Alhumdulillah means “All Praise is due to God” and are the words uttered by a Muslim when he/she is expressing gratitude to Allah. I find myself saying this numerous times a day and this post is a collection of moments when I have said Alhumdulillah during the past month.

Things I said Alhumdulillah for in December:

1. This month started off with a family staycation in Abu Dhabi, visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque for Friday prayers, lazing in the hotel swimming pool, exploring the Abu Dhabi Louvre, and plenty of eating!
2. Master Z experiencing his very first swimming taster lesson, and it was such a proud mummy moment! I am hoping to get him learning properly once the winter chill is over.
3. Spending a morning with some lovely Mamas at Burj Al Arab. (There’s a phrase I don’t say every month!) That place still fills me with awe, even after my third visit.
4. Enjoying the outdoors thanks to the winter breeze, though I did try to wear my Uggs on one occasion and got far too hot. Wishful thinking. *meh*
5. Receiving pictures of snow from my parents and brother back in England. Aaah, how I wish I could make some more snow angels.
6. A much needed pregnancy massage, courtesy of SensAsia Arabia. It was heavenly, and I really should book myself in more often.
7. Celebrating my husband’s birthday with a family meal and hand made cards galore!
8. Nearing the end of my second pregnancy, and reflecting back on the third trimester, including the growing belly and finally deciding on a name. In sha Allah in my next monthly update, we will have grown to a family of four! Eeek!
9. Soaking in all of the time that Master Z and I have before the new baby arrives. I am constantly tearing myself between giving him absolutely all my attention, and at the same time wanting him to become more independent so he can do things by himself. Is there a right balance at all? (I also created a 3D Seashell frame as an ode to our time alone, which you can see here.)
10. Whooping and clapping to Salman Khan’s Tiger Zinda Hai movie, because if you’re Indian, you know that you can’t watch a SK movie without doing so!
11. A delicious first BBQ of the winter season in Mushrif Park.
12. Comfy Belly Bandit “over the bump” BDA leggings which I have been living in for the last half of this month, to give me all the support I need. I am pretty sure I would be falling apart without them.

These are just a few of the many times I uttered the words Alhumdulillah this month. Check out what I was thankful for last month here. Also, here’s a list of what I was thankful for in December last year! What are you thankful for? Feel free to share your moments in the comments section below!