Nasreen's baby shower on Saturday was a-maaaaaaaaz-Ing!
Sabera, Dilnaas and I worked so hard to get everything ready on time, but it was worth it when we saw the look on Nasreen's face. She was really surprised!
Ofcorse, Nasreen being Nasreen, had to get us back...she faked going into labour by spilling a cup of water around her and then shouting in fear "I think my waters just broke!!!!"...omw!, I can't tell you how scared I got!
The food was Devine! The baked goodies were even better, everything matched the theme.
Sabera tied a washing line to hang up messages and advice for Nas...she had printed, pre-cut cards snapped like booties and rompers and hats that we could write on and then hang up on the line, I choose a blue hat and wrote, "all the best, anything you need I'm just a call away."
Many people like me, keept it short and sweet, with advice like, get enough rest, sleep when baby sleeps etc...
But the old aunties...oh the old aunties...they choose the large romper cards and filled them both sides! Essays' of advice filled with old wives tales and myths...
Most of them made me laugh...
"make sure there is no knotted packets when you go into labour, otherwise the cord will get knotted."
"drink jerro water everyday for easy labour..."
"give baby nutmeg for gas.."
Each card had numerous points like these, true or not, certainly unconventional for a baby shower!
Dilnaas served all the snacks on serviettes folded as diapers with little diaper pins, too cute...
I say "Dilnaas served" as if she was literally serving...my SiL doesn't do menial task...she hired people to cater and serve, Thank you very much.
Dilnaas will always be dilnaas!
Sabera insisted we had to drink out of baby bottles!
Nasreen was thrilled with her baby shower and enjoyed all the fun and games.
We sent her home with lots of gifts and a "Ready to Pop" gift basket filled with microwave popcorn, a feel good novel, sweet scented bubble bath, cereal that makes a popping sound in milk and its blue with pink marshmallows, and a roll of bubble wrap for her to pop when she's tired of waiting.
It was such a lovely day...
After it was over Dilnaas, Sabera and I looked at all the mess with wide eyes...we had no energy to clean up...
"I'm pregnant...", I began...excusing my self automatically...
"I don't do work...", Dilnaas said...
"I got it sorted...", Sabera said with a wink...
Before we could ask what or were, in walked Imraan and Ahmed with bin bags and brooms...
I was so shocked...
Imraan shrugged...
"Saabera said we can't have any left overs until we help her clean up!"
Oh, I had to hand it to my sister! She thought of everything...
Dilnaad and I leaned back against couch and sighed...we got comfy sipping tea as we watched our husbands earn their leftovers!
the perfect end, to a perfect day...
Showing posts with label baby shower. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby shower. Show all posts
Monday, 15 September 2014
Friday, 12 September 2014
Part 31: You want my husband? Take his mother too!
I spoke to Sumaya today and I couldn't help myself but ask her what made her agree to letting Muhammad marry for the second time...
She said at first she was so upset and hurt she couldn't think straight, once she had calmed down she realized who Neelofah was. She called Muhammad and told him to meet her to talk.
Muhammad explained that he just felt sorry for Neelofah and how tough her life had been and by talking to her again, he somehow got caught up in her issues and he felt like he could make her life better. He wasn't in any relationship with her and only wanted to offer her marriage in hopes of gaining sawaab for marrying a widow.
When Sumaya asked him how he intended for this to work out, he said Neelofahs needs were simple, she just wanted a little flat and a small stipend every month.
Sumaya said that while taking to him she suddenly had a crazy idea...she felt sure of it at the time that she didn't even stop to think, she told her husband that she will give him permission to marry Neelofah on one condition...
Sumaya's condition was simple, she would move out into a flat, maintain the same allowance she has now and Neelofah must move into the main house...if Neelofah or him don't like the idea, then he can't marry her.
Sumaya knew Neelofah would never agree to that, unlike Muhammad Bhai, she could see that Neelofah was just looking for a soft target and playing on Muhammad's sympathy. His soft nature had made him the prime candidate.
When Muhammad phoned Neelofah with the conditions of their Nikkah, she went from sweet to sour in less than half a second...that's when the penny dropped for Muhammad Bhai. Sumaya said it was almost as if he woke up from a deep sleep.
Last night at supper, Muhammad wasn't announcing his Nikkah, he was announcing his pride at his wife's willing sacrifice and making a public apology to her for his error in judgment...ofcorse, MiL hadn't given him a chance to complete his announcement ...
Thank Allah Sumaya wasn't like most people who rush to demand a divorce in such circumstances...she used wit and tact to diffuse the situation...
However, I couldn't help but tease her...she would have saved herself alot of tears and pain if she just went straight to MiL...
She giggled with glee...
ah, atleast that drama is over...i have Nasreen's baby shower this weekend, I can't wait!
Sabera and Dilnaas are coming down this evening, we hosting it at dilnaas's family flat in Musgrave...
things are so much better between Dilnaas and I after I decided to treat her with the same understanding I expect, its influenced the way I relate to her and as our interactions changed it has impacted on her relationship with my mum and sister too...amazing!
She said at first she was so upset and hurt she couldn't think straight, once she had calmed down she realized who Neelofah was. She called Muhammad and told him to meet her to talk.
Muhammad explained that he just felt sorry for Neelofah and how tough her life had been and by talking to her again, he somehow got caught up in her issues and he felt like he could make her life better. He wasn't in any relationship with her and only wanted to offer her marriage in hopes of gaining sawaab for marrying a widow.
When Sumaya asked him how he intended for this to work out, he said Neelofahs needs were simple, she just wanted a little flat and a small stipend every month.
Sumaya said that while taking to him she suddenly had a crazy idea...she felt sure of it at the time that she didn't even stop to think, she told her husband that she will give him permission to marry Neelofah on one condition...
Sumaya's condition was simple, she would move out into a flat, maintain the same allowance she has now and Neelofah must move into the main house...if Neelofah or him don't like the idea, then he can't marry her.
Sumaya knew Neelofah would never agree to that, unlike Muhammad Bhai, she could see that Neelofah was just looking for a soft target and playing on Muhammad's sympathy. His soft nature had made him the prime candidate.
When Muhammad phoned Neelofah with the conditions of their Nikkah, she went from sweet to sour in less than half a second...that's when the penny dropped for Muhammad Bhai. Sumaya said it was almost as if he woke up from a deep sleep.
Last night at supper, Muhammad wasn't announcing his Nikkah, he was announcing his pride at his wife's willing sacrifice and making a public apology to her for his error in judgment...ofcorse, MiL hadn't given him a chance to complete his announcement ...
Thank Allah Sumaya wasn't like most people who rush to demand a divorce in such circumstances...she used wit and tact to diffuse the situation...
However, I couldn't help but tease her...she would have saved herself alot of tears and pain if she just went straight to MiL...
She giggled with glee...
ah, atleast that drama is over...i have Nasreen's baby shower this weekend, I can't wait!
Sabera and Dilnaas are coming down this evening, we hosting it at dilnaas's family flat in Musgrave...
things are so much better between Dilnaas and I after I decided to treat her with the same understanding I expect, its influenced the way I relate to her and as our interactions changed it has impacted on her relationship with my mum and sister too...amazing!
Monday, 8 September 2014
Part 27: Chance of Thundershowers...
Saleem and Saleema's wedding was lovely. It was unusual and I really enjoyed it.
Imraan and I landed quiet late yesterday evening and while I have the good fortune of having this week off from work, Imraan had to go in this morning to finalise his promotion.
Everything was ready they said, just for him to sign on the dotted line.
I planned on spending the week sorting out everything for Nasreen's baby shower.
Whatever guilt my MiL had been feeling regarding Dadi's departure seemed to have vanished while we were away, she was back to her normal self, much to my disappointment.
I was in my room making favours for the shower when MiL came looking for me.
"Fatima Barbie, are you busy?", she asked at the door
What was that? A trick question? If I said yes it would mean I didn't want to help her, if I said no it would mean I'm sitting in my room to avoid work...you can't win either way.
"No, no mummy, just sorting out some gifts for Nasreen's baby shower.", I replied.
"oh, come come, I need help making berji pura, Sumaya and Shireen are already busy in the kitchen", MiL said.
Berji pura? That's hardly a four (wo)man job! I thought as I followed her to the kitchen.
When I got there I realized something else was going on...all the leftover savories from Ramadaan were out, being baked and fried.
"its stock take at the dukaan, we have to send something, dono koonia koonia will eat...kayni kayni, booka lorko pheet ma jaai apreh wasta sawaab", my MiL said answering my unasked question.
I washed my hands and started cleaning the berji, picking the root of each leaf painstakingly...
Shireen was talking about this and that, making my MiL laugh...Sumaya worked quietly, trying to get done before her son got up from his nap, no doubt.
"I was telling Mummy I want to have another baby now..." Shireen said...
That got my attention, okay!
"oh yah...", MiL replied.
"Yah, I think I'm ready the twins will be six soon...my mother says I need to lose weight before I can think of having a baby, she wants me to go on that vegetable diet she is on...", shireen said off-handedly, as she dipped the pie she was eating into some chille sauce.
"oh yah! Hows that going for her? I forgot to ask her.", my MiL asked.
"I don't know, I don't see any difference, it won't work for me, I eat vegetables...thats for people that don't eat vegetables...my built is in my genes. Its not like i over eat or anything."
Sumaya caught my eye and passed me a look as Shireen sampled one of the samoosas she was ment to be setting on throw away platters.
I hid my smile as I wondered what exactly did 'eat vegetable's' mean to Shireen.
I clearly remember her refusing to try the creamy spinach and butternut side dish I once made, or the steamed carrots, peas and corn I make to go with chicken roast saying its to plain for her.
Just the other day she pissed Sumaya off because she told the twins they lucky she doesn't feed them 'mini trees' when Talha was eating steamed broccoli.
I suppose Shireen counted the sweet corn in her fresh cream pasta, the soft soft aloos from the curry and the oil soaked gajaar beans atchar she ate at every meal, as her portion of vegetables covered.
Shireens new topic took me away from my silly thoughts...
"there's so much space in the back, Bilal could build an apartment for us...", she said as she looked out over the backyard.
My MiL turned so fast, causing the spoon in her hand to splatter oil everywhere!
"jaja! What's this apartment business now...", she said more sternly than I have ever heard her speak to shireen before.
Shireen herself, seemed taken aback...she wasn't use to MiL disagreeing with her.
"No, I just mean it will get abit crowded here after a while, at least we have land to build.", Shireen explained.
" Your Masagee will never allow all alag alag! What crowded, there is still two spare rooms!", my MiL almost shouted.
"what people will think, that my own sisters daughter couldn't live with muhabbaat!", My MiL was fuming, "Everybody will talk!!"
I finished mixing my batter and quietly left it by MiL for frying as I attempted to make a quick exit. I could see Sumaya wanting to do the same...
My MiL continued, furiously"its that Layla putting all these ideas in your head!..., I knew there will be trouble once you made friends with her!"
" how she said, that day you brought her for lunch...'oh, I can't believe 4 families live together in this house!'...what four families, we all one family! All western thinking todays children got!"
Shireen looked like she wanted to cry, I excused myself saying I wanted to freshen up as Imraan will be home any minute now.
As Magrib azaan went, Sumaya too ran for cover...looks like cloudy skies are in todays forecast, with a chance of thunder showers.
Imraan and I landed quiet late yesterday evening and while I have the good fortune of having this week off from work, Imraan had to go in this morning to finalise his promotion.
Everything was ready they said, just for him to sign on the dotted line.
I planned on spending the week sorting out everything for Nasreen's baby shower.
Whatever guilt my MiL had been feeling regarding Dadi's departure seemed to have vanished while we were away, she was back to her normal self, much to my disappointment.
I was in my room making favours for the shower when MiL came looking for me.
"Fatima Barbie, are you busy?", she asked at the door
What was that? A trick question? If I said yes it would mean I didn't want to help her, if I said no it would mean I'm sitting in my room to avoid work...you can't win either way.
"No, no mummy, just sorting out some gifts for Nasreen's baby shower.", I replied.
"oh, come come, I need help making berji pura, Sumaya and Shireen are already busy in the kitchen", MiL said.
Berji pura? That's hardly a four (wo)man job! I thought as I followed her to the kitchen.
When I got there I realized something else was going on...all the leftover savories from Ramadaan were out, being baked and fried.
"its stock take at the dukaan, we have to send something, dono koonia koonia will eat...kayni kayni, booka lorko pheet ma jaai apreh wasta sawaab", my MiL said answering my unasked question.
I washed my hands and started cleaning the berji, picking the root of each leaf painstakingly...
Shireen was talking about this and that, making my MiL laugh...Sumaya worked quietly, trying to get done before her son got up from his nap, no doubt.
"I was telling Mummy I want to have another baby now..." Shireen said...
That got my attention, okay!
"oh yah...", MiL replied.
"Yah, I think I'm ready the twins will be six soon...my mother says I need to lose weight before I can think of having a baby, she wants me to go on that vegetable diet she is on...", shireen said off-handedly, as she dipped the pie she was eating into some chille sauce.
"oh yah! Hows that going for her? I forgot to ask her.", my MiL asked.
"I don't know, I don't see any difference, it won't work for me, I eat vegetables...thats for people that don't eat vegetables...my built is in my genes. Its not like i over eat or anything."
Sumaya caught my eye and passed me a look as Shireen sampled one of the samoosas she was ment to be setting on throw away platters.
I hid my smile as I wondered what exactly did 'eat vegetable's' mean to Shireen.
I clearly remember her refusing to try the creamy spinach and butternut side dish I once made, or the steamed carrots, peas and corn I make to go with chicken roast saying its to plain for her.
Just the other day she pissed Sumaya off because she told the twins they lucky she doesn't feed them 'mini trees' when Talha was eating steamed broccoli.
I suppose Shireen counted the sweet corn in her fresh cream pasta, the soft soft aloos from the curry and the oil soaked gajaar beans atchar she ate at every meal, as her portion of vegetables covered.
Shireens new topic took me away from my silly thoughts...
"there's so much space in the back, Bilal could build an apartment for us...", she said as she looked out over the backyard.
My MiL turned so fast, causing the spoon in her hand to splatter oil everywhere!
"jaja! What's this apartment business now...", she said more sternly than I have ever heard her speak to shireen before.
Shireen herself, seemed taken aback...she wasn't use to MiL disagreeing with her.
"No, I just mean it will get abit crowded here after a while, at least we have land to build.", Shireen explained.
" Your Masagee will never allow all alag alag! What crowded, there is still two spare rooms!", my MiL almost shouted.
"what people will think, that my own sisters daughter couldn't live with muhabbaat!", My MiL was fuming, "Everybody will talk!!"
I finished mixing my batter and quietly left it by MiL for frying as I attempted to make a quick exit. I could see Sumaya wanting to do the same...
My MiL continued, furiously"its that Layla putting all these ideas in your head!..., I knew there will be trouble once you made friends with her!"
" how she said, that day you brought her for lunch...'oh, I can't believe 4 families live together in this house!'...what four families, we all one family! All western thinking todays children got!"
Shireen looked like she wanted to cry, I excused myself saying I wanted to freshen up as Imraan will be home any minute now.
As Magrib azaan went, Sumaya too ran for cover...looks like cloudy skies are in todays forecast, with a chance of thunder showers.
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Part 25: The Calm after the Storm
The days following Dadis departure saw a kind of hush falling over the household. My MiL was filled with a mixture of relief and shame I think. Her subdued personality was a welcome relief for me in a way.
After Saturday mornings damaal, I almost forgot about Imraam's news, but we finally got a chance to talk. He explained that the firm was opening a smaller branch in KZN and he was the top consideration to head the office and team.
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he told me that such an offer was a huge deal at any stage but to be considered this early in your career for such a responsibility was almost unheard off.
All the details were still abit sketchy, but they wanted to let him in on the plans early so he could be part of the planing process.
I am just so so proud of him, I know it would mean longer hours and even more dedication but this is the time for us to work and set up our lives.
I was thrilled for him, Alhumdulliah.
He told me the next few weeks were going to be really hectic and even though his leave had been approved for our trip to Malawi, he was really having second thoughts now.
But, eventually we decided to go. if he took this promotion and with the babies on the way, it might be our last chance for a holiday for a while yet.
I spent most of the week planing and organizing a baby shower for Nasreen. The only upside to my tardiness was that it was truly going to be a surprise shower, she wouldn't see this one coming at all!
Instead of formal invites, I got a digital invite made by Trendy Invites, I found them on facebook and they made the cutest invite to match my candy stripe theme. So I just BMM'd and emailed that out to all our cousins and Nasreen's friends and family. Luckily Sabera was helping me quiet abit and Dilnaas offered to sort out all the food stuff from her side, Dilnaas and Nasreen got along surprisingly well...i never would have thought.
So there's just a few things left to do before we fly out on Sunday. Our flight from King Shaka International was very early in the morning and we had a brief stop over at OR Tambo before boarding a flight to Malawi.
I am really looking forward to this trip, I can't wait to meet Saleema and see some of the places she had on an itinerary for us.
The weekend after we get back, we'll be hosting Nasreen's Baby shower at Dilnaas's Durban holiday flat (lol) , hope Nas stays pregnant till then.
Saturday is a very important day for Imraan and I, its going to be .... exactly one year since we married, Alhumdulliah! I can't wait!
After Saturday mornings damaal, I almost forgot about Imraam's news, but we finally got a chance to talk. He explained that the firm was opening a smaller branch in KZN and he was the top consideration to head the office and team.
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he told me that such an offer was a huge deal at any stage but to be considered this early in your career for such a responsibility was almost unheard off.
All the details were still abit sketchy, but they wanted to let him in on the plans early so he could be part of the planing process.
I am just so so proud of him, I know it would mean longer hours and even more dedication but this is the time for us to work and set up our lives.
I was thrilled for him, Alhumdulliah.
He told me the next few weeks were going to be really hectic and even though his leave had been approved for our trip to Malawi, he was really having second thoughts now.
But, eventually we decided to go. if he took this promotion and with the babies on the way, it might be our last chance for a holiday for a while yet.
I spent most of the week planing and organizing a baby shower for Nasreen. The only upside to my tardiness was that it was truly going to be a surprise shower, she wouldn't see this one coming at all!
Instead of formal invites, I got a digital invite made by Trendy Invites, I found them on facebook and they made the cutest invite to match my candy stripe theme. So I just BMM'd and emailed that out to all our cousins and Nasreen's friends and family. Luckily Sabera was helping me quiet abit and Dilnaas offered to sort out all the food stuff from her side, Dilnaas and Nasreen got along surprisingly well...i never would have thought.
So there's just a few things left to do before we fly out on Sunday. Our flight from King Shaka International was very early in the morning and we had a brief stop over at OR Tambo before boarding a flight to Malawi.
I am really looking forward to this trip, I can't wait to meet Saleema and see some of the places she had on an itinerary for us.
The weekend after we get back, we'll be hosting Nasreen's Baby shower at Dilnaas's Durban holiday flat (lol) , hope Nas stays pregnant till then.
Saturday is a very important day for Imraan and I, its going to be .... exactly one year since we married, Alhumdulliah! I can't wait!
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