Bismillah...

The biggest goal that I had this year regarding developing Rainbow's reading and love of books was building his multicultural library. Unschooling is dear to my heart, and I take it seriously. I was very apprehensive about buying "baby" books ONLY, because I want his library to be something that he grows with, inshaAllah. Sometimes, I see Amira and Iman quietly reading some of Rainbow's books without him, so I know that the variations (titles, multicultural content, and themes) are beyond just small children. These are books he will grow with.

One of Rainbow's bucket-list items was to read 100 books in a year...not only did Rainbow read over 100 books, but we had a great number of books that are now on my favorites list, and we met some new authors that we love like Mem Fox,Ginger Foglesong Guy, Trish Cooke, and Karen Baicker (to name a few), and we  continued to read from some of our favorite authors like Karen Katz, and David McKee (Elmer books).

...with themes about family, fun, language, diversity, creativity, and depths of emotions  that even young children can connect with on some level, we just couldn't get enough of these stories. Here is Rainbow's top 21 picks from 2011-12...
*roll over pic of book to see what it's about...



Did you read any good books this year?

A'ouzo billahi min-aash-shaitan-ir-rajeem. Bismillah...

Rainbow had much to do before he was 2. While we did not update our bucket list here..he was very busy keeping us on our toes, and crossing off his bucket-list  What did Rainbow do all year?

1. Learn Quran/Islam with ummi
2. Pray (perform al salat with ummi ...did it with baba))
3. Visit grandma & grandpa in Egypt
4. Visit the zoo - May 2012
5. Bake cookies with ummi 12.28.12
6. Read 100 books in one year 
7. Say French words consistently
8. Say Arabic words consistently
9. Make Ramadan crafts with ummi
10. Make Eid crafts with ummi
11. Go to Banff with ummi, baba, Iman & Amira
12. Make and fly a kite
13. Jump in a big puddle  3.16.12
14. Create art outside with ummi
15. Make a snow angel
16. Make finger paint with ummi 
17. Wear big boy underwear ALL DAY
18. Visit a farm/petting zoo
19. Make papier mache with ummi
20. Go swimming with baba
21. Discover nature
22. Make a snowman
23. Make fruit kababs with Iman & Amira
24. Play soccer in the park
25. Go for a walk in the snow  1. 12.12
26. Speak with grandma & grandpa on Messenger
27. Go fishing with baba
28. Swing in the park
29. Make mud pies
30. Sleep in a big boy bed
31. Go to Mother-Goose story-time with ummi
32. Join bookclub at the library 1.5.12
33. be nice to Amira...no beating up my big sister :)
34. dress myself
35. Have a "boys" day with baba
36. Enjoy Story-time in rhyme with ummi & baba at the library 1. 22.12
37. brush/comb my hair 1.16.12

Bismillah...

 Rainbow is 24 months old mashaAllah...lots to share...

his favorite words are"mama"..."car"..."les fleurs"..."la"..."book"..."aiwa..." ..."kitty cat..."..."egg"...
he is persistent and stubborn
he loves to share- unless you touch, think about touching, look at or go near his cars
he has been weaned for 2 months, and has had a huge growth spurt
he loves reading and banging on the computer
(don't even know what to say...he's just happy and healthy, mashaAllah- can't ask for more.)


Stay tuned for more posts about Rainbow's 2nd year...inshaAllah.

 Bismillah...

the blog is empty and boring- yes- i know it is but my life has been anything but
i've been down more than up lately
but i keep on going
i see the light at the end of the tunnel
but i don't know how far i have to go to get to the other side
on the upside- far on the other end of the spectrum
i have a lot of blessings so i don't dwell on it
i do what i do

many words never get pass my lips
i try to keep it all in perspective
i don't know how much i will write here
for now
please visit my personal blog












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Bismillah...

It's almost that time again. In fact, I think some of you parents are already seeing your kids off to school. I can't believe how fast the Summer holidays went. This summer, Rainbow is not in daycare- he is staying home with the girls. There were small and great adventures- and it's not over yet. Trying to keep the kids busy, with all their likes and dislikes (more dislikes than likes), I had to adjust schedules, routines, and of course, unschooling. Honestly, unschooling suffered a great deal since March, and I didn't expect it to get better over the holidays.

One thing that has been great is language learning with Petralingua®. Many of you know that no matter what I do, or how busy I am, I alway try to learn with Rainbow (and) the girls). Learning with Petralingua® has been a fun activity for the whole family. The funny thing about teaching is the process of learning as well, so we have all been able to learn a few new words in different languages. While the online multimedia language courses are designed for children between the ages of 3 and 10 years, age really doesn't matter- only learning matters.

The girls are interested in Spanish, and mandarin, and I have been promised that there will be new additions, like Arabic added soon, inshaAllah. The games are interactive and simple enough that they are engaging to a child even as young as Rainbow's age (21 months).

The contents of the language courses that Petralingua® offers include:
• 500 basic words
•  20 everyday topics
•  11 songs
•  80 animated videos
•  140 interactive exercises
•  talking picture dictionary for kids
•  Activity Books to download
There are also some new downloads, so check them out.

FREE Trial & Guarantee
Petralingua® offers a 30 Day Money back Guarantee. Not only does this guarantee give your child time to try the program, but with all the options (English, French, Spanish, Chinese, German & Russian), you will find something interesting and fun at Petralingua® .
You can also try a FREE lesson preview in various languages without making any commitment.

Tech Savvy?
Did you know that  PetraLingua® foreign language courses for children are supported on all major current browsers and platforms including Windows, MAC, iPad®, iPhone® and Android® tablets and phones?
Petralingua offers the opportunity to learn anywhere, at anytime, so just go over and see what it's all about.

Follow Petralingua on Twitter, and FB.

***All new users receive 15% discount -promotion code: petralingua_welcome ***










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Bismillah...


Hello lovely ladies and readers. I am writing at World Moms Blog today. If you want to know what I really think about moving across the country with hubs, read about it here. Okay, if you don't want to know, still read my article, lol.

xxo











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 Bismillah...

Salam ladies, as you all know from here,  Rainbow is 21 months and I am still nursing.


I have a quick question...

Fasting the month of Ramadan has been great so far, except that I literally feel nauseous from  excess thirst. I feel parched from morning til I break the fast- has anyone else ever felt like this with fasting & nursing?

Some background:
The weather where I live is decent for this time of year- quite cool actually. I don't do manual labour, so lose very little energy during the day. I'm away from home 6AM to 5:30 PM. I nurse Rainbow before I leave, and then when I return it seems I nurse every hour after that, even into the night when he wakes up for feedings.

We break fast close to 9:30 PM. Suhoor is at /around 4 am (when I get up). I don't eat a lot of salty foods, or sodas, and drink one glass of juice in the evenings and then water (as much as possible). I do like jalapeno peppers though :) I never drink coffee, and never take sugar in my tea- NEVER. I do however, like a sweet treat sometimes, like a cupcake. I cut out rice and most carbs out of my diet for Ramadan...I do eat carbs, but very little, so mostly MY iftar meal is loaded with veggies and chicken, fish or meat (beef).

I don't always wake up for suhoor, and I thought this made a difference, but the days are all pretty much the same whether I eat in the morning or not (eating in the morning has been light cherries, grapes, or a granola bar, and a glass of water- nothing fancy).
Has anyone else who nurses noticed an extreme level of thirst as early as just after sunrise? I know it is connected to nursing, because I feel extremely drained after I breastfeed. But then I have changed my diet a bit, and I'm not sure if it's just a transition...


Any thoughts or experiences? I would like to hear.










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Salam all,

Lately, I truly enjoy just giving updates and ranting about nothing in particular. There's lots going on, but as always, I am guarded about writing every little thing on Rainbow's blog (not that it's bad or anything).
Do visit my personal blog for more Ramadan stories and other "stuff".
I don't have a "followers" button there, nor do I accept comments- I love your comments but just wanted a simple page to spit out my thoughts.

If you don't have the link, just let me know.

Happy Wednesday?

xxo

Salam dear sisters. I hope that your second week of Ramadan is going well, inshaAllah.
Ramadan is a great time to reflect and connect with our spirituality. It (like any other time in our lives) come with tests and rewards. A few days ago, my dear friend K received a great gift and an incredible test simultaneously. K is a wonderful friend and sister that many of you know well. She has been trying for years to conceive a child, and finally even though she did not know it- she did, mashaAllah. Unfortunately, she had an ectopic pregnancy, and had to have surgery.

By the grace of Allah...Alhamdullelah, she made it through and she is recovering.  What was a near-death experience has made her realize the fragility of life, because while she lived, she saw another woman die (May she find rest in jannah, ameen). SubhanAllah, my dear sister's faith has not been swayed, instead she is even more strong in her belief that Allah is merciful.

My friend, has always been a rock. She stood by me for many years, as we both hoped for children, and when I lost my son, she was the kindest and most sincere. When Rainbow was born, she was overjoyed. Even though she had her own pain, she would always take the time to check in with me, and ask about my family; she is a true sister in Islam.

I love her and know many others who do as well. I am asking that you make dua for her that she will recover, and inshaAllah, that Allah will bless her with a child, and if nothing else, that she will always be a strong woman of faith.

Thanks ladies.

Salam dear readers, and friends, or both, lol. I hope the first week of fasting has been good inshaAllah.

The post is going to be a little update on Rainbow (who is now 21 months old,mashaAllah), but more focused on nursing, and the difference between Ramadan 2011 & 2012. I'll also touch on something that confused me last year about nursing and reading the Quran (at the same time). Then I 'll finish off by sharing how I educate and interact with Rainbow when he is nursing.

Breastfeeding in the Holy Quran
Breastfeeding is a gift. There are so many benefits (nutritional, Immunological, prevention of asthma and allergies, and even bonding mother and baby) the list is long.
Firstly, I'm not here to tout breastfeeding, or not. Breastfeeding is not always easy, and depending on circumstances, it can be impossible. It is a woman's prerogative if she does it and how long she is able to do it, and it is something that should be decided with her husband.  Breastfeeding is mentioned in the Holy Quran because it is important. It says:

"The mothers shall give such to their offspring for two whole years, if the father desires to complete the term. But he shall bear the cost of their food and clothing on equitable terms. No soul shall have a burden laid on it greater than it can bear. No mother shall be Treated unfairly on account of her child. Nor father on account of his child, an heir shall be chargeable in the same way. If they both decide on weaning, by mutual consent, and after due consultation, there is no blame on them. If ye decide on a foster-mother for your offspring, there is no blame on you, provided ye pay (the mother) what ye offered, on equitable terms. But fear God and know that God sees well what ye do.  (The Noble Quran, 2:233)".

There is no questioning what Allah intends for the mother and the child after reading this verse, however, as with anything in life there are many challenges. In the first week of Rainbow's life he was in the NICU. I was not even allowed to go down to the NICU and see him for the first day. I felt overwhelmed and I was in physical pain, so breastfeeding was the last thing on my mind. On day 3, when the nurse dropped off the breast pump in my room and left I felt defeated- can you believe it? I was already willing to give up. Luckily I didn't have to use it, because I got to go and nurse him, but the pain and fever from engorgement had me set to run for the door (probably would have if I could).

Working moms can have difficulties, especially if they must return to work early post-birth. In Canada, we get a whole year off alhamdullelah, so in my case it was very very easy to nurse Rainbow all day, everyday- believe me-he nurses all day even now.
Some women are unable to produce enough milk to really nourish the baby, and this can be frustrating and painful. Last Ramadan Rainbow was 7/8 months and for some reason I had a milk supply issue. I tried a few things, but subhanAllah, I think it just got better on its own. Anyways, with Allah's help, I did, and 21 months later, I am still doing it. 

Weaning (or) trying to
Weaning has been a bit difficult or me. I have a hard time saying no- so I don't. I think I last all of one day in my weaning efforts. I know that 90% of the time when Rainbow comes to sit on my lap, he is not hungry, but there is only one thought in my head "...he will not be nursing after 2 years, so just let him now...". Okay, this is not the best way to go, I am guilty. Having Rainbow in his own bed, did make a bit of a difference, but guess what? He is now back in our bed since Ramadan, lol.

So Rainbow is 21 months old, and I will go until his birthday, inshaAllah, and I pray that Allah will make weaning very easy when I care to stick to my word.

Can you read the Quran while nursing?
This was a very important question for me last year, as Rainbow was nursing about 20 x a day. In Ramadan I really wanted to read and learn more, and I felt sometimes that I was wasting time (I know it's not good, but that's how I felt). The answer is Yes.  There is no prohibition to recite and or read the Holy Qur'an while nursing. There are however conditions, and this is pretty general- as in performing al salat, you must have a wudhu before you touch the Quran. Allah makes it easy for those who strive in his name.

Things that Rainbow and I do to bond & learn that you can do with your child:
islamic
repeat surahs to him ( he remembers them)
read him stories
let him listen to the adhan (he loves this) and surahs
show him short videos

for bonding
massage his feet (he's so long now, but it used to be easy)
massage his back
massage his hands
brush his hair (very soothing)
massage his scalp
speak to him
sing with/to him
let him mimic you
play games to teach him body parts (head & shoulders etc)
clean his fingernails (lol, probably one of the only times he will let me do it)

Any thoughts or stories on  breastfeeding? How do you bond with your baby/toddler while nursing? 
Any thoughts/stories on weaning an older child?













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