Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Water Works 3
Drew welcomed four guys to help in the task of installing family Arsenic/Bacteria filters in the village. They also were able to test the effects of these filters. They found that after running the water through the filters the Arsenic level went from around 70 to 15. The acceptable level for Arsenic in water is around 20 in the US and they were very pleased to minimize the risks of the danger here. They also experienced rain in two heavy thunderstorms while working and were able to see the refreshing of water to this dry land. They were able to see the advantages right away and installed 5 tanks into homes. After playing with the children, meeting families, trying fried goat, and seeing the beauty of this desert we visit, many of the guys want to return as soon as they get more vacation time. This is a blessing to us,to have others invest in the work and to take ownership of these peoples.
Birthday Day
February 20, 2009
Big 27. I was able to spend my birthday at home and welcome Rosemary just in time for lunch. She flew up to be a part of the medical clinic that will be arriving in a few days. Drew made me a cake and promised to take me to dinner once we are back in the city. All in all we had a great day and awaited the guys from the states to arrive soon.
Quilt Therapy
February 6, 2009
This is my outlet. Today is my mother, Sara, and Drew’s dad, Billy’s Birthday. Happy Birthday. I have started a new project that I hope to finish very soon. I figured I could get a couple more quilts in before the baby is born. I do have trouble getting down on the floor and I was definitely sore in my back and legs the next day from all my hard work. While I have been busy with all this fun. Drew has been trying to kill the huge mouse that has taken up residence in our home. He actually killed it the other morning at 4:00 a.m. in the morning. Our house worker killed another one two days later. Both about 8 inches long head to tail. YUCK!!!!! And we found a bullfrog in our shower the other day just hanging out. So fun to be surprised in the middle of your shower to look down and see a 1/2 pound bullfrog staring at you.
Growing Pamoja
February 3, 2009
Growing together. Last night we had our friends Gabrielle and Talaso over for dinner. They are recently married and are expecting also. She is about 15 days behind me and just as excited. They think that their baby is a girl and she is kicking just as much as Noah is. They were sharing some of the traditions that occur when a baby is born in their tribe. They have women that come and sing, they keep tobacco in a cow horn and they give it to guests as they come by the house to give blessings. They also kill a ram if it is a girl and add a male goat if it is a boy. They cook and share with their friends. After one month they shave the babies head all except for the front tip of the head. That they leave like a little puff ball. Talaso and I have been sharing tips and I read to her from my What to Expect Book. She is amazed at some of the growth patterns. Like the fact that our babies’ skin is translucent. And that they can start to recognize the father’s voice. They thought it was so funny that Drew reads to Noah every night.
Baby Talk
February 1, 2009
The ladies from the market came over to visit and gave me some advice on having a baby. I only have four more months and I am growing for sure. Gabriella and her four month old Elizabeth were so fun to get to know. She is such a good baby and was already babbling away. They dogs did not like however when she started to cry. It makes me wonder what they will think of Noah. We also talked about quilts and sewing. I was trying to convince these ladies that already sew wonderful that they could make and sell quilts to tourists and others in the market.
Kentank
January 22, 2009
We finally got our truckload of Kentanks. These were bought in the city and traveled the long road to help with clean water. These will mirror the bigger tank designed by our teammate, but these can fit in a home and take out bacteria in the water (making it a sand filter) and taking our arsenic (by putting rusty nails in the top, which allows the arsenic to bind to the rust rather that stay in the water). King of course thinks he needs to follow Drew around and help with the construction of the pipe fittings.
Sudsy Sunday
January 18, 2009
Our boys have had two months to wallow in the dirt and they certainly looked like it when we arrive home. King loves baths but Mkulu is not so crazy about being wet. He does love being brushed and loved on. Then they of course love treats after the baths. We appreciate the way they take care of the yard so we of course try our best to give them all kinds of attention. We do have to keep King from jumping on me and he likes to lean on my stomach. He does not realize how strong he is.
20 weeks
January 14, 2009
We were in high spirits today as we woke up and headed to the hospital for another ultrasound. While we were in the states cysts were found in Noah’s brain. These are sometimes present when growing but are not always bad. They are suppose to go away by the third trimester. It worried us for about a day and then we left it up to our Father. Well today they could find not sign of the these cysts. They could also see the four chambers of the heart clearly and were impressed with him being so active. Noah is close to a pound and had a heart beat of 158. At Dr. C’s office she was trying to get a heart rate again and Noah was kicking at the probe. We could not get him to be still. It has been fun feeling him move around but he especially likes when Drew reads to him at night.
Tea Country
January 9, 2009
Spending lunch with some friends in the Tea country of Kenya was just what we needed. They road to get there was however very bumpy and long. But well worth the trip. Sean and Tesni have a adorable cottage and beautiful gardens to dine by. They are they sweetest couple from Africa and are so welcoming. We have finally acclimated back to this place and are preparing to return home soon. We miss our dogs terribly and have finally gotten over the jet lag.
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