Daddy day

We had such a nice day today, Omar got to spend a lot of time with Ramy and he loved it! Ramy took Omar to his swim class today. Omar had fallen asleep before we got there, but when I took him out of the car he woke up and got really excited. He saw the pool and daddy! It was colder than yesterday so I put a little swim shirt on him, hoping it would help in the water. But it was very cold and Omar was shivering. Nonetheless, he had a good time with Ramy and tried his best. I took him out of the class 5 minutes early because he was just so cold. Even after rubbing him and changing his clothes, he was still cold. When we got home Ramy went to take a shower and Omar was still shivering! I couldn't get him warm so I put him in the shower with Ramy. Oh boy, what fun Omar had, he didn't want to get out! He got to use Ramy's shampoo and body wash, and he felt like a really big boy! It took some crying but he did finally come out after about 20 minutes in there. Omar had so much fun with Ramy this morning that after the shower he gave him a big kiss and hug. It was very sweet. Ramy had to go to work then, and Omar went and took his nap. He took a really long nap, three hours. It was very nice, I got to make dinner while he slept. By the time he woke up we played outside for a bit, and he found a box had been delivered to the door. I had ordered him a blues clues mini magna doodle for our flight to Holland. When he saw the box, he was so excited, he started screaming blues clues, so I had to open it and give it to him. So much for a great surprise on the plane. He played with it for the rest of the night. Ramy came home early, so we were able to all have dinner together and Omar got to play with him before bed. We all went down to the basement together so Omar could play a little. Ramy and I had a good laugh as Omar entertained us with singing and dancing from his favorite arabic dance dvd. It was really cute and I wish I would've video taped it. Omar was so excited that he didn't fall asleep until 10pm, holding his blues clues magna doodle!

Taekwondo

As you know, we had a photo shoot at our Taekwondo school last month. Well we finally got the pictures yesterday. I think they turned out really nice so I wanted to share them with you all!

I can't wait for Omar to start taking real lessons!

First swim class

Omar started his first swim class today. It actually started yesterday but we were unable to make it. We got there really early as I thought class started at 9.15am, it turns out it didn't start until 9.35am so we had to keep Omar busy for a half hour. Omar went wild when he saw the pool. He is usually such a calm child but not when it comes to water. He was running all over the place, going inside to the kiddie pool then running outside to the big pool. Ramy would chase him inside and I would chase him outside. As there were classes going on we were not allowed in the water, so it made it even harder to contain Omar until class time. It was quite a work out, it was already hot and humid outside so we worked up quite a sweat. Finally it was time for class. Ramy took Omar in to the water while I video taped. The class had five other little kids in it and two instructors. They were very nice instructors, Omar had a really good time with Ramy. When the class was over he didn't want to come out of the water so Ramy swam with him a little until the life guard told him he really needed to come out. Omar was very upset again, but quickly calmed down when I got him dressed. He was exhausted! In the car he just sat really quietly and when we got home he asked to go to bed!

Tomorrow is swim class again, but then I have to take him by myself. I am wondering how I am going to handle him without Ramy there.
We have swim class every morning for the next two weeks, I know Omar will have a blast!

Milkshake concert

Omar went to see his first concert today. I actually never heard of this band, but one of the mom's from play group had emailed it out to us and it looked like a lot of fun for the kids. As Omar loves to dance I thought it would be great for him to go. They also had Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob and Elmo! I had to have Omar go on the picture with them! I had to wake Omar when we got to the concert, so he was not really in the mood for loud music. Dora the Explorer looked rather scary so I didn't even let him get close to her. We got a balloon which he loved and a deputy sticker from the Sheriff that was there. After the first show was over, we all went to eat at the Mediterranean Grill. We had to wait forever for our food and because it was so crowded we were sitting outside. It was pretty hot but the kids all did great, they sat for over an hour and did really well! Omar was still a bit crabby, but when he started eating and the next concert started playing he really got in a good mood. He had brought his little drumstick from home and was drumming and moving to the music while eating his lunch. I am so glad we went, Omar was happy to see his friends Grayson, Bethany, Ella and Griffin again. I absolutely love our play group, I think Omar and I are extremely lucky we are in this play group as Omar loves each and every child in there, and plays really well with all of them. He can even say all of their names except Kaitlin's, but he is working on it. His favorite name to say is Grayson, and he gets all excited when he sees his picture, he calls him Kraykon. I love all the mom's, we all get along so well, there is no rivalry or other weird stuff that I have experienced in other groups. They are so supportive and I know I can always get an honest opinion or some sort of parenting help whenever I need it.

Later in the day we drove to Ramy's mom and had dinner there. It was very nice, Omar had a good time taking everything out of the cabinets and playing with everything he is not supposed to play with.

Now all I am hoping for is a good night sleep and we would have a perfect ending to this day!

Close call

Today we met Ella and Bethany at the park. Omar was very excited to see his friends and to be at the park. We had a good old time, the kids played nice together, going down the slides, and playing in the sand boxes. Then something happened. Omar decided to go to the other side of the park, which was fine because it is fenced in. I looked over and saw that the gate was closed. I thought he was just going to play in the sand box with the other kids that were there from a day care.
Next thing I know I look over and he is gone. Then Melissa says, is that Omar over there? Someone from the day care had opened the gate and not closed it so Omar had escaped. Which isn't that big of a deal had he gone the other way but he was heading straight for the road. We all started screaming his name and I was running like crazy trying to get to him. He saw me running so he thought it was a game and went even faster. I looked to my right and saw a car coming, at this point Omar had gotten to the road and was in between the cars. I was screaming so hard for him, and all I could think is why am I wearing these darn slippers and not shoes????
As Omar was about to emerge onto the road I howled his name in such panic that he stopped and looked at me for a second, which was enough time for me to get to him and sweep him up before the car did. Thank God the car was slowing down as I think the driver must have heard my screams. He could not have seen Omar. This must have been the worst experience for me ever, as it seemed I could just not get there fast enough and by God I ran! How did this little 18 month old get to the road so quickly, I don't look at him for one second and something like this happens. Thank God we are all okay, I am still a bit shaken up about it. I had to think about this little boy that got run over by a car last month who was the same age as Omar. I am very upset that a day care can be so careless by leaving a gate open while they have a responsibility to take care of other peoples children. I made a comment about that and the day care workers just looked down and didn't answer. I wonder if they were embarrassed.
I will not forget this easily let me tell you!

Omar's 18 month check up

Today was Omar's 18 month check up. We were rushing to get there and we fell down the stairs! Luckily I took the fall and Omar is okay, and it also was a good thing we were on the way to the doctor's so they could check him out.
The doctor said he is doing great, he is advanced for his age which in turn made me feel very proud! He weighs 27 lbs and is 35 inches long, so he gained a pound and a half and grew an inch and a half. He is 95% for height and 75% for weight.
We had to fill out these questions on his development and I was surprised how far I got on them. I like filling out and reading the questions and see what else they'll be learning over the next couple of months.
The doctor tried to give me some more suggestions on his sleeping issues including this sleeping facility that she thought might be an option. I am not sure about that though.
She asked if he says more than 15 words, he says about a 100 right now, in three languages.
She said Omar is turning out to be a very interesting young man, of course any mom likes to hear that! :)
No shots today, but he will get some on his two year visit. Now we need to go get his blood work done, which I have been postponing from when he turned 12 months old. I know, BAD MOMMY haha

The best birthday gift ever

Today is my birthday and when Ramy asked me what I wanted I told him, I want one extra hour of sleep in the morning. I didn't get that but what I did get was Omar slept 8 hours straight without waking up! I couldn't believe it. This is by far the best birthday gift ever. Omar has NEVER slept more than 3 hours at a time without waking up. In his whole life he slept six hours straight a total of 4 times. This 8 hours sets a record! I don't know what I did different yesterday for him to sleep so well, or maybe it was the last prayer I did for the night that was answered. I hope the same thing will happen again tonight, but I am not holding my breath haha

I see Omar is capable of doing it though and he seemed in a much better mood today too.

I am very happy and very proud of him!

Thunderstorm

Omar experienced his first real thunderstorm yesterday. We've had them before but he was too small to notice them or it was at night when he would sleep throught them. This time we were outside and we saw the clouds and heard the rumbling. The wind started to pick up and then it started to rain. We went in the house then to watch from the window. It got pretty heavy with lightening and the road flooded a bit. Heavy winds made quite a spectacle and Omar loved it! He wanted to go out and play! I was surprised the thunder and lightening didn't scare him. It didn't last long though, and because it was so hot out things dried up pretty quickly.

Omar is one and a half!

We made it to one and a half! 18 months! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by, and how big he is getting. I love all the new things he is learning, he is awesome. His Dutch vocabulary is getting bigger by the day, his favorite word is 'klaar!' which means I'm done. He also likes to make me laugh, and does silly things like make fake fart noises on my arm, make silly faces or do silly things like spin around the room until he is all dizzy and falls down. He also loves to play guitar, although he has one, he prefers to pretend play on his belly. He likes to climb on things especially chairs and couches. He loves his cats and calls out their names. His favorite thing is to give them treats. Omar is also very sweet and he loves to be tickled, hugged and kissed. ~

Today we went to see Melissa's new baby, Ethan, who was born only yesterday. I got to hold him and he is so tiny! I can't even remember Omar being that small! Here are some pics of Omar just born and now at 18 months.

Last week Omar had gotten a new car from his birthday money, we decided on getting him a car after going back and forth on it for a long time. I wasn't sure if he was ready to have a car and if it was really necessary. Our neighbors have a big Jeep which their kids drive in every day, as Omar is out every day too he sees them in it, and he wants to ride it so bad. Well, we took a trip to the toy store a couple of times and looked at the different cars. I did finally pick one after our fourth trip (yes fourth) thinking it would be a great little car for him. It took a while to put together as Omar was so excited he totally sabotaged the whole thing, but when we got outside we discovered Omar was too big for the car! I was so mad, as it was for kids up to age three and the guy at the store really talked me into this stupid car. The next day I took it apart again (during Omar's naptime) and brought it back. We exchanged it for the bigger Jeep which is for kids age 2-6. I was really worried about it going so fast and it being so big, but we got it anyway.

Luckily this one was already assembled so when we got home Omar could drive it right away.

He didn't though, he was scared! We asked the neighbors son who is three to come drive it for him which he did and Omar loved it then. Now he is in it every single day, and he has figured it out, he knows how to reverse, forward etc. He is not so good with paying attention to where he is going, he likes ramming the neighbors mailbox. (0ops) He also likes to ride in circles, and every time he passes me he waves, it's so cute!

Taekwondo Photo Shoot

Today we had a photo shoot at the Taekwondo School. I had gotten Omar's uniform the day before and tried it on and it fit! I couldn't believe it, but it actually fit him perfect. Looks like he might need a bigger uniform next year when he actually starts classes.

The day didn't start off so good, we were up half the night again and then got up for the day at 5am which is just way too early for me. But Omar thought it was time to get up and play and wouldn't even let me snooze! So I decided that maybe I could take a nap with him before we would leave but no such luck. As we were driving to Rockville in the rain I was thinking this photo shoot might not be such a good idea after all, my eyes were all red and Omar didn't look so awake himself.
But when we arrived, everything changed, Omar got some new found energy and so did I. Omar was the first picture of the day, he liked showing off for the camera but refused to kick. After that we took one as a family and some seperate pictures. I am happy to say they came out nice! I am very excited about them, and we will get them back in about 6 weeks.

Omar walked around in his uniform like he owned the place, he played with the kids and some kids came up and asked me why he wasn't in class. Well, that's because he isn't even one and a half yet!