NaBloPoMo...Here we Go!

Blogging at least one post each day in November.  Can I do it?  A challenge!...  I love a challenge!  And a chance to impart some information on the "lucky lady" who happens to read my posts. ;)  I am FILLED with information to impart!  And prizes!!  ahh...  who am I kidding, I never win the prizes.   That's okay!  I'm in!  You had me at nablopomo!  

Some of the topics I hope to include this month:

Islamic Calendar of Auspicious Dates and links to frequently used sites for easy access

Menu Plan Monday

Review of the book The Story of Edgar Sawtelle (I am on page 365 of 562 right now.)

Reactions to life as I know it

My first attempts at providing tutorials on making certain dishes I enjoy (including family recipes as well as internet finds)

A (more) regular update on my crafting life....  not much to that I'm afraid

A riotous anecdote here and there about me getting back into to groove since baby number 3 has come on the scene.

....  can you dig it?  My life-- in a nutshell.

A Better Muslim...

                                 We are trying to be better Muslims....

Here are the proposed changes:

Daily- Pray and Daily Duas
Weekly-
     Thursday-  Dua Khumail
     Friday-  Jummat Khutbah
Monthly-  View calendar and bring historic topics up at dinner time (Martyrdom, Birthdays and Marriages of auspicious people)
                Monthly visit to Chicago masjids
Occasional-  Extended visits during important times of the year (Moharram and Ramadan)

This week's Calendar:  Dhu l Qa'dah 25- Dhu al Hajjah 3 (Oct 23-Oct 31 2011)

10/23 (Dhu l Qa'dah 25)-  Wiladat Hazrat Ibrahim and Hazrat Isa
10/27 (Dhu l Qa'dah 29)-  Martyrdom of Imam Mohammad Taqi
10/29 (Dhu al Hajjah 1)-  Wedding:  Imam Ali to Bibi Fatima Zehra
10/31 (Dhu al Hajjah 3)-  Allah accepted Hazrat Adam's dua (God Always Answers Prayers)

Its a BOY!

Welcome to the world baby- Imran Ali!  Already we love you.  We love your cuddles and soft skin and brown beautiful hair and pink skin.  Mama and Baba are so blessed to have you and Babu and Aapi cannot WAIT to meet you!  You were born after an induction, and around 3 hours of contractions.  You could barely wait for the doctor to get his delivery clothes on before you came out to see the world and meet us!  You were born at 1:06 pm after 2 pushes and 11 minutes of active labor.  You were 7 lbs 5.8 oz. and 20 inches long.  We love you so much sweet boy!

Baba's First Day Back...

:(   and :)
This is how I feel today.  Baba went back to work a couple hours ago.  Babu has only asked for his Baba around 500 times so far this morning... grumble...  Baba gave extra hugs and kisses today to both Babu and me but he still did have a little spring in his step.  But truth be told, I have a little spring in my step too.  I am very anxious to get back into my routine (meal planning, house cleaning, general house-wifery type stuff).  And of course I get to type this out with a warm sleeping bundle nestled right in on my lap.  I love the tiny baby stage....  now if only I can wrangle the almost 2 year old simultaneously!

Friday's Foolery: Laughter this week...

Things we laughed at this week:
Babu's current favorite toy is anything resembling a phone-- actual phones will do the trick but has also used remote controls, cucumbers, candy bars etc. His one-way conversation goes like this:
Lo? Ya. Bah. and then he SLAMS down the phone.

All week I was hitting the gym and running what I thought to be a 5k. And feeling really good about it. On Friday night, I put a 5k trail into the elliptical machine I was using only to find out that a 5k translates to 3.1 miles..........................not 2.1 miles. One third the distance shorter! So much for my fitness.