Blog Feed: Zaianne Sparrow

Two months and a week old!

Published on 2011-10-11 09:20:22

Dear Liam, You are two months old now. I don’t know where the time has gone. People always say how fast time flies and how fast you’ll grow up, and they weren’t kidding! I still remember the day we brought you home from the hospital. How preciously tiny, and sleepy you were. As a nine-week-old, your milestone have started. We experienced your smile at six weeks, and early mornings are the best part of my day because of it. You have this coo that melts our hearts, and that head of y [..] > read more

One Month Old

Published on 2011-09-02 18:58:37

  Today marks Liam’s one month birthday. Time has seriously flown by, and we can’t believe he’s already been here that long. It seems like just yesterday that we brought him home! With all the constant feeding, burping, rocking, changing, bathing and otherwise caring for a newborn, life this past month for us has been pretty much a blur but one thing is for sure, I fall more and more in love with my lil guy each day. Here are some of his milestones from the first month:   wei [..] > read more

3 Weeks Old.

Published on 2011-08-25 17:27:01

  My baby is 3 weeks old now. Almost 4 next Tuesday! I can’t believe how fast time flies! I was looking through the photos of him I took on my phone yesterday, and I couldn’t believe how much his face has already changed in these short weeks! When he was only a few days old, I could see a lot of me in his features. He had the chubby turnip shaped face and he couldn’t open his eyes yet, so they looked really small. He was also still very red, so we weren’t sure who’s [..] > read more

Malaysian Chicken Satay & Peanut Sauce Recipe

Published on 2011-08-23 21:02:58

  To be honest, back when I was still in Malaysia I was never a huge satay fan. I liked it alright, but I never really craved it, unlike many people I know; like my brothers who would literally devour 20-30 sticks of chicken satay in one sitting. I really didn’t care for it, the most I would eat, IF I was in the mood for it was probably 4-5 sticks. Of course since moving away, I can’t get enough! I guess you can blame the fact that in the 6-7 years give and take a few months I̵ [..] > read more

Liam Ayden Sparrow – You Were Born

Published on 2011-08-11 15:18:48

My son, Liam Ayden Sparrow, was born Tuesday, August 2nd 2011 at approximately 1:05AM, and weighed 7lbs 13ozs and was about 20 inches long. I didn’t get to hold him very long, because of the retained placenta, but the very first few secs that I did get to hold him in my arms was probably the happiest moment in my life. I was so happy to hear his little cry and looked to make sure his dad, Tom was with him when the nurses took him away to be cleaned. Tom was incredibly awesome. He was by Li [..] > read more

Diana Krall : I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face

Published on 2011-07-06 11:12:58

I was listening to this song at work, and I couldn’t help thinking of Tom, and how I have grown accustomed to him always being there for me, and how much I love him… (Sorry if this post is too mushy for some of you!) Diana Krall – I’ve Grown Accustomed to His Face I’ve grown accustomed to his face He almost makes the day begin I’ve grown accustomed to the tune He whistles night and noon His smiles, his frowns, his ups, his downs Are second nature to me now Lik [..] > read more

Manhattan In Motion

Published on 2011-06-07 13:43:49

Mindrelic – Manhattan in motion from Mindrelic on Vimeo. Watching this video makes me feel a little sentimental. As much as I love Chicago, I will forever love Manhattan and NYC just a tiny bit more (sorry Tom), and I’m glad I was lucky e > read more

We’re having a boy!

Published on 2011-03-09 15:31:09

We just found out today that our first born will be a baby boy! I am so excited! I sort of guessed it was a boy almost immediately, only because looking at the amount of boys combined on both my side and Tom’s…I’m basically the only > read more

Cribs

Published on 2011-01-27 18:05:34

Woohoo I’m 14 weeks along now! Tom and I have put the stroller decision on hold right now to focus on more important things. Like nursery furniture! Mainly the crib. Just like the strollers, there are so many brands and types to choose from, bu > read more

We’re having a baby!

Published on 2011-01-20 21:34:00

Hahaha can you guys believe it?? Me…a mom! LOL. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I mean, I still have a long ways to go before the baby actually gets here. I’m only 13 weeks and 1 day along right now, but Tom and I are ex > read more

We’re Having a Baby

Published on 2011-01-20 09:34:23

Hahaha can you guys believe it?? Me…a mom! LOL. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it. I mean, I still have a long ways to go before the baby actually gets here. I’m only 13 weeks and 1 day along right now, but Tom and I are ex > read more

Asam Pedas (Gulai)/ Sweet and Sour Fish Recipe

Published on 2010-12-21 12:54:44

Growing up with a ‘true blue Johorean’ mom; who also happens to be an awesome cook, my brothers and I were often treated to some amazing Johorean dishes, whether home-cooked or not. (Johoreans have a tendency to be obsessed about their fo > read more

Chicken in Coconut Cream with Birds Eye Chili

Published on 2010-11-22 10:47:48

Chicken in Coconut Cream with Birds Eye Chili, or Ayam Masak Lemak Cili Padi. Tom and I recently went to the Indian Store here and I was ecstatic to find Birds Eye Chili, among other things there. Anyways since I bought so many Birds Eye Chili I knew > read more

Butter Prawns

Published on 2010-11-06 07:10:56

I have always always loved this dish but have never tried making it before. My family and I have only ever had it if we went to some seafood restaurant in Malaysia. Well, the last time I had this dish was over two years ago at this amazing seafood re > read more

Beef Rendang & Nasi Minyak (Malaysian Festive Rice)

Published on 2010-10-21 17:34:00

I was looking through the recipes in my blog and I realized I never uploaded one of my favorite dishes. The Malaysian Beef Rendang, with Nasi Minyak. Rendang is a dish which originated from the Minangkabau ethnic group of Indonesia, and is now common > read more

Nasi Ayam/Chicken Rice

Published on 2010-10-20 20:08:25

Nasi Ayam, or Chicken Rice (ie. In Malay, “Nasi” means rice, “Ayam” means chicken) is probably one of the first few recipes I mastered when I started cooking about 7-8 years ago. Bear in mind that, when I say started cooking&# > read more

White Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake

Published on 2010-10-19 18:02:38

My site basically crashed and burned last weekend. And of course…being the absent minded person that I am…I forgot to export my posts. I am slowly trying to get this site up and running again, and trying to salvage anything I can from my > read more

Pasta with Sweet Basil and Tomato Sauce, and Beef and Barley Soup Recipe

Published on 2010-10-19 12:03:23

I had friends asking me how to make these two dishes…so I figured it was time to blog about it. Plus I haven’t added any new recipes in awhile.  Enjoy. Pasta with Sweet Basil and Tomato Sauce Ingredients 225g (8oz) Pasta 1 Red Onion, f > read more

Pegedil/Begedil

Published on 2010-10-18 17:31:50

Pegedil/Begedil is a Malay name for mashed potato shaped into patties, coated with eggs and fried. It’s a popular side snack sold everywhere at Malay hawker stalls or food courts in Malaysia and Singapore. It is also one of my all-time favourit > read more

Malaysian Chicken Soup

Published on 2010-10-18 14:37:15

Autumn is finally here…and nothing beats a bowl of hot soup on a cold Autumn evening, especially when you’re sick. That’s exactly how Tom and I felt a couple of Friday nights ago. As with very year here, you can’t really predict h > read more

Butter Prawns

Published on 2010-10-17 18:53:19

I have always always loved this dish but have never tried making it before. My family and I have only ever had it if we went to some seafood restaurant in Malaysia. Well, the last time I had this dish was over two years ago at this amazing seafood re > read more

Mushroom chicken & asparagus risotto

Published on 2010-04-13 17:12:28

I haven’t posted any new recipes in awhile, and since I have had a few request for this recipe, I’ve decided to post it here. Enjoy! Ingredients: Serves: 2 **If you’re using canned chicken broth to make risotto, be sure it’s l > read more

Frustration of buying a home.

Published on 2010-04-05 19:40:44

As some of you may know, Tom and I are trying to buy our first home. And let me tell you, buying your first home is hard! It just takes so much time and work, and worst of all is the heartache! No seriously! It really is heart-breaking and torturous! > read more

Phyllo Dough Baked Spring Rolls

Published on 2010-04-05 16:09:09

Since everyone seemed to enjoy the baked spring rolls I made for Easter. I’ve decided to share the recipe here. Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 thumb-size piece galangal OR ginger, grated 2 green onions, sliced into matchstick pieces 1 r > read more