Baby Baby...

Gender politics are funny, especially thousands away from home, especially in a Muslim country. Hmmm. While everyone seems to be ever-so-enlightened, it's not clear that the first OR second wave made to these parts. Baby shower = women only.

Once we were able to deal with the fact that we were segregating ourselves from the guys (no complaints from them), we were able to enjoy ourselves, a little. There were silly games (my favorite, how fat are you really ma?), animal cut-outs to admire, cute little outfits to coo over and, as always, quite a spread to devour!

Calley (and Ross) are the cool, adventuresome people who are bringing this little critter into the world. I am amazed by their tenacity and willingness to do it here in Africa. Imagine having to deal with the 120 heat and being 6 months pregnant! I think that might have been when I said, "Peace."

Instead, she's leaving in a few weeks to give birth in the States and will return 2 months later with her baby in tow. She's committed to continuing teaching despite just giving birth. At the moment the plan is to have the crib in the classroom with her! (Talk about a life-skills course!)

This is actually extremely common--for mothers to plan trips back to the States, UK or other more developed countries around their due date. Many of my Sudanese kids were born elsewhere but have been raised here.