You know you're a mom of an infant if...

Here's a list of things I've noticed about myself since I became a mom. Feel free to add on.

You know you're a mom of an infant if...

-You have pee/booboo/throw up stains on your clothes at ALL TIMES
-and you don't even care anymore
-You have items like wipes, rattles, miscellaneous diapers and onsies in your purse, even when the baby isn't with you
-Going to the grocery store feels like "getting out"
-You go days without leaving the house
-You buy clothes depending on how "baby friendly" they are
-You tell your childless friends countless stories about your baby that they probably don't want to hear
-You're amazed at how quickly your baby grows and changes
-At the mall, you now go in stores that you never used to pay attention to (like Gymboree).
-You get happy when your fussy baby finally falls asleep... like REALLY happy
-You're amazed at the things you've been able to do while holding a baby
-You're regretting that expensive baby item you just bought because you know you didn't really need. It was just so cute!
-You take one million pictures of your child a day, even when it's clear the baby is thinking "Leave me the hell alone"
-You accept normal, everyday baby behavior as proof that your child is nothing short of a genius. "You see how she stares into the light? I told you she was smart!"

Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail

Aww, Your Baby is So....Smart

Don't you just love babies? They're so freaking cute, and they know it, because we're constantly reminding them.


"You're so cute!"
"That's my handsome little man!"
"Look at mommy's pretty baby!"

We've got us some cute kids, guys. But, is that all they are? We (myself included) constantly obsess over how they look, especially girls. What about how they are? Their talents, their characteristics?

I tell Zara a billion times a day how pretty she is, but I also tell her how smart, kind, funny, and caring she is. It probably doesn't really matter now, but when she gets older, she will internalize these messages and know that she's more than a pretty face. As mesmerizing as her eyes are, as adorable as her chubby cheeks are, as purely beautiful as her face is, I'd never want her to think she is nothing but a pretty face. I want to raise her to believe that her looks are the icing on the cake, not the cake itself.

In this world, it's easy for a woman to put all her stock in her looks. At the same time, it's just as easy for that woman to feel less-than, not good enough, not cute enough. Despite all the emphasis we put on looks, few of us are truly happy with them. It's like we see beauty as this bright, shining star that is just out of reach. We all want it, but no one can really reach it.

Shouldn't beauty be a whole expression of who we are, rather than a mere expression of how we look? Looks are important, but no more important than those qualities and traits that make you who you are. Zara, my sweet baby, as you grow and mature, I pray that you love your beautiful eyes. But, more importantly, I pray you love the beautiful person behind those eyes.



Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail

My First Blog Award

This really encourages me to get back on my blogging. I just get so busy, yall! But, I was so pleased to see that the beautiful lady over at Marlie and Me gave me this:

Isn't that sweet? I love to know that people (or at least one person) enjoys reading this blog as much as I enjoy writing it. Now that I have the been given this award, it is my duty to do the same to 15 other bloggers out there. I've kind of been off the scene for a while, so I don't know if I can even think of 15, but I will try. Here goes (random order)...

My Brown Baby

Baby Makin(g) Machine

Navelgazing

Cutie Booty Cakes

Natural Mommie

The Balancing Act of... One Chic Mommy

A Place of Comfort

A Spiritual Connection

Anti-Racist Parent

Ms. Wanda

Ok, so that's only 10, but like I said, I've been off the scene. I'm not really up on the blogs like I used to be :(

To accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail

Why I love Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding was never an option. In my mind, it was just what you do when you have a baby, period. I watched my mother breastfeed my younger brother and my other relatives do the same, so it just came naturally. It wasn't until I was older that I learned that only about 36.2% of American moms breastfeed up to 6 months (CDC, 2003).
I've known some people say they tried breastfeeding, but gave up after a day or so because it was too hard. Others say they don't have the time. Others, still, simply aren't interested, and I understand that. Parenting is all about choices, and breastfeeding is a choice that mothers may or may not choose. For those that choose it, yea for you. For those that don't, I encourage you to give it a second thought. It's not nearly as hard as it seems.

It does require a commitment (like anything else in life worth doing) but the worst part is getting past the first few days. For most women, it's a new experience to have a little person sucking on you, so it definitely takes some getting used to. And it doesn't help that the baby's sucking triggers contractions in your uterus. After just delivering a baby, the last thing any new mom wants to feel is another contraction, but it's actually in our best interest. The post partum contractions help the out-stretched uterus to shrink back down to its normal size. (Can you say flat stomach?) Breastfeeding also helps reduce your risk of breast cancer, and it’s insanely healthy for your little one.
If you’re a busy mom who is thinking “All that sounds great, but how am I supposed to breastfeed and work?” Know that it is possible. If you can’t keep your baby with your milk, keep you milk with your baby. With a quality pump, it only takes about 5-10 minutes to express a bag of milk. You can freeze it and send it to daycare with your child. That way your baby will always feels connected to you.

I can’t explain how close breastfeeding makes me feel to my baby. I LOVE the slurping noises she makes. They’re so loud and expressive, like she’s thinking “OMG! This is the best stuff ever!” I’m amazed by the fact that God has given me a way to feed my child. Everything she needs is literally within me. No matter where we go, if she’s with me, she’s taken care of. I love that feeling.



Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail

Single Mother for a Weekend

I appreciate my husband. I make it a point to tell him that on a regular basis, but after being a single mother for a weekend, I really appreciate him... like, REALLY.

This past weekend, one of my friends was getting married and I had to attend. We've known each other since senior year in high school and I wasn't going to let the fact that she live in North Carolina (remember, I live in Missiouri) stop me. So, I spent some time looking for a cheap ticket and found a great price I couldn't pass up. With my Travelocity confirmation in hand, I packed my bags, I packed my baby and hit the road.

Usually when I travel, I like to get fly-something about a new city that just makes you want to break out your best-but this time was different. I couldn't find half my clothes because we had just moved, and I didn't want to take much because I knew I had to carry Zara. So, I packed a modest bag full of "just okay" gear, and tried not to be discouraged by the fact that I had zero pairs of earrings and no big, pretty scarves. On a lighter note, Zara was looking too cute!

I love carrying Zara in my Moby Wrap; it really was a lifesaver this weekend, but carrying her plus a diaper bag and a stuffed-to-capacity travel bag wasn't easy. Luckily, there were wonderfully nice strangers in the airport that came and helped him. I had people helping me with my bags, picking up things I dropped, and even getting my veggie sub for me from Quiznos! Thank God for kind, helpful people.

When it came time to get on the plane, my heart was about to jump out of my chest. I was terrified that Zara would scream the whole way there and I would become the most hated person on the flight. But of course, in true Zara fashion, she was peaceful and serene on both flights (yes, there were two).

My NC friends were more than willing to help me out with the baby, but she wasn't as open to them as they were to her. I guess she needed some time to get used to her new surroundings, because she cried everytime another person tried to hold her. That meant I, Nadirah, had to carry her around ALL THE TIME for the first few days. I'm used to being able reenergize while she is hanging with her father. That was not the case. Even though I had a marvelous time and would definitely do it again, it was so tiring. I couldn't help but think about people who really are single parents. What I went through in a weekend, they live with. You have to be so strong to do it by yourself. My hat goes off to single parents. You guys rock!




Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail

Do I have septuplets!?

Ok, readers, I'm back. Sorry for the delay. I felt bad not doing my daily posts, but you know how it goes. Moving into this new place took a lot of time, and Zara and I took an out-of-state trip (which will be blogged about soon). Anyway, on to today’s post…


Zara is 4 months today, and I can’t believe how quickly the time has passed. It seems like just yesterday I was trying to coax her out of her previous residence and now she’s complete 1/3 of a year! My baby’s growing up *TEAR*. Actually, on second thought, I’ll suck that tear back up. I’m happy she’s growing. It’s a blessing. If she was still the 6 ½ pound chocolate drop I brought home, I’d be extremely concerned. That would be the time for tears. Now is the time for thankfulness, because I have a beautiful 4 month old that is the picture of health.

Our natural doctor (who we happen to love) warned us that, as the baby’s newness wears off, things may become harder to manage. I don’t know when that wearing off process is supposed to begin, but so far, so good. Every day I wake up, I am ecstatic to see her chubby little face. It never gets old. I feel just as excited as I did the day I brought her home (but without the soreness). It’s like I’m getting a brand new baby every day. That’s seven babies a week. Seven wonderful Zaras, just for me. (Oh, and her father. Almost forgot about him.)

Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail

Hey Nadirah, what's up with the posts?

So, you've probably noticed that my posts have been irregular lately. So sorry about that. I really enjoy giving you guys daily posts, but I've been super busy with this move. My husband and I are moving into our own place and I just haven't had time to get on like I usually do. Once we actually get into the new place, we may not have internet connection for a while. Hopefully, it will only be a few days, but I just wanted to give you all an update. thanks for your patience. See ya soon!



Zara's Mommy,
Nadirah Angail