One beggar showing another...

Zafaran just born

2007-11-09T21:04:00.000-05:00

Moravia and Uncle "I"

2007-11-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

sidewalk chalk and swapping hats

Welcome Zafaran

2007-11-09T20:13:00.000-05:00

On October 9 we welcomed a new little girl! She weighed 8 lbs 10 ozs, a chubby girl with big hands, big feet, and a shriek to awaken any dead within hearing distance. She was born at home after three weeks of pre-labor and 5 hours of real labor, all were well and healthy, and mom was slightly annoyed at being told to stay in bed afterwards. Zafaran (pronounced "Saf'-fron") was caught by Robert, and attended by several aunts, a grandmother, Moravia, and a few midwives.

Her full name is Zafaran Diyar Sky Satterfield. Zafaran is the arabic spelling of Saffron, which is a very expensive spice derived from the crocus flower. Diyar means "land" in turkish, and is the capital of Kurdistan. Saffron is a yellow- orange color, so a saffron sky is generally only seen before a really big storm. We liked the idea that no one can really do anything about a storm except trust God and realize that, ultimately, God is in control.

Moravia is delighted with her sister, and seems to feel she now has the greatest dolly ever. She is very quick to help mom and dad and share all her favorite toys. Here are some pictures.

Internet in house NOW WE CAN JOURNAL pics from fall 06

2007-06-10T18:22:00.000-04:00

This is me Bob. I never have been much of a writer. I think it is because I am embarrassed that I might mispell something. BUT NOW WE HAVE THE INTERNET. So I have more opportunities to mispell things.

So far this blog has been about Moravia because that is what new parents talk about . I am planning on branching out into Geopolitical tirades once in awhile, but for now I am going to catch you up on our Moe pics.

I take the photos so you don't get to see my handsome face much. That is probably for the best. This is Jessie and Moe and cousin Priska on the trampoline in fall '06.

Last December we had a big snowstorm and everybody was snowed in for days. It was Moravia's first snow, all 12 inches of it.

Dr. Moe

2006-11-01T19:34:00.000-05:00

not that we believe in such things, but moravia and i went to our "mamas group" on monday dressed as surgeons. i was especially proud of the pacifier/surgical mask, born out of a midnight awakening when she blended with a medical dream....
----Jess

No pictures

2006-10-25T15:33:00.000-04:00

I do not have the wherewithal to put pictures up at this time, which is too bad because Moravia is getting cuter every day. Sorry the apple pie did not show up, the network apparently was having a bad day.

We are plugging along, Moravia 5 months now and sitting up, a month ahead of schedule, "they" say.....whatever. Also working very tearfully on getting some teeth, and NOT sleeping through the night. Right now, if we get three hours at a time Momma is thrilled.

But in between times she is incredibly happy, loves to watch the kitty, loves to help Mama in the kitchen, loves to ride in the car, loves her daddy, loves to "sing" (shriek) in church and to the radio, loves any toy that makes music---and sings along, and loves the bathtub and the rubber ducky best of all. Yesterday she helped while Momma cleaned the bathroom----by spreading the Q-tips out on the floor and chewing on every single one of them......

Today Momma was giving people flu shots at her old work, so Moravia and Daddy are out on the town, stopping in at break time for Moravia's lunch. It works out really well that Momma can work a little, while Daddy and his little girl hang out. She really lights up our life.

I made a pie

2006-09-28T13:53:00.000-04:00

Moravia and I had a baking day and we made the most beautiful apple pie I ever made. Robert ate some before this picture was taken.....

September and a baby

2006-09-27T23:48:00.000-04:00

Hello friends. I am outside of a coffee shop that is closed. I am sitting in my vw bus with the camping table up writing to you on a laptop computer. Even though the shop is closed they still have an internet signal.

So here is my baby girl Moravia and my wife Jessie. We now have a nick name for Moravia. We still call her by her name most of the time but some times "MoMo". Jessie likes it and it is cute to hear her call Moravia that.

OK that was short lived. My battery is low and the photos take a long time to load.

Peace , Love and God bless

BOB

and still more....

2006-08-25T12:45:00.000-04:00

Mother and child....
Robert with his 1972 bus and 2006 baby
the "egg baby" in the historical cradle that Jess's dad made before Jess was born
"Do I look like my Daddy, or what?" (2 mos old)

I know folks, it can be overwhelming to see so many pictures of a beautiful baby all at once. But we have been depriving you so far, so inundation seemed the best thing to do.

Moravia (the correct spelling, by the way; when you've been a father for less than 24 hours, your spelling may suffer, too) is now 3 months old. It is hard to believe she has been in our family that long, and on the other hand it feels like she has been a part of our lives forever. We continue to be amazed at what a gift she is to us, continue to fall even more deeply in love, with her and with each other.

She is a pretty relaxed baby, sleeps twelve hours at night with only one or two feedings between, and graces us with happy smiles and squeals, lots of arm flapping and gumming of toys. I (Jess) love staying home with her, and Robert is the best dad I have ever seen. He spends every minute he can with his little girl, even waking her up to play with her when he gets home late. She puts up with this surprisingly well, amusing us with her dubious looks and sleepy smiles. Babies are wonderful things----everyone should get one!

More pictures

2006-08-25T12:36:00.000-04:00

In no particular order, we have.....
Moravia, fresh from her bath, around 3 weeks old. Moravia and cousin Priska in the hammock----Moravia is six weeks old here, Priska about9 months.
Moravia's favorite place to sleep----Daddy's chest. I think Daddy likes it, too. She was maybe two days old here.

Honeymoon "cottage" one year later....

2006-08-25T12:32:00.000-04:00

On our anniversary, we took our two week old baby on a little ride to see some places that were special to Mom and Dad. We stayed at this bed and breakfast for a few days of our honeymoon.

Pictures

2006-08-25T12:26:00.000-04:00

Here is Moravia as a newborn....due to many technical difficulties, we were not able to put any pics up until now. We hope to make up for it.

5:30 a.m. May 20th . . . And I will never be the same.

2006-05-23T14:58:00.000-04:00

Our Daughter came in to this world OR she came out in to this world via water birth as the sun changed the dark into light on Saturday.
SORRY PHOTOS WILL NOT LOAD AT THIS TIME
Maravia Jahleel Rose Satterfield (you can call her Maravia)
was born Saturday,May 20, 2006
@5:30 A.M.
weighed 8 lb. 20z.
21 inches long

She was born at home attended by Robert, Jessica's mom, sister, sister-in-law and a Doctor and Midwife. The support team was amazing; the mother and child even more so! The Labor lasted 12 hrs. and Mother (and Father) and baby girl are doing well. Moravia was born with a head full of My(Robert) hair, cheeks that lay over on her chest, huge hands and Hobbit feet.

As you can see she has above average inteligence and and is giving talks about her experiences and journey so far. If you are not getting the same vib from the photo that I am, you can at least tell she is beautiful. Each of her names has a special meaning which we will explain in a Future posting.

A CAT

2006-05-10T15:05:00.000-04:00

Here are some pictures of our cat, Chira, which is short for "Chiropractor", because she needs one. She always walks or sits with her head on slightly crooked. When she is trying to be cute, like if she thinks we will let her inside to sleep on the soft couch because it is raining, then she tilts her head even more to the side until it is almost upside down.

She is a funny cat. Once, I put a leftover shrimp in her food dish, only to find her trying to paw it out with this look on her face that said, "Stupid humans to put something so disgusting in my dish of yummy dry cat food!" She has tolerated tuna fish juice, but the tuna fish itself is just too ghastly---what self-respecting cat would eat that stuff? She does catch and eat mice, after we have admired them sufficiently, of course.

Sometimes I think we vent our baby-hungry arms on this poor defenseless cat, which does NOT amuse her. I think she will be glad to get a little less attention once the baby comes, but it is still nice to find her waiting in the driveway for us no matter what time we come home.

The Visit to the Goat Farm

2006-04-29T15:57:00.000-04:00

Some people at the Farmer's Market sell goat cheese---very delicious, and equally expensive, I might add. But they had a "farm day"; and since I have been begging Robert to buy me a goat, he figured maybe playing with some would do it. So we picked up some friends and drove out. It was lots of fun.

top picture: the mother goats seemed oddly interested in my baby belly. maybe they could tell somebody was in there? of course, they liked the bright colors i was wearing, too.

middle: the little kids climbed all over me. there is not much that can be more fun than a baby goat

bottom: robert and a goat in a contemplative moment

Finally!

2006-04-25T15:11:00.000-04:00

Due to some technical difficulties (i.e., computers forgetting how to get online), we have not been able to post for awhile....we apologize for any inconvenience! Here is Jess and Kid, at 33 and 1/2 weeks, in the front yard, getting ready for church. Despite my (Jess's) facial expression, I really am feeling good, as long as I get enough sleep and enough to eat. Thanks to Jodi for lending this dress!

Look! Pictures!

2006-03-18T17:56:00.000-05:00

Finally, what you've all been waiting for: pictures of fat jess! Now seven months pregnant, and you can see robert in the background of one of these. Sorry, we can not figure out how to turn the pics. Tobias? We will try to post a little more often, as the belly grows in the next couple months. Casey, thanks for the upload shortcut; it works beautifully.

The Wakarusa T-shirt we bought on our honeymoon---for Robert. I have pretty much taken over his closet, at least in the shirt department because some of my maternity clothes are already too small. Oddly, it's not the belly that doesn't fit into normal mommy-to-be clothes.....

Thought for the day: Don't worry about the world coming to an end today; it's already tomorrow in Australia.

Does this thing have spell check?

2006-02-14T12:36:00.000-05:00

First time to "blog". Jessie came and cleaned up after spellcheck did not know what to do with my spelling.

So life is fast. I have to stop to get my bearings but life keeps on going. Jessie and I are learning. I will leave it at that for now.

Here are some photos from Bangladesh. Email me at okiebob777@gmail.com if you have any questions. Yes I know it is new and you do not have it. That is why I am giving it to you now. Enjoy the photos.
FROM TOP LEFT TO BOTTOM: Robert getting arrested for speaking too much bengali and philosophising with the law enforcment personnel.

Beautiful women in the villages.

Tiparo tribe women in their regional clothing.

A rich begger who pays the police for his spot at a busy intersection(note the "alms" all around him).

Our dear friend teaching Sunday school on a Thursday in a closed country.
One of my Tipero buddies at the entrance to a cave in the middle of a dry desert region.