Little Jood,

Even that we have not met or talked before, but we feel we know you well, and really we can not wait more for you. Maybe in the eyes of your doctor and my blog readers you are a black-and-white sonogram, but really love and passion made me & your mom realize you present in each and every moment in our life since the day we figured you out.

You will be our first child, which means all care, nurture, and dalliance will be going towards you, not only from me & your mom, but also from the whole family; starting from your passionate grandma's, grandpa, aunts, uncles, all their naughty sons and daughters, and their friends and neighbors as well! You, being the youngest child in this big family means you will have so many slightly-older kids to play with and learn from. With them, you will discover the world in your own way, and make your remarkable adventures.

Eventually, they’ll be jealous of how we let you do things at a much earlier age than they got to do them. By time, you’ll compete and fight in many good & bad things; who eats his/her meal first... who is the best in school... who is going to sit in the front seat in your grandpa's car and who gets the last piece of cake.

Your full name is Jood M. Khawaja. We named you Jood because we believe it is the generosity of Allah having you, and called you Joode to always remind you that you are the one and only Jood that we will have. Your mom is pleased that you will be able to write your name with those double 'OO' in very funny artistic ways; two squint eyes, two smiley faces, two lovely hearts, or in any style that reflects your own personality.

Looking at you in your crib, I’ve been overwhelmed by my love for you. Your fascinating fashionable clothes make me & your mom imagine how cute you would be dressing these little "things" with wonderful lively colors.

Parents talk about what they want from their kids. It starts right after a baby is conceived and doesn’t ever stop. When we told people your mom is pregnant, often they asked, “Do you want a boy or a girl?” We told them we wanted a healthy baby. Some parents know what they expect from their kids when they start school, or even what they want their kids to be when they grow up.

My wants are much less specific. I want you to be a confident Muslim lady. I want you to learn who you are, decide for yourself, and be satisfied with your own choices. I want you to experience life and find your own way in a world that can be confusing… painful… wonderful… and breathtaking. I want you to have friends and family that support, respect and love you.

I want this post to be a written proof of that support and love we promise to give you...