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!)

FRUSTRATED!!!!!!!!

Nadia is NOT listening to me AT ALL today.

Sami REFUSES to go on the potty.

And Samirah won't let me put her down.

that is all.