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Hello.Again.Kitty

Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 12:26
Oh no! Cold Savoy cabbage leaves tucked inside your bra can help relieve engorgement. I take it you don't have a little hand-pump? It might be worth you getting one just to help out... basically, only pump until you no longer feel engorged and less frequently than you would usually feed your DS (so basically, only do so when you feel engorged)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 24 August 2011 - 12:21
They eat sandwiches and rice crackers etc but wouldn't touch a piece of chicken or a meatball. Chunky food is thrown on the floor or spat out. It might just be laziness that they don't want to bother with chewing. I may have to be tough and let them go hungry so they move on more. Thoughts? If they can eat things they like that are lumpy, then you know it's not physiological, which is brilliant. At 2, they're at a pickle age where they can get fussy, so you really have to lead the way, and the pace. If they like sandwiches, you could try using them as a familiar, liked presentation method to introduce new things, like chicken or sausages and then when they've come to accept the new textures and tastes, bring them into the main meals. Also make sure that the sandwiches are in a meal-time context, not snacks. Keep snacks minimal, so that by mealtimes, they are hungry. I take a bit of a hard stance on meals and have done from the start. What I serve up is what they will get to eat. Yes, they will have pudding too, but I'll adapt that depending on what they've eaten (and you may choose to do pureed fruit or yogurt as a pudding as a reward/ relief for eating a proper dinner). If they spit out what they eat, they get told "no". If they do it again, I move the plate away. Same with upending the plate or throwing food on the floor. If it's on the floor (and the floor's clean), I scoop it back up and pop it down in front of them again. I don't go up and get more. If they've done that once, I watch them and at the first cheeky glance and hand twitch, I move the plate out of reach and ask them if they've finished their dinner. It will stay out of reach until they ask to eat again - no back and forwards, 'cos that's another fun game... like food hokey cokey! If they don't want to eat any more then they don't get any more... end of. They're not going to waste away in the time before their next meal. Anyhow, the no-nonsense approach seems to have worked with my two. Yes, they don't like certain things and I allow them to leave it as long as they've tried it (if at all possible), but in general, they are well-behaved at the table, eat with knives and forks and will tuck into a wide range of things. Oh, and eat with them to show them what you expect from them. It also makes it far more relaxed and sociable... I dare say any of us would be a bit disconcerted if someone was just watching us eat! Good luck! Patience and strength! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 24/08/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:12
For the sewage smell check the toilet vent ( it is a long pipe that goes from the bathroom drain to the top of the villa) in one of my friend's place a magnificent huge place on the montgomery golf they had a similar issue and the top of this pipe was facing the central ac inlet. They felt they were living in the sewers pmsl! That has to top the lot in the Poor Build Detail Awards! Guiness - why are they build so badly? a/ because people were falling over themselves to buy for buying's sake b/ because they can c/ because the workforce essentially doesn't know what it's doing d/ because there's a culture of covering your tracks rather than admitting a problem or a mistake e/ they were done in a rush, from design to completion f/ they were done with little thought for the end-user g/ because they were purely profit-driven ... I mean look, even now, when the bubble has well and truly burst, we, the end-users are still in a "suck it up", defeatist mentality. It seems it's just far to difficult to put your foot down at say "no, this is not acceptable" and even if you do, some other punter will come along and suck it up. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 23/08/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:08
Murjan's apparently going to see the only "gourmet" Al Maya supermarket in Dubai! Anyhow, I was in Rimal (6)... don't go for any apartments in that building that end in -01 because they are subject to The Smell - it's a problem with the soil vent stack that they can't solve.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 23:05
I'm assuming you have a written report from the dealer that the car was in a major accident (I don't know about deployed airbags meaning the car is written off - I have heard that it can be problematic to get the airbags to function properly if they have to be replaced, but that's annecdotal - maybe something to look up on line). If the dealer says the chassis is bent that definitely is a major accident, (and I've been hit head on by a bus so I know THAT at least first hand). Depends what the car is and the extent of the damage... none of us have seen this 'ere car and I'm guessing none of us are mechanics. Our old car (a Vectra) got the front part of the chassis bent by our then next door neighbour driving into it at very low speed because s/he couldn't park for toffee. The car wasn't totalled at all and it wasn't noticeable nor make-or-break for the safety aspect... just 5000aed of damage that we chose not to repair (and neighbours denied any knowledge). Anyhow, this guy is sounding dodgier by the minute... if nothing else, he hasn't given you all the documentation relating to the car and has been generally dishonest. Go on, do a bit of digging with the RTA (and ask them why they passed the car!) and then nail him! Even if you don't get anything from the process, at least it'll give him the willies for a bit.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 21:13
I'm another one for good old-fashioned parties: simple games as arohadxb suggested (pass the parcel, musical statues, musical chairs, sardines/ hide'n'seek, Simon says, but you could also have a lucky dip (favours/pressies in a bucket hidden in lots of torn up tissue paper), dressing up... and then it'll be time for tea! You could also go for a craft activity if you've got a smallish number of children, like painting a picture frame/ canvas/ keepsake box. Gar... I've got my daughter's 4th in 3 weeks and haven't even thought about it yet... apart from the cake. I've been informed by Her Ladyship what that will be! lol
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 18:11
Ooh, those caketastic cakes look absolutely amazing! Congratulations ;) lol - and I [i'>know[/i'> you haven't even tasted one yet! Anyhow, carry on the good work... ;)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 18:04
LOL hello kitty. One would think you (cough) owned caketastic!!!! Well, best foot forward and all that! ;) It's no great secret and so I don't go around pretending to be a third party with gushing recommendations. People can decide these things for themselves. I'm sure you've also noticed that I've posted on several cake-related "how to's" which kind of doesn't tie in with a cunning subterfuge! So, when did you want that cake by? :cool:
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 16:21
Unfortunately the option for us to move again is like buckleys and none for at least 1 year. The contract is the standard contract and I believe we just have to give the regular notice ours I think for memory was 60 days. It was exactly the same as our old contract at the Zulal villa (which I am missing so much right now, even that had a stinky toilet that couldn't be fixed but it wasn't seeping out the vents into other parts of the house like this is). &lt;sigh&gt; Sure, BUT your contract is basically that in exchange for your rent, your LL will provide accommodation that is in reasonable condition and is fit for habitation... from what you say, it is neither, so your LL has not upheld his side of the contract and therefore is in breach. You are therefore entitled to ask for your money back and vacate the property without any penalty. It's a pain, but contractually, it's simple. In reality, they could be ar$y about it, just like DesignBabe's ex-LL, but really, they don't have a leg to stand on - their choice is simple, make the house habitable asap or choose not to and give you your money back. Imagine if the roles were reversed and the tenant refused to pay the rent - how quickly do you think they would act to get their remedy?! Dubai is littered with oversupply, and the nature of the developments is that there are literally hundreds of identical houses. We're not in 2008 any more, when we were grateful to have begged a roof over our heads at whatever cost and in whatever condition... we don't need to put up with substandard any more. I can almost guarantee that the sewage smell problem won't get fixed. It requires too much investment to do it properly, so you'll get maintenance people coming in, plugging things up, siliconing other things, maybe twiddling a few taps and lots of shrugging, "sorry mam", and "someone will come tomorrow to fix it". I've been there, done that (back in 2008, when we didn't have options to leave). If you can put up with that for a year, then fair enough, not that you should have to, but if you can't, then get serious with them and leave.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 16:03
Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?! But everyone has their finger prints taken when they first arrive and get a visa anyway, so they're already on some system somewhere. I've never had mine taken and I've been in dubai for nearly 3 years. My visa's up for renewal in Dec though, so I may have a surprise!
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 14:09
I'm afraid that in the case of classifieds and private sellers, it's very much a case of buyer beware. It's true that you saw all the documents - that weren't falsified - and could only make your judgement on that, but if you're preparing to fork out a wad of cash, it's worth running background checks before handing it over. How did you come to realise the damage? I am amazed (but not) that the car passed the RTA test... if anything, that's the bad point, as they obviously didn't flag anything up. I also don't think on the basis of what he did you can say that he's a professional scammer. Dishonest, yes, but he obviously had the crash, wanted to flog the car and patched it up at minimal cost so that a willing punter wouldn't look any further than the bodywork. This kind of thing happens all the time when you're buying/selling houses - quick lick of fresh paint and new flooring can hide all kinds of things. I do sympathise, but basically, you get the car you pay for. If you want to sell it on, try the classifieds! [evil emoticon'> i have to admit it was a bit of a hasty decision, not because of the price which was actually on the higher side even for a car in a much better condition, but because my husband is a fan of that particular model :s Anyways, The reason we're thinking he has to be a pro is the way he played the whole thing, he went out of his way to go to repair shop that could replace the airbags so all of this would not show in the car record at the certified service centre. Oh, and we also found out that he manipulated the car meter. Maybe it's just me, but there has a point after which you stop being just dishonest, but you become a real crook! Hmm... so have the air-bags been replaced or not? If they have been, by a specialist and are therefore ready to deploy again in the case of a crash, then what's the problem? I thought from your previous posts that the chap had just had the facings replaced but the airbags were missing/ not ready for use. The mileage thing is dodgy, if it has been fiddled, but hey, again... Are there any service records that show it? Previous ownership records? I don't know if the RTA log the mileage every time it's registered... I don't know. My gut feel is that you just have to accept that you unfortunately bought a duff car and if you want to make any use of it, you'll have to stump up the cash to fix it. I really sympathise, but in this country where even retailers can sell you something and refuse to give your money back on faulty merchandise, I don't think it's even worth bothering pursuing this (and I'm usually one to pursue things!)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 13:58
OP said they should have had it checked out before they bought it. I'm wondering if it might be a case for the police though. It would depend on how much damage was patched up and by whom - why was it repaired without an accident report? Sure, but the RTA passed it all as roadworthy, so although the seller was a bit light on the truth of the history of the car, he provided the legitimate, official and current documents to say that it was fine. If the faults were so obvious as to come to light shortly after buying, then had they checked, those same faults would have been apparent before the purchase. It's kind of the risk you take with classified sales - you get a car for less, but sometimes they're a bit duff and need more work than expected. Buying from a garage offers more security, but comes at a price. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 23/08/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 13:47
Sorry, no help here, but how do you and the dealership know it's been in a serious accident? well, when we realized there was something seriously wrong with the car we took it to the dealership for a proper evaluation (something we should've done before we bought the car of course). They lift the car up and check the motor works and things like that. I'm no expert but when a car has a bent chassis and the two airbags deployed, then it must've been in a serious accident :( Yes, undeniably, but was the chassis visibly bent (if so, why buy it?!) and if you realised something was wrong when you drove it, did you not take it for a test-drive before buying?! Always, always test-drive a car and put it through its paces (a good run along SZR) and see how it handles and what noises it makes. You couldn't really have known about the air bags if the exit points had been repaired/ replaced,
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 13:25
I'm afraid that in the case of classifieds and private sellers, it's very much a case of buyer beware. It's true that you saw all the documents - that weren't falsified - and could only make your judgement on that, but if you're preparing to fork out a wad of cash, it's worth running background checks before handing it over. How did you come to realise the damage? I am amazed (but not) that the car passed the RTA test... if anything, that's the bad point, as they obviously didn't flag anything up. I also don't think on the basis of what he did you can say that he's a professional scammer. Dishonest, yes, but he obviously had the crash, wanted to flog the car and patched it up at minimal cost so that a willing punter wouldn't look any further than the bodywork. This kind of thing happens all the time when you're buying/selling houses - quick lick of fresh paint and new flooring can hide all kinds of things. I do sympathise, but basically, you get the car you pay for. If you want to sell it on, try the classifieds! [evil emoticon'>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 13:12
Is no one actually at all concerned about what they do, how they store and how secure is all the biometric data you're handing over? I mean, we've all heard of driving fines being accrued whilst you're out of the country or asleep and when contested, you're met with the Dubai Shrug... so how about your fingerprints?!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 12:07
nice little earner... but still, the deadline, last I heard, not that it doesn't change every few months, is in 2013. We're moving out of Dubai in about 9 months, so there's no way I'm going through it unless I really, really can't help it. I bet they don't destroy their records appropriately (if at all) after the visa/ ID has been cancelled. Data protection in Dubai is a joke, so all the more reason to be sceptical about handing over your fingerprints.
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 10:20
Aww, poor you! Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but wouldn't it have been a picture to get the agent to relay "ok, what time?" In one hour from now... and I'll be calling you every 10 minutes if he's late." and see the guy wriggle out of that one.
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 02:36
you could try [url=https://www.facebook.com/SandboxTreasures'>Sandbox Treasures[/url'> She's a friend of mine and very lovely! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 23/08/2011</em>
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 02:32
[url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caketastic-Dubai/111813822218118'>Caketastic[/url'> is based in the Marina, if that's any help. Only back from holiday next week though.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 02:23
I used to get this with DD - "oh what a lovely boy" - even when she was dressed in a pink or purple dress. It really does make you wonder!
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 20:56
Explain what has happened and just ask for an external scan. I've had two miscarriages already this year and have come to realise that Doctors don't always know best and don't always takes patient concerns seriously. The one who wanted to do my internal scan hadn't even read my notes - 1st pg ended in early miscarriage and I'd had a bleed the week before (all ok, but still), so absolutely no way were they disturbing things down there.
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 17:15
tell the 4 year old that if s/he wants the toy bubs is playing with, then s/he needs to bring one to swap. Bubs won't mind and eldest is happy. Win win!
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 17:14
I'm sorry, but I don't understand your issue at all. You are 8 weeks pregnant and what exactly was the doctor inserting??? I've been pregnant three times and never once had anything inserted. I'm guessing it was for an internal scan. OP, if you are not comfortable with any aspect of what a Dr is proposing, then simply refuse. You only need 2 scans during a normal pregnancy and neither of them need to be internal. I refused an internal scan when I was 12 weeks with my second. Told them "not on your nellie, get the proper one out" and they did. Be firm. It's your body and being pregnant is not an excuse to violate you or treat you like a piece of meat.
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 17:09
yeah you shouldn't put mulled wine in sippy cups, I give DS his mulled wine by the glass ;) the gin's fine too... with a straw!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 17:08
Off topic but does any other cbeebie viewers find Justin from something special really really annoying? Hate how he says "thank youuuuu" hehe - ahhh... Justin, Justin, Justin... he's like Marmite. did you know he's got a CBE for his work? Anyhow, I just find his apparent love for dressing up as women moderately disturbing, but that balances out (kind of... a bit... slightly) with how great he is at signing and how his Farmer Dung sketches crack me up.
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 12:23
You can put warm milk in sippy cups right??? ie Avent sippy cups! yeah, I reckon so! I've blitzed my Tommee Tippees in the microwave before, so it'd be typical that they shouldn't be recommended! Just check that there's a little microwave-friendly icon on the bottom of the cup (sometimes there is). But we're talking warm milk here, not boiling hot mulled wine!
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 11:47
Kiwi - haven't tried feeding her at 1am but am worried that if I do, she'll have two night feedings. Who's told you that she should only have 1 night feed? If you wake up thirsty in the night, wouldn't you go get yourself a drink? I'm following DD HAK, since day 1 she has fed well at 10pm, 2am and then 6am. She is exclusively on formula (long story, not my preference) and as she is feeding well, she takes her feeds every four hours or if she is hungry. Also, we were in hospital last week for three days of observation so that her reflux issues could be sorted and her doctor and nurses also recommended the same feeding schedule. Kiwi - she doesn't display the typical hungry signs and I am conscious of over feeding her particularly as she has reflux. The two nights prior to last night, she slept from 10pm to 4am without waking up in between. So I am not sure that she is hungry or thirsty but I'll take your advice and give her a feed if this continues tonight. BTW, forgot to mention, she doesn't actually wake up and have her eyes open, rather, she still has her eyes closed whilst twitching and making the "eh eh eh" sounds. That's why I wondered at first whether it was a gas issue and not a hunger issue? Sydneygal - yes, definitely, perhaps when we have both had some decent sleep? : ) maybe she's just dreaming? Does it actually look as if it's bothering her or is it more a case of it wakes you up and you worry? In any case, play it by ear - there's no right or wrong and babies change, especially when you've just worked out they're nice and settled in their routine!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 10:57
It's not his to give away - at least the British one remains the property of HM Government. Tell them they can have a copy, like everyone else in Dubai, but don't hand it over. Oh, btw... did you know it's actually illegal under UK law to make a colour photocopy of your passport?! Yarly!
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 10:55
Sometimes a couple of programmes are on BBC Prime, but as far as I know, there's no possibility to live stream it unless you have slingb0x set up. I download the programmes individually off the Intarwebz (using a torrent site) but you can also watch through iPlayer (again, you would need to trick the iPlayer firewall to think that your computer is in the UK to do this) Sounds like a lot of faff? Yup, but it's so worth it! It's a channel aimed at pre-schoolers really (up to 5/6 yrs). They've got some really lovely new programmes: - Driver Dan's Story Train (made in Abu Dhabi!) - Mr Bloom's Nursery (about gardening with a stupidly catchy theme tune!) - Rasta Mouse (loving this at the moment - irie man!) - Show Me Show Me (the latest season isn't as good as the 1st) - Octonauts (all about discovering the ocean in a Thunderbirds kind of set-up - Octonauts, let's do this!) ...
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 10:34
Kiwi - haven't tried feeding her at 1am but am worried that if I do, she'll have two night feedings. Who's told you that she should only have 1 night feed? If you wake up thirsty in the night, wouldn't you go get yourself a drink?
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 10:30
what happens when you try to give them chunky food? What do you do or what are you doing while they eat? At 2 years old, I'm sorry to say, they are waaaaay past purées (like over a year past). I'm kind of also waiting for your response to Kiwispiers because basically, if they are eating snacks like crackers, chunks of fruit etc, then their mealtime purees are pure habit and affectation - they can deal perfectly well with chunks but choose not to. BUT if they are really not eating [i'>anything[/i'> with any need to chew, then you could have a few issues: babies will gag if they try to swallow something too big for them, but they are (more often than not) keen to experiment because they are not emotionally developed enough to really be fearful... toddlers? Gosh. Also, there'd be the issue of those chewing muscles not having developed as much as those of a chewing baby. I'm really hoping they snack on solid, chunky stuff!
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 10:17
I like Bum!;) edited by Rebecca W on 22/08/2011 or "bottom"... I prefer "bottom". :)
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 01:59
A-HA! Told ya....Water in a bottle! Works like a charm.... next step getting rid of the bottle altogether before being dry through the night! That's my current battle - convincing my DD that she actually doesn't want anything to drink before bed because she'll then need a pit-stop at 23h!
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Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 01:05
Thanks HAK. It seems to be going well so far. They haven't woken one night at all for about 3 nights and are eating much more during the day. They're not asking for milk at all!! They have Laban drink instead which they like - from a cup. At night I give them about 100ml of water in a bottle. I'm so glad I took this step and had the encouragement from the expat ladies to do it!! Yay! [does a little victory dance!'> It really is funny how sometimes something so simple is the key to so many other things... and how often we just get so caught up in the situation so as not to be able to see it. Really, really well done! Most importantly though - how are you feeling? Better? More relaxed?
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 20:43
and while we're all agreeing with each other, I also agree with a much earlier bedtime, (and with lights off, no playtime after that time, regardless of how often she wakes up.) DS (12 months) is also in bed by 6:30, up by 7am Personally I would tackle one issue at a time, get sleeping sorted, then battle weaning from the boob, a tired LO is not going to be all that co-operative with sippy cups etc. 6.30 to 7 - I am green with envy! edited by N.Kaye on 21/08/2011 hehe - it has its downsides - my two came in to wake me up, as usual, at about 6h20 this morning... I'd love a lie-in until 10h, but I also know that when nursery starts up again, they're going to have to be out the door at 8h, so it's better that they're perkier earlier. As for at night, even your presence in the room will interest her. I once got an agency babysitter who took "babysitting" very literally and sat in the room while my two were supposedly going to sleep - they thought it hilarious fun, especially when she hid behind the curtains and didn't drift off until about 22h30!
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 20:29
This all started 1 week after I got back here. It didn't register until a few days ago, that although this happened a week after we returned from England - it must be it. yeah... 3 hours time difference, 21h usual bedtime... if you'd been sticking to that, or a tad later because you were on holiday, then yes, it would come back to 24h+ Dubai time. When I come back from the UK, I actually forcibly stick to by-the-clock timings and pretend that jet-lag didn't exist. It gets the kids back into their normal routine in about 48 hours, but I noticed that DD would be tantrummy for about 10 days after a change of scene. As for the drinking, if she's not currently getting all her milk feeds, then you should give her milk, not water. If she's well stoked on milk, then by all means give her water... or milk!
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 19:27
Another question - how do I go from her random 2am bedtime to a much earlier one? Where do I start? Thank you, thank you I'll probably get shot down for this, but this is my advice... For her to have any chance of going to bed earlier in the evening she needs to wake earlier in the morning. My advice is you will need to wake her. I completely agree! N.Kaye - go back to her original nap timings and regardless of when she goes to sleep this evening, wake her at her "usual" morning time... then put her down for a nap at her "usual" times... then bed at her usual time. She's at a great age where she will sleep if she's tired and so yes, sometimes you do need to reset the body-clock and get back into her normal groove. She's probably not attempting to drop a nap yet, so it sounds as if it's just an unexplained blip... the thing is that a 2am bedtime isn't acceptable for anyone really, let alone a little lass who needs her sleep! I don't know what you've been doing with her from 21h to 2h up until now, but you've got to really reinforce that nobody plays at night, not even mummies, so keep bedtime quiet and relaxed with minimal fuss and lighting. As for her drinking... hmmm... well, she has to drink, so it's either breast, bottle, cup or spoon. There has to be a bit of compromise on both sides, so you have to decide what you're happy with and then give her the choice. You could try a cup with a straw - kids seem to drink anything with a straw! Also, if these 2 things have happened at the same time, is there anything that could have happened to upset her at all (relative leaving, you starting work, new carer, moving house, illness...)... just wondering if there was something, it may be worth addressing that and seeing if the rest settles back down. Also, and this may just be because I'm British, but 21h seems awfully late for a baby's bedtime - DS (2 yrs) goes to bed at 18h30/19h and DD (4yrs) at 19h/19h30... and they both get up at around 7h in the morning. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 21/08/2011</em>
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 19:10
Well thank you so much for your ideas Hello.Again.Kitty! I will have a go.....just now wish he'd picked something a bit easier like a house or a face (both of which he has suggested), mind you he has been suggesting different birthday cakes Mummy can make for weeks now! I guess he's excited. I just hope I don;t let the side down! H e did love his dog cake last year! He'll love whatever you make him, even if it only slightly resembles what it should! The train is actually relatively simple - the trick is to break it down into component parts, ice it to make it look seamless and add clever details to hide the weaker points. You could also use sweets like liquorice wheels/ cables/ chocolate buttons to add detail. My DD has declared that she's going to have 4 cakes because she's 4... she's not, BUT because she sees all the cakes I do for other people, her expectations are waaaay high, so she's going to be getting the mother of all fairy princess cakes!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 18:27
Put her to bed earlier, don't play with her at all from the moment you turn the lights out (by all means go in to pat, shush and soothe, but no fun stuff!) and stick to your guns. Her new routine is all out and she's compensating for the lack of sleep by sleeping late in the morning - 6 months going on 16 years! As for bottles... it's no biggie. Use sippy cups. As long as you're getting the milk in somehow, that's all that matters. DD never liked bottles so was onto sippy cups from about 5 months, although I did continue to breastfeed her until she self-weaned at 12 months... but milk can go into sippy cups too. I hope this helps!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 17:57
Although with the first pg the 1st dr i said did say Listeria is big here in Dubai as people don't wash the salad (in restaurants) properly and she advised me if we eat out, eat veggies that have been freshly cooked. It's not listeria I'm worried about when it comes to restaurant/ hotel salads, but amoebic dysentery! DD was diagnosed with it last autumn and the Dr said never to touch any salad from restaurants and hotels... and that it's surprisingly frequent here in Dubai, mainly because of poor hygiene and people (carriers) not washing hands after wiping bottoms. Fortunately it's easily treatable when you finally realise you've got it, but reading up on it on Wikipedia is horrible!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 17:24
oh gosh, AussiePup! If it were "only" for the various repairs, I'd say to sit it out (although electric blowing smacks of a bigger issue than a simple handyman can deal with), but with the smell, I'm afraid that's big bad news and if your LL so obviously couldn't give a d@mn about trivial things, s/he isn't going to invest in proper investigations. Your smell probably originates from a leak in the waste/soil plumbing that's filtering in the A/C because all these services often share the same stacks. To tackle it properly, they would need to basically take it all apart, investigate every aspect thoroughly, repair and rebuild. Gonna happen? Yeah, right. We had the same problem with The Smell in JBR to the extent that we couldn't have the A/C on and/or the door closed in DD's room. When my parents came to stay, they were in that room and had the door closed and woke up every morning with a splitting headache. It's not safe and it's not healthy. On those grounds alone, I would really go in tough and tell the agent that the property is not habitable and that since the LL is in breach of contract (and that the agent is party to that), the tenancy is to be terminated, all cheques handed back with no penalty and that you will vacate forthwith. Add in that you will also be reporting this matter to RERA and whatever Ministry of Environmental Health that may be out there. If the agent wants to keep the commission, get them to find you a new house at no extra cost. You basically shouldn't have to put up with this - you've paid good money and are due a house that is fit to live in. There are plenty more (often identical) ones out there, so yes, it's a pain and yes, it's inconvenient, but it's necessary. Also, as long as we put up with this kind of recklessness on the part of the LLs, it'll continue.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 13:27
Really?! You think it's a terrible channel??? It's the only channel that my 14, 10 and 8 year old agree on. I don't even mind watching the shows on it. When you compare it to Cartoon Network (full of aggressive, cartoon fighting shows - which I notice my kids used to emulate), I'd much prefer their TV time be spent watching XD. Yes, I think it's terrible. Your children are a lot older than mine though. ;) To be honest, I haven't yet found a channel I'm *happy* to let them watch other than ABC4Kids in Aus. :) If I ever turn the TV on for them, it's usually with a DVD of age appropriate content. Cbeebies... and if you can get it, CBBC (wrangle streaming or download individual programmes). Mine aren't old enough for CBBC, but I love Cbeebies - really, really good, wholesome, interesting and captivating programmes.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 13:22
The food thing is a bit of a headache, I CRAVED licorice at one point, and ate half a bag, and then was informed of a study which said pregnant women shouldn't eat too much licorice. Baby-kiwi survived though ;) It's funny though how some things get completely hyped beyond reason (considering the actual likelihood) and other things are hardly mentioned. I remember having toothache early on with DD and thought, since I'd been told that dentist can't do fillings during pregnancy, that I'd use the great natural clove oil trick to numb the pain. Thankfully the pharmacist asked me if I was pg, because it turns out it's such a strong uterine stimulant that it can actually bring on your period, or make you miscarry! Most of the herb-based natural oils are (rosemary, clove, sage...) I also craved lovely healthy fruit and ate easily 500g+ each day, thinking that there were far worse things to be piling through... unfortunately, because of the pregnancy doing I-don't-know-what to my teeth, I ended up with 3 cavities!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 12:44
yup... and when you get the work done yourself, don't fork out any cash, just ask the company to invoice the agent direct. BUT I'll reiterate that the LL is in breach of contract for not providing you with a habitable dwelling and so you are under normal contract law, you are under no obligation to pay rent until it's all fixed. Strictly speaking under normal contract law the LL would be obliged to find you alternative accommodation while the work is being carried out if it were to impinge on reasonable quality of life... but this is Dubai.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 12:28
gosh, well I stand corrected (seems to be happening a lot recently - I might have to learn to hold my tongue!). Really strange though because unless it's changed in the last 2 years, these food guidelines aren't being communicated properly to women (OK, me, in particular) in the UK. Also... and I wonder if the results are slightly skewed in that most not-pregnant people probably wouldn't go to the Dr because of a bit of a gyppy tummy - they would put it down to "something they ate" and ride it out (and so they would be unaware that it was listeriosis), whereas a pg woman would be far more worried about anything health-wise and would be more likely to go to the Dr for even a gyppy tummy, and would therefore be more likely to be officially diagnosed. It's academic really, but hey.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 11:56
right... either, if you wanted really easy, you can do a flat (normal) cake, get a Thomas Image and go down to Lulus to get it printed on to wafer paper to set on the top... The medium option is to get a loaf cake (or two), a large Swiss roll and a mini roll and assemble them. It will end up looking something like this: http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/images/coolest-train-cake-105-21350362.jpg Or... if you're feeling adventurous and have a few hours to spare, bake 3 square cakes (about 2cm thick). Cut the first one in half and layer them up (this will be the base), then cut the second into quarters and layer them up at the back of the train, securing with 3 straws cut to 1cm below the top of the cake) (this is the driver's cabin)... then, with the 3rd, using the biggest round cookie cutter, cut out 4 circles with one flattish bit on each (so cut them from the side and "miss" a bit of cake)... assemble them side-on going from the cabin to the from of the cake. ... and then you just have to ice it! :-D You can do this in fondant - I did - just roll out a large rectangle of medium thickness and drape over the top. Work relatively quickly to smooth it into the crevices with your hands and get sharper edged with a flat knife. You'll be able to highlight the edges and add in details with writing icing (the thin tubes). Alternatively, do it in butter icing, a first thin layer to seal in all the bits of cake and then another final layer. You probably won't be able to get a smooth, perfect finish, but using the flat edge of a knife, it won't be bad. Again, highlight details with writing icing. Enjoy! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 21/08/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 11:33
Yeah we're actually told soft cheese is fine if pasteurized and freshly opened/out of fridge, but I think in France it tends not to be pasteurized (they are by law in NZ). I think no ham or raw egg products is also for for salmonella, I don't eat pork anyway but was very pleased when I discovered you could buy pasteurized eggs. :) You have to balance it all against the fact that you should be eating healthy food (chips might not be a listeria risk but salad is prob a better choice for your unborn child)and the risks are reasonably low but I think I looked it up when I was pregnant and it was soemthing like one in 30,000 per pop so not unheard of. Its a bit like how caffeine increases your risk of miscarriage but plenty of my friends still happily drank tea and coffee thoughout while I chose not to and their babies survived ;). [url=http://www.hpa.org.uk/NewsCentre/NationalPressReleases/2010PressReleases/100805Listeriadeprivationandpregancyrisk/'>link[/url'> you've blown the page with your link, hun! Cheese that's sold commercially is pasteurised, even in France. Supermarkets will still sell the direct-from-the-producer stuff, but it's clearly marked. To be honest, you can get food poisoning from pretty much any kind of food and we'd never touch anything ever again if we knew all the nasties that we could get... but we don't and the risk of food poisoning is just the same when you're pregnant than when you're not... it's just that the consequences for the unborn child *may* be more severe than for the adult (although for normal food poisoning where you get the gyppy tummy, bubs doesn't get that!)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 11:01
my mum used to make this for us at parties! Condensed milk ftw!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 10:59
LOL thanks!! We go away on holidays in 2 days time (great timing, huh!) so will head into ELC when we're back and look for one. So far this morning since waking from her morning nap she is very happy and sitting next to me playing with a new doll (one she's never been allowed to play with) and is busy 'chatting' away to it with no desire (yet!) for the stairs. This dolly is now coming on holidays with us!!! :D Wait until she throws a tantrum because she doesn't want to go in the buggy and then throws another one 10 meters down the road because she still doesn't want to go in the buggy but has had enough of walking! Ahhhh... motherhood. Gotta love it!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 10:39
She can balance very well, has been able to stand on her own without holding or leaning for ages now and has even taken her first steps on her own within the last fortnight, but after the first step then she gets wobbly and sits down. So would this sound like its still too early for a push-along? I have no idea, embarrassingly. Yes, I had heard the sit in walkers were not good, so never bothered with one of them. She sounds a perfect candidate for a push-along! Find one where the handle-bar is directly over the back wheel and test-drive it by putting some weight on the bar, pushing almost directly down... if the thing tips, don't get it! I've got a little one which holds blocks and found that when the kids were unsteady and pushed it a bit too fast, they would put more weight on it to basically hang on for dear life, and then it'd tip up. Not very helpful!
 
 
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