Sophia's Debut in the Christmas Pageant

At 6 days old, Sophia became baby Jesus for the church's Christmas program.  She did very well!

An Afternoon Touring Cairo

John & Sarah took me out to see the city of Cairo since the last time we were here was a rush.

 Here are the sights of that afternoon's drive.

Constitutional Court - This is down the road from Sarah & John's flat.

The great Nile River looking up at Cairo.

Its typical to see a donkey cart in the middle of traffic.

Fruit stand - a typical sight in Cairo usually on just about every corner.
You can see tuktuks behind the stand. Those are used like taxis.

The city is growing right up to these pyramids.

I loved how the setting sun was reflected on these buildings.

Love along the Nile.

This is in the older part of Cairo. It has more of a European influence.

This shoe store just glowed so I took a picture of it.

One of the few stores with Christmas decorations.

This is the church where Sarah & John got married.

I love the iron work in this gate.

Sophia's 1st Night Out

We decided that for our 1st quick trip with Sophia to venture out for dessert, especially since that's what we were craving.  So John took us to a little cubby hole called Spectra.                              

Sarah entering the restaurant

 To my surprise, there was a courtyard & the restaurant was behind the one next door.

Pretty pathway & courtyard!

Entrance

 Not many were there so we got seated right away.

Sophia allowed us to enjoy our wonderful dessert before becoming fussy.  We shared 1 big dessert, 2 slices of cheese cake with 3 scoops of ice cream, & lattes.  It was enough & very good!

The View from My Daughter's Flat

From Sarah's balcony (2nd floor), I could watch the typical things of Cairo.

Kitty across the street

The one right below

People walk everywhere, but no one uses the sidewalks.

A boy's donkey

And the sheep he was herding through.

I love the sights & sounds of Cairo!

Welcome Sophia!

Sarah had a doctor's appointment the night before (10pm - they do things differently here) & the doctor was quite concerned with the baby.  Sarah had been slowly leaking amniotic fluid for the past week, & he didn't want the baby to go into distress, so he told her to check into the hospital the next day.  Her due date was the prior Thursday, so he felt she was ready.  Sarah had already been having contractions off & on.

Sarah & John heading to the hospital.

I stayed at their home until much later when John's parents came to pick me up. They wanted that time to themselves.  Sarah was to be induce, so we figured it would be awhile.  When we arrived in her room 9 hrs later, she had gone from 1 centimeter when she was induced to 8.  They whisked her away to the delivery room, because she was going quickly & of course John went with her.  So I went to prayer.  After a while, John's mom grabbed my hand & we went to search for her.  Just as we had gotten there, John was coming for me.  Sarah had asked for me, but John's mother stayed out waiting while I was taken in.  It wasn't long before 3 pushes & Sophia was born!!!!  It was such a wonderful experience!  

She weighs 6 lbs 3 oz & is 19 " long

 When the nurse gave her a bath, all she did was whimper.  She's really not a crier.

A mother's love

The new family

Thank you Lord for allowing me to be here for my granddaughter's birth!!!

Egyptian Food

The night before Sarah went in to have the baby, John's parents took us out to dinner.  He wanted me to experience good authentic Egyptian food, appetizers and all.  It was good!

It was such a neat place with a wonderful atmosphere. 

Then we headed over to Sarah's doctor's for a late night appointment.