mommyhood

Having a child is truly a full-time job… more so when you make the commitment to breastfeed the exclusively, meaning absolutely no formula. Sure you may be away from your baby once in a while but you better leave an ample supply of pumped milk. Should you decide to bring him along, find out where breastfeeding stations are located… bless SM for putting one in MOA albeit facing the ATM queue but Rustans Glorietta even more for bothering to make theirs look like an actual nursery with lovely wallpaper, comfy couches and basic toiletries. In the absence on such facilities, be ready to get creative… find a place with the least traffic and go about your business discreetly with as much nonchalance as you can muster. Wear button-down tops but for the more modest ones, bring one of ‘em shawl-like covers.
So far, Nacho has been well-behaved when we go out choosing to sleep most of the time and poop galore within the comforts of space and equipment of his pedia’s clinic. Feeding was mostly in the car or a mad dash to an unpopular restaurant where you should have the decency to at least order something.
The bigger challenge is being home alone without a nanny… I have mastered the art of not chewing my hurried meals, taking 3-minute baths and catching up on sleep all according to his biological time clock. It’s a cycle of eating, pooping and sleeping, but sometimes he would cry for no reason despite you exhausting all remedies (including a song and dance number). And just when you decide to put him in a basket to be left on somebody’s doorstep, he’d flash either the kawawa-look or his winning smile and you’re suckered right back to pouring your unconditional love and berating yourself for even having bad thoughts – absolute putty in his tiny little hands.
At the end of the day when your husband is home to temporarily relieve you of yaya-duties and your child is happy and content, you give yourself a pat on the back… then take all you can; food, bath and sleep... tomorrow is another day.

It's Finished!

Renovations to our humble home is done and ready for occupancy!
Tita Evelyn, our Ninang/Contractor surpassed expectations from our very modest budget - in this case, leaving things to the expert was a very wise decision.
Now if only we can afford to furnish the house already... but that's another challenge!

Our Star is Born

We’ve got two maternity bags in the trunk since June – my belly was so huge I was pretty sure I’d deliver around my 36th week which fell on July 5. August loomed but I kept getting bigger, had false labor once in a while and the OB said my cervix was still too thick and the baby still wouldn’t engage on my pelvis.
My sister and my mom were here from the province so I went around with them to as far as QC, Tagaytay, around the malls… still nothing changed when I went in for check-up. An ultrasound revealed that the baby was already 8.5lbs inside so…
Friday – I had an xray to see if my pelvic bone can accommodate him. However, the one to interpret the plates won’t be back until Monday afternoon. So I took the platesfrom the hospital and called around to see who else can read it for me.
Saturday – still nobody to read my xray plates so I texted the OB if we may please just go ahead with Ceasarian delivery as my layperson’s eyes tell me that my baby’s head is already as big as the space in my bone. She asked me to return first the plated to the hospital so she can take a look at them, but Tats and I were off to Tony & Mau’s wedding so we were not able to do so until late that evening.
Sunday - Tats and I were at the mall to buy a net for the baby’s tub and to pay our phone bill. I asked the OB again if we can schedule the delivery already as I’m already on the 40th week and doubt I’ll be in labor anytime soon. She assembled her team and we’re on for 7am the next day!
Monday – We checked-in the hospital at 1am and I was promptly prepped. The bikini wax I had almost a month before has already become immaterial so I had to put up with the rough razor. The nurse gave me shot in the ass to induce bowel movement – “oh it’s going to take time, I was done when I left the house”, she was hardly out the door before I rushed and barely made it to the toilet.
7am – I was wheeled to the OR for some really painful skin testing – it hurt more than the anesthesia injected in my spine except they kept making me curl up as if oblivious to my huge tummy in the way.
8am – I was semi-conscious and the violent movements almost knocked me out of my medicated stupor, it felt like someone sat below my lower chest and started pushing my belly down. I could hear the OR team discovering that the baby has already pooped inside and hurriedly took him out, but above it all, I made out my Nacho’s faint cry. Someone showed him to me in a brown blanket that looked like paper bag plus he was full of rashes… it wasn’t love at first sight as my first impression was, oh my - he looks like a bumpkin! Then I passed out.
Tuesday – I was drinking water like crazy until my urine cleared and the nurses took out the catheter. Dragging my dextrose to the bathroom, I gave myself a towel bath, put on fresh clothes, asked Tats to wheel me to the nursery and there he was – the longest and heaviest of babies now with less rashes compared to yesterday. I tried to breastfeed him and he immediately latched on like a starved cub, hmm, Tats did well giving specific instructions for dropper-feeding. Right there, we decided that he’s rooming in with us that evening – and what an exhausting night it was!
Wednesday – Tats and I took turns catching up on sleep. I thought we’d stay another day but the Pedia and the OB cleared both Nacho and me for discharge. Well… as long as I have painkillers.
I almost cried seeing my gauzed tummy all dark and loose but it was quickly offset by my dripping milk. It’s all true what they say about sleepless nights getting used to soiled diapers, frustrating baths and all. But it’s also surprising how happy a peaceful stare or a brief smile can make you.

My 20 Quick and Healthy Fixes (Soup Recipes)

VI. Pumpkin/ Carrot Soup
¼ ripe Pumpkin/ 3 med. sticks Carrots (if both, use half portions of each)
250 ml. Milk
Salt and Pepper to taste
(a) In sauce pan, cover pumpkin/ carrots with water and boil until tender (not too much water). Scoop out of water and puree in blender. Add water used for boiling in blender if needed to reduce thickness of puree.
(b) Pour back puree in sauce pan and add milk.
(c) Simmer over low heat and season with salt and pepper.

VII. Corn Soup
5 cobs White Corn
1 tbsp. Butter
3 cloves Garlic (diced)
1 pc. medium-size White Onion
1 cup Water
1 cup Moringa leaves or ½ cup Celery (diced)
(a) Using a sharp knife, gently slice off kernels off the corn cobs. Scrape off pulp as these will thicken the soup.
(b) In sauce pan, melt butter and sauté garlic followed by onions.
(c) Pour in water and corn kernels. Season with salt and pepper. Leave to simmer over low heat.
(d) After a 5 minute boil, turn off heat and add in moringa or celery.


VIII. French Onion Soup
3 large White Onions cut into rings
½ stick Butter
500 ml. Milk
¼ cup grated Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
(a) In sauce pan, melt butter and add onions. Leave to heat until onion is totally wilted.
(b) Add milk and cheese. Simmer over low heat.
(c) Season with salt and pepper.

IX. Cheddar Tomato Soup
1cup diced Ripe Tomatoes
2 pcs. chopped White Onions
250 ml. Milk
½ cup Cheddar Cheese (grated)
1 cup Water
1 tsp. Basil
½ cup Diced Celery
Salt and Pepper to taste
(a) Puree Tomatoes and Onion.
(b) In sauce pan, combine puree, milk, cheese and basil.
(c) Simmer over low heat and season with salt and pepper.
(d) Turn off heat and add celery.

X. Seafood Chowder
¼ kg each of Scallops/ Clam/ Shrimp/ Fish Fillet
¼ cup Diced Onions
3 cups Potatoes (cut into cubes)
½ stick Butter
250 ml. Milk
½ cup Cheddar Cheese (grated)
1 cup Water
1 tsp. Basil
½ cup Diced Celery
Salt and Pepper to taste
(a) Melt butter and sauté onions, potatoes and celery over low heat.
(b) Add in seafood.
(c) Pour in water and milk.
(d) Simmer over low heat and season with basil, salt and pepper.

(Stand Alone Recipes to follow…)

My Quick & Healthy Fixes

For me, cooking has become therapy. It happened when eating lunch on workdays has become a necessity rather than a pleasurable break. I would order a Cheeseburger Meal and eat while working in front of my computer. When I forgot to eat, I would look for the fastest starch/ sugar option available and gobble it up in seconds.

A routine annual physical check-up at my husband’s office revealed that his triglyceride level is off the charts. It was then that we decided to make a conscious effort on the quality of the meals we take while in the workplace where we spend most of the day at least five times per week.

I surfed the net for realistic options. I know we’re not ready for something as drastic as turning vegan as we’re both big meat eaters so I started by making a weekly menu with reduced carbohydrates and increased fiber. Budget and prep time are also major factors.

We did the grocery list and I started preparing our office meals either the night before (for more complicated viands) or the morning before work. I thought it was going to wear me out but I ended up really enjoying my short times alone in the kitchen. It also makes me happy that lunchtime has become an anticipated break for my husband work days.

Here are my 20 Quick and Healthy fixes. Recipes are good for 2-3 servings so feel free to make adjustments as you deem necessary. Hope they come in handy for you too!

SOLOS or COMBOS (may be had alone but better when complemented with any of the succeeding soup recipes)

I.Beefsteak Sandwich
¼ Sirloin sliced very thinly
1 pc. medium-size Bell Pepper (sliced in strips)
1 pc. medium-size White Onion (sliced in rings)
1 small can Button Mushrooms (sliced in 2 or 3)
3 tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
3 tsp. Vegetable Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Swiss Cheese (or Cheez Whiz)
Ciabatta, Foccacia or any High-fiber bread you prefer
(a)Marinade beef in Worcestershire Sauce for 10 minutes. Simmer over low heat, season with salt and pepper. When marinade dries up, add oil to fry a little.
(b)Place in white onions and let fry until wilted. Add in bell peppers and mushrooms and turn off heat before the peppers wilt.
(c)Slice bread in half. Place filling and top with Cheese.


II. Lettuce Wraps
¼ lean Pork (ground)
1 pc. medium-size Carrot (diced)
1 pc. medium-size Turnip (diced)
50g. Peanuts (crushed)
1 pc. small White Onion (diced)
3 cloves Garlic (diced)
3 tsp. Sesame Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Lettuce leaves, washed and drained
(a)Over low heat, let pork simmer in 3 tbsp. water until meat’s oil is extracted. Drain oil from pan.
(b)Add in all the other ingredients and sauté until carrots and turnips are cooked but still crunchy.
(c)Eat by putting fillings in lettuce leaves, wrap and roll away.

III. Creamy Onion and Mushroom Omelet
1 pc. medium-size White Onion (sliced in rings)
1 small can Button Mushrooms (sliced in 2 or 3)
¼ cup grated Cheddar Cheese
¼ cup Full Cream Milk
3 tbsp. Vegetable Oil
4 whole Eggs (beaten)
Salt and Pepper to taste
a)Saute onion in 1 tbsp. oil until wilted. Add mushrooms, cheddar cheese and milk and blend together until creamy. Set aside.
b)Beat eggs lightly (if you want crepe-like omelet) or vigorously (if you like fluffy omelet). Add salt and pepper.
c)Over low heat, grease pan with 2 tbsp. vegetable oil. Pour in half of the beaten eggs. When base is cooked, place half of the filling over half a side of the egg and fold the other half over.
d)Remove from heat and repeat folding with the other half of the mixtures.

IV. Home-made Pizza
¼ ground round Beef
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 pc. medium-size Bell Pepper (sliced in strips)
1 pc. medium-size White Onion (sliced in rings)
1 small can Button Mushrooms (sliced in 2 or 3)
250ml Tomato Sauce
½ cup grated Cheddar or Mozzarella Cheese
Ciabatta, Foccacia or any High-fiber bread you prefer
a)Over low heat, let beef simmer in 3 tbsp. water until meat’s oil is extracted. Drain oil from pan. Season with salt and pepper.
(b)Slice bread in half and spread tomato sauce over cut surface.
(c)Place topping on bread: beef, mushroom, onion, pepper and cheese.
(d)Pop into the oven toaster and let cook for 5-7 minutes.

V. Broiled Chicken Breast
½ Chicken Breast (with or without skin)
5 cloves crushed Garlic
Salt, Pepper and Lemon to taste
a)Cut chicken breast in big cubes. Place in deep pan and add water just enough to cover the meat.
b)Add in garlic, salt and pepper. Leave to simmer over very low heat (this will take about 20 minutes so you may want to squeeze in a shower already)
c)When the water have evaporated, let the meat and garlic fry a little in the extracted oil.
d)Remove from heat. Squeeze lemon juice over meat.

Soup recipes to follow!

My Ziggy-faced Nacho

Had a most unpleasant experience at the OB-GYN Ultrasound Center Alabang yesterday.
First the doctor was late and then she wouldn't let Tats into the room, "Nakita na naman nya yan dati di ba? Ayan o lalaki, alam nyo na yun di ba?" (he's seen this before already, you know it's a boy right?) I don't know where she got off being overly familiar when I've never encountered her before and the doctors there in previous scans were much nicer. Nacho was kicking and squirming the whole time that horrid woman was running the stick over my belly.

Tats had to contend himself with the screen of the receptionist who was nice enough to interpret the image her first reaction being... "Ayan Sir o, ang laki ng pisngi ng anak nyo!" (your child's cheek is so plump)

At 35 weeks, Nacho is already 6.5lbs and i look like i'm ready to explode anytime. Unenthusiastically, she pointed out the liver, kidney etc. When I asked if the lungs are fully developed, she looked at me incredulously and shook her head as if i just asked the stupidest question of the century.

After paying and getting the results, Tats and I left without bothering to make small talk. As soon as were out the door, we both agreed how much we hated that doctor. Then we opened the envelope and took in the features of our ziggy-faced baby... at least there was something pleasant to balance the day's scale.

The Gelato Redemption: Amici et Cara Mia

We’re off to Greenhills sooner than I thought!

My husband and 2 brother-in-laws are huge pizza and pasta lovers so it wasn’t hard to convince them to have lunch at Amici. On our way down Connecticut, I regaled them with tales of the original one in Don Bosco where my old office used to be. I described the portly priests cooking away in a steamy kitchen separated from the rest of the cafeteria with a clear glass sliding window, the noisy boys we competed with for table space, the complimentary bread baskets with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to boot… and of course the generous servings of pasta with the featured meat which alternates between rosemary chicken or roast beef for only P110. The meal must be capped with a scoop or two of gelato at P30 each with a side show of the previously-cooking priests relaxing to shots of espresso shared with Bencab. That was 2003.

After being bought by the family that used to own Red Ribbon (now under Jollibee), today’s Amici boasts of Italian-themed interiors of white, green and red with the Greenhills branch annexed to an entire “gelateria” section called Cara Mia in lovely pastel colors. It feels totally different but I’m glad they kept the water and ice station where you can get an entire frosted pitcher for your table. Another down-to-earth touch is you can actually order 1.5L of softdrinks because for my boys, a can just won’t do.

We ordered the meat pizza with ham and sausages, penne with smoked salmon, fried mozzarella and lasagna al forno. The price increase was expected but not the petite servings. Each dish was enough for a girl my size but definitely not for guys used to wolfing down 36” pizzas as fast as I could finish a regular sandwich. The penne was pretty good but the lasagna was too fragrant it felt like I was eating in a flower shop. You can’t go wrong with fried mozzarella but there are so many ways you can screw up with pizza starting with the thick-bready crust same as the one of pizza hut.

I knew my companions were dissatisfied but they were such gentlemen to say so. They were probably itching to bolt for the nearby McDo, but I ushered them to Cara Mia, the reason why I brought them there in the first place.

The display of gelato, ice cream cakes and cookies were beautiful but not on adventurous mode anymore, they stuck to the classic Pistachio and Strawberry while I went for the most complicated-looking Mango Jubilee which I’m pretty sure I won’t find in ice-cream version anytime soon. Back in Don Bosco I used to order the Rum Raisin, maybe I was the only one so they phased it out, but I’m sure a lot of people will go crazy over my new choice which would be more appropriately called Berries Buffet – there were more strawberries and blueberries than mango packed in gelato whose main purpose is to hold ‘em fruits together.

We were all happy with dessert and should have left it at that except after a little shopping we decided to go one more for the road. We ordered a slice of Banana Blast ice cream cake and Strawberry Gelato Milkshake. The cake was 3 flavors of ice cream with a dark crusty bottom, chocolate sticks and strawberry drizzle, it looked very pretty but was quite overwhelming - plus points for the generous strawberries much more prominent than the banana-flavored ice cream so again this one should be aptly renamed. The milkshake was very thick and rich they way it’s supposed to be but I don’t think I’ll be having any again in this lifetime.