"Wifey" & "Mommy" role.

I've got to admit, I've never cooked so much in my life until now. Now, that I'm a wife and a stay-at-home mother, I'm learning how to cook dishes that I took for granted when I was living at my parents house. All these delicious Pilipino dishes are comfort foods that I want to be apart of my new life with my own little family. I want Miles to grow up, eating these meals too. Here's today's dinner, a very easy recipe:

CHICKEN ARROZ CALDO (CHICKEN RICE SOUP)

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Soups/stews Chicken

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
-----YIELD: 8 SERVINGS-----
1 1/2 lb Chicken, cut into serving
-pieces
1 ea Tb vegetable oil
2 ea -3 garlic cloves -- minced
1 md Onion -- finely sliced
1 t Fresh ginger -- finely sliced
1 c Rice grains
5 ea -7 cups water
2 ea Tb fish sauce (patis)
5 ea Stalks green onion -- finely
-sliced for garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large non-stick soup pot over medium heat, saute
garlic in oil until lightly brown. Add ginger and
onion, stir for a minute. Add chicken pieces and fish
saue and cook for another 3 minutes. Add rice, water
and a little salt and pepper. Cover and simmer in
medium low heat for about 40 minutes or until the
consistency of a light ceamed soup has been reached.
Stir occasionally while cooking. Correct seasonings
to taste. Stir in a small amount of sliced green
onions. If rice soup becomes too thick, add a little
water to thin it a bit. Garnish individual bowl
servings with sliced green onions just before
servings. Tips: If you prefer, sprinkle a little lemon
juice on the soup servings. This will give a pleasant
tartness to the dish. Serves 6 to 8.

My mama said that I can actually try feeding some of this to Miles but without the pepper. We'll see how it goes. The weather here in SF is grey, cloudy, and cool--arroz caldo is perfect. Plus its quick and simple. We have to attend a baptism workshop today at St. Monica's for Miles' baptism at 7pm. I got to run to grab some groceries. Miles is asleep, Justin's off today---and the grocery trip is my time to myself! But see, I'm still doing something domestic! I DO enjoy cooking though, giving Justin a break.

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Justin has been working all weekend but today, he is finally off. It feels so lonely when he's not home with us! But Miles and I have been busy with our long walks, playtime dates, playground trips and more. He keeps me busy now that he is mobile, dragging himself across the apartment floors with speed!

Right now we're all just hanging out, enjoying 'On Demand' programs since we don't have cable at our apartment!



Miles has been a curious lil monkey, exploring everything. You would think he'd sleep in a little more since he is so active but that's not the case! Last week, Thursday night, Justin and I went on our anniversary date to watch Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. And yo, she is one funky soul sista. We really enjoyed our break from Miles! Aunty Lea and Aunty Erica (both his ninangs) were so nice to babysit him. I think they made a good team, putting him to sleep within one hour! That's pretty good considering it was the first time they had to watch him and also because Miles was overtired that day.

Lately, he's been preoccupied with exploring every place we go to. He is not as interested in nursing and at Diego's house, he didn't finish his food--which is a first! Saturday Miles hung out with Aunty Diane all day and we went to a BBQ at Diego's house for his 1st birthday. Miles enjoyed playing with the balloons and all of Diego's toys. Diego enjoyed cake for the first time and was covered in the blue icing, looking like a cute lil smurf!

So anyway, we are spending Justin's day off here back in Vallejo. And man, it's like 90 degrees outside! It feels like a whole season different than SF! Miles can just be boomba or maybe just in his diapers in this kind of heat.

Isang Bagsak!

Tuesday was nothing but beautiful skies, warm weather, and a nice breeze--summer in the city. Celebrating our one year of marriage, we picked up some sandwiches, packed up baby's lunch, and headed to Crissy Fields for a picnic. It was such a nice, simple way for us to spend time together (as if we don't spend a lot of time with each other already!), relaxing outdoors. We have to take advantage of these nice, sunny days in Frisco cause they are rare. As we were eating, I was telling Justin how as a kid, my parents would take us to the park to eat lunch here and there also. Those memories are some of the best ones. My dad would have a bucket of KFC, my grandpa, Tatay, was with us. Sadly, one of the only times we were all hanging out together since my parents worked so much. Those picnics were fun for us all to be outdoors, together as pamilya. And while we enjoyed our grub at Crissy Field, I couldn't help but watch Miles and look over to Justin and just think of how I am somewhat reliving childhood--both Justin and I. No coincidence, that later in the car, Nas' 2nd Childhood song off of Stillmatic played (cause earlier we were listening to him diss Jay-Z). Nas, I overstand!





This first year of marriage and our first year as a family has really been nothing but good. Besides stressing off of finances here and there, everything else has been pretty exciting and enjoyable. Justin and I--if anything--have built a stronger relationship. Marriage hasn't changed the way things are between us (besides sharing a bank account, oh yeah and my new last name). We are still two quirky individuals, sharing a quirky experience. But what has changed up our relationship was giving birth to Miles, switching up the flow. He's made us stronger and happier. I think it was UB40 aka Calvin who said to me once at Q's, "Being a parent just makes you stronger." It's so true. And this is just our first year...we got years to go!

Funny Boy, Funny Family.

Miles' determined face transformed into an even funnier one! This boy has got a lot of character already...



Yesterday, visiting Aunty Erica and her pamilya, Miles went crazy, dragging himself around on her carpet. I think that's the first time he ever got to move on carpet. Anyway, he was super juiced, making this exaggerated facial expression. He had us cracking up and everytime he heard us laugh, he would stop moving and look around at each of us!

It would have been so funny if he was making this face on Friday when I took him to Babies "R" Us, entering him in the American Baby Magazine contest. I think this face is the winner! Justin and I are wondering if he's imitating one of our many crazy faces that we make for him? If so, I think we're teaching him to be a little wierdo! Well, he is our son :)

Tomorrow is our one year wedding anniversary. Last year, Miles was apart of our ceremony, in my womb. We plan on having a family picnic maybe at Crissy field or Dolores Park, depending on whether SF is sunny throughout the whole city. I'm looking forward to a relaxing day with my cute little family. How much deeper can I love my husband and son?! We've been blessed with a lot of love. Give thanks.

And, one more time for the road...

Determined

With all the new developments he's going through; physical, mental, and emotional--Miles has been yelling out his frustrations, and making a new face to go with his new feelings. I love this new face! It's his look of determination.



He's so determined to get to any object. While I'm feeding him, he'll try to grab the spoon or bowl out of my hands. And the whole time, he'll purse his lips together and shake his arms quickly.



He gets frustrated, draggin his body around on the floor and yells for us to help him stand on his feet. He gets all excited when he's finally up, bounching non-stop. Today, he actually stood on his own for a few seconds and walked toward Justin a few steps (ofcourse with Justin holding his hands). Realizing what had just happened, Miles smiled and let out a joyful yell. It's not easy, honestly, hearing him yell so much! But I am being as patient as ever.



Another thing he does now as I carry him, passing by our studio, he leans towards the turntables and yells "Oooo! Oooo!" I was pretty amazed by that. I'm not kidding. He loves smacking his heavy hands on the platter and moving the faders, hitting switches. It's amazing how he already knows what we do on the tables and mixer, seeing and hearing us on it often. I will never underestimate Miles' understanding of things!

Miles-proofing

Today has been a whole day of rearranging the living room-just for Milesy. He has been crawling (mostly backward) and pulling himself to stand up since last week. It's hard to just calm him down unless there is baby einstein on the screen--and that usually only for when its time to unwind. With his new obsession for moving and groovin--its been challenging to get him down for naps at times but especially for bedtime at night. He keeps rolling over and getting into crawling position. Even in his sleep, he'll start whining and when I check to see whatsup--he's on all fours, rocking but with his eyes closed! He sleep crawls...it's kinda funny! I just turn him around and lay him back down and he's peaceful again.It seems the only time he is really peaceful now is in his sleep!


See, he's watching Einstein.


Check out Mega's (our roomate) shoe collection in the back...no way of Miles-proofing that section!


The Justin & Miles Band.

First Wednesday of the Month in the 'Sco

In celebration of Miles' 8th month (not to mention--8 months of surviving through nursing him), we planned the afternoon to do one of SF's free things on the first Wednesday of September, check cashing at Cash n' Go. Sike!

After Miles and I went on a trip across the bay bridge to send off Aunty Rizalene back to NY, we headed back to meet up with Aunty Lea and Papa Jones. Miles was such a patient boy, riding solo in the backseat from Oakland airport back to Presidio--without crying! I was really surprised. I guess he is more of a big boy now! I guess that also means that we can drive to Vallejo--just the two of us--when his daddy has to work.

Anyways, back to our free thing on the first Wednesday...
Today, we visited the Steinhart Aquarium on Howard St. It was Miles' first time to see sealife upclose. He was amazed by the fishes' movements, trying to grab them as they passed by, learning that he could not do so because of the glass surface. How frustrating!

He enjoyed the crocodile turtles, jumping up and down in excitement. They looked like old statues, dinosaur-like and crusty.



Aunty Lea enjoyed the giant striped bass. Justin enjoyed the Electric Unagi--I mean, Eels. And I just wanted some patis and bagoong! It was a seafood lover's haven. When Aunty Lea kept pointing out the striped bass, I just kept thinking "Ayon na masarap!"

Anyways, I got to see a Humuhumnukunukuapuhua'a. I just love saying that. Here are a few shots of our day of FREE.99 fun:









A little after, Miles got to hang out with all the other babies in the play area. But ofcourse, he was the only brown kid in the corner. I still trip out, seeing him play with toys all by himself. His dexterity is improving and so are his locomotive skills. He has yet to crawl forward--but he can now crawl backward!



First Wednesdays in SF are fun for everyone. There was a good mix of people at the aquarium, including homeless folks, buddha monks, babies, teenagers, and us. I think Miles had a lot of stimulation for the day. We headed back to the presidio and relaxed awhile. Justin cooked us his fried chicken dinner. Uncle Ruben came home and was able to dine with us. And Miles got a treat, Yo Baby yogurt. Aunty Lea enjoyed feeding the monster!



Peace!