Leena turns 1!

So, it appears that our camera and video camera were stolen during our travels -- most likely snagged out of our checked luggage before we even left Kenya, but who knows. Anyways, I have not had a chance to take pictures of meeting up with family and friends back in Michigan. There were some photos taken of Leena eating her obligatory 1 year-old cupcake and the ice cream cake for the rest of us. I'll post these here eventually once I figure how to get them off my parents' camera.

Leena is a kick at 1. Adorable, wiry, into EVERYTHING, and with a smile so big it literally knocks her over once in awhile. She is a delight 80% of the time and is making her needs well known the other 20%. I am excited to see other facets of her personality emerge as she gets older.

Walking

This isn't the greatest video shot of it, but you can get a glimpse that Leena has started walking here.

Buddies

We've been keeping busy here in Nairobi. Ani spends most her afternoons playing with her buddies here on the compound. It's pretty ideal for me -- no playdates to schedule, just send her outside to explore and play. I suppose it's not that different from many suburban neighborhoods, but it's new to me in this stage of my life and it's great.

Here's a couple of photos of play -- one on the playground and one during our Easter Egg Hunt this year.

When will I learn....

...that when Ani is quiet for more than 5 minutes, she is up to no good.

"Mom...I need to put on more make-up."

Recent adventures

Mt. Kenya -- Castle Forest Lodge


Ostrich Farm

Forward motion

Leena has been working on crawling with great success. On one hand, we're happy to see her make such progress at under 7 months, on the other, it's time to start baby proofing ;(

Ani or Leena?

My girls look quite similar. Actually, this picture of them is more distinctive than most but it still begs the question, can you tell which one is Ani and which one is Leena?

A. B.

Lake Nakuru

We finally got out of Nairobi for a weekend visit to Lake Nakuru -- about 2 hours away. It wasn't exactly challenging travel -- relaxing at a lodge, taking game drives, and general lounging. We weren't particularly ambitious about seeing animals (no early rising) but did see quite a bit -- flamingos, zebra, antelope, rhinos, giraffe, and even a couple of lounging lions watching "the game" after their holiday meal.

Hope everyone's holiday was relaxing and happy!

Holiday E-Card

Every year I try to come up with some excuse on why I am not putting out a proper holiday card. Excuses have ranged from: too busy with graduate school, too busy with wedding planning, too sick with pregnancy, etc... This year, our excuse is that we're in Kenya and therefore it's not administratively sensible. Thus, here you have our lame e-card version this year. I couldn't even manage a decent photo of the girls and opted for this one because it made me laugh.

It's not all the "Christmassy" over here except at the malls and I kinda like it. I don't get into the Christmas spirit until mid-December so we are just now putting up my homemade stockings, experimenting with green and red popcorn, and singing carols. I'm starting to feel the spirit now, though so Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and all the rest....

Update

So, I've been a negligent blogger, and just as our life gets a bit interesting.

We're doing well here in Nairobi. I have been distracted by having to relearn simple things in life -- how to use a parking meter, how to use the clothes dryer, etc.... A quick update, we have hired two women -- one to help with the kids and housekeeping and one as a driver. So far, all is going reasonably well. We are also gradually acquiring furniture, wall hangings, curtains, etc.. so our place is feeling more and more like a real home and less like an abandoned warehouse. On the weekends, we've taken little excursions... seeing an elephant orphanage, a ride through the Nairobi National Park, a walk in the Ngong hills, and lots and lots of malls. I guess it's a mall culture here and I'll learn to adapt.

In the meantime, the kids keep growing, changing, and making me laugh. Ani is starting out at a preschool on Monday, which is a relief because we are running out of activities to keep that mind busy. Like most kids her age, it's one activity after another and thank heavens I stocked a good art box and extra toys for our first couple of months here. Leena has started solids and sitting up for short periods of time. She's a sweet baby with her own unique characteristics. The girl loves toes, -- hers, mine, Ani's, you name it. Here's an amusing video:

Around the compound

We have made it to Nairobi without much incident. The flight was very long with two kids -- about 15 hours in the air and another 5-7 in layovers, waiting on the plane, customs, etc... We are gradually settling into busy Nairobi and enjoying the beautiful and spacious apartment that Ben got ready for us. The best part is the lovely green space on the highly secure compound. Here are a couple of photos.

Summer/Fall Recap

We've had a great time here in Michigan before our next adventure to Kenya. Here are a few recent photos:

Ani and Leena wearing dresses that were previously worn by Jean and Niki -- about 30 years ago.

Grandpa and the two babies...

trendiest of accessories...babies!

How do you like them apples?

We went apple picking this weekend. The kids had a great time sampling the goods. I think we forgot to tell Ani that we actually paid for the apples in advance. She looks like she's trying to sneak one here.

Ani turns 3!

Ani turned 3 this weekend! We went fishing in Gallup Park with cousins, grandparents, and other family and friends. It was a great time. Besides this calendar milestone, Ani has also mostly potty-trained and now has a "big girl" haircut. I feel like she's transformed from a toddler to a little girl. Pretty cool.

Summertime

We've been having a great time here in Michigan. As usual, I have not been taking as many photos as I'd like to. Here's a classic shot of summer, though:

Leaving Beloved Berkeley

It's with a great sigh of sadness and nostalgia that we leave the Bay area. Although the time has flown by, we've been here quite awhile now -- 8 years for Nicole, 7 for Ben.

Here's a list of some of the things we've obtained during our time here:

* 1 master's degree
* 1 marriage
* 2 PhDs
* 2 beautiful daughters
* over 500,000 frequent flier miles ;)

We'll miss the mild weather, the variety of nearby nature, the lack of mosquitoes, the endless selection of good eats, and the wacky politics. Most of all, though, we will miss our many many wonderful friends who have been so supportive during our transitions from bumbling confused students, to bumbling confused parents, to our new adventure as bumbling confused ex-pats.

Father Ben

Here's Ben with his 2 babies

Here's Ben with his 3 babies ;)

More baby pictures

Baby Leena is Here!

Hooray! Baby Leena has arrived!

Here's her stats.

Name: Leena Audrey Bellows
Birth time/date: July 1, 2009 at 6:22pm
Location: Alta Bates Hospital, Berkeley, CA
Weight/length: 7 lbs 5 oz; 20 inches

All is well at the Bellweather household thus far....

Links to other photos:

http://www.our365.com/newbornportraits/babydetail.aspx?birthid=f4d37bee-ad34-4314-8802-7897b7e0e3a9&babyid=07afeae4-704a-4b3e-9470-23bcbbe11359

Belly shots

Tomorrow we hit the 38 week mark of this pregnancy and we decided we should get a couple of belly shots since the new baby can come any day now. We are dismantling the apartment in preparation -- trying to clear out Ben's office area to make room for baby stuff. Most likely we have 2-3 weeks more to get ready but you never know....