Jaden's 3 Month Birthday

"Kwaheri" (goodbye) to my 0-3 month clothes. Mama packed them up this week and put them away as I'm now too big to fit in them anymore.

I'm making lots of cute facial expressions these days. Mama sings to me and makes funny sounds to try and make me smile...so I give her a smile every now and then to appease her. It works as she gets so happy when I give her a big smile!


This is my serious look when I want Mama to sing to me more before I give her a smile.

Yes, Mama is still making me do my neck exercises. They are working as I'm getting a lot stronger.

A close up of my fuzzy black hair. I'm still working on growing some more; however, Gogo (that is my Grandma in the U.S.) says that I'm doing much better than Mama did at this age. Mama was bald until she was about 2 years old!

Look at my chunky thighs!

Relaxing in my warm sleeper in the morning.

I tried staying awake to watch the evening news with Baba, but I just couldn't keep my eyes open.

Mama was so proud of Baba for putting me to sleep so peacefully.

This was my favorite visitor of the week. She is another Gogo of mine (I have so many) from a village about 2 hours away. She arrived riding on the back of a motorcycle! I was so impressed she could still sit on a motorcycle at 80 years of age. She came specifically to greet me. As she was holding me and speaking Kalenjin, she gave me KSh 30 (40 cents) so Mama could buy me soap. I saw tears in Mama eyes when she gave her the money. I think she was so moved by Gogo's generosity. I was too and I hope to be as generous as her one day when I get bigger.

Stylin' in my first pair of jeans.

Hanging Out with Jaden

My big brother, Solomon, still comes to play with me every afternoon when he gets home from school. He always asks Mama when he'll be able to take me to school.

Here he is, making me look "smart" (handsome) by brushing my fuzzy black hair.

I was getting a little upset here, but Chelagat did a good job comforting me by patting me on my stomach.

Hanging out with Baba as he watches the evening news.

Yes, I still love to sleep with my giraffe. He always serenades me with the song, "Jesus Loves Me," as I go to sleep.

Okay, you'll have to ask Baba what he's doing here. There was one morning this week when Baba didn't want Mama to put clothes on me. He wanted me to be "free" for awhile. Well, they ended up waiting a little too long as I peed on their sheets! Oops! But, look at me here, I'm standing up with my strong, chubby legs. Speaking of chubby, Mama took me to the clinic again this week and I weighed in at 14 pounds (still off the charts). Auntie Michelle also gave me another shot, but it wasn't as bad as last time (by the way, I still love my Auntie Michelle even though she pokes me with needles).

Another naked shot...what were my parents thinking? Oh, and guess what I am holding in my hand...

...you guessed it...Chapstick! Mama laughs so hard when she sees this picture. She says she took it in honor of my Agwi (grandpa) in U.S. who should own stock in Chapstick! She says I'll understand when I meet him.

Well, that was my week...see ya next week!

A Few Weeks of Firsts

Jaden's first look in the mirror. He really smiles when he sees himself.

Playing with his first Pooh bear...a must for every child.

I thought this was going to be his first "roll over," but he tricked me.

Jaden found sucking on his arm was pretty tasty.

Hanging out with Baba on a hot afternoon in Kipkaren.

Showing off his "six pack!"

Big brother, Rhema, proudly carrying Jaden for the first time in the carrier. He did such a good job that Jaden fell fast asleep!

Peter and Wendy Twycross (the newlyweds) came for a visit to celebrate their marriage with all of us in Kipkaren.

Jaden's first wedding reception. He slept through most of it!

Big bro, Solomon, helps Mama carry the diaper bag around.

Meeting new friends at the wedding reception. This is Christine, the wife of Hudson (ELI's accountant).

A surprise visitor, Lydia (daughter of Yakobo, director of ELI Tanzania). She used to stay with David's family in 1997. She was so excited to meet the newest member of the Tarus family.

Solomon decided to wear his suit to church. I just had to take a picture as he looks so handsome.

Jaden is "a mover and a shaker" these days. When I left the room to take Solomon's picture, Jaden was laying on the changing pad. This is where he had moved to when I returned. I quickly realized I must be more careful these days as he doesn't just lay still anymore! Yikes!

Our adorable Jaden just keeps getting more adorable!

Hi Mama! See, I'm getting stronger!

Yeah, aren't you so proud of me?!!!

Jaden's first wound. It is from his first immunization (for TB, tuberculosis) when he was 2 weeks old. It will end up leaving a scar, which is normal. Everyone here has the same scar on their left arm, which proves they have been immunized for TB.

His first bandaid!

Mama's favorite onesie that says, "daddy is my hero!" I am excited that Jaden will grow to learn that he has an incredible Baba to be his hero.


Jaden's many facial expressions...so cute.

Baba came home the other day with Jaden's first official document, his Kenyan birth certificate. Of course, Mama had to take a picture right away! We're excited because this is the document we needed to start the paperwork for his passport. We'll be making a trip to the U.S. embassy in Nairobi in the next few months to begin the process.

THE BIG 2 (that is, 2 months)!

We can't believe our handsome Jaden is already 2 months old!

Jaden's serious face.

A closer look.

Look at me, Mama, I'm lifting my head. Quick, take a picture.

Oops, face plant! I can only hold my head up for so long, Mama.

These days, Jaden likes to be held facing out so he can see all that's happening.

Burping position. Baba says Jaden burps like his Mama (that is, a lot and loud)!

Hanging out with Baba before he leaves for work. Mornings are Jaden's favorite (and when he is happiest). He gives us lots of smiles in the mornings. He must take after his Baba because Mama sure isn't a morning person.

Jaden discovered his musical giraffe this week.

After leaving him to cry a few minutes, he somehow grabbed his giraffe and brought it close for comfort.

Yeah, my brother Rhema is home from school to play with me!

Jaden is finding that sucking on his fist is quite tasty.

Here's our Jaden winding up for exercising his lungs. Isn't he still so cute though?

With that sly smile and handsome face, we think he's going to be a heartbreaker.

We continue to thank God for our son and for all of our children. We pray that they will follow Him their whole life long.