We Are Marshall

What I Learned

2011-01-01T13:40:00.002+09:00

I can't believe that it is the last I learned of 2010. Although I am already into the 2011 year here in Okinawa everyone back in the States still have about 15 minutes. :) I can't believe all the blessings that we received during 2010. Our biggest blessing by far was Gavin joining our family. I loved looking at our Christmas tree this year surrounded by our stocking. We don't have a chimney or mantle. So here in Okinawa this will have to work. I love the look of them! I can't wait to see the blessing will come our way in 2011. Happy New Year!!!

Guam Part 2

2010-12-19T14:57:00.004+09:00

When we hopped to Guam I realized that this would be our first trip out of Japan since we had moved here 15 months ago. Oh my where has the time gone. We took a short weekend trip to Tokyo in February but that was still Japan. Needless to say I was excited and couldn't wait to get a little taste of the States. So where did we go and what did we do? EAT!!! We hit TGI Friday's and got one of the best desserts. (I know it is tinted....this is all before I started to learn to use my camera)

We also his Cold Stone.

Hooters anyone? I know some people don't like it but I love their wings. Oh well!!

We ate at the hotel and got to see a show. Jackson was so excited to see the fire.

Nothing says fun like a fistful of straws. A man brought them all over to our table and told us to let him play with them. Oh what the heck?!

In the afternoons after nap we would come down to the lobby and have a snack.

We walked across the street to the gelato place to have a snack and so Mama could use the free wi-fi.

We ate a Brazilian BBQ. It make me think of Gouchos back in Little Rock. Oh how I loved that place. Even though our friend Trisha and her gang didn't make it down we ate some extra for them. :)

Per Steve's request we ate at California Pizza Kitchen. Dinner time was usually the only time that we saw Daddy. Jackson was so glad when he would come home. They were working a lot while we were there so we valued our time with him.

Mommy bribed with lollies for a picture taking session.

We ate at the wonderful buffet at one of the restaurants at the hotel. And oh the joy when the waitress came over and gave Jackson one of these.

So I think this about covers where we ate. Unfortunately I think that I took more pictures of us eating than doing anything else. I will have to do another post on the things that we did.

Beach

2010-12-18T21:52:00.002+09:00

This week I finish up my Rock Your Camera 101 over at Clickinmoms.com. I am in LOVE!!! We had to use everything that we learned to take one final shot. This is what I got. It is SOOC camera. I am hoping for some editing software for Christmas and if I get it I will come back and see what this picture would look like with some post processing. I love this picture of Jackson and I will be framing this one in the near future.

This week I learned to love watching a boy and his plane. Come and see what others have learned over at Click It Up A Notch.

What I have learned

2010-12-11T15:30:00.003+09:00

This week I have learned that my garage has some great light. It is amazing that I have been able to find any light in this house. It maybe "American" style but it does not have great window light. In my workshop that we were challenged to find some great light in out house. I headed out to the garage and pulled my purple chair that was in my classroom last year, bribed Jackson with skittles and this was the shot that I got.

Check out the amazing photos over at Click It Up A Notch this week!!

ISO 100, SS 400, f 2.2

Hippy Hop

2010-12-03T22:23:00.004+09:00

I am going to start catching up on this poor little blog of mine.

I will start back at the beginning of September. A couple of weeks before Gavin was born we found out Steve was tasked to go Guam in September for four weeks to participate in an exercise. I wasn't really excited about the thought of having both kiddos by myself for a month. (You have to remember that my parents had been here to help out for 5 weeks. They left at the middle of July.) I was nervous, but knew that's life with the Air Force. Steve had mentioned maybe the boys and I come down to Guam for a week or so to spend sometime with him and check that island off my list of places to visit. After going back and forth about hopping down to Guam by myself with a 2 1/2 year old and a 2 month old I started to get excited about the trip.

This was going to be my first time to ever catch a hop. I knew I had to let go of any "plans" and ideas of how this plane ride was going to go. It was a good thing that I did because I started my day at 4:30 am, and it was going to be a long one... I wanted to get up earlier than the boys and close up the house and get the car loaded. We were hoping to get to the pax terminal at 6:00 am for an 8:00 roll call. I had the sense to call the terminal to see if the roll call was still the same. It wasn't! They had moved it to an earlier time so we missed that roll call. I was upset because I had been up so early and was ready to go to Guam. Oh well. Later that morning Steve called me to tell me there was another Typhoon headed towards us. I thought he was just calling to add insult to injury. He told me that this was good news for me because our squadron was going to be moving some of their planes out later that afternoon and headed to Guam. So we went back into action.

At noon we headed up to the terminal. Imagine if you will me pushing Gavin's stroller and pushing one of those trolley carts that you have to hold the handle down just so it will move. The trolley was loaded down with two suitcases, Jackson's car seat, Gavin's car seat base, and my carry on. YIKES!! So after I finally made it into the terminal we started our wait. We made it onto the first flight that was going out. I was excited because everything was going so smoothly...that is a sign that something is sure to go wrong. We are sweating our bootys off in the back of the plane...the air wasn't on yet...and we got to the end of the runway only to find out that one plane was broken and we had to turn around. We went back to the terminal and I ran into my friend Trisha. She and her kiddos were going to try and get on her husband, Ryan's, flight. I was excited to have a familiar face now to travel with.

On the bus headed to the plane. Do you think he is excited?

We are now attempting our second airplane and it is now getting dark. Jackson was driving me up the wall asking me when we were going to get to "galaum". I think that was the worst part. I couldn't leave that terminal to go back home or I would have a crying child on my hands. We got onto the second plane, and we are again sweating, only to find out that this plane is not going to be able to take off either. While our lovely crew tried to find us another flight, Ryan let Jackson up into the cockpit and let him sit in the seat. That made his day! The crew found us our last and final flight for the day(nice to have friends in the cockpit!). So at 9:00 pm that night we finally took off and were headed to Guam.

In our seat. Ready to go!!

Oh how he LOVED those ear plugs!

When we landed at about 1am Guam time, Steve was there waiting for us. We were excited to see him and anxious for bed and sleep. Mommy was TIRED!!!

Precious cargo!

More to come with photos of our time there!

I learned

2010-12-03T08:05:00.002+09:00

I have been taking RYC 101 through Clickinmoms for the last couple of weeks. I am really learning to fill in some gaps with my photography. This week I learned that I really can and like capturing real life.

What I learned

2010-11-21T21:53:00.003+09:00

This week I learned that I am going to LOVE my new photography class that I am taking over at Clickinmoms. I am so excited!!! I decided to try and get both the boys in the photo for an outdoors shot. This one was taken after Courtney so graciously came out to take our family Christmas picture. This picture sums the two of them up. Jackson screaming "I'm done!" and Gavin with a look. He is very expressive!

What I Learned

2010-11-14T20:35:00.002+09:00

This week over at Click It Up A Notch we learned about food photography. I tried taking some picture of my food while it was a work in progress and it wasn't glamorous. I feel in love with my kitchen all over again. Not this actual kitchen that I have in the house because it is tiny. While I am baking I am dreaming of my dream kitchen. :) I love what I learned and hope to put it to some good use soon. Courtney a link up for things that people have learned during the week and then photographed it. This week has been a fun week because of the holiday we had Steve home on Thursday. We took advantage of him being home and checked out a new park.

Okay all this rambling to say that this week I let go of what people would think of me when they see me taking pictures and climbed under this climbing net. I let go of the fact that I was going to be covered in dirt and the fact that I was nervous about Jackson climbing the net. (I am still learning to be a mother of boys) :)

So lying flat on my back I was able to catch this. It may not be perfect but I love that I have stepped outside my comfort zone and caught a real moment of Jackson being Jackson.

This is SOOC, 55MM, ISO 100, SS 160, f 2.5. Let me know what you think!!

So Far Behind

2010-11-11T08:54:00.002+09:00

Do you ever feel so behind that it is sometimes easier not to play catch up but to just continue on with life and hope the other stuff just get done? Well that is where I am with this blog....so far behind. I haven't written about our hop down to Guam to see Steve while he was there for a month. And boy was that an adventure! I haven't written about the funny things that Jackson says daily. That is just bad! Or the things that are changing with Gavin daily. Oh the smiles, laughing, and the rolling that is going on at our house. I haven't written about our great family vacation that we took. It was AWESOME!!! Halloween or just the things that I want the boys to remember about our day to day life and their mama and daddy. So there are just a few things that I need to get caught up on. It is going to be slow but I will get there.

CIUAN Week 3

2010-09-27T16:22:00.002+09:00

Well like most things in life right now I can't get things done when I would like to. So even though picture share over on Click It Up A Notch was Friday and it is now Monday afternoon I am finally sharing. Some people might not know but my sister, Courtney, is the one behind click it up a notch. I am fortunate enough to be living in Okinawa with her so we hang out quite a bit. On Saturday she invited me out with one of our friends to take some pictures. I am learning to become more comfortable shooting on manual. I am really excited about the pictures that I was able to capture of both of the boys but I wanted to share one of my favorites of Jackson. Any Mother of an almost 3 year old knows how hard it is to capture a picture of a "true" smile and not a "cheeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssseeeeeee" smile.

This week was learning about the rule of thirds. If you want to better your picture taking skills, read helpful hints, or just check out others picture of the week head on over to Click It Up A Notch.

I ♥ Faces {Smirk}

2010-09-21T14:02:00.003+09:00

CIUAN Week 2

2010-09-19T20:59:00.006+09:00

These are a few of my favorite things!

55MM, ISO 3200, SS 200, f/1.8

Gavin turned three months old and pulled his pacifier out of his mouth and played with it. He loves his hands and I think he was surprised to have something in them. He held onto that paci tight. He loves his paci also. If he is having trouble falling asleep he loves to have his paci. His pacifier and his miracle blanket are his two favorites.

55 MM, ISO 400, SS 160, f/1.8

A boy and his dog. This is the closest that Jackson will get to having a dog. Ha Ha! Honey got him this dog and you can tell by the look of him he is well love. When we first moved to Okinawa I had to buy two more of these beanie babies so that I could wash him. :) He decided last week while we were in Guam that this dogs name is going to be Buster. Most of the time he just calls him Dawg. You have to imagine the most southern good ole boy calling his hound.

55MM, ISO 400, SS 160, f/1.8

Another favorite of Jackson's is his Honey blanket, or quilt that she made him. He wasn't feeling well yesterday so he brought his pillow and blanket down. I was able to catch him snuggled up with the quilt and his dog. My favorite thing about this picture are those little piggy toes. :)

A First

2010-09-19T20:14:00.004+09:00

I have a few blog posts to catch up on but I wanted to make sure that I document this day. We started the day at the Rose Garden with Courtney and the gang. Their breakfast is so good and it has been a while since I have been there. I was so excited they called to ask us to come along.

After lunch we hit the BX to pick up a couple of things but mainly sidewalk chalk. Jackson's was all used up so he needed more and the neighborhood kids had been playing with it so you know he had to have some. Oh brother! We headed home for naps and Gavin (my sleeper) took a 3 and 1/2 hour nap. Oh the joy! Then there is Jackson who took a 45 minute nap. I sent him back to his room because as I told him "nap time isn't over". After tears and many times yelling down asking if nap time was over he made it another 45 minutes. We are still working on this. :) If Jackson slept like Gavin we would all be a bit more rested.

Since we ate brunch at 10:30 we decided to hit up a local restaurant, Yoshi Hashi, for an early dinner. This is where my extreme pride and accomplishment comes in. I haven't mentioned that Steve is gone on yet another TDY so I went to this restaurant alone with two kiddos. This restaurant also has tatami tables which can sometimes spell disaster because Jackson will just get up and walk around. However, with a little bribe of ice cream he sat still ate all of his yakitori and edameme.

As we were leaving the restaurant with a big smile on my face because I was so proud, no break downs, no crying, and no one running around, we noticed there was an eisa drum competition going on. YAY!!!! If you have been reading this blog for long you will know that Jackson is in LOVE with all things eisa. We stopped in to watch for a little bit. For the first time in about 2 weeks I forgot to bring my camera out. BOO!!! I love the joy on Jackson's face as he watch these other children play.

So what was a bit of a trying day during nap it ended great. I am so blessed that both boys would be so good out in public.

CIUAN Week 1

2010-09-12T21:38:00.005+09:00

Hello All! Well I had these great intentions this week to have a fabulous picture with all of the practice that I have had. Thanks to the lovely hotel Internet being as slow as it is I won't be able to. It will just have to wait until we get back home. (Soon) Check back later to see the picture but I wanted to submit one for the week so I am going to post one that I have already shared with the world but if you are visiting for the first time you wouldn't have seen it. :)

50MM, ISO 100, SS 1250, f2.0

You can't beat a little shot of nature!

Tummy Time

2010-08-26T20:50:00.002+09:00

We have been working a lot on tummy time with Gavin. He is really starting to enjoy his time on his belly. Jackson has even gotten in on the excitement. Jackson likes to tell him what a good job he is doing and tell him he is a big boy. Today while he was getting in his time I thought I would snap a few photos. Enjoy!!

Got to love the drool shot!

Brothers

2010-08-22T22:20:00.002+09:00

One more post before I turn in for the night. This mama needs to start going to bed earlier. The early wake up calls come far too quickly. :)

Yesterday I went to the craft market that was being held on base. They do this once a month and it is the closest to shopping American stuff other than the BX. It is a lot of home businesses I love the idea of shopping without having to pay shipping. So on Saturday I ventured up to the base by myself. Which made the shopping trip even better. :)

I came across this great sign that a woman was selling at her booth.

Unfortunately I didn't get the name of her business or her card. I hope she comes back next month because she might just be my new "sign lady". I told her that I had to have this. Steve calls the boys his "best buddies" so of course Jackson mimics everything Steve does. He will come up to Gavin and say "Gavin you my best buddies." It is such a sweet moment. Now every time I look at this sign I will get a warm fuzzy in my heart. I will forever remember him as this little 2 and 1/2 year old that loves his baby brother.

My Little Drummer

2010-08-22T21:55:00.003+09:00

After last night we woke up to Jackson so excited about Eisa drummers. Read below about Obon and our evening last night. He found his drum that Daneil gave him and put it around his neck like he was wearing a taiko drum and played his little heart out. When the Eisa drummers play they call out some things in Japanese and Jackson thinks that they just call out "EISA DRUMMER". So at the top of his lungs he is yelling this and pounding on his drummer. He is in LOVE!

Oh the joy!

Superman!

2010-08-22T21:44:00.001+09:00

He is mid sentence but he is so CUTE!!!!

Obon

2010-08-22T21:00:00.004+09:00

Last night was the beginning of Obon. (Check out this link to read more about what Obon is all about) This is my favorite time of the year to be living in Okinawa. The weather is horrible but the great festivals and traditions are fantastic. I have been waiting for Obon to begin because it is so rich in tradition and my personal favorite, the Eisa drummers that parade through our neighborhood. And last night was the night.

We were outside chatting with our new neighbors and we heard them start up a block from the house. The look on Jackson's face was sheer joy. He is such a fan of Eisa drummers and Shi Shi lions. He took off before I even got my camera out of my bag.

As many of you all know I am learning to shoot on manual but this evening I wasn't able to even try because it was dark and they were moving all around. So excuse the flash and auto focusing.

Jackson is in LOVE with our new neighbors. They have four children, 2 older boys and 2 younger girls. They have really taken to him also and I love that he looks up to them so much. When Jackson sees them outside he will yell "my kids are outside". He is so cute. Here he is with his kid. They walked the route with the drummers together.

Even Gavin got into the spirit. Some of the smaller kiddos were crying from the load drums but not our laid back guy. He enjoyed his hands while watching the drummers.

Backlighting

2010-08-22T20:28:00.000+09:00

On Friday night Gavin and I ventured out with Courtney and the girls to one of the local beaches to practice some back lighting. Poor Gavin, it is hard to get pictures of a baby that can't hold his head up or sit up yet so we tried putting him in the basket. You can see that in the latter he is not a fan. Here is what I got. It was great to get some practice and at least I took the model that stays in one place. Ha Ha!! But you sacrifice your blood to the crazy mosquitoes. Ouch! Let me know what you think.

Guess Who...

2010-08-21T22:55:00.003+09:00

Is already 2 months old? I can't believe it. I am a few days late on this but I wanted to have his stats from his doctors appt.

Gavin has been in our family for 2 month but he feels like he has been in my heart forever. We are so glad that he is part of our family and I feel so blessed to be your mama. Gavin had his 2 month appointment on Wednesday and you are now weighing 11.14 lbs and 24 1/2 inches. I can't believe that he has grown 4 inches in 2 months.

Gavin here is what you have been up to:

You eat every 3 hours and you take two 2-3 hour naps a day. You have been going to bed at 8:30 and will sleep until about 4-4:30. You will eat and then go back to bed until 8:00. I usually have to wake you so we can continue on a schedule.

You are smiling at us all now. You started smiling at 6 weeks. You first smile was for your mama. (thanks) When you started smiling you would only smile for me and the conditions had to be just right. You had to have a full belly and a clean bum. :) Now you will smile for us all. Jackson loves when you smile at him. He will point at that you are "miling".

You have started to work on your laugh. Jackson was able to get you to laugh on Monday. He was so proud and he loves you so much. We have only heard you laugh twice and they have both been at Jackson.

You have already out grown most of your 0-3 month clothes. You are too long for most of the outfits.

You are still wearing a size 1 diaper.

Yesterday you found your hands and have been staring at them since them. I love to watch you go cross eyed watching your fists move.

You are the best traveler. We haven't taken you off the island yet but you love being in the car. You have been to a festival and watched Eisa drummers come through our neighborhood. The drummers didn't phase you at all.

You are the most laid back baby. We only hear you cry when you are past a feeding or uncomfortable. You already know how to stick that bottom lip out. We are in trouble in the future. You also love to sleep. (And mama thanks you for that)

I love you more and more everyday. I can't wait to continue to watch you grow and change.

Bios On the Hill

2010-08-15T22:34:00.005+09:00

Yesterday I headed out to Bios on the Hill with Courtney and Trisha. When I left our house with the boys the bottom fell out of the sky. We were meeting at Trisha's so I called Courtney and she said that it wasn't raining at their house yet...we braved the weather and took our chances. When we were pulling into the parking lot it started to rain, but we decided to wait it out. In that time I was able to feed Gavin so he won't lose his mind. In the mean time, between sprinkles, I would roll Jackson's window down so we could all talk between the cars. He decided it would be a great idea to throw his rain boot out the window. I was beginning to think this was going to be a disaster for the Marshalls.

Finally, however, the rain stopped and we headed in. I haven't mentioned that it was 3 moms and 7 children all 5 and under. What were we thinking? I guess we were thinking that we wanted to practice our photography, and it was a place to let the kids go wild. So we braved the HOT Okinawan sun and humanity. The kids did go wild and we did practice our photography...

It was such a hodge podge of things to do.

There was an ox pulling a cart.

An area for you to feed goats and even walk one that is on a leash.

There were many locals there with wearable easels that were drawing or painting. They had these palm leaves on a tall pole to cast shade in this open field.

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Poor Gavin trying to beat the heat.

In another area there was a table full of mini Terra cotta pots all stacked up and "fishing poles". You use the fishing pole that had a hook on the end of it to catch the pots. Jackson did pretty well and was able catch a few.

While the moms were trying out the stilts (I will have to get that picture from Courtney) the kiddos were playing in this water barrel. The water guns were made from bamboo. Jackson and Oliver had a great time soaking the girls.

And then there were beautiful flowers everywhere. I had to practice taking some pictures and loved that I was able to take pictures of some great flowers.

Here we all are. Courtney was able to bring her tripod and get a group photo. The Japanese always have a beautiful landscaped area for you to use as the backdrop for your photo.

Jackson's Photo Shoot

2010-08-15T21:40:00.005+09:00

This evening after Courtney came by to take her girls down to the Sea Wall for a photo shoot. She invited me to come along with her and I gladly took her up on her offer to see what shooting at this time of the day would be like. I will take any help anyone wants to offer me so I won't be turning any of that down. So here is some of my favorites.

Some "back lighting"

"Oh no not more photos!"

An Okinawan sunset just a block from my house.

Some "silhouettes"

Now I just need a couple of lessons about editing and sharping. That means that I need some editing software. Wink wink Steve!

Gavin's Photo Shoot

2010-08-15T21:10:00.004+09:00

Courtney has been helping me become a better photographer. She knows a lot more than I do and has been practicing her craft for the last year or so. Now that I have the time (I am not going back to teaching next year not that I have more time) she has been teaching me more about photography. She has also been helping me learn how to shoot on manual and teach me terms like catchlight. So this afternoon I decided to do a little shoot with Gavin while he was doing his tummy time. How could you not want to photograph him. He is so cute and such a great model?

Not the best photo but such a sweet moment.

Out of the Bottle

2010-08-15T21:02:00.002+09:00

Today Gavin slept 2 hours past his feeding. I know some people would wake their baby but he didn't get a morning nap because of church so I let him sleep. This caused me to be in pain because he is nursing and doing a GREAT job. So I was able to pump to relieve the pain and figured we would have a bottle ready if he woke up some after the pumping or we would have some on the reserve. Of course he woke up but it gave Daddy and Jackson a chance to help out with a feeding. Jackson was most excited about this.

Not a great picture of Gavin but this is helpful Jackson. He is such a great big brother.

Jelly Fish

2010-08-15T20:34:00.003+09:00

When we finished this craft I realized that the last two weeks we have done a craft on Sunday. Ha Ha! Today we decided to take advantage of Gavin's nap to make a little something with Jackson. I found a website No Time For Flash Cards that has some great craft and ideas to do with children. Today we decided to make Jelly Fish. We live by the water and jelly fish have been a problem this season, so why not.

Jackson was so excited to do a craft with wiggle eyes. Or rigging eyes. We gathered all of the supplies and I decided this would be a great time to practice my photography. So I had to open the sliding glass door and the windows and we were off.

He enjoyed coloring the cupcake liners but would only color them yellow. Oh well it is his art work and I have to let that go. I am working on that.

He glues the wiggly eyes very well but didn't like the feeling of the glue on his finger.

I am very proud of myself for letting go and letting Jackson try his hand at scissors. First, because I was worried he was going to cut himself. Second, it would have been easier for me to do this step. Third, that means he is growing up and able to do crafts and use scissors. He did so well and was such a great listener. Here he is cutting the legs for our jelly fish.

Finish product. Yes, I have this posted on our refrigerator. He did so well and was such a great listener.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-08-11T21:30:00.001+09:00

Memory

2010-08-09T21:32:00.000+09:00

Jackson has really taken a liking to playing board games. We bought Hi-Ho Cherry-O! and he has been joying playing it with both Mommy and Daddy. This game was starting to get a little old with Mommy and Daddy so I came up with an idea of a craft/game. He has played memory at Kate's house and so I thought that we could we could have fun making our own memory game. The other day after he got up from his nap I told him that we were going to make a game. He was very excited and thought that it was cool to make a game.

So armed with the stickers, index cards, and my camera we got started. I had to let go of my OCD to have things look perfect. He could not have been more proud of the game that he created and we must have played over a dozen times. He loves when he makes a match but is even more excited if Mommy or Daddy makes a match.

I have many more crafts up my sleeve to help us beat the heat.

Big Bro meets Lil Bro

2010-07-25T13:21:00.003+09:00

Jackson was able to meet Gavin that afternoon when we were moved to our postpartum room. Like I said before he was able to spend the night at Courtney's house. This made for a houseful at Courtney's because Ian's parents and brother were visiting from the States. They were all very kind enough to watch and entertain Jackson while Courtney came up to the hospital to take all of the awesome pictures that she took. They also took Jackson with them to do some local exploring. Another reason it is great to have family living near by. After nap time Courtney brought Jackson up to the hospital to meet his little brother.

He was so excited and I was so over the moon watching him come into the room. During my entire pregnancy we talked to Jackson about his baby brother and that his name would be Gavin. But I worried that he thought that my belly's name was Gavin. He has loved Gavin since the moment that he met him and has been the best big brother out there. He his so in love with him and so protective. He is great and likes to talk to him and let him know about things and know where he is going when he leaves the room. "My going down stairs Davin." He has a hard time with the G at the beginning of his name.

I can't wait to watch them grow up together. I hope that he continues to love him as much as he does and be the protective older brother that I love about him. Jackson isn't the only one that is in love with him. Gavin wraps everyone he meets around his long skinny fingers.

The present that Jackson brought for Gavin.

Birthday Story

2010-07-24T21:23:00.009+09:00

Everyone wants to know about the day that they were born. So Gavin here is the story of YOUR day.

As many of you know I am a second grade teacher and I was teaching right up to the date that Gavin was born. What many of you don't know is that Steve had to go to Hawaii for a conference during my 38th week. We were worried that I might go into labor before Steve was able to get home. He and my Mom would be arriving on the same flight the Sunday before he was born. But Steve made it back and my Mom made it to Okinawa before the big day. The doctor was pretty sure that I was going to be late because when I went to my 38 week appointment I was not dilated at all. Earlier in the week we asked Jackson what day his brother would be born and he told us Wednesday. Even though Gavin was born on Thursday I did go into labor on Wednesday. :)

I was in my last week of school and everyday that I went to school there were several teachers that would look at me and say "No baby yet?". For those of you that don't know...that is the most annoying question when you are that far along. I would always answer with "I guess I will make it to the end of the year." I had been having contractions every evening since Monday after a Cocoks pedicure. (I think that pedicure worked some serious magic)

Wednesday I came home from school and we decided to cook dinner at home that night. We had our family favorite, Spaghetti and Bacon. Steve had gone out to dinner with some C-130 buddies that were in town. Mom and I had just finished cleaning up the kitchen and put Jackson to bed when I noticed that I was leaking. This is how my labor started with Jackson so I knew what I was looking for. I told my mom that I thought that I might be leaking and that my water might be started to break. She cheered and I started to get nervous. I had not packed anything yet. Steve made it home from his dinner and I talked to him about what was going on. I wasn't sure if I should go to the hospital because I didn't want them to tell me that it wasn't my water breaking and they would send me home. At this time it is already 10 pm. After going back and forth about whether or not to go to the hospital we decided it would be best to go in and get checked out.

I was about to take a shower and get my bag packed. Mom was going to stay at the house with Jackson until we figured out if they were going to keep me at the hospital or send me back home. We called Courtney to let her know what was going on also because if they kept me at the hospital Mom was going to come up to the hospital and Courtney was going to watch Jackson.

We headed to the hospital at 10:30. The adrenalin was already pumping through me. It still didn't feel real to me though. We checked into the triage room and a nurse came into check and see if my water broke. They weren't able to tell for sure if my water had broke, the test they did didn't turn the color they wanted. They might not have known if my water broker but I was so excited to hear that I was already dilated 2 cm. (YEAH) The doctor came in to talk to us and said that since they weren't able to tell for sure if my water broke if I would allow them to help me, we could have a baby today. Well he said not today because it was already 11:30pm but on June 17th. We decided that would be a great day for a birthday. So after some phone calls to my Mom and Courtney we waited to get moved to the Labor and Delivery room.

After I was moved to the L & D room I was being hooked to all the monitor on my belly and they were trying very hard to get an IV. The corpsman blew two of my veins, one in each arm. The nurse that was asking me questions and getting me set up while his is going on couldn't believe that happened because to them I had "great veins". The nurse was kind enough to stop what she was doing to place the IV because we didn't want the corpsman (who we dubbed Wally) to stick me any more. Steve stayed with me until I was all hooked up and the pitocin was flowing. He told the nurse, Katie, that he was going to pick up my mom and take Jackson over to Courtney's. Katie didn't like hearing this. She said she worries when Dads leave especially since this was our second baby and they tend to come faster. She said that she would go easy on the pitocin until he got back. We started the pitocin at 1:30

I was so glad to see Mom and Steve walk through the door. The contractions was still light but the nurse came in about 2 minutes after Steve and Mom and pumped the pitocin up to full force. The contractions started to come on strong. I wanted to go for a little bit before I asked for the epidural. Oh boy were the contractions HARD!! Mom was great and helping with my breathing. I finally said that it was time for the epidural.

Gavin I want to let you know that you gave us all some scares during the labor. Your heart rate dropped many times. Every time the great people at the hospital came running in and gave me oxygen tried to change my position. You only liked me to be on my left side. You didn't even like the word pitocin. At one point they had to turn it off and you looked better but when she said she was going to turn it back on your heart rate dropped again.

They were able to call the anesthesiologist and he came pretty quick. The epidural was awful. The shot to numb my back was the worst. It was a very long process. After about 40 minutes they were able to get the epidural going and I was feeling a lot better. Yeah for the drugs!!!

I was 7 cm at 6:30 am so we called Courtney because I wanted her to be there and to take pictures. I don't think she has ever moved faster to get some where. I was getting so excited because and happy to have my mom and sister there for our birthday party.

Dr. Memeski came in at 7:30 and told me that it was time to push. I was so excited to have Dr. M there because he was suppose to get off work at 7 am but decided that he stuck it out all night with us and wanted to see and welcome this new baby into the world. He told me that I had to tell him how long I planned to push. I told him that I pushed for 2 and a half hours with my first one and he told me that I had to do it in less than an hour. I thought he was crazy.

Honey is Excited!

We started pushing and during the process I looked over at Courtney and she is sitting in a chair thinking that she was going to faint. I thought that she would be able to handle this because she had already had 2 children but she doesn't do well when other people are in pain. I told her that I wasn't in pain and after a donut she was back on her feet. Although she will never live in down. :)

During the pushing your heart rate dropped again. I think you wanted everyone to pay a bit more attention to you. I thought that you were going to be a dramatic little boy with all of this crazy behavior.

After 55 minutes Gavin Fitzpatrick Marshall made his entrance into the world. He was born at 8:30 am weighing in at 8 lbs and 20.5 inches long. He had a head full of dark hair. I couldn't believe the hair. The jury is still out but I think that I might actually get some credit for his little guy. I am so glad that he has the Fitzpatrick name.

Gavin the day that you were born was my last day of school. Even though I had 23 great students that I missed dearly and didn't get to say good-bye to there is no one else I would have liked to spend June 17, 2010 with.

After being awake for 26 hours a donut hits the spot!

On the phone with Papa!

He is now five weeks old and he is the light of our family. We couldn't love more. Jackson is more in love with him everyday. I never thought that I would be a mother of 2 boys but I have 2 of the most perfect boys anyone could ask for. Even though you were dramatic during the delivery you are very laid back and easy going. You love to sleep and you only cry when you are starving. I love you!!!

Thank you so much Courtney for being there to document our little mans entrance into the world. The pictures are priceless!!!

Welcome to the World

2010-06-21T20:43:00.002+09:00

I know that I am very behind on letting the world know that I am no longer pregnant and I am the proud Mommy of two handsome little boys. Gavin Fitzpatrick Marshall made his grand arrival on June 17, 2010 at 8:30. He weighed 8 lbs even and he is 20.5 inches long.

He has a head full of DARK hair. I can't believe the hair. I am still in shock. If you knew Jackson as an infant you would know that he had no hair and didn't until he was about 15 months old. Gavin as more hair than any of the Fitzpatrick grand children. I might actually get a little credit with this little guy. I think we are seeing more Fitzpatrick in him than we do in Jackson.

Jackson is doing great and loving his little brother. He loves to walk around the house and tell us that Gavin his little brother and that he loves him. I am so proud that he loves him the way that he does and I can't wait to watch these two boys grow up together.

Enjoy the photos that Courtney has been snapping of him. I think that he is going to become a new subject for her. It is great to have our own personal photographer around to capture his birth and first few days of life.

I am sure over the next couple of days I will have new photos and his birth story. Other than that we are all doing well and we are enjoying having my mom, Jackson and Gavin's Honey. I am enjoying having the extra set of hands and a few naps during the day.

Update

2010-05-27T17:06:00.003+09:00

I don't have any pictures to share right now...one because my camera is broken and two we are moving computers around and I am on a computer that doesn't have any new photos. I will apologize in advance. But there have been several things that I have wanted to write down before I forget.

Jackson and I were talking the other day about names. He loves to tell me what his name is and I always ask him what other peoples names are. I asked him about Kate first and then Emma. He told me that Emma's name was Emma Baby! I giggled to myself and he looked down at the ground and said "I love her!" I was so proud of him because he will come up to Steve and I and tell us he loves us but this was the first time he has expressed love towards someone else. And I can tell you now he LOVES that little girl. Watch out boys in 15 years Jackson is going to be protective of her. It also makes me so proud and anxious to see him in the roll of the big brother.

We are interested in potty training around here....me more than anyone probably. I would love to have only one boy in diapers. My Mom (Honey) has been telling Jackson that when she comes over in a couple of weeks that he is going to wear big boy underwear. Well I guess he thought he would get a jump start. At least one time a day he will ask to go to the potty. I thought that it was a fluke and luck so that he could get a treat but the other night Steve was giving him a bath and Jackson told him that he had to pee. This is the first time that he has told us that he has to go. So Steve got him out of the bath and put him on the potty and he went. YEAH!!! He is getting so big I just can't believe where my little man has gone.

Jackson is starting to saw interest in playing sports. A couple of weeks ago we went by a soccer field where children were playing and told me that he wanted to play. I told him that he would have to wait because he was too little and that he would have to be four or five to play. For the next couple of days he would tell me "When I four play soccer too little". I am amazed at what he can remember most days.

Oh my sweet little Jackson, some day you are going to make and excellent husband because he see the smallest details. Last week we went to Steve's squadron Dining Out and I had my nails painted. As I pulled up his pants the next morning he looked at them and told me "Mommy cut nails". I told him that yes Mommy cut her nails and painted them. Thanks buddy Daddy didn't even notice. :)

One day I was getting ready to walk Jackson upstairs and I stubbed my toe on the gate at the very bottom of the stairs. It brought tears to my eyes it hurt so bad. Jackson turned around and sat on the stair and with concern in his eyes he says "Happened? Okay Mommy?" I told him that I hurt myself and that I was okay. Later that afternoon I was showing Steve where it hurt and the large bruise that was forming. Jackson was listening to his whole conversation and came over and bent of to kiss my toe. He is so SWEET!

Jackson,

You make me laugh everyday and you have some of the funniest faces that you make. I love listening to the stories that you have to tell and I love our daily conversations. I can't wait to see you become the best big brother. Your brother is so lucky to have you as a big brother. I can't imagine my life without you and I can't remember what my life was like before you came into my life. I love you so much and you inspire me everyday. I thank God for allowing me to be your Mommy.

Baseball

2010-04-29T21:23:00.002+09:00

The other morning when we were skyping with my Mom and brother, Joe, they were "pretending" to play baseball with each other. Jackson would throw the ball and Joe would pretend to catch it. Every time Jackson threw the play he would have to yell "home run" and then run around the coffee table. He found his glove about halfway through the game and I couldn't help but be shocked and surprised to find him wearing the baseball glove the correct way. His Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Uncle Joe, and Uncle Ian would be so proud.

He wouldn't stand still long enough for me to get a picture of him with the glove.

Donuts

2010-04-28T21:01:00.002+09:00

Last Sunday morning Jackson came to the side of his bed, like he does every morning, and informed me that he wanted to go to Shoppette.

Me: What are we going to get at the Shoppette?

Jackson: Donuts

Me: Donuts?

Jackson: Yes, pink donuts.

Me: Okay let's go.

Jackson knows just how to get the 31 week pregnant Mama out of bed. The Dunkin Donuts is right next to the shoppette so we really didn't have to go there. And Dunkin Donuts is no Krispy Kreme but I am still a fan. Jackson likes the Strawberry Frosted or Vanilla Frosted with "prinkles". Jackson still isn't putting the s sound at the beginning of words.

When I called Steve that morning to tell him the story he laughed and said, "Oh Jackson wants donuts?" He thought that I wanted to use Jackson as an excuse for a craving. Ha Ha!!

2010-04-27T21:08:00.005+09:00

A few updates on Jackson, little man, and I. Right now I am getting beat up from the inside out. The last couple of days he has been streaching out as much as he can and it is getting rather painful. It is getting a little more difficult to sleep and I haven't been able to sleep as much as I would like. Either Jackson or little man will wake me up. We are all very ready for Steve to come home.

Everyone is growing like they should. A few updates on Jackson, the weekend after Steve left back at the end of March Jackson's ear drum ruptured. We went to the ER that night due to the lovely drainage coming out of his ear. They gave us some antibiotics and we nursed it at home. We then had a follow up appointment with his pediatrication and I told her that I wanted to talk about putting another tube back in because I didn't want this happening again. So we are awaiting the appointment with the ENT on May 10th.

A little background on the ears; anyone who knows this poor child knows we have been dealing with ear infections since birth. Last April he had tubes placed in both ears and when we arrived on the island last summer he got an ear infection. It was then that we were told that his right tube had fallen out. GREAT!!! That is only supposed to happen when the ears are ready to do what they need to do on their own and his right ear is this bad ear and was not ready. We have had a total of four ear infections an ear drum rupture since arriving on the island.

Jackson is talking up a storm and it is great to hear him counting more freely and singing songs. If you ask his Honey and Papa they will tell you that he will not perform for anyone. My Dad always asks if he would like to sing a song and Jackson will shake his head and say no. And when my Mom or Steve's Mom asks him to count he won't do that either. He is strong welled and things have to be done on his terms. He surprised me the other day in the car when he was naming people and told me that his name was Jackson Charles. Now he has been able to tell me that his name is Jackson Marshall for a while but I didn't want to confuss him by talking about a middle name. I was so surprised! He surprises me everyday. I need to start carrying a notepad around and writing down the things that he says when he says them because he makes me laugh.

The little insider is doing great. I had one of my latest doctors appointment this past Friday and his heartbeat was great and he is moving around a lot like he should. I do not want to wish him out early but I can't wait to meet his little man. We still have a lot to do with his nursery but he will be rooming in with us for a while so we will enlist the help of Courtney and my Mom if time is running out. I hope to get much more done once Steve is back.

29 Weeks (Easter)

30 Weeks

31 Weeks All three of us at the Zoo

I Want Daddy!

2010-04-15T19:25:00.002+09:00

This is Jackson's new favorite line. Steve left three weeks ago and we are at the half way point of this trip that he is on. When Steve got back from his deployment Jackson would not leave his side. So I knew that this trip was going to take a toll on Jackson. Since the first day that he left "I want Daddy" has been his favorite line. When he doesn't get what he wants he will tell me that he wants Daddy. When he is bored it is "I want Daddy". The other day we were driving back from a trip up north and in the hour long ride home I heard him say that about 20 times. You think that I am kidding but it was a LONG ride home and I had time to count them. I will always tell him that I know he wants Daddy but Daddy is at work. We are able to talk to Steve everyday and today we were able to skype with him for the first time in a couple of weeks. We always call Steve when Jackson is upset but that doesn't help. We are both very excited and can't wait for Steve to come home.

Bedtime Stories

2010-04-15T19:13:00.002+09:00

This is quite the story to tell. Over the last couple of nights Jackson has been throwing huge fits when it is time for bed. He tells me that he wants to sleep in Mommy and Daddy's bed. I have let him fall asleep in our bed a couple of times while Steve has been away but move him back to his room when I am ready to go to bed. That kid kicks!!! You see the problem is not just him asking to sleep there it is the screaming at me, stomping his feet, refusing to even walk into his room fit that he throws when I even mention bedtime. I decided I could not keep letting him do this because we are going to start a bad habit. So a couple of nights ago I put him in his room and closed the gate. Now to those of you thinking...you lock your child in his room? Yes because our bedrooms are on the third floor so we have to keep him safe.

After closing the gate he was standing there crying like he was never going to see me again. I walk back down stairs. About 15 minutes late I can his footsteps crossing across the floor. When I go back up stairs this is what I find....

I am going to enter the child in the strongest baby contest because he was able to bust down the gate. And the footsteps that I heard were him carrying his blanket, pillow, and ALL his bedtime pals from his bed to mine.

I have to give it to him. He was determined to get out of that room and found a way out. I guess we can't say that he doesn't have problem solving skills.

Scroll Down

2010-04-13T20:13:00.001+09:00

Faithful readers....ie Honey. I am in the process of updating a bunch so keep scrolling so that you can see everything. Thanks for stopping by.

Kathleen

Welcome Home Daddy!!

2010-04-13T20:05:00.000+09:00

Well after a 2 month long deployment we were very happy to welcome back Steve on February 8th. It was tough time without him. Jackson did great while he was gone and I don't think that he really believed me when I told him that Daddy was going to be coming home. The crew was delayed a bit so you will have to forgive the night time photos. Jackson was so excited to have him home for about a month and we were sad to have to send him away again but we are looking forward to another reunion soon.

We have missed you!!!!

On the bus on the way to the flight line.

Yelling "Hi Daddy" as the plane is parking.

The boys are back in town!

There were so many cameras we are all looking in different directions.

Riding the Bus

Listen to the excitement!!

Cherry Blossoms

2010-04-13T19:42:00.005+09:00

Back in January we went up north to Nago to check out the Cherry Blossoms. I am so far behind on my blogging that this is what has to happen. Thank goodness for Spring Break and a little time to catch up. We had a great time with Courtney, the girls, and a couple of girlfriends and their kiddos. It was cold and pouring down rain when we left the base. We were only going about 45 Kilometers north but it was gorgeous when we got there and I had to take Jackson's sweater off. Unfortunately I didn't dress for that weather. So is the weather here in Okinawa. You never know what you are going to get.

My sweet Jack. I couldn't resist this picture his eyes look gorgeous. Look out ladies!!!

The beautiful cherry blossoms.

This is the view from the castle where the cherry blossoms were. Sometimes I can't believe that I live here.

A funny story about this hat. I told him that he needed to wear it because he is so fair skinned. But he decided that he wanted to wear it backwards. I didn't know where this was coming from because no one at our house wears a hat backwards. That doesn't mean that someone in the family doesn't wear theirs backwards. He informed he that was wearing his hat like Uncle E E. That is what he calls Ian.

These type of wooden signs are EVERYWHERE here. Jackson has really started to like taking his picture in them so I am sure that you will be seeing more of them throughout our time here on the island.

Too Cute!!!

2010-04-13T19:31:00.004+09:00

There are so many things that I love about my little man but here are two reasons I love him so much that I have caught on film.

I don't know where he gets this ODC about having his cars lined up but I love it.

I love that he loves to share. He will share a cookie with his Mama but it cracks me up that he felt that he needed to share his boots with Kate.

On a side note he must wear these boots when he "plays" football! Ha Ha!!! If he finds the nerf football he will run to find the boots. He won't play without the boots.

Can't Wait

2010-04-08T20:27:00.002+09:00

I can't wait to meet this new little man that is going to be coming into our family. I have been enjoying all the kicking, punching, dancing, and everything else he must be doing on the inside. This baby is a lot more active than Jackson ever was. He likes to party starting around 9:00 pm. Sometimes he moves so much and hard that it hurts a bit. We are now 29 weeks. Courtney took a belly shot of me a couple of days ago so I am waiting to get those photos from her. When I do I will post a photo.

This pregnancy is so different that it was with Jackson. With Jackson I wasn't working, didn't have a two year old, and Steve was actually around. And with Jackson my allergies were GONE!! It was awesome. But this baby has decided that it wants to ruin my skin. My ezcema is so bad with now. So if you see pictures where I am not wearing makeup you will know why. I am unable to right now.

Well when Steve is away he will tell you that his wallet will pay! I have been busy getting ready for the baby. Now most of you would say but you are having another boy, what could you need? Well friends, Steve and I didn't know where we would be living when we first moved here and when were packing up the house in FL so many people told us that we wouldn't have storage. Since we weren't pregnant when we left we didn't bring any baby stuff. Lucky for us Courtney still had to bring all her baby stuff since Emma was so young. So all the big thing we have covered but now I get to have fun buying all the little things. I didn't know about Etsy when I was pregnant with Jackson but I love it now. I have ordered many things on there already and I love what I got today. I thought that I would share it with you. I can't wait to put this on our little guy.

Cheese

2010-04-08T20:12:00.002+09:00

I know that I haven't put many pictures up of Jackson, or any photos really lately, but I thought that I would share this new phase that we are going through. Every time I take the camera out he loves to make this face and says cheese between his teeth.

I know that everyone does this but it is really funny.

Jackson is really interested in the ever growing belly. Every time that we drive by the hospital where I will give birth and where I had the ultrasound he will point out that is where Mommy goes to the doctor and where he saw the baby on TV. The other night I was lying on the couch and the baby started moving around ALOT so I asked Jackson if he want to feel the baby kick. He came running over and after about 5 seconds the baby let out a big kick to his big bro. Now Jackson will come over to me and put his hands on my belly and say "Hi baby Marshall, come out play with me." Then he will wait to see if he gets a kick.

The baby Marshall thing is something that he has been doing. Kate calls him by his first and last name when she wants his attention so he learned his name quickly. Now he knows everyones first and last name. Jackson Marshall, baby Marshall, Mommy Marshall, and Daddy Marshall. He also can name everyone in the Slazinik family. He even says Kate's name the same way she says it. If you haven't heard it check it out.

Quick Update

2010-03-15T21:25:00.002+09:00

I know I am very behind on showing you how everyone is growing so here you go.

I know I missed some weeks but that just goes to show you how fast this pregnancy is

going by. I can't believe that I will be 26 weeks tomorrow. Where has the time gone?

For the most part I am feeling really good. It usually hits me when I get home from

school and the day starts to slow down. That is when the aches and pains will kick in.

But the help that we have had from Steve's parents visit (more on that in another post)

and Steve finally being home has helped out a lot. I am just trying to keep the allergy

rashes down with the help of the oatmeal bathes and trying to stay well. Last week I

got pink eye thanks to all the second graders out there. :)

Jackson is starting to get the fact that there really is a baby in Mommy's tummy and he

was able to see his brother on the ultrasound and I think that really helped him out.

He is really big right now on checking out my belly button which has popped out and

thinks that is so funny. He has also started praying for his new brother (unprompted)

at night. He is very sweet and I can't wait for the two of them to meet.

I will try to get back on the blog again tomorrow night but for now enjoy the pictures...

the bed is calling my name.

19 weeks

22 Weeks

23 Weeks

24 Weeks

25 Weeks

Little Man

It's a.....

2010-02-12T22:41:00.002+09:00

Thank you to all of you who voted. We are very excited about welcoming another boy. I am a bit nervous about being the mother of two boys. From what the ultrasound tech saw everything looks great. He is growing and looks like he weighs almost 2 pounds now. Steve and Jackson both were able to be back in the room with me when we found out. And I think that it is finally real to Jackson that there is indeed a baby growing in Mommy's tummy.

We left right after the doctor's appt. to come on a long weekend trip to Tokyo. I don't have any of the photos that from the ultrasound but this baby's profile looks just like Jackson. We are just trying to keep it even on the Fitzpatrick side. Now Honey and Papa have two of each. We are busy working on names and I am already to start shopping.

Cast Your Vote

2010-02-12T09:25:00.002+09:00

Well, we have waited a long time...and by we, I mean me. But we are ready to find out what we are having. Help us take a guess: who is growing on the inside?

Is it a........

This Beat Is Bumpin Bumpin

2010-01-23T20:11:00.008+09:00

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 weeks 6 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss:

Gained 8 pounds. My next appointment is Tuesday so we will have a better idea on weight gain then. But I have down a couple of boxes of Thin Mints since the last appointment so I am a bit nervous.

Maternity Clothes:

Still rocking the maternity clothes and I have spent many a nights shopping on-line for cute tops.

Sleep:

Still trying to sleep as much as I can. I am not having to get up as much in the middle of the night anymore which is a plus.

Best Moment this week:

Feeling the baby kick this week. The baby has been moving around and reacts a lot when I talk to the kids at school. The baby also becomes very active after a couple of Thin Mints.

Gender:

We will find out the second week of February!

Movement:

Lots of kicking going on this week.

Food Craving: Macaroni and Thin Mints

What I miss:

Chicken and I still aren't getting along unless it is fried chicken but even then I just have to not think about the fact that I am eating chicken.

What I am looking forward to:

Finding out what we are having, Steve coming home, and our upcoming trip to Tokyo the evening after we find out the sex. I see a lot of shopping happening while we are in Tokyo.

Weekly Wisdom:

Enjoy every moment of the pregnancy and embrace looking pregnant.

Symptoms:

I have started having back pain if I sit for too long. I have also started getting cramps in my legs in the middle of the night also. The baths seem to be helping so the rashes right now are under control.

Lillypops and Pilots

2010-01-22T20:32:00.000+09:00

The other day Jackson and I went to the BX and going shopping with him can be a hit or a miss. So I promised him a surprise if he stayed by my side and was on his best behavior. When we got him I let him have a lollipop. This is only the second time that he has had one of these but he was so excited about it. He can not say lollipop and calls it his lillypop. It is so cute. He thinks of lollipops as a little piece of heaven.

This same day I was feeling good and wanted to get him a little something to think of his Daddy while he is away. In the BX they have a place in there that is like a build-a-bear. You get to choose the bear and then stuff it and choose the clothes to dress the bear in. Jackson has been dying to make a bear since we moved here. He choose the bear and I helped him choose the clothes that they bear would wear. Jackson is now the proud owner of his very own pilot bear. However, the clothes didn't stay on the bear long and Jackson was wearing the goggles and hat. He was very proud of his Daddy pilot bear.

We are ready for Steve to come home. Jackson is really enjoying talking to Steve on the "puter". That is computer for those of you that don't speak 2 year old. I think that Jackson believes that Steve has now moved into the computer just like all of his grandparents have. It should be interesting when Steve really returns to us.

Future Rock Star

2010-01-17T21:00:00.002+09:00

Tangerine Picking

2010-01-16T20:29:00.001+09:00

We have been keeping ourselves busy while Steve has been away. Today we with Courtney and Ian out to Nago to pick some tangerines. We found a great little family owned farm to do a little picking. They are only good during a certain time a year and the weather was awesome today so we took advantage of this great time with all the kiddos. Jackson was not really a fan of the tangerine even though Ian was kind enough to peel them for him. He would just throw his half eaten bit on the ground and want to pick more off the tree. I was surprised at how hard it was to pull them off the tree. But they were sure good.

Jackson and Kate talking...or Jackson thinking about them...to the local people that owned the farm.

Jackson wanted the ones at the bottom of the tree.

Ready to eat!

Bump Watch

2010-01-03T19:12:00.007+09:00

Well I always use to think that I would be able to document everything about a second pregnancy like I was for Jackson. Reality set in and I realized that I am SO tired after Jackson goes to bed. I have enjoyed the last two weeks that I have had off school and I think that this baby has enjoyed a bit of a more laid back life.

A few things that have been going on with the baby and with me:

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 16 weeks 2 days

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 8 pounds

Maternity Clothes:

Of course and loving it. It was a lot earlier with this one than with Jackson but I am okay with that. They are comfy and I broke down and got really great jeans.

Sleep:

I love sleep! Courtney and Steve make fun of me but I go to bed between 8:30 and 9:30 if we aren't hanging out at Courtney's.

Best Moment this week:

When Jackson finally put it together that we are having a baby. He will still answer no when you ask him if we are going to have a baby but he will tell me that there is a baby in Mama's tummy!

Gender:

Not yet and we won't find out until Steve comes home but Jackson thinks that he knows. He always gives the same answer. :)

Movement:

Yes I have felt the baby fluttering around in there. I love this part!

Food Craving: Ice Cream and cereal.

What I miss: Chicken, poultry and I are not getting along right now.

What I am looking forward to:

Finding out what we are having, Steve coming home, and our upcoming trip that we are planning right after Steve's return.

Weekly Wisdom:

Start getting ready for this baby. We need to get Jackson some furniture for his new room.

Symptoms:

Rashes, Rashes, Rashes, this baby is making my allergies and ezema flare up so badly. I have been prescribed nightly oatmeal baths. Hip pain and oh so tired.

Those are a few updates about what is going on with me and the baby. I am enjoying being pregnant again and I am really glad to be back the "fat" stage and starting to look a little pregnant.

Courtney and Ian are taking very good care of me and Jackson. Courtney has helped me organize my house and taken care of me and Jackson with dinners over at their house. Ian has even watched Jackson for me for a couple of hours so that Courtney and I could go and get pedicures. I am truely blessed to have family here while Steve is away. We are ready for him to come home but we are surviving just the same.

Jackson and I started back to school yesterday. Jackson was very excited to go back to school and ran in to all his teachers and gave them all hugs. He talked about it all night last night. I am so blessed that he loves his school. I however, was not as excited to go back to school. I have enjoyed my time off and my afternoon naps. Oh well only a couple of months until spring break and I will be able to enjoy the naps once again.

Twelve Weeks by the Sea Wall

Fourteen Weeks

Fifteen Weeks

Sixteen Weeks

True Love

2009-12-31T16:10:00.005+09:00

Jackson is so in love with Emma. That is not to say that he doesn't love Kate but he really loves Emma. He will share willingly with her and show her how toys work. The other day he sat beside her with one of Kates wands that has a button to make the sound, he sat beside her and kept saying "push it Emma"and when she pushed it he would say "Yeah Emma!!!". He is going to be a GREAT big brother.

This is true joy!!!

Good bye 2009

2009-12-31T13:51:00.007+09:00

I am back to the blogging world and the blog got a make over thanks to some guidance from Courtney. One of my resolutions for 2010 is to update the blog more frequently to keep you up dated on our growing family and Courtney has convinced me to take on a "project". I don't know if she has released it to the world yet so I don't want to steal her thunder.

I am trying to take advantage of nap time around here on my last couple of days before school starts back up. I can't believe that two weeks has already gone by since we started our winter break. Although Jackson has been trying at times I have really enjoyed these two weeks and getting to spend time with my little man. It has also been so great to sit back and relax with Jackson and take some time to enjoy myself.

Jackson continues to amaze me everyday with new words that he says and things that he does. Some of the new things that I need to write down before I forget is that he calls the computer the "puter". While Steve is away we have been able to talk with him on Skype...thank goodness for technology...and if I tell Jackson that we are going to talk to Daddy he will nod his head in agreement and tell me that we talk to him on the "puter".

He also continues to to multiply his bedtime pals. He grew very attached to a bear that we dubbed "prayer bear" that he was given for his baptism from some great friends, the Kapples, in Florida. He then added one more, a beanie baby that Honey bought him. He LOVES these guys so much that we now have 3 of the same bear and I found 2 more dogs on ebay to keep hidden so that I can wash the animals. Since moving to Okinawa he now has to go to bed with, bear, dog (he says it very country like hound dog), 2 more dogs that Honey sent for his birthday, a Curious George that he call Dorge, and an pillow that has an Elmo pillowcase on it that Grandma made for his birthday. It is so funny when he gets up in the morning and walks over to our room. He walks in with all his pals in arms and hands them to me one by one, he then will tell me he needs his "petto". Like Geppetto with out the G sound.

Sorry for the long story but I wanted to be able to remember. Those are two of the words that I can think of right now. A phrase that he loves to say is Aww man. I didn't realize that I said it so much but when on Skype my Mom pointed out when I dropped something off the table. It is really cute when Jackson says it though..

Something new that he and Kate have started is my fault but it is not so cute when it comes out of 2 year old mouth. When Jackson doesn't listen to me I count 1, 2, 3 and state whatever I want him to do...most of the time it is give it to Kate or come here. Well now Kate counts. I don't know that she has done it directly to Courtney but she does it to Jackson when she wants something that he has. Now Jackson has started to do it to me when he wants what I have. He will count 1, 2, 3, MINE!! AWESOME!

Sorry it is blurry but Courtney has all the great ones of the two of them!

I can't believe that today is the last day of 2009. We have been so blessed this past year and look forward to all of the blessings that God is going to give us in 2010. Check back this evening for a baby watch update. Keep checking back as I continue to update everyone on our Okinawan adventures!

SOOOOOOOOO....

2009-12-10T13:17:00.008+09:00

I know you are wondering what happen to Kathleen and why hasn't she been posting about their time in Okinawa.

Well this being my 100 post I am very excited about making it to this milestone. I haven't blogged in a bit, and it's due to several reasons.

Due to the fact that I have been taking a little electronic hiatus.

Also due to the fact that I have been busy chasing around my now two year old. I cannot believe that he is that old!

It is also due to the fact that after spending an entire day with 20 second graders and then coming home to Jackson, I am so tired. Most days I just want to sit down away from the computer.

Also I am sad to report that it is due to the fact that Steve had to leave and won't be home for Christmas.

In due time, I will resume my writing, and I already have several things I want to share with you.

Finally, the main reason I haven't been focusing on my blog is that I have been sweetly blessed and am so excited to tell you that I am, well...

DUE.

Please join us in praying for this little miracle that is growing inside of me and that we are so excited will join our family in June 2010!

Goals

2009-10-22T21:18:00.002+09:00

I know we all set out out to accomplish certain things in our lives and blogging is one of the things on the my list. I have realized that no matter how much I want to blog to all of you about everything that we do it is so hard to sit down everyday to blog. I am not complaining because I love my live right now. I have my dream job of teaching 2nd grade, but if you aren't a teacher you don't realize how much time you spend at school around other peoples children. I have a healthy almost 2 year old and a husband that loves me and does so much more around this house than I could have ever asked for. I do want you faithful readers to know that I do think about you daily and wish that I could be better. I am going to go through my photos that I have uploaded to the computer and I will back date them so that they are still in the order that we lived them. So ENJOY!!!!

A Strong Hate

2009-09-14T21:03:00.002+09:00

I have started developing a strong hatred towards the person who invented these.

O-H-I-O

2009-09-05T21:22:00.000+09:00

Already brainwashed. Daddy is SO PROUD!!!!

2009-09-04T20:52:00.001+09:00

I promise to have more posts this weekend. I know I am really far behind. I have a lot of photos and stories to share!! Check back in a couple of days. Thanks!!

First Visitor

2009-08-12T21:45:00.000+09:00

About a month after we arrived here on the island Steve's friend Karen was able to come and visit us. We were very excited about our first house guest and Jackson was so excited about his "Fin". He refused to learn her name or call her by anything but "Fin". He would wake up in the morning and call for her not Mama or Dada. Jackson continued to ask for her for days after she left. He was too cute!

Outside of the aquarium. What a beautiful view!

Jackson loved the Star Fish. Mommy was not excited about him putting his hair in this yucky water.

The beautiful Sea Turtles.

While Karen was here we ate at some great restaurants, went to the aquarium, Steve and Karen hikes Higi Falls, and Karen and I went to get our nails done. Her is Jackson with his "Fin".

Enjoying the music at the dolphin show. It was so hot that day we were all sweating as we stood outside.

Karen enjoying her Cocok's pedicure. The pedicure even last through her hike up Mt. Fugi.

My new toes!

Karen and Steve at Transit Cafe!

In the Swimming Pool

2009-08-11T21:13:00.000+09:00

We enjoyed some great family time together at the base pool. They have a splash pad at the pool and I think that Jackson wanted to spend more time there than actually in the pool. He loved playing with all the other kids and sticking his head through the water.

He is figuring out how to float and "swim" on his own. He is such a water baby.

He loved this. If she stopped than Jackson would ask for more and get upset if Steve wouldn't throw him up.

I love him!!!

Extra, Extra

2009-08-10T21:40:00.003+09:00

These pictures were too cute to pass up. He loves to read the paper after Steve or I have read it.

Konnichi wa

2009-08-10T21:06:00.000+09:00

Here is Jackson's little Japanese outfit that I got a while back but I have finally gotten some pictures of him.

Only in Japan

2009-08-09T21:01:00.003+09:00

Only in Japan and Okinawa would you find a drink machine on every street corner. These machines sell everything that you could possibly want from water, flavored water, sodas, hot and cold coffee. It is great that you can find these everywhere because if we get thirsty while we are out I can just pull the car over and get a water. I don't have to stop at a gas station and get Jackson and go inside. People around here just pull there car over to the side of the road. And by the side of the rode I mean as close to the curb as you can put still in the driving lane. You really have to learn to be a good weaver when you are driving around here.

Since we find all of these machines everywhere you can also find these great straws at all kiddie stores. The screw right on the top of a water bottle. Which is great when I have forgotten to pack a cup. Jackson really likes the straws though.

Another thing that we have seen around here is that just like people pull over to the side of the road for a drink they do the same thing if they want to run into a store. Parking on the street in the driving lane is not uncommon but if you put your hazards on I guess that is okay. The other day we were waiting for a parking spot at one of the local grocery store and as I was waiting for a car to pull out of the parking spot, I had my blinker on, another car pulled on the other side of me and pulled right into my spot. I could not believe it. Of course I can't say anything because the person would not have been able to understand me. The culture over here is taking some getting use to.

CoCo

2009-08-07T20:48:00.000+09:00

There are so many places around here that are called Coco's but this is a restaurant. One of Steve's favorite now that we have eaten there. It is a curry restaurant and the Okinawans version of fast food. I have only ever seen Americans eating there though. It is set up like a Waffle House where they yell out the orders and there is a counter for people to sit at. Coco's is famous for their different levels of spicy Curry. It goes all the way from 1 to 10. They will not even let you go above a level six with out eating a complete meal at a level five.

A lot of the places around here do not have waiter that come to your table to check on you often like in the States. If you need something you ring this bell and they will come running over to your table. This is Jackson's favorite part of the meal. We let him ring the bell. :)

The counter.

I love that all of the places that you go to eat bring you pitchers of water. It is so nice to not have an empty water glass.
My meal. Chicken Curry.

One of the greatest things that I have noticed is that when you walk into a restaurant or a small shop everyone in the store welcomes you. I told my Mom it is like when you walk into Moe's Mexican restaurant in the States. For those of you who have not been to Moe's when you walk in everyone yells "WELCOME TO MOE's". That is how I feel when you walk into anywhere around here. The Okinawans are so FRIENDLY!!!!

Typhoon Season

2009-08-06T20:45:00.000+09:00

These we have been preparing for a possible typhoon. We think that we are just going to get the outer bands but we have our supply now. When we drove into the driveway this evening this is what we found.

This is the sign that the housing agency puts on the house to tell you what you need to do to prepare for the typhoon.

Jungle Fever

2009-08-05T20:37:00.000+09:00

This is how we found Steve when he came home from work. Today he had some training in the jungle. Jackson sure didn't know what to think about him when he came around the corner. It took so much time for him to get all that make-up off his face.

Here is Jackson helping Daddy get the "yuck" off of his face.

Sleeper

2009-08-02T20:19:00.000+09:00

When I went to bed tonight I found Jackson half way out of his bed like this. I ran and got my camera and then helped him back into his bed. I thought all was well until I heard a thud after I went to bed. When went into to Jackson's room and found him crawling to the other side of his room where his chair is. He crawled up unto the chair and was sound asleep. After awing over him and capturing it on camera I picked him up and carried him back to his bed. I love carrying that sleeping baby. However, he is getting bigger and bigger by the day.

A

2009-08-01T21:50:00.000+09:00

This is what happens when you try to pacify a one year old with a pen that has bells on the end of it while you are on the phone. We were in the car and I handed him the pen to shake while I was on the phone. I was pulled over on the side of the road because it is illegal to drive and talk on the phone here. After I hung up the phone I didn't even think about it and he kept saying "A", "A", "A". I turned around and this is what I saw. He obviously had been writing A's on his legs. He now calls anything that can write on paper A's.

Exciting Day

2009-07-30T16:03:00.005+09:00

I am feeling more connected to the world now. We finally have AFN (Armed Forces Network). This may not be exciting to all of you that have Dish Network and REAL cable but these 8 little channels is the closest I get to T.V. back in the states. Now it is not 8 networks like I was telling my Mom is is 8 different stations that pick and chose what we that are living over seas are going to watch. They have a news station, a sports station, a family station, a a couple of other mixtures that I am learning about. Right now I am so excited because Oprah is on. I don't know how old this is but it is one that I haven't seen with Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Sugarland, and Daris Rudger. Jackson and I are enjoying rocking out to the country music that I now miss so dearly. I am really enjoying the AFN commercials (sarcasm). They are stupid military commercials. So no I haven't seen any of the funny or great commercials that you might have back in the States.

Whenever I see this sign I just crack up!!

Jackson and I have been at home all day because we still only have one car and Steve needed to us the car all day to run around the base. Usually Steve will drive himself to work in the morning and then come home to eat lunch with us and Jackson and I will drive him back to work. That is when Jackson will explore the town or go to different stores. Today because we don't have car we decided to walk around our neighborhood. We went to this really cute consignment store that is not far from the house and found two really cute outfits. One of them is a very Japanese. When he wears it I will take a picture and post it. We also checked out a cute store called Ginger. It is an upscale women's clothing store. It is super cute with lots of fun summer dresses and swim suits. On our way back we stopped by Coffee Casa and picked up two cinnamon rolls for a snack. Jackson loves going in there and receiving all the attention from the ladies in there.

Jackson showing you all his "nack".

Transit Cafe

2009-07-29T20:29:00.000+09:00

We tried out one of the restaurants that is right around the corner from the house. We love living somewhere that we can walk to dinner. Tonight we went to Transit Cafe. One of Courtney's friends said that we needed to eat there because it was her favorite. It is going to be a place we visit often. The view is AWESOME!!!

Jackson killing some time waiting for dinner.

Dragon Boat Races

2009-07-25T14:16:00.002+09:00

Today we went to our first festival down in American Village. It is really close to the house only about a 10 minute drive but it was HOT! I was thankful that it was on the beach, Jackson really enjoyed his time.

Even at Japanese festivals all of the food that is served in FRIED!!

The little Japanese clown. He was asking for volunteers and I am sure that Jackson will be wanting to go up on stage with him next year. He made an Elmo mask out of balloons and Jackson was so excited.
The dragon boat races. They were running them in heats. At the beginning of the day they started with the smaller kiddos and later in the day the adults. The adults tipped their boats over a couple of times. It was really neat to watch this.

Her is Jackson with his two Japanese girl "ends". Everyone one on the island loves to touch him and to have his attention. Of course he doesn't mind the extra attention and will usually ask for more when we have left.

The Joy of Cocok

2009-07-22T20:50:00.000+09:00

I had the joy of finally getting my nails done at the famous Cocok's out on the sea wall. I promise if you come to visit us here I will take you there. It is a must do. It is also very relaxing and so nice to be pampered for two hours. When you sit down in the chair they had you are large book with pictures of finger nails painted anyway you can imagine them. As I flipped through the book I wanted something that looked like summer and also Japan. Here are some photos of my toes and the view from the chair. When I come home Jackson let me know how pe-pe (pretty) my toes were. At least once a day he points to my toes and tells me how pe-pe they are. He is my super sweet observant boy.

The view.

Notice the bling on the toes. I love them and can't wait to go back in a couple of weeks to try something else out!

My sweet admirer!

Dolphin Park

2009-07-22T17:00:00.004+09:00

This evening we took a family walk to the Dolphin Park that is a couple of blocks from our house. If you saw the post that had pictures of the house I also showed you all pictures of the park as seen from the road. We had not been there yet but thought that tonight would be a good night. So after dinner we walked over while the sun was going down and it was cooling off.

Jackson and Daddy headed down the roller slide!

Sobas

2009-07-21T20:53:00.000+09:00

The other night we found a restaurant down by the sea wall. I didn't get the name of it but it was pretty good. They served Sobas and it was our first eating experience in a place that didn't cater to Americans. There were given a menu that had things written out in English but they only had 5 things on the menu and only two of them would have been things that I would eat.

The menu!!

They offered Sobas with pig intestines and pigs feet but I went for a more American feel and had mine with just pork ribs. It was pretty tasty and as you can see Jackson really enjoyed the noodles and the rice.

We sat at tatami tables and we were the only Americans in the place. Everyone in the restaurant were watching us. I don't know if we were funny to watch because we had no clue what we were doing or if it was Jackson. The people here love to touch Jackson and talk to him. Apparently it is good luck to touch a blonde headed child. People are always pulling their cameras and camera phone out to take a sly picture of him. It is really funny and Jackson is enjoying all the extra attention.

Steve and his Orion...Large beer, tiny glass.

Little Mind At Work

2009-07-20T16:53:00.002+09:00

My little Manipulator!

For Mike and Gina

2009-07-19T16:50:00.002+09:00

Just a picture for Mike and Gina. A street named after Mike's Dad.

Use Your Eyes

2009-07-19T15:25:00.002+09:00

Today we all made a trip out to this store we had heard about called Nitori. It was an adventure to find it but we made an afternoon of it. The store is much like an Ikea/Bed Bath and Beyond. Just a little side note to Courtney...I am searching out all the great shopping places. :) But Jackson was in rare form and wanted to run, run, run everywhere. That is one of his new favorite things he will yell "run, run, run" and just take off. He also loves to touch everything in the store. Steve says that he gets that from his mama. We were looking at curtains and Jackson wanted to touch them and hide behind them. Steve told him not to touch them anymore and to use his eyes. He about rolled on the floor when he leaned into the curtain and batted his eyelashes onto the curtain. I wish I had had the video camera with us so I could have captured it but I will have to get him to re-enact it.

Handy Jack

2009-07-18T16:41:00.001+09:00

We have been busy putting together shelves at the house because there is not any storage here. Jackson thought that we would help out.

We have also moved Jackson into his own room now that we have it safe for him and he is in his big boy bed.

Walk By The Sea Wall

2009-07-17T16:28:00.002+09:00

Today we took a walk after dinner down to the Sea Wall. The sun was setting and it was beautiful. I thought that I would share some of the photos that we took and images we found painted onto the Sea Wall.

Run, Running on the Sea Wall.

For all the Slaziniks!

The beautiful Okinawan sunset!

Tuna

2009-07-16T21:01:00.002+09:00

The other night Mackie's wife, Theresa, invited me to a girls night out a restaurant around the corner from her house. It was a special event that night where the sushi maker brought in a tuna fish and cut it up to make fresh sushi. It was really neat to watch them cut it up but I wasn't going to give it a try. I prefer my fish cooked! We had a great day. It was really neat to get out of the TFL and see more of Okinawa.

It's Been One Week

2009-07-15T12:46:00.015+09:00

As I sit here in the Internet cafe I see tired people walking into the newcomers briefing that is held every Wednesday. We were lucky to arrive on Monday evening and have the briefing a day later because that is when you take the test to get your license. (Don't worry Courtney and Ian it is super easy they go over everything in the brief and let you know all the answers.) The only thing that is difficult is once you hit the road. But you have to have a license before they will let you buy a car. But let me start from the beginning....it is going to be long with lots of pictures but I promised to keep you all up to date with us.

The View!

We left the states on the 5th of July after a short but great weekend with both sets of Grandparents in Washington D.C. We were able to go to Fort Meyer to watch the fireworks. This is where we use to go when we were kids to watch them when we lived in DC . It was so great to take Jackson to somewhere that is in my history. He LOVED the fireworks or as he would say the boom, boom, boom! He is still talking about the boom, boom, boom, lights, lights, clap, clap, clap, un, un, un (Fun). Follows that with Bubba and if you ask him who else was there he will go on to list hunna, da da, ma ma, ga pa, gan ma.

Clap, clap, clap

Where did the fireworks go?

The flight from the states was so much easier than I ever thought that it would be. It was a very long travel day but Jackson was excellent and didn't have any melt downs. He slept a lot on the plane and woke up when it was time to eat. He also liked when we would walk him up and down the aisle and to the galley. He made a friend on the plane and since then when he sees kids or someone his size he yells "friend" or "end". We took off at 12:50 pm DC time and landed in Naha, Okinawa at 8:30 pm on the 6th of July. We were met by our sponsor, his wife, and Steve's friend Mackie.

The luggageWith Honey's backpack that holds the cars.

We went that evening to our hotel (TLF) and slept until about 4 am. We were up bright and early and walked around the base to see what there was to see. We went to see the cars on the lemon lot and found the BX and Commissary. We took it easy that day and slept and got our cell phones. On Wednesday we went to the newcomers briefing and got our SOFA license so we were legal to drive. Thursday we went to a housing meeting and went looking for a house. We wanted to live off base so the Realtors started calling. We saw 8 house/apartments on Thursday and 2 on Friday. We were able to fall in love with a house on Friday and sign a lease.

I am very excited about our house. We are one block from the sea wall and the water. This is what the Sea Wall looks like.

This is the view from the Sea Wall. It is going to be a great house for us. There is a lot to do in our neighborhood and a park one block from the house. We are in the Miyagi neighborhood near the Sunabe Sea Wall.

The front of the house.

The front door on the side of the house!

The laundry room with our Japanese dryer. This is on the first floor.

The Foyer you can see part of the front door to the left. This is looking in from the garage.

The second floor with the living room and the kitchen.

My kitchen. Very American!

Looking at the living room from the kitchen.

The half bath on the second floor.

Master Bedroom on 3rd floor

Master Bath

Jackson's room also on the third floor!

Guest Bath outside Jackson's room....I love the footed tub!

The guest room on the fourth floor. We have lots of room for company so come on over!

Fourth floor this will be a play room it on the back side of the house.

Saturday we received the keys to our house and did a lot of exploring. We also walked out to the sea wall and Steve was able to snorkel with Mackie and his family while Jackson and I walked around the rocky low tide area.

Low Tide at the Sea Wall.

Jackson and Daddy on the Sea Wall

Jackson's favorite part was seeing the blue fish. Mackie's wife invited us all back to her house and the boys stayed at the house and cooked out while I was able to attend a girls night out with her. It was fun to meet other wives here on island.

Sunday we did some more exploring and went to some Japanese furniture stores and moved a lot of our suitcases from the TLF to the house. We went to bed early that night because the movers were coming on Monday. Monday we were able to sign for our car that we bought over the weekend.

After buying the car we ran over to the house and the movers were there to move all of our furniture in. Although some of our stuff of broken or damage most of it made it in good condition. We are excited to get to go shopping for the things that we have to replace. Monday night was our first night in our new house and Jackson's first night in his big boy bed. We decided that we don't need to reintroduce the crib since he hasn't been in it since January. We converted it into a toddler bed but right now the room is not safe for him due to all the boxes so his mattress in on the floor of our room. He is doing great and loves the big boy bed. Yesterday we went to the Marine base, Camp Foster, and bought snorkel equipment for me so I am very excited to get out into the water and do a little ocean exploring. Steve use to do a lot of snorkeling and scuba diving so he is excited to take me out and do some of it. So that brings us to today. I am here updating all of you and doing a lot of unpacking. It is a lot slower than it was in the past with Jackson under foot. But I would not have it any other way.

An update on Jackson. Jackson is going well. He is adjusting to life here. He adjusted to sleep much better than Steve and I did and faster. He is back on a great sleep schedule. He is still unsure about the move I think. He has 2 sleeping buddies, bear and dog, and they use to be just that, sleeping buddies. Right now he is needing to carry them where ever we go. When he gets upset he will yell for them and is a bit more snugly than he use to be. He is so chatty right now. He will repeat anything and he is very big into telling stories. Stories as is in if Steve and Jackson do something and they come to tell me about it Jackson will tell me the major details. Sometimes he needs a little coaxing. His favorite stories about the boom, boom, booms with Bubba and the drive, drive, drive with ga pa! He loves all the stairs that we have in the house and he loves to be outside and riding his bike. We took him on his first bike ride on his trike last night. I didn't get a picture yet but I will get one soon. Enjoy the photos and I hope to be online again soon.

I am sure there is plenty I am forgetting but I will make notes and catch you up soon.

Kadena

2009-07-08T10:20:00.001+09:00

We made it. Second full day here and we are learning a lot. More to follow with pictures. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Leaving Altus

2009-06-23T12:46:00.003+09:00

Good-bye Altus OK. I have an entire post that I would like to write about this adventure that we have had the last almost six months. But right now I wanted to let all of you that read this blog that we are leaving tomorrow morning with a stop over in Little Rock. We are excited to see my Maw-Maw and my two aunts tomorrow when we get to town. The next day we are off to St. Louis and then the third and final day we are headed to Ohio. I will continue to blog up until the day that we leave for Okinawa, which is July 5th. I will update when I can and let you know about the road trip. Wish us luck and keep us in your prayers for safe travel.

One Step Closer

2009-06-20T11:59:00.002+09:00

Today the movers came and picked up our stuff that we brought with us to Altus, OK. I didn't really even realize how much stuff we had accumulated while we had been here. Out poor little TLF looks so naked right now and doesn't even look like we have been here for almost six months. I can't believe that we have been living in this hotel like set up for that long. Steve has his check ride on Monday and then we will be checking out and heading out of Altus. I have enjoyed my time here and have made some great lifelong friends. It will be sad to leave my friends. I am looking forward to looking for a house in Okinawa and setting up our house. I know the flight is going to be long....13 hours just to get to Tokyo but I starting to think that it might not be as I imagine it to be. I will be able to let you know how it all goes because we take off on July 5th. I am very much looking forward to seeing my parents that will be coming up to DC and see us the weekend of the 4th. So Altus, this is our last weekend with you and then we will be parting ways, hopefully for a very, very long time.

Fever

2009-06-20T10:16:00.003+09:00

Poor baby Jack has been running a fever this evening ever since we came back from the pool. We have been going to pool for the last three days after he has a great nap. He is really enjoying the pool and loves when Lyssa helps him "swim". She has been giving him some lessons at the pool and I am enjoying learning a few pointers that I can use later.

This evening Jackson was sitting on my lap, he turns into a snuggle bug when he is sick, and he was giving me snuggles and he pulled back and gave me a give and then asked for more. I asked him if he wanted more snuggles and he said more and gave a snuggle. It was too cute. He loves to ask for more. More trucks on the road, more babies on TV, more airplanes in the air, more dogs when we are on a walk. It doesn't matter what it is and I have to tell him to keep looking. :)

Very Patriotic

2009-06-20T08:30:00.000+09:00

Jackson loves his country already and knows the respect that it deserves. For those of you that have ever been on a Military base at 4:30 know that the National Anthem plays everyday. All cars have to stop, kids have to get out of the pool and if you are outside you stop and salute the flag. Here is Jackson with his hand or hands over his heart.

Yogi Jack

2009-06-19T01:01:00.000+09:00

This is how you can tell that you have taken your child to a few too many Yoga classes. :)

He rolled out the mat and rolled it back up by himself!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-18T11:09:00.004+09:00

Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere!

2009-06-17T12:23:00.005+09:00

Jackson loves to blow bubbles and out neighbor across the quad, Sara, had a huge bottle of bubbles that Jackson wanted. We were all sitting on our porch this morning and he walked over to her porch picked up the bubbles and tried carrying them over. In the picture he is only half way to our house but you can see Sara's "house" in the background. He was getting so much because he couldn't carry the entire way....it was heavy!
After he got it over to out porch he sweet talked Sara into helping him bow bubbles. I am sure that she is going to enjoy this picture of her on here. Jackson did a great job blowing the bubbles all by himself.
And this is what is looks like when you let a one year old blow bubbles by himself. I think that he did more shaking of the wand trying to get bubbles to come out than actual blowing of the bubbles. This is the first picture that I have of him winking. I don't think that he was actually winking but it sure is cute.

19 Months

2009-06-15T12:35:00.004+09:00

I know every mother says this but I can't believe that our little man is already 19 months old. I was telling Steve yesterday that mean that he is closer to two years old than he is to one. It is so sad. It is also sad to look at his cute little face and see more of a little man than a baby. He definately is not a baby anymore. He repeats words that I say and he has learned to open the front door of our TLF. When people knock on the door it is kind of nice to be able to ask Jackson to open the door. (Of course I can see who it is from the window next to the door.)

It has been so hot here the last couple of days that we had to stay inside in the afternoons. That is usually the time that we sit outside on the rocking chairs with Lyssa and Sara. Today we spent the afternoon doing through all of our stuff that we have acumulated while being here at Altus trying to decide what we are going to carry on the plane and what the movers will take. The movers come on Tuesday and we will be leaving here on Saturday. I can't believe that either. And when I say that we are packing might I add that Jackson was unpacking up we had just packed. Thanks Jackson you are so helpful! :)

Where is Mama's nose?

Ants!

2009-06-08T09:54:00.002+09:00

Jackson loves to point out all bugs right now. The other day we had some ants that had decided to make their way into our TLF. I find these little visitors unwanted and I was trying to find the source of entry and Jackson kept yelling "ants, ants". I thought that it was so funny when he picked up my wallet and started hitting the floor and saying "ants". I guess he feels the same way that I do about the outside bugs being inside. (I have a video and when we get somewhere that has good internet I will upload it.)

He has become quite a little man and talker. He repeats everything that I say and he points out everything. He has also become a ladies man. Our neighbors here at the TLF that we hang with Lyssa and Sara are his new girlfriends. Mind you these ladies are spouses here and friends of mine but he has won their heart. He loves to hold their hands, sit on their laps, and he will cry if they leave before he is ready for them to. He is probably using them to get to their dogs who he loves so much. Maddie or as Jackson would say Mad Mad and Riley who Jackson calls Ry Ry and Ryla. I need to get pictures of them for Jackson to have to remember them.

I'll show you!

2009-06-04T11:48:00.002+09:00

We have been talking up the potty lately and trying to get Jackson excited to start trying to potty train. The other morning we were all up and Steve was getting ready to go to work and I had just gotten up and Jackson went to sit on his potty. When he sits on the potty though he always wants to have his clothes on but this day I was able to get him to sit on the potty with no diaper. He didn't go while on the potty, which is fine with me but he went out into the hall way and peed all in the hallway. I guess it will all come in due time. He has gotten better over the last couple of days. Although today we was pooping in his diaper and we asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty and he said "no, no, diaper". Oh no we are in trouble.

Too cool for the potty!!

Bubba and Hu-nee

2009-05-21T20:36:00.000+09:00

I apologize for not writing sooner! We spent three weeks with the Honey and Papa and Jackson was in hog heaven. He spent mornings with Papa making pancakes followed by breakfast a couple of hours later with Honey. He loved running errands with Papa. We went to a baseball game, the park, did a lot of shopping and hung out around the house. Another reason that we went out there was that Joe was graduating from college and we went to see him get that diploma. We are so very proud of him.

Jackson could not say Honey while we were there but just yesterday he was about to say it and Honey was able to hear it...it sounds like Hun-nee. Imagine Forrest Gump!! Jackson can say Papa's name but it comes out Bubba. Jackson enjoyed listening to the Irish Rovers with Papa every day. Papa even made a copy of the cd for us to take home and Jackson listens to it in the car. When the music comes on he yells out Bubba! Jackson also likes to point out all red trucks...since Papa has a red truck, every red truck we pass he again yells out Bubba. Every morning when Jackson ate breakfast with Honey he would eat some of "Honey's toast". Now when I give him toast he points to it and says Honey. And when I pour him juice he calls it Bubba juice. He also has a book about the ABC's of baseball and in the back of the book is a picture of Yogi Berra and to Jackson it looks like Bubba. Every time Jackson puts his hat on Jackson has to let me know that the hat is like Bubba's. I think that Bubba has a fan!!

Papa also worked with Jackson on his ABC's. Jackson can repeat all the letter of the alphabet now. We can't wait to see him learn so much more. Honey is working with him on his 123's. He can repeat 1 and 2 so we will have to see. He talks more than ever. We just can't keep him quiet he loves to hear his own voice.

While we were in NC Courtney and the girls we able to come out for a week and Jackson and Kate were in heaven again hanging out with each other. The loved taking baths with Honey and going on walks with Papa. Jackson just learned to say Emma's name yesterday also...he calls her Memma. He is not going to know what to do with himself when he is able to see Kate whenever he wants!

Jackson's favorite foods right now are Almonds...when he sees the jar he say "utt ease" and he will sit down and snack away. He also is in love with V8 fruit fusion juice. When he wants something out of the refrigerator he will go over to the door and hang on it. He hasn't learned to open it yet but he will throw a huge fit if he doesn't get what he wants. He has learned to open the front door of the TLF...we have had to start using the latch at the top of the door to keep him in. Even with the latch it will crack a bit and he will try his hardest to look around it to see if there is anyone outside. He loves to see our neighbors Sara and Lyssa and their dogs Maddie and Riley or as Jackson would say Ma-tee and Ry-Ry. He is so cute. One of my favorite things that he has started to do is when he sees us he will wave so hard with one arm and then which his arms and he has the biggest smile on his face. He loves to point out ALL airplanes and now can say airplane...makes Daddy so happy! Steve asked him the other day where the sky was and he pointed up and then asked him where the ground was and got down and patted the sidewalk. I know I am biased but he is so smart!

Jackson is just so much fun right now and we are enjoying every minute of him.

Crazy Jackson

2009-05-20T12:49:00.001+09:00

See you later!

Here is our naked baby after a bath riding his four wheeler. He loves to run from the tub out to the living room and try to yell "naked baby"!

I can't believe that his hair is finally long enough to put into a faux hawk. Uncle Joe will get a kick out of this one.

My Little Helper

2009-05-16T11:54:00.002+09:00

Jackson loves to help carry the groceries out to the car.

We were out shopping for a new suitcase for our trip to Okinawa and Jackson helped up roll it to the check out. Papa us to let him ride on them but now he likes to roll them himself.

Geek Squad

2009-05-15T11:26:00.002+09:00

Jackson I have learned is going to grow up in a techy type of world. When we ask Jackson where Honey and Papa are he runs to the computer and starts saying "hi" and calling their name. He also LOVES to look at pictures of the family on the computer we usually have to go through videos and pictures at least once a day. We also have to check out Aunt Courtney's blog to get out Kate and Emma fix. I love those girls and cannot wait until I see them more often.

Looking for Honey and Papa.

Sweet baby face.

Tell me you don't love those red shoes.

Saying Goodbye!

2009-05-12T10:07:00.004+09:00

Today was a really hard day for me because we were leaving my parents house after being there for three weeks. We have had just a great time just hanging out at the house and letting Jackson just "be" with Honey and Papa. I was so glad that we were able to come out here for Joe's graduation and we are so proud of him. I can't believe that there are no more Fitzpatrick's in college. We are all so grown up! :)It was so hard to say goodbye to Honey and Papa and know that we won't see them until next summer in Okinawa.We also said goodbye to Courtney, Kate and Emma but we will be seeing them again in October when they move over to Okinawa. We are looking forward to having family closer than 12 hours away. Jackson misses his Honey and Papa very much and I know that he looks forward to Skyping with them as much as they do. We will miss both sets of Grandparents but we are looking forward to the opportunities that await us in Okinawa.

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-11T10:23:00.005+09:00

Today I had the best Mother's Day with Jackson. We are still at my parents house and were not able to celebrate with Steve but he was thinking about me and sent cards to me at my parents house. It was very thoughtful of him and was glad to celebrate with little man. I was also very excited to celebrate Mother's Day with my own Mom. I realized while I was out there that my Mom and I have celebrated the last three Mother's Day together. After church we came back to the house and my Dad made a great brunch for all of us with waffles, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. It was delicious!

My Mother's to be day!

My first Mother's Day!

This year!

This was so sad for me to see all of these old photos. I can't believe how big he has gotten. I don't know where the time has gone but I am LOVING every minute of it. Jackson thank you for making Mother's Day and EVERYDAY awesome. You are the light of my eye and I enjoy every minute of it.

College Graduate!

2009-05-10T10:19:00.007+09:00

We were so glad that we could be with Joe on his graduation from ECU. I know how much he is glad to be done with school. He graduated with a degree in Recreation and Park Management and after a summer internship at Camp Seagull he will have a diploma in his hand. YEAH!! I am so proud of you Joe. I know we have both taken a little longer to finish than most but it isn't about the length of the race but about the finish. Welcome to the finish line. I can't wait to see where you go from here. Have a great time this summer and enjoy yourself.

Jackson was so excited to cheer for Uncle Wo Wo! Kate and Jackson I think had more fun running around in the lobby chasing each other than they did watching the ceremony. They have a great time together and love each other very much. I am so excited that we will be living close to them in Okinawa. We did not get to grow up around any of our cousins and we only really got to see each other at family reunions. It is going to be different for Jackson, Kate, and Emma and I am so very excited for all of them to get to experience life in another country together. We were so glad that Joe's graduation could bring everyone together.

Notice Jackson isn't looking at the camera. There were way too many people to check out!

Baby

2009-05-05T23:44:00.000+09:00

Jackson has been obsessed with babies ever since we were out at Courtney's when Emma was born. He liked that Kate had a baby that she carried about so I thought that he would like it if I found him a boy baby doll. I went on a hunt while I was at my parents but could not find any boy babies. That is one of the problems with being a mother of a boy, you have a minimum section of boy dolls and the girls clothes are so much cuter than boys. Oh well!! I was able to order him a doll online through Cabbage Patch. I found him a cute bald baby with big blue eyes...much like Jackson. I had it delivered to my parents house and Jackson was so cute when I gave him the baby. He was so excited and hugged the baby and gave him a kiss.

Jackson riding in his "car" with the baby!

He even let Kate into the car for a ride!