Happy Holidays!!

I have just updated the pregnancy blog, and figured I better update here also.
First, Merry Christmas to everyone! I know, late, but better than never. If you go and read my post on the pregnancy blog from today, you will read about our adventures in pregnancy this past few weeks. Exhausting, but at least we all made it through. ;)

We have been busy making gifts for one another. Trevin and Trinton made gifts for each other: Trevin received a hacky sack and Trinton received a wooden carved boat. Taleah and Taya made gifts for each other: Taleah received knit slippers and Taya received a baby mermaid doll with blanket. I made a knit teddy bear for Trajun. I also made "beanbag" frogs for the children. They elected to give one to Cameron, a local boy who had a birthday on Christmas Eve. We also gave one each to the Shelby boys- Logan had a birthday on 12/14, and we gave one to Ethan for a late birthday present.
Our visit with Shelby family, Shelby elders, and Kalers last weekend was great! I am sorry that I started having contractions while they were all here! I did not get to visit much. Lanelle and Linda were so great in preparing meals and such for the weekend- all Shelbys also stayed over Sunday evening and made breakfast for us Monday morning before heading home for their comfortable place.
My friend Benedicte and her baby came (last) Sunday when I was certain that these contractions were the real thing. She stayed a week waiting for me to go into real labor. She left today- probably disgusted at me for taking so long and not knowing the difference with a subsequent pregnancy!

Christmas was simple and relaxed. A ham, potatoes, gravy, fresh bread, and green beans made up our dinner. I was waiting for our friend to come and bring pumpkin for pumpkin pie, but he never showeed up, so a chocolate cake made up dessert.

Travis had exams Friday, 12/18 and Monday, 12/21. I suppose he did ok. I hope he does not have to retake any exams, but we are fairly certain that he passed the semester.

Election time in Dominica.

Anyone who knows what goes on in the Caribbean, knows that the locals (most of them) love to party. The *dear* Prime Minister made an announcement that there would be a snap election. He announced this the end of November. Election day is December 18th!!
Lately, in every village and town, transports with loud speakers have been blaring the garbled message of Labor, Workers, or Freedom. I, for one, am on the side of none since they are all loud and raucous.
Each morning, noon, and night, a car, or several, drives around blaring the message of how their party will benefit the people most. It is like the US with election year(s) but way louder. I retreat to my room and close the door to keep from hearing it too much. Unless they are parked down the street from us and the music blares from the East into my room. No retreat of quiet then.
The latest one I heard shouted, "Hjfophwfnqf, ahfhfqwenf, LABOR!! LABOR!! LABOR!!" And they have a party down in the village this weekend. Travis was told that last time they had a party down in the village, cars were parked along the side of the road all the way to our place. That is a twisting, winding, mile or so of road. Of course, that means that they can only park on one side of the road since the road itself can barely fit 2 cars side by side.
Boy it will be "fun" listening to the pound of muted thumping going into the early morning. I think tonight and tomorrow night are good nights for taking some melatonin to knock me out.

On other news, I have been updating our blog for pregnancy journey. can you believe the time is soon gone? Less than 7 weeks to my due date! Go to the left side of the blog and click on Pregnancy to see the latest update on that blog.

That new bundle in the family!

We did finally welcome a new bundle into the family. Not our own yet, but our new little niece: Sophia Angel. She was born on the 22nd of November. She is a beautiful baby just like her sisters.