Another New Outfit

Beautiful huh?

Giraffes

I really like giraffes. Mommy gets me lots of fun giraffe stuff. And, now she's gotten me a great new pair of giraffe pjs.....whadya think??

A Day with Bestamom

Wow....Mommy and Aki went away for a few days, and I was sad. I gave my Uncle Gogo a hard time because I was missing the rest of my family. But...then, they came back and they brought me my Bestamom (she's my Grandmother). I'm so excited. She brought so many fun things in her suitcases. Some of it's for Aki but a whole lot of its for me. I have lots of new outfits to try on and I am very happy and excited about it (or maybe that's actually my Mommy who is excited about trying on new outfits and I actually don't care).

Bestamom is feeding me and playing with me and talking to me. I'm so glad she's here!

Lunch Dates

Today we had a special outing at lunch. Our friends, Inneke, Dirk and Ella had a nice lunch at their house for Shyam as a belated birthday lunch. And, all us kids got to go! They have such a nice house....it is a bed and breakfast (for any of you thinking of visiting Arusha, Tanzania, Onsea House is the best bed and breakfast around....check them out!!). They also have a wonderful restaurant. And, they had their friends for lunch today. How nice!

Sure the big kids got to run around and play with toys, but I had my share of grown up attention too. Thanks Inneke, Dirk and Ella for a great afternoon!

8 months strong

I turned 8 months old today! And, I am acting my age. I am crying for any reason I feel....if Mommy puts me down too soon, if I want a different taste than the one she has chosen to give me, if I want food instead of a bottle, if I want a bottle instead of food, if the lighting is too bright for my sensitive little eyes. It's amazing. I freak out, and people fix it! This is the life. Mommy tells me that this is not really the life, and I better kick the habit soon. I don't know if I believe her though....this is, in fact, THE LIFE!

Today, Mommy took me to get weighed at the health clinic to see how big I am getting. I weighed in at 7.2 kilos! When I came just little over 2 months ago, I was only 3.8 kilos! Look at me GROW! That is 15.8 pounds for those of you who need the conversion. That puts me on the chart. I am FINALLY on the growth charts. I am weighing in at the 12th percentile and Mommy is just THRILLED. She took me to celebrate after, but what in the world do I want with a glass of passion fruit juice? So, I went to sleep and left it to my brother to enjoy. I need my beauty rest for all that digesting I have to do.

Family

I had quite a day. Mommy took me to work with her in the morning, because we had a lunch appointment with my biological Dad today. We need to get my birth certificate and we need his help to find it. He turned out to not be particularly helpful today, so poor Mommy is off on another paper goose chase, but at least I got to spend a bit of time with my biological Dad today. And, it was really fun to be doted on by all those people at Mommy's work!

Seeing Old Friends

Today was a busy day. First we went to a different kids home where Akira's half brothers live. We went so that Akira could play with his brothers and spend some time. After that, we went to Cradle of Love for a visit. We hadn't been back in a month, so it was really fun to see all the kids and the caregivers.
Many of my old friends are not sitting up very well. I sat down amongst them while they all had their afternoon snack. I wanted to interact with them, but I wasn't sure how. I sure had fun trying though.

Friends

I'm growing up and finding my way. My big brother isn't the only one with friends now. I was at baby group today with Sylvia and Elijah....all three of us were born in the same month. We are all at pretty different places, Elijah is nearly walking for heavens sake, and he is MUCH bigger than me. But...I've got more hair!!!

Avocado

I REALLY love avocado!!!

Heading to Bed

Aki and I are all ready for bed. We share the same bedroom which I really like. If I have a bad dream or wake up scared in the middle of the night, it's great to know that my brother is there in the crib next to me.

What's Cookin Good lookin

Who is that pretty girl in the mirror....oh my, it's me!!!

I mean, I knew I was cute...but this is ridiculous!

Play Ball

Usumbara Mountains

This weekend we went to the Usumbara Mountains in northern Tanzania for a getaway with some of Mommy's friends. It was so pretty there and we spent a lot of time at the lodge breathing the fresh air and visiting the farms nearby for fresh fruits, breads, jams and cheeses. I didn't get to eat any of this, but Mommy and Aki sure loved it.
I really loved the chance to practice my sitting skills! I'm growing up....love that mountain air.

Happy Days of Play

While Mommy trudges off to work every morning and Uncle Gogo heads to his room to study, Aki and I get to hang with Jane. She comes every day just to play with us and take care of us. We have so much fun. Today we are working hard on helping me to sit up so I can join in all the fun. I am almost completely stable and can now sit up for long periods of time without falling. So....I can join in the fun with Jane and Aki a lot more now.

I love Akira

Sitting Up

It's not as easy as it looks. I'm working hard at it, but I'm still not super stable. Mommy helped me by propping pillows today and I worked at sitting up. I have fun when I am sitting up and can interact and see the world. I just need to be able to do it on my own, but it will come. Everything comes with time.