Lifestyle, Mommy Musings

Third time’s a charm

May 10, 2023

It’s Wednesday, 10th May, 7:03am. The morning is glorious, brimming with chill wind. I wish I was alone in my thoughts, but I can’t because I have hitched a ride with my kids as they are being dropped off to school. I want to stay present, absorb all the energy that this cool morning brings, before the sun decides to surprise us and remind us that even in this cold season, it can show up at will. I can’t begin to explain the torture that I have gone through for the past couple of months before the rains came through, having to deal with hot nights which resulted in drenched sheets and waking up in a pool of sweat, and having to persevere a 31 degree sun while also exuding heat like a walking generator. I am 38 weeks and 4 days pregnant, hence why.  And this, this is the only year for the first time, I found myself wishing I lived in Canada or Faroe Islands.

I am seated at the back seat with Xia the young one. She hardly ever utters a word on the way to school, and reserves all her energy for her teacher who she bombards with stories the moment she walks into class. I love this about her as I am also not a morning person. Yes I will happily wake up at 5am but no, don’t come into my space until noon. 

Xena on the other hand acts like she was dying to wake up and remind the world of her presence. She whistles as she showers, talks incessantly to the nanny over her breakfast of masala tea and sweet potatoes, and still has content to share on the drive to school. She would make a great radio show host this one! 

Waiyaki Way is already bearing the weight of impatient matatus and private cars, while throngs of wananchi fill up the sidewalks as they hope to catch the worm. Xena spots a fuel tanker ahead and goes on and on querying the driver about them and why they are labelled as “Danger” or “Dangerous Goods”. 

“Because they carry fuel which can easily explode.”

“What makes the fuel explode?” She queries further.

“Exposure to fire.” He mumbles, seemingly apprehensive as to where this line of questioning is going.

“So if the tanker is not exposed to fire it will never explode, right? Which means the signs are useless and unnecessarily alarming unless the driver intends to drive through a fire.”

At this point the driver is tongue tied. He scratches his bald head then seems to have a light bulb moment.

“Not just fire, but even a flame or a spark which can appear out of nowhere.”

“I don’t see why anyone in their right mind would walk around holding onto a lighter with a naked flame.” She retorts.

This conversation goes on from Waiyaki Way, down James Gichuru Road all the Way to Lavington. Usually, they get dropped off first then I am dropped last, but I don’t want to hear another question on explosives and naked flames, so I ask to get dropped off first. I wish them a lovely day ahead and slowly, one swollen foot after the other, haul myself out of the car. 

Woi mama, do you wan’t me to carry you?” Xena teases.

It is now 7:30am. I walk into my office to find no electricity, and I power on a couple of other sockets in other rooms, just to be sure its not a case of a faulty bulb. This confirms my fear. I power up the generator and proceed to settle at my desk, and flip open my MacBook. My employees usually report to work at 8:30am, and the next one hour of solitude means the world to me.

*******

For those new here, allow me to re-introduce myself.

I am a former investment professional (14 years), mother, wife and now proud owner of  KIDS’ Nook, the newest kids’ members club in Nairobi ( @kidsnook_club on Instagram) and soon to be a new mother (again!).

I started writing (or what would be referred to as blogging) in 2015 while on maternity leave after getting my second born baby Xia. I was 30 and bored stiff (don’t ask where I found the time, I also wonder the same in retrospect), so I took up Bikozulu’s writing masterclass and kinda sharpened my writing. And so for five years,  week after week without fail I would write about my motherhood journey, which later morphed into my corporate and personal travels and just life in general. 

And then life happened, more responsibilities in my career, too much travel, fear of backlashes from the netizens which made my writing rather inconsistent. This was all between 35 and 37 years. But now, I am 38 and approaching my forties with the clarity of a church bell. If “kujiamini” was a person, then that’s I!

For someone whose writing is as authentic as they come (if I do say so myself), it was really hard to pen down my thoughts this year without addressing my third pregnancy as it was obviously a big part of my life, alongside growing my business. So now you understand why I dropped off the band wagon in February unceremoniously, but since the cat is now out of the bag, I can’t wait to get back to regular writing and posting! 

I have so much to share, kwanza about pregnancy in your late thirties, and building a business single handedly, from scratch no less! Wuehh!! It has been the real ghetto, but well worth it so far.

Happy to be back, and looking forward to welcoming the third X soon. Any guesses what name we have settled on?

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MaChi
MaChi
17 days ago

Congratulations Joy! Indeed third times a charm. Your posts are refreshing, looking forward to read more from you.

Luciah
Luciah
17 days ago

Looking lovely, congratulations and happy to see you back, always delightful reading your posts….may God grant you a Hebrew birth….

Esther
Esther
17 days ago

Congratulations Joy! Y’all look stunning.
Happy to have you back here.

njerigithuka
njerigithuka
17 days ago

You look absolutely beautiful!Congratulations.Enjoyed reading

Last edited 17 days ago by njerigithuka
Bett
Bett
17 days ago

Such fantastic news, Joy! Mad maaad congratulations to you and the fam! Pregnancy is definitely much harder as you get older, but motherhood is easier. You will make an excellent new mother!

May the Good Lord be with you in these final weeks. Safe delivery and happy first months.

PS. I think you’ll name her Xuli 🙂

Victoria
Victoria
17 days ago

Congratulations ???? joy enjoy the journey. Its good to have you back again.

Angela
Angela
18 days ago

Congratulations Joy!!!

Always happy to see your posts.

Wanjiru
Wanjiru
18 days ago

You look stunning!????

A big congratulations to you mama!

Can we talk about how tall the girls are growing??

Welcome back, been camping here with my scones, waiting for the tea!????

Last edited 18 days ago by Wanjiru
Gladys Makau
Gladys Makau
18 days ago

So much joy for you,Joy!
Congratulations

Judie Wambua
Judie Wambua
18 days ago

Congratulations Joy!
Happy for you ????

Tany
Tany
18 days ago

Congratulations Joy!

Wanjiku
Wanjiku
18 days ago

Congratulations Joy . ???? Welcome back to blogging.

Megan
Megan
18 days ago

I have been here since when Xia was born so I am elated for this one. I also really want to hear your insights on pregnancy in your late 30s…as a bit of mental preparation. Congratulations and you and the fam look absolutely stunning.

Megan
Megan
17 days ago
Reply to  Lil'missbelle

I have a nephew I am bringing to your other baby, Kids Nook very soon. Just waiting for him to be a bit potty trained. I hope other day ones will join me and we can collectively agree on a name 🙂

Last edited 17 days ago by Megan
Waceke Kamau
Waceke Kamau
18 days ago

Congratulations Joy. So glad to have you back on this platform and i cannot wait to hear about your 3rd pregnancy.

sending you so much love.

Gladys
Gladys
18 days ago

Congratulations .

Last edited 18 days ago by Gladys
Eve
Eve
18 days ago

Congratulations Joy!!! So happy for you

Linda Watiti
Linda Watiti
18 days ago
Reply to  Eve

Congratulations ????….we missed your writing

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