Introducing our precious baby boy...

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Mona's first school's Certificate for Outstanding Achievement in Learning

This past Thursday Mona came back home with her very first school certificate!!
She was super happy and all excited about it and I was so happy to see her that excited.
After our short burst of joy and excitement, when we finally calmed down, I asked her to tell me the story of how she got the certificate and this is what Mona told me happened:

"That day, there was school Assembly and all the kids were sitting in the big hall, everybody was there, the Principal, the teachers, and all the kids.
The principal of the school was calling the good kids on the stage to give them a certificate because they had been good boys and girls.
In my class, Charlie and me were the only kids to be called up on the stage!
I don't remember what she was saying about us, because there was so much noise, but I heard my name and the teacher told me to go on stage to get my certificate. And that's it!!"

She asked me to put the certificate on the fridge, so we can see it everyday!

I am so proud of my big girl, not even two weeks in, and she is already getting awards and certificates!

I hope they keep coming baby, 

cause you make mama and papa proud of you!

Good job honey!

Love of my life...

I don't remember what my life was like before I became a mother!

I mean sure, I do remember what I was doing back then but I honestly don't remember the feeling anymore...

 

In March 2006, a little creature we shall call Mona, arrived into my arms at the break of dawn. Oh what a precious little angel!! 

My eyes stung with tears of  joy, my lips bursting out praises and gratitude to the Lord - and all the while staring at her precious little face and her eyes wide open - she wasn't a stranger to me, but instead someone I had always known... in my dreams... in my heart... in my forever!!!

 

Ah motherhood! It's hard isn't it?!! 

I find a new challenge every single day, but I also find many victories both large and small.

And when my little one opened up my bedroom door this past Mother's day morning with a big smile on her face bearing her gifts of gratitude to the awesomeness of her mother (because let's be honest - we are all rock stars in their eyes if only for a short while!), I couldn't help but remember that moment of looking into her face for the very first time and seeing my forever... when the rest of my world got tucked away into the faded memory box!

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's day filled with the beauty of a homemade card, the delight of a slightly overcooked breakfast, the happiness of a present you always wanted and the heartwarming feeling of those tiny arms wrapped around you in an expression of pure love!

We are all so very fortunate - us women, to experience this. No book could ever prepare your heart for this journey!!  

We attend to, baby sit, care, consider, foster, keep an eye on, keep tabs on, look after, mind, minister, mother, nurse, nurture, pray for, pay attention to, protect, provide for, take pains, tend, treasure, wait on, watch over, have countless sleepless nights...... just another day of being a fabulous mom!

And I can't wait to start this adventure all over again, while doubling the fun!!!

Happy Mother's Day to every 'Rock Stars' out there!

 

Big Girl's School

 Monday 2nd May 2011, the day Mona officially joined the 'Big Kids School Club'! If you don't know what I am talking about, well yesterday was actually her first full day at Primary School, she is in Reception Year.

 It was a smooth sailing day...

We woke up early, got ready, had breakfast together and talked about what we were expecting of the day!

 Like I said, it was a smooth sailing day...

No cries, no tears, no fears...

neither from Mona, nor mum, nor dad..

 

 I've never seen anyone THAT excited to go to school...

she was so happy, exuberantly happy, and so impatient to get there!!

 

 

One of the most exciting part of being at this particular school, is for one the location, the fact that it is just a few minutes walk from our house is awesome!
The school is among the best rated school in South Australia. It comprises a harmonious multicultural community where diversity is valued withing a family friendly atmosphere. Parents are encouraged to participate in and volunteer for different activities in their child's classroom.
The fact that the Principal was happy to know that we are Baha'is, and when she learned that we were Baha'is, she proceeded to assured me that her school is very proud in encouraging moral values in everyday school life.

And the most exciting part for Mona, is that they teach Chinese (Mandarin) at this school. The School also offers an international study program as well as a primary and secondary study aboard program.
Mona actually had her first class of Mandarin on her first day of school.

 

Here in Australia, we have Reception Year, which is a preparatory class for children aged 5 to 6.
It is the first year of Primary School,(actually named Junior Primary School in South Australia) and is followed by Year 1 and Year 2.
Year 3 to Year 7 is called Primary School, which is then followed by High School (Secondary School) from Year 8 to Year 12.

Pupils start school either in the term or in the year in which they reach five, and have to do at least 3 terms of Reception before moving to Year 1.

So luckily for Mona, since she turned five last March, she only had to do 3 terms in Reception before moving up to Year 1. Whereas children born after March, have to do 2 terms and a full year in Reception before being able to move to Year 1.

As we embark on this new journey and phase of our lives, which we are sure is going to be exhilarating, with lots of ups and downs... we hope you enjoyed the pictures of Mona's first day of Primary School, as much as we enjoyed seeing her blossom into this young lady she is becoming!

 

Baby Boy Moving at 34 weeks pregnant!

Just a quick and short video of our baby boy moving inside my tummy at 34 weeks of pregnancy!
There are no kicks, he was just moving and stretching his limbs inside of there!

Baby boy is pushing upwards and my skin is just stretching and it hurts sometimes (you can hear me in pain at times during the video!)

If I have to describe how it feels like, well I guess that's how it would feel if there was a little alien inside my tummy trying to get out through my skin!! lol

Hope you enjoy the video!

As Always,

Thanks for watching!

 

Mona at the footy game

We took Mona to the footy game last weekend, that's Australian Football League, for those of you who are not familiar with it.

Last time we took her to the footy, she was about 2 years old and didn't show much interest in the whole thing.
But now that she is 5 and gets what the footy is all about, she had a blast!!

The fun and best part for her at the footy, was the cheering and all the yelling she was allow to do!! :))

Hope you enjoy the video! Go POWER!!!

As always, thanks for watching!
Please don't forget to 'like', 'favorite' and 'subscribe' after watching the video!

Naw-Ruz Gifts 2011

Along with Ayyam-i-Ha, Naw-Ruz is for Baha'i children a very special time for sharing and gifts giving!

I have great memories from my childhood and my most favorites ones are always from Naw-Ruz & Ayyam-i-Ha celebrations with my family in Mauritius.
I remember the anticipation and joy it was to wait for Naw-Ruz day to open our gifts...
I remember the new outfits and shoes we got to wear for Naw-Ruz...
I remember visiting families and getting more gifts and envelopes full of money...
I remember the long fun day at the beach with all the Baha'i friends of Mauritius on the day of Naw-Ruz...
Naw-Ruz, almost always, brings back sweet memories from my childhood and past.

I hope to be able to create the same fond memories for my children to treasure when they grow up!

Here are some pictures of Mona opening her Naw-Ruz gifts from mum & dad:

A set of 5 games for children.
We of course had to try all of them on that night with her and it was so much fun playing Bingo, Rummi, tic tac toe & checkers with her... she quickly got the hang of the games and how to play them! The only one we haven't tried playing yet is another card game called 'war'.

I think Mona had been asking me for roller skates for about a year now, and we haven't been able to find any in her sizes, despite our efforts to search in all the toys stores in the city... that is until now...
She was just elated when she opened the box and saw that it was roller skates!
She exclaimed in disbelief:
"Oh My gosh! I can't believe my eyes!! I wanted roller skates for ages!! How did you know!!"

She spent the entire evening with the roller skates on. At first she was a bit scared and needed the help of daddy to go around the house, but then she got confidence and is now rolling away by herself.
And this morning, it was the first thing she asked for when she woke up and she had her skates on till it was bed time for time!
I'm so happy she loved her Naw-Ruz gifts!

Happy Naw-Ruz my darling! We love you!!

Traditional Persian Naw-Ruz dish - Sabzi Polow Ba Mahi

A few years ago, I learned about the very traditional Persian dish that people in Iran eat for Naw-Ruz, it's the Sabzi Polow Ba Mani (Persian Rice with herbs & greens accompanied with Fish).

One thing that you might have noticed in Persian cuisine is the abundance with which fresh herbs are used. Many famous and well-loved Persian dishes contains herbs (sabzi) as their main ingredients. And there is a very good reason for that! Fresh herbs symbolize rebirth. This is very appropriate for this time of year as the arrival of spring brings new life in nature.

It is also customary in Iran to eat fish on the first day of the new year, as it symbolizes life.

And the combination of Sabzi Polow and Fish goes extremely well together!

This year I decided to make this traditional dish for Naw-Ruz, as my dear friend (and previous neighbour) Mana, was really missing her family and her beloved Iran lately.

So here is a picture of our little family having our traditional Persian dish of Sabzi Polow Ba Mahi on Naw-Ruz day.

Our Haft-Sin Table, Naw-Ruz 2011

Haft-Sin or the seven 'S's is a traditional Persian table setting for Naw-Ruz, the Iranian Spring Celebration (New Year). Today the haft-sin table includes seven specific items, all starting with the sin (Sā) in the Persian alphabet. Originally called Haftchin (Haftĉin), the Haft Sin has evolved over time, but has kept its symbolism. Traditionally, families attempt to set the most aesthetically appealing Haft-Sin table they can as an expression of traditional, spiritual, and social value, for visitors during Eid Didani (Naw-Ruz visitations).

Our Haft-Sin Table this year included the following:

1. Sabzi - Wheat sprouts growing in a dish, symbolizing rebirth.
2. Senjed - Dried Fruit of Lotus tree, symbolizing love.
3. Sir - Garlic, symbolizing medicine & health.
4. Sib - Apple, symbolizing beauty & health
5. Somaq - Crushed sumac berries, symbolizing the color of sunrise (the sun conquers evil).
6. Serkeh - Vinegar, symbolizing age and patience.
7. Sekkeh - Coins, symbolizing prosperity.

Other additional 'S' items are optional. On our table we have added:

- Decorated Eggs, symbolizing fertility.

- Candles, symbolizing energy, enlightenment & happiness.

- Gold fish, symbolizing life.

- Mirror, symbolizing cleanliness, honesty and truth.

- Pastries, symbolizing sweetness.

- Dried nuts, berries & raisins.

- A watch

- Divan of Hafez (Persian poetry book).

- Baha'i Prayer book.

- A picture frame of 'Abdu'l-Baha with Shoghi Effendi.

- Some of the Naw-Ruz gifts for our little family.

And of course we now have two new addition to the family!

Meet Jojo & Goldie.

Happy Naw-Ruz!

Eide Shoma Mobarak!

Happy Naw-Ruz 2011

Last evening, after sunset to be exact, was the Baha'i Naw-Ruz (new year celebration), which lasted up till sunset today (21st of March).

So dear friends and loved ones, 

we wish you all a very joyous Naw-Ruz!!

May you all be blessed, loved 

and kept under His wings of protection all year round.

Here is a little video of Mona performing, along with her little friends, at the Naw-Ruz celebration last night.

The little children, aged between 4 and 5, performed the very well known and loved Baha'i song entitled "We are Drops". They each displayed the art work they created for the song at their Baha'i Children Classes.
After the song, Mona had the opportunity to recite the Baha'i Prayer by Baha'u'llah on 'Unity', a prayer that they have just started to learn at their Baha'i Children Classes.

Hope you enjoy the video and once again...

from our family to yours, 

we wish you all a very Happy & Joyous Naw-Ruz!!

Pregnancy Midnight Cravings

This is usually what I go for when the midnight cravings hits in:

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with banana and a cup of Tea with milk.

But there are days when I just go for toast with butter and a cup of Tea with milk.

A cup of Tea with milk is always involved in my midnight cravings... always!!!

Pregnancy breakfast cravings

People who knows me well, are well aware that I rarely eat anything for breakfast.
And since being pregnant again, there are some days where I cannot for the life of me put a single thing in my mouth in the morning (I put the blame on the morning sickness)!

But there are days, when I wake up and all I want to eat is this:

Spicy fried taters with eggs, tomato sauce and a glass full of Mango nectar juice!!

I have no idea how I can stomach this full plate of greasy, fat meal for breakfast, but some days, it's all I really want to eat on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday .... you get the idea!

Crazy weird pregnancy craving I guess...

We decided...

... that life needed to get more exciting!!

Mona and Me at week 18 of pregnancy!

My tummy view from top at weeks 24 of pregnancy.

My tummy at week 29 of pregnancy...

Mona & Me at week 29 of pregnancy.