Tummy Time

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

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

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!

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

Obon

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

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...

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.