...Measuring Life with Love...

Joshua is 5 years  and  2 months old. And yesterday, he lost his first tooth! He's been excited about it since it became wriggly. He talked about it almost daily and anxious for the tooth fairy to come.


Yesterday morning while having breakfast, I noticed  the top of permanent tooth coming out.


Then, I told him  how my first tooth came off.

My father, tied  a thread around my loose tooth. And tied the other end of the thread in the door knob. Then, either of my sisters pull the other side of the door knob  and shut the door as fast while I stood firmly.

And when the tooth has fallen, we bury it in the dirty kitchen (abuhan), covered with ashes.





By lunch time, he came running towards me, excited more than ever.


The tooth  was barely clinging. All I did was lightly pulled it out.  It came off that simply, followed by a tiny  speck of blood.

Apparently, the  sliced apple and peanut butter he had for lunch loosened it even more!


We celebrated this Childhood Milestone with an Ice Cream on a Sugar Cone. And I'll slipping 2 pennies in his pillow...

I love to cook.   Cooking de-stress me. That's my kind of relaxation. But, I tend to cook more food that 2 adults , a 5 year old and a 10 month old could eat. So, there's always  lots of food waste. Although, I am getting better at recycling food into a different meal. Some can no-longer be salvaged!

Wasting food means wasting money!  So , I joined  The Frugal Girl . Hopefully; by this, I'd be able to eliminate food waste in my household. This is one of my goals this year ( fingers crossed ).

In the picture above,  there's shredded Chicken Meat  in a soup stock - an ingredient for chicken soup. Been sitting in the fridge for too long ( for about 5 days). I looked cloudy. So, I decided to  throw it out rather than risk having tummy ache.

In the white bowl, is the remnant of a recycled meal. We had fried Tilapia fish earlier. I made the leftover into Tilapiang Pesa ( a filipino dish).  Again, I made too much than we could eat. Off, it goes ...  to  the compost bin!

The one in the black  chinese take out plastic container is  Gingered Beef Ribs. I purposely made more so we could share some to Rusty's brothers who live just few units away. But wasn't able to give it. *pout*



In the picture below, are chunks of chayote squash in a dish.  In my effort to save it from going to the compost, I cooked it together with cauliflower and broccoli in coconut milk . But, the chayote squash are just old.  The rest of the veges are gone. The chayotes are just tough to chew.

Breakfast/ Snacks:

Banana Bread, Cereals, Toasts with Milk for Joshua;Coffee for Rusty and I; Oatmeal&Apple cereals for Noah.

Lunch:

Monday: Rice Vermicelli with Sauteed Vegetables ( Pansit Bihon)
Tuesday:Chicken Menudo, Rice
Wednesday:Lobster Chowder,Pasta/ Bread
Thursday: Fried Tilapia,Tomato Salsa, Rice (hope it won't rain so I can fry outside )
Friday: Cashew Chicken, Fried Rice
Saturday: Pizza, Roasted Chicken  ( my sis in-law is moving to their new house that day )
Sunday: Pineapple Glazed Ham  ( farewell party for Rusty's Dad )

Dinner:

Leftovers,Pastrami Sandwich, Chicken/ Egg Sandwich,Smoothies, Fruits

Dessert:

Coconut-Corn Pudding (Maja Mais); Blueberry Cheese Tart; Fruits

Now its your turn!

Its been close to 6 weeks since I posted regarding ' deals'.  Its not that I have not shopped. In fact, chasing 'deals' is whats kept me going and excited this past few weeks ( I hate FLU virus!) Only  that, my good 'ol brain keeps forgetting to take picture of my purchases!  And my camera is going caput. It fell many times  until the lens popped out and chipped.  ( oh, I really need a new camera!)

Anyways....


Since, there is a possibility that Rusty will be back in the workforce  soon but outside of home; I hit the panic button and shopped like a manic this week.  Shopped 3 times   and went to 6 stores!


WEDNESDAY:

There's a new FOOD BASICS near hwy7 and hwy50 and  had a grand opening sale.  Most of the prices are slashed down to half. So, there I went first.

The Whole Chicken was 99 cents per pound! Chicken don't come around that price here anymore. That last time was about 2 years ago. So, I had to have those chickens no matter what! Even if  both freezers are filled to the brim!  Initially, I planned on buying 10 but, came with 12! Oh well....  ( limit was 3 per family. So, I got 3 each transaction  and did it 4 times!)

Eye of Round Roast  was 1.99/lb and attached to it was $4 off coupon. Took that one,too!  Since that baby was humongous to fit in the freezer, I had to divide it in quarter.

Ham  was also on sale for 99 cents per pound. We have get together parties almost every weekend  and everyone seems to like   Pineapple Glazed Ham.  I had to have it especially that it cost me only $6 after coupon.  I'm glad, it  can stay in the refrigerator not in the freezer  'cos I really don't have space for it anymore!

Coffee. I am such a coffee junkie! Only instant coffee though. Not the Starbucks kind- it's way too potent for me. With instant coffee, I could have it just before bedtime and still fall sleep  in an instant.

Since we still have plenty of time left before picking up Joshua in school.  I decided to drop by FORTINOS  only to check-out for manufacturer's Coupon. Then, I saw a sack of rice on sale for $10.99 . We eat rice all the time.... so I took a bag in the car and saved $3.01!










THURSDAY:

I realized I need to get Flintstones Vitamins and Toothpaste for Joshua. I went to Shopper's Drug Mart only to find that I only brought 1 coupon for the toothpaste!  I used to buy that kind of toothpaste for $3.99. But because it was on sale and I had coupon for it... I only paid 75cents.  I wish I bought all of my coupons... Oh well...

Then, I went to Zellers for the Vitamins. But... none left! Bummer!







FRIDAY:

Early that morning I went online to check out some deals this week. Our 'paper girl' delivers them late. And I can't afford to miss more deals if I wait till  Monday to shop.

After sending  Joshua to school. We went to:

Zellers where I scored big time on  soft drinks (@77cents ) , pringles  (@49cents)and deodorant (@33cents) ! The sales associate even asked me if I have extra coupon for the deodorant. I had 1 left and I gave it to her.

Then, off to

Food Basics   for boxes  of whole wheat pasta (@13cents)  and peanut butter chips($1) and canned corn (@69cents) I found on clearance.

Then, off we went to

No frills for canned pink salmon. I took 10 cans for 1.99 each.  And on the way to the cash register, I grabbed a box of Drumstick which was also on sale for 2.99


Then, the last stop was

Price Chopper for Multi-grain Cheerios and St'Ives facial Scrub  and luncheon meat ( not on the list... totally an impulse! )

Sometime next month, when Noah will be 8 months old. I will start giving him Cheerios to play with ( Hand-Eye-Mouth Coordination Exercise). And so, I bought 4 boxes of  Multi-grain Cheerios @99 cents each.

My face needs a good scrub. Really!  I am glad facial scrub is on sale and have a coupon for it. So, I got them for $1.49 each.

I should have avoided fleeting from store to store like a maniac had my 'delivery girl' drop my weekly papers early. I could have just gone to Walmart and price match. But its actually a pleasure for me... and I don't mind doing it. 

Yesterday in the mail, I received the coupon I look most look forward  every year: the  Reward Coupon  from Costco. Being an Executive member we are entitled for  2 percent cash back of up to $500 in a year.  This is our 3rd year using American Express with Costco Cash Rebate in almost all of our spending. This year, our reward  coupon is $106.88. And this time,  this I am going to add this to my  "new digi-cam' fund.

 Today, I dragged Rusty (and the kids, of course!) that we should go to Shopper's Drug Mart to catch their 3-day Labor Day Sale. I was supposed to buy cereals for Noah but my eyes were locked on Herbal Essences  haircare products that is on sale for $1.99 each  that I totally forgotten about it!

  Yeah, I love herbal essences revitalizing condition ever since I've tried it . So much so that  I totally forgot to buy any food for Noah! Probably because I was  in euphoria when I did the mental math on the money I'd save when I use my "Buy One Get One Free coupon" on top of the sale price.

  There was a limit of 4 in every transactions and since Rusty  refused to use coupon  ( he's been declined twice and now, he affirmed not to use coupons anymore!) I had to make 2 transactions with different cashiers. Technically, its not allowed hence the limit. But, that is what
other frugal people/coupon collector/smart shoppers do maximize their savings. And so did I.

  For 3 shampoos; 3 conditioners, 1 Volumizing Hairspray and 1 Mousse ; I only paid $9.52 for the price of $47.92!


Then, we headed to Wendy's for our FREE burgers, frosties  and a drink. Thanks to Amy for the coupons!

Our bellies are full!  hmmm....

Joshua had an appointment with an optometrist today. School start next week; since he never had his vision checked before, I wanted to make sure he has 20/20 visual acuity and has equal eye movements.

After Joshua's appointment, we went to Ocean's Supermarket . Before heading there; we stopped by Value Village where I got the above thrifty finds....

There, I found a blue denim jacket for fall for Joshua. It looks brandnew from Children's Place and never been worn! Two years ago, I bought similar jacket ( brown corduroy) for a whooping full price of $44.99! Ouch!  Then, last year; I bought exactly type of jacket  ( blue corduroy ) at Children's Place Outlet for $14.99 I found at the sale rack.

But this time, at  I only paid $5.99!

I also found a new a ring baking pan for only $1.99. Last year, I bought an exactly the same type only bigger for $11.99 sale price.

Ahhh...No wonder, thrift store shopping can be so addicting!

We chased some good deals today.  We went to 4 places. Woooo... pretty tiring  with 2 kids in tow but I felt great considering the amount of money I save had I bought them not on sale.

First stop, we went to Canadian Tire to get some Magic Eraser and Magic Clean Wipes.

The plaza across is where Walmart Supercentre is, so we also went there to get some cereals and Danactive Yoghurt drink where I got 7 for FREE!

Then, it was lunch time. We decided to eat at our fave Vietnamese restaurant.

After we had our fill, we  went mini grocery shopping at AAA ( is an Asian supermarket ). I only picked  whatever was on sale... noodles, evaporated milk, canned jackfruit  and  water melon. But Joshua found something not on sale. He kept tugging my shirt saying he want to make bubble tea.  For him to stop, I  complacently  place the caramel tapioca ball in the basket, it was $3.99!

Our last stop was, Zellers. Where we got more cereals! 6 boxes more! I used coupons. I didn't get them for free (unlike the yoghurt drink at walmart) but I paid next to nothing. And that bottle of sweet pickle, cost me only 99cents! Sooo, yum yum!

By that time, the kids were tired and wanted to go home. Joshua was bored and tired. But we had to wait for Zeller's midnight madness  to buy booster car seat for 50 percent off and buy one take one Hanes underwear .

It was our first midnight madness at Zeller's and boy! It was a real madness!  With Joshua clutched we my left hand, we were one of the first to get it. Grabbed what we needed and headed for check out.

Noah is developing new skills everyday. He loves to coo. When I talk to him, he moves his arms and legs as he makes little noises back at me while his eyes are locked on mine. He seems intrigued when  his brother Joshua makes funny faces and  if  kuya Josh 'shouts and yells' when doing so, Noah does not mind at all! At times, he even shows his toothless grin and break a smile.


Today, at a "wellness" visit with  our family physician; Noah now weighs 14 lbs and  measures  22.5 inches long.  Dr. Bariana was amazed how big he is for his age. But his length... hmmm..... just so-so. His weight is at the top of the chart while his height is at the bottom of the chart! I hope in the months to come, his height will catch up with his weight,

Noah also  had his first immunizations. He was vaccinated with DPT. This mixture of vaccines will help Noah's little body from acquiring Diphteria, Pertusis ( whooping cough) and Tetanus. He also has his first dose of ROTATEQ to prevent rotavirus. Next doses of these vaccines is in the next two months when he is 4-month old.

This month, he started sleeping 6 straight hours each night.  He is down by 10 pm and up by 4 am  for feeding and nappy change. And after that, he sleeps again  until 9 in the morning. After another feed and change, I give him a bath and a massage while we play/read stories (with Josh) where I get lots of smiles and gurgles. Then , he is down for a morning nap.

So far, taking care if Noah has been pretty easy. I hope things continue to stay this way .

Our day started earlier than usual today. Noah was scheduled to have circumcision procedure done at the local hospital at 7:00 am. But I was up at 2:00 am  for Noah's midnight feedings  and diaper changes. Afraid that I might not wake up even with the sound of the alarm, I decided not to sleep after  that. And besides, at 5:00  am; I have to feed Noah again since no feeding allowed 3 hours before the procedure; and, I have to give him infant's Tylenol an hour later, so I stayed awake.

We have to be at the hospital at 6:45 for registration and payment. Since this procedure is elective and is not covered by our provincial health plan,there is a fee of $270( $110 for the hospital & $160 for the physician).

 At 6:30 we're off the door with Joshua in tow. That morning, was cold. The car and the ground was blanketed in snow.

We were the 2nd family to arrive in the pediatric clinic for  this procedure. Another little boy   (with his mom) arrived after us.  At 7:00 we were instructed to bring Noah to the examining room to have his temperature taken, weighed and topical analgesic was applied in his penis.

No long after that, the lady Doctor who was going to perform the procedure arrived and lead us  to a conference room, reassured each member of the family that she'll make this procedure comfortable for the baby as much as possible. Aside from the local analgesic/anesthetic, the babies will be given 'sugar water' for comfort.  NO bleeding other than the usual is expected.

Noah was the 2nd baby to go. Rusty really wanted to be with our little boy in the entire procedure like he did with Joshua. But, neither Rusty nor I was allowed to go in ( hospital policy, Joshua's  circumcision was done in the Dr's office) We waited in the waiting room. Thirty minutes later, the nurse came out and handed Noah to me. I asked her if he cried a lot  as I was very anxious to know. "Not really", she assured me.

That was 9:30 am. Joshua was bored. He wanted to go home. But, we had to wait for
another hour at the recovery room to observe that no bleeding occurs and to show us how to change the baby's dressing.

Total of 4 dressings are required to do. 2 was done in the recovery room. On my own, I have do 2 more every diaper change at home. After the 4th  dressing change, I was instructed to apply Vaseline to the front of the diaper area only to prevent the penis from  sticking to the diaper until it is healed.

Apart from dressing change instructions. I was told to  only sponge bath baby Noah for 3 days with NO soap. And to give him a little less than 1 ml of infant's Tylenol every 4 hours for 24 hours.

At 11 am, we finally went home. Starved, we dropped by a Filipino Store to get some take-out food for lunch.

Right now, Noah is  a wee bit fussy and needed  so much cuddling. Rusty, Joshua and I are ready to call it a day.

Every parent have different views on circumcision. Many believe that there is no medical benefit in the procedure while others think of it as genital mutilation.  For us, its more for religious and cultural reasons.

I've got   news  for all of you! I may have the baby this weekend. I just got back from my weekly visit with my OB and he advised me to have an induction procedure done this weekend for 3 reasons. First, due to potentially having pregnancy induced hypertension ( my blood pressure yesterday rose to 140/70). Second, the baby might get too big to pass through the birth canal considering my previous birthing experience. Third, this baby is full term and has dropped! Meaning, the  baby's internal organs are pretty much ready for the outside world and the head is engaged  to say 'hello' to the rest of the world.

Honestly, I am not ready yet. Despite of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy ( my hips makes this awfully achy , crackling sound whenever I roll out of  bed) I may say that I find pleasure in this whole ordeal.

Or , perhaps... I am just very nervous knowing how  PAINFUL labor and delivery is!

Whatever the reason may be... I know the time will come. Maybe a little too early than I anticipated ( Joshua was 10 days past due). But  I am surely going to miss this baby in my belly...

Wish me the best and include me in your prayers. Hopefully, this time; I will have, less painful labor and delivery and a speedy recovery.

This was week was by far the most exciting week I've had since I started receiving FREE promotional samples. I am truly lovin' the mailman each time he comes by! Here's how I got them.

I have just climbed over a mountain-load of laundry, the only chore I have not delegated to Rusty yet. The past week had been full of events - doctor's visit, parties, and oh yeah,chasing coupons and free stuff! -  that I missed to load the washing machine at all. Usually, I line dry the laundry to conserve energy ( think green) but today, the dryer was constantly tumbling. Much to the discomfort of the family cat, Barook, who is so unused to the rotating sound.

 I  am now at 36 weeks and 5 days.  I now see my OB on a weekly basis which means - the countdown is near!  As you can see in the photos below, which was taken just minutes before leaving the house to the specialist's office, I am sooo huge. My physical mobility is very limited that I end up laughing at myself for 'walking' ,  I mean 'waddling' ..er..like a duck. And when I have to pose l like a sumo wrestler when getting up or picking up something, I laugh and cry at the same time!

Everything you see in me is round - my face, my belly , my boobs and ohhh, my nose!

Although sleep has become elusive and life is beginning to become uncomfortable, I am grateful of being pregnant. And thankful  that the baby inside me is strong and healthy with a heartbeat of 158. And that my blood pressure is normal and no traces of sugar & protein in my urine. Thank God for that!


A week ago today, I visited  my friend Abby (click Abby's name to see our photos)   who was scheduled to deliver her twins via C-section the day before. Much to my surprise, the birthing nurse told us that she's in Intensive Care Unit. The nurse didn't say much when I asked her if she's OK and if my sis- in- law Pia and I could see her. So off we went to ICU but even before I  could see her, another nurse approached me and firmly said "... make it brief please..." From then on, a rush of blood went through my spine and mind. Then when I saw her, hooked up with tubes, I can't help but shed a tear. In her soft and barely audible voice, Abby told me that her uterus ruptured, lost a lot of blood and she had undergone  hysterectomy. That night,  I barely had a wink. I cried to my sleep and prayed for my dear friend's recovery. 

Earlier today, I briefly spoke with Abby. Our prayers are all answered. She's now at home with her  7.9 lbs (birth weight of each) twins , a boy and a girl  named AJ and Bella.  A dark cloud was lifted and she lived to tell her near death experience to have those precious bundles of joy!

I have been spending more time in the net lately. I lurk at blogs mostly written by moms  on how their life goes everyday. It so happen that those moms get so many stuff for FREE! Yes, you read it right, FREE. I can't believe my eyes either so I tried it myself. I  googled each and every item  and then, one search lead to another.  And here's what I received so far...