Jenna and Hondo Update

After a week of being sick, Jenna was back to her happy and playful self. She is learning very fast and is picking things up quickly. She loves her jumperoo - thank you Grandma & Grandpa!!!!!! There are a couple of animals hanging above her and when I say "Where is the bird?" Jenna immediately looks up at the bird. I have been repeating animals and animal sounds to her everyday so I guess it is working. She has yet to master crawling, but we are certainly in no rush :) When she stands assisted, she puts her full weight on her feet. Speaking of feet, she has learned to use hers quite well. For instance, when she is laying on her back and wants a toy, she will pick it up with her feet, bring it over her stomach and grab the toy with her hands.

On Wednesday, I left Jenna with our housekeeper for the first time so I could attend an Embassy event where Ken spoke. She did real well with Karla and I feel comfortable leaving Jenna with her in the future. Since we returned from the states I have watched Jenna's interaction with Karla and she is always happy and smiling at her so it gave me more confidence.

Last week, I started taking yoga with a few friends once a week (which has been wonderful for my sanity). I bring the housekeeper with us and she watches Jenna. The great part is my friend, Pilar, brings her son and nanny so Jenna get's a play day with her buddy Joaquin. So it is a win-win situation :)

As for Honduras, we are still limited to travel within the city. Ken continues to stay very busy. Despite the late nights, Ken manages to spend time with Jenna and I. It is our hope that our travel plans to El Salvador next month will not be cancelled. It will be a nice little break and change of scenery. However, as I write this, Zelaya has just crossed the Nicaraguan border into Honduras so there will be more info to come............

First Illness

After several months of saying "Jenna is so healthy and we are so lucky she has not gotten sick." I guess I finally jinxed it. Last Sunday, Jenna was having some stomach issues and threw up a little, but no fever. I brought her to the Embassy nurse on Tuesday and Jenna received a good report. Apparently there is a stomach virus going around. The last few days Jenna seemed to be okay. Last night I heard Jenna crying in her crib and found her throwing up. It continued while I held her and Ken and I immediately got her in the tub. Ken went to the store and picked up some pedialyte. It was a struggle to get her to drink something and then she fell asleep. So far today she has been drinking a lot of fluids and seems to be doing much better. She is sleeping quite a bit so I know she is still not feeling well. At least her symptoms have subsided. We hope she gets better soon!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!

Here are some photos of Jenna. No fireworks, but at least a group of us got together for a bar b que to celebrate this very important holiday!!!!!
Also, Jenna has made a new friend. His name is Joaquin and he is actually two days older than Jenna. His parents, Eric and Pilar are wonderful and their former post was in China. Some of the ladies, including myself are hosting play dates at our homes for children ages 0 to 2. It has been awesome to get out of the house for a change of scenery, have some "girlfriend" time and let our children play together!!!!!!!

Honduras Excitement!!!!!!!

Hi Everyone,

We have received tons of e-mails from family and friends and we really appreciate everyone thinking about us. We are doing okay. We got our generator installed while we were in the states so it has come in handy when the power has gone out. Also we have the fridge stocked with food and plenty of water. Our house is within one mile of the presidential palace so it is a little unnerving since that is were most of the activity is taking place. When all this came down Sunday, the cops and military were out there with riot shields and there were some tanks rolling around.

Military planes and helicopters have been flying over the city the last few days. If Zelaya decides to come back on 4 July things could get real interesting. We are not affected too much and the Embassy has asked all families and mission personnel not to make unnecessary trips. Ken is obviously working like a maniac and I am more worried about him traveling back and forth due to the protests and demonstrations. If for some reason things get real bad, Jenna and I will come home. It is funny watching the inaccuracies on the news. On Fox, they stated the Hondurans were not taking any calls from US Diplomats.....totally wrong. Ken has received phone calls since Saturday evening (the day we returned to Honduras). At the direction of the State Dept. we are not to engage the Hondurans since the US does not recognize the new regime. It really is a shame because a lot of progress has been made, especially on the military side. I feel for Ken because a lot of programs, training, etc has stopped until further notice. Hopefully things will pick back up when the elections take place in November.

We had two Embassy events planned for the 4th and now they are cancelled for safety reasons. Also, Ken's brother, David and his kids were to arrive today for a week and a half. They cancelled their trip and thankfully David was able to receive full reimbursement for the tickets. We hope things settle down soon. Meanwhile I have Jenna to entertain me so staying at the house is not as bad as one would think.

Jenna turned 7 months on Monday. She is such a little sweetie and is doing real well with all the new foods Ken and I are introducing to her. She absolutely loves applesauce and sweet potatoes. When she wakes she has cereal or oatmeal with a bottle, a veggie at lunch with a bottle, veggie and some fruit at dinner and a bottle before she goes to bed. She still sleeps through the night and can sit up by herself unattended for small periods of time. The last few days Jenna has been teething a lot so I know she is uncomfortable. Since the bottle water we buy here does not contain flouride, we are giving her 0.5ml everyday. Jenna also has her first tooth!!!!!!!! It came in on her bottom left. Here are some photos from our trip back home, San Antonio / Chief Humphrey's Retirement and Ken's 1st Father's Day!!!!!!!!!!

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