Please Welcome: Toots and Djembuh

It's not everyday the babysitter shows up with a surprise birthday gift for 2 toddlers.  Rather, it's not everyday someone shows up with 2 live rabbits without consulting with the parents.

Nonetheless, Astou, our former Nanny, rang our doorbell full of excitement and joy as she couldn't wait to give Laird and Dylan their special birthday gift.  She couldn't stop giggling, and despite the initial shock of 2 rabbits being dropped off in a cardboard box (without food or a cage), I began to process that these 2 little rabbits would be a wonderful addition.

Dylan without hesitation named his rabbit 'Toots' and Laird thoughtfully looked around the room for a name, coming up with Djembuh.  (Djemboy is the 2 year old boy who living next door in a corrugated metal structure.  He recently went to Guinea for a few weeks.)

Dylan and Toots

Laird and Djembuh

Laird and Dylan LOVE to eat carrots.  I had a hard time keeping them in the house before these rabbits arrived!

Laird and Dylan love to pet and feed these little animals.  And I am over the moon that my veggie scraps do not go to waste.  They eat constantly.

Now let's just keep our fingers crossed that these rabbits are the same sex!

Apple-face Hats

Laird and Dylan's Nana coined the name 'Apple-face hats' when the boys sported a cotton version of this style hat last summer.

They love to wear hats and love even more to see Mama knitting them something special.  The boys help me 'wind' the yarn and have started to pretend knit on their own fingers.  

Sweet Dylan

Sweet Laird

Hopefully, this wool version will be of some use during a trip home next February!

Happy New Year's 2013!

When we moved to Senegal over 3 years ago, the controversial Renaissance Monument was in the early stages of construction.  Now, it has been a great place for us to tire the kids out.  I meant to say, get some fresh air and exercise, as well as visit a historic monument.

Merry Christmas!

Laird and Dylan have been going to French preschool everyday since September.  They love going to school and adore their teachers.  It's hard to believe that their French is far stronger than their English right now.  Mom and a few friends are the only source of English here in Senegal.  In fact, Laird helps translate when Mom needs a helping hand speaking French!

Here is a video from their Christmas Party.  It was a beautiful and festive evening full of song, dance, food, a guest comedian performance, and even a visit from Santa.

Laird and Dylan,
Mom and Dad burst into tears while you were performing.  (Note the jiggly camera footage.)  We are so proud of you, and the wonderful little men you are becoming.  Everyday is such a gift.  Dylan, you love to check in with how we are all feeling.  Dylan will say, 'Mom, are you happy?  Dad are you happy?  Laird, are you happy?"  My sweet son, we are more than happy.  We are over the moon.  Everyday I wonder if my heart will burst because it is so full of love.  Merry 2nd Christmas Laird and Dylan.  We love you so much.  Love, Mom and Dad

PINK!

It's been a wonderful week...

Laird and Dylan have a new cousin!

Liam and Max are big brothers to 

a SISTER!

Please Welcome:

Evelyn Reese Nudd

(nickname Evie, pronounced like 'Eh-vie')

Born at 7:20am on Thursday November 29th, 2012

8lbs 12oz

21" tall

She's already looking like Gillespie and Nudd!

We can't wait to meet you sweet baby girl, and shower you with lots of cuddles and kisses.  

Auntie Kelly already has her knitting needles knitting away.  

The Gillespie Girls finally have some 'pink'!

xo

Breaking our Own Rules, Part I

Dad and the boys

Once or twice a month on Saturday night, we have been taking the boys to the local Pizzeria.  It's a special treat for them because the kitchen does not open until 7 pm, just 1/2 an hour shy of the boys' bedtime.  We arrive as the sun is setting, order a special 'cocktail' for the boys, have a toast, do some coloring, play with pizza dough, and also play on the world's most unsafe playground.

Laird and Dylan know that these evenings are a special treat, and are giddy with excitement and glee.  They love to see the moon and the stars and understand they are up way past their bedtime.

'Mama, Laird loves loves loves loves to go to Sao Brazil', Laird says every time we arrive at the pizzeria.

Every now and then, it's good to break your own rules.

Dylan loves making artwork!

Laird and his 'funny cocktail face'!

The Merry Go Round.

The 'kids' on a double swing.

Happy Laird.

Watching the chef make the pizza.

15 Seconds

And this is what happens when I step away from the Painting Table to take muffins out of the oven.  One would think I should know better by now...  At least it was washable paint.

(Dylan on left, Laird on the right)

Or better yet, maybe they somehow found out about 'Halloween' and are reacting to not having celebrated this holiday yet!

(Dylan on left, Laird on right)

And here is another gem from this weekend, just a few hours before Dylan vomited repeatedly in the Club Med pool.  Note to self: How do you clear out a packed pool to have some space to yourself?  Bring Dylan.

(Dylan on left again)

And apparently, we have been doing a lot of see-sawing lately.

Summer Highlights...

 There were so many pics to choose from; it was hard to pick our favorites.

And despite Richard being ill for over a month with the Entamoeba Histolytica, we still seemed to have a great couple of weeks.  (For that blog entry, please click here.)

                                        

       

                            

                            

                          

No raincoats?  No problem!

Celebrating Guinea's Independence Day

It was a  tough 2 days without any electricity and sweltering temps.

In the midst of a difficult afternoon, we were serenaded with beautiful song dance.  Thank you.

Oldies but Goodies

When we were robbed, we lost almost all photos and video footage from Laird and Dylan's birth until they were 6 months old.  The laptop, camera, and video camera were all stolen, and because I did not yet have an external hard drive, my system of 'backing up' was to never delete anything.  I couldn't imagine I would lose all 3 devices at the same time!

Luckily, friends and family have shared their photos with us, as well as what we had posted on the blog  and facebook. (Thank goodness for cyberspace!)

We replaced our video camera last year and found some long lost footage saved on the hard drive last week.

Oldies but goodies, for sure.

Laird 1 1/2 years old dancing away in Maine, July 2011.  Laird has always loved to dance!

Just before the boys 1 1/2 year old birthday celebration...stumbling around with their special hats!

Laird and Dylan rocking out in their playroom, September 2011.