Nairobi Kenya Part 2

Berhane enjoying his meal.

Playing with the kids

Ndamona with her daddy

The clouds

Ndamona saying, "Hello motherland."

Once we arrived at JF Kennedy, it took us more than an hour to find Emirates Airline. The moment we were on plane, I felt relaxed, and settled. I knew this was going to be our longest flight to Nairobi. Emirates Airline has it going on, (it can not get better than that). I heard about Dubai, how elites, and beautiful this country is, but because I also heard of the word 'middle east' I was a bit thrown off. Little did I knew I was in for a big surprise. I loved the comfort of having an individual screen, and an endless list of movies, tv series, games etc. Let me not forget the Indian style food that I enjoyed best... the lamb covered in a mild spicy masala yummy. Unlike other plane's bathrooms, this one was almost like in a hotel, one will forget you're on plane. Finally, the customer service was impressive. They had a special program for the kids visit: Flying with Emirates to learn more. I think it took us about 10 hours to arrive in Dubai a beautiful country, then we took off to Nairobi. I could not believe we were in African. I have been living in the western world for almost a decade. It was a special moment for my family especially this is the first time for my hubby, Bebe, and Diddy to be in the motherland. Words could not describe our joys. Above is the beautiful picture taken right after we stepped outside Nairobi Airport. Nairobi is a beautiful city. It's winter right now, but you can still see greennnnnnnnnnn everywhere you go.

Ndamona Fav words, and 16 months update!

Ndamona is 16 months old now, and a lot have happened since we settled in Nairobi, Kenya. Her favorite words are: Of cause mama, and dada, car (every time we step out of the house, she thinks we're about to get into a car), corn (she loves corn just like her mommy), pinch (if she hears the word pinch, she thinks you're directing her to pinch, she'll first give you a big smile then pinch, Bebe, (listen to this one, once she started calling her brother's name, he gets all the blames. At first I thought Bebe was doing something to her because every time I asked him, he smile and says, "mom, I didn't do anything to her." One day I found Ndamona fighting with a plastic bottle, trying to open the lid, be cause she was so frustrated, she started blaming Bebe, I just herd "Be..be." The funny thing is, he was not even around. Favorite food: corn, pancake, mangoes, rice, and pears. Favorite songs: "1. The wheels on the bus go round and round....2. Anonane pendukeni, 3. have you ever been a fishy, and much more.... She also started putting two words together: mommy sit, Bebe sleep, mommy more pan.... She has 16 teeth. 8 teeth came at once toward the end of July. Below she's playing with her brother at Westland Mall Nairobi, Kenya.

Obama Kitenge for SALE!

All the way from Kenya. Special sale for only US$13.99. Available in different colors such as: Green, black, yellow, blue, red etc. Interested? send me an email to tangihh@gmail.com. Buy more save more!

Sign language and the baby!

Some children experts, and teachers around the globe emphasized the importance of sign language to introduce it to babies; apparently it enhance the language skills. When Ndamona was about 5 months old I bought a sign language video "Talking Hands" from Brainy Baby. They have great videos for kids like music, numbers etc. I began with the basic sign; such as: milk, more, hi, bye bye, book, etc. Every time I say these words to her, I use the signs too. Immediately she picked up the milk signs before she was nine months old. One day at around fourteen months, I gave her some pancakes, she came to me in the kitchen and said, "Mama, mama, more." Using the sign for more. I was so impressed even though she knew few other signs like milk, book hi, bye, this was different because she was talking at the same time. Currently, I have not used much of the sign language, just because of the traveling etc, but I truly believe that sign language can help improve the baby's language skills. Ndamona is 16 months now, and she says more than 100 words (including peoples names)both English and Oshiwambo (I'll say 75% English and 25% Oshiwambo). She's putting few words together too. According to kidsgrowth.com and many other children resources, a 15 months old baby has about 3-10 words. Some people says girls talk quicker then boys. But, I think having an older sibling also helps tremedously. I also believe a combination of these help (talking to your child about what you're doing, reading everyday, some baby shows, sighn languages, playing with other kids often, and having an older sibling).

Voyage Nairobi, Kenya part 1!

Bebe saying bye bye to his play Kitchen. We sold it via Craigh list.Bebe and CamieAunty and Bebe

Elizabeth came to say bye bye!

Fausy and Amanda came to see us too!

At mom's office With mom at office in Cleveland! Having a good dinner!

We have settled in well and ready to explore this beautiful country known as Kenya situated in the eastern part of Africa. So many family members and friends asked for safari photoes etc. Welcome to Africa, "No hurry. I'm taking things slow, and am loving it Lol. Few days before our depture, some of our friends came individually to say goodbye. On the 30th of June, we left Columbus Ohio for Cleveland Ohio to spend the last hours with my in laws in Cleveland, Ohio. We first went to mon's office where we hugged everyone from mom's offices, and took a bunch of pictures. Later on we went out for dinner to our favourite resaurant (Assian). Fair enough the night was spent with family. Now it was time for our departure. Our flight was scheduled for 6am. Brian and I stayed up the entire night waiting for 3am the time we planned to leave the house. At around 4:40 we made it to the airport to check in our belongings. I have to be honest with you, here is a huge difference flying with two young children than when yu travel all by yourself. this might sund common sense, but not until yu experience it you'll know what am talking about. Well it's nt all about you and the suitcases anymore. You talk about blankets, car seats, and strollers. I had to leave my blanket, and car seat at the aiport. To parents who are planning to fly across the oceans for the first time with kids, PS practice how you're going to carry yru kids, and luggage before you leave the house. Then my daughter began crying, she only wanted one thing, "breat milk." I tried all the tricks, but didn't work; I guess she was really sleepy consider she doesn't really cry much. Then I put her on my back, and she slept. (Do I really have to blog abut what happened after that?) No will save it for later lol. I don't think you really need to know all the details. Finally, we made it to security check. Mem I don't remember how we made it throught this first security check. To be continue...