Daun Cincau Hijau - Tanaman Merambat "Creepers Plant"

One day, I starred at my fence then wished for a green creepers with a beautiful flower grow at it.

I went to asked for the seed in one school, but it failed to grow.

Suddenly a green leaves plant start to grow. Have no choice, I halfhearted arranged it on my fence.

The plant was the last one I watered it everyday. I ever think to replace it with other creepers.

Then, when my aunt visit my house, she told me that leaves was "Daun Cincau Hijau", the main ingredient to make green jelly.

My aunt want to showed us how to make it, but never accomplised as that the day my brother pass away.

So never think about the leaves, until teacher from Domba Kristus once again convince me that leaves was truly "Daun Cincau". I told her that I just think this was a leaves that grow everywhere.

After twice heard about the leaves, this friday morning, after search on the internet, I picked the leaves. Choose the young one, soaked and squeeze in the drinkable water, filter it and put the green water on the refrigerator.

Voilaaa, you get green jelly, eat it simply with honey. Daddy used to brought it, but when he taste the one that I made, he like it.

You can eat with brown sugar and coconut milk also.

Now, I fall in love with the leaves, never tought something I neglect before is something valuable.

Seem I will check every leaves before I root up the plant *hahaha*

Sambal Dabu - Balada Tangis dan Bawang Merah

Beberapa saat yang lalu dapat oleh-oleh bawang merah dari Mbak.

Terlintas Sambal Dabu-Dabu pendamping Ikan bakar *Slurp*, apalagi menu ini salah satu favorite Papa.

Tapi membayangkan banyaknya bawang merah yang harus dikupas, serta tangisan yang menyertai, membuat diri ingin mundur teratur. Kepikir mau pakai kacamata las *grin*

Selalu heran, bagaimana Penjual dipasar bisa-bisa nya mengupas bawang merah sekian banyak. Tidakkah perih matanya?

Kali ini ke pasar, bertugas me-mata-mata-i, dan oh ternyata, mereka merendamnya didalam air, sehingga kulit ari bawang menjadi lunak, dan dengan mudah dikupas, tanpa tangisan pula. Helloooo, kemana saja aku selama ini, selama 32 tahun, (erhmm hampir selama masa Presiden ke 2 Indonesia berkuasa), aku tidak tahu bahwa hal mengupas bawang bisa dilakukan dengan cara demikian.

Ok, tentu kenapa tidak minta Mbak saja kupasin. Jawabnya, Jika rasa ingin tahu hati sudah menggebu, biasanya lebih suka mencari tahu dan melakukannya sendiri.

Soal rasa si bawang merah, tampaknya tidak ada beda nya dengan direndam air terlebih dahulu.

Walo memakan waktu juga mengupas dan mengiris, tapi menjadi kebahagian tersendiri saat Papa dengan senangnya menyantap Sambal Dabu ala Mama.

Sambal Dabu:

Bawang Merah Iris

Tomat Hijau Potong

Cabe

Jeruk Limau/Nipis

Garam

Gula sedikit

Disajikan dingin lebih seger ^^/

P.S. Josh ternyata juga suka bawang merah ditambahkan dengan kecap manis.

From Hotel to Hospital

Josh condition was not going better after my previous post.

Monday
Early Monday morning after taking 50ml of milk and half kiwi, at 7am we brought him to Hospital.
As no doctor in clinic cause the 2nd day of Eid ul-Fitr, we went to emergency unit.

A young male doctor checked of Josh.
Josh who felt uncomfort, kept screaming and cause of that, he got cough and then vomit out all the food that I have feed him.
His temperature was 39degree.

After that, we tried to nebulizer him, what happen? Scream, hand and feet try to push away the tools.
Based on that, I then decided to went back home and monitoring his condition.

Medicine Prescribe in the morning:
-Antibiotic and Mucos for his throat
-Paracetamol
-Vometa - if he vomit again

Josh felt asleep in the car, then continue his sleep in our bed.

When he awake, his hand trembling, and his mouth turn to the dark blue colour. I'm really shock and push him to take a drink. He still refuse it.
After reached 100ml - half of them spill out, I stopped.

I have made a porridge, but seem no use, he refuse it all.
Then I make watermelon juice, one of his fav fruit, and yes, he did take it little bit.

But, after half an hour, he vomit it all.
He looking week and dizzy.

Hospitalized
Then we came to the Hospital and asked for infusion.

Here the adding story of How Josh Reaction when he Got the Infusion.
I told him that it will be hurt ( I won't lie), and seem Mama never had the infusion, then Mama guess, it will be like Giant Ant biting your hand. Josh can cry and don't worry, I will be here with you.
The Nurse Fold him with a cloth only left one hand out.
Josh just cry when the nurse put the needle inside. Rest of it, when the nurse still need to take his blood, he didn't cry at all. All the day, he take care of his hand. But yes, after a day, he got bore.

After few hours of infusion, he's getting better, even he could grumbling about his hand who got infusion needle.

What Doctor Said?
When doctor came around 5pm (I visit her before when Josh has a fever), she said that Josh has no indication for stayed in the hospital.
No medicine prescribed - only paracetamol if he have a high temperature, Need to keep drink Pedialyte (similar with Oralit - Oral rehydration Theraphy).

Different Doctor has different point of view and honestly, I like this doctor, cause she always explain to you the reason behind her action and she very reasonable on giving a medicine.

Considering that it's already noon time, we then decide to stayed till tomorrow morning and look for his condition.

He slept for almost 10hours and in the middle, sometime he awake for asking a drink.

Tuesday
In the morning, the nurse informed us that the infusion could be took off. I aksed the nurse to took off all the tools.

Josh only drink a half cup of soup, and half kiwi for the morning and one kiwi for the lunch.
He didn't ate anything serve in the hospital, while for me, the taste of food is good.

As Josh didn't like to drink Pedialyte, I came out with Idea.
Pour out the sugar and salt in the plate.
Let him used his finger put into his mouth.
And have him drink later on.
(It turn into the same composition in his stomach hahaha).

As Josh condition getting better and confirmed by the Doctor, we checked out at 6pm.

Doctor suggested me to read from:
www.milissehat.web.id
www.mayoclinic.com

We still have task to do, encourage Josh to eat.
Hope his appetite back.

One thing surely change after the Hospital Experience: Josh could sleep by his own, without us lullaby him.
Heh?!

Josh kept starring at the infusion

A day after.

Tips for making the Stay at Hospital Toddler more comfortable :
1. Bring the favorite Pillow, Bolster, and Favorite Blanket
2. Bring the toys. For Josh, we bring the Ball.
3. Do some activity like sticking around. (Bring the sticker with you - make sure the sticker easily take off)
4. Bring the favorite book, you can read together.
5. Singing their favorite song.
6. Let them wear the most comfortable shirt (unless hospital provide, you must bring lot of spare)
7. Bring the favorite snack or food or fruit that you think he can swallow. (Most of the time patient didn't touch hospital food).
8. Massage massage and massage ^^

That's all I can share for what I have experience, feel free to add ^^.

Dealing with Fussy Eater - my 2 Years Toddler

It surely happen and most of the time, it's repeatable.
For me, it's part of parenting moment to deal with.


From the experience with my son Josh, there were several things cause the eating time to be hard:
1. Irregular bowel time.
Ensure Josh have a regular morning bowel is become one of priority things to do.
Otherwise, he will feel his stomach full and not comfort.


2. Non scheduled eating time. 
We heard about 3 times meals and 2 times snack suggested on a day. But we shall be wise on the portion and time also.
For my lil Josh, a time length between daily meal shall be 2-3hours, while from the last eating time to dinner, shall be around +/- 5hours.


3. An Ulcer appears on mouth.
Hard to chew, feeling hurt. No wonder Josh keep his mouth locked


4. Illness - cold, runny nose, cough, etc.
Appetite may gone during this moment - same like adult felt when illness came.


5. Just get bored with the type of Food.


As I can remember, Here my way when the fussy eater son visiting me:
1. Put my self on Josh's shoes. 
That will ease me when feeding him and help me learn to appreciate and remind me that he just human being with a multiple choice in front of him.


2. Change the menu, search for an idea for something he like. 
Choose the simple one. So when he still reject me, I could easily accept it.


3. Be flexible - Subsitute the food.
Let says Josh hard to chew the meat, just subsitute with a boil egg, grill fish, etc.
Or if he has no appetite for rice, I switch to corn or potato.
I knew he like a crispy thing, I did fried a potato once, while he happily feed him self, in the middle, I spoon the other items serve on plate (like veggie, fish, etc)


4. Delay the eating time. Wait for him to come for Food.
Dinner time always challenge me. He barely fussy for the lunch unless he got sick.
Let say, Josh having his last snack at 1.30pm. Having a nap time till 4.30pm. Instead of having he eat at 5.30, I will wait till 6 or 6.30pm.
If he looked hungry and feel hungry
-> he will asked and searched for food.
-> you can feel that his hand and feet quite cold - not warm. This physical condition sometime help me to identified that his body need a food to keep burning.


Usually, Josh never want to ate a heavier food when he awake, therefore I always offered 2 pieces small cookies (mouth bite size) or 1/4 cup of fruit.


5. Have a reasonable range of eating schedule.
If the lunch time schedule is 12pm, then the lastest snack shall be 10am. Otherwise Josh will still feeling full. Give a span of time to their stomach for doing proper digestion.


6. Create a comfort eating moment.
Don't showed my stressful look. Give him a smile and courage.


7. Be flexible on feeding way.
For example: if I usually used spoon and plate, suddenly in the middle, I changed using a chopstick.
If he refuse drinking milk from the sprout, I will put on the bowl and put some cereal and spoon him. Then if he stop again, I will offered him to sprout from the bowl.


8. Be an example for him. Josh on the imitating phase.
We tried to eat on the same time and table. 
For the new food, I tried to ate in front of him, so he will get curios and asked for it.
If I want him to drink water from his bottle, I will used another bottle and drink it also. So he will be happy on following me.


9. Offers Kerupuk udang (chips made from flour with shrimp) or Abon (shreaded meat that has been boiled and fried) with the meals.
Hahaha. This always work out whenever he just bored with the menu. Don't put too much, just a bit on the top of his spoon. Josh love a fried and chips (but who doesn't?).
When he was below one years old, sometimes I put a Gerber graduate star puff into his meal, and yes he did like it.


10. Change eating situation. - Let him played with his toys or create a new play or let him play with the household item and the last choice - watched the dvd i.e. kid's song, Barney, Baby Einstein, etc or very last choice - played on Ipad.
I let Josh put the peanut into the bottle one by one, it will distract him for refusing to eat. Let him play with the rubber asked him put into the bottle.
Let him watch the Kids song or yes, the last choice played on Ipad. If Josh still refuse to eat on the last choice, that really means - "I'm not hungry mom!" So better stop the meal time. I will offer him again 1hour later.


11. Playdate with friend
Whenever we visit a friend, his appetite seem to be back.


12. Have him played vigorously before eating time.
for example. 1-2hours before meal time, let him played in the child pool, walk around neighbor, visit the near store - we have minimart, piano store, etc.


13. Eat outside.
Can go to the nearer restaurant.
Can bring him to other house for eat. Let say, I bring Josh to my mommy house. Different hand, gave a different taste to the food.


14. Pray! May God help me and him ^^/. (which shall be the first)



When the illness times comes,  another challenging phase - where only few items can be swallowed by him:
1. Boil egg/ Steam egg
2. Soup with rice or Chinese noddle (he didn't like porridge)
3. Milk
4. a soft and easy chew fruit


I applied above tips based on each condition and yes, I found it not easy to dealing with fussy eater.
If I have tried what I could and he still refuse to eat, then just try to accept it.
Work better for both of us not fall into the madness.
When on hunger, he will search for food. I, a mommy, forgot this many times, failed to applied it, and worried too much of he did not eating enough food. 


The day won't stay forever. Surely come when he knew the delicacy of the food. 
Here my way, what yours?


P.S. Always have two spoon on the plate. One for him, one for me. He will learn to eat.
Don't expect that he will eat all, Sometime he just touch what he want.
But I can always spoon the other in the mean time (when he tried to spoon on his own).


Have a nice meal everyone ^^/

Birthday Cake - Bake or Buy?

Whenever June came, I came into dilemma, whether I will bake the birthday cake for my son or I will just buy it.

Reason for Bake:
It feel more special and personalized, cause you put an effort on it.

If this is your choice and you are the first time baker, then I think there several thing to do:
1. Search the recipe online/offline. Choose the easier one.
2. Try it, and if you like it, continue to make it at least 2-3 times and let the other taste it and give you an honest opinion :). For me, I barely baked successfully with the first attempt, mostly failed on the appearance.
3. If you still have time, you can choose the other recipe to test out :)
4. Finally, don't get sick on the day of baking. But if the result turn out bad, then you can always go out to buy some cake :p.

Reason for not Bake and also to Buy:
It easier, and no messy kitchen.

Similar to last year, I have no gut to bake my son birthday cake. So I still choose to buy.
But where to buy and what kind of cake to buy?
Another several thing to consider:
1. Choose what kind of cake do you want to buy? The creamy one or Fondant topping? Layer cake or Cheese cake or Cupcake?
2. Hear other people recommendation or if you have a friend who baked, that will be great.
3. The number of cake ordered. You want to share with your guest (goody bake cake) or just want to have a private family party?
4. Last - Don't forget to order on schedule :).

Here the Josh's Birthday Cake:
I planned to have a family gather in home to celebrate Josh Birthday Party.
Actually I have ordered in phone on the previous day, but being cancelled within minute cause the oven can't operate.
As the only one little children in our family was Josh, then I think to buy a birthday cake in the shop near our house. I ordered in the morning and before noon the cake was ready which mean that freshly made.

Josh in Action :p

Except for the cake, the Rest of food, My mom prepared it all :)

The 2nd birthday cake was to celebrate with Sunday School buddies.
I choose the cupcake and I choose my friend who is a baker to prepared it (http://susanclairepatisseries.blogspot.com/).
The result:
I love it. The cream topping was not to sweet, and there is no added any baking powder/soda (which usually used to make the cake fluffy) to the cake.
That means the cake is suitable for kids. My mom who was a baker back in our hometown, love it too.

Josh was happy on the Sunday

He smile a lot when we sang Happy Birthday Song (thx eika for catch this moment)

Josh with the Sunday School Buddies - Only me who aware of camera hahaha

One of the cake with Strawberry topping.

Three of Us :)

Of course some people like to eat the smooth and fluffy cake. You can always asked the baker to done it for you :).
If you see both of the cake, Yes, I didn't prefer the fondant topping as I still like cream a lots.
At the end, whatever the way you choose, the most important thing, you are happy and Enjoy the Moment ^^/.
P.S.: More picture and video about the Birthday Boy :p

When N (ngak mau - No) become the letter of the day

Josh, come and take a bath? "Ngaaak mau - Noooo", shake his head and hand for rejection.
Josh, come and let having a lunch? "Ngaaak mau - Noooo"
Josh, come and playing with mama? "Ngaaak mau - Noooo"


When that powerful letter become the letter of the day, I must double the power supply to my weapon :p and hope it filled with patient, wisdom and lot of idea.
I have search a tips for handling the letter "N" and click here to read more on babycenter.com: Getting Past No


From all the tips offered, Here what I usually did for Josh, where sometimes it work, but sometime totally failed.
1. Offer a choices
For example: Having a lunch, I offer him
alternative a. Eat with spoon Or with chopstick
alternative b. Want me to feed him Or self feeding
All alternative drive into one purpose, having a lunch, and which one he end up choosing with, we definitively agree and let him try.
Never offer something that we didn't want him to do.  For example: Want to eat or want to starving. If he choose want to starving, then we might end up with NO :p.


2. Walk Away
When I offered Josh to take bath and he say No, usually I said "Ok Josh, mommy take the bath first, it will so much fun when mommy can have the bubble bath".
Josh like be quiet for a while (*thinking*) then he followed me and repeat "Buubeell- buubeell"


Beside was the picture where Josh ate the Cherry.
We knew he love cherry, but whenever No became a favorite word, you'll get No for everything!
So when he saw me came with the plate, he refuse it with his hand and grumble. Then I left the plate on the table and walk away and said clearly "Josh, ate the cherry, you'll love it".
He saw red cherries and start to play with it. Then I said "Ate it please". 
Surprising, he start to ate it and finished it.
From this simple thing, I learn, as a parent sometime I forgot he was not a baby anymore, he grown up and I need to let him learn to take a decision day by day.(start from a limited choice of course where we sure that for their own good)  


Above was just a practical tips.
At the end, to change from the inside was more important where requesting our commitment and time.
With patient we shall give a honest explanation with a constant repetition to let Josh know what God love him to do and Hope someday he changed.


Have a great day! Never give up mommies.

A Mark - Sun Bathing

Hey, is this a birth mark?
People tend to questioning and pointing when they saw a mark in Josh's head.


And we always answer with "No, That was Sun Burned." Ideally, we would like to give a honest explanation.
You will know that the answer won't stop there, it's continue with "WHY" then explaining time started.
For couple of time, we still tempted to clarify it.


Till we get tired and one day, we say " Yes, that was birth mark".
Bang!... No further question.
Ok, me and daddy agree that a good answer, no need to explain more and we can save our energy ^^/


Cause I keep forgetting, better I tell the story here, so one day Josh will not come to me and asked "Is this a birth mark mama" or "What do you do to me mama".


When Josh born to the world, his skin color was white, and in couple of day his Bilirubin was getting higher. Large amounts of bilirubin in the body can lead to jaundice.

2Days old Josh - Sun bath in Hospital

2 days old Josh after taking bath.

As a first time became a mommy and who also afraid, I gave him a sun bathing every single day in a month.
When we have stopped the sunbathing, We even didn't notice that he turn out black till my friend Yohana told us "Why josh getting dark?"

Sun bath - see how dark he was!

As time goes by, his skin color back to normal again, but left some little mark here and there. And the obvious one was on his forehead.
Nothing we can do, unless wait till he grown up and see whether that gone or not.
We have consult with our doctor and it was no harm at all, no procedure needed.

A mark on his forehead!

Ok, actually nothing wrong with the sunbathing it self.
The Problem was the sun was very hot at the moment and we shall limit the time as 15minutes. While I think we put him more and he was directly under the sun.


Otherwise you want your child look like Judge Bao or Harry Potter, please do the sunbathing wisely ^-^.


For keep your baby safe in the sun - go to http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-to-keep-your-baby-safe-in-the-sun_421.bc




P.S.: Dear Josh - hope you understand your anxious mommy at that moment.
We love you for who you are, even for that mark :)

Swimming Time with Toddler - Josh 15Months

 + Josh has a good nap = what a perfect moment to spent on swimming pool.


Last Saturday 15 October 2011, My sista came and join us to the pool.
Josh really love playing with water. When arrived in the pool, he want to jump into the water, thanks we hold his hand.
I let him climb the stairs up and down several time to let him body warm before get into the water.


Then,Time to have splashing swimming fun with Daddy.

Like to splash!

Happy splashing :)

Daddy teach Josh how to swim.

Some tips for a perfect swim time with toddler:


1. Make sure the weather is bright, sunny - and you get a warm water.


2. Make sure the kid is on the fit condition, after having a nap is great. 


3. Get them eat a small portion of food. 
Banana is great! or drink a cup of milk.


4. Don't forget to do some little exercise before swim.
Let they climb the stairs, or walking around or may be play on the playground - if possible. 


5. Wear a swimsuit, put a sunblock lotion, and wear a swim glasses (Josh still refuse it).


6. Limit the time around 30 minutes or less (I do it for Josh) may be longer for the older - even the kid is playing so much fun and be consistent. 
You don't want they get sick after fun.


7. Then eating after swim is always great, no fussy, no long chewing. I enjoy it so much :)
Give some food contain protein - may be mini pizza or omelet.


Enjoy!

Securing the Cupboard

I live with my parent in law where all the furniture and stuff already there.

So when Josh grown up, I surely know that he will make a new daily mess in home.

Everything will be his new learning toys. 

I can make my room as childproofing room where Josh can not really play with the drawer.

But not on the other room, especially kitchen and dining room.

Josh is a clever boy for me. He like a copycat.

One day he saw you do this, and the next time he will follow.

So here it is, we have a cupboard in a lower position, where we put the plate and bowl made from glass.

There is no handle in the drawer, so actually it's not easy for him to open.

But He saw all people how to open it everyday. Now he master on open and closing the cupboard.

Not funny if the plate and bowl broken everyday.

I can't lock it, cause I can't make additional key or anything to that furniture.

So here what I choose to do, I put his plastic bowl, two or three inside the drawer.

When he open it, he will search for his bowl or his stuff. 

Once he search and take it, I say "Ok, done, you are smart boy, now close it, you have taken your bowl."

And it's work out ^^/. No broken plate and bowl till now.

Of course I still need to watch over and remind him.

But the most important is, I want Josh to learn, to take only belong to him and not the other.

Tips: Bring your Toddler to Wedding Party Celebration

According to Chinese calender, this Month - September is the 8th month of the year. 8 Means Great Luck.
No wonder every week, Saturday and Sunday, there will be a Wedding Invitation.

As I take care of Josh and always bring him everywhere I go (Suddenly I hope my mom going home soon *grin*) also when attending the Wedding Party, so I shall do something to enjoy the party.

Let's me assume first, cause not every situation is same.
- Remember In Indonesia only! *smile*
- It's Wedding Party Celebration - Not ceremony.
- Toddler means 1 years old and up and below 18 Months - Josh is  only15 months.

Here is what I do and I count it as Tips:

1.Feed before Go.
I find a lot easier to bring 1 year old kid to the Party - they can eat similar with us. I feed half of usual portion to Josh, so he can survive till the next round *hehehe*.

2. Bring the water bottle, Wet tissue, and Camera *smile* and ohh a spare of diapers.
Yeah, that what I always put in bag. You might wonder what fashion party bag which can fill that stuff.
The answer: None! as I know.
So, instead of bring fashion party bag, I bring the food bag. No style? That's ok-lah, I have married! *hahaha*

3.Que on the Middle serving table.
Then I Queuing on the middle serving table, which I feel quicker (not many people grab this first) and most of the food can be eated by Josh.
Josh like the Nasi Goreng, Fish, and Prawn. (No spicy please).
I can say I'm moderate mother who like to giving a food for Josh to try. As this party and only happen sometimes, so I will give him a try if I feel the food it's not too sweet or too salty or spicy.

4.Stay away from Loudspeaker.
Even you can handle the big voice come out, but not your kid. I can say my ear has been contaminated for 28years, while Josh is only one year old and his ear just been cleaned by doctor.

5.Take turn on taking care
During the days, I always take care of Josh, but during the party, I might ask Daddy to take turn.
As I'm not bringing pram with me, so it's heavy to hold Josh (around 10kg now) with one hand while the other hand holding the spoon to feed him.

6.Find a big space, so you can let your toddler down for walk.
For Josh, if you just let him down and walk, in a minute he will disappear. Better to find a spacious area and let him play. He shall enjoy the party also.

Ups if you have read this all and you pay attention to it, you will ask, when you give a congratulation to the bride and groom. Yeah, of course we queuing on the line. But we usually did it very first or in the middle and it's more comfortable cause you don't need to que for along time. Hey do remember, toddler won't be quiet.

Ok that's all. If you make your toddler happy, then you will happy also. ^^/

Last: Here is the picture result if Daddy want to take a picture of us, but Josh refuse it.

P.s. Avoid the Stairs also, otherwise, you will end up following him up and down. ^^