How did you come up with your baby’s name? For expectant moms (like me) it’s quite a challenge to choose the right name for our babies’, right? We have the power to break or make them by our choice of names so we have to consider a lot of things when choosing what’s best for them. We have to put our thinking caps on and really take time to think what will be the best. There are a lot of things that come into play when picking our baby’s names like who’s famous person shall we pattern their names, role models, what would be their nicknames, etc. My first child was named Jaden Meekaila. Jaden is a unisex Hebrew name which means God has heard and Meekaila was from the root word Meek, a character that we want her to become. Baby #2’s name was a challenged since he’s a boy, but we already have a named ready when he comes out.

I just don’t understand why some mothers take for granted this area when having a child. Some will just think of a name right there and there (during labor or after giving birth). Or just thinking of a name (whatever comes first in their mind) in a snap, and that’s it.

I know a person whose passion was computer games. She would never fail to download games and play until morning. That’s how addicted she was even during pregnancy. So when she conceived, her passion came out by the name she gave to her child—Jubei (Final fantasy). I’m not saying that naming a child after a video game character is bad. We have our own differences and choices. I know there are a lot of video game characters our there with some crazy names--names that I personally would never. ever give to a REAL child. (I mean, hello, would you want your baby to be called Dekar or Sepiroth??)— But there are good ones too like Lara (Lara Croft) or Zelda of the Legend of Zelda which what Robin Williams named his daughter Zelda Williams.

Uhmm…Still undecided for your baby’s name? Well, chose wisely. Think about your passion, what influences you and of course the baby’s future if he carried the name you’re thinking of giving him.

Wooo hooo!! Finally, I've reached the 36th week of my pregnancy. One more week of going to work then I'm off for my maternity leave. I've been very anxious lately because now, I can already feel more and more discomforts. Whew!

Last Saturday was the start of my weekly check up. I also had three kinds of test: urinalysis, HBaSg, and OGCT. Unfortunately, I didn't passed my OGCT. My sugar level is high that's why I need to undergo another test, this time it would be the OGTT. Sigh...another series of blood extraction. But I guess I have to do this for the baby's sake.

Anyway, I'm now weighed 56 kgs.! Quite big for my size. The baby's doing good (my OB said). Next week is another check up and the week after that is another ultrasound, then my scheduled operation. I can't wait to finally see him!

It’s been two weeks now since my friend went on a “No Rice” diet. During lunch while I am enjoying a full meal, she is just eating viands. She eats all meat like chicken, pork and fish she only skips the carbs on rice. I don’t know if this is effective since she still ate other food that could contain higher calories. She didn’t consult any dietitian. I just hope that it will be effective on her since she don’t want also to take any diet pills, which I think is good.

I am not a fan of diet pills because I don’t want to take the risk of its side effects. I’ve heard about this medically supervised weight loss program called hcg. and I think this is more advisable for my friend. A person who wishes to undergo this program need not have to endure the pains of surgeries, outrageous exercise program or starving herself just to get fit. And since it’s supervised, a person who’s undergoing this treatment is assured that she will not exceed and will only lose the weight that she should get rid of. Losing weight more than what is advisable for any one is not healthy. I’ve heard about Nicole Richie’s drastic weight lose which she attributed to stress and not eating enough. Yes she lost weight but the way she loses it is unhealthy. HCG on the other hand is a safe way to lose weight since it’s a program built around a low calorie diet coupled with small dose of a hormone that can help stimulate the metabolism. Thousands of health conscious people have already tried this diet treatment program and found it effective.

Getting in shape has a lot of work at times but it’s better to get fit than taking the risk of having gastric bypass surgery due to obesity that people often ignored. So if you’re resolution this year is to lose weight, believe that you can attain it. And if you need help, try the hcg program. It’s more effective and safe.

Two of my goals for this year is to have enough savings and to get out of debt. And to attain this, I'm reading good materials (books and online) that will help and guide me. I also follow this blog where I got some budgeting and saving tips that is aligned to my financial perspective. You can check her blog to read some good points on how she also try to carry on with her goals on her family's finances. I got from her links to download free budgeting forms and spreadsheets that I find really effective. You can download them here, here and here if you're interested.

Getting out of debt, Leaving within your means, sticking to a budget, saving and avoiding over spending are great challenges for me this year but I do pray that I can attain these goals.

The love month is coming in a few weeks and I’m sure a lot of guys are now planning something to make Valentine’s Day a memorable day for the girl he loves. While some guys are waiting for a positive answer for the long courtship stage, married couples on the other hand are planning for a romantic dinners, cruises, or a romantic vacation somewhere. Others choose this day to propose. And nowadays, guys aren’t doing this the traditional way. They are now thinking of more creative ways to pop the question.

Don’t know how to do it? Well, I’ll give you some true-to-life samples. My husband’s cousin experienced a very romantic and touchy proposal. Her fiancé proposed during one of their prayer meetings and he asked some of their friends to help him do his drama. They both cried during that time because they are inside a church when her fiancé proposed. I also read a story of a guy who proposed to his girl after watching a concert of their favorite singer. It was so romantic. The guy talked to the organizer of the show before it starts so he can have a time to go to the center stage and do his gimmick. The girl loved it so much. I also saw a video of a proposal in YouTube where the super techy guy used a number of mobiles phones and programmed them to convey his message.

Creativity is really the trick. And you guessed right, all these guys immediately received the “yes!” answer from these girls. How about you? Are you hoping that you’ll also experience the sweetest and most romantic proposal? Well, for me, if I’ll be engaged again, I’m dreaming of a proposal in a romantic cruise with a serenade and a dinner after. The cool breeze of the ocean will add up to the spice of that day. How romantic! So guys, don’t just hit the question. Do it creatively and filled with surprises.