Caleb: Life in the Now

How have things been for you since your return to Africa?

Well I have been pretty busy with school. Academics aside, it is a full time job being friends with everyone! Then there are all those parties to go to. My mum sighs, buys another gift and gets out the map of Nairobi to drive me to yet another sleepover party. She likes to check it is actually a child I know well before she goes to a lot of expense and effort - so picky. Her main complaint is that gifts here are either 4 times the price or tacky rubbish, so it is hard to find something worth while. My main concern is 'Does this friend have a pool?' You always need to choose your friends wisely. But I'm rambling. Shall we move on.

How do you keep fit?

Fitness is not really something I have to work at, it seems to be something that comes quite naturally to me. We do sport 4 days a week at school and I do another 3 lots of swimming on top of that. Going on the trampoline is also a good way to get rid of energy or so my mum says. Why would you keep still when you can be leaping around and back flipping on the sofa? I am particularly enjoying hockey at school, although mum refused to spend £50 on a dentally fitted mouth guard as suggested by school. She said I might lose it - as if! Instead she spent £1.50 on a generic one - boring!!

What diet advice do you have?

Meat is really the only way forward. Add to that a bit of cheese, a few strawberries and a cucumber and you have yourselves a balanced diet. Why people bother with other things is beyond me. I mean there is so much meat out there. Mum is always trying to slip a few vegetarian numbers by me as she says meat is too expensive. Like I won't notice!

What's your style?

I have a strong sense of what I think is cool and what is not. I like long sleeve tops and long trousers whatever the temperature. I always have holes in my trousers, in fact I don't think I have a pair that is hole free. Fortunately for mum it is easy to get things fixed here, so every week my trousers go back to the tailor to be fixed again. My preference is really to wear no shoes, but fussy mum makes me wear them as she says my bare feet are tramping mud into the house. I am on my 3rd pair of Crocs since July as the dog ate the others. Price of Crocs here? Around £40. Do you think my mum paid that? As if! She got a second hand pair from the neighbour.

Are you in a relationship?

I'm single right now. Keeping up with all my friends is pretty full on and my social secretary/driver is pretty busy. Relationships are complicated - I like to keep things simple right now. In truth I was thinking of living with my mum forever. She says I'll change my mind, but it is looking like a pretty good option right now.

Who are your role models?

I was thinking of a few wrestling guys who I see as role models. I have managed to sneak a peek at a friends house, but mum won't let me watch wrestling as she said it is a bad influence on me and I might practice on my sister. What else are sisters for?

What are your plans for 2013?

Spending as much time as I can on screens of any kind: iPad, computer, TV, Wii, Playstation, DS - I'm not fussy. Unfortunately my parents have differing views. My dad keeps making 'screen time rotas' to limit our screen time - boring! Fortunately if I'm quiet I can get away with way more than I'm supposed to. Also using the computer for 'educational purposes' is a good angle that usually works.

security update

Well the 'fun' began this week with the Kenyan election primaries. Thursday was the day that MAF met to discuss security measures for the main election in March. It was also the day the security system was first tested. We were advised to keep the children at home in case of violent demonstrations. There were various pockets of trouble that broke out in different parts of the city, but we managed to avoid them. We were able to follow events via the Kenyan Red Cross who tweeted what was going on with alert's every few minutes. I sent the kids to school on Friday, but I felt pretty tense driving to school especially as I have been caught up in a riot before. All was calm, and in fact I had the fastest run back from school that I've had for a while.

Now we just have to make plans for the election, pray and wait and see. We have been advised to stock up on fuel, food, water, phone credit, gas and so on and have a 'go' bag ready in case we have to evacuate to Tanzania. Any way, please pray for safety and peace in Kenya.

Kenya Red Cross ‏@KenyaRedCross

#RiotAlert Rowdy Youth stoning vehicles around Hillcrest School area on Langata road! via #iVolunteer @Onejay86

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Kenya Red Cross ‏@KenyaRedCross

#TrafficAlert Menelik Road in Kilimani totally blocked tyres burning via@GMurigu #Police deployed pic.twitter.com/qPIJayjv

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The first one of these is where we go to church and the second one two streets down from where we live.

Both happened this afternoon. We went to church and went out to lunch with friends, blissfully unaware and managed to avoid everything. Praise the Lord.

Photo

A photo just for fun (from early November - post never posted for some reason...)

A day in the life of a 'stay at home' mum

6:00am Ruben wakes up

My lovely husband brings me a drink - he knows I am in a semi comatose state having been feeding Ruben all night. Meanwhile Ruben is a happy chatty baby. Who wouldn't be with such a full tummy?

6:15am give the baby to Daniel whilst I shower. Coffee and a shower just about bring me back to the land of the living.

6:25am get dressed and check all beds made, curtains drawn, all occupants out of beds, gather dirty washing.

6:45 eat breakfast, feed other people breakfast, put washing on, wash up, get meat out to defrost, shout orders.

7:00am Daniel leaves urgh!!

7:15am shout louder orders

7:20am shout even louder orders

7:25am make sure dogs in run and get in car

7:30am drive to school. Listen to James and the giant peach, get to school in OK time.

8:05am say goodbye to kids, feed baby in the car. I haven't forgotten him. Daniel gave him breakfast and remember he was feeding all night! Remember I need to return to school at 10:30am to watch Caleb's puppet play, sigh! So instead of going shopping as planned, race home. Metaphorically of course as you rarely race anywhere in Nairobi. Went the usual way home, saw the queue of traffic, so turned round and went an alternative route. Finally made it home just before 9am.

9am, let the dogs out, swept, finished washing up, gave Ruben a second breakfast, filled the filter, hung the washing out, emptied the bins, ordered the vegetables and fruit online from the farm.

10:15am get back in the car and drove to school.

10:30am sit and watch almost all of 3S's puppet plays - yawn whilst trying to keep Ruben from shouting too loudly. He is very entertained.

12:15pm back in the car, abandon shopping again, sigh, race home. Give Ruben lunch, cook dog food, cook people food, eat some toast, realise we have no water.

2:00pm back in the car, final attempt to shop. Buy new school hats and groceries, throw in back of car, hope milk doesn't go off.

2:57pm arrive at school, but can't go in main school car park as not 3:00pm. Some new security measure?? Drive round second car park until 3:02pm. Finally let in first car park. Pay for Joshua's drum lessons, pick up children from each class room. Am informed by Caleb that his shoes have fallen apart - they have. Mentally run through alternatives of how will manage without school shoes; there are none. Realise we will have to shoe shop on the way home, oh joy. Feed baby in the car, again.

4:00pm drive to shoe shop, where they say they have nothing in Caleb's size. They rummage around and eventually find one pair in his size - thank you Lord. All bundle back in car and drive home.

4:45pm drop everything by the door and start cooking pasta for Ruben. Remember we have no water. Rush outside to switch on reserve tank. Sort out snacks for everyone, feed Ruben , cook spaghetti for big people and chop up veggies, prepare food and hot water for guard. Help Bethany with science homework, check Caleb's literacy he had done in the car. It is surprisingly good, and correct. Go to bathe Ruben and remember water situation, the tank has still not filled up. Argh!!!

5:30pm eat dinner, Daniel has arrived home early.

6:00pm bathe Ruben as the tank has now filled up, take him outside in the buggy and get the washing in.

6:30pm put my PJs on and feed Ruben. Put Ruben in bed and try and spend some time with the others and help with the clear up.

7:30pm, Caleb in bed.

8:15pm Bethany in bed

8:30pm Joshua in bed.

8:31pm me in bed, ready to start all over again.

Little Roo's six month review: My life so far - Post script

I forgot to mention - check out my new music video here!

Little Roo's six month review: My life so far

How’s it been going since June, what have you been up to?

I've been really busy, eating, sleeping pooing, growing and then the same all over again. It’s a really exciting time.

Are you currently in a relationship?

I'm single right now and that's a good place to be. I really don't have room in my life at the moment for a serious relationship. My mum and I are pretty tight but I'm open to the idea of a relationship in the distant future.

Where do you like to shop?

I have to be honest, I don't really do my own shopping. I love Marks and Spencer's, their Petite Baby range really suits my needs and is great for the fuller figure. I don't really follow fashion but like to keep it simple. I like Soft cotton fabrics, that wash easily.

Any diet tips?

Being a baby my diet it is very strict. Milk is the main part of my diet but I am now including fruit and veg and a small amount of protein. Sugar, salt and honey are definitely out for now. I eat foods that are going to help me grow and are gentle on my insides. All in all I think I am fleshing out quite nicely and I am particularly proud of my thighs and large tummy.Remember when you are being strict with your diet to give yourself little treats now and again.

What advice do you have for other babies looking to follow in your footsteps?

Be kind to your parents and try and sleep through the night early on. It’s kinder on everyone. (Not that I ever have...). Crying is definitely a great tool for getting attention; use it wisely though otherwise it gets less effective. Give babyhood a go, work hard and enjoy it!

What fitness tips do you have?

Fitness Is a large part of my life. I try and keep constantly on the move and am working on my leg and arm muscles. I also enjoy an afternoon stroll round the garden. If I make a fuss my mum is very obliging in pushing me round. Though it has to be said that it is doing more for her than me. However I still manage gentle arm and leg action in the buggy. I'm still deciding which direction to go in, in terms of exercise. Crawling is a possibility but I may go the bottom shuffling route like my brothers. – as of now I can’t really say.

Who are your role models?

Well I have to say my siblings are my biggest role models. They have some impressive moves and noises.

Could you tell us a little bit more about the baby lifestyle?

It's a very free lifestyle. You can basically can do as you please.

We've heard that you like to travel, how has that influenced you?

Well yes it is true that I like to travel. I did London around week 6 and then it was on to Kenya. Most of my travelling involves going to school and back in the car. So yes, it does have a big influence on me in that I can now only go to sleep if I am in the car. I am slightly adaptable in that I will sometimes sleep in the car seat in the house, but the cot, you can forget that!

How did you celebrate Christmas?

Well as this was my first Christmas it was an interesting experience. I spent it at home with my family and particularly enjoyed the Christmas tree lights. I nibbled on a few festive goodies and crinkled some wrapping paper. My siblings I noticed got considerably more presents than I did, in other words I got none!

Finally, what is next for you as we head into 2013?

I would say that walking was definitely on the agenda and possibly a few more food groups. In the longer term I hope to ditch the nappies. Teeth and talking are definitely part of my future plans.

Teambuilding

If you have 18 minutes of your life to spare, and feel like seeing me being strung up from a tree by a group  of Kenyans, these links may (or may not) entertain you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU2O-wh62NY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3utHZXXPNY