Milestones: Deen is 8 months and Safah is 4 years and 8 months.

I love that my little Safah loves her brother, and vice versa. Second to Nani is his sister on his list of people he wants to hang out with. I think I am rising on his list, but he will still yell at the two of them if they don't come to him.
Deen: So we have 6 teeth now MA! Four on the top. And they gave him a hard time, poor thing. The bottom 2 were fine when they came in, but these 4 required baby orajel and cold chew toys, and tylenol. But MA we are good now. Well he is, my chin is in pain most of the time. I worry that I will have permanent marks on my face soon, but I love the mommy kissies and chewies. ;)
Deen is still pulling up, and has started trying to use his feet to walk along instead of tap dancing.
Safah: Is MA, growing like a weed. I noticed one of her feet lapping over her sandel one day this month, and took her to stride rite, only to find out one thing I didn't know and one I did. My daugther's feet grow fast (knew that!) and one foot is a whole size bigger at any given time. 13 1/2 Wide on the right, and 12 1/2 Wide on the left. So she needs a size 1. Ugh....Once you get into the 1's, shoe makers assume that your kid is a certain age and that is not always true. So sandels and dressy shoes have heels on them. Not appropriate for a 4 1/2 year old.
Same with clothes. She is 4 not 14. I am not dressing her in the scanky clothing that they make for tweens these days. Even when she is a tween, I'm not dressing her like the anorexic celebutanes on the TV. Since she starts year-round school in 2 weeks, I am thinking about school clothes since it is still warm out. I got soooo frustrated at the mall, I left. Usually that only happens when I shop for me....;(
So I have a full-fledged Kindergartener. Where did the time go, when did she get such attitude? I met someone this weekend who has 4 kids and said that once they get to 5, something changes and the toddler is gone. Replaced by this grownup in a short body! Scary, and sad. I want her to always need me, and want to be near mommy.
;( Sad mommy time!

Up to my eyeballs in it

I have not blogged recently, cause I am feeling a little overwhelmed with stuff I need to do and stuff I want to do.

The Needs: normal...wash the TONS of clothes that seems to be generated between the 4 of us, figure out dinner (which I hate to figure out and cook for everyones specific tastes), vaccum, clean bathrooms...this is why I don't need a huge house. I hate to clean and ***k dusting.

And the wants: write, write, write; spend more time with Safah--my girl needs mommy time seperate from my errands (and there are always errands), not having to ask people to do things they should know to do already (we know that includes so many people--adults and children alike), house shopping (making sure everyone, including me is happy in a budget that we can afford.---difficult when not everyone is flexible, also not easy when my brother has just bought a 7 bedroom, three floor, three car garage, theater room, two bonus room two kitchen (the other is the basement apartment my dad will use). It is basically THE house, with THE basement in-law apartment that my mom would want.----no pressure. So now it is much harder for her to settle on less...with this blaring in her and our face. UGH.

I need a person to clean for me. Like just every 2 weeks and I can maintain and do the laundry, but that means I go back to work.

And I want to, even PT so that we can afford more house, and I have adult conversation and extra cash for my accessories...this girl gotta have her shoes and bags. Or full-time, but then I need someone to come in to watch Deen while Waseem works, even for a few hours. Cause I just don't want Deen in Daycare until he is like 2 or 3, and I just have to have someone watching the person who watches my kid. Plus I guess they would have to watch Safah too during her breaks from school, so that Waseem can work without too much distraction.

Plus IA I want to get my Masters. I don't want too much do I? ECU has a good program. I don't know, I see myself at such a crossroads, but I am spinning around in a circle like a dervish on Mountain Dew (the yellow piss drink...hehe).

Anyway, have I mentioned that I hate house shopping. It is beyond annoying to search and talk and search and drive around and look and think and talk and such. I have actually seen a few houses I like, but they have not hit the mark with the other adults....Ughhh.

I'm out.

Birthdays and Grateful days galore!

The birthday boy, Ibrahim--blue and green with cake. Usually shy, he was all too happy to give me a cakey grin!

We had a fun and very short time in MD attending Grateful for Issa Day and Ibrahim's 3rd birthday. The kids got to see old friends, and in Deen's case, make new friends. And we did too! Plus we got to see family. Fun time had by all..




My pyromaniac hubby was lighting the fireworks. Ibrahim's parents (in the yellow and green--were happy to let him do it....although there was mention of our kitchen he set on fire 2 years ago).
We were wayyyy out in the country in Columbia, MD. So these never even bothered the neighbors. In case you were wondering. Funny thing, the boys were wayy back near the cars, while the little girls were right up near the explosions. They even started a chant (I couldn't figure out what they were saying) and they were shouting "more, more."


Deen (the second youngest kid of 22 nieces and nephews) and his oldest cousin Umair (the college man). If I was ever looking for Deen, I knew where to look. He would be chillin' with his cousin. He even watched the fireworks with him, and was only slightly afraid. He just grabbed Umair's neck and held on for dear life, while craining his neck to see more sparklers and explosions.



Safah(4) with 2 of her other Divas. Arooj(5 1/2, wearing heels, argh they start so young) and Esha (5). These 3 cousins are inseperable once they are together. The car stopped and they were around the car before we got the doors open calling her name. Then they were off to the moonbounce. Here they are holding their pinata loot.

(This picture is missing Maria (the oldest and Esha's sister). Of course they fight as much as they play! But don't come between them. Esha still has not forgiven us for moving to another state! She tells me she likes Safah's old house better (she has never seen the house here....lol)

We're on the move we never linger...

...all we do is shoot the finger, One we're number one!

Well Deen is on the move. At almost 8 months, he has been crawling since he turned 7 months. And now he is pulling himself up on everything. We caught him trying to climb the stairs today. He was lifting a foot to go to the 2nd step. Scared the stuff out of me. I thought I would need a change myself. I never remembered gates having to go up so soon. Thank goodness we have them from Safah and Madison (she liked stairs too---silly moppet!) hehee.

And plants. We have plants on our dining room table and the filing cabinet and counters, why? Deen likes to attack them and trying to get to the dirt too. And shoes. His mouth or little fist is on everything. Game on momma, game on. Let's play see what I can get into next! Let the games begin.

So many plans, so little time.

I HAVE to finish this book! Cause a second one is trying to burst forth from my skull! But it is completely different from the first book. More non-fiction/fiction. I just can't think of how to start that one with this first one still so active with me.

One paranormal, one nonfiction. Argh!

The good thing is, my writing group, I should really name them...hmmm....I will think on that later. Well the group critiqued Chapter 2, loved it, but of course it is a 1st draft, so there was some stuff to change, but I was massively encouraged. Now here comes Chapter 3 and 4. Already outlined, and gotta flesh it out. If I can ever find the time. Summer break is rearing its ugly head!!

I don't want Safah in front of the TV, and to teach her takes my time to write and work away. Time I am already sharing with Deen's naps etc. And now she has ballet, tennis and swimming in the afternoons, so I have to change my workouts to earlier in the day or later...mommies get no respect..lol ;)

Anyway, why am I talking to you peeps? Gotta write!!! Deen is napping and Safah is playing and entertaining herself with her toys. yeahhhhh.

CONGRATS TO ASMA

Congrats to my girl Asma! Who had a little girl MA...It is a great thing. Sheeza's daugther (IA) cannot handle all the silly boys around here! She needs a partner in crime!!

Summer is here...what do we do with it?

Well summer is here. Safah is out of school until her new year-round school begins in July. Kindergarten. Wow!


First first day of school back in August 2006...



Her last day today in June 2007...

How much she has grown MA.

So now begin the summer of activities. Hmmmm. What do we do that is cool and not too expensive. Well, I have a couple of ideas. Free daytime movies for kids at Northgate, ballet class, maybe piano, definetely tennis, and some swimming lessons for her and Deen. Reading, reading, reading...practicing writing (reports on trips to places). I figure 1 big place per week. Museum or something like that. Things we could not do during the year unless we waited until the weekend.

Then there are the fireworks in July, which we can plan for properly this year. Whoa! I just made myself tired. And we only have 6 weeks.

Funny thing...

Funny thing...and very sweet! The best way for Deen to go to sleep, especially when he is fussy, is still in my arms facing me like he is breastfeeding, but with the bottle in his mouth. His little arm hugging my back, and his other hand resting on my cheek, chin or chest. His eyes looking into mine, trying to read the world ahead of him in my dark orbs. I miss the bond of giving him biojuice.

Safah was stubborn after her time in the NICU---nothing but bottles of breastmilk for her, and Deen(since he was also introduced to the bottle because of an extended hospital stay) made the choice to wean himself at 3 months. I don't think he was getting all that he needed from the beginning. Even with me pumping to increase my production and taking Fenugreek. He just wasn't into it.

In retrospect, I think my body just couldn't keep up with the demand, since we got off to such a rocky start, and since he was a big baby! Big 12-pounders gotta eat! ;)

Gotta love that hand on your face. Except when I forget to cut his nails. Then he digs in because he can....Ouch!

So nice I had to say it twice...I'm not pregnant. Thanks

No, I am not FREAKIN' pregnant. Field Day today at Safah's school. My job, face painting. And one mom, who knows that I have had my Deenie-boy, had a complete mental fart and said as she offered me a seat. "Yes, pregnant mommas should get a seat."

I, of course, quickly and with a laugh corrected her. "Ohhh nooooo, he is at home with his Papa." Laugh, laugh. It took a second for her to process, and then she said..."oh no, I meant new mommies have to sit down." hmmm. Either way, you are saying I am a fat ass and you cannot even subconsciously tell the difference. Nice, thanks. And granted, this is not a small woman. More like Oprah circa 1989. Her workout routine is a self-admitted---eat what I want, I don't like exercise---plan.

What makes it worse, the Art teacher, who was sitting there during the whole exchange, must have dozed off at some point, because ten minutes later in a lull between kids, she asked with complete sincerity, "So when are you due?" Mind you I have been sucking my gut in for the last 10 minutes. Now I am thinking, it's 90 degrees outside, need to breath, it's freakin' hot, whatever, let it all hang where it will.

And this is on the heels of getting pictures from Safah's teacher from her classroom birthday partythis past October, 2 weeks before Deen was born. OH MY DOG I was huge. Even seated, my belly was almost out to my knees. What the heck was that about?
After seeing that I have been thinking, wow, I am doing pretty good. Looking much smaller than seven months ago, right?
NOPE...I have just picked up pictures from our trip to the cottage this Memorial Day weekend, and who was the beached whale? That would be me, trying to eat small children it seems, with a smile on my face!

From these fantastic days and evidence, I have learned a few things:
1. OH MY GOSH I WAS HUGE...WHY DIDN'T I SIT MY A** DOWN...My hips and pelvis are HATING me!!! If they could move to another address (body) they would! No notice, no last months rent.
2. People have GOT to STOP looking at celebrities as a clue to how fast they should slim down...it isn't gonna work like that.
3. OH MY GOSH I WAS FREAKIN' SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICKEXPEIALIDOSHIOUSLY HUGE!!!!!! Say it with me people. Let's make it a song that Akon can sing with Gwen and the Harajuku girls.
4. I don't think I will ever see the body I had before Deenie-poo. I think I can kiss it goodbye.
5. SEE 1 and 3, SAY IT OUT LOUD OUT YOUR CAR WINDOW to passing pedestrians, try to make them jump in fright as you say it. They probably will anyway!
6. To say this mantra....It takes time, it takes time, it take time, and my sanity, and my last nerve, and my raisenettes, and my Coke, and all my free time!!!

Arghhh!

Houston, we have another tooth.

MA, Deen's second tooth sprouted. He has started doing this tongue clicking thing. Trying to sweep his tongue across the teeth and then sucking on them. And he constantly chews on his finger now. I can't wait until that toothy grin is in IA.

Now if we could get that excema under control or just make it go away. Poor munchkin, sometimes he scratches, sometimes it seems like he cannot tell it is there. And this dry, hot weather is not helping! Argh!

Houston, We have a tooth...

...Or the top edge of one at least. At first I thought Deen was holding food in his mouth, extra oatmeal or something, but then he started gnawing on my chin per usual and Ouch! What the heck was that? After I pried his mouth off me, and stopped him from trying to suck on my finger, I found it. Pay dirt. No more mommy chew for you boy! Thank goodness he weaned himself, I was potentially worried about handling that if the time came. Woohoo bottles are great! I gotta save these poor abused biojuice holders somehow...I swear even now they are deflating. I don't want to look like I have been in the bush of Africa all my life or like I am 80!

No Pity Allowed...At least for the next few moments!

• To see what this is a response to, you have to go to Sarah's blog...you can also read this response there. I just felt really vehement about it so I wanted to put it here!:

Everything you said Sarah, and add another 5 pounds.

Even with my trainer---who promises that she can see results, and that I have lost some fat and gained some muscle---the scale is telling me a tale of only a 2lb loss. Why do I even bother working out like a mad woman?

I ask myself that daily, but then I also know that if I don't get this off, 1. I really can forget having a 3rd (with my luck they will come out walking) and 2. I am just setting myself up for health problems.

And I always remind myself of these facts. I was always curvier than my sister-in-laws and most of my friends, even at my "great" weight, that I cannot compare myself to anyone (I need to write that on my forehead in permanent marker) and that it does take time, and time, and time, and freakin' time.

Unless I want to ignore my munchkins and live in the gym, I will have to observe a zen-like patience that would make a monk jealous!

And finally, You look hot! You know you do!...Don't listen to family or friends even...or those Aunties who say (oh your still so big, your baby is pretty old now right--yes I did get that from one Auntie here).

And when we are once again hot enough (for ourselves and no one else---expect maybe our hubbies) we will illicit jealous stares from other women and some men!!...cause we will be MILFs...yep! that is my goal.!

I love going to the cabin!

I love cottaging, the Canadian version of the word, not the U.K. version or even the Australian version. Thanks to Sheeza (thanks girl), I have to moderate my love of cottaging. Two guys in a bathroom, gross for so many reasons. I mean least of all A BATHROOM. But I guess it takes all kinds of people and places for people to be (that kind of happy!) ;)

So I love cottaging, or better yet, I love to go to on vacation to the cabin in the MD woods. (Is there anything cheeky about that???? I hope I didn't just say I love to watch rhinos getting crazy! Argh!