Category: Recipes/Cooking

I’m having an extremely late and unhealthy dinner of Burger King chicken fries and onion rings. And a Coke. And then I wonder how I gained that extra pound.

I did not feel like cooking dinner at all. Alaethia’s been in a mood since yesterday, so it’s not like she would have given me a chance to cook anyway. The only reason I got to make dinner yesterday was because Mom came over a bit late to ask me something and found me carrying her little screaming body in one arm and trying to mix everything for Spinach and Artichoke dip with the other hand.

The recipe I used for the spinach and artichoke dip yielded a lot of dip. We all had some (except Eenan of course. He has an aversion to green foods, namely in vegetable form.) and there’s still a ton left over. Want some?

Alaethia didn’t fall asleep till late last night, around 1am and then woke up at 4 for a bottle, which she hasn’t done in weeks. Then she woke up again at 8am and finally at 10:30. The boys got ready for school with minimum tantrums and I took a quick shower before I had to pick Jaylen up. Mario was off work but was up early doing extra work and couldn’t watch Alaethia for me. So, I did the next best thing and put her in her carseat and took her into the bathroom with me. She was actually really quiet and was entertaining herself with the crinkly little bugs hanging from her carseat handle. She’s been trying to make her hands do what she wants and tries to grab things. It’s the cutest thing :).

We didn’t do much all day. We drove to Mission and back real quick after picking Eenan up and that was the highlight of my day. Other than that, I’ve been doing my best trying not to go insane since Alaethia’s been extra clingy today, probably due to a stomach ache. Mom said someone gave her Ojo since she’s been inconsolable. If that is true, I remember the exact moment that it happened: Wednesday at the doctor’s office. This girl I was talking to kept saying how cute she was and was just staring at her, but she never once reached over to touch her and I never remembered to ask her to. I do that. If someone oohs and ahhs over her I ask them to please touch her, and they always oblige, even if they don’t know about the Evil Eye. I’m Mexican, what can I say. Mexican folklore rubbed off on me.

I was desperate tonight and finally took Mary’s advice to call Elda’s Mom, Ofelia, over so that she could “sweep” Alaethia with an egg to cure the Ojo. She came over and held her in one arm while sweeping her with an egg with the other while saying a silent prayer. I’m not kidding you, she stopped crying right away and fell asleep. Before that, she’d slept a total of 1 hour, if even that, all day. Mario finds it silly, and I admit, I did too at first, but I’m a believer now.

Ofelia even had me make her some Manzania (Chamomille) tea to help soothe her tummy, and although I don’t like to do that I gave her some. Less than half an ounce, but it worked. She pooped seconds after drinking it. I hope she’ll be okay.

The boys were with Mary this evening watching The Last Mimzy. We would have gone, except Mario was exhausted and I knew that if I went, I’d be standing in the hallway again trying to console Alaethia. We were supposed to go to several friends’ houses tonight and all plans were out the window for one reason or another. Mario’s at Chris’ right now. We’ve been at each other’s throats the past few days, but he swears it’s not him at all. It’s both of us. I admit that I’ve been a tad bit frustrated and moody lately, what with being at home and struggling with Alaethia the past few days that she’s been feeling ill. I snap at him for everything and he makes rude remarks even when I haven’t done anything to “annoy” him. I blame it on our 8 year wedding anniversary that’s looming ever-closer. 8 years ago, on a dark, dreary, rainy March 27th, we got married. Who’da thought we’d still be together after all this time, with two sons and a lively, screamy daughter who’ll hopefully let Mama sleep tonight.

I’ve felt progressively worse as today’s passed. My head was stuffy in the morning and I was constantly coughing and blowing my nose, but now I’m certain my right ear is infected, I can’t stop sneezing and either one of my nostrils is clogged or watery boogers are rolling out. I thought I was passed that stage already, the watery boggers. I had the gross, phlemy ones in the morning and–oh my God, that must mean I’m reverting! I’m going backwards and I’m going to start this cold all over again :(.

The poor kids have been keeping themselves busy all day. We haven’t left the house at all. They’ve been good boys for the most part, except for that one time in the afternoon when I finally gave in to the fatigue and fell asleep on the couch (mom and John were here to watch them). I could hear the boys screaming their heads off about something and of course Mother didn’t tell them anything (sometimes I wonder why I ask her to watch them) so I had to tell them to quiet down. It happened a few times so I gave up on sleeping.

The only reason I’m even typing right now is because my back is throbbing in pain from laying down too long. Sitting too long hurts my legs. It’s so weird. The pain I get feels like I’ve done 1,000 lunges or something.

How I managed to make dinner is beyond me. I’m terrified of spreading this cold, especially to the boys since they’re FINALLY not sick of something *knocks on wood*. My hands are dry and rough from washing my hands all day. I was afraid of getting one of those surprise sneezes while I was cooking (I made nachos with “the works”) so I stuffed a tissue in each nostril and covered my face up to my nose with my t-shirt. At least I got to eat in peace. I’m probably going to have to go to the doctor, though, as much as I loathe it. I hope this stupid ear infection lets me sleep. Well, as much as a 9 month pregnant woman can sleep.

OH! I received the keyboard I ordered on Ebay for my phone (SPH i500). It was the wrong damn one. It’s only compatible with the newer models (mine’s a little old man already), yet the ones that are for my phone look exactly like the one I ordered. Now I’m stuck with this darn keyboard (and it’s so friggin’ cute, too!). Mario told me to order the right one and not to “worry” about the other, which probably means he’ll sell it to someone but I don’t know of anyone who has one of these phones! I’d feel totally guilty spending another $17-25 on another darn keyboard. I’m putting it up for sale. Hopefully someone will buy it =\.

Okay, going to add some more old 2005 entries. I might set up camp on the couch like I did this afternoon (yay for my wireless mouse, keyboard and PC to TV converter–I’d still rather have a laptop though LOL).

Finally! I’m finally done baking about 8 dozen Snickerdoodles. I promised myself that I wouldn’t get stuck baking on Christmas Eve, but let’s face it: it happens every year. At least I’ve got delicious Snickerdoodles to have with milk before I go to bed :). I’ve got to hide some from the rest of the family…shh!

I can’t believe it’s already Christmas Eve! This month, just as I suspected, passed by really fast. I have a feeling next month will pass by even faster, which frightens me a little. Everyone’s been telling me that my “perfectly round” stomach looks like it’s about to pop soon. Gotta remember to take pictures every few days from now till Alaethia’s born :). Something I desperately wish I’d done with the boys :(.

So, you know how I wrote yesterday that I was so happy I wouldn’t be out driving with the last-minute shoppers? I ended up doing just that. Mom got home from shopping (and having lunch) with Elda around 2, so the boys and I had a quick lunch and we all left.

Gramma loved her gifts and we talked for a while before we left. It had been pouring on the way to the nursing home, so we were hoping it would let down a little before we took off again. It didn’t. I didn’t plan on stopping anywhere to shop, but I wanted to try and find something nice to wear for the Quinceañera. John and I were the only ones who got down at Target; the truck’s seats were all wet from trying to get everyone in carefully at the nursing home.

We rushed around looking for something. Either everything was way too big or really plain looking. I had dressier clothes at home so I didn’t even bother trying to make something else look nice. Instead we went over to electronics and got some rechargeable batteries + charger for my camera since the one it came with was disposeable (which I thought was weird).

Getting out of Target was terrible…I almost got hit God knows how many times just trying to get out of the parking lot. The weather got better as we were closer to home, though, thank goodness.

The Quinceañ was actually much more fun than I anticipated. I still wish I’d found something nicer to wear, but once we were there and talking to relatives I hadn’t seen in a long time I sort of forgot about it. The kids’ presentation was so adorable; all the little boys whose ages varied from 5-15 bowed in front of Cori and gave her a rose they had hidden in their coats. Then later on, Cori and 3 of her friends had another little presentation. They’re all such good dancers!

Speaking of, Mario and I totally need to be taught how to dance. I will be getting my groove on at Noelia’s wedding in June!

Mario finally sold our old 1992 Prelude; the one Jorge had at his house for over a year and never actually “bought” from us. He sold it for MUCH LESS than that car’s worth, but it’s not like we could have gotten too much more for it because of the whole flooding incident at Jorge’s (he left it out of his garage and they live in a low-lying area =\).

Mario ended up getting an in-dash double-din TV for the Equinox. He says it’s his birthday/Christmas present, which I don’t think is too fair since I usually have the truck. He won’t really be able to enjoy it much =\. The rest of the money went towards a debt he owed his Godfather, Jorge, for. We were going to use the money for paying off bills, but we’re planning to do that during income tax refund time, if all goes well of course.

I would have finished this entry much earlier, but I was over at Mary’s talking to everyone. Most of the kids are being put to bed already (well, I say “already” but it’s kind of late. They’re usually in bed by 9.). Jaylen’s still up over here, giving me trouble. He only has one more minute to be up.

I can’t wait to see the look the their faces in the morning when they open up their gifts. That was the one present I wanted: for them to be happy. That’s all that matters :).

I probably won’t get around to telling everyone individually, so I’ll tell you now: have the best, most wonderful, love-filled Christmas!