Letter to Miss E - Month 9

Just a couple of hours until you are 9 months old.  I can hardly believe it!!  You have grown so much this past month, and continue to surprise us with how smart you are.  You light up when I get out your books.  You definitely have your favorites - right now it's your Baby Colors book or your Baby Numbers book.  We read each one 3 times each - and then you will let me move on to another.  You love turning the pages, and get really excited when you see each new page - every page is a surprise to you - even after the 3rd time reading it.  I love the little squeals you make when we get to the pink or green pages.  I am pretty sure that your first word was PINK!

I should have known when you were still growing in my belly that you were going to like music. The first hint of this was when I was watching the movie Hairspray, and you would do flips and twirls whenever songs would come on.  Well....NOTHING has changed!  Whenever ANY music starts playing, you start bobbing up and down - whether you are standing, sitting, or eating.  I don't know where you came up with this - we just realized that you were doing it a few weeks ago, and you are "dancing" more and more every day!  I love to play music while we're just hanging out in the house, and we "dance" all the time together - especially now that I know how much you like it!!  It's so fun watching you - sometimes I wonder if you even know you are doing it - it's like you were born with rhythm!

We have had fun planning out your first Christmas this year.  You helped me to decorate the tree, by NOT pulling everything off of it, and your daddy and I had to be pretty strategic as to WHERE the tree was going to go.  We have a large rug in the middle of the floor with our entertainment center, couch, chair, ottoman, and your toy basket framing each side.  It makes a sort of corral for you to play in.  Our Christmas tree is on the other side of the couch - far out of your reach!  This Saturday we are going to get your first picture taken with Santa.  We are so lucky to be able to have Santa fly here to Kadena on an F-15!  I can hardly wait for you to meet him Em!!   You have been getting a little shy with strangers the last couple of days.  

UPDATE:  Santa was NOT a huge hit with you.  I still have finger indentations in my arm from you!  It's okay - he kinda scared me too!  Pictures to come soon!

Much complaining...

Have I mentioned lately that we have been paying $4.06 for gas for the past...uh...FOREVER?  Yeah, just had to throw a tizz over that little GEM.   The reason they have been giving us is that they purchased gas in bulk - way back when it was up the WAZZUU pricey, and now they are stuck with selling it for that price until it runs out.  Here's my complaint.... IT WAS A DUMB INVESTMENT - just because you have a monopoly on our gas prices, doesn't mean that WE have to bail out YOUR screw-up.   - oh wait...that's EXACTLY what that means... I'm totally annoyed.

My guess is that NO ONE has money to pay for Christmas shopping at the ever wonderful selection of stores we have this weekend (more of a monopoly), so that is why they are dropping the price on Black Friday..... I'm going on strike - who's with me??!!

Letter to Miss E - Month 7 & 8

Month 7  (FINALLY!)

I thought it would take me at least until Month 20 or so to miss a month (or 2).  But, WOW...we've been busy!   And when I say "we" - I mean YOU!!  We had your 6 month photos taken at Murasaka Mura, your first airplane trip, first trip to the United States, the first stamp in  your passport, meeting Pappa Malan, meeting your Great Grandma Smith, meeting lots of cousins and more Aunts and Uncles, your first ride in a car that drives on the correct side of the road, and last but certainly NOT least...drumroll please....

Your first trip to the wonders and beauty that is...the MALL!  And of course not just ONE, but many across our mall-filled, proper size selling - US of A.  Yes, yes...I was as happy, and as proud to share this experience with you as I could be!  It's an experience I'm sure we will share many more times.  You are a great shopper, and I can tell you definitely got my shopping gene.  You LOVED riding in your new stroller - you can see everything that's going on, and smile at everyone walking by - you make friends everywhere we go.  People always stop us and comment on how beautiful you are, which I already knew - but I am amazed at how you dazzle everyone that passes by.  I thought you were only famous in Japan, but obviously you are WORLD-WIDE known!!

At 7 months old you are sitting up all by yourself, turning over both ways, and starting to show more interest in crawling.  Before now, you would flip over from your stomach to your back immediately, but in the mid-7 month period, you realized that you were on to something.  Walking/running while holding on to peoples fingers is still your preferred mode of mobility, but you are starting to get a little more comfortable with the idea of crawling.   You've been eating sweet potatoes, applesauce, sweet peas, and bananas so far - you aren't sold on the bananas yet though...You LOVE chewing on anything cold.

Also, while visiting with your ever attentive GIRLY cousins in Utah - we discovered 2 middle-front teeth peeking their way through your bottom gums, the first to make their appearance.  While we were there visiting, you attended your first Halloween party.  Your daddy was "supposedly" working in Vegas at the time, but he flew in and surprised us - especially me, and my totally non-attractive costume choice for the last weekend that we were in the states.  He is such a great daddy to you Em, and I hope you know how lucky you and I are to have him in our lives!  

You and I flew home to Japan together, and you were the perfect traveling companion (you didn't even snore like Daddy!).  You slept most of the flight, only to wake up and jog the aisles with me in tow.  Everyone was so impressed at how good natured you were, and they were impressed with my mothering skills as well - even though I had nothing to do with your ever happy presence on that long plane ride!  You had your favorite friends on the plane, and would want to walk by them and give them a smile every now and then, and in return they would wave and return the smile.  This would make you extremely giddy - and you'd be off and running (again, with me in tow) to your next friend.

Your first Halloween was spent in bed - as you were catching up on some much needed shut-eye.  You slept from 5pm until 7am the next day, completely missing out on all the trick-or-treaters, and your 4 costume changes that I had purchased for you throughout the past year.  I am still planning on putting them on you - just to take pictures - so stay tuned for that!!  I was glad that you were so happy to be back in your bed though - it made me know that you missed home, just like I did.   I could tell that you were missing all the attention that everyone had been giving you, especially daddy's - so I tried to keep you entertained as much as I could on my own.

Month 8

You are getting SO active!  I am seriously wondering how I will ever keep up with you when you are totally mobile.  Just to change your diaper, I have to make sure you have something to keep you interested in staying in one spot.  I'm trying to train Sushi to sit by me while I'm attempting to change you - you LOVE him and want so badly to pull his tail.  Even when you're being held, you turn around so much - trying to see everything that is going on.  NOTHING gets by you little one!  I've started calling you "Taz" as in "tasmanian devil" from your whirling about, and think that it fits you perfectly!  Mid-8 months, 2 more teeth arrived on middle-top.  You are now eating squash with corn, applesauce with strawberries, and green beans.  You love your veggies, but anything with applesauce is always preferred.  

You have developed this little scooting action that moves you across the floor.  I am so impressed with your ingenuity!  In the sitting position, you will put your hands forward, and bring one knee up so that your foot is flat on the ground, then you will pull yourself forward with your hands and foot, and push your other foot from behind you.  It's so fun to watch...but SCARY knowing how determined you are to be independent.  It's so exciting to see your personality coming out.  You love books, our neighbors dogs, watching kids play and you love being outside.  It's already breaking my heart how fast you are growing up.  I want you to stay little forever, but I'm also excited for all your milestones ahead!  

TWITCH!!!

I just saw TWITCH at the mall...oh how I love him, and HOLY GLASSES BATMAN, he definitely should have won.  He's actually shorter than I am though, that surprised me...I thought he was at least 6 feet tall - he seemed to tower over everyone else, I guess that's because they were only 4 feet tall.  I love star sightings!  A couple years ago I saw Kimberly Williams Paisley at the frozen yogurt shop, and I've also ridden a shuttle bus in Albuquerque with Val Kilmer...I know, it's hard to lead such a star studded life...

You're in my thoughts today Brady...

Letter to Miss E - Month 6

I can't believe how fast time has gone by!  You have grown and changed so much - and brought your daddy and I so much happiness.  It's amazing how something so small can have such an impact on our lives!   I have so many "favorites" when it comes to you.  I LOVE getting you out of your crib in the mornings - you make me feel like the luckiest mommy in the world with your big smile and reaching arms, and I love bath time at night - which is your favorite time of day as well!  You have just recently learned how to splash, and you don't care who gets wet in the process...usually it's ME!  I have to duck my head, and let you go.  You will look up every couple of minutes to make sure that we are still watching - and laughing, and you're off again until every drop of water has been splashed out of the tub.  You also love to read books. Your favorite is Pat the Bunny gives Kisses.  You demand it at least 20 times a day.  You love to push the kisses button, and you love the end when bunny gives you kisses too.  I love reading to you Em.  I know that you are going to love to read too.  You are so smart, you already recognize each book and let us know what one you want to read.

We left you with your very first babysitter this past month.  It was hard for your daddy and I to leave you, but knew that you would be in good hands.  Her name is Madison, and she is wonderful with you!!  You were such a good girl for her Em.  I was very proud of you!!  You also have been starting to eat cereal from a spoon.  This was not easy for you.  The first 2 weeks of trying - you would shut your lips together so tight, refusing to open your mouth.  FINALLY, you gave in, and I think you had fun making a mess.

You are starting to sit up all by yourself now.  You do it best with your binky in your mouth - I guess it helps you focus better on balancing?  The minute the binky comes out - you fall over. You are still refusing to stay on your tummy for very long - it's because of this that I don't think you will crawl until after you walk.  Your favorite thing these days is walking around the house following Sushi, we have to hold your hands - but you lead us where you want to go.  You get so excited with this, and your legs wear out far before you grow tired of it.  I think that Sushi is starting to worry.

We are getting ready for a LONG plane ride in a couple of weeks to visit friends and family back in the states.  It is so strange to think that you've never been there.  I can hardly wait for you to meet the rest of your family.  I know everyone is going to fall in love with you, just like everyone here.  Even the cute little Okinawan man at our favorite restaurant loves you!  He gave you a little kimono the last time we visited.  Everyone loves you so much Em.  I hope you always know how special and loved you are.  I know that I am the luckiest person to have you in my life.  Thank you for choosing me as your mommy.

Good Times

I am LOVING the Olympics!!  It bothers me a bit that we get everything a day after it happens, even when we are only an hour different from Beijing.  We get everything second hand from the states, so I have to ignore the internet/news/t.v. programs that announce winners before I get the chance to see them.  How utterly swimtastic is Michael Phelps?  (in a total not cute...but totally BUFF way).  That relay race today (err... yesterday) was AWESOME!!!!  

It's so great to see the places that Matt and I visited in September.  The "Birds Nest" is INCREDIBLE!!  And the "Water Cube"  totally crazy looking.  It really is an amazing place to see.  Their antiques there, really are ANTIQUES - they will only categorize something as an "antique" when it's over 1000 years old.  So basically any antique in the states would still be considered new in China.  

When we were there, the pollution was HORRIBLE...so don't let them fool you into thinking that it's just the humidity that is creating all that smog.  We have at least 10% more humidity here in Okinawa  and we have ZERO smog...what does that tell you?  China has a very distinct odor...sorta like burnt rubber, especially in Xi'An.  I couldn't get that smell outta my pregnant little nostrils - trust me, I have to really focus on not tossing my cookies when I think about it. 

If this computer could only send out "smell-a-vision"...  You can tell by my face in most of our pictures that I was gagging a lot of the time.  Being pregnant didn't help either.

Letter to Miss E - Month 5

My, oh my how you've grown!  I see changes in you every day.  You are getting more independent now - we can almost hear you saying "LET ME DO IT" when we are feeding you.   You are by far the best baby I have ever seen.  You go to bed around 8pm, you wake up at around 4am to eat, then back to sleep until 8am - eat, THEN you want to go back to sleep until around 10am.  I am amazed at how much you like to sleep and how much you LOVE your crib.  You let us know when you're ready for your naps as well - you get a little bit fussy, and your eyebrows turn red.  Once you're in your crib you smile, stretch your arms above your head and you are OUT.  

Your daddy can make you giggle like no one else, and when he's around - you know it's play time.  Your eyes light up when he walks through the door after work - and all you want is DADDY.  I love seeing the two of you together - and it doesn't hurt my feelings too much to know that you're a "Daddy's Girl".  You are copying us when we do "raspberries" too - which I know will be a mistake once you start eating peas.  We can't help it though - you are just so smart!!

This past month your Mommy had ankle surgery, and our squadron family took care of you every day while I was on crutches.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful extended family around us - I don't know what I would've done without everyones support and love.  I know you enjoyed getting to know all your "Cockette Aunts", and that you loved playing with all the big kids too.  You love to watch what kids do, and I know you're trying to figure out how to be as big as them.   

Everyone loves you Em.  Where ever we go, people fight over who gets to hold you.  You even have kids in the squadron begging their moms to babysit you.  When we are off base, the Okinawan people can't help but pinch your cheeks and say "KAUI" (ka-wy-ee) which means CUTE -and they always want to hold you.  I am so proud to be your mommy.  I know that my life has been blessed to have you in it - thank you for being unique little YOU!

The Garskes

I've had a hard time thinking about this post.  It's been nice to have this cast on my foot so that I have other things to dwell on lately...But here I go anyways...

My best bud Annie and her equally fabulous husband Ben, just moved back to the glorious land of Target. We've been friends through it all - even Clovis, New Mexico.  This tiny island would be so different to me if we didn't have the opportunity to become better friends with them. Annie has been there for me through every infertility issue, and many other bad days too.  I look up to her so much - and am amazed at the ease of our friendship.  We have so much in common, it's actually a little bit scary!  We have explored every beach, been on vacations together and they were the first people we called when Miss E was born.  Matt and I both agree that friends like these don't come around very often. We also agree that this is not the end of our friendship - even if they have gone to the dark side (aka out of the Air Force into normal life -I am only jealous that they're there and we're here).  I see lots of vacations together in our future.  Lots of shell hunting, restaurant finding and much more happy times ahead.  We miss you guys already and can hardly wait to see what our next adventures will be.  (hopefully that Grecian cruise in June 2010!)

Light at the end of a VERY LONG tunnel!

After 15 years, 4 Podiatrists, 2 Neurologists, 2 Orthopedic Surgeons, plantar injections (which ARE NOT as fun as they sound),  and Wiki-wiki - the local witch doctor...I have FINALLY made progress with my ever present ankle/arch/toe/foot pain.  I had previously been diagnosed with plantar fascitis - begining 15 years ago - when the first podiatrist fitted me with some sexy orthotics to wear in my shoes.  Since that day, I've had them re-shaped MANY times, lost twice, and even used them as weapons (that story will come out later).  I hated those things!  They NEVER worked.  I tried so hard to get any relief from this annoying pain - but it seemed like the more I tried, the more pain I found.  Enter, Dr. Cravin...

A little over one year ago this wonderfully intelligent doctor came into my life.  The only reason we met was I had completely exhausted all other doctors associated with feet and he was my last option. Being an Orthopedic Surgeon, he looked at things a little differently, and actually listened to what I was telling him.  Not more than 5 minutes into the appointment, he suggested that I had Tarsel Tunnel syndrome in my ankles (yep BOTH ankles).  He decided that I needed to try steroid injections in my ankles.  By doing this, he could distinguish if that was indeed the nasty problem I had been plagued with.  The injection wasn't fun, and I couldn't walk very well for a couple of days...but after that...R-E-L-E-I-F !!!!!  I was in tears, but this time not from pain!  Someone had finally figured out what was going on with me!  And then 2 weeks after the injection, I found out I was pregnant and had to stop treatment...so fast forward to 2 weeks ago...Doctor Cravin had moved, which I was bummed about - because that man is my HERO...but I set up another appointment with a brand new doctor, who decided that I indeed needed surgery and NOW...fast forward to today...I had my surgery and I am home from the hospital!  I cannot imagine my life without this pain.  It's been so long that I don't remember life before it.  I will have to be on crutches for 2 weeks, and then in a boot for 6 weeks after that...and then they will operate on my left ankle....followed by the same drill...And then...!!!

I can hardly wait to get back to my spin class, and get my turbo kick certification, and WHO KNOWS!!  A new outlook on life has begun.

In LOVE again!

I know that I've reached a point of "oldness" in my life when I can fall in love with a vacuum.  I will admit it - the Dyson has got me hooked!  I challenged my old vacuum - (which I thought was pretty good) to the Dyson...and let's just say  - I kicked my old vacuum to the curb, immediately went out, paid a small fortune and brought home the Dyson Animal Absolute.  

LOVE!

How pathetic am I?

Letter to Miss E - Month 4

Exactly one year ago today, was one of the happiest days in my life.  Your daddy was on call and early in the morning he had to go to the hospital to check on a patient.  I was bummed that he had to leave, so we decided that we'd meet up for a lunch date.  We had been doing a lot of fertility treatments, but nothing seemed to be working, so when I was getting ready for the day I decided that I would take a pregnancy test - my monthly ritual - because your daddy wouldn't be around to talk me out of it.  (He didn't like it when I'd get sad over the negative tests)  I didn't even look at it as I set it on the sink.  I showered and was washing my hair when I looked over at the stick, it looked different this time, but I knew not to get my hopes up.  I finished, and picked up the test.  It was a small, blue "+" sign.  I had taken hundreds of tests before, and none had ever looked like this.  I took another, and another.  I took every brand of test that I had ever taken previously only giving me negative signs - just to see what they looked like as POSITIVE!  I was skipping around the apartment, dancing with our kitty Sushi - he was the only one that knew other than me.  I told your daddy at Chili's during lunch - we both cried, and rushed home so we could call family and friends with the good news.  From that day on, you have given me the most joy that I've ever experienced in my life.  Thank you my sweet baby girl.

The past month you have grown and changed so much!  You are rolling over from your belly to your back - both ways - all by yourself.  You are sleeping 9 hours at night - IN YOUR CRIB - with one feeding in the middle of those glorious 9 hours.  You LOVE people, especially when they talk to you and make faces with you.  You went on your first mini vacation away from your house.  We went to a beautiful hotel with Ben and Annie, and we took you swimming for your first time.  You didn't like the bright sun, but luckily Aunt Nicole sent you some sunglasses that saved the day!  We all had so much fun taking pictures of you in the pool.  I think that you are going to be a good swimmer like your daddy.  You have giggled a few times, but smile all the time.  You have the cutest laugh!  You have started teething, which makes you drool constantly. You love your tongue, and will gnaw on any finger that is close to your mouth.  You are starting to copy the faces that your daddy and I make, you are so smart, and STRONG too!  You love to stand up by yourself by only holding onto our fingers.  I think that you are going to walk before you crawl.  

You have brought so much happiness into our lives Emmy.  I hope you always know how happy you make us, and how much we love you.  You are such a sweet, intelligent, fun and BEAUTIFUL girl.  We are so lucky to be your parents.

love

Momma

Halloween in June...

So I've been thinking of this coming Halloween and my 4th annual Witches party that I will be hosting this year.  I know, some people may think that I'm jumping the gun a bit...but if you haven't lived here, you wouldn't understand the urgency to order decorations/party favors/costumes/ANYTHING at least 2 months in advance or else it will not arrive in time.  I LOVE Halloween, and this party rules my year.  So, I'm trying to come up with a new idea this year to make it bigger and better.  It will still be a "witches" party - but I'm looking for ideas for food/decor.  Let me know if you have any fun ideas...  Last year I did soups and fondue desserts.  Would it be totally tacky to do the same thing?  I'm out of ideas.

The photos are from last years festivities - just to give you an idea of how fanatical I can get over this holiday.

Letter to Miss E - Month 3

What a difference a month makes!

My dearest you just broke what MUST be a world record!  You slept for 9 hours straight last night...I know for sure that you are my daughter!!  We both love to sleep - and you always sleep best when your arms are straight up past your ears.  Previously in the past month, you had been sleeping for around 6 hours, with a couple small relapses to 3 hours when your dad returned from Alaska. (I think you were too excited to see him, so that made you want to be awake more)  None the less, you are finally sleeping, and letting me sleep as well.  THANK YOU!!

You are SMILING so much, and squealing as well.  You love new faces and every time you meet someone new - you smile and SQUEAL.  You have also found your tongue, and hands, and I think any day now you will be able to grab your feet.  Your eyes get really big when you see your toes, and are fascinated when they move.  Your favorite toy is Mallory Monkey.  She is a cute little hula dancing chimp, and you cannot help but squeal when she's around.  We have been working on "tummy time".  This is not your favorite position to be in.  You can lift your chest off the floor and hold your head really steady, but you get really mad that you can't grab stuff and balance on one arm.  It all takes practice, and we know you're working hard.  

I am so proud to be your momma.  I could play with you all day long.  We have our own little chat sessions every morning, and I cherish every one of them.  We talk about what we are going to be doing that day, what books we have been reading (you mainly Dr. Seuss) and we're starting to get into politics (you're not sold on Obama yet, and neither of us trust McCain).  You have such a sweet little voice, and you also have a opera singer type voice - I don't know where you find your power, but it comes out and everyone has to listen.  You also have such expressive eyebrows, and we can tell that you are going to be pretty dramatic.  You try to copy our expressions too.  We have also found that you are very sensitive - you don't like people to talk when they are feeding you, and you definitely do not like people to talk loudly around you - this seems to hurt your feelings.  I can tell that you are just soaking it all it little E.    

Your aunt Emily is visiting us for 3 weeks, and you LOVE her.  She and you have formed a cute little bond, and it is so great that she came so far to meet you.  You have so many people around you that love you...WOW...how lucky can one little girl be?

Happy Mothers Day to Me!

I know I'm a tad slow on the blog...but I had to write about my very first most memorable Mothers Day, even if it was a couple of weeks ago!

My first Mothers Day was spent at a beautiful Japanese botanical garden, with other friends that are moms, and were also without husbands. (Matt and his squadron were all in Alaska for a month)  Matt's mom was visiting her very first grand baby, so we celebrated the day together.  The gardens are one of my favorite places to walk around.  TONS of beautiful flowers, ravenous carp and amazing lily pads.  Emersyn was the perfect angel all day long, and I must say after spending time at the park with children that were not so perfect...I was pretty proud, and borderline cocky.  I should've known that I would be humbled. 

We decided that we would treat ourselves to a fun teppanyaki dinner, so we headed to Sam's after the park.  Sam's is this restaurant where all the waitresses wear little sailor suits and hats, and it sorta has the same feel of a ride at Disneyland, but the food is better.(?)  It's DARK inside,  which usually is a red flag in a restaurant...but the food really is good and the garlic rice is flavoricious.  So, in the middle of our wonderfully special meal, I get a small whiff of my dear little one and what she had been working on.  I immediately put my chopsticks down, in all my mommyhood  glory, and with a diaper and wipes in hand I whisk her away to the restroom.  The restroom was slightly bigger then a closet with a chair that seemed to be for a vertically challenged person, but it was my only option for a changing table.  So, in great form, I knelt down and began changing her diaper.  Did I mention that it was DARK?  Well, as I was reaching behind her to grab her onesie to close up shop, I got this gooey, warm sensation all over my hand and in between my fingers.  Little did I know of the lovely present my daughter had been saving for me... She had completely blown out all up her back and into her hair, and now it was all over me.  The best part was that the entire time, Em just kept looking up at me with this little smirk on her face...like she KNEW what was lurking in the darkness.  I had to wrap her up in her blanket - run out to where I'd left her bag, grab her spare outfit - which WOW am I ever so lucky I remembered...  

I wouldn't trade in being a mommy for anything, and I'm sure I will have MANY more fun times like these ahead.

Good Byes...

One of the worst things about being in the military is saying good-bye.  I'm a HUGE baby when I see my friends move away.  The next couple of months are going to be pretty brutal.  I'm saying good-bye to my dear friend Missy this week.  Missy has been such a fabulous friend to me since arriving on this island.  I will NEVER forget hanging out with her on Ishigaki Island, where about 200 Japanese people were convinced that we were "Charlie's Angels" or at least the latest, up and coming dance/singing sensation.  I've never had so many people following my every move as I did on that stage...yikes.  Many a small child was traumatized after that Club-Med trip.

She is someone that I look up to - not only is she a squadron commander wife, but she teaches gymnastics to many little rug-rats, she is a turbo kick instructor, a personal trainer, a FAMOUS tv personality, a cover model, a writer, and a mom to 2.  I don't know where she found the time to take care of the squadron and especially ME!  She's wonderful and I want her to know that she will be missed severely.  Love you Missy!  And YES...I am still a good dancer.

To Miss E - Month 2

My little sweet one.  Time with you just flies by.  The more people you meet, the more fall under your spell.  Everywhere we go, people comment about how beautiful you are.  I always agree - and I am proud when they also say that you look like me.  You have grown so much.  Today at your 2 month appointment you weighed 10 lbs, 8 ounces, and you are 21 inches long.  You got your 2 month shots today as well.  Your dad promised me that he would be the one to take you - but he is in Alaska for the next month, so he got out of it.  I was so nervous.  The doctor gave us some Tylenol for you and I asked if I could have something to calm me down too.  You did pretty good though, and I didn't pass out.  You have gone up 2 diaper sizes.  That says a lot!  Smiling is now a very common thing for you.  We haven't heard you giggle yet, but you gasp for air when you're smiling - so I think that you're close to figuring it all out.  You "talk" all the time as well...usually a "coo" or an "ahhhh".  We've also heard a "mommama" or something close to it...thank you very much!  You are lifting your head up all the time.  Whenever you are on your back you want to practice your pull-ups, and sitting up isn't enough for you -you have to stand all the way up, all by yourself.  The doctor was amazed today at how strong you were.  I guess those steroids I've been feeding you are paying off.

Your Grandma Malan is here visiting us right now.  You are her very first grand baby, and she is so proud of you and loves you so much.  It is so much fun to see you with her.  

We are trying to get you on a sleep schedule at night.  My goal while your dad is gone is to get you use to your crib.  This is no small task since neither me or your grandma can stand to hear you cry for more than a couple minutes.  We are working on it though.  You noticed Sushi today, his eyes and your eyes locked and you gave him a huge smile, and he ran off as fast as his legs could carry him.  I think he caught a glimpse at the very near future...lots of whisker pulling and carrying him around by his tail.  I can hardly wait.  But take your time being little too - I love you exactly how you are right now!  I love you more than anything Em.

love Momma

I gotta get me one of these...

Yoshi-san

Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE Okinawa?!  I love the weather, the people, the beaches, the flowers that grow wild everywhere, the FOOD...and now I have a new fabulously wonderful addition to that list...MAMASANS!!!!  I just hired a mamasan to come to my house every week to clean.  Apparently the last episode of me cleaning the shower with my 2 broken toes, and the thought that Matt might have to start getting his hands wet (which he hates), made Matt realize just how handy a mamasan might be.  Lots of folks around here hire them, and I can see why.  Her name is Yoshi and she came recommended by my friend Missy.  I picked her up this morning (I literally could have PICKED her up and carried her all the way home) and she is the sweetest, tiniest person I've ever seen.  She is cleaning my oven right now...which is something I do only when I move OUT of military housing...  And that lovely Swiffer deal that I use to clean my floors the EASY way....she'll have nothing to do with that.  She will scrub on her hands and knees every little bit of my floor.  I do feel a little guilty though - she is over 70 years old.  She was 15 when the war was going on on Okinawa.  Her family hid in a cave for an entire month while the fighting was happening - living on one rice ball a day.  It really makes me appreciate all that I have, and the relatively easy life I live.  Yoshi also said that she will teach me how to cook Okinawan food as well - I love this sweet little lady already!  

Sorry Matt...

This little piggy...

I've never liked scrubbing showers..in fact, it's my LEAST favorite of all things to scrub.  Sundays are my days to catch up on cleaning while Matt watches Emersyn.  This works out wonderfully for both of us, because it means that Matt can take a long nap with Emersyn, and I get to clean...hmmmm....

Anywhoo...as I was saying...  I HATE TO SCRUB OUR SHOWER!  I don't mean one of those bathtub/shower combinations either - I mean the single no tub shower that is only for standing up in.  I was already dreading the task by Saturday night, and that's when it happened.  WHAMMO!  I smash my foot against the leg on Emersyn's bassinet.  YEP...try scrubbing a stand up only shower with 2 broken toes!  It was quite the site...it only took me an hour to get it done, I was SWEATING and SWEARING by the end of that hour.  That'll teach me to complain about having to scrub the shower with ZERO broken phalanges.  

Matt and Emersyn slept peacefully through the entire episode.

Luckiest Girl in the World

What a crazy thing it is to be a mom.  I have never known "tired" as I do now.  I am so lucky to have such a fabulous husband - of 5 years now!  Even though he has to get up at the crack of dawn to get to work on time to see a bunch of annoying sick people...he STILL volunteers to get up with Em at night when he sees that I need a break.  I don't know of many husbands that would do that - WILLINGLY, WITHOUT A BRIBE....

A beautiful, brand new - healthy daughter...

A PERFECT, considerate, compassionate, HARD WORKING husband...

I AM THE LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!

Letter to Miss E - Month 1

I want to remember every minute I have with you Emersyn - so since I am a little forgetful, this is my way to keep you close all the time...

  

Your first days in our lives were a little stressful.  My doctor was a little worried about you, so we had to be admitted into the hospital and get you here a little earlier than we expected.  Your daddy and I were so excited - even if I didn't have the dishes done or your bedroom ready yet!  When you finally arrived I was sad to see you be whisked away to the intensive care unit so that you could be given some medicine.  They had to put an IV in your cute little head - so daddy was with you the entire time making sure they did it right!  I had to convince myself that the IV was just a cute little bow on your head - I cried when I first saw you with it.  I didn't want you to be in pain.  You were such a trooper!  It didn't seem to bother you at all.  Your dad and I have already decided that he will have to take you to get any future immunizations - I am a little squeemish when it comes to messing with my little girl!  

We waited so long for you - but you have already been worth that long wait!!  Someday my little one, you'll know just how much you mean to me.  You'll understand (but hopefully never have to go through) what we went through to finally welcome you home.  You will look at these letters that I am writing to you and laugh and wonder if you ever really were this small.   Hopefully by then you are sleeping more than 2 hours at a time, and have gotten over some pretty outrageous gas.   You have only TRULY smiled for me, which I think is only fair since I birthed you...that's something you'll have to remember when your dad is giving you cookies and cake and I am making you eat your broccoli.  I only want what is best for you my angel!

Your hair seems to be getting lighter and even curly, which I'm proud to say you got from me. You might like it, but probably (like me) you'll go through a phase of wanting it straight like everyone else, eventually you'll learn to appreciate not being the same.  You have the same nose as your sweet and adorable cousins that I hope someday you will be able to hang out with and get advice on how to handle your crazy mom.  You live in Okinawa right now, but you will probably not remember it too much.  You are really lucky to have been born in such an amazing place!  But no...it doesn't make you Japanese!

You can hold your head up all by yourself, and your arms and legs are so strong, that it is nearly impossible to get you to sit or bend your arms when we're getting you dressed.  You love to stretch your arms and legs, and whenever we put you on your back - that is the first thing you do.  You love to look around and always sleep better when the tv is on or the dehumidifier is running.  At one month you weighed 10 pounds - which means you LOVE to eat!  You have the cutest chubby cheeks, legs and arms!  I hope they just keep getting chubbier!  You also have grown fond of the ceiling fan in our living room and you enjoy talking to the curtains.  

Your Grandma and Grandpa Christensen were just here visiting, and they couldn't get enough of you.  It was so much fun to see them with you.  I hope we will get to live by family soon so you know how lucky you are!!  We love you so much Memers, and I can't wait to see how much you grow and change this next month!

Love Momma

Not so patiently waiting...

It's finally official - I am TIRED of being pregnant.  I am 38 weeks and 3 days now...I have attended every birthing, lamaze and breast feeding class available.  Toured the labor and delivery, and postpartum floors of the Naval hospital - tomorrow I am taking cookies to the nurses there. I have cleaned my entire house top to bottom - even borrowing a tad of OCD from my sis-in-law and cleaned/sterilized my entire car...(thanks Mis...)  We have her bassinet awaiting her arrival in our bedroom, with HOARDS of freshly washed blankets, burp cloths, gowns, onesies, socks, and hats neatly tucked away in her dresser.  I don't sleep anymore,  I just lay in bed and think of new things to sanitize...I've bathed my cat twice in the past week (poor Sushi!).  I am quickly running out of projects...and Matt is ready to have his not so clean-freak wife back....sorry love.

Anytime Emersyn....we're all ready for ya!!  (especially Sushi!)

Latest Hilariousness

Over the holidays I was introduced to "Flight of the Conchords". I guess it's on HBO, but since I don't get HBO here on the island....I have to use YouTube or buy the DVD - which my younger brother happened to give Matt for Christmas - Thanks Ty!

My Video Bar has a favorite selection... Enjoy!

More Proof of Inbreeding...

This post was written in 2005 and happened to me while living in Portales, New Mexico.



Recently I was in need of a washer repairman...I didn't know that washers lasted only a year, but that is another story...
I called the recommended repairman given to me by the 1-800 number proudly listed on my washer (a red flag that I wish we'd seen before purchasing). I was told that no one would be coming out to P-Town (name of city has been changed to protect the innocent -me...and partly due to threats from the natives...) until the following week. Reluctantly, I made the appointment for 11am, and began counting the days down. Finally the day arrived...and so did 11am...then passed without a knock on my door. Worried that I was confused about the day or time, I called the repair shop. I was told that my repairman was in P-Town, but they had no way of getting a hold of him because he didn't have a cell phone or a pager, so I would just have to wait for him to call me...(yet ANOTHER red flag - why wouldn't an ON CALL repairman NOT carry either?!) Figuring I was just a cell phone snob...I patiently waited. Promptly at 3:32pm he arrived in total red-neck fashion. He was sporting some old raggedy overalls with 17 pens and pencils hanging from the front pockets, a thread bare, stained used-to-be-white t-shirt, camouflage hunting boots, and carrying the ever powerful clip board. Nothing in his attire really bothered me....it was the fact that he was exactly 105 years old.

He walked into my house with a small nod...apparently this was sign language to ask where the laundry room was. I showed him the way and proceeded to tell him that the problem was with the "normal cycle". Immediately he cranked the dial to the "delicate" cycle, filled the tank and started the machine. Then with a cocked head/you're an idiot look he said, "wail ma'am, seems to me that evrythins workin' faan here." I reassured him that things were NOT fine, and turned the dial to the normal cycle. "Huh...I reckon that shold't be doin' that..." came his reply. In the middle of all of this he started to talk about being a "shooter", and thinking that he meant a "problem shooter" I inquired more of his experience. "Wail, I reckon Maytag won't let me keep my license to keep fixin' these if I carry mah guns in the van with me..." As I sat speechless, he continued ranting about our right to bare arms and defend ourselves and praising the NRA and Charlton Heston. Finally, I said the only thing that I could think of "yeah...I loved him in The Ten Commandments". Apparently, he preferred the original Moses, because he shot me another harsh look.

After what seemed like an eternity, he started taking apart the machine, barking orders at me like "hold this, no not like that...like this, and don't drop that, and hold that flashlight still!", but at this point I was shaking so bad that the last request could not be followed. The problem was the same thing that it had been the previous 2 repairs, so he quickly replaced the part and began putting everything back in its place. Then he stopped, swore and picked up a skinny metal clip-like object off of the floor. "hmmm...wonder where this thing goes," as he tried to pry in onto my newly replaced motor. At first I didn't know what to say, and was really scared to say anything at all. But finally I said "uh, sir...that fell off of one of your pens from your pocket."
He laughed, and I gave him a cocked head/sorry your parents were related look.
My washer still does not work on the "normal" cycle...but what does in this town?

Crazy Theater Guy...

This post was originally written in 2006 - and happened in Portales, New Mexico
One guaranteed place to encounter the unusual behavior of locals is at the movie theater. Matt and I have on occasion attempted to have a "normal" date night, and it rarely turns out that way...
One particular evening we were sitting in an empty theater (aside from one couple sitting two rows in front of us) watching a not so entertaining movie when a man enters the theater from our left, walks up the aisle...turns down the aisle where the other couple was sitting, excuses himself (in an attempt to NOT BE RUDE) then makes his way to the other end of the row, then continues down the stairs and out the door to our right.
For what purpose did this man need to do this? I thought at first that maybe he was in the wrong theater, but then wouldn't a NORMAL person just walk down a row that was actually EMPTY instead of choosing one of only 2 rows that were occupied???!!! At least Matt and I got a good laugh out of it...the people in front of us must have been locals too - they didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary.

Erroneous Zones and Other Places One Must Not Visit...

The following was written in 2005 while living in Portales, New Mexico in 2005...
Living in a small town is not a new experience for me, in fact grew up in a small town, so there is no way I will ever verbally belittle the cutesy "small town". There of course is a difference between a cutesy small town and the one that I have lived in for the past 2 years 8 months 2 days...

There is really no way to ignore the over powering smell of cow mixed with slaughter house with a dash of fermentation factory sauteed with rotten peanuts...I don't really know how to explain it other than it is the kind of smell that you can SEE. Have you actually ever been scared to breathe?

There are other reasons to be scared. I was fortunate enough to spend some time doing my civic duty and being in a jury pool for 3 months. During this 3 months I met MANY interesting people. One lady in particular was reading a book entitled "Finding Your Erogenous Zones". She was a lady in her (approximate here) mid 60's. I got a good little chuckle out of it when I saw her reading. The following week one of the lawyers was questioning the jury during a selection process, and was asking us about the different books we like to read... His purpose was to find someone reading a good mystery novel. So, everyone in the courtroom was asked to tell the name of the book that they were currently reading. When it came time for this lady to share, I admit, I was a little nervous and embarrassed for her. It was her turn to answer and out came "Well sir, I'm reading a book called Finding Your Erroneous Zones..." I almost swallowed my gum. I thought that would be the end of it until the confused lawyer asked "well, what kind of a book is that?" and she replied "It's a self-help book."

Another wonderful day I was dragging myself up the cold marble stairs to spend yet another day sitting in judgement on my fellow man. I couldn't help but notice a woman who obviously mistook me for someone who didn't value personal space. As we (my Siamese twin and I) entered the completely empty courthouse, I figured that she could take one side of the room and I could take the other...fat chance. She proceeded to sit so close that I could not fit my hand between us on the bench. She talked to me like we were long lost once conjoined twins. Other jury members started to file in, and I tried in vain to divert my attention to others. This went on for a good 20 minutes, until the judge entered and said "if there are any people in here other than jury members, please leave.." At this, my long lost twin stood up and said, "well, I guess I better go then..." and left. She never showed up for jury duty again and my one hope that she was indeed the person who was on trial for impersonating a leech was crushed.

Of course, our first experience in this hell hole should have been a giant red flag... Matt and I were at the grocery store, which is something that we now do LATE at night as to not disturb the natives. We were about ready to check out, and pulling our cart up to one of about 6 lanes that were open and empty...when this silver streak came flying out of nowhere. The streak was a 70ish woman and her cart who out of my pure shock was able to wedge her cart between mine and the check out counter, looked at me and Matt (both of whose jaws were dropped and fists clenched ready to drop the old bag) and appropriately said "BEAT YOU!" All I could do was say, "yes.....you sure did." And I walked to the next lane over where a cashier was waiting, this time looking both ways for oncoming traffic.

Messing with Texas...

I have always attracted crazy people in my life. If you are in my life at the present, please don't take offense... It's just a fact that where ever I go, crazies will find me. I started writing a blog a couple of years back because I needed a way to share/vent about all the strange encounters I've had. Some of them I have a hard time believing that they actually happened to me.

For the first few posts I am going to visit my days in Clovis, New Mexico and surrounding areas to highlight some of my most favorite experiences with the before mentioned craziness. Let me begin by saying... IF YOU ARE FROM TEXAS, HAVE RELATIVES IN TEXAS, OR PROUDLY DISPLAY THE TEXAS A&M FLAG ON YOUR FRONT DOORSTEP....I'm sorry. Most of these "crazies" are your people. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST TEXANS. I have many Texan friends, and I make fun of them to their faces as well as behind their backs. I have big hair, and I support other believers in big hair...maybe that's why the "crazies" are attracted to me.