Happy Father’s Day

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Daddy and Ayanna

Here’s wishing all the daddies around the globe a Happy Father’ Day!

Fathers today are far more involved in parenting than ever before. And that is a good thing! So keep up the great work guys!

Baby news ...

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

The three of us plus the 'bump'

You guessed it. We're expecting our second.

Ayanna’s about to be a big sister. We’re starting our second trimester (14 weeks). Ayanna has been involved since day one. She is very proud of the growing belly, kisses it every night before she sleeps. An advantage to a three year difference is that the two of them can be playmates as they grow.

There are times though that I get a little anxious wondering how she truly feels especially when Mummy and her have been so close these past three years.

As for me, I'm thrilled to be moving into the second trimester and saying goodbye to morning sickness and nausea.

Why Australia makes a great holiday destination for kids….

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

swinging high

We found Australia to be very kid-friendly. Parks and playgrounds are abundant. Most big playgrounds come with cafes so mums and dads can relax with a cuppa while their little tots climb and slide.

All restaurants we visited had a separate kids menu (featuring popular toddler favourites such as fish fingers, pasta and nuggets). Baby chairs were readily available.

Each town we visited had their own playgrounds and a list of activities of to enjoy. Nature activities like dolphin spotting, visits to the zoo, wildlife parks are some of the many things to do.

As Ayanna gets older, other cities like Brisbane and Melbourne will be exciting for her to explore.

Down Under

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Getting upclose and personal

We're in Margaret River. It's been raining non-stop today. We've been busying ourselves the past couple of days discovering Australia's great outdoors.

Ayanna's been meeting plenty of relatives. It's been a busy holiday for her.

Australia's great for kids. More on that another time.

Cheers mate!

 

 

 

Aussie trip

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

We're currently in Australia ... all bundled up to battle the cold.

It's Ayanna's first trip down under and she's loving it.

More pics to come

:)

 

 

The flu/ H1N1 vaccination

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

The following day we headed to Ayanna's pediatrician to receive the H1N1 vaccination. It's given in two doses, a month apart. Toddlers below 3 receive half the dosage, and it is contained within the flu shot.

What is it?

The H1N1 vaccine will immunize or partially immunize your toddler for a limited amount of time against the H1N1 virus. The vaccine is made in part from an inactive strain of the H1N1 virus. Once the shot has been given, their immune system produces antibodies against the strain of virus in the vaccine. These antibodies are effective after two weeks from when the vaccination was taken. If your toddler is exposed to the H1N1 virus, these antibodies will either prevent infection or reduce the severity of the illness. It is considered the most effective way to protect your toddler from contracting the flu during a pandemic.

How is the H1N1 vaccine made?

It is very similar to making the seasonal flu vaccine. It is made from fragments of inactivated H1N1 virus. Those fragments are gown in fertilized chicken eggs and then purified.

Side effects

Though the doctor said Ayanna should experience no side effects, that night her temperature was slightly elevated and she complained of body ache. So it is good to monitor them just in case.

Things to consider-

Talk to your doctor first if you're considering immunizing babies under 6 months; if you're allergic to eggs or have had an allergic reaction to a previous flu shot; or if your toddler has a fever ( doctors advise against taking the vaccination when your toddler's down with the fever but allows it if they have a cold/ runny nose).

Availability

Most private clinics tend to stock up on the flu shot (which is inclusive of the H1N1 vaccination) as do government clinics and hospitals.

H1N1 Scare

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Ayanna came within close contact with someone who later contracted H1N1. So instead of waiting for the symptoms too show themselves (besides Ayanna already had the sniffles), we took her straight to emergency to get tested for the virus. A nose swab was done. It wasn't a comfortable procedure - she had to be swaddled to prevent movement. The test itself is pricey (about RM200 plus).

Results were negative (thankfully), received 24 hours later. It was an excruciating wait.

Happy Mother's Day!

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Here's wishing all mothers a very Happy Mother's Day!

Keep up the great work!

Just the two of us...

A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path...

Agatha Christie

A great helper

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

Ayanna practicing for future chores

It may be too soon to pass the vacuum cleaner to Ayanna to spruce up the house but it's just the right time for getting her involved in a few basic chores.

Ayanna tends to help around the house after some prompting. There are times that she seems rather enthusiastic about helping out. So it gives me hope for the future :). She typically helps to tidy up her room, with either Mummy or Daddy assisting her. We sing a song while we perform our chores.

The occasional taste of responsibility gives her great pleasure. Other safe and simple tasks that she partakes in include carrying non-breakables, throwing rubbish into the bin, sweeping the floor with a small broom and dustpan, mixing or stirring eggs in when we're making cookies.

Hard Rock Hotel Penang

Posted by: Sharmila Rajah Post(s) by this blogger

 

We love the Hard Rock Hotel in Penang.

Hard Rock Hotel is rocking with many activities for little ones but what we found especially interesting was their pool layout – super kid friendly. One section is the play area with slides and water features for toddlers and older kids.

Another section of the pool is perfect for younger kids to sit, wade and play as the base of the pool is filled with sand, while mummies and daddies can relax poolside.

Family oriented hotels like this one keeps the entire family pleased. They provide a single destination, require no searching out restaurants with children's menu. There's also a kid's club with programmes for children that can free up parents for adult recreation and some much-needed time alone. Babysitting services are also available for those toddler-free nights on the town.

We're surely returning.