KJ -- King Junior

I started to use KJ to represent my lil' one lately. Does KJ sound good? Hahaha.... KJ means King Junior! :D KJ oh KJ, I like this short form of nickname so so much! If I have a baby girl next round, I'll call her EJ, which represent Eunice Junior, hahahaha!!! Hmmm.... Let's focus on KJ now first.

KJ KJ KJ! I like KJ! =)

Good and relaxing mood

I'm glad that I did go for a trip after knowing that I am diagnosed with Hypothyroidism. I'm relief after the trip because relaxing mood does help to ease my condition and worries. Pregnancy does change a woman's health due to the hormone change. Good mood is the best medicine after all.

After chatting with a few cousins and friends of mine, my condition seems controllable. As long as my physician and Gynae do monitor my health condition with blood test, I would be fine. And so does KJ. I keep telling KJ that he'll be a healthy and happy boy. And he'll be a full term baby.

Moreover, Raimond Lap's musics ease my mood every single minute. KJ seems calm while I listen to Raimond's songs. And my blood pressure is under control by having a relaxing mood.

Alrighty, keep it up! =)

夫妻理财第一步：设定共同的目标

I like this article and would like to share with my friends on my blog. Happy reading! =)

于敏 / 张力

我的幸福观就是拥有目标，然后享受努力的过程，最后达成目标，接着趋于平淡，再奔向下一个目标。家庭理财也一样，设定目标非常重要。因为财务自由的初级目标是过上想过的生活，那什么是我们想过的生活？有了生活目标，通过记帐，就能知道这样的生活需要多少金钱，再据此选择自己擅长和需要的理财方式，才能算出每年的收益是否能支持目标生活，这样有助于我们尽快达成理想。

我和先生一直都是在同类别IT公司工作，受过很多相似的培训。虽然“工种”不同，但长期的工作使得我们有着近似的思考方式。由于都很推崇“高效能人士的七个习惯”，我们一致认为写下自己的目标能最好地认识自己并理清思路。因为写作能促使我们进行更多更有效的思考。在我看来，俩人拥有相似的价值观和目标是婚姻幸福的重要保障。“门当户对”和“志同道合”远比请吃饭、送礼物和娱乐、玩耍要重要得多，因为俩人志趣相投是可遇而不可求的。我们的经验是：婚前理智一些，婚后矛盾就少一些，这样浪漫才会多一些。

我们的家庭目标其实也是一个不断完善、摸索和改进的过程。先来看看最开始的问卷答案。这是先生的目标，在此精简摘录：有了孩子，就换一个大的房子。每年有一次国外和一次国内的度假，好好享受生活的乐趣，同时也开阔视野。为此我们应该努力地工作，保证良好的经济基础和收入来源，同时也注意广开财源，尽早进入财务自由的阶段。我的计划是，在五年内，达到财务自由。再看我的目标：住在北京东边，不用自己打扫卫生；在高档写字楼上班，工作体面而又有趣；婚姻幸福；孩子聪明漂亮；爸妈健康长寿；三五知己经常聚聚；不用自己做饭，想出去就出去吃，如果做饭，也只是娱乐；除去公费旅游，每年自费一次出国游、一次国内游。

从两个人的答案中，能看出很多有趣的东西。对于我来说，目标生活就是快乐单身生活一笔一笔的叠加和延续，外加一点家庭的内容。对于先生来说，享乐的内容不多，更多的是谈到如何达到目标，甚至包括了达成时间。这说明他是一个很有责任感的实干分子，而我是一个务虚的享乐分子。除去家庭幸福的共同要素－有房有车、长辈健康长寿、孩子聪明健康、夫妻和谐，我们对于自费旅行也有着惊人的一致。这也导致在达成财务方面的目标后，我们重要的生活内容就是自助旅行。

后来我们对于目标进行了修订，在“该做的”、“想做的”和“能做的”事情基础上有一个交集，这就是共同目标：住在东边，工作和生活兼顾；孩子健康聪明；每年保证一次国外自由行，一次国内自由行。鉴于两个人不同的才能，由先生全面负责理财和投资，我全面负责消费和记帐。我辞职后，更是全面交出了“挣钱大权”。

目标明晰后，我们很快采取了行动：两年之内在东边买了房子；有了一个儿子；去了黄山、婺源和三亚；又去了美国和澳大利亚。春寒料峭中我们自驾在游人稀少的塔斯马尼亚岛，大雨中闻着摇篮山泥土的芬芳；烟雨朦朦中骑着租来的摩托车穿行在婺源水墨画般的乡间；在大堡礁和百福湾深潜，和鱼群畅游；黄昏时从波士顿返回纽约，曼哈顿灯光亮起，那璀璨的夜景震慑人心；以后我们又自驾在意大利托斯卡纳乡间，流连在迷人的历史小镇，享受美食美酒美景；在希腊小岛上看爱琴海日落……那一刻我们感觉真是“神仙眷侣”！

当然，生活不是随目标按部就班进行的，必然有很多意外发生。如果都是按部就班，那就像旅游团一样刻板无趣了。生活就像自助旅行，有计划更有意外，有惊喜也有阻碍。因为认定该什么时候就干什么事，有了儿子后，生产前一天还在努力工作的我辞职做了全职妈妈，貌似推迟了目标的达成。但后来又赶上了股市的暴涨，使得我们最终还是用五年时间达成了目标。

（丈夫于敏，从事资讯科技业 13载。酷爱理财，热衷投资。40岁前实现了财务自由的理想，现在南加州大学攻读工商管理硕士学位。妻子张力，从事资讯科技业 9年后从白领丽人变身全职主妇。无论工作还是在家，干的都是花钱的事。本文所述仅代表他们的个人观点。）

買買買

天啊！我在台灣買了很多很多 KJ 的東西！老公說，如果我繼續待在台灣一兩個禮拜，他可要幫我把我的戰力品船運回家了，呵呵！

KJ，我們買了很多東西給你哦！有你的小衣服，小玩具，書本，用品等等。媽咪自己都差點忘了買自己的孕婦用品呢！你這個幸福的小傢伙，爹地媽咪都好愛你唷，呵呵！

書本，我最不能掉以輕心的 ITEM。我很注重看書的好習慣，和書本的選擇性。我很高興得找到了一些我很喜歡的書本，和給 KJ 看的書本和畫本。KJ，爹地媽咪都是愛書人。我們希望你也能參與和我們一起享受看書的樂趣。書中自有黃金屋。而我們也選擇了英文和中文書給 KJ。KJ 一定要學會讀中英文書！

買買買，我們都開始為 KJ 而忙了。

感謝堂姐一家人

我在台北的日子，堂姐一家人都很照顧我這個大肚婆。而我的 KJ 也從來沒有餓過，哈哈哈！在台灣的十天，我的體重增加了2 KG，夠力夠力夠力！！！但是，我真的很享受台灣食物，哈哈！KJ，你真的是有口福哩！希望你將來不會是個偏食的小朋友哦！

而我的6歲表姪子陽陽也很棒！他還替我想了一個英文名字給 KJ － Wester Lau。雖然我們還沒有確定 KJ 的中英文名字，但是6歲陽陽的細心真的是讓我整個人都融化掉了！孕婦是不是都比較容易被感動啊？哈哈哈！

堂姐一家人的照顧真的是讓我說不完，感動和感激都是滿滿的在我的心裡和記憶里。謝謝你們讓我的懷孕過程當中留下美好的回憶！謝謝叻！=)

我的腳和你的手

在台灣的十天，我到台中和 KING 住幾天。自己挺著一個大肚子到處去逛和吃，還算不錯。當然，也為 KJ 買了很多東西，很是開心。有位司機先生知道了我獨自去逛，他開玩笑得說，老公不對哦，怎麼能讓太太獨自挺著一個大肚子逛街呢。我笑笑得回答說，我老公很愛我的，我也不會讓他擔心。他用往後鏡看了看我，沒說甚麼，呵呵！

因為我走得很多，老公下班回到酒店，就放了熱水讓我泡泡腳，這是我們在家也回做的事情。啊，舒服多了！泡好了腳，我開始動不到我的腳了！KJ，你一天一天的長大，媽咪的肚子越來越大，媽咪不能親自用手洗腳了！突然間，老公彎下了腰，很用心得用一塊干布幫我擦干腳，說我的腳不能濕濕的，一定要擦干才行。我當時感動得不能自己！謝謝你了，KING！我真的很感動！KJ，因為有你，媽咪看到了爹地的溫柔一面，呵呵！

我的腳，你的手，拉近了我們的距離。這一幕，我永遠也不會忘記！

My first flight with KJ

Well now, we are back from Taiwan! We had a lot of fun time with daddy and mommy's cousin family. And, I'm glad that King Junior (KJ) experienced the first flight with mommy, although daddy can't make it together with us in the round trip. But there are more to come, nothing to worry about!

On the way to Taiwan from Kuala Lumpur, KJ kicked a lot and I guess he didn't know what's going on while the flight was taking off and landing. I touched my baby bump and explained to KJ that we are gonna be alright. Mr. Pilot will ride us to our destination and meet daddy pretty soon. Something to mention, I'm glad that all the flight attendences, airport helpers and bus drivers gave me a hand when I had hard time to carry my luggage. KJ, you are such a lucky star to mommy!

On our way back to M'sia, KJ seemed pretty calm and steady in my baby bump. Welp, KJ, you'll experience more airplane ride in the future because the world is so big and beautiful for you to explore!

We love you, KJ! =)

Airplane ride

I told my baby that we are going for an airplane ride today! Sit tight in my tummy and we'll see daddy soon!

It's funny that I keep talking to my belly. But with the responds and kicking, it brings more happiness to me! I told my Lil' one this early morning, mommy will bring him for an airplane ride this evening and it only last 4 to 5 hours long. We'll reach Taipei pretty late but please hang in there with mommy. Please be good, my baby. Please cooperate with mommy, my baby. We gonna have a fun but also relaxing trip. We'll meet mommy's cousin and your cousin Ryemco. Mommy and daddy will introduce the world and our friends to you, my baby. Get your seat belt ready, baby!

Coby will stay at pet hotel when we are away. I told Coby what he'll do in the pet hotel and who is he going to meet in the pet hotel (oh well, he knows some of his doggy friends there). He seems unhappy with the arrangement but I told Coby that we'll pick him up after our trip. He seems understand. Oh dear Coby, you are such a sweet dog!

Alright, pack things up and get ready. Fasten your seat belt, baby! =)

A wake up call to me -- Hypothyroidism

I'm diagnosed with Hypothyroid and I was confirmed by my Gynae and a physician few days ago through a blood test. Thank godness my condition is pretty mild but I must be under medication as soon as possible. How did I find out? I would say it's blessing in disguise! My blood pressure was high during my last pregnancy check up due to the stair climbing in that morning and so I did the blood test for hypertension test. And that's how we found out that my Thyroid level is lower than the bracket.

After seeing my Gynae and an Endocrine specialist on the same day, they prescribe me the medicine to ease my Thyroid disorder problem. I was worried about the side effect of taking the drug and the harm that'd bring to my unborn baby. Fortunately, there's no harmful effect to my pregnancy and my baby. And so, I've no choice to take the medicine everyday.

I was a bit helpless when I deal with my Endocrine specialist after the confirmation. King is on business trip and I had to handle the emotion all by myself in the specialist hospital. I was pretty upset while driving back home and I even had a few tear drops. How I wish I could have a drug-free pregnancy.

Well, so, I started to do a lot of research online and read as many articles as I can. I realized that how dangerous it could be if I do not take the advice from my doctors. Being a victim of Iodine deficiency, the fetal will not be able to develop his/her brain healthily, which means, it might cause brain retardation to the baby when the baby is born, if the disease is not under control or gets worse. I was so worried and I couldn't think much after reading all these.

I'm lucky to have a cheerful husband. We talked via Skype that night and he told me that we'll be in this together. I felt guilty to take drug during my pregnancy; I felt bad to my baby; I felt sorry to King as I promise to give him a healthy baby. But I felt relief and the pain went away bit by bit after hearing the comforting words from King.

Next day, I talked to a few friends and my cousins who have diagnosed Thyroid disorder before. I want to know the root cause -- family gene or diet or insufficient medical check up or anything. I felt relief after figuring things out. And now, I'm back to the happy-me!

My health condition will be monitored by my Endocrine specialist every month, which is a must. I'm sure my Gynae and my physician will make my pregnancy stable and healthy. This is a wake up call to me and King. It's so important to study our family medical history for more prevention and health awareness. No matter what kinda disease our upper generations have diagnosed, we must do our part on the medical check up and it's always good for our next generation. Do not take health for granted! Medical check up and knowledge studying do not cost us a lot but the emotion of dealing with health issue cannot be described in words! Diabetes, heart disease, Thyroid disorder, Cancer, Papsmear, etc, whatever we have seen in our family, it's something important to know of. It's our responsibility to be aware of for our next generation!

Right now, I feel a lot better because Hypothyroid is not a serious disease after all if it's under control. The medicine that I'm taking now is one kinda natural hormone that good for my baby.

My dearest baby, oh, my dearest baby, mommy and daddy will protect you! We love you! =)

My chicken essence

I made King my own brand of chicken essence when he was back from a business trip. Ah ha! It took me only 4 hours to make it and it did smell good, hahaha! I showed King how to prepare the ingredients and the kitchen utensils while showing him off my chicken essence. I can see the smile on his face! :p

Well, so..... King loves my chicken essence!! I'm glad that I can make more home brand chicken essence for this family, haha! Chicken oh chicken, you taste too nice! :p

The Man in my world -- the real King

King was back for a short weekend last week. His caring melt my heart. It's not easy to take care of myself mentally during my pregnancy. He miss me and our Lil' one very much. I couldn't ask for more when I think of this wonderful man in my world.

We always believe that it's good to have a short separation for a couple. But it requires more mental support for a preggie when it comes to a short separation, especially I live by myself with the only dog. I'm glad that King was trying his best to be back as early as he could. I saw his effort and the love he is nurturing with this family.

Well, we spent a lot of good quality time together before his next trip. He brought me to get a maternity long jeans, we went for my favorite Japanese food, we hang out in Borders bookstore as usual, he showered Coby and took care of his morning and evening walk, he asked Coby to take care of me when he is away again. I think my pregnancy will not be sailing smoothly without King's support and caring.

Now King is off to business trip again. I'll meet him in Taiwan in a few days time for 10 days trip. This man in my life might not be a perfect man but he's just too perfect to me. I tell my baby that he has a wonderful daddy who miss talking to him everyday. Our baby boy responds to King when the Lil' one heard his voice, even via Skype. Isn't it amazing?!

King told me once, he'll work harder for this family. I hug him silently and thank him for everything.

Again, I wanna thank God to grant me a perfect man and make my life even more beautiful! And, I love you, my love! =)

我的雞精

今天的我特別開心！因為我今天為自己和 baby 燉了雞精，哈哈哈！！！好好喝哦！

我一向來沒有喝雞精的習慣。但是在网上得到一些訊息說，雞精對孕婦和 baby 都很好。所以，我也來嘗試自己燉雞精為我和 baby 補一補吧！

其實，我是蠻羨慕身邊一些女性朋友們不用親自下廚，確有媽媽或家婆幫忙煮菜和燉補品，而自己又能好好休息。但是，一向來都很獨立的我，自己就得親自下廚和燉燉補品，就當作學習的日子吧。我媽要照顧我爸和幫忙生意的打點，我也不好意思叫我媽來照顧我的飲食；我家婆身子不好，所以我更不可能麻煩她。所以，我在沒有選擇的餘地之下，只好自己照顧自己了。呵呵！我要感謝我肚子里的 baby！因為他的合作，讓我可以有不錯的身體而好好自己煮菜和燉補品，哈哈哈！媽咪愛你，寶寶！

以前在美國的日子，我都是自己照顧自己的飲食而下廚的。因此，學會了不少家鄉菜。我想，在無奈的情況之下，它還會是件快樂無窮的經念。

我還要繼續尋找燉補品的 recipe 呢！為自己和家人而加油！耶！=)

My pregnancy and parenting books

Books are meant to be explored and read. Bookstore is one of the favorite places of King and my. What a pity that Amazon doesn't have a mailing service in Malaysia. Otherwise, I'll spend on more books! Books is one of the best heritage to pass on to our next generation, I mean, only good books. I love books, ah ha!

Welp, the following books are what I've been reading and catching up with. I like them all.

1. On Becoming Birth Wise

2. On Becoming Baby Wise

3. On Becoming Toddler Wise

4. Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to help your baby sleep longer, digest better and grow stronger

5. The Science of Parenting

6. Dr. Spock's baby & child care

7. What to Expect when you're Expecting

8. 七田真最新胎教

9. 不可思議的胎教

10. 聰明媽媽的胎內育兒法

11. 七田真 0－6 歲育兒法

12. 每個媽媽都是七田真

13. 決定孩子一生理財教育

The books lend by my friends:

14. 輕鬆度過懷胎十月

15. Complete Pregnancy & Baby Book

16. He's having a baby: the complete guide to fatherhood

Besides the books, my favorite pregnancy website is www.babycenter.com.

More to add into my bookshelf but I need some time to find them out. I've a list of books that I want to buy. Sighs, good books are so limited and hard to find here in Malaysia. Wish me luck!

我們的成長

你將會是個怎樣的媽媽呢？我不斷地問自己，提醒自己。

除了要當一個能培育好下一代的好媽媽，我還很注重一件事情。那就是我不要當一個整天只懂家務事的媽媽。除了煮飯燒菜，除了家務清理，除了接送孩子上下課，我還懂些甚麼呢？我還能學習甚麼呢？我能做些甚麼而不會和孩子有代溝呢？地理？歷史？財經？運動？錢財管理？算起來是數不清呀！

我和 KING 討論過，當我們的孩子問很多“為甚麼”時，要如何應付。我們的地理歷史不是一百分，經濟學也不是 A+，動物植物學樣樣半桶水，而我們的耐心更不是一百分呀！經過商討之後，我們希望我們能和孩子一起努力尋找答案，不恥下問的精神，應該要和孩子一樣。但是，教導孩子自尋正確的資訊更是重要。我發覺到現代的孩子們很愛問問題，但確不知如何自尋答案。

孩子讓我們成長

孩子讓我們懂得甚麼是愛

孩子讓我們學習更多

孩子讓我們的人生可以更完美

感激寶寶的爹地

老公出差去了，而我自己照顧自己的日子又開始了。當他抱著我，告訴我要好好照顧自己和寶寶的時候，我的眼眶確濕了。本以為我不會怎麼樣，因為我多兩個禮拜會去和老公會面，順便到處去走走，跟寶寶介紹一下這個世界，是件開心的事。但是，我的懷孕荷爾蒙確作怪，讓我突然間變得很無助。當然，我不想讓寶寶的爹地知道我流淚的事，好讓他安心得去公幹。所以，我們家的 Coby就傻傻地看著我在家流淚。可憐的狗。

在老公出差前，他都很細心地盡量把我不方便做的而他確可以幫上忙的事情一一搞定。幫我清理屋子啦，修修草地啦，買 Coby 的狗餅啦，交代我如何用新的 printer 啦，把要清的賬單和單子準備好啦，換床單啦，這個那個的。雖然我的肚子不是特別大，但是行動方面還是會有點兒喘和慢。而他的細心確是滿滿的，我的感動也是滿滿的！

很多人都說，懷第一胎時，老公都會特別緊張。不管甚麼事情，老婆都是最大！呵呵！我曾經問過 King, 當我有機會懷第二胎時，他會不會像現在這樣得對我體貼和細心。他笑了笑，拍了拍我的手。而一些媽媽級的朋友告訴我，要好好利用我懷第一胎的機會，叫老公做這個做那個。否則，懷第二胎時，就很難有這種特權了。呵呵！不管怎樣，我還是很感激 KING 對我的體貼和幫忙！兩個人要一輩子的在一起生活，感激的心很重要。這也是讓我們不管走到那裡都一直牽手的原故。

謝謝你叻，King！我肚子里的寶寶以你為傲！加油！=)

19 weeks

This picture was taken during Chinese New Year in year 2010. I was in week 19th. My baby bump is shown obviously. Look at the father-to-be, his belly is as big as mine, haha!

Up closed and personal

"Hey, baby is kicking now! Come and see, 寶貝!" I told King.

When I feel the kicking and movement from my baby bump all the time, King will come and stare at my baby bump and wait for the next kick or move. He loves to touch my baby bump or put his ear right on my belly. Just to get closer to our Lil' one.

"So, what are you doing in there now, baby?"

"Are you playing or sucking your thumb now?"

"Hello, baby, this is daddy and mommy!"

"......" more and more....

King gives my baby bump a kiss. I can't kiss my baby bump, too bad, hahaha! Baby, we hope you like hearing our voice, hehe! =)

Daddy will miss you

Hello baby boy!

How are you in the womb? I hope it's warm and nice enough for you. The womb is your first new home for first ten months. We hope you like it.

Daddy is going to be away for a few weeks for a business trip soon. He feels sad and sorry for not able to greet you everyday as usual. But his love towards you will never be decreased or lessen. Mommy will bring you to see daddy maybe 2 weeks later. Mommy will bring you for an airplane ride 2 weeks later. Daddy will be overjoy to talk to you again when he sees you again! You gonna miss Daddy's voice and touch again!

Baby, oh our Lil' one! Daddy and mommy love you, always! Muak!

Love,

Mommy

Half way -- my 5 months of pregnancy

I'm 5 months of pregnancy today! Yes, today!

We went for check up this morning. We are suppose to see our lil' one on 6th of March. Yet we made it one week earlier. King is going for a business trip by then but he doesn't wanna miss the chance to see our lil' one. And, he wanna go for the check up with me. He feels bad to leave me driving alone for check up. Isn't he a sweet guy? =)

Well, our lil' one was pretty cooperative. Dr. Yap told us everything about him and he is a healthy and good fetal (physical development and weight). We were happy! We had our first 3D ultrasound scanning today. This was our first time get to see up-closed picture of our lil' one. He seems to have bigger eyes and high cheek bone like me, high/big nose and small lips like King. Ah ha! Is it a good combination? We hope so and we'll find out few months later. I was advised to monitor my blood pressure twice a day, still. I wish not to have any health complication and I can go for natural birth on time. My lil' one, please help mommy a little bit and work things out together with mommy, alright? We will go through the pregnancy progress together with daddy's bom-bom support.

Dr said I'm able to travel oversea now with my good health condition. I am glad to hear that I'm able to tag along while King is having coming business trip. I wanna take more more more preggie pictures with my Man! I want! Hahaha.....

I'm half way in the whole pregnancy now. I'm glad that I've made it, so far. I told King to enjoy his life to the fullest now. 4 to 5 months later, I'll need his help the most, haha! =)