One of my favorite Cook Book

My husband bought this for me before we got married because he knows how much I love cooking and baking..tebal buku ni..It has lots of recipes that's ideal as party food, from breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers, finger food, desserts, drinks, cocktail and so much more..I have tried some of the recipes and planned to try more after I finish my confinement..

how to make a perfect cocktail drinks

ideas for children's party..i would love to make this for my children someday

yummy dessert

ooo...i would love to try this

finger licking good

Vege Frittata

I made this vegetable frittata..It's simple really..you just need eggs, any vegetables (I used tomatoes, celery, carrot, onion, chillies)..I added chopped potato for more filling..then add baking soda, salt and pepper and voila..bon appetite!

Life as We Know It

Last month, my hubby and I went to cinema to watch a movie, any interesting movie. We end up with buying tickets for a movie entitled ‘Life As We Know It’, starring the handsome Josh Duhamel and Katherine Heigl. The tagline is “A comedy about taking it one step at a time”.

            The synopsis goes like this. Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is an up-and-coming caterer and owned a café called Fraiche (she’s quite an uptight person) and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is a promising network sports director (with care-free lifestyle). The movie’s liveliest scene is its opening pre-credit sequence in which Messer picks up Holly for a disastrous blind date arranged by their mutual best friends. Arriving an hour late on a motorcycle with no dinner reservations and a post-date rendezvous already lined up, Messer is the kind of guy who used to be called a toxic bachelor. He loses his last shred of appeal when, with Holly at his side, he takes a booty call from his late-night hookup. Holly, in a rage, turns around and walks back into the house. After a catastrophic first date, the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when their bestfriends died in a car accident, they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world as they were named as co-guardians of the child. Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they'll have to find some common ground while living under one roof. This is where the fun begins. Watch how Holly tries to make Sophie eat baby food, how they handle the baby’s dirty diaper, there was one scene where Sophie’s poo smudged on Holly’s face when their neighbors came to visit..Watch how Sophie started to walk, etc..It was LOL..Long story short, living under one roof has sparks romance between them. But then their upward career trajectories kick in and create new problems. Messer went to take a job offer at Pheonix and Holly was left alone caring for the child. But not for long because along came a pediatrician who loves her and Sophie. One of the scenes that touched my heart is when finally Sophie can talk and she said “mama” to Holly, only to realize that there was no Messer to share it with. She then realizes that together (Holly, Messer and Sophie) they are a perfect family. 

It’s a nice story of life where sometimes unexpected things happen and somehow, life turns out to be better in the end. And life as we know it, will never be the same.

Nine Months

This is just a short summary of my journey of becoming a mother. 

After 2 months married, I found out that I was pregnant. I and my hubby went to the clinic for an ultrasound. We were thrilled at the news. At that time my hubby was stationed at MPOB Keratong, Pahang. He is a Research Officer, btw. So he had to travel back to our home every weekend. Kadang2 drive sendiri, kadang2 naik train, kadang2 naik bas. Kesian dia..During the first trimester I had a really bad morning sickness..bukan takat morning je, afternoon and evening sickness pun kena.. Every morning I would throw up and I often get gastric. Berbotol2 Gaviscon kena telan. Banyak benda tak boleh makan..All fast food were banned (tak boleh bau pun). Coffee and tea memang tak boleh.  Angin satu perut nanti. Susu pun seldom minum sebab kadang2 muntah balik. Suka makan mangga masam, coklat yang dulunya menjadi favorite masa ni tengok pun tak lalu. Mula2 kawin selalu jugak masak then all of a sudden bila masak rasa pening, nak muntah, lemah seluruh badan..Rupanya saya dah alah dengan bau masakan, kalau hubby goreng apa2 saya akan duduk kat living room dengan kain tutup hidung. So everyday kena eating out. There were not many choices of food I can eat but everyday I had to eat rice for lunch and dinner (sebab during the first trimester tu lapar sampai terketar2). Sadly, I put on weight a lot and people kept on commented on my body. I felt tired easily and found it hard to wake up in the morning. Sometimes, before going to bed at night pun muntah. There was one time that I had to be admitted to hospital for iv drip coz 6-7 kali muntah, takut dehydration. But the love and support from my hubby (though from afar) kept me strong. Saya tak pernah pergi check-up sorang2, hubby mesti teman. The condition went on until I was about 4 months pregnant. Only then that my hubby get to transferred to his HQ at Bangi (after lots of papers, proposals, pleadings, etc to convince his boss the advantages of being at HQ to do his work that’s related with molecular biology..kat Keratong xde facility untuk buat molecular work). Alhamdulillah from then on ada suami di sisi setiap hari.

            Second trimester was the best time of pregnancy. I felt energetic, not so hungry all the time anymore, the morning sickness were gone, and I love looking at my growing tummy. I still can’t cook though (bukan tak pandai masak ye). I still tak boleh bau masakan, bau asap, bau KFC and Pizza. At about 19 weeks, I felt my baby’s kick. It was more of a flutter or some says, butterfly in the stomach. The feeling was amazing. Masa buat ultrasound, we had a chance to see our baby sucking his/her thumb. Masa ni konon taknak tau lagi gender. Nak surprise. Makin lama pergerakan baby makin kuat. Kami suka main2 dengan baby dalam perut. Bila rasa macam kaki dia, kami pegang2 then dia alih ke tempat lain. Kadang2 bila bercakap2 dengan baby, dia tendang2 seolah2 bagi response. Our baby paling aktif masa malam nak tido. Summersault dia dalam perut. Masa ni suka makan aiskrim dan minum air sejuk.

            Bulan Ramadhan pun tiba. At this time I was already 6-7 months pregnant. Since dah boring dengan masakan luar, so hubby tries untuk menunjukkan kepakaran dia memasak ayam masak kicap, ayam goreng kunyit dan ayam masak sambal. Sedap gak dia masak. Turns out, saya dah boleh bau masakan so I gave cooking a try. Nasib baik dah tak alah. So acara memasak menjadi our favorite ‘hanging out’ time. Masa tu la kami bercerita pasal things that happen kat tempat kerja, our angan2 dan impian, etc.. We had fun cooking together. Tapi penat jugak la sebab balik kerja jam 6 lebih dah kelam kabut start masak sebelum masuk waktu berbuka. Lepas berbuka gi terawikh. Kadang2 prepare untuk makanan bersahur. Esoknya jam 5 pagi kena bangun masak apa yg patut dan bersahur. Then, bersiap pergi kerja. But unfortunately for me, saya tak dapat puasa penuh 1 bulan sebab kadang2 perut sakit sangat2. Kadang2 muntah juga. Hubby pun tak bagi teruskan puasa kalau keadaan memudaratkan mommy or baby. Persiapan baby? On 22^nd of August, there was a Parenthood Expo at MidValley. We went there and bought lots of baby’s necessary things…clothes, napkin, pampers, kelengkapan mandi, towel, blanket and a good quality breast pump. The mall was packed with people. The hardest part was when we want to pray and breaking fast. People were lining up kat surau tu. Memang tension la. Kami sempat join Parentcraft Class kat KPJ Kajang Specialist. With only RM50 per couple, the information we got was more than enough for first time parent like us. The class teaches us on the changes to the body during pregnancy, anti-natal exercise, stages of labor, pain management during labor, breastfeeding, baby's health and diseases, how to take care of baby, etc..very enlightening..

Bought at Parenthood Expo

            Then came Raya. Balik kampung hubby di Kedah. My mom and dad also went to their hometown as well which is at Kedah and Penang. So we had no problem in arranging (no arguing) this year nak balik kampung sape and next year balik kampung sape. I was already 7 months, dah masuk third trimester. Yang mencabarnya masa third trimester ni ialah perut dah makin besar, perut rasa berat, kaki bengkak macam gajah (I often said to hubby kaki ni dah macam kaki Fiona dah [from Shrek the movie]), cepat rasa penat bila berdiri lama, tak boleh tunduk sebab perut halang, tido pun dah makin susah, tengah tido tiba2 kaki cramp, selalu rasa panas dan hangat sampai kena mandi beberapa kali sehari. Tapi saya sempat lagi buat rendang dan kek :). Masa raya ni makan memang tak jaga. Acara makan tanpa henti start dari pagi sampai malam. Makcik, makjang, maksu, etc semua suruh makan sebab kata mereka ”lepas ni berpantang 3 bulan tak boleh makan ni, baik makan sekarang, kang kempunan”..Bila dah balik KL, buat check-up, doktor tegur berat naik banyak, baru la rasa menyesal tak jaga makan. Masa third trimester ni saya start muntah2 balik. Maybe sebab perut makin kecil kot. Pastu constant hunger, probably because the baby needs more food to grow?? Bila mamanya lapar, baby pun tendang2 macam mintak nak makan..

            At 32 weeks, I did a 4D ultrasound. Our baby is so cute and chubby. He/she had a tiny mouth. Still don’t know the gender. Couldn’t wait to finally meet you baby!! Mama dan Abi saying baby!! Starting from 36 weeks, check-up kena buat every week. Every week I look forward to seeing the baby :). My mom and dad pun very excited as this will be their first grandchild..macam2 beli..dapat Playpen!! Another good news: I have finally managed to submit my thesis for Masters before my contract ended. Alhamdulillah lega kerja dah ‘almost’ selesai selepas weeks of struggling siapkan thesis, papers, reports, lab work. Sekarang tengah tunggu Viva, definitely after confinement la. Last week, masa buat ultrasound, the doctor accidentally terbagitau the gender of our baby, but you have to wait until the baby’s born to know..alang-alang dah tau, kami pergi ke Jusco (kebetulan ada J-card day promotion) and end up with buying more baby’s clothes (ikut gender dia la, before this beli color neutral je). Up until I was 35 weeks kot, we had dinner duduk kat bawah je (xde meja makan lg), even potong2 bawang, potong sayur, etc kami duduk bersila kat dapur tu..punya la payah nak bangun dengan perut yg besar ni kan..i think at 35-36 weeks kot baru kami beli dining table at IKEA (ada budget lebih skit, lagipun hubby kesian dengan condition saya yg terpaksa bangun dengan susah payah)..the dining table that we bought was worth the money..for a solid hard wood, the price is quite cheap, plus it can be pulled out to accommodate larger company..nanti ada guests datang senang..

saya lekat wall deco kat baby's nursery..

            Now (13 Nov 2010), I am 38 weeks and 6 days. Barang keperluan ke hospital dah siap pack dalam kereta. Baby’s room dah ready. Rumah dah agak kemas untuk menyambut ketibaan our bundle of joy. My condition: perut sangat besar dan berat, constant need to pee, tak larat nak jalan sangat tapi have to untuk bagi baby cepat masuk ‘jalan keluar’, kaki still bengkak, susah nak tido especially bila nak pusing, Ya Allah sakitnya perut, dah mula rasa Braxton Hicks contraction..sekarang ni tengah kena selsema dan batuk pulak.  Doktor kata kena treat cepat before going to labor. Sedang menghitung hari dan berdoa baby cepat keluar dengan selamat. Baby sangat aktif these couple of days. Don’t know why. I still cook though but not every single day. Too tired to do so. Semalam kami beli majalah Pa&Ma and to our surprise, we won 2nd prize on Peraduan Papa Mama Romantik..hehe..banyak la memories throughout 9 months ni..apa yg penting, susah senang kami lalui bersama insyaAllah..

Ya Allah, permudahkan lah aku untuk melahirkan nanti. Jadikan lah bayi yang bakal lahir ini sihat walafiat, sempurna sifat, menjadi anak yang soleh. Aamin..

Memories throughout 9 months (cepat je masa berlalu):

 ;)

Babymoon at Bukit Tinggi

After about 2 month married, me and my hubby found out that I'm pregnant..(i know, that early right)..It's more than a good news to us. So to celebrate the good news, we went on a babymoon at Bukit Tinggi Pahang on end of May..We stayed there for 2 days 1 night at Colmar Tropicale. The view is mesmerizing. At this time, I was about 3 months pregnant, so I still have the nausea and vomiting. Although I felt tired but I enjoyed the short holiday with my hubby.

Looking forward to another vacation..but maybe after the baby is born :)

My Big Day

Akad nikah berlangsung pada 27 Feb 2010 di Masjid Jamiulhuda, Ampang. Dengan sekali lafaz kami telah sah bergelar suami isteri. Alhamdulillah..Majlis resepsi belah perempuan pada hari yang sama belah petang di Taman Dagang Jaya, Ampang.

Majlis resepsi belah lelaki berlangsung di Pusat Aktiviti, Alor Setar Kedah pada 14 Mac 2010.

Kami sempat berhoneymoon dua kali..di Port Dickson dan di Langkawi :)

Ya Allah, titipkanlah kebahagiaan di antara kami. Kuatkanlah kami dalam menempuh alam perkahwinan. Kekalkanlah rumahtangga kami hingga ke akhir hayat. Kurniakanlah kepada kami zuriat keturunan yang soleh dan solehah, sempurna sifat, berilmu dan berakal. Amiin..

Chocolate Devil Cupcake

Last year, i stumbled upon this recipe and gave it a try..my little brother and my hubby (last year, he was my fiance) love it so much. The dark chocolate cake has a texture that is smooth and rich. Its flavor is not overly sweet, because of the intensity of the coffee, which make it a great match for cream cheese frosting sweetened with golden syrup (in my case, i use honey). So here's the recipe..

Ingredients:

3 cups granulated sugar

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/8 cups cocoa powder, sift if lumpy.

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups milk or buttermilk

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/4 cup hot coffee

Method: 

Heat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare 3 dozen muffin tins with papers

Combine all the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and whisk until combined, set aside.

Whisk together, eggs, milk, oil and vanilla until well combined. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Slowly add the hot coffee to the batter and whisk until totally blended and smooth, about 2 minutes. The batter will be quite runny.

Fill a measuring cup or pitcher with the batter and then fill the muffin cups about 3/4 full. 

Bake the cupcakes for about 18-20 minutes or until a tester comes out clean.

Allow to cool on a cake rack and then frost with cream cheese icing. 

Recipe follows:

Cream Cheese Icing with Lyle’s Golden Syrup*

1 (8 ounce) package of Philly’s Cream Cheese (I am really brand loyal, having tried lots!), softened

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

1 Tablespoon Lyle’s Golden Syrup (use honey if you are in a pinch)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine all the ingredients in a medium sized bowl and cream together until smooth. I used a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to decorate these cupcakes. You may want to double the icing recipe just in case you find yourself dipping into the bowl with a spoon!

 This is how it looks after taken out fresh from the oven

 I use chocolate frosting on some of the cake

 I made this for my brother's birthday

 I made these for my engagement day as hantaran..since our theme color is blue so i put a dash of color on the icing..

Masak-masak bersama hubby di bulan ramadhan

masa bulan pose aritu, saya dah 6-7 bln preggy so agak penat la nak masak sorang2 time berpuasa..dengan kaki bengkak, plus, i have gastric and it got worsen when i'm pregnant (gaviscon tu macam air masak je, berbotol2 minum) so hubby offer diri utk tolong..last2 dia pun enjoy memasak ni..so acara memasak ni jadi one of our fun activities where we can chit chating about our everyday life..take a look at the pics to know what we usually cook for breaking fast..semua simple2 je..sorry the pics not clear (guna handphone je)

 kobis, daging blackpepper, ayam goreng kunyit, kurma ayam

 sempat lagi buat dessert..steamed bread pudding with chocolate sauce (this one i did it alone)

 mee goreng mamak (i did it alone)

 sweet sour prawn

 kari ikan

 ikan sweet sour, sup cendawan, beaded chicken fillet with almond, udang goreng tepung (bab goreng salut tepung ni my hubby's specialty..)

 chocolate moist cake (steamed) as dessert

 sempoi..udang goreng kunyit

 udang goreng kunyit, kacang botor goreng ikan bilis, ayam masak asam kuning (my mom's recipe that i learned when i was 14)

 char kuew teow..my hubby's favorite

 ayam masak sambal, ayam goreng, rendang daging, sup sayur

 ayam masak kicap (also my hubby's specialty)

 udang sweet sour, kobis goreng, kurma ayam, cucur udang

kuih sagu

What to do when your baby cries for "no reason"

Full tummy? Check. Well rested? Check. Fever-free? Check.

So why is your baby crying? Babies have their own good reasons. But even the wisest parents can't read their babies' mind – and babies don't have the words to tell us what's wrong.

Fortunately, you can offer comfort without knowing the cause of distress. Here are some tried and true methods:

Something to suck on

Sucking can steady a baby's heart rate, relax his stomach, and calm flailing limbs. Offer a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let your baby go to town.

Snuggling and swaddling

Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb: Try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing your baby, or holding him against your shoulder to re-create that feeling. Some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier.

My daughter loves to be swaddled . . . TIGHTLY. The tighter the swaddle, the bigger her smile. She also has a favorite fleece blanket that I warm up in the dryer for a few minutes before wrapping her in it. — Anon

Music & rhythm

Try playing music, singing a lullaby or your favorite song, and dancing around the room. Experiment with different kinds of music to see what your baby responds to.

We’ve found the best way to soothe our little one is to put on some music and dance with him. His body relaxes after about two songs and he even falls asleep sometimes. The rhythm and movement seem to do the trick. – Tracee

White noise

The growl of a vacuum cleaner might not seem very soothing, but many babies are calmed by a steady flow of "white noise" that blocks out other noises – much like the constant whoosh of bodily sounds they heard in the womb.

One thing that soothes my baby is the sound of water. I stand with him cradled in my arms with the tap running and humming his favorite song close to his ear. Within a few minutes he has calmed down!— Melissa

The white noise of the bathroom fan works great. I carry my daughter into the bathroom and run the fan in there. It usually just takes a few seconds and she is calm again. — Anon

My two boys love the sound of the vacuum. Several times, when my now-5-year-old was a baby, we just let the vacuum run outside his bedroom door.— Anon

Fresh air

Sometimes simply opening the front or back door and stepping outside with your baby stops the crying instantly. If it works, savor the moment: Look around, look up at the sky, talk to your baby about the world around your home – whether it's a quiet cul-de-sac or a busy city street.

Warm water

Like fresh air, warm water can soothe and put a stop to your baby's tears.

For a change from a bath, try holding your baby in your arms under a gently running shower. Don't push it if your baby doesn't like the noise or splashing water, but some babies really take to it. Just make sure your shower is slip-proof.

Motion

The movement involved in being carried in your arms or a carrier may be enough. Other ways to get your baby in motion: a rocking chair, swing, or bouncy seat; setting your baby in a car seat on the dryer while it's on (don't walk away, though – the dryer's vibrations can cause the seat to move and fall off!); a ride in the stroller or car. 

When my baby has her "evening fussiness" I hold her and bounce on an exercise ball. This soothes her to sleep and I get in some exercise and cuddling at the same time. — Emmezmommy

Massage 

Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort.

More ideas

For more tips on soothing a fussy baby, see our article on coping with colic. Even if your baby doesn't have colic, take a look. You'll find strategies that work for all sorts of fussy babies.

Give yourself a break

A crying baby who can't easily be soothed puts a lot of stress on parents. Thankfully, as your baby gets older, he'll be better able to soothe himself and much of the crying will stop.

In the meantime, don't feel guilty about taking care of yourself as well as your baby. It'll make you a more patient and loving parent. When you're reaching your limit, try these tips:

• Put your baby down in a safe place and let him cry for a while.
• Call a friend or relative and ask for advice
• Let someone you trust take over for a while.
• Put on quiet music to distract yourself.
• Take deep breaths.
• Remind yourself that crying in itself won't hurt your baby – and he may just need the release.
• Repeat to yourself, "My baby will outgrow this phase."
• Whatever you do, don't express your frustration by shaking your baby.

I'm a first-time mother. I can handle the sleepless nights and dirty diapers, but the crying can be a bit overwhelming. I've cried with the baby. Sometimes when it gets to be too much, I just step back, take a deep breath, hand the baby over to my husband and tell him it's "me time." — Anonymous

I always try to remember what someone once told me: "Sometimes everyone just needs a good cry. How would you feel if you needed to cry and someone wouldn't let you but tried everything to stop your crying." Now I just hold my baby and let him cry. He knows I'm there and he'll stop when he feels better. — Anonymous

Twelve reasons babies cry and how to soothe them

aren't babies cute?

There's no getting around it: Babies cry. It's how they communicate hunger, pain, fear, a need for sleep, and more.

So how are parents supposed to know what their baby is trying to tell them? It can be tricky to interpret your child’s cries, especially at first.

Here are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing and you don't know why, work your way down the list. Chances are you'll find something that helps.

1. Hunger

This is probably the first thing you think of when your baby cries.

Learning to recognize the signs of hunger will help you start your baby's feedings before the crying stage. Some signs to watch for in newborns: fussing, smacking of lips, rooting (a newborn reflex that causes babies to turn their head toward your hand when you stroke their cheek), and putting  their hands to their mouth.

2. A dirty diaper

Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others can tolerate a dirty diaper for quite a while.

3. Needs sleep

Aren't babies lucky? When they're tired they can simply go to sleep – anytime, anywhere. Or so adults like to think.

In reality, it's harder for them than you might think. Instead of nodding off, babies may fuss and cry, especially if they're overly tired.

We thought our daughter was colicky for the first five weeks of life, until we read about how babies get really cranky if they're exhausted. After we started putting her to sleep as soon as she yawned the first time at any time of the day, she cried a lot less and had fewer problems with gas. — Anonymous

I've noticed that if my baby starts crying after being played with, fed, and changed, and she's been up for a while, she is overtired! I just hold her close, talk to her in a soft voice, and let her cry. She doesn't cry hard when I hold her like that. She makes funny fussy noises with her eyes closed. Before long, she's sound asleep. — Stefanie

My 2 ½-month-old is so interested in everything that she doesn't want to stop being part of it by falling asleep. Yet she's tired and cranky at the same time. Minimizing sensory input sometimes helps her feel like she's not "missing something" by settling down. (And then there are the times when she's just going to cry no matter what I do.) — Anonymous

4. Wants to be held

Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell. Crying can be their way of asking to be held close.

You may wonder if you'll spoil your baby by holding him so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. To give your arms some relief, try wearing your baby in a front carrier or sling.

I like to lightly wrap my daughter in a soft blanket, hold her in a nursing position and lightly stroke her face and head. She loves feeling my hands in her hair and calms down pretty quickly. — Tiffany

My son loves to hear my voice, so when he cries uncontrollably, I hold him close to my chest and tell him that Mommy is here and will protect him. Within minutes, he is sleeping in my arms!— Jey

5. Tummy troubles (gas, colic, and more)

Tummy troubles associated with gas or colic can lead to lots of crying. In fact, the rather mysterious condition called colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day, at least three days a week, at least three weeks in a row. 

If your baby often fusses and cries right after being fed, he may be feeling some sort of tummy pain. Many parents swear by over-the-counter anti-gas drops for babies or gripe water (made from herbs and sodium bicarbonate). Get your doctor's okay before using either of these.

Even if your baby isn't colicky and has never been fussy after eating, an occasional bout of gas pain can make him miserable until he works it out. If you suspect gas, try something simple to eliminate it such as putting him on his back, holding his feet, and moving his legs in a gentle bicycling motion.

One time when my daughter was 9 months old she cried inconsolably for two hours. She had never done that before (nursing was always the answer to everything, but this time she wouldn't even nurse) and we had to catch a cross-country flight. The doctor told me to take her to a nearby clinic. While we waited in the exam room, she let out a big fart, and after that she was fine. It was just gas.— Kate

When my daughter was a baby she was gassy a lot, and would scream and cry in pain. I would give her some infant gas drops, lay her on my bed on her back, and gently push her knees up to her belly in a rocking motion and sing a little song. Soon she would let out some farts and be fine. — Wife & Mommy of two

If your baby is wearing any kind of pants, especially with a somewhat snug elastic waist, try pulling the waistband away from the belly to see if it helps. Sometimes that little bit of pressure hurts their tummy. — Mom of 2

Discover other possible causes of babies abdominal pain, including reflux, stomach flu, milk allergy, lactose intolerance, constipation, and intestinal blockage.

6. Needs to burp

Burping isn't mandatory. But if your baby cries after a feeding, a good burp may be all he needs.

Babies swallow air when they breastfeed or suck from a bottle, and if the air isn't released it may cause some discomfort. Some babies are intensely bothered by having air in their tummy, while others don't seem to burp or need to be burped much at all.

My little one often cries because he has a difficult time burping after a feed, even with back rubbing and patting. What I found helps is some "tummy time." He'll often let out a great big burp after a few minutes on his tummy. — Anonymous

I can't count how many times I've burped (or tried unsuccessfully to burp) my little one when she's fussy after a feeding. Some more walking around and patting on the back will sometimes let loose a HUGE belch – no wonder she was crying! — NovPiglet

7. Too cold or too hot

When your baby feels chilly, such as when you remove his clothes to change a diaper or clean his bottom with a cold wipe, he may protest by crying.

Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm — but not too warm. As a rule, they’re comfortable wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable. Babies are less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold, and they won't cry about it as vigorously.

8. Something small

Babies can be troubled by something as hard to spot as a hair wrapped tightly around a tiny toe or finger, cutting off circulation. (Doctors call this painful situation a "hair tourniquet," and it's one of the first things they look for if a baby seems to be crying for no reason.) And some babies are extra sensitive to things like scratchy clothing tags or fabric.

It helps me to think, "What could be making me uncomfortable if I were her?" These are some weird ones I've come up with: Is my finger or foot stuck/cramped? Do I need to sit/lie differently? The pacifier tastes gross and needs washing. This tag or outfit is itchy. It's colder near the floor. The light is too bright and the TV is annoying – I want soft music instead. — cunnincl25

Something else I have found that irritates my son is a hair wrapped around his penis. If you have a baby boy, be sure to check for hair in his diaper, since it is very sensitive down there. — Anon

9. Teething

Teething can be painful as each new tooth pushes through tender young gums. Some babies suffer more than others, but all are likely to be fussy and tearful at some point along the way.

If your baby seems to be in pain and you're not sure why, try feeling his gums with your finger. You may be surprised to discover the hard nub of a baby tooth on its way in.

On average, the first tooth breaks through between 4 and 7 months, but it can happen earlier. Find out more about teething and how to ease the pain.

10. Wants less stimulation

Babies learn from the stimulation of the world around them, but sometimes they have a hard time processing it all — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand. Crying can be a baby's way of saying, "I've had enough."

To manage a meltdown, try retreating to a serene spot and letting your baby vent for a while.

My 6-month-old gets very excited (overexcited would be the right word) after we have fun together. He starts laughing at the most ridiculous sounds and when everything is quiet he starts to cry. That's when we sit on the bed with propped pillows and I read to him in a very low and soothing tone. He calms down in no time and goes to sleep! — wajiha06

11. Wants more stimulation

A "demanding" baby may be outgoing and eager to see the world. And often the only way to stop the crying and fussing is to stay active. This can be exhausting for you!

Try "wearing" your baby in a sling, front carrier, or backpack.  (Watch our video on baby carriers.) Plan plenty of activities. Hang out with other parents with babies. Go on regular outings to kid-friendly places, whether that's your local playground, a children's museum, or the zoo.

My 7-month-old wants constant activity going on around him. If I put him on the floor with his toys while I work on the computer, he fusses. He's happiest when I pop him in a baby carrier while I wash dishes, do laundry, and other housework. He's also especially peaceful in stores and other public places because he's so interested in and curious about the world. — Anonymous

12. Not feeling well

If you've met your baby's basic needs and comforted him and he's still crying, he could be coming down with something. You may want to check his temperature to rule out a fever and be alert for other signs of illness.

The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from one caused by hunger or frustration. If your baby's crying "just doesn't sound right," trust your instincts and call or see a doctor.

Marble Orange Cake

I've tried this several times. My hubby loves it because it's not too sweet and the cake is so fluffy..

You'll need:

 

5 eggs (medium)
1 ½ cup of fine sugar
1 ½ cup of margarine
2 cups of self-raising flour
1 teaspoon of orange essence
1 orange sunkist
How to make it:

1) Peel the skin of the orange and fry without oil until it dries up. Put it aside. 

2) Beat margarine and sugar until it soften

3) Add the eggs one at a time. Continue beating (sampai kembang)

4) Add flour bit by bit and continue beating. 

5) Lastly, add orange essence and beat it for a while. Put it the orange peel.

6) Bakar di dalam acuan yang telah disapu dengan sedikit marjerin. sebaiknya bakar di dalam acuan yang mempunyai lubang di tengah-tengah.

7) Bakar sehingga bahagian atasnya berwarna agak keperangan. Untuk memastikannya sudah masak, cucuk dengan lidi kecil dan rasa dengan jari. Sekiranya tidak melekit, ia sudah masak.  

Happy baking!

Molten Chocolate Cakes

 

This is to die for..the cake is soft, and when you eat it, the filling in the center oozes out..yummy!!

What You Need:

4 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate

1/2 cup  (1 stick) butter

1 cup powdered sugar

2   eggs

2 egg yolks

6 Tbsp.  flour

1/2 cup thawed Whipped Topping

How to Make It:

PREHEAT oven to 425°F/ 210C. Butter four 3/4-cup custard cups or souffle dishes. Place on baking sheet.
MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk. Stir in flour. Divide batter among prepared custard cups.
BAKE 13 to 14 min. or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Serve immediately, topped with whipped topping. 

Happy Baking!

Simple Cinnamon Toast

Last weekend, I had a craving on cinnamon. So I tried making cinnamon toast the easy way. Just scroll down and see how to make it. (This recipe was taken from http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/).

 First, start with butter. It has to be softened.

 Then, add sugar and cinnamon.

 Smush it all together until it's creamy and yummy..

Spread a good amount of the mixture on to a piece of bread. I like to take it all away to the edges.

Supposedly, these breads should go into the oven but I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into these toasts, so I just pop it in the toaster.

After 1-2 min, tadaaa..

 

The smells is sensational..