Happy Easter!

Hey y'all,

Things are going well, we had a great weekend including a little party with some of Thomas's work people and a totally relaxed Saturday.  This afternoon when Benjamin got up from his nap, he opened his Easter basket and immediately started playing with his new trucks.  He's been obsessed with the cars and trucks portion of Richard Scarry's Best Word Book Ever.  Apart from a few screaming episodes, he's been pretty sweet recently.

Sweet buddy.

Thursday evening after hanging out with some friends on the playground, a few of us ate at a new burger place in Taj Mall, Fatburger.  It's very close to American-style fast food, and the burgers are pretty good.  The shakes are amazing, I can predict some Spinney's trips in my future just as an excuse to get a shake some afternoon.  Yummm.

17ish weeks

Tonight Thomas was giving Benjamin his bath, and called me in to see something funny.  Behold, bubble beard.

Cutest thing ever.

Short and sweet, just a quick update to let you know we're doing well!

-Rachel

Announcement

Hey all,

Thomas and I are amazed and thankful to announce that I'm pregnant and we're expecting a little boy in early September!  It's a total miracle and we are infinitely glad that God has decided to give us another baby.  After my miscarriage in September, we were pretty low and wondering if and when to start fertility treatments again, but it seemed like a big burden and hassle.  We decided to put it off until after January, and just have fun and enjoy our trip to Paris for Christmas.  I took a pregnancy test on January 3rd and was flabbergasted when it was positive.  After a combined 12 months of fertility appointments and medication to get pregnant with Benjamin and the baby we lost, I was totally stunned that this could happen.  Praise God!

I've been hesitant to broadcast the news, and I still get nervous sometimes about stillbirth and other complications, but I'm trying to trust that God's will is perfect.  I had my 17 week appointment today and it was so reassuring to see the baby's heartbeat on the monitor.  In Jordan they do ultrasounds at every appointment, which is great.  I like my doctor, he studied in America and has privileges at the maternity hospital here, so I'll be well taken care of.  If it seems like things get iffy later on and I need to go home, I can do that as well, but we're planning to stay here for the birth if all goes well. 

I would still covet your prayers, for a healthy baby and uneventful pregnancy.  For a smooth delivery with no complications.  For grace and patience with Benjamin, as he enters into the terrible two's and gets a baby brother.  And for safety and peace in Jordan.

I also know many women who've lost children too soon, be it miscarriage or stillbirth or soon after birth, and I want to encourage you to pray for those women as well.  I don't want to be obnoxious and hurt the feelings of those who are reading this and hurting because of their own loss.  Not totally sure how to make that happen, but I'll try to keep the complaints about pregnancy to a minimum, since I know that is a coveted state for many women.

Thanks for bearing with me while I didn't post very often, I was feeling tired and gross most of the past two months and didn't want to make it obvious that we were expecting.  There's a gaggle of women at the embassy who are all pregnant and due within a couple months of each other, and I feel so blessed that I can join the fun.  I can imagine how hard it would be to be doing fertility and trying hard for a baby surrounded by happy pregnant people.  I've been there before.

We're really excited to travel to SC this summer, and I will seriously eat my way through the state.  It's going to be epic!  One fun "problem" is that all my maternity clothes are fall and winter, since Benjamin was born in February.  I've ordered a bunch of stuff online from Old Navy and Gap, but some of those necklines are just super low.  It's hard to find relatively modest warm-weather maternity stuff.  I've got a few things now and some more on the way, but it's also fun to shop for cute clothes.  And the stretchy pants are amazingly comfortable. 

Taken March 21st, 16 weeks-ish.

I think I'm over the rough part, but it lasted a lot longer this time around.  I guess already having a child makes pregnancy tougher.  Today we found out that it's a boy.  I'd sort-of suspected, but was really just hoping for a heartbeat and good measurements.  Now we know the sex I can start thinking of names, most of which Thomas will probably reject.  It's such a scary and important job to name a kid.  Off to the Internet to research!

I'll attempt to post more frequently now that the news is out, but please do pray for the baby to be healthy and for me as well, to be healthy and rest as much as possible.  Thanks for sharing in our joy!

-Rachel

Random Tidbits

Hey guys,

Yeah, it's been a while.  Life is just sort of chugging along, we're doing our normal routine.  Playdates a couple days a week, my Arabic classes continue, just the usual.  So here are a few highlights:

-Benjamin is talking up a storm and is pretty intelligible.  Although we aren't sure where he got this gem: "Go, go power rangers!"  He'll say it at random times and it's hilarious, but I'm positive he's never seen the show so it's a mystery.

-We went to a birthday party recently, which was lots of fun.  It was at J'imagine, a French kids space with a toddler room (toys and books), a water room with a waist-high pool for floaty toys, and dress up supplies and lots of other fun stuff.  It was a good couple hours, and Benjamin got to see lots of kids.

-We've almost nailed down our dates for visiting home this summer.  I'm super excited and even though the flights and jetlag will suck beyond imagining, it will be awesome to take Benjamin around and hopefully he'll enjoy what "normal" life is like.  It's looking like Columbia-Greenville-Myrtle Beach-Charleston-Aiken. 

-On a somewhat related note, I got a new case for my phone.  The old Otterbox had split a corner, and I thought something different would be nice.  I'm holding tight to my South Carolina roots here.

-I finally uploaded the few pictures I took of the Citadel while Clay was in town.  Was that two months ago?  Yowza.

The view from the Citadel of neighboring hills.  Amman is super hilly.

Roman ruins.

Part of what must have been an enormous statue.

-My brother is coming to visit next month and I can't wait!  Hopefully we can do some sightseeing, assuming Thomas doesn't get called out of town.  Hooray for family visits!

That's all I can think of at the moment.  I'll attempt to do another post before the end of the month.  I like to keep expectations low.

-Rachel

March, Already?

Hello out there,

Wow, February just flew by.  I got to try a new restaurant after playgroup on Thursday this week.  I ate with a friend at Pancake House, which was delicious.  We both got chocolate chip pancakes and they were heavenly.  Benjamin and his friend Ben were really good, they ate their lunches and watched a little TV while the ladies got to chat and relax.  It was a good outing.

We hosted church Friday morning and it was pretty light, just a handful of people.  I hadn't done my usual over-preparation, so I ended up cooking while the service went on.  It was nice to see people though, and we had a good hang-out time, eating tacos and the most delicious peach enchiladas, brought by one of the ladies.  Oh my goodness, they were amazing.  And she had even canned the peaches, since most things need to be in season around here, otherwise it's not available.  Yummm.

Benjamin looking suave.

Lots to talk about.

We're looking forward to visiting SC this summer, and I'm trying to plan out our time back home.  It's tricky, three weeks sounds like a lot but you factor in days to get over jetlag and going to the beach (thanks parents!) and trying to see everyone, it will go by in a flash.  Since I won't be sharing exact dates, etc, I'll contact individuals to set up times to hang out.  I am looking forward to seeing family, and eating awesome food.  My list includes: Chickfila chicken biscuit, Monterrey's spicy queso dip, Rush's burger and Oreo shake, and Zaxby's chicken fingers.  I'm sure there's lots of other places I'll want to go, but man, just typing that makes my mouth water.  We'll miss seeing friends up in the DC area, but there's just no way we could make the drive up there.  We'll see y'all summer of 2014!  Which will totally be here before you know it.  Gulp.

We recently watched "Pitch Perfect" and "Perks of Being a Wallflower", both were pretty good.  I thought Pitch Perfect was hilarious, but I'm a sucker for singing.  I'm just so impressed by it, because I'm not talented.  And Perks was decent, but I usually enjoy the book more and they had to leave some stuff out to streamline it.  I still haven't started "Rules of Civility" and book club is in a week or so, which means I'm falling back into my procrastinating ways.

Anyone else making summer plans already?  I'm really looking forward to being back home, and I know I won't want to leave!

-Rachel

Happenings

Hi there,

Yet again I've fallen down on my blogging duties.  We've been doing our normal stuff, and I've gotten to have a couple fun girls nights, so it's been a good couple weeks. 

Last weekend we went to a birthday party for Benjamin's friend Matthew, who turned three.  It was at a kid's gym, and was really fun.  Sadly Benjamin had just started a runny nose and was pretty fussy.  He got distracted a little with the ball pit and slides and we tried to participate in the songs and group stuff, but he started losing it before the snack and cake time.  Matthew's mom kindly sent us home with an amazing goody box and a cupcake.  Benjamin was very hesitant about the cupcake, even after I cut it up for him, so I ended up enjoying it.  But he loves the play-doh and bouncy ball and other fun toys, and it was definitely a fun outing.

Matthew's mom, Rebecca, kindly took this photo during a playdate at a park nearby.  Benjamin's having fun, I promise.

Last Thursday I met up with Emily to get nails done, which was awesome since I hadn't been in ages.  I desperately needed that pedicure, and it's always fun to hang out and catch up a little.  I also had book club last Tuesday night, there was a huge group of ladies which was fun.  We had read "The Cookbook Collector" which we all deemed passable, but nowhere near the level of Jane Austen, to whom the author had been compared.  Lady, get serious.  If someone makes that connection, you just say how ridiculous that is because Jane Austen is in the canon and you are a medium-talent writer with no hopes of your work lasting for over a hundred years.  (I was not impressed.)  Our next title is "Rules of Civility" which sounds promising.

Benjamin enjoys playing with his new puzzle.

Thursday night this week was really nice, I got nails done with a girlfriend after she finished work and then we ate dinner out at a fun restaurant, the Blue Fig.  I'd heard it was good, and I loved it.  A little smokey for my taste (this is Jordan, so oh well) but the food was great.  I got pesto pasta, and even though it was simple it was delicious.  And it was fun to be out of the house after dark.  (Yes, I'm that much of a homebody.) 

Last week and this one I finally made it to the toddler playgroup at the British Embassy.  It's really fun and more low-key than when I visited the American one back in August.  We may try that one again sometime, but the British one works better for our schedule at this point.  I've met up with two other girls I know from book club, and we've done lunch afterward both times.  I hope it's a trend, because it's so nice to get out of the house, and socialize.  Being around lots of other kids is good for Benjamin, but he's still shy.  One particular little boy was very grabby and taking all these push toys, and Benjamin didn't fuss when he took his toy, he just watched him.  I'm glad he's good at sharing, at least so far.

He loves to read books about the potty, and sits on it occasionally.  Slow and steady is our motto at this point.

I think those are all the highlights from the past couple weeks.  I can't believe it's almost the end of February, time is really flying by.  I hope everyone is doing well!

-Rachel

Benjamin Turns Two!

Hey guys,

Well, Benjamin's birthday is here!  Our sweet boy is now two years old.  Hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly.  We are so grateful to God for entrusting us with this little person. 

This morning Benjamin ate breakfast and then we opened presents, before Thomas had to go into work for a few hours.  I went a little overboard, I had bought a used tricycle before we moved but then also got him a book and a stuffed animal.  And a bell for the trike, cause why not.  Thanks to Mimi and Papa, Grandma and Grandad, and Aunt Priscilla and Uncle Trevor for sending such awesome gifts! 

It's like Christmas all over again.

This is technically an alligator, but we're saying it's a crocodile because Benjamin loves crocs these days.

We're calling him Lyle, because of the book.

Big box of Curious George.

Bear family puzzle.

So cute, you change the outfits on the Mommy, Daddy and Little Boy bears.

Book of poetry for kids!  Benjamin loves poems/rhymes.

Another George item from my parents, thankfully there's a balloon store nearby that filled it.

Thomas pushed Benjamin around in the tricycle, at great speed up and down the apartment.  And Benjamin likes ringing the little bell too, which cracks me up.

His feet don't quite touch the pedals, but he'll grow into it.

Zoom!

I was a little scattered this week and didn't prepare much in the way of festive food, but I did manage to make some cupcakes.  From expired cake mix...  Shhhh don't tell.  I think it's safe, I mean it gets baked in the oven.  I only had cream cheese frosting, so I made red velvet cupcakes.  Benjamin wasn't too sure about them, but had a couple bites.  He likes the cake part, not so much the frosting.  I think he doesn't like wetness or sticky things, so I got the fork out and that helped a little. 

I can't believe it was two years ago he was born.  It seems both like forever and not long at all.  Some days are really hard and I just hope he doesn't remember much, but then others like today are really fun and nice.  I'm glad I didn't try to do a big party thing this year, but maybe next year or when he's got more of an opinion about things we'll give it a try.  We are so blessed and thank God every day for him.  Benjamin Cade Larkin, Happy Second Birthday!

-Rachel

Recap and Low Stakes Dilemma

Hey guys,

Sorry it's been way too long since I've posted.  I've been zoned out most of the New Year, and then we had a visitor (while Thomas was gone.... sigh) so it's been a little weird so far.  But now it's February!  How in the world is it already February?  Yikes.

OK, so a couple weeks ago my good friend Clay flew halfway around the world to come hang out with us for a week.  It was really great to see someone from home, who I've known for ages.  Is it 17 years now?  If not, it's very close.  We all went to the Dead Sea for one night and stayed at the Marriott, which was far and away better than the Moevenpick which we tried the last time.  I think we'll stay there again.  It's more like a normal hotel, but very nice and everything is accessible, instead of the thousand and one steps at the other place.  The weather was also a million times better, since it was January and 60 degrees instead of July and 110/surface of the sun.  A little warmer would have been nice, but it was totally fine.

On the way back home after spending one night at the Dead Sea, we stopped at the Baptism Site.  They take you to a muddy hole next to an old building, which is supposedly where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.  I'm not sure what archaeological proof there is for this particular spot to be THE place, but there are a ton of Orthodox and Catholic churches congregated in the area.  And we also went down to the Jordan River, where you can see the Israeli side about 100 feet away.  There was a choir singing in a pavilion on their side, I think they have a more sophisticated set up.  Anyway, it was pretty neat and definitely something worth seeing, at least once.

Thomas left the next day, so Clay and I fended for ourselves.  We ordered in a lot of food, ate lunch at the embassy and did Thursday night dinner.  He got to meet the moms who hang out at the playground on Thursday afternoons, and saw a little of what life is like here.  He did some side trips on his own to Petra and Wadi Rum, since I wasn't really up to being a single mom on the road.  Thankfully he had a great attitude, even when Thomas got delayed and came back a couple days late, on the day Clay was flying out.  It was a lot of fun having him around, and Benjamin really likes him.  He still talks about his friend Clay.

At the moment I'm trying to decide whether or not it's worthwhile to continue taking Arabic classes.  I'm really grateful for the opportunity, but I don't like being the only person in the class.  I'm honestly not putting in any effort, which must be frustrating for my teacher and just makes me embarrassed.  We've only now started doing the alphabet, after 5 months, and there's a lot that I still don't have memorized.  I'll probably keep going for a while longer, just to have the excuse to get out of the house and have a lunch date with Thomas twice a week.  (Moms of small children, I know you understand.)

I'm also realizing that we most likely won't live in this area of the world again, and there's no way I'll have time to keep up with Arabic when we're back in the States.  I feel like I'm letting myself down but I also want to be practical.  Maybe I should try putting in a teeny bit of effort and see if that makes life better.  Or maybe I should find someone at the German embassy who can tutor me.  I do miss being capable, if not entirely fluent, in German, the loveliest language of all.

I hope January treated you well!  I'll try to get back to a normal posting schedule, hopefully interesting things will happen.

-Rachel