Broccoli Make-up

After sweet potatoes, normal potatoes and squash, broccoli was next. It has a different smell so the baby wasn't that psyched to taste. It also has a different texture even if mashed/blended. She gets mad if we hold her hands to prevent it from touching the food or putting it inside her mouth. Papa called it broccoli make-up because she spread her food all over her face. The baby was still able to finish her bowl. Very good little darling.

Batman with my Bestfriend

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/

Batman is my favorite superhero. Yes, since I was a kid, I used to watched the cartoons.  Of course I didn't miss the previous Batman films.

The new series of the dark knight movies are modern and more mature.  I guess to keep up with those kids who liked batman, who are adults now.  I must say, I liked Christian Bale for Bruce Wayne.  Except for his voice when he puts his mask on.   And, The Dark Knight Rises is a good ending for the trilogy. Though, the makers can still make another film or two...

I cannot even remember the last time that I watched a movie with my bestfriend.  It was way too long already.  But this night, I got my birthday gift from her! My wish, for us to have a night out, just the two of us. Yey! The baby was left with her Papa so I was less worried.

My favorite superhero with my favorite person.  A very good "post" birthday treat.

Happy Five Months

Our princess is five months old!  She's 15.2 lbs. and I think she's getting longer and longer. Her legs are stronger, perhaps due to the morning Jumperoo exercises.   Her milestone for the month: she started solids already! I'm feeding her twice a day with rice cereals and various vegetables.   Not much changed from our routine, but her nap time has longer interval.  She's mostly playing, either with me or by herself.  She also discovered her toes taste better than her hands.  A week before the twelfth, she had fever and I was worried sick as I didn't know the cause.  We brought her to the doctor, she had sores on her throat and mouth. The pedia said it could be due to germs that reaches her mouth because of her putting anything in her mouth.  She was prescribed with meds.  I was a little relieved that the fever didn't occur again and after 2-3 days, she's back to normal.  

Thus, an addition to her cleaning routine: cleaning her mouth-gums, tongue and inner cheeks, with a swab and water.  And washing her hands and feet with soap and water as often as possible.  Using the sanitizer if we're out.

If only we can be sick instead of our babies, most mothers would choose that.

A Year Older

 About the same time last year, I was on house arrest because of my risky pregnancy.  I was happy and sad at the same time.  Happy because I had long wished for a baby.  Sad because I was very worried for her.  A year has gone by and she's right here, now, beside me. I thank God for everything.  I couldn't wish for anything more. 

A lot has happened: pregnancy, giving birth, going back to work, permanently leaving work, changing my career to motherhood.  Everyday I continue to learn to be a mother.  

My prayer now is for Euen to be safe, healthy and happy always.

Potatoes

After a week of sweet potatoes, normal potatoes is next on the baby's menu.  I did the same thing as with the sweet potatoes. I think the baby liked the sweet potatoes more, so after a couple of meals of potatoes alone, I mixed an ice cube of sweet potato with an ice cube of potato. That, the baby liked!

I started feeding the baby twice a day, one lunch date just the two of us and one dinner date as a family. Feeding the baby is really very messy, she grabs her spoon herself, putting her hands inside her mouth, spreading food all over her face and all over the place.  But I love that she likes food and I enjoy every bit of it!

Movie After Five Months

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0948470/

Before, we would watch a movie almost once, every week. That was our date.  But  the last movie that we watched was The Vow.  This was a week before I gave birth.

After five months, my sister volunteered to babysit Euen so that we can watch, The Amazing Spiderman. Yey!  It felt like a first date, in an actual movie house. Haha!

Well, I liked this Peter Parker better than Tobey Maguire.  But, can I just wish that there'll be a Spiderman without Uncle Ben dying. Just a hopeful thinking.  I guess it won't be a Spiderman if that will be the case. 

Because we needed to come back as soon as possible for the baby, we didn't even eat dinner.  We just got a Mc Donald's drive thru and ate at home. 

Paalam Nanay Norma

May kasabihan, "Ang isang ina, isusubo na lang, ibibigay pa sa kanyang anak." At ito ay nakita ko kay Nanay Norma, kung gaano nya kamahal ang kanyang mga anak, hanggang saming mga apo nya. Sa 82 years ng buhay ni Nanay, halos 60 years nito, sya ay ina. Ako, five months pa lang akong ina sa aking anak kung kaya't hindi ko maimagine kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal, pag-aaruga at pagsasakripisyo ang ibinigay nya sa kanyang mga anak.

Labingisang taon nang wala ang mommy ko, kaya tuwing ako'y nangungulila, ididial ko lang ang numerong ito: 9038125, at maririnig ko na ang mataas at matinis na "Hello?", ang boses ni nanay. Magkakamustahan at magkwekwentuhan na kami at bago ibaba ang telepono, hahalik muna sya ng madami at sasabihing mahal nya ako. Napakaraming naming mga kwento at fond memories with nanay, bawat apo ay may isang di malilimutang alaala kasama si nanay, simula nung bata pa kami hanggang sa huli.  Ako, si Nanay ang naghatid sa akin sa altar noong araw ng kasal ko. Palagi kong sinasabing pagdasal nyang magkababy na kami, kasi sabi ko, alam kong malakas sya kay God. At noong buntis ako, alam kong nag-alala sya para sakin at sa baby ko. Kung kaya't masayang masaya kami na nakita at nahawakan nya ang kanyang great grandchild.

Ngayon, tapos na ang paghihirap ni Nanay, masaya na sya kasama si Tatay, at si mommy. Sana sa pagkawala ni Nanay, manahin natin mula sa kanya kung gaano kalaki ang pagmamahal nya sa kanyang mga anak, kung gaano kahalaga sa kanya ang pamilya.

We love you Nanay Norma. We'll miss you.

Sweet potatoes

After two weeks (almost) of rice cereals, I decided to let Euen try real food! First on her menu: sweet potatoes.  Here's what I did:

1. Wash the sweet potatoes.

2. Steam / boil / bake.  (I choose to steam.)

3. Cool then peel.

4. Sprinkle a little iodized salt.

5. Cut into small pieces.

6. Mash. (I used a blender, adding water little by little until desired consistency is attained.)

I use BPA free ice trays to stock and store for the following days.  I mix 2 ice cubes of the sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons of rice cereals, adding a little water for one meal.   Note:  feed with the same food for 4 consecutive meals to check if baby has allergic reaction to the food. 

Yes, the baby loved it!

Steamed Fish

In lieu of steaming vegetables for Euen, I thought of steaming fish instead of frying, for a change.  Is just an experiment, with fingers crossed, that Denden will like it.  Here's what I did:
1.  Clean the fish, remove the scales.
2.  Make a couple of cuts diagonally both sides.
3.  Rub with salt and pepper both sides, also inside.
4.  Insert ginger and garlic slices.
5.  Add soy sauce and a little calamansi, inside and out.
6.  Steam for 12-15 minutes.
7.  Sprinkle with chopped spring onions and pour a little sesame oil when done.