New Chef On The Block

Since the plugged duct incident, MrComot has been very attentive, I don't have to do most of the job, except taking care of Zahra. He even cook dinner for us! The first night he made nasi goreng caca-merba and it's really delicious even without chili boh, then the night after he made macaroni goreng, and the 3rd night, he cooked so-called-his-signature, microwaved chicken wings.

The nasi goreng ikan bilis + peas + corn + crab stick + minced meat

The microwaved chicken wings. Best eaten with hot fluffy rice and simple vege. I don't really know the recipe, but it's something cross over oyster sauce, soy sauce and pepper.

Forgot to snap the fried macaroni, sebab lapar sangat hehe

That was on weekends and after that we had dinner at MIL like usual and sometimes just buy it over, can't afford to mess up with the kitchen. But last night he insisted to cook again, without me helping at all.

"It's going to be my secret recipe, no peeking ok!"

Even though I was so itchy to help (because I think he cooks slower than me, coz he is more proper and neat!) but macam best pulak bermalas-malasan. I just stay in the room accompanying Zahra sleeping.

Around 9PM, he knocked the door and said everything is ready!

Siap ada a glass of cold choc milk for me nyam nyam (something that I treasure after confinement - cold drinks!)

It's baked prawn pasta!

While eating he told me what is it - sautee prawn lightly with garlic (slightly raw), then add chopped onion, capsicum, oregano, add celery and baked in the oven so that the juice from the prawn will coat the pasta..bla bla bla

I was like, eh eh eh macam pernah dengar je cara masak ni?

It was on AFC campaign break okkk! Hahaha.. Secret la sangat! Only that they use tomatoes instead of capsicum. But the prawn is really juicy and bouncy and succulent! You should try this method. And maybe can toss some mussels and squid. Yum yum yum!

Dig till bottom, a bit leftover, I brought to office for my breakfast.

Even though he said no peeking, I sneekily capture this pic for my keepsake. MrComot is deveining the prawn.

Not only he cook for me last night, he also iron my working shirt ok. Tenkiuuuuuu baby! I feel a bit guilty actually but he said "I love to do it for you, kerja sayang jaga Zahra saja ok". Hahaha..Zahra mommy love you! Because of you la daddy being extra generous *hugs*

New Ride

Zahra is already 2months++ but I still 'forbid' her from crowded outing, mainly because I'm afraid she will be cranky and I don't know how to handle her. The only time she went out was to PIL's, clinic for injection and relatives house and it lasted us barely 1 hour plus.

But yesterday we break the record as we need to buy the Coleman for her milk, so we dropped by at Tesco The Curve on the way back right after we picked her from babysitter. I was contemplating to go at first because it was an unplanned outing and we didn't bring the stroller. Carrying her seems like impossible task because dia dah berat okkkk.

And guess what? Tesco has this embedded babyseat on their trolleys! I refused to put Zahra on that thing at first, afraid of the hygiene and it will hurt her (hard seat, not correct posture, etc) but surprisingly it is not that hard and clean (on my naked eyes).

The material is like rubber plastic and I will say comfy enough for infants. So I just wrapped Zahra in hooded blanket and put her inside and thank God she's okay with it.

The moment I put her inside, she sits quietly with that 'hmm this is something new' look

Look at her! I can't refuse to snap this pic at counter. She's doing her babytalk at the moment, telling me stuff in her language.

I find this idea is brilliant! It's perfect for short outing for parents with infant whom very lazy to bring the strollers and it is very convenient too for adhoc shopping. It's like 2-in-1, you don't need extra hand to push another cart. But knowing Malaysian, I hope we don't abuse this facilities by putting poultry or any shopping stuff at the baby's pouch.

And I managed to snap this million dollar look! It's hard to capture her smile because I'm using camera-phone. By the time it 'clicks' no smile already.
Ok..understood, we'll bring you outside again yer sayang? But wait until you 3 months :)

It's so convenient that I guess we'll frequent Tesco than Giant after this, even though it's a bit jauh hehe

Wow You

I have been reading xiaxue's blog since ages, not that ages but became avid reader when she had this fight with DawnYang. Anyway, she's just gotten married and everything is sponsored! EVERYTHING! Except the ring. Now that's not my point. My point is, the wedding is FABULOUS and CIAO! They had this Mafia Italian theme and gosh.. how I envy her. I always like something themed. You know, like throw a costume party or specific themed dinner.

Anyway, do browse her blog and feast your eyes.

Ps: Thing is a bit hanky-panky, send Zahra to babysitter, early morning, traffic jam, workload, etc. Going to update soon.

Milk it Out

I am down with plugged milk duct and it is extremely extremely painful that I even cried a few times last night. It started at noon and by night the swell already hardened at areola area. I tried so many thing like comb my boob under the hot shower, pat it with hot towel, using coldpack to relieve the swell and cabbage. I also tried to nurse Zahra as much as I can using that infected breast and tell u what, it is really painful, that I have to clenched my teeth everytime she latches. It even painful for me to move, it's like half of my body berdenyut denyut. So, I decided to take a leave today. I wanted to go to the clinic nearby but when I woke up the throbbing sensation is toned down so I just fall back to sleep until 11am++.

Zahra is such a good baby, she knows mommy not feeling very well so she fell asleep as well next to me. Normally at this time she already has her bath and I'll play with her. But today I just shove my boobs when she slightly awake and she didn't throw any tantrums. I was just so tired and in my head all I need is sleep sleep sleep because it can make me forget the pain.

Zahra this morning

Thank you sayang, you sleep most of the time and mommy didn't play with u today.

Through my reading and infos from breasfeeding friends, plugged milk duct is easily developed and my friend already had it 3 times! Oh my..I can't imagine. So I woke up and said "That's it, I'm gonna fight you bitchhh!".

In any case you have this problem, this video will help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsVI4q0ksHY

Only one tip I can give to you and MYSELF (because I have no gut to do it 100%), nurse nurse nurse and pump pump pump! You have to get the milk out from there no matter what.

PS:Thanks to my friends for your support to :)

Dinner with Little One

I supposed to start working yesterday (Monday) but Zahra's babysitter requested for a leave today, so I decided to extend my maternity leave 2 more days.

Yesterday was a challenge day because it is my first time I was left alone at home with Zahra, but I think I did a good job as a Domestic Goddes on the run (ha ha ha) as I managed to cook dinner for us! Only I didn't manage to fold the clothes, do the laundry, sweep the floor, etc. Haiyohh..susah rupanya jadi housewife.

Anyway this is my first time cooking after soooo long. I decided to whip out something simple so it can be eaten fresh and hot when MrComot's back. I prepared everything at noon and start cooking once MrComot arrived.

I just pan grill salmon, since it is small pieces, I make it three. With basic marinate but it suits salmon very well, trust me. Salt + pepper + chilli flakes.

Then using the same skillet, fry minced garlic with diced tomatoes. I used 4 cloves garlic and 2 medium ripe tomatoes.

Boil spaghetti ahead, then toss it and then dump into the skillet. Sprinkle some pepper, just for a distinct taste because salmon already has loud flavour. I also add a dash of Maggi chicken granule but you can omit this if you want to be totally healthy, no big difference.

And voila! Our dinner! I wish I can bake some vege but my option for vege still very limited (most of them are 'cold' and I still pantang, like mushroom, brinjal, zucchini)

By the way, this is my first time making salad dressing. I tried the French Dressing (forgot the link but it's pretty simple as I can memorize it)

Original recipe request

Olive oil

Brown sugar

Lemon juice (I replace with apple cider vinegar)

Black pepper

Paprika (replaced with chili flakes - free from Dominos)

Halved garlic

Pinch of salt

Don't have exact measurement, agak-agak je, and surprisingly it is good! I mean, I like this type of dressing. But I bet lemon will make it better than ACV.

Mix everything, shake well and keep refrigerated for a night (I think, dun really remember) but I just made it that noon.

It was a really satisfying dinner, maybe because both of us love salmon but the spaghetti and salad was good as well. Anyway, I planned to have a 'dinner-for-two' where we can eat peacefully and talk, really talk without disturbance. So I feed Zahra in advance, make sure she's full and comfy and on the aircond, put her on the bed and make sure she sleeps before we eat.

And guess what?

The moment we dunk our fork in the spaghetti, she woke up and made noises. So in the end we have to take turn eating while one of us layan her borak. Nottttiiii girl! Tak bagi mummy and daddy dating kejap even in the house.

Oh ya..by the way, when MrComot arrived that evening, I greet him with a kiss at the door and he said;

"Best nyaaa..balik kerja ada wifey sambut macam ni"

And that night we really talk about me being housewife. Main reason is because it's heartbreaking to send Zahra to babysitter because she is a boobies-baby. I tried to give her via bottle before and she can take it, only she will cry and wail macam kena dera! Have to pujuk-pujuk her saying things like 'sayang..sama je..susu mummy jugak..minum la..mummy suap ni' bla bla bla and after a while baru she takes it within sobbing. Mana la tak sedih..

MrComot doesn't mind me being a hw but we have to take things slowly. I have to have my own plan as well, can't simply quit like that. What I'm going to do as extra thing at home, I know I'll barely have time for the extra thing once I become full time housewife because they are so many things I have to do, but that's not the excuse. I still need to nurture my personality and skills. I have so many plans (craft la, baking la, sewing la, PR la) but my biggest weakness is no strong will.

Hmmm..we'll see how la later. But for now Zahra, you go to babysitter first ok sayang? Sorrrryyyyyyy :(

Oklah..gotta go sidai baju pulak. Daaaa!