Olivia Lee Lewis!!!!

I have tons to say about the past four weeks – so much happened that I have to write about – the Deaf Games in Mombasa and Mumias / Kakamega, training in Nairobi, and now, the trip out to the Coast, but I wanted to post so that people know I’m still alive (somewhat), and announce a very important thing -

On 14 April 2009, Olivia Lee Lewis joined our families, all 7 pounds 9 ounces and 20 inches of her, after quite a few days of us waiting (and for me, obsessively checking my email like five or six times a day on my phone), and everything looks good – I just wanted to write this letter to Olivia, and also to congratulate my brother and sister-in-law on the new addition! Love you guys, N, M and now O!

Dear Olivia,

You have no idea on how many people are beyond thrilled to invite you into this world – I, for one, among many others are unbelievably excited. Let me show you some pictures and explain who these people are …

First, these two people might look familiar ... they're your parents! I am sure they’re really excited about welcoming you, even if you made your mama’s blood pressure skyrocket several times!

Olivia, let me tell you a little about these two outrageously awesome people. You could not ask for two better people to come together and parent you – but, yes, they can be complete dorks. No worries - you have a cool aunt to run to when they get in that mode!

Now, these two women getting along fabulously are your grandmas! Not only are you lucky to get two really cool grandmas, you'll get a lot of laughter from these two!

What?! More grandmas?!?! Yep! These two cool crazy ladies live just down the street and will be as close as grandmas as they can be without being related to you.

Now, let's talk about your grandpa and great-godfather from our side of the family ... now, our dad, your grandpa, regardless of how cool he is, how great he is, the fact that he'll teach you all sorts of things, he's a little of a nerdball - make sure to ask him for the sign for nerd-o-saurs! As for the godfather, all you need to know is that he is the master of making dinner reservations - you'll eat well with him around!

Now, this thoughtful and sweet man who married your other grandma will for sure be as good as my dad in his duties as a grandparent ...

You're probably thinking, dude, when am I gonna run out of grandparents?! Now, this is my grandma ... yeah I know, it's surprising that she's even old enough to be merely a grandma, but a great-grandma?! Whoa!

Olivia, not only are you lucky enough to have so many awesome people that are thrilled about your arrival, you have also quite a few critters welcoming you - here they are ...

Okay, now you've met the family - let's have a couple of photos of me so you'll somewhat recognize me when I come back to the States for a visit ... here's one of me in the front of the Peace Corps Kenya office when we were in Nairobi last week for training.

And here's one of me with about half of the PCVs of Peace Corps-Kenya ... we were at an elephant and rhino orphanage petting some adorable baby elphants and one black rhino ... I'm in the center with the royal blue tee-shirt - these folks are some of the coolest folks I've worked with.

Well, Olivia, I hope you enjoyed this - I look forward to heading back to the States at some point over the next couple of years to meet you!

Now, let's try to get your daddy to post some photos of you on his facebook account!

Love you tons!

Aunt Charlotte