..lemah jugak di siang hari. Apa2 pun, bersyukur cos dpt "survive" sampai dua minggu nie. Tak taulah berat bdn turun ke tidak...tak gi checkup lagi, maybe besok lusa br nak gi klinik.

Dah 4, 5 hari lately tak masak. Buka dan sahur main pakai beli jer lauk kat kedai. Mcm malas pun ada, mcm tak sempat pun ya jugak. Lagipun, fridge tu kosong jer...takder ikan or anything yg boleh dimasak. mmmm..bila tak masak...save energy, dptlah buat benda lain....eg. berkemas dan study.

I think the "nesting instinct" is really kicking in! Ikutkan hati nak jer berkemas sakan mcm besok nak raya...tapi bila teringatkan assignments yg kena hantar before Raya nie...terbantutlah semangat. Dah mula lah jenguk2 buku untuk assignment, tapi masih blur lagi. Poning kepala. My anxiety degree pun getting higher nowadays. Dah mula tak dpt kualiti tidor yg baik. Rasanya sepanjang 8 bulan setengah pregnant nie....adalah dlm dua bulan jer dpt tidor sedap..tak diganggu mimpi2 entah mcm2. Sekarng nie..dah mula susah nak tidor. Dahlah serba tak kena...position tidor mcm mana pun rasa tak selesa...kepanasan jer pulak tu. Ditambah dgn mimpi yg entah apa2 jer...wah..lengkaplah "penderitaanku".

Ya Allah....berikanlah hambaMu inayah Mu. Amin

Sayangilah Ibu Kandung...

ketika berusia setahun,ibu suapkan makanan dan mandikan kita.
cara kita ucapkan terima kasih kepadanya hanyalah dengan menangis sepanjang malam.

apabila berusia 2 tahun, ibu mengajar kita bermain,
kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan lari sambil ketawa terkekeh-kekeh apabila dipanggil.

menjelang usia kita 3 tahun, ibu menyediakan makanan dengan penuh rasa kasih sayang, kita ucapkan terimakasih dengan menumpahkan makanan ke lantai.

ketika berusia 4 tahun, ibu membelikan sekotak pensel warna,
kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan menconteng dinding.

Ketika berusia 5 tahun, ibu membelikan sepasang pakaian baru,
kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan bergolek-golek dalam lopak kotor.

setelah berusia 6 tahun, ibu memimpin tangan kita kesekolah, kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan menjerit :"tak nak! tak nak!".

apabila berusia 7 tahun, ibu belikan sebiji bola,
cara mengucapkan terima kasih ialah kita pecah kaca cermin tingkap jiran.

menjelang usia 8 tahun, ibu belikan aiskrim,
kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan mengotorkan pakaian ibu.

ketika berusia 9 tahun, ibu menghantar ke sekolah,
kita ucapkan terima kasih kepadanya dengan ponteng kelas.

berusia 10 tahun ibu menghabiskan masa sehari suntuk menemankan kita ke mana saja,
kita ucapkan terimakasih dengan tidak bertegur sapa dengannya.

apabila berusia 12 tahun, ibu menyuruh membuat kerja sekolah,
kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan menonton televisyen & main games.

menjelang usia 13 tahun, ibu suruh pakai pakaian yang menutup aurat,
kita ucapkan terima kasih kepadanya dengan memberitahu bahawa pakaian itu tidak sesuai zaman sekarang.

ketika berusia 14 tahun, ibu terpaksa mengikat perut untuk membayar wang persekolahan dan asrama, kita ucapkan terima kasih kepadanya dengan tidak menulis sepucuk surat atau pun pesanan sms pun.

ketika berusia 15 tahun, ibu pulang daripada kerja dan rindukan pelukan dan ciuman, kita ucapkan terima kasih dengan mengunci pintu bilik.

menjelang usia 18 tahun, ibu menangis gembira apabila mendapat tahu kita diterima masuk ke IPT,
kita ucapkan terima kasih kepadanya dengan bersuka ria bersama kawan-kawan.

ketika berusia 19 tahun, ibu bersusah payah membayar yuran pengajian, menghantar ke kampus dan mengheret beg besar ke asrama, kita hanya ucapkan selamat jalan pada ibu di luar asrama kerana malu dengan kawan-kawan.

ketika berusia 20 tahun, ibu bertanya sama ada kita ada teman istimewa,
kita kata, "itu bukan urusan ibu."

setelah berusia 21 tahun, ibu cuba memberikan pandangan mengenai kerjaya,
kita kata, "saya tak mahu jadi seperti ibu."

apabila berusia 22-23 tahun, ibu membelikan perabot untuk rumah bujang kita.
di belakang ibu kita katakan pada kawan-kawan? . "perabot pilihan ibu aku tak cantik, tak berkenan akuuu!"

ketika menjelang usia 24 tahun, ibu bertemu dengan bakal menantunya dan bertanyakan mengenai rancangan masa depan,
kita menjeling dan merungut, "ibuuu, tooooolonglahhh..."

ketika berusia 25 tahun, ibu bersusah payah menanggung perbelanjaan majlis perkahwinan kita. ibu menangis dan memberitahu betapa dia sangat sayangkan kita,
tapi kita ucapkan terima kasih kepadanya dengan berpindah jauh.

pada usia kita 30 tahun, ibu menelefon memberi nasihat dan petua mengenai penjagaan bayi, kita dengan megah berkata,"itu dulu, sekarang zaman moden..."

ketika kita berusia 40 tahun, ibu menelefon mengingatkan mengenai kenduri-kendara di kampung, kita berkata,"kami sibuk, tak ada masa nak datang."

apabila kita berusia 50 tahun, ibu jatuh sakit dan meminta kita menjaganya, kita bercerita mengenai kesibukan dan kisah-kisah ibu bapa yang menjadi beban kepada anak-anak.

dan kemudian suatu hari, kita mendapat berita ibu meninggal! khabar itu bagaikan petir! dalam lelehan air mata, barulah segala perbuatan kita terhadap ibu menerpa satu persatu.

jika ibu masih ada, sayangi dia.
jika telah kembali ke rahmatullah, ingatlah kasih dan sayangnya, doakan ibu

sayangilah ibu kita, kerana kita semua hanya ada seorang ibu kandung.

Sumber: http://jiwakitamerdeka.blogspot.com/

Strolling down the memory lane...

Kenal tak siapa nie? Inilah anak dara saya zaman muda2 dulu.....terjumpa gambar lama nie time berkemas...time tu takder camera digital...so Mama mia ambil camera, snap gambar nie..so that blh upload kat sini. Tembam kan Afafita time muda2 dulu? Gambar yg atas tu Mama Mia pernah hantar kat Majalah Pa&Ma and Afafita menang contest 'baby of the month' untuk bulan tersebut. Dapatlah hadiah mcm2 drpd majalah tu...heheh (zaman tu Mama Mia takder kerja lain...rajinlah msk contest).



Ni pulak anak bujang Mama Mia. Waktu tu umur dia dlm dua tahun kalau tak silap. Tak ingatlah. Gambar yg diambil di studio.....

Sayalah blogger cun...

Terima kasih kin dari Ireland..di atas pengiktirafan nie...
Sebenarnya bukan nak banga diri..tapi...rasanya kita layaklah dpt anugerah nie...
heheheh....
sebab memang sejak azali "cun"

nak hadiahkan pada
mimi amilia
(nie mmg muda dan cun melecun betul)

Kecemasan...

Semalam...kat kelas...lecturer bagi assignment yg kena submit before cuti raya. So, altogether, I have to do two assignments during this Ramadhan. Serta merta rasa stress yg teramat. Tapi tak tau mcm mana nak luahkan. Kenapalah hebat betul dugaan berpuasa tahun nie? Dahlah energy level mmg low habis...siang hari tak larat nak study sgt, nak gi library pun tak taulah larat ke tidak. Mlm pulak..lepas masak, kemas dapur, solat tarawih, kepenatan dan tak "selera" nak bukak buku....aduh....mcm mana nak buat nie?

Dah dua hari dpt tajuk..tapi tak start lagi. tak tau nak start camner. Nak mintak pertolongan talian hayat (husband) pun tak terbukak mulut nie...sebab dia pun busy giler..lagipun dia jenis independant dan jujur orgnya. Kalau nak mintak tlg dia buatkan assignment nie pun jgn harap dia nak....tak jujur katanya. uhuk uhuk. 24 septemper nie kena submit. Bukan boleh buat cincai sgt, sebab nie nak kena buat dlm bentuk academic writing. Ya Allah..bagilah ilham dan hikmah kpd hambaMu ini!

Rasanya ni dah masuk zon kecemasan nie. Kena reschedule jadual hidup harian, kena lebih disiplinkan diri...kalau tak..takut tak sempat siap jer nie. Dahlah soalan assignment nie benda yg tak familiar sgt. Bukan bidang kepakaran I. Subject area yg jarang2 sgt baca.

Sejak dpt assignment nie. dah dua hari tak sapu rumah. Hilang mood. Kebetulan the kids pulak tgh cuti tiga hari..sempena UPSR. So bila diorang ada kat rumah...sibuk ngna arts & craft dan homeschool sessions...manalah nak kemas rumah. Budak2 ni pulak....kalau tak sekolah..bersemangat nak homeschool jer. Mulalah nak suh Mama Mia jadi cikgu. In fact, diorang taknak gi sekolah...lebih prefer study kat rumah jer... tapi manalah Mama Mia larat nak homeschool diorang...nak blajar lagi.

Time mcm nie, rasa nikmatnya kalau ada power "freeze time" mcm watak Hiro dlm cerita Hero. Bolehlah bernafas dan berehat jap. Kadang kesian kat badan nie...kaki sampai bengkak2 sebab seharian tak baring ..atau lama sgt duduk atau berdiri. Kurang rehat. Perut pun mengeras jer everyday...takut gak sebenrnya. Berdoa jer jgnlah bersalin preterm. Banyak kerja nie nak uruskan. Maid pun tak sampai2 lagi...blom ada rezeki lagi nak ada pembantu. Takpelah....

Fikiran pun asyik fikir yg bukan2 jer....fikr samada nak teruskan amik maid atau hantar baby ke nursery. Kadang mlm sampai takleh tidor sebab fikir mcm2. Pregnancy anxiety tahap tinggilah. Fikir kalau terbersalin before the kids habis final exam mcm mana...susah nanti nak berpantang kat kampung. Fikir nak bersalin kat Putrajaya ke HUKM....entah apa2 lagilah. Tu yg susah sikit nak fokus blaja nie.

Ya Allah...hilangkan kerisauan hati dan fikiran ini supaya dpt menjalani hari2 yg lebih relax dan menyiapkan segala tugasan. Amin.

Pokok ku...

Setelah beberapa bulan..pokok2 Mama Mia dah makin besar.....sukanya hati. Tak sia2 siram pokok tiap hari.

How toTeach Our Child About Respect

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Teaching Your Child About Respect
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

One of the most important things parents can teach
their children is respect. And respect is not the same as
obedience. Children might obey because they are afraid.
However if they respect you, they will obey because
they know that you have their best interest at heart.

The best way to teach respect is to show respect. When
our children experience respect, they know what it feels
like and begin to understand how important it is.

Respect is an attitude. Being respectful helps a child not
only succeed in school but also later in life. If children
don't have respect for peers, authority, or themselves,
it's almost impossible for them to succeed. A respectful
child takes care of belongings and responsibilities, and a
respectful child gets along with others.

Al thought schools teach children about respect, parents
play a significant role and have the most influence on
molding their children to become respectful individuals.
Until children show respect at home, it's unlikely they will
show it outside the home.

Respecting your child

Learning to treat children with respect will require a
change of heart, that can come only from a major shift in
consciousness of how we see our children and how we
define respect.

Like adults, children have human dignity too. To treat a
person with respect is to acknowledge and preserve
their human dignity. To treat a person with disrespect is
to attack their human dignity.

If we want to bring out respectful children, we must first
be respectful parents, teachers and care givers.

Children are our mirrors. they reflect back to us
everything we say and do. 95% of everything our
children learn, they learn from what is modeled for them.
Only 5% of all they learn is from direct instruction. We
are role models for our children. What we speak is what
we teach. Children record every word we ever say to
them or in front of them. The language children grow up
hearing is the language they will speak.

How can you show respect to your child?

- Be positive. Don't embarrass, insult or make fun of
your child. Compliment him or her.

- Be honest. If you do something wrong, admit it and
apologize.

- Be trusting. Let your child makes choices and take
responsibility.

- Be reliable. Keep promises that you make. Show your
child that you mean what you say.

- Be fair. Listen to your child's side of the story before
reaching a conclusion.

- Be polite. Use "please" and "thank you." Knock before
entering your child's room.

- Be a good listener. Give your child your full attention.

More Respect Tactics

When you set rules at home, explain to your child why
the rule is important. For example, if you have a rule that
says "No taking of dinner in front of the TV," do explain
that this is because dinner time is the time for everyone
to get together, catch up on what has happened during
the talk, to talk and to show care and love for one
another in the family.

• Teach your children to respect themselves. Self-respect
is one of the most important forms of respect. Once we
respect ourselves, it is easier to respect others.

• Help them set and achieve goals. Their self-respect will
skyrocket when they see themselves achieving those
goals.

• Encourage honesty and integrity. Let your children
know that they may be able to fool some people, but
they can't fool themselves. There is no pride in stealing,
cheating or lying.

• Your opinion means a lot to your children. If you
believe your children can succeed, they will believe they
can as well. Build their independence. Give them
responsibilities as soon as they can handle them.

• Most importantly, show love! Say “I love you" often,
and give plenty of hugs and kisses. If your child makes a
mistake, remind them that they are still loved.

by Alvin Poh

Managing stress and anxiety during pregnancy

Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

Highlights

Is it common to be anxious a lot during pregnancy?
I have a lot of stress in my life right now. Will it affect my baby?
How can I calm down?

Is it common to be anxious a lot during pregnancy?

Pregnancy brings out the worrywart in all of us. And for good reason: You're growing a life inside of you.

It's natural to fret about what you eat, drink, think, feel, and do. It's also perfectly normal to worry about whether your baby is healthy, how this new person will change your life and relationships, and whether you're truly up to the task of parenthood. But if your anxiety is becoming all-consuming and regularly interferes with your day-to-day functioning, it's time to find a better way to deal with it.

To start, gently share your fears with your partner — even if they're about him. Chances are he's harboring concerns of his own. Communicating openly about your anxiety can help you both feel better. Turn to friends or family members for support, too. Other moms-to-be are another source of support, as they're probably experiencing the same worries you are.

If you're extremely anxious or have a specific reason to be concerned about your baby's health, share your concerns with your caregiver. If anxiety still plagues you after you've aired your worries and checked in on your baby's well-being, professional counseling can help you get to the bottom of your troubles.

I have a lot of stress in my life right now. Will it affect my baby?

While everyday pressure is a part of modern life, a high level of chronic stress can boost your odds of preterm labor or of delivering a low-birthweight baby. If you're used to caring for others or giving 110 percent at work, making yourself a priority may seem unnatural or even selfish. But taking care of yourself is an essential part of taking care of your baby. Cutting down on stress — or learning how to manage it — makes for a healthier pregnancy.

How can I calm down?

Here are a few ways to manage your stress and reduce anxiety at work and at home:

• Practice saying "no." Now's as good a time as any to get rid of the notion that you can do it all. You can't, so learn to let your superwoman ideals go. Make slowing down a priority, and get used to the idea of asking your friends and loved ones for help.

• Cut back on chores — and use that time to put your feet up, nap, or read a book.

• Take advantage of sick days or vacation whenever possible. Spending a day — or even an afternoon — resting at home will help you get through a tough week.

• Try deep-breathing exercises, yoga, or stretching.

• Get regular exercise such as swimming or walking.

• Do your best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet so you have the physical and emotional energy you need.

• Go to bed early. Your body is working overtime to nourish your growing baby and needs all the sleep it can get.

• Limit "information overload." Reading pregnancy books, surfing pregnancy Web sites, and listening to your friends' pregnancy stories are fine — but don't delve into all the scary things that might (but probably won't) happen during your pregnancy. Focus instead on how you're feeling and what's happening to you now.

• Join (or create!) a support group. If you're coping with a difficult situation, spending time with others in the same boat can ease your burden. Many women create support networks online.

• If you're under unusual stress or feel like you're at your breaking point, ask your healthcare provider to refer you to a therapist, who can better assess how strong your anxiety has become and what you may need to do to feel better. Listen openly to what she has to say. Getting help during pregnancy will protect you and your baby from unnecessary risks and reduce your chances of postpartum anxiety and depression.

Mood in pregnancy affects early child development

Thu, Sep 4, 2008 (Reuters Health) — Some of the harmful effects on early child development attributed to postpartum depression may be caused in part by depression during pregnancy, a UK study shows for the first time.

Maternal depression during pregnancy "has a negative impact on children's cognitive development, even when postnatal (after delivery) depression has been taken into account," Dr. Toity Deave told Reuters Health.

"It is widely acknowledged that postnatal depression has a negative impact on child development but this is the first study that has demonstrated that the children of women who experience low mood during pregnancy are also at risk," said Deave, from the Centre for Child and Adolescent Health, University of the West of England, Bristol.

The findings come from a long-term study of 9,244 women and their children. A total of 1,565 women, or 14 percent, suffered from depression while pregnant but not after 2 months following delivery, Dave and colleagues report in the medical journal BJOG.

Standard developmental screening tests in the children showed that 893, or 9 percent, were developmentally delayed at age 18 months. A developmental delay is any significant lag in a child's physical, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, or social development, in comparison with established normal ranges for his or her age.

Deave and colleagues found that persistent depression in the mother during pregnancy increased the odds of developmental delay in the son or daughter by 50 percent.

After factoring in the effects of depression early after delivery, the researchers say they found evidence of an "independent and statistically significant" 34 percent increase in the odds of developmental delay in children of mothers who were depressed while pregnant.

This study, they say, adds to "increasing evidence that the mother's mood during pregnancy is important" and that any persistent depression during pregnancy has the potential to raise the risk for developmental delay in childhood.

"For the women who might be worried reading this, I would recommend that, if they do feel depressed or experience a low mood that is unusual for them, they go and see a health professional," Deave suggested.

"I would like to reassure parents," Deave added, "that there is a lot that they themselves can do to promote their child's development even if there is depression in the family. This can be through close parent-child interactions and, for example, stimulating and fun play."

By Megan Rauscher

The Obligation of Fasting

5 Ways Kids Who Eat Breakfast Excel

How many times have you heard, "breakfast is the most important meal of the day"? Here's why, in terms of small-fry. Kids who eat breakfast...

1. Do better in school

2. Have more focus and concentration, more energy, and better eye-hand coordination

3. Have fewer behavioral problems

4. Are more likely to meet their nutritional needs overall

5. Have an easier time staying at a healthy weight

"Mornings can be hectic in any family, and getting kids-much less adults-to eat something can be a challenge. But just look at the payoffs!" says pediatrician Jennifer Trachtenberg, MD, mom of three and proud author of her first book, the new, super-useful Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children.

"So if you can't make the morning meal happen at home, send kids off with healthy on-the-go breakfasts to eat on the way," says Dr. Jen. "The night before, have them help you fill plastic zipper bags with things like nuts, raisins, and Os cereal; orange slices; low-fat granola; cheese and crackers; sliced apple ‘sandwich cookies' filled with peanut butter...or anything else reasonably healthy that you know they'll eat, whether it's ‘breakfast food' or not. A chicken sandwich on whole wheat? Fine." Just aim for three things:

Plenty of fiber and protein - it will keep kids full and energized until lunch.

Minimal sugar - too much can send their energy soaring up, then crashing down before the morning's half over.

Some healthy fat, especially the kind called omega-3s - turns out that kids who eat more of them do better on short-term memory tests (and ace pop quizzes!) than kids who eat more saturated fat (think butter, bacon, sausage, pastries, full-fat milk and cheese).

One easy way to get good omega-3 fats into your kids: sprinkle walnuts or almonds on their cereal.

Another: Hard-boil a batch of omega-3-enriched eggs, which are widely available now. On a high-speed morning, give the kids (yourself too) an egg and some whole-wheat crackers in a plastic zipper bag. You'll all be good to go till lunch.

THERE'S NOTHING OLD-FASHIONED ABOUT OATMEAL

In fact, there's growing evidence that it may be an ideal way to start the schoolday. Kids who eat oatmeal for breakfast-versus cold cereal or nothing at all-remember things better and pay more attention, handy for, say, studying math and geography. One reason may be that oatmeal is digested slowly, supplying the brain with a steady stream of energy.

5 productivity killers & how to fend them off

Written by Brandie Kajino (from shine.yahoo.com)

We've all been there, the pen that won't work, the phone that doesn't quite fit the bill and a chair that wobbles just enough to send ya right over the edge. In the biz of organizing (and pretty much the whole world), they're known as the formidable "productivity killers." You're just trying to get stuff done, and these little things can drive you crazy! So, what can you do about them? Lots! Here are a few suggestions:

1. Broken things: This might sound silly, but what do you do? Stop procrastinating and fix them. Take some time around lunch or on a conference call and fix those small things. Mark it on your calendar if you have to. Fix the thing so you can funnel your creative energies into actually creating and getting things done.
2. Inexpensive office products: When you work from home, sometimes things can be tight in the beginning, and you just want to get started. So, buying less expensive products are sometimes the answer in the short term. Whether you are just in the beginning or now picking up speed in your business and career, I have one piece of advice on office products: Buy the best you can afford. You'll save money in the end, because you won't have to buy replacements when the cheap stuff breaks. Your business, your career and you are worthy of the best so don't short-change yourself.
3. Temperature isn't right: Too hot? Too cold? Ugh, no fun. While there are some things we can't avoid, like seasonal changes (or say, menopause) there are things which can be controlled when it comes to temperature. Keep your thermostat at a temperature that is comfortable. If you are budget (or environmentally conscious), keep the temperature lower and dress in layers. Also, if you're too cold, get up and move around, or even consider a standing desk to keep the blood flowing.
4. Can't find what you need: I have been known to get all in an uproar when I can't find my keys (which rarely happens anymore, thank goodness). It's no fun when you need to accomplish a task and you can't find what you need. Assigning a home to everything is essential. Don't know where to start? Start with the thing you misplace the most.
5. Disruptions: The phone rings, the doorbell rings, toddler wrapped around the leg, dogs barking and Twitter bells in your ears. Sometimes it's all too much! Try: silencing phones and instant messaging programs (silent, not vibrate) when working on a hot project, post hours (or a "No Soliciting" sign) above the doorbell to inform visitors, communicate hours to family members and/or hire a babysitter to take care of the little ones a couple times a week.

Tips to Help Your Child Succeed in School

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Parenting Tips to Help Your Child Succeed
in School
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

by Alvin Poh

Encourage Your Child To Read

This is the most important thing that you can do to help
your child succeed in school.

There are many strong evidences in various countries,
showed that students who have done well in schools
and later in life are avid readers.

And one example that is very closed to the heart of many Singaporean parents are the achievement of Natasha
Nabila Muhammad Nasir, the top PSLE student in 2007.

In the Straits Times interview last year, Natasha said the
following:

"The secret of my success (being the top PSLE student
in 2007) is reading. I have been reading since I was two
years old and I think that has helped me a lot. Through
reading, I gained a lot of knowledge."

In another interview done by the National Library Board
on her success, Natasha said:

“Through reading, I gain insights to many new things -
current affairs, cultures of other countries and much
more. I also find that reading improves my vocabulary
and this has helped me immensely in my writing skills.”

In many of our parenting talk, I can't emphasis how
importance is for parents to help their kids to develop a
good reading habit as early as possible during their
early childhood years.

If you have a baby, read aloud to him or her right from
the start. Babies love to hear your voice, look at pictures
and touch the pages. As your child grows older, make
reading together part of your daily routine.

Talk With Your Child

Take advantage of everyday opportunities to talk with
your child. For example, talk to your child when you are
walking, riding in a car, eating dinner or shopping.
Children who aren't drawn into conversation or
encouraged to talk often have problems learning to
read, which can lead to other problems in school.

Monitor Homework

Identify a special place in your home for your child to
study. If the space at home permit, have a study room
for your child, otherwise create a study corner when
your child can focus to do his / her home work or do
some serious study without getting distracted by noises
from children playing outside at the playground or from
the TV. Set a regular time and check in once in a while
to see if your child needs help.

Monitor TV Viewing And Video Game Playing

Set limits on the amount of time your child spends
watching TV and playing video games. When your child
is watching the TV, spend time watching it with him/ her
and talk about what you are watching together.

In our home, we seldom watch the programs on TV
because we feel that there aren't many good programs
that are family friendly and suitable for young children.
Generally we either purchase or borrow from the
National Library, DVDs movies or cartoons that are family
friendly and have good education values that help to
build good characters in our children.

I often highlight to parents that they need be aware of
what their children watch on TV. The mass media has a
powerful influence on the mind of your child and their life
values.

Encourage Your Child To Use The Library

I sincerely encourage parents to go to their local library
together with their children regularly. Make it a regular
family outing where you borrow books for your children
and also for yourself. If parents want their kids to be
good readers, they must set an example of being
readers.

Help Your Child Learn To Use The Internet Safely
And Effectively

Today, the internet is an important tool for children to
seek out information that help them in their studies,
school work and communication with their teachers and
friends.

Having said that, the internet also contains a lot of
inappropriate content and contact. Hence it is
importance for parents to guide their children on the
proper use of the internet and teach them how they can
protect themselves from falling prey into the bad guys in
the cyber world.

When your child is still young, spend time online with him
or her so that you can guide your child properly. If you
don't have a computer at home, check to see if your local
library has computers that you and your child can use.

Encourage Your Child To Be Responsible And To
Work Independently

Help your child choose activities that build his or her
knowledge, responsibility and independence; monitor
what your child does after school, in the evenings and
on weekends.

Encourage Active Listening

Listen to your child's ideas and respond. This type of
give-and-take at home is likely to help your child
participate and be interested at school.

Setelah seminggu Ramadhan...

Cepatnya masa berlalu. Pejam kelip mata, dah nak masuk sepuluh hari Ramadhan berlalu. Dalam kepenatan dan keletihan berpuasa...rasa syukur jugak kerana dah berjaya menjalani ibadah puasa ini. Sebelum ini, rasa risau sgt, takut2 tak larat nak puasa. Bukannya apa, dahlah ada sejarah low bloood pressure dan gula rendah...biasanya kalau Ramadhan nie, daily activities ni agak terbatas cos kena make sure gula dlm badan maintain jer sampai ke buka puasa. Tapi sekarang nie, sejak perut lebih mancung dan tersorong2 daripada hidung nie, dan sementelah selera makan jadi double, risau takut flat jer sepanjang hari berpuasa.

Tapi alhamdulillah, setakat nie masih boleh bertahan. Maybe berkat keazamaan yg kuat untuk berpuasa. Ramai kawan2 kat campus cakap, "don't kill urself, u don't need to fast", tapi hati nie nak jugak rasa nikmat puasa di bulan Ramadhan. Yelah...setahun sekali, bukannya mcm sale seasion kat malaysia nie...setahun entah berapa kali tah!

Mula2 dah plan, tak payah masak susah2 bila puasa nie...beli jer kat bazaar Ramadhan nanti. Makanan berlambak2....tak terpilih nanti. Tapi sebab tak suka makan masakan yg dah sejuk or dah lama dimasak, tiap petang masak jugak. Menu berganti2 tiap hari, walaupun taklah sehebat ayu kat germany yg masak nasi briyani gam, or kak jo kat ireland yg masak mcm2.

Then ada jugak terfikir nak suh husband jer lah bangun siapkan sahur...tapi setakat nie tak pernah lagi pun suh dia. Buat sendiri, bangun awal, masak additional lauk or panaskan lauk, prepare the dining table, then baru kejutkan dia. Tak sampai hati pulak. Kat mulut nie memang selalu jer bising asyik cakap jer " bang..org lain bergilir2 tau bgn pagi siapkan sahur...bla..bla..bla". Mulut jer nampak jahat, tapi tak sampai hati, pendek kata, masih taulah tanggungjawab isteri..walaupun dlm Qur'an takder pun mention antara kewajipan isteri bgn masak sahur (alamak! sounds feminist pulak..bahaya nie).

Last week kebetulan semester break, so takder class. Tapi this week, dah start kena gi kelas semula. Aduh...cabaran terbesar nie. Terpaksalah skrg nie menyusahkan husband lebih daripada biasa (walaupun selama nie pun mmg selalu nyusahkan dia). Terpaksalah dia hantar ke kelas dan jemput. Tak sanggup nak naik komuter panas2 terik time puasa nie. Takut terpengasn dlm train, tak pasal2 pulak.

Problem terbesar sekarang nie...tgh kemaruk yg amat untuk berkemas dan maintain rumah zero-habuk. Sebenarnya sedar, ini memang menyusahkan diri sendiri dan memperbodohkan diri, tapi tak boleh tahan. Agaknya nilah org kata pembawaan mengandung kali ni. Kalau boleh alas meja kat living room tu tak boleh senget sikit pun... everything must be perfect. Every now and then...mata melilau jer tengok keliling living room tu..apa yg tak kena, apa yg berselerak (padahal tak berselerak pun!) Yg peliknya..bahagian lain dlm rumah tak lah dihiraukan sgt..walaupun nak jugak kelihatan kemas dan bersih. Mungkin sebab dok habiskan masa selalu kat living room and dining ..so tempat2 nilah yg jadi mangsa. Kalau boleh everyday nak mop lantai, nak lap book shelves dan almari2 kat living room nie. Hehehe....

Kalau nak buat semua mmg boleh...tgh poser pun tetiba bertenaga..tapi lepas berkemas sakan nanti tak larat nak masak pulak. Ataupun family members dlm rumah nie tensionlah..asyik kena bebel jer..."Cici, keep ur pencil case, Afafita pick up the paper, Bang...buku ni pas baca jgn lupa simpan balik...". Tak taulah sampai bila mcm nie....

Chichi pun poser gak. This year penuhlah sampai petang. Last year, the first two week, time asar bagi dia minum segelas air. Then the last two weeks, dia puas terus, takder minum time azan asar. This year...dia poser mcm org besarlah. The first few days...melepek jerlah..serba tak kena. Tak boleh silap sikit. Nak meradang. Then, dia cuba2 mintak jugak minum time azan..tapi tak bagilah. Masalah dia nie, tak reti nak tidor kalau penat or lapar. Tetap nak main or do something. So, kenalah Mama dia paksa tidor....siang hari. Tu pun nangis2 dulu before tidor. Isy..isy...kalau kita org besar dpt tidor...nikmatnya rasa.

Afafita pulak, baru first day poser, trus demam teruk dan kena tonsil bengkak pulak. alahai...tgh mlm bwk gi doktor aik ubat.sebab dah menggigil2 demam. Risaulah. Dia selsema, sakit tekak..mmg takleh nak practice poserlah. This year sebenarnya firt ime dia nak try poser cos baru nak masuk 5 tahun this year. but after a week, dia dah try semula puasa. tapi setengah hari jer. lagipun tonsil dia blm btl2 baik lagi.

Erm..mcm2 hidup nie. Mudah2an Allah bagi kesihatan dan kekuatan yg berterusan untuk menjalani ibadah puasa ini dgn sempurna. Amin....

Anak-anak yg keletihan dan kelaparan berpuasa..melepek jer kat rumah

Hadiah dari Kin ...

Kin memang sahabat blogger yg baik hati, pemurah dan kreatif!
Ada hadiah lagi dari Kin...
Walaupun segan sebab takder hadiah nak bagi kat Kin...
tapi sebenarnya happy sesangat tiap kali dpt something from Kin
Thanks a zillion, Kin!

Boleh tak nak hadiahkan semula kat Kin..
sebab kita memang suka singgah blog Kin!

50 most romantic things to do with your spouse

Untuk pasangan yang baru dan telah lama kahwin, kalau ada yang bersesuaian boleh dijadikan amalan bagi mengeratkan hubungan, dan mendamaikan perselisihan. Kadang-kadang yang diminta oleh pasangan ialah PERHATIAN (dan selalunya permintaan ini tidak diberitahu, depa expect kita faham-faham sendiri). Jika tak terpenuh, akan diperuk dan dijeruk dalam dada yang kalau tak kena cara boleh end up dengan perselisihan, marah dan rajuk.

1. Watch the sunset together ( hehe, yang ni nak kena gi Port Dickson, Lumut ke Pangkor ke...)
2. Whisper to each other
3. Cook for each other
4. Walk in the rain (awas, kalau pasangan jenis mudah demam kalau terkena hujan, jangan dibuat. Unless, jaga orang sakit boleh dianggap sebagai romantic juga)
5. Hold hands
6. Buy gifts for each other
7. Roses
8. Find out their favorite cologne/perfume and wear it every time you are together
9. Go for a long walk down the beach at midnight
10. Write poetry for each other
11. Hugs are the universal medicine
12. Say I love you, only when you mean it, and make sure the know you mean it
13. Give random gifts of flowers/candy/poetry etc
14. Tell him/her that he/she's the only man/woman you ever want. DON'T LIE
15. Spend every second possible together
16. Look into each other eyes
17. Very lightly push up his/her chin. look into the eyes, tell him/her you love him/her, and kiss him/her lightly
18. When in public, only flirt with each other
19. Put love notes in his/her pockets/handbag when he/she isn't looking
20. Buy her a ring
21. Sing to each other
22. Always hold her around her hips/sides
23. Take her to dinner and do the dinner for two deal
24. Spaghetti?
25. Hold her hand, stare into her eyes, kiss her hand and then put it over your heart
26. Dance together ( hehe, or rather lipat kain together?)
27. Let your spouse fall asleep with her head in your lap
28. Do cute little things like write I LOVE U in a note so that they have to look in a mirror to read it
29. Make excuse to call them every 5 minutes (isk, rasanya ni bukan romantic. Menganggu pasangan tengah buat kerja)
30. Even if you are really busy doing something, go onto your way to call and say I love U
31. Call from your out station spot to tell them you were thinking about them
32. Remember your dreams and tell her about them
33. Always tell him/her how handsome/pretty he/she looks
34. Tell each other your most sacred secrets/fears
35. Be Prince Charming to her parents
36. Brush her hair out of her face for her
37. Hang out with his/her friends (sesuai ke untuk pasangan Muslim?)
38. Go to mosque together
39. Watch DVD together and remember the parts he/she likes
40. Learn from each other and don't make the same mistake twice
41. Describe the joy you feel just to be with him/her
42. Make sacrifices for each other
43. Really love each other
44. Let there never be a second during any given day that you aren't thinking about them, and make sure they knew it
45. Love yourself before you love anyone else
46. Learn to say sweet things in foreign languages
47. Dedicate songs to them on the radio
48. Fall asleep on the phone with each other
49. Stand up for them when someone talks trash
50. Never forget the good night kiss, and always remember to say 'sweet dreams'


(copied from kak akma's blog....takper ye kak?)

Alamak...otograf

Actually tak berapa reti dan suke tulis otograf nie...waktu zaman sekolah bolehlah layan sebab byk idea..tapi oleh sebab dah hampir 15 tahun tak tulis otograf..try jugaklah yer.

Nama Penuh :
ummu wafi

Nama samaran :
aper yek...ummuwafi or mama mia or afafita

Umur Sekarang:
masih muda...baru 32

Adik Beradik :
5 orang...anak sulung (tgk orglah)

Status :
status apa ni? status kewangan ker..status perkahwinan?
mmm....status kewangan, masih blom jadi jutawan
status perkahwinan....isteri org, ibu kepada 2 anak nak masuk 3

Tarikh Lahir :
bintang Tauruslah

Tempat Lahir :
Oversea..bukan kat mesia

Asal :
Johor

Tempat Kediaman :
Malaysia

Hobi :
bertenet, membaca (especially magazines), berangan, window shopping

Cita-Cita :
Cita-cita abadi sejak azali nak jadi doktor..tapi sekarang kalau dpt title Dr (PhD) kira oraitlah..
amin...

Makanan Kegemaran :
seafood, fruits

Minuman Kegemaran :
banyak...apa yg sedaplah

Warna Kegemaran :
earth tone...(brown, cream) purple

Sukan Diminati :
jrg bersukan..tapi suka renang, gymnastic

Barang-Barang Yg suka Dikumpul :
mcm takder....
tapi lately suka kumpul notebook yg dpt free time gi seminar or conference

Harta Sekarang :
takder harta sgt...
kereta bukan harta, sebab kereta hutang
rumah sendiri takder
family kira hartalah jugak

Nama sekolah Rendah :
SKPR, JB

Nama Sekolah Menengah :
SIGS, JB

Orang Yang Dikasihi :
parents
husband
anak2

Kawan Yang Paling Rapat :
kawan rapat bertukar2 ikut fasa dlm hidup
sekarang nie mcm kak akma, kak maznah, ayu
husband kira oklah gak

Kenangan Manis :
banyaknya...
but mostly time study undergraduate dulu
time mula-mula kenal husbandlah..heheh, time kawin,
first time dpt anak....
entahlah..banyak

Kenangan Pahit :
tak dpt nak recall sekarang nie

Muzik Yg Di kegemari :
mcm mcm.... yg penting lyric and melody mesti sedap

Lagu yg Diminati :
banyak gak...

Tokoh Yg Diminati :

ramai...
al-Ghazzali
Ibnu Khaldun..
etc..

Tempat Yg Ingin Dilawati :
takder yg specific...
tapi nak gi rumah ayu..
and europe

Harapan Masa Depan :
berjaya dlm hidup dunia akhirat
berjaya menjadi seseorang yg dpt membantu menegakkan Islam
berjaya menjadi ibu kepada anak2 yg berjaya...

yg benar,