Well hellloooo there😀

Well Salam Alaikum everyone.

Wow, it has been over a year since I blogged!  I can't believe how much has happened in this year. Mashallah!  Time truly does go faster when you have children.

My little baby boy is no longer a baby...mashallah!  He is a 19 month old slugger of a toddler. He has been learning how to communicate through his fists and slaps. Haha. I am encouraged by the advise that this will go away when he has more vocabulary... I hope so, otherwise I have Mohammed Ali jr on my hands.

We have made it thus far with no tv of any kind. A little weird hu?  A toddler that doesn't watch tv?  Well, we look at it this way, he has a lot more quality one on one time. He now loves books and I believe that a little boredom fosters creativity. Plus, they have their whole life to watch tv, why shove it at them now?

Now that my little guy is 19 months old, we have started to plan on number two. Crazy, I know, but my clock is ticking as I can see 40 fast approaching and I don't want my son to be an only child. Inshallah, what ever will be is already written.

So, I am back. 😉  I will do my best to blog at least once a week. About my life and this crazy little island of Bahrain.

Adios! 😘

Hello Hello...

Salaam everyone...

So sorry it has been so long.  Being a new Mom, and working Mom at that, is a lot more work than I had anticipated.  Looking at the photo for my last blog sent a shiver down my spine..haha  Alhamdulillah, things are sooo much better now.  We are in a routine, he sleeps, he smiles and laughs..it is a pure joy.  Mashallah..  I don't want to give him to the neighbors anymore..haha

I went back to work when he was 2 months old.  It was a hard transition at first but we made it. I have an amazing Nanny who is just wonderful with him.  Not sure where I would be without her..

I am now officially the only wife and it will remain that way for a long time to come, inshallah.  It didn't work out with no 2 and Dear Hubby isn't interested in looking anymore, although we all know that could change at any time.  I have decided, for my own sanity, that I will not be a part of any more first wife second wife drama because I will pull my self out of that situation if it ever shows up again.  Not worth it to me.  I would rather be alone than miserable.  I have my Son to think of now.  I can't be a good Mommy if I am in that mess again.  Nooo thank you..

Well, thats the update.  I hope you are all doing well, inshallah...

Helpless....

Salaam...

The above picture is what I am going thru on a night to night basis.  Usually starting at 11 pm or midnight and lasting until 6 am or so.  Then during the day he is fussy and refuses to lay by himself or sit without us holding him.

I don't know what to do .  We rock, walk, sing, snuggle, eat.......nothing helps.  When he does sleep he will only do so on my chest or in his car seat.  Forget the crib, that sends him off the edge. I have a very high needs baby , poor little guy.  The more he eats the worse his belly hurts him but yet he is hungry all the time.

He wants to be held and comforted and I am exhausted.  I don't get more than an hour or two of sleep at a time and that really isn't sleep as I am on the couch or sitting in the rocking chair.  I don't want anyone else to watch him as they will just let him cry or they try to wrap him so tight he can't breath.  If I hear someone say, "Give me a week with him, he will learn who is in charge and stop crying." one more time, I may just snap.

I have learned some triggers that I do my best to avoid.  Changing his clothes after 3 pm..(he hates to have his clothes changed)  No baths after noon and no leaving the house.... if I do any of these things I am know what awaits me.

We have some colic medicine, although I am not sure if it works.

My little guy is now 6 weeks old and people tell me this is the peak and it will start to get better now.  I hope so....

I feel a bit to blame because while I was pregnant I let the stress get to me when I shouldn't have.  Colicky babies are linked to their mothers stress in the womb.  The whole 9 months was nothing but a big ball of stress for me......life and health issues had me disliking every aspect of my pregnancy.  Now my poor little guy is having to deal with my short comings.

If anyone out there has some good advice for me, I can use it.......

Welcome to the world my sweet little boy....

As Salaam Alaikum Everyone...

I am happy to say that my sweet little bundle of joy came into the world on November 13th 2011 at 8:47 am.  It has been an amazing week learning how to be a new mommy and tiring as well.  Recovering from a C Section and taking care of a newborn is proving to be quite the challenge.  I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who has been nothing short of a god send helping me this past week, Mashallah!

I do have to admit, looking into the eyes of a new born baby brings a whole new perspective on life and the problems we "think" we have in our life.  It all means nothing when you think of it.  My baby is the most important person to me in my life and I am proud to be called his mommy....

May Allah bless and protect us all.... Ameen.   

Has the time come?....

Salaam Everyone...

I am sitting here, waiting for baby, thinking that my blogging days may be coming to an end sometime soon.  I started this blog a year ago and I think that it has run it's course.

I met some amazing friends along the way and learned to stay away from the comments of the "professional bloggers"  * Still don't like you, you know who you are.  Wondering, have you gotten a real job or hobby yet?

I have so gotten such helpful advice from all of you and your words of wisdom have gotten me thru some pretty nasty days.

Anyway, now that baby boy will be making his grand entrance any day now, I think it's best that I focus more on him and my relationship with my husband.  I truly hope that one day soon, my religion will play a role in my life once more.  I seemed to have lost my urge to practice this deen as I struggle with my inner demons.  So much I yet do not understand and inshallah, one day I will be guided back.

So, I wont take down my blog, I just don't feel that I will be a big part of it anymore.  I will of course let you all know when Daisy finally gets to say she is officially a Mom...  :)

Let the wait begin...

My bag and baby's bags are all ready to go.....Now we just wait.  I am 35 weeks today and things are progressing.  If nothing before the 37 week mark, we will go in for induction.

Let the waiting game begin........

An OMG moment...

I was reading the news this morning and came across this article on Fox news.com   Still shocked........... I remember church being boring, but this must have been mind numbing!

Can you even imagine???!!!  OMG! 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Body & Mind - HEALTH

Man Hospitalized After Ripping Own Eyes Out With Bare Hands

Published October 03, 2011

| New York Post

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A man was recovering in the hospital Monday after gouging his own eyes out during Mass at a church in northwestern Italy.

Aldo Bianchini, 46, who was born in Britain but lives in Italy, tore both his eyes out with his bare hands in front of a 300-strong congregation attending the church of St. Andrea's in Viareggio, on Sunday, news agency AGI reported.

Emergency responders said Bianchini was calm and lucid when they arrived at the scene and told them a "voice told him" to rip his eyes out, according to news agency ANSA.

He was taken to the Versilia Hospital in Viareggio and his condition was described as very serious but not life threatening.

Emergency responders picked up his eyeballs from the floor of the church but they were unable to be replanted.

Gino Barbacci, the doctor who treated Bianchini, said it would have taken superhuman strength for a person to gouge their own eyes out and added he had never seen anything like it in 26 years of medical practice.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/03/man-rips-own-eyes-out-with-bare-hands/?intcmp=obnetwork#ixzz1akBjienf

Iran.. Really?

So Iran is trying to get our attention....is this really the way to do it?  I don't think they realize they are poking their fanatical stick at a sleeping bear right now.  Ok, Amawhatever your name is, do you think this wise?  Lets plan to bomb a couple embassy's in the US and assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador.  What do you think will happen?  Shall we invite you for some tea and biscuits?  I know, I know... We will grant you Nuclear capabilities based solely on the size of your man parts for trying to pull this latest stunt off.

What really pisses me off is these idiots are what people in the states think Islam and Muslims are all about.  They lump us into the category with these morons and think we are all crazy!!  Iran is sooo far from what I consider true Islam.  They (Government) is fanatical and crazy.  That is a scary combination.

I think it is time the world woke up and did something before it's too late.  This regime will not be happy until it is done throwing it's little hissy fit ... then what will the outcome be?  The world will be a better place when Iran is back in its little corner leaving the rest of us alone. 

One more...

This picture is courtesy of my sister.  LOOL  This is defiantly a common sight in the Midwest, how could I have forgotten?? HAHAH.

Where I come from, missing it today..

This is the Midwest USA.  My true home.  On days like today, when I pass by security check points, see riot police by the road side with guns loaded ready to shoot whoever moves, I think back to where I came from and wonder just how crazy am I??  Nothing beats the serenity of peace and calm like my hometown.  Changing fall colors, apple picking, sunsets and carving pumpkins...ahhhh, those were nice times.

Well, at least here I get to experience full blown riots and crazy people trying to take down the government.  The sweet smell of tear gas in the air sure beats the smell of crisp Autumn breezes..........LOOOL

Big and Pregnant updates.....

As Salaam Alaikum everyone!

It's been a while since my last update.  Sorry about that, I wish I could say it was because I was busy but...haha Nope, just lazy.  :-)

I am in my 8th month and I have to tell you, the home stretch is both welcomed and scary.  I have not had an easy pregnancy as I endure daily blood thinning injections, medicine to stop preterm labor, extreme swelling to the point of not being able to walk...so needless to say, I am ready to regain a resemblance of my old self.  On the flip side of this, I have yet to have it really "sink into my head" that in a few weeks, I will have a baby!  Really?  Me?!  OMG...... Scary is an understatement.  The "what if's" float in my head continually.  Especially since I have now stopped working, due to bed rest.  So it seems I have a lot of time on my hands to freak myself out..LOOOL

I think that it is hard not having a lot of friends around me, not like I would have had in the States.  So, no friends or family equal a freaked out Daisy!

Inshallah, All will be ok.

On the Polygyny side of my life......................BIG SIGH....................................  I hate it.  More than you can imagine.  I think it is cruel and baseless in this day and age.  I think it is a reason for horny men to do what they want and be spared the ramifications of it because they hide behind the "its my religious right".  I tell my husband that I love him, but I hate his actions.  I do not like him as a person in this situation.

As for the "other one" in his life..............BIG SIGH................................... I hate it.. I hate the situation.  Thank God she is not here at the moment which means my freak out sessions are not that frequent.  I wish I could get inside the head of a woman that seeks out a married man.  Why?  You feel no guilt or shame?  You call on the phone and not wonder what might happen on the other end once your "conversation" is over?  It doesn't bother you to proclaim your love, kiss, sleep with and plan a life with someone who has a family aside from you?  Ughh.... I will never understand.

Anyways, this is why I haven't blogged.  I am too pissy lately..LOOOL

I hope you are all doing well and look for the update lately when my baby boy finally decides to make is presence known!  :)

Take care to all of you!

Just a thought

CAUTION!!  PREGNANT LADY RAMBLING BELOW.  FILLED WITH MOOD SWINGS AND IRRITABILITY.  I CAN'T BE HELD LIABLE FOR MY WORDS AT 4 AM WHEN I AM IN THIS TYPE OF A MOOD......................



I have a thought concerning 2nd wives.............

Get your own husband and stay away from the married ones.  You cause nothing but problems and heartache.  You go about your "courting" / "marriage" without a thought of how your actions effect the family you are injecting yourself into.

My thoughts on Married men searching for and marrying 2nd wives...........

Learn a little self control.  Learn empathy and compassion.  Just because it is your "right" doesn't mean it is a "right" without consequences.  Your actions hurt your family.  Your need to have another bed partner will in no doubt hurt your current relationship.  Walk in your 1st wives shoes and ask your self if it is really worth the hurt and pain you cause her.  Ask your self if you would sacrifice what she is sacrificing just so the other one can be intimate, build a life and love another person.

My thoughts on 1st wives in this situation.............................

Hmmm, still trying to figure that one out.  As of now, I pretty much hate everyone and everything.  Doubt is a never ending feeling and thought that consumes my days and nights.  Doubting my choices, my life, my religion.

All because Islam gives men the right to sleep with, procreate with, and love more than one wife.  Meanwhile, I sit here wondering if it is all worth it in the end.

I love my husband with all of my heart.  This is what makes this so difficult. If he was an asshole who didn't love me or take care of me, then I would say Khalas!  Go already.  This isn't the case. I love him, just not the "right" that he has.

***BIG SIGH***

PS.  No comments from the peanut gallery or the self proclaimed "professional bloggers/haters" out there.  I am just needing to vent.

PSS....  This heartburn is killing me!  7 months pregnant and let me tell you, it's not all fun and games.  haha.   Can't wait to hold him and have the heartburn, swelling, waddling, and mood swings disappear.  And not to mention the daily injections of heparin I have to take until birth.  I love my baby and thank God every day that he finally blessed me after so many years of wanting a child, but boy oh boy, is he making me work for this!  :-)

Arab Ramadan Soap Operas

As Salaam Alaikum Everyone...

InshaAllah, you are all well and enjoying wonderful family time, food, night prayers and all that goes along with Ramadan....

I have stopped fasting due to my health reasons and my pregnancy issues, but InshaAllah, Allah will accept my prayers and reward us all for our effort and obedience.

So, if you are anywhere in the Middle East you are aware of the thousands (slight exaggeration but not that far off) Ramadan TV shows that pop up in Ramadan every year.  I for one, find them annoying and irritating.

For starters, I find that they are always screaming.  It seems that with the Arab language, when you raise your voice, it sounds like a yell..  The acting is HORRIBLE.  I think it could be tolerable it if it wasn't so bad but I have to say it is the worst I have ever seen.   Most of the men are old and wear fake hair pieces, the women wear as much make up as a painted street walker and last but not least......most of the time the men are slapping the women!  I am not kidding.  It is sickening.  We were watching something earlier tonight and, of course, they were yelling.  I said to my husband, wait...here it comes.................SLAP!  Then they pull them by the hair!  Ugh!  I can't stand it!

Anyways.. that's my gripe of the day.  My newest pet peeve, besides a wet bathroom floor, is now Arab Soap Operas.................Why people think they are good I will never know.

I am still here

As Salaam Alaikum everyone!  I pray you are all doing well and are filled with Allah's blessings this Ramadan...InshaAllah!

My husband and I are doing well.  Enjoying my bump as it grows bigger and bigger every day..Mashallah!  Baby is very active and startles me with his kicks and his punches...they seem to be getting stronger as the little guy gets bigger...lol

My fasting is going well.  I have only had to break it one time as I felt very dizzy and out of sorts.  The Dr. said that as long as I get in my calories at night, than fasting is ok for me to do.  I have another check up tomorrow and we will see if anything has changed.

I have a lot to go into about wife number 2 but I will refrain until this Holy month is over because I don't think it would be a good idea to get into it as I need to keep my tongue to myself and my blood pressure down.  InshaAllah, Allah will guide me that correct path.  What ever that may be or wherever it may take me.

I am looking forward to a visit from my family soon.  My parents will be coming after the baby is born and my sister and my nephew will be coming in the spring, InshaAllah.  It will be nice to see everyone and introduce them to the Middle East. (This will prove interesting)

My job is going well.  A couple more months than I will be off for 4 months for Maternity leave.   I need to get myself organized....at work and at home.  I don't even have a crib!  Sheeshh!  Kick it in gear Ayah... :-)

The new house is amazing... I love it and am so happy to have the blessings of Allah!  Now I just hope he will bless me with a Maid...I cant keep up with it all plus working full time.  Moping just the downstairs and cleaning the downstairs toilets takes me about 3 to 4 hours!!!!  It's too much...I will go into early labor if I keep this up...lol

I will write more when Ramadan is over..  I wish you all the best.

Masallama!

Welcome Ramadan!!

Some updates from me...

Salaam Everyone!!

First off, Happy Independence Day to all my American friends....  Hope you all enjoyed the festivities.

I am now in my 5th month of pregnancy.  Alhamdulillah!  I am truly amazed at what we as women can do with our bodies.  I have an ongoing battle with swelling.  No amount of walking, water intake or elevation will get rid of this.  Matter of fact, it was so bad today I could not put on my flip flops (keep in mind I bought them 4 sizes larger than I normally wear) which made me reach for my phone and take the day off.  Hard to go to work with out shoes!  LOOL  I feel the baby move more and more every day.  It leaves me in awe.  This is something I have wanted my whole life so it is a bit surreal that it is actually happening!  Mashallah!

We are almost moved into the final house we saw.  I can not wait to be completely in but when you are 5 months pregnant, work for 9 hours a day and it is on average 120 degrees outside, you tend to move a bit slow.

As for the second wife issue.  I do my best not to think too much about it.  I have too much more to focus on in my life right now...like getting my shoes to fit.  : =)  It is what it is and it's just time to move on from that topic.  Sure, I still have my freak out sessions but life is too short.  I love my husband, my life and my home.  Why keep fussing over something that is halal?  Leave it be.

Hmm.. What else is going on?  Ohh, I have 3 fast days to make up from last year but I am not sure if I will do them.   They say you can fast while pregnant but I really do not think that is something I will choose to do.  August, Middle East, pregnant and no water?...That really is not that tough of a decision to make.  My babies health comes first.  Although my waist line could afford to fast a few days...Sheesh!  I  am a big lard butt these days..  I am sure packing on the pounds..  It seems to have happened over night.  I was so sick in the beginning and now I cant get enough to eat.  Before I knew it, 10 kilos added on to the scale.  May God help me!

Hugs to all of you out there!  Take care....be safe.

Salaam!

Happy Birthday America!!

God Bless The USA

by Lee Greenwood

 

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I'm proud to be and American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

Does this make me less Muslim??

Salaam everyone...

I have come to a cross road of sorts. I find myself at a place in my life where I am at peace with myself and God.  I am not an extremist, I hold some of my same view points as life before Islam and I do not believe that all Jewish people are the devil.  I do, however, still think that Iran is crazy.  This will never change.

I rejoice at the death of a mad man, cry at the devastation in Palestine.  I can do both.

I love America, the flag and will teach my child the Pledge of Allegiance and all about American History.  Will he learn about Islamic history and teachings, yes.  He can do both.

I pray 5 times a day.  On time?  No, I do my best but I am not perfect. Fajir prayer is my test. I cover my hair, wear abaya and do my best to always speak with a kind tongue.  I say Bismillah before I eat, and Alhamduliliah when I am done.  I pray for my family, fellow Muslims and mankind in general.  I do not agree with some of the extreme views of the Salafi just as I do not believe in extreme Christianity.

I mix with men at my job, drive a car, go shopping by myself, pay for house hold things, yell at my husband, watch tv, surf the internet and day dream about how my life used to be and how good a Strawberry Margarita used to taste on a hot July afternoon.

Does this make me less of a Muslim?  When I was a Christian, I went to Church on Holidays, if that.  That was it.  I believed in God and called myself a Believer.  No one doubted that.

Now, I do not attend the Quran classes, or gossip at the ladies section and I am considered less than them.

I learn on my own, I read.  I live my life as a good person. No one taught me the Surahs I know.  No one taught me how to pray, fast, give to charity or read the Quran during Ramadan.  I learned all of these basic things on my own...Alhamdulillah! I do good deeds.  If I see a migrant worker digging in the trash, I give him money... water, and a smile.  The women attending these "ladies sessions" would not dare to do that.  But they are better than me?!

My child will grow up knowing diversity.  He will not hate the Christians or the Jews.  He will understand he is a Muslim but will love all of Gods children.

I may not cover my face anymore, wear gloves or say prayers before doing day to day things but are you better than me?  Are you more of a Muslim in front of Allah because you go to a weekly class?

I think not.

Can you see me now??

Salaam everyone!!

I pray everyone is doing well.  I am adjusting to this whole new world of being pregnant.  From craving corn, swelling, and gaining weight.  It's quite the experience and I love how my "bump" is getting bigger every day, Mashallah!

So, since I am pregnant and live where the average temp is about 120 degrees, lets just say that I can hardly breath.  The asthma I have doesn't help much either.  So, I have decided to take it off.............The Niqaab that is!  I can not take that thing hanging over my face any more.  I freak out on it! LOOL  I have agreed to still wear it at the family house when my brother in law is around but for going out in the nasty heat... NO WAY!

Sooo, my husband and I went the the Cinema last night.  (Limitless, good movie)  We met up with his two sisters and her husband.  This was the first time he has seen my face since I married my husband over a year ago.  He looked.  Looked some more.  ( Coming from a Scandinavian back ground, I am the furthest from Arab you can get).  I never made eye contact with him one time but I could tell he was looking and by the way my husband was shoving me behind him, I knew he noticed as well.  The minute we get in the car I hear it.  "How dare he!  Someone needs to tell him!"  yada yada yada  He immediately grabs the phone to shout at his brother in law.  I freak out because there is going to be a scene and then I get the lecture how things are "different" here in the Gulf.  Really?  You mean I am not in Kansas anymore?? Sheesh!  Thanks for letting me know!

I do not get it.  Why can't they lower their gaze??  Why do I have to suffer in the heat because they are a bunch of freaky, sex crazed men that can't keep their eyes to themselves?  This is the problem I have about making something taboo.  It's human nature to want what you cant have, what people tell you is forbidden to you makes you want it all the more.  This is caused by keeping everyone and everything segregated.  Men and women do not know how to act around each other because they NEVER ARE AROUND ONE ANOTHER!  It just pisses me off that there is no accountability for these men.  Women are just told they need to cover up more.  What??!  It is 120 degrees, I am wearing clothes, an abaya, under scarf and a shayla.  Meanwhile, the men run about in a t shirt and shorts!!!  PUHHH Leeez!

I wish I would have never put on that stupid ninja mask because now I am doomed to stay in it for all eternity.   All because I look "different" and heaven forbid someone look at me, or worse yet, not be able to lower their gaze!  Is this Islam?  I do not understand.

Remember in the 70's when the womens movement swept through the Country and everyone was burning their bras??  I say we do that with the Niqqab...better yet.  Let's all say we cant control our urges because the men are so sexy and guilt them into wearing it!  Lets see how long it will last when they have to learn to breath in the summer heat with that thing hanging over their face!

ARRRRRRRGGGGGGGG!

Come out, come out where ever you are...

Where are the Twinkies in this country??!!  OMG......I am craving a darn twinkie and they have nothing close to that here...Ughh!  Sounds like a special request I need to send my parents for their next overseas package..hehe