Cheating on our Pediatrician

Finding the right doctor for the kids has been one of the most challenging things this past year. Iman's old pediatrician was situated on the other side of town, and wasn't really working for us in times of emergency, not to mention, he refused to take phone calls. So when we were acquainted to Dr. Malini who worked at the hospital near our house, it was perfect! She immediately won my heart, and cleared my stringent check list.

Things progressed well. When Ayzah was born at the same hospital, Dr. Malini was the first to see her. I was happy that the kids were in good hands. BUT... then she packed up and left. Damn.

Since I was really happy with the hospital, I took the kids to another pediatrician who worked there - Dr. Jalil. Not really my kind of guy, but he knew his stuff. I like doctors who chat with us, remember my kids names and win the children's hearts. He didn't have any of that, but we still stuck with him because Omair felt that his experience spoke for itself.

Then, we met Dr. Deepali. Same hospital, but a whole different personality. She was warm and friendly. On one of the appointments she gave Iman a pen and paper to draw with while she spoke to us. She was concerned about both girls, and even though we had gone in to show Ayzah, she dealt with a lot of our questions regarding Iman.

I was sold. But then there was the problem of switching doctors at the same hospital, without feeling weird about it.

Yesterday Ayzah was due for a vaccination. When we walked into the reception, Dr. Jalil was making his way to the cafeteria (which, by the way, is where he spends most of his time). So I ducked to the water cooler. Then while we were sitting in the waiting room, he made his way back. So again, I tried to hide the entire family behind a newspaper. When our turn was called, I made sure we all quietly entered the office (since both pediatric clinics are side by side).

On our way home, Omair asked why I put on the whole show, and I said:
"Well if we're going to cheat on our pediatrician, the least we can do is be discrete about it."

And she's off!

Yesterday Ayzah managed to turn by herself. PLOP! From back to front. And then she started crying because she didn't know what to do. We all wanted to capture the moment, the camera's were pulled out, all eyes were on her... the excitement, the cheering, the wild waving of toys to get her to roll again... but no avail.

Ayzah was happier to watch us three acting like monkeys. She looked back and forth from one to the other grinning her toothless smile. But no turn. Slowly the camera batteries started to give way... and no turn. Our enthusiasm started fading... still no turn. And then finally... when we thought there would be no more action from Ayzah, she did it again!!

We managed to make the video, all though Iman kept popping her head in front of the camera with comments (and some times just funny faces).

So it's over. She's no longer a "sit still" "leave alone" baby. We've got to start keeping and eye on her too.

The funny thing is that today, it takes her one second to turn. The novelty has worn off a little, because every time she turns, she lifts her head and starts crying. Hmmm... maybe it's time to teach Iman how to turn the baby over.

Love, Life and the Pursuit of Glamour

Long before I had Iman, long, long before I had even thought about having kids, I had promised myself one thing... no matter how demanding motherhood would be, I would never turn into one of those women who let their kids "take over" their personal appearance.

Ok, so I can't avoid the spit ups and the chocolate stains. I can't even avoid the rumpled "slept in" look on my clothes. But I can certainly keep a good haircut and look glamorous, despite the 3 year year old and the baby in tow.

Some days as I apply mascara while bouncing Ayzah in the other hand, I wonder if God meant for moms to look scruffy. But then I guess not. Moms have a lot of responsibility and a lot on their hands. If we can do something for ourselves, we should be proud, and happy to see a reflection of our old selves in our new roles.

The right way, the wrong way, the Iman way and the Ayzah way...

There is the right way of doing things with kids and there is a wrong way. Then there is the way that we went while raising Iman, and now, a new path that we have chosen with Ayzah.

As our first born, Iman has suffered a lot of our "mistakes". Some things we did out of love for her, and some things we did because we weren't too sure of ourselves. But now, when I look back, I feel I could have handled certain things better. And then God gave us a do-over in form of Ayzah.

Now we have all the experience of Iman, and a brand new baby to do things right with. We're watching our steps more carefully and making sure we don't make the same mistakes that we did the last time. But as amusing as it may be, we're making new mistakes!

The lucky thing is that parenting is an on going process, and most mistakes can be fixed or outgrown. But there's one lesson that we've learned by heart... there's no way we can be perfect parents.

Almost there

Ayzah has been shifting and moving a lot over the past few days. Yesterday she managed to get a "half roll" in there. I thought I was excited, but Iman was even more overjoyed. I think for the first time she realized that Ayzah would grow up and eventually become a kid, and in time, someone she can play with.

Nurturing the Competitive Streak

We all know not to do it. And we all swear that we wouldn't dare. But on that one day, where you make the mistake, it makes life SO much more easier... and then you discover that you're hooked.

Trying to get Iman to do anything these days is a task and a half. Every day feels like a new battle, and somehow my cute little "yes mommy" baby has turned into the "I don't want" monster.

But one fine day (totally accidentally) we discovered the key to make Iman go. Not only does she listen to us, she does it willingly and with lots of excitement.

We've tapped into her competitive streak.

Now, previously dreadful tasks are fun and full of life. All we have to say is "Let's see who's going to win... Iman or __________?" And Iman is off.

Getting ready for bed used to be painstakingly difficult in our house. Every night there would be a struggle to get Iman into the bathroom, wash up, brush her teeth and get into her pajamas. We would try whatever we could to make it pleasant, but in a matter of minutes the whole thing would turn into a wild circus with Iman adamantly refusing.

Now the entire procedure is simple and problem free. In fact, it's even fun. After we tell Iman it's time for bed, we add on... "Let's see who's going to win today! Iman or Ayzah?" Omair and I take one child each and start the bed-time process. It's become a lot of fun. And secretly I even enjoy it. After the whole wildness of getting ready... we all cozy on the couch together for bedtime stories.

I know we're treading on dangerous waters. Children become obsessed with competition when simple tasks are turned into races. Winning become a necessity and it becomes increasingly difficult to handle losing. I don't want to turn Iman into one of those kids who just HAS to compete in everything. But believe me... these past few days have been so easy. Getting her to do things has become enjoyable, so I think I'll let my guilt take a side for a few more days while I enjoy a vacation from this "I don't want" attitude.

The trouble with ice cream...

It melts, and dribbles and runs all over your hands and clothes. Iman had a recent encounter with it. After finishing an ice cream cone Iman looked down at her shirt and said...

"Oh crap!"

Girls Night Out

One of the best things about motherhood is coming home from a girl's night out, and finding your children asleep.

Happy Birthday to Me

Birthday celebrations started early. More pictures to come.

Changing Faces

Just today, while reading Jammie's blog, I was reminded of an old tradition that I have maintained in our family. Ever since Iman was born, I took a picture of her on the 26th of every month, and then after her 1st birthday, a picture every year on the date. I have all the shots in a collage that I update each year.

Ever since Ayzah's birth, I have done the same for her.

Today, when Jammie was talking about changing faces and resemblances, I mentioned this to her, and then decided to share it in the blog as well. Over the year, while I watched Iman grow every day I didn't realize that she changed a million faces, but now, when I look at this collection of pictures it amazes me at the number of times her features changes, but the spirit in her eyes remained the same.

Here is the collection so far, although Ayzah's is much smaller, it's building up slowly. I would like to recommend this to all parents and parent-to-be's. It's a great way to capture the inevitable change and a beautiful collection that you and your loved ones will treasure forever.

Ayzah Who?

It's a funny thing how the older sibling (the louder and more chattier one) ends up taking center stage EVERY time. I went to Karachi this summer because the families were dying to see Ayzah, but while we were there, it was Iman who always stole the show.

Funny as it goes, that's pretty much the case on the blog as well. Ayzah is over 3 months now, and hardly 2 posts about her.

Hmm... shame on me? Well not really. I think the earlier months of child raising aren't very eventful.

Ayzah is doing well, she's got a contagious smile which beams out every time she sees us. She's managed to carve herself a niche in the family, despite the fact that Iman is always jumping around doing something or the other. Ayzah has her quieter ways to captivate us. Initially I thought Omair wouldn't be able to make the connection with her (since Iman makes sure she has his undivided attention). But over the weeks I have noticed stolen moments between the two, where it seems more than obvious that Omair is falling in love all over again.