I am now 20 weeks.  Wow!  People are definitely starting to notice around here; although, I can still fit in to a couple of my non-maternity pants.  I felt Grace for the first time last night.  She gave a mighty kick that surprised me so much I jumped up off the couch.  I haven’t been able to feel any small movements yet, but I sure felt that!

At this point I should have gained about 10 lbs but instead I have lost 2.  Sierra ordered me whey protein shakes that I have to drink twice a day in order to bulk up.  The powder hasn’t come in yet, but I’m not really looking forward to these drinks.  I’m not too worried since Grace’s estimated weight at our last ultrasound was on target for how big she should be right now and I’m sure that when we get home I will make up for lost weight.  🙂

We had an ultrasound last Thursday at the Mother Baby Hospital here.  The ultrasound machine is quite old and doesn’t give a very big or very clear picture, so we went to a private clinic yesterday for another ultrasound.  Both doctors told us (one 60% and one 80%) that the baby is a girl!

Her name is Grace Elizabeth after my two great-grandmothers on my Mom’s side.  Eden has taken to calling her Little Gracie.  It was very fun to see her on the ultrasound.  Yesterday we were able to see a lot of clear pictures and hear her heartbeat.  Her limbs were all there, her brain looked good and her spine was perfect.  We even got to see a quick image of her cute little face!

We are so glad that everything is going well and that she is healthy and we’re very excited to have another daughter!

It’s hard to believe that I am already 16 weeks!  This pregnancy seems to be going much faster than Andy’s, probably because we are so busy.  I’m feeling pretty good these days.  I sleep every chance that I get and avoid beef as much as possible.  I haven’t felt the baby move yet, although I keep telling it to jump and leap so that I can feel it.  We have our next ultrasound on Sept. 5 and as long as the baby cooperates we should be able to find out if we’re having a boy or a girl.  I’m anxious to know so that I can start calling “it” by name and make plans for the nursery.

Meghan joins me today as a “late 20 something”! To celebrate her birthday we’re going on a weekend excursion to Lake Baringo. Its meant to just be a relaxing time away from all the “hustle and bustle” of Kenyan life. Oh wait, no, we don’t have any hustle and bustle. I guess we’re just going for the pool and to get a close encounter with a hippo or two!

Meghan and I went to Lake Baringo in 2009 but stayed at a different hotel. When going out on our (rickety) canoe tour we passed by the Soi Safari Lodge and wished we had stayed there! So this time we’re doing it right and staying at the much higher quality hotel!

See more pictures on their website:
Soi Safari Lodge at Lake Baringo

Feel free to leave your comments below about how jealous you are…

Just a quick update on what we have been up to recently.

Ben: Ben led a conference that lasted two really long weeks.  He taught from 8-5 and then came home and worked most evenings until midnight.  He didn’t have a whole lot of time for anything else, but has squeezed in a couple of soccer games, taken out the trash and developed a way for us to have internet at the house.

Meghan: I’ve been busy keeping up with the house, the kids and new friends.  There are always dishes to be done and floors to be swept as well as kids needing to be put down for naps.  I’ve managed to find some time recently to read and have appreciated new friends being willing to run to the store or around town with me to help with the kids.  We have been going to the Sally Test Pediatric Center about once a week and yesterday went to visit three orphanages.

Eden: Eden has been very busy growing up!  As we realized how low we were on pull-ups, we decided it was time for Eden to stop wearing them for her naps.  She doesn’t like going to bed without her milk, but hasn’t had an accident since we started 5 days ago!  Eden also started “school” this week.  Each day during Andy’s morning nap we sit down to do some pages in a preschool work book.  She’s quite proud of herself and is doing really well.  It’s fun watching her think and to see how much she already knows.  She talks about home a lot saying things like, “Remember when Eden went ice skating?” or “When I go home from Kenya, I’m going to the jumping place!” My very favorite is when she talks about people.  She’ll ask me, “Mommy, do you remember my friend Clara?” or “Do you know my Papa?”  However, most important in her mind these days is my birthday.  She really NEEDS to have birthday cake and has been drawing pictures of cakes every day.

Andy: Andy is quickly becoming a big boy.  He is talking much more and runs around like he owns the place.  He’s getting more independent with his eating (which is very sad for the person who has to clean the floors in this family…) and he loves to be outside.  He knows that no matter what, he can do anything that Eden can do!  He’s still easy going and laid back and definitely charms the people in the compound.  He’s always being carried, hugged, thrown in to the air or being given treats by the other people that live here.

Please pray for the adoption process.  It’s taking longer to get things rolling than we anticipated and we’re stuck waiting for approval from the Little Angel’s adoption agency who we have been waiting to hear from since 2009!  Everything else seems to be in place, so once we get over this portion, we’re ready to roll! We know that God has a perfect plan and we’re trusting Him to direct us, but it feels like time is wasting away while we sit here not moving forward.

We really miss some of the conveniences of back home and of course miss our family, but we’ve all adjusted well and are having fun on this little adventure.  Please keep us up to date on your lives at home.  We love hearing about what you all are doing and what exciting things are happening in your lives!