flavour of The Day with Noora

Construction Nightmares

What is it about contractors, painters, blacksmiths, and carpenters that makes them (or at least 99%) so careless regarding deadlines, work ethic and doing the job right.

Thanks to the above "professionals", the nursery is way behind schedule. I have been waiting for cabinets to be delivered since end of April and every time I talk to the carpenter he says:"its just a matter of 3-4 days." It's just too late to start all over again with someone new.

On the other hand, I thought it would be a smart idea to finish all pending projects around the house before the new baby comes, and I have to say, dealing with workers is definitely pushing me towards an early delivery. Almost every one of them had a "medical emergency" at some point, avoided my calls for a few days, or tried to convince me that him doing the job just 60% good is a better option than keeping it the way it was. And I am not talking about rocket science, I am referring to jobs as basic as installing a new light fixture!

I have yet to meet a single person in the field of construction, interior design, landscaping or anything else related to the house who takes his/her job as seriously as you feel about getting something done in your house. I think I will start my own business once the baby is a bit older.

Flavour of The Day with Noora

A Vegetarian Baby

All Yousef is accepting to eat are fruits and veggies. I have to hide from him when I open the fridge because he starts crying for an apple or tomato. In normal conditions, it would be great to have a baby who loves healthy snacks. But, what is worrying me is that apples and tomatoes are all he eats all day.

If I am lucky (which is very rare), he will have scrambled eggs for breakfast OR dinner and a maximum of 3-4 table spoons of whatever I cook for lunch and that is it. This has been going on for more than a month now and it's so frustrating!

His paediatrician is telling me that it is not a big deal and that he will grow out of it but I can't help but worry.

Has anyone gone through this with their baby? Help!

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Girl's Night Out

One of my very best friends, who is doing her Masters in the UK, has come for a very brief vacation. Yesterday, a bunch of us went out for dinner to celebrate. I had been having a really rough day with Yousef falling down numerous times and hurting himself, the construction and workers in a part of our house still causing a huge mess, and just the usual rush of trying to get everything done before I head out.

On my way there, I started thinking, "when was the last time I met with my friends for a girl's night out?" March 27th! Right after my birthday, my husband insisted I do something for myself.

I could not believe it!! These are people I used to see on a daily basis. People I have been friends with since I was 1 year-old. And the strange thing is, during the past 2 months, I didn't feel time go by with me being 100% "only mama".

This is something I used to see my sisters go through and say, "I will never let that happen to me!" I came back so refreshed, had a hundred funny stories to tell my husband, and I actually missed my kids! Seems I have really let myself go since I became a mama, I hope it doesn't get worse with baby number 2!

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Getting Ready for Baby

I packed my hospital bag today in preparation for my delivery. I am 35 weeks pregnant yet will have an induced delivery within the next two weeks.

I packed my bag and my husband's bag so easily. Then, it was time for the baby's stuff and I went blank. It felt like I was doing this for the first time even though it's only been a year and a half since I had Yousef. What should I take? Do I bring the diapers or are they provided by the hospital? How many "outfits" should I bring for her? What if the size is not right? And the questions just went on and on. The fact that I had Yousef in a different country is making me completely unfamiliar with the hospital's system here.

I then went shopping and stacked up on diapers, pacifiers, bottles, and even formula. Despite everything, I still feel very unprepared! I cannot remember how I managed with Yousef, I just remember crying ALOT!

Yet, considering the magnitude of what's about to happen, I guess there is no way anyone can be totally prepared.

Any mamas who can share notes on what the baby will need which is not provided by the hospital?

Flavour of The Day with Noora

A Disappointing Reality

It's crazy how much medical emergencies can put life into perspective. One minute, you are planning your husband's birthday. The next, you are praying that your relative makes it out of his surgery ok.

When you hear bad news, life is suddenly not as hectic. The million little things that usually keep you busy and cause you annoyance, suddenly do no exist. Time is slow. Yet, does not offer any comfort in its longevity. On the contrary, it feels heavier than ever.

What makes the situation worse is if this happens in a place where you do not trust the medical system. You do not know who to call, which hospital will offer the best care or which doctor you should trust with your life.

I have heard over and over again that patients and their families had to "beg" a doctor for his attention or feared to get a second opinion as that might offend their existing physician. Some, force patients in critical states to transfer hospitals, not for better treatment options, but purely for political considerations. It is terrible and very disappointing.

What would you do if this happened with you? Would you take a stand and complain or would you just accept it as a reality?

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Heavy, Pregnant, Plus A Kid

Seems that my pregnancy is making people feel sorry for me :) The other day, I was at the supermarket running after Yousef and trying to balance the cart simultaneously. By the time we made it to the checkout counter, Yousef had used up all my patience and energy. I just wanted to get my shopping over with. When I saw how full the checkout counters were, I started considering justing leaving the cart and going home empty handed.

Then, I saw an employee wave to me and I heard him call out, I looked up at the sign above the counter and it said "priority for pregnant and disabled"! I was so embarrassed. People stared as I passed by and I got a few angry looks. I thought it was funny, and since it got me out of there sooner, I went for it!

Yesterday, I was at the mall and Yousef was in his stroller throwing a tantrum to get out. Again, it seems that I looked exhausted because a sales woman came to me and said,"madam, why don't you have a seat while you wait for your turn to pay," and pulled out a chair for me. I then realised that I had one arm behind my back and the other on my belly. This time, I declined the offer.

I feel so heavy and big, like I'm going to go into labour any minute now. I'm about 5 weeks away; I cant believe it's been 8 months!

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Peace and Calm

Every night, I curse myself for not reducing the duration of Yousef's nap during the day in hopes of getting him to sleep longer through the night. Everyday by 12:30 pm I find myself counting down the minutes until he takes his 2 hour nap.

Then, I go, sit on my laptop and rush any work I have for the day. Before I know it, one hour has passed and I start considering whether or not I should wake him up. But, the quiet time is so tempting!! Peace, quiet, and cup of tea without him climbing up and down on my legs trying to sit by me are too good to pass up. Life is calm.

So, I give in and say maybe if I play a lot with him after he wakes up, he will be tired and go to sleep before his daily bedtime of 9:30-10pm!

That never happens, he either sleeps too late or wakes up a lot during the night and everyone is telling me its because of his long nap.

Any ideas on how I can get him to sleep better through the night without compromising his nap?

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Drowning

Have you ever heard the saying: "it just takes a second for an accident to happen"? Well, this weekend, I found out that it is so true.

My husband was with the kids in the pool and I was standing right on the edge talking to them. Yousef (18 months) was in a floater (the wheel with a seat made especially for toddlers) and my husband's hand was holding him. I had just heard him say "baba" a second ago and shifted my attention to my husband who was talking to me. I looked at Yousef again and all I could see was his legs up in the air, frantically kicking back and forth, stuck in the seat, while the rest of his body was drowning upside down in the water! I yelled, my husband immediately flipped him and I heard Yousef crying. He was ok.

Until now, I cannot understand how it happened. How did the floater flip even though my husband had his hand on it? How did I not see or hear him flip over? What would have happened if I didn't look back his way as soon as I did?

I swear, grabbing him outside the pool and holding him until he calmed down seemed like a century.

From mama to mama, never assume that a second is too short for something bad to happen!

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Habit or Physical Need

I am currently facing the "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" dilemma. My sister works in a centre for child development and was explaining to me that some children need extra physical contact with their mothers that is imperative for their development.

Yousef (18 months) has to hold my hand until he falls asleep. The problem is that it can take up to an hour for him to sleep and sometimes keeps me awake for 2 hours during the night just to hold my hand. Every time I pull away, he wakes up screaming.

Therefore, about 3 weeks ago, I decided to break this habit by putting him in the crib to fall asleep on his own rather than laying down beside him and holding his hand. So far, not a single night passed without crying. And when I try to give him an alternative like a stuffed animal, he throws it out of the crib.

The question is: is it really a physical need like my sister is saying or is it just a habit that I created for him? I know so many mamas that indulged their baby's habits and ended up with 5 year-olds that still don't sleep on their own. I don't want that with my kids.

Flavour of The Day with Noora

Not So Tough!

Turns out my heart is mushy after all! Today, I got a call from a preschool that Yousef can join their summer camp beginning end of June. I have been trying to find a trustful preschool that would take Yousef at such a young age for months now. And the need for finding something to keep him busy is greater than ever as I am about a month away from having my second baby.

Who ever would ask me about how things are going, my answer would always be about how crazy Yousef is driving me and how I wish I had some help with him: "I would do anything to have a few hours of alone time every day."

When I got the call, I felt joy for about 10 seconds and then very, very surprisingly, felt anxious about the thought of leaving him everyday and how I will miss him very much! And when I thought of what lunch box I should get him, tears started running down my face. I kept on hugging him, kissing him and cuddling him, as if he is going to leave me the next day.

I AM A CRAZY PERSON! My husband of course had a weird smirk on his face, very much enjoying my craziness and said, "not as easy as you thought? I told you that you need him as much as he needs you!"