The hospital is very nice. It is, well, a hospital with white halls and rooms and very quiet. The doctor has been great. After my visit this week, I will go every week to be monitored down in the delivery area. Through that I will get to meet the midwives and such. I have not been on that floor of the hospital as of yet. The most anxiety causing thing is that they use the French delivery system, since it is a French hospital. That means the midwives will push on my stomach during labor to encourage the baby to come out. Needless to say I have heard this part is very painful. As such, I will likely wait until the last possible moment to go to the hospital. But this hospital is the best in West Africa to have a baby and I have three friends that have had their babies there with this doctor, two within the last year or so. Two other interesting factors is that the woman delivering does not have a stitch of clothing on during delivery, so I have been told that all modesty will go. But praise the Lord I will not have to have any one interpreting for me to be an extra pair of eyes, like all my friends have had. We feel like our language is sufficient especially with an English speaking doctor. Something else I learned last week is that I will have to get a list from the doctor of all my supplies and go to the pharmacy ahead of time to get them. Yes, all my supplies…baby eye drops, pads, bed pads, etc. So yes, this will be an unforgettable experience. I have also been told to expect to stay 7 days, which will make it quite an experience for Rich and William as well.
Well that is probably more than you really wanted to know but there it is. Lots of love!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
William's birthday
What a day it was! We started the day with presents from grandma and a special cereal she had sent.
Shortly thereafter, I, Lisa, got together with our neighbor's daughters to go buy supplies to cook everything for the party that night. Our neighbor, Rich's Senegalese mother, had offered a month ago to have his party at her house. Two of the daughters came over and prepared the cakes, which are similar to our pound cakes, and the fatayas, which are best described as meat pies. After all that, which took until after lunch time, they left to finish the fatayas and would do the popcorn at their house. After they left, I made his cake with the icing and tried to get a little rest.
I had invited everyone for 5:00, knowing it would start late. At 6:30, I started to worry because no guests had shown up yet. Anyway, shortly thereafter they began to straggle in. Not having ever done a Senegalese birthday party, particularly for a child, or attended one for a child, I told the neighbor's daughters they would have to tell me what we were doing and when. The party was basically dancing to Senegalese music. They were waiting to eat until late, because that is how they are. But Pape could not wait and others started asking for something, so then we ate. They kept waiting to do the cake and singing. Then the electricity went out leaving the place pitch black. I suggested we go ahead with the cake, because people began to talk about leaving. So they sang and Pape blew out the candles. We served the cake and not long after the electricity came back on. People then began leaving after that to go home for dinner. We waited a while and then came home a little before 9:00. We were all wiped out!
It was not much like it would have been in the states, but at least it was memorable! Happy 2nd Birthday Buddy!
Shortly thereafter, I, Lisa, got together with our neighbor's daughters to go buy supplies to cook everything for the party that night. Our neighbor, Rich's Senegalese mother, had offered a month ago to have his party at her house. Two of the daughters came over and prepared the cakes, which are similar to our pound cakes, and the fatayas, which are best described as meat pies. After all that, which took until after lunch time, they left to finish the fatayas and would do the popcorn at their house. After they left, I made his cake with the icing and tried to get a little rest.
I had invited everyone for 5:00, knowing it would start late. At 6:30, I started to worry because no guests had shown up yet. Anyway, shortly thereafter they began to straggle in. Not having ever done a Senegalese birthday party, particularly for a child, or attended one for a child, I told the neighbor's daughters they would have to tell me what we were doing and when. The party was basically dancing to Senegalese music. They were waiting to eat until late, because that is how they are. But Pape could not wait and others started asking for something, so then we ate. They kept waiting to do the cake and singing. Then the electricity went out leaving the place pitch black. I suggested we go ahead with the cake, because people began to talk about leaving. So they sang and Pape blew out the candles. We served the cake and not long after the electricity came back on. People then began leaving after that to go home for dinner. We waited a while and then came home a little before 9:00. We were all wiped out!
It was not much like it would have been in the states, but at least it was memorable! Happy 2nd Birthday Buddy!
Sunday, August 14, 2005
An American Baby shower in Senegal
Well, today the other workers in our country with our company gave me a baby shower. I did not know they were even planning it until a couple of weeks ago, but for some reason I was really surprised. Even today it was funny to think about going to a baby shower for us. I don't know if it is because we are here or if I am still processing that we are about to have another little one. As far along as I am and as big as the baby is, it should not be difficult for me to process but being busy has made it harder to think about.
But anyway, back to the shower information. There were cutesy decorations. We played silly shower games and had great refreshments. We played the game where they cut the string that is supposed to go around my waist. The ten year old daughter of one of my friends got it right on; everyone was impressed. I got some wonderful gifts for the baby, especially precious outfits. I was just thoroughly overwhelmed with the love. I had so much love shown to me in the states when our son was born two years ago. The number at the shower today was less than the showers I had in the states, but it was good to feel that same love. We are so very blessed that God has placed people around us who care for us so. One of the girls there made a list of quotes you only hear at a baby shower in Africa. I will post them for all of you when I get them from her.
But anyway, back to the shower information. There were cutesy decorations. We played silly shower games and had great refreshments. We played the game where they cut the string that is supposed to go around my waist. The ten year old daughter of one of my friends got it right on; everyone was impressed. I got some wonderful gifts for the baby, especially precious outfits. I was just thoroughly overwhelmed with the love. I had so much love shown to me in the states when our son was born two years ago. The number at the shower today was less than the showers I had in the states, but it was good to feel that same love. We are so very blessed that God has placed people around us who care for us so. One of the girls there made a list of quotes you only hear at a baby shower in Africa. I will post them for all of you when I get them from her.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
I am so proud of my brother!
I am so proud of my big brother! In May he became a father for the first time. Now they will be celebrating again as he most likely be promoted to Lt. Colonel in the Marines next month. Though I guess my little joke about him being a Major Pain will not really fly anymore. Hahaha! Not that he ever really is a pain you see.
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