Living the dream in Dubai - #Flying100 Family Holiday Challenge

It's nearly coming up to an year since our dream family holiday so I can't help reminisce about it all.

Last year just before my son was turning one we suddenly decided we needed a winter break, a burst of normality to feel like humans again after a whole year of nappies, feeding and running to the doctors. We were a bit apprehensive of his allergies and his limited food choices abroad but then I was still breastfeeding so we thought it was perfect time to fit our very first family holiday for the four of us.

We decided to DIY the whole holiday online after researching what and where we would like to visit. We flew out on my sons birthday so its a date we won't forget.

Birthday Boy exploring his cot on the plane

And soon he was snoring, yeayy!!

We took a while to explore our first hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers. Hubby managed to get an upgrade when he showed his business card so the room was beautiful. It was a pleasant surprise and a nice way to start the holiday. 

But it wasn't long before we hit the beach. We loved the exclusivity of the beaches as it was entry only to the Jumeirah Group Hotel goers. Frequent shuttle service with free wifi everywhere made it easy to relax.

Daddy and Daughter Selfie

The worries we had about Hassan went out of the window the minute we landed in Dubai. For the first time he was as close to normal as we had ever witnessed. His allergies were controlled and his eczema cleared. He even slept through the night most days which was like a dream come true.

In between our beach lounging and hotel hopping we managed to get some quality water activities for the family done. Sadly, we don't have many photos from these as we had to keep our beloved smartphones and iPads locked in the lockers! Fatimah wasn't too fond of the water activities and wanted to spend the whole holiday building sandcastles. 

We ended the holiday with 2 nights at the Atlantis, The Palm Hotel. We had few hours of discomfort as they put us in smoking quarters by mistake which set Hassan's itching off. After complaining and a bit of haggling we were once again upgraded to a full suite of our own at the resort. 

Views from the balcony

Fati not happy about something!

And thus the sun set on our magical holiday, with tears in our heart and head full of memories,  we said Goodbye. 

Disclosure: This post is an entry for the #Flying100 Family Holiday Challenge, celebrating how flying allows us to make memories and ‘be there’, in association with #Flying100. Find out more at http://bit.ly/flying100

Moments that mattered in 2013

I have stumbled across a prize draw by Lloyds Bank, they are generously giving away a beautiful iPad Mini, worth £249 to a blogger who shares "the moments that mattered" to them in 2013.

Here is my entry for the competition as I've had a very eventful 2013. 

I started 2013 with a beautiful newborn baby boy (born in Dec 2012!) so enjoyed every moment of those "firsts". Sadly, he fell ill with severe allergy and eczema from February 2013 and life turned into a roller-coaster of emotions. Sleepless, blood soaked, tearful nights endured and countless appointments and consultations followed. My little boy endured it all with the most cheerful personality. 

While busy with him, I nearly overlooked the "firsts" in my 3 year olds life;. I became a school run mummy for the first time as my daughter started nursery.

We, as a family of four, also finally moved into a place all "ours" and that was the top of the moments that mattered. Life at home has been chaotic but it has brought the whole family closer so I wouldn't change it in any way. 

We thought there was only one way to end the 2013; by jetting off to sunny Dubai in December to wash away any 2013 blues. This was our first family holiday as four and it was priceless moments of family time. 

All in all 2013 wasn't so bad after all and hoping 2014 can only get better :)

GOODBYE 2013

Very quiet on the interests :(

I have just logged and realised I haven't written since March! That about sums up what I have gone through for the past 9 months and still going through.

The interests in my life, friends, comping, movies and so on and have taken a back seat after my son developed sudden severe eczema/food allergy at the age of 2 months. He is now 13 months and its a struggle everyday, battling the flare ups and running back and forth from consultants and specialist and so on. I am SLOWLY getting the hang of things and trying to resume life where I left off.

so fingers crossed 2014 brings good back into my life.