Wedding Day

Saturday we went to a friend's wedding. (Sorry I didn't get a picture with the bride and groom on our camera). Weddings are always a good cultureal experience. When I go to a wedding of a friend or neighbor I expect different, I expect the wedding to be culturally different then our own. After 4 years I know how to act, whats expected, "normal." But when I go to a Christian wedding I am a little thrown off my game. First Bill is with me, the others are segregated. Second, Christian weddings are very similar to our weddings in the West, aside for a few cultural differences. What is different you may ask? At a typical wedding in Texas the birde's sister would not stand up to ask her mother for a tissue. The guests wouldn't answer their cell phones, then change seats down the aisle to say hi to someone. We have our own things they would think "rude" before I get on my soap box. But I don't think anything could top the little boy running up the aisle during the wedding, then walking in front of the bride a groom as they came down the aisle. My son was fairly content with us half the time, and with a little girl in the back the other half. And as content as anything playing in a puddle of water outside the reception the remainder of the evening. It was a special day for all, me with make-up, Bill in a tie, and Zaky with gel in his hair.

Steady progression

This is the latest of steadly progressive stages into man hood. He is now holding his own cone. I buy my own ice cream and get an empty cone for him.

Cat sitting

Our friends have traveled for 2 months. What they left behind: a Wii, mini van with A/C, and a cat. The cat we have been told is "retarded" (has special needs). She has no self protection instincts. If you pull on this cat, sit on it, swat at it, it does nothing. Perfect for Zaky. He follows Sushi around saying "cat" then when the thing is sleeping will pull it's tail. They do play together a bit, and Bill the self proclaimed not "cat person" has been caught snuggling more then once.

Dippen

If he could say "by myself" he would. But until that day a little whine and refusing to eat until he is able to feed himself will have to do. We will work on the double dipping later.

9 WEEKS!!!

9 weeks to go and counting! 9 more weeks of being pregnant! I thank our Lord everyday there is a breeze. And for days like today: Zaky must be going through a growth spurt, he took a 4 1/2 hr nap! Which was very convenient for his mama who has started taking 1 1/2 hr naps. So whoo hoo 9 more weeks to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am obviously delusional thinking I will then be able to relax after a new baby joins us, but at least then I will be able to take Advil, Whoo Hoo.

Dirt

I have been told more then once that playing in dirt makes a kid strong. My boy must be Super Man!

Bill's Birthday

Bill's birthday party came a little late this year. Last Saturday we had a boy's night. 3 Americans, 2 Irish, 2 Swedish, 1 Egyptian (married to an Aussie so basically Aussie), and 1 from Oklahoma. They all gathered to watch the American vs. English soccer match. I believe they sang Toby Keith's song about the "Red White and Blue" twice, and when America scored they sang the Star Spangled Banner. Thankfully for all the neighbors it was a 1/1 tie. Bill had a blast as did the other guys, and as one guy text the next day "had a great time courtesy of the red white and blue." The World Cup is a really big deal here. I was content as can be in the bed room with the lap top watching "Dear John" great chick flick. The next game will be tomorrow.
(There are problems down loading pictures and I have run out of patience, sorry)

Beach Day

We have one more weekend until all our foreign friends travel. So until then we are spending the money for the private beaches and McDonalds basically every Saturday (a couple weeks in a row). The very posative thing about this, in addition to fun with friends. We are able to see Zaky progress rapidly into a swimmer. A month ago he would cry as soon as he touched the water. Gradually, as the water warmed up, would walk into it. And yesterday, the boy loved it. He walked in and out of the water, going in on his own. When the wave would knock him over he would take that as an opportunity to grab sand and throw it (still working on the don't throw). He started laying down in the water, crawling, and if a wave would hit his face he would pick his head up and laugh. So much fun! I am not so excited about the free beach (I will have to wear clothes) but it might be worth it to watch our little fish.

Eye Update

We got the name of a pediatric ophthalmologist in Beirut from a friend and made the apt for last Friday. He studied at the AUB, American Uni in Beirut, and then did his internship at Harvard. Very nice man. HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING! he examined him, then put drops in his eyes 3x over 30 min to relax the muscles. We have been praying for a miracle, but me and my little faith , probably wasn't really expecting one. I am still seeing a little something, but have no idea what to think, and praying for complete healing. The dr did say his optic nerve/ retina in the right eye was not normal, his left eye is perfect. So next month we will see his retina specialist. He did not seem concerned, just thorough. Just amazing we paid 20$ more to see this guy then my Dr. Zaky will do the patching 2 hrs a day over the next month (exercise) the dr called it. So all in all still have no idea what to think. But very confident in this Dr and very humbled by our Lord. Please pray for a complete healing.

The patching was rough the first day, and better the second.. And yes that is an entire peach in his mouth. It was early, kept him happy, and its fruit.

By Himself

He has turned a corner. Our little one is now asserting himself now more then ever. He has also discovered the naughty corner. Sometimes discovering it twice in one meal. Bill noticed today he he has started scream/crying when he does not get his way/ told No/ taken away from something... ect. But the rest of the time he is great. So the learning time begins. Eating is probably the biggest challenge. We have started giving the fork at the end of the meal, usually getting a few more bites from him. This particular day he was attempting to pick up jello with his fork, unsuccessfully, but he was trying, and no one was going to tell him otherwise.

Happy Birthday Maa

Maa, Zaky's name for Bill. Bill turned 33 Monday, practically an old man. At least compaired to me, a 26 yr. old and holding. I made a cake, Zaky helped with the frosting. Yesterday evening friends came over as a surprise and had cake. Bill's birthday "party" will be Saturday night when his firends come over for the first American/ England game of the World cup. Our special man will get a new cell phone for his birthday. He broke his last weekend after falling on it. How did the soon to be 33 yr. old fall on his cell phone you might ask. Well as he was swinging from a tree branch, while coming down off from a van, the branch broke and down he came. All who know Bill will not be surprised from this. Anyhow he is staying young at heart, although the body was a little bruised. Happy Birthday Bill.