Ah, the saga continues…….

Last night while Andrew was eating his Nando’s (yes, he’s a fan!) he flung ketchup all over me. It’s like I am always in the line of fire these days.  Oh wait……aren’t mommies always in the line of fire?  

This afternoon he didn’t want to nap again.  My eyes were getting heavy…..I guess I needed to nap, but after yesterday I didn’t really trust the fact that he wouldn’t do something else.  I peeked in often, each time….he was wide awake and in his bed playing with his trucks or books.  After like the 5th peek, he was out of the bed and I am sure looking for some type of “entertainment”.  I asked if I could lay down with him…..thinking at least if he falls asleep ten I can sleep too right? 

Wrong!

I laid down and he “rested” with me for about 20 minutes before getting up abruptly and dragging his red chair over to the side of the bed and grabbing a few books.  This is something Kevin does when he reads to Andrew so he was just grabbing some books to “read” to me like daddy does to him.  I thought it was too cute.  He even opened the books and “read” and pointed to some of the pictures like we do. 

I swear sometimes he’s too smart for just being two! 

After my book reading I figured it was best to just keep him awake and not force it.  So we came out and got juice and cookies instead.  Now he’s playing “trucks” very loudly and we’re watching Madagascar 2. His sister is bouncing up and down inside of me. 

Hoping to get out with the girls tonight and have dinner…….without a toddler flinging condiments all over me.

Yes, I have a toddler and his name is Andrew.

I’ve learned a few things about parenting toddlers……especially this week! 

1.  If there is a cup with liquid in it, it will get knocked over. Particularly if it’s a sticky drink or full glass.  Andrew decided to do a flying leap on me the other night after I poured myself a nice cold glass of Sprite.  It went everywhere…..namely on me and all over the couch.

His response……”Uh-oh…..ooopie!” 

2.  Head wounds bleed a lot!  Yesterday evening we experienced our first “big owie”.  Andrew was bouncing on the freshly cleaned and fluffy couch cushions (from the Sprite incident the night before) and lost his footing and fell backwards……into the corner of our glass coffee table.  Yes folks……we’ve avoided this type of mishap for a year now with this coffee table….it was bound to happen.  Fortunately it was just a small wound that thankfully didn’t need a stitch or anything.  It did bleed a lot but that was about it.  He’s got more of a goose egg on the back of his head then anything.  (For the record…..daddy was “watching” him. ) 

His response…….”Owie….hurt!” 

3.  Never trust a quiet toddler.  I’ve cleaned up two coloring “masterpieces” in the last 24 hours.  I thought we were making progress with only coloring in the coloring books.  I even bragged that he knew the difference!  Ha!  One masterpiece was on the hardwood floor and the other was all over his room!  I guess he was doing a welcoming picture for his sister…….

There is even more “work of art” on the other side of the crib! 

He even managed to get the washer and dryer!

And the wall……..I sorta see a heart, do you? I really need someone to send me some Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.

This one I was “watching” him.  He should have been napping during this time.  I knew he was up but he was being quiet and good when I went to check on him…..reading books and playing with a puzzle.  I drifted off into a light sleep on the couch….not even 15 min.  When I woke up I went to check on him and he said……

“Colors mommy……..colors!  Come!” 
Remember this face……..

I couldn’t keep a strait face!  Doh!  Just one more lesson I’ve learned this week.  We did have a “talk” about coloring on the walls and on furniture. 

His response……”No, no…….no colors.” and pointed to the wall. 

Yes, I have a toddler and his name is Andrew…….

And I wouldn’t trade him for all the gold and silver in the world!!!! 

So I think Angie hit the nail on the head when she commented that my being quiet was just reserving my strength energy for something big.  In so many ways, she’s right.  I’ve found myself needing to retreat to quiet places.  With having a two year old, this is often hard.  Right now, Andrew seems very loud…..all the time and I find it frazzles me. Last night was one of those nights where he frazzled every nerve in my body.  I found myself getting short fused with him and even had to walk away and count to ten……a few times.   Kev went to have dessert at the Lackey’s and I wasn’t feeling up for being social so I stayed back with Andrew to put him to bed.  (No nap=fussy kid!) 

He’s been all about books lately and will actually let you read books to him without taking them away.  Of course not just one book will do……the more the better. Last night he just wanted me to read to him in bed.  After finishing a book he would climb out and grab another…..”Book?”.  “One more okay?”, I would say and he would smile and snuggle back in with Pooh and wiggle his feet (he gets that from me!) as I read.  I realized it was pure contentment on his face…….and, it was quiet!  Before I knew it we had read four books and I was enjoying it just as much as he was.  I stroked his face and watched his eyes get heavy and realized that in a few short weeks my time with just one child would come to an end.  There in the quiet dim of his room my heart was at peace……frazzled nerves gone! 

“Night night buddy….” 
“Nigh nigh”
**melt my heart** 

I’m here……

I haven’t updated in awhile because I really haven’t had much to say. I am hanging in there in terms of the home stretch of pregnancy and so as a result, I get quiet.

But I am here and doing well!  

I’ll try to update more later………

So tomorrow marks 35 weeks for me in pregnancy.  My body is already gearing up for baby girls arrival as each day I feel more and more Braxton Hicks Contractions and they get more and more intense.  I forgot that this stage is my least favorite of them all.  It means that usually I don’t sleep at all and you’re always in a state of, “Is this it?”  It’s also hard to imagine that my belly is going to get bigger…..I am always amazed at how our bodies as women can accommodate life in our womb.  The other day I could help but just stare at it.  It’s the only time in my life where I have a smooth belly and as Kev says, “rock hard abs”.   I remember after having Andrew and coming home from the hospital and feeling my stomach.  It felt like a flat tire…….uh!  What a change! 

Today Kev and I went for an ultra sound as there had been much debate about my actually due date and where I am measuring…..I am 34 weeks but my midwife has me at like 38!!  Because of all the contractions I was a little unsettled and wondering if she was trying to tell me she was coming early.  Also Kev’s getting ready to take our interns to Namibia for the weekend and I was a little worried about that too with him being gone.  So we called our doctor friend Dr. Malumba and asked if he could help organize a scan for us.  We decided to go ahead and try the new Maun Gen as it was going to be a lot cheaper than a private clinic and they have decent machines, unlike many of the other clinics in town.  Thankfully he was able to walk us through the process and it was a light day at the hospital.  I have a whole new respect for the people as they really do often times wait the whole day to get seen by a doctor.  You line up for everything…….register first, pay second, scan approval third, and then finally the actual scan!  That’s 4 lines that you have no idea how long they are going to be.  Thankfully we made it in an out in about 2 hours……..quick by all African standards. 

All checked out great with the scan and baby girl is doing just fine.  She’s measuring right along target at just a bit over 35 weeks and is just under 6lbs.  She’s in perfect position so if she stays that way I have a great shot at another natural birth and all her organs and heartrate are perfect.  I didn’t get to see her face, but I did get to see a lot of her body and movements so that’s always very re-assuring.  In Government they NEVER tell the gender but when I started calling her “her” he was like, “Oh so you already know she’s a girl?”  I was like, “Yeah, our doctor in Gabs confirmed.”  He was like, “Well……yup, he’s right…..it’s a girl you can see right there!”  I was shocked he said it, but also glad that his view was the same as my doc in Gabs!    So…..everything checked out fine and I actually feel a lot more at peace about everything.  I guess the contractions are just gearing me up for the big event, but if all goes well she’ll hang in there till we get to Gabs the middle of next month.  If she comes here I have a lot of support and help so I am at peace with that too. 

Everyday the Lord teaches me about trust……….I think that’s a lesson that I will have to learn over and over again!

Sorry for the hiatus…..our internet seems to be a constant battle these days.  Because I am not always at the office I depend a lot on it being up at the houses, which often times it’s not.  Then after some staff issues on Monday the internet was blocked for everyone…….I was finally “white listed” today so am back up and running!   (Seriously….do people really have to Facebook while they are at work?  I just don’t understand!) 

At any rate, I wanted to post a few pictures and give a quick update. 

Here is Andrew doing his new favorite thing….coloring.  He really does prefer markers, but I most of the time make him use crayons.  This occupies him for about an hour in the mornings which is really nice.

We’re working at sticking to coloring books only……..

(I actually love that he colored on my calendar.) 

On Friday night Serena blessed us with a night at a nearby lodge.  She watched Andrew and we headed about 15 minutes outside of Maun to a place called Tree Lodge.  It was beautiful and our drive in we saw giraffe, zebra, and ostrich  !  When we arrived we were taken to a chalet that was absolutely beautiful!

Our BIG bed!  It even had air conditioning!!!

The chalet was huge!  It had a corner soaking tub, outside sitting area, and an outside bush shower.  I enjoyed every bit of it…..tub and shower!  I think I imagine my master bedroom being something like this one day!  Kev and I have been very blessed to say at many nice places like this in our time in Botswana.  We had a nice private dinner and then slept in till 9am the next morning.  Then we had a private breakfast and just lounged around the lodge till about 3pm when we forced ourselves to go home.  It was perfect and Andrew did so well with Serena.  In fact, I often wonder if he even realized we left!  

I also celebrated my 31st Birthday on Sunday.  It didn’t feel like my birthday because I really didn’t feel so great.  I was up most of the night before having off and on contractions.  I wondered if baby girl was going to come for my birthday present!  Thankfully she stuck in there (it’s a bit too early for her to come yet) and I ended up sleeping the whole morning on Sunday.  Camilla our intern made me a great carrot cake and then they made pizzas.  I sat and just watched……it was great! 

So lastly, here is me at 34 weeks……

Yup…..it’s 1am and I sit here in my rocker with some major heartburn!  When my friend Amy came in October she brought a massive size bottle of TUMS for me.  I remember thinking, “Wow, that will last me!”  Now I am thinking, “Wow, I hope that lasts till the end of March!”  I’ve also had to re-up my supplies of Pepcid pills which I take on a daily basis now.  Heartburn is no fun.  The good news is that I never battle it outside of pregnancy so it’s temporary. 

I’m entering into the homestretch of pregnancy now and all the fun things are happening.  On Sunday evening I had contractions for 4 hours and wondered if baby girl was going to come early.  I am only 34 weeks so really she should stay in a bit longer.  My midwife saw me the next morning and confirmed that she had indeed turned into the head down position, so I am not sure if that’s what all the ruckus was or not, but it’s amazing how much relief I feel physically now that she’s in proper position.  She could still turn back, but I am praying she stays where she is at, even if her feet are in my ribs for a few more weeks.  My midwife also is measuring me at about 3 weeks ahead and is giving me stern warnings to up my plans for departure to Gabs.  At the moment, we are taking it week by week.  The Lord has given me tremendous peace about delivering here if need be.  Sure it’s not ideal, but if she comes a few weeks early then she comes.  After Sunday’s little episode I do now have a hospital bag partially packed and a few more things ready in the event that she comes.  We’re just not ready to go to Gabs and wait yet.  It’s expensive and can be awfully lonely and depressing just waiting day in and day out.  In many ways I think baby girl is going to just hold out those full 40 weeks.  If that’s the case…..I have time.  

Our non Valentine’s plans turned into actually having Valentine’s Plans this weekend.  Serena blessed us with a night at a local lodge!  We’ll head out tomorrow afternoon and she’ll watch Andrew overnight and most of the day Saturday.  Then our church is having a couples banquet so we’ll go to that as well. Two nights of just Kev and I……I hardly know what to do with myself.  We’re very excited to get an overnight away before the new baby comes.  Now, I just need to pray for good sleep and the ability so sleep in on Saturday morning!!!! 

As for Andrew, well I swear he has grown the past two weeks.  He absolutely loves Serena and I am already wondering how I can just hold her hostage till say he’s maybe 4 years old?    He loves to color and goes to his little craft box and points, “Colors”  I think every coloring book has some scribbles over it.  Even my planning calendar has evidence of Andrew’s artwork……..I love it!  He’s learning more and more words and gets so excited when he asks for something and we respond!  He does better about going to sleep and taking naps and listens when we tell him to pick up his toys.  What is funny is that we have the “spanking spoon” and he knows that if we have to ask more than twice he’ll get the spoon.  Now when we ask him, “Pick up your toys…..” or any other instruction he looks at us and says, “Spoonge?”  All we have to do is pick up the spoon and he kicks it into gear!  I guess he just needs a bit of extra motivation. ha!  He’s growing too fast, but I love that he’s really starting to obey us now and understand.  Sure does make things a bit easier. 

Well I think my pepcid has kicked in and it’s time to hit the sack……..

I am feeling much better but sent my boys off to church this morning.  This means that I have the house totally to myself for the next two hours.  I should go back and lay down, but I can’t help but enjoy the quietness…..something that doesn’t happen very often in the Witt house.  I’ve often told Kev I have no idea how the heck this new baby is going to get any sleep with Andrew around.  FYI….toddlers are loud and I swear that Andrew is the loudest of them all!  If he has a chance to bang something he will bang it with GUSTO!  Who needs noisy toys…….every toy is noisy when Andrew picks it up.  Remember that $80 wagon that Kev and I thought was the best investment ever?  Well I think that wagon is going to mean re-varnishing our floors as Andrew runs that thing all over the place.  The wagon just might have to go into “hiding” once little sis gets here.  (I am sure I am not the only parent who “hides” toys…… J)  Speaking of toys….I am going to plug my friends site Dads Wooden Toys. I love simple toys and I find that Andrew does too.  My friend Nancy’s husband Josh cuts out these adorable wooden toy animals and people.  They are simple, sweet, and priced right!  Great for little hands and Andrew approved!  (He likes to line them up and then count them. J)  So go check it out! (We have the African Animals!  Thanks Nancy and Josh!!) 

 

See the simple “toys” are always the best!

 

So back to the quietness…..a rarity in the Witt house.   I did however get to sleep for a full 4 hours yesterday while Serena took Andrew for me.  After two nights of crappy sleep and not feeling well I needed some help.   I don’t ask for it often, but I had to yesterday.  Being pregnant and not feeling well really isn’t a good mix.  Yesterday was so busy though I really needed to be available but just wasn’t able to.  Thankfully with Serena and Kev’s help I was able to just lay low for a bit and rest.  I am gearing up for a very busy week this week so I needed to just rest.  While I was in sleep city quite a few things happened…….

 

Kev and one of our workers Petros found this guy……

 

Now to give you an idea of how big this guy was, Petros held it up. 

 

As you can see Petros is a tall guy….every bit of 6’2.  This cobra had to be pushing 8ft long…..probably the longest snake we’ve seen since being here.  Kev took a wack or two at it, but Pet gave the killing blow!  (I’ve seen him kill a few snakes this season……he just walks up and chops the head.  I think he’s the only African that I know of that doesn’t run the other way!) 

 

Then these two arrived while I was sleeping……..

Sarah was with us a Summer Staff in 2006.  She and her boyfriend Andrew are on a scouting trip for the month of February.  It’s good to have her back and I feel like I’ve just always known Andrew.  They are going to be a great addition to our team for the next month.  They brought the most adorable baby girl clothes and two bags of Peet’s coffee…..whooh! 

 

Speaking of baby girl……I am really excited to meet her in a few weeks.  This pregnancy has not been easy.  I am grateful that I have had an uneventful pregnancy, but physically it feels like I have been pregnant for so long!  I am just ready to have my body back and hopefully my energy levels back.  I know I will suffer from sleep deprivation, but at least I will be able to play on the floor again and sleep whichever way in comfortable.  Yesterday I got a bit anxious as I thought of this all and was just ready to have her right away! I know the newborn stage brings a whole new set of challenges, but I am ready.  I think anyway…..

 

Okay, I think I might lay down for a bit and enjoy the quietness……..

I think many of you remember me posting about a contest that I applied for to get some baking goodies for the holiday’s.  Well I didn’t win the contest but I still “won”.

I checked my box on Thursday to find a big box of goodies with this note inside…….

The ladies in my church back home decided to put together a box of goodies for me for Christmas!  While Christmas has come and gone I still felt every ounce of love in that box.  It’s been a rough week and this box was pretty timely. 

Let’s just say I have enough baking supplies for a few Christmas cookie baking sessions!   Note to the left of the photo there is a bottle of Gingerbread Latte Syrup from Starbucks!  Yes folks, now I can make my own Gingerbread lattes…….I about burst into tears!

So thank you my dear sisters of New Covenant Fellowship……you really did make my day!

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On a side note, our internet has been down at the houses for most of the week.  It’s back up and running now.  It’s been a long week and on top of that I seem to have caught a little flu bug and got sick on Friday night.  I feel on the mend, but really hate being pregnant and sick.  I am 33 weeks along but am measuring 36 weeks along.  Baby girl is still laying in breech position so I am continuing to pray that she shifts.  I am also praying that we make it to Gaborone for the delivery!  Trusting that the Lord has all of this under control…..He always does! 

Andrew is doing very well and enjoying his time with Serena.  He’s really “grown up” the past two weeks and is listening to us more and more when we ask him to do things.  He picks up his toys and even helps me feed bubba in the mornings!  I think he will be a big helper when his baby sister gets here. 

Okay, going to post this before I loose it and then hit the sack.  I hope I feel better tomorrow!!!

I had been “tagged” numerous times on facebook with this post and so I thought I would post it here too.  By the way, if your not on Facebook these days you’re not a part of the land of the living…..or so I am told.  I fought the “facebook craze” for awhile, but then caved when all of our summer interns had one and it was about the only way they kept in touch!  I didn’t want another website to get addicted to…….and facebook seems to be the worst!  I do love that I’ve connected with people that I haven’t heard from in a long time.  So…..if you don’t have a facebook account, go get one…..it’s fun!  If you do and I am not your friend…..come and find me!  

25 Things About Me……

 

1. I love the 80’s…..I am a child of the 80’s so I love everything about it…..movies, cartoons, clothes, and especially music!

 

2.  I am still and always will be a fan of New Kids on the Block.  If I could see a reunion concert I totally would!  My mom and sis can attest that my walls were literally covered in my early teen years with pics of this boy band. 

 

3.  I went to college at SIUE for two years pursuing Social Work before getting married and moving. Looking back I pursued more fun than education…..I have no regrets….those were good times!  I still keep in touch with my roommates!!

 

4.  I was a retail sales manager for Bath and Body Works for 2 years.  I loved it…..especially the discount!  To this day that’s been my favorite job, other than what I am doing now.  I could have opened a store in my own home as probably half my paycheck went back to the company! 

 

5.  I was married at the ripe old age of 20!  I don’t recommend getting married that young, but it was right for me!  (Looking back though I’ve made some dumb mistakes, just because I was young and stupid.) 

 

6.  Kev and I have been married 10 years!  8 of our 10 anniversaries have been spent in Africa!

 

7.  It took us over 2 years to get pregnant with Andrew and Baby #2 was a total surprise! 

 

8.  I had a total natural birth with Andrew…..no drugs, no medical interventions and was only in labor for 6 hours.  (Hope to do this in March too!)

 

9.  I like to cloth diaper….it’s so easy and you can get fun prints! 

 

10.  We delayed vaccinations for Andrew…….this has been a controversy among many.  We have a total peace about it. 

 

11.  I have a thing for handbags!  Some women likes shoes……I like purses.  (Or  now days even diaper bags!) 

 

12.  I’ve seen the movie Cars more times than I care to admit, and still laugh at different parts. 

 

13.  I’ve been about 7 feet away (on foot) from a Cape Buffalo and exclaimed, “It’s just a cow what’s the big deal!”……only I found out later that they are indeed very aggressive and tend to torture their prey very slowly….often times trampling over and over before letting them die.  Needless to say….I have a new application for Cape Buffalo and will never again get that close. FYI….it is not “just a cow”.

 

14.  I like to have a clean home……even with a toddler and a husband I try! J 

 

15.  I can be obsessive when it comes to organizing and it drives me nuts when there are pieces of Andrew’s toys that are missing…..I’m learning to let it go. 

 

16.  I like to rock in a rocking chair……it’s soothing. 

 

17.  I’ve seen and experienced a lot of really cool things living in Africa and each time it brings chills or tears to my eyes that I am actually living here!

 

18.  I’ve given away Samaritans Purse boxes to the children numerous times and each time I get excited to see their faces as they open those boxes!

 

19.  I love to play dominos and cards!

 

20.  I love the show Friends…I own all 10 seasons.  I believe every life situation can be summarized by an episode of Friends.

 

21.  I make up silly songs to sing to Andrew.  I’ve been told I should cut a CD. 

 

22.  I love that I have most of my mother and sister’s mannerisms and habits. 

 

23.  I loved doing outreach when we came to Botswana with Teen Mania.  I still get warm fuzzy feelings when I smell campfire smoke or think of Milo out of a tin cup.

 

24.  I hate flying……and yet my husband is a pilot!  It’s not that it scares me, I just get air sick easily.  The smaller the plane the worse it is.  I would however love for Kevin to teach me how to fly a small plane!   

 

25.  Just like my mom, I have a favorite coffee mug.  I get possessive if someone tries to drink out of it.  Most people around me know which cup is off limits…..if not they soon find out.