Blackberry Addicts

We have a few living in this villa.

Here's one:

And here's the other one:

One of them is addicted to a healthy, antioxidant-rich fruit. The other is addicted to a device that has aptly been nicknamed the 'crack-berry', and has no positive health benefits for the user. I love them both!

We have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of a birthday envelope and Christmas package (both from my family in Calgary). Today, we were thrilled to find a 'parcel pick-up' slip in our mailbox. We received the Christmas gifts, which A loved (as you can see in the video below). However, we are still waiting for the birthday envelope, which was apparently sent about two weeks BEFORE the Christmas package. I am holding out hope that Emirates Post will deliver...

Thank-you Nanaji!

More Doctor's Visits...

Thanks Aunti Aumi for sending us these cool glasses!!

This morning N had an appointment with Dr. Stiles, at the New Al Noor Hospital. The doctor was very pleased with his progress and the notable increase in his muscle tone. He told me that N will now do his own physiotherapy, by using his weight as resistance to continue to increase his muscle tone. He would still like us to have a muscle biopsy done, to rule out muscle disease, but told me that this was not something that was 'time sensitive'. He also helped me to find out where N's pediatric neurologist from SKMC has gone. It seems that Dr. Waseem is applying for a position at Mafraq hospital (although Dr. Stiles wondered why he would leave SKMC to go to 'THAT mess...'). Dr. Stiles told me he would keep me posted on Waseem's whereabouts.

I took a few minutes to pick up my test results for the blood glucose test from two weeks ago. I even managed to sneak in to see Dr. Marwan (very covertly, I might add, considering I had a toddler, and a stroller and am heavily pregnant) to get him to interpret the results for me. He was happy to see us, especially baby N. He told me that babies with muscle diseases tended to have atrophied muscles, and N's bulk did not seem to indicate any evidence of that. He also reported that I did not have gestational diabetes, but that I should be vigilant in taking my prenatal vitamins, as the iron number was a bit low (not low enough to put me on any supplement though). Also--drink more water please.

On my way out, I ran into a friend of mine in the hallway. I met her very early on in our move to Al Raha. She's a lovely lady (with enviable Jennifer Garner dimples) and every time I meet her, I always wish that I had gotten to know her better. She was with her son, and when I asked whether he was okay, she told me he was fine. So--of course--I wondered what would bring her to the New Al Noor Hospital, and she sadly reported to me that she had suffered a miscarriage, evidently her fourth. I felt quite sad for her, knowing her history with pregnancy and how her son was a result of IVF and years of trying. She tried to assure me that it was no big deal and they were used to it...but I'm sure that 'miscarriages' are not the kind of thing one gets used to. My heart goes out to her, and I am trying to think of something nice I can do for her (in addition to a sympathy card)--as I'm sure my very presence (with the basketball sized uterus) will not be of great comfort to her at this time. Ideas are welcome.

Then it was home again, home again...time for lunch and then a nap for little A. N and I packed up again to head out to--you guessed it---SKMC, for the second injection of the week. He did great and it was an hour and a half, door to door.

On the way home, we tried a new route, using the newly opened Sheikh Zayed Bridge. We have watched this bridge being built our entire Abu Dhabi life. I remember looking at it as we drove past, on our way 'home' from the airport our first morning here, and I've watched it 'grow', for the past two years.

It's raining! It's pouring...January 11

Well...okay...so it wasn't exactly POURING...but this morning we had a nice, light little sprinkle, and this little one had the opportunity (finally) to use the umbrella that her grandmother brought her during the downpour in Lugano. Up until now, she has been carrying it around and using it as a 'sun-brella'.

This was the first rainfall of the year in Abu Dhabi (well--the first that actually reached our villa). I have heard of storms happening here, but they have managed to avoid us so far. Luckily, we have not had a repeat of last year's mess, where we had flooding on our main floor. I remember sitting on the computer and wondering why my feet were getting wet...Our landlord sure got an earfull from Peter, and he called in all his neighbourhood labourers to help us clean up the water. He even owned a wet/dry vacuum (which makes me wonder if the flooding was a regular occurrence).

I love the rain. I think I could really enjoy living in a rainy city, like Vancouver or Seattle.

Pyjama Day

We had a pyjama day at home today.

Overall, yesterday was pretty tiring, and my ankles were swollen up like watermelons, by the end of the night. This has not happened at all during my Abu Dhabi pregnancies (although it happened quite frequently when I was pregnant in Edmonton). That, combined with the physical and mental exhaustion I was feeling--I felt entirely justified in taking a 'pyjama day'.

Little A was more than happy to join me, and we just pitter-pattered around the villa today. We took down all our Christmas decorations. A was so very helpful, and of the two of us, I was the butter-fingers who broke an ornament (she was very sweet and chimed 'don't worry mommy, we can buy you a new one'). We put up our bird-feeder, filled it with sunflower seeds, and are now waiting for the exotic birds of AD to show up.

Baby N is showing no signs of soreness or pain from his shot yesterday. If anything, he is pulling himself up more and moving around all over the place. This is a great relief to me. His physiotherapist had indicated that these shots might slow down his developing movements--which does not seem to be the case (so far).

Peter bought us sushi for dinner, which we enjoyed when both our little ones were asleep. To accommodate both of their 'bed-times' (N at 6:30 and A between 7 & 7:30), we have had adjust our 'family dinner'. We used to have a long dinner, where we would all eat together (that was before N actually ate solids). Now, we focus on feeding the kids, putting them to sleep, and then we (Peter and I) eat together (usually in front of the tv). Then--around 9 o'clock (when we are both exhausted and ready for sleep), we have had some food, entertainment and some 'quality time'.

We are looking into booking a stay at Qasr Al Sarab, a beautiful desert resort. Ideally, I would like to have a little 'break' from our usual weekends. This is supposed to be a beautiful place, and I think they have some good deals on right now. We are in the 'early' planning stages right now.

I remember all too well how difficult it is to stay at a hotel with a tiny 'bottle-feeder' (from our trip to Bani Yas Island last year). I am aware, as I enter the third trimester, that we will be back in the 'new baby' boat soon enough, and staying at a nice resort with three little ones might prove to be a bit of a challenge (until I get a handle on being a 'mother of three').

Pricks & Jabs

I spent the morning at SKMC this morning. N's round of injections started today, and our appointment was at 9:30. I had to make a quick stop first at the physio building though, as they forgot to return our invaluable Daman card to us on our last visit.

It was a very promising start:

9:15: pick-up card (which they actually had waiting for me at the front desk)

9:30: register at Clinic 5

9:32: get 'vital stats' registered

9:34: in to see the doctor

How did they manage to be so timely?? Well...it seems the lady who had the 8:30 a.m. appointment showed up about two minutes AFTER I registered (thankfully--otherwise I would likely be waiting for her appointment to finish before the doctor would see N).

At 9:50, I was practically floating down to the pharmacy, with my prescription in hand. I smiled easily when they told me '20 minutes'. N and I went exploring the hospital and I was delighted to find a great little cafeteria, a huge indoor children's playground and a POST-OFFICE...all easily accessible in the next building over. I returned, fed N a bottle, and then sat down to wait.

And that's when it all started to unravel...

We FINALLY got our prescription after an hour of waiting (after I went twice to check on it). N was already screaming and fussy--no sleep plus restricted movements...a bad combination. We went back to the clinic (for the injection), to find my prescription was incomplete (I needed enough for 8 injections, and they had only given enough for 5), and they did not give me a refill slip (so we had to get another copy for the pharmacy--or there would be more hassle in the future). The nurse told me she would take care of it.

The prick of the needle wasn't too bad--much gentler than I had built it up to be. N cried just for a second, and then it was all done. The nurse did a really good job, and I am reconsidering her as a candidate to perform N's one year vaccinations.

Happy to be done, we booted it out of there. N fell asleep quickly in the car, and I had a relaxed drive home. Until my phone rang, and nurse Sheila from the hospital asked me if I was able to come back to the hospital. The pharmacy claimed they dispensed the entire prescription, when the nurse and I both knew they only gave us 5 ampules. The nurse asked if she could come and show them (as she was storing all the injections in the refrigerator at the hospital) and they said I had to do it. ARGH!! So, she gave me the number, and I told her I would call later. I was pretty doubtful that my calling would make much of a difference.

When we got home, I gave N lunch and some paracetamol (even though he showed no indications of pain and suffering--he is so brave and stoic). Little A was happy to see us (and still dancing around in her new dress from our trip to Dubai Mall yesterday) and displayed a lovely amount of sisterly sympathy for N and his band-aid. Then it was 'nap-time'--N went down much easier than his sister--perhaps I should have given her some paracetamol as well. As it is Sunday, we have to be ready for baby ballet at 2:45--and I am NOT looking forward to the usual 'I hate ballet' wake up cry.

I managed to get a hold of the pharmacy, who stated that I actually DO have the remaining 3 injections to pick up, and it is in the 'system'. I clarified that if there was some 'misunderstanding' on my part as to how many injections I was actually missing, whether I could clear it up when i came in on Wednesday. The pharmacist said it would not be a problem.

Fingers crossed for Wednesday!

As a treat to myself, I gave our helper some cash and a grocery list. She will do the shopping for me today. I have neither the time or energy to do it today.

TWO Reasons to Celebrate

1. Seems my husband is 35 years old today. There are only a few months of the year (January, February and March) where we share the same chronological age. Then April comes, I am a whole year older (and wiser) than he is, once again, and the universe can return to balance.

We (little A, baby N & I) got up bright and early (well--N and I that is...A didn't join us until shortly after 7 a.m.) to start baking some 'black-bottomed cupcakes' (aka chocolate with cream cheese) to celebrate. We had a pretty tight schedule to adhere to, as we had grand plans to be at Peter's office by 8:45 for a small 'surprise' celebration. At 9:20, we had to move on to SKMC, for N's physio appointment at 10. Though we were a little late for the party (no more than 10 minutes) it gave us plenty of time to light a candle, sing happy birthday and eat some cupcakes, before heading off again. The cupcakes were a hit, and will be enjoyed by us (well--Peter and I--A likes to make them, but not to eat them) later again this evening.

.

The handsome men of our family,

(NB: Phinn is missing, as dogs are not allowed at 'the office)

2. We got to phsyio and Dr. Anub was VERY happy to see that baby N was crawling all over the place. NOT commando-style, mind you, but REGULAR hands and knees crawling. He actually spent a few minutes just watching N in wonder, with a small little smile on his face. And then he said "I'm not actually sure what we should do with him today in this session--he's already met his goal.". And so, baby N and little A had a great time at physio, playing with all the toys they could find and crawling around. Probably the first physio session that N has had which hasn't been filled by the sounds of his screams...

So--we have received a 'temporary and honorary discharge' from physiotherapy, for the next month (or so). Which is excellent timing, as baby N is likely going to have to start a round of hormone injections (twice a week, for the next month), next week. These are intramuscular shots, and are supposed to be pretty painful (his pediatric endocrinologist has actually tried to hold off on giving him these shots until he feels it is absolutely necessary--and I believe that on January 9, when he sees N again, he will feel is it necessary). I had told Dr. Anub that if N was going to be having intramuscular injections, that I would be temporarily pulling him from physio. Dr. Anub did not seem entirely happy about my decision...he really didn't want to disrupt N's progress to date (and he was also aware that come end of March, and the arrival of baby 3, the likelihood of me getting N to physio dropped quite a bit). Now, it's all moot--as N has attained his crawling goal. Way to go my sweet little baby boy!!

Caging 'the beast'

This animal woke us all up around 4:30 this morning. Seems he wanted to 'talk' (at an excessively loud volume).

Amazing how much sound carries in a house with a tiled floor and no carpeting.