Not sure if you were following the trials and tribulations of our dear family of four, but last week the gullible parents decided to go on vacation!.. I say gullible, because you're NOT really going on a holiday when you're travelling with toddlers, everyone knows that. We might have our differences but as a team Big Sister and I can make grown men weep. Well the drive up was definitely interesting, Big Sister and I took turns puking out our breakfast, snack and lunches. Yes the Parentship who started the journey quite jolly looked a little shell shocked, they had the what did we get ourselves into look, as we drove up the driveway to our latest hotel spot.

The beautiful beach and the glorious sand lifted everyone spirits .As I looked around I wondered at the number of things I could put in my mouth, sand, shells, coconut thingys...oh this holiday is going to be so great, only to get out of this reign/leash thingy that mother has me in. Prevents me from running  off and causing damage to self she says..ouu but Mum that pink coral shell really needs to be in my mouth right now. So after check in and visiting the room which we managed to destroy in three minutes..what you can't flush miniature shampoos bottle..I didn't know that just Dad, even though the toilet overflowed, room service said they could fix it. They are actually magical fairies room service, bring you food, fix your toilet..they do anything. Dad still had a face on though.

But an evening swim released all the tension, except when I decided to squeeze out of my arm bands and jump into the six feet pool. I was channelling my inner Nemo..Big Sister said she'd be Little Mermaid and I thought I'd be Nemo. All the adults didn't really have to react so outrageously, Mum screamed so loud I thought the hotels windows cracked, but Just Dad you were the best, I have never seen a grown adult move in such super lightening speed, Superman had nothing on you!. So I was fine, I went under once, but I really didn't panic..I just thought I'd cry a lot afterwards because Mum's screaming scared me..and I really wanted be Nemo or maybe even find Nemo. This was just the first day stay tuned folks to what we get up to next on our lovely summer holiday for four!

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Why do babies put everything in their mouths? 

Until she is about seven months old, your baby can't really use her hands and fingers to explore objects. She can grip objects with her hands, but she doesn't have the ability to stroke, poke, or prod with her fingers yet. However, your baby can control her lips and tongue, so she mouths and gums objects as she pleases. Your baby’s mouth has more nerve endings per square millimeter than any other part of her body. So if she really wants to find out what something feels like, she puts it in her mouth. If you don't want something to go into your baby's mouth, don't leave it where she can get hold of it! Young babies move their fists, and whatever they may be holding, to their mouth and start exploring from there. Be careful about which objects your baby has within reach and be sure that she can't push something down her throat, or into her eye, accidentally. Once your baby is mobile, you need to be careful about the toys she plays with, especially if she has older brothers or sisters. Toys for older children often contain small parts. If an object is small enough to fit into your baby's mouth it could cause her to choke.

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At what age is it safe to introduce kids to the swimming pool? 

Swimming is one of the healthiest forms of exercise. It tones muscles, relaxes the mind and is friendly to exercising joints. Most babies have a natural love of water. After all, your baby enjoyed his own "swimming pool" for nine months. n the early months you should encourage your baby to get comfortable in water and have fun with it. Start getting him used to water by taking baths together. Let him play with a washcloth, splash around, and enjoy floaty toys. Trickle water over his forehead and face to acquaint him with the feel of running water. Let him snuggle against your chest while reclining in the tub. Avoid pools loaded with chemicals. Pool chemicals are necessary to keep the bacteria count of the water down, but overexposure can be unhealthful to baby. Baby's skin, eyes and breathing passages are more sensitive to chlorine than are adults. If you walk into the poolroom and immediately smell chlorine, assume it's too strong for baby. Try to avoid heavily chlorinated indoor pools. Seek out pools that use the newer ozone filters—these are becoming more common in spas and pools. Ozone-filtered water is clean and very baby-friendly.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe