My Life as an African Gypsy

I remember the day as if it were yesterday. I was being induced by a small pill that would be inserted into my cervix. I was nervous about the day ahead, but anxious to meet my daughter and prepared as I ever could be. To read about the day:

Birth Story


(What a strange moment, and yet so terribly right.)

Somehow, Mommyhood just happened. Anaya came into our lives, and we were parents. The last year has been full of joy, growing and stretching. She has been the easiest of babies, and as her name's meaning, I look up to God and give a shout of praise!

As her personality develops, and I get to know this little girl of God, I marvel at His handiwork. When I think that the Lord has entrusted her to Jon and I to shape and develop, I am humbled, and a bit overwhelmed. May we be faithful.

I cannot wait to see the Lord's plans and purposes for her future.

Happy Birthday, my beautiful, flawless girl! (Song of Songs 4:7)

Well, Anaya was ready and the process was easy.

In December/January I noticed I was not producing very much and realizing Anaya was not drinking very much, especially mid-morning. (she was still nursing every 3-4hrs throughout the day) In January, just before returning to Mozambique I switched her to 3 feedings a day, and she seemed not to even notice.

Shortly after being back, I started her on a water/juice mix to keep her hydrated in this absurd heat, and we dropped the afternoon feeding. I started her on daily yogurt to boost the dairy intake, but still wanted to hold off a bit on the cow's milk. She did this all just fine, again, hardly seeming to notice.

About a week and a half ago I dropped her night feeding and decided to give it a shot with the cow's milk. She happily gulped it down from the sippy cup and even wanted more! Her tummy has adjusted well and digests everything fine. Relief!

Just this week I have dropped the morning feeding, which I was thinking would be the hard one as she always fed immediately upon waking up. I went into the room, changed her diaper, and handed her the sippy cup. No problem. She drank it with ease.

I had two days a of a bit of discomfort, as I was still producing some milk and not expressing any; however, I have pushed through and I think I'm about done! I am super happy and a bit surprised I've dried up at all. I was afraid that, being pregnant, my hormones would just signal the need to keep producing. But alas! I get almost 4 months of a break! Hooray!

I have noticed she needs some extra lap sitting and snuggling, so I'm trying to be intentional about taking time for that. I love my precious girl.

February, March, April


May, June, July


August, September, October


November, December, January


Party set up -


Some color


Paper pinwheels and tissue paper pom poms - Thanks Pintrest for the ideas!


Mommy + Jovie + birthday girl! Dad's job at the grill!





We started cake time inside without electricity as we escaped the storm, but when the rain stopped we moved outside to get some cool air. Poor Anaya was drenched in sweat while inside!

It has been a long time.

I'm still here. My little Anaya is 11 months with a birthday coming up on the 22nd of this month. It is a little hard to believe how grown up she is; however, being 20 weeks pregnant with our 2nd little girl, Jovie, I find myself grateful for each milestone Anaya reaches.

I still breastfeed. Yes, pregnant and breastfeeding. It really hasn't been a problem at all. We are down to twice a day, once in the morning and once at night. With her birthday around the corner, she will soon be weaned completely, and my hopes, only using a sippy cup.

We still cloth diaper. I took a little break while we traveled in the U.S., but we jumped right back in the day we got home. I am still so very happy with my Sunbaby diapers and I am about to order some more, since I will have new buns to cover and clean soon. I worried when I couldn't find them on Ebay anymore; however, Sunbaby now has its very own website! Check it out here. My only problem with Anaya is that they are starting to be a bit snug, and she is only 1 yr. So Sunbaby now has two sizes and we will order the bigger size for Anaya, allowing Jovie to use the old ones.

I made it through homemade baby food the whole way! Even in the U.S. I managed to keep up with it, which shows you how easy it can be. I never once bought a jar of food, which I take some strange pride in. As of last week Anaya has decided she is finished with baby food and now eats whatever we do, making life seem just a bit easier.

This pregnancy has been a breeze. I had less nausea with this one, vomited once which was the same as with Anaya, and now I'm in my 2nd trimester, the one I love! Jon reminds me that I am more tired, usually wanting to get in bed around 8pm, but it is mid-summer here and very hot, which sucks up a little extra energy. Sleeping is just recently getting a little uncomfortable.

I have lots I could go on and on about, but I'll save it for another post, which I hope to be more consistent.