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.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, December 7, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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?
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?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
In the News
Here's the newspaper story:
Published: November 18, 2009 11:08 pm
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — A sign at a Terre Haute church bearing a message that many people would deem “intolerant” has raised an objection from a concerned teenager who could not let the message go unchallenged.
Saagarika Coleman submitted a letter to the editor of the Tribune-Star (see page A8) stating that she was “hit with a wave of shock. I was horrified” when she saw the sign at Bible Baptist Church as her father drove her to school Monday morning.
The sign stated, “Jesus died and rose and lives for you. What did Allah do.”
To Coleman and others, the message seems to challenge or belittle the Muslim faith. At best, such sentiments strike some people as an un-Christian approach to tolerance of other beliefs.
“I just think God’s love is wider and deeper than that,” said Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior of the Sisters of Providence, when asked for comment about the sign’s message.
“We believe and operate from the assumption that God is known in many different ways by many different people in many different cultures,” Wilkinson said of the Catholic tradition. “And the ways God speaks to people is bigger than any one faith or belief.”
The use of the word “Allah” in the sign may seem to challenge Islam, but Pastor Bob Parker of Bible Baptist Center at 25th Street and Margaret Avenue said the intent was not derogatory.
“People are making it a political statement,” said Parker when asked about the meaning of the sign’s statement.
“It just means the founder of Christianity still lives,” Parker said.
He pointed out that the statement about Allah did not have a question mark behind it, so he did not think it was an attack. However, Parker also said the church does not have punctuation lettering for the sign. A church member had suggested the message to him, and he approved it.
As of Wednesday, Parker said he had received three comments about the sign, and he is willing to talk to people about it.
By Wednesday afternoon, the message on the sign had changed. But Parker said the message changes weekly, and it was just time to make the change.
“I’m not concerned,” he said of the comments about the message’s negative connotation.
Al Mansor, speaking on behalf of the Islamic Center of Terre Haute, said some people confuse the prophet Mohammed with Allah. “Many people are ignorant about the word Allah,” Mansor told the Tribune-Star when asked about the church sign.
“Allah means God. God is the Creator. Allah,” he said, agreeing that Jesus is the Son of God, as Christians believe. Muslims also believe in Jesus, he pointed out.
“We have to believe in Jesus. If we don’t, we’re not Muslim,” Mansor said.
Terre Haute is a diverse community, with many people of the faiths of Judaism, Islam and Hinduism residing, working, raising families and being active in the community. However, the dominance of Christian churches and worship centers may give the impression that Christianity is the only organized religion in the area.
For Hindus, the nearest temple for worship is in Indianapolis, but weekly visits to a temple are not required for worship, unlike Christianity, which urges regular attendance at worship services.
For Muslims, worship is supported by the Islamic Society of North America, which has its headquarters in Plainfield.
In the days following the symbolic tearing down of the “Wall of Hate” event at Indiana State University, the church’s message seemed ironic to the teenage letter-writer.
The child of a Hindu mother and a Catholic father, Coleman wrote in her letter, “Who are we, as mere humans, to question the workings God or even to try to convince other people that only our way is correct?”
And here's the original letter from the 13 year old:
Published: November 18, 2009 11:08 pm
Church sign raises objection
Pastor says intent was not derogatory
By Lisa TriggThe Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE — A sign at a Terre Haute church bearing a message that many people would deem “intolerant” has raised an objection from a concerned teenager who could not let the message go unchallenged.
Saagarika Coleman submitted a letter to the editor of the Tribune-Star (see page A8) stating that she was “hit with a wave of shock. I was horrified” when she saw the sign at Bible Baptist Church as her father drove her to school Monday morning.
The sign stated, “Jesus died and rose and lives for you. What did Allah do.”
To Coleman and others, the message seems to challenge or belittle the Muslim faith. At best, such sentiments strike some people as an un-Christian approach to tolerance of other beliefs.
“I just think God’s love is wider and deeper than that,” said Sister Denise Wilkinson, general superior of the Sisters of Providence, when asked for comment about the sign’s message.
“We believe and operate from the assumption that God is known in many different ways by many different people in many different cultures,” Wilkinson said of the Catholic tradition. “And the ways God speaks to people is bigger than any one faith or belief.”
The use of the word “Allah” in the sign may seem to challenge Islam, but Pastor Bob Parker of Bible Baptist Center at 25th Street and Margaret Avenue said the intent was not derogatory.
“People are making it a political statement,” said Parker when asked about the meaning of the sign’s statement.
“It just means the founder of Christianity still lives,” Parker said.
He pointed out that the statement about Allah did not have a question mark behind it, so he did not think it was an attack. However, Parker also said the church does not have punctuation lettering for the sign. A church member had suggested the message to him, and he approved it.
As of Wednesday, Parker said he had received three comments about the sign, and he is willing to talk to people about it.
By Wednesday afternoon, the message on the sign had changed. But Parker said the message changes weekly, and it was just time to make the change.
“I’m not concerned,” he said of the comments about the message’s negative connotation.
Al Mansor, speaking on behalf of the Islamic Center of Terre Haute, said some people confuse the prophet Mohammed with Allah. “Many people are ignorant about the word Allah,” Mansor told the Tribune-Star when asked about the church sign.
“Allah means God. God is the Creator. Allah,” he said, agreeing that Jesus is the Son of God, as Christians believe. Muslims also believe in Jesus, he pointed out.
“We have to believe in Jesus. If we don’t, we’re not Muslim,” Mansor said.
Terre Haute is a diverse community, with many people of the faiths of Judaism, Islam and Hinduism residing, working, raising families and being active in the community. However, the dominance of Christian churches and worship centers may give the impression that Christianity is the only organized religion in the area.
For Hindus, the nearest temple for worship is in Indianapolis, but weekly visits to a temple are not required for worship, unlike Christianity, which urges regular attendance at worship services.
For Muslims, worship is supported by the Islamic Society of North America, which has its headquarters in Plainfield.
In the days following the symbolic tearing down of the “Wall of Hate” event at Indiana State University, the church’s message seemed ironic to the teenage letter-writer.
The child of a Hindu mother and a Catholic father, Coleman wrote in her letter, “Who are we, as mere humans, to question the workings God or even to try to convince other people that only our way is correct?”
And here's the original letter from the 13 year old:
November 18, 2009 05:32 pm
— Church message of intolerance is offensive
In the lethargy of a beautifully lazy Monday morning, I listened to my iPod, feeling the beats pulse in my ears as my father drove me to school. Every day we take this route through the small town of Terre Haute and we immediately notice any differences in the landscape. In the dull monotony of the regular drive, something struck me as we passed a nearby church. The common sign was emblazoned with a message: “Jesus died and rose. And He lives for you. What did Allah do?”
At first, I was hit with a wave of shock. I was horrified; who did this? I reminisced about the signs that, at one point, were so common in our small town that read: “Terre Haute. United for Diversity and Tolerance.” In the short span of my life, I had never seen such direct, vicious hatred.
I thought about our many generous and kind-hearted Muslim friends and how they would feel had they seen this sign. Young and inexperienced as I am, this immediately struck me as wrong. If I, a 13-year-old, had noticed this, how could the adult who had written these prejudiced words not seen the blatant injustice? Who are we, as mere humans, to question the workings of God or even to try to convince other people that only our way is correct? Would Jesus have wanted that statement posted? Did He not teach us to love our brothers and sisters?
I feel sad that such people still exist in our society, we still battle the same prejudices that people battled in the early ages. Along with our technological advances, we should have made advances of mind to see beyond such petty rubbish.
For the people that posted such a base statement, we should feel only pity. They suffer from a malady of the mind. I wish that there were a vaccine for racism, just as our school was vaccinated for the H1N1 virus. Get well soon!
If you feel solidarity and wish to make a more peaceful, united Terre Haute, be sure to call the church and voice your feelings. We ought not allow such wrongs to take place. Call the Bible Baptist Church at (812) 238-2541.
— Saagarika Coleman
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
As one of the article commentors stated "Isn't it amazing that this child has so much more common sense than the adults do in this community! God bless you child."
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I know enough's been said about this...
and I know that another's faith does not affect my own, but the whole kimdonesia, vintagegoth thing has left me a bit shaken.
How can you be soooo convinced of something, and then turn your back on it?
As I typed that last sentence, I realized that people could ask the same question of me and my leaving Christianity. I was a Bible School teacher, church camp counselor, etc. etc. Converting to Islam has been very hard for me. The only person really supporting my decision is my husband. I am not a strong Muslim. I still have a lot of doubts. I took my shahada in June, yet i STILL haven't learned how to pray. I make excuses about how busy I am, full time mother and student. But, my priorities are not straight, I spend more time online researching Muslim clothing and typing on this blog than I do reading the Qur'an and learning the prayers and more importantly, praying those prayers.
Makes me scared, much like the vintagegoth, that I am Muslim for the wrong reasons. I am not at the point where I would renounce my shahada. La ilaha illa Allah. I do still have reservations about Muhammad, much to my distress. I believe he's a prophet, but at the same time, I'm uncomfortable with the empasis placed on him in prayers, etc.
I guess my big problem is, WHY AM I DRAGGING MY FEET? Why do I worry more about wearing proper hijab than praying 5 times a day? Is hijab a pillar? NO. Is prayer, ABSOLUTELY. I still have Christian understandings of things, like prayer, I think. I pray (du'a) at night lying in my bed just as I did when I was a Christian. And that's generally the only time I contact God during the day. And I'm generally falling asleep.
I think I've overestimated where I am spiritually. Both when I was a Christian, and now, as a Muslim. I was seen as a 'good Christian girl,' because I went to church every Sunday. I rarely read the Bible, though, and my prayers were sleepy ramblings at bedtime. I'm just as bad at being a Muslim. I rarely read the Qur'an, and my prayers are sleepy ramblings at bedtime. But, just as my church attendance made me feel justified in my 'good' standing in Christianity, my abtaining from pork, alcohol, and modest dress have made me feel justified as a 'decent Muslim.'
I'm tired of being lukewarm. Where is my desire to submit? It's something I wondered while Christian, and it's something I'm still wondering on this new religious path. I want a relationship with God. I want to feel like my prayers are reaching someone. I want to feel, while reading the Qur'an, that I am truly glorifying God by reading his literal words.
Sometimes I fear that I'm not chosen. That I lack the ability to move beyond a logical understanding and belief into a true relationship and desire to please, follow, submit.
This has been a good post for me. It's reassured me that the problem isn't necessarily Islam, it's me and my priorities, because I practiced Christianity similarly. I need to be spritually revived. I want to read the Qur'an because I WANT to, not because I feel I should. I want to pray because I WANT to, not because I'm afraid of disappointing God.
I think a break from blogger and online shopping is necessary at this point. I dropped facebook because of the time it stole from me, but I found other webites to waste my time (and money). God deserves more from me, and so does my son.
I'm going to try my hardest to only log onto blogger once a week when my son is asleep. I am going to give the little free time my son allows me to God, not the internet. Somehow I got messed up, prioritizing, son, homework, me, and then God. That's not right at all. I wish I could put God at the top of the list, but my son has very real needs. It sounds awful saying that, but I don't know how to have it any other way.
Alhumdullilah, I'm still a Muslim.
How can you be soooo convinced of something, and then turn your back on it?
As I typed that last sentence, I realized that people could ask the same question of me and my leaving Christianity. I was a Bible School teacher, church camp counselor, etc. etc. Converting to Islam has been very hard for me. The only person really supporting my decision is my husband. I am not a strong Muslim. I still have a lot of doubts. I took my shahada in June, yet i STILL haven't learned how to pray. I make excuses about how busy I am, full time mother and student. But, my priorities are not straight, I spend more time online researching Muslim clothing and typing on this blog than I do reading the Qur'an and learning the prayers and more importantly, praying those prayers.
Makes me scared, much like the vintagegoth, that I am Muslim for the wrong reasons. I am not at the point where I would renounce my shahada. La ilaha illa Allah. I do still have reservations about Muhammad, much to my distress. I believe he's a prophet, but at the same time, I'm uncomfortable with the empasis placed on him in prayers, etc.
I guess my big problem is, WHY AM I DRAGGING MY FEET? Why do I worry more about wearing proper hijab than praying 5 times a day? Is hijab a pillar? NO. Is prayer, ABSOLUTELY. I still have Christian understandings of things, like prayer, I think. I pray (du'a) at night lying in my bed just as I did when I was a Christian. And that's generally the only time I contact God during the day. And I'm generally falling asleep.
I think I've overestimated where I am spiritually. Both when I was a Christian, and now, as a Muslim. I was seen as a 'good Christian girl,' because I went to church every Sunday. I rarely read the Bible, though, and my prayers were sleepy ramblings at bedtime. I'm just as bad at being a Muslim. I rarely read the Qur'an, and my prayers are sleepy ramblings at bedtime. But, just as my church attendance made me feel justified in my 'good' standing in Christianity, my abtaining from pork, alcohol, and modest dress have made me feel justified as a 'decent Muslim.'
I'm tired of being lukewarm. Where is my desire to submit? It's something I wondered while Christian, and it's something I'm still wondering on this new religious path. I want a relationship with God. I want to feel like my prayers are reaching someone. I want to feel, while reading the Qur'an, that I am truly glorifying God by reading his literal words.
Sometimes I fear that I'm not chosen. That I lack the ability to move beyond a logical understanding and belief into a true relationship and desire to please, follow, submit.
This has been a good post for me. It's reassured me that the problem isn't necessarily Islam, it's me and my priorities, because I practiced Christianity similarly. I need to be spritually revived. I want to read the Qur'an because I WANT to, not because I feel I should. I want to pray because I WANT to, not because I'm afraid of disappointing God.
I think a break from blogger and online shopping is necessary at this point. I dropped facebook because of the time it stole from me, but I found other webites to waste my time (and money). God deserves more from me, and so does my son.
I'm going to try my hardest to only log onto blogger once a week when my son is asleep. I am going to give the little free time my son allows me to God, not the internet. Somehow I got messed up, prioritizing, son, homework, me, and then God. That's not right at all. I wish I could put God at the top of the list, but my son has very real needs. It sounds awful saying that, but I don't know how to have it any other way.
Alhumdullilah, I'm still a Muslim.
Monday, November 9, 2009
My Baby is ONE!
My son's birthday was today. I can't believe it's been a whole year.....Really, now, where did the time go?
He was spoiled rotten with gifts from me and his daddy, his aunties, his uncle, and his grandparents and great grandparents. We're going to need a bigger house just to store his toys, it seems, lol.
He can't eat cake because it contains grains and eggs, and he can't eat ice cream because it's made with cow's milk.
Sooo, I made a cheesecake for the rest of the family to eat and so he could have a candle and singing, but all he got to eat was a "Birthday Banana." You should see how much he loves eating bananas, though, lol, I don't think he knew he was missing out on anything.
His endoscopy was last Tuesday. Everything was clear, but the results from the biopsies they took from his esophagus, stomach, and intestines have not been given to us yet. They were testing how he breaks down certain sugars and proteins, I think. I know they can test for allergy through the biopsies, but I don't think they can test for what specifically he is allergic to. He is now drinking 3 oz. of the neocate (amino acid) formula a day. He has actually moved past the spoon and into a special sippy cup I bought for him. It's basically the only cup he'll drink out of, so even though it was $6, I think I'll splurge and buy a couple more. Once he's comfortable with the formula I think I'll start weaning or at least decreasing feedings. I think it will make me a little emotional when we stop getting this bonding time together, but at the same time, it'd be nice to be able to have some 'freedom.' Breastfeeding a baby every 3 hours for a year really ties you down.
My son is really developing a personality and I find myself cracking up at some of his antics. His favorite song is now Old MacDonald. EVERYONE sings it to him now, even his grandparents in Saudi Arabia. He starts bobbing up and down to the beat and sings along "e-i-o" He waves his arms like he's conducting and is just the cutest thing, mash'Allah. There's a certain song I play on the piano, it has no lyrics, that he absolutely loves. He'll stop what he's doing when he hears it so that he can scoot over to the piano (he doesn't crawl, still scoots on his butt, which is all I ever did as a baby) and then starts the whole dancing routine. (bobbing, waving the arms, etc.) He's a very musical baby, hence, the keyboard he got for his birthday today. I sing and play the piano (and clarinet barely), and his father plays the guitar, drum, and oud, (and a little keyboard) so I think perhaps he inherited it from both sides.
Another crazy thing he did today...I'm almost embarrassed to share this. He absolutely loves playing with balls. Bouncy balls, soccer balls, anything. My brother actually got him 100 soft balls for his birthday and has turned his playpen into a ball pit! So cute, my son absolutely loved it! But anyway, today I had him up on the changing table, and he turned and kind of cupped my breast. (I was dressed, of course). He eats from them all the time so I was just like, whatever, if it keeps him occupied (changing is a real struggle sometimes). But anyway, he has his hand on my breast and he looks at me and says "ball," only for him it's more like "bA!" Oh goodness I laughed so hard. At least if we don't wean soon he'll be asking for his ball in the grocery store instead of for "boobies." I've been trying to say "milk" "halib" all the time when he eats to avoid the "boobie" embarrassment if he starts talking more prior to weaning.
Life is entertaining. And so, so, busy. I'm still reading blogs, just not posting as often. I plan on replying to comments that have been made on my past few posts. Insha'Allah I will find the time soon.
He was spoiled rotten with gifts from me and his daddy, his aunties, his uncle, and his grandparents and great grandparents. We're going to need a bigger house just to store his toys, it seems, lol.
He can't eat cake because it contains grains and eggs, and he can't eat ice cream because it's made with cow's milk.
Sooo, I made a cheesecake for the rest of the family to eat and so he could have a candle and singing, but all he got to eat was a "Birthday Banana." You should see how much he loves eating bananas, though, lol, I don't think he knew he was missing out on anything.
His endoscopy was last Tuesday. Everything was clear, but the results from the biopsies they took from his esophagus, stomach, and intestines have not been given to us yet. They were testing how he breaks down certain sugars and proteins, I think. I know they can test for allergy through the biopsies, but I don't think they can test for what specifically he is allergic to. He is now drinking 3 oz. of the neocate (amino acid) formula a day. He has actually moved past the spoon and into a special sippy cup I bought for him. It's basically the only cup he'll drink out of, so even though it was $6, I think I'll splurge and buy a couple more. Once he's comfortable with the formula I think I'll start weaning or at least decreasing feedings. I think it will make me a little emotional when we stop getting this bonding time together, but at the same time, it'd be nice to be able to have some 'freedom.' Breastfeeding a baby every 3 hours for a year really ties you down.
My son is really developing a personality and I find myself cracking up at some of his antics. His favorite song is now Old MacDonald. EVERYONE sings it to him now, even his grandparents in Saudi Arabia. He starts bobbing up and down to the beat and sings along "e-i-o" He waves his arms like he's conducting and is just the cutest thing, mash'Allah. There's a certain song I play on the piano, it has no lyrics, that he absolutely loves. He'll stop what he's doing when he hears it so that he can scoot over to the piano (he doesn't crawl, still scoots on his butt, which is all I ever did as a baby) and then starts the whole dancing routine. (bobbing, waving the arms, etc.) He's a very musical baby, hence, the keyboard he got for his birthday today. I sing and play the piano (and clarinet barely), and his father plays the guitar, drum, and oud, (and a little keyboard) so I think perhaps he inherited it from both sides.
Another crazy thing he did today...I'm almost embarrassed to share this. He absolutely loves playing with balls. Bouncy balls, soccer balls, anything. My brother actually got him 100 soft balls for his birthday and has turned his playpen into a ball pit! So cute, my son absolutely loved it! But anyway, today I had him up on the changing table, and he turned and kind of cupped my breast. (I was dressed, of course). He eats from them all the time so I was just like, whatever, if it keeps him occupied (changing is a real struggle sometimes). But anyway, he has his hand on my breast and he looks at me and says "ball," only for him it's more like "bA!" Oh goodness I laughed so hard. At least if we don't wean soon he'll be asking for his ball in the grocery store instead of for "boobies." I've been trying to say "milk" "halib" all the time when he eats to avoid the "boobie" embarrassment if he starts talking more prior to weaning.
Life is entertaining. And so, so, busy. I'm still reading blogs, just not posting as often. I plan on replying to comments that have been made on my past few posts. Insha'Allah I will find the time soon.
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