Bismillah...Rainbow and I packed up all our books, and we have not ventured out to the library. It doesn't mean that there is no story time though...there is always time for stories.

This week we are sharing a story that we listened to on Magic Book, a website that is all about reading and learning.

We (Rainbow and I) love listening to the sounds that people, things and animals make, and the story ...and the Caboose Said, written by Simone Cooper, and illustrated by Keith Favazza, was a fun way to do this.

Rainbow likes anything that moves across the screen, so he had a fun time with this story. He loved the sounds, and his eyes widened every time one of the pictures moved. By the way, remember I noted last week in our Site Delight, that Flash can be too much for little eyes? I am very careful about this, and I am very happy with the way that the pictures move at a good pace in this story.

I loved making all the sounds with Rainbow. I actually laughed a few times, by the music in the background, lol. I think I now know the story by heart, after listening to it 4 or 5 times.

I also like that Rainbow can learn how to read with this story, as it highlights the words, making it easier for young children to follow along. This is a fun little story. The sounds are great, the illustration is very nice, and the colours are just right.

Rainbow is 8 months today...MashaAllah.

I'm getting social, how about you?

Marhabbah - hello

When Rainbow wakes up,  he is often greeted with a big smile and...
Sabah al khair - good morning

Does Rainbow want something? If I give him something he says...
Shukran -thank you 

Our reply to Rainbow will be...
Awfaan -you're welcome


Does Rainbow want something I have offered?
Shukran -Thank you
Naam - yes


La Shukran - no thank you


Yes & No


We want to know how Rainbow is doing...
Kaif halak? -How are you?

Rainbow is fine...
Al hamdu lillah - praise be to Allah (fine)
or
Tammam - perfect


---


I want Rainbow to come with me...
Yala "Rainbow" - let's go

I want to know his name...
Aysh ismuk -what is your name?

he replies...
Ismi Rainbow - I am...


I want Rainbow to stop fussing...
Khalas –finish or stop
Bass- stop


I want Rainbow to plant a sloppy kiss  on my cheek...
Bosa- kiss
Bosni- Kiss me


Baba waves good-bye to Rainbow as he leaves the house...
Maasalaamah -Goodbye


Other important things Rainbow must learn

Rainbow sneezes (he says)
Alhamdulellah
Inshallah -Only if Allah wishes

Well, that's it for now. I have put on yet another hat as Arabic teacher to little Rainbow. I don't second guess myself as much because I have hubby to correct me...it helps, lol.

There is A LOT  that goes on in our days, but it would take forever to write about it all here. Teaching is the best way to learn. I love it.

Bismillah...I talk about it a lot. Not as much as I used to, but enough for you to know that I miss my son Hussein sometimes. Alhamdullalelah, I was blessed to have another son, so I cannot complain.

I met a lot of women who lost babies before, during and after my loss. Some are parenting Rainbows. Others are waiting. Others are still reflecting on the long road of infertility and loss.

In 2010, we called ourselves the Sole Sisters, and our collective project told many stories. We came from various backgrounds, religions, ethnicity, countries, and age groups. The stories they tell are not all focused on babies or loss. What we all had in common was the reality of loss, infertility, and the hopes of future babies.

I want to pay a tribute to the women who shared their stories with me. I am asking you to visit Chasing Rainbow between Saturday July 2nd to Sunday July 10th for a spotlight on the women who have invited us to walk in their shoes.

The Kidz Printz Identification Kit, launched nationally in 2010 is aimed at parents with children 12 and under.

The pocket-sized kits include a non-toxic ink strip for fingerprinting and spaces for parents to keep a current photo of their child, to write a physical description, and even to tape hair strands (pulled from the root) as a DNA sample. In the event a child goes missing, the completed kit will  provide investigators with the information they need to begin their search, alhamdullelah..

The only issue that I have is that I was unable to get to the Kidz Printz website, however, having  the card is enough for us. 

Information:

Kidz Printz
Website
Phone: 519.204.5555
Fax: 888.589.7555

Child Save Canada
Website

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children -USA
Website
Phone: 1-800-409-4600

Go over to Muslim Mummy's blog to find out what Friday Wisdom is all about.

Bismillah...Rainbow and I read a fun little story this week, called Tickle, Tickle

The simple illustrations  in Tickle, Tickle of babies doing basic things was a hit with Rainbow.

Growing up as a little black girl, I never saw myself in books. It is important to me that my children see variations in children/people in stories. What I liked about the book was that all the babies looked different, but they were all doing the same things.

Rainbow doesn't know the magic of the tickle, but he will soon.
What is everyone else reading today?

Bismillah...yay for a week of Rainbow going to the toilet. This is kind of disgusting, but the one thing that I have to note is that for one whole week I smelled like the toilet. Helping Rainbow was a challenge, but the girls helped me. You can read about our experience here.

Rainbow is doing very interesting things, like dropping everything so that he can pick them up. If Amira puts something in his hands and tells him to give it to mommy, he hands it to me.
He has become more vocals, and imitates almost everything. He crawled a bit on Saturday, so there should be more to come. He is also rolling all over the place, and he tries to show off as he does his tricks (really funny).

He still likes to listen to the adhan, and watch Ludovic & Trotro videos. He has been very happy with Amira playing the recorder, and he likes to play with Iman.
On Saturday, it took all three of us to give him a bath. At first he freaked out, then he was calmer with the girls being there.

Rainbow is eating everything that I give him. He especially likes sweet potatoes.  He prefers rice cereal with fruits in it. I am very happy with his growth progress as well.

The more we cut his hair the more it grows. Baba likes lots of hair, while I like it shorter.

Lots of moving stuff happening, so I will head off now.

Happy Monday.

Bismillah...In the past few weeks we have been going through a transition period that is very difficult. I know that there are rewards that come with change, and I am praying for Allah`s mercy.

I have a `few` friends, many of whom I have never met. I love all the Communal Global ladies.

Umm Abdul Azziz from Uzbekistan will be having a baby very soon, inshaAllah.. Khedegah from Ireland, has returned home from Libya because of the war. Amalia is parenting little Nora and heading off to the UK very soon (for a visit), inshaAllah). Lady D, is settling down in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico .  Umm Sou Sou is making a change in a new home, and watching as little Sou Sou take steps. Kelly who always finds a way to give back. S is rethinking her future in the medical field. Annie recently had a miscarriage, and is healing, inshaAllah, and Nishana, whose daughter Princess Liya is lovely and bright. .

Then there is us BLMs..Kristen is parenting twins. Wishy`s Superbaby is growing big and strong. Brandy is seeing Joseph in little JJ. Nejeeba will return to Dubai with her Rainbow after 7 months, and Heba is taking a break away from creating delish treats to dote on her precious Rainbow who was born at 32 weeks.And, there is Bonnie (a new friend from New Zealand) who will be having her Rainbow very soon, inshaAllah.

I have leaned on these friends and I hope that they can say the same about me.  I have cried with some of them (over the Internet, ha ha ha). I have shared stories, and milestones, and hopefully I have left a mark somewhere along the way.

I am moving in about 2  weeks, and I am a bit scared. We are taking a chance, and making a new life, again. I know that there is something about a woman who has traveled different roads, and can do it with dignity and grace.

I am afraid of change, in a sense, even though I am no stranger to changes. I need to speak, without giving explanations. I need to vent a bit, but wouldn't dare do it on Rainbow's blog...

"A wise woman is ALWAYS LEARNING. She is open to change. She is ready to hear. She pursues knowledge." 

-Debi Pearl

I keep these words close to my heart...

I like connecting with people. I need strength right now, to be a positive wife, to build my family even more. To help my daughters become strong, compassionate women, and to help my son become a man with principles.

I think it`s a great gift to listen to people, and to be listened to. I have been blessed, alhamdulelah. The more I forge friendships with many wonderful ladies, the more I find that there is beauty in the world.