Ayanna, Mummy & Baby

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

 

Ever since we revealed to Ayanna that she’s about to be a big sister, she’s been more attached to me. She’s refused to have anyone else help her with anything except Mummy. I’m certain it’s news that any toddler will find difficult to grasp and comprehend. After all Ayanna has been the focus of our attentions for the past three years.

 

I don’t think Ayanna is able to make sense of what ‘happy chaos’ awaits us all come December and how it will change the routine Ayanna and I’ve built.

 

Though we talk about the baby everyday and read books about the impending birth of a sibling and focus on Ayanna’s role as big sister, it makes me nervous thinking about how Ayanna will react.

 

How did you prepare your toddler to happily welcome a sibling?

 

Mummy and baby no 2

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

We’re in our 16^th week now. Our baby is the size of an avocado, steadily growing along. Rapid growth is expected soon... in the next weeks.

I’m feeling better with nausea mostly absent.

I look forward to feeling the baby move….

 

Thirty-fourth month update

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

 

 

 

It’s just two months before Ayanna celebrates her third birthday. She’s constantly reminding us what a big girl she is. She’s saying and doing funnier things – making funny faces is one of her favourite things to do. We use humour now to diffuse certain situations when we see a power struggle arising.

 

As her language skills improve, we’re constantly reminding her of her niceties – i.e. please and thank you, etc. Sometimes Ayanna tends to forget them, getting impatient and showing off her temperament.

 

She loves listening to stories, playing pretend, loves to sing and dance.

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

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

 

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.