Compliments

Youngest member of the ATA

Today we had a nice visit with my friend Tara (Tah-ra not Tayr-ah) and her daughter Amelia. As baby N and NB slept through it, and Little A was not feeling up to hostessing, it was a very quiet visit, with Amelia just tottering around, playing and eating the lovely brownies her mom brought along. Tara is an Australian principal, who is on leave, while she takes care of her little one. They plan to finish out her husband's contract (Chris is also a principal working as a consultant for ADEC) and then live on a house-boat off the south of Australia (between Australia and Antarctica is how she described it).

Before she left, Tara gave me a wonderful compliment. She told me how she was impressed by the kind manner and quiet way I spoke to my children--my voice never got loud and it was always loving, even when I was correcting misbehaviours. After she left my house the previous week, she told me that she wanted to emulate my 'style' and so she tried to make a concerted effort to talk to and re-direct Amelia in the same manner. She was 'practising' one day, in the elevator at Mazyad Mall, and an observer remarked to her: 'You speak to your child in such a lovely way. Have you ever considered teaching?'. We, both of us former teachers, laughed at that comment.

This reminded me of what MY principal back in Edmonton said one day, during a 'parent-teacher-principal' conference we were having. One of the parents in my classroom was concerned that my classroom was always loud and noisy, and that I yelled at the students all the time (seriously WTF to both of those comments). My principal really backed me up and said that in all the times he had been in my classroom, it was always a quiet, calm and controlled environment, and he wasn't even sure I was CAPABLE of raising my voice--if so--he had never heard it.

Some days I feel like I am such an ogre to little A (Baby N and NB S don't need very much re-direction). It was nice to have someone 'objective' pass along this kind of feedback. I don't want any of my children to remember growing up and always being yelled at by their mom.

Special Delivery

Little Don Ho

Thank you Aunty Aumi! Your package, mailed on March 24 (NB's birthday) has finally reached its destination. I received the notice in my mailbox about two weeks ago, but as Peter was away on business, and I had no desire to load three children and a helper into a truck and risk our lives in the city trying to find the main post office branch, we only picked it up today. What a fun-filled package it was!

Little A is the only one with enough dexterity to open these packages, and thus she has been the official 'Gift Opener' for NB S. She loves it, especially when friends have been kind enough to include little gifts for her and baby N.

Baby N's fine motor skills have really improved, and he likes to spend time flipping pages in books. I hope that he will also come to enjoy the many adventures and stories on those pages as well.

This afternoon we are attending a Father-Son birthday party. I am exhausted (what's new) and I have one of the worst haircuts ever (seriously going into my top 5 list) and so my hair doesn't do ANYTHING--doesn't even look good in a ponytail! I am hoping to get in a little nap now, but...NB S seems a bit hungry and this doesn't seem like it's going to happen.

Vaccinations All Around!

On Tuesday afternoon, Little A practiced being a 'good hostess' when her friend Arysha came over for a pool party (can it be a party if there are only two children...according to little A it can!). Little A is unpredictable when it comes to company, and so I coached her a lot on how to behave in a 'friendly' manner. It seemed to work, as she not only greeted our guests, but interacted with them in the pool and also gave them a big hug (without prompting) when they left. YEAH Little A!!

Yesterday (May 25) we had a fun-filled visit to the New Al Noor Hospital, where all three children were declared 'Perfectly Healthy' by Abu Dhabi's own Pediatrics God himself, Dr. Stiles. NB S was declared to be 'thriving' (despite all the milk she brings up and the 'prickly heat rash' on her face which is due to the harsh conditions here). Little A's skin discoloration on the back of her leg was minor and something that would likely disappear with age. Baby N was a very happy little fellow with beautiful teeth and a great smile, who was advised to start talking.

Baby N had a few 'firsts' this morning. For the first time, we noticed that he was balancing on one foot. He held onto Dr. Stiles desk with his hands, and tucked his right foot up behind his left ankle. Very cute!! He also had his first tantrum in the halls of the hospital, which I unfortunately (NOT!) missed as I was picking up the prescriptions for all the immunizations. Not so cute! Apparently his freedom was being restricted too much for his liking (he wanted to lie down and roll around on the hospital floor and thankfully, Malou would not allow it) and so he expressed his (extreme) displeasure by screaming and pushing her away with his stubby and pokey little fingers. In his defense, he was likely quite tired as he had missed his morning nap.

I guess Tinkerbell wasn't generating enough

dollars for the folks at Disney...

Though Little A had been melting down on and off all morning about the needles ("Mom--I don't WANT to have needle!"), she was completely calm, cool and collected when it came time to do the deed. She sat with me (a snuggle before, during and after is what she had been promised) and took a deep breath and looked at the (sad and peeling) dolphin wall stickers while Sonny (New Al Noor's own Nurse Focker--voted best needle jabber by all the nurses in his department) worked his magic. Instead of the boring hospital bandage, we brought along our own Fairy band-aid (little A LOVES fairies!), and the staff 'oohed' and 'aaaahed' at both little A and baby N, who didn't complain or shed a tear during the process. NB S, on the other hand, felt comfortable sharing her emotions with the anyone who cared to listen. She has a very good set of lungs.

All smiles and snuggles this morning

Fortunately, over 24 hours later (knock on wood), there have been no adverse reactions. I was especially worried about the rotavirus immunization, as this is the one which gave the most amount of grief for children in my original Bonnie Doon Mom's Group. I almost opted NOT to give it to her (you should have seen Sonny's face when I said "No--throw it away."). However, as Baby N had absolutely no reaction to it, and Little A will be going to school (well--sometime in the future) and bringing home different germs, I figured we might as well get it done. Plus, in this region, it's probably better to be safe than sorry.

Big brother's 'gentle' hand

Peter was at a conference in Dubai, and didn't get home until 11:30 (or so he tells me...I was sleeping). Little A was so very excited to share her war stories with him (briefly) this morning. She showed him her bandage, and also her 'prize' My Little Pony doll (with cookie and cupcake) from her mom for being SO brave.

Also, Phinn had a little Abu Dhabi education on Wednesday. I think he finally figured out why we keep him INSIDE during the long, hot days. My friend Hope dropped by to pick up a swim cap to go to the Officer's Club (there's a post somewhere here about the sexism involved in that). Phinn ran out, and I decided to just let him go. It was around 1:30 pm, and over 45 degrees and so I wanted to see just how far he might get. Sure enough, it took about a minute before he started lifting his paws in obvious discomfort--they must have been burning. So, I scooped him up and inside we went. Now THAT is what I call a teachable moment!

Meeting MR Shariza

Last night, we invited our friends, Shariza and Arul, over. We had such a great time at Mr. K's Birthday Party (where we ended up staying WAY too long) and wanted an opportunity to get to know these two both a little better.

We had so much fun (again) and it was a relief to see Arul and Peter hit it off.  As we divided up into 'ladies' (as I moved to the sofa to nurse NB) and 'mens' groups, the boys didn't miss a beat and the conversation continued to flow (I'm not sure they noticed we were no longer at the table to be honest). What a really enjoyable couple!! It's always so nice to have 'couple' friends, isn't it?

Shariza brought me some MORE food, which was absolutely delicious. Not only will I credit her for making me enjoy tofu, but she now has also introduced me to QUORN, a meat-substitute (not available in Canada though). At first, when I opened the dish she made, I was afraid she had meant the meal to be for Peter, as the crumbly brown bits resembled ground beef. I got Malou to try it ('food taster' is one of those 'other duties as required' on her list of responsibilities), and she told me it was definitely meat. I was disappointed, as I had hoped to have this meal for lunch, and did not have any energy to come up with a back-up plan. I was quite perturbed though, because when she handed the dish to me the previous evening I could have sworn she had indicated it was for me to eat, and she had mentioned it contained 'corn' (though I couldn't see any yellow kernels).

As she continued chewing her forkful, Malou began to question her initial analysis. She said, "No...I think this is tofu...it's NOT meat." I figured it was time to make a call, and was delighted to learn that it was indeed vegetarian friendly (tofu, black bean sauce, and quorn). I was even happier after I tasted it, as it was delcious. Another Shariza creation that I will have to try and re-create in my own kitchen.

This week has been good. It is nice to have Peter home. I feel so much better about dozing a bit longer in the morning, knowing that he is with the other two children. As usual, he has come home with a sore throat (he always gets sick after he flies, but it continues to come as a shock to him).

We had a delicious breakfast at the Shangri-La on Friday, with Uncle Pete (Ajay is back in Canada this week). Though I missed Gelar (my egg-chef who has returned to Indonesia), the new chef did a great job with my poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. I had to say 'See you later' to our Shangri-La friends, the Baftihars (who are long-term residents waiting for housing to be approved. Seriously--I can think of worse places to live than the apartments at the Shang), as they were heading off to the UK for the summer (although Gee will be back in a few weeks). I am hoping to be able to keep in touch, and will look forward to their return in the fall (or so they tell me). Sahar's son Adam is a really loving little boy, and seems to really enjoy our family, especially Peter. Our breakfasts will definitely be a lot quieter now (though I've noticed baby N is picking up his game).

In the afternoon on Friday, I had Henny (an Indonesian masseuse) come to the house to give me a massage. She focused her work on my hip (which although a whole world better than before, still gives me minor grief). Henny feels pretty confident that she will be able to cure me of this pain. I am optimistic as she seems to be very good at what she does.

Almost a toddler

Baby N is on the verge of walking. I'm not sure how much longer, but he has now learned to climb up onto the sofa, on his own (without leveraging off me, or NB S's head). Each day sees him get stronger and more active. He is very into books, and I am so proud to see him sitting at the picnic table (not on top, but on the little blue bench), using his fine motor skills to turn pages in his board books. He can focus and do this for quite some time. He has also been keeping busy testing Newton's law of universal gravitation, by tossing blocks and cups out of his play-pen (which I have surrounded with foam play-mats to muffle the sound for NB S).

Is that a smile I see or just gas?

NB S continues to grow. Each day she is more alert, and sometimes I swear she knows me and smiles at me. My major concerns with her are baby acne and spit-up. However, I know these are minor concerns, as she is putting on weight and appears to be bright-eyed and healthy. We have a doctor's appointment with Dr. Stiles on Wednesday, where all of my children will receive immunizations. Little A has had a bit of a problem with this bit of information.

Though she has been very happy to assure baby N in the past that it is 'just a pinch', she is not too keen on experiencing the pinch herself. She is going to be having a chicken pox booster (Dr. Stiles recommended it for this region), and it has taken a lot of support, discussion and encouragement to get her to where she was tonight--singing about having her needle tomorrow (although it's actually on Wednesday). I am proud of her.

A helping hand

She has spent the day very much enjoying a poetry book about fairies that Peter bought her on his trip. I was concerned as the book is not age appropriate, but she doesn't seem to mind. It has brilliant pictures of fairies and flowers, and she loves flipping through it and looking at all the pictures. We spent almost an hour this morning, reading the poems together. She wanted me to read her every single one. I'm not sure how much she understands, but she obviously enjoys hearing the way the words sound.

Happy 17 Months Baby N!!

New haircut

How did we celebrate?? Well, first, at 7:17 a.m., we went outside and had another haircut (I believe this would be the fourth one). I figure this one will hold until we head to Canada (and I can touch him up before that). It was already well into the 30's by then--and so I had to be quick. My luck held out (I think) and he seems to have another lovely haircut (what will Ellie Grandma think though?).

New teething beads

Then, it was time to switch his teething beads over. If you recall, I had Natural Urban Mamas send me two pairs of round black amber teething beads. I actually didn't end up getting any special service from them (or any discount for the previous necklace he was wearing that had a piece that broke off). However, they were pleasant to deal with and I did get manage to get the beads delivered here in a reasonable time-frame.

So, now he is wearing the round beads (as opposed to the chunks he had before). I don't think it makes a difference to him at all, but now he'll match with his two sisters.

Speaking of timely deliveries, I visited the mailbox yesterday, and it seems there is a parcel to be picked up at the main branch of Emirates Post. The package arrived on April 25, and I just received this notice in my mailbox this week. I will wait until Peter gets back from his trip before going to pick it up. Aunty Aumi--could this possibly be the package YOU sent back in January/February?? I sure hope so (as I know you spent a small fortune on shipping). I will keep you POSTED (hahahahhaha!!).

Look mom! We're playing nicely together!

Little A continues to sleep in her room. She has been having a week full of mosquito bites (at last count there were TWELVE on her body!). She chose a lovely red zebra band-aid for her forehead to cover one of them, as she was scratching so much, I was afraid that it might scar.

NB S has started joining me in some fennel tea (my next best effort to help her with her gas and spitting up). So far, it seems to have made a little difference--she is not bringing up milk at every feed anymore. However, this could also just be attributed to her body maturing. But--a little fennel tea never hurt anyone.

Only two more sleeps until Peter comes home.

The Blame Game

I can completely empathize with people who develop eating disorders.

Baby N has been putting on some weight, and he is quite a stout and solid little (almost) toddler. Of course, with his Buddha belly, and his sweet little moobies, come the unsolicited (and unwanted) comments from the peanut gallery about him being 'fat' and 'so heavy'. I have become very sensitive to these comments, and find them difficult to just grin and bare.

Baby N's weight gain was a bit puzzling to me, especially as I have not increased the amount of solids he is eating by any great amount. It was worrying enough for me that I brought it up at his last appointment with the pediatrician--who told me that we should monitor his weight gain, but not to worry about it, as he is within the normal range. She also suggested we switch him to low-fat or skim milk (which was a big surprise) and just let him continue to be his own active/exploring little self. And, of course, once he started walking, he would burn a lot more calories.

Then, today, I had the 'a-ha!' moment. I figured out where all the extra calories have been coming from for him. Seems I have another 'bad mom' award coming my way.

Today, when my helper was preparing Baby N's supper, I happened to actually be in the kitchen (instead of playing with the kids, or nursing NB S) beside her. I looked over at Baby N's bowl of cereal, and I said "WOW! That looks like a lot--is that only two scoops?".

She replies: "No--four."

In my head I am confused and pause for a moment. Four scoops is DOUBLE the amount of cereal that I have told her he should have.

So, I say: "He's supposed to have 2 scoops." I look at the label on the can of cereal (made lovingly by ME, with a red heart, for PETER--so he knows how much cereal to give his son for breakfast on the mornings that I am not up and he decides to feed him). The label says "2 scoops for breakfast".

She looks at the label too and says, "2 scoops for breakfast. 4 scoops at lunch and supper."

I wonder where she came up with this information. I say, "I have never given him 4 scoops."

She goes to the fridge, to look at the written instructions I left (for when I wanted to make her more 'independent' instead of having her ask me every day what Baby N should have for lunch and supper). The written instructions also indicate only 2 scoops. What more can she say?

I too am at a loss. I say "No wonder he has been putting on so much weight." She is one of those people who has commented about how heavy my baby Buddha is.

So, I opt to just shake my head and say, "2 scoops for breakfast, lunch and supper. Not four." Then I pretend NB S is fussing enough to need my immediate attention and walk away. What more could I say?

I am so upset. I wish I could be angry at her, but at the end of the day, I know the buck stops with me. I have looked at Baby N's cereal many, many times while I've been feeding him and wondered why it always looks like so much MORE than it used to...and then my brain gets distracted by something else, and I never follow through with further investigations.

Also, since I have been so tired for so long, I feel like my memory is not as great as it used to be. So, I find it hard to be certain about things. I am always second-guessing myself (for example--a small part of me was wondering if perhaps at some point I had switched him to 4 scoops for lunch and supper and then forgot about it), and I am tired of this too. Even though I am tired and run-down, my brain is still in excellent shape, and I have to start giving myself some credit for that.

I will have to try and find some more energy somewhere to be better at supervising the work that she is doing related to my children. It is annoying to me that she messed up something so simple (2 scoops!!--where is the confusion in that?). Generally, I only task her with things that are not complicated--to get the little 'time-wasters' off my plate--but if I have to micro-manage even THOSE things....well, wouldn't I just be better off doing it myself?

Breathe in...breathe out...deep breaths...time for some tea and sleep. Just a little ranting from someone who obviously needs to escape with some tea and unreality television.

SHE DID IT!!

My little A has slept in her room for FIVE nights!! I am so proud of her and hope she will continue (unaided by any external motivation). Every morning she calls to let me know she is awake. I use the baby monitor to invite her into my room. She comes in, sleepy, with a toy or a book and then snuggles into my bed (after she peeks over to give NB a morning kiss). Then, she plays quietly, or watches a show on my phone, while I doze a little bit more.

We looked at THREE different stores at the Pink Shops for a horse and carriage (that is what she had her heart set on, as she saw one there about six months ago). Unfortunately (and unsurprisingly?) it wasn't waiting there for her. One shopkeeper urged me to return this evening (as he had one at his other store)...but little miss could not wait.

After lunch, we trekked to Carrefour, where there was a horse and carriage scouted out by Uncle Pete. However, the 220aed (about $60) price point made me gulp (though I'm sure Papa would've just bought it for her--you should see the set of seldom used Bratz horses we have--Little A is not a National Velvet kind of gal). We compromised and she chose the above figurines for 35aed (about $10). I told her that we would put the carriage set on her birthday wish-list, and likely SOMEONE will buy it for her (if not, we will do it). Afterwards we did some shopping and by two o'clock, we were on our way home. She went down for her nap easily, taking her little prizes with her.

Now, you would think that after shopping TWICE today, I would have some food for myself to eat for dinner. Unfortunately, all my shopping seems to be focused on the children--and they have loads to eat. Me, on the other hand, I'm going to have to put in some effort tonight to make a meal (thank GOD I bought a box of Raisin Bran!!).