Since Turning 1 YR Old

Goodness!!
Sometimes I forget that I have a lot of work to do...a lot has happened since I turned one on that beautiful Wednesday of July 22 2009! Well, I must say, July 2009 was such a beautiful month for me. I celebrated my 1 yr b/day, got my first passport..yes! and close shop at our house in Kennesaw, GA. At the beginning of August 2009, my momma and I left for Oslo, Norway where we stayed until the end of October 2008. We had such a wonderful time. I have also grown bigger since then. Since coming back, we have hang out with my Koja, and birth coach and my birth coach's kinds and Bishop. As challenging as it may be, hanging out with two boys bigger than me..and used to their comfort level, I am actually loving having extra baby comfort. Everyday, I wake up to heated adrenaline rush! I hear them call my name, BIKO!! out so loud...sometimes it's only Abram...since Jay is at school. Then Auntie Kembe calls out in her sweet voice, Biko! and she plays Peek-a-boo with me...and when Jay comes back from school, he gives me some love hugs....and then when Bishop comes back from work in the night...he lifts me, plays with me..and oh! I so love this our extended family!! they really love me...at least that's what momma says...Oh! did I say, I love my momma too!! so very much!! auntie Kembe says I am momma's boy!! well, wait until momma gets another baby.

So, here is the low down

On Wednesday July 22 2009, i celebrated turning one. Auntie Tega came into town and we went to a Japanese restaurant called, Saigon, near town center mall in Kennesaw, GA. We loved it so very much!! We had a sizzling dinner with the chef there, serving us. I wore my "I am 1" hat that my momma bought me...after running around everywhere tryna find a 1 year old crown. I love it!! the celebration was super...with two of the most beautiful people that welcomed me when I was born!!
But before that, I had actually got my first passport...I was so super excited...and held it out to show it off!! I love my passport...and the pic looks so professional...not like the lil baby i was! Momma will tell you it was a long battle to get it...but we finally got it.

The came Saturday, 25th of July 2009...when we celebrated my bigger birthday...with all friends and family...You already know that auntie Tega came down from New York. Matter of fact, she was already in Florida...so, she came up to celebrate with us...and so did my godmother, auntie Phina..who came down from Boston. They both stayed at our house...and we had a wonderful time together. They cooked with momma. Auntie Tega designed my "1st yr book"...it was beautiful! we had a lot of food...my friends, Ms. Kim, Ms. Dianne, and friends from my day care, auntie Kembe and family, our roommates (Tuesday's family) and friends plus my Koja and his g/f came out to celebrate.. The party was at Kennesaw Park...and went on till dawn!! we enjoyed ourselves, played games and also played, "arms up!" Oh! you should see the pics on momma's facebook.

We had only a week from then to pack our bags and depart for Oslo in Norway!! and we did...I remember seeing momma stay up all night trying to park. She said, she's never done last minute packing for a long distance trip...but she had to do it that time. Especially because I was also traveling with her...and there are things that need to be put in the suitcase last. She ended up with plenty of stuff that we store at Koja's hse and Ms. Dianne's we took four suitcase, although we were entitled to only three...So, momma had to pay for one of them. Can you imagine it cost $400?! now that's really theft! thankfully, it was reimbursed by the program momma is attending. My daddy came along (you have seen the pics above) to the airport and took us all the way to the departure gate. We enjoyed ourselves so very much!! Momma said it was good for her...because she got to relax...altho' she didn't really sleep. and when we got on the plane...she couldn't sleep either because I had to sleep and I took over her seat! grrrrrrrrrr
You know that was my first international flight. I did good though...didn't cry around...just slept, woke up and was a such a disciplined baby!! momma was so super proud of me! We flew from Maynard-Jackson international airport in Atlanta to Frankfurt...and then to Oslo...We noticed there were so many soldiers at our departure gate in Atlanta...but they all didn't get onto our flight...I guess they were waiting for their flight...We arrived in Frankfurt in the morning and had to wait for about three hours before boarding our next flight...so, Momma had to order stuff in Euros. She said a bottle of apple juice costed about $6! Ridiculous by American standards...but this is continental Europe...and it's the Europe...the $ is not doing so well lately!

From Frankfurt, we arrived in Oslo, Norway at about mid-day...we were in for a big shock...because the weather was rainy and gloomy!! It was a new experience...incl. sitting in a Mercedes Benz taxi with a Mercedes Benz car seat! Now were do you see that often? We love Norway! so very much!! we enjoyed it...even tho' it was so very expensive!! we got to live in fresh air, beautiful green everywhere...excellent public transport, off the beach...bridge, friends, beautiful day care and day care teachers and friends, and I played a lot at the day care.

By the time I left, nobody wanted me to leave...because I was a lovely boy! Momma also did not want to leave the day care..she had gotten used to dropping me off...and watching me coming back sandy and happy...or playing outside. Although, I must tell you, I cried every morning that my momma left...can you imagine!! every morning!! but for only a short while...then I shut up!!

In Norway, we met friends from Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa...plus my Brazilian g/f...Everybody deserves a Brazilian g/f...and I know she'll be waiting for me till I grow up...We also took pics with the King and Queen's men

So, here we are now...we've been back since..and we've halloweened..hang out with popsy...and our birthcoach...and Koja..we've also hang out with friends of family!! it's great...plus the new momma's connection...I am enjoying my first year so far..momma says I've also grown so big...running from place to place...sky is the limit!!! la vie est belle!!

I am thankful for everybody who has loved me from before I was born to now....and also everybody who has loved my mother...i know we are both gonna be big and successful...we are destined for success.!! don't hate...sky is the limit...we are now waiting for our next step...from God...we have re-found God...who doesn't? and are lovin't

gotta go to bed now...say, cheers!

Oops! I turned 1 Yr-Old, and Made my maiden trip overseas!!

See, I am now a big boy! I turned 1 yr-old on Wednesday July 22 2009, and celebrated with my auntie Tega and my loveliest Mom! We went to Saigong, Japanese Restaurant, and had a fireside dinner. Of course you know, my mom brought my home cooked dinner. But still we had loads of fun!! Then I had another bash with many of my fav people, and my godmother Phina came from Boston. Oh! it was lovely. Mom made it a black, yellow and red affair...colors of the Uganda flag. Auntie Tega made the cake. A big fat carrot cake plus a chocolate brownie for me. Oh! she is so lovely! everybody loved loved the cake. Plus the memory book autie Tega and Mom put together for me . Oh! will never forget. You know I cried. but that's typical me...and who says you can't cry on your b/day!




So, that's me sitting on a chair at my doc's clinic. It's my annual visit (12 months) and I had come for shots. can you believe I did not cry! but you know. I am a tough boy...Big boys don't cry. Well, I cried a little but was back to my fun-self. oh!



Here I am getting ready to fly to Oslo, Norway via Frankfurt on Lufthansa airways. Mom brought out all possible toys to help see us through this long trip. There's Winnie-the-Pooh, Travel Giraffe, my PJs. and of course not to forget the lovely thumb...oh! how I love that thumb! Can you imagine, at 1 yr-old, I am already flying places. Well, I am gonna be an international baby.





This is popsy and I waiting in the departure lounge at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. Popsy came all the way! Mom asked for a gate pass for him...and he came with us to help us with all bags and pre-flight relaxation. Indeed mom felt so relaxed...because she's always managing me alone. But this time, she had somebody else to push the stroller, change my diapers, feed me, and entertain me while she had dinner and talk on the phone. As you know, I cried for her...and finally pospy handed me over to my dear lady






this is me in flight. I am trying to open my eyes, but I am really exhausted! What baby stays up until 5am in the morning? Well, this baby who can't sleep on the plane...He tried to sleep but sometimes were just too hard. So, mom had to give up her seat to me and she sat, oops! dosed on he floor.. Until the air hostess came to ask her off the floor.
















Now, I am trying to fix this volume. It's so loud, and I need another channel. I am already a smart cookie, don't fool with me. I am too smart for myself.








That's my lady I am traveling with. My mom. I love my mom. I know she's tired. and has not had sleep. but she's pretending that she's had enough...just for me!

whoa! Time Flies...I've Grown Bigger and Seen Places

Whoa! Cannot believe it's more than four months since I last checked in here...time flies...and it flies so fast. Last I checked in, I was six months old, now I am 10 months, can you imagine! I cannot. So, I need to break the silence.

Well, I have seen knew places, grown more teeth, crawl all over the place, speak Luganda, moved into a new car seat, got my first toothbrush, flew on the plane, visited my uncle in Cambridge, and my godmother. Oh! did I tell you we got a new addition to the family? Yeah! you will meet her Mukyala Dulukansi. But first things first, lemme give you an updated on the months.

Turning 7 Months- February 22 2009
We celebrated Valentine's Day with a visit to our friends and birth coach, The Sullivans down in SW Atlanta. My ma's birthcoach, Auntie Kembe bought me my first suit! a perfect match with Jeremiah and Abram! So, all wore our suits and took pictures. On my 7-months day, Sunday February 22, ma and I went to the Georgia Aquarium with friends and had a lovely time. The next weekend, Saturday Feb 29, we went to the Atlanta Zoo. Ma's friend from grad school, Auntie Jane came down to ATL, so we went to see her. I also received a care package from Jjaja in Uganda with a mat, reading books, baby soya, play toys..all from my family in Uganda.



Turning 8 Months -March 22 2009
Another milestone this month, I got teeth...Yes, two teeth!! and was biting everything in my way, letters, clothes, ma's arm...you name it. Then another beautiful thing happened, Ma got her driver's license. Yes! please believe me, she was not legible to drive legally til then. Finally, she got over her nerves and did it! You know my ma is a superstar! We went and celebrated with Jon and Lori, our dear friends at an Italian Restaurant, where they surprised ma with a strawberry topped cake! Spring also came around, and then I witnessed my first snow fall--moreover in Atlanta! Ma said it's a first! We went out and took pictures. I sat in a high chair the second time--since Feb 21st at breakfast at the Hyatt, DT ATL. I also went to a modeling gig and of course, I passed. But ma couldn't pursue it more because she aint got the money yet. She promises that she still will.



Turning 9 Months -April 22 2009
It was the month of Easter, so we hang out with our family...Koja Kats, auntie Santa and Elijah. April is also a very special month for me, because my Jjaja's b/day is April 6, as is my ma's good friend Zoran Sosic in Boston, MA. My ma too is on April 28th but that's after I turned 9 months. I also added two more teeth to add to the three I already had. I celebrated my friend's birthday, Josh from daycare, in fact my first b'day celebration since birth and played with other kids.






Turning 10 Months -May 22 2009
This so far is one of the most fabulous months, besides July when I was born. During this month, I made my maiden flight to Boston, MA to visit my godmother, who had not seen me in person since I was born. I also visited my uncle John Harvard, and ma made sure I take the visit seriously with a trip The Harvard Coop, tour of Harvard Sq and a great souvenir from my godmother, Phina Lukoma, "Class of 20?? Bib". That tells a lot, because I have to live up to that reputation. Oh! Ma also relieved her nostalgia and picked up a copy of the New Republic from the Out of Town News Stall in Harvard SQ. We also visited Davis SQ, where Ma went to school and watched the Memorial Day Parade in Somerville, MA. Oh! did I tell you Ma drove in Boston --first time! You know, she lived in Boston for nearly three years but never drove because she had no driver's licence. She was a superstar! Auntie Phina gave the directions and we drove to and from Haymarket --another of Ma's fav spots in Boston. To cap it off, we got our first car -Mukyala Dulukansi, named after my marternal great grandmother from Jjaja's side. Ma calls her her baby girl. She's sleek, shiny and boy she's got it like that. Perfect Green and she takes us places. Already, we have visited our friends the Sullivans, been to the Swift-Cantrell Park in Kennesaw, GA, went to fix a new car seat and celebrated the three ladies (Dianne, Kim and Ma's) April-May birthdays. Ma got gorgeous sunflowers from Auntie Tega and roses from Auntie Phina on her birthday. This month I also outgrew my baby car seat and moved to a bigger boy seat. I also got my first toothbrush, although I am still adjusting to it. I can now say a few more words in Luganda, Nedda (which ma loves to tell me so much) meaning No, Jjaja -means grandma in Kampala. I added another tooth top row, making it six now, I am crawling and crawling and learning to walk.

I am enjoying my maama's cooking so very much..It is all homemade and no GMO. Oh! how I love my mother!!

You know, my mother is a picky eater. She does not like processed food, she does not like GMO. She also steers clear of meats for the most part. Well, she is not really a tree hugger (like popsy), plus she eats a lot of grass. Nor is she an animal rights activist. She's a "situational vegetarian". In America, she tries not to eat meats because of all the chemicals injected in animals to grow quickly and the processing that goes in the food. The quality of American food is not the best. But she loves those lamb chops at Turkish restaurants and goat meat at Ethiopian restuarants. Her excuse is that, this is Halal meat --cleaner than the regular American food. Her main diet is fish and veggies, and you know she believes fish makes you smarter.

Now, I am growing to grow up on my maama's diet. I have no problem with that, I am enjoying my butternut squash and apple sauce. Dad bought a food processor, which is working all the magic. This weekend, maama was able to make more than a week's supply of food: apple sauce, butternut squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and berries, and froze most of it. We don't have to buy those "Gerber baby food cans"; it's too expensive when you can buy you fresh foods and make it at home.

People think it takes a lot of time, but maama says commitment and the love for me is what drives her through. It is not too hard. She feels comfortable doing it this way. Why make short cuts when you'll pay for them in future? A healthy body starts with discipline --better now than later. Very soon, I'll be starting my jogging routine. Maama says, she will buy me a jogging stroller so that we can start going out together. We are waiting for the weather to change for the better

Oh! I am Growing and Growing and Growing

By this time next week, I will be six months of age (Thursday Jan 22), Whoa! Life has been good to me thus far. I have enjoyed my life and my loved ones. I have been so well taken care of, and I am for-ever grateful to my mother. She's a super mom. Everyone says it, friends, family, loved ones. So, here are a few developments in my life

I started going to day care last week consistently. Previously, my mom will drop me off for a few hours then come pick me up. Now, I am going every morning at 6:30a and come back after 6p. This means I no longer hang out with my maama every hour because she has to go off and look for work. You see, we need to have plenty of savings in the bank, and my mother is doing everything she can to get back her financial security. We have been able to survive on her savings and friends helping hands. We've been so blessed to have people that love us. Maama says her friend was right to say, "children bring blessings." I have seen then myself; Santa was very kind, lots of friends and family. My sitter at the day care says I am a wonderful baby. You know, I got used so quickly. The first day, I did not cry. I guess I was not yet sure what was happening. My maama sobbed...She sobbed from the night before to that day, and even failed to talk when the taxi driver asked her where we were going. He gave her tissue to wipe her eyes. Very kind man. He took my maama to the bus stop and stayed by her while she waited on the bus. Then came the second morning and I cried so hard; in fact I cried the whole day. My mother was still crying as well and she would call the baby sitter to ask about me. Oh! it was hard. since then however, life has changed. Now I am happy and I enjoy my baby sitter. I also play with them very much, and they like me so. And then, my maama cries, because I so independent and don't cry for her no more. oh! my lovely maama!

Then, there is Obama --Barack Hussein Obama--to be inaugurated next week as the 44th President of the United States, and the first Black President of this ol' country know for its racial problems. This is a big big event because until now, it has been close to impossible. For a black president? Life is good. I am so happy to be born in the year 2007, the year of Barack Obama, the year of The Redeem Team (with LeBrone James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Jason Kidd), the year of Usain Bolt, the year of Michael Phellps. Generally, it is the year many records were broken including the credit crunch, mortgage disaster and global financial crisis, The Bush Shoe (formerly Ducati Model 271), Mbeki forced to resign by hungry and disgruntled ANC, ANC breaks up, Lansana Conte dies. So, it's been a year and so far, I have been very happy to share it.

My jjaja in Uganda finally got to see my pictures and my face..oh! She was so overjoyed!! you know, she'd never seen me since I were born, 5 or close to 6 months ago. All my nieces and nephews, aunties and uncles got a card with me and maama for Xmas. They were so overjoyed. They could not keep talking about it. Maama took a pic of my poop, after a whole day of constipation and sent it as well to Jjaja...she could not believe it. But you know, that's my maama...she's crazy.

I have also been spending time with my great grand ma and she's been teaching me new tricks. Last weekend, she taught me how to reach out and grab my bib. She's so sweet. She said she wants to have more like me. Well, my maama says, she's still enjoying me and wants me to enjoy my baby life for a long while. Did I tell you am a potential model? Well, last weekend my parents took me to a model and talent scout agency and I got a nod onto the second stage. You know, I am a cute baby and ready to roll. Life is good. This weekend, my parents have to return and talk to the agency. We'll see how that goes -but I know my mother wants me to model so badly. That was, I can raise money for school and upkeep.

anyway, I must go to rest now. Oh! I have to read. You know, my father bought me this, Your Baby Can Read package and maama and I have already started on it and hope by one year, I will be able to say some words. I need to stop here. I know there's a lot going on in the world now including Israeli continued shelling of Palestians..but I want to be a happy boy...that's too hard for me as a baby..I can't even imagine what the palestians babies are going through now..while I am safely tucked here in the country that supplies the military power and diplomatic backing to Israel as it happily conducts its war crimes and crimes against humanity.

bye for now

CELEBRATING MY FIRST YEAR, 2009!!

YES! I know I am sleeping, but I am celebrating..with my dearest dearest mother. I or she is the love of my life...ok. we both share this line. I am overjoyed!! My maama is here...and I am resting so beautiful.

It's been a year of wonders, twists and turns. Oh! just heard someone on BBC Africa Have Your Say talk about Joseph Kony...that notorious goon who continues terrorizing people in Northern Uganda, Eastern Congo and Southern Sudan. Oh! I hope (and my maama agrees) they catch him..dead.

Anyway, this is my first new year --and I am 5 months into this world. It's beautiful! I look forward to many more like these, obviously better ones. I have plenty of wishes and resolutions to make to my mother and myself. So help me y'all.

1) I need to start sitting all by myself by the end of this month, January 2009 -I can't even believe I am saying Jan 2009.

2) Continue my smart progress, charming face and peaceful nature. I want to carry these all the way into my adulthood. Already, maama says I am a genius. I can talk, laugh, giggle (oh! I have my maama's stingy laugh), listen attentively, play, and express myself. Oh! did I tell you that I can even type on the computer. Well, that's me, Mr. Genius

well, I am taking after my mother. don't blame me for being too ambitious.

Oh! did I tell you about my learning-to-sit" box? Apparently my mother thought it was a smart idea to put me in this box....so, I can learn to sit...and there I am, learning to sit...and sometimes feel really caged-in. But

But I guess I love it...look at me... and I am enjoying...learning to sit...Next time you see me, I'll be walking.




3) That my mother finds work to earn money. She's currently not earning an income but she wants to get back into "the earning business". I love her and I love that she takes care of me. But I also want her to get paid for taking care of me. Right now, that's not happening. And she's a very enterprising person. I want her to reclaim her inner strength, imaginative and achieving spirit. I want her to achieve so so much!! She's a wonderful person. Did I say she's the love of my life? Ok, perhaps I've overused that. Anyway, this is my advertising contribution for her. As you can see, she's also got a picture-taking talent. She took all these pics..so, perhaps she has a career in photography. But I know she wants to "save the world" and argue politics, especially African International Politics. You know what, she can do all this through photography.

I want my mother and I to move (back) to New York City, because she says it's the best city to live in. Everybody is "theoretically" equal because they all take the subway. Also, everyone can speak their own language and not feel foreign..because it's a multi-cultural city. The parks are so wide and exciting, there are plenty of Africans. My mum wants those Senegalese to baby sit me so that I can learn Wolof and French (you know she was once engaged to a Senegalese, shhhh!!).. I understand, Senegalese are such wonderful people..she just had her issues --thus cutting off that engagement.

4) I hope to go visit my family in Uganda by the end of the year. Maama tells me Jjajja (my grandma) is the best person in the entire world. All my cousins are longing for me, and so are my aunties and uncles. They cannot imagine a baby not at home. But you know what, whoever said,"like mother like son" was definitely thinking about my maama and I. My maama was the only child of her mother born outside the family home (oh! long story) and she grew up with her grandmother. So, when she was five and ready to start kindergarten, she joined her siblings in Kampala (Uganda). I understand her siblings used to call her, "Guest" because they didn't know she was one of them. Can you imagine I am the only one of my jjajja (grandma)'s grandkids to be born outside Uganda and away from home? Now I know they will all call me "Guest" or Mugenyi. I have already met my paternal family in Bartonsville, PA. Now, I need to visit my jjajja.Well, I guess I should wish for good health, good feelings, good friends, good finances, good weather and good lifestyle. I also wish for a good inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama, as the first black President of the United States.

I am thankful for the people, for the gifts, for the smile, for the attention, for those friends and family and those who care for me. people say I look like my mother, but I found a look-a-like who aint my mother..ha!