MOTHERHOOD...

Motherhood is downright AWESOME! I am still getting used to motherhood, but thus far I can only embrace it with joy. I have been adjusting to sleeping a few hours at a time considering I never liked interrupted sleep. Now, I wake every few hours to breast feed. I am actually trying to train myself to consciously feed her cuz sometimes I awake looking for her in her bassinet only to find her laying on my stomach with her head hanging off the bed! (Really)

It is pretty interesting, though, seeing her learn through repetition. She now realizes that she has options. She knows that she has the choice to have a clean diaper. She can choose one nipple over the other and she can choose her swing over my arms (or vice versa). I almost have her potty trained at 11 weeks. Kibwe just brought the potty upstairs so we are going to see how this goes. But hey! Every morning she awakens, sits on my lap, leans forward and does her do... RELIGIOUSLY! ! She even chooses this position throughout the day when she gosta go.

She looooves her some Daddy! Jehan really makes him feel good when he comes home for lunch or after work and she give him this great big grin. She laughs with him and talks in this chatty way as though she is giving him an account of the day.

I Love JEHAN! She is so alert (when she is awake). She has this look as though she really knows what's going on or that she is really trying to understand what is going on.

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Daddy's Fam

OMIGOSH! Jehan's family right here in Pittsburgh were definitely anxiously awaiting her arrival. Pictured above is her cousin Jelani who is 5. He is only one of 1,045,345 family members that are on Kibwe's side of the family. I thought I had a big family with 14 first cousins. Every time we go out whether it be to the supermarket or just driving by on the street, he points out a family member. I usually say, "Oh is that your 5th cousin," but turns out it one of his many brothers, sisters, cousins or something. In fact, he has three men named Ernest (and they aren't fathers or sons) and I think he has a couple Franks and 10 Jelani's an 7 Brianna's (ok, just kidding). If you click on the image above it will take you to a host of images of Jehan's family on Daddy's side.

MORE IMAGES OF DADDY'S FAM...

Jehan's Family Visit in ATL

(If the slide show is not playing above,
click the X in the top right box
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Nur-Jehan's Welcome Ceremony

Click image for more images of Jehan's ceremony

Nur-Jehan's Welcome ceremony was great! For those that don't know I privately fantasize alot about how different events are going to happen in my life and most of them fall short of my glorious imagination, BUT I really couldnt ask for more for our daughter's Aqiqah (birthing ceremony). There were Pittsburgh Muslims, Pittsburgh family and friends that came to support. We had it in a beautiful venue in Homewood. I managed to cook half of the food prepared for the guests including lamb stew. Mmmmmmm mmm good!

We arranged the ceremony so that all of the guests gathered in the center of the venue (around the sofas) and we passed Jehan around the circle to a select group of family and community. Everyone was to say a prayer in her right ear. She traveled from the right starting with her father then me, onto my mother, Kibwe's mother and my grandmother. It was really touching for me when Kibwe' father arrived and was able to participate. Jehan was so agreeable. She was patient and listened to everyone without one peep. I thought she would be whiny since she had just awakened and needed to be changed and fed. But she was peaceful.

I am thankful to all that came to her ceremony. And to all that wanted to come, but couldn't for whatever reason. I am really thankful to Helen for letting us host the event in her venue, Chantal for being a a GREAT support, the sisters: SarahJamillah, Rasheedah, and Denna. AND the brothers: Salahudin, Talib and Dawud for all showin' love.

MORE IMAGES OF JEHAN'S CEREMONY...

Jehan @ 11 Days Old

In these pictures, Jehan is 11 days old. The photos were taken by her auntie, Hafeeza. (She always does such a great job photographing.) ;)

Jehan @ BIRTH

In these pictures, Jehan is about 12 hours old. Notice how alert she is!?! She was born on October 29 @ 8lbs 7 oz. I endured 29 hours of labor under the care of the midwives at Magee Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. My delivery went nothing according to plan. I intended to deliver naturally with no medication through the birth canal, but neither happened, (God knows best) Nevertheless, I was born a beautiful healthy daughter. Click the image above for more images or the following link will take you to Kodak gallery where you will find the images. Then find your way back to this page so that you can check out some more pictures. Enjoy!

MORE IMAGES OF HER BIRTH...