what does a mouse and a toenail have in common?

Guess who did this?

I sometimes carry Ziv on my lap while I use my computer and I just let him tinker with whatever on my desk he's able to get his tiny hands on. Last week that "wahtever" was my laptop keyboard. The li'l boy managed to pull out the space bar, as shown in the above photo. Luckily, nothing was broken and I was able to put it back on. It's still a functioning key, thank God! 

Today my left foot's big toe and my mouse became the latest in the list of the little destroyer explorer's casualties.

Since I didn't want him near my laptop anymore, I offered my Logitech keyboard as an alternative plaything. It kept him entertained and I was able to surf on the net for a few minutes, but after a while, BAM! The keyboard fell on my big toe's nail! I did a fake cry (but the pain was real) and whined "aray ko" over and over. Ziv became still and quiet for a few seconds before wreaking havoc again resuming to his exploration. 

He turned his attention to my mouse. If I were a baby, I would probably be attracted to the mouse. It has a red light on the bottom after all! Once he got hold of it, Ziv mouthed and sucked the USB end of it. I thought the thing was fine but as I was using it just now though, the pointer on the screen wouldn't respond. I tried on another mouse and it worked perfectly so I guess the other mouse has been damaged. 

Friends with kids tell me that loose and/or missing keyboard keys are just the tip of the child-induced-appliance-breakdowns-and-pain iceberg. They could be right!

diptych #10

Leg strengthening pose

Yesterday, I got an e-mail from babycenter with the subject "Your 8-month old: Week 4." What the? It's already been four weeks since Ziv turned eight months? Where did the time go? Parang kailan lang, Ziv did nothing but sleep all day!

The diptych above shows how Ziv looks like most of the time. He can stand up now when he can hold onto something sturdy enough. The toy box definitely doesn't fall on things-Ziv-can-hold-onto-when-he's-trying-to-stand category, but it surely belongs in the things-Ziv-can-tip-up category. Once he's able to tip the box, he pulls toy after toy after toy until all of them are on the play mat.  

When he's not busy taking out the contents of his toy box and playing quietly on his own, Ziv alternates between crawling over me, standing up while holding on to the sofa and trying to climb onto said sofa. I love watching him do all these but it has become more demanding on me, physically. And Ziv is just starting. He's not even walking yet! 

I helped take care of my brothers when they were toddlers so I sort of know what's ahead of me -- lots of climbing, lots of chasing, lots of pulling. Hopefully there'll be just a few bumps on the head and zero broken bones.

doctor doctor

All three of us saw doctors this past weekend. 

On Friday, I took Ziv to the pediatrician to have his lungs checked. He has been having runny nose and dry cough every morning but none during the day and evening and I wanted to make sure there's no underlying infection. The doctor said Ziv is okay, thank God. So I guess it's an allergic reaction or the air in our room may be getting too dry. We're considering getting a humidifier because even my nose gets too dry at night.

Then on Saturday morning, ze hubby had his annual physical check. We'd be getting the results in two weeks. We're praying he'll get a clean bill of health.

That afternoon, I went to see the dentist. I cracked one of my fillings last Wednesday evening and for a couple of days, there was a huge hole on one of my left molars. I was so stressed out by it. What if a chunk of meat or whatever went in there and caused major pain? I wanted to avoid having a root canal at ALL cost! Luckily, I didn't feel any pain. As the dentist said, my tooth has behaved well.

Seeing doctors freak me out! They're scary! As much as they exist to help us with our health issues, they are harbingers of doom too! They're the ones who tell you you have cancer and you only have so and so months to live or you need root canal or you've gained too much weight. I'm grateful for doctors but I just don't want to need to see them because that means something is not right or something may not be right. 

And don't get me started with the costs! 

I'm telling you, the only doctor I want to see right now is House.

beef caldereta

Caldereta, whether it's pork, chicken or beef, has been a staple in our family, so when ze hubby and I got married, the dish has been part of my cooking repertoire. I can't remember when I was taught and who taught me to cook caldereta, but I've been doing it the same way ever since I started to cook in my mom's kitchen. My way doesn't involve the use of tomato sauce. Just soy sauce and Reno liver spread. Luckily, ze hubby likes my version.

When my mom gifted me with a Filipino recipe book though, I began cooking my dishes, including caldereta "properly." So far, this cook book hasn't failed me. All of the dishes I cooked following the recipes in the book has been a success. I actually made my aunt, who lives in the US, to purchase one for their home.

Enough talk. Here is the recipe for yummy, super-good-with-rice beef caldereta. Try it and have your mini, one-dish Filipino fiesta at home.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs stewing beef, or brisket cut into 2-inch chunks

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 tsp peppercorns, crushed

3 garlic cloves, crushed

2 potatoes, quartered (I added 1 carrot cut into cubes)

1 onion, sliced

1 bay leaf

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 cup hot water

1tsp sugar

2 tsp salt

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into strips

1/2 red bell pepper, cut into strips

1 cup canned or frozen peas

1 tsp Tabasco

1tsp paprika

3-oz can liver spread

1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese 

Garnishes (optional)

2 hard cooked eggs, sliced

1/4 cup stuffed olives

Directions

1. Tough cuts of meat are best for caldereta. Marinate meat overnight in a mixture of vinegar, peppercorns and garlic.

2. In a heavy caldero/pot or dutch oven, combine beef chunks and marinade, potatoes, onions, tomato sauce, hot water, sugar, salt and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer, cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours or until beef is tender. 

3. Add the bell peppers, peas, Tabasco sauce, paprika and liver spread. Simmer 7 to 10 minutes. Taste and correct seasoning. Use soy sauce if necessary.

4. Remove from heat and stir in cheddar cheese to thicken the sauce. Garnish with eggs and olives and serve.

I decided to cook this on a whim so I didn't have time to marinate my beef. Wrong decision! It took forever to cook and I had to keep adding water to prevent the sauce from drying up. I had to taste and season several times but it was all worth it in the end. Ze hubby loved it and wouldn't let me finish up the little left over still sitting in the fridge right now. 

This recipe came from Filipino Cooking and Entertaining Here & Abroad by Eleanor Laquian. It's available at the National Bookstore for around US$11.

what are you thankful for?

Source: whatinspires.me via Liz on Pinterest

It's Thanksgiving Day in America and while our families and friends on that side of the world are feasting on huge turkeys, it's just an ordinary day here in Asia. But that doesn't mean we can't reflect on the things we're thankful for. Gratitude is a good practice, not only on specific days of the year, but every single day.

So here are some of the things, big and small, that I'm thankful for, in no particular order:

• My husband, who is such an awesome provider and a wonderful father

• My son, who gives us joy every moment of every day

• The roof on our heads, even if it's tiny and messy and rented, it still gives us a cozy place to be a family

• Food on the table more than three times a day

• My family. Always.

• My Lola's health. She's 85 and counting!

• Friends who got my back.

• Technology, which allows us to keep in touch with family and friends.

• The aparment's washing machine, which shakes violently each time it's on spin mode. Still better than handwashing.

• Our tumble dryer. No need to hang clothes!

• My Medela Pump in Style. Without it, Ziv wouldn't still be drinking breast milk.

• Dr. Marc Weissbluth and his book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. Without it, Ziv might not be sleeping as well as he does.

• My Canon EOS 450D. Yes, it may be considered ancient by now but still it allows me to record moments of my life.

• My DELL Inspiron 1525. It may be old and not a Mac but it does its job well.

• The Internet. Can't live without it.

• Disposable diapers. I just don't want to add cloth diapers to my wash load.

What about you? What are you thankful for?

what makes you rich?

It's being alive, Kat, that makes you rich.

So easy to forget,
    The Universe

PS
And no matter how you spend them, Kat, each day makes you more.

Yeah, it is so easy to forget! 

Day in, day out, we always deal with money. There's always something that we need to buy, always something we need to pay. It's so easy to forget that life isn't about money. It is about living. It's about experiences and relationships. And although money allows us to do certain things, it doesn't make us rich. 

Source: ripsaw.tumblr.com via Marianne on Pinterest

I remember what Tito Manuel, my best friend Marge's dad and a godfather to ze hubby and me, said during that time I went on vacation with their family in Aklan. He was speaking to a relative of his we visited and he was asked (in typical Pinoy fashion) if he was already rich. I overheard what he said in reply and I never, ever forgot it. He said, "I'm rich, not with money, but with experience." 

Isn't that true and beautiful?

november book picks

I think Ziv has gotten the hang of us reading to him because lately when I start reading his stories for bedtime, he smiles and does his happy and excited dance. I love it! 

This month we're reading two books. One of them is Spot Says Goodnight, which is part of the Spot series by Eric Hill. 

The story revolves around Spot's bedtime routine, making it a perfect way for easing the baby into his own bedtime. Spot says goodnight to his friends, puts his toys away, takes a bath then says goodnight to his parents and himself! 

Ziv's favorite part is when Spot takes a bath and plays peek-a-boo with the reader. Every time we reach this page, Ziv beams!

Click image to see animation!

The other story we're reading is I Dreamt I Was A Dinosaur by Stella Blackstone. It features amazing fabric artwork by Claire Beaton.

This book is hardly for infants. I checked online and it's targeted towards school-age kids. Ze hubby picked it up from the library and since it was colorful and attractive enough, I decided to give it a go. It was difficult to read at first (erm, parasaurolophus?) but I later got the hang of it. You should hear ze hubby read this -- so entertaining!

my boy has opinions!

"Don't spoon-feed me mom!"

At lunchtime, I was trying to feed Ziv beef stew + brown rice but the boy wouldn't have any of it. Just yesterday, he ate two servings of the dish so I assumed today wouldn't be any different. I offered one spoonful after another but he either kept his mouth shut or looked toward another direction, usually opposite of where the spoon is. That's on top of whining and fussing, which I think are his eight-month-old-ly way of answering back.

I got so frustrated I got Ziv out of his high chair and put him in his playpen. We both needed a break. (Actually, I needed a nap!)

After a while, I decided to try to feed Ziv again so I put him back in his high chair. I attempted to feed him the beef stew, but he kept his ground. I finally conceded (Ziv 1, mommy 0!) and just served him his favorite puffs. Ziv devoured every piece and morsel of the thing! I guess he was interested in eating, just not with what I wanted him to eat and perhaps how I wanted to feed him.

Batang 'to may opinyon na ah! Aba aba!

Of course as a parent, I'd always think I know what's best for my son and would always give him orders directions, suggestions and recommendations (may difference ba? Hehe). But actually, I'd love for Ziv to have his own opinions and for him to feel secure enough to express them. It's just that now that he's so little and could barely stand up, I often feel I have to and can just shove everything down his throat, not just in terms of food, but in terms of toys and activities.

I got frustrated because I wanted to be in control, or more correctly, to control him. I overlooked the fact that Ziv is a person, even if he's small and doesn't even speak my language yet. He knows what he wants. He knows what he needs to do and when he needs to do them so I should learn to trust him. I'm here to guide Ziv, not program him like a robot.

Each day I'm learning that parenting is very much a balancing act -- a tricky one at that. If we're too overbearing, Ziv might grow up to be an insecure adult whose self-worth depends on the approval of others. On the other hand, too much leniency and Ziv might end up being a spoiled brat who feels entitled to everything.

No wonder there are a lot of messed up kids (and adults) out there. This isn't easy. But I'm glad that for now I only have a messy self feeder to look after.

diptych #9

Sweet sweet potato

Sweet potato is one of the most versatile veggies out there that's why I love preparing it for Ziv. When he was just starting to eat solids, I just boiled the sweet potatoes, mashed them then fed them to Ziv. 

Recently though the little boy prefers to eat using his hands so instead of the usual puree, I made sweet potato fries. I just cut the sweet potatoes into strips, bathed them with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled them with cinnamon and a teeny tiny dash of brown sugar. To keep it healthy, I just stir-fried them on a non-stick pan. 

The result? A snack that pleased the baby and the adults too!

mommy's day off

I had my monthly day off yesterday. Ze hubby was left here at home to take care of Ziv. It's the second time I left him on his own to hold the fort so he was more confident. All I had to do was write down Ziv's schedule so he'll know when to feed solids, bottle-feed, put Ziv down for a nap etc.

Click to see Ziv's schedule!

Ziv fell on this pattern on his own but also with a little coaxing guidance from yours truly. See, I'm a stickler for routines/schedules. I get easily stressed by unpredictability but since Ziv arrived, I had to let him be in his own time, whether or not it was convenient for me and his dad. I had to learn to be more relaxed and just follow Ziv's lead. But I'm so glad we now have more or less predictable days, making it feasible for mommy to have a day off.
 

Oh and I need even just one day off baby caring duties. I love being a stay-at-home mom but one day in a month when I can just be on my own does wonders for me. I've only had two days off so far but each time I come back from my solo outings, I feel refreshed and ready to take on another month of everything. 

Don't think I indulge in spa treatments or go on expensive shopping sprees. My outings are far from being grand or luxurious. Last month I had a doctor's appointment, had lunch at the food court and the only thing I did which can be considered a treat was to have coffee and muffin at Starbucks. Yesterday, I went out and had lunch at the food court, shopped at the 2-dollar store and had my hair cut at an express cutting outlet. After that I stopped by the supermarket then went home to my boys, whom I missed so much. I do miss my boys. Whenever I'm out I sometimes wish they were with me, but then I get distracted by the shops. Haha! But I'm glad I'm able to take a day off and just regroup. 

I'm also thankful and happy I don't have to worry about my baby. His dad did a wonderful job at taking care of him.

lemony shrimp scampi, my style

I planned on making shrimp aglio olio last night but changed my mind the last minute and decided I'd cook scampi pasta instead. I haven't made it before so I went online and searched for the recipe. I found one at Food Network but then as I went through the list of ingredients, I realized I didn't have all of them. I had most of them though so I decided to just for it.

This pasta dish was a quick fix. The preparation and the cooking only took me 35 minutes leaving me with enough time to whip up a simple salad of lettuce, tomatoes, pineapple and cheese.

Ze hubby and I found the acidity just right so had I followed the original recipe, the dish might've ended up too sour for our taste. I'd love to have fresh parsley next time though. I think it will bring the entire dish to life.

Here is my recipe but you can go ahead and check the original here.

Ingredients

6 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped

1 onion, chopped

250 grams shrimp, peeled and deveined (keep the heads and shell)

zest of 1 lemon (you can use the juice too but my lemon was overripe so I scrapped it)

a teaspoon of chilli flakes (we only had packets of Pizza Hut chilli flakes so I used one of those)

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons v\olive oil (I only had extra virgin so I used that)

250 grams pasta (the recipe calls for linguine but I only had instant spaghetti so I used that)

a dash of Italian herbs (I didn't have parsley)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions.

2. Shrimp stock: Put the shrimp shells and heads in a pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Heat the olive oil in a pan then melt the butter. Saute the garlic, onion, lemon zest, Italian herbs and chilli flakes until the garlic and onions are cooked. Be careful not to burn the garlic so it won't taste bitter.

4. Put two ladles of shrimp stock and simmer for a while. Add some salt and pepper to taste.

5. Put in drained pasta and toss. Serve immediately and enjoy!

This recipe can easily serve four moderately hungry people. Don't ask me how many it fed last night. Haha.

catch-up

I've neglected this blog for a while because real life has been keeping me lazy busy.

For starters, Ziv cut his two lower front teeth a few days ago. I was stressed out by his crankiness I didn't find myself to be in the mood to write anything. I'm so glad the teething drama is over now and he's back to being chirpy. I hope (crossing fingers!!!) the next time a tooth comes in he won't be as affected by it as the first time. 

My two-teethed boy is happy again!

I've also been trying to organize around here. I already managed to get rid of our old things and sent them to the Philippines via LBC. My sis will try to make some money off selling my old clothes, shoes and bags. I also sent back Ziv's too-small clothes and an unused rocker so we could give them to our laundry lady's grandchild. Indeed, another man's trash (not that our old stuff is in a garbage-y condition) is another's treasure!

I was able to tackle the common room too. Threw some stuff, kept a lot. Now the bed is actually a bed, not Smokey Mountain, and the floor has reemerged!

The common room, before and after

There are still a couple of things I need to figure out, like where to keep our seldom-used-but-still-needed things. Buying new cabinets for storage is out of the question so I've got to be creative, but the stuff at Organize.com are making me drooooool!

Oh, I also set up the Christmas tree over the weekend. Ziv was so happy when he first saw it. We turned out the lights and that kept him occupied for a good half hour. He just sat on his high chair and soaked all the details in.

Our humble Christmas tree at our former dining area

We hung the parol too. It worked but after a few seconds, its plug blew up! It set off the fuse so we didn't have electricity for a minute or two. That parol is three years old and made our three Christmases in the old apartment more colorful. It certainly didn't die in vain.

Now I shall leave with a video called Moments, which was produced by Everynone. I love how they captured the tiny moments we usually don't pay attention to. These microseconds actually add up and make up one big life. If we are completely present, we'll realize how beautiful those moments and our life really is.

Watch. I hope it will inspire you to appreciate every moment.

Moments from Everynone on Vimeo.

diptych #8

Father and son bonding over a board book and a Macbook

teething's a b*tch

Remember when I said that Ziv isn't irritable at all?  Turned out I said it prematurely because Ziv is definitely cranky!!! He's been whining a lot lately and it's getting to me, specifically my ears. The little boy also isn't in the mood to eat anything except his puffs. 

Earlier today he ran out of clean teethers so I resorted to pacifiers. Fortunately, he seemed to really like it. I also massaged his gums with a cold washcloth and I think it comforted him.

I hope we get over this soon!

diptych #7

Following my mother's footsteps

I found this poem as I was randomly browsing the Internet for a lovely quote I could use for yesterday's post. I can almost hear my mom saying this out loud:

Now that I am gone,
remember me with smiles and laughter.
And if you need to cry,
cry with your brother or sister
who walks in grief beside you.
And when you need me,
put your arms around anyone
and give to them what you need to give to me.
There are so many who need so much.
I want to leave you something --
something much better than words or sounds.
Look for me in the people I've known
or helped in some special way.
Let me live in your heart
as well as in your mind.
You can love me most
by letting your love reach out to our loved ones,
by embracing them and living in their love.
Love does not die, people do.
So, when all that's left of me is love,
give me away as best you can.

~ Author unknown

I'm giving you away as best as I can, mommy.

today

Two years ago, mommy passed away. 

I've accepted her death and have moved on with my life. It has gotten easier, living without her here physically. And recalling and recounting her last few days do not sting as bad as it used to.

Mommy and me at Vigan, our last family vacation with her, April 2009

Still, there are days when I forget that she's not here anymore; when I get lost in memories, too lost sometimes that I think of calling and texting her, and suddenly, I get jolted by the reality that she's gone. 

There are even more days when I miss her; when I wish she were well and alive.

And here.

I wonder how three years would feel like.

*****

Eight months ago, I gave birth to our son.

Ziv has been a constant source of pride and joy. I've never felt this kind of love for anyone in my entire life. 

Even if he makes me not sleep through the night, even if he wakes up just before I'm about to take a nap, even if he cries in public, even if he's cranky because his teeth are coming in, even if my breasts get sore from pumping--I'd choose to have him again if I were to go back in time.

Happy 8th month Ziv. I hope you're liking it here.

the teeth are coming!

This would be one of Ziv's last toothless grins. Today I noticed that his two lower front teeth are cutting through his gums. No wonder he woke up crying a few nights ago. Must've been due to sore gums. Luckily, Ziv isn't irritable at all. Well, at least, not more than usual. And he doesn't have fever. Just plenty of drool. He's also extra gigil with the teethers and everything he could get his mouth on.

Oh, and he has started feeding himself Gerber Graduates Puffs. He's really growing up!

need a new blog title

Source: ffffound.com via Channah on Pinterest

I decided I don't want to call my blog "a million little things" anymore, thus the title above. I hope I'll be able to come up with a good one soon!

Ziv, lately

Ziv is slowly becoming upright. From his tummy, he goes on all fours then tries to do this:

Photo taken using ActionSnap app

Sometimes he holds on to something, sometimes he doesn't. And sometimes he stretches his legs and ends up in a sitting position. He's still a bit wobbly but he's getting stronger everyday. I know it's only a matter of time before his muscles are strong enough to keep him stable.

Our little boy will be turning eight months on Monday. Time unbelievable passes quickly when you're raising a child. Probably because you count the hours by diaper changes, feedings, playtime, bath time and sleep. There are moments when I still can't believe our once 1.9kg baby is now 7.3kg! He is more aware of his surroundings, is super active and is noisier than ever.

Just this morning I woke up to the sound of Ziv saying "mama." I know he was just probably babbling but still. It's way nicer to wake up to that than a howl.

diptych #6

Fuel for the day

Ze hubby picked up a 3-sachet pack of Starbucks Via for us to try. It did taste like brewed coffee but I think brewing is still cheaper than a 1-dollar-a-sachet Via. 

I love coffee.

I need it to start the day.

When I was pregnant with Ziv, I didn't drink coffee. I missed it so much! I would smell ze hubby's coffee in the morning and would drool. 

Well, not really. But I wanted to drink it badly.

I didn't immediately start to drink it after I gave birth, especially since Ziv was quite a fussy baby. But now I'm back to my normal coffee consumption, which is a cup once to twice a day.

Hmmm. Maybe it's time we picked up a new coffeemaker.

Ziv's first Halloween

Ziv's first Halloween consisted mainly of a photo shoot with him wearing a monkey costume. That's it. 

Ze hubby and I didn't grow up celebrating Halloween. We knew of the holiday but when we were young, we didn't wear costumes or go trick or treating. When we were older, we never went to Halloween parties neither.

There are a couple of trick or treating events here in Singapore but I thought Ziv was too young. He doesn't even have teeth yet! Maybe when he's a toddler we'll take him to one of those so he can have fun wearing a costume of his choice and get lots of sweets (not that he'll be allowed to eat them). Maybe we'll start that tradition. 

In the meantime, photos would have to do. 

I'm glad he was such a breeze to shoot despite the heat that day. The costume, although sleeveless, was quite hot because it was made of faux fur and not designed for tropical weather. Ze hubby got it from the US on his last trip. It was on sale at eBay. We didn't want to spend a fortune on something Ziv will only wear once. 

Oh, by the way, that plush pepper-looking banana was part of his dada's costume once. Just can't remember if it was for Halloween or Christmas though.