Today has been a really long day.
I was up at 6:30 a.m. and started the day with a huge breakfast of buttermilk sandwich with cream cheese, spam slices, and sunny side-up. I ended my meal by drinking two kinds of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor because I was suffering from kidney stones.
I was actually sick the whole week. It was horrible. I thought it was just a regular urinary tract infection which I get once or twice a year but as it turned out (after three days of my suffering, Jeff urged me to go see my doctor to get some tests done), I had kidney stones. Apparently, my body was dehydrated. I’m guilty I guess. I don’t eat on time. I usually have my first meal of the day at 3:00 p.m. Not good. So after the kidney stone ordeal, I promised to be a good girl.
The medicines worked very quickly so today I was up and about feeling like I’m very ready to start a new chapter of my life after that embarrassing experience yesterday where a woman scolded me infront of many people because, according to her, I was not trying hard enough to manage my three children. Yes, I killed that woman in my head. But before that, I cried buckets of tears. But all is well now…
Today, I did some laundry and folded clothes. I totally don’t like this twin chores but I really don’t have any choice, have I? A mother has got to do what she needs to do. Jeff was out at the auto shop for the white car’s preventive maintenance. In between entertaining the twins (playing Mickey Mouse and Pooh, teaching them sight words, and singing the alphabet) and cooking lunch, I breastfed JJ and played with him. The boy has grown too active. He is now 16.7 lbs and is 26.5 inches long. Big and tall kid!
I did a little bit of writing for a book I’m working on. I would want to share with you what it’s all about but I’m too embarrassed and scared to talk about it right now so maybe I can share some details in my next rant. Anyway, I wrote three pages of some things for the book but now I’m thinking to take those away because they don’t fit the atmosphere of the scenario I am trying to describe. I also wrote one blog post for future publication, organized the product reviews I need to accomplish, and… my favorite part: lined up the books to read for February! Hooray!
Jeff was incharge of dinner and he made a big pan of lasagna for future meals and a smaller pan of this yummy goodness for dinner. It was heaven. Because we are a team, he asked me if I would help him dry the dishes he’ll wash. Hell know! I hate wiping and drying dishes so I said I’ll just do the washing since I’ll be cleaning my breast bump and the baby bottles with soap and water anyway.
At 7:35 p.m., I walked to the living room only to find more clothes to be folded.
Right there, I knew exactly what my Mom felt when she said that housework never ends and the work triples when you have kids.
I decided to work on the clothes later and instead focus my attention on crafting menu plans and cooking advanced meals to feed my army of voracious eaters. Jeff is starting a new job soon and I need to work on weekly menu plans so I don’t go crazy thinking about what to feed him and the twins. Not worried at all about JJ, give him a nipple and he’ll be very happy.
So… I made four stuffed peppers which will be for Tuesday (January 26) dinner). Wednesday will be turkey-spinach meatballs; Thursday will be roasted chicken with potatoes and broccoli; and Friday will be beef stew. On weekends: pinakbet and chicken-rice-broccoli casserole.
Since I was already dealing with food and recipes, I decided to rearrange recipes by my mother-in-law whom I didn’t meet because she passed on 10 years ago. But her memory lives with these recipes compiled by my sister-in-law Mary. I placed them in a binder and labelled them: soups and sauces, breads and cookies, veggies and sides, main courses, and desserts. I also added some categories: diabetic (for Jeff), trim healthy (for me), Filipino (because this home can’t survive without adobo, afritada, and sinigang), and Children/Baby (as I’m looking for ways to make the twins eat more veggies, and since JJ will be ready to eat solid food by March, I’m also researching on how to make homemade baby food).
A lot of work really.
By 9:30 p.m., I took my shower. I have raved about products from a Philippine-based social enterprise called Human Nature. Their products are available here in the US as they have an office in California. I just ordered a couple of items including rescue and soothing balms which work for my baby’s rashes and in calming him down. One of my current discoveries is the chocolate adventure soap for kids. Oh my goodness! They’re wonderful. If you’re diabetic and cannot eat chocolates, buy this wonder of a soap instead. It’ll fulfill your cravings.
I can feel that my body was ready to slow down by the time I got out of the bathroom but the clothes to be put away were still on the couch. I wanted to scream at Jeff to help me but he was taking care of the baby so I decided to stop pouting and just finish the job.
It’s 10:18 p.m. and I’m finally done for the day.
I guess.
I will now sit down and reward myself by watching two episodes of CSI: New York on Netflix. After which, I’ll continue reading Jimmy Wayne’s A Walk to Beautiful.
I’m dead tired but I’m happy.
I feel accomplished.
I feel like I was being a legitimate housewife and mother today.
