Black Friday Sale (Bought my stroller at best deal ever)

I have been waiting for a while for a good deal from department stores and nothing beats online deals. Qoo10 had a Black Friday Sale which gave $100 for minimum $600 purchase. The stroller Combi Mega Ride was selling at Baby Gallery on Qoo10 for $503 (below retail price of $559). On top of that, Baby Gallery was giving out $35 voucher for minimum $500 purchase from its shop). Together with the Black Friday cart voucher of $100, I got myself a new Stroller for only $368. That equates to a saving of $191 from retail price (34% off). I will prob not get such a deal anywhere else. Most places at most provide 20% discount. 

What's even more amazing is that I received a call from Baby Gallery almost immediately after I checked out my Qoo10 cart, to arrange for delivery. And I had it delivered free to my house the next day, which came in a huge box. The service standard is amazing. Of course, the stroller is beautifully new, untouched and clean without dust. I love the stroller a lot. I hope my baby girl Gabriella will like sitting on it. 

DIY Prenatal photoshoot

Sungsoo and I took some prenatal photos while I was still 31 weeks pregnant. We went to my sis's condo The Vision, next to West Coast Park. The photos turn out rather well. :)

You may have guessed what G stands for. G = Girl = Gabriella

In search of a stroller (Aprica, Capella, Combi)

Choosing a stroller seems harder than choosing a baby carrier. Maybe because the prices range widely. A reasonable stroller can range from $100 to more than a $1000. Designs and features range widely too across different brands and models, as they cater to a wide range of requirements.

Having researched a fair bit, I have narrowed my search to 3 main brands: Aprica, Combi and Capella, mainly because they have models that provide reasonable light-weight, reversibility, single hand folding, full canopy, full reclining seat, etc.

In terms of weight, I think my threshold is max 7.5kg. I find anything more than that heavy for me to carry. As we do not have a car and we are not planning to get one, I think it is important that the stroller is light and easy to fold and carried up the public transport (in particular buses). However, being light, it should not compromise on sturdiness. It should still feel safe and not flimsy and unstable. I was advised by my sister to have one with a reversible handle so that the baby could either face outwards or towards me.

I like Aprica Solaria and Optia for the design and lightweight but both are very expensive (>$850) and look small and narrow. Same for the cheaper version Aprica Karoon Plus High Seat and Luxuna Light. While they state that the strollers are for newborn to 15 kg (3 years old), I think it can only comfortably only fit up 2 years old baby. I roughly checked carousell and I noticed a few sellers of Aprica only used their Aprica strollers for <10 times and indicated that their kid prefered to be carried instead of be in the stroller. That made me wonder if babies find the strollers too small for them. Aprica can be found in Robinsons and Takashimaya.

Capella has 2 more recent models for 2016, namely Coni Mini S230L and Adonis Travel S705T, which both are selling below $400 (with discount). Coni Mini and Adonis Travel are wider than Aprica and are able suitable for newborn to 18kg (4 years old). I think both can comfortably fit a toddler up to 3 years old. Coni Mini seems narrower than Adonis Travel, and does not come with the perforated seat cushion which is essential for hot humid weather. Adonis Travel on the other hand is too heavy, which is 8.6kg, which exceeded my threshold. Capella can be found in Kiddy Palace and Isetan for those who live in the west.

Combi has a really light model Combi Mega Ride (6.8kg) which is sturdy and yet is suitable for 1st month up till 48 months. It is rather spacious and I have read other blogs whose toddler really likes sitting in it. The newer version of Mega Ride is Mega Ride Deluxe which is almost the same as the previous model but it comes with an additional handbrake. The weight is 7.6 kg which is still alright, but the price is $220 more expensive. Hence, I am still targeting to get Combi Mega Ride. But I noticed that Takashimaya is already not carrying this model. Robinsons doesn't carry Combi, but Isetan does.

I noticed that there is some price fixation across all retailers as I did my research with various department stores and online shops. Do not expect the prices to vary much. The best rates I have seen so far is during the 11.11 Online Sale from Lazada. You could also get it from Qoo10 which you can utilize the voucher which seller gives ($35 off for items more than $500). But I hope that Department stores will still offer some deals closer to Christmas, or online sale during Black Friday. My last bet is to visit the SuperMom Baby Fair which will be held on 17-19 Feb 2017 at MBS, a month after my baby's EDD.

Update of my purchase
In the end, I got myself a Combi Mega Ride during Black Friday Sale. I wrote a separate post for this. Click here.

Making own Matsoni yogurt and Kefir Cheese

After having tasted homemade yogurt at my mother-in-law's, I no longer find the off-the-shelf yogurts tasty. In fact, those pff-the-shelf yogurts are too sweet and not effective. I tried to bring home some from Korea but the yogurt culture died along the way. I wasn't able to make my own yogurt for a days and my craving grew. So, I went on carousell (https://carousell.com/sl_teo) and found this really nice lady that sells Milk Kefir grains, Matsoni Yogurt and others. Not only she provided me with the Matsoni Yogurt and Milk Kefir grains which I wanted, she also provided me with very detailed instructions and recipes. 

Matsoni Yogurt: 

• I placed 2 tablespoon of yogurt and added 500ml of full fat milk (here I used Marigold Fresh Milk Pasteurized) in a glass sealed container. (It is important not to use any metal spoon. Plastic and Wooden utensils are fine.)
• You could cover the container with a paper towel and secure with rubber band and leave on the table for 14-16 hours. But I used a air-tight glass container and it still worked well. In fact, I left my culture for only 9 hours overnight and it was done. What I got was a creamy smooth yogurt. 

Milk Kefir :

• I placed a few grains of kefir and added 250ml of full fat milk (here I used Marigold Fresh Milk Pasteurized) in a glass sealed container. 
• Similarly as above, I used an air-tight container and no metal utensils were used.
• For Milk Kefir, it takes much longer to set. One should see enough liquid pockets (whey). If there isn't enough, one should wait a few hours longer. It usually take a full day for my Kefir to completely separately. 
• After which, separate the Milk Kefir using a paper coffee filter by placing the mug in the fridge while it separates. The Milk Kefir will thicken to form Kefir cheese and you will also get the Whey.
• The whey could be used the next morning and mixed with juice and drank straight away, or blend it with berries to make smoothies. 
• The kefir cheese could be made into cheese balls and soaked into olive oil to be kept for a longer period, and can be used to make pasta salad.

What are the health benefits of homemade yogurt? Like most yogurt, it has abundance of good bacteria in this yogurt, such as lactobacillus and thermophilus, which makes it a rich probiotic source. Being mesophillic, it requires very minimal effort to prepare.

What are the health benefits of kefir? Compared to many other yogurt which usually has only 3-5 kinds of beneficial bacterial, Kefir has 36-40 healthy beneficial bacterial. Kefir is easier to digest, has anti-bacterial properties and helps vital organs. While most yogurt are thermophilic, Kefir is mesophillic. There are 2 types of Kefir - Milk Kefir and Water Kefir. Milk kefir has more nutrition, which comes naturally from the milk, while water kefir is less fattening. Milk kefir is also good for lactose intolerant because the bacteria processes the lactose, making it 99% lactose free. People who wants to lose weight will prefer Water Kefir, as it also has low glycemic index (GI), which means it releases glucose to the bloodstream at a relatively slower rate making one feel full for a longer time, and therefore not crave for food. 

Kefir separates into whey and curds. Whey contains many important minerals and source of amino acids, great source of electrolytes, regenerates intestinal flora, maintain proper pH in our gut, and acts as natural antiseptic. ^^

Baby Fair Expo (14-16 Oct)

I went to my first Baby Fair expo on 14 Oct, organized by Baby Market. Each baby fair I researched on always claimed that they are the “biggest”. The recent one I went to claimed to be the “No. 1 Biggest Baby Fair in South East Asia with the Best Offers voted by Mummies and carrying 1000+ Brands, 150,000+ Maternity & Baby Products; all products on offer. The fair was held in Expo Hall 5, over 14-16 Oct. What I liked about the website is that you get to add items to your “Starbuy Wishlist” and have day to day updates on deals, which can also be found on the downloadable e-Magazine.

As I stayed in Jurong and I don’t have a car, it took me a long time to reach there. (I think the organizers could consider holding some of such Fairs in the warehouses in Jurong Area to cater to the mummies living in the west.) There were many brands but the fair was not organized in terms of the type of products. For example, I was looking for Strollers but I needed to jump from booth to booth which were not next to each other.

In this Fair, my husband and I were very targeted, we were looking for a few items:

1) Baby Carrier: 

My husband did his research and he liked i-Angel Miracle. As we were going to Korea, we thought it will be cheaper in Korea since it is a Korean Brand. The fair offered it at S$225, on the other hand GMarket Korea was selling it at 190,000₩ (SGD currently has weak currency rate and hence it ends up $5 more expensive to buy in Korea - S$230). Being really targeted, we didn’t even explore other Baby Carriers such as ErgoBaby, Baby Bjorn, Tula, Babasling. We bought straight away at the first booth we went to that sold i-Angel.

There are some criteria which my husband based his choice on

• Suitability for Newborn
• Carrying positions – Feeding position, Face-to-face, Front-facing, All cover, Back carrying

• Weight-distribution with the waist belt and it being ergonomically comfortable for both the parents and the baby (as it prevents post-birth hip dysplasia)

“ The optimal position for babies, when being carried, is to have their thighs supported and their hips and knees bent (flexed). For healthy hips, the legs should be allowed to spread apart naturally and for freedom of movement to occur. Having seen the i-Angel baby carrier in use, I was impressed to see the baby well supported in a comfortable, seated position with appropriate support at the thighs in all possible positions of use. His position mimicked what we’d hope to see naturally with the hips spread and bent, knees bent and movement still able to occur. It is great to see a baby carrier allow for safe and comfortable carrying of the baby whilst maintaining a healthy position for the developing hips.” - Lucy Llewellyn-Stanton, Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist

• Adjustment

• Material – 100% Cotton, with a mesh material for baby to feel pleasant even in a humid and hot environment like Singapore
• Comes with a Hip Seat, Hip Seat Carrier, Sleeping Hood, Spit Cloth, Side Pouch
• Design & Colour – we chose “Powder Blue” as it looked nice regardless if Mom or Dad carries, and also neutral to the baby gender. Although I like the pastel pink too, I think my husband may end up carrying the baby more frequently than I do. ^^

2) Breast Pump :

My husband is really good at doing his online research. He liked Spectra S2 Pump most. Not because Spectra is also a Korean Brand, but because of the features. However, we did not buy it at the Baby Fair as we didn’t like the way the distributor marked up the price by bundling with a lot of random items that we didn’t need. While they claimed that those are “Free Gifts”, they have in fact factored in the prices. For example Spectra S2, during the fair they were selling at S$348, on the other hand GMarket Korea was selling it at 148,000₩ (S$179) with various optional add-ons which at most costs $200+. I approached the sales lady at the fair and she said they couldn’t de-bundle the “Free gifts”, which made me feel they were kind of scamming the buyers, by marking up and forcing people to “pay extra” for the so-called “Free gifts”, which included random stuff like VCool Bag, Adaptor, Nursing Bra, Breastpumping Talks, etc (which they claimed was worth $200).

I have read about how some mummies compared different breast pumps such as Avent, Medela, Pigeon, etc. My sister has tried both Avent and Medela, and she swore by Medela as Avent was not able to provide a good latch on.

Lists of Blogs that review on the various Pumps:

• Mummy’s Little Black Book: http://mlbb.com.sg/which-electric-pump-to-buy/
• The Pumping Mommy: http://thepumpingmommy.com/spectra-s1-vs-spectra-s2-what-is-the-difference
• Living with low milk supply: http://livingwithlowmilksupply.com/spectra-breast-pump-reviews

What makes Spectra Pump so amazingly good are the following features:

• Max Suction Limit of 300mmHg with 12 different suction levels and cycle speed: 

Many other pumps offer lower suction limit of 250mmHg and with limited choices in levels. A wider range and more choices means that mummies will be able to find the most suitable suction level for their own comfort and increasing/maintaining a high efficiency of milk supply.

• Unique suction : 

Suction is a science on its own. Sometimes you wonder why some mummies are able to produce lots of milk and some mummies’ breasts feel painful or discomfort after a short while of pumping. It is not just about the suction pressure but also how the suction was done. Just like how a baby does it, Spectra pumps don’t create suction, they actually suckle. There is a beginning phase of sucking which vibrates the nipple before a long and deep suction once the baby fully latches on. There is also a stimulating let-down reflex when the milk flow slows down before it picks up again. 

• Quiet pump (nearly silent) :  

I don’t know how you feel when you hear someone breast pumping. The sound it makes can be irritating for others or maybe even “stimulating”.  I wouldn’t want my family or colleagues to know that I am pumping during the middle of the night or when I am desk pumping. 

• Closed system : 

A few other pumps probably also provide this feature. Basically a closed system means it prevents back flow and hence milk will not contact with the pump motor and resulting the need to clean thoroughly after every pump and causing the pump to spoil more easily. 

• Optional Dual pumping : 

To save time, some mothers prefer the ability to pump both breasts at the same time. But most often, it affects the suction pressure when dual pumping is provided. 

• Night light : 

Useful when you are pumping at night and you do not want to turn on the lights to figure out the options.

Differences between S1, S2, M1, S9+ is the portability and features. S1 has both power adapter and built-in battery; S2 only provides power adapter but is about 110 grams lighter and cheaper. S9+ and M1 are the more portable ranges, weighing 300 grams and 500 grams respectively and uses portable rechargeable battery. As S9+ and M1 are meant for personal use and not hospital grade, the pump motors may be less durable. But in terms of suction levels and cycle speed, S9+ and M1 also provides a variety. 

More info about Spectra S2 pump can be found in this link :

http://ai.esmplus.com/cmshopping/english/01_breastpump/S2.jpg

I love the pinkish colour of S2. I am just so girly, isnt it?

3) Milk Bottle :
We were looking for a baby bottle which helps reduce colic. Colic is common among babies and it causes discomfort for babies resulting in endless crying. If babies cry at least 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, and tend to clench their fists or draw their knees up to their tummy, there is a chance that the baby has some digestive or feeding problem including swallowing air/trapped wind.

"How an internal vent works is that it allows the air to enter and directs it to the area above the liquid, keeping the air and the liquid separate. Because there is no vacuum to inhibit the flow of liquid, babies can feed at their own pace. Traditional and restrictively vented bottles tend to develop vacuums when babies feed from them because babies need to suck progressively harder to get any liquid from them. Babies seal their lips to the teat when they nurse, but as the vacuum increases they ingest air through a weakened teat seal. Air enters the bottle through the vent in the teat and aerates the formula; this air is ingested"

Although there are a few brands such as Tommy Tippee, Philips Avent, we ended up buying Dr Brown’s bottle. I understand that the differences aren’t much. It just boils down to what your baby likes. (Try-and-error approach)

4) Stroller : 

We visited a few booths that carried varies brands, such as Cosatto, Graco, Peg-Perego, Aprica, Maclaren, Maxi-Cosi, Capella, Quinny, Nuna, Inglesina. We spent a lot more time with brands that provide reversible and light weight strollers such as Aprica, Capella, Combi etc. However, we did not buy any as we needed more time to do our research. I will probably have a separate blog post on this.  

Heading back..., ending my Korea Trip (15-28 Oct 2016)

After spending 2 weeks in Korea, it was time to head back to Singapore. We had lots of luggage as we bought stuff like baby bumper bed from Geum Bi (http://dreamb.co.kr/). Baby bumper beds are common in korea and I first saw it when I watched Return of Superman. What I liked about such beds is that it has multiple usage and kids can use it all the way till they are even 4 years old. Our box was about 140cm long and it is within the 150cm limit of Singapore Airlines. We only had to bring it over to the odd-size luggage check in counter to drop the boxes.

Time for some photos while waiting for the Bus Limousine back to Incheon Airport.

At Incheon Airport (Arrival Hall), there is this porridge restaurant which I liked their beef porridge. It was a must have before I left Korea. Not sure when I will be back again. Maybe another 1 year?

Meeting with Taeho

We met up with Taeho who was Sungsoo's housemate when he stayed in Clementi Park condo at sunset way.  He is living in Busan and drove many hours all the way to Daejeon to meet Sungsoo. We were so touched and decided to feed him with some good food at Chungsamdae. To my surprise, he was already a father with an 18 month old boy. ^^

Late Night Movie Luck Key (럭키)

During this trip, my husband's friends have been meeting him really frequently. I suppose they really misses him. We went out together at 10pm to watch the latest movie Luck Key (럭키). I am so proud of myself to be able to understand the movie despite the movie is in Korean with no subtitles. Of course, I prepped myself well by first reading up about the movie so that I would not be completely lost in show. The usual tickets are about 12,000₩ but we watched it for free as we coincidentally met his old schoolmate who happened to be the ticketing manager there and gave us complimentary tickets. ^^ The other best thing about movies is the popcorns. The cinema here offers unique popcorn flavours such as garlic, cheese, caramel, etc. You could also request for half-half, which is 2 flavours in a the same bucket. 

Attending our friend's wedding at 유성 컨벤션 웨딩홀.

One of the main objectives of this trip was also to attend Sungsoo's close friend's wedding. Having went through the process, I kind of know what to expect to experience. Like most Korean weddings, it was held in a wedding hall which a few other couples also went through similar "factory" style process. Each couple were given an hour to conduct the walk-in, speech, max 1-2 performance, photo taking. The couple would then have to leave the room and proceed to another private room for the tea ceremony which was attended by only immediate family and relatives. The other guests tend proceeded to the shared dining area which the guests from different wedding couples co-shared the buffet spread.

One other trend that is getting more and more common these days is to hold the ceremony without an actual solemnizer. The intend is to make the ceremony less formal. The wedding couple could choose to make their own drafted speech instead of the solemnizer speaking most of the time. 

The bride and groom would then proceed to pay their respect to their parents respectively. After the ceremony ended and the photo-taking, the guests then proceeded for their buffet lunch.

I couldn't eat much this time round as a lot of the food are not cooked, e.g. fermented crabs, sashimi and sushi etc... Being preggy just have to play on the safe side.

I asked my mother-in-law (어머님) after she attending our Singapore wedding on which type of wedding style she enjoyed more. She mentioned Korean weddings are generally too formal and there aren't enough time to bond with the family and friends.

On our way home, we went through a park which is along a river. There is where I saw 2 magpies (喜鹊) . Lucky day. Happy Day.