Support. I've had my family in town staying with us since Waleed arrived and their support has been incredible. They didn't need to be asked, as soon as they arrived, they were cooking, cleaning, organizing, grocery shopping, watching Waleed so I could nap, and simply being a comforting presence in a swirl of activity. Visitors can often feel like a stressful event as you plan meals and cook but they have been a cool breeze on a summer day. Alhamdullilah.
Wii Fit. Now that the OB gave me the go ahead to exercise I am ready to get this baby weight gone and the Wii Fit is so much fun I hardly notice I'm exercising as I bike around Wuhu island looking at dazzling waterfalls while I try to unlock flags or do the step with the other Miis. The best thing is I can do short increments of exercise which is very necessary when working out around a newborn's unpredictable schedule.
Air Conditioning. It's easy to take this for granted but it is HOT in the dirty south and I am so grateful it works and that its keeping us cool in what would otherwise be a very intolerable summer.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Happy Father's Day
After eight years of marriage I thought I knew my husband as well as one can. I thought I couldn't possibly love him more. But watching him change diapers and rock our son to sleep I realize how I wrong I was. Love is anything but static. No, love is like the universe, constantly expanding and unfolding. Happy Father's Day Kashif.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
TV post-BRAVO: Your advice appreciated
My name is Aisha and I was a BRAVO addict. Million Dollar Listing. Millionaire Matchmaker. Real Housewives of any county. I won't say I'm proud of this fascination I had with the top producer of trash TV but man it was entertaining to watch while cooking, folding laundry or other mindless chores. For years I watched and then one day Direct TV learned of my deep everlasting love of this channel and promptly began charging $20/month for the privilege of watching. So being good desis who don't spend on frivolity when possible, we cut it. I smiled and said this was good. I'll read more! I said. I'll sit in the silence and contemplate life. But sitting in silence doesn't happen so much with a baby. Plus, its hard to prop a book while trying to feed a fussy newborn at 3am. I tried watching HGTV with shows such as House Hunters, hoping it would be a tolerable replacement to the real estate shows on BRAVO- except it wasn't. Everyone is so nice on HGTV. No plate throwing, no secret confessionals of secret desires. The kitchen is lovely! The bathroom is pretty! It's all so pleasant, congenial: boring.
I approached K to discuss investing in some BRAVO viewing and he suggested perhaps getting Netflix as an alternative. This struck me as a good idea. With the departure of LOST (as disappointing a departure as it was) and other shows I loved, there's been a dearth of good television to sink my eyes into. My question to you is, what was your favorite show past or present that you might recommend I Netflix? A friend already lent me her collection of Buffy, [which I'm afraid perhaps you had to be a teen in the early 90's to fully appreciate at least as of episode three] but any other suggestions would be truly appreciated!
I approached K to discuss investing in some BRAVO viewing and he suggested perhaps getting Netflix as an alternative. This struck me as a good idea. With the departure of LOST (as disappointing a departure as it was) and other shows I loved, there's been a dearth of good television to sink my eyes into. My question to you is, what was your favorite show past or present that you might recommend I Netflix? A friend already lent me her collection of Buffy, [which I'm afraid perhaps you had to be a teen in the early 90's to fully appreciate at least as of episode three] but any other suggestions would be truly appreciated!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Happy One Month Birthday
Dear Waleed,
When I was pregnant with you the days crept at snail's pace and now that you're here time shows no promise of slowing down. Some days I forget what day of the week it is since days and nights blend together seamlessly [as evidenced by the fact that your birthday was officially several days earlier!] This was a month of firsts. Your first car ride, your first doctor visit and first shot (ouch), your first cuddle and kiss. Sometimes I catch you staring with wide-eyed fascination at the fan, a brightly colored pillow or the gentle glow of the lamp and I'm reminded that everything is new to you, everything is a first. I wish I could ask you someday what it feels like to experience the world so new but like everyone before you and since you won't remember these moments that I will never forget.
On the surface it could seem like a mundane month. You eat, you sleep, you poop. But there is already so much more to you. Each day you grow and change. I'm amazed how someone so small dictates the life of everyone around him. I wake when you wake. I sleep when you sleep. You cry, I run. You smile, I melt.
I've held other people's babies before. Babies who in my arms turned from cooing angels into crying trembling creatures who I could simply not console. While pregnant with you I harbored a secret fear: what if I could not console you? The day they handed you to me you were indeed a crying trembling creature in but once in my arms your cries stopped, your eyes widened and you stared at me as if you had been searching for me your entire life.
Once upon a time I was a teacher and I met an amazing student. An Afghani refugee. He had seen his father die and his mother lose a leg to an IED. The things he endured could break a grown man and yet he came to school each day with a large smile and a zest for life. He was so funny, not like a little child, his sarcastic sense of humor made all the teachers laugh. The children respected him almost as an elder, as if they knew that inside this little boy was an old wise soul. Some people have a nur [light] that radiates from them and touches your heart- he had a special nur that touched everyone he met. In the middle of the school year he told me he was moving to Sacramento. We hugged each other and cried. I never saw him again. His name was Waleed and he was easily one of the most special people I ever met.
Welcome to the world Waleed, you may only be one month old but you've been in my heart all my life.
Love,
Your Mama
When I was pregnant with you the days crept at snail's pace and now that you're here time shows no promise of slowing down. Some days I forget what day of the week it is since days and nights blend together seamlessly [as evidenced by the fact that your birthday was officially several days earlier!] This was a month of firsts. Your first car ride, your first doctor visit and first shot (ouch), your first cuddle and kiss. Sometimes I catch you staring with wide-eyed fascination at the fan, a brightly colored pillow or the gentle glow of the lamp and I'm reminded that everything is new to you, everything is a first. I wish I could ask you someday what it feels like to experience the world so new but like everyone before you and since you won't remember these moments that I will never forget.
On the surface it could seem like a mundane month. You eat, you sleep, you poop. But there is already so much more to you. Each day you grow and change. I'm amazed how someone so small dictates the life of everyone around him. I wake when you wake. I sleep when you sleep. You cry, I run. You smile, I melt.
I've held other people's babies before. Babies who in my arms turned from cooing angels into crying trembling creatures who I could simply not console. While pregnant with you I harbored a secret fear: what if I could not console you? The day they handed you to me you were indeed a crying trembling creature in but once in my arms your cries stopped, your eyes widened and you stared at me as if you had been searching for me your entire life.
Once upon a time I was a teacher and I met an amazing student. An Afghani refugee. He had seen his father die and his mother lose a leg to an IED. The things he endured could break a grown man and yet he came to school each day with a large smile and a zest for life. He was so funny, not like a little child, his sarcastic sense of humor made all the teachers laugh. The children respected him almost as an elder, as if they knew that inside this little boy was an old wise soul. Some people have a nur [light] that radiates from them and touches your heart- he had a special nur that touched everyone he met. In the middle of the school year he told me he was moving to Sacramento. We hugged each other and cried. I never saw him again. His name was Waleed and he was easily one of the most special people I ever met.
Welcome to the world Waleed, you may only be one month old but you've been in my heart all my life.
Love,
Your Mama
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