Boeuf Bourguignon - Julia Child

Tim and I have seen Julie and Julia a couple of times and the food from it has definitely made us hungry in those times. Tim got me the Mastering the Art of French Cooking back in Thanksgiving time last year and we still haven't made anything from it. Soo.. this weekend, we set out to get the ingredients for the famous Boeuf Bourguignon dish.


After a busy weekend of cleaning and such, the dish had to wait until last night to be made. The process for this dish takes awhile.. hours. Tim was great. He did most of the prepping and cooking actually. I supervised. hehe It's great cooking with him - we have a lot of fun together. The cooking of the meat takes hours in the oven which is not bad - it's the prepping and cooking of the mushrooms and the onions that also added on to the work. And Tim found a recipe for Garlic and Herb Tomatoes in my Ina Garten cookbook that he also wanted for dinner with the beef - so we made that last night too.

After hours and hours, we finally ate one of the latest dinners we've ever had.. and it was so worth it. The work. The wait. The hype. The movie. The fancy fancy name. Whatever. It was amazing. We couldn't believe we made something so delicious. It was so good that we were excited that we would have the leftovers the next day! The sauce was just.. perfect. The onions and mushrooms in it... seriously delicious. The pieces of bacon you would bite into..yum. I made a batch of rice to go along with dinner. And the tomatoes turned out soo good. Everything about dinner last night was so delicious. Valentines Day turned out pretty nice this year. =)

Dreams..

This is for me to just remember some stuff from my dream I just had a few hours ago.. one that woke me up.. and which is why I'm still awake. I've been using the same resource to look up dream interpretations for a few years and surprisingly, they seem to make sense almost all the time. Especially the ones from dreams that really kept me thinking or kept me awake. Like this recent one..

Salt

To see or taste salt in your dream, represents a new found flare in your waking life. You are experiencing increased worth and a higher sense of zest and vigor. Alternatively, salt symbolizes dependability, truth, and dedication. Also consider the phrase of throwing salt on an open wound. The dream may thus elude to some painful or difficult memory. 

To dream that you are salting meat, symbolizes longevity. There is something that you want to hold on to and preserve. To dream that you are throwing salt over your shoulder, represents protection or luck.

Computer

To see a computer in your dream, symbolizes technology, information, and modern life.  New areas of opportunities are being opened to you. Alternatively, computers represent a lack of individuality and lack of emotions and feelings. Too often, you are just going along with the flow, without voicing your own opinions and views. You may also feel a depreciated sense of superiority.

To dream that your computer has a mind of its own, denotes anxiety about technology and loss of control. You are feeling overwhelmed and that you are at the mercy of another.

To dream that a computer has a virus or has crashed, suggests that something in your life that is out of control. It may parallel something in your life that has come to a crashing end.

30.5 Weeks Self Photo

Less than 10 weeks left..unless he goes over 40 weeks.. and I'm getting myself "ready" - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Heh It's an interesting feeling to know you'll be a "mommy" soon.. We haven't fully decided on his name yet. But I have one in mind that has seem to stick in my head for awhile now.. My tummy is getting bigger and bigger. I wonder how much bigger it'll get, hah! =) Overall, I feel pretty good. I get tired while walking around the grocery store or mall, but other than that, I seem to have a good amount of energy.

After the whole snow storm, the 20s feels mild now. hah Go figure. I went out and about today and I actually didn't stay bundled up like crazy. It was nice to have some sunshine during the day.

I feel like I've been looking at baby stuff like crazy lately. Reading every little detail and reviews. I've learned a lot so far. And I'm sure there will be more to learn when the "On the Job Training" begins, hehe. He's been moving around a lot everyday and it's been really cute & entertaining. I have my next OB appointment on Tuesday and will also start my childbirth class that day too. I wonder how that'll be like. I'll also be going to the OB more often now.

 Here I am in our living room.. that belly is really coming out! =)

Snow Day!

I got to spend the day with Tim today since he had a "Snow Day" from work .. he even went home early yesterday too. It was nice to hang out with him today and do work during the day together. Last night, we did a last minute grocery shopping run - half thinking the pickings would be slim since everyone bought EVERYTHING to prepare for this snow storm. But we got what we needed, so we were fine. The snow really came down though.. definitely significant. Tim loved it - he's been missing the snow. He even shoveled last night to make a pathway from our door. I stayed in, hah, except to get groceries.

Today, Tim did a few errands and I stayed in and just worked at home. We cleaned up a bit too. The whole nesting feeling is hitting both of us. =) We like it. We're cleaning up one room at a time it seems.. feels good. We also ordered our crib - my mother's gift to us. hehe We're really excited about it. I think getting a crib really makes it real. hah I think I'll say that with every major baby purchase. I'll say that when I have the car seat set up in my car probably. haha

It was nice to eat lunch with Tim today. We ate a mishmash of stuff... leftovers from dinner last night, some Arabic bread and labna, and a tuna melt. hah I did put together a quick dessert for us. I toasted up a couple of sweet Hawaiian bread, sliced them up, and placed a scoop of vanilla and chocolate ice cream in it. Yummy. Reminds me of when I was little in the Philippines... hehe

Chicago Mini-Getaway

Tim and I went up to Chicago early Saturday morning to meet up some friends for brunch and to start off our "mini-getaway." Time is quickly going by and we only have a few more weekends pre-baby, so we wanted to take advantage of the free time.


During the weekend, I got to enjoy an awesome prenatal massage at Urban Oasis. I've never felt as comfy as I did during that massage throughout my whole pregnancy. hehe  I highly recommend that place to any preggy women in the Chicago area.. Afterward, Tim and I checked in Hotel Felix. It was our first time staying there and it was pretty cute. A small, boutique type hotel. Cozy. We got to hang out with our friend Samara for dinner and just walked around town for the rest of the night. Sunday morning, we had a "breakfast date" since we really haven't had a meal alone during the weekend.. so that was pretty cute. Good food, good conversations, good company = a great combination. Afterward, Tim took me to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to watch Yo-Yo Ma perform - which was amazing. He really is just a very talented musician. We sat up on the stage right behind him and the rest of the performers. Very neat experience =) It was interesting to watch a performance like that from that perspective. You get to see the performers just smile to each other and exchange little chitchats in between.. very neat. We had a really nice weekend and it was the best weather we could have asked for in a Chicago Winter. (And perfect timing since Chicago will be hit "brutally" with snow and bitter cold in the next day or so! Yuck!) After Chicago, we drove down to hang out and have dinner with Tim's brothers/sister-in-laws and the kiddies. Good times.

Monday Morning..

It's been awhile since I've updated.. not too much to update on, I guess. It seems like this month is going by so fast. Once the 3rd trimester reality hit me, I really got into thinking about more baby details..  like the delivery and having our baby around and about =) It's an intense feeling. We have signed up for classes and started thinking of what stuff we want and need for the baby. I need to start cleaning up at home.. make more room for baby stuff. This weather has been so cold and unmotivating. I hate it. I'll have a day where I am sooo productive and then the next, I'm just a slug. =P heh

The baby is doing well. He is a mover! He kicks and moves around a lot..especially the moment I lay in bed. heh Tim felt him move around a lot last night. This morning, I was just laying in the couch while Tim was getting ready for work, and I could feel him move a bunch.. and I even felt a knob-like body part.. like an elbow or knee or something. That was a funky feeling. His movements this morning felt more wriggly and him stretching more than just a kicking/jerk action. =) Such an indescribable feeling. When I go to my next doctor's appointment.. I'll start going more often now, instead of monthly. Weeeird. I have never been to the doctor's so many times in such a short time period! hehe (Which I am definitely thankful for)

I'm in the mood to make treats this week.. I'll post pictures once I make 'em. =)

Late Night aka Can't Sleep

Hmm.. the 3rd trimester is creeping up on me and I can definitely tell a difference! I've noticed myself getting more tired, like how I was during the 1st trimester - except I need to go to the bathroom way more frequently! =P But ironically, I can't sleep right now. Goodness gracious!!


Tim and I went for our 3D/4D ultrasound yesterday morning here in town. It was a really neat experience. We were both pretty excited to see how our boy looks like. During the session, it was a bit hard to see his face clearly because he was usually snuggling against the placenta. It was pretty cute to watch him though.... snuggling with a little smile on his face =) Very interesting to feel his movements (like punching me! haha) and to see it on the screen!


We got the DVD of the session and I made a little snippet of it and posted it on YouTube. Enjoy the video of our baby boy! (I didn't pick that country song... it was part of the DVD) We can't wait to see him in person! =)

Happy Birthday Tim!

It's been a busy week and I think we're both still pretty tired from our vacation (no lie). We definitely need to catch up  on some sleep! Tim turned 27 today and coincidentally, it's my 27th week of pregnancy. Pretty neat, I think. Maybe I should have bought a lotto ticket using 27 ... 


I made him a special french toast breakfast and for dinner, I cooked up a steak for him. During our vacation, it was pretty pork & chicken-filled. He missed the beef! Haha So, I thought steak would be perfect. I also made my own version of Oreo Tartufos.. aka.. Oreo Ice Cream Balls for dessert. Essentially, ice cream balls rolled around in Oreo crumbs and frozen up again. I served it with a chocolate/peanut butter sauce and some sliced strawberries. It turned out cute and yummy. Since I had strawberries and that sauce melted up, I decided to just dip some strawberries too. Might as well! Those turned out good too. I hope he had a nice birthday, he deserves it! =) Now, he's just napping on the couch as I write this..

Last Week of My 2nd Trimester

Tomorrow marks my 27th week of pregnancy(and Tim turns 27 this Wednesday!)...meaning it's my last week of my 2nd trimester. I can't believe how fast time is going by! Soon this baby boy will be out and about with us =) We are getting more and more excited! And I can't believe it's been a week since we've been back from the Philippines. I miss it so much already.
I've been pretty sleepy throughout this week back. I try to get sleep whenever I can =) This cold weather always makes me want to just snuggle up in bed or on the couch, hehe. Other than Tim's birthday coming up, we're also excited for this coming Saturday. We set up an appointment for a 4D ultrasound. We will hopefully get to see Baby Boy's face! =) We need to start doing more baby stuff(like sign up for a childbirth class, find a pediatrician, etc) and start getting baby stuff soon (like a carseat, a crib, crib stuff, etc). Fun times fun times, hah. I miss hanging out with my nieces and nephew .. they loved playing with the baby (in belly) and asking when he's coming out of there (and how.. hah). All 3 were so sweet.

 This video is at the rooftop restaurant of the Vivere Hotel, where we stayed during the wedding. It was a really nice hotel and the breakfast buffet was pretty amazing. Lots of different kinds of food to choose from and the view was pretty awesome.

Back from our Philippines Vacation

Tim and I are back home now from our Philippines trip. It was a great vacation. We had a lot of fun and ate a lot of good food. I miss it so much already. So many pictures have been taken - literally, thousands. I'll definitely need to sort through and see what I'd like to post. It was so nice to spend some time with my family and friends. Hanging out with the little kids was a great highlight. They were hilarious and super adorable as always. They loved rubbing my baby belly and asking when he's coming out of there. hah I'll probably post more about our trip - more specifics. But all in all, we went all over and experienced a lot. Tim got to enjoy many different things during the trip - if I wasn't prego, I would have joined him in some of his adventures. He got to scuba dive, ride a horse up a volcano, and then take a swim in the lake inside the volcano. He had a good time. =) It was great going from Manila to Makati to Ibaan (my hometown), to Anilao, Tagaytay, Lipa, Batangas City, Subic Bay (a beautiful beach area). We did a bunch and can't wait to go back there again! Next time, we'll have a baby!! (Crazy!) hehe I'll post more pictures in the coming days.. for now, enjoy these below and some videos. I love 'em.

 
I absolutely love this video. They love to sing Train's Soul Sister. It's their daddy's favorite song. It's so adorable. They're good at singing, hehe. And Ian just cracks me up in this video with his varying emotions. And Lily's face is soo cute. =) Ian is probably the most clever and smartest 2 year I know! So funny! Enjoy!

(Lily 4, Ian 2)