it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

So it's been a few weeks since I last blogged...woops....that's what having a 7-week old during the Christmas season will do to you I guess. And those 2 things (Caleb and Christmas) have consumed my life these past few weeks. Caleb is continuing to grow and mature, it's amazing to watch (more to come about that for his 2 month update). And then there's Christmas and everything that comes with this wonderful season...decorating, getting our Christmas tree, finding gifts for family and friends, wrapping gifts, holiday baking, Christmas parties, etc.

Last year Steve and I were able to solely focus on the true meaning of Christmas, since we were a thousand miles away from family, friends and the commercialization of Christmas. It was a special Christmas for us, but really hard to be away from everyone. This year we are so happy to be back home and be able to participate in the 'festivities' of Christmas. My prayer, though, is that we would not lose focus of what this year is all about - even in the midst of all the gifts, parties, etc.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

celebrations.

We've had several celebrations these past few days. Wednesday night we had a pre-Thanksgiving feast with several of our friends here in Richmond, with special guest Matt coming from Jacksonville. All 12 of us gathered around our table, ate delicious food, and shared what we were thankful for this past year. Steve and I are so thankful for our community of friends and family that we have here in Richmond - we definitely missed it while in Tanzania!

Thursday we headed to my parents' house for Thanksgiving and celebrated with my family and the Kriegers. We of course had too much food and ate way too much, but it was a special Thanksgiving with Caleb being the newest addition to our family!

Yesterday was also Caleb's one month birthday! It's been fun to see how his looks are changing (he still has the cheeks though) and how he's becoming more responsive to voices and is beginning to focus on faces and objects. We are so thankful for our new bundle of joy!!

Anxiously awaiting...

How Caleb decided to celebrate....

Feasting

Momma and Caleb ready for Thanksgiving

The men frying the turkeys

Bentley wanting to join in on the fun

Dad carving the turkeys

Thanksgiving Family Photo

Caleb's One Month

I like this one because his cheeks don't look as big

give thanks.

I've been doing a lot of thinking these past few days as Thanksgiving is approaching us (still can't believe it's tomorrow) and have been meditating on what I'm thankful for over this past year specifically. As my mind was racing through all the transition, hardships, fun times, new people we've met, new culture and language we learned, and all the change that Steve and I have gone through, I realized that there will NEVER be another year like this past one.

Living in Tanzania and having our first precious child were and are HUGE transitions that have forever changed me and Steve. When I think about a year ago today - we were probably on an overly crowded, stuffy daladala going to visit our friends Lucy or Andrew; or perhaps we were hanging out at our house or visiting our neighbors. Our life over there seems light years away, especially now as I look at my life and we're back in America living in an amazing place as parents to a new baby boy. Wow how things have changed.

In the midst of all this change in our lives, Steve and I have so much to be thankful for - so much that it's overwhelming actually - so I wanted to share just a few of these things:

1. Providing the finances and support for us to serve in Tanzania for a year

2. Working alongside Hayden, the McBrides, and other missionaries in Dar es Salaam

3. Meeting Lucy, Elias, George, Mama Nuru and their families in TZ and the impact they had on our lives

4. Keeping us safe in Dar

5. Teaching us how to have the Lord as our true joy and delight even in the midst of struggle

6. Keeping me and Caleb healthy throughout the 7 months of my pregnancy in Tanzania

7. The Lord's comfort and peace that He bestowed upon us in doubting and troubling times

8. Allowing both of our parents to come visit us in Dar

9. Using us as His hands and feet to spread the Gospel through the Plan a Better Business classes

10. Mkombozi Group - a group of Tanzanians who stepped up as leaders and took the initiative to continue Plan a Better Business classes without missionary support

11. Humbling us throughout our time in Dar

12. Allowing us to see with our own eyes some of the most beautiful parts of God's creation - the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and so much more

13. Providing Steve a job that allows me to stay at home with Caleb

14. Providing us with a house in what we think is the best part of the city that's affordable and meets our needs

15. The continual love and overwhelming support from both of our parents

16. My parents' hard work of painting, building various things, and overall generosity throughout our transition to Richmond

17. And obviously we are ever-so-thankful for our new bundle of joy - Caleb Stephen - that he was 100% healthy

Thought I'd post some pics from last year's Thanksgiving just for kicks:

Our very own turkey shipped specially from Dubai (no turkeys in Tanzania would look that good)

As you can tell, Steve and I both were SUPER excited about our Thanksgiving meal with our fellow missionary friends...we hadn't eaten that good in months!

fun-filled weekend

This past weekend we had lots of fun things going on. Friday night my in-laws graciously babysat Caleb for a couple of hours so we could go hang out with friends for a bit. It was great to see everyone and feel like we still have a normal life - even if it was for 2 hours.

Saturday we celebrated Tom's birthday. Amanda made Frogmore Stew, which was soo good and so fun to eat. I never had it before, but I definitely recommend it for any celebration meal - as long as you don't mind messy fingers afterwards! The rest of Saturday we spent cheering on the Hokies as they beat UNC (GO HOKIES!)

Sunday Steve and I decided to try our first big outing with Caleb - we went to Williamsburg to do a little bit of shopping. Caleb did REALLY well. He actually slept the entire time we were shopping, which made things super easy and not to mention encouraged us that we actually are able take him places and do fun things!

frogmore stew

feasting...

the remains...

ready for the cold weather!

we're working on getting more rolls...

19 days and counting

This past week was a big week for us Kriegers. First, Steve went back to work Monday, leaving me and Caleb alone for the first time. Overall we did just fine the two of us (besides yesterday's debacle - poor guy had acid reflux real bad). We went on walks together, went to Grammas' house, got Starbucks coffee together, and visited with friends. Yesterday though was the hardest day yet. I now understand why some of my other mom friends said their one goal during the newborn stage was to get dressed, shower or go outside. I admit - I did not accomplish any of those things yesterday. Steve left seeing me in my pajamas and a robe and he came home to see me in the same exact thing; hair nor teeth had been brushed; and I had not even put a foot out the door all day. *sigh*

It was also a big week because we went to Caleb's 2 week checkup where we found out he had gone beyond his birth weight - he now weighs 10 pounds 4 ounces!! I now don't have to wake him up at night to feed, which gives a bit more time to sleep during the night. We also introduced "mr binky" (pacifier) to him this week and he loves it!

He's able to focus on my face more now and he's outgrowing his newborn clothes already!! He's changing so fast it seems already!

Gramma's gift

Watching his 1st Hokie football game with Daddy...

Meeting Koby

2 weeks

Yesterday was Caleb's 2 week birthday. It seems like he's been in this world for months, not just a mere 2 weeks. Being a mom thus far has been a challenging but rewarding experience. My life is forever changed, which sometimes scares me and other times excites me. I'm still trying to figure out how to be a mom, how to manage a household along with a newborn, and honestly how to keep my sanity amidst the sleepless nights and fussy spouts.

Even though these past 2 weeks have been hard emotionally, mentally, physically, and every other which way, it has been rewarding. When I look at Caleb I remember how the Lord protected him for almost 7 months in the womb while we were in Tanzania from malaria and other harmful diseases. I remember how the Lord blessed us with a smooth labor and delivery and how he blessed us with a completely healthy boy. These are the things I try to remind myself at 3am when I am fighting sleep and trying to keep Caleb awake to nurse or when he's being fussy and I have no idea what's wrong with him.

But even since he's been born I've seen some change in him. He's an active little boy - he hates for his arms to be swaddled; he is more alert than before and knows my voice when I say something across the room. He is getting to be more and more vocal too - he has this sigh that he makes when he's done nursing or is laying down that sounds like he is the most satisfied little baby in the world. I love it and it makes those sleepless nights and fussy times worthwhile.

Lately

First walk

Our sweet boy

Wish I knew what he was dreaming about...

What a face

His typical sleeping position