caybee

Atlanta's airport is huge, but it's pretty efficient. As Cheryl recommended, take the train between terminals (no ticket required). The train is inside the building. There is also a moving sidewalk that goes in the same direction, but the train is much faster.

How much time do you have for the layover in Paris? That's where I had a problem. I would want at least three hours in Paris, though you might make it in two.

ETA: I'd want three hours in Paris because (at least at the time I was there) you have to take a bus from terminal to terminal and do a lot of walking to get through. I made it in about 1.5 hours, but I was running the whole time, and my bags missed the flight.

Jenn, I think I had something similar to that seffa, but I don't think it had any chicken in it at all, just the vermicelli with sugar, cinnamon, and almonds - unless I never made it to the chicken. It was delicious, but it came after two huge and unexpected courses, so I had no room left for it, though it was delicious. Do you have a couscsoussier?

Zameta

Seriously, my favorite is chicken or seafood bastilla. I also love shawarma. I like the way DH makes spaghetti (and almost anything else). I like my MIL's chicken with green peas. I love rafisa (a casserole of melwi torn into pieces with chicken and a sauce with fenugreek). And hariraaaaaaaaa - better start practicing that one again since we have it every single night during Ramadan.

RAFISA:

www.uscis.gov

USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card

WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card - commonly known as the "Green Card" - to incorporate several major new security features. The Green Card redesign is the latest advance in USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. State-of-the-art technology incorporated into the new card prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.

"Redesigning the Green Card is a major achievement for USCIS," said Director Alejandro Mayorkas. "The new security technology makes a critical contribution to the integrity of the immigration system."

The enhanced features will better serve law enforcement, employers, and immigrants, all of whom look to the Green Card as definitive proof of authorization to live and work in the United States. Among the benefits of the redesign: Secure optical media will store biometrics for rapid and reliable identification of the card holder. Holographic images, laser engraved fingerprints, and high resolution micro-images will make the card nearly impossible to reproduce. Tighter integration of the card design with personalized elements will make it difficult to alter the card if stolen. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) capability will allow Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry to read the card from a distance and compare it immediately to file data. Finally, a preprinted return address will enable the easy return of a lost card to USCIS.

In keeping with the Permanent Resident Card’s nickname, it will now be colored green for easy recognition. USCIS will replace Green Cards already in circulation as individuals apply for renewal or replacement.

For more information on permanent residency and other immigration benefits, visit www.uscis.gov, or call USCIS’s National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

Last updated:05/11/2010

Thank you! I've only skimmed through, but I'll watch the whole thing after work.

A friend of ours had her senator's office open a file and signed a form giving them permission to act on her behalf before her husband's interview at a high-fraud consulate (she was in his country for the interview). They had a strong case, a long marriage and many visits, but a couple of red flags. He was initially told his file was being returned to USCIS. She called the senator's office within the hour, and since they already had the permission form, they were able to contact the consulate immediately. He was granted a second interview a few days later, and he received the visa. I don't believe they clogged up the system unnecessarily before the fact, but because she had been proactive in signing the permission form and the senator's office didn't need anything else from her when time counted, I believe that was one factor which helped keep the file at the consulate long enough for them to take a second look.

Ours was called Purple Passion and we used a kiddie pool.

I remember something about a bathtub and paint cans. Divers or something. Yeah.

I'm more shocked that the AP reporter wrote "fifty-4."

What a beautiful little guy! I'm so glad he's doing better.

Amy, congratulations on your little bundle. Wonderful that Ayman is off the ventilator. I hope he continues to improve quickly and you are able to hold him in your arms very soon!

Oxytocin can also makes you really sleeeeeepy. The spirit may be willing...

I agree that this is normal, and it resolves itself in time. I think some women (and some men) expect everything to go back to normal once the woman's body has healed, but it can take a while. New parenthood is physically and emotionally exhausting (never knew how much!) and can affect both parents in different ways. If both partners realize that, try to empathize with each other, and keep communicating, it will work out. If either partner feels taken for granted or blamed because the sexual or emotional relationship isn't what it has been, the guilt and resentment will build, and it won't get any better.

Possible fix here.

There are lots of Moroccans in Houston. Try this link. Put Houston in the "find a Moroccan" or "find a business" fields at the top. Good luck, and congratulations.

Sorry if this has been posted before.

Uy3FMvGIBsw

Her ex said she wasn't the brightest crayon in the box.

You will list your employment history on your visa paperwork, and you must be truthful, so yes, USCIS and DOS will know. Your future wife will sign the paperwork, so she will know. Go ahead and tell her now. There is no shame in any honest work. In this economy, there are plenty of highly educated people taking blue collar jobs to pay the bills, so you are hardly alone. Any woman worth her salt will appreciate your hard work. Good luck with your journey.

Lots of great advice on the sleeping!

Rayan had his first cereal at my parents' house today, and was he ready! He met the spoon halfway with both hands and shoved it in his mouth, then started fussing for more (I did nurse him beforehand). My husband will probably do his cereal feedings in the mornings since he's giving him expressed milk anyway. Next week, we'll probably try either carrots or sweet potatoes instead of going through the grains one at a time, but I'll double-check with his doctor at his appointment on Tuesday. As soon as we got home this afternoon, he wanted to nurse and went right to sleep afterward.

Gabby, I felt very similar to what you describe when I was first pregnant with Rayan. I never really had morning sickness, just some queasiness, and I lost my appetite completely for most of the first trimester. But in the very beginning, I had some very mild pain like you describe.

The time is flying so fast. Rayan will be six months old by the calendar tomorrow. Since we usually get together as a family on Sundays, we've decided to give him a little party today and give him rice cereal for the first time. I'm going to mix it very thin. This will be the first time he's had anything but breastmilk, except for a small amount of formula in the hospital, so we're excited to see what he thinks of it. He is VERY interested in whatever we're eating these days, reaches for it and smacks his lips.

Vi, I have some of the same concerns about the sleeping. Rayan usually falls asleep nursing, not on his own, and I know we need to teach him to fall asleep on his own. For the last week or so, he fights sleep so much that it's hard even for me to nurse him to sleep unless we're also going to bed. He will start to drift off, but then he just starts thrashing around, throwing his head from side to side. This is completely new behavior. He falls asleep on my lap sometimes now when I'm NOT nursing him if he's extremely tired, which is also new. I wish I knew the answer.

10 state's NOW! WITH ABOUT 25/22/10/15/10/30/15/10/20/10 that has already made complaint!! the total since Nov/09 till present feb 1/10 there been complaints

that how many of the 10 state has a compaint

So since November 2009, 25 people in one state have complained about Casa, 22 in another, 10 in another, etc, on up to 10 or 11 states? Is there a source where we can reference these stats for them?

Love the alphabet song!!!

Rayan digs it too

No, not fair.

There must be something in the missing photo. But if they're annoying, hubby sits next to them. If the other wife is falling out of her clothes, friend's wife sits next to her. Who's gonna be paying attention to other fans anyway, unless they're throwing beer or something?

My wife keeps wanting to tune into the local pop station that plays something called "Lady Gaga", whatever that is.

I am the dominant one in our relationship however and keep the radio presets set to WDRV (70s/80s classic rock) and WBEZ (local NPR affiliate). Screw Lady Gaga.

That's two presets. She could have two for her stuff

Man, the stadium in Cairo was packed - and the game was in Angola!

Congrats to Egypt.

lol... YEY for first page

I'm also wondering, to the mamas who know their baby's sex at 18-20 weeks, for boys, do you see his wewe? The u/s tech showed us an unusual big one that some friends of mine thought it's the foot (but i dont think it's as big as the foot)

LOL Rayan's looked big too in the U/S - my husband remarked about it. But it's baby-sized

One thing I was glad I did was save the gift cards I received until after Rayan was born. There were so many little things I learned I needed after the fact, and those were a big help.

If I had it to do over again, I probably would have bought more Bumgenius or similar diapers because they grow with him. I only bought three, plus a lot of prefolds and some covers which he outgrew very quickly. So we've used mostly disposables lately because I haven't had the time or money to throw a big chunk at a new set of cloths diapers that actually fit him. I'd like to transition back, though. I don't know anything about the SweetDollBaby diapers, but the price is good.

Rayan's messy diapers have never been very smelly because he has nothing but breastmilk. But for the last few weeks, he only has a messy diaper once every three or four days, which I've read is pretty normal. He has plenty of wets, and then he'll have a big messy one that leads to an immediate tub bath. But in contrast to the messies, he gets wicked gas. It almost knocked my husband down yesterday, and it's perfectly silent, so you don't hear it coming

Yesterday during his bath, I raised the hand shower up high since he likes it, and he just raised his hands up to play with the falling water and kept kicking his feet. It didn't bother him at all for the water to land on his face. Next time, I may just leave the shower attached to the wall and let it fall on him from up there. This way I won't have to keep turning off the water to scrub him with both hands. His cradle cap is almost completely gone. His pediatrician recommended Selsun Blue for that. I was afraid would be too strong, but it hasn't bothered him, and it did the trick.

Congrats on Sebas sitting unassisted and on his first cereal

Glad the twins are almost over this!

Rayan very nearly finally rolled from back to front -- made it onto his side but then gave up. He'll get it soon though. I'd love for him to do it before his six-month checkup next week because the ped said he would by then, but he's on his own schedule, so I'm not concerned. He's healthy and very happy.

We've decided to hold out one more week and give him his first cereal next Sunday at my parents' house so we can celebrate his six-month birthday then too. I think he's ready. He's interested in whatever we're eating or drinking, and today I really had to watch him because he kept reaching for my hot chocolate.

My mom and I are going to take a class in baby sign at the library. The only one I've used with him consistently so far is milk, and I've done that almost since the day he was born. I do think he understands because as soon as I sign it, he doesn't necessarily dive on, but he smiles, puts on his milk face, and smacks his lips.