Nomad and Babies

One of the amazing things about having a child is 

that you may be totally worn out. 

you may be so tired of hearing them cry, but at the same time you are 

so incredibly proud and in love that you don't really mind. 

Ki has been having a hard week; these teething side affects are rough. 

And it seems that she has had every single one of these side effects...

HOWEVER...as I said...with the pain there are always joys as well!!!

the nice thing about having a dog...is it's a walking playground for Shakinah

this playground goes where we go

There is something I have always loved about living in an international country...the international friends you make. When people from different cultures come together in a foreign country; these people become more than friends. They become family. You rely on each other, laugh and rage over the country's weird quirks, mourn over missing familiar things and people, help each other out no matter what. You find parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins in these people whom if you were in your own turf you would probably never get past the stage of acquaintance.

I have been so blessed to find a few people like that here...

One of things most difficult about having a child in a new country is not having family and close friends. Johan's family also doesn't live in our region. So we don't have people  who we can just drop Shakinah off to for a few hours to get something done. I LOVE being a Mum, but sometimes to not have that option...is difficult. One of us (Johan and I) need to be with Shakinah. So date nights are not something that happen. I'm not saying this with self-pity (these are the choices we have made) but more that sometimes I find this difficult. 

So knowing how this feels when my friend Julia (from Slovakia) asked if I could watch her son. I was more than delighted to help out; plus I just love that little guy. 

So we got him from 5pm-11pm

And we enjoyed every minute of it!! 

To be honest...I always thought if I was ever to have children...I would want boys. Only boys. 

I like how boys tend to be a little more wild. Tend to want to get more dirty. 

I just find little boys so much fun and full of energy. 

However, I didn't have a little boy and how I love having a little girl 

She gets dirty, is full of energy, but more dainty. 

So I still hold to the belief...children are meant to get dirty...clothes can be washed. 

Of course dinner manners are important for us too, but every now and then you just need to let loose. 

Today Shakinah cut her first two bottom teeth. 

Unfortunately...I didn't even realize that she cut teeth until my friend Julia noticed. 

Here's the story about why I was so embarrassed about Julia noticing Shakinah's teeth before me. 

After 8 months I still haven't figured out how to fold the stroller and put it in the car.  

I can't figure out how baby seat belts work 

and when it comes to working a baby gate I am completely helpless. 

Julia has to come and open it for me. 

We always have a good laugh about it, but we both know that I was meant to be a mother in more primitive times. 

So everyday I check Shakinah's mouth looking for little teeth...and the one day I don't. 

TA DAAAA Julia finds it. 

Motherhood failure. 

Shakinah of course had a rough day 

spring and teeth :)

new changes developing everyday

my baby girl is getting so big 

xx 

Bethany