Zuri at 9 months

Zuri Mamma is what I call you. You are the sweetest little toothless thing I've ever seen. You walk like you're on stilts-- your knees don't bend, and you are so ecstatic at your new found freedom that you literally fall over with pure joy and excitement. Zuri Mama. You are so shy around new people. It's funny getting to intimately know a shy person. In the home with us you are full of jokes and plenty of lip if anyone takes anything you feel rightfully belongs to you. Outside of the house, you are all about head hiding and arm clinging. You are my adorable little fuzzy headed koala bear.

Zuri Mama, I adore you. I'm so used to you sleeping in the crook of my arm that I often find myself positioned just such in my sleep. Zuri Zuu, you are still a late night milk monster. I wake up feeling like I ran a half-marathon each morning. Sometimes I wake Khalid just so he can listen to your greedy night gulping. We both know that technically big butted 9 month old babies don't have to nurse 50-11 times a night, but that doesn't seem to phase you. You are bedroom hater #1 extrodinaire-- you sleep RIGHT in the middle of the bed.

Zuri Mama, what type of woman will you be? I have mu hopes, dreams, and aspirations for you, but you have your own path to walk upon. I'll keep my thoughts between Allah and I..okay, at least I'll try. Zuri my love. My favorite surprise. My heaven sent friend. My daughter. My baby girl. The best of me, I pray. The best of me.

Until We Meet Again

At my dearly beloved Deep Southern, old-school, back country, boardig school, we used to sing, "May His Peace be with you, till we meet again". I still love that song to death! Anyway, it abut that time to round up, revamp, reflect, and rebuild. As such, I will be taking a short, insha'Allah, hiatus from my blogging. However, like most bloggers, the urge o "share" is so strong that I seriously hope this break light the fire under my arse to really do what I want. So please remember my for my little band of hooligans in prayer, and I'll do the same for you.

May His Peace be with you.

Slow & Steady

Z-Team,
One can say your father and I are "slow and steady", or one can say that we two just are slow. We are FINALLY putting the final touches on our epic task of....... wait for it.... wait for it..... switching rooms for you two. Our 'Zayd's Big Boy Room' has been a pestering project since -- say, Zuri was born.

Twelve list and fifteen Ikea trips later, I think we are at the finish line ----- insha'Allah. Mind the accent wall that I am so set on doing--- which never seems to get done... ever. So one bookshelf, one dresser, one toddler bed, one new duvet cover, one rug, curtains, hangers, organization mesh net thingies, wall decor... yeah, as you see it's one thing after another.

Your parents are on the cusp-- right there on the edge. Let's just all collectively pray to God that ths project gets done before Zayd refuses to switch rooms. If that happens, Zuri is going to have the flyest transportation themed room on the block.... and Zayd, yeah, well the nursery technically is still his room.

Okay, I have to go upstairs and micromanage your father. He totally loves it when I do that.

Zuri's First Step

Baby girl. You let go of an overturned basket in the living room, got comfortable with a little hang time, then carefully took your FIRST step. I saw it! I saw it all! What a Merciful God is He. I get giddy just thinking about it. I don't know of anything as exciting as watching the evolution of the human brain. Days like this I know that I am EXACTLY where I'm supposed to be. Gosh, if I can only remember that on the bad days.

Thank you Allah for these beautiful children. Thank you for allowing me to watch so many aspects of their development. Thank you for a beautiful daughter who took her first step today. Thank you for her hilarious big brother.

God Is.

** I totally made your big event my FB status.***

What is vs. What Ought to Be

I read a case in law school, where the judge made a good distinction about "what is", versus "what ought to be". I don't know, but the sheer truth of that statement really hit home with me. Hypothetically, one would think if one got up at 3Am to have some "personal time" in the bathroom, one would be alone. I mean hypothetically and all. However, what "is", isn't always what "ought" to be. So when Zayd decided to curl up in my arms and join me on this hypothetically 3Am bathroom trip, I was kind of cool. I mean not really, but too sleepy to care. Now when Zuri woke up screaming and trying to get to the new "Party on The Toilet", things got a little strange. Parenthood is some hilariously unpredictable stuff. That is both, "what is", and what "ought to be".

As salaam alaikum.

I love days like this.

Zayd & Zuri,
I enjoyed spending the day with you two -- for the most. Playgroup was quite some fun. Zuri stole the show by literally running across the floor using a push toy. People get nervous to see a child so little so mobile. You are something else Little Girl. Zayd enjoyed playing with so many different personalities. I love the most when he finds another little aggressive bossy kid to butt heads with -- the dialogue is hilarious.

I listened to music and cooked up a really good meal, masha'Allah. I was so proud of it that I made it my status update on FB.

Grilled Green Curry Tilapia, soy ginger broccoli with assorted peppers, Kaila rice, & a shredded ginger, red onion, carrot salad. What did you cook him/her tonight? Seriously curious.

Okay: Zuri in Ergo. Zayd sleeping. Khalid finishing kitchen. Me about to crash while can.

God is Greater. God is Greater.

Whirlwind

A whirlwind of good activities is always a good thing. Alhamdullilah. This weekend was one of those whirlwind times. An aqeeqah and wedding in different parts of Virginia -- hours away from each other different parts-- made this a mileage intensive, but wonderfully fun weekend.

I got to meet sweet little Baby Abiade. He is little, adorable, and loud. Zayd got to play with his good, good, buddy, "Adeew". Khalid and I got to spend some short, but memorable time with one of our happiest and chillest coupes friends ever. Alhamdullilah. There is nothing more comforting than being in a home filled with Sakinah --- our families were collectivelly chill-laxing seriously hard. Did I mention that Auntie Kalia made the BEST sweets, yet again, for the baby's aqeeqah??

I spoke at the lovely walimah of my dear friend Miriam. We went to law school together, and she is as kind and loving as they come, masha'Allah. Okay, your mother is so tired that she can no longer see straight. The good thing is, the weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, insha'Alah. We are going to be out as LONG as possible!! Z-Team!! Bring it on Monday, insha'Allah.