July 26 - More adventures from FL

Ayla and I continue to enjoy life in FL with mom, dad and Khala Waheeda.

Ayla has her routine down pat - she goes to bed around 10-11 PM these days, and wakes up around 4:30/5 AM, 7/7:30 AM, and then, 9:30 AM for feedings and diaper changings. When she wakes up, she goes to the family room and sees a very anxious Ummi Jan ready to play with her. Mom talks to her and entertains her before she puts her down on the big mattress in the middle of the room where Ayla lays down, waves her arms and legs and starts her communications routine. She now makes more and more interesting noises - with her lips and her mouth. Ayla also constantly moves her head around to look at things, often swinging her head from side to side really quickly. She kicks a lot and moves her arms around a lot -definitely more active. When she cries, it's louder. Our baby is getting bigger and developing a personality mashallah!! I have also now taken to calling her "Googleberry."

Everyday, I get so much joy in watching mom interact with Ayla. To see my mom holding my daughter is an experience for me that words cannot describe. Mom has so many cute names for Ayla - Cookie, 7-Up, Booglie, Bubble Machine, and Pancake among others. I can see mom's love for Ayla growing day by day and when I think how much I love my mom, I hope and pray that one day Ayla will love me as much. And, just as my mom has never hesitated to make me, Sarah, and Waheeda happy, I will do everything I can to provide the same level of comfort, happiness, and love for Ayla that mom provided for us :)

She's also beginning to recognize people and demand attention. If I, or mom, dad, and Waheeda are in the room, she kicks and waves her arms in place. However, if we walk away or she senses that we are not near her, she often cries. And, of course, she wants to be picked up a lot too.

Ayla's also beginning to drool a lot (she goes through more bibs and clothes now) and put anything she sees in her mouth. Early teether perhaps?

On Sunday, July 19, Ayla was visited by her mom's friend from high school, Shreya, and her mom. They brought Ayla some cute baby outfits and stayed a few hours during w

hich Shreya and I relived some old memories. Shreya kept saying that she couldn't believe that me, her friend since 1993, was now a mom and she kept looking at Ayla lovingly.

Monday, July 20 was mom's birthday. We bought flowers for her on behalf of all the sisters and Zaid. Ayla got mom the cutest card - one that soon found it's way into mom's memory box :) The rest of the day we just chilled and hung out with mom. Dad brought beautiful flowers - one each for mom, Waheeda, me, and....Ayla!!! So cute, little flowers for Ayla along with a cute note from Dad - "Dearest Ayla, Welcome to the Family!" Now, that will find it's way into my memory box (aka Ayla's scrapbook). Just like Mom, looks like Dad is starting to fall in love with little Ayla too :)

On Tuesday, July 21, we went to mom's friend, Auntie Munaza's house for some favorite eats of mine - dhai bala and radish roti. I am constantly craving these foods and Auntie Munaza is one of the best at making these so she invited me over. If all goes well, Ayla will adopt some of my food cravings :) We stayed a few hours - Auntie really enjoyed meeting and playing with A

yla. My baby cried a bit before she took a nap for awhile. She was oblivious to the wedding video we were watching.

On Wednesday, July 22, I did a little quick shopping. Again, I have to get the maximum number of errands and tasks done while someone can watch Baby A :) The rest of the day was chill. Dad continues to carry on his internal and external games

of "Yes" every evening! Dad and I used to spend so much time talking to one another growing up - it's nice to see him spending time alone with Ayla now :)

On Thursday, July 23, I took mom to a salon for her birthday present. We spent some great time together while Weedy and Ayla spent time together at home. Weedy and Ayla are

developing a strong bond - she calls Ayla her "Bear". Whatever Ayla does is associated with "Bear". For e.g., if Ayla is sleeping, she is "Sleepy Bear" or if Ayla is drooling, she is "Drooling Bear." It's sooo neat for me to see Weedy playing with Ayla because Weeds was the last baby in our family and now, here she is playing with the new baby in our family.

On Friday, July 24, Ayla, Weedy, mom and I went out to lunch at one of Mom's favorite places, Sweet Tomatoes. We enjoyed the buffet while Ayla snacked on one of her bottles. I really enjoyed going out to lunch in my hometown with three of my favorite people and moreover, it's sooo cool to take Ayla to lunch in the city I grew up in.

Saturday, July 25, we visited Uncle Wali and Auntie Shahnaz again, this time at their home. They were so excited to finally meet Ayla. Our baby, however, didn't quite feel comfortable and the poor baby cried most of the time, with mom and I taking turns to keep her calm in another room while the other spent time with Uncle.

Sunday, July 26, is me and Zaid's 6th wedding anniversary!! Time flies when you are having fun :) And, this year is especially special because of the arrival of little Ayla. Today was the second anniversary day that I did not spend with Zaid however he sent me these beautiful roses!!! In the absence of Zaid, my parents also made it a special day. They gave me nice flowers and my mom took me out to a nice Asian restaurant. I spent so much of the day just thinking about how this anniversary was particularly special because of Ayla's arrival. I have always loved Zaid and Ayla's arrival, I feel, kind of completes that love because she embodies our union :)

Talk to you soon! Saadia