mamarehema's Baby Archives

February 8, 2008

Happy Birthday Rehema

Happy Birthday Rehema! (02/07) We do love you!!

You make a great big sister!!

This blog has moved (for real) to my other blog.
I am not deleting this one, might post to it once in a while like today.

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January 9, 2008

Apart from having a cold for the past month or so, I have been feeling okay under the circumstances. Insomnia has kicked in but what to do...29 more days to go! I have been washing clothes and getting stuff ready. I have not packed my hospital bag yet but I think I will do that this weekend.
My work mates had a baby shower for me on Tuesday which was very nice and thoughtful of them. I received some really cute stuff and it is now really dawning on me that any time now, baby number 2 will be here. Rehema is really catching on and now, she does 'pray', say hi to the baby and hugs the baby. It is really cute when she does all of the above.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

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December 23, 2007

Pelvic Pain

I am having a lot of pelvic pain, I feel like I just want to stay in one place FOREVER. Standing or turning is a challenge. I did not have this with Rehema, but then again, at this time, I was basically lying in bed for the most part. they say it is normal, I wish the pain could go away. I am not sure if it has anything to do with yesterday, we went walking a lot . oh well, better go to sleep, I need to wake up early and go look for a Christmas gift for Rehema...talk about last minute shopping, I hope I will be able to walk.

Outside Hunter Museum

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December 18, 2007

Progress

Sunday night, Rehema declared that she is not a baby. She said that the baby is in Mommy's tummy and it is going to come home and it will be crying. To me that is Maendeleo, as in progress. She has realised that the baby is coming home and that makes her not a baby any more. I think we are going to be fine.

I am at 33 weeks and I feel like my tummy is going to fall off. I live in the bathroom and a day cannot pass without someone asking me my due date. All in all, God is good!

Rehema being goofy!

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December 11, 2007

Minute Clinic

Rehema has not been feeling well so I decided to try the Minute Clinic at CVS before taking her to the doctor. They do charge the same copay as the your regular doctor but it is much faster and so saves you time. I told her what the problem was and she said we should just go to the pharmacy and look for her something over the counter (I had already done that in vain (at Sams)...all the cough and cold medicines are marked see the doctor for children under 6 years). But first she asked to listen to her chest and she told me I need to take her to the peaditrician. She said that in some cases she cannot see children under 10 years. So since it was not a full consultation, I did not have to pay. They also have flu shots, in case you have not got yours already.

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December 6, 2007

brother

We have been preparing Rehema for the coming of her brother and she does seem to be catching on. She talks to him a lot. Today she received an early Christmas gift from one of my friends to help in that. She was really excited when she saw this doll especially because this one came with a bottle with 'milk'.

Feeding time

It really does look like a new born baby, she told me that it does not have any hair unlike Dora.

She asked me for a blanket to cover the new doll

Posted by gracie at 9:10 PM | TrackBack

December 3, 2007

30.5 weeks

I went for my doctor's appointment. I was met with a new? receptionist who informed me that I owed a copay and I asked her why because the way my maternity coverage works, I pay the first copay and then I will owe 10% of the total doctor's fees (global fees). If I come in for something else rather than a regular check up, then I have to pay a copay. She informed again that I owe for all appointments I have had without paying a copay, well, I looked at her like she was crazy and asked her like for the 10 or so appointments??. I have been checking my EOBs and I know I do not owe any copays. So she went and asked someone and she was told that I only owe the doctor's fees. So much for being new?? Well, 45 minutes later I was out of the doctor's office and things are looking good.

I had a duh! moment today and now my 1 GB memory card with my million pictures is sitting is some photo processing machine. I always use the other memory card and did not know that I needed an adaptor ? (which is in my camera bag) to insert this particular memory card. They told me that I have to wait until the technician comes and then they will call me. The consoling part was that he said it happens every week. duh!

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November 30, 2007

Insomnia

I have been trying to sleep for the last one hour with no success. I just read that, insomnia becomes more common at this stage of the pregnancy. If I still had my old job, it would be fine, I would get up and go to work since we could come in as early as 6 am, but this current position I can only come in after 7.30 am. So I was lying there listening to the 2-jus sleep wishing I could sleep so deeply.
Monday is the big appointment, I am not superstitious but it was at this appointment, 3 years ago, that everything started to go downhill. I just had a specialist appointment last week and everything is fine as far as they can tell, but with babies, I think every day counts. I am praying it is all fine and paying attention more to the movements of the baby. I think they say it should be 10 per hour.
Rehema has become my little helper, I think she has noticed that I cannot do much these days, she does not ask me to carry her anymore and she insists on helping me put on my shoes and clothes.

Happy Friday

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November 20, 2007

28 weeks

28 weeks!!! I cannot believe it, the Lord has been tres bien to me. Today I went to see the specialist for my final appointment and it took only one hour. I could not believe it! My appointment was at 8 am and I was out at 9 am and got to work in good time!! (but as usual I got lost in that medical mall) The little boy weighs 3 pounds and so far things are looking good and I praise God for that. Just a short update...
Happy thanksgiving!!

Posted by gracie at 6:44 PM | TrackBack

October 28, 2007

Bumbo

There are two things, no three things that have made my wish list for the new baby. A bumbo, a wrap and of course diapers. Yesterday, I went searching for the Bumbo at the the jbf consignment sale. That is where I saw the notice that they have been recalled. I guess that is why I could not get one and apparently it has been on the news this week. I am glad that I did not buy one earlier. BTW, I am still l want a wrap so bad.

This week we are having a different fun stuff going on at work, and on wednesday, we are having dress up costumes for prizes. I am tempted to do it, but I am not sure what to wear. I am definately going to paint my tummy (for pictures in the privacy of our house) but I wont be showing it off at work since our boss has a "no boobs, no bellies and no butts' rule. As in, do not show any or part of those at work. Like I was going to do it, if he did not have that rule..Ha!

I am soon going to need another name for my blog. Should have thought of that before hand :-) I am still politically correct by calling it Mama Rehema because Moms in my culture are called Mama "first born" (if they have a child). I do not want the boy to feel left out so I guess I have 102 days to think about it.
Have a good week!

Posted by gracie at 5:20 PM | TrackBack

October 23, 2007

update

I have 107 more days to go! that is not too bad, but when I count the days I always wonder why they pregnancy lasts for 9 months when one is really pregnant for 10 months, granted, one is mostly not aware the first month.
this pregnancy has been easier so far than the first one. I thank God so much because I did not have any morning sickness. I remember with Rehema, I would race to the bathroom in the office (I always made it). This time I already had a plan since it is a different job and I thank God, I never had to use it. Maybe it had something to do with the tea masala (mix of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamons and nutmeg). I always had it in my tea and I read that ginger helps to wade off nausea. Most of the time I do not even feel pregnant until the baby starts kicking. The part I dislike most is the waiting at the doctors office, more especially because I have to take time off work to go for these appointments. I sit there and just think of all the time I could have saved/worked if I came one hour later. The next visit I get to drink the sweet stuff. I asked my doctor if I could take it home with me and drink it at home and then come for appointment and she agreed :-) at least that guarantees me to be seen at my appointment time (I hope) since they are supposed to do that test one hour after you drink it.
Rehema now understands there is a baby in my tummy and does not jump on me like she used to. She even says sorry if she bumps into my tummy. I guess I should be the one saying sorry :-). But I do not think she knows that he is going to come and live with her. again, 15 more weeks to go.

This is Rehema's latest past time!! She loves those blocks...

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October 14, 2007

Toy Recalls

Will ALL these toys being recalled, i guess now, we just have to take our kids to play outside to ran around or something and get rid of the toys and some cribs, playpens etc. I took Rehema to have ice cream and McDonalds and we were sitting outside and I was looking at the playground and it is a Little Tikes one, and thought to myself, I wonder if they are going to recall it next...you never know. It is scary.

My Niece Christy

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September 27, 2007

keeping count

just wanted to remind myself!!

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September 22, 2007

Relapse

I think Rehema has had a relapse and it is frustrating!! Now she does not tell us she want to go to the potty, and when you ask her, she says no and like a few seconds later, she tells you that she has peed in her underwear. It is driving me nuts!!!!!

Posted by gracie at 1:55 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

All About Kids

Someone gave me a pass to go to the All About Kids consignment presale in Hixon. I was not expecting to buy much but I ended up with tonnes of stuff. The prices are really good and it opens to the public on monday and I think Saturday 29th is the half day sale day. I think most of the stuff will be gone by then except for clothes so if there is something you are really looking for, this coming week is the time to go. It is at the corner of Hixon Pike and Ashland Terrace, in that shopping place with Freds and Big Lots. It is right next to Tuesday morning. BTW, no children allowed unless the child is in a snugli.

Posted by gracie at 1:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 28, 2007

potty training part 2

Rehema is moving up to the next class in daycare because she is now officially potty trained (in daycare) She took her nap without a diaper!! That means, her daycare fees has just gone down , and that just sounds good to me. and I do not have to take diapers for her anymore!!! I guess I now need to start saving up for baby number 2, cloth diapers have crossed my mind...or I should start saving for college...

Posted by gracie at 6:19 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

baby2

today I went to see the HiRisk Doc because I am kinda old, and so I got this detailed ultra sound. The baby looks good from the ultra sound and the baby is ahead. Looks like we are going to have a another tall baby.
We got a neat shot of one of the baby's feet. The reason why they have that 'no gap' is because that is one of the signs they look for when they are checking out the baby.

Posted by gracie at 6:07 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

August 25, 2007

Potty Training

Rehema's daycare teacher asked us two weeks ago if we wanted to start potty training her. We said yes, but I was wondering if it will work because I had already bought her a potty and she was not interested in using it. So, I got her some underwear and started the process. The first week was like using cloth diapers. At the end of the day, she would come back with soiled underwear and shorts. This last week was great. She had a total of only 2 accidents. I must say, I am very proud of her. She has gotten number 1 down (during the day) and she only wants to use the big potty. Now, if only I can convince her to go number 2 on the potty. She has gone number 2 on the potty one or two times (at home) but in daycare she is doing it.

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June 10, 2007

sick

Thursday night Rehema threw up until there was nothing else to throw up. She woke up at 2 am and threw up some more Daddy had to keep her since she could not go to daycare. Thanks Daddy. So, I took her to the doctor later in the day - Friday and he said that almost all the kids he saw that day had the same symptoms and just told me to give her the foods I had already been giving her (which she was not eating anyway). There goes my 25 dollars, but it makes me feel better that the doctor saw her and ruled out anything else.

Rehema loves bowling

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April 11, 2007

what is a mom to do?

On March 30th, we flew to Phily for our Pastor's son's wedding which was very beautiful. I do not know how they feel about having their pic's on the internet so I am not going to post the ones I have (sorry :() We also had some other family business to do in New Jersey. On our way back to Chattanooga, our flight from Phily to Detroit was delayed, so we had like all of 1 second to make our connection in Detroit. We ran to our gate and they were waiting for us since it was not our fault. Our seats were not together. Sila was on his own, and I was with Rehema. Rehema was tired, she needed to be changed and did not want to sit on her chair, but she sat and started crying. We had to wait until the plane took off for me to change her. These young three men who were sitting behind Sila started making the rudest comments when she started crying. One said that the airline should provide earphones and the other said that a shotgun could be better. What was I supposed to do? Did I mention that our luggage never made it with us until the next day?

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February 12, 2007

1st Day of school

today was Rehema's first day at the new preschool. The teacher sent us a report saying she had a great first day of school.

Before school: I can't wait to go to school

After School: I can't wait to go lie down

she came home in a totally different outfit
Must have been a real great school day :)

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February 7, 2007

Birthday

Today is Rehema's 2nd Birthday...She sure has changed our lives. She has brought joy and more love to our lives, taught us patience. I never thought I could read the same book 5 times on the same day with the same energy.
Happy Birthday Rehema, we love you

February 7, 2005

January 2006

February 4, 2007

Happy Birthday Rehema...we love you.

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January 8, 2007

methali

on saturday afternoon I took Rehema to a birthday party at Partyville, Hixson. it played out like this swahili saying (methali) "Kukopa harusi kulipa matanga" which means 'Borrowing is like a wedding ,repaying is like mourning' Taking her there was easy and she had so much fun, but when it came to leaving the party, she did not want to leave. she was lying on the floor, making it almost impossible for me to carry her out of there. and everyone else (or so I thought) is looking at me sheepishly. i never know what to do in such situations.
happy 23 months!!! Rehema...a few more days and you will be terrific two :)

Posted by gracie at 5:15 PM | TrackBack

January 2, 2007

resolution?

this year, I am not going to sweat the small stuff...there are more pressing things to worry about, and there is plenty of water to go round...happy new year

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December 19, 2006

beautiful smiles come to those who wait...

i knew I should have waited...now the Christmas cards are already in the mail...

Merry Christmas!

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December 16, 2006

happyness and christmas card

yesternite we had a parents night out at daycare. I love them, 10 dollars for four hours...so the Husband and I decided to go and watch In Pursuit of Happyness It is a moving movie and Jaden Christopher Syre Smith does a great job. it made me want to cry more than once.

all those of you who are trying to get the perfect shot for their family Christmas card, I feel with you. I was so close to using this shot coz that is how I was feeling...i guess Rehema and I had the same feelings

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December 3, 2006

door prizes and Santa

i am known to win all kinds of door prizes from tickets to all kinds of things eg Chattanooga ducks to a DVD player. today we had our Unit's Christmas lunch and Rehema won a door prize, a bicycle. though it is a little too big for her, I was too happy for her

She did not want anything to do with Santa after that.

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October 8, 2006

flying, b-day parties and malaria

we are counting days to our trip, I am excited but nervous. I am not sure how we are going to keep a 20 month old still for 16 hours. then we will have to deal with jet lag when we reach our final destination since it is 7 or 8 hours ahead. That journey usually makes me tired so I think it is going to be hard on Rehema...any advice from someone who has flown long distance with a toddler?

I took Rehema for a birthday party at The Little Gym I think that is a great place to have birthday party. the kids were having a blast and Rehema did not want to leave. They get to run around a lot and play in the little gym.

The Little Gym

Continue reading "flying, b-day parties and malaria"

Posted by gracie at 8:37 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

September 22, 2006

imagination library

Last Sunday Rehema and I went to celebrate Dolly Parton's Imagination Library 2nd birthday.
There were so many kids. We did a developmental check up for Rehema, I am eager to see the results. we also got to go on a fire truck, i don't think she was too excited about it. I am so appreciative of this program

Rehema got her face painted and she was busy eating the glitter

Continue reading "imagination library"

Posted by gracie at 10:49 AM | TrackBack

August 8, 2006

Tall

Looks like Rehema is going to be a tall girl. At her 18 months check up today, she weighed in at 32 lbs 13 oz and her height is 36 inches. I guess I cannot stop her from growing. Her grandpas on both sides and her uncles are really tall so, I guess it skipped us.The best part for me today is that she did not get any shots and her best was when the doctor walked out of the room. She stopped crying and waved to him bye. She will need to get anti-malaria shots for Kenya. She is really picking up many words and we feel bad that we are not actively teaching her Luo or Swahili. We would like to, but we find ourselves gravitating to speaking English more than the other two languages.

Posted by gracie at 2:21 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

June 9, 2006

Potty Training

it is the end of the incentive week (maybe) I have come home early everyday for 3 weeks, most days I have done nothing to write home about, on other days I have tried to complete a computer online course...I can hear Rehema banging her crib, it is one of her days off from Daycare, I still try to keep the daycare nap schedule on her days off. I was reading an article from the Parents magazine about Potty training, actually the title is "Potty train your child in one day" then it has a sub-title Potty Practice: A global view, and they featured Kenya the article said that in Kenya training starts as early as 3 weeks and is often completed by 4 to 6 months. typically, a mom sits on the ground outside, with her legs out in front of her to make a 'potty.' Babies learn to signal the need to 'go' by grabbing onto Mom's legs. WOW! I remember being surprised to see one year old wazungu kids in Kenya wearing diapers. now, who am I to say anything... I bet my mom is going to be surprised to see Rehema in diapers at her age, maybe when Rehema comes back from Kenya she will be potty trained. another good reason to go Home

Continue reading "Potty Training"

Posted by gracie at 1:39 PM | TrackBack

June 6, 2006

16 months

I cannot believe that Rehema will be 16 months tomorrow...how time flies, my baby is becoming a little girl. She has built her vocabulary and we can understand some of what she says...she surprises me by remembering some words that we teach her. She has graduated to Toddler 1 in daycare, it is cheaper, and also we are taking her to daycare part-time during the summer to save some money for her college fund (Donations are welcome) Her cool aunty who is deployed right now sent her the cutest purse

Thank you Aunty K, we love you and are praying for you, stay safe

Posted by gracie at 4:57 PM | TrackBack

May 25, 2006

fun

this week has been sort of fun, we are having an incentive week so once you are done with doing 1.5 of the work, you can leave...so I have been coming home before 1 pm. instead of spending time with my baby, I have been spending time on the computer...ha! ha! ha! the dinners are not any more elaborate this week...you would think since I have so much time, I would take time to prepare more elaborate dinners...I am sticking to the menu. but the most fun part has been going to pick Rehema from daycare...it's been a surprise for her to see me coming to get her...it makes her day... i have been taking her for walks in the evening...she loves it, she loves her diaper bag too...coz she knows it usually has some goodies for her

Posted by gracie at 3:55 PM | TrackBack

May 13, 2006

15 months, website

Happy Mother's day to all the Mommies...

we took Rehema for her 15 months check up, now she knows who the Doc. is and when the enters her room, she displays a face of concern and when he leaves the room she enthusiatically says bye. I thought that she had lost some weight since she is been doing lots of walking, but, no, she has added some. she now weighs 29 pounds and 6 ounces, and her height is 33 inches. The Doc said she is fine, more so because she is lingering around the same percentile for weight and height, 95 and 94 respectively. I got her to help me do some work this morning...

i thought this was an interesting picture.

we have an old website that I want to start working on and making it more current, it has our wedding pictures and my military pics...i hope to work on it soon and add pictures of Rehema and Kenya...enjoy.

Posted by gracie at 2:52 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 17, 2006

Happy St Patrick's Day

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March 13, 2006

walk baby!

I am so glad that Rehema is fine and back to her normal self, we have been trying to teach her how to walk, she was doing so well before she got sick, she would take two or three steps...then of course revert to crawling.

Posted by gracie at 2:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

March 9, 2006

generics??

Rehema just turned 13 months...she woke up on 3/4 throwing up has not been to daycare for the whole week so Dad became Mr Mom. it has now happened twice...she always gets very sick on the weekend that i have drill. Dad took her to the doctor...she would not eat and knows pedialyte from far and will not drink it. the good thing is that she will agree to nurse and will drink water so that has kept her from being dehydrated. why is it that, those expensive drugs NEVER have a generic? Daddy has taken good care of her and she is getting better and tasting some food.

Posted by gracie at 6:22 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

February 7, 2006

Birthday

Today is Rehema's 1st Birthday...

February 7, 2005

January 2006

Happy Birthday Rehema...we love you.

Posted by gracie at 6:56 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

January 21, 2006

Let it snow! let it snow!

Edgeworth Inn, Monteagle

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January 11, 2006

daycare - 11 months

Rehema turned 11 months last week...she is moving to baby room 2 at daycare, I am more traumatized than she is (she did not want to move). her daily report from daycare said she ate pizza for lunch! no more jar food.. my baby is growing too fast. she is even learning how to drive...

Posted by gracie at 9:21 PM | TrackBack

December 19, 2005

Santa...Father Christmas?

Rehema gets to meet Santa

"Time for me to go Santa" and thanks for the gift

where I come from, Santa does not exist...we instead have Father Christmas and he does not say ho! ho! ho! He says 'Merry Christmas'...we hope Rehema gets to meet Father Christmas too one day..and he too has toys for kids

Posted by gracie at 6:42 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

October 27, 2005

kitabu - book

Continue reading "kitabu - book"

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October 14, 2005

Rehema

I think I am having an identity crisis for my baby...I know she is a child of God, but I wonder who is she? is she a Kenyan? American? Kenyan American? American Kenyan? or does it really matter? after all she is a child of God.