Introducing...

Hezekiah "Zeke" Arnett Eubanks III                                                      Born May 28 at 2:29 PM                                                                     Weighed 8 pounds 2 oz.                                                                                   19 inches long                                                                                                       A head full of black hair                                                                             Absolutely precious!!

Here are some pics...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praises:

1. He's here and healthy!!
2. Even with a pitocin drip I was only in labor 4.5 hours with the last 30 min. pushing!!
3. Our mom's made it here safely!!
4. Arnett didn't pass out!! (he did have to sit down a few times)

Prayer Requests:

1. Patience and Grace as we learn to be parents.
2. That Zeke will begin nursing regularly to get what he needs.
3. Continued good health for Zeke and me.

A week of waiting...

Well I was hoping that the next update we sent out would be that Butterbean is here, healthy, and whether Butterbean was a boy or  a girl! Well...Butterbean is either playing shy or taking after his mom and dad and being a little on the stubborn side (not a good sign this early in the game!!) As of tonight (Wednesday), Butterbean still has not made his/her grand entrance. So here's what we've been up to this week...

Butterbean's due date was on Monday. We got up that morning and went to the hospital for my doctor's appointment. They hooked me up to the monitors and I was having a few contractions but none that were really doing anything!! The doc came in and checked me and I was still only 1 cm. dilated. He decided to do a stress test on Butterbean to see how he/she would handle contractions. So, they hooked me up to a pitocin drip for about 30-45 minutes. Of course, then the real contractions started coming. Butterbean passed the test and after the test I had dilated to 2 cm. Doc said a lot of times this test will "jump start" things but if it didn't he would induce me on Thursday.

Here Butterbean and I are the night before the due date!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday we enjoyed another day of being together!! The stress test they did yesterday did "jump start" anything. As after I got off the pitocin drip the contractions went away! So, Arnett borrowed all 3 Indiana Jones movies from another family here, so we watched 2 of the 3 - Yippee!! Then we went out and picked up some last minute groceries.

Wednesday, still no Butterbean. We took it easy, watched the 3rd Indiana Jones movie. We went out to eat for supper. After, we made sure Arnett knew how to get to the hospital. And then we went to my new favorite place...N'Ice Cream. It's like an African Baskin Robbins!! They have 36 flavors!! My latest favorite is Strawberry Torte, which taste just like a strawberry shortcake! Super Yummy!!

Here we are the night before the big day!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We can't believe within the next 24 hours or so we'll be parents!

 

So,  tomorrow (Thursday) the doc will induce me. The plan is to leave home about 7:45 to head to the hospital. I'm hoping Butterbean will decide to come on his/her own before tomorrow morning.  The doc said pitocin tends to make labor longer and harder, not something I'm looking forward to.

Praises:

1. The time we've had together before the baby.
2. That good health care is available here.
3. Butterbean has checked out healthy at every appointment.

Prayer Requests:

1. A healthy baby.
2. A smooth, complicated free delivery.
3. Our mom's will leave the states Friday afternoon to come visit us, please pray for safe travels and smooth transitions in the airport.

We'll try to update as soon as we can. We're not sure if the hospital has Internet or not. Until next time....

Together at last...

Monday, we went to a restaurant on the ocean. It was beautiful!!! Definitely didn't feel like we were in Africa. Here are some pics we took at the restaurant.                The view from our table!!! The breeze was great too. Arnett said he needed a jacket!! A definite change from Bamako!!              In the background you can see the most Western point in Africa. This is the closest we've come to America since we got here!!

Wednesday, we went for another round of fetal monitoring. Praise the Lord all went well. Doctor said everything looked great. No real changes from last week. He talked like he felt we would have a baby before the end of the weekend. We'll see!!!

Thursday, we rested and then got out and did a bit of grocery shopping. Trying to get the pantry stocked before Butterbean gets here!

Friday, we spent the day enjoying the "us" time God has given us. Pretty soon our days will be consumed with dirty diapers, feedings, and Butterbean.

Praises:

1. Arnett's here before Butterbean.
2. Butterbean is healthy.
3. Some "us" time before we enter the world of parenthood.

Prayer Requests:

1. For a smooth delivery with no complications.
2. Butterbean will be healthy.
3. Arnett won't pass out during delivery - seriously!!!

Thank you all so much for your prayers!! Hopefully, the next update will be that Butterbean has arrived!! Until next time...

The slowest week ever!!!

Well, this week went by really, really slow!! I think it was because I was so looking forward to Friday and Arnett coming to Dakar!!

Arnett had a busy, busy week.  He spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday studying for his language evaluation that he had Thursday. He also worked on getting a washing machine hooked up at our house. Now I can wash all the dirty diapers that Butterbean will bless us with!! Praise the Lord for such a loving husband who took care of getting all that done for us!!

Thursday, he had his first language evaluation. There were 3 evaluators. The company has set 4 different levels of language proficiency (Levels 1-4). They were testing Arnett to see if he had reached a Level 1 yet. Within each level there are 3 possible outcomes...1. you haven't reached the level yet 2. you are at the level 3. you are at the level +, meaning you are moving toward the next level. Arnett scored at level. Which he was hoping to do a little better but was pleased with the results. Praise the Lord he scored at level and has survived his first language evaluation.

I spent the week studying and anxiously waiting for Friday!! I did have a doctor's appointment on Thursday. Praise the Lord all went great!! I am not in labor yet but was having some contractions. I have also dilated to 1 cm. WOO HOO!!

FINALLY it was Friday!!! The day we had both been looking forward to all week finally came!!! Arnett was so nervous about getting here and before the baby that he was a little bit frazzled. First, he accidentally checked his carrying on bag! Second, he about missed his flight!! The airport in Bamako is really strange, as you have to go upstairs to wait for the flight. Then closer to take off you have to go back downstairs. Some how he missed the call to go downstairs. Thankfully though, someone realized he was not where he should be and pointed him in the right direction!! His flight got here without any problems, along with him, and all his stuff!! Praise the Lord for safe travels and for getting him here before Butterbean!!

Saturday we spent the day resting. That evening we went and visited with some other "m's" that live in Dakar. We ate supper and played their Wii. We had a great time.

Sunday, we went to church. Then we spent the day doing nothing!! We figure we need all the rest we can get before Butterbean arrives!!

Praises:

1. Language - we continue to improve. Evaluation went well!
2. Butterbean is still healthy!!
3. Arnett made it safely to Dakar.
4. Arnett made it to Dakar before Butterbean arrives!!

Prayer Requests:

1. The work our team is still doing in Bamako.
2. Ryan, another volunteer for the Farm Project will arrive in Bamako this coming up week. Pray for safe travels and quick adjustment.
3. The safe delivery and arrival of Butterbean.

Our 2nd week apart...

Well, we have survived our 2nd week of being apart!! Praise God, He continues to surround us with His presence and peace!!

Arnett spent all week going to language class, studying, and getting out talking to people. Wednesday, Andy, one of the guys who will be spending the summer in Mali working on the farming project, arrived. Praise God for his willingness to give up his summer and spend it here in Mali.

Friday, Arnett decided to walk to language class and on his way home this guy called out his name. Arnett couldn't remember who he was but he knew Arnett. Arnett started chatting with him and told him that we came to Mali to tell people about the Jesus road. The guy said one of his friends was a Christian and that he wanted to know more about the Jesus road. Praise God that he is willing and wants to hear more about Jesus. Please lift up this young man, Arnett doesn't remember his name but God does!! Pray that they will be able to form a relationship and Arnett will be able to share the truth with him.

My week was pretty uneventful. I got some studying done and was able to get some rest.

Here's Butterbean and I. 38 weeks along.

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, I did have my first fetal monitoring appointment. From now until Butterbean's arrival I will go once a week to the hospital and they will hook me up to monitors that monitor Butterbean's heart rate, any contractions I am having, and how many times Butterbean moves. The way the hospital is set up the monitoring is done on the 1st floor. Also, on the first floor are the two delivery rooms and the labor rooms (no have the baby in the same room you stay in here!!). Well, Thursday was a full moon, so both delivery rooms had ladies in them!! To keep an eye on me the nurse put me in the labor room (instead of the monitoring room, which is down the hall) for my monitoring session. Before going to deliver one of the babies the doctor poked his head in to check on me. Then he was off across the hall to the delivery room. That's when I heard him getting loud (I'm sure he was telling the lady to push!!), the lady was getting loud straining and pushing, and then panic started to creep in as I thought... "Oh my gosh... I'll be going through that in 2 1/2 weeks or so!!...I don't deal well with pain... What I am going to do..." Then I hear a baby's cry and all the fear and panic just seem to melt away and was replaced with excitement and anticipation of Butterbean's arrival!! Then the doctor came in to check on the monitors. Praise God, everything looked great!!

The outside of the hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another view from the cafe at the top of the hospital.

 

 

 

 

 

The beach!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Praises:

1. We survived our 2nd week apart.
2. Arnett's language is getting better every day!!
3. A good checkup on Butterbean.
4. Andy, one of the volunteers for the farming project.
5. The young man who wants to know more about the Jesus road.

Prayer Requests:

1. The young man who wants to know more about the Jesus road.
2. Language... Arnett has a language evaluation this Thursday (5/14).
3. Arnett will be flying to Dakar Friday (5/15)...pray for safe travels and that Butterbean will not make a surprise, early arrival.
4. Pray for Andy as he adjusts to life and heat in Mali.

Until next time...

Doctor visits, a trip to the bush, and catching up with friends...

First, we want to thank you for praying for us during this time of being apart. Praise God, He has surrounded us with His presence and His peace!! The first few days were rough but God allowed us to get through them.

Here's a picture of where I'm staying. I'm the door to the left on the top floor. It's a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment. Very nice!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I met with my new doctor on Monday (4/27). He speaks English which is very nice!! I really do like him and felt very comfortable with him and the hospital - a HUGE praise!! He did an ultrasound a said Butterbean was very healthy and would be okay if born today or anytime between now and May 25th. He also guesstimated the weight to be around 6.6 pounds!! One thing he was concerned about was my gestational diabetes test I had done in Mali. There are two different tests they can do to test for gestational diabetes, a fasting test and one you eat before. In Mali, I had done the fasting test but the lab wrote up the results like I had done the eating test. So, he wasn't quite sure what the results were saying. Tuesday, I went to the lab and repeated the test. Praise God, the lab tech did AMAZING and was able to quickly get the blood samples he needed with little pain!! Wednesday we went back for the results and Praise the Lord, no gestational diabetes!!

Here's a view of Dakar from the cafe on top of the hospital!!

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, Arnett and Mitch headed out to "S" village to do some prep work on the field the village has given us for our upcoming farming project. They spent all week preparing the field for planting time. It was hot and the work was hard but we Praise God for this time in the bush. It helped keep Arnett busy and his mind off me not being there. He and Mitch were thoroughly exhausted come Friday when they got back into Bamako, so Arnett spent the weekend resting and catching up on his sleep.

Thursday afternoon two of the girls we were in training with came into Dakar for the weekend. They are currently serving in a town about 3 hours from Dakar. We spent the weekend shopping, eating, and catching up. Sunday, we were able to all go to a Baptism service on the beach. It was amazing. Praise God for the 10 teenagers who were baptized. Praise God too for Liz and Holly's visit and for a great weekend!!

Me, Liz, and Holly at the beach for the Baptism service.

 

 

 

Praises:

1. God surrounded us with His presence and peace and we survived our first week of being apart!!
2. A great checkup and peace with the doctor and hospital here.
3. The work Arnett and Mitch were able to get done on the field in "S" village.
4. A great weekend with friends!!

Prayer Requests:

1. Language - Arnett headed back to class after his week in the bush. I'm studying on my own here in Dakar.
2. The timing of Arnett's arrival to Dakar.
3. The Farming Project and the volunteers coming to Mali to work the project.

We can't thank you enough for your prayers!! Until next time...