Change is coming.

Well, if you solely read my blog and steer clear of anything else on my FB page, then this will be news to you..I am 8 months preggers and about to give birth to a baby boy in about 5 weeks. Yes, yes, I believe in a previous blog post I stated that I wasn't sure now was the right time to expand our family, but the excitement of having a little baby in the house again was too overwhelming.

Although I was excited when I was pregnant with Iman, I felt more worried than anything. Worried about the delivery, worried if I would be a good mother, worried about all the stories I had heard about "lack of sleep" and "baby gas" and "loosing yourself", worried about the unknown. However, I am sooo incredibly excited about this pregnancy its crazy. Now I know what to expect, and how to deal with stuff. This time around I will be on my own, compared to the last time when I had my mother in law, sister in law and brother in law at my disposal. Well, I won't be completely on my own, my little (she is 22, but I still think of her as little) sister is coming from Texas to help me out for 2 months, and thank God for that. The hubby has to work out of town (as in another state) four days a week, so I am soo glad she will be flying up here to help out, I don't know what I would do without her.

As for Iman, she knows that she will have a baby brother soon and she likes to feel my belly move, but I don't think "it" will hit her until the new baby actually arrives. I am really interested to see how she will react. I am planning to make a "big sister" package for her, which will include a baby doll and stroller, a "I am a big sister t-shirt" and "I am a big sister" book, which a co-worker recommended. I really don't want her to feel left out and I plan to include her on most if not all of the baby activities. I am sure she will be a great big sis, if we approach the idea in a friendly and inclusive way, inshallah.

As for me, this pregnancy has been super hard. Although I have not gained an overwhelming amount of weight I am significantly heavier this time around. I stopped working out at 7 months, but I was only going to the gym twice a week anyway versus four times a week when I was preggers with Iman. I am seeing a massage physical therapist to help me cope with the lower back pain. Daily functions, especially sleeping, relaxing on the couch, commuting to work and even standing for longer than one minute, are difficult. I hope the delivery and recovery are a lot easier this time around, inshallah.

Ramadan has been difficult as well, although I am not fasting, due to the pregnancy, it has been really hard on the hubby considering he is living in a hotel room four days a week, driving long distances and juggling work at the same time. It is doubtful that he will be here on Eid, which really disappoints me. Of course, it is not his fault, but Eid only comes twice a year and now that Iman can express her feelings, I really want her to know what Eid is and the importance of the family being together, not to mention that I will really miss him. I really hope he can make it home.

What else? I guess all I can really talk about is the new baby, I can't wait to see him, and hold him and smell his "fresh baby smell". Still have to do a little shopping for the little guy, the baby shower in Houston really helped out. At this time, I know 9 girlfriends who are expecting, I wish them healthy pregnancies, healthy babies and easy recoveries, and I always keep them in my prayers (you know who you are...heeehee).

Oh yeah, I turned 30 in August, which is crazy, Its so hard to believe that I graduated (undergrad) more than 8 years ago! Although marriage, responsibility, having a child ,finances, finishing graduate school, work, and the list goes on and on, have developed in life, In my mind I still feel as if I am that 21 year old girl, taking classes and working. I guess, if I keep thinking young, I will still feel young and vibrant and full of energy, the only difference will be where that energy will be gearing toward...my growing family and continually discovering myself (cheesy but true).

Where to start?

Well, its been a while since I've blogged, but that is usually the case when I write. New York is in the middle of winter while the rest of the country is preparing for spring, or actually experiencing it, like my family in Houston. It sucks, but it gives me more reason to make the trip back to Texas.

I will be attending a wedding while in Houston, a good college friend of mine is getting married, nice to see that people are moving on with their lives. I am so eager to see other people that I love move on as well, but as we all know marriage can be scary and is a huge decision and cannot be rushed, and somehow, rishtha aunties seem to forget that these days.

Anyway.....

I was at Starbucks the other day, getting my honey latte, which is great, by the way, while this woman with twin girls, around the age of one and another four year old girl (her daughters), was waiting with a double stroller for her coffee. Anyway, she stormed out after a while and came then started yelling from the door to speak to a manager. She said she had been waiting for 15 minutes with her 3 children in their coats and was still not able to get the drink she ordered. The manager asked her to come in ranting and raving, and one of her babies was continuously crying. I thought to myself: why is your coffee so important. Obviously your children are uncomfortable, one is really upset, you are in a rush to get somewhere, and you HAVE to have your coffee. I don't understand why people can't let things go for the sake of their kids. I know it must be hard with three, more reason to let the little things go and focus on what needs to be done. There have been many instances in which I want to stay a little after work and shop b/c there a sale at Macy's or get my nails done, but that just means less time with Iman when I get home. I guess that why being a good mom is such big deal, b/c it entails sacrifice and putting your kids first.
Anyway, that whole incident just really irritated me...I had to vent.

What else? Lately I have been craving biryani like crazy, sadly, New York or New Jersey does not have good desi food, at least when compared to Houston. Sometimes I wish I was able to cook more stuff, I am so bored with the same dishes over and over again. My mom always wants to teach me when I go back to Houston, but I seem to never have the time. Karahi gosht and chicken curry are getting old and tired.

Well, this is it for now, promise to write sooner...but I always do.

Samia