preparing for raoul

i just realized that in about 6 or so weeks, i'll be leaving for cebu. you would think that gives me enough time to finish everything i need to do, but i feel panicky. i haven't even started buying baby essentials. as i said before, raoul is an unexpected and (unplanned) gift. we had already decided that we weren't going to have any more kids after vito so we gave away all of vito's baby things. we're back to zero.

i'm posting a list of things we need so i can refer to this as the months go by. maybe i'll purchase some of them in cebu. or maybe i'll start buying them slowly while i'm still here. i still haven't decided on whether we should set up a nursery. maybe a portion of our spare room (my office is here, and so are vito's toys) can be set up for the baby. i'll have to clear out some of the bookshelves to make way for raoul's things. where i'm going to transfer the contents, i have no idea! =)

things to buy:

SLEEPING

Complete Cot set - (pillows, blankets, sheets)

Baby-Safe Cot Mattress (needed in sg)

Cot blankets

complete bassinet set (needed in cebu)


BATHING & CHANGING

Baby bathtub (for cebu)

baby towels and washers (needed in cebu)

baby grooming set: hairbrush & comb, digital thermometer, nasal aspirator

FEEDING

breastfeeding pillow

breastfeeding bib (for me, so I can breastfeed in public without flashing anyone)

a few baby bottles, preferably avent newborn ones

avent breast pump

GENERAL

toys

baby mobile

nappy stacker/diaper caddy

baskets

going out clothes

onesies

booties and socks

GOING OUT

Pram/stroller

Baby carrier/sling

Nappy/Diaper bag



whew! i have to work doubly hard to afford all these things! that's why i've been accepting more orders than i can handle. don't wonder why i've been quiet lately, i've just been really busy and exhausted. manuel is saving up for the hospital expenses, so i said i'll take care of the baby's stuff.

dropping shopping

it's so hard to control this addiction to clothes. it should be easier than going on a diet, right? no sooner do i get some cash when the first thing i think of is going on a shopping spree. i don't need new clothes. not yet anyway. i'm saving up all the shopping privileges until i reach my goal weight. but it doesn't mean i'm going to turn my back on tops that cost only $6. *big grin*

(at least i found something i have in common with audrey hepburn!)

living large in a small country

one of the reasons why i'm so pressured to lose weight is that most singaporeans are thin. (maybe it's because they walk a lot. hehe) this is a nation of health-conscious people, where overweight kids are restricted from eating during recess and instead are made to run around the campus grounds. they are subjected to regular assessments by the national health board to monitor their weight.

i tell ya, those with obese children should just move to singapore.

it's not easy being fat in a country like this. not only do you look ginormous compared to everyone else, you also can't find clothes to wear!

local sizes are like this: xs =0, s=2, m=4-6, l=8, xl=10. seriously!!!

can you imagine what clothes shopping can do to your self-esteem? after a few years, i've learned to stay clear of local brands and stick to the "friendlier" brands --- marks & spencer, monsoon, moonstone, dorothy perkins. unfortunately, they're not very trendy. which is ok really, as it's easy to mix and match classic pieces.

someday, i'll be able to wear the trendier brands. someday i won't stick out like a gargantuan elephant walking among thin reeds. =)

quick south beach diet shopping list

• A lot of eggs! (at least two dozen. I ate 3 a day)
• Turkey and Canadian bacon
• Sugar free Jell-O
• Lettuce & whatever else you want in your salads (buy enough for the week)
• Salad dressing (balsamic vinaigrette is good)
• Veggies (no carrots) (broccoli & zucchini are good)
• Chicken breasts and whatever other meat you like (spam doesn't count as meat, not even low-sodium spam)
  
• Nuts (for snacks)
• Low fat string cheese & shredded cheese (I use it on my salads)
• Part-skim ricotta cheese
  
• Splenda or other sugar substitute

if you want to start on phase 1 and don't know what to shop for, here's a quick guide. but first, empty your fridge and pantry of all sweets, starches, and non-allowed fats. goodbye rice, goodbye pasta, goodbye biscuits & cakes, goodbye potatoes & carrots, goodbye crisps and chips!
give them all away so you can start with a clean slate and you won't be tempted to cheat.

the best way to modify your behavior is to change your environment first.

in fact whatever diet you want to follow, be sure that none of the bad foods in the list are inside your home.