I am not one to read horoscopes or to believe in fortune-telling or numerology, but I have always loved math. I have a tendency to think about numbers (e.g., license plates, codes, birthdays) and have experienced a few strange events regarding numbers in my life.
For example,
1. My birthday is 10/11, which is 1+0=1.
2. I have always lived in a house with the numbers 6 and 4 in the address. I lived on 4406 Baintree, 604 Sturbridge, and 694 Affirmed.
3. My cell phone numbers and home phone numbers have all had the numbers 6 and 4 in them too.
4. For most of the sports I played in elementary and high school, my uniform number was 6 or
13.
5. Our wedding anniversary is 9/3/06, which is 9-3=6.
6. Our due date when we first found out that we were pregnant was 6/3/09, which is
similar to our anniversary date (in reverse order) and 6+3=9.
7. Alyssa was born on May 27, 2009, which is 5/27/09 or 5+2=7 and 2+7=9.
8. Alyssa was born at 10:27am--the minute number is the same number as the day of her birth,
the 27th of May.
Maybe I should play the lottery with some of these numbers since they have all brought me happiness and will hopefully bring us good luck (even though 6 is supposed to be an unlucky number). What do you think?
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
11...12...(What rhymes with 12?!)
Week 11
Alyssa's daddy came back after being in San Diego for work last week. She missed him very much, and he could not stop staring at her and holding her when he arrived home. Alyssa has found her hands and loves to look at her left hand and suck on the right one. I have noticed a very light brown circle on her upper forehead and one on the back of her upper right thigh. I think they might be birthmarks, but we will wait to see. Alyssa has angel kisses on her left eyebrow, the back of her head, and on her back. They will fade over time, but I like to think that she is being looked after by the angels above.
We attended our neighbor's 4th birthday party at the city park, which has the oldest carousel. Shereif and I rode it with Alyssa, but she slept the entire time. We plan to go next summer and ride more of the rides with her.
Alyssa saw Uncle Joe, Teta, and Jiddu on the computer and heard their voices. It was a fun time, and we hope to do it more often so that we can all see each other.
Fun Fact: Alyssa's movements are becoming more coordinated and smoother. She still loves to kick and throw her arms around, but she has started to push things away and wrap her fingers around mommy and daddy. She loves the play gym more now and has hit her favorite rattle on it a few times because she reaches her arms up. Her neck strength and head control are improving greatly as she is able to look around without having her head always supported.
Likes
Dislikes
Week 12
Alyssa is 3 months old! We have a tradition of taking her picture on her "birthday" at exactly 10:27am, the time that she was born. She is always so patient with me as I take her picture, but she always stops what she is doing when I try to record her movements or sounds. She is "talking" more and loves to hear us make high-pitched sounds and funny faces.
Fun Fact: The neighbors and their 8 month old daughter Mary came over one night, and Alyssa could not stop staring at Mary. Mary loved to tickle Alyssa's feet and Alyssa smiled at her new friend. We look forward to many more play dates with the girls and love taking Alyssa out to see lots of people. In addition to running errands and attending all the birthday parties this summer, we took Alyssa to Church for the first time. She loves the music, but gets agitated when it stops.
Likes
Dislikes
Alyssa's daddy came back after being in San Diego for work last week. She missed him very much, and he could not stop staring at her and holding her when he arrived home. Alyssa has found her hands and loves to look at her left hand and suck on the right one. I have noticed a very light brown circle on her upper forehead and one on the back of her upper right thigh. I think they might be birthmarks, but we will wait to see. Alyssa has angel kisses on her left eyebrow, the back of her head, and on her back. They will fade over time, but I like to think that she is being looked after by the angels above.
We attended our neighbor's 4th birthday party at the city park, which has the oldest carousel. Shereif and I rode it with Alyssa, but she slept the entire time. We plan to go next summer and ride more of the rides with her.
Alyssa saw Uncle Joe, Teta, and Jiddu on the computer and heard their voices. It was a fun time, and we hope to do it more often so that we can all see each other.
Fun Fact: Alyssa's movements are becoming more coordinated and smoother. She still loves to kick and throw her arms around, but she has started to push things away and wrap her fingers around mommy and daddy. She loves the play gym more now and has hit her favorite rattle on it a few times because she reaches her arms up. Her neck strength and head control are improving greatly as she is able to look around without having her head always supported.
Likes
- Her hands
- Butterfly, ARC, and elephant rattles
- Bouncing on the exercise ball
Dislikes
- Being tired
- Dirty diapers
Week 12
Alyssa is 3 months old! We have a tradition of taking her picture on her "birthday" at exactly 10:27am, the time that she was born. She is always so patient with me as I take her picture, but she always stops what she is doing when I try to record her movements or sounds. She is "talking" more and loves to hear us make high-pitched sounds and funny faces.
Fun Fact: The neighbors and their 8 month old daughter Mary came over one night, and Alyssa could not stop staring at Mary. Mary loved to tickle Alyssa's feet and Alyssa smiled at her new friend. We look forward to many more play dates with the girls and love taking Alyssa out to see lots of people. In addition to running errands and attending all the birthday parties this summer, we took Alyssa to Church for the first time. She loves the music, but gets agitated when it stops.
Likes
- Elephant and toucan rattles on play gym
- Baths: Alyssa loves the water, and I think she knows that it is bath time when she hears the water running. She also cries some times when we finish bathing her and take her out.
- Church music
Dislikes
- Getting out of the tub
- Gas
Sunday, August 9, 2009
9...10...More to do again
Week 9
Alyssa continually changes and grows with each passing day. Her eyebrows are fuller and darker, her eyelashes have started to curl at the ends, and she is starting to lose more hair. I wonder if her hair is going to change at all, but it has been dark brown since she was born. We joke that she looks like Jiddu Wajih with a comb over. I think Alyssa has Shereif's eyes, chin, and ears. She still has my nose, mouth, fingers, and toes. Speaking of fingers and toes, I cut Alyssa's nails for the first time with nail clippers last week. It was scary since I did not want to hurt her, but I waited until she was in a deep sleep. I felt horrible when I cut some skin on her fingertip, but she didn't even wake for a second.
Fun Fact: We receive weekly email updates regarding baby developments. Alyssa is always right on track with her milestones. It's funny to read an email and then see Alyssa do the action that week, or even that same day. Her most recent achievements have been smiling more and cooing all the time. She likes it when daddy and mommy repeat her sounds.
Likes
Week 10
Alyssa had her 2 month checkup on the day she turned 10 weeks old. Alyssa gained another 3 pounds! She is now 12 lbs, 14 oz (90th percentile) and is 22.75 in long (50th percentile). Her head circumference is 39 cm (50th percentile) so she must take after her mother who is short and has a small head. :) She received an oral immunization as well as 2 shots in her left thigh and 1 in her right thigh. She did not like the taste of the oral medication, but she swallowed it without a peep. When the first needle went in, she was in shock; but the second needle brought on the crying and a loud scream. Alyssa only cried for a few minutes after the last shot, but mommy carried her and made it all feel better. She fell asleep in the car on the way home. I can't believe what a champ she was and how bravely she took all 3 shots. I was very impressed and proud of her!
Fun Fact: Alyssa started taking a vitamin supplement since she is only breastfeeding. It is a dark brown-colored liquid that you administer through a dropper, and it smells horrible. I can't blame Alyssa for not liking it, and I wonder why the drug companies can't make it clear and/or taste/smell better. It stains everything too.
Likes
Here is a short video of Alyssa smiling. Please excuse my annoying voice.
Alyssa continually changes and grows with each passing day. Her eyebrows are fuller and darker, her eyelashes have started to curl at the ends, and she is starting to lose more hair. I wonder if her hair is going to change at all, but it has been dark brown since she was born. We joke that she looks like Jiddu Wajih with a comb over. I think Alyssa has Shereif's eyes, chin, and ears. She still has my nose, mouth, fingers, and toes. Speaking of fingers and toes, I cut Alyssa's nails for the first time with nail clippers last week. It was scary since I did not want to hurt her, but I waited until she was in a deep sleep. I felt horrible when I cut some skin on her fingertip, but she didn't even wake for a second.
Fun Fact: We receive weekly email updates regarding baby developments. Alyssa is always right on track with her milestones. It's funny to read an email and then see Alyssa do the action that week, or even that same day. Her most recent achievements have been smiling more and cooing all the time. She likes it when daddy and mommy repeat her sounds.
Likes
- Blowing bubbles
- Talking
- Smiling
- "The Itsy, Bitsy Spider"
- Not sitting straight in her car seat
- Feeling full
Week 10
Alyssa had her 2 month checkup on the day she turned 10 weeks old. Alyssa gained another 3 pounds! She is now 12 lbs, 14 oz (90th percentile) and is 22.75 in long (50th percentile). Her head circumference is 39 cm (50th percentile) so she must take after her mother who is short and has a small head. :) She received an oral immunization as well as 2 shots in her left thigh and 1 in her right thigh. She did not like the taste of the oral medication, but she swallowed it without a peep. When the first needle went in, she was in shock; but the second needle brought on the crying and a loud scream. Alyssa only cried for a few minutes after the last shot, but mommy carried her and made it all feel better. She fell asleep in the car on the way home. I can't believe what a champ she was and how bravely she took all 3 shots. I was very impressed and proud of her!
Fun Fact: Alyssa started taking a vitamin supplement since she is only breastfeeding. It is a dark brown-colored liquid that you administer through a dropper, and it smells horrible. I can't blame Alyssa for not liking it, and I wonder why the drug companies can't make it clear and/or taste/smell better. It stains everything too.
Likes
- Sitting with mommy on the physioball: I tried using the exercise ball one day when Alyssa was being fussy, and she quickly became quiet. I think I might use it more often since she seems to like it and to work on my own posture and quadriceps strength since I need it. :)
- Hearing shhhhhh: When Alyssa is fussy before she falls asleep during the day (no problems at night though), I figured out a method to get her to calm down. As I walk and gently bounce Alyssa around the living room, I pat her bottom with one hand and her back with the other while "shhhh"ing softly. I guess she likes the white noise, but it makes me tired too. I wish I had more hands and a sound machine :)
- Hearing mommy say "WOW" in a really high-pitched voice.
- Immunizations
- Vitamin
- Being fussy right before falling asleep for naps
- Mirrors: Alyssa no longer likes looking into the mirror for some reason.
Here is a short video of Alyssa smiling. Please excuse my annoying voice.
Monday, August 3, 2009
In memory of...
My Uncle Abdoo, or Al as everyone called him, passed away on July 29th. He was a successful entrepreneur who owned several movie theatres. He was a devoted son who helped take care of my grandfather with my grandmother, a loving brother to 2 sisters and 2 brothers, and a fun uncle who treated his nieces and nephews to movies, popcorn, and candy. I will always have fond memories of visiting him and my grandparents as a little girl at the first movie theatre he owned. Everyone loved Uncle Al and his love for the movies. He would always tell us which movies to see or to skip, and Shereif loved talking to him about business and investments.
I am saddened that Uncle Al never had a chance to meet Alyssa, but I know he will be looking down on her, as well as all of his family and friends, from heaven. He always helped to take care of others, whether family members, friends, or customers; and I know he will continue to do so from above.
He will be missed dearly and has left a legacy. We love you Uncle Al. May you rest in peace and be an inspiration to us all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)