busy weekend

Had a garage sale this weekend at my MILs school and I feel beat. Guess all the sun got to me today. My friend, T, put a bunch of stuff in it and MIL even put a bunch of stuff in it.... which makes it all the more fun, I think. Don't know what it is, but I do so enjoy doing garage sales.

Naief got sick w/ something yesterday and threw up several times throughout the day and has had diarrhea today... so am assuming it was some bug or something. If it's not better tomorrow, think I'll take him to the dr.

I haven't been doing much.... except watching Dexter. We're in the 2nd season now... and I like it. Who would think you'd like a serial killer.... but there's something about him and the fact that he kills bad ppl makes it all the better. Yeah... strange, I know, but I like him. Altho, last night he had a fling w/ his sponsor - since he's pretending to have a drug addiction (his true addiction is killing), and I wasn't too happy about this... so will see where things go tonight.

Naief starts his tumble tots this week and swimming on Wednesday. We dropped last terms swimming class coz he got an ear infection.... so I'm hoping that he enjoys it this time around and doesn't get sick. He's not to keen about tumble tots... the only real part he enjoys is running about and the music room... but a friend and her son are also taking the class, so maybe he'll like it and have fun. I've only paid the down payment though... so if he doesn't like it and doesn't participate, I think I'll pull him out w/out paying paying for the full term. What's the point really.... ?!

That's about it really... been feeling a bit bored w/ things... wish I had another good book to read. My older sister and I have decided to read 'the secret life of bees'. need to go tomorrow or Monday to find it. my blog friend, Christopher, is reading it and really likes it and have heard other positive things about it... so I'm hoping it's good. Also thinking of starting a yoga class or Pilate's. Used to work out all the time and haven't for toooooo long... and am also thinking of doing this fat smash diet... just need to get off my tush and get to it.

anyway... yawn, yawn... I'm tired and want to watch Dexter... so nighty night... :)

what a fun party :)

Today we went to one of Naief's little friends' houses for a bday party (is the punctuation correct? - seems like nowadays, I can't remember my English grammar. Not that it was ever my strong suit... but still, and you know... I hate that I'm forgetting it. What is up w/ that?? Having a baby?). Anyway... what a fun time. His mother is such a good mother.. so patient, so calm and so good w/ her kids.... and she's so talented! She went to a carpenter here in Bahrain and had huge farm animals cut out of wood or some such and painted white, then all the kids got paint, at the party, and had a field day painting all the animals. Naief and all the other kids loved it and had so much fun. Must say that Naief loves the attention of others and especially adults, as he would turn around to see who was watching him and do his best Picasso impersonation! ;)

Didn't know beforehand about the painting, since all the kids were supposed to bring a change of clothes (didn't get the invitation since we've switched to the afternoon class at the baby gym, while my friend and her son go to a morning class... ), and since I didn't take any clothes for painting fun, my friend lent some clothes to Naief to paint in (how sweet, huh?!!). I felt bad though coz didn't want him getting his friend's clothes all messy... but I tried to go w/ it. And momma didn't wear the appropriate clothes either.... don't think white linen pants and a indigo linen shirt were the right attire for a painting party!! But, thankfully, didn't get any paint on me.... :)

They also had goats for the kids to enjoy. Had them in the side yard... Naief loved it. There was a little kid (baby goat) that was soooo adorable... jumping around and climbing through the gate, only to make his momma very upset. The whole little gang would cry for him to come back in, but he seemed to be having too much fun on the other side of the fence. At one point, my friend's hubby had to go on the other side to get the little guy. It was really sweet and a great idea. All the kids loved giving them food and watching them play. Got a text from my friend today telling everyone to bring any veggies to be thrown out... and crazy me wondered what that was about and thought maybe they were composting... !!!! yes... I did think this!!! Didn't even dawn on me that it could be for the party!!!!!!! lol

Naief was so well behaved as most of the kids, except a few. One little boy was being quite the bully... pushing kids and taking their things, and making several kids cry in the process. At about the time we were leaving, I was getting a telephone number and this little boy's mother brought Naief to me, crying. She told me that her son had pushed him outside. She felt bad and I felt bad.... but Naief was fine and stopped crying rather quickly. I think that he gets a little scared of kids like this. I just hope this little boy was having a bad day coz I've talked to his mom about a play date, but if her son is a bully and is mean... not sure if I want that happening to my little guy... but, can't shield him forever, right?!! Will have to take this slowly just to see how it goes.

All in all it was a wonderful afternoon. I had a terrible headache when we got home, but probably due to my not having eaten most of the day and just being sorta stressed... but took some meds and it's gone now.

Went over to see my SIL. She gave birth to her 2nd child three days ago. He's soooo tiny!!! Only weighs 4 lbs! To me, that's too small... but so many Bahraini women have itty, bitty babies. From what I've heard, it's about not wanting it to hurt when they give birth, so they try to gain as little weight as possible to make it all easier. She wound up having a c-section... not being able to go into labor and even after they gave her the meds to induce, she still didn't ... so they took the baby. He has a huge, pointed nose.... probably from Hashim's father. They all said that Naief had this nose, but I knew he didn't, since it wasn't pointed. It still isn't... I think he'll have mine since all the baby pics of me and him look the same.... and his nose is identical.... poor little guy! I hate my nose!!! but... maybe it'll be cuter than mine. At least I can hope! ;)

Anyway... this week has wound up w/ two cancellations for engagements/play dates, so I'm relieved since I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed and stressed as of late. Tomorrow we have nothing and I plan to spend a lot of time w/ Naief and cleaning. Still having a difficult time balancing these two things, which causes me a lot of stress. If anyone has any good ideas on how to manage and tackle these two things, please do pass it on. I need all the help I can get.

A friend came over the other night to say goodbye, since she'll be going to Qatar to teach for a few months and before she came, I told her that my house was a mess. I'm not one for having company when the house isn't in tip top shape... but... I let her come anyhoo. She was fine w/ it and we sat in the kitchen, which was a mess... but she assured me she understood... I do have a two year old after all. Made me feel good that she understood.... but I was still a bit in that 'embarrassment zone' after she left... aaahhh... my constant task of cleaning.

Yeah.. I know this is a long post, and sorry for that... but... commenting on my first para, not only am I forgetting grammar, but I'm forgetting things like crazy. I've noticed lately that I'm doing things and not remembering to finish whatever it was. For instance, I'll turn on the water outside and forget about it, which doesn't make the hubby all too happy. One day I left it running for over an hour! Totally forgot. Then the other day, I was filling up the watering thing for the cats and I went off and forgot about it. Came back to see it overflowing all over the place.. then did the same w/ the sink and dishes. Started running hot water and soap to do dishes (which isn't done here, btw... nothing is ever done w/ a sink full of hot, sudsy water) and turned around to do something else and totally forgot about it. Left the room and everything. Don't know how long it was, but when I came back, it was overflowing onto the floor... actually was all over the kitchen floor. Ridiculous really... that I'm doing this. Have even done w/ cooking, which scares me a bit. Saw a show on Oprah today about women forgetting things when they have kids. I really need to slow down, breathe, relax and do one task at a time... or finish the task that I've started... but you know, it's hard.

have a good one everyone.... until next time. :)

am lovin' the weather

Aaaahhh, this time of year is so nice. I love the temps. Today was hot, but not that ...water running down your thighs and armpits type of hot.... it was a pleasant hot. :) Probably in the low 90s, I'd say, since tonight when we were coming home - around 6, it was about 83.

We took Henry to the date farm in Budaiya this morning (where the Sheikh who owns the property allows dog walkers to go, I just recently found out... from an expat, no less) for what turned out to be an hour walk. This place is huge. We could have walked further, but decided to make our way over to where the camels are kept... btw... Henry really enjoyed the walk. The camels were covered in flies and Naief couldn't stand them flying around and landing on his face, so we didn't spend a lot of time near them, but they were all so interested in Henry. I'm happy to say that Henry didn't get sick inside the car on the way and even sat w/ his head towards the window to get lots of fresh air on the ride to (whish is a first... wondering if he thought we were taking him back to the BSPCA during prior car rides since he really enjoyed it today). I was pleased :) He's a good dog.

Could hardly believe the living conditions of the workers at this place tho. Some were living in shacks... shacks that looked to be made out of palm leaves... for ppl who have sooooo much money... to have hired help living in shacks... it surprised me. Then, in another area, they had workers living in a string of small bldgs. When we walked past, sorta reminded me of a small village or something. Music was playing, ppl were outside sweeping... even a few kids were playing outdoors. No one was bothered by the dog, which was a nice, welcomed change. Apparently, a lot of ppl take their dogs to walk through this farm.

We have a busy week coming up. Will be the first time that Naief is busy w/ mommy for almost every day of the week, so am wondering how that'll be. We have a couple play dates, a bday party, lunch w/ friends, swimming, baby gym... phew. I'm tired just thinking about it. :) We have a play date tomorrow and it'll give buba some time to work in the studio... so I'm hoping some new music is in the works or will be after tomorrow.

Picked up a friend and her daughter last week for the baby gym and when I got there to get them, dear friend has just gotten out of the shower, so needless to say, we didn't leave at the time I said we HAD to leave to get to said class on time.... which, was correct and we wound up being over 15 mins late. I hate to run late to anything... and found myself not wanting to go w/ her next time so as not to run late. Yeah, I know, only 15 mins., but when it's a class for kids, every minute counts, and this class is only an hour.

And... she's supposed to go to a play date tomorrow at a friend's house w/ me and Naief, and I'm thinking I should tell her that it starts 30 mins earlier, just so that she'll get up, get dressed and ready w/ lots of time to spare. Why do so many ppl take soooo dang long to get ready???? Some days it drives me batty!

The Eid holiday

Well, today is the last day of Eid for most, altho Shi'a's are still on holiday, w/ tomorrow being the last day of Eid for many. We had a good Eid. We didn't buy Naief any new clothes this time around since we're shopping for Christmas. Once he gets older and sees that all his cousins get new clothes and new things, that'll probably change somewhat, but, for now, it works. :)

The first day of Eid was spent at my in-laws. We went over at 9 and stayed until about 1. Naief played with all his cousins out in the garden where we got some of the cutest pictures, played inside, had lunch and played some more. The second day we went over to some of my FILs relatives early in the morning so they could meet Naief, then had the big family lunch that afternoon. I was wondering how Naief would be... seeing that he doesn't see a lot of these kids regularly, but he wasn't afraid and had a great time. We took him out to the water garden last night and tonight, where he bounced on the trampolines, rode some rides, ate popcorn and cotton candy. :)

Tonight we rode the little train that's sorta like a mini roller coaster. Last time, Naief seemed a little spooked by it, but tonight he squealed w/ delight after. There were two young Bahraini boys riding in the seats in front of us and were concerned for Naief - even telling Hashim to hold on to him so he wouldn't fall out (he was in between us and going nowhere) - and after they saw how excited he was, they got tickled by his enthusiasm. He also rode the planes that go up in the air tonight... a first. He's not too small, but it kept me on the edge the entire time. Afraid that he'd try to stand up or get out once it got up into the air, but he didn't. :) He loved it. Even wanted to go again.

He's starting to repeat most things we say. Every time he sees a mini van, truck, semi or such, he'll say, "big bus". The word truck isn't in his vocabulary... yet. :) He has started to list all the names of the cats and Henry, as well, at random times throughout the day. He gets stuck on saying Jewels (whom we call JuJus) and Henry over and over, but will eventually add Puss and Amy... it's really cute to listen to him. I'll then start listing all the other cats... funny... he always remembers this cat that we call 'dumbdumb'... she's a wild cat that comes to our house to get food. Every other time I see her, she's pregnant, but we never see any kittens. I think she's probably not a good momma. Good at getting preggers, but that's about it.

We've started a star system w/ him. I've listed four things on paper that cause stress w/ him (eating, getting dressed, changing his diaper and picking up his toys), put it on the fridge, have told him about the list, shown it to him, and introduced stars to put on the paper when he does these things without any problems. Today he got a star for eating, changing his diaper w/out problem and putting on his clothes w/out much hassle. I let him put the last two stars on himself. Day before yesterday I drew a star on his hand.... and one on mine. He just loved it and showed bubba, his grandparents, everyone... and told them that it was a 'STARRRR'. He loves stars, and the moon. So.. getting stars is a big thing. And when he's gotten four stars in a row, he'll get a big star and then a piece of candy, which we're keeping in a jar in the kitchen. So far... so good. Hopefully it'll work and we'll gradually be able to add more rows and more tasks.

One great thing... Naief told me he had to pee the other morning and peed in the toilet!! :) Hasn't done it since, but we have lots of pretends. Still isn't interested in pooing in the toilet, preferring for it to be very private.... so I'm guessing this will take a bit. We're trying to put poo in the toilet from his diaper, which is fine w/ him, but not before. He doesn't like his little potties... preferring to use the foam toilet seat thingy w/ handles that I got for a really great cheap price at Al Anwar... went back the other night to get a few more and there aren't any! :( so... we'll have to make due w/ one. He gets very excited when he goes poo... and we're cleaning him up in the toilet as well... trying to get him used to the whole procedure... and it's going pretty well. I'm hoping that he'll be potty trained soon... he seems to be willing and able now... and since putting on diapers is his least favorite thing... maybe it'll be easier than what I'm envisioning. Right now he's peeing while sitting down... I figure once he gets a little older, standing will be the next phase. I've always heard that's a hard one... getting little boys to aim inside the toilet... with some women I know using Cheerios's to aim at and other things that have been put in the toilet for them to aim at.... so.. we shall see. :) Really, I think it'll be fun.

Oh yeah... my blog friend, Puppy, is looking to come to Bahrain to visit me and the family. :))))) I'm so excited. Hopefully everything will work out w/ her visa and us sponsoring her (which I still don't understand all the stuff that's up w/ this - why she can't get a tourist visa like other ppl)... but, hopefully, it'll all work out and we'll be having a great time together very soon. I sent her a two page list of all the things to do in Bahrain... so I think we'll stay busy in a relaxing way. We've never met before... so it should be fun and interesting. :) We're both Virgos.. so she really liked the list.

Why do almost all treat us the same?

Well.. the weekend is over and the new week has begun.... amazing how fast weeks pass by. It's also amazing how quickly I lose track of time. Sometimes I forget to return phone calls... only remembering weeks down the road.... makes me wonder if ppl think I'm trying to be rude, altho I do usually apologize.

I feel somewhat ho hum today... I guess sort of melancholy... not in a depressed sort of way, but in a heightened sense of thought sort of way.

Been thinking a lot about the girls/women I know that are married to Bahrainis... and wondering why it is that we all seem to have the same issues w/ in-laws. Of course, some having more extreme variations while others only get a kick in the knee every other Friday or so. One friend has issues w/ hers, but handles it well... instead of staying away all together, she goes to the family gatherings - staying for a good 8 hrs or longer - and enjoys it. She does it for her child. She gave me tips the other day on how to handle things and how to make the best out of the time you're there... like... instead of staying inside, go into the garden, walk around, be around the chickens, ducks, birds... and spend the time being w/ your child, instead of inside, miserable. Good advice, I think.

Others that I know hate their in-laws. I remember meeting this woman back some 2 yrs ago and her in-laws were so bad that they made up stories about how she was trying to kill the FIL. She works at a hospital here in Bahrain, her FIL had to have some tests, and since she was one of the ppl doing them, the MIL started saying that she hadn't done her job properly and was purposely keeping information from him so that he would die. This was only one of many things that she had to deal with.... thankfully I've never had anything like that to deal with... don't know that I would have the strength to persevere. I remember her telling me that they'd never make her leave... no matter how how they tried, she would not let them... and I can so understand this and relate to it... since I've had my share of ppl trying their best to break us up and make me leave... but that's another story for another day.

I know many that are fake around their in-laws... smiling, pretending, making believe that they like them.... I used to do this... did it for many, many years... but I don't any more. It's not me and I'm not the kind to kiss ass, just to kiss it. Now... I'm not saying it's a bad thing... I understand why one does it... but I think there are huge negatives and huge positives that one has to deal w/ when one chooses to take that road.

I guess, in thinking about all of it, I can't help but ask, "why"? Why do we (ok, probably not all of us... there must be some families out there that love or at least respect their expat daughter-in-laws) have to live w/ this? Why do they treat us like this? Why is there so much lying, manipulation, sneaking around causing problems, nosiness, rudeness, fakeness, unfriendliness.... why do these women hate us so much? Is it because we're not like them? We look different, dress different, behave differently??? Or is it because they couldn't control their son and he married for love and who he wanted, and they absolutely can not stand it? God only knows, that's fer sure!

Here we are, away from our families, making our lives in a foreign land (which isn't always easy) trying to get along, loving their sons, but it isn't good enough. Why do they insist on making life so miserable for us? Used to... I thought it was me, but I've realized over the last several months, that it isn't. Yeah... I may not make anything easy, but you know... I used to. Now, I stand up for what I believe in. I don't cower down, afraid to say the wrong thing, act the wrong way ... for if I do, they may not like me.

And thank God!

I've stopped going over to my in-laws as much as I used to. We go only some Fridays and only stay for about an hour, and I only go there on rare occasions. The reason why??? It makes me feel miserable to be around ppl that I don't get along with... who would want to sit in a room making small talk, answering question after question, or coerced into revealing things or saying things that I have no desire to tell.... it's not for me.

We went this past Friday since my FIL is traveling... thinking it might be less complicated, but it wasn't. I felt the same way when I got home... mad at myself for going, mad at myself for not stepping in when my SIL tried to make it look like Naief was about to hit her son - when he was nowhere near her son - altho Hashim did say something and she shut up (I think I've finally realized she's jealous of our son)... I just felt all cruddy inside... like I need to hole up, become a hermit when it comes to seeing them... and stay away for as long as possible... and did I say I don't want my son playing w/ her son... yeah, I know... it's his cousin, but crap, I had cousins that I didn't see all the time and am fine because of it... it wont kill Naief not to see that child all the time.... don't ya think?

anyway... I haven't had a good, groaning post in a while, and since my blog friend, One Wink at a Time, got me to thinking about why that is a few days ago, I figured that it might be a good thing to write about it. so... here ya go. :)

soon enough

Tomorrow is the big day... we'll be leaving home at around 11 p.m. to head to the airport w/ our flight taking off at about 2:00 a.m. I'm pretty much packed... just getting the last few odds and ends ready and making sure or trying to make sure that I haven't forgotten anything.... and for some reason, I keep forgetting to get my socks out. I always tend to forget to pack socks.

My nerves have calmed pretty much, thank goodness. We pick up Naief's visa to the UK tomorrow, so I'm hoping that when we go thru immigration here in Bahrain, there won't be a problem. I'm taking his birth certificates, a letter from Hashim stating that it's okay for me to be traveling w/ the baby (alone), and I hope that about covers it. I won't be pulling out his American passport, unless needed, until we get on American soil... except at the airline's counter here in Bahrain... so it's my hope that it's smooth sailing at all points.

Gave Naief the sleeping meds last night to try them out. They made him hyper for about an hour 1/2 and then he fell asleep. Slept this morning until about 7 and took two bottles while asleep, which I thought was great. I was afraid they'd knock him out to the point that it was like he was in a coma, but it was very mild. I'm not for drugging the baby or anything, but since this is the first time to fly w/ him and because he hates to sit in one place for longer than 2 mins., it seems, and because I'm a bit of a nervous wreck w/ the thought of not being able to handle him by myself, I decided to go w/ the med. And really, I'm glad I have. I think it'll be perfect ... it'll let him sleep soundly and will allow me to get a little rest myself.

I'm thrilled to be going. Can't hardly wait. Packing is killing me though. I never know what to take, what not to take and wind up taking things I never wear. I promised myself I wouldn't do that again this time, but wouldn't ya know it, I am. But... I'm hoping that as tomorrow comes upon me, I'll have some type of revelation and know exactly what is needed! yeah, right.... but at least I can be dream...

My friend, S, will be having her baby in Feb., actually her due date is 2 days prior to Naief's birthday. I'm thrilled for her, but sad because I won't be here for it. I can't wait to hear the good news and to come back to see her sweet little baby! My sister and all her friends in Cali do this thing where they take food to all their new momma friends, and I'm gonna start that tradition here starting w/ S. Never realized how much something like that can help until having my own baby. My MIL sent food to us for weeks after the birth and it was so needed. It's nice to not have to worry about cooking, especially when you're tired and have a million other things on your mind!

I saw Henry yesterday. It warmed my heart to see that he's alive and doing well. My FIL has taken on two more of these birds and I'm really wanting to set them free. I told Hashim today that I want to become a caped crusader and set all these caged birds free!!! Imagine... seems like a crazy idea but I'm just the one to do it!! :) One of my blog friends, Jane, made an interesting point about caged birds. She said something like, "If God had intended for birds not to fly, He wouldn't have given them wings" or "If God had intended for birds to be caged, He wouldn't have given them wings". I so agree w/ this and will never buy another caged bird. Now, if I could only get my in-laws to see it this way!

And that's about it for me. I'm tired - need to sleep but can't because of my nerves - and am so anxious that I leave tomorrow that I'm beside myself. Today we were driving around Bahrain and I actually got sad. For as much as I think I don't like it here (on days), I really have fallen in love w/ Bahrain! Can you believe I'm saying this?!! The people are really good here... so many times, out of the blue, people will start talking to me about the baby. I get smiles from mothers and complete strangers, and just a general positive vibe from people who don't know me but love babies. It's a good feeling and it's nice to be experiencing it! And Naief loves the attention! And wouldn't you know it, but I can honestly say I'm gonna miss my FIL and MIL! Yes, pick yourself up off the floor, it's true! :)

weekend plans

Can't hardly believe it, but we have a babysitter for tonight and me and Hashim are going out on a little date to our favorite restaurant!! Needless to say, I'm thrilled. Can't even tell ya how long it's been since we've been outta the house w/out the baby. I'm having her come early so that Naief is still awake because I've noticed that whenever we've left him w/ my MIL - and he's sleeping - he wakes up and goes into fits. So... my hopes are that we'll avoid this by having him awake w/ her and me around... that way, we can say goodbye to him and he knows that everything is ok... or at least I'm hoping it works out so well.

This weekend will be a busy weekend. Me, hubby and Naief will be meeting up w/ some of our friends that we met in our Lamaze class - both women had their babies before me... one is two months older than Naief and one is three months older (I think he's that age... and I hope she and her husband are coming) - so it should be quite an experience because Naief loves other babies. And another good thing is that both women are very open minded and we all think a lot alike, so it'll be nice to swap stories and have things in common. I'm really looking forward to that.

It's hard when your friends don't have children, especially when you're consumed w/ your child. Because at this age and being a new mom, it's impossible not to be consumed. Everything revolves around being a mother. You think, eat, breathe baby stuff.... or at least I do. That's probably why I don't remember anything any more and my brain feels like mush most days.... unless you wanna hear a lullaby, play patty cake or get on the floor and make babbling noises... then forget talking to me! :)

I'm also gonna be meeting a girl that left a comment on my blog some time ago who is pregnant right now and will be having her baby around Naief's bday next year... I think she's due around the 6th of Feb., if I'm not mistaken. I'm excited because she's from the States, loves cats, has a similar taste in music.... and did I say pregnant?!! :)

Anyway... nice weekend to you guys... hopefully the weather will be cool... I'm really enjoying the fact that the weather is changing. I can't hardly wait for the day when we don't have to run the a/c.