Through the Seasons

Still Going…and Growing

It seems like it doesn’t take long after posting an update for there to be a need for a new one.  So here goes… I took a “belly picture” at 14 weeks and although I felt I was beginning to show, when I looked at the picture it really didn’t look that big.  I just took another picture at 16 weeks and whoa!  Now I’m showing.  Hopefully Jonathan will post the belly pictures soon.  I haven’t totally outgrown any clothes but the 2 pair of fitted pants I have here with me are snug now and won’t last much longer.  I have non-fitted clothing to go to for a while then I’ll break out the maternity clothes given to me by a friend.  Those will hopefully get me the rest of the way through although I think I underestimated how big my tummy’s going to get.  Yikes. As far as sickness, I’m getting tons better.  I made it to 8 out of the last 9 classes and generally feel much better throughout the day and even when I wake up.  I’m hoping the morning sickness has subsided and continues to do so.  Because of this change I feel I am keeping up with language learning a little better now.  Well, I’m catching up a bit maybe and using it more now than I was.  Also, classes haven’t been quite as hard this week.  We haven’t had a ton of new information and have had the change to practice what we know and what we’re learning.  I think that’s helped.  There have even been instances when we’ve spoken to a Tanzanian and they’ve understood us.  Very exciting! At the end of September, and for the 9^th time since we arrived in Tanzania, we’re moving.  This time we’re going to have our own banda with a stove, refrigerator, and bathroom.  It’s also on flat ground now so no more hiking back and forth which will be very nice!  This banda is probably the farthest from the classrooms and dining room but none of the walk is uphill so we’ll still get exercise without it just being grueling.  It’s a great move and we’re excited about it.  It’s situated right on the river so the view is nice and the bird-watching should be too – lots of opportunity to see Kingfishers out hunting.  In other news, we get a break from language school the first week of October.  We may go to Mbeya a couple days that week to check out the town and possibly even the available housing.  We’ll wait a while to actually make that decision but we do want to get an idea of what the area looks like.  Also that week is our three-year anniversary.  I’m not sure what we’ll do to celebrate but we should be able to make it special.  At some point we’d also like to go on a short safari but we’ll see how things go before planning that one.  There’s a game park very close to the campground and others who have gone have had a wonderful time.   I believe that’s the only thing new going on here.  It’s enough I’d say.  We’ll keep updating you as we’re able!