Six Breastfeeding Must-Haves.

I did it!

That feeling of accomplishment is really something!

I have breastfed Sofia for 6-months and it felt great. My breastfeeding journey with Sofia was really pleasant and easy and pain-free and lovely. She was a good drinker (look at her size you would know) and a great latcher (got such word?). 

Sofia is now reaching 7-months old and we have started to feed her with pureed food but she is not really keen. I feel she is going to be a picky eater - unlike Alex who eats everything. 

Due to some reasons and all, I have decided to stop breastfeeding at 6-months and patted myself on the back for coming this far. It is not that far compared to so many moms out there who breastfeed till their child is like 1-yo and that's impressive really. 

For me, I'm going to celebrate this small win of reaching to 6-months. I did only 1-month with Alex so this is a win, please. 

I am already missing a big part of breastfeeding but I decided to stop for reals. There were many days where I stop and went back to it because it was just a really difficult thing to do. The emotional attachment is real seriously. 

But anyway, I am thankful that it has been a great experience with my second-born. 

Through this 6-months journey with Sofia (and 1-month with Alex in 2018), here are some of the things that goes to the MUST-HAVE list to make this journey a better one.

This comes number one and I feel that I must share because it is such a life-changer and, that is the importance of having the right chair during breastfeeding/pumping, etc. 

It took me a while to convince myself to spend about RM700 to get this nursing chair, but let me tell you that it is worth every cent spent.

I got mine from Shopee at about RM600 and it comes with a leg rest stool and a pillow. IKEA is selling at RM699 and does not come with a leg rest stool or a pillow (I think).

 I put more pillows so I feel more comfortable during the night feeds.

It is also one of Alex's favorite places to be when he watches video on his iPad.

If you asked me now if I will still get the same nursing chair from Shopee, I would say no. I will definitely spend more money to get the chair from IKEA.

The one I got from Shopee is not as comfortable as IKEA's. And IKEA's chair comes with 10 years' warranty so yeah. Maybe I should sell my current chair at a discounted price and get the IKEA's chair. Heh.

Then again, I am no longer breastfeeding so not ideal to do the above said.

Anyways, this chair saved my sanity for when I needed to nurse Sofia so many times after midnight. It is one thing to not be able to avoid feeding your child when she cries for milk in the middle of the night but to get to do it in a comfortable nursing chair, now that is a life-saver. 

Just like how it is so important to have a bottle sterilizer at home for all the feeding bottles, pacifiers, and stuff - it is equally important to spend that hundreds to get this nursing chair. 

I cannot say this enough, but many times when I am not breastfeeding or pumping, I find myself sneaking into my room to sit on this chair because it's comfortable and it is so relaxing! 

Cannot believe that I am saying this but this chair really saved my sanity and my rollercoaster of emotions for the past 6-months. For those of you who have done breastfeeding before, you know how crazy our emotions can run during these times. 

So yeah. 

GET A NURSING CHAIR FOR YOURSELF. 

Even if your husband thinks it is too much money to spend on a chair. 

Please - trust me. 

Of course, maybe you are comfortable enough to sit on your bed to nurse your child or something, then it's totally fine. All I am saying is that this nursing chair should be on the list of must-haves after a baby is born (if you plan to breastfeed of course). 

Ohh, and there are so many types of nursing chairs out there okay so choose wisely. Hint: choose those that allow your head to rest (SUPER IMPORTANT & HELPFUL!).

Number two is the right nursing pillow. I have looked through different types of nursing pillows and finally settled for the U-shaped one because it is most common and cheapest. Heh.

With this pillow, Sofia is usually sleeping soundly during the nursing time because there is no body heat that I am transferring to her and in a way, the pillow is so much softer than my boney arms, please. Of course, sometime I will carry her because I overly attached like that. Hah.

The third must-have for me is definitely a nursing cover that is big, light, and thin in its material. The one I got was big but the material was quite thick so whenever Sofia feeds under the cloth, she will sweat for sure. So kesian. I wanted to get a better nursing cover but MCO happened and since staying home means I can freely nurse her anywhere without having to cover, I did not get a new one in the end. But yes, very important to get one that is thin material okay.

Number 4 is also super important because every breastfeeding moms need it wan. A super effective breast pump! I could never invest like a few thousand ringgits to get a breast pump because it is just way too much money so I kept searching and finally found one that has all the features that I was looking for.

WIRELESS.

Oh man let me tell you how a wireless breast pump can change your life. With Alex, I was using my sister's so it is the usual breast pump that is out there - comes with a wire, and tubes and bottles, etc. With a breast pump that is wireless, that only means I don't have to be seated at a place for the entire pumping time.

And with SuperMama's FlexiFit Electrical Tubeless Breast Pump, it was such an enjoyable pumping experience. I was pumping in the living room, at the dining table, in the car, in office, etc. There was no fuss at all. There were a concern that its suction power is not strong enough but please, there are nine levels and for me personally, it was enough. Supermama's breast pump was my best friend on the go.

I charge it every day at night after the last pump and it will last me the entire day. I keep one pump at my mom's and one with me all the time. So whenever, I feel like my boobs are going to ve engorged, I take it out and pump (with a nursing cover of course).

Got once we were at a party at a friend's house and I was getting super engorged, I covered myself with the nursing cover and pumped right at the dining table with all my friends present. I did not have to miss out on the conversations because it was really THAT convenient.

It definitely made life so much easier. And I only spent RM 380 for 2 FlexiFit Electrical Tubeless Breast Pump. Even Adrian was amazed by this product.

Now, Supermama had recently came out with a new version where you just got to put in in your bra and yes, wireless and no need to hold also. I was super tempted to get it but maybe for my next baby.

It's called SuperMama Air Breast Pump and costs RM299 for 1. If you are a working mother, I'd say that this is a great investment. 

The fifth must-have is of course disposable breast pads. No one likes leaky boobs especially when you go out because it's embarrassing to have milk stains. Heh. So, I'd always made sure to invest on good quality ones that is both comfortable and effective. So far, all brands also okay. None that is like bad.

I have considered getting reusable/washable breast pads but some of my friends shared that after a while, there is a smell on the pads (even after wash) and since I am a working mom, I prefer to have something that is more convenient.

Number 6 and final (for me) for this breastfeeding must-have is a good supportive nursing bra. I tried many brandless nursing bras that I get online and although some are quite comfortable and all, I still feel that the best supportive bra is the sports bra.

Yes, you see that right. SPORTS BRA.

Nothing supports the C-cup boobies like sports bra does. And it's quite easy for nursing also. I realized I do not necessarily need to get those nursing bra to have 'easier' nursing experience. I did with the sports bra and loving it a lot. So much comfort, please.

So these are my six must-haves for a smoother and more enjoyable breastfeeding journey.

Gotta admit that I am already missing it but no regrets okay. Last night, I tried to get Sofia o latch on, but she wouldn't even want to look at it anymore. Hah. She moved on very quickly it seems.

Now, we can focus on the next baby - I AM KIDDING!

Till next time, bye now. 

Spicy Korean Chicken Stir-Fry.

Korean food this time.

It is like cooking updates one after another because what else do you do when you cannot go out and spend the entire day at home, right?

I decided to get a small tub of Gojuchang sauce because initially, I wanted to learn how to make Sundubu Jiggae from my mom (and she did tell me the steps etc) but it seems like so much work so I'm just going to do other Gojuchang-related meals first.

I happened to see this recipe on Marion Grasby's website and it was so simple so I decided to do it.

For this, you actually only need Gojuchang paste and the rest is just fresh ingredients that you would like to add into this dish.

 I sliced a chicken breast and marinated with Gojuchang paste for a few hours. Actually, no need so many hours wan. I just had a lot of time so I decided to marinate it in the noon and cooked them in the evening.

No need to put salt or any other sauce because Gojuchang paste itself is already very flavorful.

I then opened my fridge and get some of the vegetables I can see and chopped them up into bit-sizes. I started with garlic and then in goes all the vegetables and once, my vegetables (I think) are semi-cooked, I then put in the Gojuchang marinated chicken slices.

Then, it is all just stir and fry until the meat is fully cooked.

To me, I think I added too much of the Gojuchang paste. I think next time, I will just put a tablespoon first and see. If not enough, only put another one. It was a lil too spicy for my MIL and husband. A little too thick too if you ask me.

But overall, flavour is superb and this is the easiest recipe seriously.

Go try please.

Till next time, bye now. 

Motherhood in One Word (For Me).

So, recently I was asked by my church to share on what motherhood is to me (and how does having Jesus in my life helped) and I did.

I wrote the below for script and spent about one & a half hours talking to myself in front of the camera. It was intense. I had to go to a place that is quiet (which is obviously impossible with the children at home), and with "proper" background. I also had to record at a place where no cars or bikes can be heard.

So, I chose to do it just outside my parents' place. If you listen carefully, at the end of the video, you can actually hear Sofia.

Towards the end of it, I was sweating buckets (thankful it didn't really show in the video except for a shiny face heh). There were a lot of retakes because cars and bikes were driving by, our neighbor decided to wash like gazillions of plates and I forgot what I wanted to say. The camera was fully-charged okay when I first started.

Then, when the battery was left with 19%, I was like, "Game on!" because I do not have any other time to record video so this has to be it.

At the end, I decided to record it to three parts which was a lot easier than recording at one full take. I also did not really follow my "script" because I didn't want to read from it and record. I had to be a little bit spontaneous ma right.

Confidence is key. Hah.

So yeah. I had fun doing this video because it sort of allows me to think of what motherhood is to me and what it has done to me (all good things).

What is motherhood to you, I wonder. Everyone for sure has different definition of what motherhood is to them.

So here goes.

Hello everyone.

First, let me just wish all beautiful mothers and mothers to be out there - Blessed Mothers Day!

My name is Sarah Khoo and I have 2 minis - a soon-to-be-2yo-boy and a 4mo-baby-girl.
I also have a husband and a 9-5 job.

If I can choose one word that summarizes what motherhood is to me - it would be SACRIFICE.

BEING A MOM IS THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

• We give up our body to grow a human for nine months. 
• We go through labor for hours and hours, and we go through the set of emotions that comes with childbirth because of the hormonal changes.
• We try to deal with our insecurities every time we look into the mirror because our body no longer looks and feels the same anymore.
• We spend hours and hours trying to research on how to boost our milk supply because we want to continue breastfeeding for as long as we can.
• By the time we get to eat, our food is cold but we had to swallow it anyways because we never know when the baby is awake again or wants to be held by you and nobody else. 

The list goes on and on. 

We basically put our life on hold just so we can live theirs with them. 

I struggled with that the most I think. When I became a mother, I felt that I had to give up more "things" compared to my husband. I don't know about you, but I immediately felt the need to "even-out" the sacrifices.

I felt that it was unfair that I had to sacrifice so many things (going out with my friends at night, hang out in the cafe or go watch a movie etc) and, it seems like he still gets to enjoy his daily activities. 

You know sometimes when I know I am not going to win in a debate/an argument, I will usually just casually say, "You know, I did gave birth to not 1, but 2 babies for you" HAHHA. 

I know it is wrong to be like this. Haha. 

Anyways, it was rough motherhood for me at first. 

But I was reminded of how Jesus sacrificed everything for us. How He also basically gave up his life just so we can live ours? I mean he died for us - like really literally die die.. 

When I look at just that, I think to myself - I don't even have to die for my children. I just need to put my life on hold for a while you know. 

And that's a strong reminder to myself every time emotions sweep in and it hits me again on how I am missing out in life with my friends and all. (My friends are amazing BTW, because they would come to my house and hang out there just so I can hang out too). 

Anyways, it is not like I did not already know about the sacrifices that Jesus did but being a mother myself made me understand really, what sacrifice really means. And I think because of that, I begin to "enjoy" motherhood even when Alex is throwing the biggest tantrum in the world. I begin to appreciate the struggles of motherhood because I then believe that motherhood is a calling. 

It is not a hobby. You cannot like decide you want to be a mother because you think it is going to be fun. It is not like collecting coins or something. 

Despite all that, of course, I still struggle because a human can only have this much patience right? And I think right, children is one of God's way to make us better people wan. Like I pray for patience to increase, the next day for sure my children will do something to test it. CONFIRM. 

And you know what works for me when I have rough days to deal with?

I pray- a lot - I believe that prayers can move a mountain - whatever your mountain is. 

And the song Goodness of God playing in loops. I play this song sometimes when I get to have a longer shower or when I get to have a me-time. Or when Sofia wakes up at 3AM and refused to go back to sleep - I will hold her and sing this song and then I realize that I can do it. 

So yeah, it will all be worth it.  

Putting my travel plans on hold. 

Laying down my desire to be recognized. 

Giving up the imaginary life that I could have had. 

Because motherhood is a calling. 

Pad Kra Pao (Chicken Stir-Fry with Holy Basil).

I don't cook a lot (because one - I am a very lazy person actually and cooking is just too much work, and two - I don't like to wash the after-cooking-things).

But this MCO has "motivated" all of us to some sort of not be lazy in a sense.  

So, to make time pass faster and to do something other than putting my kids to sleep (back-to-back), I cook on the weekends. Or at least I try. 

My mother-in-law is someone who always makes sure that our kitchen/pantry is well stocked up (even on normal days before the whole #dudukrumah thing started), so cooking at home is already a step easier - no need to wake up early to go do the marketing.

I am a big fan of Thai food (shame on you if you didn't already know that - kidding!), so it only makes sense that I have always wanted to master cooking Thai food. 

This basil dish has always been my sure-order whenever I have Thai food. But it is so hard to find one that is really good and satisfying - with the right level of spiciness. Most of the times, it is just not spicy enough - no kick. 

So, I decided to try it for myself - since many people told me that it is quite an easy dish to make. 

This recipe is really simple okay. 

I like to prepare all its ingredients and sauce before I start so I don't like panic last minute (something I learned during this MCO). Heh. 

Preparations (step by step) for you guys. This is what I do but you can do it another way of course.

1. Bring out the minced meat (or diced chicken or any protein) and let them be thawed first. Cannot cook the meat if it is still frozen okay. 
2. Peel 5 cloves of garlic and put them into a blender. Don't blend/pound yet! Add in 5 red chillies and then only blend. You can use any chilli actually depending if you want the dish to be spicy or not. If don't want spicy at all, then no need to blend/pound anything - just chop the garlic. Once done, set aside the garlic & chilli paste. 
3. Pluck the basil leaves and wash, then leave them aside. 
4. Chop some onions (you can add long beans and any other vegetables too). I tried with long beans and cauliflower and it worked too!
5. For the sauce: EQUAL amount of oyster sauce and soy sauce and HALF of fish sauce, a bit of sugar, a bit of water and a bit of dark soy sauce. I usually will use 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce and soy sauce, then half tablespoon of fish sauce - then sugar, water and dark soy sauce I put a little bit (no measurements wan). Mix all of it in a bowl. 

Once all is ready, then it's cooking time! 

Put in some oil and the garlic & chilli paste. Stir-fry until the aroma is everywhere and you find yourself coughing. Hah. Kid you not. 

Then, add the minced meat. 

If I have vegetables, then I will add in my long beans first. 

Once the minced meat is cooked, then add in the onions. I like to add onions later because I love that it is a bit crunchy and not softened. 

Stir them for a little while more and then add the sauce. 

Let it simmer for a while. At this point, you can put in more dark soy sauce if you would like it to be darker. 

The last step is to put in the basil leaves and turn off the heat. 

Stir the leaves in and the dish is ready to be eaten! 

I used the same recipe to make Thai Basil Fried Rice and Pad Kra Pao Spaghetti and they were bombs, please! So so good.

I don't use just minced meat all the time - sometimes cubed chicken meat and sometimes minced salmon. It can really be any protein you want to be honest that is why I love this recipe so much. It is so easy! 

The sauce is really applicable to all kinds of stir-fry if you asked me. It's like my secret sauce now. Not so secret anymore heh. Highly recommended for those who cannot really cook well but loves cooking. This is your go-to sauce please!

Go try them!

Till next recipe, bye now! 

Homemade Pesto Meatballs.

The husband made pesto second-time (both without pine nuts because don't know where to get them nuts) and we kept some of the pastor sauce in the fridge so we can use them next time. Ain't nobody got the time to do pesto as and when one craves for it. Heh.

With the extra pesto sauce in the fridge, I thought of eating something other than pesto pasta for a change so I went to google to get some ideas.

TGFG - Thank God for Google!

Then, I saw the word 'Pesto Meatballs' and I was immediately sold - because I know how easy and mess-free it is to make meatballs.

So, I grabbed half of a chicken breast (with the other half, it looks like a butterfly. Since this is a first-time trial, I decided not to risk wasting my chicken breast. Heh.

I took half of the butterfly cut and grind it with our newly-purchased Tefal blender (because the previous one broke down in the middle of MCO) and we have for ourselves, a handful of minced chicken meat.

TGFOS - Thank God for Online Shopping!

Then using just one bowl, I mix all the ingredients:

- Minced meat (you can use pork, beef whatsoever meat you want - it is your meatballs after all).
- one whole egg
- pesto sauce
- bread crumbs
- salt & pepper

Don't ask me on the measurements okay because I just put according to how I feel only. HAHA.

Then, mix all of these ingredients together. I should have put in more crumbs so that my meatballs not too sticky but it was still okay. Mine just lack salt because I was so scared that it becomes too salty since the pesto was quite salty already.

Then, after that just shape them to however you like.

It can be mini patties too actually - because the second batch I made it flatter.

BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO ADD MORE OIL INTO THE PAN - save them oil okay.

And we have ourselves some really yummy homemade pesto meatballs - the green colour is really a bonus! Loved it!

Definitely will be making more of these meatballs in the future.

Till next time. 

Thai Duck Red Curry with Blue Elephant.

It seems like when the Movement Control Order (MCO) is lifted, many people would have expanded their cooking skills and menus.

I am one of them. 

But I am not those who cook from scratch - because I may very high likely waste the resources and those fresh ingredients that my mother-in-law get from the market. She is risking her life every time she goes to market okay. So we gonna use them wisely. Heh.

I would actually like to cook something really impressive during this MCO, but we all know that is never going to happen. What is impressive is I did homemade nuggets and 'roasted potatoes' with air-fryer and they were bombs. So yeah. 

Anyways, I am the biggest fan of Thai food and since it is also as risky to order food via DeliverEat, Foodpanda or Grabfood - it's best I learn to cook it myself. 

I made one visit to Jaya Grocer and intended to get everything I needed for the next 3-weeks but of course, the mission was only 90% accomplished. Even though I've written down on the to-buys, I still managed to forget other things. Hooray me. 

I spent quite a bit of time in the Asian Food area because I just wanted to get all things Thai food - curry, paste and whatnot. 

But I managed to pull myself together and got one, yes ONE thing. 

This Blue Elephant Thai Premium Cuisine - Red Curry edition (RM9.90 from GP's Jaya Grocer). They have green curry as well but I thought of doing something out of the norm. I have never ordered Red Curry before whenever I dine at a Thai place so I thought hmm why not. 

The packaging looks promising and I am a sucker for nice packaging one. Ask my husband. Heh.

Behind it, there is a simple recipe where you can follow (or not) so quite a win for me in that sense. I just followed the recipe and get the items listed.

The recipe says Thai Red Curry with Roasted Duck. We have smoked duck - similar. Heh.

The recipe also mentioned to add cherry tomatoes and cubed pineapples - nope, I didn't add those in. 

Anyways, I tried to keep it simple and edible. Heh. 

So here goes.

Red curry paste is made by pounding together dried red chilli, lemongrass, garlic, shallot and galangal. The texture of this paste is thick (as seen in the photo above), rich in its flavour and it is spicy.

The paste is the only thing that's in the packaging - unlike Marion's Kitchen Thai Red Curry Cooking Kit (available in Australia and USA only boohoo) wherein the cooking kit, you will get the red curry paste, coconut milk, dried herbs & chilli and bamboo shoots.

Win.

Anyways, back to this. So I didn't really follow exactly the recipe but close enough la. I got the duck, kaffir lime leaves and red chilli ready.

Oh and the fish sauce - such an important element in all Thai food.

First, I put oil in the pot and stir fry the red curry paste till the aroma comes out. Mine was almost burnt. Heh.

Then, I pour in half of the coconut milk and some water. This is the part where I so pandai go and cut the amount of water cos I thought too much water later too watery.

It ended up becoming quite a thick curry - but still yummy.

Then, continue to stir it until it becomes a legit red curry looking thing. I also realized at this point that I really do need the not-too-big-and-not-too-small-spatula to cook.

Let the curry boil for a little bit - then add the kaffir lime leaves and chilli and stir.

Lastly, add the smoked duck and let the curry boil a little while.

Then, garnish with some coriander (any nice-looking green leaves) and chopped chilli - ready to be served.

My husband and mother-in-law loved it so more cooking of this kind of this next time! Gonna try other types next time.

Till next time, bye now. 

Koay's Love Language #42.

We were having a breakfast conversation this morning and I was handling Sofia's car seat.

Me: I think right - next time for sure Sofia won't be scared of me wan.
Him: Why eh?
Me: Alex for sure will listen to me like now since so close right. But Sofia..
Him: Hm..
Me: Because Sofia is your precious girl and you will protect her wan so she won;t be scared of me.
Him: But I am scared of you.

BOTH BURST OUT LAUGHING.