Egypt

I went to Egypt 19 March 2010-23 April 2010. I saw my Grandma, Grandpa, aunts, uncles, and many cousins for the 1st time. For my birthday we had cake, ice cream, finger size sandwiches, and many different kinds of pastries. I got a Build A Bear Bear from my Mommy and Daddy. From my Aunt Shimaa and Uncle Terek I got 2 silver charms. From Uncle Haitham, Aunt Nancy, Uncle Waleed, and Aunt Rabob I got a lot of clothes. While we were in Egypt we went to Cairo Tower, Khan el-Khalili (a big bazaar), and Hurghada.

1 year old!

My 1st birthday 27 March 2010. Yippee! I weigh about 25 lbs. and 3 ozs. I sleep all night, most of the time. I am going through a phrase where I miss Mommy and Daddy at night, so I will wake up to make sure they are still there. I like to eat whatever my Mom or Dad make me to eat: grilled cheese, talipa fish, chicken curry, and Pakistani rice. My mom will post how to make the rice. It is very good. :) I went on vacation to Egypt. My mom will make a post for that by itself.

11 months

I got yet another tooth #7 on 2-27-10. Happy 11 months to me and I get a hard time from that tooth. I have learned to roll a ball and crawl after it and I can also remove the ring off the ring stacker. I am learning so fast. My mom or dad stand behind me while I climb up the stairs. My mom and dad will have to get a gate soon. I fed myself with a spoon on 4 March 2010 and I am standing for longer periods of time. I like artichokes.

Salmon with fresh dill

Salmon fillets, fresh dill, fresh lemon, salt, non stick cooking spray.

Soak salmon in salt water for about 5 minutes. Spray a piece of aluminum foil with the non stick cooking spray. Rinse fish with cold water. Take the juice of fresh lemon and put on fish. Put fish on foil and top with fresh dill. Wrap fish up. Put in 350 degree oven.

My new home

My mom and dad bought a new home today. It has 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bath, dining room, living room, kitchen, and a bonus room.

10 months

New food I like very much is garden vegetable hummus on whole wheat baguette, scrambled egg, pancakes, colby cheese, salmon, asparagus, spaghetti, strawberry yogurt, pineapple yogurt, red raspberry yogurt, cucumber sauce, cheese tortellini, and cauliflower. My Mommy made lasagna, and it was so yummy. With every bite I said "mmmm." I started dancing on 31 Jan. 2010. I weigh 22 lbs. 11 ozs. now and I am about 29 1/2" tall. I started to shake my head "no". I got tooth #5 on 2 Feb. 2010 and #6 broke through on 16 Feb. 2010. I am now drinking from a sippy cup. My mom got me a new one and I like this on 15 Feb. 2010. (After trying 3 other types.) I finally have my own room to play in and sleep in. I only woke up one time scared because I didn't know where I was.

Tandorri chicken kabob

Boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into cubes. White vinegar, fresh, garlic (put through garlic press), plain yogurt and tandoori spice, salt and pepper to taste. Mix vinegar, garlic, yogurt, tandoori spice, salt, and pepper. Add chicken. Marinade for at least 1 hr. Grill.

Kofta

Simple, simple, simple. Ground beef, finely chopped onion and fresh parsley. Mix the onion and parsley into the ground beef. Add salt and pepper. Shape into patties and grill.

New meal

Steak fajitas (this is very easy). All you need is: thin cut steak, sliced onion, juice of lime, olive oil, minced garlic, ground cumin, finely chopped jalapeno (remove seeds and ribs), fresh cilantro, green or red peppers (whichever you like).

Mix lime juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, jalapeno and steak. Marinade for at least 1 hr. Heat oil in skillet, add steak, cook until almost done. Remove and sit aside for about 5 minutes, (use paper towels). Add more oil, if needed, cook peppers and onion, until almost soft, add meat until done.

Serve with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, warm tortillas, or whatever you like.

9 months

Wow! I am changing a lot. I am 29" and 22 1/2 lbs. I have accomplished this month: cruising, drink from a sippy cup (I am not crazy about this), and standing for just a blink of an eye. I walked across the living room with my walker on 14 Jan. 2010. There are many new foods I like: tandoori chicken kabob, kofta, (my mom will post how to make if you are interested), ice cream, spaghetti. I went swimming for the first time on 23 Jan. 2010. It was so much fun. I no longer enjoy the baby food, I only want real food now. I can eat finger food now. I really love organic vegetable puffs.

8 months

21 lbs. 14 ozs. and 28" tall. I like apple juice, zucchini, pear juice, and cherry. I found my ears. I rock back and forth now while I am on my hands and knees. I am trying to push off on one leg to start crawling. I am sitting up from laying on my belly. Crawling on 2 Dec. 2009. I can gurgle and e-h-h now. I got a tooth on 7 Dec., and 19 Dec.

7 months

20 lbs. 3 ozs. 27 1/4" I now like blueberry, corn, chicken, butternut squash, oatmeal, potato, lentils, pineapple, and wheat teething biscuits. I am starting to lick anything I can get my hands on. (LOL) I can roll over from my back to my belly now. I can move around on my belly and now I get up on my knees and arms. I can grunt and say oh. I went to the Vietnam Memorial and Great Falls National Falls. My grandpa and grandma visited from Ohio.

6 months

26 1/2", 18 lbs. 12 ozs. I might wake up one time during the night to eat. I take 2 naps during the nap about 1-2 hours each time. I like rice cereal but only mixed in with some other food. I like peaches, green beans, mango, raspberry, and strawberry. I am getting up on my knees to start crawling. I can roll over in both directions, sit by myself, stick out my tongue, and suck on my toes. I can squeal, o-o-o, and m-m-m. I got a tooth on 13 Sept and another on 10 Oct.

5 month

Growing, growing, growing. Weight 17 lbs. 2 ozs. and 26". I sleep all night and I eat every 5 hrs. during the day. I like carrots, applesauce, banana, and pears. I can now grab and hold onto toys, bat at my toys, and I do mini push ups.

4 months

Time is flying by. I am 15 lbs. 10 ozs and 24 1/2". I sleep almost all night long, every now and again I will wake up to eat, but only once. I tried and love sweet peas and sweet potato. I had my first food on 28 July 2009. I can now sit up with some help and I can stand on my legs for a little bit. I rolled over on 17 July 2009. I made new friends at the dentist. I laughed because Baba tickled me on 5 July 2009. I got a jumper this month. Thanks Mom and Dad.

3 months

Wow! I am growing fast! I am 24" tall and weighing in at 13 lbs. 14 ozs. I sleep 6 hours at night and I take many naps during the day. I discovered my hands and fingers. I like to suck on my fingers. I had my aqiqa on June 27, 2009 at the Renaissance. I also went to my cousin Shereen's baby shower.

2 months

I am 21 1/4" long and weigh about 11 lbs. 3 ozs. I usually take 3-4 hour naps during the day and sleep 6-7 1/2 hours at night. I love to look at lights. I love to sit in my bouncy chair and swing. I smiled for the first time. I am cooing, ahhing, and wowing.

One month

I can hold my head up and move it side to side to look around me. I sleep all night, most of the time. Mommy and Daddy have to wake me up so I can eat, which isn't as easy as it seems. I am very hard to wake up. Small smile on 24 May 2009. I went shopping at Ikea, Babies R Us, and I even visited my Auntie Nano. I now weigh about 8 lbs. 3 ozs. and about 18 1/2".

Welcome

Hello. My name is Muhammad Wael Ismail Rafat. I was born 3 weeks early on March 27, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. I weighed 5 lbs. 6 oz. and was 18 inches long. I have a full head of black hair and my eyes are grey. My name Muhammad means praiseworthy. Wael is the first name of my dad and means the protector, generous, who helps people, gives a hand to the needy, and protect the powerless. Ismail is my grandpa's name and means God will listen.

I was born in Arlington, VA.