On the Arrival of Friends and Babies

Feb 3, 2011 | South Africa, Stories

Remember how I told you a while ago that we had a friend coming to visit? Well, our sweet friend Agnes got here yesterday, and I’m so excited! The last time we hung out was obviously a while ago — you’ll be able to judge the amount of time that has passed based on how much the Bear has changed:

We made her a special sign and waited for her at the airport.

But grew a little impatient and considered asking someone else to hold the sign for us.

Then thought mayhaps it would be fun to throw the sign around…

And then we abandoned the sign in search of better adventures.

But Agnes still arrived anyway!

And there was much happiness.

And even an offer to help with carrying things…

The Bear is absolutely delighted to have a new friend around, and we are too! She’ll be here for a couple of months, helping during this transition from a family of three to four, and enjoying a bit of South Africa at the same time. {I’m hoping to get her to write a little bit for you around here as well…what do you think?}

I love watching arrivals at the airport, much more than departures. As we were walking into the airport yesterday, the Bear recognised where we were and began saying “Bye bye, Gpa” — G-pa being my Dad, who took us to the airport back in the Carolinas last month. It was a teary goodbye to say the least. Sad just remembering it!

But arrivals are easy and beautiful. There is hope and excitement for what’s ahead, and not much thought is put into departure — life is just arriving. And that is happy stuff.

Speaking of arrivals, even more life will be arriving around these parts soon! I had my nearly 38-week checkup this afternoon, and the doctor says I’m already 1 – 2 cm dialated and things could begin happening quite quickly! We’ve got our Agnes in place, and we just picked up a changing table some friends are letting us borrow, (thank you sweet friends!) so we’re getting the baby stuff in place.

When the wee one will decide to arrive is anybody’s guess at this point. We just need a couple more days to figure out the name!!

By the way, does this shirt make me look fat?

xCC

P.S. I’m also excited because I’m going to be writing at Signpost Ministries on a regular basis. A post that might be familiar to you from a while ago is featured there right now! Signposts is ministry devoted to serving families with children who have chronic health problems or disabilities — I hope to share more with you soon!

Hanging Puffs

Jan 15, 2011 | South Africa, Stories

Ever feel like you’re a little behind and a big behind at the same time? Nevermind. I am trying to get things together now that we’re back in SA and baby brother’s arrival is 40 DAYS AWAY. {I know that’s 5 weeks, but 40 days seems more imminent and pressing!}

So far, three suitcases have not been unpacked from our travels to America. Baby clothes have not yet been sorted or organized. The Bear hasn’t learned to sleep in a big boy bed yet because we haven’t found one. {I am, however, very busy looking for things on Gum Tree!}

If I’m not potty training, clothes stacking, laundry-catching-upping, or big-boy-bed-training, {and I’m not} would you like to know what I am up to when I’m not in the kitchen? {Energy to cook is always the last thing to go — energy to eat makes this a priority!}

Well, I’m hanging puffs.

You heard me.

I’m hanging puffs. Here’s to throwing one back to the New Kids on the Block, who are apparently on their way back in.

The Bear and his baby brother will be sharing a room sooner or later. Well, the Baby will sleep in his crib in our room, but his stuff will be in the Bear’s room. And the Bear’s room is so sad and bland at the moment, I needed to give it a little colour and life.

While we were in the States I bought some tissue paper with this in mind. And yesterday and today, I’ve had the energy to make puffs.

Like these:

These sassy lassies are now hanging above the Bear’s crib…the spot where big boy bed will be before too long. {That’s a Bear’s eye view.}

Here’s a different view, so that you can witness our eloquent hanging methods.

{Raffia + tape = job well done}

The guest room got a splash of colour, too! {These are hanging above the headboard of the big guest bed.}

Care for a couple more shots so you can see the full effect?

Great!

Here sleeping Bear lies:

And there are the delicately placed puffs, smiling over him with wispy, friendly, colour-y goodness.

In case you weren’t reading around here a gabillion years ago when I shared the ridiculously easy process of how to make these “pom-poms” or “puffs” or whatever you fancy calling them, here is the post with the tutorial. So easy. Great party decorations. Cheeeeep and cheeerful. Win, win, win.

Hopefully I’ll get around to some more productive nesting over the next few days. In the meantime, at least we’ve got colour! 🙂

xCC