MARIYAH is here

We didn't expect to wait for so long to have her arrive! but when we heard the news, the wait was worth it. God bless your hearts, Nido, Jihad & beautiful Mariyah. We miss you now more than any time before. She arrived exactly three years after you and Jihad first met. This is the fruit of a special couple, so special to all those who love you. We will wait for your safe arrival home.
Hugs, kisses, hugs, kisses...

Mama, Baba, Nour, Rana, Mimi & Ward

in LABOR!

Pray for me:) Pray for my baby...Pray for us!

I love you all!!

Indiana Jones "Must See"!

Could it be the last movie we watch before the baby's arrival?! We were waiting for a good -in theaters- movie to watch before it's too late...and it was Indiana Jones, Last night.

It was the first Indiana Jones for me to watch...I don't know why! Jeeej promised to rent the earlier ones for me :) I enjoyed the movie a lot.

The place was PACKED, the only seats we found were really close to the screen, but it was worth it :D

I feel I want to go out and have fun every single night now...
Yesterday many parents and teachers were surprised that I still go to work, but why not?!

The end of the year program for the school is going to be on June the 1st, I would love to have the baby before this date but at the same time it would be really nice to attend to see the kids celebrating and the parents gathering! It might be my last day at work...like FOREVER!

Allah SWT only knows what's coming next! As for me, I JUST CAN'T WAIT...

Hamdillah for everything :)

Yesterday, May 23rd, Sarah was born in Amman, and Demetri -my baby's 3rd cousin- was born here in CA. and I'm still waiting :)

Sarah...

My best friend gave birth to baby Sarah, on this blessed Friday morning in Amman!

My heart is dancing for her...I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight! Can't wait to see her pictures and then see her in her Mommy's hand, soon in Amman inshallah :)

Allah Kareeem!!

She was supposed to give birth after me, but her baby was in a hurry to meet her lovely parents!

This is beautiful...hamdillah!!

8 days to go for me Inshallah :D

Summer's Pesto Sauce...

I never knew that Pesto sauce can be made out of spinach! When I had my training at Villa Toscana restaurant, we only used basil.

I saw the recipe on Summer's cooking blog and I wanted to try it. I always like to cook using whatever I have in my kitchen. Since I always have spinach, and rarely basil, I decided to give it a try!

I didn't prepare the pasta yet. I'm waiting for Jeeej to come back home and have it with me! I hope he comes back soon or else he wont find anything for dinner! That's how good it is!


Thanks Summer...I love your cooking blog...and by the way...two days ago, I added some cinnamon to my green beans stew and it tasted much better :D

By Choice, ONLY!

The other day, I decided to do some work out, despite the fact that it's painful these days! So we walked a lot and did some shopping in the morning...then swam for about an hour. We had some friends over for dinner...Jeeej cooked a huge turkey!

And then along with our friends, we walked again...I was still enjoying it!

When it was time to come back home, it was sometime around 11 pm, and the nice surprise waiting for us was "Elevator out of order, use the stairs"!!

We live on the 6th floor...so that was a BIG nightmare! It was not easy at all...I fell asleep right away after such a long day...but in the morning, it was like mission impossible to get out of bed :(

They fixed the elevator, but still, it jumps once it's door closes and once it lands! It is starting to scare me big time! I'd rather stay home if I'm alone, better than getting stuck in the elevator or having to use the stairs if it was out of order when I get back home :s

I like to choose the type of exercising and the timing...especially these days! It just scares me...

Retiring?! For good?!

I'm not sure...I mean I couldn't promise the parents. I was supposed to give my last classes this week, but I just can't! I had to let them know one week ahead that I'm going to stop...of course they were expecting it, but they always ask for more. I wish I can give more, but sitting for hours on chairs and couches without moving is just painful :(

I don't know when will I be able to go back to teaching again, or if I'll ever go back to it!
It was a great experience for me, for over a year...Dealing with kids and parents from different ages and cultures. Sometimes it was overwhelming, especially when the number of my students reached 21/week last summer! But In general, I couldn't be more thankful...

I got to build my schedule according to Jeeej's working hours. I had to cancel so many classes according to our trips and sudden plans. The parents did the same as well, so it was never a problem :)

I loved my students, well most of them :p and I think they loved me too!! Because the parents are still willing to have me as their kids teacher, even if they had to bring them to my place whenever I feel it's OK!

I really don't know about that, I'm not even sure if I can do it once the baby is here!
Yesterday was my last class, to Saif and Najma...9:00-10:30 am. It wasn't easy saying goodbye while being unsure whether I'll teach them again or not! It was confusing...

As for the school's job, I was thinking of of quitting next Friday, but the manager doesn't want me to :( It's so hard to argue with her and tell her NO! She is such a nice lady, like an aunt for me...She's been always nice and supportive and I just can't fail her, I think I'll keep going till I deliver...Last day of school will be June 1st! So, we'll see what's going to happen :)

Unfair :(

I carry her inside but never dream of her while asleep...He gets to dream of her...not only once BUT TWICE!!! He saw her and tried to describe how she looks like!

I want to dream about her, I want to see her...I can't wait!

Ya rab, healthy happy beautiful baby...ya rab :)

Malfoof Um Ammar :D

She made sure to call me today morning, asking me whether I liked it or not! I told her how much I loved it and how at the end I started begging jeeej to take it away from me or else....



Such a sweet lady, I can't stop making do3a2 -praying- for her :)

Hamdillah!

Malfoof and I...

I never thought I'd become this weak...I'm so tired with a bad allergy for the very first time in my life...they said it will go away once the baby is out!

I miss being strong and full of energy...I miss walking normally and I miss walking itself! I walk like an old lady now :s
I miss my skirts and nice tops!

I can barely stand food...I can barely sleep...It's so overwhelming :(
It's all hitting me during my last month, I mean since I got pregnant I haven't had problems like nausea, or cravings or anything. But this month it's all coming out!

Whenever I feel tired or down I find myself crying right away...I don't know why...it's not that I like it or something...I just can't control it :(

I stay home most of the day, and time is passing really quick...and I'm positive that what's coming next is much much better inshallah! This will all go away...soooooooooon!! I hope :)
For 2 weeks now I've been craving "malfoof", stuffed cabbage leaves. I can make some tasty malfoof, but we call it "mafroot"!

I can't believe I'm craving this dish for I know it's the hardest to make -for me at least- and I just cannot think of myself wrapping cabbage leaves, It's going to kill me with my bad temper these days!

My friend who cooks really well is in Jordan now, the other one is busy with her new baby and lives far away!
Maioush suggested "canned malfoof" in Arabic stores, I looked for it but couldn't find it :( I bought stuffed vine leaves -canned- and they tasted baaaaaaaad! This is how desperate I am...

I miss mama's malfoof! The best ever!

I tried to contact the Palestinian lady who cooks for the community's cafeteria last weekend and she finally called me now announcing that SHE IS COOKING SOME FOR MEEEE TONIGHT!!!

I can't wait for dinner time...I'm sure it's going to be good...I love her cooking in general!

When the ladies at the mosque heard me talking to the cook, some of them were so nice offering to make some for me...But I was embarrassed! I couldn't accept at all...

I still can't believe it :D I haven't had malfoof for months!! yaaaaaaaaaaay :D