The boys are trying out chinese medicine

My boys are so prone to flu & cough that many friends advised me to bring them to see chinese physician and let them try "zhong yao" (chinese medicine).

I happened to go to this medicine hall at Rivervale Plaza to stock up the milk powder for Amos. One of the staff there happened to be a chinese physician. He checked Amos' pulse and asked me if Amos is someone who pespire very little. Its true, Amos doesn't sweat as much compared to Zac. He examined the boys & concluded that Amos has a weak lung & Zac's "zhong qi bu zhu".
He wrote the prescription for me & instructed me to pass this to any medicine hall when I'm ready to let the boys try the chinese medicine. I thought since I'm already there as well get from his shop. According to the physician, the boy's body will be significantly improved after consuming the prescribed herbs daily for abt 1.5 mths. Just a tiny scoop to be added to milk powder for the boys to consume. It cost S$229 for the 2 bottles.

The boys started taking it yesterday. Zac realized the slight bitter taste in his fresh milk but still finished it cos I told him the mixture will make him stronger :):)

Let's see if it works after 1.5 mths ... ... ;)

right : the grinded herbs in bottled form which comprised of 7 & 9 herbs for Amos & Zac respectively.
left : the prescription for my future reference

Thank you, my first commentator.
Marzie

Zac is back to school today !! :)

I came home yesterday & my helper told me that Amos classmate bite his arm. I immediately went to check on my boy & could clearly see the teeth mark which appeared RED on his fair skin. Poor thing !! I asked Amos what happened? He cried, "A fat fat boy bite me!!"
My helper only noticed it when he showered for Amos & saw the 'teeth mark'. If its not for the mark, we wouldn't have know that Amos was injured.

I was unhappy that the school did not inform us of the matter which the assistant did witness it. I felt that at least we should be informed if injury (no matter how small) occurred to the kids in school so that we could react if it gets serious esp there are bi-weekly physical play involved !! *sigh*

Zac can finally return to school today after resting at home for so .... LONG. I brought Zac to the doctor to confirm that he is well and to get the doctor's memo (re-certify that Zac is fit for school) as requested by Zac's school. I was surprised when the nurse told me I have to pay S$5 for the memo & another S$10+ for consultation fee. I was expecting to leave with just that memo without any charges cos its a re-visit. I wasn't comfortable paying for that amount so I asked the nurse to speak to the doctor again. In the end, the doctor waived off the S$5 memo but their clinic still need to incur the consultation fee :(:(
I called up another clinic near my house to check about the fees. I explained the scenerio to the nurse and she told me they do not charge consultation for re-visits on the same illness at all !!
I felt paying something extra bcos I entered the 'wrong' clinic the other day !! *bang head*

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Carlo

Zac is on MC for 10 days ... ...

Zac returned from school yesterday night and we realized that there were rashes on his foot and a few on his hands. Rashes were also on his body.

Without delay, he was rushed to the clinic... ...
Doctor's verdict - Zac is down with HFMD :(

This morning, I checked him again !!

There were more rashes now & even on his knee & abdomen. I'm not sure if HFMD only has rashes on hands, foot & mouth or the whole body??????? Or is Zac having chicken pox??
Can someone please enlighten me?????

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Marzie

Amos has been "kissed" all over !!

Recently, there are a lot of mosquitoes in my house. The biggest victim happened to be Amos. This morning, I counted & there are around 15 spots all over Amos' !! Just his face alone there are 6 stings :(:(:(:(

I have no idea where those "vampires" are hiding. Apparently, I've tried to clean every corner of the house & sprayed insecticides.

I'm going to wake up in the middle of the night to catch them today !! Arrrghhhhh !! :(:(

Looks like its not a good NY start for Amos, he is coughing badly & sting by mosquitoes all over.....

Just look at how badly bitten my little boy is..... *sob* :(

This is a miracle... ...FIRST Commentator is Carlo

The DENTIST Chair

Zac complained of pain quite some times back while I brush his teeth, I thought it was time to bring him to the dentist.
I sourced around for dentist that attend to young children & finally located a really gentle & patient doctor through a friend. A few weeks before going to the dentist. I tried to explain to Zac why he need to go to the dentist & told him that the dentist is actually a "FUN" place. The doctor will teach him the correct method to brush his teeth. He will lie down on the chair, relax & just open his mouth wide enough for the doctor to check. After that, he can go home with a really nice "smile" & no more pain subsequently when I brush his teeth for him :)

Zac actually look forward to seeing the doctor after constant days of hearing from me how cool a place the dentist clinic is. Some more I promised to bring him to catch fishes after that !! LOL :)
The appointment was 3 -5 pm for both of my boys. However, we waited till 4.30pm before Zac was called to enter. The boys were feeling restless actually. I understand from the nurses that the schedule for the day were all screwed up.... sigh !! :(
Zac has a total of about 10 cavities. Since this is his first visit, the doctor explained the tools to him one by one at least the child will get prepared of what will be "entering" his mouth later on. I though that was a really good idea, I cannot help thinking how patient this doctor is :):):)

The dentist filled up 3 really BIG cavities on his incisors that were more severe. I squatted down by Zac's side, holding on to his hands & patting him now & then to give him encouragement & support. I could tell that he was enduring the pain from his constant jerks & leg moments. You can see from the pic that he was actually rather nervous. He tried to control his emotions throughout the 1/2 hour. He struggle a bit to get out of the chair but he DID NOT cry at all. Such a BRAVE BOY !! I thought he did pretty well since this was his FRIST visit!! Even an adult would be restless & sore mouth from constant opening :)

Zac still has to go for subsequent visit to get the other cavities filled up as well. He has to get the cavities on his molars nicely cleared up as the doctor mentioned that those will have to last him till he is 12 years old. I think with his first experience at the dentist, the subsequent visit will hopefully be more comfortable to him :):)

Amos was just too restless by then & refused to open his mouth. There is no way for the doctor to check on him. Anyway, I don't see much problem on Amos at the moment except for some plague on his incisors & canine which definitely need the doctor's assistance to clear it off with the appropriate tools. I have arranged for the doctor to see my boys immediately after his lunch for the next visit. In that way, the boys do not have to wait so long & could co-operate better :):)

I highly recommend this doctor :

Dr Ian Teoh
The Smile Cliniques
42 Circular Rd
Singapore 049398
Tel : 6536 0942

Flu Jab

I read from the news recently that the number of people contracting flu virus has increased in May 08. I always forget to bring my family for the flu jab until they get sick.

Yesterday morning, we finally went for the flu jab. I was told that the latest batch of vacin is for the Southern Hemisphere.

I was so afraid that Zac will freak out. To my surprise, he did not even jerk his arm. Amos cried a little, I think it was the position my helper held on to him he felt the pain more. Due to his age, he was only give 1/2 a dose & injected onto his left thigh. The 2 kids have to go for the booster dose a month later.

Doctor says that there are side effect like fever and infection to the affected area.

Nearly a day has passed, so far so good.... looks like everyone looks well :):)

What a terrible week ....

It had been a terrible week. The boys were sick one after another. It started with cough, fever & running nose for Zac. He is still having slight cough & running nose now. Amos also got the cough soon after. Then the virus trigger a constant fever that ran up & down. It was esp bad at night when it could go up to 40 deg C. We brought him to KK A & E on Sunday after nights of constant fever & the fever still hover around 39 deg that morning. He was given priority to see the doctor & entered the "RED door" (for emergency only). I felt relieved that the fever finally came down after the nurse gave him paracetomal, the dosage seems to be more than the 3ml for his weight. However, the nurse said that's fine. He had rashes over his body. The doctor said that is scarlet (spelling?) fever and he will recover after taking the anti-biotic she prescribed. We went home after that... ...

That night, the fever came back again and he vomited twice due to his cough. In the morning, he vomited again followed by diarrhoea. We brought him to Polyclinic to see doctor this time requesting to do a blood test. Doctor said that Amos may need to do a chest x ray for more thorough check up. I was so worried that he may not want to co-operate on the x ray bed. To my surprise... ... he lie down, lifted both his hands up and kept still there for the nurse to do the x-ray. I watched him from the entrance of the door, I cannot help thinking that my little boy is so brave !! This is not all... ... there is still the blood test at the laboratory. Most of us will freak out. Amos is so strong and he did not even scream or cry when the nurse poke the needle onto his tiny finger. He only started to cry a little when the blood has been collected, perhaps he could feel the pain on his fingers then.

Amos has chest infection that is the reason that trigger the constant fever. He has to complete the antibiotic in order to recover. This is the tough part cos he dislike the taste & throw out. We have to use "ribena" to trick him but he soon realized the difference in taste & color too !! LOL :D

It was finally a peaceful night yesterday with no sound of him coughing, vomiting and no rushing to the kitchen to get the brufen (for fever above 38.5 deg) and sponging him.

Amos is finally getting better after a week fight with the feverish monstor. My poor little boy has loss so much weight so is Zac.... ....

I felt so lousy when the boys are sick. The worst when I actually misplaced their health booklet. Such an important document I thought I kept it inside the drawer only to realize that it was missing when I tried to retrieve it on Sunday for Amos' admission to the hospital :(

TOTALLY terrible WEEK for me :(

SICK... ... avalanche !!

Sorry to those who drop by recently & not getting any updates from me.

The reason is bcos...

I am SICK !!

In fact, whole family is sick :(

It started off with Amos about 2 weeks ago (fever, cough, flu), then spread to Zac (fever, cough, flu). After that, I experienced extreme headache & whole body aching. I've got gastric flu, its so torturing & feeling so weak ...

Zac had recovered but Amos is still having cough. His cough is so bad that he vomitted thrice on last Fri night. My helper became ill the next day too, possibly inhaling too much of the vomit from Amos. Hubs also feeling chills all the while, he is down too !!

They were just back from the clinic. Can you imagine the medical bill is around S$600+ for all over 2 months?

Just when I thought I'm getting better from the gastric flu, I think I'm affected by the constant coughing back at my home. My throat is getting drier & I can sense that I'm having sore throat soon...

Its not good having everyone sick at the same time. Let alone taking care of the boys when they are sick. Its worst now when the adults are also sick at the same time.

Haiz, everything is upside down over at my end now. Hope everyone can be strong & healthy once again.

Thanks to those who dropped by for their well wishes ... ...

Thank you for your concern

Its been raining the whole of yesterday. I was all alone at home with the boys & helper. My head was so painful at 1pm, but the nearest clinic will only resume operation at 2pm. So I lie down on my bed. I woke up at 3.30pm. This is the time which I will usually have to wake up if I took a nap cos my helper need to prepare for dinner & I have to look after the kids. I played with them for a while only to realize that my tummy is fighting a hurricane inside me. I've got diarrhoea. I went thrice to the toilet. I knew instantly that I might have stomach flu. I had it once before about 5 yrs ago. The feeling was terrible. I knew that I have to go to the clinic no matter how heavy the rain was, but the clinic will be closing at 5pm & only resume at 6pm. Its 4.45pm that time. I don't think I could make it in time. So I waited to the dinner to be ready.

I had a few mouthful of rice before I felt pain on my stomach, I broke into cold shivers & nearly black out for a few secs. I dragged myself to the clinic, it was 10 mins walk but seems so far walking in the rain.

Doctor said that I've got slight fever & most probably is due to stomach flu or even food poisoning. The latter seems more appropriate since I've got fever. I din even realized that I've got fever.

I went home after that.

This morning, I still feel weak actually, stomach still feel bloated & pain after consuming food. It just feels terrible being so weak. I hope to get well soon so that I could bring the kids out. They are so bored this holiday :(

Thank you to those who has shown concern to me. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart :)

Thank God Its Friday!!

Thank God Its Friday!!

Daddy will be home tonite. I think the boys missed him. Amos ran to the door a couple of times when he heard the gate opened & shouting "Papa, Papa... !!" But it was our helper throwing out the trash.
Amos will be going for his 18 mth injection this afternoon. Wowow... how time flies, it seemed like I was just at the clinic bringing him for the first jab. My little boy has grown ...

Zac will be 4 years old in 2 weeks time. I ask him what birthday cake he wants. He cant make up his mind whether he wants Superman or Mickey Mouse cake. It seem like a new answer every time I ask him. I think I will decide for him !! :)
He told me he want lollipop, cooking toys & a tricycle as birthday present. He just love to "cook", he will pretend to prepare dishes for me & ask me if I want carrot soup with chicken & chilli? After he has prepared, he will serve me with fork and spoon and tell me that would be S$1. I have to pay him !! LOL :)

It would be good if he can become a chef. So that he can prepare yummilicious meal for the lazy mummy... hehe ;p

The 2 boys enjoy visiting my 2nd brother's house. They have a little tike house at home where they could "cook" up a meal with my niece who is just 1.5 yr older than Zac. Here are some pictures of them playing there over the weekend...


These are the cooking toys inside the house. Amos is the chef that day.... hehe ;p



Have you planned your weekends ?
Hope you have a funky one.... :)

MMR

Amos has taken his primary dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) today. This has to be taken between 1-2 yrs old. He is 15 mths old & weigh 10.5kg. This is only at the 75 percentile according to the chart. He used to be at the 90 percentile. It is quite a tremendous drop. He has lost quite a bit after getting the rota-virus (doctor suspect only bcos he vomit & diarrhoea!) about 2 mths ago. *sob...sob* My poor baby... However, he has since regain back his appetite, the lost in weight could be part of his growing up, I think ... other than that, he is on track. :)

This photo was taken at Polyclinic while waiting for our queue. I managed to take this photo before one of the nurses came over to stop me.... hehehe.... else I would be able to show you how "dirty" the toys were . There were half eaten candies left over by previous children left sticking on the bottom of the pink box (right top corner of photo) holding the toys... errrkkkks...

One 3mths old baby was crying non-stop, the helpless family got the attention from the nurses & 2 of them came out to help. Being the gracious mummy, I gave Amos' queue to the infant. Apparently, the baby cried bcos he (I presume a "he" bcos "he" is wearing a blue romper) is sleepy, he is a "sarong" baby. The traditional way to "rock" the baby to sleep using a kind of cloth which the Malay called "sarong" hang down from the ceiling thru a spring. We have this at home but it is an improvise one, electric sarong. (see picture below, can u guess if that's Amos or Zac sleeping in?) Some babies can only get to sleep going thru the rocking motion.

Soon, it was Amos' turn... he was happy inside the clinic with nice decorated walls. There were bears, butterflies & rabbits. He kept pointing & tell us "bear! bear!". He probably wasn't aware that his worst "nightmare" was on his way...

My heart ache seeing the needle going thru his soft, supple skin on his left arm. He seemed ok, but the real pain came when the injection doze enter his body.........He burst into a loud CRY ....... but it didn't last long, thankfully. Soon, he was back to normal after stepping out of the clinic on seeing the toys he played just now while waiting.

According to the nurse, after taken this injection, fever will tend to arise 2-3 days & not immediate unlike the rest of the injection he took previously. So, I got to monitor him for the next couple of days.

We went to the nearby shopping centre to buy some grocery. Amos went ahead to meet his favourite "uncle Zzzzzzz" (he dozed off!!)

Kids are really AdOrABLe, duncha think so? :)

Oh ya, before I end this, the answer to which boy sleeping in the sarong......................

He is Zac at around 7-9mths old, have u guessed correctly? ;p