Niccy01 | ExpatWoman.com
 

Niccy01

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Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 18:50
our spinneys at DSO has the Golden Lion golden syrup
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Latest post on 26 November 2012 - 15:00
Also moving back to SA and was wondering if there is any "hidden costs" that came up later? I know that they estimate that the container will be in customs for x amount of time and then when it runs over they charge you for it. Also looks like Freightworx dont unpack? Could this be true? They are much cheaper than Allied Pickfords though. So maybe I should unpack myself :-) Allied Pickford said it takes 6 - 8 weeks to ship whereas Freightworx says 32 days. If anyone used them, please advise if their estimated time is correct or if you had to wait additional days. Thanks
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Latest post on 25 September 2012 - 16:36
My daughter is almost 15 months and we are also contemplating the bed/cot issue as she stands up and tries to climb out. But I think she is still so small and even though she is trying to climb out there is no way she would be able too (I hope!) We did make sure that she is safe should she manage to climb over just to ease our minds. Regarding the sleeping bag - I never used it. If you are worrying that your child would be cold at night if you no longer use the sleeping bag you can always let her sleep with long sleeve pjs. I do this and I put a very light blanket over her once she is asleep which she throws off sometime in the night. I put her AC on 25 and this way she is not too cold or hot at night. I think within the next few weeks we will switch off the AC and put her in short sleeve pjs - thats until the "winter" arrives. HTH
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Latest post on 04 September 2012 - 11:52
In my opinion it is better to join a gym where you can get unlimited classes, BUT first get some info regarding who is giving the classes and ask if you can have a peek at the class before you join.. I recently joined a gym in order to do the Zumba classes and after joining a noticed that the class I looked at (which was with a very energetic instructor) was only once a week an now she is no longer there. ALL other Zumba classes is with a lady who is totally useless.. half the time she doesnt even know her routine.. I am soooo dissapointed and are now waiting for my membership to end and hopefully join another gym with better instructors. I am going to Monica at DanceFitMe tomorrow and see if they offer any packages. Hope this helps
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 13:36
ooops... yes I meant it will help with the energy levels. Bad news is that you dont get the product here :-( i used to have friends/family bring it over for me.
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 12:54
‎Are you talking about the Blackthorn berry elixir? Recipe: 50ml blackthorn berry elixir; 1 liter apple juice; 2 liter water; 1 packet of blackcurrant rehidrat; 10 drops of rescue remedy per glass. Drink within 24 hours. (Dit help sommer vir energie vlakke ook) Maybe this link can also help: http://www.facebook.com/babaenkleuter/posts/10150220658920495 <em>edited by Niccy01 on 28/08/2012</em>
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Latest post on 28 August 2012 - 11:38
Morning Ladies. I am starting to look into nursery/ schools for my daugther, but since I come from South Africa where back in the day we went to school at age 7, I am now totally confused. What is KG1 / KG2, PRE-K? At what age do they start school/nursery. I dont want to wait till she is too old. I understand you can send them to nursery 2 - 5 times a week and there they will learn things like writing their name, alphabet etc. I think one of my biggest concerns is the fact that she is growing up in a foreign language and are not exposed to english as much. I dont want to wait too long and then she has to go to a school/nursery for the first time away from me with people talking to her in a language she doesnt understand. Any advise whould be greatly appreciated!! We live in DSO so if you know of any good schools/nurseries that will also help.
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Latest post on 22 August 2012 - 13:55
We bought our Angelcare in the States and after 'n few months it broke. So we ended up buying one at Bumblebee in Dubai Mail (also around AED550). In my opinion I think its best if you buy one here in case it breaks. Maybe the one from the States was just a dud because no one I know who has angelcare ever had any problems. HTH
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Latest post on 22 August 2012 - 13:51
Thank you everyone for your replies... @Beebers - re the AED150 - I have short hair and only did half a head (with no blowdry etc) :-) The hairdresser and I also have the same nationality so maybe she didnt feel bad when I didnt tip. We dont tip in our country (apart from waiters and sometimes the guy at the gas station).
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Latest post on 16 August 2012 - 12:29
See her facebook page: Zumbawith Monica OR DanceFITME... I am currently at the gym where they have Zumba but I really want to join one of her classes - she comes highly recommended. Le me know how you experienced it.
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Latest post on 16 August 2012 - 12:25
I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when I was pregnant and my doctor put me on a no carb/no sugar diet. I did not gain any weight in the last 7 months of pregnancy (which means I actually lost weight since my weight stayed the same even though baby was growing). I had a perfectly healthy baby girl who is not sickly (actually she has NEVER been sick - 1 year old). I never heard that you should cut out carbs. Def cut out simple carbs and eat only complex carbs if you need it.. I did not eat patatoes, pasta etc. Only wholewheat bread and low carb wraps. This diet helped me alot bc I didnt need to loose a lot of weight after the pregnancy (only the few I gained in the first 3 months when I didnt know I had GD.) Hope this helps! And congrats!
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Latest post on 16 August 2012 - 09:03
She is entitled to Eid break re her contract. So, I want to give her time off but since I am not working and my husband pretty much works his own time, we both dont know when Eid is and for how long... So if any can advise what dates they are planning to give their maids off I can do the same. Thanks ladies
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Latest post on 27 June 2012 - 16:25
Thank you for all your replies. Kiwispiers - I wouldnt be surprised if my DD would also cut the afternoon nap instead of the morning.. She used to be put down awake (without a dummy - I took it away at 6 months) and then go off to sleep without any fuss. I know it is not teething as she does calm down a bit once I pick her up and then tries to resettle on my chest, gets frustrated and cries, but if I put her in her crib she cries more and gets up. I will try tomorrow to stretch the morning nap and see how she does. What happens if by say 6:30 she is so tired and falls asleep? She goes to bed at 8pm at night. (on an 8 - 8 routine) Do I give her a 15min power nap and wake her so that I will not have an issue to put her down at night?
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Latest post on 24 May 2012 - 15:16
They only have the pills available not the cream :-(
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Latest post on 13 April 2012 - 12:20
I can highly recommend Dr Nataliya at Cooper Health Clinic. I have been with her through a miscarriage and pregnancy. She is on Al Wasl Road. Some people complain about her not being "friendly" enough but I found her very pleasant and to be honest I would rather prefer her to be good at her job and friendliness to be a bonus :-) Also she operates at Medcare Hospital.
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Latest post on 23 March 2012 - 17:29
thank you ladies. I have to try to relax and get excited about this trip! Sure everything will sort itself out.
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Latest post on 23 March 2012 - 10:21
seriously? No one? :-(
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Latest post on 22 March 2012 - 10:46
Hi, Anyone did this before? We are going on a 2 week holiday and all I can think about is how will I change her sleeping from day to night and back again in just 2 weeks. How easily do they adjust? I cant get excited for this trip as all I am stressing about is if she will ever be the same good sleeper she is now once we are back in Dubai? Any suggestion on how do you change the sleeping? Do i merely try to keep her awake once we arrive in New York? We will be travelling during the day - leaving Dubai early morning (8:30) and arrive 12 hours later at 14:15 (which to her would be night time). Also returning at night 23:00 and arriving 12 hours later at night 7:50 - i guess for this one I can let her sleep most of the day of our departure and then try to keep her awake during the flight? Hoping to hear from all of you
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Latest post on 21 March 2012 - 15:30
all pharmacy's sell PureLan from medela which is a pure lanolin ointment - yellow tube.
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Latest post on 03 March 2012 - 14:52
HI, I am from Cape Town - You can buy tickets for cable car ride on the day. I will suggest doing a wine tour as well (Stellenbosch or Franschhoek) There are agencies that will pick you up from your hotel and take you on the tour etc. Enjoy the beautiful city! N
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Latest post on 16 February 2012 - 20:15
We stayed in the Al Falaj Hotel - clean, old but price wise not to bad. If you prefer a hotel apartment (with kitchen) try the Midan Hotel - small boutique type hotel - we stayed there on a long term basis 3 years ago and back then it was affordable.
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 15:43
Hi Did not read everyones posts, so if I repeat what is already said, please excuse me! :-) I have a 7 month old who always slept well until I was home for 2 months and upon my return she started waking at night. Like yours, mine also stand up the moment I put her down. She was never taught how to go to sleep by herself as I always fed her till she fell asleep. I tried the cry it out method and nearly went insane! After 6 days I gave it up as she would stand up and then fall down and hurt herself. So I took the advise from one of the ladies on Expat and bought the book - The baby whisperer. At your baby's age you will do the same as I do which is the pick up/put down (PU/PD) method. It is tedious at first but believe me I am already seeing some improvement after just 1 day. Basically you will once you see your baby rub his eyes etc take him to his room.. Sit quietly for approx 15 - 20 min telling him that he is going to go to sleep and you will be right there, that all is alright. Then put him in the crib.. If he is at all like mine he will get up immediately (mine thought it was a game at first! lol). you dont make any eye contact and you wait until he is standing fully, then pick him up and lay him down straight away. This is going to go on until he falls asleep - my first day took 1 hour, 25 min. So patience is key!! If he is crying (mine dont cry) you can console him but the moment he stops crying you lay him down again. you do this with nap time and night time until he falls asleep. For the first time my girl is sleeping more than 30 min! A note on the sleep time. I put my daughter to bed at 8 as she sleeps 11 hours and for me (a stay at home mom) its best to have a routine from 8 - 7 as oppose to 7 - 6. Hope this helps. :-)
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Latest post on 14 February 2012 - 15:24
Hi I am assuming that you are worried about your gratuity etc? I resigned while on my maternity leave in order to get as much money as possible. I worked for a law firm in the DIFC and I also did the research. In my home country you cannot resign while on maternity leave, but in the DIFC there is no such law that prevents you from doing so. I had 3 months maternity and before commencing my final month I resigned (had to give a months' notice). Hope this helps!
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Latest post on 07 February 2012 - 16:44
Thank you for the advice. After 6 days of crying and her grabbing my thumb and putting it in her mouth I have now returned the dummy. @Coconnell - I didnt feel the need to take the dummy away but this book suggested I do as she will not sleep through if she is depending on it. Well, last night she woke once at around 5 - I popped in the dummy and walked out - she slept for 12 hours, 15 min! So, i guess the books dont always work for everyone. She is only 7 months old and if the dummy is what settles her than so be it! I am still trying to get her so sleep in the morning and afternoon - she is a fighter!! So today I just left her to do her own thing and she passed out by noon and slept for an hour and again now at half 5. I think the lesson I learned is not to try and raise her according to the book but use it as a guideline and do what works the best for us. I will give it a rest for now and later try to put her to bed again while awake so that she can fall asleep on her own. If not, I am a stay at home mom and will sooth her to go to bed with her bottle like I have always done.
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Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 21:34
Hi, We live in Cedre Villas and this is definately not the average rate! Check your readings. He had problems in the past... since the majority of people living in DSO are pilots and not paying for their DEWA, DEWA tend to only come around every 3 months to do a reading which then put us in the maximum rage and then get overcharged. My husband went to DEWA and after a long debate they reduced the amount. I know that this is not the case with you as you receive a bill 2 months in a row but if I were you I will keep a close eye on the reading. Just a suggestion. <em>edited by Niccy01 on 05/10/2011</em>
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Latest post on 04 October 2011 - 16:38
My 2 1/2 month girl also had it and I tried the old wife's tale and it worked wonders! Take baby oil and rub it on her head, then take a baby comb and comb her hair. I was shocked to see how easily it came off. Do it just before you give her a bath. I applied the baby oil (gently rubbing it all over her head), left it for approx. 5 min and then started combing the hair. After her bath it was all gone.
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Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 13:04
Thanks for the info ladies! One more question, do I need some form of authorization from my husband to travel? He will not be travelling with us.
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Latest post on 12 June 2011 - 17:07
Thank you ladies! Now I can at least stop stressing about the visa. One more thing - did you need your birth certificates when applying for the passport? I am still awaiting my unabridged marriage certificate which I will need for the visa and it has been 3 months! Hope I will receive it in time for the visa process as I understand that the normal marriage certificate given by the priest will not suffice. I hate all this paperwork!
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Latest post on 07 April 2011 - 15:49
ShijiCecil - I am sooo happy for you!! Hopefully I will also be receiving good news at the end of the month. I'll wait for your email - thanks again!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 16:35
Thank you everyone for your imput. I didnt mention that I loved to drink juice (especially in a wine glass) whenever we go out. @ShijiCecil First of all good luck for your follow up test! I trust all will go well. if you can send me the chart I would really appreciate it. Regarding my weight.. I went home over xmas for little over a month (was 12 weeks at the time) and over indulged in everything I couldnt get in Dubai. So I gained 6.5kg!!! This is when I started the strict healthy diet and managed my weight ever since. So I too gained about 11kg already! my email is ngagiano at gmail dot com. @txjuliet - My OB/GYN is at Cooper Health and I was also recommended to Belinda, but unfortunately she is on leave until May! Currently waiting for Cooper Health to refer me to someone else. I think I now have more knowledge about GD than I had this morning and its all thanks to a forum like this!
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Latest post on 05 April 2011 - 13:08
I am currently 27 weeks pregnant and just found out that I have GD or at high risk (dont know which as I was totally floored when the doctor called with the news). I now need to go on a no carb, no sugar diet. My diet the last few months consists of the following - cold cereal with milk, at 10:00 a fruit, lunch time I usually had a chicken salad, 4:00 another fruit with a yoghurt and at night is varied. So I THOUGH I was on a well balanced diet. I guess not! Doctor said I should not take in pasta, bread, carbs, sugar, fruit (which is high in sugar) or yoghurt and I should eat more protein. What else are left? If anyone else had GD can you give me some recommondations especially on breakfast. I know I can eat eggs, but I also know that you cant eat eggs everyday as it is also not good for you. I work from 8 - 6:30 and dont have time for preparing breakfast, so if you have something quick and easy that will be great! If not, I guess I will have to get up earlier. lol. Please please please help!
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Latest post on 30 March 2011 - 16:43
Thank you ladies. Do you think I will not be up for a babymoon at 32 weeks (mid May) or will I still be ok? This is my first pregnancy, so have no idea. It will be our 2 year wedding anniversary at that time, so if I can wait it out till then, it would be even more special.
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Latest post on 16 March 2011 - 13:48
I was also put on Duphaston after having a previous miscarraige. Like you, I googled it and also found that is was discontinued in the UK and banned in the States. My doctor also did not give me any reason for taking the medicine. Duphaston should only be taken if you were tested for having a progesterone deficiency, but for some reason doctor here recommend it all to easily. Having said that, I continued on the medicine as prescribed and discontinued at 12 weeks. In no way is exstra progesterone harmful to the baby. Your doctor is trying to help you get (and stay) pregnant and will not prescribe anything that is harmful. At the end of the day it should be your decision and what you are comfortable with. If I had all the info from the get-go I would not have started on the medicine as I feel it was not needed and I was not even tested beforehand. But I also read that you shouldnt stop taking it once you started and my OB/GYN in SA (who is excellent!!) confirmed this. Hope this helps.
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 11:26
Thanks Ladies! I found a company on a previous forum - Desert Sun Furnitures (opposite the Karama Post Office on Zabeel Road). They charged me AED500 to re-upholster my rocking chair with artificial leather. Will be collecting tomorrow and will advise on the quality of the work. In the interim you can contact Vijay - T050 244 1375 (think he is the owner)
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Latest post on 14 March 2011 - 11:02
Do you know where I can buy a humidifier? I only see the air purifiers in the pharmacies. If you know where I can find a white humidifier... even better ;) Thanks.
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Latest post on 07 March 2011 - 16:19
Hi, I have a Dutailler rocking chair for re-upholstering. I bought it secondhand for AED700 so dont want to spend a fortune. Can you ladies indicate the price which you paid and for the re-upholstering and for what exactly (a couch, chair with or witout ottoman etc). Thank you!
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Latest post on 10 February 2011 - 17:18
Thanks terrible-twos! What I know about cricket is scary... But yes, I think it is the ICC world cup cricket. I'll have a look into the website. Cheers