Today is the day we have been waiting for since we booked our flights last August. We are returning to the land down under and are so excited! We will leave Singapore at 10:10pm and fly overnight to Darwin where we will meet Gramma and Grampa at the villa we have rented by Tipperary Marina. And then the fun starts and doesn't stop...
well, it never stopped!
Papa will go on a scuba dive trip this weekend to train for his upcoming dive at the Great Barrier Reef. And shortly thereafter, will meet us in the red center! So off we go and stay tuned for updates from our trip to Oz, the never never land!
Friday, 27 May 2011
Friday, 20 May 2011
Updates on Allergies! Good news!
We found a new doctor who specializes in Allergies here in Singapore and we had both boys tested for food allergies etc. Some great news and Papa and I are so pleased! They have outgrown many of their food allergies. The doctor says that they might have eventually out-grown them anyway but because we stuck to the diet our doctor in Belgium recommended, they have healed a great many years sooner!! Both boys are still lactose-intolerant and we see the signs very easily...painful stomach cramps, diarrhea and even a stuffy nose. We will try some medication they can take so they can occasionally enjoy an icecream or cheese on their pizza!
We have all gotten used to our diet and it is rich and varied so we will continue to make many of the dishes that we have all grown to love. It is just nice to know that on holidays, the boys can have more freedom. The doctor did advise that since allergies are present in both our families' histories, our children could develop new allergies. But I think if we keep varying their diet, we may be lucky in avoiding new allergies.
Both boys are 100% allergic to dust-mites and Frunty's symptoms are worse than Pit's. This means clogged noses and often bad sleeps and feelings of fatigue during the day. We are going to try some alternative treatments before we hit the steroids. The doctor has diagnosed them with allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and sleep apnea. Papa and I will perform our own all-nighter test to see if they stop breathing. We are skeptical but of course, need to investigate as this is a very serious condition if true.
We can't wait to get away from the city! Two weeks in the Outback and two weeks at the Great Barrier Reef will hopefully help their conditions. Camping in isolated areas, away from city pollution and cars...let's cross our fingers for some relief. Singapore is a hot-bed for allergic rhinitis/asthma because of the heat/humidity. The doctor said though that wherever we move, the boys will pick up the allergies in that area after awhile. So we will just try to control them by...
1) using an ultrasonic dust-mite machine we just purchased (plugged on in their room, made in Italy) 24 hours a day in the bedroom and researching an air-filter
2) spraying their nasal cavities with sea water
3) inhaling a child-friendly, eucalyptus treatment with other oils from Oz
4) reducing time in the pool which irritates their olfactory region and eyes
5) getting lots of Vitamin C and D, drinking our homemade ginger juice, exercising and resting!
6) protecting all beds/pillows with anti-dust mite covers
If anyone has another suggestion, please let us know. We hope that we can avoid steroids and operations with the same determination that helped us rid the boys of their torturous eczema. And we have all the faith in the world!
We have all gotten used to our diet and it is rich and varied so we will continue to make many of the dishes that we have all grown to love. It is just nice to know that on holidays, the boys can have more freedom. The doctor did advise that since allergies are present in both our families' histories, our children could develop new allergies. But I think if we keep varying their diet, we may be lucky in avoiding new allergies.
Both boys are 100% allergic to dust-mites and Frunty's symptoms are worse than Pit's. This means clogged noses and often bad sleeps and feelings of fatigue during the day. We are going to try some alternative treatments before we hit the steroids. The doctor has diagnosed them with allergic rhinitis (hayfever) and sleep apnea. Papa and I will perform our own all-nighter test to see if they stop breathing. We are skeptical but of course, need to investigate as this is a very serious condition if true.
We can't wait to get away from the city! Two weeks in the Outback and two weeks at the Great Barrier Reef will hopefully help their conditions. Camping in isolated areas, away from city pollution and cars...let's cross our fingers for some relief. Singapore is a hot-bed for allergic rhinitis/asthma because of the heat/humidity. The doctor said though that wherever we move, the boys will pick up the allergies in that area after awhile. So we will just try to control them by...
1) using an ultrasonic dust-mite machine we just purchased (plugged on in their room, made in Italy) 24 hours a day in the bedroom and researching an air-filter
2) spraying their nasal cavities with sea water
3) inhaling a child-friendly, eucalyptus treatment with other oils from Oz
4) reducing time in the pool which irritates their olfactory region and eyes
5) getting lots of Vitamin C and D, drinking our homemade ginger juice, exercising and resting!
6) protecting all beds/pillows with anti-dust mite covers
If anyone has another suggestion, please let us know. We hope that we can avoid steroids and operations with the same determination that helped us rid the boys of their torturous eczema. And we have all the faith in the world!
Friday, 13 May 2011
Photos from Mother's Day 2011
An early morning swim on Mother's Day: bon voyage Papa! Have a good week in CA. Thanks for celebrating Mother's Day on Friday at the Botanic Garden with dinner afterwards and then taking me to a movie last night! What a fantastic Mother's Day weekend! Who is the luckiest Mom in the whole world?!
Mother's Day Celebration
After our very early morning swim, we dropped Papa off at the airport and went down to the Cathay Cineleisure Center to watch Thomas the Tank Engine's Misty Island Rescue. We got there just in time because the show was almost sold out! Afterwards we had lunch at the Old Town White Coffee restaurant. Spending the day with my boys! A gift every time! Later on, I took a break and went for a massage as I had pulled a muscle...like anyone needs an excuse for a massage! Take a look at the photos of a splendid day. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms I know. You inspire me to try my best and have fun!
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Papa goes to California
Papa leaves tomorrow for Silicon Valley. We have had several Mother's Day celebrations which included a nice dinner out last night with our whole family and fun at the pool this morning. Now Papa will take me to a movie! And tomorrow, when Papa is high up in the clouds, snoozing with his mask on, I will take the boys on a little adventure! Here is the poem I found in my Mother's Day card which was very hard for me to read when the tiny pair of hands gave it to me with a huge smile on their owner's face. Thanks, Pit and Frunty, for making me the happiest mom in the universe.
"Why God Made Mothers"
God knew that everyone would need
someone to show the way-
Children would need someone
to watch over them each day.
Someone who would gladly lend
a gentle, guiding hand,
answer all their questions,
smile and understand...
That's why God made mothers.
God knew that through the years,
children would need somebody who
would give them strength and confidence,
take pride in all they do,
encourage them with words of praise
and have the time to share
when they might need a loving heart
to comfort and to care...
That's why God made mothers.
Dearest Mummy: I love you. Pit (in the cutest hand printing ever!)
Happy Mother's Day!
"Why God Made Mothers"
God knew that everyone would need
someone to show the way-
Children would need someone
to watch over them each day.
Someone who would gladly lend
a gentle, guiding hand,
answer all their questions,
smile and understand...
That's why God made mothers.
God knew that through the years,
children would need somebody who
would give them strength and confidence,
take pride in all they do,
encourage them with words of praise
and have the time to share
when they might need a loving heart
to comfort and to care...
That's why God made mothers.
Dearest Mummy: I love you. Pit (in the cutest hand printing ever!)
Happy Mother's Day!
Sunday, 1 May 2011
A Birthday Call to Grampa...before and during!
On top of the world to celebrate Grampa's birthday!! We love you, Grampa! You have a huge heart and you are soooo funny! And we hope you have a fantastic day, Grampa! Can't wait to see you soon!
Happy Birthday, Grampa!
From the very highest point of Singapore, we made a plan to call Grampa on his birthday! We sang and cheered as the bright lights of the city shone below us. One of the hard parts of living abroad has been the fact that we have to wait to celebrate in person and sometimes that is a few months after the special day. Sometimes we miss big celebrations like weddings and even though we toast the happy couple, it is not quite the same. Luckily this time, we get to celebrate with Grampa in style!! Thanks to Papa who put a big "x" beside the couch surfing option in Darwin, we will meet Grampa and Gramma at a seaside villa where we can celebrate Grampa's special day...better late than never! Take a look at the smiles of the boys as they wish their beloved Grampa a happy 69th!
