I wuv my horsey ride.

Why? Why, Because? Because, Why?

2 year old: Mine belly hungry.
me: ok, let me get you something to eat.
2 year old: why?

2 year old: Mine nose is leaking.
me: no it’s not.
2 year old: Why?

2 year old: Can I go outside?
me: ok, get your slippers.
2 year old: Why?
me: Because.
2 year old: Be-cause, Why?
me: Why, Because.
2 year old: Be-cause, Be-cause, I want go outside.
me: ok, get your slippers.
2 year old: Why?

The most unexpected thing happened.

As I pulled into the underground parking garage at work, the host of the radio morning show that I listen to every morning said the words “a plane crashed into the world trade centre”, and then my radio signal was lost. At once my mind started to race, the morning show hosts were known for doing funny pranks and telling weird jokes, this statement was neither, but still could it be true?

I quickly made my way up to my desk, passing co-workers discussing meetings and deadlines, and while I impatiently waited for cnn.com to load, I told my friend what I heard. She dismissed it as “nothing to worry about”, and although the people at my work were very oblivious to what was happening, I was worried, very worried.

Finally a picture loaded on my computer, I was one of the few to actually hit the site before the load became too much for their servers, and my fears were realized, it was one picture and then the site was down.

So many thoughts were running through my head, I was dizzy, I was confused, for that first moment, I thought “I hope this was not done by someone claiming to be Muslim”, and then my mind focused on my cousin who works in the world trade centre. I then quickly started making phone calls, first my husband, my mom and my dad, then to my aunt, and cousins, who were living in New York City, all I got were busy signals.

They were all ok. My cousin who worked there was in the second tower, she escaped and in a state of shock, she walked all the way to her home in the Bronx.

5 years ago I did not wear a headscarf, I was not a visible Muslim, and in the days following the tragedy no one gave a second though to making statements like “those Arabs are no good”, or “all those Muslims are the same” in front of me. I understood their anger and pain, and their desire to lash out, but although I am not Arab, it was still hurtful to me, a Muslim, to hear their words.

Although I remain skeptical about what really happened, and so do many people, I am not looking for answers or conspiracy theories, (understandably victims and their families would have a different view), I just hope that we can overcome the stereotyping and generalization that inevitably leads to discrimination and alienation of innocent people, especially the younger ones, like my sons.

I CANNOT be quiet.

What is it with almost 4 year olds that when they are asked to be quiet for even 5 minutes, JUST 5 MINUTES, it seems like its an impossible mission to them?

Seriously, what??

My almost 4 year old went out with his dad to get some milk (and other items, but mostly for the milk); meanwhile I managed to get the 2 year old and the baby to nap. I got to shower AND wash my hair, which truly is a special treat for me these days, and for which I owe thanks to the baby who vomited on my hair, thereby making it fair-seeming and urgent that I have a loooong shower… during the day even!!

Anyways, when my almost 4 year old returned home about 20 minutes later, I knew that all his racket would wake up the other kids, so I informed him of that, and he then proceeded to ask about 50 millions times what ‘racket’ meant! Obviously that was the wrong approach…

Me (whispering): You are too loud; you will wake up your brothers.

Almost 4 year old (NOT whispering): O.K.

Me (whispering, again): Well, can you not talk so loudly please?

Almost 4 year old (making no attempt to whisper): No, I CAN-NOT!

Rude? Ya think?

Ok, I don’t think that he was trying to give me attitude; I think that he actually cannot be quiet. Really. I mean does anyone even know if it’s possible for a 4 year old to be quiet??

Of course the boys did wake up, (did you have any doubts?) but at least the almost 4 year old is sleeping now!

Live & Learn.

For my first child, we had a video monitor, we felt more comfortable if we could see him while he was in his crib. So, in our ‘alone’ time, we would sit and watch this bad quality, black and white video of what we think was our precious first child’s face, while he slept!

For my second child, we just used the sound part of the monitor, I mean did we really need to see the tiny black and white image of something that looked like a baby staring at the camera? Ya, not so much! At this point I would actually prefer to look at TV instead.

For my third child, we bought a new regular monitor (the video one stopped working), which ended up in the boys room and the receiver part is always turned off! We have a new philosophy with this baby, ‘if we can’t hear him, then he’s not crying!’

Simple.

Happy Friday!