Some more Joshua photos, 2-3 weeks old. He is now 8lb sleeping and feeding well. He is lovely, we are amazed by him and loving it!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Introducing Joshua Andrew Kittow
Joshua Andrew Kittow arrived at 4.02pm Sunday 29th March, 6lb 12 oz. 48 hour labour, but we praise God for a speedy recovery for Julie and Joshua is already back to birth weight. We have just loved every minute of this first 10 days with him. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers for us.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
From one extreme to the next!
Well I have been home jut over 2 weeks now and I am loving the English weather! From the mid 30's + high humidity to 0 degrees centigrade - quite a change but so much nicer - believe me!
I have put up some photos with various explainations so won't write too much here. Alex and I are half way through our time apart. He has been very busy with lots of paperwork for the vocational training school and a ground beaking ceremony (finally after 3 years) happening on the 24th Jan (for photos and a short video follow the link to Roxannes blog) in fact she is much more gifted that I am at keeping these things up so reading her pages will give you areally good idea of what life is like in coastal Tanzania!
Alex is now in his last week before leaving for Kenya for a conference with the rest of the team and some relaxation time, he flies home (horray) on 21st Feb landing at 5.20am (very inconsiderate)
I have loved my last 2 weeks, I get to wear proper maternity jeans (thanks mum) rather than holding my normal jeans together with elastic bands! I have had a great time catching up with friends and family in Guildford and Bristol, my lovely girlfriends in Bristol threw me my second baby shower so I am truely spoilt. I am living with my parents and brother at the moment as he has just handed in his masters dissertation, I don't think mum ever thought we would both be at home again, but we are all enjoying being together. I have also seen a midwife for the first time and with only 7 weeks to go it is not a moment too late, Everything is fine with the pregnancy and the baby so we praise God for that.
My gorgeous team girls threw me a surprise baby shower. Alex had managed to keep a secret, I was totally surprised!
The amazing food, consisted of BLT sandwiches (you have no idea how precious bacon is – thanks Rich) peach iced tea, tortilla baskets and proper cadburys chocolate – amazing – oh and chocolate cake with creamy icing for dessert!
A baby shower - complete with pressies – I am so spoilt
Lovely ladies
The Girls!
My last Sunday in Africa, one week later I had a lot more clothes on!
Megs (great friend who runs a volunteer program, Roxanne, me and Paula
The Last day
It was Paula’s birthday the following day so we threw her a little surprise birthday party – choccy cake and pressies! (This is our lounge)
The Official Team Photo
Back Row – Rich, Alex, Jason, Hans, Anneli
Front Row – Paula, Romi, Julie, Roxanne and Annikah, Doro, Nasia
(this photo is missing baby Joel)
Well I have been home jut over 2 weeks now and I am loving the English weather! From the mid 30's + high humidity to 0 degrees centigrade - quite a change but so much nicer - believe me!
I have put up some photos with various explainations so won't write too much here. Alex and I are half way through our time apart. He has been very busy with lots of paperwork for the vocational training school and a ground beaking ceremony (finally after 3 years) happening on the 24th Jan (for photos and a short video follow the link to Roxannes blog) in fact she is much more gifted that I am at keeping these things up so reading her pages will give you areally good idea of what life is like in coastal Tanzania!
Alex is now in his last week before leaving for Kenya for a conference with the rest of the team and some relaxation time, he flies home (horray) on 21st Feb landing at 5.20am (very inconsiderate)
I have loved my last 2 weeks, I get to wear proper maternity jeans (thanks mum) rather than holding my normal jeans together with elastic bands! I have had a great time catching up with friends and family in Guildford and Bristol, my lovely girlfriends in Bristol threw me my second baby shower so I am truely spoilt. I am living with my parents and brother at the moment as he has just handed in his masters dissertation, I don't think mum ever thought we would both be at home again, but we are all enjoying being together. I have also seen a midwife for the first time and with only 7 weeks to go it is not a moment too late, Everything is fine with the pregnancy and the baby so we praise God for that.
My gorgeous team girls threw me a surprise baby shower. Alex had managed to keep a secret, I was totally surprised!
The amazing food, consisted of BLT sandwiches (you have no idea how precious bacon is – thanks Rich) peach iced tea, tortilla baskets and proper cadburys chocolate – amazing – oh and chocolate cake with creamy icing for dessert!
A baby shower - complete with pressies – I am so spoilt
Lovely ladies
The Girls!
My last Sunday in Africa, one week later I had a lot more clothes on!
Megs (great friend who runs a volunteer program, Roxanne, me and Paula
The Last day
It was Paula’s birthday the following day so we threw her a little surprise birthday party – choccy cake and pressies! (This is our lounge)
The Official Team Photo
Back Row – Rich, Alex, Jason, Hans, Anneli
Front Row – Paula, Romi, Julie, Roxanne and Annikah, Doro, Nasia
(this photo is missing baby Joel)
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas 2008
Hope you all had a very happy Christmas and we are wishing you a wonderful 2009.
It has definitely been a different Christmas for us this year. The heat and humidity make it pretty hard to do anything let alone feel 'christmassy' we have missed the cold, the twinkly lights, the rush, the Christmas trees and most of all time with friends and family, but were so blessed to be reminded that Jesus was born into a culture and climate similar to this one and Him coming to Earth is really what is important.
We had various events happening, the main one was a Christmas party for our local friends with plenty of food and a story about the real meaning of Christmas, for most it was the first time they would have heard this. It was a great day, we played Christmas music, Alex did some fire juggling and balloon modelling (my husband is so talented) prepared a tonne of food thanks to the help of the ladies that work in our houses, played games and spent time chatting.
Another event was Christmas Eve with the Osborn's, games, Home Alone 2 (to get us in the mood) and of course food, If you saw my oven you would be impressed with what was produced (with help from Paula with the stuffing, bread sauce and mince pies (you rule girl!!) all of which Has to made totally from scratch.
Alex and I had the day together on Christmas day we enjoyed some games, DVD's and talking to our families on the phone, apart from a puncture (thankfully in our drive way) that took 2 hours to sort out the day was good.
On Boxing day we had a team BBQ (more photos below) It was the first time we have been all together so that was very exciting we did secret santa and watched some photos of each others previous lives.
So that was Christmas for us this year. I leave here and return to the UK in just over 2 weeks and Alex follows 5 weeks later (contrary to some rumours which have me having this baby all by myself with Alex remaining in Africa)
Looking forward to seeing you all soon
Christmas parties wouldn’t be complete without Kristmasi (real word) tree
Set up 10 am 34°C + humidity
Our lovely helpers
Alex practising his balloon modelling skills
Roxanne and Paula demonstrating ‘duck duck goose’
Key ingredient to any party!
Alex providing a little entertainment
Our Christmas party for our local friends
Paula and I (and bump) with some girlfriends
Christmas eve meal
Check out the food, we had stuffing and everything!!
All the team girls together – First official photo
Team boys – doing what they do best
Christmas day – playing cards. Alex thinks the bump is cool – so do I
It has definitely been a different Christmas for us this year. The heat and humidity make it pretty hard to do anything let alone feel 'christmassy' we have missed the cold, the twinkly lights, the rush, the Christmas trees and most of all time with friends and family, but were so blessed to be reminded that Jesus was born into a culture and climate similar to this one and Him coming to Earth is really what is important.
We had various events happening, the main one was a Christmas party for our local friends with plenty of food and a story about the real meaning of Christmas, for most it was the first time they would have heard this. It was a great day, we played Christmas music, Alex did some fire juggling and balloon modelling (my husband is so talented) prepared a tonne of food thanks to the help of the ladies that work in our houses, played games and spent time chatting.
Another event was Christmas Eve with the Osborn's, games, Home Alone 2 (to get us in the mood) and of course food, If you saw my oven you would be impressed with what was produced (with help from Paula with the stuffing, bread sauce and mince pies (you rule girl!!) all of which Has to made totally from scratch.
Alex and I had the day together on Christmas day we enjoyed some games, DVD's and talking to our families on the phone, apart from a puncture (thankfully in our drive way) that took 2 hours to sort out the day was good.
On Boxing day we had a team BBQ (more photos below) It was the first time we have been all together so that was very exciting we did secret santa and watched some photos of each others previous lives.
So that was Christmas for us this year. I leave here and return to the UK in just over 2 weeks and Alex follows 5 weeks later (contrary to some rumours which have me having this baby all by myself with Alex remaining in Africa)
Looking forward to seeing you all soon
Christmas parties wouldn’t be complete without Kristmasi (real word) tree
Set up 10 am 34°C + humidity
Our lovely helpers
Alex practising his balloon modelling skills
Roxanne and Paula demonstrating ‘duck duck goose’
Key ingredient to any party!
Alex providing a little entertainment
Our Christmas party for our local friends
Paula and I (and bump) with some girlfriends
Christmas eve meal
Check out the food, we had stuffing and everything!!
All the team girls together – First official photo
Team boys – doing what they do best
Christmas day – playing cards. Alex thinks the bump is cool – so do I
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Baby Kittow 20 weeks
This is baby Kittow at 20 weeks, the sonographer (is that a real word!!) was very thorough in measuring every body part and everything is just as it should be, this news came as overwhelming relief as it is fairly terrifying having lots of random pains (+plus a sever bout of what I now know is food poisoning) with no medical person I can have a check up with. Praise God for this little life!
Our current plan is for Julie to return to the UK mid Jan and live with her parents in Guildford for 5 weeks until Alex returns towards the end of Feb.
Alex returned from a conference in Dubai for all the project managers of our NGO – Partner Aid International a day before we had the scan. It is great to have him back I was home alone for 10 days, but with great team mates having me round for meals it worked out ok.
Paula and Rich Osborn have arrived and are living with us for a few days until they move into their own place. We are really enjoying having them here.
Our current plan is for Julie to return to the UK mid Jan and live with her parents in Guildford for 5 weeks until Alex returns towards the end of Feb.
Alex returned from a conference in Dubai for all the project managers of our NGO – Partner Aid International a day before we had the scan. It is great to have him back I was home alone for 10 days, but with great team mates having me round for meals it worked out ok.
Paula and Rich Osborn have arrived and are living with us for a few days until they move into their own place. We are really enjoying having them here.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
October 08
Life is heating up!
So sorry for my laxness at keeping this up to date, I have started feeling full of energy and less sick in the last 3 weeks which is fab. Alex is pleased as well as he can at last start eating again as I can cook!
We had a great conference for fellow workers in East Africa last week it was a wonderful, refreshing and relaxing time and the speaker was a Brit so we got to speak our heart language rather than just American! We returned home to find the temperature was soring into the high 30's with about 85% humidity I know that you all having had a cold summer will have no sympathy for this but you are welcome to come visit and try it out for yourself!
A team update is needed at this point. We have Rich and Paula Osborn arrriving on Friday to join the work out here, we are so excited to see them, Paula was one of my beautiful bridesmaids.
We have LOVED getting to know Jason and Roxanne Engstrom in the last couple of months they are fab and Roxanne is a godsend for me as a great girlfriend!
The Andersen family will be moving on in mid Decemeber. After many many months of team struggles they felt it best to leave the team and our organisation has relocated them to Kenya. They will be hugely missed and we are sad that things didn't turn out as expected but in the long run it is a good thing for everyone involved.
Baby news - I think I have started to feel movement in the last week, very exciting, but I am not sure if i could really tell the difference between baby and tummy gurgles!
We have a 21 week scan booked for 10th Nov in Dar.
Next week Alex is being sent off to a conference in Dubai!! Alright for some. I will hold the fort here and some fun girlie things planned.
I think that is most of the news for now. We are so looking forward to seeing everyone when we are back for the birth in the new year.
Bye for now!
So sorry for my laxness at keeping this up to date, I have started feeling full of energy and less sick in the last 3 weeks which is fab. Alex is pleased as well as he can at last start eating again as I can cook!
We had a great conference for fellow workers in East Africa last week it was a wonderful, refreshing and relaxing time and the speaker was a Brit so we got to speak our heart language rather than just American! We returned home to find the temperature was soring into the high 30's with about 85% humidity I know that you all having had a cold summer will have no sympathy for this but you are welcome to come visit and try it out for yourself!
A team update is needed at this point. We have Rich and Paula Osborn arrriving on Friday to join the work out here, we are so excited to see them, Paula was one of my beautiful bridesmaids.
We have LOVED getting to know Jason and Roxanne Engstrom in the last couple of months they are fab and Roxanne is a godsend for me as a great girlfriend!
The Andersen family will be moving on in mid Decemeber. After many many months of team struggles they felt it best to leave the team and our organisation has relocated them to Kenya. They will be hugely missed and we are sad that things didn't turn out as expected but in the long run it is a good thing for everyone involved.
Baby news - I think I have started to feel movement in the last week, very exciting, but I am not sure if i could really tell the difference between baby and tummy gurgles!
We have a 21 week scan booked for 10th Nov in Dar.
Next week Alex is being sent off to a conference in Dubai!! Alright for some. I will hold the fort here and some fun girlie things planned.
I think that is most of the news for now. We are so looking forward to seeing everyone when we are back for the birth in the new year.
Bye for now!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Pregnancy cravings!!
Not everything is available but the pictures should help Julie!! even if the real thing doesn't make it out there.
Even though these are salt and vinegar Julie likes ‘ready salted’
Chocolate (not peanut) m&m’s
Even though these are salt and vinegar Julie likes ‘ready salted’
Chocolate (not peanut) m&m’s
Sunday, September 21, 2008
An introduction
We would like to introduce a new member of our family. We are expecting a baby at the end of March. We plan to come home for the birth so look forward to seeing lots of you then! Please join us in praising God for this miracle
Baby Kittow is expected to say hello to the World on 27th March ‘09
Praise God for his wonderful gift.
It is waving at you & even has Alex’s quiff.
I am well, but have felt nauseous all day and very tired since the 6th week. (I am now coming up for 14 weeks) I have never missed Tesco's so much, to the point I dream of walking down the isles being able to choose what ever I want to eat! Alex has been wonderful, if I suddenly realise I can eat whatever is on his plate he will give it up for me!! Anyone who know Alex knows this could only be love!!
If anyone feels moved to post some twiglets or ready salted 'crunchy sticks' I would be forever grateful! What I really want though is a ham sandwich or a BLT baguette, unfortunately the only part of that I can get here is the tomato!!
Baby Kittow is expected to say hello to the World on 27th March ‘09
Praise God for his wonderful gift.
It is waving at you & even has Alex’s quiff.
I am well, but have felt nauseous all day and very tired since the 6th week. (I am now coming up for 14 weeks) I have never missed Tesco's so much, to the point I dream of walking down the isles being able to choose what ever I want to eat! Alex has been wonderful, if I suddenly realise I can eat whatever is on his plate he will give it up for me!! Anyone who know Alex knows this could only be love!!
If anyone feels moved to post some twiglets or ready salted 'crunchy sticks' I would be forever grateful! What I really want though is a ham sandwich or a BLT baguette, unfortunately the only part of that I can get here is the tomato!!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Sept 08
Pumba the rat catcher!
Things grow really big out here, the trees are tall the shrubs grow fast, it should be no surprise that the rats (who have an unlimited supply of food and rubbish to rummage through as there is no rubbish disposal system) are enormous - 40cm’s is just body and then same again of tail!! Quite horrific, thankfully our not so small puppy Pumba is a great rat catcher, we have got used the tell tale sounds of a chase, the scuffling, the squealing and Pumbas low growl, when this happens we know that we (well Alex) will have something grisly to clear up in the morning. We would put photos up but they really are grim! Anyway one night we hear the scuffling and squealing but Pumba seems to be having more trouble this time so Alex gallantly says he will go and ‘help’ what he thought he could do I am not quite sure. However on closer inspection the ‘rat’ turns out to be a tiny puppy that someone must have thrown over our gate. We rescue him from Pumba s over playful nature and do a quite check for fleas, he looks healthy so I bring him inside and feed him, he is very cute and soon has found a place in my heart and after managing to convince Alex this is a good thing, he is adopted and named Timmy short for Timone!!
Our new team mates; Jason, Roxanne and Annika got stuck in straight away after arriving, throwing a birthday party for Annika turning 2. Quite a turnout!!
Roxanne (hidden in the middle) organising crafts for the children.
Timmy
Ahh – not quite big enough to jump the veranda step!
Things grow really big out here, the trees are tall the shrubs grow fast, it should be no surprise that the rats (who have an unlimited supply of food and rubbish to rummage through as there is no rubbish disposal system) are enormous - 40cm’s is just body and then same again of tail!! Quite horrific, thankfully our not so small puppy Pumba is a great rat catcher, we have got used the tell tale sounds of a chase, the scuffling, the squealing and Pumbas low growl, when this happens we know that we (well Alex) will have something grisly to clear up in the morning. We would put photos up but they really are grim! Anyway one night we hear the scuffling and squealing but Pumba seems to be having more trouble this time so Alex gallantly says he will go and ‘help’ what he thought he could do I am not quite sure. However on closer inspection the ‘rat’ turns out to be a tiny puppy that someone must have thrown over our gate. We rescue him from Pumba s over playful nature and do a quite check for fleas, he looks healthy so I bring him inside and feed him, he is very cute and soon has found a place in my heart and after managing to convince Alex this is a good thing, he is adopted and named Timmy short for Timone!!
Our new team mates; Jason, Roxanne and Annika got stuck in straight away after arriving, throwing a birthday party for Annika turning 2. Quite a turnout!!
Roxanne (hidden in the middle) organising crafts for the children.
Timmy
Ahh – not quite big enough to jump the veranda step!
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