My Son

So, as I mentioned earlier, my son had a gastric emptying study done back in early January. They had him drink 5 ounces of neocate (a normal meal for him) with a tiny bit of radioactive tracer. They then strapped him down (literally, with tape) and x-ray'd his stomach for an hour. Surprisingly he wasn't -too- upset about being taped to a table. They had Elmo on for him and as long as me or "Baba" were by his side he was okay. You try to leave to go to the bathroom, though, and he'd throw a fit!


They took almost a week to get the results back to us (when they had implied two days), but nevertheless, we got results. After an hour of monitoring, 50% of the neocate should have left his stomach. SHOULD have. In reality, only 12% of it did.

Thus, we have a diagnosis...delayed gastric emptying.

So they've prescribed Reglan (which has a blackbox warning and absolutely terrifies me...nervous system problems and such as side effects!) and he started taking it on the 20th. They also gave the go ahead to start trialing new foods since he's now medicated (we were on hold in the food department.)

I just don't understand. If delayed gastric emptying is the WHOLE problem, why has he been eating apples, bananas, pears, peaches, grapes, and prunes for MONTHS with no problems.

I still think there's FPIES involved and am still sticking to fruits for now, and will probably not try oatmeal or sweet potatoes again (or any of his other 'possible' triggers) until he's at least three years old. He's successfully eaten apricots and strawberries while on the medicine...but I kind of assume he would have tolerated them without the medicine as well. I think we might try carrots tomorrow, or maybe cow's milk(scary).

Nobody understands my reluctance. They think "Diagnosis, let's eat!"

I think, "Diagnosis, maybe not encompassing the whole problem, scary, scary medicine, tread with extreme caution!"

BTW...my son started walking right around Christmas and by New Year's was good enough to run around attacking his 9 year old cousin.

He's absolutely adorable toddling around. BUT, he's so hard to keep up with! Look away for a second and boy, oh, boy. In crowds he is remaining strapped in a stroller for as long as I can get away with it.

Miraj

I'm having a dilemma.


Did Muhammad visit Jerusalem during the night journey, or not?

Al-Aqsa mosque was not built until after Muhammad (pbuh) had already died. So......well...how did he visit it, AND know how many gates there were (according to hadith).

I read numerous numerous articles fighting for both sides. Muslims following the hadith tales that clearly state Jerusalem.

Non-Muslims using history to point out that the mosque was not built until after Muhammad's death AND that the House of God that stood there previously was destroyed in 70 A.D. which, means that he couldn't have even visited the "mosque" in that sense.


The only sight I've read that actually makes sense, is the following: http://www.mostmerciful.com/night-journey-of-prophet-muhammad.htm .

If you have the time, PLEASE read it and tell me what you personally think. It doesn't speak well for hadith, just a warning.

My husband, I know, believes Muhammad went, really went, (I think it was more of a vision type thing) to Jerusalem that night. I'm starting to doubt that. I haven't talked to him about it, but I know he probably won't be pleased with my unorthodox views. I actually read a quote that said you could not be Shia if you denied the Miraj. Can you be a Shia if you believe the Miraj happened, but in a spiritual, not physical sense? And if you believe the farthest Mosque was heaven, not Jerusalem?


Hmmmm.....


New problems continue to present themselves. I believe in God. I believe Muhammad was His prophet.

Why is it more complicated than that?


My husband encourages my searching, but he gets a bit put off when I take on views that seem a bit "Quran only." More and more that seems the road for me, though. He will not budge on hijab (the actual headcovering, not modesty in general) being fard, though. Honestly I really can't decide. If it is SO CLEARLY fard, why is there so much discrepancy in the way it's actually practiced (or not practiced).

I'm Still Living

Too tired. Too busy.

QUICK update... My son had a gastric emptying study done Friday. I thought they'd call with results today, but so far I've heard nothing. I'll let you know if they find anything.

I started student teaching on Jan. 4. I really enjoy it but I'm soooo worn out. 4-5 months to graduation!

My MIL had an abaya made for me! My SIL sent her my measurements and she sent it to America with my husband's cousin. (he had gone to KSA over x-mas break)

I haven't seen it yet because his cousin still has it. I'm excited, though. :)



I'm going to go fall asleep in the bathtub now! Hoorah. :)

Surprise, surprise.

State to cut public school funding by $300M.

Headline of today's paper.


I'm certainly not surprised. This has been happening yearly, it seems.



Finding a job is going to suck.

You used to...

I am not going to downplay the fact that my father is upset with my conversion because he is honestly concerned for my soul. He thinks I have denied Jesus and that this will most likely condemn me to Hell. I understand the fact that he has these concerns, and I respect them, because they're done out of love.


There are some things, however, that my father is upset about, that I feel are just ridiculous. Shutterfly.com sent me a $15 gift for my son's 1st birthday. I didn't have $15 worth of recent pictures to develop, so I went back and developed a bunch of pictures from the summer of 2007. That summer I went on two trips with two of my best friends, one a family vacation in the mountains, and another to a three day Christian concert. In other words, nothing wild! Anyway, in these photos I am wearing shorts, and tank tops, and bikinis. My father looks through them, points to a rather unflattering picture of my pale self in short athletic shorts and a spandex tank top (I was a dancer, so...) and says "See, you used to wear shorts." First off, you think my conservative Christian father would be pleased that I'm dressing more modestly. Secondly, if you're trying to get me to miss shorts....pick a picture where I'm actually wearing something nice, lol.

So, my dad is hurt by my modest clothing. My dad is also hurt because my husband and I don't have a Christmas tree in the apartment, and we don't have any plans to put one up next year. Hmmm.... 1) We're both Muslim. A Christmas tree isn't high on our priority list. 2) all of my ornaments are on our tree here at home, I'm not about to buy new Christmas things.

I know the more Islamic practices I adopt the more I'm going to hear the phrase "You used to..." About my hair, my clothes, my food choices, my activities (dance, hugging the opposite sex, etc.).

I naively thought that telling my family would be the high point of my process of conversion. Not so. They still forbid me to tell my brother. We're in agreement that I will not eat pork, they've been good about that. They know I won't wear shorts, but they haven't picked up on the long sleeves only or butt covering shirts yet, and if they have they like to pretend that they haven't. When/if I decide to do only halal meats, they are going to throw a FIT. When I finally wear hijab in their presence... lol. I had hijab on in my car yesterday. My dad drove up, unexpectedly behind me. I ripped it off my head faster than I could think and tried to position it around my neck like a scarf as my dad walked to my car to talk to me. I don't know if he noticed or not. Again, he would've pretended not to even if he did notice, so who knows.

My husband was disappointed that I ripped off the hijab. I'm not ready for that confrontation yet, though. We're (my parents and I) in a fairly smooth spot right now and I don't want to rock the boat again just yet.

Christmas

I'm celebrating it culturally and secularly, but for the first year am not celebrating it for it's religious significance (in Christianity).


It hurts to hear Christmas music and force myself to stop singing along. I still like looking at Christmas lights, and I still think our Christmas tree with all of the Hallmark ornaments from my grandmother is the coolest in town.

I bought gifts for my son, my parents, my sister, my brother, my grandparents, and my husband. I loooove finding the perfect gift for someone. And whether I'm Christian or not, I still see the value in giving and showing loved ones that I care! (of course)


I've read different opinions online. That Christmas is an "innovation" and should not be celebrated, or that if one's family is Christian it is okay to celebrate because it is a time for family.



I'm just wondering about some of your opinions. Are any of you (reverts or semi-reverts) celebrating? Do you have reservations or are you going all out?

I'm fully aware that some of you will disagree with me 100%. Feel free to share your thoughts. We're all entitled to have an opinion.

Wedding Reception

I know, I know...you're all dying for an update on my family and my son....

and I promise, when school slows down, I will deliver. (2 more weeks until Christmas break)!




BUT, what I'm discussing today is WEDDING RECEPTION.

Saudi wedding reception.

In Michigan.

Most likely segregated.

THIS SATURDAY.



Let us look at all of the factors making me uncomfortable:

1) I've never been to Michigan.

2) I've never been to a Muslim, well, anything really.

3) I will only know my SIL if it is, in fact, segregated.

4) I don't have any idea what one wears to these things.

You all can't help with #'s 1-3, so let's focus on #4.

What do I wear? I don't own an abaya, so I will have to be hijabified at all times, even when just with the women, I assume. Will I look out of place wearing a normal shayla at this type of event? Is a tweed skirt okay? Or would it be considered too conservative for something segregated??

My, oh my. I'm really at a loss. My husband is absolutely NO help (imagine that). He's never actually seen women at these things so I guess I can't blame him, though!

Advice, please?