This morning after dropping the girls off at school, I went grocery shopping. My littlest one was home napping so I left her with grandma and went to pick up a few things as I normally do nowadays..childless. •
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As I was strolling with my shopping cart, I passed by another mother pushing a shopping cart 🛒 shaped like a car with her two little boys. They were toddlers, maybe too young for school. And as I passed them, I became so nostalgic. It wasn’t long ago that my two big girls weren’t in school everyday or at all even, and grocery runs consisted of both kids. I couldn’t keep count of the amount of times I have pushed both girls side by side in a cart or a stroller. This photo taken in 2018 is just one instance of that phase and it’s caption in my IG stories read “God bless whoever designed this shopping cart!” I have walked in that mama’s shoes, and today I thought to myself “Wow I won’t have that anymore.” Yes I have a newborn at home, and I will be pushing her around in a shopping cart very soon. But that’s not what I mean. My two toddlers, are no longer toddlers. They’ve grown, they attend school and will be full full-time starting in September. When I take them grocery shopping now, they walk and help me put things into the cart, pretend to read the list and honestly it’s pretty fun. Not long ago, I dreaded taking them and now I have the privilege of shopping while they’re in school..but look at that, I actually miss it. •
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So this is what it feels like..when you realize your kids are growing up faster than you can catch up to it. Looking back and actually missing those toddler years that I thought would never end. This is what they told me would happen..and all of it is true. •
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#motherhoodunplugged #feelingnostalgic #sisters #kidsallgrownup #missingmybabies #whendidtheygrow 🛒Swipe to see the carts we do frequently used. 🛒🛒🛒
Though Thanksgiving is a holiday that has so much painful history, there is something beautiful about spending a day feeling gratitude for all of our blessings. Once in a while, my birthday falls on this holiday, like this year and it was definitely one to remember. Spending precious time with loved ones made this birthday so special & memorable. 🌷
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Alhamdulillah for my friends, and an amazing time at @boardandbrushsouthbrunswicknj. Every time we get together feels like a mini vacation from the chaos of life! Still thinking about that delicious rasmalai cake that was out of this world!@passion_bites_by_riz 🌷
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Taking the girls to see @disneyfrozen was the highlight of my weekend, but the highlight of their year 😍 It was such an enjoyable experience, and a great family movie for all. 🌷
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Dinner with my family is something we often overlook throughout our busy lives and it felt amazing to stop and to sit down with one another, sharing laughs & what we are thankful for. Alham for the loving people around me and another incredible year.
#birthdayweekend #thirtyone #thanksgiving2019
Back in January, I wanted surprise my daughter with something really special. Pet fish! I had visited the pet store, browsed the inventory and settled on very low maintenance fish. We bought the tank, and picked out all the cute accessories together, brought them home and it was the most exciting thing ever. We picked four neon colored fish and the girls named them: Skye, Chase, Rocky & Marshall. #pawpatrol was at the top of their fav TV show list at the time. The next day, we noticed one of the fish was floating..and then a short while later another, until one by one all of them passed on. Sadly, we had to bag up the fish and take them back to the store. I had taken them back while the girls were in school and bought the same four fish. Took them home and then miraculously they did fine. A day or two later we had Ridha’s fourth birthday party, by the end of the night, all four fish had passed on, again. I researched, questioned the pet store manager, and tried to come up with what could have went wrong. I still don’t know, but most likely the severe weather and the ride home was enough to harm the little guys. Any sudden change in environment or temperature can cause death for such small fish. And I felt heartbroken that because of us, eight fish lost their lives. We packed up everything and took it back to the store, and the next day I had to explain to the girls why we no longer had any fish. •
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When the kids asked about the fish, I had every intention of telling them the fish were sick and had to go back home, so that’s what I did. I started to say, the fish got very sick, and my older one said “..and they died?” And I said yes. And that was it, they accepted it & moved on.
I don’t even remember talking about it again. •
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I thought about it today, as my little one peered into the fish tank at her pediatrician’s office. It’s been almost a year since all of that happened. •
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Parenthood has a way of teaching us so much. I was so disappointed about those fish, for days. It bothered me, that I couldn’t protect them or watch them grow. But it just wasn’t meant to be, and once I accepted it, I quickly moved on too! •
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Btw anyone know how to keep fish alive?
Last night, the doorbell rang and as usual the girls ran towards the door, excited to open it up for their Baba. He said “look what I have for you” and proceeded to find something in his work bag for the girls, who were lit up with excitement. It was two coloring books he had gotten at work. They took them happily, followed by hugs and kisses. This is an ordinary thing in our home... in this season. Where the kids are under five and still enjoy running into Baba’s arms as he walks through the door, still appreciate a small gift, still crave attention and a hug can solve just about anything. •
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I remember the days when I used to do the same..and I also remember the days when I didn’t. I hope we’re ready for the transition that comes from them “growing out of” most things.. •
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#daddysgirls #sistersister 👯♂️
One month of parenting these three beauties together and I can confidently say one thing. Our mindset affects everything. Let me explain...
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Prior to giving birth for the third time, I had many ideas about how things would unfold once child #3 arrived. Most of my preset notions were negative..and most of them are spot on because hey I’ve been through the infant stage before. BUT, the one thing that can change all that negative is my mindset. •
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If I tell myself enough that this is a phase that will pass, this stage is temporary or this problem is pretty small, etc then my brain doesn’t shift into panic and I actually feel calm and I’m a better mother for it. I wish that I could do that all the time, everyday, but it isn’t always possible. •
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So for right now, I tell myself I will take this thing one day at a time. I got through yesterday, and so I will get through today and that is exactly what happens. Some days present themselves with more challenges- multiple meltdowns, a gassier baby, a night where I was awake more than asleep, but it’s okay as long as I tell myself that it is okay. If I keep dwelling on how tired I am or how frustrating it is, then my day just feels like a fail at the end. •
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Do you also give yourself pep talks to get through the day and do you feel like a shift in your mindset helps you to get through the day? Share below :) •
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#motherhoodunplugged #motherhood #momofthree #realitiesofparenting #parenting #parentingtoday
What’s it like being mom of 3? One of the most asked questions I’ve received since becoming a mom of 3, all 2.5 half weeks of it. I have a hard time answering it, mainly because I don’t know yet, it hasn’t fully hit me yet, and I’m certain it’ll change over time. But one thing that my mind is occupied with is how I’m not able to be ⬆️ their mom like I used to. Surprise surprise, new mom guilt has kicked in. •
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I shouldn’t say new, since this is a feeling that began during pregnancy. Physically not able to do normal activity with the kids like going out for a simple bike ride all summer long because I couldn’t stand the heat wave, or sitting on the floor with them to play, etc. I was just waiting for the pregnancy to be over so I could resume some of these things, and I have. It feels great to bend down again! But with the new little one in my life, I’m starting to feel like I’m somehow neglecting these two when I take care of #3. I know that it’s temporary, I know that my two kids are well taken care of, and I’m doing the very best I can. But mom guilt is a feeling that doesn’t shake off. •
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So to answer that question, the biggest adjustment for me and probably will be for a while: figuring out how to be present for all 3. •
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If any moms of 3 would like to share how they adjusted to this new role, pls do share below!! ❤️
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#momofthree #newbornlife #motherhoodunplugged
By the way, love the fall because it’s been so pleasant and we finally got to take these bikes out for rides. Only waited 2 months to do that..sorry kids!
