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Monterey Bay

Okay blogging world. I'd be surprised if I still have three readers since I haven't posted in forever. There has been so many wonderful things going on in our lives. As usual, I'm posting under a limited time frame--I have a play date-- but I had to put a little up on our trip to Monterey Bay.

Monterey Bay is very special to Khalid and I, since it's where we spent our honeymoon. I remember how free it felt to drive down Highway 1 with my new hubby. We were free from the stresses of the wedding, I was free from the vigor's of my first year of law school, and we were both REALLY happy to finally be able to be alone and on our own.

Aside from the fact that it seemed like it was two degrees below zero during our entire stay, we had a wonderful time. We ate way too much seafood, went whale watching, took long walks, enjoyed the beauty of the area, took long drives, bought gifts for each other, and hit up there fabulous aquarium.

Since we decided to spend Thanksgiving in California this year, we thought it would be really special to visit the place where it all started with our new little love child. My parents both looked depressed as we took off, with their only grandchild, towards the highway for a weekend get-away. It took us a lot longer than it did two and a half years ago to get out of the house. I have to admit that we had to actually turn around and drive back at one point, since we forgot Zayd's stroller. So two bags, one diaper bag, one carseat, one snowsuit (just in case), and two lunches later, we were on the road again.

Zayd seemed to really enjoy the ride down....... well enjoy it as much as he could, considering he was in a rear facing carseat in the backseat with tinted windows. Khalid and I talked and laughed most of the way---untill I fell asleep.

We selected a nice hotel located in the downtown section of the city. After checking in, we decided to spend the day sightseeing and save the aquarium for the next day.

Day One











Day Two

To Do List

Things I need to post about:

1. MANA Conference in Philly
2. Aqeeqah Commentary
3. Zayd's First Plane Ride
4. Thanksgiving
5. Three Month Milestones
6. New Computer
7. California Living

Okay, I put it out there, so now I have to do it.

Zayd's Aqeeqah

Another milestone for my little boy. Khalid and I hosted Zayd's Aqeeqah last Saturday. An aqeeqah is an Islamic tradition which involves slaughtering a lamb and feeding the community. Okay, this is kind of the short explanation, but that's pretty much what we did.

Zayd was an absolute angel. He didn't mind being passed around the room, and he didn't spit up that much on his white thobe. It was so good seeing all of our guest. I feel extremely blessed when I look at the life I've built in DC over the past four years.

Pappa Khalid said some very touching words about fatherhood, followed by a reading of Surah Luqman by his good friends Tariq and Muslimah. My father also spoke briefly. I tried to say a few words, but as usual, I got a little teary eyed. I don't know when public speaking became such a tear-fest for me-- I guess I'm just an emotional person. On the other hand, who wouldn't be emotional celebrating the birth of their first child!

The lamb was sooo good. We ordered the food from one of my favorite Moroccan restaurants of all time. The cook, Sister Khadijah, put her foot in the food. The menu consisted of: lamb. couscous, and olive lemon chicken, a peas and potato dish, a seasoned rice, and some baked chicken. I guess the food was good, because we had no leftovers.

Here are a few pictures from the event:

Grandma & Grandpa Shaheed

Zayd had some very special visitors two weeks ago. His grandparents flew up from Dallas to meet their second grandson. In typical grandparent fashion, Zayd received a lot of love and an arm-load of new toys. We all had a lovely time as usual. What I love most about my in-laws is their ability to truly enjoy family. We spent a lot of time just talking and laughing. It was also really wonderful to have a hot breakfast waiting for me every morning...my mother-in-law has me spoiled.

Grandpa Khalid is currently in the United Arab Emirates completing an imam's training program. This photo was take ant the UAE Embassy. Everyone loved my fat baby.