Valerie, I think ok to take lotus roots. I had cooked pork ribs lotus roots soup during my 1st trimester before.. but if it's cooling stuff like bittergourd or old wintermelon, then maybe avoid.
Gregda, you meant those independent CLs you contacted requested you to apply permit for them too ar? I guess they also want to be "safe" ba... Likely I may engage a CL too cos my hubby doesn't want to do house cleaning haha! I was deciding either PEM or just get tingkat food but since hubby doesn't want to clean house, then we may get CL loh.. extra pair of hands is good also..
Neon, I also always "so" my tummy and talk to my baby.. like when I apply massage cream, when I kena frightened by cockroach/lizards hahaha! My sister asked me to start talking to baby early about anything, including if there's thunder.. so next time they will not be so afraid hehee.. I don't know real or not lah.. just do for fun loh.. hehe...
Precious, I think many of us gets emo during our pregnancy stage but let's try to maintain a happy mood cos our mood will affect the baby when they are born.. hehe.. if we remain happy-go-lucky, then our child(ren) will come out same also.. hehe..