Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! One of my favorite holidays! It's simple, a time for us all to come together as a family and EAT some delicious food! And it also reminds of us all the blessings we have in our lives! This year I have SO much to be thankful for!!!

.. Our beautiful children. All 3 healthy, smart, and thriving. They are the biggest blessings in my life and I love them so much! And soon, God willing, number four will join our family! We are super excited as the time draws near!

We have a home. A lovely home filled with love, and laughter, and good food for us to eat!

We have our health!

I have a wonderful husband who loves me and our kids so much! I feel so lucky to have met him when I was so young and we were able to start building our life together early on. We are exactly where I'd hoped we'd be at this point.

I'm thankful I get to stay home and watch my babies grow up. It's not a gift I take for granted.

My family. And my husbands family. They are all so wonderful and I'm not sure what we'd do without them!!!

My fantastic midwives! It's so hard to find the care they provide. I'm thankful for them. Truly.

So many things in my life to feel blessed by! These are just a few! What are some of the things YOUR thankful for?

I am..

So... exhausted.. I've been running at a rate that is really unsustainable. Trying to keep the house and kids immaculate, keeping up with my regular routine.. sigh... It's just been exhausting me. And sometimes I want to cry... And sometimes I do! lol. Emotional mess. Creeping up on 35 weeks now so that surely explains some of it. I need a break! Doesn't help Husam has been working crazy overtime 7 days a week. The kids and I just haven't seen him. waaah. Whining over.

Planning our Home Birth!

So I am now 32+ weeks along in this pregnancy. It's gone incredibly fast. Likely because I have the 3 other littles to chase around and take care of!! They keep me on my toes and I barely have a moment to sit all day!!

I feel ready and excited for our home birth... I have a few final things to check off the list , but for the most part we're ready to go... I still need to get a hose and connector to the shower head so we will be able to fill up the tub.. I need a tarp for under the tub... I need to have my home visit (It's coming up on the 16th) and I need to get clearance from an OB (Appt is December 12th) Other than that I have my birth kit sitting in the bedroom waiting, piles of towels folded neatly, baby blankets, baby clothes, diapers, EVERYTHING! Everything is set and waiting for the big day!

We had a class we had to take with my midwives to go over everything about the birth. It was extremely reassuring and made me feel confident in our choice to have a home birth. Hubs and I are excited to have a new born in the house once again. So tiny, precious, and new. Truly one of God's greatest gifts.

I still have in mind to blog about the difference (At least for me) between birthing with an OB and a midwife.. But I just need to find the time to sit and word it properly...

Anyways, I hope everyone is well. Trying to get better about making updates here!

I haven't blogged since JUNE?!

Really!?!? The summer went by too quickly.. Really.. We've been busy with school and other fall activities.. Planning the home birth ... I'm 32 weeks now and it's creeping up on me really quickly! Anyways. Got to run, but look how big the kids have gotten!

So I can let the cat out of the bag right???

I want to make a post...

About Midwives vs. OB's... And as soon as I am feeling better... I'm totally going to do that! lol

I have things to blog about..

But not enough time to go into everything! I will soon!

Guess who turns THREE tomorrow!?!?

Sami!!!! My handsome little man turns THREE tomorrow! I can hardly believe it!! It seems like just yesterday he was born... And now he is growing right up on me! Talking like no body's business, learning new things everyday, and finally using the potty!!! My BIG BOY!! Everyday he looks more and more like his father. He is so so handsome. His eyes just make you fall in love with him! He is one of the most loving, gentle little boys you'd ever meet in your life. He esp loves his Momma!! He's my darling boy!! So happy birthday baby. Momma loves you. More than anything. Thank you so much for coming into my life!! Your one special little man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Has it really been THAT long??

Has it really been THAT long since I blogged??? Gosh.. I used to blog every. single. day. That was way before kids though.. So I guess I get a little slack ???

All 3 kids are doing great. Nadia is excelling in school. Reading and writing better and better every day. Math is her favorite and best subject though..

Sami has... FINALLY potty learned!!!!!!!!!! Thank you GOD for that one!!!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is *almost* completely weaned. Nursing only every so often.. It's been a good week since he's asked. My baby is growing up :-( (He turns THREE on Monday! wowza!) He's my man.

Samirah is talking more now.. She's nearly 15 months old and such a doll.. Okay.. She actually is kind of moody and cries way more than any person should lol But I love her to death and she's one special little creature!

My babies! time consuming little loves of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!

Husam. He's well. Same old Husam.

You know. These people take up the majority of my time.. Leaving very little for anything else. I so want to write a regular blog. I love to let it all out on here. It's free therapy for goodness sake! I just need more hours in the day! Between the kids, the husband, the house, and our menagerie of animals I'm so busy!! Plus I volunteer here, there, and everywhere which also takes up a lot of time..

Trying to plan our summer vacation but we keep going back and forth.. I wanted to do a cruise.. Husam suggested Hershey Park... Just don't know. We'll probably end up at a beach with a boardwalk. Husam's favorite... Any suggestions from my blog friends??

I've been tweeting a lot.. It's easier to fit random thoughts in here and there in 140 characters or less than typing out a big blog... I'm Habibti812 over there... So you can always check in with me there!!!!

Anyways. Hopefully it will not be QUITE so long until I blog again...I'm including some recent pictures of my babies!

Is anyone else over winter?

Because I AM! Geez! It has snowed at least once a week since Christmas. I'm so so sick of seeing SNOW and ice. And not only that, it's been FREEZING.. Well. Below freezing. WAY below freezing. This week one morning when I took Nadia to school it was TWELVE BELOW ZERO!!! WTH!? We're in NJ, not Antarctica. Unfavorable I tell you! Unfavorable! Who can I write to and complain? Oh Spring. Please hurry. I desperately need some sunshine and warm weather!

Don't you think it's time he weaned?

I've been hearing this more than ever lately! Sami turns 3 in April and yes, I still breastfeed him!! So many people think it is their right to tell me I should be stopping. I love how these same people think breastfeeding is such a "private" thing that it should be hidden away and locked up behind bathroom doors. *rolls eyes* Yet, these same people think it's fine to interject their opinions on my nursing relationships with my children.

Now, I'd be lying if I told you I never wished he'd wean. He IS almost three, and.. Have you seen the size of my kids head? It's like a grown man nursing! ha ha. okay, not really , but you catch my drift! Three years is a long time to nurse a kid. But there is nothing "wrong" about it.. And when people criticize the fact that he still nurses, it implies there is something wrong with it. And that isn't fair. Most people wouldn't dream of criticizing many mainstream parenting choices. But anything that goes outside of the norm is "weird" or "wrong".. Yet.. If these people took a moment to do some research they'd realize it's just our country that is out of the norm. It's us as a whole who is wrong.

I try not to get defensive when someone tells me I should wean my son... I try to use it as an opportunity to educate. To let people know the benefits of extended breastfeeding. To let them know it's okay. I'm not harming myself or my child. I've built a bond between us that can never be broken. I hope I've done that for all of my children, and will continue to do so with gentle parenting. With making educated choices for them and myself. Not doing something because a doctor tells me I should, but because I researched it and I feel like it's best for them. I am their mother after all... Right? Isn't there truth to the saying "Mother knows best". I think there is. Especially a mother such as myself who has armed herself with as much knowledge as possible from as many resources as possible!

Tandem nursing Mothers and mothers nursing toddlers shouldn't be made to feel they have to hide.... They should be celebrated. Applauded. Because I promise you. Extended nursing and tandem nursing is NOT easy. It has days where it's overwhelming and frustrating. So instead of criticizing us... Give us a pat on the back. Because I can guarantee it would be greatly appreciated! After all... We really are just doing our best!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hoping you all are having a great new year! I will be back for some updates soon. So so busy with the munchkins! I will however, leave you with this awesomely cute picture of Samirah- WHO by the way turns ONE on Saturday (No I cannot believe it!)