So Brandy tagged me for this game.  I normally don’t do tags, but when I went to my 4th folder and the 4th picture I couldn’t resist posting it……..

The object of picture tag:

1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder, insert it into a post.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same.
5. NO CHEATING (cropping, editing, etc.)

This was my bugga boo’s first look at snow on January 16th, 2008!  Actually I can’t say it was his first snow, but the first one he reacted to.  When it started coming down in big fluffy flakes he was like a moth to a flame at the window!  I grabbed the camera and snapped away.  He was so happy! 

So now I tag whoever is brave enough to check out their fourth picture…….Rose, Patricia, Brick and Andrea…..are you up for the challenge? 

**Thanks Brandy, that was fun!  

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted some pictures so here we go……

I love this one!  Andrew and Pooh in a basket! 

Andrew organizing the sugars at Mugg and Bean in Gabs 

This is a common outfit……t-shirt, diaper, and crocs.  Andrew is obcessed with shoes.  He has to have shoes on his feet at all times!  He can even put them on by himself!

The famous $80 Mega Bloks wagon!  He loves it!!!

I couldn’t resist taking this one…..I love how his arms are just over the armrest!  He looks like he’s 3 instead of almost 2!!!

He was too busy watching The Incredible’s…..

And here I am…..26 weeks today.  Actually according to the doc I am a bit over 26 weeks, but I don’t think this girl is coming any sooner than the tail end of March.  We’ll see I guess.  I also think that just maybe my butt might be pregnant too! ha! 

Our offices close today……..two weeks of rest, baking cookies, and enjoying the holiday!!  I can’t wait!!!

We made it back to Maun yesterday evening! I am ever so glad to be home! Here are a few rambles from our road trip adventures……with a toddler! 

• Some how Christmas music just doesn’t have the same effect when you’re driving thru the Kalahari desert.  It’s hard to listen to “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow” when all you see around you is sand!  While I love Christmas music, I just couldn’t manage to listen to much of it on my i-pod as we drove. 
• Driving with a working AC unit makes travel much more pleasant.  We were blessed to borrow the Mission’s Toyota Corolla for the ride.  We were able to go at a reasonable speed and have AC the whole time!  We were also blessed to have overcasts days which kept the heat down too!  
• We went thru 4 Hoof and Mouth Check points in a matter of about 10 miles.  This required that we get out, let them search our car while we dipped every pair of shoes into a “cleaner” (aka….dirty mat with water on it) and then drove the car through a big puddle of the same “cleaner”.  Thankfully they just let me remove Andrew’s shoes and do it for him. 
• I recieved my first speeding ticket.  Actually I should say this is the first speeding ticket that I’ve not been able to talk my way out of.  Oh well…….it’s not like it goes on my Botswana record.  I’ll pay the total of about $40……I did talk him down on that one though!
• Gotta miss traveling in the US, where everything is kid friendly.  Here in Bots, well there is not one kid friendly thing about traveling here.  No proper shopping carts (with a safety belt), no changing stations, no high chairs or booster seats, no kiddie menus…..no nothing to make it just a bit easier on the parent!  Next time you go to Target and change your child…..think of me!  
• Andrew is not used to traveling anymore.  We hadn’t gone anywhere major with him since we returned on furlough in February.  Car seats and pack and plays were no biggie to him back then……..but they are now.  The car seat isn’t negotiable….he has to sit in it, and he did get used to, but the pack and play was a different story.  He wouldn’t have anything to do with it!  As a result Andrew hardly slept this trip!  For a little person that is very scheduled on naps and bedtime this was hard!  By Monday afternoon he was “Monster Boy”!  By Monday evening I knew we had to return home on Tuesday or else…….he was done! 
• Christmas was in the malls in Gaborone which was sorta nice.  Andrew and I even strolled down the isles of Game (like a Wal-mart) and they were playing Christmas music.  Andrew was in awe of the malls as we let him down to stretch his legs a bit.  Kev and I had to be on our game to make sure he wasn’t touching things, but he actually did very well. 
• We purchased a Mega Bloks wagon for Andrew for Christmas.  He’s got a ton of the Mega Bloks from Amy and so when we saw the wagon we thought it was perfect.  Only catch is…….it was about $80!  Kev and I couldn’t believe that we were actually spending that on a toy that in America you could get for about $20!  We wanted to get him something nice (toys are something to be desired here) and we couldn’t find anything else that we really liked…….so we did it.  We gave it to him on Monday afternoon (remember he was Monster Boy….we needed the destraction) and both agreed it was probably the best spent $80!  He loves it!   
• Andrew had his visit to the pediatrion.  We waited for over an hour but this was probably the only really “kid friendly” place as they did have toys to play with.  Andrew weighs 26lbs and is growing just as he should.  He did however not like the doctor touching his belly and kept pulling his shirt down saying, “hey, no touch!” 
• Pooh bear was Andrew’s trusty friend this weekend.  Pooh had to go everywhere or it was a battle of the wills.  Andrew also has this thing for shoes.  He loves shoes and from the moment he wakes till the time he goes to bed he HAS to have shoes on his feet!  When they come off, he says, “Daddy…..shoes!” 
• And since we’re on Andrew…..he had the biggest meltdown of his existence on Monday evening.  We spent the evening with some friends and he had moments but when we went to leave he screamed and cried the whole way from their house to the place we were staying……about 10 min drive.  He then screamed and cried for about 30 min as we forced him to go to sleep.  He was beyond tired and Kev and I were beyond our witts end!  This is when we decided we were going home on Tuesday morning!   Between the Ipe’s dogs barking and Andrew hogging the bed all three of us hardly slept much those three nights we were there. 

The trip home went well and Andrew did sleep quite a bit!  When we got home he walked in and went strait for his toys and turned on the TV.  He was just as glad to be home as we were.  We were all in bed before ten and slept like rocks.  Something about being in your own bed.  You get excited to go someplace, but then you get excited to come back to your own home……..I think I was more excited about getting back home than going to Gabs!! 

So before we left for Gabs I remember telling Kev, “If HSM 3 is playing…..I SO am going to watch it!”  You see…..I’ll admit, I like those types of movies.  I know I am 30 years old……pathetic I know.  Well low and behold……it was playing!  Kev and I have had to tag team with Andrew so I knew I might only get one movie choice and so I didn’t really want to pick HSM 3.  After all I knew the cheese factor would be high.   I ended up seeing the Nights in Rondathe, the Nick Sparks book/movie.  It was good but the typical Nick Sparks…..someone always dies!  Probably not a good choice for a raging hormones girl right now.  (For the record, I didn’t cry, but it was a very sweet movie)  Kev then swapped and I watched Andrew while he went and watched The day the earth stood still.  I was a bit bummed that my movie wasn’t as good as I thought it would be, but oh well…..I got at least one right. 

Last night after we met Munya for dinner Kev told me to take the keys and go see HSM.  He took over watching Andrew and I went.  I felt a bit bad, but I also felt like, “What will people think…….30 year old pregnant lady watching a teenie bopper movie!”  At that moment I really wish my niece Alexus was close…..she would have been a great buffer!   At any rate, I swallowed my pride and I purchased my ticket…..wondering what the girl behind the counter was thinking.  Turns out there were only two little girls in the theater with me.   As soon as the music started in though the baby went nuts inside of me.  I’ve never felt so much movement and it was all during the songs!  I loved the movie……nothing like a good old cheesy movie to lift your spirits.  While the first is my favorite, this one didn’t disappoint me. 

At my doctors appointment this morning we told Dr. Eaton we would like to know what we were having.  He checked all the nessesary things first and we got the most precious view of the face.  This baby has some cheeks just like Andrew did!  Then we got around to the “bottom” and then he got a phone call!!!!  As I was talking to Andrew (who was very interested in what was happing to mommy!) Kev said he tapped the screen and Kev knew for sure…….that nothing that we were seeing was something! 

He hung up the phone and Kev said, “How sure are you?”  He said, “I am 100% sure……and I never say that unless I am sure!” 

So……..looks like I won’t have to use my niece as a buffer any longer when it comes to taking in some girly flicks. I should have known that only a little girl would get so excited during HSM!  Also, I am glad that the score is even in the Witt house!  I will not be overrun with boys!  Andrew will have a little sister to protect and I love it!  I told Dr. Eaton…..”Good, now we can stop!”  He smiled and said, “No!  Don’t close the door for business just yet!”  We’ll see…….

For now, I am just smiling that we’ll be having a baby girl! 

Being in Gabs always bring on a bit of anxiety for me.  While I love being here, it holds a lot of memories of waiting…..and waiting….and waiting some more for Andrew to make his appearance almost 2 years ago.  We were here for one month, living in this small cottage with some friends of the Mission.  Walking back inside yesterday brought a mixture of feelings that I couldn’t quite describe……just anxiousness I guess.  The kind that makes you loose your appetite and want to run to the nearest toilet!

Last night I couldn’t sleep for the life of me. I am already getting uncomfortable (I swear I feel like I am 35 weeks pregnant, not 25 weeks!) and the beds are less than comfortable.  It was hot in the room and the fan blowing directly on me just made me sneeze.  I finally ended up throwing one of the other mattress’ on the floor in the tiny living room and bunked with Andrew who’s pack and play was close by.  Then I tossed and turned some more as my mind raced about the next year.

• How will I manage two children next year?
• I wonder if the birth will be natural?  I wonder if it will be shorter or longer?  
• What if I don’t make it to Gabs and deliver in Maun? (I didn’t think I would be scared about this one, but really…..being here makes me realize I don’t want to deliver in Maun! ) 
• How will Andrew do when I am in the hospital? 
• What if Serena can’t come with us? 
• If we stay here again how will we all fit?
• Will it be awkward for Serena to see me go into labour?
•  What movie do I want to see tomorrow? 
• How am I going to get through some of these interviews and still make sure that I get some rest too?
• Is there anyway it could be any hotter in here? 
• Why the heck did I eat so much junk food today?
• Do I really want anymore children after this…….pregnancy is not always easy.

Sadly……these were just a few!  After this whole conversation I really felt like I needed to throw up and I felt my heart was racing!  The little one inside me must have felt all my worry and anxiety because they were busting a move inside of me which was only reminding me of all the anxiousness of the next few months!   I went before the Lord and said……”Take it…..I could really use some sleep here.”  That’s the last thing I remember as I drifted off to sleep.  While it wasn’t a comfortable sleep, it was sleep and rest to my body. 

I woke up this morning not feeling refreshed, but more rested.  Also trying not to remind myself that things could be totally different this next time and that I have time to think about that all later.  Till then, enjoy my time here.  But seriously, how can one place bring so much anxiousness?  Is this crazy of me?  What brings these feelings on for you? 

I do know one thing…..I am very anxious to find out  tomorrow “who” is inside of me, helping create all of these feelings!!!! 

Do you ever wish that you could rewind your life to be 6 years old again?  I loved the age of 6!  The only things that were important were having a Cabbage Patch doll and a best friend.  You didn’t have to make life desions…..you trusted your parents to make those for you.  Sometimes I wish I could run to my momma and have her make those decisions for me again.  With age, comes responsibility. 

I’ve had to make some tough decisions lately that affect others.  It’s one thing when it effects only me, but when it effects others……it’s just hard.  Especially living here…….it adds a whole new level. 

This past year we’ve had some difficult times with Nelisha…..Andrew’s caretaker and our domestic worker.  While I don’t want to divulge into the details of it all, it just seemed like she was stuck. It’s also hard when you see potential in someone, but they don’t even see it in themselves.  That’s where I feel this coach training comes in.  So many African’s feel like their fate has been decided so they just settle.  I am always encouraged when I encounter one that says, “No….I’m pushing those cards off the table and pushing through!”  Those are people that I want to get behind and cheer for!  God’s plan and destiny for our lives goes beyond our circumstances……no matter what they are, He’s bigger than any of them! 

That being said, we had to decide to let Nelisha go.  Her desire isn’t to be a cleaner/nanny for the rest of her life, and she’s just settled over the last year.  After much prayer and discussion we knew we had to help push her forward.  I had been working with her the past few months (tough client!) and really trying to help her see the bigger picture.  That decision was hard because so many other factors come into play, but in the end, we just have to trust that God is in control and that He will provide. 

She handled the news very well…..much better than I anticipated.  What broke my heart though was that she said how much she would miss Andrew.  She’s been with him since 10 days old and has loved him like her own. The thought of them not doing their usual routine is really sad, but I also have to trust that the Lord will bring someone into our life that is just as good and caring as she was with him.  So while things are unknown for her, they are also unknown for us in the New Year. 

So……with that.  I am done.  Done with some of those hard decisions for a bit.  Maybe now I can really rest and enjoy the holidays!   

People have been asking me, “So are you going home for Christmas this year?”  Uh…..sadly, I am staying.  I don’t mind staying in Botswana……I just wish that Christmas were a bit more “christmasy” here.  At least my home looks like Christmas and my ranging pregnancy hormones make me hotter than the dickens so I am sure it’s cold enough in my house to feel like Christmas too!  (Agnes is always like…..”It’s too cold in here!!”) 

Today I find myself missing these two beautiful girls.  I started remembering all the fun we had together last year.  I miss you Brick and Kenny……I hope we can all meet in NYC again sometime. Now that’s a place that feels like Christmas.  Wish we could share a Dean and Deluca hot drink or one of those sinful drinks at Serendipity…….

I am taking the day off tomorrow to be with my Bugga Boo.  We’re still fighting the sickies.  I managed to do all my immigration matters so I can finally breath a bit.  On Saturday we leave for Gaborone for Drs appointment, potenial employee interviews, and some much needed down time.  We hope to catch a movie, grab some mug and bean and hopefully see a few friends as well.  Trip will be quick, but we’re looking forward to it.  Andrew will also see the pediatrition (thanks Patricia!) for a good check up….I have no idea how much he even weighs.  He’s long overdue!  

Think warm thoughts and if you are getting snow, enjoy some for me!  

PS….I’ve been craving some major American things lately!  Today I told Kev I would give anything for Subway!   Last night it was Cinnamon rolls! ha! 

Today was one of those days where I wish a grandma were close by!  I know every mother has a horror story about taking their kid out and having a bad day.  Well I didn’t really have one of those till today.   Andrew has been really under the weather for the past few days.  When he goes to scream he’s really horse so I thought maybe it was a bad sore throat.  Usually those things don’t go away on their own so I decided to take him in for a look over.  While I swore I would never use Dr. Carey again, I made the appointment out of convenience just because I didn’t feel like trying a new office out. 

I knew it was going to be rough when I got Andrew all ready and walked out the door to find the truck missing.  Kev forgot and took it back to work with him at lunch.  Now those who have toddlers know that once you get them excited about going outside or for a ride that it’s almost impossible to get them back inside!  I scooted him back inside to wait and thus caused a huge tantrum/meltdown. Then I decided to just meet Kev half way and then Andrew decided he didn’t want to walk……ish!  The ride to town was filled with crying but as we pulled in the parking lot he settled down.  Dr. Carey saw us right as we walked in as we were the only ones in the office.  Upon seeing Dr. Carey (he’s in a wheelchair) he freaked out!  He would hardly let him touch him and started screaming.  Thankfully his screams were muffled due to the sore throat or we would have all had ear damage.  I practially had to lay on top of him  and hold down anything that was moving.  I got slugged and kicked and then the baby inside of me decided he/she wanted to kick back too.  Needless to say, we were finished as quickly as we started and it was determined that he did have a bad sore throat and was in need of some antibiotics, only Dr. Carey didn’t have any in his office so he sent me to Okavango Pharmacy to pick some up. 

This started round two.  I can’t carry Andrew for long periods anymore since he’s getting big and I am carrying another inside of me.  I let him down to explore a bit but little hands kept touching so as I went to pick him up he started in on another tantrum.  I thought Magda would never come and help us and I was tempted to just skip it and fill it in the morning.  Finally she was available, only to tell me that she too was out of antibiotics.  She must have saw the look of desperation on my face as she said, “Wait one minute….”  She came back out and said that she had a higher dosage of one that I could use I just needed to make sure that I halfed the dosage and not give him the full dosage.  I was like, “Great…..I’ll take it! And while you’re back there can you give one of us a sedative?”  She just laughed and was like, “tough weekend eh?”  Uh, just a bit. 

Round three started on the way out of the pharmacy when he didn’t want to get in his carseat.  “Hot! Hot!” he kept saying.  Sure, I know….it’s like 100 degrees outside!  I forced him in, only to start the crying and screaming fest all over again.  I had two more stops to make……bank and grocery.  Needless to say, those did not get done.  We headed home instead!  I told Kev that trip really required both of us!  As we were talking about the doctor visit and how crazy it all was, Andrew chucked one of his toys at me and it hit me in the head….hard!  As if I wasn’t beat up enough by him already! 

So yeah, it was one of those days and now I have my own story to tell!   My little prince is sleeping peacefully now, but not before having a few more meltdowns in the evening.  I know the meds will kick in soon and he’ll start to feel more normal.  Till then, I am thankful that his screams are muffled a bit. 

Goodnight…..

Friday was a hard day!  I had my midwife appointment at 9am and was scolded for overdoing it.  I knew in my heart she was right….I had been pushing myself way too hard.  Sometimes it’s hard to think of yourself first when there is so much other stuff going on.  I have to remind myself that there is a person inside of me that also needs me to slow down a bit.  I was also told that I was measuring about 2 weeks ahead of schedule.  I am 24 weeks now, but was measuring just shy over 26….yikes!  I go on the 15th for an appointment in Gabs.  We’ll get a scan to check a few things and hopefully see the gender of the baby.  I’ve got some names rolling around in my mind…..I am hoping to finally be able to call “the baby” by a he or a she soon enough! 

When I got back to the office I was met with a rush of people that needed me.  The most important included Nelisha who held in her arms a very unhappy Andrew.  I knew right away something was not right because my normally happy tot was obviously not doing so well.  He was crying and practically falling asleep while he was crying.  I took him to sooth him a bit, with the intent to hand him back over to Nelisha and at least try to put out a few fires in HR before I came back home.  I realized quickly that Andrew needed me and Kev said, “Go home…..he needs you.”  People around me could tell that Andrew was sick and so most said their issues could wait.  One intervew potential though was not very happy with the idea that I was leaving as she had waited over an hour to see me.  I explained that someone else would be with her shortly and she started yelling at me (very un-African like by the way).  I’ll admit, my American attitude surfaced and I said, “Can you see my child is sick……he comes first.  Someone will handle your request shortly, and besides, we’ve already filled the vacancy that you are applying for.”  I then turned and walked away, only to see Nelisha cringing.  Yes, it was probably rude, though she agreed later that it was appropriete considering how the lady was speaking to me.  

I had the hardest time getting Andrew settled down. It was as though is body ached so badly that he couldn’t get comfortable.  He was burning up and so I stripped all his clothes off and just let him lay how he was comfortable.  He didn’t want to lay in his bed, but was perfectly content to lay down next to me so that’s what we did.  We went to my bed and both of us snoozed.  I guess in many ways I needed to slow down to so it was good that we both slept a bit.  I realized that Andrew had several mozquito bites on his legs last week and was concerned that maybe it could be malaria.  I decided to take him to the loacal pharmasist and see if maybe she could do a test on him.  When we got there she said that his fever wasn’t high enough to register a true reading (the higher the fever the better concerning a malaria test) so she gave me the test and a treatment just in case it peaked in the middle of the night we could do it.  We came back to the house and I gave him another dose of Tylenol and we hit the sack again.  When Kev came home he took over and I think I fell into bed at around 9pm on a Friday night!  Crazy! 

As I was heading that way (Andrew was still up with Kev) I turned and said, “Nighty Night Bugga….momma loves you!”  He turned and smiled really big and blew me a big ole kiss.  I did a double take (as did Kev) as he’s never done that before.  My heart melted.  That was just what I needed after that long hard day……it was like a little thank you!  

*** I discovered I think Andrew has a sore throat.  He’s still not feeling well but the fever is gone. I think I will take him into the clinic tomorow and get him started on some meds as he sounds horrible.  Poor baby.

So as promised here are a few pics that I shot of our Thanksgiving dinner last Saturday.

Here are my first birds!  Not too bad eh?  As you can see, they are small, but I did so well the the meat fell off the bones.  It sure was yummy.  I am thinking I need to get another one for the holiday break.

Andrew wasn’t quite into Turkey last year, but he tore it up this year!  Here he is “sharing” (or forcing) with Mmpula! 

He was so into his turkey he wouldn’t even pose…..Mmpula did though! 

See……still no luck.  It’s all about the turkey!   I think Andrew is an official lefty by the way!

 Semekelang and Monty….enjoying their meal! 

Just in case you wonder what our thanksgiving table looks like!   As you can see there is no shortage of food and this is just one table.  There was more inside and 5 pies to make dessert! 

So…..that was our Thanksgiving.  No parade and football but we sure did have a nice time!