23 months

I need to get this post in before it is too late.

This girl....

turned 23 months and her personality is just shining through each day.  'Though she be but small, she is fierce' pretty accurately sums her up. And one of these days, I'll get that printed for her room.

This has been a pretty crazy month for us.  In case you can't tell from the picture,  we moved at the beginning of August, and things are pretty chaotic (and in disarray) right now.  So, not too many pictures.  Maybe next month?

Malaikah's vocabulary improves every day, and while she still speaks in sort of half words (mo' for more, for example) you really can tell what she's trying to say.

Things she loves --

Music.  I've said it a lot, but it just continues to be so true.  When we're in a store with music she'll start dancing to it.  If you sing to her and stop, she'll say, "Mo'! Mo'! Mo'!" I've got her signed up to do Music Together next month and I'm assuming she's just going to love every second of it.

Biking.  She's been riding Kyalo's old plastic bike up and down our drive way (because of the move we're not on a busy road + we have a longer driveway which has gotten a LOT of use). She is remarkably brave and daring.  She has fallen off the bike (and on to her head) more times than we can count, but after a few tears she'll dust herself off and get back on.  Plus, she just goes zooming down the hill.  She seems fearless.

Books.  We read a lot around here.  Plus story time at library.  She does like reading the same books over and over again, but that makes things easier because then I have them more or less memorized.

Brothers.  She wants to do EVERYTHING Kyalo does, and is constantly asking after Koko.  It won't be long, I think, before she can really take Kyalo down in a wrestling match.  Fun to see her navigate life with her brothers.

Getting her into the carseat has become a battle of epic proportions.  I'll be glad when we're done with the car seat stage (or, at least, I can turn her around).  I'm currently listening to her screeching at Kyalo about something which never ends well, so it isn't always sunshine and rainbows.   She still sleeps well, though lately it is taking her a lot longer to fall asleep.  Hoping it is just a phase.

This smile-y spitfire brings us so much joy.  And, I'm fairly sure, I'm going to have a few heart attacks because of her dare devil antics as she grows older.

one month

Here we go again!  Monthly posts begin for Kioko...he's already a month old (technically, six weeks, since life is too busy to blog).  And what a month it has been!

I'd forgotten just how much having a new born slows you down.  I'd have grand plans for the day, and they'd all have to be tossed out the window because of nursing/diaper changes/outfit changes/falling asleep on the couch with the baby.  Good times!  I'd also forgotten just how much I love the new born stage.  It is so fleeting -- two weeks, and that squishy newborn-ness is gone -- that I really tried to soak it up since this is our last baby.

Here he is August 1, one month old.

a serious old man!

And here he is, next to big sister Malaikah.

At his one month check up, August 5, he was:

9 pounds, 7 ounces

22 inches

He's going to be our tall child!

And now, for some photos from the month....

One of the best things about being in Maine is that we are 2.5 hours door to door from my parents' house.  That means I can coerce Grandma to come in for some baby snuggles a lot.  A lot a lot.

July 15

 July 22

She snuggles the other kids, too. 

If you ask Malaikah to give Kioko a kiss, she will give him this forehead to forehead head butt.  I'm not sure how she got that idea, but it is pretty hilarious.

Kyalo, especially, loves having Grandma in town.  

I must admit, having three kids -- and two under two! -- has been a hard transition for me.  I have not yet managed to get Kioko on much of a schedule/routine/rhythm (too soon?) so it makes for unpredictable days.  And Malaikah still needs a solid 2+ hour nap which, if it happens too late in the day means she's up way too late, and a vicious cycle ensues.  Also, going to the store with all three basically terrifies me.  All that to say is, I'm so glad my mom is willing and able to come as much as she does.  She is coming on Thursday and I'm already planning a trip to Wal-Mart.  My life is thrilling, let me tell you.

those curled toes!

These pictures were taken Juy 17, and he already fills that outfit out so much more.  My baby is growing up so fast!  

These faces of Kioko really make me laugh -- that furrowed brow, the pursed lips.  It is all too much. Could he be more of an old man?  The ring of hair around the back of his head just adds to that look, too.  

Everyone says he looks a lot like my dad.  So the first grandkid (of 9!) that has more of a Mering look than the other family.  Kioko's hair is very different from Kyalo and Malaikah's.  It is thinner, silkier, and looks like it could be straight!  That has GOT to change, though, since everyone on both sides of our families has curly hair.  Can't wait to see what it does end up looking like.

Over all, Kioko is a good sleeper, and a great nurser.  He is already down to waking just once or twice at night.  What a champ.

We don't currently have a crib for him -- Malaikah's still in the one we have -- but a friend lent me this rocker thing that has worked well (but probably won't for too much longer) for the time being.  Here he is all snuggled up in it.

And that wraps up the first month...

22 months

Last week, Malaikah hit 22 months.  Two months until she's two (and all the craziness that comes with it) and it seems hard to believe.  Also hard to believe?  That she's now a big sister!  For a long time -- most of my pregnancy, really -- I was hoping for a girl. I had visions of that sisterly bond (something I don't have), of sharing a room, clothes, dolls, secrets, etc.  I though since they'd be so close in age that that would be important and sweet.  It wasn't until the last few weeks that I became convinced I was having a boy, and began to think that could have its own specialness to it, too.  Malaikah being the only girl -- MY girl -- is so special.  And she will have no trouble keeping up with  her brothers. Of that, I'm sure.

We have one feisty girl on our hands, for sure!

She's independent and confident and knows what she wants.  She's not afraid to push Kyalo around to get what she wants (basically, anything he touches).  It won't be long till she's bossing both Kyalo and Kioko around, ruling the roost!

Because, really, who can say no to this face:

July 10 - 22 months

She can climb into her high chair and car seat.  She's mastered some more words ("hi" & "bye") and some half-words: rhy-der {right there}, diz {this}, eeze {cheese} and so on.  She calls Kioko 'Bay-bee' or 'KoKo' with the cutest upward inflection, so we're all pretty much following suit.

She's working on her mothering instincts.

we will keep working ;)

She LOVES music and to dance, and reading, and imitating Kyalo -- she'll be playing baseball in no time.  She is happy almost all of the time, willing to help me with Kioko getting diapers and the like.

Some other recent pictures.  

Eating her first homemade Fudgescicle (they were amazing - def making them again) on a hot summer day.  She loved it, of course.

 July 17

July 17

those eyes!

These last two photos are from today - I even grabbed the big camera for these shots!  Her eyes are really striking to me - big, brown and soulful.  I love looking at them, esp in pictures like this one above where she's looking directly at the camera.  

Since she came home from my parents' house a week or so ago, I really haven't been able to get over just how huge she seems.  Compared to Kioko's 7 pounds 10 + ounces, her 24 pounds seems like a deadweight.  And her legs seem like tree trunks now compared to his scrawny little sticks.  Funny just how different they are.

I need to go. Can't seem to settle Kioko - back to late night fussiness and feedings -- but other than that little hiccup, we're doing well and Malaikah is doing well. She's going to rock the big sister/middle child roll.  

Kioko Kilonzo

It seems hard to believe that 8 days ago, in about 3 hours, we went from this.......

July 1, 2015 5 AM

39 weeks, 2 day

(blurry iPhone photo taken in a rush before the hospital)

To this........

July 1, 2016 -- 8 something AM

Kioko Kilonzo Mulandi

7 pounds 10 ounces

20 inches

8:13 AM

Kioko is a Kamba (Dexter's tribe) word meaning 'born in the morning' (turns out it is also a Japanese name meaning 'Meets the world with happiness' I'll take it!).  Kilonzo is Dexter's Dad's name.  Also, amazingly, July 1 is his birthday.  When picking the C-section date, that never crossed either of our minds.  A happy coincidence.  I hope Kioko can meet his namesake some day (soon).

Since I had a C-Section, delivery was easy and smooth.  The hardest was getting the spinal for the anesthesia.  Kioko was a little cool, temperature wise, so they cleaned him up and put him on my chest ASAP to try to warm him up.  Other than that, though, he passed all his tests and was perfect.  Once they moved me into the recovery room, he latched right on and promptly nursed for an hour!  I am so thankful that all three of my babies have been good nursers right from the start.  There is so much to be thankful for.

My first sight of Kioko.  Our lips kind of match.

Operating Room photo.

This was cool - this year, instead of having a cloth drape between the doctors and me, there was a plastic sheet, so I could see the doctors, and the baby as soon as he came out.  I couldn't see them operating (because, no thank you), but could still see them, see the baby right away, etc.  

My parents came up from MA to be with the Kyalo & Malaikah in the morning, and then to whisk them off to MA for several days so I could recover/adjust to a new baby/settle in at home a little bit.  I don't have the words for what a gift that was.  Before they left, though, they came and visited us in the hospital.

 flowers in her hair from Kyalo

Malaikah meeting Kioko.  She wasn't too sure about it all.

While I still recovering in the room, my legs were jumping all over the place, as if they had a mind of their own.  The nurse told me to stop doing that, but when I told her I had no control, she got a little worried.  Thankfully it did end on its own, but it was pretty amusing while it lasted.

Kioko was well bundled while in the hospital, but that didn't stop him from doing a cluster feed the first night.  I don't think either of the other two ever did that.  If we never go through that again, that'd be good.

Kioko was the lightest and longest of the three.  20 inches long seems quite long, and I wonder if he'll have some of the height that his Mering family has (not me sadly - Uncle Adam and Grandpa).  Also, it seems hard to know who he looks like.  The overall consensus seems to be like my dad.  Another surprise is that (so far) he has straight hair!  He has a tiny bit more than Malaikah, and it seems darker. But it hasn't yet shown any signs of curling.  Wonder what will happen.  There's no way it will stay straight.

After two days, they let us go home! 

On day four, I put him in the 'Silly' out fit that both Malaikah & Kyalo wore.  Had to be done.

There they all are!

This is one of my all time favorite pics of Kyalo.  

Who do you think Kioko looks like?  Maybe Malaikah?

I really love baby feet (who doesn't?)

 look at those legs!  Where did they come from?

here he is in his new car seat.  so tiny!

The big kids came home on Thursday night and we're easing into this new reality.  It isn't easy!  But we're getting the hang of it.  I think.

July 9, 2016

So that's it.  Tomorrow Dexter goes back to work, so it will really be the beginning of the new reality.   The biggest bummer is that because of the C-Section, I'm not supposed to lift Malaikah for six week. That'll be impossible, but will do my best. 

We got this.

21 months

Well, this is it.  The last update before our feisty girl is a big sister!  I can't believe it.  (Nor can I believe we're down to 2 weeks!)

This post is delayed, in part, because Malaikah had a 3-day fever situation.  There were no other symptoms (cough, vomit, teeth) but by Saturday she just seemed more lethargic so off we went to the doctor.

Thankfully,  she recovered well!

A bonus of going to the doctor is that she got weighed...24 pounds, 1 ounce.

This month she cut three (or four!) new teeth.  She was a big drooly mess for a few days, but otherwise seemed OK.  She's added a few more words (or half words), 'NO' (with a strong shake of the head and arm crossing)is a new favorite.  'Bo' for her bath tub boat, 'Hi' etc.  It does feel like every day a little more is coming.

The girl has attitude and personality up to the sky.  I offered her some crackers the other day, but she had seen the cookies I'd made over the weekend so of course she wanted those.  Still, I gave her the cracker. She dropped it to the floor and stepped on it to grind it in to a pulp.  Just needed some high heels and black leather pants to really complete the look.

And even still, she's so sweet.  I recently found Kyalo's copy of 'The Little Blue Truck" and read it to her.  That same day, I found her sitting in her chair reading it:

Not the most earth shattering video, but listening to her say 'bee bee bee' for all of the truck's friendly beeps is about the sweetest thing.  Best is when Kyalo and I read it and she says all the beeps.

At a T-Ball game for Kyalo.

 she's ready to get in the game.

I think we're going to have a long relationship with Baseball

 frolicking in a near by yard.  

Sunday best for a recent church service.  The dress is from Kenya

it would be too much to get them to both smile at the same time.

These final days are really bittersweet for me...Malaikah has been such a great baby, and watching her grow and become more independent is such a joy. I'm afraid with the new baby she will get lost in the shuffle of life.  

The adventure is really just beginning!

20 months

Our little ray of sunshine turned 20 months last week.

She is a spitfire with a lot of energy, and attitude.  This month, she learned how to climb down stairs successfully.  This is good news for me because that's one less time I have to carry her.  One baby in my belly is enough! She also now says 'up' which often comes out as 'hup'  and papa has morphed into 'bah-pan' which is too cute.  And if you stretch your imagination a bit, she also says 'go.'  Even without words, we can communicate fairly well.  I taught her to say 'please' in sign language, although it is actually 'more' so it is the Mulandi Sign Language, since that's the only sign Kyalo knew, too.  Ha!  Whatever works!

Mother's day pictures:

little ham!

Still loves books, blocks, balls and her big brother.  I think she is daring and fearless.  She sleeps with books scattered in her crib, plays with the blocks or MagnaTiles endlessly.  Still loves all the carbs, but we're working on veggies and other things.  Oh, and if you need a door shut, she's just the girl to do it!  

I am always amazed by how much she understands.  I can ask her to go get or do something and off she'll march to do it.  People have told me that she seems intelligent and engaged and all other things that makes my mama heart sing.

{20 months - May 10, 2016}

Kyalo started T Ball again a week or so ago, and his first game was this weekend.  Check out the newest black bear:

how old does he look? oh, my.

And Malaikah's ready to play, too.

 kind of looks like a Bobblehead

"Put me in, Coach"

Plenty more T-Ball pictures to come, of course.

This little skirt is one my mom brought back from Kenya in January.  Love it.

It is hard to believe that next month's update is the last one before Baby comes -- just six more Sundays as a family of four.  I think the change will be hard for her.  She'll miss the attention, of course, and having to share more time and things.  The next few months are going to be very interesting!

* F I V E *

Last month, Kyalo turned five.  Time for an update!

It is really hard to believe he's so grown up, on the brink of kindergarten, growing in independence (and defiance!), a lover of baseball {still}, books, ice cream, his sister, his cousins and life in general. He loves school, is super social, is eager to be a part of everything.  He is thoughtful and caring -- I hurt my back badly a few weeks ago and could barely move, one night he had woken up and asked me to tuck him back into bed.  As I hobbled in to help him, he said, "how's your back feeling, mama?"  He generally plays well with Malaikah, though as she has become more independent sharing has become harder for both of them.

This has been a good year for him.  He started a different school in the fall and it has been really wonderful, nurturing place for him.  They focus on play, on art, on books.  He regularly comes home with art projects -- so many that we covered the play room wall with them.

Two minutes after I took this picture, he took everything down 'to make room for new work'.  So, we're working on filling it back up before the end of the year.

He has grown so much this year.  At his well visit appointment I learned he'd grown 3 inches!  He's really lost his baby face and just looks all boy.  A good example of this is the photo below.  Both pictures were taken March 20th.  The one on the left in 2015, the right, 2016.  We started T-Ball again this month and one of the moms said, 'I feel like Kyalo has doubled in size!' That's a good way of putting it.

For his birthday, we had a handful of gifts (mostly art-related) for him, and a couple bags of his favorite pistachios.

Safe to say, he was pleased.

At his request, I made vanilla cupcakes with strawberry frosting.  

A random assortment of pics from the past few months:

 about to eat a mini dosa at an AMAZING Indian restaurant we discovered earlier this year.  Sadly, it is all the way in Portland so we don't get there too much.  He loved it.

In March we were in CA visiting my brother & his family.  This picture of Jack & Kyalo is one of my favorites.

As usual, we were in Essex for Easter....

 twins!

next Easter, there will be five!

In April we took a little farm class at a near by town -- Kyalo and some friends bottle fed baby goats, fed chickens, gathered eggs, planted seeds, brushed horses and mucked their stalls, and did some little science experiments each week (do YOU know how tell tell if an egg is fertilized or not? I didn't).  It was such a sweet time, watching the kids get fully engaged and engrossed in it.  And also, I bought a dozen eggs from this farm -- eggs Kyalo helped to gather -- and they may have been the best eggs I've had.

 first time riding a horse!  loved it.

Shallots!

One of his gifts was a little superhero set that he had to put together.  He wore it around a lot...

even needed it for feeding the goats!

and who better to use the second set he got than trusty Lion?

The first T-Ball game of the summer is this weekend (if it isn't rained out), and then the week after his final game Baby comes!  And then life will simultaneously come to a standstill and speed up. Other than T-Ball we don't have too many plans for him yet...but I do hope we have a fun summer ahead.

This was a good year, and the year ahead will only be better and more eventful.