My Life as an African Gypsy

I can hardly believe how long it has been since I have posted. Whoops! This one will be a bit long and I'll divide into topical sections.

Anaya-girl Update

Anaya is now 7 months old, going on a year, at least that is what I feel like. Time is flying. My precious baby girl is becoming more independent and less baby-ish. All she wants to do is hold onto things and stand up. If there is something she can grab onto, she will pull herself up. She still cannot go from laying down to sitting up on her own, but I think it'll be soon. Tummy time is still hated, and I wonder if crawling will be something she ever does much of.

She loves 'chatting'. Her newest sound is "Ba" and I love it! Many times she starts her mouth movement before the sound comes out, and it has got to be the most adorable thing. We've had some "Ga", "Ma" and "Da", but those are random and not consistent or repeated.

She is a very content baby, full of smiles. Lately she'll throw her head back and smile as if she is laughing really hard. At times it will throw her off balance, and I think she'll fall over! She loves when Mommy or Daddy hides behind and chair or wall and pops out.

Baby food is going well. I am not much of a freezer. I tend to make a weeks worth or so at a time and just keep it in the fridge. I make a jar of applesauce and one of pear-sauce with 6-7 pieces of fruit, and it lasts nicely. She eats lots of mashed bananas, which are super easy. She tried papaya today and liked it better mixed with a little banana. Lately she does not enjoy her veggies, but she'll eat anything if you put a little fruit in front of it on the spoon. Whatever works, huh? She eats pumpkin, potato and carrot mix, plain carrots, sweet potato, green beans, and avocado. She wasn't a pea fan, and they stunk, so I haven't made them again. Thankfully she lets me feed her now, making it much faster and cleaner!

She no longer breastfeeds at 10pm and now cloth diapers aren't leaking in the night. So nice.

We went on vacation last week, and Anaya was a dream. 6-6.5 hours in the car was no prob. Entire afternoons out were no prob. Sleeping the in the pack'n'play was no prob. We stayed in a little bungalow, while the kitchen and dining area were covered outdoors. Since Anaya prefers to be outside, she was in heaven.

Anaya does seem to be very attached to Mommy at the moment, and she is less okay with many people holding her. I figure it is a stage, and I am trying to enjoy our sweet cuddle moments, while not becoming too frustrated when she cries every time I walk of the room to do something. She warms up to some people though (how she decides I have no clue) and depending on her mood, she is fine. Yesterday she spent a good 20-30 minutes with a woman at the hospital; I was proud.











General Mommy Update

I am doing well. I was in need of a vacation, especially emotionally, and I praise the Lord for a our short time away. Last month I was jokingly telling people I better be pregnant, because if not, I was just a crazy lady. Turns out I am just a crazy lady. =) We are, however, welcoming pregnancy at any point now. I am more peaceful about it this go around, at least so far, so it is nice not having a tear-filled journey. Sometimes it is an overwhelming thought, and other times it is terribly exciting. The Lord's timing will be perfect, though a winter delivery would be preferred.

Jon and I started Jillian Micheal's '30 Day Shred' a week ago, and we haven't missed a day. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't too hard for me. Anaya must be keeping me somewhat in shape. We'll see how tone this tummy can get before it looks like a soccer ball again.

I turn 27 on Thursday. Sounds a lot older to me than 26, not sure why. I am so thankful for where I am at in life. God has been so good to me.

Furlough is coming up and I can hardly believe our dear families will finally get to meet our little Anaya. It's been a long time coming, and my heart wells up each time I think about it.

Spiritual Update

The Lord has been working on my heart, getting me ready to share my living space with friends/patients from the hospital. When I think through details I get scared, selfish, protective, etc. What the Lord is telling me though is that I need to walk in faith, just take the step. In a funny way I felt/feel similarly about moving to Africa, buying Gasher, Anaya joining us, cloth diapers, homemade baby food, the prospect of homeschooling, etc. When you take the leap; however, it all somehow falls into place. Life adjusts. Sometimes in big ways, sometimes in small ways, but it does.

So I'm loosening my grip on my plans and schedules, not getting rid of them, not even changing them yet, but loosening it up, giving some squiggle room. I am preparing for a work of the Lord, and feel like it is coming. When I thought hard about it, I came to the conclusion that it was more important for Anaya to see us loving and giving extravagantly than for her to have solid schedules and routines. I'll always watch her adjustments closely, and if she ever seems to be struggling, we'll re-evaluate. But for now, my laid back girl seems to do fine.

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So that is where we are at! Hope to update more frequently.

We're at that stage, and I am happy to report we are doing quite well. I am finding a schedule that Anaya eats the most and happiest. For now it is twice a day, usually late morning (10-ish) and mid-afternoon (3-sih). She is breastfeeding every 3- 3.5 hours, so if I feed her solids after about 2hrs, she is usually most cooperative.

I am an impatient Mommy and while it is recommended to wait 4 days after each new introduction of food to watch for allergies, I have been doing two to three new items at a time. Neither Jon or I have allergies, so I am hoping we won't run into any problems. For the past week or so we have been doing oatmeal, bananas, and apples. Today I made those three plus pears and butternut squash. I am excited to see her reactions. I also have an avocado ripening... soon!

After reading this: http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/tipspices.htm, I decided we are a spicy family and I'm going to give it a shot, even starting early. I have hopes that this will help the transition to just eating what Jon and I eat down the road. So far we've used cinnamon; however, today I added some vanilla (read note on left side of website), ginger, and nutmeg.

Here's my little how to or how did. Ha.

I walk down the hallway and before each room I find myself holding a breath, just a second, but it happens. My mind races with the questions,"Has anyone died? Will she still be there? Who is on treatment? Is it a rough day?"

I had a few extra minutes after my visit to Dermatology, so I figured I'd pop over an see my friends at Oncology. My sweet partner, Alice, greeted me and updated me on our friends. One in particular was doing quite poorly. We had seen her health declining, but this week did seem worse. A few days prior her face had become swollen, and this day I was told her breathing had become labored. I decided I'd go in and sit with her a few minutes before I had to head home to my Anaya girl.

Before going inside, I sat on the lawn and chatted with a few ladies, one who had gone to the trouble to write me her recipe for fish and greens, since I had been whining that I don't know what to do with fish.

It was only a few minutes.

I was heading inside...

It was too late.

A woman solemnly approached with the news. She just died.

She had been lying alone in that bed, no one with her. Maybe she was unaware of her surroundings. Maybe the Lord was merciful and granted peace of mind... But what if she did know, know she was alone? What if she was scared?

I hate it.

I realize I cannot possibly be there for each one. I realize it is impossible to know and time when a person is going to pass on... sigh. I don't know. There may not be a good solution, but I hate it. I hate that it happens everyday.

Lord, you know I am willing, use me.

So this will be a Mommy blog about random current things in Anaya and my life.

Cloth diaper update: All is well, and it feels normal to me. During the couple days of the move I did all disposables, as I did not want to take dirty diapers along with me or have to do laundry the day after I got in. I am thankful I did that, but the funny thing is, I am always anxious to get her back in the cloth ones.

She has been waking up wet, which is ticking me off, so I may switch to disposables at night. Ideas anyone? We are in double inserts, and I don't really want to triple it up. I change her diaper between 6 and 7 when she goes to bed. I wake her up to feed her at 10, but she hardly opens her eyes, so I don't like changing her diaper then or I have a very awake baby. Anyways, I'm giving it another shot tonight, but washing jammies for everyday of the week is getting old, too.

Breastfeeding update: Breastfeeding is breastfeeding, eh? Every 3 hours (except sleep time), every day I am committed. I have found bottles aren't too much of a break, since I have to pump when I give a bottle. It can be super inconvenient when I'm out and about. I either have to pump early before I leave and not get a whole bottle, OR pump when I get home, usually later than she'd eat and worry about her next feeding being too small. Humph. We work it out, but let's just say breastfeeding is a full time commitment.

Anaya update: 5 months? Seriously? She is getting so interactive. She chats all the time with her little noises, responds to funny things, is ticklish, tries to grab everything in reach, figured out how to jump in her jumper (you should see her go), if she is close enough she wants to drink and eat whatever we have, rolls both ways, sits for minutes at a time, grabs her toys all around her, can pass things from hand to hand, chews everything, and that's just some of it!



I store up little moments in my heart, like when we snuggle and giggle on the couch, or when we read and talk about how much the Lord loves her, while lying on the floor together. I want to guard and cherish these fleeting moments.



I think we'll start some oatmeal cereal soon, when life slows down... maybe next week? I am sure she is ready. I am also going to get her a little sippy cup and see how she likes it.



Mommy update: I am really enjoying my precious girl and adore being her Mommy. Some days I feel like we've got it down, and I get lots accomplished, while other days I feel like all I can do it keep her happy and clean while my list of "to-dos" piles up. Some days I get a nice dinner made, maybe a dessert, other days it is a grilled cheese night. It all part of this beautiful messy life, and it is good. Even the off-days.

And there are off days... like when Anaya wakes up from her nap, sees me and starts crying. I pick her up and she cries. I put her back in the crib and she screams. Like when she is fussy doing everything, so I tell her fussy girls don't get to stay awake and I put her in her bed. (She cries a bit, but usually falls asleep. Can I do that when I am fussy? I wish!) Or when we are at the hospital and I cannot get her to stop crying every time someone talks to her... yeah, those are short ministry days.

Jon is a-m-a-z-i-n-g. He helps out whenever I need him without complaint. We definitely co-parent, and I feel like we are such a good team; I cannot imagine raising Anaya without him!

Layne time - I have a woman's Bible study group here on Thursday mornings and most weeks Jon can keep Anaya. I cannot tell you how filled up I get during that little break with the ladies; drinking some coffee, eating something sweet, and talking about the Lord. I need a little time to feel like Layne, not Mommy. I put on a non-breastfeeding friendly top, get my hair all done, and some make-up on. It's nice.

Tuesday afternoons I also do my ministry alone in Dermatology, while Jon keeps Anaya. That is my chance to pour out and focus solely on the ladies. Anaya goes with me to Oncology on another day of the week, and we minister together, but it isn't quite the same, as my responsibilities are torn.

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So that's life right now. We moved. It's been a lot of work. There is still a lot of work. This house is so much better for us in so many ways... and cheaper. I was felt so blessed walking around today. The Lord has been gracious to us once again.

We're moving this weekend.

Lots of packing, painting, unloading...

Added things to make the week more enjoyable:

• Anaya's 3 nights of waking up 3-4 times = super tired Mommy
  
• It is that time of the month = less patient Mommy
  
• We are having to apply for our visas again (hours @ immigration) = inconvenient
• I'll throw in breastfeeding just because. HA! I have really wanted a little break this week, but even when you give them a bottle you have to pump... no breaks allowed!
  

I think too many people think too highly of my mommy-hood on the go & our travels, so I thought I'd give a little peek into the other side of vacations... the side we choose to forget and not take pictures of.

Like when we realized we forgot the pump to the air mattress.

OR when the space heater we bought actually turned out to be as bright as the sun, because we're cheap and went for the one on sale... and yeah, I happen to be someone who prefers pitch dark. That night, still freezing my tooshie off on the hard ground in the bright tent worrying about my daughter's freezing hands I growled about how we should have bought the expensive heater, and we would never camp in the winter again.

OR when Jon made a lot of noise coming the tent with the velcro and zipper, and Anaya woke up, and I almost killed him... seriously needed some self-control.

OR when Anaya cried at 3 in the morning in the perfect stillness of the night and we had camping 'neighbors' in tents nearby. (I couldn't whip my boob out fast enough to get her to calm down! Ha!)

OR when Jon was haggling with the cashew vendor across the street and Anaya decides to scream because the car isn't moving, and I had to use every bit of restraint not to roll the window down and tear Jon's head off, ready to throw any amount of money at the cashew vendor that he wants... yeah any amount.

I could go on, but you get the point. (Notice the trend here too... it's always me who is the one 'losing it'. My hubby is so patient and calm; he is perfect for me!)

What I've realized is: Anaya always does better than I expect. We always have more good moments than bad. We always make memories to last a lifetime.

It is worth it.