birthday pics

Finally getting around to posting some pics from Naief''s bday party. We had a jumpy house that all the kids loved, balloons out front to identify the house ;) and loads of cake. Think we might have a few pieces left in case any of you want some... I could express it to you :)

All in all I think he had a nice birthday party and one that we'll always remember.

We went to Laguna Beach this past Monday. It was fantastic. The weather was incredible and there were tons of ppl out enjoying the sun. Naief was so good. We stayed for three hours - yes, w/ plenty of sunscreen - while Katelyn played in the water and looked for shells, and Naief stood in the water for a few waves and laughed every time the water would come up to his legs... it was so adorable.

He was exhausted by the time we got home - all of us were actually.

We're thinking of going to Hollywood tomorrow and going to the big aquariam in Orange County this weekend. I think Naief will have a wonderful time... especially seeing that he loves fish...

happy day and smiles to you!

miss thang is returning

oh lordy, today's the day... my sister, the mean puss, returns. it's been so quiet here in the house w/out her here. quiet in a good way, i might add! ;) i've not had chores for several days and i'm sorta getting used to it! altho, with the withdrawals i've been having from not hearing her bark orders at me every morning... i couldn't help but get up and clean the house! :) so... maybe i do have a bit of sympathy inside for her... but not much!! hehehehe

she's been gone since thursday for a class in houston and comes home tonight around 8 pm. she now has the crap/cold/flu we've been passing around in the house since early december (and i'm finally well, thank goodness), and you'd think from the way she's acting that she's dying. makes me laugh really. yeah, yeah... how mean of me... i know. but i can't help it. i was so sick for weeks and she didn't have any sympathy for me or if she did she didn't show it.

she called yesterday whining and carrying on and this morning she called to tell us how she couldn't make it to her class because of how sick she is, and that her suitcase broke so she was out shopping for a new one... shopping and sickness - do they go hand in hand??!! i can only imagine tomorrow. we're all gearing up for it. she'll probably be in bed all day yelling for us to come to her to bring her water, food and whatnot. ;) and when she gets up... watch out!

poor thang... i know how she feels, but dear sister... i also know how you left me here and went to your friend's house when i was sick as a dog and didn't even offer to babysit for me!!! so... get ready, for tomorrow you have tons of cleaning to do and me and the hubby are going out and you'll be watching the baby! ;)

get well soon!!!! :) :)

As of late...

Most of the good birthday pics are on my sis' camera, so before getting them off of there, thought I'd share a couple of cute pics of Naief eating his bday cake at his party and one cute one of him and Katelyn outside prior to the party, and I'll also throw in a couple others just for good measure.

This last one here is of the mountains just a few days back. It's been snowing a lot up there and since the sky was so clear, just couldn't help getting a pic of it. We're thinking of driving up to Big Bear for a day. My sis is leaving tomorrow a.m. for Houston to take some course for 3 days, so it'll be quiet around here.... so what better time to hop in the car and take a drive... especially one that'll be so scenic!

I'll post some pics of the party soon.... we had a good time. I'm happy to say that Naief didn't cry, wasn't afraid of the ppl or kids and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the pizza, chips & dips, and homemade chili from his pappa. I'm tellin' ya, this kid eats everything!! And surprisingly, he wasn't all strung out from the sugar overload like I thought he'd be... he took a big nap not long after these pics.... could hardly believe it! :)

phew, can you believe it!!! :)

I hardly can... it's been ONE FULL YEAR TODAY....

wow, how time flies when a baby is growing!

Happy Birthday little boy....

a fabulous read

My sister introduced me to this book when I got to Calif. It's only been in the last 3 days that I've picked it up. Now, I can't put it down. Stayed up until 2 a.m. last night reading this darn thing and woke up at 6 thinking about it. Actually, I couldn't fall back to sleep because my mind kept going over everything that had happened.

Then I started thinking about hubby leaving and the fact that he'll be here tomorrow.... so sleep, I knew, would not come back to me.

This book pulls on my heart strings. I found myself crying at several points last night... when Amir's father died, when his best friend from childhood, Hassan, and Hassan's wife had been shot by the Taliban in Afghanistan. This was all after learning that Hassan had been his brother which only made the shame in his heart all the heavier because of what he had done to Hassan and his father,
Ali, years ago.

Then to find out that Hassan had a son and Amir is given the task of returning to war torn Afghanistan to find him.... but... is he a strong enough man to do this?

This is where I am at the moment. I can hardly wait to get back to it, but there are so many things to do today, so I guess it'll be another late night for me tonight. :) And really, I can't wait. I love books like this.... the ones that capture me immediately, hold on and don't let go until the bitter end.

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Naief's bday party is this Saturday. Hashim gets in tomorrow at 1 - I can hardly wait. We found out last night that more ppl are coming than first expected so I called the bakery this morning and changed the cake order. Have to run to the Dollar Tree shortly to pick up more decorations, plates, napkins, table cloths, toys for two addt'l bags for the addt'l kids, and I should be ready.

Me and my sis will make the menu tonight... what to make, what to make. I think we're doing pizza and some fabulous chicken from some mexican place, and then lots of dips and finger foods, beer, sodas and maybe a few games. I'm also thinking or will prob get one of those big bouncy tent things for the kids.... I just hope it doesn't rain.

The rain seems to linger and linger. I love the rain, but I'm truly sick of it. I want it to warm up, get sunny and allow us some time to enjoy some sight seeing and maybe even go to the ocean w/ Naief. Not to swim mind you, but just to walk, play in the water - maybe a little - and relax.

Hashim has been so busy at work and then spending all his other hours in the studio. He's totally ready for a relaxing vacation... and I'm so ready for him to be here. I hope the baby recognizes him .... but I'm sure if he doesn't, it won't take any time for him to realize who it is.

aaahhhhh... this is my first bday party to throw. I'm anxious. I'm not a big "life of the party" type of person, so I opted out of opening the presents in front of everyone and we'll wait for Naief's bday to do so. I just hope I'm calm on Saturday and able to relax and enjoy his first birthday party.

Kennedy backs Obama

Caroline Kennedy has come out in favor of Barack Obama (NEW YORK (AP) - The daughter of President John F. Kennedy is endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Caroline Kennedy says Obama can inspire Americans in the same way her father once did.).

I'm thrilled to read this. I really like Obama and would like to see him as the next American President. Despite all the smear campaigns going on right now against him - with the Muslim thing getting national attention again - I just hope he overcomes and ppl see the true side to Hilary Clinton and what her camp is up to and that it's all lies.

It's really sad in this day and age that ppl can send out emails to the masses discussing his religious affiliations or upbringing and have it affect his campaign or possible seat in the White House. It's sad that it's looked down upon - his being raised by a Muslim father and not in this country - it's just really a shame that ppl, in this day and age, are still so shallow.

Ppl like to brag about how far America has come, has un-racist we are, but it's alive and well today... as evidenced by the ppl trying to smear Obama on such things.

I hope we can all rise above this... and who gives a damn if he is Muslim!!! Does that make him a bad person? No. I am married to a Muslim, I converted to Islam, our child is Muslim....

I'm here to tell you, it's not a bad thing!

this ain't fun....

Me and the baby have been sick for over three wks now, w/ the worst of it hitting us over the last week 1/2. I brought meds w/ me from Bahrain just in case the baby got sick and figured that if I got anything, I could pick up meds here.... or so I thought.

Went to the pharmacist the other day to find out what's best for this crap that's ailing me and she told me to get Mucinex for congestion and coughing and Claridan D for the runny/stopped up nose. I picked up the Mucinex then headed over to the pharmacy area to get the Claridan... seeing that's it kept back there under lock and key. I figured they kept it back there to keep potential drug users from getting ahold of it, but, come to find out from sisterpoo, they just recently made it over the counter - since it used to be by prescription only.

So I wait in line to get up to the counter for what seemed like eternity and when my time finally rolled around, I go up there, ask for it, she gives it to me and then asks to see my identification. I pull out my passport (as I was told I needed it from another pharmacist to get the medicine) and they wouldn't take it. In order for me to get any medicine that's behind the counter, I have to have a valid ID or driver's license from Calif. I was totally miffed, to say the least.

Couldn't believe it really. I told her that I had been told at Walmart that I could get it w/ my passport, but she refused, saying that it's State law that in order for me to obtain this med, I would have to show a valid ID from the State of California.

Here I am sick, needing this med, but can't get it. I came home, told my mom to get her ID. In disbelief that they wouldn't give it to me and cussing under her breath... we start out the door to go and get it, but... just as we're about to leave, sisterpoo gives me some regular Claridan that she has, tells me it's the same and to use it.

So, I used it and am now out. Me and mom, baby and niece are about to head out to try and pick up the infamous "other" medicine, so we shall see if we're allowed to get it. Sometimes the crap that you have to put up with here in the States gets under my skin.

I hate being sick.

change, change, change

In less than a month, Naief will be a year old. Can hardly believe it really. Time does pass fast when they're growing and changing so much. Everybody tells me to enjoy it now because they grow so fast, and I agree, but, truthfully, I'm looking forward to all of those changes and to him getting older.

He's already starting to stand in one place by himself. He'll push up either from me or from the floor and stand in one place for several seconds. Last night I actually thought he was going to take a step, but he didn't. I think that'll prob come when he's not thinking about it. Right now, he's getting his legs.. they still wobble a little. It reminds me of a fawn.... they way they get up with their legs spread wide apart, go back down and then get right back up. He does the same, even w/ the legs spread apart. Makes me smile and laugh.

He's also now clapping. Wasn't sure when or if he'd learn to do that since I think many kids were doing it way before him, but my mom taught him a few wks back and now he does it all the time. :) He's not clapping along w/ Pat a Cake or If You're Happy and You Know It, but I know he will be before long.

And something that is surprising me to no ends is the fact that he's cutting 4 teeth at once! He actually skipped his canine teeth on the bottom and started cutting two teeth back from those on each side. Didn't realize babies cut two teeth at once and skipped teeth like that, but he is. He now almost has 12 teeth.

He also loves music and when he's standing will do a little jig. It's so cute. He'll bounce on his little legs to the music. And talking about music, he's also very interested in musical instruments. My sister has a banjo or something and he loves to sit and strum it. I'm sure his daddy will be really happy about that. I think he's also singing. He'll hold notes for long periods of time when someone is singing or if he hears singing on the TV. I know lots of parents say stuff like that.... that their children started singing at 2 or some such, now I see why they say that. Coz he's doing that... or if it's not that, it sure sounds like it. I hope it is... especially since Hashim loves to sing and his momma loves to sing... sounds right to me. :)

Being here has been great. He loves my mom and I love seeing the two of them together. I only wish she could be around us all of the time... I really wish that could be. His grandparents in Bahrain just aren't the same with him... I wish they were, but it's different and when the time comes to go back to Bahrain, I will really miss the interaction between him and my mom. I can't even go there really....

cloned meat

Heard this yesterday, not sure if it's a new thing or something that's been around for a bit, but apparently they're starting to put cloned meat into the grocery stores, and from what I understand, it's not labeled as such.

I'm not a huge meat eater, but even if I were, I really don't know how I'd feel about eating cloned meat.... maybe I have already and just didn't know it.

Many of you may see no problem w/ it... meat is meat... but, to me, it just seems... not right.

This whole cloning thing doesn't sit right w/ me. I'm not for it. Don't believe in it.

I can't help but to think, "where does God stand in all of this?", but I'm funny that way.

Also read where they're thinking of approving cloned milk....

Really... I have a big problem with all of this. I wonder if the Arab world will allow this? I hope not! For now... I think I'm gonna stop eating meat here, or go to the Arab market and get my meat!

office spyware

Was watching CNN this morning and it seems that Microsoft has just patented a new thing called Office Spyware. It'll allow employers to watch what they're employees are doing on their computers, gauge their heartbeats, temperature and such. Until recently, it's only been used by NASA and in fighter jets.

Makes me wonder... would you want your employer watching what you're doing on your computer? They could call it up remotely, even, and watch you w/out you ever knowing... but hey, I guess it's no different than what they're doing here w/ respect to listening in on telephone conversations to the Middle East and such.

Seems a bit creepy to me, and not something I'd like at all. Who wants to be watched like that? I can't even stand someone to stand behind me when I'm typing...

voices and accents

My sis, Jahooni, was talking on her blog about accents, so it made me think about accents and voices. And if you haven't checked out her blog as of late... you might want to... she seems to be in a rather spunky mood as of late.

Before moving to Bahrain, I was pretty lame in that the British accent was a pretty big deal to me. Yeah, I'm small town! ;) Now, after hearing accents from all over the globe, I must admit that my preferences have changed a bit. Not that the British accent still isn't a favorite mind you, but after falling for the hubby, I would have to say that his accent is now my favorite. It just has this ..... how do I put it... well, it makes me tingle all over!! It's very sexy, deep... and just the way he says his words... aaahhh, I'm like chocolate in his hands! ;) hmmmm... I wonder if that's a bad thing?!! you think?? ;)

And... coming in a close 2nd would have to be the German accent. Just love it.... and wouldn't ya know it, hubby can speak some German! ;) and with a good accent!! hmmm....

Then, I'd have to say, that my old favorite, British, pulls in a third... but, even in saying that, I have a hard time distinguishing between the British, Scottish and Irish accent. They all sound very similar to me, altho I know they're not and are different in their own special way... I sorta liken it to the various accents in the States. But.. I will say, that over time, I think I'll get to the point that I can tell the difference or hope I can because in thinking about it, I can also say that I have a hard time telling the difference between the British and South African in some ppl. I think that between those three, the Irish is the easiest for me to pick out.... I'm sure all you Brits would strongly disagree w/ my evaluation here... but like I said, I'm small town! ;)

I really like the French accent, but I find it difficult to understand.... and talk about not understanding.. I have a hard time with the Indian accents. Not all, but many. I have some Indian friends that have British accents, but the guys that you find working in shops around Bahrain or the guys who work in gas stations and such in the States... well, forget about it, I can't understand a word that comes outta their mouths. Indians talk so fast... I think that's a big part of it.

anyway... this is my take on accents.. and the voices, well... to me, they just make a good accent all the better....

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Hashim!!! I hope you have a wonderful day, and that your every wish comes true in the coming year.

I miss you and can hardly wait to see you... only a couple more weeks!

Naf Naf sends kisses, smiles and love.

look at me

This is the first time that Naief has stood on his own.

My sister snapped these shots tonight while he stood for maybe 10 to 15 seconds. Not a great length of time, but standing nonetheless.

I could hardly believe it. And at one point, I could swear that he was going to take a step... but he didn't.

I think he'll wait for you, hubby, to walk... but grandma thinks he'll be walking in the next couple of weeks! Just so you know, he was thrilled at standing and giggled while he stood there.

happy day

It's been raining in California for two days straight now. The clouds are low over the mountains, the sky is grey and it's quite chilly outside. I love it. Heard that Bahrain is having similar weather and that it's down to about 56.... about time that cold weather has finally moved in!

(this pic is of the night sky from my sis' back yard... or right before it got dark... it was so pretty. the pic doesn't do it justice)

Naief's 1st bday is coming soon and we've been putting together the details for a party here at my sister's house. Went out and got a bunch of things the other night at the Dollar Tree (boy do they have cute, inexpensive stuff!!) and we'll plan to have a "ball" theme.... that'll include soccer balls, footballs, baseballs and basketballs. He loves balls of all kinds, so can't imagine doing it any other way really.

I know he won't remember anything, but since I'm terribly sentimental and since it's here w/ my family, and since I'll be adding all the pics and such to his baby book, how could I not do it - - right?!! And it is his first birthday! Boy, time has travelled fast around us....

Naief has started walking w/ a walker (the stand up kind), has cut his 9th tooth, is getting into most everything and isn't afraid of the grass any more. We took him to the park the other day and he slid down a few of the slides w/ Katelyn and really liked it. He's pretty thrilled w/ sand and hasn't put any in his mouth - yet - but is putting most everything else in his mouth, actually anything his little hands can get ahold of! He's particularly fond of rocks and paper.

The other day I was eating Bit 'O Honey's, wading the papers together as I gobbled down each one and since I wasn't paying attention, I didn't realize that Naief got them and stuck every one of them into his mouth. I turned around and I swear, if he could, he would have smiled because he seemed so proud of himself... and yes, I took them out. My mom calls him a little billy goat.... seeing that his favorite past time seems to be eating cardboard and paper of any kind.... poor kid! At least he hasn't gotten ahold of any change. I swallowed a whole dish full of pennies when I was little, have a niece that loved sticking cigarette butts in her mouth and then one kid of my cousins played in toilets... so the way I look at it, I'm not doing too bad! ;)

Anyway... I hope all of you out there are well and the New Year is treating you kindly. Take care .... and sorry for not visiting blogs as of late. It's hard to get online unless the baby is asleep... so hopefully I'll see all of you around soon.

New Year's resolutions

For many, over in Bahrain, New Year's Eve is this coming evening. For us in the States, it's tomorrow evening.... either way, it makes me sit back and contemplate resolutions. In the past, I've tended to set some type of goal or want for myself, sometimes achieving it and sometimes not. I've been known to make lists of things I intend to change, try to achieve, give up and whatnot. To some degree or another, I've usually wound up being disappointed in myself for not sticking w/ it or not doing it well enough (that Virgo side of me) or at all, sooooo.....

Nowadays, I try not to set resolutions or if I do, I try not to set more than just a couple. Can't say that I have any for the coming year. I think about things I'd like to change or do differently, but I'm not dead set on changing something in my life... or am I????

I know I'd like to lose some weight, but crap... what happened to my motivation??? If I can't get motivated after having 3 women ask me if I'm pregnant, then nothing will motivate me! And I can't tell you how sick I am of hearing that question!! Ok, I have a poochy tummy, but lordy, I don't LOOK PREGNANT!!! Or, at least, I don't think I do.

I'd like to start cutting a lot of sugar out of my diet, but coming from someone that loves candy, it's gonna be hard. I can pretty much mentally psyche myself out w/ things in order to stop certain habits or to not eat certain foods/drinks and such, but for some reason, it's not so easy when it comes to candy. I desperately love candy .... on days. :)

Ok... so, I've listed a couple things. I'd rather not think about it too much or I might start making lists again! ;)

How about you? Do you have any or are you flying solo this year?

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

few holiday photos

These are some pics of my family. The first is of my mom with Naief. Then you see the one with my sister, her husband, my niece, mom and me and Naief. The others... well, I think you can figure it out :)

Happy holidays... tomorrow is the big day :)

Tomorrow is Christmas! Wow... it came fast! Weird, but when I'm in Bahrain, it seems to come and go w/out much hoopla and this year I'm really feeling it. Didn't think so at first, but there's just something about Christmas Eve and Santa coming that makes Christmas a little bit different.

Altho, I haven't had a visit from Santa in years, Naief will be visited tonight and I just can't wait to see what happens tomorrow morning when we all get up and he sees all his goodies under the tree. I doubt if he'll get overjoyed, since he was more estactic over the paper at the Christmas party we went to last night than his actual gifts... but I don't care... I'm just thrilled that he'll get to enjoy all the fun w/ his cousin, Katelyn.

Btw... he ADORES his cousin. Makes me wish I had a little 7 year old at home for him to play with, but maybe in the coming year we'll get around to making a little playmate for him! ;) He loves to pull her hair and try to attack her. He follows her around everywhere and gets so bashful in the mornings when she gets up. It's just too cute.

Last night while at the Christmas party, my sister's friend, R, had this walker that we let Naief play with... different than a walker in Bahrain in that this is the kind that you stand up with and push to walk, instead of sit in and ride around. To my utter amazement, he walked with it!!! I was overjoyed and tried to get it on tape for Hashim but it was too dark in her house and I only got a small amount of footage. But... R let me borrow it, so I have it here so that Naief can get used to it. He's already tried it this morning and loves it. My sister wanted to get him one of those, but I told her not to bother because I didn't think he could use it, but now I'm thinking we outta get one to take home w/ us... not that they don't have them there... so, I should probably just wait.

R has two little girls and a little boy. Her youngest is 6 mths and while holding her, Naief was also in my arms and just smiled and started touching her. It was so sweet. I was a bit afraid he might try to slap her or pull her hair, which is his latest big thing, but he didn't. He didn't even cry or get jealous... I was proud! ;) Matter of fact, he behaved so well last night. At first he was a little afraid for me to let him down, but probably after 10 mins. he wanted to get down and crawled around everywhere, even going outside.

Oh yeah... he NOW loves the grass! With a little urging from his cousin, he went out onto it yesterday and seemed to love it. We also took him down to the park and he got to swing all by himself for the first time, and played in the sand for the first time. He was very interested in the sand. Got some cute pics of him in it, so I'll try to post some later.

We're having a Christmas Eve party today with all of my BILs family and some of my sister's friends coming. We've been cleaning house all morning and I must say that my sister is one helluva cleaner... getting down on her hands and knees to scrub things... and I thought I was a clean fanatic! Then tomorrow we're going to dinner w/ my BILs family to a mexican joint... different than what I've had in the past, but sounds yummy to me!

Oh yeah... almost forgot. Last night at the party, I was holding Naief and there were some friends of R's there and her brother, well... one guy asked me Naief's name and I told him what it was then he started asking where it came from, what it means and whatnot, so I tell him that it's Muslim , then all of a sudden he says, "I'm a Jew". I didn't know what to say. I just stood there and he walked off. I wasn't sure if he was trying to be rude or just being funny. Later that night I realized he was only joking around and was a really nice person... but that really stunned me at first.

Ok... I hope you all are doing well... enjoying the holiday festivities and looking forward to Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone.... and

HO HO HO!!!!

few pics of Naief in California

Thought some of you might enjoy these pics of the baby, his cousin and my sis while here in Cali.

It's raining today, cold outside and there are so many low lying clouds that you can't see the mountains in front of my sister's place.... I love it. :) I've missed the rain, but, so far, there's no thunder or lightening or such.

Anyway... hope you like the photos.

Here we are

Gosh... it's been almost a week since being in Cali and haven't gotten into an argument w/ my sister one time... okay, maybe a tiny little spat, but it ended quickly, so all is happy on the Jahooni and Um Naief cloud! :)

Naief is still trying to get used to the time change. He's waking up at midnight wanting to play... which last night my sister got us up, played for a while, and he slept until 8:30 this morning!!!! What a relief since he's been waking up at 4:30 and 5 in the morning every day.

We've been spending our days shopping for Christmas presents, stocking stuffers... and even a few things for myself... yeah, how could I not, especially since they're carrying Vera Wang at Kohl's now and her pajamas are to DIE FOR!!!! Oh my gosh, they are sooooo soft... your skin melts in them, believe me!

Stocking stuffers are the hardest to get... I rack my brain trying to come up w/ things to fill stockings, and buying for hubby has always been the hardest for me, but this year... with a little help from my sister, I was able to get things to fill his stocking w/out a problem!

And mentioning stockings, I COULD NOT believe the difference in sizes of the stockings between me and my sister and Hashim's was quite small comparetively speaking (and yes, we're talking about sister jealousy here! ;) ). My mother made me and Hashim stockings two years ago and sent them to us filled w/ goodies, so this year she tells me to bring them w/ me - which I did - and what did my wondering eyes see when I got here, you may ask??!!! My sister's stocking is two sizes bigger than mine!!! Yep! Even the dog's stocking is bigger than mine and hubby's !!! Oh.. and if you know me, that was a no go, so I marched in to my mother and told her right off that that would have to be fixed :)!! So yesterday my momma made me and hubby new stockings!! and now sisterpoo is complaining that mine is bigger than hers! Can you believe it!?? I can... but I laugh because it's been how many years that she's been getting gobs more stocking stuffers than me... matter of fact, there have been years that I haven't even gotten a stocking from my mom... so this is only fair, the way I see it! ;) hehehe AND... found out this morning that she actually measured the stockings last night when one of her friend's was over.... uh huh.... she can hardly stand that my stocking is as big as hers now!!


And... and all of you might figure, I miss my husband a lot. This is the first vacation I've taken w/out him and for it to be such an extended length of time, well... it makes me sad on days... but the daily shopping excursions have helped w/ that somewhat! ;) Altho, I know Hashim is not too happy to hear that! But hey.. I haven't had Christmas w/ my family... well, my sister in about 5 years and ... my mom, well, it's been about 9 or more years, so I see this year as special. Coz who knows when the next time will be that I get to spend the holidays w/ them and such an extended length of time!

My sister has a dog and it's been a difficult task in getting Naief used to him. If I sit Naief down on the floor, the dog is usually all over him... not being mean or anything, just wanting to lick him and it scares Naief a bit, so he usually cries and doesn't want to do anything but be held, which is hard for me. He's also not particularly keen on being held or watched by my mom... crying when I leave the room and when I left to get gas the other day, he went into a complete crying fit, and then when I took a shower, my mom thought she was gonna have a panic attack because of the way he started acting.... so that's been hard, to say the least. I feel like I have a siamese twin and it makes it hard to do anything... but I'm trying to see it as a good thing and know that soon enough he won't even want me to hold him... but it's hard.

Anyway... this has been our time in a quick nutshell. We have a dinner party to go to this weekend, so I'll be making a pie to take - one of my favorites - and then I'm gonna do some baking over the next several days... making some Christmas cookies, brownies and such. The nice thing about here is that they have ready-made pie shells, which is nice. Never tried them, but have heard their just as good as the real thing, so I'm gonna give 'em a whirl this time around.

Happy shopping everyone... and Happy Eid to everyone in Bahrain!

Miss you Hashim!

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! :)