Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

The past year has truly been a blessed one. And I am very fortunate for having such wonderful people who made the effort of making me feel special that day. And I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of my friends and family who have filled my heart with joy and so much love! :)

Over the past years, I've been celebrating my birthday with a lot of food, the people dear to my heart , and of course, a cake is always given. But this year, I opted to celebrate my 27th birthday with just a simple birthday dinner at home. 

We originally planned on going out to one of my favorite restaurant but on the day of my birthday, I wasn't really feeling well; the thought of getting ready, putting on tons of layers of clothing to keep me warm, just makes me feel much more tired and just curl up in bed! So my dear husband went out to order take out, all my favorites of course, from that restaurant and we celebrated at home. Had I been a teenager, this would have been a big deal, wanting to go out or have a bigger celebration. But now, not to sound so lola hehe, it seems like I'm at the stage where I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world and the life I have now is the life I've always wanted. Regular days are worth celebrating already and that a birthday is a cherry on top to remind me how blessed I actually am.  

It was a nice, quiet, simple day. We didn't even get to take a decent photo except from this one we took before having dinner, and i look so pale! Hahaha! Nevertheless, it was a precious day that I'll always remember and cherish; spent with Mark and Chlo, plus this kicking little one in my tummy!   

- C ♥

The Three C's plus One!

"The more, the merrier!"

We have been so blessed the past year, and even more when we found out a new precious gift's on it's way! Mark and I are very happy to share that we are having baby number 2! :) We first announced our pregnancy a few days before Christmas and we are overwhelmed with joy for all of our families and friend's well wishes and congratulations. We share the very good news on Facebook with this adorable picture collage :)

Im now entering my 19th week already and  my bump is really showing, big and proud! The first trimester has been rough and it's very different from when I was pregnant with Chloe. We found out I was pregnant a week after we moved here in Illinois. Since then, I've been feeling tired and sleepy, and we thought the long road trip was finally getting in to me. The smell of sautéing garlic and onion, or just the smell of any food cooking in that matter makes me dizzy. Mark also noticed how I'd complain about my tummy not feeling so good after  eating a dish that I usually like. All those time we thought it was just the tap water and my system's not used to it. Haha! 

Then the cravings came. I swear, I couldn't remember how many times I asked Mark to buy some rice burrito from Chipotle. Yes, a huge rice, chicken burrito with the works. And I was never, ever into burrito before that and we find it very unusual how I can finish a huge one in one sitting! We took a pregnancy test that weekend and that answered all of the weird things happening to me. The weeks that followed were the toughest, it's all a chaotic mix morning sickness, dizziness, and keeping food the food down. 

What's funny though was how deeply, emotional I was. I would cry at the smallest, corniest of things. Even just talking to mark would sometimes make me cry, not to mention movies and even tv commercials! I wouldn't go into the details to save myself from humiliation, tehee! All those things made me realize how amazing and unique every pregnancy is. And how all those makes it very special for me, Mark, and also Chloe. It's funny how whenever we tell Chloe that there's a baby in my tummy, she'd stare at my tummy with the puzzled look, maybe thinking, where is the baby??! Haha Now that Im showing, I think she's finally grasping the idea that I do have a baby in there.

It is amazing how God's perfect timing works. Whenever people would ask us when we're planning to have another baby, we would always say maybe when Chlo is two or so. Then Mark's new orders came and we're moving to IL and we thought it's the best time to try again, once we're settled in our new place. And yes, soon enough after the move, we were blessed with this pregnancy.  It's like everything is going according to plan. I'm not saying I have the perfect life. I don't, to be honest.  - There are still a lot of things I want to do and accomplish as a mother, a wife, and as a person. And I'm taking it one step at a time, with God guiding Mark and I.- But right now, it does feel like I have everything I need to be happy. And that, I believe, is what really counts. 

- C ♥

Ube Halaya

It's almost Christmas! Yay! And so yesterday, I started preparing for our Noche Buena dinner, our first one here and my first time doing it all on my own! I opted to do the the dessert, a staple in my husband's hometown during the holidays (and also my favorite), ube halaya. I've never done it before. I remember  having this made at my Nanay's house for the town feast and my mom-in-law making it the past few Christmases back in San Diego. I knew it'll be tough for my arm, mixing for an hour or so. But I'm up for the challenge! :)

I've always loved mommy Lizelle's ube halaya, so I asked her for the measurements of the ingredients. It's been a while since I asked her those and I can't remember how the procedure went, so my Mama guided me the whole time I was cooking it through FaceTime. Thank God for technology :) 

My mom-in-law's recipe asks for a cup of sugar but I opted to go for just 3/4 of a cup. You can go ahead add more sugar if you want, if you prefer your ube a little sweeter. Here are the ingredients:

2 16oz package of frozen grated purple yam, thawed

2 cans of evaporated milk

1 can condensed milk

1 cup of grated cheese

3/4 cup sugar

4 tbsp butter

1 tbsp melted butter

My little bump peeking in this photo, saying Hi! :) 

Procedure:

Melt the butter in a wide, deep pan over medium heat.

 Once melted, pour in the condensed milk.

 Then carefully pour in 2 cans of evaporated milk.

 And mix them all together until well-combined.

 Add in the purple yam...

 Just look at these gorgeous colors :)

 Then in goes the sugar.

 Mix everything together until the sugar is dissolved, the ube is dispersed & everything is well-combined. 

  

Turn the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, while stirring occasionally.

Once boiling, lower the heat and continue to cook, stirring regularly for 45 minutes to an hour. 

After a few minutes of stirring, it will start to thicken, like this :) Continue stirring until you reach your desired  consistency. 

 This looks just about right. If you prefer a richer consistency, continue to cook for a few more minutes.

 Add in the cheese...

 And mix it in until it is well-combined with the purple yam jam and completely melted.

And it's finally done! My arm didn't hurt as much for the husband subbed for me to do the mixing :) 

 Get your baking dish or llanera mold ready and coat them with butter.

 Spoon in the ube halaya into the dish and smoothen the top using a buttered spatula or spoon.

Brush the top with melted butter.

 Yummers!

 My husband and I finished this mini ramekin right there and then! 

Have fun making this and enjoy! Merry Christmas! :)

- C ♥

The C's in Breakers Beach

Our last hurrah in San Diego with the whole family. It was a day of good food and tons of fun! Chloe was still scared to go into the water because of the huge, crashing waves. But whenever the waves would die down, she'd shout "bubbles!" in the midst of crying! Haha! Oh how I miss this! I miss San Diego, I miss the whole family and all the fun we have! 

Here's the photo diary from our last family outing together in San Diego. 

 Mommy :)

 A failed jump shot but Mommy and Auntie G look so cute here :)

 June, always photo ready! 

 Auntie Jaz and Chlo.. and the busy Auntie G in the back :)

 With nongnong, who's always in charge of grilling :)

 Again, photo-ready! Haha! 

 Chlo loves Uncle Junie's portable speaker :) 

 That smile.. :)

 Chlo and I :)

 With Daddy :)

 Food's almost ready! 

 Time to hit the beach! 

 or not... haha! 

 with the beautiful (and tall), Jaz :)

 There goes the first plunge! haha! 

 I love this shot :) 

 Jaz and mommy :)

 Pretty :)

 Nongnong and Jaz :)

 The whole bunch :) 

 Gigi thought of an amazing idea!

 .. of using the tripod as a selfie pod! 

Hilarious! But fun all the same! 

- C ♥