Part of Growing Up

Last Thursday, my Dad brought Lachie to the park. He tripped and bit his bottom lip real hard. His top incisors lacerated the skin under his lip, and his bottom teeth bore a hole in the underside of his lip. It looked quite bad inside, the wound actually looked like the spokes of Mercedes Benz!

My poor dad, he was aghast. He felt so sorry about the fall, that he couldn't stop fretting. There was blood all over Dad's shirt, and he was so upset! Poor poor Dad. Mom and Dad had only arrived from Malaysia that morning too.

The boys are growing up, they're energetic, always exploring and trying new things. These things are bound to happen. We can't always hover over them, because hey sometimes they just need to learn it the hard way. It makes them a better, smarter person.

It's quite unbelievable how quickly lip wounds heal though. I remember seeing kids with split lips while working at the ED as a doctor. The wound had actually healed up, even before being seen by a doctor. It could be quite horrifying for the child or the parent because lacerations to the lip usually bleeds heavily due to the rich blood supply. And it is this extensive network of blood vessels that promotes the super quick healing time.

Lachie? He's alright. He had a bit of a cry. Didn't eat too much for the rest of the afternoon because "there's a hole in my mouth" and "the pasta is bleeding in my mouth". But by night, he was gobbling down dinner like he hadn't eaten for 3 days!


Quick first aid tips for cut lips:

• Clean injured surface with a soft clean cloth and some water.


• Apply cold compress like boo-boo buddies or some crushed ice wrapped in a clean cloth. This will help limit the swelling.


• Pain Killers! I use Panadol.... and an icypole.


• Know when to seek professional help! If the laceration cuts across the junction between the skin and the lip (or the Vermillion border), it is important that it gets stitched up properly because even a small irregularity in the boundary will be permanently noticeable. Also if it wouldn't stop bleeding or if an infection develops, usually a few days after the injury. Signs of infection are redness, swelling, pain and formation of pus.

Otrivin Saline Baby

So the boys are sick. There's snot and goobligoo dripping from every orifice. Their coughing sounds like seals barking. There's constant whinging, their appetite is shot, they are moody and not happy chappy.

Oh well, just as well I received the Otrivin Saline Baby trial packs from the good people at Vibe Village. It consist of single use, sterile, preservative-free saline solution vials and a bulb aspirator. The saline solution dilutes thickened nasal mucus and the bulb aspirator sucks out the gunk.

To be perfectly honest, the boys hated it. I loved it! As sadistic as it may sound, I have an obsession with the sucking and the squirting of goo. Joy. All for the much needed relief of unblocking their very congested nose. It helps them breathe easy and rest well.

Hop over here to see a demonstration video of how it is used and to earn points for my charity.

Growing Cos Lettuce

I have cos lettuce growing in my vegetable garden.

They were grown from seedlings that my father-in-law had sown in early winter. They're really easy to grow, doesn't require much maintenance and provide us plenty of crisp lettuce that is nutritious and flavoursome. I grew them in a slightly raised garden bed, in soil with lots and lots of home made organic compost and shop bought mushroom compost. With watering restrictions in Melbourne, I give it a good hose down with my final cycle of laundry water, and recycled water from the kitchen. I once read somewhere that they love coffee grounds and tea leaves, so I saved all my coffee grounds and tea bags and give them a good sprinkling every now and then.

I've grown lettuce in a box, but now that I've grown it from the ground, I don't think I will ever look back. It grows a lot quicker from the ground and in abundance .

3 rows of lettuce grown from the ground is plenty to go round. It tastes great in sandwiches, makes a wonderful salad and knowing that it's from our very own garden makes it even more special. It has a delicious nutty flavour, a hint of macadamia. I've given a few bunches to family and friends, and they're always appreciative. 100% home grown, totally organic. Come and get some!

Winter Coughs and Colds

This is the time of the year where coughs and colds and other viral miseries become inevitable.

KIDS: They are the best medium for spreading germs. And because of their developing immune system, they're the ones who get sick first themselves. You can't stop them from passing it on, else you might as well have them quarantined all season and of course that ain't happening! In fact, the general thought is for them to have at least 7-10 infections in a year in order for them to develop a "healthy" immune system!

Walk into playgroup, you'll see snot flying everywhere, nasty coughs being heard at different corners, little kiddies slobbering over bits of toys. Germs! Ah well, spread the love.

Having said all that, Lachlan and Lucas are both sick. They have snot running down from their nostrils like a leaky tap, they're both grumbly and grumpy, they're tired and lethargic, they have a cough that makes a mother with a shopping trolley full of kids cringe, and they're hot with fever. But, they're OK. They've just caught some love from our friendly playgroup.

Grandparents READ: They're FINE!

So apart from the obvious, rest well, eat and drink well and lots and lots of TLC, here are some tips and tricks from a SAHM and a once-upon-a-time-ago Doctor.

1. Don't be afraid to use Paracetamol and/or Ibuprofen. Panadol and/or Nurofen. Whatever you like to call them. They both have analgesic (pain relieving) and antipyretic (fever relieving) properties, can be used on their own or in adjunct. Always use as directed, an appropriate dose for age and weight, and take note of the time interval.


2. I steer clear of cough medicines because coughing is a defence mechanism. I want them to be able to bring out the gunk from their chest instead of suppressing it. Instead, try a humidifier or a vaporiser with a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil. It helps break down the phlegm and congestion.
   
3. Almost always, these infections are caused by viruses. It does NOT need an antibiotic. But if in doubt, always see your GP. Trust your maternal instincts.
   
4. Someone once told me to rub Vicks onto the soles of their little feet and then put socks on them. It works! Try it. Perhaps it's the soothing touch of a foot massage. Or the hot tingly feeling of menthol. Who knows? It's nice anyways, and whatever works right?


5. A nice warm bath always calm my hysterical baby down. My boys have a love affair with their bath tub. Although, the Chinese ancient saying would probably forbid this, saying you might catch a "chill" or the wind will seep into your bones etc. Who knows? Whatever works right?


6. Keep the fluids up! Your child may be off food, but just as long as they're properly hydrated, they'll be right. Trust me, they'll catch up on their calories later on when they're better.


7. And lastly, stay calm. The last thing a hysterical child needs is a hysterical parent. They get your vibes.
   

Enjoy the rest of winter! And stay healthy.

Winter Harvest

With the cold snap coming in, nothing is growing in the garden but weeds. I'm too lazy to do anything in the garden.



My father-in-law planted these little babies in my empty plot a couple of weeks ago.



They've been thriving on the boys' bath water, still nice and warm. And a sprinkling of Gloria Jeans coffee grounds in the morning.



Looking forward to spring, a little more sun and a little more rain. Having said that, it HAS been raining quite a bit here. Still, water restrictions are in place and we're not wasting one bit.

Looking forward to munching on these crunchy cos lettuce.

Harvest: Blue Jap Pumpkin

It's harvest time again. These little beauts are the last of my vegie crops. Soon, I will be digging in new compost and planting more seeds and seedlings in my little vegie patch. What will I plant next? Snow peas? Beetroot? Rhubarb? I just love the earthy taste of home-grown organic beetroot. And rhubarbs make great desserts! Lachy loves munching on fresh snow peas, crunchy and sweet.

This big momma weighs 2.85kg. An average size for a pumpkin but not bad for an organic, home grown one huh? The smaller one weighs a little less than a kilo. Think it's a dud one. But then again, we went for a long holiday and left it up to nature. Looks like the dry Melbourne weather did it no favour! There is one last pumpkin still growing, the vines are still green. My father inlaw told me that I should harvest pumpkin only when the leaves are drying up. Otherwise, it will taste sappy.

Looks like Lucas will have to share this one!

Vision 20-20

One of the things I did when we were back in Malaysia was IntraLASIK, a form of refractive eye surgery similar to LASIK. The only difference being the method by which the corneal flap is created. With IntraLASIK, the first step of cutting the flap is accomplished using a highly precise laser, the Intralase Femtosecond Laser. Hence, it is also known as "all laser LASIK".

I knew this is what I've wanted, and after some light research, I know that the technology (and no doubt professional expertise) used here in Australia, is at par with the ones in Malaysia. So I snapped up this opportunity to have my very first "cosmetic surgery" done whilst we were there. This saved me quite a lot of money, enough to cover for another trip back for my entire family.

BEFORE:


AFTER:


I trusted my brother and Ching to call up on a few clinics and upon their advice, I went to Optimax in Taman Tun, Kuala Lumpur. I was truly amazed with how quickly everything went. I arrived on Tuesday to find out that an appointment was made for me to have an eye examination on Thursday and if everything was OK, the surgery was to be performed that same day!

Thursday came, the kids were left at home with their grandparents. My eyes were checked and I was given a big tick for surgery.

I sat in the waiting room without my glasses, blind as a bat, while a very well spoken gentleman explained to me the steps involved, possible risks and complications and what to expect in the next few days. There were a few other young guys in the room, their surgery before mine and I thought I could hear their teeth chattering while the doctor was explaining these to us.



My name was called out, and I was led to another room. I was then instructed to look ahead at a green light and keep my head very VERY still. This was the intralase laser, sending little air pockets into my cornea creating a little flap. It was not scary at all, all the time I was just concentrating on the green light. It's funny how I thought my head was kept so still, I swear I wasn't even breathing the whole time but the surgeon kept telling me to keep my head still!

The LASIK procedure itself took seconds! 13 seconds to be exact. The duration of it depends on the prescription for long distance viewing. For example mine was -4.0 for both eyes, and thus 13 seconds for each eye. My eyes were blurry for a couple of hours, it wasn't hurting or stinging. It just felt a little uncomfortable, a little dry and very very light sensitive.

I went home, shut my eyes for a bit. I tried to sleep, but could only manage 20 minutes. I couldn't wait to see my boys!



That night, I went out for dinner at a lovely Japanese restaurant! (Against doctor's advise *roll eyes*) I couldn't miss it as it was a pre-wedding dinner for Guaran and Chai. I had my sunnies on all night despite getting a fair few stares from other customers. I could see! I mean really really clearly! All the time I kept reading the billboards outside the window, testing out how well I could read, even the teeny weeny letterings. Unbelievable!

Night time, I had to wear shields for just in case I accidentally rub or knock my eyes. I look like spiderman and Lachy was very very amused! Spider-mom he calls me!

A day after the surgery, I went back for a check-up. Perfect vision. 20-20. I can be a pilot. No more granny glasses. No more contact lens. I can wake up in the middle of the night and see the time on my clock. In a couple of months (just to be safe), I can go swimming with the boys and not worry that my contact lens are going to fall off under water. Now, if only hubby does it, we can once and for all banish all contact lens solution from our bathroom!



A true medical marvel, just amazing!

Read more about it here.

(Photos are TOTALLY random and unrelated to this post, apart from the BEFORE and AFTER shots)

Hand, Foot and Mouth

We brought back something from Malaysia. Something we'd rather leave behind.

Hand, foot and mouth disease!
*Cause: Coxsackie A Virus
Transmission: Direct contact/droplet
Incubation period: 3-6 days
Infectious period: Until blisters have gone! (We are highly infectious!!)
Clinical features: Vesicles on cheeks, gums and sides of tongue; papulovesicular lesions on palms, fingers, soles, toes, buttocks, genitals and limbs. Sore throat, fever and anorexia.
Diagnosis (Self!): Tests are unnecessary as clinical picture is sufficient.
Control: Exclusion is unnecessary as virus is excreted in faeces for weeks. Weeks! (Please whatever you do, do NOT touch our poo!)
Treatment: Symptomatic, ie. Panadol, TLC, lots of TLC!

*Source of information: Paediatric Handbook sixth edition from my medical student days. By the staff of The Royal Children's Hospital. Melbourne, Australia.




My hubby's palms. Yes he got it worst! And hopefully last. In the plane on our way home, Gary was as sick as he can be. He was tired, lethargic and weak. He was complaining all along and I totally ignored him! How bad can it be? (Well, I didn't know it was HFM then *gasp*, sorry!)

O.o

Apparently it is rather unusual in adults as we usually build our immunity as kids exposed to the virus. Thankfully I grew up alongside Malaysian germs, thus I should be immuned *fingers crossed*. He's so pimply on his face, neck, trunk, everywhere! I refuse to kiss him! Bleecchh!





Lucas has spots on his feet, hands and around his mouth. The vesicles have popped around his mouth and he looks like he constantly has crumbs around his mouth. I kiss him constantly, how could I not?? :D




He's still his bright, bubbly self. The worst is over. He's eating, he's happy and he's on the road to recovery. Lachie had it first, but he got over it pretty quickly. He was unwell for a couple of days, high temperatures and lethargy. He did complain of a sore mouth but did not have any rash.

My Easter bunny!

Food They Love

I used to write Lachie's favourite food in little post-it notes and stick them in the first page of a recipe book. This book is where I got most of my inspirations from: the Australian Women's Weekly Fresh Food for Babies and Toddlers.

It's a great reference book for meal ideas from tips for starting solids and what food to introduce first and when, to home-made family meals from fresh ingredients. I don't usually follow the recipes religiously, substituting this for that. It also has a section at the end for party food ideas and kid's birthday cakes. Good book, and for A$12.95 it's a steal.

Here's a list of what Lachie liked (for my own record and yours!)

• Pasta
• Pasta
• Pasta
• Pasta
• Noodles
• Rice
• All of the above with NOTHING else, just PLAIN
• Carbs... alright, you get the drift
  

Now that Lucas is starting to explore with food and eating a variety of protein, grains, fruits and vegetables, I am revisiting these meal ideas. I have always kept things simple, using just two or three ingredients at any one time, and when they're older I introduce a little more each time. It musn't take too long to prepare, a busy mom I am. 15 minutes tops.

Lucas loved his mush. Lachie hated them. Lucas could eat avocados 6 days in a row. Lachie wouldn't have a bar of it. Lucas loved pea mash. Lachie wouldn't let me mash anything. He likes to hold his food, WHOLE and even up till today, he still eats with his fingers.



Lucas pretty much eats everything and he's always happy with food. The other day, I made cheesy macaroni with tuna and chives and it knocked his socks off! He was as happy as Larry, kicking up his legs and giving me giggles with each bite! He also polished off the entire serving.

Quite easy really. Cook in boiling water, 1 tablespoon of small pasta shapes. I use HEINZ for baby alphabets and numbers. Drain. Add in 90g of tuna with 1 teaspoon of reserved olive oil from tuna. Stir in some grated cheese, chopped chives and 1/4 cup milk. Cook until heated through. OK, maybe quadruple the quantity to make it for the entire family.




My trusted mini slow cooker: Chicken and rice with vegetables.

Ants be gone!

Just a couple of days back, I wrote about being invaded by ants!

Ants. Ants. Ants.

If you've been reading blogs or news from this part of town, you would have heard about the heatwave that has struck us. The temperature has been soaring about 40. It was quite uncomfortable, it was stinky hot and worst of all it kept us indoors. We were cut from our routine which involves a LOT of going out, to the shops, pottering in the garden or just going OUT.

What's worst, we have ants in our house. They come in in droves. They march in their mighty line, invading the privacy of our home. They dot my walls, my kitchen bench, my sugar jar. They drive me up the wall.

I spend a good hour in the morning, just cleaning and wiping up little black dots, in my pantry, in the cutlery drawer, in cabinets, under the table, IN the boys' toys, just everywhere! ARrrggghhhh!!

So anyways, I have been looking at means of keeping them out. I don't mind them in my garden, they help pollinate my pumpkins. For days, we've tried just keeping the place clean, I used essential oils, Gary sprayed the outside with surface insecticide, we traced every line to their entry point and blocked it with ant sand. They always find another way in. Our whole place is starting to smell like a chemical plant.

This morning when I was changing Lachie, there were ants in the bathroom and I don't know what made me squirt baby powder on them. Maybe it was just that I had the bottle in my hand. I noticed the black dots (first of all turn white) become somewhat disoriented and the line of ants dispersed. When I came back a little white later, there were no ants.



So off I went with the bottle of Johnson & Johnson, sprinkled mounts of baby powder in corners and along the sides of my pantry wall. Lo and behold, they were gone. Now my kitchen smells like Lachie's bottom freshly washed baby.

Home Grown

This is Mr. Cucumber, trying to keep its cool on a HOT Melbourne day.

It hit 45.1 degrees Celsius today, a record for Victoria!

So I'm glad this morning, I snuck out to the garden and harvested some crops... before this sweltering heat gets to it!



A couple of gherkins (cucumber), a handful of beans, ONE squash. Oh yes, someone something some little furry creature has been stealing our squash. I have seen them growing YES, but they mysteriously disappear! This morning, I saw IT, scurrying across the fence with a guilty look.



Anyways, I put them all to good use.



A very home-grown fried rice, teamed with my father-in-law's chives and free range eggs.

Oh, you've gotta love SPAM in fried rice!

Ant Problem

It has been so hot that the ants are coming in in throngs, seeking solace in our cool, air-conditioned home.

We cleaned up completely every night and they still come back in the morning. I noticed they seem to be attracted to... water. Yes, water!

There will be a steady little army marching across the living room, or a great black seething mass congregating in one corner. It is quite disturbing! We have tried everything from cleaning up furiously, wiping, mopping, vacuuming every single crumb dropped from little fingers (not really) but to no avail. I have been avoiding using an insect spray in fear of little Lucas crawling all over the floor and licking up the poison. I think I will leave little bottle caps of water for them today.

Today 43 degrees Celsius. Yesterday 41. Next few days: 42 degrees, 36 degrees, 31 degrees. HOT!

Eczema

Lucas has had eczema for as long as I could remember. It is mainly on his cheeks and forehead, and a few spots here and there on his trunk. I wasn't fussed initially, it's not uncommon for babies to have lumpy bumpy bits on their skin isn't it? Not until it started cracking and weeping and it didn't help with little fingers scratching, and big adult ones touching and pinching those adorable cheeks. (Not to mention mummy's daily shower of kisses!)

I used Lucas' paw paw ointment, which works for everything under the sun: mozzie bites, cuts, heat rash, any other lumps and bumps, nappy rash, cracked lips and even grazed nipples. I swore by it. I have a tube in every handbag. It was so great they even named it after my son... O.o (not!) Eczema left for a little while, but came back with a vengence.

Then I tried saline dressings. I remember this from my brief stint as a paediatric resident. Basically it's just keeping the skin moist. It's rather fiddly and doesn't quite work for a 6 month old bub. I tried mosturizers, from first pressed pure sunflower oil to the finest certified organic baby mosturizer. All of which did not work. I left it alone, ignored it, pretended it wasn't there. Not for long, Lucas kept scratching, it bled, he cried and cried, it woke him, he woke us... poor thing.

The doctor (nope not me) prescribed a light corticosteroid cream, which is effective but not better than the paw paw ointment.

Where do I go from here? I didn't think it could be the food that he's grown to love because it was there even before I started him on solids.

A few days ago, I eliminated dairy from my diet. It seemed to have gotten better. I lost a couple of kilos too! Great...

Does that mean I can no longer have froth on my coffee????

Calorific!

30 minute workout at curve: 350 calories

One BIG MAC for lunch: 540 kcal!!!!

OH well, it is McHappy Day afterall. Go get yourselves some calories! =P