The busy week

Another week went by!! How time flies..I've been busy with BabyZara and packing up things for moving out to a new house..So much stuffs still waiting to be packed! And time is running out..we'll be moving to our new house in Letterkenny in 2weeks time.

As the night-sleeping-on-her-own-cot training, BabyZara is doing brilliantly! She is now sleeping in her own cot for 3nights consecutively. I only need to wake up once or twice at night to put her back to sleep without the need to nurse her! I'm so glad that she is a fast learner! Such a brilliant baby she is! She needed 6days of training all together from crying all night that I had to nurse her to sleep to sleeping in her own cot and back to sleep without the need to nurse her when she woke up in the middle of the night. Alhamdulillah..for she is so easy to learn and adapt..the patience and perseverance is the main key.

Anyway, there is one recipe that I want to share, Pasta Bake with Meatballs. It's easy peasy and it's delish! I made this sometimes last week. It's my own recipe (basic idea of meatballs from Ina Garten), you could always alter the recipe to your own liking.


Pasta Bake with Meatballs

Meatballs recipe

• 500g mince beef
• 100g breadcrumb
• 1 egg (lightly beaten)
• 75g grated parmesan
• 50g grated cheddar
  
• 1/2 cup of chopped parsley
• 1/2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1 tsp of ground black pepper

Method:

1. Mix everything together until well combined.
   
2. Make round balls until everything finish.
3. Set aside

Pasta Bake recipe

• 250g of fusilli pasta (cook as per instruction)
• 1 jar of bolognese sauce
  
• 1 medium onion (peeled and thinly sliced)
• 4 cloves of garlic (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 1 leek (thinly sliced)
• 5-6 button mushrooms (sliced)
• 3 tbsp of cooking oil
  
• 8-10 cheddar slices or 200g grated cheddar for the topping

Method:

1. Heat up the cooking oil in a saucepan. Add in the onion, leek and garlic. Stir for 3-4minutes. Then, add in the sliced mushrooms and cook further for 4-5minutes.
   
2. Add in the bolognese sauce and bring to boil. Turn off the heat immediately.
3. Add in the cooked pasta, stir in and make sure it's well mixed.
4. Trasfer the pasta and sauce into an oven-proof dish or lasagna dish. Smooth out the surface.
5. Spread the meatballs onto the pasta. Then spread the grated cheese or the cheese slices.
6. Bake in the preheated oven at 200'C for 20-25mins or until golden brown.
7. Take it out and ready to be served.

A week away

Oh God..I've been away from this blog for quite sometimes..again..was too busy and tired to write a new entry.

For your info, I'll be starting my job in a month (after a very long break). So I was busy preparing myself for that. Been busy buying new work clothes, went out almost everyday for work clothes hunting! (as my old clothes now are too small for me!!). Oh how I wish I'll get back my old figure..since the Summer sale is just starting, there are plenty clothes for me to pick/choose ;)) My shopping spree has not end yet!

And my younger brother (who is living and studying in Dublin) came to visit for a few days before heading back to Malaysia for his Summer break. Wish we could go back to Malaysia this year..but unlikely as I'm starting my job soon. Maybe next year..InsyaAllah..
While he was in Galway, we went for house hunting in Letterkenny (where I'll be working in July). It took 3 1/2 hours drive from Galway to get to Letterkenny. We've found a house that's in good location and new and affordable. So, the plan is to move in by first week of July.

Oh..and the good news is...MrHubby will be living with us in Letterkenny! (remember that he was posted in Waterford for 2years?) His application to defer his post for a year has been approved!! Yes!! Alhamdulillah..he'll be having a year off..but he has a lot to do..while on a year leave, he needs to study for his MRCP (while doing locum jobs) and hopefully by one year he'll pass at least one exam!

We'll be very busy packing things and unpacking things for the next month! I couldn't believe how much stuffs we have now..BabyZara's stuffs are mounting! Probably we'll donate or sell some old/unwanted stuffs as well..(pening..pening..tgk barang yg berlambak2)

Plus, we have to train BabyZara to sleep without me on her side at night. A doctor needed to be oncalled and my BabyZara will need to sleep without me at night..sigh..since the first day she was born, she has been sleeping with us by her side and she's now 14months!! And during night time she'll breastfeed for a couple of times (at least). There would be no problem during day cos she'll take her breastmilk from bottles..the night time worries me..should start to train her by next week! Have to!! Need to do research on this matter as well before starting this project..

Father-Daughter Time. Zara's telling stories on the stairs (her fav spot)

It's going to be busy month ahead..and of course I'll be busy with work after that..Please God everything will be smooth and easy for our family..amin..

Laksa Penang

MrHubby was oncalled again yesterday..But I didn't cook anything for him for tea..instead I went to town centre and bought him a doner burger and 2pieces of fried chicken. 

And for dinner, I cooked Laksa Penang using my own recipe ;p (of course I have rough idea what to put inside the kuah/broth, thanks to my mum!). I used rice sticks/kuew teow instead of laksa because that was all I have in the pantry yesterday. And of course I used canned fish (2 small canned tuna and 1 small canned salmon) which had made my cooking so much easier! And the verdict...MrHubby said it was a bit too sour for his liking but for me, it's delish! I think Laksa Penang has to be sour, for it to taste better. So if you don't like to be too sour, you could always use less tamarind paste or asam keping.

My Laksa Penang is served

Recipe Laksa Penang (eat 5-6people)

Source: My Mum

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of ricestick/mee udon/thick rice noodles/spaghetti
• 2 small canned tuna (120g/can)*
• 1 small canned salmon (250g/can)*
• 1 large onion*
• 3 cloves of garlic*
• 2cm ginger (peeled)*
• 3 slices of galangal*
• 10-15 dried chillies (boiled and drained)*
• 4-5 slices asam keping
• 1 tbsp tamarind paste+1cup of water (mix well making 1cup of tamarind juice)
• 4-5 cups of water
• A handful of kesum/ Vietnamese mint/laksa leaves
• 1 lemon grass (smashed and bruised)
• Salt and sugar (I put 4-5tbsp of sugar and 2-3tbsp of salt) 

• 4 hard-boiled eggs (cut into 4sclices)
• 1/2 Pineapple (small cubes)- you could use canned pineapple
• Iceberg lettuce (julienned)
• Cucumber (thinly sliced and then julienned)
• Mint (chopped)-substitute with spring onion
• Lime slices (if needed)

Method:

1. Cook the noodles according to its instructions and set aside.
2. Blend together *ingredients with 1cup of water.
3. Pour into a big saucepan and heat up on high heat. Add the rest of ingredients and cook well. Season to your taste.
4. Serve with the laksa/thick rice noodles and the salads.

As for BabyZara, we are now starting to brush her teeth (she has 8 very sharp teeth) every night before she went to bed. Actually we had introduce the toothbrush since she was 5months but it was not consistent (that time she loved to bite the toothbrush bristles while teething). We have to make routine for her to brush her teeth but sometimes I forgot to do so..sigh..

Bangun pagi terus gosok gigi ;))

Then she found Abah's Iphone..one of her fav toys!

A new member of family

The blogspot acted up again and I wasn't able to update this blog for a couple of days. Glad that I could update my blog again :))

What did I do while I was away from this blog? Nothing much really..we haven't celebrate MrHubby's birthday..which I figure we would this weekend. Bought him a perfume (free Armani weekend bag with the perfume) which smell so good..I might buy him another pressie as well. 

And my old Sony Experia phone had been messing up with me few days ago. It would call and send texts on its own! Luckily the it called was MrHubby so MrHubby kept answering 'my' calls over and over again. Hehehe..so, I've decided that it was the time for a new phone. Went to town centre on Tuesday and there was great offer by 3mobile store. Iphone4 for free!! So without any hesitation, I went into the store and grabbed the free phone! But its under 24months contract, 40euro/month bill. It actually was not bad at all. I am now an Iphone4 user! Yehaa!!

While on Wednesday, BabyZara had an appointment with a dietician. She was referred by the Public Health Nurse who was so concerned about BabyZara's height (was at 2nd centile on the graph). When measured again that day, her height was 71.5cm (she was 69cm 2months ago) which just above the 2nd centile. As long it has not drop from the 2nd centile, we would be happy. And BabyZara's weight was 9.4kg (gained 300g in 5weeks) which was hovering on 25th centile. So the plan for her is to reduce the snacking time and to focus more on the major meals with more proteins. We have to re-schedule her meal times and her menu as well. But Alhamdulillah that she is healthy otherwise. And of course we couldn't expect she would be as tall as the Irish babies..sbb mummy and abah dia cinonet orang asia! Our prayers are always with you, our little princess. Semoga menjadi anak yang solehah dan dikurniakan kesihatan yang sempurna..amin..

Zara and Abg Irsyad (her cousin) celebrating their birthdays (Spring 2011-Netherlands)

In Keukenhof, Netherlands

Bertatih jalan..skrg sudah nk berlari

"Mummy, check out my new wheels!"

Our sweetheart

Okie dokie, will update again soon about a couple of recipes I've tried and tested this week. And if we were to celebrate MrHubby's birthday, I will update on the celebration as well. Till then..

Overview of Car Seats

Choosing the right car seat is a desicion worth taking a little time over. It will become a familiar resting place for your baby and something that you'll spend plenty of time lifting, carrying and fitting into place. Buying the best car seat (accordingly to your budget) is one of investment you'll need to do for your baby's safety when they are out and about in the car. They are a few types/groups of car seat according to your baby's age and weight. You definitely will be buying at least 2 car seats (just like I did) if not more.

Zara enjoying herself in her car seat

The types of car seat:

• Group 0/0+ (Baby/Infant)-Its suitables from birth until age 6/15 months approx (0-10/15kg)
• Group 1 (Toddler)- Its suitable from 9 months-4 years approx (9-18kg)
• Group 2,3 (Junior)- Its suitable from 4-11 years approx (15-36kg)
• Group 1,2,3 (Toddler/Junior)- Its suitable from 9 momths-11 years approx (9-36kg). This was the one I bought for Zara (picture above)

There are a couple of things that you should think about before buying a car seat,

1. Its never a good idea to buy a second-hand car seat. It may have been involved in an accident/sustained damage and wear and tear that will reduce its efficacy.
2. When it comes to buying, its the weight and not the age that matters. If your baby below or above the recommended wieght range for the seat, it may then not offer the best possible protection.
3. Always check that you know how to fit the car seat by yourself to correct position and the seat is fitted correctly.
4. NEVER put a child in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag. Airbags are designed to protect adults but can have opposite effect on children.
5. Keep babies in rear facing infant carrier car seat as long as possible (until baby reaches their maximum weight range). They offer the best protection for smaller babies by supporting their head and neck.

Group 0/0+ (Baby/Infant)

• This type offers the best protection for smaller babies and its a rear facing car seat.
• Comes handy with the handle to lift and carry the baby around.
• It could be fitted by the seat belts or a special fixture/base. (eg: ISO fix)
• Some types could be fitted directly on to the strollers which would be handy when baby asleeps. Baby could be transfered into the car without any dissturbance.
• Usually with padded seat liner and will be soft and cosy for baby to snug in.
• Ours came free with the stroller.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 0/0+ car seat is the picture on the right

 Group 1 (Toddler)

• This is foward  facing car seat could give your child a better view.
• It could be fitted by the seat belts or a special fixture. (eg: ISO fix)
• Could come in with 3 points or 5 points harness/safety belts.
• Make sure that you baby has full neck and body support and the baby is comfortable on the car seat.
• Make sure that your toddler's head and body is well support in the car seat.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 1 car seat is the picture on the right.

Group 2,3 (Junior)

• A forward facing car seat for your junior's safety.
• This group of car seat will only need adult seatbelts to secure them in place.
• You could either buy the junior car seat or only the booster seat. However, it is recommended that the child has full body and neck support. ( In this group, I would think it's better to buy junior car seat with high back support)
• However, booster seat is ideal for travel or back up option (eg: Grandparents' car or for unexpected situations) as it is small and handy to carry.
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Example of Group 2,3 car seat is the picture on the right.

Group 1,2,3 (toddler/Junior)

• This type of car seat I bought for BabyZara as I was thinking, if I heva to change the car seat for at least 2 times more, why not buy the one which would last until she's 12.
• This car seat could be transformed into junior car seat just by taking off the safety harness. 
• As for my BabyZara car seat, it comes with safety cushion instead of safety harness. When she is big enough I would take off the safety cushion and viola! she would have the junior car seat. (and we don't have to buy her a new car seat, saves us some bucks!)
• NEVER put in a passanger seat fitted with an active front airbag.
• Examples of Group 1,2,3 car seats are in the picture on the right and the picture on the very first (BabyZara and her car seat)

So there you go, an overview of car seat group and types. I hope this will help you in anyway in choosing and buying the best car seat for your baby.

Dai Dai

BabyZara now can says "die! die!" "dai dai"  means "bye bye" in her own cute pronunciation! I'm so proud of her. While waving her hand and says "dai dai" she would then continue her story telling. She is just so cute telling her stories in her own words and she has so many stories to tell! I could now imagine how she would be asking so many questions soon enough ;)) and I can't wait for it.

Here are a couple of pics of Zara taken last week when MrHubby was on his leave. We went out to a playground as BabyZara was so bored at home.

Now she would asks for her jumper/jacket and then she would walk to the shoe rack to pick up her shoes and would ask me to help her wearing those shoes! This is how she let us know that she wants to go out for fresh air! ;)) She's just brilliant!

Sitting on her carseat

Zara and her swing, enjoying herself

She loves the swing! Can't take her out until she says so ;p

Our BabyZara enjoying herself

And as for me, I had a new haircut yesterday! After so long, I finally had my hair cut and it costs so much! (I never knew that hairdressing in Ireland costs that much!!). Usually I would have my hair cut when I was back in Malaysia. Last 2years I had my hair straightened permanently in Malaysia but they don't have that kinda thing in Ireland, how unfortunate. I miss the super straight hair I had before. Oh by the way, I had my head massaged by the hairdresser and it felt so damn good! I have forgotten how to pamper myself for so long..(all super mummies out there don't forget to take 5 and relax and pamper yourselves). Wish I could go for full body massage! (wishing..)

Breast is the Best

Alhamdulillah..for all the blessings in our lives. This include the chance given to me to fully breastfeed our BabyZara until this day. She is now 13months and 2weeks young ;))

This post is specially dedicated to new mummies (2 of my closest friends have recently given birth, Congratulations!!), mummy-to-be, and all the ladies (and not to forget the daddies and daddy-to-be) out there with good intention to breastfeed their babies. I'm no expert in this field (Breastfeeding world is so much exciting and need more studies/explorations) but I would try my best to share the experiences and the knowledge that I have on breastfeeding from my point of view as a mother and a doctor. This topic would definitely need more than one post :)

Today, I would like to share the millions (that is exaggerated, but probably not, because some things we might have not discover yet) of breastmilk and breastfeeding wonder. When I was a medical student I was taught the benefits of the breastmilk versus the formula milk. There is no doubt through the science and research that the breastmilk (BM) is superior than the formula milk (FM). People has been misled that the FM are "nearly identical to breastmilk and that they are almost as good as BM" which is NOT TRUE at all!

Here are some highlights of BM and BF (breastfeeding) wonder:
Source: www.babycenter.com

1. BF will protect your baby from a long list of illnesses-Numerous studies from around the world have shown that stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis occur less often in breastfed babies and are less severe when they do happen. Exclusive breastfeeding (meaning no solid food, formula, or water) for at least six months seems to offer the most protection.The main immune factor at work here is a substance called secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) that's present in large amounts in colostrum, the first milk your body produces for your baby. (Secretory IgA is present in lower concentrations in mature breast milk.) The substance guards against invading germs by forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes in your baby's intestines, nose, and throat. (So mummies, DO NOT give water to your baby before 6months, this will flush out all the good stuffs from BM that protect your baby's intestines, nose and throat)
2. BF may boost you baby's intelligence-Various researchers have found a connection between breastfeeding and cognitive development. In a study of more than 17,000 infants followed from birth to 6 1/2 years, researchers concluded from IQ scores and other intelligence tests that prolonged and exclusive breastfeeding significantly improves cognitive development. (Who doesn't want a brilliant baby ;P)
3. BF can protect your baby from developing allergies-Babies who are fed a formula based on cow's milk or soy tend to have more allergic reactions than breastfed babies.Scientists think that immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) help prevent allergic reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to a baby's intestinal tract. Without this protection, inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become "leaky." This allows undigested proteins to cross the gut where they can cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.Babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk don't get this layer of protection, so they're more vulnerable to inflammation, allergies, and other eventual health issues.
4. BF may lower your infants' risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)
5. BF can reduce your stress level and your risk of post-partum depression- When nursing your baby, your body will release the oxytocin hormone, a hormone that promotes nurturing and relaxation.
6. BF may reduces your risk of some types of cancer-Numerous studies have found that the longer women breastfeed, the more they're protected against breast and ovarian cancer. For breast cancer, nursing for at least a year appears to have the most protective effect.
7. BM nutrients are tailored to your baby- BM is species-specific for human and changes accordingly to the infant's needs. Its nutrients are easily digest and absorb by infants digestion system. (That's why BF infants usually will get hungry faster-2hourly feed, and that's why FM fed baby will usually get constipated. FM is hard to digest by baby).
8. And BM is FREE!!!!
9. BF babies usually will have healthier teeth, eyes and ears-FM fed babies more likely to get ear infections compared to BF babies.
10. BF will help mothers to shed post-partum weight-BF could consumes upto 500calories per day!!
11. BF may protect your baby from obesity-Experts think that breastfeeding may affect later weight gain for several reasons:

• Breastfed babies are better at eating until their hunger is satisfied, leading to healthier eating patterns as they grow.
• Breast milk contains less insulin than formula. (Insulin stimulates the creation of fat.)
• Breastfed babies have more leptin in their system, a hormone that researchers believe plays a role in regulating appetite and fat.
• Compared with breastfed babies, formula-fed infants gain weight more rapidly in the first weeks of life. This rapid weight gain is associated with later obesity.

These are the facts of BF and BM wonders. I believe and I know there are more benefits of BF that I have not mentioned above. And of course BF could build special bond between you and your baby. And if you'll be working you could continue to give BM to your baby (it would be in different post). 

Breast is the Best (Source:Google)

BF in the train from Paris to Amsterdam (Winter 2010)

Happy baby after BF! ;))

However, if you are not able to BF your baby (due to medical illnesses or any inevitable reasons) you are not becoming less motherly. Maybe you could try for your next baby? ;))

Oh, before I go, here are RARE reasons you CANNOT BF your baby (from medical point of view)

• Maternal HIV- transmission rate upto 30% to the newborn
• Maternal HTLV-1 and HTLV-2- transmission rate upto 20% to the newborn
• Maternal Metabolic Disease (Wilson's Disease)- Wilson's disease treated with penicillamine which is contraindication in BF
• Infant Galactosemia- diagnosed with newborn screening, baby requires lactose-free diet
• Maternal drug (Chemo/Radiotherapy,drugs of abuse-most commonly encountered)

 As I said before, these are the points that I know, and there are lots more that I do not cover in today's topic. I will try my best to post the topics related to BF and BM in the near future. I hope this post today would help you in anyway. All the best and keep up the good jobs you have done so far. HAPPY BREASTFEEDING LADIES!!

First Zoo Trip

MrHubby's on his annual leave starting last Monday. And where did we go while MrHubby's on hols? Hehe..we went no where. We spent times lazing around. We went to Dublin Zoo on Thursday as planned ages ago. Weather was not so great..one minute it was sunny, the next minute it was pouring!! Poor BabyZara..half of the times she spent being on the stroller with the rain cover on!

Here are some infos of Dublin Zoo. It's located in Pheonix Park, Dublin and it was opened on 1st  September 1831, which make the zoo almost 180 years old!!! Tickets costs 15euro for an adult (free admission for kids under 3yo). We did have fun while touring the zoo. BabyZara was really excited walking about the zoo. And she really enjoyed the African Plains especially the giraffes! That was our first ever visit to Dublin Zoo!! (after 8years living in Ireland)

Here are some photos taken on our first Dublin Zoo visit.  Enjoy!

Enjoying her first trip to the Zoo!

Our small family

Our cheeky monkey ;))

Baby Rhino ride

Giraffes in African Plains, Zara really enjoyed this view!

African Plains again

"Mummy,is that really a tiger?"

Broken camera

Our BabyZara dropped our 6year old Sony digital camera and now its broken! Thanks to Mr&Mrs J (neighbours and our bestfriends), the pictures taken for this entry were using their digital camera. Is this a sign that we should get a new camera?? Hehehe..I'm eyeing a dslr..which at the moment we couldn't afford (sigh...) maybe will get it once we have got extra money in the pocket to spend (sigh..as if it's going to happen) Or  maybe that would happen when I start going back to work soon? I hope so..in the mean time, maybe we'll get a bargain and inexpensive digital camera.

BabyZara's crying when she didn't get what she wants

Melting my heart away with her smiles (and those sparkly eyes)

Now back to my lunch menu made yesterday, Laksa Kelantan. This is a famous delicacy of East Coast Peninsular Malaysia (Kelantan and Terengganu). MrHubby called it Laksa Terengganu or sometimes Laksa Putih (mentang2 la dia orang Terengganu)..hehe..but I always called it Laksa Kelantan (since I'm originally from Kelantan ;p)This recipe is very easy (especially when using canned tuna/salmon as I did) as you only need only a few ingredients blended together and let them simmer in the pot.

Laksa Kelantan consists of coconut-based fish soup/kuah, eat with rice noodles, mixed salad and chilli paste/sambal. There is another variation called Laksam Kelantan, where rice sticks are used insted of rice noodles.

Ingredients:

• *1 onion
• *3 cloves of garlic
• *2cm ginger (peeled)
• 1tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3 pieces of asam keping (picture as below)- you could get this from asian store
• 1 canned salmon (400g)- or you could use canned tuna/mackerel
• 1 canned tuna (120g)
• 1 can of coconut milk (400ml)- I used Chaokoh brand
• 400ml water
• 3tsp salt
• 1tbsp sugar
• 1 packet of udon noodles (Japanese rice noodles)- usually I used spaghetti

Canned tuna, canned salmon, udon noodles and coconut milk

Asam keping/Asam gelugor

Method:

Simmering kuah laksa

1. Blend together the *ingredients. Transfer them in a big saucepan/pot.
2. Blend coarsely the canned fish (you could add in some water, would be easier to blend) then transfer them into the pan
3. Add in the rest of ingredients (except the Udon/spaghetti) and cook on high heat until boiled. Then turn down the heat, le it simmer for 10minutes. Then,its ready to be served.

Salads:

• Cucumber (sliced and julienned)-as in the picture below
• Beansprouts
• Longbeans (sliced)- I used fine beans instead
• Kesum/Laksa leaves/Vietnamese coriander@mint (Didn't have them in my fridge so I used normal coriander)
• I also added ready-to-eat salad leaves

Sambal/Chilli paste:

• 10 dried chillies (seeded, boiled and blended), 100ml of water and 1 tsp of salt, cooked on medium heat for 10-15mins  

Laksa Kelantan is served

How do u eat Laksa Kelantan?? Its easy peasy! ;) Take the noodles about one cup, then take about 1tbsp of each salads,scatter them onto your noodles. Add about one cup of fish soup (I usually add more cos I love soupy noodles) and 1 tsp of sambal (add more if you like it spicier). Mix them all together. Now, enjoy!! You could use your hands (lets get messy ;P) or you could use your fork to dig in the goodness! The end results would be the same, its DELISH!

Ready to be eaten

Not so quiete weekend afterall!

Remember that MrHubby is still down with flu? He's supposed to lie down and have plenty of rest. But what did we end up doing yesterday? We went out to town..not once but twice! The weather was so nice we felt it would be ashamed to stay in the house. The first trip was in the morning (not early morning as it was Sunday and the shops were not open until noon!) where we went to Currys (electrical store) and we had a good look around for a new TV. MrHubby was telling me that he wants a new TV a few times. Usually I would ignore him as the TV we have at the moments still showing pictures with colours  hence no need for a new TV ;P But for the last couple of days he's been saying how nice to have a bigger screen TV with much better quality of pictures so I said, lets go and see if there is any good bargain/sale in Currys. So we went there with a mission..mission impossible ;P

After about 1hour in the store, suddenly MrHubby told me "Hun, i think its better for us to wait till we move to Waterford this July". I was like..what??? I was so excited that morning cos I thought that we would finally going to buy a new TV (our current TV is a box set 21inch TV, very heavy which i bought when i was a 2nd year medical student,that was 7years ago!). Then i said "Actually,its fine with me. If we could wait for a few years why cant we wait for a few months". So..we decided, no new TV until we have settled in Waterford this July. (Doctors in Ireland usually will move around the coutry to find new jobs..doc jobs in Ireland in my opinion are not secured. Contract would usually lasted for 3months-1year,2years if u get lucky). Then, we headed back home for lunch.

Later in the evening after lunch (MrHubby was so nice to cook us the lunch- TomYam and rice. Thanks so much MrHubby!), we then took BabyZara out for a walkie and a visit to playground. What did BabyZara do when we got to the playground? She went straight to the swing. She really loves the swing, though she didn't smile/laugh when on the swing, but she cried when we tried to take her out from the swing! She spent almost 30mins on the swing then we took her out (with some difficulties because of the cries). BabyZara was so friendly with other children, she must be lonely, spend most of her time at home. She followed this one little girl around.And when the little girl was about to leave, she waved her goodbye!

Here are some of the photos of BabyZara and the favourite swing of hers:

Zara's wearing one of the new shoes we bought her the day before.

Zara was looking around the other kids playing

Again, she was looking around..her face didnt tell that she enjoyed the swing so much but she cried when we tried to take her out of the swing

Mummy and Abah's little miss sunshine!

Straight afterwards, we went out for dinner @Capitol Kebab. I had lamb shish kebab with rice while MrHubby had Capitol Special (combo of everykind of grilled meat/kebab in the house!). It was really nice. What about BabyZara?? She felt asleep as soon we left the playground. She must be very tired playing and walking around the ground. 

She looks so peaceful, isn't she?

So,that's the story for yesterday..and today..it's another story to tell ;))

Long weekend

Its another long weekend here in Ireland, the previous one was last weekend, the Easter weekend (when we did a BBQ party at our small backyard and it was fantastic!). This weekend its because of the May Day as we called it here in Ireland (Labors Day as what people called it back home). MrHubby will have another Monday-off day and we are really glad about it. So what did we plan for this weekend? Well, we thought that we could spend this weekend lazing around and not doing much, as MrHubby is still not well from the flu..maybe we are going to rent a couple of movies and spend time watching movies at home. Sounds relaxing enough. 

As for yesterday (Saturday as now its already 01:05 am on Sunday morning) we spent a couple of hours strolling down the Shop Street in Galway town. Zara was really behaved today yesterday. She would sit on her carseat when travelling and she would sit on her buggy without fuss! This was unexpected since she would scream and throw tantrums (Yes, She could and would throw tantrums when she's not happy) especially when travelling in her carseat or the buggy. She would want me to hold her when travelling in the car or carry her around when ever we went out. Here in Ireland, infants, toddler and children must be seated in appropriate carseat/boosterseat up until they are 12y.o for their own safety. Which I couldn't agree more..so different from Malaysia.We are currently using Cybex Pallas2in1 from Mamas and Papas.One day, I shall blog about the difference of carseat/boosterseat types, which i think really important for parents to know about.

By the way, we spent most of the time strolling down the street and since the weather was really nice, loads of people was out on the street. It feels just like a summer day (it's still Spring though). Nowadays, whenever i went out i would usually buy something for babyZara. Hardly ever i would buy something for me (I think this is how mothers feel about their children, their children always come first). So what we've bought for babyZara?? We've bought not one pair BUT 2 pairs of shoes, one Kappa and one Lacoste but bothe are PINK. Hahaha..i always have the tendency to buy pinkie stuffs for babyZara. The Lacoste shoes a wee bit bigger so she could wear them in a few months time. And since Mothercare is having half price sale at certain products, i managed to find 4 sleeveless t-shirt for babyZara at half price. Quite good bargain..hehe..

What did i cook today? Haha..i only cooked fried rice from left over the night before (L.O fried rice as per MrHubby-LeftOver fried rice ;p) and we only gobbled up the fried rice from breakfast till dinner. But....i've managed to bake cotton soft Japanese cheesecake,but the result is not that disappointing..will update the cotton soft Japanese cheesecake recipe and pic in another entry. As for now, I'm going to bed. Its 01:36 am already. Bye for now.

The Royal Wedding

Today was a good day,with good weather and good food ;) And it's the day when Prince William and Kate Middleton have married at the Westminster Abbey. The ceremony was beautiful and they looked lovely together.

Official wedding picture

Gorgeous Kate with husband William

Pictures source:Google

As for me, it was an ordinary day when I spent my time playing and entertaining my precious little gem Zara (she turns 13months today!). She is really cheeky now, always want to play! She is just the cutest baby in my eyes (of course other mothers would say the same about their babies) This evening, I'd planned to go out for brisk walk (would be the first time since..err..since forever ;p) but the plan has changed. I was in my sport attire when my neighbour (Mrs J) called me and told me she wanted to come over to watch the Royal Wedding. While waiting for her to come over, I took Zara out for a little walkie..Zara is just too fast! She just started walking about 3weeks ago and now she's flying! She had a few slipped but she got up quickly on her own and she won't let me hold her hands. Such an independent little gem she is! Mummy is so proud of you!!

And what did I cook today? Since Mr Hubby is down with flu, I've decided its better for him to have somekind of soup, so I've made chicken soup with rice. It will be ready for him when he's back from oncall. It's 9.26pm and he's not home yet..and since he bought me the BreadMaker(BM) that I had longed for sometimes, I've made him some sausage rolls as well. The recipe i've got from tiffinbiru.blogspot.com but i've changed some of the recipe. Dont know where to find bread softener/bread improver here in Ireland, I ended up substitute those with baking powder and baking soda. I also added up a tablespoon of lecithin (as I read somewhere that lecithin could also act as bread softener). And the result, not so fluffy bread..boleh la buat hilang craving roti sosej Malaysia. Here goes the recipe..

Source: www.tiffinbiru.blogspot.com
BAHAN-BAHANNYA :-)
250 gram tepung roti (high protein flour)
50 gram gula halus @ gula kastor
1/2 camca teh garam halus
10 g susu tepung
1/4 camca teh bread improver ---> changed to soda bicarbonate
1/4 camca teh bread softerner ---> changed to baking powder
*add 1 sudu besar lecithin powder
30 g telur (pecahkan 1 biji, kacau sedikit dan timbang)
6 gram instant yeast
20 g mentega
125 ml air suam (kalau guna Breadmaker guna air biasa)
14 batang sosej "Ayamas"
Bijan untuk hiasan

CARA MEMBUATNYA :-)

1. UNTUK DOH :- Larutkan yis dalam air suam, biar berbuih. Satukan semua bahan lain kecuali mentega, masukkan bancuhan yis dan gaul rata hingga menjadi doh. Tambah mentega dan terus menguli hingga mendapat doh yang kenyal dan anjal (kurang lebih 20 minit). Bulat2kan doh, letak dalam bekas dan balut dengan plastik bersih, biarkan 45 minit hingga naik. KAEDAH LAIN :- Satukan semua bahan2 untuk doh dalam breadmaker, pilih setting untuk "DOH" dan tekan "ON", tunggu hingga siap (selalunya BM mengambil masa 30 minit menguli dan 1 jam memerap, ikut jenis BM masing2)
2. UNTUK SOSEJ ROLL :- Celur sekejap sosej, tos, sejukkan dan lap kering. Tumbuk doh untuk membuang udara, bagi doh pada 14 bahagian. Ambil satu bahagian, tarik sikit dan lilit pada sosej, tapi pastikan hujung dan pangkal sosei tidak tertutup. Lilit dengan kaedah menindih dan hujung doh diselitkan bawah lilitan, tujuan untuk mengelakkan dok terbuka bila kembang nanti. Susun dalam loyang yang telah dilenser dengan sedikit mentega. Buat hingga siap.
3. Biar 45 minit, sapu baki telur dan tabur dengan bijan. Bakar 25 minit pada suhu 190C dalam oven yang telah dipanaskan hingga kuning keemasan. Sejukkan atas jaringan sebelum dihidangkan.

Note to self: Next time, balut roti tebal2 sket..tadi roti nipis jadi slightly crunchy. Tp tetap sedap..hehe.. (mode perasan)