those shoes are made for walking :)

Nothing much going on... so thought I'd post a favorite pic of mine as of late. I don't get as many pictures as I used to, but when I think about it, I try to snap away.

Naief loves to walk around in mommy and daddy's shoes... he hasn't tried my heels yet... can't imagine it, but think it'll come. :) These are the easier ones for him to walk around in, since daddy's are big and bulky, usually... altho, he does like to put his flip flops on and walk around in 'em.. and it's cute because he doesn't put them on right and will usually have the toe thing between his 4 or 5th toe, which is really cute. His auntie bought him a pair of flip flops and he seemed thrilled to put them on, but after a couple of mins, he cried to take 'em off.

The screaming was better today, thank goodness. My older sister gave me a good piece of advice. Told me to let him know that I wouldn't acknowledge him until he calmed down and then he'd get attention - since they'll do anything for attention, be it good or bad. So.. today, when he was acting up, having a crying fit over something, hanging onto my leg and not letting me walk, I told him that I wouldn't give him any attention until he calmed down. He finally did (let me add here that after his crying fit continued for several mins., I did finally yell, "Naief!" and he stopped. When I looked at him, his head was hanging, and I felt like a terrible mom. I went to him, picked him up, and took him upstairs to give him his vitamins - to help his eating - and then we came back down. This isn't good, especially seeing that were working to keep yelling/screaming to play time... so, yes, I feel terrible.) and then we painted. but... once we got the paint down, into the cups, sat on the floor, he dabbled in it for maybe 2 mins and decided he had enough... so I started picking everything up and he went into another fit of non-stop crying. I didn't let up this time (and I stayed very calm)... I explained that he was through painting and mommy was picking everything up so that we could have lunch. After I picked him up, took him upstairs for a sec., he calmed down and was fine.

phew.... and here I think or want another child. I honestly don't know how mothers do it. How do you manage two children??? A baby w/ a toddler going thru the terrible 2's and then, from what a blog friend said, the 3's are even worse. Please momma's.... tell me how it's done! :)

I know you guys probably get bored of reading about my trials and tribulations w/ Naief, but, really, that's all that's going on w/ me lately. I'd talk about my in-laws, but it never changes over there. Same 'ole, same 'ole crap, day in and day out... so what's the point. Plus, I get tired of thinking about it, dealing w/ it, so I don't. Naief's cousin is at the age that he thinks he can scold Naief and be mean every time he turns around, so I've really been biting my tongue w/ that and usually wind up leaving just so I don't have to deal w/ it.

test of wills

Today has been exhausting already and it's only 2:30 pm! What a morning!! Naief has hit the terrible 2's or something, and today was tough!

Seems like there is a test of wills w/ every turn between the two of us. He's gotten to the point that he hardly listens to me, doesn't usually come when I call him, completely refuses, on some days, to come upstairs or go downstairs when I ask him to, throws his toys when he gets angry (but is getting better w/ this, thank God!), throws a temper tantrum when it's time to change his diaper or clothes, doesn't want to go down for his afternoon nap, some days will throw full fledged fits when it's time to sit in his highchair to eat... you name it, I'm facing it.

and it's exhausting.

Seems like the 'ole ignoring him when he calls me 50 times has done nothing but make him do the same. What's funny... ok, it's not funny... he'll stand right next to me and say, "mommy", until he gets to a screaming state, at which time I tell him not to scream. The little vain in his neck even pops out! I guess yelling for the cats, yelling for daddy hasn't helped! I try to think about this, but sometimes it's just easier to yell down the steps for daddy or to yell for the cats if they're upstairs and it's time to eat... actually, I'm usually yelling for Frankie to come down and eat... and Naief has decided that he's going to yell for me any and each time he needs me.

I've had to stop and count to 10 many times today.... and even when I say things like, "honey, don't scream", "Naief stop screaming", "Naief, please don't scream", "honey, mommy's right here, you don't need to scream", "Naief! stop screaming"... he doesn't listen. As soon as the next emergency comes, he's screaming for me again. Plus... one thing that doesn't help is his cousin screaming all the time, about everything, and no one says a word, which causes Naief to follow suit and join in.... then when he comes home, he's screaming again. I just hope w/ lots of patience and 'whisper time', we can curb his need to scream.... altho, I know he's testing his limits, his voice, learning what's appropriate and what's not... it's just driving mommy batty!!!! ok... I'm already pretty batty... but more couldn't help! ;)

Calgon, take me away!!!!

swim classes

Last week I decided to take a look at a place called Chaoss, after finally finding out where they're located - since no number is given when I call information. The place is big and much more organized than I had heard, so, needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Btw.. this is a another place for children to play, interact w/ other children and such.

While there, I met one of the swimming instructors and found out that they're still having classes... so I signed Naief up. Today was our first class - now, there's only 3 wks left, but what the heck, and Naief loved it. There were probably 6 other kids in the class and several fathers, and since Hashim would be the one in the pool w/ Naief, he was pleased, and I was happy coz now... he'll go again. :) And, we found out that there's a Thursday morning class w/ 3 wks left, so I'll go to that class w/ him. They also have gymnastics classes that run by term, and the next term starts in January... that'll be fun.

The class lasted about 45 mins., and while Hashim was in the pool, I talked to the nice British woman beside me. Her daughter was there w/ her son, Jack. What a cutie! The woman told me that her daughter's son loves this place and the organized classes are a lot of fun. That's nice to know. I like the fact that this place is more organized play while Buzzi Beez is open/free play. Two great ways to interact w/ other children, and parents.

Naief didn't want to go in at first, but once he was in the water, he did really well. The instructor is great and is so good w/ the little ones. She's an Australian woman married to a Bahraini. :) They sang songs while going around in circles, splashing w/ their arms/hands, kicking their feet, going up in the air and coming back down and sometimes going under the water... even jumping off of this big, floaty thing.... crawling through it and going under a bridge. Naief even learned to put his toy outside the pool, climb out to get it, sit back down on the edge and then they'd sing a song and daddy would lift him and go back down into the water. It was nice.

There were a lot of families waiting for the various swim classes. It felt nice to be around so many expats. I didn't hear any Americans... even though... I felt comfortable and it felt good. And you know something I noticed... British/English women are natural. They weren't all skinney minnies and they weren't all dressed up... just natural... and I like that.

Oh yeah... so many of these little kids had the white, blond hair... like I did when I was young and it made me think about our genes. I would have thought that Hashim's genes would have been more dominant and they are, but when it comes to hair, he got mine. I remember learning all this stuff back in my first year of psych.... but I can't remember anything. That's the bad thing (or was for me at that time) about working full-time w/ overtime and going to school close to full-time. I took too many hours and didn't dedicate myself, like I did when I got older.... and I crammed too much... hence my inability to remember. Makes me want to pull out my books and look it up!

anyhoo... these are my little streams of thought today. :)

who knew that burping could be so dang cute?!!

Yes, he's probably gotten this from mommy :) I burp, daddy burps.. we're a little burping family... I think Naief is the best one of all... you think? Btw... he's not really burping... only thinks he is... and there's nothing funnier!

Colin Powell has endorsed Obama .... yeah!!! :)

Madonna, Madonna

what are you thinking????

I think she's lost it...

(story courtesy of perezhilton.com)


Madonna's 'Crazy' Ways Revealed



Control freak Madonna must be going nuts!

Lots of personal stuff is being leaked out to the media as M faces off with soon to be ex-husband, Guy Ritchie.

Thanks, Camp Ritchie! We're assuming you guys are supplying all the juice!

We've learned through the UK's Daily Mail the 'crazy' things Madonna made Guy put up with:

- Madge emasculated him! The paper said every aspect of home life was dictated by M. No surprise!

- Madonna sleeps slathered in $1000-a-jar cream and covered in a plastic body-suit to fight aging

- M only allows a precise blend of Colombian coffee to be served in the home.

- Picky eater M can't have any regular blueberry. It has to be a certain type of Canadian blueberry (which are specially flown in to London).

- Madonna despises processed meat and would only allow it in the home on very rare occasions.

- Dairy is banned at the Madonna home. Guy could only have rice milk in the house.

- Madge banned sugar entirely, which, says the Mail, "made biscuits, ice creams and cakes objects of almost otherworldly fascination for her daughter Lourdes and their son Rocco." Cheese, cream, salt and preservatives were also a no-no.

- Her exercise routine, never less than two hours a day, six days a week, rules her life. Madonna's trainer has been living with the family for the last year.

- Apparently the no TV ban didn't only apply to the kids. There was apparently no TV at the home at all. There was also a ban on newspapers (?!).

Guy didn't know what he was getting into?

We're not that shocked!

[Image via WENN.]



In reading this and then reports that David's father wants him back... I can see why and agree. They guaranteed the father that they were taking the child into a stable home... I feel sorry for all her kids.... and Guy Ritchie. I can't imagine the life w/ her... who in the world would want to live in that &%$@!

hop, hop, hop

Naief is learning to hop... I call it hop because it's such small little jumps, that it reminds me of a bunny rabbit. :) He's learning to pull his knees up, an ability to do so has never really entered my mind when watching other kids, and it's so dang adorable! You wouldn't think something so tiny would be so exciting, but it is and gosh darn it... he's learning to jump! He hops across the kitchen, he hops around on the bed, he hops while he's walking... hop hop hop :)

I've obviously taken for granted, all these years, learning to do such a thing... but excitingly enough, he'll soon be able to jump on those bouncy things that they have everywhere, which he longs to do...

He loves that he can do it. Calling to me and daddy whenever we aren't watching... and it's always a favorite thing to do when getting ready to change for bed. And, I'll tell ya, he's also a little daredevil. He loves to jump and then plunge himself face first into the bed, over mommy or into pillows. Nothing seems to stop him... gets me on pins and needles a lot of times, but I try to watch, clap, laugh w/ delight instead of keeping myself in a state of worry over him getting hurt. Little kids are so resilient.. I know I was when I was little, but I sure had bumps and bruises to prove it, plus, I remember LOTS of close calls... so... no wonder I worry.

He's also starting to repeat lots of words we say in English and Arabic.... jabbering constantly about this or that... Hashim says that once he starts w/ full sentences... he'll never stop. I'm just waiting for the 'why's'. I'm readying myself... should be full of wonder, excitement, laughing and probably some stress, but maybe not. I actually enjoy talking to him and answering questions... so am wondering how this will go.

Today was funny in that Hashim swept and mopped the kitchen floor, then after about 20 or 30 mins, he looked down and said, "I just mopped the floor..." I had to laugh, for now he, maybe, on a teeny, tiny level, understands what I've been saying. I feel like a little tornado follows me around, leaving a path of toys, plastics, wooden utensils, food, water... everywhere it turns... and I'm constantly on it's heels, picking everything up. phew. But at last... he sees! Or at least a little! :)

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Made some absolutely delicious Brussels (button) sprouts last night... they were so good. Fried some turkey bacon, saved the drippings.. altho there aren't any w/ turkey bacon, so i added addt'l oil during so that it'd make something.. then added vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, dijon mustard, onions and the Brussels sprouts... cooked until sprouts were tender and liquid had thickened and cooked down... gosh.. it was good. Wasn't sure if Hashim or Naief would like it. Hashim loved it... Naief wasn't as sure... altho, he did eat some of it.

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Happy to say that the meditation has been working in that it puts me to sleep at night, every night so far. This is the first thing to ever work... other than pills or herbal tea (altho w/ pills, you often have the hangover the next morn... I hate that and w/ teas, they did nothing... even valerian didn't work)... so I'm very happy, to say the least. And it's good, sound sleep :)

I've started walking again. Took Naief to the park and while daddy kicked around the ball w/ him and played, I walked. The endorphins... these little babies are so wonderful. These alone make it all worth it! ;)

zucchini recipe

For anyone that might like it, this is the recipe for the zucchini I made last night.

4 or 5 medium-sized zucchini
1 med to large red onion
1 to 2 T. sunflower oil
3/4 c. (or more) balsamic vinegar

Thinly slice zucchini, set aside. Cut red onion in half and thinly slice each half. Heat oil in skillet (may need more oil if skillet is not non-stick or if skillet gets too hot). Toss in onion and zucchini and let both slightly brown. Add balsamic vinegar, making sure there's enough to get all coated and to saute for a good 10 mins, allowing all liquid to absorb into zucchini and onion.

Once liquid has absorbed completely, it's finished. Sometimes, after the fact, there may be a small amt. of liquid left... which is also ok.

I've made the mistake of adding too much balsamic vinegar in the past. You don't want it to swim in the vinegar... just juicy for a bit.

Hope you like it. I love it. It's a recipe from my younger sister, Jahooni. It's quite good and different. Let me know whatcha think. :)

weather, food and fun

Nice that things are finally cooling off in our parts. Temps during the day have probably been in the low 90s and, at night, it feels like it could be in the low 80s, but not sure. a nice breeze has come on some days, and it's actually fun to go to the park, and run around w/out getting a headache from the heat. I'm dying to get bikes w/ the little seat in the back for Naief... so hopefully in the next few months, that'll be a nice gift for our family.

We've been taking Naief to this park down the way from us many nights during the week, where he runs around, watches the soccer game while trying to go onto the court during play many days :) , and where he can play w/ many different children at this one area in the park. Every day you'll get families or mothers w/ little kids... usually close to Naief's age or a bit older, and he soooo enjoys it. There's one little girl that's been there twice now w/in the last week, and Naief is smitten. She's precious. So cute. She's Egyptian... how I know this is one, she looks Egyptian and two, her momma puts a little kohl around her eyes and maybe a tad bit of blush (not sure on that one)... and yeah, you'd think she looks gaudy or ask why her mother might put make-up on the little girl... but w/ some Egyptians, it's a cultural thing dating back to the Pharaohs. And, I'll have to say, it really suits this little girl. It's not all pageant-like or anything... it's very subtle, but the eyes are somewhat dramatic, in a little girl sorta way.. if there is one.

But... it's really, really sweet to watch Naief w/ her. They stand looking at each other, almost seem to be talking, walk around the area w/ each other, kick balls around... follow each other here and there. There's also a little boy that's been coming, altho we haven't seen him the last two times we've gone.. but he liked this little kid a lot. One little girl pushed him away as he got close to her. He stood there, looking at her... makes me wonder what he was thinking. I'm glad she didn't do anything further aggressively. Her older brother seemed to keep her in check though, so that was good.

Tonight I made this yummy banana bread again. I can't wait to have a taste. If anyone would like it, I found it on cooks.com. It's a high fiber banana bread.. I think it's the only one they have. I add to it w/ white raisins and nuts... and I don't use the egg substitute or butter substitute... and it is just yummy.. obviously less healthy than the original recipe and higher in fat.. but I don't care. I also made baked chicken in the bag... why is it that turkey and chicken taste so much better cooked like that!!?? I also made a good recipe that my sister, Jahooni, gave to me w/ zucchini sauteed in balsamic vinegar... Naief loves this. I made my mom's baked macaroni & cheese casserole, which I usually only make during the holidays, but since Naief has been rather picky about what he eats lately, thought it might go over w/ him.. and he loved it. :) I scored some major mommy points tonight... and am starting to realize that he likes my down home cooking, American style, much better than most other things. Figure I'll stick w/ this a while, since hubby likes it too, and see if it makes a difference in his eating habits... altho, it's nice to change things up every now and again.

anyway... been posting a lot of music lately, which sorta fits my mood as of late.

I meditated last night. Thought I'd try a method from that Laws of Attraction book, and... it worked. Not only did it relax me, but it put me to sleep. I'm going to try it again tonight and see what happens. Hopefully it'll bring the same type of deep relaxation that it gave to me last night.

talented?

This guy's from America's Got Talent... Eli Mattson. Not sure where the competition stands right now... if this is the latest... anyway... this guy is GOOD.

Love that they have Sharon Osborne on the show now! She's so frank and honest... but they need to get rid of David Hosselhoff. Don't know the other guys name. He's the same British guy from Britain's Got Talent.

Womanizer

I'm lovin' this new song and video by Britney. I'll have to say... this girl is back!! :)))



well, sorry folks, but seems like they've pulled the plug on the video i had linked. but... you can always find another on YouTube.. since there were probably 10 to choose from....

McCain .... McCain..... McCain

American/British humor

My blog friend, Sefton Taxis, and I have been discussing the difference between British and American humor. I'm not one for British humor... matter of fact, I don't understand it or just don't think it's funny, and he's the same w/ American comedians.

Take a look at his blog and see if you think this guy he has posted is funny.... I don't. If so.. I'm interested to hear why you think he is and such.

What other Brits don't like American humor??? I wonder why the big difference??? Any suggestions?

Poor ole Michael Finnigan, begin again

Phew... this song has been plaguing my mind as of late. I swear... tonight putting Naief to sleep, all I could think about was this song. Singing it over and over in my mind... crazy stuff. Every time we get in the car, he immediately wants to hear the CD that has all of these songs and nursery rhymes. I'm glad he likes it soooo much.. but I wish I could keep it outta my head from morning until night! :)

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Our cat Frankie (he's the oldest male in our household... about 10 now) has been sick for about 5 mths. I guess about 4 mths ago, we took him to a vet that isn't a favorite of mine - since he doesn't do lab work and believes in methods that I don't agree w/... but since he's inexpensive and huge vet costs are something we can't afford right now... it had to do.

Frankie has been losing weight (not as much then), so I wanted to check and make sure all his organs were working okay and that he wasn't sick from something, thinking that he was having kidney failure or something, and I hoped this vet would be able to help. The only thing he did was squeeze down by Frankie's kidneys, said they were working okay (how he knew is beyond me... and, really, I don't think he knew anything), and said that Frankie seemed to be in good health. Off we go for home w/ a clean bill of health.

Well, I guess about 2 mths ago, I started noticing a big weight difference in Frank. He's lost a lot of weight and has started crying from hunger and wanting to be fed about every 10 mins... I kid you not. Nothing seems to satisfy him. I give him soft food, since he refuses to eat hard food now, but still... he gets finicky and refuses to eat a lot of it. I make him eggs, which he loves, and he gobbles them down. I make him chicken, beef... you name it, I make it for him. Or actually, he eats what we eat. Even still... as soon as he finishes, he's hungry again.

So... I guess about a week ago, I could stand no more of it... and insisted we take him to the other vet here that's more expensive, but good. I've heard a lot of horror stories about her. A friend that no longer lives in Bahrain said she's rude and doesn't care anything about cats... so I was dreading meeting this woman, and wasn't quite sure how she'd respond to Frankie's problem.

We took him in 3 days ago... w/ my thinking that he probably had some sort of worm or was about to die from his kidneys.... actually hubby took him in since he had to be there at 8 in the morn and it was on his way to work. We went that afternoon to pick him up... where we were told that the bill was 73 dinars!! Come to find out.. the appt I made w/ this dr. some number of wks back was being charged to us for missing! I could hardly believe it and when I told the receptionist that if I had known we were going to be charged for a missed appt., I would have come or cancelled ahead of time... not knowing that they charged for such.

She quickly informed me that they have postings in the office that such missed appts are charged.... and then I quickly responded, "how was I supposed to know this since I've never been in this office before.. and if you're going to charge ppl for missed appts., you should tell them that over the telephone". She promptly got a look on her face of total disgust... and informed me that all offices do this... and then I told her once again that I did not know this and should have been told since I've never been in this office. (how was I supposed to know this??? should be standard practice for them to say that to new patients over the phone!! don't ya think??? plus... in the States, I've never heard of a vet charging for missed appts! maybe drs... but never a vet!) She quickly got up and went into the drs. office then came out about 5 mins later and told me that the bill had been reduced to 67... awwww thanks...!!! what a discount!

When we went in w/ the dr., I was pleasantly surprised. She was actually very nice. And... seems that my little Frankie has a thyroid problem!!

She did blood work and he has a hyperthyroid. That's why he's lost so much weight and why he's hungry all the time. Thankfully it hasn't harmed his kidneys or liver. He's healthy, other than this, but has to be on medication for the rest of his life. Right now he's taking 3 tablets a day, but will go back in 3 wks to be re-evaluated and retested and hopefully have his dosage taken down to once a day. This medicine will also help him to gain weight again and cause him not to be hungry all the time. He'll also calm down, his heart rate will decrease (since it's skyrocketing right now) and will hopefully live for many more years... :)

He's a good boy in that he takes his medicine w/out any real problem. Poor little thing. He's been sick so much in his life. I've never told the story about Frankie, but he was a sickly kitten. He almost died when he was just a few wks old... having to constantly be at the vets office for wks on end... then to be taken home for it to reoccur again and be taken back... with it finally getting better only after I got down on my hands and knees and begged God to save him. That afternoon when I went to see him at the vet's office (where he wasn't eating and they had no idea what was wrong w/ him), I stopped at McDonald's and picked up a cheeseburger. When I got there, I took him outta the cage, sat him in my lap and he ate every single bite of that burger!!

From that date forward... he got better and, actually, fully recovered. The vet had no idea what happened and when I told him that I asked God to save him... I think he thought I was just saying that or lying, but I didn't care. :) at least Frankie survived. So... he's a vetern at taking meds and getting through rough times... so I know he'll pull through this... or at least hope w/ everything inside of me.

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We've been taking Naief to a great park down close to where Hashim works. He loves it. There's a lot of ppl and a lot of families w/ kids. He loves walking around, talking to ppl and playing. I think he's going to be a little leader... he seems to always take the role of leading during these play times.

He's growing so much. He can chew gum now... which I can hardly believe, and actually gives it to me when he's finished... altho he does swallow it every now and again, but hey... I did that until I was in my teen years and still want to sometimes! ;)

He's starting to talk a little more and ask questions like "what's this". He can run now... and loves to run from me at the mall, laughing while I try to catch him. You wouldn't think that a little one could run so fast... but boy... he does. Or maybe it's because I try to walk and catch him ;) !

I guess that's about it... I miss my mom and would love to go and see her since she's been sick. I miss the States and am running low on some things that I can only get there... :( Makes a good excuse for going, eh?!! :)

poetry for the little one

Haven't written any poetry in sooo long... probably more than 2 yrs now... and today, w/ words on my mind, I decided to take the plunge... to put the words on paper to see where my pen would lead me....

and this is what came out of it.

It's simple... but it's the first time, since Naief was born, that I've been able to put my feelings into actual words and onto paper....

so thought I'd share. :)

MY LITTLE BOY

Sparkling, ever so brightly

deep into my soul

Beautiful,

chocolate brown eyes

Convey innocence, so lovely

So pure

Your giggles, your squeals

The smile that turns my

darkness

upside down

Just delighted

by the being

of you

As the gentleness

of your tiny fingers

quietly discover your world

I am

Christened by the heavens

Cleansed by your love

You,

a ray of sunshine

with every new morn’

A precious gift

My life, my love,

My little boy

Written: October 6, 2008

A Change is Gonne Come by Seal

I am really lovin' this song and video...

It was originally done by Sam Cooke... whadaya'll think?

Halloween humor

I love the face on this guy!! :)

Costume suggestions??

It's about that time again ... Halloween is almost here. Naief has been invited to a birthday/Halloween party and I can't think of a single thing to dress him as, and Awali is having some type of Halloween party for kids on the 30th and we plan to take him to that as well...

any suggestions? I liked making his costume last year, so I might try something this year as well, but.... I don't have a sewing machine, so it'll all have to be done by hand... which limits me a bit. I could also buy something if all else fails, but since my mom always made our costumes for trick-or-treating, I'd like to keep w/ that tradition.

gosh... wish my mom was here to help me!

It's times like these that make me long to be in the States... I'd love to see Naief around all the trick-or-treaters, and to experience Halloween there... he'd either be completely overjoyed or totally terrified! ;)

Tonight we took him to Adari Park and when this little parade started past us, all the clowns were laughing, going up to kids, which was fine at first, but when one clown came up to say hello, he got a look of utter fright on his face. Thankfully, the clown didn't push it. Naief was very curious though... not moving an inch, except when this huge chicken thing came over to say hello.... then he wanted none of it and immediately wanted momma to hold him.