Through Kai's Eyes - part 4

 Hi everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve written, and I have quite a bit to tell you:

I am almost 2 – this is important. Something terrible happens at 2. I’m not sure what it is but everyone talks about it: “terrible twos”, and I am a bit worried. As a result, I find myself a bit more, um, how shall we say, high strung? Defiant? Needy? Opinionated? I’m still waiting to see what terrible thing happens when I turn 2.

In other news, mom is ok. Her last post got a lot of worried responses. I am here to tell you, she is fine. She still cries a lot, but she laughs a lot too. Auntie Rachel once said a day without tears & a day without laughter is a day wasted…mama says she is embracing this. What is embrace? Other perk of mama crying - she looks funny when she does and so I laugh – and then she does too. We’re a good team. She is also still a lot of fun – she sings a lot, she’s teaching me how to count to 10 in 4 different languages, she’s helping me learn the differences between shapes, and she’s letting me help her sew. My job is to push the reverse button – I am very good at it.

We also do a lot of fun things – we go to my grandparents house so I can play with Augustine, we go to my friend Miss Joelle & Miss Julie’s house so I can play in their kiddie pool, and we go to Miss Sierra’s house so I can play with her kitten. People say we are ‘so cute’ (and they always say it in a really high voice. Weird.) We also build towers, have toilet paper roll fights, play hide & seek, watch the trucks, and drink juice. I love juice. And I say it like this: ‘ju eas’  (like eas-ter). That’s how Scola says it, and I think it sounds nice, so I say it that way too – ‘ju-eas’.

Mika is really fun. She started laughing, and she laughs a lot. She and I like to cuddle, and read books together. She is learning that she doesn’t have to always be with mom, and will let me help her when she’s upset. I tell her ‘shh shh Meetah’ and she is ok. She is also very pretty – mama & papa are teaching me to tell her ‘you look pretty’ every day, they say it will build self-confidence. I don’t know what that is, but no one ever tells me I need it, so I must already have it.

I haven’t sustained any major injuries lately, but when the mosquitos bite me, I look like I have measles. That’s what mama said. She calls me measles sometimes, which I don’t think is very nice. But the mosquito bites always go away, and I don’t have malaria. Big yeah.

I go to a weekly play group on Wed mornings with my mom. Me & the other kids sing songs, play with stuffed animals, and instruments, and then play outside while our moms talk. It is so much fun, and I am learning to sing the songs all by myself. Today I sang a song, and mama started to cry because it was ‘so sweet’. She said I sing beautifully. Of course I do – she seemed surprised. Other than Wed, we just do other fun things all week.

Papa is doing fine. He opens the door every morning and walks out, but every night he walks back in so that’s ok with me. We have a lot of fun when he is home, even though he and mama sometimes seem to have a lot to talk about. They still seem to like each other – I am a lucky kid. So is Mika. Papa’s work people are always excited to see me, which is nice and they are very nice to me & Mika. Mama wanted me to tell you we had a few enjoyable social events with work people last week, and she feels very welcomed. So, there’s the message.

I need to go to bed because it’s getting late but here are a few lessons I’ve learned:

·      If you use enough dish soap (aka the whole bottle when mama isn’t looking) you don’t need water to get something clean & you make a lot of bubbles

·Mika’s poo tastes funny. Mama said that was a ‘big oops’ – the place where the rags hang was apparently a temporary dirty cloth diaper drying area. I was told to wipe my face off. Not my fault. For the record - I did not intentionally wipe my sisters poo across my face.

·      Not every person is named Augustine, Scola, or Ndemi – there are also some named Peter.

·      If I puff out my chest, mama thinks my seat belt straps need loosened when she straps me in. Then when she is driving I can get most of the way out of my car seat. Excellent.

·      If I scream “I love you, mama!” she isn’t as mad when I wake up Mika. Which is what I wanted to do in the first place, she’s boring when she’s asleep.

·      Scola will let me do almost anything. I eat so much peanut butter and cereal when mama is gone.

·      Everyone here loves babies and little kids. On several occasions, I have chosen to sit with other people at restaurants when my parents thought I was nearby – these other people are always friendly, and share their food and drinks with me. Mama seems a bit embarrassed when she finds me seated comfortably at a strangers table (what is a stranger?), but I think it is an excellent way for me to learn other languages as I have had dinner with Germans last week, and Ethiopians tonight.

·      Blue tooth headseats are awesome & I look great when I use one. Which I do. I just can’t figure out where it is so I tend to get dizzy when I use them, something about constantly turning one direction to see where the noise is coming from?

I’m sorry I haven’t written in a while. Mama says she is too. We’ll keep doing our best, we’re finding our rhythm.

If you have any questions for me, please leave a comment & mama said she’ll pass them along so I can answer them in my next post! I don’t always know what you guys want to hear about from my perspective, but I’m happy to share!

Sorry there aren’t any pics with this one – mama’s a slacker when it comes to the camera these days. She’ll get better soon.

Til next time! - Kai

Through Kai's Eyes Pt 3 - Camping

I think I like it here..

Hi!!

So, it’s been awhile, and I have so much to tell you – which is why it’s been so long since I’ve written. I’ve been busy. I continue to be exceptional at most things I do, and my parents have even found a few friends who think as highly of me as I do – they’re wonderful.

I have a new friend, his name is Ndemi (like Demi, but start to say the ‘d’ like you’re going to say ‘n’). He lives in the same apartment block as we do, and is a bit older than me. He doesn’t talk much. Ok, he doesn’t really talk at all, but I kinda like it that way. I’m not really a talker with people my age either. Ndemi and I just hang out, play with our toys, and sometimes help my mom with projects (hanging laundry, shelling beans, watching Mika). Ndemi thinks our house is his and really just walks in all the time – mom kicks him out sometimes…something about him needing to knock before he walks in on her nursing Mika, but I like it when he comes.

Ndemi & me helping mama snap green beans for supper.

 

In other news, we went camping and it was awesome! We went on a great hike through this gorge formed from natural hot springs – there were some tough climbing spots but mom & dad did great carrying/wearing Mika and me. There was one tricky part where we had to climb down near a little ‘waterfall’ (12ft), Mika got passed down from person to person but I just stayed on dad’s back and we made it fine! It was super fun, and super pretty. 

Me & papa! Go Kelty kid carrier!

The 12ft drop, they passed Mika down to mama who was half way, and she passed Mika down to our friend at the bottom. Success!

The gorge we hiked through...that little brown spot across in the distance is where the next picture was taken

After our hike, we went for a drive – oh, I’m sorry…I drove. 

Yeah, I did. See, I have a photo to prove it.

I can drive!!!

I wish I was still driving...

 

I also have a photo to prove I got a time out in the car. My mother gave me a time out in the car – she said I was being unsafe because I didn’t want to sit on her lap & gave me a time out…oddly enough not on her lap. Oh well, I guess I got the point.

My nose, in the corner of the car - and yes, my mother is taking a picture while also disciplining me.

 

I was able to get out of the car and go chase some giraffe & zebra too. I told mama I was gonna “hit it” but she said we don’t hit giraffes…not sure why not, but I obeyed, didn’t want another time out, you know? Mika stayed in the car, but she had a great time too. See?

Mama says to tell you it's not 'photoshopped' - they really were that close.

Mika stayed in the car, but she had so much fun!

After that we went to our campsite & set up our tents – Mika supervised. 

Looks like Mika's directing traffic...

After the sun went down, the hippos came out of the lake and were super close to us. We were separated from them by a ditch & a little electric fence so mama said we all “felt safe” (didn’t know we needed to worry…). The hippos just ate their grass, but they were pretty close – maybe 30 ft away and we could’ve gotten closer.

The view from our tent...so much space to run & play!

 

The next morning, I got to see monkeys up close. I mean, really up close. 

Mama told me I could hit them as long as they were smaller than me. I think she was still mad one was going to take her banana. She sure showed that monkey though! 

Please note the banana in mama's left hand, and the ball in her right...she did throw the ball, and hit the monkey.                      It was awesome.

Anyway, me and monkeys got along just fine – we’re thinking about buying a boat, we just have to check it out a bit more first. 

"what do you think Sal? Will it float?"

 

So – that was camping & it was awesome. We’re going again after Christmas, which will also be awesome.

In other news:

I go potty like a big boy!!! I still can’t take off my own pants, or put them on (I think this will be an advantage later on…) but I can definitely go potty all by myself. Because of my inability to put on my own pants, mom just lets me run around naked most of the time….I am planning on not learning how to pull my pants up or down, because I love being naked. Love it.

I also am learning how to use toilet paper the right way – to wipe my behind; I even try to help mama change my own messy diapers, which she seems a bit flustered by. Today I also tried to help mama use toilet paper the right way when she was done going to the bathroom but she said she didn’t need my help…whatever. I explained myself pretty clearly “Kai mama boobey u” (note from Sarah: I refer to Kai’s behind as his booty boo).

Um, family updates: 

 

Mika is awesome. We have so much fun together, I love to hold her, to give her her pacifier, and to make her laugh. Sometimes, mama lets me help with Mika or asks me to make Mika happy when mama is busy – I love to help with Mika. She’s rolled over a few times, she’s starting to laugh, and she is crazy, I mean crazy about solid foods.

Mika's first time eating! When she eats, she's a mess. I mean a giant mess.

Mama also talks about Mika making her melt, or something…I don’t know, it’s always in reference to how much Mika likes to cuddle. 

Mika's auditioning for a model gig...ok, not really but what a good lookin' sister!

 

Papa is home for the next 2 weeks, which I don’t really comprehend yet, but mama seems happy and I love having papa around. We play on my bunk bed, and he lets me get a lot more messy than mama does.

Mama is good – we go on play dates a lot with other kids. They all talk funny…but I’m learning to understand them. I can now count to 10 in three different languages – I’m told that’s “impressive”. I just think it’s useful for getting attention.

Scola is great, I’m pretty sure she’s only here to play with me…we play so much together, and a lot of times mama just leaves me with Scola all morning – I love it. Scola can play play play! She also sings to me a lot, which I really like.

Well, I need to scoot – mama says I’m still bad at sleeping because I’m too tired…so I’m going to bed. I hope you guys enjoy the update! 

Best look of the day...who said I have big cheeks?

Through Kai's Eyes: Part 2

Hi everyone!

Mom told me I have to write again, and even though I am incredibly busy these days - I decided to obey. Obey is my new word this month - mom says it A LOT...I totally get what it means, I just consider it optional and she apparently does not.

Anyway, besides my obedience 'struggle' I'm having a great time in Kenya. I'll be honest, it was a pretty big adjustment - it's light here at night time, and dark during the day...at least that's what I thought at first. I think the day is just flipped upside down here or something - the good thing is it starts getting light at 5:30 in the morning so I can get up then. So much fun to be had!

1am family movie time - Toy Story 2 + cookies + milk

I have met a lot of new people and they are all really nice - I still haven't made any friends my age, but I have a great friend named Scola, and another one named Augustine. I hang out with them a lot while mom is out running errands (what does that mean anyway?) and they are both super nice. They are teaching me Swahili - I know how to say 'kwaheri' and 'tuto o nana' which mean 'bye' and 'see you later'

Scola & me at Kokoo & Babu's house

A couple things I have learned - in addition to every person I saw in America, every person I see in Kenya thinks I'm pretty cute too...I get such big smiles when I use my Swahili! I'm quite sure I've already stolen quite a few Kenyan hearts.

The other awesome part of living here is the driving! There are so many big trucks, and they get so close to our car, and mommy honks ALL the time - it is awesome. There are also so many bumps and I go up & down in my car seat - roads in America were boring & I always fell asleep. Not here!

On another note - I hate going shopping with mom here. She takes so long, and is really tense when we're shopping. It's like she has no idea what she's doing. It looks pretty simple to me - pick up the coolest things, and leave. Oh well, she'll figure it out. I just hope she leaves me home while she does.

We found a new home - mom said I should tell you all but I am still confused as to what/where our new home is. Mom said to tell you it's an apartment, 1st floor (I am super disappointed I can't spend hours going up the stairs when we get home from being out & about - I need the practice), 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms (so many toilets to flush!!!), a laundry room, and a nice big porch I can hang out on & watch the parking lot. I guess we're staying at Kokoo (sounds like cocoa) & Babu's house (mom's parents) for a while longer but that's fine with me - I'm starting to like it here.

Mika is learning to smile!

Dad is gone a lot. Mom says he's at work, but he used to work from our house so I guess that's different now and I don't really like it. He's usually gone when I first wake up, and gets home when I'm going to bed. I miss him a lot - mom says it will be better when we move to our new home because it's a lot closer to his work so he doesn't have to commute (?) for 2 hours each way. I hope she's right because he is crazy fun, mom is more um, normal fun.

Bellybuttons are awesome

Mika is bigger - but she still sleeps a lot and I figured out what she's really useful for: if mom & dad are not paying enough attention to me, I just hit her, make her cry, and then they both come running. Mika is incredibly useful...she's like my version of a waiter bell. Awesome.











Mom says we need to leave soon - we're going to have dinner with some new friends (mom wrote about them in her last blog I think).

Here is a picture of me & Mika in the past couple days - mom says people like to see how much we're growing.  Enjoy & talk to you soon!

Through Kai's Eyes: Part 1

Hi everyone!

Mom told me she was a little busy & tired from the past couple weeks of moving so I told her I would take the next blog post responsibility.

I know my parents have been really busy with the move, and Mika is busy with...well, I have absolutely no idea what you call what she does - sitting on her behind? BUT I have been incredibly productive the past couple weeks, and from my perspective, have only added significantly to the well being of everyone and everything around me.

I've learned some great new skills which I am sure make my mom & dads lives easier and I do my best to utilize these new skills as often as possible.

Examples of my great new skills:

1. I can flush the toilet. And so I do. A lot. No one else seems to understand that if you flush enough times, the water is clean enough to play in, and maybe even drink. No need for a Brita filter or a cup - they can be packed in advance.

2. I am technologically competent. Skills include turning computers & cell phones on & off, calling the police (very useful), quitting 'important' computer programs unexpectedly, & daddy's favorite (judged by the big response I get every time): I can pick up the computer!

3. I am learning how to drive a car - phase 1 complete: I can put the key in the ignition and turn on all the lights, wipers, & alarm. In the rare situation I am in a Prius, I can even turn on the car.

4. I can help with Mika - I give her her pacifier, cover her up with blankets (mom always uses little ones, I find the bigger the better - then I can cover up all  of her, face included), feed her my lunch, and yell loudly when she cries so mom knows something is wrong. I'm like a mobile baby monitor.

5. I can pack & unpack. Enough said; though I think mom & I have different systems. We're still working out the kinks in our communication.

There are many more great skills I've picked up - but I don't want to brag...I'll just assure you I'm pretty advanced, in my own opinion.

While I have developed quite a few skills in the recent weeks, I admit I'm a bit overwhelmed by how busy everyone else is & by how much everything is changing - can't find my toys, or my furniture, or sometimes my mom. I'm managing though, and have a feeling everything is still ok.

I need to go take a nap (according to mom...whah, whah, whah) so here are a few pictures to show you some things I did over the past few weeks!

Enjoy!

Listened to Mika's secrets

Built towers

Scarface - injury of the week

Ate some bubbles

Took one more stroll through my stomping grounds

Wondered if my coffee intake is stunting my growth

Got to know the lady mannequins at the store

Ate meals at my new kitchen table

Drove my stuff to NorCal

Mom will pick this up again soon - but I'm sure I'll be back later with another update from me! They'll be labeled 'Through Kai's Eyes' - catchy, huh? Bye for now!