Bloggity-Blog-Blog-Blog

rocking with the doon

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:55:00 +0000

this morning randy was rocking Wolfgang and Enkidu just had to be involved. Turns out, Enkidu loves Wolfgang. He wants to be as close as possible at all times (even though we don't allow it most of the time). But under "supervision", Enkidu naps by him and watches him and loves him. We had a good night last night! No screaming. No sickness. Just lots of eating. The nurse said to feed him on demand until he's completely well.
Thank you guys for praying for us and continuing to write during this time. Your emails are like Christmas presents! I can never wait to open them.

A few quick shots

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:11:00 +0000

Whats going on.

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:17:00 +0000

The one thing I want to do more than anything is post pictures. But I can't sit at the computer yet, so I'm using Randy's laptop on the bed and I can't upload pictures here.
This has been one intense week.
I'm taking some prescription meds for all kinds of issues (mostly pain), and one of them has made Wolfgang sick. Like, projectile diarheah sick. And he likes to wait until after I have his diaper off to let loose.
He's been up all night for the past couple of nights screaming (stomach pain) so we've gotten no sleep. And its hard because I can't move much, even to sit, and when I do, its excruciating. So I've spent a few nights in exhausted, excruciating pain.
That being said, I nearly cry when I think about this time slipping by too quickly. Last night Randy took Wolfgang to give me a break and he laid him on his chest and started humming. Wolfgang loved that and immediately calmed down. He wrapped his tiny finger around Randy's thumb and went to sleep.
This time will never come again. Even with the issues, I am in constant amazement.
Pray for me as I quit all my meds. Pray that I won't sprout fangs. Pray for little Wolfgang's tummy that it will be back to normal today (the nurse said it should...)
Pray for Randy as he does absolutely everything around here. I know he is exhausted too.
Pray for the heat index that it would wait about 2 weeks to really climb!
I have to go to the doctor's on Wednesday, so while I'm up and out, I will be taking and posting pictures. I wish y'all here here to see this sweet baby. I love him with all my heart.

A quick update

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 12:15:00 +0000

I (Randy) just wanted to let you all know that everything is great here. Heather is still in some pain though. We think she make have broken her tail bone. Otherwise, she is in great spirits and Wolfgang is happy and healthy. Once we find our “groove” I’m sure Heather will be ready to post more. Then we’ll take the baby all over the Western Cape. Until then, bare with us as we learn to speak baby.

Oh, and for those of you who don’t know. Heather’s sister Hayley is getting married today. Congratulations Hayley! We are sad to be missing this important day in your life.

New Years

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 19:08:00 +0000

So, I might have forgotten yesterday was New Year's Eve had it not been for our lovely neighbors. We got home from the hospital at 5 and Randy grabbed Wolfgang and was helping me down the hill to our house when suddenly our neighbors came out of the woodwork. And apparently the woodwork was serving tequilla. I've never seen a woman as drunk at 5 o'clock as Mr. Creepy's wife was. She staggered her way over to us and I wondered if I should let go of Randy and help her. All the drunkards gathered around and cooed and awed over the baby. I wished I'd had a video camera. Welcome to South Africa, Wolfgang.

We had a good day. A long night, but a good day. Randy made all the meals and cleaned the house and got groceries and did laundry. Man I love him. He also got Wolfgang this hat.
Thats about it for today. I'll write more tomorrow!

baby head

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:10:00 +0000

I don't have much time but I thought I'd post these few pictures.
I'll give a more detailed account of things when I can think straight. So, say, next year sometime?
He's finally here.
Wolfgang Xerxes Gauthier
He wasn't as heavy or tall as the doctor insisted he was, but his head was big enough to make up for all of that! He is such a good baby! I love him! (warning-ugly picture) I think he is going to look like Randy, but we'll see. He's only a day old after all.
Its been a rough day, but I am too happy for words. Pray for all of us as we figure things out and I heal up. I can't really walk (more about that later) so Randy has been SuperMan. I can't even begin to tell you what a great man I married! The dogs have done great too by the way!

New Baby News

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:02:00 +0000

I will be brief. Heather wants to tell the story. She was supposed to be induced this morning at 6 am, but was already having severe contractions by 3 am. What a coincidence. So we left for the hospital and arrived at 4. The baby was born at 12:20 - healthy, all fingers, toes, and nose. No eyes. No, I'm kidding. All appears to be just fine with him except for his cone head. He is 8 lbs and 20.5 inches long. The doctor said, "That was a very hard delivery!" Heather is doing well though and is still at the hospital with the baby, until tomorrow. I'm about to head back to the hospital after I run the dogs. We will all be home tomorrow and then you will get more than a bare-bones fly-by. Ciao. Oh, and thank you all for your prayers.

-Randy

The Last Day

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 10:37:00 +0000

I went to the doctor this morning and based on a number of factors, we have decided to induce tomorrow morning (which will be 10 o'clock your time tonight!). I'm thrilled and not at all nervous. I'm sure that will come tomorrow morning as we're driving to the hospital. After all this time I'll finally freak out.
:)
Pray that all goes smoothly and that the baby is turned the right way and that the inducement works fast and that a C-section isn't necessary.
Pray for our nerves and our patience and our dogs who have no idea whats about to happen to them. Pray for the baby-head as he makes his entrance. I can't wait to see him!

Flat-Brat!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:41:00 +0000

For those of you know know, and those who don't, the Project Flat-Brat has been completed and Randy and I have spent much time grinning big grins in front of the computer screen. (That phrase was for you Andrew)
Cristin conducted a massive project that spanned the US and took 3 and a half months! I can't imagine all the blood sweat and tears both she and Andrew put into this project.
For everyone who wants to see our baby and won't get to for a long long time, they created Flat-Brat. Cristin mailed him off, and as you'll be able to see on the web-site my brother built, Flat-brat flew from coast to coast spending time in the arms of those we love.
You have GOT to see this!

www.flatbrat.com

Thank you so much to everyone who carried my flat, green baby around and took pictures of him in public (and private!). It was so wonderful to see all your faces.
And thank you Cristin for 3 and a half months of fun stress on our behalf. This really is the most creative and fun thing I've ever received. And Andrew, the web-site is amazing!
I love you all!
Go see!!

Saturday Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:14:00 +0000

The blogs are slowly turning into a trickle as I approach my due-date and hardly have the energy to bend over and pick up the camera. I've had a lot of Braxton-Hicks contractions so maybe I'm getting ready to go soon. I'm praying for it! Randy has stayed home the past two weeks and the dogs are by my side continually, but I still feel restless. We've played a lot of cards.
Just wanted to say hello and that I'm still here at home.

Back when we were cute.....

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:05:00 +0000

Our mamma's put together a great photo album for me and Randy, full of old pictures of the both of us. I've looked through it a million times already and had a good laugh at the early teenage pictures (which I will absolutely not put on the blog. Randy was clear-skinned and handsome and I was a beast. I'm glad we didn't meet during those years!)
It will be very interesting to compare these baby pictures with our own baby's face.

While Randy was a happy little performer.......

I was a shy, moody observer.....

Christmas Eve! Already!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:46:00 +0000

It literally seems like 3 months ago that we were celebrating our last anniversary. Eating Indian food in Cape Town. We like to celebrate with Indian food for some reason. I can't believe its been a whole year since then.
We're not doing much today as I'm feeling unusually immobilized. I WANT to do things, but my bones and ligaments are insisting on doing nothing. Maybe we'll go to McDonalds again.
>:)
It would be fitting considering that after our wedding reception we went straight through the drive through at Taco Bell (neither of us got to eat any of our reception food and we were starving). That could be our anniversary tradition; a fast-food drive through.
Anyway, Merry Christmas Eve, everyone.

(This is a shot of us hanging out the windows of our tiny Chicago apartment. Just to the right of my head is the enormous Domino's Pizza sign. We lived above it on a crazy corner and we loved every minute of it.)

Offspring

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:04:00 +0000

For the past few years I feel like everyone I know is pumping out babies. All my friends and every movie star with ovaries. Its still happening, and for the first time ever, I'm one of them.
You think I kid? Just look at all the Hollywooders. Angelina Jolie. Jennifer Garner. Gwyneth Paltrow. Jennifer Lopez. Nichole Kidman etc etc.
And let me give you a little run down of the past 5 months or so.

In August, Melissa (my Chicago friend whom I painted) gave birth to Kai.In September it was Tammy giving birth to Hannah (no picture)
In October Alyrose gave birth to Wyatt Xander.In November, two small group friends (Julie and Tamara) both gave birth to boys.
Julie had Graham (this is her husband, Ron)And Tamara had big ole 9 pound 7 ouncer, Lewis. (Marcus is the older one) This month my friend Amanda (in Denver) gave birth to sweet little Ellie.And Faith (also from our small group) gave first to her baby (no meds!) Arielle.Is it something in the water?
I guess I'm next (and last) in line. Yikes. Pray for me. I'm nervous.

Shower!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:07:00 +0000

I had a baby shower today and it was wonderful!!!!! Actually, it was bittersweet because I was sitting in a room by myself, but still, every time I opened a package I was reminded that:
1. I'm about to have a baby
2. I have the best friends and family in the world
3. Cathy is so cool for wrapping my gifts in fabric!!

I'm about to head out the door to the doctor's office, but I thought I'd post a couple of pictures. (what made this so thrilling was that I registered for NOTHING and so everything I opened was a complete and unexpected surprise! It was so fun!)

Look at this little ticking stripe outfit from Denise. I LOVE IT! And check out the teeny-tiny shoes from my sister Hayley! SO CUTE!And this is an older outfit from Andrew and Cristin (Right? It wasn't marked...)
I literally can't wait to put him in this one. Its so soft and stripey. I love stripes! And its my favorite colors too! Good job!

This is one of my favorite Onesies! Thank you Cathy! You have great onesies taste! This will be his "coming home from the hospital" outfit. I just love it.And these fuzzy socks are from Cathy too. I love them!! And finally, here is this absolutely beautiful quilt made by Sue/mom! I wish y'all were here so I could pass it around and you could feel it. There are big squares of soft fluffy chenille on it. I've been fighting to keep it away from Enkidu every since I opened it. Thank you Sue! You'll be hearing more from me about this!
I have so much more to say but we are heading out the door!
I'll write more later!

Nothing to report

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 08:25:00 +0000

We are sweltering in front of the fan today. And yesterday. Randy has been sick as a dog, so I'm sure he's even more miserable than I am at this point. I told Randy that someday we're going to look back on this time and be amazed that we survived the African summers with no AC. He pointed out that we've never really had AC (remember the Chicago apartment, Cristin?). So we sat and dreamed of the day when we will live in a real house and have real AC. It was fun.

The dogs are good and don't complain. Wumpy just sits in his chair, lips caught on his teeth, looking like the brilliant animal that he....isn't.

Scene of the Crime

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:08:00 +0000

Last night we were watching a chick-flick on Randy's computer and the main characters ate Fish and Chips. Just looking at those little morsels of fat and cholesterol were just too much for me to take.
"I want fish and chips," I said. Actually, I don't like fish at all. I just wanted the chips. That was at 8 o'clock, and nearly everything around here closes at 6, so we both ignored me.
Then they showed the food again and Randy was like, "Mmmmm, fish and chips.....".
I announced that I hated the end of the movie. Actually, I despise the endings of most chick-flicks. There is always that moment when one or the other of the "couple" gets angry with their partner. There is always some kind of misunderstanding (an overheard snippet of a conversation, etc). You think its all over until one of them (usually the guy) goes chasing after the girl to confess his innocence (or to say he's sorry) and his undying love for her.
Whatever!
So Randy shuts the computer, mid-movie and says, "Lets go get some chips!"
We've been here for a long time and have yet to go out in search of fast food.
But we were right. Nothing was open.
Except......
They don't serve "chips" like everyone else here does, but after a year of no French Fries, I was thrilled to cram these babies into my face. It was very satisfying. I can't believe I've made it my whole pregnancy without fast food of any kind. I had to do something about that.....

To-Do List

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:51:00 +0000

Now days I have to make myself a list of things to do or I forget why I'm awake. Today my list started with laundry. I started the laundry, swept, rested. Did the dishes, cleaned up trash and rested. The dogs follow my pattern, only they match my chore-doing with extra bouts of resting.And in case you are wondering what "Make stick jars" means, here you go. I'm not done with them yet and I still have quite a few sticks to use. I'll probably give them all a hair cut so they're the same length. Maybe not. I have no idea. I just wanted something to line the bookcase with and this is what I had to work with.

Sticks!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:13:00 +0000

So, if ever I venture outdoors for a walk, I keep my eyes open for something to make frames out of. The other day Randy and I walked to the Farm Stall and the road outside our property was lined with enormous stacks of....bamboo? Some type of tiny long stick that looks bamboo-ish. It was just laying out there unattended so we grabbed a couple of bunches.
Turns out it belongs to our landlord and he is having his roof re-thatched with it.
Oops.

Anyway, I used it to make frames for my bird pictures and get them hung once and for all. These are the very first things I've hung on a wall since we've lived in Africa. The walls here are made of cinder block, so I can't be a hang-happy as I usually am.
They're not perfect, but I'm pleased with them. Gets them off the floor anyway....

Sunday Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:16:00 +0000

Nothing going on around here this weekend. I've been an absolute slug. Actually on Saturday we got a car seat. Tomorrow we have to get our radiator replaced (what-ever!!) so we're going to see if they can put a seatbelt in the back seat so we can strap the baby-head in.
Not that it matters here. I don't think there are laws regarding child safety in the car. Most toddlers ride up from on parents' laps. I've seen children sitting on the dashboard going down the highway. Still, I want to be safe.

I'm pretty sure the baby has dropped, so I have things packed and ready to go. Yee-haw!

Well, its 9:30 here and I feel like I've been doing Tai-Bo all day. I think I'll go to sleep on our elevated slab. I love it!!

Salvation!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:39:00 +0000

No more impossible gymnastics for Heather (aside from actually sitting up....)
Randy called and said he found a box spring at a thrift store. It was still in the plastic and it had FEET on it! It was a great price so he got it!!!!
Just look how high off the floor I am!

I know its probably the height of a "normal" bed, but after sleeping on the floor for over a year, it feels ENORMOUS! Like I have to take a running leap to get into it. I love it and it has made my life about a million times easier. Thank you Randy.
Randy said the choleric outbreak in Zimbabwe has officially entered South Africa. We're going to start buying water today and pray that its safe. There are so many things to be nervous about while living here and I'm really working on being "anxious for nothing" as my mom would say. I'm doing alright (Praise God). Its hard to be anxious when you have a big new bed and money to buy water. How many people in this country don't have that? Too many!

Hotter than Blazes!

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:12:00 +0000

Sorry I haven't done much blogging lately. There are 2 reasons for that. The first is that my fingers are fat little sausages and no matter how loose my garment, I still feel like a hippo in Spandex.
The second reason is the heat!!!! It seems to have come out of nowhere. Its been over 90 degrees during the day. Inside the house is semi-bearable, although i still sweat (with no AC), but poor Randy has to drive the car and that thing is like a sauna. We drove around in it yesterday and I probably lost a good 10 pounds just sweating and trying to catch my breath.

But like I told my mom, the evenings here are such a wonderful relief that they almost make the heat worth it. The sun goes down and the cool breeze is so refreshing after a day of unrelenting sun and locusts and flies. We sit outside and cool off with the dogs. They play and then chill out in the grass.How is this the Christmas season? Its so bizarre to see wreaths and Christmas trees in stores (surrounded by barefoot people in shorts). Maybe by next year I'll be used to it!

Greek Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:36:00 +0000

We went to a dinner party in Cape Town on Saturday. It was at Larry and Anthea's house. Larry is the Jewish man I sat next to at the last dinner party we went to (the Israeli Army guy). Its so interesting to see people's homes here. They are very un-American.
The front door of the house didn't actually go into the house but into a courtyard with a covered hallway (seen in this picture) and a grotto-style pool and lots of palms. Every room in the house that faced the courtyard had French doors that opened into the courtyard.
The meal was all Greek food and we had the "appetizers" outside. Prawns baked in tomato and feta. Meat balls, pita bread and humus, fried cheese....thingies.After that we moved into the formal dining room for the main course.
Brandon, the Weiner-Dog , wandered in and out of our feet the entire time.We were almost done eating when David, the psychologist who reminds me of a tiny, 70-year-old Steven Speilburg, went outside with his pipe, stripped down to his skivvies and jumped in the pool. After he got out and dried off, the rest of us went outside for desert and drinks.
Its kind of fun to be around this highly educated, eccentric older crowd. Constant entertainment!

The Peeps

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:20:00 +0000

There is all kinds of stuff happening in our yard these days. Lots of drilling and sawing and sewage explosions. There are usually two workers out there working on the new cottage. One of them, an older guy, I call Gomer. I wish I could speak their language just so I could understand the words that come out of his mouth CONSTANTLY all day long. The other guy never says a word, but Gomer just goes on and on while he's working and every couple of minutes he laughs a big goofy laugh at whatever it is he's saying. Literally, every couple of minutes.
He seems like a nice guy. The other one is a scowler and if he thinks someone is watching, he tries to walk like he's in a rap video. But his fly is ALWAYS open so that takes away from his gangsta credibility. I'd take a picture but I'm too chicken. I have to say, though, that these two guys work non-stop all day long with no supervision. I give them a lot of credit for that.
I have the curtains closed for some privacy but they always separate and blow open. So I've been using the buttons that Denise sent me to sew them together. Its going to be cute.Another good reason to keep them sewn shut is because of Mr. Creepy. I don't know his name (and maybe he's not creepy at all. Maybe he's really nice), but he and his wife live in the cottage behind ours and he always appears on our lawn in his short shorts and sometimes nothing else. If I'm sitting on the porch he'll stop and stare at me for a second and then say, "Hello," in a monotone voice. No smile, no blinks, just an expressionless stare. I don't know what he does or why he likes to stand in our yard, but the guy gives me the willies. Here he is making his hourly rounds. (and if he's not in our yard, he's blasting Celine Dion's Power of Love. It rattles our dishes) And in spite of all this recent traffic and noise and stench, Wumpus somehow manages to remain unconscious for most of the day.
I have to say that it wouldn't be quite as interesting if we were surrounded by "normal" people. And who knows, maybe we fit in here and don't even know it.
>:)

Chores

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:22:00 +0000

Some of these blogs are like a reality TV show where the main character does absolutely nothing. I can't wait to feel more "mobile". Just recently I've felt like a giant, overfilled water-balloon. Like I'm scared that if I sneeze too hard I'll burst.
Randy always makes (bodily) sound effects after I sneeze. I don't know why, but its the funniest thing in the world to me, even after all these years. I can't not laugh. So the latest sound effect is a new-born baby crying. And Randy never misses a beat. I'll sneeze violently and immediately its, "Whaa, whaa!"
If only birth were that easy.

Anyway, today I'm feeling pretty good after a week of not feeling pretty good. So this is a mini-documentary of me and my day. I did some work for Me & My House this morning and then decided that I'd better use my "mobile" energy while I have it.
I almost fell into the "lets pluck our gray hair" trap in the bathroom, but then realized I didn't have THAT much energy.So I came out and washed the dishes. I wish I could raise the sink about 5 inches. Its a short person sink.
Then I cleaned up the living room while the dogs watched.

I made a pillow the other night with some leftover fabric and the dogs have been fighting over it. They love pillows more than just about anything. Wumpy won today.Then I made the "slab".

Now I'm eating lunch and typing emails. Its weird to think that none of y'all will be awake for at least another 2 or 3 hours. I feel like I'm on another planet. Especially with the neighbors blasting their bad Afrikaaner Polka. And the workers out front arguing in Bantu.

Grass

noreply@blogger.com (Heather G) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:20:00 +0000

So you will all be devastated to know that my grass didn't survive (me). What did survive was two vines that I planted. They're not pretty, but they're alive.So I decided to fill the dead pots with dry stuff that would not require anything further on my end. I found some fluffy stuff outside a few days ago (see my pre-thanksgiving blog) and dried it and used it in my jars. Now they're.....prettier. (ok, in this picture I just woke up from a nap -we got up at 4:30 this morning- and I'm curling my hair. Thought you'd like to see a barefoot, hair-curler, moo-moo picture) I also made a mess. Most of it is on the floor.....
But I'm happy. One more little project down.