Taylormade

March 24, 2009

"We are together" This is a phrase that people say around here when they are with you. Working with you, Friends, or just aquaintances. This is what these two have become. Mkulu and Judah are "now together." I think that the first day Mkulu was really interested in Judah following and sniffing him. The second day Mkulu was on his own and Judah was wanting to play and would not leave him alone. But after a week together they have found a balance. They play early in the morning, running around the yard, and late in the evening, when we throw them the ball. Judah has already figured out how to open the gate and let he and Mkulu on the porch. We will find them there in the afternoon when it gets hot. Judah is teething and we have been giving him ice cubes to chew on. Mkulu has decided he likes them too. It is better that him chewing up our shoes or the gate.

March 18, 2009

Okay this blog is not about us but about my CRAZY mother and brother. They went to california for spring break to visit family and this is what happens when people visit my Aunt Becky. Peer pressure. Yes Drew has been skydiving before and I was signed up, paid, and the weather got bad so I never went. But my mom????? Excuse me but I think she needed to ask my permission. What if the parachute had not opened. Doesn't she know that she has a grandchild coming?

March 17, 2009

If today was St. Paddy's Day we had no clue. We woke up and got dressed and then as we went out to run some last city errands we read in the newspaper that today we were suppose to celebrate the luck of the irish. Who knew??? Luckily I did decide to wear green. After a full day of getting our new tires on the truck and buying the store out of dog food, we headed to a friends' house for Terrific Tuesday Pizza. Served with salad and brownies for dessert. It was really great to have this fellowship and conversation. I of course always love playing with Micah, their little boy. Everyone but me had a blast playing the Wii. I am just not that into it. I do not get it. Why is it SOOOOO FUN??? My eyes got tired just watching it.

March 15, 2009

It was a tough decision but we have been half heartedly looking for dogs. We found these german shepard puppies and they seemed the right age to let Mkulu teach him how to obey, bark, and watch the yard. He named the new puppy Judah, he is really cute but we still miss King alot. Judah is growing on us a little. Though he does not like baths. He does however already know how to sit and stay. Now we will just work on shaking, laying down, rolling over,........ So far so good. Judah will be able to ride up with Drew in the fixed truck next week sometime.

March 14, 2009

We spent time with friends today and were able to catch up on all that has gone on in our lives. We at Artcaffe' a really good coffee/pastry shop. They have great pizza, cappuccino, burgers, cheesecake.... All you could want from a eatery. We had to put our dog King down yesterday, and as hard of a decision as it was we are moving forward. We will miss him, he was part of our family, and loved Drew to death. Today helped keep our mind of him being gone. Drew got to practice yet again carrying around a baby. Micah loved being held as we grocery shopped after lunch, and I loved watching it. He is really going to be an amazing dad. He has already won my vote.

March 10, 2009

We went to have our 28 week scan done. Noah is healthy and is head down, back along the left side of my stomach, bum up, and his feet are kicking on the right side under my RIBS! Joy!!!!! I have not had much pain or trouble with pregnancy, except for the vomiting. But if I sit for too long in one spot he certainly lets me know by kicking and wedging his little feet in my ribs. We now weighs about 2 lbs. and 11 oz. With a heart beat of 129. We saw that he had fluid in his bladder so he has been practicing swallowing the A fluid. And this time we were able to see the heart pumping. One flap has not close yet, and will not until after birth. All normal progress. The next day we went to see Dr. C and she told Drew he was taking good care of me. She also told me I could splurge and eat all the ice cream I wanted. I go next week for a glucose test, and while at home up North I will have to be checking my B/P, urine for protein, ketones, and sugar. She even taught Drew how to check the fundal height to make sure I am growing enough. I certainly think I am growing quite enough. Thank you.

Sunday March 8th 2009

We took in a little culture today as we went to see a friend play in an orchestra concert. They played Brahms Tragic Overture, Khachaturian Violin Concerto, and Dvorak Symphony No. 7. All I had never heard before. I really liked the 1st and 3rd performances. Noah was sure active through the whole thing and kicked like crazy. He obviously had never heard such an array of sounds. It was a fun day.

March 7, 2009

We met friends our friends for lunch at Mediterraneo. This is one of our favorite places and I was certainly in need of a good steak and taters. Drew tried the calzone. I still get another Birthday dinner while we are in the city and maybe a movie for valentines day. We have updated the pics of Noah and my belly. This is 28 weeks. I feel like my skin will stretch no more but I know I still have time to go.

March 5, 2009

Our Kingers made the trip from home because he has been sick. We took him to the vet and he has been through all kinds of blood tests, x-rays, and treatment. They decided that he has low liver function, a impaction, ascites, and, a systemic infection. They are treating him in the kennel. He got into some trash two weeks ago and his stomach has been expanding because of fluid ever since. We let him be boarded for five days and at the end they told us he has elevated enzymes in his liver and it will shorten his life. They also tested the food recently given to him and it tested positive for Aflatoxin. Food Toxicity. This sometimes happens when you get meal that has gotten wet, and grown fungus. You just never know. He is on lasix and antibiotics, and we will see if he can regain any weight. If not we may have to make the decision to not let him suffer. This has been tough on both of us, but King and Drew are very close.

March 3, 2009

Today was one of the hardest days for us in Kenya. Drew woke up this morning early (5:45) and headed for the city, a 9 hour drive. He took a teammate, our worker, and our sick dog King. By 7:00 he had two flat tires on the rear wheels. With those fixed he began again. By 10:00 they had another tire blow on the front an older one. With spares available they had to walk to the nearest town some 3 km away to get the tube fixed inside the tire. In the mean time Rosemary (drew’s mom came to work the med clinic) and I are boarding a tiny plane in our town and headed to the city. The plane is a five seater and since we have had rain and winds this plane is really like a butterfly in the air. I was fine until Rosemary said she was getting sick. I then proceeded to meet my 50 time vomiting while pregnant. Rosemary got sick as well and 20 minutes later we landed safely. I called Drew and found out that they had yet another problem. While driving the latest tire fixed came off the hub and passed them in the road. The lug nuts were no where to be found and they had to compensate by taking blots off the other tires and driving slow as each tire was only fit with 4. The last I heard they were staying somewhere for the night (probably not anywhere that the 160 lb Great Dane was welcome) and they were getting new tires. Kenya does not have the best roads and worrying about my husband and sick dog on those roads does not make for a grand day. After all this the guys finally made it in to the city the next day at 1:00.

February 26, 2009

We were pleased to find that the ladies of this village are being taught an invaluable skill. They are learning to make and sell soap. To their neighbors, their friends, and learning the importance of bathing and hygiene. We got to tag along as a member of the community facilitated this endeavor. The supplies are shipped to them and they mix and flavor the liquid soap. They also bath one child every time the soap is made to demonstrate the usefulness and effectiveness of the soap. It is made to sit for 12 hours to thicken and then ready to be sold. They sell 1 liter for 75 shillings.

February 24, 2009

While assessing patients at the clinic the 2 doctors saw and large number of patients with Trachoma. As expected from previous research done by Dr. Belk, he and Dr. Lohmeier were prepared to teach and treat this condition. Other illnesses included (burns, dehydration, abscesses, cervical neuropathy, exhaustion.......). We were able to serve 946 patients in the 4 days we worked and hopefully left this place in better condition.