tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11096920641083661842024-02-21T15:42:54.203+02:00The Mother in MeDianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-76689252468525578532011-12-28T20:23:00.000+02:002011-12-28T20:23:11.439+02:00My Ameer is Finally Here<div style="text-align: justify;">My new bundle of joy, Ameer, arrived to this world on the 4th of December 2011 at around 18:45, 18 hours after arriving at the hospital. I was 37 weeks and 5 days pregnant. I didn't see that coming that soon, but it was a great surprise and a great relief indeed :D</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My mom was supposed to arrive from Lebanon on the same day, so hubby had to leave me to pick her up from the airport. Yes, I was left all alone in the delivery room when I was expected to deliver my baby at any moment. I felt bad, really bad, miserable to be more specific, and I cried and cried.. I felt so unlucky for not having any family or friends around, especially at such moments. But finally mom arrived a couple of hours before delivery, she came directly to the hospital and stayed with me the whole time while hubby had to stay outside with Kareem. I almost had a breakdown when I saw them coming and thanked God they made it before the baby did. Otherwise I don't know what would have I done without them. After delivery I forgot all about what I've been through, and felt that I'm the luckiest woman EVER for having such a mom, hubby and children. May God protect them all, amen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ameer is such a gorgeous baby mashAllah. He spends most of his time sleeping, giving me enough time to sleep, do housework, spend some quality time with his brother, and even go out. This time, I feel more confident and more comfortable in dealing with a newborn, since I've been through all this before.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kareem loves his brother, but he's a bit jealous of him, which is quit normal and expected. We're trying to give him as much attention as before, if not more, so that he doesn't feel any difference, still he goes crazy sometimes when we give the baby some attention.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My heart just melts when I look at my boys. I can't thank God enough for having such a bliss. Alhamdulillah :)</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-46247313305013292422011-09-21T10:01:00.000+03:002011-09-21T10:01:37.130+03:00Kareem Going to School<div style="text-align: justify;"> Sunday 18-9-2011was Kareem's first day of school. He's still too young for KG1 (3 years two months old), but we thought that he can manage, at least academically, but socially we were not sure, still decided to give it a shot anyway. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We've been preparing him for this day for a long time, telling him about school and all. We prepared him to the fact that parents don't stay with the children at school and all that.. Still we've been dreading this day for months now. We were sure that he'll cry his eyes out when we leave him at school because he's very attached to us, and is not used to be left with strangers for a long time now, especially that I've been jobless for more than a year, and he stopped going to the daycare since then.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Surprisingly, he was very confident and excited on the first day of school. He did not cry at all. On the contrary, he was very happy and wanted to go there over and over again. On the second day he was also excited to go again to school. BUT on the third day he started nagging that he doesn't want to go there anymore! When I dropped him at school, he cried. Today (4th day) he also said that he doesn't want to go to school, but thankfully he didn't cry. It was me who cried this time. I've been holding my tears and struggling to stay calm and strong since the first day, but I couldn't take it anymore. I'm very attached to him, like he to me, and I'm not used to stay at home without him, it feels sooooo empty without him running around the house all day. Even when I worked for around a year and a half, Kareem used to stay with me in the nursery of the school I used to work at. We used to go together and come back home together, we were under the same roof and I could check on him at any time. So this time it is different, and more difficult, and being pregnant makes me even more emotional about the whole matter.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But what can we do. This is life and sooner or later he has to be given the chance to learn how to deal with things on his own. His teachers like him, and he seems to like them too. He's a good boy and actually makes me proud.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I keep checking the time and asking myself what is he doing now? Call me silly but I really wished they have a camera in his class to allow me watch what he's doing all day. Kareem, my precious, May God bless you and protect you always.</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-67649589792860137932011-08-10T13:30:00.001+03:002011-08-10T13:31:39.376+03:00Its Blue again!<div style="text-align: justify;">Well, e7em e7em, I hate to admit it but my feeling totally betrayed me this time. Maybe because I've always wanted to have a daughter, I kept having dreams that I'm holding a baby girl, which convinced me that what's growing inside my tummy is a girl. I even started to think of girls names...and was waiting impatiently to make sure of the gender to start buying pink stuff.... until it was time for an ultrasound that showed that I'm having a baby "boy"! I was shocked, to be honest, not that I don't want a boy, or that I object on God's will, but because of that "feeling", I was almost convinced that it's a girl. I'm still having those dreams by the way..</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, alhamdulillah, I'm not sad or unsatisfied, God knows I love him and want him as much as I've wanted a girl. The good part is that Kareem will have a "brother", which is cool. Kareem already calls him "akhoni".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And by the way, I'm halfway there, 20 more weeks to go..</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-22685452589653127382011-07-12T00:12:00.003+03:002011-07-12T00:12:00.516+03:00It's Kareem's Third Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUovJQ5PRL6LuubGNnUyOyUQh8rXws_8UWzByqK6yxXzv0z5X4dkU0ovaEXFSwW4PLPzJjW8ELq87NsSSsqIYYy2aVyXxL7wwJMZ44DuSDOWvcueiY4nRfCsSGnlw6e3m0boFnJLuznI/s1600/three+years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUovJQ5PRL6LuubGNnUyOyUQh8rXws_8UWzByqK6yxXzv0z5X4dkU0ovaEXFSwW4PLPzJjW8ELq87NsSSsqIYYy2aVyXxL7wwJMZ44DuSDOWvcueiY4nRfCsSGnlw6e3m0boFnJLuznI/s320/three+years.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kareem is a bright boy mashAllah. I'm speaking from a teacher's point of view not a mom's by the way ;)<br />
In the past year, I've been spending some time every now and then teaching him stuff. He can now identify all the English alphabet, uppercase and lowercase. He can count to 20, and read numbers up to 100. He can name most of the colors and shapes in Arabic and English, the names of most animals, birds, vehicles, things, etc... also in both languages. I've just started introducing him to the Arabic alphabet. He recites four short Quraan surahs by heart. We do crafts every now and then, and he enjoys it. I think that his favorite toys are puzzles and trains. He likes balls and bicycles of course, a typical boy. His favorite dishes these days are spaghetti and french fries. He likes vegetables and fruits, thankfully. He's all ready to go to school after two months!!<br />
<br />
My baby isn't a baby anymore. He's a big boy now, and is going to be a big brother soon inshAllah. Kareem turns three years old today. I can't believe how time flies! I still think of the moment I first laid my eyes on you as if it was yesterday. I can't tell you how much I LOVE you, how much I'm grateful to have you in my life. You're my joy and pride, the most precious gift I've ever had. God bless you my dearest. Happy happy Birthdaaaaaaaaaaay, MWAAAH</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-22052839225719700092011-07-06T07:52:00.000+03:002011-07-06T07:52:10.543+03:00Kareem and the Expected Baby<div style="text-align: justify;">When we told Kareem that we're expecting a baby, he didn't get it at first. It was important to let him know that there's a baby inside mommy's belly so that he stops kicking mommy there. We were really concerned that he might hurt me or the baby with his boyish way of playing, so that he becomes more careful. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When he finally got it, he was surprised and pleased, and of course more careful not to hurt the baby. He said that he loves the baby and wants him to come soon to play with him. He keeps checking my growing belly and asking: there's a baby in there, right? I love him and he loves me, and we'll play together. He sometimes acts funny about it. Like once he saw me patting on my stomach, I often have a stomach pain :(, so he got angry and said "Mom, don't do that! You'll hurt the baby!" :@ haha</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once he was playing with his baby toy when he looked at me and asked: there's a baby in your belly just like this one, right? Yes dear, that's right. Then, let this one, pointing to the toy, enter your belly as well to stay with the other baby.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The funniest one so far was when he said yesterday: I also ate a baby, just like mommy did, it's here, inside my tummy. OMG, the boy thinks that I ATE a baby hahaha</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kareem is about to turn three, in less than a week :)</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-19491374215804566152011-07-06T07:32:00.000+03:002011-07-06T07:32:03.567+03:00Pink or Blue?<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm fifteen weeks pregnant now. We haven't discovered the gender of the baby yet, as during the previous visit to the doctor the baby refused to reveal his/her goodies :D . Maybe we'll be able to know in the next visit. I'm one of those people who prefer to know the gender of the baby early. I don't know why exactly, maybe it has to do with the bonding thing or something, beside other things like shopping and names :D</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, I have a "feeling" that it's a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">girl</span>! Let's wait and see if my feeling is right this time <i>too</i>.</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-68028585908002914092011-06-15T14:19:00.000+03:002011-06-15T14:19:50.367+03:00Kareem will have a brother/sisterWe're expecting baby number two. I'm 13 weeks pregnant. My due date is on the 20th of December, 2011. Praying for an easy delivery and a healthy baby inshallah.Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-58210735028326665282011-02-07T16:34:00.002+02:002011-02-07T16:34:20.214+02:00Zeeroteen and Oneteen<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">So Kareem already identifies the numbers from zero to ten, but after teaching him the numbers eleven to twenty, 10 becomes zeeroteen not to mention that 11 is oneteen! </span></h3>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-9464444157256258632010-12-12T15:37:00.005+02:002010-12-12T15:48:46.097+02:00بدّي أفرح بشبابيKareem came to me once and said:" Mama, bedi afra7 bi shababi".<div>I was like, HUH??? Come again please! What have you just said???? o_O</div><div>Kareem: "bedi afra7 bi shababi!"</div><div><br /></div><div>My God! What I heard was clear, no way to be mistaken, bedo yefra7 bi shababo??</div><div>I cracked up before remembering that it's that song on toyor el jannah that he used to watch in Jordan!</div><div>But for God's sake, among all the songs that he knows, why on earth did he choose this sentence in particular??</div><div><br /></div><div>I still laugh my heart out every time I recall this incident.</div><div><br /></div><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jqevw2rnWK4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jqevw2rnWK4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-74859756776336613052010-12-12T15:18:00.002+02:002010-12-12T15:33:36.133+02:00CookiesKareem went to the kitchen and found me cutting biscotti logs. He asked: "Mom, what are you doing?" I said:" preparing cookies". He opened his eyes in disbelief and started crying. "I want to make cookies, I want to make cookies with youuuuu." He was sooooo mad, sad, and disappointed. I couldn't stand the looks in his eyes, and the tears, as if he was trying to say: HOW COULD YOU? HOW COULD YOU BAKE COOKIES WITHOUT ME!! THIS IS BETRAYAL, BACKSTABBING!!<div><br /></div><div>Actually he's used to prepare cookies with me, cutting and decorating, he enjoys it. He couldn't believe that this time it wasn't the ordinary cookies that we usually prepare together. </div><div><br /></div><div>I felt guilty, calmed him down and gave him a piece of biscotti to cut. He started cutting and eating, with tears still falling from his eyes, he said: Hmmmm, LATHEETHAH.</div><div>He drew a smile on my face, and his. :)</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-73602779974523732022010-09-21T21:35:00.003+03:002010-09-21T22:18:39.175+03:00بهدوووووء<div style="text-align: left;direction: ltr; ">Kareem was playing today, preteding, and talking to his toys when I suddenly heard him saying: bi hodoo2</div><div style="text-align: left;direction: ltr; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Huh? bi hodoo2? Never mind, I thought to myself, I must have misheard him. But he repeated it, bi hodoo2. Then I burst out laughing, wak ya maf3oos, where do u get such expressions from? bi hodoo2 2oltelli?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, here's another word added to his "fos7a" dictionary. However, the most common fos7a word that Kareem uses is فقاعات (bubbles). He loves to see foqa3at, and to blow foqa3at, and to listen to the foqa3at song on Bara3m channel. And when he sees bubbles anywhere, especially at Early Learning Center, he gets all excited and starts screaming foqa3aaaaaaaaaat foqa3aaaat. I, myself, am not familiar with this term, 2al foqa3at 2al.</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-33199952381235653112010-09-16T20:32:00.005+03:002010-09-16T20:42:28.198+03:00Good Boy<div>I was working on some tracing sheets with Kareem, and while explaining to him how he's supposed to hold the pencil and join the dots I said: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">hek</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">emshi</span> 3<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">al</span> 5a6! So he stood up and literally walked on the paper. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Meshi</span> 3<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">al</span> 5a6, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">lol</span></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-6507000997042156762010-07-08T16:22:00.003+03:002010-07-08T17:41:03.240+03:00Kareem turns Two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYtYidSFkMkgo0GQuvYtildVVuim9AEIYZyrhUoTWaQfI2QM2ScDw-zqNnkPDwEHEDK9lisAyGdq4s3lbz2zOcg143baf6UcX0dTyOQK-iqfUNtUVggDzJ6anPnsrmGKmuC7tQh7WOeg/s1600/balloonstwoballoon.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYtYidSFkMkgo0GQuvYtildVVuim9AEIYZyrhUoTWaQfI2QM2ScDw-zqNnkPDwEHEDK9lisAyGdq4s3lbz2zOcg143baf6UcX0dTyOQK-iqfUNtUVggDzJ6anPnsrmGKmuC7tQh7WOeg/s320/balloonstwoballoon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491537948246494866" border="0" /></a>Kareem is growing and so is my love for him :)<br /><br />My sweet boy will turn two in 4 days! <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">July, 12, 2010</span> (but we actually had a party last month before he left the nursery :)<br /><br />He speaks very well <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mashallah</span> compared to his age.<br />He can count to 10 in both Arabic and English, knows a few colors and shapes, and can sing many nursery rhymes and children's songs in both languages.<br />His favorite show and favorite character ever is Barney. He also likes Dora, Obi, and Thomas, but Barney is number one.<br />His favorite dish is stuffed vine leaves. He eats it with passion actually, <a href="http://royalflower.blogspot.com/2008/02/mystery-behind-wara2-el-3inab.html">No wonder!</a> :D He also, like most toddlers his age, likes rice with yogurt (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">loz</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">laban</span>), and french fries with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">sabbab</span> (Ketchup).<br />He has many friends, they all love him, and he's the favorite of many of them.<br />They describe him at the nursery as the "classy" boy. Yeah right! See how classy he is at home, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">haha</span><br />I love to spend sometime watching him, do nothing but watch him, while playing, eating, sleeping... my most precious moments :)<br />I love his smell, even when he stinks :D<br />I love his smile, his laugh, his voice..<br />I love his eyes, especially when he laughs, I love his tiny mouth and nose, his cheeks are so edible and so are his toes, I so want to eat him alive!<br />I love how he runs to hug me<br />I love it when he kisses me saying 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">abeebi</span> mama, and when sympathizes with me and insists to kiss <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">el</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">wawa</span> if he saw a tiny cut or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">sth</span>. on my skin.<br />I love it when he starts singing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">spontaneously</span> while playing and then hides his face with his hands when he discovers that we're listening to and watching him.<br />I love it when he's in a good mood and asks us to play some music so that he can dance :D<br />I like (and hate at the same time) how <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">independent</span> he is! He chooses what he wants to eat,and recently what he wants to wear, what he wants to watch or listen to, and where to go!<br />I like how clean he is, his hands have to always be clean even if he hasn't finished eating yet.<br />I love it when he learns and says a new word.<br />and I can go on and on...<br /><br />Still, I hate how clingy he is sometimes and refuses to leave me even for five <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">minutes</span>.<br />I hate it when he gets sick<br />I hate it when he's moody and fussy and all my attempts to please him fail<br />I hate it when I lose my temper and yell at him or even <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">adroboh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">diddeh</span> on his hand<br />I hate that he learnt at the nursery to be possessive, and refuses sometimes to let anyone touch his things shouting: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ELE</span> (it's mine).<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Katkotati</span>, I can't really express how precious you are to me and how much I love you. May God protect you and keep you healthy and safe.<br />Happy birthday darling! Many many happy returns of the day, FA3ESSSSSSSSSSSSSDianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-11089930354433281662010-06-24T15:47:00.003+03:002010-06-24T15:51:24.850+03:00Khalto DianaGuess what Kareem is calling me these days.<br />Khaltoo Dianaaaaaaaaaa, khalto Dianaaaaaaaaaa<br />He heard his cousins calling me that, so he liked the idea :D<br />Kareem is almost two years old now.<br />Am I back to blogging? Well, I hope so but I can't promise. I miss this place so much.Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-73087572676286973442009-12-05T20:03:00.003+02:002009-12-05T20:54:25.653+02:00beeb beeeeeeb<div style="text-align: justify;">As I mentioned <a href="http://dianas-diaries.blogspot.com/2009/11/random-thoughts.html">before</a> Kareem was sick for a while and I was extremely worried about his complete loss of appetite. He used to refuse any kind of food even the things that he usually likes and heartily eats. I tried different methods and different kinds of food to encourage him to eat, but in vain. He lost weight of course and the doctor said that everything will be OK soon so there's no need to worry. I couldn't of course but remain worried.<br />The other day, I was so desperate that I decided to buy him a doughnut, I wanted him to eat, anything, healthy or not, el mohem yakol, ay shi. And I thought that a doughnut would be tempting enough for him to take a bite or two. When I handed it to him, he took it, (OK that's a good sign since he refused even to hold the food back then , there is hope that he may give it a try, and then he will like it and eat it all, and I'll be very happy and this will make my day... and everyone will live happily ever after :p)<br />All these thoughts ran through my head like a flash while Kareem was examining the doughnut, and we were waiting eagerly for him to start eating, yalla.. bismillah.. but instead of putting it in his mouth he started turning it left and right, like a steering wheel, saying: beeb beeeeeeb<br /><br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-77429925414507348012009-12-05T06:04:00.005+02:002009-12-05T06:29:27.777+02:00What Scares Kareemo<div style="text-align: justify;">We took Kareem for his "second" haircut yesterday. And for the second time, he cried his eyes out. A boy just his age did a haircut before him and didn't cry at all. He was busy watching barney. Although Kareem LOVES barney and was dancing and enjoying the show while waiting for his turn, he couldn't sit still and all the attempts to distract him and convince him to relax and watch barney went in vain.<br />Did I mention that the first time I felt that Kareem needs a haircut I did the haircut myself? :D w 3ainkon ma tshoof sho kanat el nateejeh, HILARIOUS :D.. literally zigzag cause he kept moving his head. Yeah, I'm blaming it all on him, 3ala asas I'm a good hairdresser :D bas tab3an 7arramet.<br /><br />Kareem is also scared of the sound of the vaccum cleaner and of shower heads, he never allows me to give him a bath using a shower, so I use a bucket :S and everytime I try to use the shower head which is more practical and easier to manage he starts screaming and trembling. I don't know what to do about it!<br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-22237289797001472882009-11-30T21:57:00.003+02:002009-12-05T06:04:08.246+02:00BiddiKareem has learnt the word biddi and it became the most frequent word that he uses these days.<br />Mama, biddi may (water), biddi byebye, biddi beeb beeb, biddi baba, biddi bish (potato chips), biddi koko (biscuits), biddi, biddi, biddi...Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-17164585015568114592009-11-30T20:48:00.002+02:002009-11-30T21:55:13.548+02:00Random Thoughts<div style="text-align: justify;">I feel so sorry and guilty for neglecting this blog. But what can I do? I have no time AT ALL to update it :(. However, I posted something <a href="http://royalflower.blogspot.com/2009/08/midnight-blabbering.html">here</a> that included some updates about Kareem.<br />Anyway...<br />-Kareem is sick, he's been sick since a while actually. Cold and fever every couple of weeks. I know it's normal, and it happens to all children, but I hate to see him weak and cranky. And I'm worried about his loss of appetite.<br />-He talks a lot :D (Of course we understand a word or two) and repeats anything he hears. He is sooo CUTE mashAllah. I can barely stop myself from biting him.<br />-He's been a very peaceful and ahbal baby, and I was worried about that cause he never shows any attempt to defend himself whenever another baby attacks him or does anything wrong to him. Until out of a sudden, there was a HUGE change, he not only knows how to defend himself now, but he's the one who starts the fight sometimes :S<br />As much as I wanted him to stop being ahbal and learn how to defend himself, I don't feel comfortable about the whole matter anymore because he kind of zawadha. He's saying (and doing) too much "diddi" these days, even to us, me and his father. And I don't know what to do about it! I've been told to totally ignore him and things will get better by themselves. But I just can't, I need something faster and more efficient.<br />Struggling with behavior and displine already, eh? :D<br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-58636669814116110012009-02-02T20:57:00.002+02:002009-02-02T21:22:51.497+02:00Barefoot Kareem<div style="text-align: justify;">It's been ages since I last wrote anything here!<br />Anyway, Kareem now enjoys playing with his feet. No more shoes for him cause he takes them off :D. He even takes his socks off!! The other day a man called us at the supermarket, he was saying something and pointing at the floor, we looked to find out that Kareem threw his socks there, lol<br /><br />Lately, he not only plays with his feet, he puts them in his mouth and starts sucking his toes, hahaha, and he looks so cute when doing so :D<br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-66987000592134343902008-11-19T10:13:00.003+02:002008-11-19T10:37:22.179+02:00Starting Solids<div style="text-align: justify;">Although it is advised not to give solid foods to babies under 6 months, I believe that some can be ready to move beyond milk-only nourishment at 4 or 5 months, depending on some signs of course.<br />I was planning to introduce solids to Kareem when he turns 4 months and see whether he's ready or not. The other day I was eating a banana and Kareem was looking at me when I suddenly thought, ok well, why not give it a try NOW :D so I mashed a little piece of the banana, about one tablespoon, and put a small amount in Kareem's mouth. At first he looked curious, as if trying to discover the new taste and texture, then he got excited and gave me signs that he liked it and wanted MORE, lol. The next day I got him rice cereal and I've been feeding him about one tablespoon a day and will increase the amount gradually. So, Kareem <span style="font-style: italic;">is </span>ready and absolutely loves this new experience.<br /><br /><br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-31632149289648033422008-11-12T00:20:00.000+02:002008-11-12T10:24:22.154+02:00Four Months<div style="text-align: justify;">Kareem has turned four months old today. He now recognizes his mom and dad. He goos and coos and laughs out loud. He keeps watching his hands, playing with them and of course sucking them, sometimes both of them at the same time :D . He has just started reaching for objects and clasps his hands around them. Yesterday he was fascinated by the colors of Quality Street chocolates and was urged to snatch a piece and put it in his mouth!<br />Kareem now rolls over, one way, so I can't leave him unattended anymore. He loved it when he rolled over for the first time and got all excited. He LOVES to sit up, supported of course, enjoys and prefers the sitting position to lying down. He also enjoys his everyday walk with mom and dad.<br />Kareem is not a sociable baby anymore! He got used to being alone with mommy all the time and doesn't like it when we have guests or go for a visit, he gets fussy especially when he finds himself <span style="font-style: italic;">surrounded</span> by strangers who want to take a look or take pictures.<br />Mommy is thinking of introducing solid food to Kareem sometime soon to see whether he's ready to have solids or not yet. For some reason, she thinks that he is.<br />Mommy says that Kareemo is a good boy, although he gives her some hard time sometimes. She keeps ef3asing him and eshfoting his cheeks! :D My precious little angel, happy four month birthday! God bless and protect you. Love you, love you, love you, love youuuuuuuuu<br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-82145582094115186222008-11-11T08:55:00.003+02:002008-11-11T10:40:09.079+02:00He Cried Himself to Sleep<div style="text-align: justify;">So, since ever we came to this country, Kareem's sleeping habits have changed. Instead of getting better, they got worse! Why? Because he got used that whenever he wakes up at night, I rush to pick him up so that he doesn't cry and wake his daddy up. So instead of waking up one time at night as he used to do before, he now wakes up like every couple of hours, just like newborns!! This is making me really exhausted and sleepy all the day, and it's all my fault.<br /><br />Last night he woke up three times, and in the forth time he didn' t want to go back to sleep. I tried for more than an hour to put him to sleep, and the moment I put him in his bed thinking that he finally fell asleep he feels that he's not with me anymore, wakes up and starts crying wanting me to pick him up again. Until I got really mad and thought to myself, Kareem is four months old now, isn't it time for sleep training? I think it is, and I'm gonna act immediately! So, I left the room, where Kareem was just about to start nagging and protesting, and went to check out some online articles that I've read before about baby sleep training. I had to reassure myself that what I was about to do was right. I have to teach him healthy sleep habits, to soothe himself to sleep, and sleep through the night, or at least not to wake up every couple of hours! This of course needs courage, patience and strength. I had to listen to his cries that were getting louder and louder and hold myself from picking him up immediately. I only went in every couple of minutes to pat and reassure him. It was heartbreaking to hear him cry like that, but I kept encouraging myself not to surrender and to be stronger and more patient, especially that I know that he needs nothing but being held. The process took more than half an hour, and Kareem finally fell asleep on his own for the first time. As much as I was glad that he did, I felt so sorry and guilty and began to cry myself, lol<br />Today morning, I kept kissing and hugging him asking him to forgive me :(<br />I know that this method needs consistency and once we started it we need to stick to it, and it's supposed to take a week or so until Kareem gets accustomed to fall asleep by his own and thus the mission of establishing good and healthy sleeping habits is accomplished. Please God help me.<br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-9311120726313373132008-10-22T09:21:00.001+03:002008-10-22T09:30:21.308+03:00Naughty Kareemo<div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday Kareem didn't want to leave me alone, he kept nagging all the time wanting me to pick him up. When I didn't listen, he started screaming and crying. At first I surrendered to his tears, they make me weak and guilty.. Then I decided to leave him cause I had to cook. His screaming made me nervous that instead of cutting the veggies, I ended up cutting my thumb. It was really difficult for me to continue preparing the food with an injured finger.<br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Kareem also woke up at about 3:30 am to eat, and decided not to sleep and was in the mood to play and laugh out loud. His laughing woke his dad up who stayed awake until he went to his job. I guess Ammar is thinking seriously of sleeping in the living room from now on :D</div></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-48442047443267700832008-10-20T09:15:00.008+03:002008-10-20T10:33:29.874+03:00Kareem and Mom in Abu Dhabi<div style="text-align: justify;">I've been worried recently about flying with Kareem and kept praying that he doesn't cry much and make a scene on the plane. I also did my best to get him accept the bottle which he hates sooo much. We struggled for weeks until he eventually accepted it. Unfortunately, on the plane, and before taking off, he decided that he doesn't want to eat from the bottle at allllll! and the moment I put it in his mouth, he started screaming. I didn't know what to do. I gave it another try and again he started screaming. He was hungry and I had to come up with a way to feed him. Once he was full, he fell asleep and spent most of the journey sleeping. So, in general, Kareem was a good boy except for the bottle and screaming part.<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yesterday I was all alone with Kareem for the first time, with no one to help.. no baba and no teta. Kareem is not used to stay alone or leave me alone :D and I was wondering what am I supposed to do now that I have more responsibilities. But again, it was easier than I expected. I managed to do some housework and cook. I'm trying to make him get used to stay alone while I'm busy doing something, it breaks my heart to hear him crying but since he doesn't need anything except being held, he nags a little bit and then stops. With time it will get easier I believe.</div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1109692064108366184.post-13096323234274157402008-10-14T13:13:00.003+03:002008-10-14T13:27:02.329+03:00Off to Abu Dhabi<div style="text-align: justify;">Kareem turned three months a couple of days ago and it's time for him, and me, to leave Lebanon and go back la 3end baba :) We're flying on Thursday to Abu Dhabi this time. Kareem is sad that he's leaving teta... I've never seen my mom so attached to anyone as much as she's attached to Kareem, and never seen her love someone as much as she loves him. To be honest, I regretted that I came here to give birth cause leaving now is much more difficult than anytime else. Everyone is asking her sho ra7 ta3mli hala2 now that Kareem is leaving, and she answers "3adi, Allah ysahel 3alehon". I know that it's not 3adi and that she will miss him so badly... but what can we do, ces't la vie.<br /></div>Dianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09685444597465200452noreply@blogger.com4