Fun Times

This was the graduation for my brother, Solomon. He graduated from kindergarten and will now be going to 1st grade starting in January. He received an award for "most improved." We were all very proud of him.

My auntie came to visit me with some of her friends. They brought me some clothes and wanted me to wear them right away. Here they are putting the clothes on me...help, Mama!

They also brought Mama and Baba some gifts. We enjoyed our time together and appreciated their generosity. I'm sure learning a lot about generosity at a young age.

Here I am with Mama last week at Baba's official grand opening of their milk cooling plant called Onesimus.

Several companies were there to promote their products. Here I am trying to drink yogurt with Baba. It was a fabulous day. There were so many people there and everyone wanted to hold me; however, I didn't want anyone but Mama or Baba to hold me.

Look At Me...I Can Sit Up

Yes, I am very proud of myself these days as I have almost mastered the art of sitting up. Unfortunately, Mama discovered this the hard way and I experienced my first fall. Yep, all the way from Baba's chair I did a front flip and landed on my back on our cement floor. I don't know who was more traumatized, me or Mama. We both cried, but thankfully I incurred no injuries and I was back to my joyful self after a few minutes.

After my fall, Mama doesn't leave me sitting up alone anymore. Here I am playing with Solomon on the floor.

Notice the pillows surrounding me? Well, that's because I'm still a little bit wobbly when sitting up, but I'm getting stronger.

I love this new trick of sitting up! What a nice view I have of everything!

I Love Mangos!

Baba introduced me to mangos and boy, are they tasty! I can't get enough of them.

Here's a closer look at me after eating mangos...good thing it was time for my evening bath.

Hey everyone, I have feet!

I like the view from up here on my brother's (Rhema) shoulders.

Look, I have two feet...and I love playing with them.

Hanging out at our friends home, Peter and Wendy, in Nairobi. Here I was watching "football" (soccer to some of you) with my Baba.

Drinking chai with Baba.

I think I'm so happy here because I just got my U.S. passport. Now I can travel to visit all of my family and friends in the U.S.

Our last day with Auntie Juli before she flew to the U.S. I am so sad, I won't see her for 2 1/2 months. I love you, Auntie Juli!

My new hang out spot in the basin, chewing on my teething book.

The Blessing of Visitors

This week a group of Mama's friends, who she trained in Reproductive Health, came to visit me. There were about 15 very jovial ladies who arrived at our home on Friday afternoon with shouts of joy and exuberant singing. I wasn't sure what to do at first--cry or smile. One of the mamas took me right away and began dancing with me. I kept my serious face for awhile and made sure Mama wasn't too far away. Then the mamas presented gifts to me--a big, soft, fuzzy blanket and a cute outfit. They wrapped the blanket around me and began passing me around the circle. While I appreciated their enthusiasm and excitement over meeting me for the first time, I had reached my limit of being passed around and began my very loud cry; at which time, they began passing me quicker around the circle until they finally returned me to the safe arms of my Mama. Wow...those were some excited ladies! They shared a word from Psalm 139, prayed a blessing over me and our entire family, and gave us sugar, flour, tea leaves and soap. Mama was so moved by their visit.

More squash!

Afternoon story time with my best buddies, Solomon and Chelagat.

Check out this new seat that my Baba created for me. Mama actually uses it to do the laundry, but it also works great as a seat.

Now Weighing in at 8kg (17lbs 6oz)!

The following pictures are from my 22nd week of life (Mama's still a bit behind, but she's trying hard to catch up).

One of my favorite daily activities--sitting and singing with my Gogo.

I eagerly wait everyday for Gogo's arrival. She always sings me the same song in Kalenjin and I am usually all smiles. Today I just didn't feel like smiling for the camera.

Baba and I were having a photo shoot.

Mama took me to the clinic this week for my monthly weight check. As you can see by the rolls in my thighs, I'm still off the top of the charts...now weighing 8kg (17lbs 6oz).

Finally, the day I had been waiting for arrived this week...Mama gave me my first taste of something besides breastmilk. What was on the menu today? Nothing other than butternut squash from our shamba (farm)! Though my face does not show it, it was delicious. Thanks, Mama! And thanks to Baba for planting the squash.

Oh, I just love my squash!

Yummy!

My big brother, Solomon, loves to hold me and entertain me. He sings lots of songs to me.

Mama says that I probably weigh almost as much as Solomon!

Sporting my new hat from Gogo and Agui. I can count on them to keep me in style.

Sunday afternoon on the veranda with Baba and Solomon, drinking chai and watching the cows graze.

I can now grab my fishy all by myself and make it play music. Watch out, I've got a strong grip.

R&R in the Rainforest

Still trying to wake up.

We went for some rest and relaxation at our favorite guest house in the Kakamega Rainforest.

Look at this cool chair. I fit perfectly in it!

Smelling the nice flowers.

Hanging out on the veranda with Baba, waiting for our afternoon chai and cake.

Hi!!! I wasn't really waving (I don't know how to do that yet), but it looks like it, doesn't it?

Mama, these close up shots show all my drool nowadays.

Relaxing with my Baba.

I can now grab things and when I do, it inevitably goes in my mouth.

My niece, Chelagat, loves to play with me.

Bath time!

20 Weeks Old!

Here's my great smile these days!

Oh so handsome, Mama says. We were attending a friend's wedding on this day.

Tuckered out after a nice evening walk with my Auntie Juli.

I love to be outside. Here I am on our veranda with my big "sister," Ruth.

See how I can scoot myself out of the chair.

Drooling has become a normal occurrence for me.

Visiting Baba at his work, Onesimus, the milk cooling plant.

Attending my first HIV/AIDS Campaign. This is my good friend, Phoebe.

Snoozing in the car after a long day at the campaign.