Batam

5 WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT 2ND TRIMESTER PREGNANCY

April 27, 2014 by Little Miss Honey 2,399 Comments

I know I am already in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy. It is another ballgame quite different from the 1st trimester and 2nd trimester. But I have to say 2nd trimester phase of pregnancy was amazing!!! I have to share it with my fellow preggy moms how wonderful it was and for those preggy moms in their 1st trimester, they have something to look forward to after the tough 1st trimester.

Here are 5 wonderful things to look forward to n 2nd trimester pregnancy:

1. MORE ENERGY

One thing I complained about my 1st trimester of pregnancy was my extreme tiredness and lethargy. I was so beat and lethargic. I wanted to just sleep and sleep for the three months. It was tough I guess in the first few months of pregnancy for body to be building the placneta which will be the source of nutrition, elimination, gas exchange and immunity for my growing baby. But on my 2nd trimester, all of that lethargy vanished. I think I was even more energetic than I was when I wasn’t pregnant. I was more productive on my 2nd trimester than when I am not pregnant. After a zombie-like phase in my 1st trimester, I guess during my 2nd trimester my mind was able to contemplate and revel at the thought that I have a growing miracle inside my belly. I feel more inspired every single day and my happiness level was just sky high. I was glowing in pregnancy high.

2. BABY FLUTTERS

During your 1st trimester, being pregnant seems like an abstraction. If you are like me who like evidences, concrete stuff and doesn’t like online shopping because I rather touch the merchandise before I buy them, it was tough during my 1st trimester when I want to make sure there is really a baby inside my uterus, hehe. That is why I am happy when I get to see my OB doctor who does ultrasound scan to make me see my little marshmallow inside my belly and also when I really get to hear his heartbeat. I do random fetal doppler checks in our clinic to check for my baby’s heartbeat. But during 2nd trimester, you get to feel some sort of action and movement inside your belly and it is awesome. It is called baby flutters. It feels like butterflies inside your tummy and like little fishes swimming gently. It feel very nice. It doesn’t feel like a real kick yet. So it doesn’t hurt yet haha…. I just felt like my baby is tickling me gently from the inside. I couldn’t help but smile when I feel it. It is me and my baby’s little secret. My sweet sister send this cute poetry to me in my Facebook timeline.

3. CUTE BABY BUMP

In your 1st trimester, it is either your tummy does have the evidence of being pregnant or it does, it is all gas and yes, constipation, hehe. You feel fat but you don’t really look convincing enough to be pregnant. So you will get a lot of “You are gaining weight” or “Have you been pigging out on those sinful cupcakes again?” accusations. But on your 2nd trimester, the troublesome constipation has not been visiting often and your belly now is showing signs of a cute belly bump. This maybe the best time to start doing the belly bump documentation because you are quite it is all baby now and not just bloating.

You can still wear your old slightly loose pre-pregnancy clothes at this point. You will can still look cute and pretty at this stage. Something I am not quite sure if you past the 6 to 7months mark of your pregnancy, I am sure if cute is this perfect adjective for you. People would probably use words to describe you with words that rhymes with an “ouse” like “house” or “bounce”.

But of course, some clothes will not be fitting perfectly now like your skinny jeans or your crop blouse. Your bra will feel a bit snug too! Yey for bigger boobs! I use these little helpers to accommodate my new “curvier” body. I use belly support, bra extenders, button extenders and I am so loving the Bella Band.

4. BABYMOON

Yes, this is also a perfect time for you have your ‘babymoon‘ . Babymoon according to Wikipedia refers to a vacation taken by a couple either soon before, or soon after, the birth of their baby, like the honeymoon which follows a wedding. 2nd trimester is the perfect time for a baby moon because all that nausea & vomiting you have during your 1st trimester has gone away and that this stage of pregnancy, your OB doctor and airlines will allow you to travel. It is safe to travel during these times, as long as you don’t fall under high risk pregnancy, no previous history of miscarriages, etc. Also your travel itinerary must be devoid of any strenuous activities like climbing a thousand plights of stairs, skydiving (haha) or anything that might potentially harm your little one.

On my 18th week of pregnancy, me and my hubby took advantage of the Chinese New Year long weekend holiday and headed to nearby Batam, Indonesia for a much needed vacay – our babymoon, hehe… Little one inside get to travel to Indonesia without a passport. He is my little illegal traveller, hehe…. We had a nice, relaxing weekend in Batam eating seafoods and getting massages.

Here is a video of our trip in Batam:

https://littlemisshoney.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/20140427-193836.movAlso for those travelling in Batam, click on this link of my blogpost of our trip: BATAM TRIP

5. APPETITE BACK TO NORMAL

Okay, I am not sure if this is a good thing. But during my 1st trimester, even if I don’t have that nausea or vomiting symptoms, I was at war with food. Food for me just a piece of substance that I have to force in my mouth because I know my baby needs it. Eating seems to be a disgusting activity and I can’t believe how much I enjoyed it so much before. Popeyes chicken taste gross, pasta seems tasteless and JCo donuts just doesn’t appeal me. The only food that my tastebuds can accept are salty foods like a Fish Soup or Potato chips. Even those doesn’t seem enjoyable as it was before. My hubby noticed that my appetite isn’t as it was before. Most eating partner would like someone to eat with who is just as enthusiastic as there to what there are eating. He also worries that I may not be getting enough nutrients for me and my baby with very picky appetite. I also know that that was not really my normal appetite.

But 2nd trimester makes up for all that. My appetite was back with vengeance. I can enjoy food as it was before and also give the adequate nourishment for my baby.

I know that not all pregnancy is the same. You may or not be having the same enthusiasm of your 2nd trimester pregnancy as me. And for those in your 1st trimester, there might be a slightest chance that some of these things I have enjoyed may not happen to you. But hang in there. We all have this beautiful gift after this long 9 months. We all still blessed. And for those mommies who are happy with their 2nd trimester too, drop in a line and tell me of your favourite 2nd trimester moments too.

Happy pregnancy, mommies!

BATAM TRIP

March 10, 2014 by Little Miss Honey 1,743 Comments

Last Chinese New Year, I took advantage of our long holiday. Me and my hubby thought of taking a mini vacation to Batam, Indonesia. It was also perfect because I was on my 18weeks of pregnancy which is already the 2nd trimester so this is the right time for a ‘babymoon’. No need for passport for the baby, a bag of nappies & milk bottles and a trolley, hehe. I am carrying a trespasser in my belly, hehe..

I was lucky enough that a friend in my workplace told me to buy our tickets in advance since we are taking our vacation on a public holiday and a lot people will be taking trips to Batam too. Initially, I was planning to just buy our tickets when we get to Habourfront Terminal on the day of our trip.

Batam, Indonesia is a 45-minutes away from Singapore and you go there by a ferry from Harbourfront Terminal found next to Vivocity to either three of the ferry terminals in Batam: Batam Centre, Sekupang Waterfront City and Harbour Bay.. I bought our ticket two-days before our intended trip and my friend was right, most trips were fully-booked. But luck was still on my favor when I get 2 seats for a 10:30AM trip from Singapore to Batam Centre.

On the day of the trip, Harbourfront Terminal was so packed and the queue was extraordinary long. It looked like three-fourth of Singapore were going to Batam for the weekend. If I don’t buy our tickets in advance, I don’t think we have made the trip.

The ferry we took was filled with passengers that some of us, me and my hubby included, were seated on the open-air seats of the ferry, enduring the harsh sun and humid wind but I didn’t mind anyway. I spent it napping while my hubby went to the deck for fresh air.

45 minutes of ferry ride, we arrived at Batam which is 1-hour behind Singapore time. I managed to have our Singapore dollars exchanged to Indonesian rupiah before our trip. We took a taxi to our hotel which I booked online with a early-bird discount. (Yehey for discounts!) Taxi fare from Batam Centre Terminal to our hotel costed 60,000 rupiah which is around 6 Singapore dollars.

I picked the I-Hotel for our accommodations because I read it from a Singaporean blogger and it is where she and her boyfriend stayed during their trip in Batam. (I apologised I forgotten to take note of her name and blog.) I also checked it out in Tripadvisor and it was highly recommended. Me and hubby didn’t regret staying in their hotel. The hotel is strategically located near the Nagoya Hills Mall. The hotel was surprisingly big because I was expecting a modest-sized hotel. Their staff was very courteous and helpful.

The hotel’s rooms are clean, spacious and homey. We even have our own terrace. We are so loving this hotel. We will definitely book our stay here in I-Hotel if we will visit Batam again. We even got an orange and ang paw envelope with an Indonesian coin inside to greet us a Happy Prosperous New Year.

Our room was in the same floor as the hotel spa as well as the gym, the swimming pool and jacuzzi. Unfortunately, this little mama is not allowed to go into jacuzzis until I give birth. But I wasn’t able to try their pool too. Maybe if we stayed another day, I would have taken a dip in the pool since I brought my bathing suit with me for the trip.

After a few minutes of rest in the hotel, we headed to Nagoya Hills, just a few minutes walk from the hotel for our lunch. I wanted to try the famous Ayam Penyet Ria. Me and my hubby had a hard time finding the restaurant. After 35 minutes of roaming around the mall, we found the restaurant at the Food Street part of the mall.

We ordered the famous Ayam Penyet (Smashed Chicken) and krupek (prawn crackers) with peanut sauce in it.

The Ayam Penyet was too small for me, though, and not impressive as I thought it would taste. I have tried a better and bigger Ayam Penyet at the NUS medical building canteen. But then again, I couldn’t complain with a price of 16,000 rupiah (2.290 Singapore dollars). But fans of Ayam Penyet Ria in Singapore can get a taste of this chicken at Lucky Plaza, they have a branch there.

When we were done with our late lunch, we went to the massage place I made an advanced booking. I picked Isabelle Massage House which is nearby Nagoya Hills. It has relocated from its previous spot and it was a bit confusing at first because outside the new location, there is a small tarp that said Isabella Massage House but inside its says Majesty Spa. But it is one and the same thing.

The spa offered cookies, juices, coffees and teas before and after your spa experience. My hubby and I got the the Bali Traditional Massage which is a relaxing massage using cream or oil. I know some would question if a pregnant woman should be getting a massage. Well, I did researched before I booked the appointment. It is safe to have a prenatal massage as long as you are already in your second trimester, the therapist must be an experienced prenatal masseuse, some aromatic oils should be avoided and during massage the ankles and the spot between the forefinger and thumb shouldn’t be massaged and should be avoided because these pressure points can induce contractions of the uterus and pelvic muscles

We were ushered to a couples room a few floors up. I got an experienced prenatal masseuse and we chose cream instead of oils. I was positioned sideways with me hugging a pillow to cradle my slightly bulging belly and one of my leg was propped up on the same pillow too. My abdomen was never touched during the whole course of our 60minutes massage. I never felt so relaxed. My hubby loved it too.

The massage was at 450,00 rupiah (50 singapore dollars) per person. We spent the rest of the day roaming around Nagoya Hills and then bought some pizza at Pizza Huts and donuts at J.Co (it’s way cheaper in Batam, of course) to take back to the hotel. We spent the rest of the day lounging around, eating and watching T.V.

The buffet breakfast the next morning didn’t have much variety but since I was still having my preggy food squeamishness, I enjoyed my make-your-own porridge and the fruits they offered. I was one happy pregnant woman. While my hubby feasted on their different types of pasta and omelettes.

Then shortly after our brunch, we headed to Nagoya Hills to buy some groceries. We took advantage of the price in Batam compared to Singapore and bought some stuff usually found in Indonesia. We got some yummy Chitato chips and Indomie Instant Mee Goreng.

By lunch time, we got famished again and went to one of the tourist destination for seafood lovers : Golden Prawn 933. The place was packed with tourists.

The rice was served in a big cointaner similar to the one that is being carried by the waiter in Mang Inasal for unlimited rice. It’s impossible for two people to finish it all. Waaaahaha!

We got some black pepper crabs and cereal prawns for our lunch. I also got a fresh coconut for drinks.

One thing we failed to try in Batam is the A&W root beer float and waffle ice cream. We were so full already. But I managed to take a snap picture of their rootbeer float. The queue in the A&W restaurants can be really long too. They have two A&W restaurants in Nagoya Hills. I learned before that Singapore used to have A&W branch but eventually closed. We will come back for you, A&W!

After our massage the day before in Isabella Massage House, we ordered from them a box of kueh lapis. Batam is know for their yummy kueh lapis. Kueh Lapis is a layered cake made of egg, butter and sugar. Though one of the best kueh lapis can be bought from Layers Speciality Layers Cake found in kiosks in malls, we decided to try the one from Isabelle Massage House, a homemade kueh lapis to be delivered freshly baked in our hotel with a free transport to bring us to the terminal. We got it for 200, 000 rupiah ( 25 Singapore dollars). The kueh lapis smelled so good and yes, it was really yummy.

My hubby and I really enjoyed our short trip in Batam. It was a relaxing and chill vacay for us. We will definitely come back soon.

I Hotel

Sales Dept
Jl. Teuku Umar
Bukit Nagoya
Batam 29432
Indonesia

Tel. No.: +62 778 431111
Fax No.: +62 778 431999

Email: reservation@ihotelbatam.com

Isabella Massage House

Nagoya Hill Shop House Block G No. 5 Nagoya,
Batam – Indonesia

(Tel 1) Call by your handphone : +62 778 749 3692
(Tel 2) Call by your telephone from Singapore : 001 62 778 749 3692
(Tel 3) Call by your phone from Batam Hotels : 0778 749 3692

Operating Hours 09.30 AM to 10.15 PM ( Last Order )

email. info@isabellamassagehouse.com

www.isabellamassagehouse.com

5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER FORGET TO BRING WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELLING

September 6, 2013 by Little Miss Honey 383 Comments

Last month, on the long holiday, my friends and I decided to spend one of holiday in Bantam, Indonesia. Batam is 66 km away from Singapore, just 2hours and 42 minutes away. I just feel like I am in Iloilo travelling to Bacolod. My friends and I were excited to travel to Batam for day of seafood feast and relaxing massage. But on the ferry terminal, I realized I committed the moral sin in travelling: I forgot my passport! Epic Fail! Yes, I felt like I was just travelling to Bacolod that doesn’t need passport but we were travelling to another country! So I have to hurry back to my place (that is so far from the ferry terminal) in a speedy taxi to get my passport and return to the ferry terminal to catch a trip to Batam.

Learning from this travelling disaster, I came up with at least 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER FORGET TO BRING WHEN YOU’RE TRAVELLING (I believe there are more than 5 though):

1. PASSPORT AND AIRLINE TICKET

Never commit this mistake (again). Of course this only implies to travelling abroad. This can be a big disaster if all your bags are pack but if you leave your passport and airline tickets at home, you will never go anywhere.

2. BALLPEN

Travelling would require you to fill in embarkation cards or jot down numbers/addresses/contact persons , a pen would be very handy. At times, if I forget to bring my pen, I would have to disturb other people to let allow me to borrow their pen. You’ll be lucky if the person you asked is kind enough to lend you their pen Believe me, not everyone can be that gracious.

3. CAMERA

The best thing about travelling is creating memories. And what is the best way of creating memories by documenting with photos. So it will be really frustrating to travel and realize you forgot to bring your camera. It is also important to bring your battery charger or a least bring extra batteries for your camera.

4. EXTRA CASH

Its essential to have a budget when travelling but don’t forget to keep an extra cash in some hidden pocket. Unexpected things can happen during travel. It is good to have an extra cash that is just for emergency purposes like you gotten mugged (God forbid!) or you found a out-of-budget-bag-of-your-dreams.

5. FIRST AID KIT

As a doctor, I believe it is important to bring a small first aid just in case it is needed in the trip. Your kit should contain:

a.) anti-diarrhea medication

b.) antihistamine for runny nose or itchiness

c.) motion sickness tablets

d.) paracetamol for fever or pain medication

e.) antiseptic solution like Betadine

f.) Band-aid or plaster

g.) alcohol

I hope this help you guys so you wont make the same silly mistake that I did… Happy Travelling!