Thursday, July 25, 2013

My Type of Chicken Cordon Bleu

I hate to admit it, but Amber’s recent confinement did my tummy 1 good thing -- Nitz’ Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu!

I can’t understand why I only get to taste Nitz’ Restaurant’s homemade-tasting food whenever someone in the family is hospitalized or have to visit a doctor. Probably, because the nearest branch to us is in front of FEU-NRMF Hospital.

The first time I tried this creamy Cordon Bleu was when my father-in-law was in the hospital. Next, was after I gave birth. Then followed by when we had to have Amber checked. And as hard as it is to believe that I was able to stay away from it for too long, it is only now I get to eat it again, thanks to the Hubby who bought me a take-out dinner when Amber was in the hospital.

Look at that sumptuous meal...
www.nitzonline.com

This picture is from Nitz’ website. I wasn’t able to take a picture of my actual dinner because I have devoured it even before I thought of taking a photo of it.

The Hubby got himself their TapSiLog... 
www.nitzonline.com
This, I agree, is also yummy but will never equal my favorite Cordon Bleu. Hehe! :)



Fun DIY: Ribbon Spools

Before

After

I made the ribbon spools using tissue paper cores and scrap cardboards.

How it was done? Sooo easy! 

1. Cut the tissue paper cores according to the width of your ribbon. 

Yup, I have started collecting tissue paper cores since early this year for no specific use then. I have tons of them now.

2. Trace a jar’s lid or any round material onto your cardboard and cut. Make sure that the flat circles are at least an inch bigger than the tissue paper core. These will serve as your ribbon stopper. Optional: cut a hole on the flat circles if you wish to put the spools on a rod for organizing.


3. Using any type of glue, attach the flat circles on both sides of the core. I used contact glue mostly, but white glue worked well too, you just have to wait longer for it to dry.

4. Now this is the fun part where you can ask your children to help. Roll your ribbons onto the spools!

Another step taken towards my goal to declutter and have my art materials organized. These are still to be sorted based on colors and sizes. I still need to stock up on plastic shoe boxes though to accommodate my supplies. I purchased these shoe boxes for only P33 each. :)

I am still looking forward to having that cabinet-type workspace!




Monday, July 22, 2013

Chubby-less Cheeks

Amber lost a lot of weight because of her recent hospitalization. :(

It’s not only obvious in this picture but a lot commented on the absence of her chubby cheeks when she went back to school. Her classmates and teachers did not miss to notice.

I hope that it will not take long before we see those plump cheeks again. Eat well, little girl. I hope that you will recover quickly.



A Week Full of Anxiety

Back from a very long and stressful week! I’m just thankful that Amber is now Dengue-free. We were discharged from the hospital last Friday. :)

I still want to hunt down that mosquito and make sure that none of its kind ever exists, for the pain they gave my girl and the heart attack they almost caused me were unbearable!

I’ve learned so much about the disease, which I hoped I have learned from other means and not from a first-hand experience. :(

Since this is a week-long event, expect a very long kwento...

July 11, Thursday
It all started with a call from Judith that the school nurse had called and asked her to fetch Amber from the clinic.

Amber daw approached her teacher and said, “Teacher, I’m hot.”. She already had a fever of 38.8oC.

July 12, Friday
Noontime, she no longer had a fever but was still feeling weak. And she lost her appetite even for milk. That evening, she again had a high-grade fever.

July 13, Saturday
We decided to have her checked. The doctor requested for a CBC, Urinalysis (because of her history of UTI) and Dengue NS1 (to possibly rule out Dengue). That same day, we had the laboratory tests done at Hi-Precision Diagnostics Plus. Very recommended for their reasonable laboratory fees.

My heart leaped when the test for Dengue came back positive! Her platelet count was still within the normal range but it was already on the low side.

I sent a text message to the Doctor. He replied by telling us to have another CBC test and have her admitted if her platelet went down on the second test.

July 14, Sunday
Hubby and I thought there was no need for confinement yet as her platelet even went up a bit. Doc told us to continue CBC monitoring every day.

The Hubby and I decided to schedule the next blood extraction on Tuesday. We still went to work on Monday to apply for a leave of absence.

July 15, Monday
Amber was already fast asleep at 11PM. I was beside her still monitoring her temperature. Fever is still on and off. Suddenly, she awoke and sat up and started gagging. I held a blanket under her chin in case she vomits. When she did, there was blood – streaks of fresh blood in her vomit. When I looked at her, there was also blood coming from her nose. The memory alone of that night makes me want to weep. Nawindang talaga ako to the highest level!

We immediately rushed her to the hospital. I was crying all the way while I held Amber who seemed unaware of why I was in that state.

We were admitted to the hospital that night. It turned out that Amber’s platelet count dropped to 115. Normal range is 150-450. We were advised to increase her fluid intake but it was very difficult to make her drink or eat anything.

Also, because of the bleeding episode, Doc said that he would already request for a blood bag on standby. A transfusion will be necessary if ever there will be another bleeding – even if it would only be a single drop. Josme, pakiramdam ko talaga hihimatayin ako nung narinig ko yung transfusion. I kept on hoping that Doc was only exaggerating. I never wanted Amber to get to that point. Lahat na ng santo tinawag ko!

July 16, Tuesday
Amber’s last fever was recorded at 8AM. She never had fever again since she was given Paracetamol. We couldn’t let her drink Paracetamol so it was given thru IV.

At noontime, she seemed to already be her usual makulit self. She laughs a lot but she still didn’t want to eat anything.

In the afternoon, she already had a mantra – “I wanna go home, Mommy... Mommy, I wanna go home! Go home!”.

I gave her a pen and something to write on so she will be distracted even for a while. Only then that I noticed she might be ambidextrous. She wrote similar strokes with her left hand since her right hand is supported with an IV splint.

July 17, Wednesday
Platelet count dropped again to 95. No fever for 24 hours. The doctor said that the platelet is still expected to drop in the first 24 hours that she is without a fever. He added that this is the most crucial stage. According to the Med-Tech I had a chat with, Dengue daw attacks during that 24 hours na hindi na nagfever. Dito na rin lalabas yung rashes.

But the platelet should begin increasing within the 48 hours na wala nang fever. So okay lang, I kept on taking Amber’s temperature almost hourly for my peace of mind. Salamat sa digital ear thermometer!

At this point, the rashes came out na rin. Amber was very irritable. She kept on rubbing her soles and palms sa bed sheet. I didn’t know that these were because of the rashes, I didn’t even notice that she already have rashes until Doc pointed them out. Ganun pala yun, parang red patches, para bang sunburn lang. Doc prescribed an anti-itch medicine, that I didn’t get the name, to be given before bedtime to help her sleep well through the night.

July 18, Thursday
It’s been a long 48 hours! But we survived it without a fever. Platelet went up to 118. Doc said, he will allow us to go home the next day even if the platelet hasn’t reached the normal count yet, as long as it is increasing. I wanted to do cartwheels.

He advised us to just have an out-patient CBC monitoring until the platelet is within normal range. That was the point where I noticed that he is indeed cute like what the other patients and nurses said. I guess, I was no longer too worried for my baby girl to notice Doc’s good looks. LOL! :)

July 19, Friday
Platelet count is 135. We went home finally! But we are still required to have a CBC test and see Doc on Tuesday.

There it goes. I’m so thankful that the good Lord saw us through this. Big thanks to our friends and family who whispered their prayers for Amber’s immediate recovery.

My boss’ voice still echoes in my ears when he said that being a parent makes a person emotionally vulnerable. I couldn’t agree more.




Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Amber's Fruit Platter

When I got home the other night, I was welcomed by this...

According to the chirpy little girl, that is a fruit platter, which she made in school and brought home for Mommy to munch on... 
From Left, clockwise: Mango Slice, Strawberry,
Orange, Orange Slice ang Blueberry.

Err, good thing sadly, Mommy's full so the fruits became car accessories after a couple of hours. ^_^ 


Recipe: Pancakes with Bacon Bits

That Bacon Waffles from Pancake House have been haunting me for days...

So in my earnest efforts to (lose weight?) save ^_^, I made my own version of a Bacon Pancake.

Ingredients:
-1 small pack of Maya Instant Pancake Mix
-1 medium-sized egg
-1 cup water
-Crunchy Bacon Bits
-Butter for cooking

How I did it?
1. Prepare the pancake batter by following the instruction on the box. Easy-peasy, isn't it?
2. Mix in the bacon bits, which Ate Judith fried to a crisp!

3. Drop about ¼ cup of the batter in a non-stick pan over medium heat.

My favorite part is when bubbles start to form. That means, it’s time to turn the pancakes and cook the other side!

4. Spread butter and serve while they’re hot!

I love the crispiness in every bite!

Remember, the more the bacon bits, the better -- it would make your pancakes tastier and crunchier!  



Thursday, July 04, 2013

I Want!!!


Anyone who wants to donate wood, nails and even labor to support this wonderful cause of fighting against clutter and disorganized craft space -- please feel free to contact yours truly. ;p I DESPERATELY WANT... NEED!!! :)


Tuesday, July 02, 2013

Usapang Bulilit

One evening...

Mommy: Amber, what are you watching?
Amber (without taking her eyes off the TV): I’m watching TV, mommy.

Can’t she be more specific?

Mommy: Oo nga, but what are you watching on TV?
Amber (glanced at me for a while looking perplexed then looked back at the TV while gesturing her hands towards it): Ayan oh, Mommy. Nagwa-watch ako nyan.

Oh my goolay! The way she said it, ang pilosopo ng anak ko!!! I wonder where she got that from?!? *glaring at Daddy*

@@@@@@@@
---------------

Amber: Mommy... Bo-cha!
Mommy: Huh?!
Amber: Bo-cha!
Mommy: Anong Bo-cha? (imitating how she said it)
Amber (laughed): Mommy, you sound sil-ly!

At ako pa ang silly?!? 

@@@@@@@@
---------------

We saw the Mr. And Ms. China Town sa TV last Sunday, Amber was instantly fascinated as she is in every beauty pageants.

Mommy: Amber, gusto mo matuto mag-Chinese? Maganda yun...
Amber: No...
Mommy: Bakit naman?
Amber: Kasi -- English muna.

May preference. Oo nga naman, isa-isa lang muna kasi Mommy. L

@@@@@@@@
---------------

There was a knock on the gate.

Amber (going out to check who it was): Who is it? Who is it?

After a while, I heard her shouting from the gate.

Amber: Dah-ddy... Mah-mmy... There’s tao in the gate!!!

Josme! There’s TAO daw sa gate?! Conyotic! Ang sakit lang sa tenga, at ipinarinig pa sa buong mundo!

@@@@@@@@
---------------

Amber: Mommy, can you cut my hair?
Mommy: Sure. We’ll cut it this weekend.
Amber: Oh! Thank you, Mommy. Gusto ko short hair.
Mommy: Huh?! As in short? You have to ask Daddy.

Amber (turning to Daddy): Daddy, can I have a short hair?
Daddy: No. Pwede i-cut ni Mommy pero konti lang.
Amber: I like short hair.
Daddy: No, you don’t. Parang boy yung maikling hair.
Amber: Nooo... pwede rin sa girl.
Daddy: No. That’s final.

Amber (turning back at me): Mommy?
Mommy: Daddy said no na eh.
Amber: Eh si Daddy yun... ikaw?

I think may part 2 pa ito when we get home this evening.





Tiny Tasks

Here is Amber,... drying up her bike after it got wet from the drizzle.


Nobody actually told her to wipe the rainwater off her bike. Ate Judith just went to do other tasks with a promise to come back to dry her bike for her. Thinking maybe that Ate is busy, she took one of Ate Judith’s basahan then proceeded with the task.

Good girl. May you always remember this moment as you grow up and never be tired to be of help to others no matter how small you think your hands are -- they will grow big eventually. Hehe! A helping hand is never too small, anyways.

Hmmm, maybe I can begin assigning her house chores, what you think? ^_^



Watching A Movie

Gusto ko magkwento... mahabang kwento! Magsalita lang ng magsalita sa pamamagitan ng keyboard! CONSIDER THIS A WARNING.

Amidst the chaos of a super duper mega payday-Friday, Hubs and I went to G4 last Friday. Shempre, traffic on the way there. Nakakalokang traffic! Tapos ang hirap nung level-90ish ng Candy Crush, naubos life ko! Wala akong choice but to watch the other traffic-stuck cars sa paligid.

We reached our destination after an hour and a half. Parang saglit lang naman yun pero without the freaking traffic, it will take you only minutes to get there. So kaka!

Anyways, at least we got there more than an hour before the last full show ng World War Z. Opkors, hindi palalagpasin ni hubbydudes yan -- Zombie movie eh.


Don’t ask me when was the last time we watched a movie in a theater, kasi nakalimutan ko na sa tagal.

When we were on the line to buy tickets, nagsikip ang dibdib ko, the screen showed that there were no vacant seats anymore. Nakakapikon lang. Gusto ko na mag-walkout. Buti na lang, the Hubby was unusually patient that time. He said magtanong na daw kami since andun na rin kami sa pila. Para bang papayag sha maupo sa bench sa gilid ng theater or sa floor if these will be the last resort.

Glad that I listened! Because of the people still lining up for the movie, they opened another schedule for it that will start at 10:40PM! Yebah!

But wait ---

It was only 8:20PM. We were supposed to see the 9:40PM show. Anong gagawin namin sa loob ng mahigit dalawang oras?!?

Yet, I didn’t complain. I went there to watch a movie so I will not leave without watching a movie! Kahit abutin pa kami ng madaling araw!

By the way, earlier that day I called Ate Judith to tell her to tuck Amber to sleep that night because we will be getting home late ni Hubby. Ang sagot ba naman...

Ate Judith: Okay lang yun... syempre hindi naman pwedeng puro trabaho lang, kelangan nagdi-date din paminsan-minsan.

Toinkz! Hanep sa comment ano? Pumi-feeling close! Minsan itong si Ate Judith, may pagka-! Parang wala naman akong sinabi where we’re going. Nag-assume agad?! Malay nya kung may meeting lang sa office di ba?! Well wala namang kaso yun except that she’s being atribida most of the times sometimes. But we love her because she loves Amber. So keri lang.

We did all the things we thought of doing inside the mall just to kill time.

So when the movie begun... inaantok na ko!

But then, the zombies woke me up! Nakakaloka ang mga zombies sa movie na to! Aggressive! Ang liliksi! Para sa mga deads, they’re so full of energy!

So saan ba patutungo itong kwento ko? Wala naman talaga. Gusto ko lang maalala na nakapanood ulit ako ng sine after a very long time of satisfyingly watching lang ng mga pinirata kong movies in the comfort of our own home.

It’s nice to be watching in movie theatres once in a while. But I realized that I like it more to watch movies privately in our own living room. Bakit?

Una, walang mga ulo ng tao na haharang-harang sa screen. Nakakasakit ng leeg makipagpatintero ng ulo sa mga nakaupo sa harap ha!

Pangalawa, if you miss any scenes or a dialogue in the movie, just press rewind on your RC and voila! Kahit paulit-ulit mong gawin yan, walang babato sayo ng popcorn! Titingnan ka lang ng masama ng asawa mo pero wala naman shang magagawa. Pag gusto mo magbanyo, ‘PAUSE’ lang ang katapat!

Pangatlo, madali mong mapapatahimik ang mga kasama mong nanonood dahil kamag-anak mo naman sila. Sa sinehan, mapapaaway ka pa pag sumita ka ng mga discourteous strangers na kahit pinaalalahanan na sila sa simula ng palabas na kailangang tumahimik, eh sige pa rin sa pagsasalita ng malakas o pagbibigay ng unsolicited comments tungkol sa napapanood. At meron pang iba na nagkukwentuhan habang nanonood. Mga pasaway!

Pang-apat, with the exception of some theatres that has lazy boys na pagkamamahal ng ticket, you can be in whatever position you find comfortable in pag nasa bahay ka lang.

There are still more reasons I can think of but I’ll leave it at that for now.

Ang bottom line lang, parang matatagalan ulit bago ako manonood ng sine because although the movie was great, the experience wasn’t. Unless may zombie movie na naman na ipapalabas at yayakagin na naman ako ng zombie-addict kong asawa.

That’s all. Bow.




Monday, July 01, 2013

Another Night of Craziness

Not that I’ve done anything crazy...

It’s more than that!

I got to spend another night with my Crazy Girlfriends!!! Yay!


Being with these girls is nothing but absolute fun.



See you next time, girls! I wish we can really make that big plan happen. ;D





Homemade Sushi

Don’t you just love receiving pasalubongs? I do! I do!

Whenever my boss’ Korean business partners come here, they never fail to bring us these delectable Korean goodies...


This particular brand of dried seaweeds is so good!

I brought home some seaweeds and made them into homemade sushi...
Just top the seaweeds with a spoonful of rice, a slice of ripe mango, a piece of any viand you have available (I used roasted chicken on this one. We tried canned tuna, too. The taste is more complimentary). Every bite is just so MASS-ISSNEUN! :D


Friday, June 28, 2013

Re-use!

What’s with these cousins and their love for....

SCRAPS?!?



Stars Make A Mommy Happy & Proud

NOTE: Please know that I’ve never understood mommies who make public of their children’s achievements -- no matter how trivial these are -- UNTIL I BECAME A MOM MYSELF.  So please bear with another proud mommy. CAN'T HELP IT, I THINK THERE ARE HORMONES THAT MAKE US THIS WAY AFTER POPPING BABIES OUT OF THIS WORLD. :) 


Unlike Mommy, she didn't want to show off her star
-- that explains the grin. :D

“Very Good” stars -- 3 days in a row. Keep it up, sweetheart! :) 

Enough reason for me to stay up a little longer at night to read her lessons to her, even after an exhausting day at work. This is so worth it!



What’s Cooking?

This is Amber’s kitchen...

And inside the oven is this...

This might be her version of a HOTDOG... poor doggie. :-\





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