I'm a full-time mummy

With the ever changing technology and more and more businesses providing the convenience to everyone in doing online transactions nowadays, we have to be very careful when it comes to performing tasks and activities on the World Wide Web. 

I'm particularly very skeptical with my personal data and would not simply divulge my particulars (such as address, contact number and banking details) unless the source is trusted and the website is encrypted and have good reputation in safekeeping their customers/members data.

Now have you heard of the terms identity theft?

According to Wikipedia, identity theft is: "a form of fraud or cheating of another person's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name. The victim of identity theft (here meaning the person whose identity has been assumed by the identity thief) can suffer adverse consequences if he or she is held accountable for the perpetrator's actions. Organizations and individuals who are duped or defrauded by the identity thief can also suffer adverse consequences and losses, and to that extent are also victims."

Imagine the troubles you have to go through when you realised someone has stolen your personal details! For example, if someone manages to get hold of your credit card details, they could easily perform transactions online and make purchases online using your credit card details!

I came across this website called IdentityHawk, which is the industry leader in identity fraud detection and prevention. Unlike other services that inform their customers / members after they' have been victimized, IdentityHawk's leading-edge technology detects, deters, and prevents identity fraud before it strikes. Cool huh?

What is fantastic about their identity theft protection service is their members will receive automatic e-mail or text alerts the moment a potential risk is uncovered. They will also inform their members about the latest threats to their identity as quickly as electronically possible whether it's the unauthorized use of a member's personal information or a data breach. You can read more on how their system works at http://www.identityhawk.com/how-it-works.

I mean, wouldn't it be great to be informed the moment a POTENTIAL risk is detected? Of course, some of you might think it might be troublesome or even annoying, but I'd like to think that it is better to be safe than sorry!

So what are your thoughts on identity theft?

Do you practise any form of protection when it comes to divulging your personal particulars online?

While I was busy freaking out worrying about how the labor is going to be like for Spicy Baby this time, I hear this statement loads and loads of time:

'Wow! So Spicy Baby is a girl huh? One boy, one girl, can close shop now!'

Wo-kayyyy.... and to that question, I normally just replied 'Let me see whether I can handle 2 kids on my hand or not...'

So, what about you?

At which point (as in how many children) do you decide:

"This is enough already, time to close shop!" ?

And with that, I leave you with this quote to ponder on...

A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on. ~ Carl Sanburg

I had a lunch outing recently with my ex-boss (I brought Ben along) and when we were heading back to the office (I decided to wait there while my hubby came over to fetch us home), I carried Ben and my ex-boss has got the horrified look on her face.

Actually I carried Ben cos I don't want to be holding his hand and have him crossing the road with me - I mean, I'd rather carry him and cross the road than risk him slowing me down and causing any accidents... plus it was quite hot outside and I figured it'd be better (and faster) if I carry him.

Anyway, my ex-boss looked so worried seeing me carrying Ben - what more with my pregnancy at this stage and kept asking me and Ben whether she can carry him instead. She tried asking Ben to walk himself too (which he did after some persuasion). So yeah, that got me thinking... am I seriously doing one of those pregnancy no-no thingy?

Of course, I'm glad that I don't drink alcohol or smoke (hate it!!) or take any drugs (I didn't eve see a doctor when I had  my cough + sorethroat + runny nose + fever bouts few weeks back) or even eat any raw stuff (think sushi).

But, honestly speaking I've done some pretty scary stunts remarkable things during this round of pregnancy such as:

* Karate kick bathroom door cos hubby was stuck inside (I was about 8 months pregnant)

What actually happened was I heard a loud banging sound from the next room (hubby's home office) while I was dry nursing Ben to sleep and after a few more banging sounds, I decided to go check out what the heck is going on with my hubby at such a late hour (almost midnight).

When I went into his office, I couldn't find him anywhere and then another banging sound came again, from his bathroom. I realised then that he was stuck in his bathroom and there's no way he could get himself out without some fancy McGyver gadgets (oh well, I'd be totally freaked out if he can escaped out using some spare rolls of toilet paper or tooth brush or something)

I can't pull open the door and the only way I could help is to help him push the door inwards while he pulls it from his side. I tried using my shoulder to bang at the door, and then realised it'll be better if I just use my leg to kick the door. Yeap, the good ol' karate kick method! Wachh-aaaaaaaaa!!!!

I mean, I think my legs are stronger than my skeletal hands so, there you go, an 8 months preggy mum raising her right leg over 90 degrees and kicking the door with all her might. It took a few kicks before door finally bulged and I get to see my hubby's relieved face!

* Breastfeeding during pregnancy and still dry nursing as we speak now
I mean I already got some not so encouraging responses for continuing on my breastfeeding with Ben after he turned 2 years old. And what more now when people find out that I am still dry nursing (meaning no breastmilk as my BM stopped production by itself when I was in my 5th month of pregnancy) Ben while I am pregnant - even to this day, they give me weird looks. I don't know what else to say other than I'll let him nurse as long as he wants (it's part of my daily prayer as well)

* Still carrying my almost 13kg toddler around (though not for long period of time)

Like I mentioned in the first few paragraphs, I do still carry Ben around, though not for long period of time, maybe less than 10 minutes the max during each time.

I've heard of people telling me I should not carry so heavy things but I don't know, I mean, if you can just look at your child directly into his eyes and still refused to carry him when he's in pain or crying after a fall or hurt or something or after seeing your hubby got so tired carrying your child all day long then I'd think you have got something wrong in your head.... or heart...

* Running with Ben to the bathroom when he says he needs to pee

My regular blog readers will know that I'm in the midst of potty training Ben (peeing part for now) and yes, part of my self-created BE AWESOME potty training approach is to make it exciting and fun. And feeling excited and fun means I drop/stop whatever I'm doing and just RUN to the bathroom with Ben the moment he tells me he needs to pee.

Of course at almost 9 months pregnant now it does get tiring (especially if you got pranked by your mischievous toddler, and yes he does it quite well...) but I think it's worth it. And it's not like I'm running the whole day long...

* Lie down on my front

Surprisingly, just few days ago, I realised I could still lie down on my front. And read an e-book on my iPad. And then I rolled sideways and realised 'Oh crap... I totally forgot about my preggy bump!' Nothing weird happened just in case you are wondering...

* Still trying to squat as much as I can

With that I mean, if I am out and about, I try to go for the squatting type of toilets rather than the sitting down types. I read that squatting helps with contractions during labor, and I did the same thing when I was pregnant with Ben so I'm going to repeat it with this pregnancy, though I do have to be honest that nowadays, there are few times when I am feeling abit difficult to stand back up after squatting and the thoughts of getting stuck squatting does cross my mind when this happen... so, I think I'll be reducing my squatting exercises to home only...

So what about you? Any pregnancy no-nos you've heard of or practised?