Eating for Two Again

FINALLY.

The long-awaited baby has arrived. The test kit provided me with relief. A trip to the gynae confirmed it. The nauseating feeling and constant bloating are testament to that.

Luckily, the ultrasound could not detect any cyst.

And this is definitely a different pregnancy than the first. For starters, the morning sickness was milder in comparison and this baby has a distinct taste for sour and salty food. I was crazy about apples in the first, and now they are secondary. Fish and seafood are acceptable – especially assam pedas. Who would have thought that the thought of maggi mee would have me salivating? Just the other day, I enjoyed teochew porridge two days in a row. Appetite is getting better as opposed to the previous 1st trimester when I could eat nothing without puking.

My back hurts more too when I stand too long or busy myself with simple housework like washing the dishes. The short walk from the car park to my office is quite exhausting and I would end up panting up the stairs.

Now my trips to the shopping mall would be complete with actually having the reason to enter maternity clothing stores then just gazing from outside! Must be more trendy this time. Oh yes, time to start washing the old clothes.

I am now hoping that the 1st trimester (the crucial stage) go smoothly and quickly. And Chinese New Year will be the best time with food in abundance. See how foresighted this baby is?!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and to God for this wish come true. This blog has finally kicked off.

Moment of truth unveiled

My menstruation cycle is delayed and it has been more than 3 years ago that it has delayed this long. I have been debating with myself whether to test it or wait longer for fear that the anticipation will backfire. But lately this week, I haven’t been feeling myself. The queasy and bloated feeling has gotten the better of me since Tuesday. My intuition says that junior’s on the way but I’m not sure anymore. I sort of “gave up” hoping and thought if it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be. I even stopped taking my folic acids.

So after some persuasion from Louie and Jeff, I decided to purchase the pregnancy test kit – Clearblue One Minute Test. It came with good reviews – more than 99% accuracy. And the single test cost me a whopping RM19.88 after discount. I had better not drop the thing into the toilet bowl! Gosh, this is the first time I bought something like this as the first pregnancy was realized at the doc’s. I was also contemplating whether to go back to my previous gynae but he is close to 70 years old and I’m worried about his eyesight. Then again I’ve been so comfortable with him… see how undecided I am. Anyway, the countdown begins until after work today to see the results – am I pregnant or not?

Keeping our fingers and toes crossed!

The Cook in Me

When I was growing up, I never thought much about cooking or have the curiosity of learning how to whip up a dish or two. Aside from the compulsory acquired skill in cooking rice, frying eggs and cooking maggi mee, all I did was dutifully peel and chop onions, garlic and vegetables and whatever else my mom thought I was capable of. Like my mother and many young moms out there, we learnt to cook only after marriage. Gosh, I made that sound like it was an obligation!

Luckily for me, this obligation to ensure my family is fed well has turned out for the better. I realized I love baking and cooking – western style as opposed to the Chinese style of deep-frying and stir-fry. I suppose I’m too lazy to clean up the oil and splatter – what a mess!

Of the many recipes I’ve tried, this particular one had Jeff telling me off, “No time to talk” during my regular eating-time-must-chat sessions over lunch. And Josh made me happy by gulping down the food fast and exclaiming “hmmm” enthusiastically with the goody thumb sticking out. No, I’m not making this up!

So I thought of sharing the customized recipe with you. Hopefully you will enjoy it as much as we did! Let me know how it turned out. Sorry no pictures to show as they were deleted by the little one by accident!

Mel’s Roasted Chicken (Inspired by Jamie Oliver)
Serves 2

Ingredients:
2 pieces of chicken leg with skin peeled (if don’t mind extra fat, leave skin intact)
Leaves of 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (I added 4 sprigs for extra kick!)
4 - 6 peeled medium-sized potatoes, quartered for faster cooking
8 – 10 cherry tomatoes
Dash of olive oil
Black pepper and salt to taste

Marinade mix:
2 cloves of peeled garlic
140ml of olive oil
Grated skin and juice of 1 lemon / Juice of 2 lime (if no lemon)

Blend the marinade and rub into the chicken legs, covering all nooks and cranny. Pour remaining marinade over chicken and refrigerate overnight.

The following day, mix the tomatoes and potatoes in olive oil, black pepper and salt. Place them in a low baking dish. Put the marinated chicken on top of the vegetables. Sprinkle the rosemary leaves on top.

Put the dish into preheated oven at 200º and bake for 30 - 45 minutes. Remember to monitor the oven from time to time to check on chicken and vegetables, overturning them if necessary. Serve with pasta / spaghetti / fried rice.