4 months and 4 years

Thanks to my sister Becca and her photography skills, I have some nice views to share of our 4 month old and 4 year old. We get to enjoy her and my sister Naomi here with us in Nairobi!

Three months old!

Our little boy is 3 months old today. He flashes his charming smile quite a bit these days and has even started rolling over. Here are a few snapshots from the last couple of weeks.

faces of Max

life with two

Here are a few of my favorite views from the last few weeks.

Introducing Max Elliot!

Max Elliot was born on Wednesday, July 18!  He entered the world via water birth at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi.  Everything went very smoothly and both he and Rachel are doing well.  We were very fortunate to have Lucy, an incredible doula, accompany us to the hospital and help through the labor and delivery (see the third picture).  Bibi stayed with Nani at home, which was a tremendous help, and both were able to come visit at the hospital on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons for a few hours.  We brought Max home on Friday and have enjoyed getting to know the newest member of our family.  Our apologies for not getting any pictures posted until now as internet nationwide has been mostly down over the past few days and we also had a power outage at our house lasting over 48 hours.

Two Bellies

Here is a fun belly picture of my sister-in-law Kristen and myself 2 weeks ago. She and I have due dates less than 2 weeks apart. We will be delivering in two different continents-her in Canada and I here in Kenya. It is exciting to have cousins this close together.

a little update

I am not so good at keeping up with blogging but...
every once in a while it requires a little upkeep and updating : )
Miriam (and Silas of course) posed for me a few weeks ago for a picture on her new favorite way to be a part of life- a stool. Now she can help me cook. Now she can see and be a part of everything going on. Stools are exciting for a 3 year old and she uses it often if not to just push around.
Her latest in life has been imaginative play and talking with her dollies, animals and "duff".
She also enjoys reading books- sometimes we read to her (or she recruits others) but often she likes to read them herself.
Being outside playing with leaves, grass, water or whatever is available has been curtailed a little with the heavy rains but that just means that she gets to use her umbrella or just run and get soaked as much as she can.
Miriam is excited about the baby coming and likes to come give kisses. How will it be when the baby does arrive for her? I am praying about that transition.
Here is a family picture of us on a little hike in the Ngong hills last Sunday afternoon.

Just remembering...

It has been a few weeks since my two sisters, Naomi and Becca, came to visit us here in Nairobi, but I still am remembering and appreciating that they took the time to come be a part of our life.
Here are a few glimpses of our fun week:

Thank you Auntie Naomi and Auntie B for all the love and time you spent with Miriam and for the time listening, learning and trying new things with Jonathan and I here in Nairobi.

Hair-do

This is what Miriam calls
 her new hair-do-

Dear family and friends...

We are happy to share that there is a little Koski on the way!

It is due to arrive in July.

Miriam is very excited and asks lots of questions : )