Two Grasshoppers

We got a big surprise at our latest visit to the doctor. Our family has not only been blessed with an addition to our family, but we are being blessed with TWO additions to the Amos clan! Yes, as you can see below, we are very pregnant with twins. I am 11 weeks along and the little grasshoppers are doing great. Everything looks fine for us to return to Africa for the 2nd trimester and then we will come back for the deliveries. We are thankful, excited and full of wonder of what the next year of our lives will hold. God is so good and we can only think of all of the fun we are going to have. Just wanted to share the exciting news and we ask for prayers whenever you think of it! Blessings and Merry Christmas!

Also, there is a picture of Pete with all of his cousins here in Lubbock, TX. He has loved being around family and is soaking it up. We return to Rwanda in 3 weeks.

Apple Orchard

Pete got to apple picking at the local orchard last week. His Aunt Jessica took him for the morning and he had a great time. He is an apple fan for sure and of course found the dog on the orchard to hang out with. He calls every dog by our dog in Rwanda's name and he loves each new dog with them same amount of gusto! He held on to his apple the whole time and nibbled away at it - little by little. By the way, we are in the USA in Texas now, in case you didn't know!

Oh, The Places to Read!

Pete just loves to read, as I am sure most kids do this age. It is certainly exciting to see him find joy in books. He sits for long stretches of time and just pulls book after book down to look through & "read" to himself. He intently looks at each page and babbles, as if he knows the exact story taking place. He is recognizing more and more, calling out names of things he sees, doing sign language to what he recognizes and making a vast array of noises for things. I didn't get a picture of it, but he also is often caught grabbing books to read in the car, when we tell him it is time to go. Books are magical at all ages!

Pete the Nut

Our Pete has turned into quite the little ham. He is always so silly, finding new things to try to make us laugh. There is not much he isn't willing to try or a goofy face he isn't trying to make. And he is not afraid of the camera, which makes catching great moments and unique little facial expressions easy to catch. Hope you enjoy some moments over the past couple of weeks.

Pete found this bowl outside and thought it made the perfect hat!

Mr. Happy found his new rain boots to just the perfect fit and wanted to show them off.

This is one perfect Pete look, squinty eye and that crooked smile! We just LOVE it.

Pete was dying to touch the eye of the camera...he thought he was SOO funny. I took about 9 pictures with his finger in the view hole!

This is a short video of one of his favorite expressions when he is having a big time. I am always surprised how clearly he can say things. At least we get a kick out of it!!

Random Funny Pictures

Most people think that Pete is all easy-going and sweet, but this picture is a little glimpse of his stinker side. We gave him a mohawk to fit his attitude this night, as he thought he was pretty cool stuff with a room full of college students visiting from the States. I thought this facial expression was too funny.

And do you think this dog is amazing or what?! Pete spends 2/3 of his awake hours laying with, patting, sharing toys or following her around. She lets Pete do just about anything he wants and he is actually really gentle with her, without too much harassment. We are pretty sure Pete would sleep in here with her, if we would only let him.

My Birthday Surprise!

This is how I picked up my birthday package from Heath at the post office here. They escorted us into a back room in the post office, apologizing the whole way. I wasn't the least bit upset, I am just so surprised they didn't trash it after demolishing the package! Heath tried to surprise me with some treats from America -- rainbow chip icing for a birthday cake, prunes, and a new faucet for my kitchen so I can keep the window open to keep cooler! All arrived here in Kigali, only as you can see, it was somehow smashed to pieces. You better believe that I came home an salvaged every bit of icing I could - opened with ants on it or not! Thank you to my sweet husband for thinking of me and to my sister for sending it on. Jessica asked what she could have done differently to package it better and I told her the only safe bet would be to send it in a corrugated steal box next time! :)

Pete WALKS!

Here is the our little guy walking all over! It is as if he doesn't remember how to crawl anymore. He just woke up today and decided it was time to walk...Mommy wants him to slow down!!

My First Safari

Pete got to go on in first safari a couple of months ago and he loved it, as you can tell. These first pictures were of his spotting of some giraffe! He was so excited and wanted everyone else to see what he was seeing. Too fun.

Then on the way home we got a really bad flat, which is inevitable for any good safari trip. So Pete decided he needed to take over the wheel as you can see below. I think he can be trusted driving, he looks like he knows exactly what he is doing!

Then back to the camp site for some good grub. It was really cold that night, but the only hat we had for him was this old Halloween costume hat, that was meant for a sheep. He appropriately began eating grass!

Pete was one tired little guy after a long day of driving across the safari and having fun at the campsite. What a great trip and fun memory for us all. We are so blessed to be in such amazing country, able to see so many wonders of God's creation each day.

Fun in the Yard

Pete loves exploring in the yard, digging in piles of leaves, picking up rocks and chasing the dog. He could stay out there all day and as you can tell from the pictures, he absolutely loves it. He is also still really proud of the fact that he can stand all by himself, even though he's been doing it for months.

He loves brushing his teeth, this time he found Daddy's big toothbrush while we were packing for a trip and went to town. It is amazing how kids learn things that you never deliberately teach them. Pete just grabbed it and went to town, he also grabbed the tube of tooth paste as you see!

These Cards Are Amazing!!

Pete got another great little music card a week or so ago! He has used played with it every chance we give it to him. Unfortunately, at this point the card is pretty much destroyed, from repeated use. It is so much fun to watch him figure it out and see his little rhythm emerge!

Pete the Climber

Pete hasn't walked yet, but he can sure climb. He climbs up on everything in the house: chairs, sofa, step stool, etc. Just two days ago, he was playing outside and climbed up the slide, turned around, and slid down it. He is a little daredevil.

Swimming Fun

Pete loves playing in his little pool that Grandma sent him. Unfortunately, he also loves drinking the water, which is completely unsafe for him to drink! So when we swim, we spend most of our time battling him from drinking up the amoeba infested water. But we have a great time nonetheless! Since it is perpetually summer weather here (pretty much), we don't even need towels to dry off. Pete just air dries as he rides his horsey through town. Scroll down to see how much he enjoys riding like a cowboy vs. riding like a lady!

This is the way the ladies ride....

This is the way the cowboys ride...(minus their drawers and chaps!)

Best Birthday Card Ever...especially for Dad!

Pete got this card from Grandma Stella and it has been a hit around here. At first, he was actually pretty leery of it, but with a bit of repetition, he loves it. He especially likes to do a little dance to the tune, which you can sort of see in the video. And as most of you know, an early love of Star Wars brings a smile to Heath's face!

Happy 1st Birthday Pete!!

Pete has turned 1 already and though it has gone quickly this first year, we have tried to cherish each moment. Pete is learned so much each day and it is such an unbelievable privilege and joy to be a part of his unfolding personality and growth. I can hardly believe it somedays, as we laugh, learn and discover together. He is a priceless gift of our loving Father.

You can see below how we celebrated his first year!

Pete started the day with the breakfast clown that Heath used all growing up. It is a great clown that disassembles to become a bowl, plate, cup, salt shaker and egg holder. It was fun to celebrate his first birthday with it!

A ten-gallon cowboy hat cake matched the vintage napkins and plates that Grandma sent us in the mail. Thanks Grandma, we loved thinking of Texas on our big day!

By the end of the day, Pete was pretty worn out and had somehow lost his clothes...I think he found a water puddle and played to his hearts content. Happy Birthday.

I made a sign for the big day and hope to take a picture under it every year. Pete got a real kick out of looking up at it and hearing us sing Happy Birthday to him, each time he pointed at it.

Our New Puppy

We finally got our puppy this week. She is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and she is great. Pete loves her and she loves on him as well. As you can see from the pictures, Pete's new favorite place to hang out is in Kaya's banana leaf basket bed. Kaya is only 10 weeks old and will one day grow into her bed!

A Little Late Little Yoda

I think some have seen this picture of our Halloween this year, but I had to add it to the blog. Pete's Aunt Jessica went all out and got him this great outfit! The Force must have been with him, cause he certainly got lots of candy and treats on Halloween, all of which Daddy and Mommy have been "saving" for him! :)

Little Cowboy

Pete got new wranglers from Grandma Dahlstrom and Papa. He is a little Texan right here in Rwanda! He is doing so good and discovering new things everyday. Life is so good and we praise God for every moment.