Hello.Again.Kitty | ExpatWoman.com
 

Hello.Again.Kitty

Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 14:30
oh, don't worry - it's coming up for the 4th anniversary of me not knowing what to do with children! I'm not a natural mum either really, but then it dawns on you that [i'>they don't know that[/i'>! I think a lot of what worries us is just to do with us - you know, them changing their routines upsets our routine - the one we've only just come to terms with! It's a classic - you've just finally had the eureka moment of understanding what Cry#23 meant and then they go and change... oh yes mummy, that problem was sooo last week! I'm onto something else now! Get with it! So in a way, them changing isn't actually a problem with them, it's an issue with us, so stepping back and at least trying to stop analysing (which is a very adult thing to do - babies don't analyse, they just live for the moment) and worrying and stressing could be a good move. I think that's why second-time mums are that much more relaxed, because they just don't have time (or the inclination) to focus on the minutiae of what bubs is up to. Bless him, my DS has been shifting his single daily nap back from morning to afternoon for months now, and of course it got to a stage where it fell during lunch/ pick-up - he just couldn't last until after we picked DD up from nursery, but he was used to getting his best sleeps in his cot (like 2-3hours), whereas in the buggy he'd only sleep for 1 hour. Welll... tough really. He had to fit in and that was that. I guess had he been my first, I would have stayed at home to let him sleep, however inconvenient the timing, but hey... that's not an option, so I'm not going to worry about it. Anyhow, back on topic. Don't worry about the daytime naps. Watch the cues, not the clock - if he shows signs of being sleepy, pop him down to sleep... if he wants to play, let him play. BUT get the night sorted as soon as you can. Keep if dark and boring at night - there's no fun to be had! There will be some glitches, of course, and some off days, but work out a plan with your DH that suits you and your family and stick to it... everyone sticks to it. It's so reassuring to know that babies don't have any expectations of what their mums should be like and will love us unconditionally... even when they're being pickles. It's because we're so special!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 13:52
How old is he? Could he be trying to drop a nap? Just wondering, 'cos my two were/are infernal when they've tried to shift their routines, and of course, Mummy Inertia likes the predictable "no, you go to sleep at X o'clock [because I can then have a coffee without having to hear you whinge'>" [big protest'> "Ok, I give up! Do what you want and see if I care if you're tired!" [starts crying'> -> meh.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 13:49
My 2.5 year old daughter has taken to shouting sh*t at all-too-appropriate times. Now where did she learn *that* from??? Daddy... ;) Mine will huff at me with their arms crossed, occasionally coming out with "it's not the end of the world" and "for crying out loud!"... I guess there are worse things out there!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 13:33
I have to say, Hello Again Kitty, you are very sensible and give great advice, that too without judging anyone and taking yourself too seriously! Kudos to you..wish more of the ladies on EW were like you! Keep it up.. awww! I'm just winging it like everyone else really and trying not to scar my children too much in the process... it's just I've learnt a bit along the way and been fortunate to hear enough good advice to be able to pass it on. DD went through a "physical communication" [rolls eyes'> stage when she was 2 and lo and behold, DS, turning 2, started too - and he's a far, far more easy-going chap than DD (unless you try to take his car or train, in which case you get 15kg of rather strong toddler in your face!)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 13:00
er... what benefits? I thought most of the ones being banded about were medically questionable and all could be dealt with with a brief lesson from Dad in personal hygiene and er, s3xual health? Anyhow, sorry... that's not very helpful, is it? He's still young, but I'm sure painkillers will help no end. Lots of cuddles and playing it by ear. Maybe ask your DH how painful he thinks it may be? I always wonder if the men who feel so enthusiastic about it would feel the same if it was a choice that only consenting adults could make - ie, a man would walk in and go "I'd like to be circumcised please". Would they then? I know my DH goes pale and squirms every time I mention a vasectomy, let alone getting bits chopped off! Still, that [i'>would[/i'> be proof of devotion, wouldn't it?! ---- Apologies again - this is one subject where I find it hard to accept that some people would find it acceptable, but I should, and I should also just shut up occasionally! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 12/09/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:47
Sorry HAK...I still detest my P&T. I guess my only point of comparison is the monster that was the iCandy Pear - a container-ship in a storm would have been easier to handle! .... Yikes. I had no idea what an iCandy was so did me a quick google. Lordy...some funny, very negative reviews around on that little number! :D Yeah, I may have left one of those! lol! Used to have the Apple, which was lovely - really nice - so I was really hopeful for the Pear, but it was horrendous. I'm no waif, but I seriously couldn't turn it - not round the corner of a pavement and certainly not at the end of an aisle of a shop. Getting it up even the smallest of steps was nearly impossible - I had to put all my weight on the handlebar to lever it up. I only kept it for a month or two - if it was unmanageable with a 19 month old and a 4kg newborn, then I couldn't even imagine it now, with 32kg of assorted child installed in it... plus it was about 20kg of contraption on its own. It needed a motor and power steering. I sometimes wondered if there wasn't actually a problem with my particular one, but then again, I didn't pay nigh-on £600 for something that was touch-and-go! Saying that, the lighter Peach looked promising, but too late, I'd got my P&T and loved it.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:37
it's a developmental thing - think of it this way, what's currently in her toolkit for effective communication? Crying, shouting and getting physical, the next step is mastering a vocabulary that allows her to communicate appropriately, which is actually quite a large step, because it also involves a certain amount of empathy (if I hit X, it will hurt them, so it is unacceptable for me to do it), emotional maturity (actually realising what emotion they are feeling and then moving on to how they should express it) and objectivity (being able to step back and not just follow your instant reaction). Big things! Heck, some adults still have trouble with those things! The way to help her is to teach her how to respond appropriately and guide her through it by example. This will try your patience, but it does pay off! Try and understand what she's trying to express (DD used to hit if she was playing with something and another child got too close, for example) and then say "No, you don't need to hit. Just say "please can you move away"" and then get her to say sorry for hitting - always the appropriate alternative and the consequence for hitting. They won't say sorry to start off with, and certainly won't understand that they need to mean it, but it sets a good habit! Also, yes, the older generation (my parents in law do it) seem to like blaming (and then smacking) inanimate objects - so if DD falls off a chair, they'd smack the chair, saying "naughty chair!" - er, WTF?! "daft DD", maybe, but no, not "naughty chair" - what kind of idea of responsibility does that give the child?! "Oh, no I didn't hit Jimmy, he walked into my fist"... yeah. Man up! Try to therefore avoid any violence and always, in all your dealing, remember that a little pair of eyes is watching and learning from how you resolve conflict and how you interact with the people around you. Your manners will be their guide. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 12/09/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:25
certainly tricky (my two are 21 months apart)! I'm surprised about the gym class too - most places I've been to have been understanding about having a newborn and a toddler - after all, they either have to lump it, or you leave! I don't really know what's going on down your way because I'm in the Marina at the other end, but here there's quite a bit - mother and baby/toddler groups, parks, playgrounds, soft play (although I always found them slightly traumatic and limiting because DD (eldest) couldn't really go on anything I couldn't save her from). Maybe consider creating your own group via FB?
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:20
DS dropped to only 2 milk feed during the day at 7 months, which I found really worrying, as he didn't have formula either, but his nappies continued being wet and he certainly carried on putting on weight. These should always be the main indicators. Keep an eye on her to make sure she's ok. In the meantime, you could also try upping her dairy to compensate - butter, milk, yoghurt, cheese... all good to put in her food!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 12:07
Wow! All of you sound so professional with your cake making? No scraping of into a plate for you guys then?loL! I'd hand it over wrapped in a napkin if I could! lol As for the cases, I like the deep ones, but not quite as big as the muffin cases, because I like my cupcakes to be just under the edge of the case so I can use it as a lip to get a nice edge on the icing - I don't like to see cupcakes with the cake overflowing... OCD, moi?! ;)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 00:02
Good idea about separating the mix into a few tins or maybe even a square brownie tin. I so like the idea of giving the kids a cake is bit healthy. yeah... not the Hummingbird one then! Try the flapjacks though - they are lovely and moist, plus the occasional cranberry breaks throught eh sweetness... and they're oh-so good for you with all that oaty-goodness... and bananas... (forget the butter and maple syrup... actually, the maple syrup is a waste of time, the taste just gets lost, so use golden syrup or corn syrup instead... or half and half.!)
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 23:59
:-) thanx for ur prompt reply. Will try the places in satwa too then :-) I'v seen the Bayder and falcon cupcake liners in c4 and lulu but both of them has only one type each. Where can i get a variety of cupcake liners? TIA I don't use cupcake liners - it's not worth me buying a box of 100 12-slot ones and another 100 6-slot ones and then have them cluttering up my house for the next 10 years - the cake boxes will be bad enough, but like you, A.Rancher, I couldn't find any other solutions that were practical, disposable and still looked good. Oh oh oh! You mean the cases, not the box liners?! I get them all over the place - a lot from the UK too. I find all the different brands here do slightly different sizes, some of which work for me and others that don't. It's about trial and error, experimentation and then buying up 100 when you find the ones you like! I loved the Lulus ones, but noticed the other day that they've cleared out that particular kind and have replaced them with slightly shallower ones. Not good!
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 23:52
Do these recipes give a cake that's reasonably light in texture? Every time I've tried to make a banana or carrott cake they always end up very stodgy with the centre slightly uncooked. Worst ever was a banana & carrott cake -that was inedible. I've used the Aus Women's Weekly and their recipes are usually very good. I think that's why most of them are made in individual sandwich tins, rather than a single cake that's then sliced and filled. Certainly the Hummingbird one is moist and definitely done... but not what I would call a light cake... but definitely edible and not stodgy (it's the pineapple that breaks it up and give the occasional juicy, slightly tart taste). If you liked the recipes that you did, try separating it into 2 or 3 tins and see how it cooks then - should be quicker and more even.
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 22:21
Best ever? The Hummingbird Cake from The Hummingbird Bakery! Good lord is that cake good, and as per suggested serving size, weighs in at approx 1000calories per slice! Oh yeah, baby! 300g caster sugar 3 eggs 300ml sunflower oil 270g mashed bananas 1tsp ground cinnamon 300g plain flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 1/2tsp salt 1/4tsp vanilla extract 100g tinned pineapple chopped into small pieces 100g shelled and chopped pecan or walnuts - 2 quantities of cream cheese frosting (aka about 950g of the stuff) --- + oven at 170 degrees C, 3 20cm cake tins, lined with greaseproof + put sugar, eggs, oil, banana and cinnamon in a mixer and beat until well incorporated, slowly add flour, bicarb, salt and vanilla. Continue to beat until everything is well mixed. + stir in pecans and pinapple + pour into tins and smooth. Bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown and sponge bounces back when touched. Leave to cool slightly before turning out onto a wire rack. + when cakes are cold, put one on a stand, spread with 1/4 cream cheese frosting, same again, then put third cake on top and cover in the remaining frosting (this is a huge amount of frosting, btw... I think I did less and it was fine). Finish with pecan nuts and a dusting of cinnamon. ---------- I also have a great recipe for [url=http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/629124'>banana and cranberry flapjacks[/url'>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 20:03
contagious molluscs?
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 18:34
Sorry HAK...I still detest my P&T. I guess my only point of comparison is the monster that was the iCandy Pear - a container-ship in a storm would have been easier to handle! It all depends what you do with it as well. I've got a couple of hooks for the handlebars which really helps... plus the full UV cover. My daughter goes in the back, although she shouldn't because she's now over 15kg (but saying that, they both are!) - she's never complained of the view because it's either lump it or walk. The only design fault for me is the recline on the bottom seat, where the bar gets in the way if they're over about 80cm, but hey... and it does the travel system too. Anyhow, I don't have shares in P&T - just saying it's a decent option for someone who walks a lot.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 17:50
Could u please tell me Hellp.Again.Kitty, where did u get the cake boxes in bulk from? and also where is this "Places In Satwa? Is this a shop? About? TIA I haven't got a clue about where to go in Satwa to find stuff, but every time there's a recommendation, it seems to be "That Shop in Satwa"... now, I could get lost in a cardboard box, so there's no way I could follow random directions to a random shop in an area I've hardly ever explored. I ended up getting the boxes from [url=http://www.albayader.com/'>Al Bayader[/url'> although Falcon also do some (Falcon were too slow getting back to me). Both companies seem to supply almost everywhere in disposable products! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 11/09/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 16:29
is it just me that thinks it's a bit off posting their number on the internet when it was probably just a genuine mistake ? sorry... Me too. Yes, shocking and the OP should remove it completely... right now. In the UK mobile phone numbers aren't given out to all and sundry like they are here... very private and now thanks to the OP, the bots will be picking up this person's number and others could easily start spamming them. I can't begin to say how differently mobile phone numbers are treated in the UK... very, very private. To give you an idea, google it - oh, look, one link and it's this one - not even a directory inquiries entry! <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 11/09/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 16:25
How many do you need? I've got a goodly few because the only place I found did them in packs of 100. I have heard that "Places In Satwa" sell them, but didn't have the time or the energy to go looking. If you only want a couple, just say and you can come and pick some up.
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 15:08
send a message back "Gosh, that really sucks, and to add to it, the person you wanted to tell it to hasn't got your text, because you got the number wrong. Sunny here in Dubai. Hope your life gets better soon." <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 11/09/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 15:03
Do you mind me asking what level of studies you're at? It's just that this kind of anecdotal stuff may be fine for college, but if it's for a university, then you should already have ideas of some of the answers, especially regarding management styles if that is your area of study. If this research paper is something like a thesis, then boy have you got your work cut out and you will have to carefully define your subject because as it stands, it's vast. I think it has more to do with demographics than anything else - ethnicity, social background, education levels (to a certain extent), ambition (and the role of ambition within the person's culture), empowerment, freedom of thought (are we getting into whether religion actually affects social interaction in the workplace?! Woah... biggie right there!) Are you looking at it "in general" or from a management perspective... an employee's perspective? A socio-economic perspective? Do you have to write 1000 or 15000 words on it?!
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 14:18
The quality of work here is much better, in my observation.... Seriously?! o_O I'd say the complete opposite, in general, the quality of work is poorer, less efficient and generally shoddy, which stems from a lack of empowerment. A lot of people seem to think that it's about clocking up hours, not how you spend them - they turn up, do as they're told and nothing more. They don't feel they have ownership of the work they're doing - and don't take responsibility for their own mistakes or their own standard of work. From what I've seen, for every person that genuinely cares about the standard of their work and takes pride in it, there are 9 who may as well be monkeys. --- Oh, and on the note of "confrontation", so many people seem to think of it as going in all guns blazing and giving someone a rollicking... it isn't, or rarely has to be. In fact, if a manager feels the need to do that, s/he's a poor manager because a/ s/he doesn't know how to deal with the situation in an appropriate way and b/ hasn't recognised that there was an issue before it became an issue. In a workplace, people should never forget that they're confronting work issues, not personal ones. <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 11/09/2011</em>
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 14:00
So sorry guys, dippy head she has. Ended yesterday - so he is 100% within his rights!!!! oh dear! lol! Poor thing - that must be a bit of a squirm moment! Bless her.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 13:08
The department store part of Lulus... 3 aed each or something silly like that.
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 13:06
yup, the standard notice period is 2 or 3 months for either party and although it's good form to tell the LL you're going to renew for another year, if your tenancy does extend beyond the first year without a new contract being drawn up, you have to pay rent as specified in the current contract - same amount, same times, same number of cheques. I've heard that if the LL turns round and says he wants to sell the house, he has to give 12 months' notice... the only other reason he can evict you is the good old "I'm going to move in", but even then, the 2/3 months' notice applies. HOWEVER, if he's being funny, she may as well say goodbye to her deposit too...
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 09:49
hehe - you can either have lightweight or you can have everything that you've stated below, but not both, I'm afraid. My 2 are 21 months apart and it sounds as if we do the same kind of things - lots of walking, metro, busses, loading the buggy full of shopping, travel system etc. I have a P&T and I have never once gone "oo, I wish it was lighter/ less bulky" (actually, once - when I had to get on a bus and could only access the front door, which then had a really, really narrow sharp turn, so at the next stop I had to get out and get in through the middle door again), simply because I know I can load it up like a donkey and it's still happy. This is compounded when I see mums battling to get side-by-sides up curbs or through heavy doors, or mums whose lightweight side-by-sides tip backwards with the weight of shopping. In any case, in-line is definitely the way to go, although you also have to think of the length.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 09:43
well, if you've missed you period, unless you know that you've only Done It once in the last 28 days, then you could well be pg, but from earlier. In any case, they count a pg from the first day of your last period.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 11 September 2011 - 09:38
Yes... in the chemist section of one of the supermarkets - either Lulus or Carrefour in MotE... or it could be Geant. It's the one where it's partitioned off, next to the toiletries and the checkouts. I think it may be Geant Ibn B, actually. Hmm... kind of helpful but not! It's great stuff though. Do you know if any chemists still sell coal tar ointment? It's severely last resort prescription-only in the UK (due to the fact it's carcinogenic when it comes into contact with sunlight), and for severed psoriasis only, but my dad used to smear a tiny bit on a cut before putting a plaster over it and the wound would be healed in 2 days max!
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Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 18:48
I'm sure others will be able to recommend some great doulas/ maternity nurses, but in between time, you may find a few of these tips to be useful: - if she's drifting off whilst feeding, tickle or gently pull her ear-lobes or feet to keep her awake. If she really si sleepy, then don't wait for her to actually fall asleep - give her a tickle and detach her, so that shemay well be drowsy, bit still vaguely awake. Then pop her in the moses basket - content, sleepy but not yet asleep. That's the key to teaching her how to fall asleep on her own. Cuddles and your company are absolutely no bad thing though - she's just spent all her life so far, bar one week inside you, so it's a bit much to expect her to want anything else. - who's to say how long a feed should take? The authors of whatever book you may have read certainly aren't stilling next to you, observing your baby! If she's full and content after 5 minutes, then maybe that's all she needs. Both my two were really efficient feeders like that! The big cue as to "getting enough milk" is nice, wet nappies and consistent weight gain. - don't worry about Bad Habits. Really, just don't - and certainly not at this stage. There is not a single habit on this planet that can't be cracked at a later stage, so it's more about doing what's right for you and your baby. Also, everyone has their own idea of what a Bad Habit is, depending on their circumstances and lifestyle. Some cultures wear their babies and cosleep as a matter of tradition, whereas reading some Western books, you'd think it was the worst thing you could ever do to your child! The point is, invariably, the children are no better or no worse off from either method. I got so het up about Bad Habits when I was a first time mum... it was just mad. Gosh. Thankfully, my mum and my very sensible health visitor basically told me the above and once I stopped fretting, I started enjoying to moment a bit more (not the sleep deprivation though!)
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Latest post on 10 September 2011 - 00:27
Mums are always right at the end of the day, aren't they? You've got it in one! Even when we're wrong, we're right... even when we haven't a clue, we're right! I was once having a nice cuppa and cake with one of the friends I made through my antenatal classes and she was saying how, as a small child, she always looked up to her mum and thought that she was so big, so clever, never wrong, so in control... then, once we had kids, she realised that her mum and respective friends probably were winging it just as much as we were and hadn't got any more of a clue as to what they were meant to be doing than we had. Funny really... and certainly true! One thing to hold on to though is that regardless of the methods you choose to follow (or not), you own child-rearing philosophy, what activities you may or may not do with them, by the time they're 3, every single child is pretty much the same in habits, routines, development and the rest. Out of my 7 antenatal mates (not including all the other friends I've made since), we've got breastfed, mixed fed, formula fed, baby-led weaned, traditionally weaned, early weaned, late weaned, potty training started at 2 or at 3, baby massaged/signed/gym/swimming or not, single mums, married couples, cohabiting parents, GF routines, CIO methods, co-sleeping... at they're now all 4 and you can't tell who did what. None of them have Bad Habits and they're all healthy, well-balanced individuals.
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Latest post on 09 September 2011 - 18:38
alternatively you can hire a postnatal doula, or even get a friend with kids to show u what to do :) :) Which is what I am going to do, but since so far I've been more familiar with dogs and cats than children, and I do not fully trust my mum when she tells me that children and pets are the same, I think I need some basic education and I can use this last two months reading. Thanks everybody for the suggestions! Seriously, they are! Actually, no - there's one big difference... pets don't answer back (but then again, nor do babies...)... oh, and they don't wear nappies... and can move by themselves. If you're used to the kind of care a pet needs, then you'll find the same bases need to be touched with a child. Is it safe, is it fed, is it content, is it healthy... Then, of course, disciplining a small child is soooooo similar to dog training, it's cringeful - instant reward/praise for good behaviour, or instant serious face/lowering tone/ consequences when there's undesirable behaviour. Newborn and small babies needs are virtually the same as pets' - food, safety and company, the latter meaning that they will get food and safety, meaning they will survive!
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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 23:19
A few weeks ago I brought a book by Dr Sears and it had a section on tooth brushing and it suggested that you tell the toddler about the "Sugar Bugs" on their teeth and tell them you have to brush them off. I was really not sure if it would work, my daughter is rather stubborn but it does!! She is so much better and she seems to love the sugar bug story. Or you could do as my DD's teacher did last year, when they "did" dentists last year at nursery and show them your fillings, saying that when you eat ice-cream and don't clean your teeth well, they'll go black and fall out. Effective... if a bit traumatic!
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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 23:13
Hak. Your cakes are wonderful, arent u the clever thing. edited by QF2011 on 08/09/2011 There's a little bit of art to it, but to be honest, once you understand the basics and how to break a design down into its component parts, most people can create a lovely cake... that's why I don't hesitate to give tips and how-to's. It's not rocket science... although there is a bit of chemistry involved (and yes, I have had a cake explode before!)...
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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 23:00
gosh - reading what you guys are posting doesn't half take me back... and look, I'm still here and still sane (just about)! At the end of the day, we/ you just need to do what you need to do to get yourselves through the day and through the period of not-so-wonderful behaviour. Coping strategies, lateral thinking, gosh, let it all come out! Marmarina, the waking up screaming thing is bugging me a little bit though... my DD will still wake up badly from a nap when she still has one, but for a little'un to do so consistently is a bit strange imo. Try giving him a dose of paracetamol before he goes down for a nap and see if he sleeps for longer and/or wakes up better. I'm always shocking when it comes to working my way through the "what is wrong with you list" and nearly always forget that paracetamol is often a very good last resort! When I was a zombie shadow of my usual self, it did get to a stage where DH had to step in - he would take charge of both children for the couple of hours between when they woke and when he had to leave for work, giving me an extra 2 hours of snooze time, which wasn't strictly speaking enough, but allowed me to at least get up and put the kettle on for coffee. Despite my experience, I don't think dreamfeeds and/or formula make a jot of difference to night waking. DS was eating huge quantities of solid throughout the day (more than his big sister, like main course, yoghurt and then 2 bananas for dinner), would sleep from 19h until the dreaded 1h/2h slot and then wake. I actually put it down to thirst and the breakthrough was when I started putting a sippy cup of water in with him in his cot - I would hear (and see) him wake, drink sleepily and then lie down again... so actually, maybe the sleeping through bit was simply that I no longer woke when he did and he just got on with it on his own! lol! Zzzzzzzzzzz! As for daytime routines... my trusty and very sensible health visitor in the UK once told me not to worry about daytime naps, because young children will move and drop them and by the time they're 3, they won't usually have a regular daytime nap at all... however, they will still have to go to bed, so crack the bedtime routine, set the foundations of good sleep habits (babies feeding in the night is normal and not a Bad Habit) and the rest will fall into place.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 22:37
Oh wauw, are you the person behind Caketastic? I was just going to recommend the facebook page coz the cakes look amazing!!! Oh, that's so sweet of you Yasmine! It's really heartening to see other people thinking of my work in the same context as "amazing"! I don't do the 3D fondant modelling like Wikkid et al do so well (can't do it - it just looks like blobs... I can do blobs though!), but have come up with some pretty fun stuff nonetheless. I'm doing DD's fairy princess cake next week and will probably post it up just as a showcase piece - I'm fully expecting it to take the whole day! So, in the context of the above, here's a Teddy Bear's picnic cake that I can't do (unless we found the teddies or you quite like blobs)! http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisas_cakes/2755612291/ http://cakecentral.com/gallery/73908 [url=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wKpDp2D61WY/SqiIexNGGJI/AAAAAAAAAHA/BftIRRWRCEw/s400/Teddy+bears+Picnic+3.jpg'>cupcake idea[/url'>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 20:28
Have never had benefits and would never ask for them!!! So you've never been to a GP or hospital in the UK? Never been to school or sent your kids to state school? "Benefits" aren't just the various support hand-outs (in money or in kind) that people who need them can access. Every single person in the UK has received benefits - in fact, from the day they were born into an NHS hospital. Maybe it just makes people happier to think that they're not "on benefits", but in reality, we all are in some way. The Taxpayer isn't this strange victim who never gets anything back for his money, contrary to popular belief .
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 20:21
yeah... DS used to wake every 2 hours from 1h in the morning... until he was 11 months old. Gosh, I was really a zombie then! I also had a 2/3 year old not in nursery! There are so many things that you could try... or not. I just rolled with it, knowing that I had all the right things in place (he could get to sleep on his own just fine, had great naps, ate like a trouper, was putting on weight well) and that he would change eventually, which he did. Went from waking 3 times at night to sleeping from 19h until 7h... overnight. It could also be that he's teething. He may not seem ill, but teeth seem to rummage around a lot before appearing, so if he's dribbling, pulling at his ears or anything else, then that could be a sign. Have you tried just giving him some Calpol? I also tend to take the stance that if they're waking, it's probably for milk, because it's also a drink... not just food. As for the daytime naps... it could well be that he just has short naps... which is fine.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 20:06
Let's hope the low lifes go, it will make life a lot easier . by Dubai's very nature, there aren't actually any "low lifes"... there are morally questionable, but not the low-life underclass that the DM loves to harp on about. I think, out of all the places in the world, Dubai is the one whose outward image is the most radically different from reality... so a lot of people come along believing the [hyperactive'> PR and then get the Mother of all reality checks. Add to that the fact that the feather-bed packages are dead and gone (pretty much) and what's left looks great on paper when you're sitting in the UK, paying tax and taking the NHS and free schooling for granted, but once you come out, all those "perks" add up and eat away all your tax-free-ness.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 18:18
DD was the same, so I tapped in to her competitive streak and we had a competition on who can make the most bubbles when brushing. I also have been known to sing "tickling your teeth, tickling your teeth, at the top swoosh swoosh, at the bottom, swoosh swoosh..." and other aimless tunes. It certainly works for a while, until the day when they actually ask to brush their teeth! when did this day arrive in your household? I'm looking forward to this day!!! DS asks to brush his teeth whenever he sees us doing it and DD will randomly ask too. I just let them brush as many times as they fancy, the thinking being that out of the many times, most teeth will get at least a little clean! Saying that, the paediatric dentist told me that I - the parent - should be brushing their teeth until they were 8 because they couldn't do it properly by themselves... I then had to conceal a little smile when she declared that DDs [self-brushed'> teeth were very clean! You can also get tablets from chemists that reveal how much plaque is on teeth - it comes up bright pink (or blue, depending on the pill) and then the "fun" part is to brush it soooo well that all the colour goes. The things we do!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 17:51
books, birthday cards, wrapping paper, gifts, wet wipes (extortionate here), toiletries, make-up, specialist cooking stuff, craft materials, vitamins... Basically, anything and everything. I thought I was bad enough coming back from the UK with 3 huge suitcases, only to discover that 2 of my friends actually maxed out their luggage allowance - of 120kg!!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 17:38
I made the same cake this year from the woman's weekly cookbook, but I didn't have little dolls so I used lego figures, one even had a surf board! It is so easy. Here is a link to the recipe. http://channelnine.ninemsn.com.au/blog.aspx?blogentryid=791429&showcomments=true I have seen the cookbook in Borders edited by TimTam on 08/09/2011 there are loads of versions of the recipes on the net now too... my mum had that book and made so many of the cakes. The new release is a bit more polished than the original 1970s version. The beauty is that the cakes are all really quite simple - it doesn't matter what base cake you use (we all have our favourite recipes... or boxes!), but they just give you ideas with creative use of sweets and biscuits... and the most wonderful thing is that you don't have to have done loads of cake decorating classes to assemble them!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 17:10
DD was the same, so I tapped in to her competitive streak and we had a competition on who can make the most bubbles when brushing. I also have been known to sing "tickling your teeth, tickling your teeth, at the top swoosh swoosh, at the bottom, swoosh swoosh..." and other aimless tunes. It certainly works for a while, until the day when they actually ask to brush their teeth!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 17:04
I have an absolutely stonking pool-themed kids party cake that I am simply dying to do... but tbh, it's so easy, you could do it yourself! [url=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Hf0xnDpMjvk/S-VCoo31M0I/AAAAAAAAAGE/sTq6leMZYdI/s1600/5th+birthday+party+Mingara+001.JPG'>inspired from the ancient Woman's Weekly Kids Cake book[/url'> Get round cake, ice in buttercream, cut out the middle, fill with chopped up jelly, insert dolls, stick Cadbury's fingers round the edge, do details with various sweets... and Bob's your uncle! If you would like me to do it for you though, do just say. [url=https://www.facebook.com/pages/Caketastic-Dubai/111813822218118'>Caketastic[/url'> <em>edited by Hello.Again.Kitty on 08/09/2011</em>
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 16:57
thanks guys! The painting is acrylic, permanent marker with gold paint on canvas . I will be framing it before display. I have been contacted by a cafe to display my art there. worked on it for a long time and wish i could show you a pic but dont know how... I was thinking anywhere between 2000- 5000 . Honestly no clue since this will be the first time pricing.. Thank you for your input though:) How big is it too? Just looking on my wall and I have a huge print from Gallery1 that was 2500-odd aed. Maybe spend a bit of time doing homework in MotE - there are a few galleries there. Ask if it's original work or a print, have a look see if your work might be similar or, taking an honest view, critiquing it and looking to see if it's better (or not!) than what's on offer. You can then take one of two stances - price yourself high if you don't want to actually sell that many, but this will also create a more "bespoke" and sought after feel OR price yourself low and expect to sell more, so gearing yourself up to work quicker. Pricing high means that you may have to lower your price, and pricing yourself low will mean that, depending on how quickly they get snapped up, you can raise your price until you find the balance. Also, a Facebook page is increasingly a very handy tool in marketting your product.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 16:19
It also depends what the market likes, what your style is and realistically, how good they look. Other factors are whether they are prints or originals, framed or not... but at the end of the day, a painting is worth what someone is happy to pay for it. Start with covering your costs - so supplies and time. How much would you like to pay yourself as a salary from painting? 50aed/h is, I'd say the minimum for a tailored service and if you're really good, you could name your price. You could also work out say 3 price brackets and ask your friends what they would be happy to pay for it. Look at them carefully when you ask... a slight twitch could tell you more than a friendly "yes, that's fine"! From what I've seen in the UK, small (but nice) watercolours go for 300aed+ (unframed), oil paintings and acrylics from 1500aed+. I've just been quoted 3000aed for a commissioned painting (unframed) which I consider steep for an unframed piece... but then again, I love this artist's style, so, ergh... at what price art?!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 07:45
Your endorphins (happy hormones) will go into overdrive if you let them, regardless, pretty much of how you end up giving birth. It is, without doubt, the most incredibly amazing life-changing moment ever. wow..thank you all so much... Hello kitty you mde it sound so exciting and magical... =) somehow akll the stories i ve heard till now centered around the grueling pain !! =/ so my mind is just focussed on what this pain will be like , how i ll bear it and what if i cant??? =( That's the biggest thing about birth - we are our own worst enemies! In [b'>any[/b'> other life situation, we know that going into it with a positive mindset helps no end to the extent that people will even tell you little white lies to pep you up (say before an exam, where you know things might be a bit dodgy, everyone will be saying "aww, it'll be fine, you'll see!" or "you've worked really hard and I know you'll do your best"... they don't say to you "oh, yes, I'm sure there'll be a question or two that you're not going to manage" or "yeah, there's no way you can do it on your own...")... quite why, therefore, some people love to wallow in negativity regarding labour is beyond me. There's no denying it's hard work - you're pushing a 3 or 4 kg object out of quiiiiite a small hole with a muscle that you've never used before (which is actually the strongest muscle in your body, or so I think I read). It's a muscle pain though (like the hardest gym workout you could ever imagine!), not a trauma pain (breaking my ankle was way more painful than giving birth)... BUT the trick to that is I think to understand and acknowledge the fact that it doesn't have to be a trauma... which is what all these "you'll be in agony" tales undermine. There's a theory that says that fear makes you tense, which makes it all more painful, so your fears self-fulfil and compound, making you tenser, and it more painful... the key is to break that cycle, either at the root, where you ditch the fear, or at the tension stage where you take the drugs... or a bit of both! lol!
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 21:20
Hi HAK, Thanks a lot for your answer. From what I saw, I liked both, but I still have some questions about both too, hence my hesitation. Apparently, the child ratio per class is much higher now in raffles, I was told 22 children in the class where my LO would go. Then, there is 2,5 persons per class ( 1 teacher, 1 assistant, and 1 other assistant that navigate between 2 classes)....last but not least, they haven't recruited the teacher yet. So I am a bit worried. Concerning jebel Ali, call me crazy, but I was a bit concerned about the lovely big patio that they use for outdoor time. It is very nice, but I am always scared when standing at the feet of these high towers in jbr. What if someone drops something from a balcony/ window? (I know, I am bit paranoid...) Sounds like she'd be in the same class as my DD! They actually split the FS1 group into 2, the younger being the rising 3s and the older being the rising 4s, of which apparently there are many this year, so DD's class will be primarily of children who turn 4 in the next couple of months (ie just missed the FS2 cut-off). The vice made her numbers call based on that, as in the maturity of the kids in that class actually reflects a primary school class, more than a nursery. I too was a bit surprised, but I asked her this morning and that was her response. As for the teacher... yes, another raised eyebrow on my part, but she was completely open about it and I can't really say anything on a public forum, but basically, she assured me there would be someone competent in place next week, and if there happened to be a cross-over, she would do it herself. She's very clear on the kind of teacher she wants for the job and is not willing to compromise... Regarding Jebel Ali, I have to say I looked at it and formed my opinion of it a couple of years ago, so the target age I was looking at was different (although my son is now that age) and a lot could have changed in between time. I wasn't happy about the ratios and the [lack of'> activities in the afternoons. Anyhow, the decision on nursery should really be about what suits you and your child/ren best - they all offer different levels of care, different focusses and activities and go about them in slightly different ways... just as we do, as parents. I think also another decider is to ask yourself what you are hoping to get from the nursery experience for your child - some will want a home-from-home feel, others just need childcare or want a place to socialise their children, especially if they don't attend m/any toddler groups... others still (like me) want a setting that offers focussed activities to complement what is (or isn't!) available at home. I hopes this helps a bit. Certainly talk to the vice about your concerns directly - she really is very open about it all and very reasonable.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 20:24
I'm biased because DD goes to the Raffles, which I preferred to the Jebel Ali one, but I have friends whose children go/ have been to the Jebel Ali one and have loved it. I like the Raffles because of the staff (all enthusiastic and well-trained, plus a vice-principal who is spot on the mark and always open to a conversation if there are any problems), the class sizes (my 2yr old is in a class of 12 and last year, DD (then 3) was in a class of 16), the facilities (cosy, but bright, nicely laid out classes and a good-sized outdoor area which they use every day). DD loves it there - she's been asking me for the last week if it's time to go to "school" yet - and the best is that they really tailor their class activities to the individual child, rather than just paying lip-service to it.
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 19:34
I do like WTF too and on occasion use it in spoken conversation. I once made a sign saying "DND" to put on my desk and people would interrupt me to ask what it meant... the irony! A good STFU is always quite satisfying... I used to be a bit of a gamer, so a lot of that creeps in - ftw (for the win) is best used ironically, as in "Emirates ID cards ftw!". I'm surprised there aren't more "kktnxbb" used here - it's a generally dismissive put-down (ok, yeah, thanks. Bye!)... or "pwned" for that matter... and the orly-yarly exchange... ... and the good old action emote /golfclap
Hello.Again.Kitty
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Latest post on 07 September 2011 - 18:47
hey there.. im 38 weeks along now..got my regular checkup at city scheduled tomorrow... havent been feeling the baby move much at all... thiugh i know its moved cause i can see bumps on different sides at diff times...sis tells me its normal when the baby has grown as much as it prolly has by now...and im freaked out by the whole delivery thought... every time i get a twinge down there my mind starts racing....somebody help !!! As soon as labor kicks in, so does the adrenaline - it's mother nature's gift to us! I felt great after each of my deliveries. I felt great *during* my second delivery too... my first was a bit frantic quick. OP, you're at term and bubs is pretty big now, so his/her movement is restricted. It's all normal. Try not to worry about the delivery, as it will tense your body up and will likely make it more painful... try to focus on the excitement of meeting your baby at last and ride the wave, so to speak. Let your body do what it wants to and tell your DH that his job is to make sure nobody pesters you unnecessarily throughout the process. He'll love the idea of "me man, protector" in the run-up, but in reality on the day he'll be far, far more apprehensive than you! Gosh... you know what - I would love to be able to experience that kick-off moment again... and the birth, to be honest. I remember both times really well - with my first, I lay in bed for a while with the idea finally dawning on me that it was It. Second time around, I was 8 days overdue, so it wasn't before time and I couldn't get the grin off my face! Your endorphins (happy hormones) will go into overdrive if you let them, regardless, pretty much of how you end up giving birth. It is, without doubt, the most incredibly amazing life-changing moment ever.
 
 
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