Winner: £50 Experience Days Gift Voucher

A few weeks ago I held a giveaway for a £50 Experience Days Gift Voucher. Details can be seen here.

The giveaway is now closed and I have drawn a winner:

Well done Martyn!!

You now have 48 hours in which to contact me or the giveaway will be redrawn.

Friday Wisdom 27/04/2012

In our deepest moments of struggle, frustration, fear, and confusion, we are being called upon to reach in and touch our hearts. Then, we will know what to do, what to say, how to be. What is right is always in our deepest heart of hearts. It is from the deepest part of our hearts that we are capable of reaching out and touching another human being. It is, after all, one heart touching another heart.

- Roberta Sage Hamilton

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Buying Second Hand

I personally have never brought anything second hand. Except for cars...and even then when I started to work and got my own car, I got one that was less than a year old with very low mileage.

So when my friend mentioned I should check out a well know auction site for a pushchair I literally recoiled in horror. 

What?! Second hand? Are you serious?!

I guess I am a second hand snob!

Yes I know there is nothing wrong with second hand, I am just not used to it!

But I started to come round to the idea.

When I was expecting with munchkin I got a pushchair that was around £400. However, she hated the pushchair and the rearward facing car seat and would scream blue murder! So we usually used to carry her around whenever we went out. Then when she found her feet she just wanted to walk! The pushchair hardly got any use and when I eventually sold it it was still practically brand new.

Now the pushchairs that I like are around the £600 mark. 

What happens if I spend that much and munchkin number 2 is exactly the same as munchkin number 1 and freaks out in pushchairs......I will have spent £600 for nothing.

Out of curiosity I looked at the website. 

The same pushchair, only 9 months old so still under warranty, was on the site for £240.

A huge saving.

And in all honesty I was tempted. I could use the money saved on something else.

However I still can't bring myself to buy something second hand for my baby that has taken so long to conceive. And as I still have most of munchkin 1's baby stuff, the only expense I have is the pushchair.

So new it is!!

Silent Sunday 22-4-2012

Week 18 ~ Pregnancy Update

So I finally got to see .......well a number of people on Thursday concerning my diabetes.

I had an appointment for 9.10am. Then I got 2 texts messages reminding me I had an appointment at 9.10am and then 10.20am.

Huh?!

So I rang up to check and I did indeed have 2 appointments. News to me.

When I went to my appointments I felt like I was on a conveyor belt or something. 

Let me explain.

I initially got called by a nurse who weighed me, took my blood pressure and checked my urine sample.

Then back into the corridor I went to wait.

Then got called by who I think was a midwife. She just asked me how I am doing, explained they will be taking extra care of me because of the diabetes, checked my home monitoring book and then I was back in the corridor.

Next...got called in to see my consultant. 

Again I just got asked how I am doing and if I have any questions. No not really as by this stage I was getting slightly bemused by it all. She just told me they would be monitoring me closely due to the diabetes.

After that......yeah you guessed it...back into the corridor to wait.

I then got called into see the diabetes consultant. BUT it wasn't just him but 3 other people......

One was his registrar who after checking a few things on the computer came to sit with us and he seemed a happy chap. Another lady I believe was just observing...and the final lady....well I can't remember who she was. They were all friendly enough but I was just so surprised at so many people in there I forgot to ask the one question I wanted to ask.....will the medication affect the baby in any way...

Anyway the diabetic consultant asked me again how I am doing. Last few days the diabetes has been under control so he was happy not to increase my medication and asked me to keep in touch with the diabetes nurses who will increase my medication if it becomes necessary.

I now have to go to the diabetic clinic every 4 weeks which will eventually be changed to every 2 weeks.

I also have to have extra scans....at 28 weeks, then 34, 36 and 38. 

So many appointments!! (wipes sweat off brow!)

Anyway, enough about appointments! I just wanted to share a lovely poem (with permission) written by the equally lovely Sui at Imaginative Spiral. She had asked her readers to challenge her with topics for her poems....I, being totally original(!), picked babies and pregnancy. Considering Sui is not a mother herself she did a fabulous job. Enjoy!

❀ONLY SHE KNOWS❀

Only she knows what it means,

The faint noises and breathes

The fragile hands and feet

The movements underneath.

Only she knows what it means,

The turbulence in head and nerves

The uneasiness and curbs

The restlessness unheard.

Only she knows what it means,

The urge to eat and feed

The dislike to sound and heat

The uncontrollable mood swings.

Only she knows what it means,

The constant aches and bloating

The kicks and frivolous moving

The nature’s pain is a blessing.

She is sure of what’s coming,

The wails and continuous change

The sleepless nights and grounded days

The miracle that she will create.

*❤❤❤*

Friday Wisdom 20/04/2012

As we live and as we are, Simplicity -- with a capital "S" -- is difficult to comprehend nowadays. We are no longer truly simple. We no longer live in simple terms or places. Life is a complex struggle now. It is now valiant to be simple: a courageous thing to even want to be simple. It is a spiritual thing to comprehend what simplicity means.

Frank Lloyd Wright

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Wednesday Photo Inspiration 18/04/2012

I have shared this picture on my blog before but wanted to share it again as Wednesday Photo Inspiration. Join in with the lovely Dana for Wednesday Photo Inspiration.

“Invite Tranquility

The sea,--
Something to look at
When we are angry.” 
― Reiko Chiba, Hiroshige's Tokaido in Prints and Poetry

Ok it is not exactly the sea but a lake, but we always find going to feed the ducks so relaxing and peaceful, until the greedy swans come rushing out and surround you!!

Activia Pouring Yogurt

Image from BzzAgent

I was offered the chance to review Activia Pouring Yogurt as part of a BzzCampaign. You can find out more about being involved in BzzCampaign's here. 

I am a bit fussy when it comes to yogurt's as I am not keen on yogurt's with real fruit pieces, (don't ask me why) and prefer my yogurt to be 'bit free' and smooth. So the pouring yogurt from Activia seemed ideal.

As Activia say: 'Shake up your breakfast with Activia^® Pouring Yogurt, the easy and delicious way to brighten up your breakfast and get your family's day off to a great start.'

Now in all honesty, I personally am not keen on adding yogurt to cereal, so I have not tried that yet. However I decided to add it to some fruit. I had some strawberries and blackberries in the house and thought it would go great with the strawberry flavoured yogurt I got.

Yummy fruit!

 Pouring in the Yogurt

Mixing it all up together

I must say it tasted divine. I have to keep my portions small at the moment due to gestational diabetes....but if it wasn't for that I could easily have had more!

Activia Pouring Yogurt comes in 3 different flavours: natural, vanilla and strawberry. I can't wait to try the other flavours.

My dad also enjoyed it although he drank it straight out of  a glass!

Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent and received vouchers to sample Activia(R) Yogurt. I was not asked to write this review on my blog and all opinions are my own.

Silent Sunday 15/04/2012

Week 17 - Pregnancy Update

My last update was 2 weeks ago and since then I have had 2 appointments. 

The first was with the midwife for a routine check up. She checked my blood pressure and then tried to listen's to bub's heartbeat.

Bubs was very active mashAllah and the midwife would find it and then bubs would be on the move. I appear to have a right active little thing growing away mashAllah. In the end the midwife gave up. As she had heard baby moving she was not too concerned about hearing the heartbeat.

I told the midwife that the diabetes was beginning to get me down but she tried to reassure me by telling me that my levels are not very high compared to some ladies with diabetes. So that is good.

My second appointment was with the dietician.

Well, all I can say about that appointment was that it was a complete waste of time.

I went to the appointment thinking that the dietician would be able to give me some ideas of what to eat and help me with a meal plan.

I was living in dreamland.

As soon as I got to the appointment she asked me, 'So how can I help?'

Ummm....I've been referred to you so shouldn't you know?!

She then just went on about reducing portion sizes, carbohydrates etc. I knew all that anyway. So I didn't really get anything out of the appointment.

I phoned up my diabetic nurse and I am now on medication after every meal. I am hoping this will be enough as I really don't want to increase it further or end up on insulin.

I am seeing the diabetes consultant and medicine team on Thursday so will see what they say.

Friday WIsdom 13/04/2012

For nothing is fixed, forever and forever and forever, it is not fixed; the earth is always shifting, the light is always changing, the sea does not cease to grind down rock. Generations do not cease to be born, and we are responsible to them because we are the only witnesses they have. The sea rises, the light fails, lovers cling to each other, and children cling to us. The moment we cease to hold each other, the sea engulfs us and the light goes out.

- James Baldwin

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CLOSED: Giveaway - £50 Experience Days gift voucher

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Have you ever dreamt of trying something different?

Or even just taking some time out to be pampered?

Well now I am offering you the chance to do just that with Experience Days .

Experience Days is the home of experience gifts and experience days in the UK.

They have kindly offered a £50 Experience Days gift voucher for one of my readers, to be redeemed against any of the gift experiences on their website.

Experience Days have locations all over the UK and have a wide range of gifts and experience days. From chocolate making (I would love that), to flying experiences for the more brave, and even pamper days to relax you.

Giveaway:

To be in with a chance of winning the gift voucher, all you have to do is visit Experience Days and leave a comment below telling me which  experience gift/day you like.

Simple!

Additional entries: (only valid if the above is done)

• Follow my blog via google friends connect or networked blogs
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet: 'I want to win a £50 Experience Days gift voucher with @muslimmummies : http://bit.ly/HAVGRd.'

Don't forget to leave a way for me to contact you should you win.

Competition will be closed Thursday 26th April 2012 at 8pm

Competition is only open to the UK

Winner will be picked using Random.org

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me with their details or a new winner will be chosen,

When to tell........

munchkin that she is going to be a big sister inshAllah?

My parents are from the older generation who believe that young children do no need to know until you bring home the baby from the hospital. However, I want to prepare munchkin. She has had us to herself for 6 years and now that is all going to change. Her dad is likely to be going abroad soon after I have given birth so won't be around to give her extra attention, and I am probably going to be zombified until I settle into some kind of routine with the baby.

My parents said they will keep munchkin until I am settled with the baby. However, I am totally against this as she will feel she has been gotten rid of to make room for the baby. She needs to be involved from day one.

So when to tell her? 

And HOW to tell her?!

In all honesty I think she is suspicious. She is hearing baby talk, she has picked up on the word 'midwife', although she doesn't know what it means, and she has turned into my little conscience by reminding me I am not allowed cake or chocolate! 

My parents, even after telling me not to say anything to her, then asked her that if mum brought home a baby from the hospital what would you name it? So now I think she is definitely suspicious!

I have no problem with telling her. I am only putting it off for two reasons:

• If I tell her now, I will constantly be asked EVERYDAY 'when is the baby coming?!
• I am dreading the question, 'Where do babies come from?

Friday Wisdom 06/05/2012

To be satisfied with a little, is the greatest wisdom; and he that increaseth his riches, increaseth his cares; but a contented mind is a hidden treasure, and trouble findeth it not.

Akhenaton

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British Museum: Hajj Exhibition

I have been planning to go to the Hajj Exhibition since it opened. But circumstances beyond my control prevented me from attending until now.

I managed to convince hubby to take a day off work today and off we went.

Please forgive the lack of pictures but sadly you are not allowed to take pictures in the actual exhibition. Although some people were clearly ignoring the rules, I preferred to respect the museums wishes. I managed to take some around the museum itself, but had to use the iPhone, as in the rush to leave in the morning, I forgot to take my actual camera! So sorry about the quality!

You simply cannot miss the fact that the museum are holding a hajj exhibition. The banner above was right at the front of the entrance. 

It is pretty much the same throughout the museum:

As soon as you enter the museum, you enter the Great Court and in front of you is the banner above. Also in front of you is an art piece by Idris Khan called 'Seven Times':

You have to pay for the exhibition itself and it costs £12 an adult. You can only enter at set times. We arrived just before 12 and the next available time to enter was 12.50pm. So we had a quick wander around other sections of the museum and went shopping; I found some lovely keyrings:

Before you enter be prepared for your handbags to be searched. However, it is more like a quick glance.

You then enter the darkened exhibition to the sounds of the Azaan (call to prayer) mashAllah. This really added to the atmosphere and prepared you for the rest of the exhibition. Munchkin started whispering and asking if we were allowed to talk!

Before the full main exhibition starts, there is a full length door covering of the Kaaba on display. Oh how I wish I could have taken a picture of it. It was absolutely beautiful and one of my favourite items on display.

The exhibition itself is in stages. You are first introduced to the hajj, the reasons for hajj and also a bit about the pilgrims - the clothes they have to wear etc. You are also shown how pilgrims used to struggle to get to the hajj - it is awe inspiring the efforts that they had to go through to go.You are then show various items, including a video, about Mecca and the hajj. And finally you are shown information about pilgrims returning. 

I was quite impressed by the video. It is extracts from 'Journey to Mecca' which sums up the hajj in a clear concise way. It wasn't too long and kept everyone's interest. I had a quick glance around and everyone was engrossed in the video, even the young children.

One of my other favourite items was a covering of the Prophet's (SAW) grave. I was surprised to see that and it is one of the items I spent longer looking at and taking it in. Again I wish I could show you.

There were a few items there that I wasn't expecting. I saw what is reported to be Tipu Sultan's headgear  for war, which was said to be dipped in Zamzan water leading to it being impenetrable.

I was amazed at the amount of non-muslims that were at the exhibition. I guess I was thinking that non-muslims would not be bothered, considering the hatred that seems to be out there for Muslims at the moment. However I was so pleased to see that they genuinely seemed interested and wanted to learn about the beauty of Islam and the hajj. I heard one lady at the start of the exhibition ask a Muslim man if women were allowed to attend and be near the Kaaba. That did make me smile as there does appear to a common misconception that the women are not allowed to do anything and have to just stay at home, but I was glad she was asking and wanted to learn.

The exhibition is only running until the 15th of April. So if you are planning to attend then don't delay! If you would like further information about the hajj you can see my post here.

Disclaimer: I was sent a complimentary ticket to attend the exhibition. However, I was not asked to write this review and all opinions are my own.

Double Standards

I went into Mothercare at the weekend and it all kicked off in there. Not exactly the place you would think customers would start arguing but it did.

I am not sure exactly what happened but it appears that a lady - not sure what her ethnicity was so will call her Asian - wanted a Gift receipt with her purchase but didn't get it. So instead of going to the back of the queue she just went to the front to mention it. Probably what anyone would of done.

The young white British couple in front didn't like it and started mouthing off. I am not sure what they said but it was enough for the Asian lady to kick off big time. Maybe her reaction was extreme, but I guess it depends on what was said.

The young (chav) lad started swearing so she started to swear back. The staff did say do not swear as there are young children present, pointing to munchkin. But apart from that didn't get too involved. He started leaving, swearing and ending with 'Don't forget this is my country'. Ummm ok, you racist.

When he left, the Asian lady was understandably still upset and continued to mouth off and was pretty much defensive. Who knows, maybe she has experienced racism before. The staff then turned on her and said she was not welcome in the shop and to get out. She refused to move until she had her gift receipt.

The staff asked her to stop swearing and to never return to the shop.

Fair enough.

But what she said next made sense. Basically that the staff were having a go at her but said nothing to the white British male who was the one who initially started swearing and was beginning to get racist.

Spot on.

It happens. 

Everywhere.

Double standards.

Who knows maybe the staff agreed with his comment that this is his country and not the Asian lady's and that's why they didn't feel the need to say anything to him. 

This is also MY country as it is a lot of other Asians. I was born and raised here. I pay my taxes, probably more than that chav boy who looked like he lived on benefits (yes I am making assumptions but I am so angry on behalf of that lady).

Being Muslim as well can make life difficult due to the mad extremists out there. I see it all the time, even in simple things. My Twitter name is @muslimmummies. The word 'Muslim' prevents a lot of people from following me.

For example, I followed a John Lewis account with another ID I set up when I started my new blog. That account immediately followed me back. However, when I followed it with my @muslimmummies account, they didn't follow it back, even though it was a more established account with more than 2 tweets and plenty more followers.

So it is not just the common public that do it - the big stores do it too.

Although I was born and raised here, it is beginning to feel less and less like home - and the more I think about it the more I want to move.