32 Week Pregnancy Update

Hello, all! I'm 33 weeks, I'll be talking about week 32.
This was a pretty eventful week! I had a long awaited appointment with my ObGYN. It went perfectly well, alhamdulilah! The baby looks great, my blood pressure is under control. In 2 months I gained about 2 kilos, which is normal at this point. It was a little shocking, I forgot how rapidly we gain weight towards the end! They mentioned that baby was measuring large, which is no surprise. She has consistently been 2 weeks ahead since I was 20 weeks, as were all of my babies!

Symptoms have died down quite a bit. I have some sleepless nights, shortness of breath. Otherwise, I have no other complaints. I'm actually feeling a lot more energized now that I've recovered from Ramadan and the dreaded night-time Ramadan schedule.

One thing I do want to make note of is how hard it is to keep cool in Makkah right now. It is hot, and only going to get hotter! I have been sitting under the air conditioner, strategically placing myself in the coolest spot in the room. Fruits and cold water have been my best friend, minimal clothes and refraining from going out has helped a bit. I really need to walk more.

Despite the heat, I'm surprised that I've not experienced any swelling. I usually feel that's a good sign!

What am I doing now?
I've been taking Red Raspberry Leaf Extract, 2 softgels at night. They've certainly been working. I don't usually experience Braxton Hicks Contractions, but these have given me some every night- around 5 hours after I take the pills. I will increase the pills to 4 by 36 weeks. 

What have I got this far?
We recently invested in some new bed sheets and blankets before baby comes! It's so refreshing! We bed share so having a few extra sets means a lot. Other than that, we haven't been successful in our search. 

When They Aren't Babies Anymore...

When they aren't babies anymore, you tend to let out a sigh of relief.
They no longer need you to eat or sleep.
Nap time isn't a struggle, D2 pops into my room and kisses my head. 33 weeks pregnant, and I'm the one who needs naps.

In the morning she wakes up on her own and I stir, I remember my baby who would climb on top of me and drool on my face. She would blabber about being hungry, pull at my nightgown for the breast. I'd be forced to get up, unless I wanted to wake up to a mess.
Now, instead, I hear her wake up and run into the playroom. Her sister follows her silently, they close the door over.
I get up, and the house is quiet. They're playing in their room, they're dressed. Cups of water sit on the table and the sink is wet from them washing their faces. My heart swells with pride. They did that? One less thing to think about. But, I am thinking about it. Behind the joy is a bit of sorrow, my babies have recently turned 4 and 6 and they aren't babies anymore. 

Motherhood is hard in the beginning. You are the universe for that tiny baby, it's overwhelming. You don't sleep unless they are, you can't eat unless they have. It's a major adjustment, and the thought of independence regained in a few years time gets you through it.

Then that time comes, and it comes all too fast. I spent the first 6 years of D1's life teaching her to be the big sister, the eldest, the wise one. I taught her how to take care of herself, to be patient when I was with her little sister. She was hurled into being a 'big girl' much sooner than D2. I look at her now, she can make a sandwich, she turns on the bathroom light for her little sister. 'Put on your underwear' she reminds her. It makes me proud, but it hurts. She loves to exclaim 'I am D1 and my father is (Baba) and I am a Saudi-Canadian.' She has an identity and owns it. She's a talkative and friendly little girl, sensitive yet logical. This year she'll go to school, she'll make friends and assert more independence. She'll come home with stories of her day, things I wasn't there for. Problems I wasn't there to solve. Joy I couldn't share. She'll not be a baby anymore.

D2 is independent whether I like it or not, she bounces from room to room collecting her toys without me asking. She helps me set the table before Baba comes home. She tells me her nails need to be cut and that she wants her hair done so she can go play. I remember her baby-talk as if it were yesterday, but she randomly runs into the room with full sentences, stories, and ideas. 'Hey, Mom. We can go shopping, we can make dinner together and get some ice cream. Yallah, mama.' Yes. We could. How many years did I wait to hear what was actually going on in her little head, the frustration on her face turning into full blown tantrums. At the time I wanted to scream, too. Now I know she just wanted to play, have her hair brushed, get some ice cream. She tells me. English? Arabic? Both? She's not a baby anymore.

Cherish the baby days. I'm embracing them this time. D3 will have the full baby experience, and I will still have hard days. I will probably still have to cry in the bathroom when I haven't slept enough, wish someone else could change her diaper while Baba is at work. Then I'll look at the other two, sigh, remind myself that it'll be over and the stress I feel is nothing compared to the sadness when this is all over.

I still let them in the family bed, feed them with my hands, cut their food. I still hold them and kiss their aches and pains away. I am desperately holding on to my babies. The tears flood my eyes, every time.
They wipe them away.

We have a community!

When I moved to Saudi Arabia, I got pregnant with D2 in a month and remained alone for almost a year and a half after she was born! I learned two very important things,

1. It's hard being an expat/immigrant, it's harder being a mother in a foreign country! 
2. We all need friends. We shouldn't be doing this mothering thing alone! In lieu of our own families, we have to be each other's villages! 

I was frustrated, with nowhere to turn. Often I had questions but I had no one to discuss motherhood with! Saudi Arabia can be very inclusive, or very isolating, depending on how you go about making friends and what your situation is! 

For myself, it was hard to relate to women who didn't consider Saudi Arabia their new home. I also found it hard to relate to women who have always been here! I needed resources, I needed to meet women like me.

Whether you are married to a Saudi or working in Saudi Arabia, born in Saudi Arabia, or you're just passing through, I want you to know you are not alone. We have each other. 

We have created a small community online for Mothers of Saudi Children and Mothers IN Saudi Arabia alike where you can post and share whatever you want, from concerns, tips, to funny stories. We want to hear from you. 

COME JOIN US!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesandydiaper/about/

Group rules:

• Answer the 2 short questions to be accepted into the group. 
• You have to be a woman! This blog and facebook group is a safe space for women. 

31 Week Pregnancy Update

This week passed quickly! We had a wonderful Eid, Eid Mubarak. We hope you did, too!

This week has been a bit of a downhill spiral in terms of how I feel. I was feeling excellent for the last month or so, but this week was hard. I don't know if it was the change in schedule, the delicious Eid foods, lack of sleep or what? I feel so tired.

Aside from feeling really tired, I have been experiencing some night-time restlessness, lots of braxton hicks contractions and leg cramps. My back hurts, too. At this size, this far into the pregnancy, I guess it makes some sense that I'm not feeling spry.

This will be a relatively shorter post, because while things are going to start happening rapidly, they're pretty slow right now. Eid took up the whole week, I didn't manage to buy anything or get anything ready.

While we were in Al Baha, we went into our storage room and dug through all of our boxes for baby stuff. I didn't come out with a lot for a newborn. I found my old baby carrier, the 'big baby' car seat (a convertible car seat not made for infants), a high chair (reliable ol' ikea), an umbrella stroller we use for travel (Chicco, 50$ at Walmart in Canada). D2's coming home outfit was an emotional find, we have decided to use it again for D3.

It's always a good idea for moms to check what they have saved from other babies, you'd be surprised how good the condition of baby items can be. They've only been used a short time, a lot of the time we don't actually need to repurchase anything. I found a lot of 3-6 month clothing that has gone through 4 girls in the family, and will be used for D3! The best way to save money is to stay on top of what you have and make lists. I have a new list, and I feel good about how little is actually on there!

If this is your first child, consider buying second hand or asking friends and relatives if they have anything left over. It doesn't matter how much money you have, it's great for the environment to reuse items. It's even better for your wallet. Plus, there is something special about used items with a personal history. I have a little dress that I remember my friend Suzie's small babies in, and then D1 and D2. I look forward to seeing D3 in it.

On the note of reusing items and fighting the urge to have 'all new' stuff for your baby, when it does come to things that you have to buy new, buy the best quality you can afford. As you will see in some up-coming reviews I have planned, I have purchased some nice items that I hope will last me at least another baby or two! (Inshallah). If I don't have another baby for some reason, it would be an item I'm proud to pass on to someone I care about.

What am I doing now?
I am still taking the dates, waiting for my Red Raspberry Leaf extract, Evening primrose pills.

What have I got this far?
I'm expecting a bit in the mail as well as a newborn shop this coming week! Check in next week for a summary of those items!

Dates - Nature's gifts to Women Part 2

Disclaimer: Besmillah. I am not a medical professional, I am just providing information from reliable sources about things that have worked for me. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the topics I write about, do your own research so you can make the right decision for yourself. If you are unsure about using these remedies and aids, consult a Doctor that you trust. 

Dates are of great importance to people in the Middle East, they sustained the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him), they have saved nations from famine, and have been a major source of nutrition for everyone here for thousands upon thousands of years.

Packed with fiber, this carb-rich little fruit has amazing dietary and medicinal benefits! A single date is considered a major source of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and to a lesser extent, iron magnesium and zinc. They also contain Vitamins B1, 2 (crucial during pregnancy), 3 and 5, as well as vitamins A and C. 3 dates a day have been shown to lower cholesterol, improve bone health, promote digestion, and help with blood sugar regulation.

In Saudi Arabia we are lucky enough to have many varieties of dates available, from expensive Sukkary dates, to fresh dates straight from the palm. In Islam, it is considered a medicine, and it is Sunnah to break our fasts with dates to promote regulation and good health.

Narrated Salman ibn Amir: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When one of you is fasting, he should break his fast with dates; but if he cannot get any, then (he should break his fast) with water, for water is purifying.
Sunan Abu Dawood – Book 13 Hadith 2348

I wasn't fully aware of the importance of medicinal benefits of dates when I converted to Islam. In Canada, we generally have access to two varieties: hard Algerian dates and Iranian dates. My eyes were opened to the many varieties between dates when I moved to Saudi Arabia, and how they are perceived as one as the most essential and blessed foods in Islam and throughout Arab history.

Delving deeper into the benefits of the date, I learned that it was the tree that Maryam birthed Isa (Jesus).

The pains of labor drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She exclaimed: "Oh, if only I had died before this time and was something discarded and forgotten!" (Notice how Maryam pleads for death over the pain of childbirth, as I'm sure many of us can relate to. Note what she is told to do next:) A voice called out to her from under her: "Do not grieve. Your Lord has placed a small stream at your feet. Shake the trunk of the palm toward you, and fresh, ripe dates will drop down to you. Eat and drink, and delight your eyes. If you should see anyone at all, just say: 'I have made a vow of abstinence to the All-Merciful, and [so] today I will not speak to any human being.'" (Surah Maryam: 23-26)

She is told to drink water and eat from the date palm, not to worry and to stay relaxed. She is told to take care of herself first and foremost, forgo questioning from other people and not to panic. This is incredible advice to any woman in the throws of labour!

Now, this isn't a religiously motivated blog (because I want everyone to benefit), but you can see that in the course of history and with it's importance in religion, the date is revered. For the Muslimah, this solidifies her faith. For the modern mother, this is an ancient wisdom that we have proven with science in recent years.

6 to 7 dates a day have been scientifically proven to shorten the duration of labour and provide the essential caloric needs to prepare for the labour, as well as enegry boosts to the mother during labour. They are light on the stomach, they aid in using the bathroom after birth (a very uncomfortable, oft-forgotten, unpleasant situation after birth).

When I was in labour for days with D1, I barely ate. I truly believe that impacted my progress and contributed to my exhaustion. Many hospitals prevent the mother from eating, providing ice, water and nothing else. We've all heard to keep meals light before labour, what is lighter than a handful of dates? Unless you has been afflicted with Gestational Diabetes or you have Insulin Resistance and you are put on a very strict low-carb diet, I highly advise any woman to bring dates to the hospital or have them nearby at a homebirth! Your body needs that energy. Your baby will receive those nutrients, too!

Dates help by assisting your body in the release of oxytocin which contracts the uterus.It is also proven that the complex fatty acids in dates aid in producing prostaglandins that thin the cervix. It's mentioned that dates should be eaten a certain way to reap all of these benefits:

• In the First Trimester, up to 13 weeks, 3 dates a day should suffice in providing the vitamins and nutrition you need to support a forming fetus. 
• In the Second Trimester, due to the change and surge in hormone regulation, women are told to avoid eating too many dates because all women (healthy, fit, fat, and otherwise) are a risk of developing Gestational Diabetes. 
• At about 30 weeks, gearing for your Third Trimester, a mother can resume eating 3 dates and increasing the number of dates to 6 or 7 by 36 weeks. One should take this many dates every day leading up to the onset of labour. On the day you go into labour, be sure to eat the dates slowly throughout the labour to give you a boost in energy.

I have been eating dates through my pregnancy, even in the 2nd Trimester because I was fasting Ramadan during the majority of that time and I needed the caloric density of the dates to help me sustain the baby. Now that I'm 32 weeks, I have started to eat 3 a day, and I will up that every 2 weeks. At 34 I will eat 4 and at 36 I will eat 6.

I hope this article has inspired mothers who haven't tried dates to support pregnancy and aid labour! Every little thing helps, and in terms of empowering yourself and taking control of your labour! Eating dates is an easy way to do something that is proven to help while also enjoying a delicious snack. Win win!
It's worth a try, relatively risk free. I would consult your doctor about the consumption of dates if you suffer from Gestational Diabetes.

Down below I have provided 3 links about dates being a huge benefit to Women's Health! Check them out and be sure to do your own research, you won't regret it!

Much love!

1. https://evidencebasedbirth.com/evidence-eating-dates-to-start-labor/
2. http://harunyahya.com/en/Articles/8190/maryam-and-the-birth-of
3. http://www.momjunction.com/articles/surprising-benefits-of-dates-during-pregnancy_0075704/#gref

Dates, EVP, RRL, FG- Nature's gifts to Women Part 1

Dates, Evening Primrose Oil, and Raspberry Leaf extract, and Fenugreek- Nature's gifts to Women

My first daughter (D1) was as cozy as a baby could be. At nearly 42 weeks, I was worried that my body wasn't going to go into labour spontaneously. I was feeling heavier and more anxious by the day. Her vitals were perfect, and everything seemed alright as far as our planned home birth in Canada was going to go.

At 39 weeks I did a membrane sweep, this didn't do much other than cause bleeding and cramping. My midwife told me that first time mothers usually take a bit longer on average and not to worry. I was taking long walks and trying my best to find anything online that would help bring D1 to the world.

At 40 weeks, a sense of doubt crept over me. I was at my due date and there was no sign of D1. The pregnancy had been yet another long waiting game in my life, and I was so excited to meet my baby that I could barely sleep. My husband had just come back from Saudi Arabia. We both thought she'd make her appearance sooner, frantically booking tickets and rushing him home to me. My Grandparents on the coast came all the way to see us, hoping the baby would come while they were there, and alas, she stayed in and they went back to Newfoundland.

I consider myself a patient woman. I lived away from my husband for 5 years. I know that if Allah is making me wait, that means he's giving me the time to wait (I was alive and well, after all). Patience was the least I could give considering everything I've always wanted I've been blessed with, never denied. Patience as always been the test. My marriage, my business, my babies. Always taking their sweet time. D1 was no exception, but she was by far my most testing wait.

See, I was barely 21 by then and while I spent months doing research, I didn't know my options. Everyone has their ways of bringing on labour, from pineapple to jumping (Yeah, seriously. On a trampoline). I had tried a lot of the safer methods but by 41 weeks I had almost given up.

Long story short, due to my daughter's size (5ish kilos) and her positioning I ended up going into labour 2 weeks late at home. It was 4 am and I had barely slept 3 hours. The night before my husband and I had an 8 hour adventure, chinese food, and gone to bed. I couldn't tell if the early labour contractions were cramps from the chinese food or actual labour.

I waited anxiously as my husband slept. I called the midwife that afternoon, having thought that I surely waited long enough. She checked me and frowned, "You're still at the beginning. Call me in 8 hours or when the contractions pick up."

I laboured for 41 hours. I went to the hospital towards the end, relinquished my dreams of a natural homebirth and had an epidural because I hadn't eaten or slept in days. After an hour nap, I had D1.

Now, by the time D2 came around (in Saudi Arabia), I was 37 weeks but very sick. I had been dealing with erratic blood pressure readings, inflammation in the gallbladder due to hormones (ouch), extreme headaches that took my vision temporarily. Being that ill wasn't my preferred way of inducing labour. By 38 Weeks, I went in to be induced to stop the onset of Preeclampsia and found out I had gone into labour on my own! 18 hours later, almost half the time of my last labour, she arrived.

So far I am clear of the minor and major complications I had with D1 and D2. Still, I wanted to find a way I could induce labour naturally or at least help myself along. I took to the internet and found a lot of information. I feel like I have spent the majority of this pregnancy coming to terms with my past experiences and doing research on how to prevent bad outcomes. In the end, we know it's not up to us. However, I'm a firm believer that trying helps me. It will help me accept whatever happens with D3, it is a way of having a hand in my fate and doing the best I can to get what I want.

So, in my research I found the safest and most tried and true aids for pregnant women. I found the science to back it up, and I feel pretty good about what I read. With things like 'Castor Oil' and other really intense remedies, you can cause yourself a lot of discomfort (or even run the risk of a bad birth outcome). What I've chosen to do has very little to no risk, and I'm excited to try it out and document my experience.

When I get the items I ordered off of a popular health and wellness site (I'll get back to them, later), I will do a review. We spent approximately 180 SAR on the items and the shipping, which isn't bad because I could not find these products in Saudi Arabia. I looked at UAE based health and wellness sites as well and the prices were majorly inflated.

The purpose of this blog is to help you. I want to find things at the best of my ability, give you the down low about what's good and find the best price. I want to document and honestly review what I have tried so you don't make the same mistakes as I did, and I want to share my major successes.

 Being assertive can help us physically, but it can also help us mentally. I know that even in my hardest labour I did everything I could do to help. I also know that you can't avoid trauma or bad scenarios. The way I have been able to cope with the different experiences I've had is that I have been assertive and educated myself. Your brain is your greatest asset when it comes to childbirth.

30 Week Pregnancy Update

We're 30 weeks! This is such a big deal. I'm actually 30 and 6 days as I write this, but I can't believe we are here already.

For the first time I'm pregnant and a lot of my friend are, too. With my first two I was in my very early 20's and I didn't know anyone my age who was married or pregnant. It's been 4 years since my last daughter, and now it seems like everyone I know is pregnant! I've been really enjoying connecting with other women, it has made this pregnancy feel incredibly fast and has helped me to keep calm.

I've come to see how important community is. With my other daughters I embarked on this journey alone, at times it enabled me to do what I felt I had to without the input of others. Other times it was very lonely! I suffered because of the isolation and loneliness after my second daughter, it was the hardest 18 months of my life. Had I reached out and had other women to speak to, I highly doubt my situation would have been so unbearable. Motherhood is hard! No one should have to do it alone. 

I have friends who are a month behind me and a month ahead in their pregnancies. I love telling the moms who are a bit behind me about what I'm going through and how I've coped. In turn, seeing the moms a month ahead reaching the final weeks has been magical! One of my best friends is about a week away from delivery and I am dying to relive the moment with her and see her beautiful baby inshallah. 

This week has been huge in terms of growth. My belly is massive, and by massive I mean a giant obstacle. I've accidentally opened doors into my belly, hit the wall while turning corners, watched my kid's heads bounce off of me at every turn. It's exceedingly hard to bend over or lay on my back. I have always been one of those women who shows early and get big! This pregnancy is clearly no exception. Having girls between 4 and 5 kilos, I expect #3 to be just as big. Countless Doctors have asked me if I'm carrying multiples or if I have Gestational Diabetes, but I'm not and I don't. My body just really likes to show off!

My size surprises me, I'm a tall woman so I would never have expected pregnancy to show as much as it does. My own mother hardly looked pregnant. It just goes to show how different we all are! In terms of body image, I'm not exactly upset about my size. I usually have unusual confidence while I'm pregnant, I feel beautiful and it's the only time where I love my stomach. Being as big as I am (and you'll have to take my word for it), I feel like I look great. 

That's not to undermine those who don't feel as confident about their appearance during pregnancy. It's a massive change and can be startling. It's important to take care of yourself and keep up your routines so that you can feel as good as possible. The belly is temporary. So is the extra weight! If you love a full face of make up every day, it's really important that you keep it up. Do your hair, pamper yourself. If you give up your usual pampering because you feel out of control in terms of your appearance, it isn't going to help your self esteem. If you feel particularly bad about the changes your body is going through, remember you are growing a human. Talk to your doctor about managing your weight,talk to a friend, a therapist. It's important for you to look after your mental health as much as your physical health!

Every time you look in the mirror remind yourself: Your body is going through so much! You are doing something miraculous! This is not the time to be hard on yourself or worry about fitting into certain clothes. 

My thing is nails. I always have my nails done (at home) and if I don't shower, I spiral into a dark place. I think I've come to terms with the changes because I'm always on top of my hygiene and beauty routines, even when it gets hard (shaving legs doesn't get harder than this, my friends). Eating healthily and doing a little workout 3 times a week has also helped a lot. The best confidence booster, though? My girls patting my belly and saying, 'We love your big tummy, Mama.' My husband has also been super supportive this entire pregnancy, even going as far as to get me big nightgowns that are comfy and cute. Never underestimate the power of new pajamas!

What am I doing now?

I'm still eating the dates and drinking tons of water! Ramadan comes to an end tomorrow, so I'll be back to my usual 10ish glasses a day. 

Squats became difficult this week, so I'm taking it easy. I'm finding with certain movements I am getting pretty intense braxton hicks contractions. 

I have recently ordered Red Raspberry Leaf extract and Evening Primrose Oil so I can prep for the labour. I'll do a separate. post on what I'm doing and the outcome, later on. 

What have I got this far?

On a separate post I'll talk about the new baby carrier ($8 and decent quality) I've found. I will also be sharing a wetbag I got for 3$! With the help of my great friend Jess, I got some awesome baby sleep sacks from Carter's and Walmart in Canada (all on sale!). I can't wait to show you. 

That's everything this week! Let me know how far along you are and if any of your friends are pregnant at the same time!

29 Week Pregnancy Update

Better late than never! I wish I had started this much sooner, mostly because I enjoy watching and reading other women's pregnancy updates. I'm not a super sentimental person, I don't keep belly shot pictures or do anything in regards to documenting my pregnancy.

That being said, I love talking about being pregnant and my experiences, and I love love hearing about everyone else's.

This pregnancy started beautifully and the first ten weeks zoomed past. Alhamdulilah. This was the first pregnancy where I've dealt with morning sickness and that seemed pretty bad from eight to thirteen weeks. I mean, in retrospect, there are women who suffer much worse but nothing prepares you for how irritating and unrelenting morning sickness can be until you are afflicted by it.

I've been on watch for my blood pressure after my second child where I developed PIH (pregnancy induced hypertension). Aside from that, up until now this pregnancy has gone without a hitch alhamdulilah. I've had some scares in my two past pregnancies, and in terms of drama- this one has been pretty drama free. I have been experiencing a lot more pregnancy symptoms, in fact, almost everything by the book this time around. Morning sickness, tummy upset, headaches, tiredness. Is it because it's my third or because I'm older now? I'm not yet 30, but there is a huge difference between my first and my third in terms of my health and energy.

So, what's going on at almost 30 weeks? Well, not much. Aside from the baby moving like crazy and feeling a bit worn down, I feel great. Bending over is hard.

What am I doing now?

I'm eating 6 to 7 dates a day, I'm currently fasting for Ramadan and breaking my fast with half of the dates and eating the rest at Suhoor (meal before sunrise). There are many studies that show that 6 dates or more a day have a great impact on the duration of labour. I have had 43 and 18 hour labours, respectively, so I'm hoping the dates can help me speed things up!

Gentle squat workouts, 3 reps of 15.

Eating light! With the lack of space between the baby and my actual stomach, indigestion has been pretty bad. I'm eating a lot of carb-low fruits and smaller meals. Lean chicken breast has been my main source of protein and lots of yogurt.

What have I got this far?

I'll be doing a pre-review on my Evenflo Hiro 4 in 1 stroller and carseat soon! I have also recently repurchased my favourite (very affordable) breast pump: The First Years single electric pump.

I also just received my new cloth diapers and wipes in the mail! I'm over the moon about the quality and how easily they came. That will be a post on it's own.

I still have a lot to get ready and shop for, but I'm all about saving money and getting great deals.



So far so good!

That's all this week, let's hope things stay uneventful and easy inshallah. If you're pregnant, share how far along you are and what you're experiencing! 

Hello and Welcome!

Salam!

This is my first post, so I thought I'd introduce myself and what I'm all about.

My name is B.C and I'm a Canadian woman living in Saudi Arabia with my Saudi husband and 2 adorable daughters. I am about 30 weeks along with my 3rd daughter inshallah.

I'm passionate about natural living, which poses as a challenge here in Saudi Arabia because the availability of sustainable products is rare. I want to change that and show people how I've managed to save money and look after my girls for the past 6 years in the Middle East!

I love reviewing products and talking about ways that I make my life easier.

I'm reaching out to lovely moms everywhere in the Middle East so we can share and connect.

I hope that my experience here can help new moms or newcomers to Saudi Arabia get comfortable and find the best quality items for their children. I want to bridge the gap and offer all I have to help you feel a little less stressed and overwhelmed. Being a mom is hard, but it's so rewarding. If we work together we can achieve so much, motherhood is a sisterhood and I believe the key to surviving it is having friends.

I have a youtube channel and a facebook group, I'll be starting an instagram and a snapchat very soon.  I'll update you on all of that as we make this happen.

Here's to humble beginnings and great intentions.

Much love,
B.C at the Sandy Diaper.