Category: Thailand

A Walk-In Beach Pool and Cocktails – The Perfect Toddler-Parent Weekend Combination

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In our year and a half in Thailand, we’ve only given the popular weekend destination of Hua Hin a chance once.  Last weekend we thought we’d get away for a night and give it a second opportunity to wow us.

The first time around we stayed at the Anantara, which is a beautiful resort that boasts a great pool bar and classy ambiance, but in the end, lacks a good beach front and is not so kid-friendly.  This time, on a friend’s recommendation, we stayed at the Hyatt Regency.  While more expensive than the Anantara, the Hyatt definitely has more activities for kids of all ages.  The best part of the resort for us/Logan by far?  The man-made beach and walk-in beach pool.  This is a toddler and parent’s dream – no need to worry about a rough surf, steep drop offs, jellyfish (which Hua Hin does have) or peddlers on the beach.  No need to worry about lack of shade, trash on the beach, or a tide.  Instead, just sit back and relax under the shade of an umbrella, order a cocktail with the touch of a button, and watch your little one(s) play in the clean sand and make their way into the calm pool, testing their ability to stand and giggling as the water gradually gets deeper.  Ahh, now that is what vacation is supposed to be about!  The Hyatt also has a pretty awesome water slide and lazy river pool for older kids, fantastic and reasonably-priced Western and Thai tapas beachfront at the McFarland House for dinner, and several ponds where tods can delight in throwing bread in to feed beautiful koi and ducks during the day.

We certainly felt like we did Hua Hin right the second time around.  We recommend the Hyatt to anyone looking for a short weekend escape with little ones that allows parents to relax and kids to be kids.

Beach Bum

Inviting walk-in pool – perfect for tods!

Logan testing his limits in the pool while Mom and Dad relax beach-side

Raisins and milk before the journey home


What? You’re Telling Me I Can’t Get an Epidural?!

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For those mamas soon-to-deliver in Bangkok, I thought I’d shed some light on a recent rumor that’s going around about hospitals changing their policies on epidurals, and in some cases, the inability to get epidurals at all.  With an impending delivery on the way myself, you better believe I wanted to get to the bottom of what is really happening before Baby Girl Braunohler makes her debut in May.  I heard everything from – “women haven’t been able to get epidurals” to “more women are choosing c-sections” to “once you have an epidural, the anesthesiologist stays in the room with you the entire time through delivery, and you now pay based on the amount of time you are in labor with an epidural (instead of a set fee for having an epidural).”  I held out until 7cm to get an epidural when I was in labor with Logan, but I can tell you that I would not have wanted to know what the final 3cm + pitocin + pushing and final delivery would have felt like without it.  So, yes, when the time comes, I better be able to get an epidural if I want one.

According to my OB,  sixteen years ago, a women in labor at Samitivej Hospital died of an amniotic fluid embolism, a very rare condition that is almost always fatal.  The anesthesiologist who had administered her epidural was able to reach her in about one minute, however her rapidly deteriorating situation could not be reversed and she died quickly.  Last month, the judge rendered a decision on the case (yes, after 16 years!) and found the medical team to be at fault for not attending to the woman sooner.  As a result, all anesthesiologists in the city went on strike — and if you happened to deliver on that unlucky day or two last month, an epidural would have been very difficult to come by.  Because of the decision, hospitals quickly realized they needed to “take care of their own,” and each one restructured their policies and protocol for anesthesiologists working in labor and maternity wards.  As I will be delivering at Bumrungrad, the hospital has now hired an anesthesiologist to be present in the labor and maternity ward at all times.  In the event that you have an epidural and then have to deliver via c-section, you will be taken to the operating room and handled by a second anesthesiologist for the c-section.   This means that you will pay double the doctor’s fees for anesthesia, since the delivery will require two anesthesiologists instead of one.  I understand from other mothers that have/are delivering at Samitivej, if you are administered an epidural, the anesthesiologist must remain with you in the room through delivery.  You will then pay anesthesiologist fees based on the length of time you were in labor with an epidural instead of a set price for having an epidural.  I’m not sure about BNH or other hospitals in town, but if you know, please do share.

I hope this clears up some confusion surrounding why hospitals’ policies and pricing are changing.  One less thing to worry about during labor and delivery certainly makes for a more calm mama!

Find of the Week: Amazing Cupcakes Delivered to your Door (Dangerous, I Know)

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Who likes cupcakes?  And I’m not talking about the beautifully-decorated but only kind-of-sweet cupcakes that you find in most Bangkok hotel bakeries.  I’m talking about real cupcakes – the kind where the cake is succulent and moist and the buttercream icing is divinely sweet and perfectly coiffed on top.  I’m talking about a bakery with a selection of both traditional and creative (without being totally wacky) flavors – and, here is the kicker, one that takes special orders and delivers directly to your doorstep.  That bakery is Sparkles, and its owner and creator, Khun Sophie.

Yummy Sparkles cupcakes

Now I realize that having a thing for cupcakes is very American, and I’m the first to admit that I signed on to the craze that hit Washington, DC in 2008 when Georgetown Cupcake exploded onto the scene.  But other than being the only bakery in town that can truly make an amazing cupcake, Sparkles even has my at-home-equivalent cupcakery beat when it comes to customer service.  Khun Sophie is not only a master baker, she is a people person.  She runs her bakery with a very personal touch by engaging with her customers and knowing them by name.  Now that is something that you definitely can’t get at most well-known bakeries at home.

Sparkles is located in Thong Lor at:  2/6 Sukhumvit Soi 53, (Soi Paidee-Madee), phone:  +66 (0)81 136 3367.  CNN Go also raved about Sparkles in this 2010 online review.

If you’re a cupcake person, I bet with one visit to Sparkles you’ll be hooked.  Become a big enough fan and you can even get on the bakery’s email list to receive alerts about new flavors.   Over Christmas, Sophie featured cupcake flavors such as:  Chocolate and Roasted Chestnuts, Peppermint, Gingerbread and Molasses, Pecan and Maple Syrup, and Toffee and Vanilla.  You can bet when I got that email I made a call to order a couple dozen cupcakes for our Christmas cocktail party.  Really, how can you go wrong?

Baby booties on cupcakes . . . perfect for a baby shower!

Giant cupcake

Sparkles' Giant Cupcake - serves 20 and can be made in the flavor of your choice!

Now that we’ve got cupcakes covered, the next question is, when will some genius baker in Bangkok open up a delicious cake pop bakery?  It can’t be too far behind, right?

Let’s Get Ready for Easter!

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For the last few days, I’ve been wandering the net looking for fun Easter craft and baking ideas.  Getting ready for and celebrating the holidays is so much fun with little ones around!  I thought I’d share some of my favorite finds thus far with you, if for no other reason than to get you into the Easter spirit.

One more thing – if you haven’t yet discovered Pinterest, you should!  It’s a site that lets you organize and share things and ideas that you find on the web.  The beauty in Pinterest is that you can browse pinboards created by other people for specific ideas on recipes or decorating (for example), which is an effortless and fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.  For more of my favorite Easter craft and baking ideas (those not featured below), click my Pinterest link (the red “P”) in the right hand column of my webpage.  Happy Browsing!

Melted Crayon Eggs

Sourced from:  Disney Family Fun

When the most humble of art supplies meets the shell of a just-boiled egg, the crayon wax softens, and the colors swirl together in a magical way. The results are fast, fun, and gorgeous.

Materials
  • white eggs
  • tongs
  • empty egg carton
  • crayons
Instructions
  1. Hard-boil white eggs. Remove them from the hot water with tongs or a slotted spoon, dry them, and rest them in an empty egg carton or on plastic bottle caps (an adult’s job).
  2.  Color them with the crayons’ tips or remove the paper coverings and use the crayons’ sides. For a speckled effect, grate a crayon and sprinkle the bits over the eggs. The waxy eggs are very slippery, so take care when turning them to color the underside.
  3. When you’re done coloring, leave them to dry for about an hour.

Naturally-Dyed Easter Eggs

Sourced From:  Better Homes and Gardens

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water, bring to room temperature, and remove blueberries.

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar. Let cool to room temperature and remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Jade Green
Peel the skin from 6 red onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Green-Yellow
Peel the skin from 6 yellow apples. Simmer in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer 4 oz. chopped fennel tops in 1-1/2 cups of water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Orange
Take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 tsp. white vinegar.

Faint Red-Orange
Stir 2 Tbsp. paprika into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Yellow
Rich yellow: Simmer 4 oz. chopped carrot tops in 1-1/2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Mustard-yellow: Stir 2 Tbsp. turmeric into 1 cup boiling water; add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Various shades: Steep 4 bags of chamomile or green tea in 1 cup boiling water for 5 minutes.
Pale yellow: Chop 4 oz. goldenrod and simmer in 2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.
Faint yellow: Simmer the peels of 6 oranges in 1-1/2 cups water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. vinegar.

Brown-Gold
Simmer 2 Tbsp. dill seed in 1 cup water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar.

Brown
Add 1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup strong coffee.

Pink
Faint pink: Chop 4 oz. amaranth flowers and simmer in 2 cups water; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Simmer the skins from 6 avocados in 1-1/2 cup water for 20 minutes; strain. Add 2 tsp. white vinegar. Mix 1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.
Dark pink: Cut 1 medium beet into chunks and add to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 Tbsp. vinegar and let cool to room temperature; remove beets.

Lavender
Mix 1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar.

Chocolate-Dipped Easter Peeps

Sourced From:  Love From the Oven

For the how-to, click here.

Cereal Treat Easter Eggs

Sourced From:  In Katrina’s Kitchen

Ingredients:
·        ¼ c butter
·        10 oz bag of marshmallows
·        5 c cereal (I used Fruity Pebbles)
Directions:
1.   In a large pan melt butter using medium heat.
2.   Add marshmallows and stir until melted.
3.   Pour in the cereal and mix to incorporate.
4.   Spray plastic eggs with cooking spray. I found it was easiest to use eggs that split vertically. You could just use 1 or 2 eggs for this process as the cereal does not take long to take the shape of the egg.

5.   Spoon the cereal mixture into each half of the egg then close egg to form shape. Pop cereal out after about 10 seconds.

Find of the Week: The Perfect Place for Aspiring Young Musicians

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All toddlers I know love music. They love to make music, dance to music, and share the joy of music with friends. Playing new instruments and discovering new sounds is a powerful creative outlet for children.  Some of the most joyous times in our home are the ones spent testing out new musical instruments and dancing wildly, boldly, and comically to our favorite songs.

Not so long ago a friend of mine asked me if I had stumbled upon the music store across from La Monita*.  Despite the great many times we had been to La Monita, I hadn’t seen the place, so I decided to make a special trip.  From the outside, it’s hard to get a glimpse of what’s inside IQ Plus Music (located in Mahatun Plaza off of Ploenchit Road) because of the dark-tinted windows; however, once you venture inside, you’ll find a wall full of colorfully-decorated high-quality musical instruments for children of all ages.  This place has everything from egg shakers to rainbow music hand bells, ukuleles, and bongos.  The instruments are so visually attractive with fun shapes and colors that they are certain to spark the interest of even the most undecided of young musicians.

Check out the awesome alligator xylophone - I want one!

On top of the high-quality selection of beautiful instruments, the staff at IQ Plus Music is extremely helpful in informing your decision about which instruments suit your child at a certain age and musical ability.  Vice President Quincy Yu, who worked in the same business in California for several years, was an enormous help to me when I was in search of an instrument that would introduce my toddler to musical range.  Definitely seek him out if you make a trip to IQ Plus Music.

 

Store details:

IQ Plus Music
888/110 Mahatun Plaza Building
Ploenchit Road, Lumpini
Phone:  02-651-4062
Web:  www.iqplusmusic.com

*If you haven’t been to La Monita, consider this post a “Double-Find of the Week.”   La Monita, also located in Mahatun Plaza off of Ploenchit Road, is easily some of the best Mexican food in town.  The nachos and cali tacos are amazing.  Yum!  If you’re with your with your toddler, they’ll do a “mini-quesadilla” and a side of Spanish rice and beans.