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Baby Bump Update: Week 28

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Information on BabyBump iphone app:

Over the next three months your baby is in for a major growth spurt. Because of this, you may have noticed smaller movement inside your belly.

Your third trimester will bring back some of the fatigue you felt in the first trimester.

 

We are on our final 3 months! Happy to report that my glucose test is normal so all the waiting that day till I get to have a proper meal was all worth it. We have purchased a crib and stroller from a friend but we still haven’t figure out where to set it up in our 1 bedroom flat. C kept re-assuring me that he’ll take care of the space but I want to see it now, but since I can’t move our furniture around I don’t have any choice but to wait.

 

Weight: 5 weeks after my last check-up I gained 4 kilos, my official weight is 74.4 kilos. Doctor said I gained a lot but I don’t like it and it seem that all the weight is with the baby.

 

Physical: I’ve been having terrible migraines lately and has been vomit-ish for the past week. Parts of my body is looking swollen-nose, feet and hands my sweet boys have been re-assuring me that I’m beautiful. Aside from the swollen body parts my oh my I’ve noticed some parts of me getting dark (I mean scary dark) that prompts my honest sweet toddler to say “Oh my mama that looks ugly”

 

Cravings: Fresh fruit juice and it should be really cold.

 

V’s reaction: Last night while reading a story babybump gave her Kuya a big movement which made him shout with excitement. The first thing he asked this morning “Ma baby wake-up now?”

V was disappointed that we didn’t do any scan on my last checkUp he wanted to see his sister on the monitor.

 

Dad’s reaction: I told C that I want for him to cut the umbilical cord and he refuse to do so. Why? he can’t stand hospital smell. When we pass by the Hello Kitty store I think he imagines himself going inside with our little girl (we assume that like me this little one will be a daddy’s girl).

 

Pullman MOE Easter Brunch

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It’s our anniversary month and since our day falls on a school night we decided to celebrate early at Pullman’s Easter Brunch. This was also our first brunch experience.

 

Back home you’ll either see restaurant offers for either breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet not brunch. Yes we Filipinos love to eat a full meal three times a day (sometimes 5 if you include a snack time).

 

How do you prepare for brunch?

 

Brunch was from 12 noon to 4 pm, eating straight for 4 hours! C and I prepared for this 4 hour meal by skipping our usual breakfast and opted to just have some bread. V on the other hand upon hearing Easter was excited for egg hunts (which we haven’t done yet), easter bunny and eating a whole lot of candy.

 

With an empty stomach and excited toddler we arrived at Pullman MOE around 12:30 and was comfortably seated 5 (big) steps away from the Chocolate Room.

 

We looked around the buffet spread and noticed the abundance of seafood choices (though they don’t have any seaweeds) particularly the yummy oysters, C was quick to remind me that I can only have 2. What can I say Pullman had me at oysters and sushi.

 

 

I failed to ask whether the oysters was a local produce but it did taste like the ocean and was opened right in front of me.

 

C opted to try what the outdoor barbecue has to offer- steak, grilled prawns, and kofta. We didn’t quite enjoy this plate since that steak was a bit tough. V did however enjoyed the shrimps and asked for more.

 

My 2nd plate – baked mussels, smoked salmon, baby squid, and some veggie salad.

 

Since I was in sushi heaven my boys went to the kids craft corner for V to have some Easter fun making a bunny and have his hands painted.

V showing off his Easter Bunny

 

The craft area had him busy for a 30 minutes which kept his mind off the chocolate room. Not all of the staff know where the kids area was since 2 of them asked us where we got our bunny.

 

and his hand paint

As promised once he finish his proper meal he get’s to enjoy the chocolate room. He initially wanted to just stay inside the room and eat his way around the table good thing the man promised him a big chocolate bunny if he finish his goodies in the table.

This picture was taken before we left since he got annoyed of me asking him to stop cause Mom has to take photos hence no nice photos inside the room.

Chocolate Plate

V well enjoyed his chocolate dipped marshmallows and m&m’s while C and I absolutely love the brownies. The other pastries well were ok.

Just before we left I once again indulged with my favorites.

I would go back for brunch again if only for the oysters and sushi. C finds the buffet choices quite limited since he didn’t find any noodles (my husband and his love for noodles).

Pullman MOE Easter Brunch via LivingSocial – AED 190

a Wedding Cake

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I told my bride friend I’d post about the cake after I get a copy from the photographers but I just can’t wait any longer and have to share my latest achievement.

 

I’ve been busy for the past month preparing for this cake. Yes it did took a long time to plan-look for the right flowers, baking pans and just the perfect cake recipe.

 

Once I get the professional photos I’ll post more pictures with the cake recipe. For now, here is the latest cake (and my first wedding cake) from my kitchen.

PetitFlowersWeddingCake

 

Bu Qtair

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I finally got to try one of the food joints Anthony Bourdain featured when he visited Dubai – Bu Qtair.

buqtair

We arrived at 7:45pm, luckily the line wasn’t that long and we were able to place our orders by 8:10pm. Ordered half a kilo shrimps and large size fish (the medium size the man showed us was too small) and V requested “not spicy please”

During that time the line was already way too long. You have to wait in the right side of the restaurant (they have stools), they don’t let you sit with the table while you’re still waiting for your food.

Finally by 8:45pm we were called our food was ready. Ordered additional plate of rice (for V) and 3 paratha’s. The server also gave us some vinegar.

buqtairshrimps

These were yummy and still slightly spicy even after we requested them to wash of the “orange marinade”. Enjoy them with a squeeze of lemon.

buqtairfish

V enjoyed the fish that we actually taught he might finish the whole thing on his own.

The produce was fresh and yummy but we could have enjoyed them more in the comforts of our home with rice and some homemade soy-lemon dipping sauce.

 

Total bill: 130 Dhs

This includes a plate of rice, 7-Up, and 3 parathas.

 

 

DIY Spider Costume

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V went to school today as a spider.

DIY Spider Costume

Being a mom made me a creative person.

You see I’m not the most creative person in my family. My mom knows how knit, sew, draw, and has a green thumb. My sister Bernadette is the artist she can create artsy stuff making use of materials available on hand, she plays the guitar, knows how to draw, a good singer and dancer. My brother he’s good at fixing things and learned how to draw and played the guitar because Bernadette taught him how. As for me well I like to tell my siblings what I want and they happily (forced) to do it for me (perks of being the eldest).

Everything changed though when V came to my life. I wanted to learn how to bake yummy cakes and make them pretty which led me to learn how to work with fondant. The joy I saw in his eyes when I made his Dragon cake was priceless (he’s actually planning his 5th birthday cake now).

I once taught that I’m not the person who can stay in the house and be all domesticated, but alas here I am a stay at home mom. I easily gave up 8 years of corporate life and be a housewife and I’m happy with my decision (I can no longer see myself going back).

Why all this drama?

I made an effort and made this spider costume for V. My mom will sure be proud.

You will need a black long sleeves, black socks, black bonnet, black string/id lace and newspapers .

1. Fill 2 pairs of socks with newspaper balls.

2. Sew socks on the sides.

3. Tie or sew black strings in each socks (the part where the socks bends)

4. Make a bracelet like where your child can hold or wear so he can move his spider feet.

I love you Mum!

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V excitedly announced that he prepared a surprise for me, daddy’s not allowed. I’ve been bugging him for a week about the surprise and he never gave in.

Finally the day came he was up before his dad and was very excited to go to school. He even chose what dress I should wear and declared I look pretty.

His class prepared song and dance for us Mums and gave each of us a card.

“Mama when baby comes out I will teach her my song too for mother’s day.”

I love you V!

Ensaladang Lato (Seaweed Salad)

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Along with my craving for salty food I also miss some fresh salad’s from back home. Growing up in Davao we were spoiled with good quality seafood. You should see my Aunt’s house it’s garden path was once covered with oyster shells, oh yes we had a bountiful of grilled fish, seashells and seaweeds every weekend that we enjoy by the beach.

 

One of the seaweed that I enjoy eating and truly miss is called Lato. My sister sent me a photo of what they had for lunch paired with some grilled liempo.

 

I can just taste the sea with each pop of the seaweed’s tiny bulb. If only I can find some here in Dubai.

 

Ensaladang Lato

-a bunch of Lato (about 250 to 300 grams)

-2 tomatoes

-3 small onions

Carefully clean the lato with water. Cut tomatoes and onion in wedges. Arrange it on the plate.

For the dressing our familly enjoy it with a tablespoon of vinegar and a teaspoon of soy sauce. Or just eat it that way.

Baby Bump Update: Week 24

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Information from BabyBump iphone app:

Your baby’s respiratory system is rapidly growing, lungs are developing in preparation for breathing, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs. For now your baby still gets oxygen through your placenta.

 

 

Weight: At my doctors appointment last March 10, I gained 2 kilos after 4 months of trying to gain weight. Now I just have to maintain slowly gaining and eating healthy.

 

Physical: I still have a strong sense of smell that the slightest unpleasant odor gives me headache and makes me dizzy. The change of weather happening here in Dubai does not help since during this time I usually get migraines which makes me spend more time in the bed thus our house is a mess. Comparing this pregnancy to my first I think I’m on the smaller side now people asking me how long I am still can’t believe that I’m on week 24. The bump is much more obvious now and I am feeling our baby girl having a party inside.

 

Cravings: Salty food! Oh my I’ve been eyeing salty condiments from back home like dayok, bagoong, and tuyo! Whenever C see me about to grab that bottle of salty delight he is quick to remind that I can’t have them. Meanwhile since I have this craving C has been calling my attention that the meals I prepare are becoming salty.

 

V’s reaction: For the first time V felt the baby move and he was completely happy! As soon as he gets back from school he whispers in my tummy “baby, Kuya is here” and sometimes he gets a movement. The reaction on his face is just priceless.

 

Dad’s reaction: One night the baby decided to stay on the right side which gave me a hard time I let C touch it and he got scared (lol). According to C he could as if feel the baby’s bone. I think the baby is such a Daddy’s girl whenever C talks to the tummy telling the baby to let me sleep or to not give me a hard time this little girl listens.