Big Day

We met up for brunch today with Mike and Rhonda at the Kadina Officers Club, they have quite a spread!

Afterwards we went to their house and Chris helped Mike bring in a TV stand and we chatted and watched some football. Mike and Rhonda also got some Ethan snuggle time!

We love hanging out with theses two, they are really fun people who are always on the go.

Alison was full of energy! It might have been the 4 medium sized pancakes she ate!

A few days ago I posted about how she was being a handful, well she is still being a two year old but she is much happier. In the book that I'm reading, "You are Your Child's First Teacher" it talks about how children learn more through movement and that seeing mommy and daddy up and about helps them settle and gives them something to mimic. We it worked! I changed my normal routine of resting while the kids were awake and getting my house chores done while they were asleep to doing the house chores during the day. I might add I am now enjoying my quiet time with tea, reading, blogging, handiwork and whatever else catches my fancy! It has helped me feel recharged and less of a 'nanny' to the kids and more like a happy balanced mom. It also mentioned about having them help with chores which is something I was doing with Alison already. I think its important for kids to help out.

I was a little hesitant at first because I normally like to keep an eye on Alison especially now with Ethan around but its worked out really well and she has reverted back to the Alison we all know and love with reasonable amounts of crying and whining lol, she is after all a two year old (at least until the end of next month!). She actually whined because she wanted to help me vacuum, which I let her do as I have a feeling that won't be happening during the teenage years. 

After our visit we went to the exchange to go shopping and learned a very important lesson:

 "Get Ethan out of the car first and into his stroller and then get Alison out, 

no matter how much wants out of the car."

 We were in the parking lot, Alison was standing quietly by her car door, I was getting the stroller out of the trunk and and getting it set up and daddy went to get Ethan out of the car to put int he stroller.

All of a sudden Alison runs out into the traffic lane!!!!

AT THE SAME TIME A CAR THAT IS DRIVING TOO FAST IS COMING!!!

I screamed her name in a voice I have never heard come out of my mouth, full of panic, dread and heart ripping fear and luckily she stops dead in her tracks as the lady in her car slams on her breaks. 

It took all my self control to not completely fall apart right there in the parking lot. I had so many emotions! I felt so relieved, like the worst mom in the world, thoughts about "what if" and thanking God with all my heart that Alison stopped when I screamed her name or we might be telling you about how Alison actually got hit by a car instead of almost. Chris was pretty shaken too. Normally Alison is really great about staying with us in the parking lot but I guess with us not paying attention to her she thought running in the parking lot by herself would get our attention, boy did it work! I squeezed the stuffing out of that little girl and we had a serious talk about the dangers of a parking lot and how you never ever run in one and never walk around without holding someones hand or being in the buggy.She was pretty shaken about the whole incident and told us several time later that she was almost hit by a car. Whew, God was really looking out for us.

And mommy and daddy learned an important lesson, Alison gets out of the car last.

Welcome Friend!

Ethan and I went to the Naval Hospital today to welcome a new little friend into the world!

Little Payton and his daddy.

Welcome to the world little buddy!

What a beautiful picture of mama and her two children.

Big sister Calli was really happy to finally meet her little brother!

Mommy Crystal, as you can see, was beaming seeing her two kids together for the first time.

I met Crystal during the last typhoon when the pregnant people had to come in just in case we went into labor. We have stayed in touch since and are developing quite a good friendship.

Calli, who I believe is 7, asked if Ethan and Payton were going to be friends,

 to which we replied "Of course!"

Crystal was 2 weeks overdue, so both of our boys were quite happy to stay where they were. He was not as big as Ethan (who Crystal said the staff is still talking about!). But he was a healthy sized very good looking baby boy with a full head of beautiful dark hair.

Congratulations Mama Crystal!

 

Bathtime Babies

Its time for a bath!

Into the baby tub!

Mommy washes us from the tip of our head to the toes on our feet.

After the bath, mommy wraps me up cozy in a soft fluffy towel.

This is a new experience and I'm not sure what to think!

Big sister looks on from her bath,

watch out big sister! Mommy is going to wash you next!

Wait a minute, it's kind of nice to be clean!

400!

First, I want to say:

 "This is my 400th post!!" 

Second, thank you to everyone who reads and leaves comments or emails/calls me with wonderful words of encouragement on how much they enjoy reading my blog. Its really a good feeling knowing that not only am I logging some memories down for our little family but that you are enjoying it as well. 

I think the best thing about a family blog is being able to keep everyone in the loop without bombarding their email, when they feel like it they can pop on over to 2 cats and a baby....although now its no cats and two babies now....maybe I should change the name??... anyways you can pop over here anytime you need a little Chris, Meredith, Alison or Ethan love <3

 On with the pictures!

No more umbilical cord! A cute little belly button!

 

I am feeling so much better which means more household activities for Alison, like helping make breakfast.

This morning its pancakes!

The commissary unfortunately doesn't have quite the selection California had when it comes to organic food but we found this pancake mix!  

Alison helped set the table by putting her own plate and fork on her place mat!

I cut up the strawberries at the table so Alison could watch.

Yumm yumm pancakes and strawberries!

Alison has two oral medicines she has to take, one in the morning and one before bed.

Whenever we give it to her we make a big deal about it being in a tiny cup and use silly voices, it makes taking medicine a bit more fun.

Little brother enjoying the baby swing.

Alison (all cleaned up and ready for the day!) watching little brother from the glider chair.

She really enjoys watching him in the swing and calls the glider chair her swing.

Watching over little brother.

I am feeling really good and Ethan is almost two weeks old (can you believe it!) so I thought it would be nice to go outside. I got Alison's outside stroller out of the front closet (its pretty big, we also keep the big stroller and a bunch of other stuff in there) and she was thrilled to push it around. We walked out to the playground and did several laps around the play structure pushing our babies.

I wish we had a walking trail like Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Frank!

Our base is really small so there really isn't anywhere to walk other than the little playground, and I would much prefer something a bit more natural than a playground. I think after my car gets fixed we will have to drive over to Camp Lester, I hear they have a walking/jogging trail.

Alison is a really good little mommy!

She is also fast making it really hard to get a good picture!

Still reading my book, I was able to finish the first chapter and start the second! I am really enjoying the revised edition. I have forgotten so much about the book and its really refreshing to read about how children all develop at their own pace and that no matter what you do as a parent your child is an individual and some of what they do is just apart of their personality. It also has a section that emphasizes not feeling guilty and that no parent is perfect. I really needed to read that! Alison has been trying my nerves, I am sure you cant tell from the pictures but she has been pretty difficult to deal with lately. She is throwing temper tantrums and testing her limits, and the whining! Oh its enough to drive us a bit crazy. I have been gritting my teeth and putting on my nice mommy face, using my gently voice and trying to redirect and when that doesn't work I walk away from the situation. I am really trying to be understanding of all the changes Alison has been going through and she does isn't misbehaving all the time but a lot more than normal! and combined with a new baby its a lot to handle. Prayers for patience and for Alison's happiness would be appreciated!

Maybe when I get to the section of my book about behavior problems I'll get some more insight on what to do! 

Good Morning!

 Ethan has my sense of time all messed up! Ethan likes to wake up around 4 and 6am and sometimes mommy isn't able to go back to sleep. But I am not going to complain about it because it means I get some special mommy-son time just the two of us while daddy and big sister are sleeping.

And when Ethan falls asleep, I have time to clean and do laundry as well as admire my sleeping children.

Arms up, just like daddy.

I love this little quilt. We bought it at the Children's Store at Camp Lester (near the hospital) the morning before I went into labor. The store has a lot of volunteers and they sell a lot of items handmade by other spouses here in Okinawa. We bought the quilt and a handmade nursing cover, I'll have to take a picture of it sometime as its very bright and cheery! We also bought Alison some little colored pencils that look like sticks. Ethan has this blanket and a fluffy blue blanket with a satin trim that great grandma and grandpa sent (thank you!), I am so glad we have two blankets as this little guy spits up a lot! If you look in the next picture you'll see he has on a different outfit even though its the same morning! I forgot how many outfits a newborn can go through in one day!

Hanging out with mom 6am

Holding hands

I was able to sneak into Alison's room and take a few pictures.

She looked so angelic with her little hands folded and her batman pajamas on.

She got her first "black eye" I don't think it's very noticeable but you can see the little bruise from where she ran right into a dresser. In her defense it was when our apartment was full of government furniture and our furniture, so it was pretty crowded in here, not exactly the environment for a two year old to run around and play in.

Sweet little dreamer. Alison likes to sleep in till about 9 sometimes 10. We put her to bed around 8 to 830. When she does wake up she doesn't immediately pop out of her room or cry for someone to come and get her, instead Alison likes to quietly read her books and play with her toys. It gives mom, or recently dad, some time to get breakfast ready.

Speaking of books, I recently ordered two books! Parenting books. I am a firm believer in self education. I think we have good instincts about parenting but that society interferes. Example, we think "I know TV isn't the best for my kid to sit around and watch but I don't want him/her to be left out socially" OR "I really need my kid to just sit still and be quiet" (I've been there!) making it hard to decide that TV isn't going to be part of your child rearing philosophy. Criticism from other parents as well, I've personally had people tell me I was being cruel to my child by not regularly exposing her to TV.  Not that Alison is never exposed to TV, we will watch a movie together occasionally but its not the norm. Oh TV is a big example, I might have to do a post just on my TV thoughts!

Anyways,

its nice to read books to help you develop your own child rearing philosophy and to reenforce/feel supported on  decisions you've already made. I know that there are a lot of things I would like to improve on, especially establishing a rhythm in our home. I am sure as things get settled you will be able to read about our attempts at finding a rhythm (a flowing schedule) that fits our family.  

On to the books!

First, I am doing a re-read of "You Are Your Child's First Teacher" the 3rd edition by Rahima Baldwin Dancy. I read this book (well the first edition) when Alison and I first started taking the parent child class at the Waldorf School. I read a lot of books that were available to us in the parent lending library. I really wanted to refresh my memory with this one, which I found to be one of the better books available for Waldorf families. There is a lot of good information in this book I am sure I will be sharing more thoughts on it with you as I slowly make my way through!

The other book I ordered was "Simplicity Parenting" by Kim John Payne. I have not read his book but I was fortunate enough to be able to have attended one of his lectures and it had a profound influence on the way Chris and I raise Alison. In fact the book I am currently reading says "One of the best discussions of how children develop and ways to respond by creating a sustainable home life is Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne." pg 7, what an endorsement! I have been wanting to read his book for awhile now but kept putting it off. After my reread I am looking forward to jumping in. At the moment my "Simplicity Parenting" book is next door being read by my mom friend. Although I don't have it, a third book that I would recommend is "Beyond the Rainbow Bridge" by Patterson, Bradley and Riordan I am probably going to do a reread of this one as well. The biggest thing I took away from this book is the relationship children have with their toys and the impact our treatment (and theirs!) have on their sense of self.

Yea books!

This moment (Oct.3, 5am):  Ethan is asleep on his boppy pillow in my lap after his 5am feeding, wrapped in the little quilt. He looks so peaceful. The apartment is quiet and its starting to look more like home as things get put away and we settle in for a 3 year stay.

Ethan

He's here.

After a long and busy pregnancy, I went into labor on the 19th of September and by the 3am on the 20th,

I had a son.

Sept. 21

One day old

Sept. 22

My handsome little son

11 pounds 3oz.

Chris took more pictures on his camera, I have been pretty sore and haven't taken as many but here are the best pictures from my camera.

Ethan enjoyed the paci for about a day and then he didn't really seem interested in it, just like his sister lol.

Ethan being strapped into the car seat by daddy wearing the little green hat that I knitted for him.

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See the band aid? Ethan had to have some medicine to make sure he didn't have any infections because of his rapid breathing so they gave him a little baby IV, I was so glad when they finally removed it.

On our way out of the hospital,  Chris was in a hurry to get to the car so I got to waddle along behind and take some pictures.

Seats Taken.

No more room in our back seat!

In the elevator going up to our apartment.

We only had one pair of socks and they met with an unfortunate accident, luckily we live on a warm humid island so it didn't really matter.

Took a picture of myself since it was a big day.

Sept 23

A friend of a friend loaned us a pack and play to use until our bassinet arrives.

Sept 24

Hey blue eyes

Ethan is a pretty mellow dude, he likes to watch whats going on and he loves snuggling.

Mommy's little man

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Sept. 25th

Ethan's first check up!

Ethan and I went to the hospital to have his first check up and his hearing test.

Both went really well. He hears just fine and he is gaining weight and looking good!

Sept. 27

Yep, our family grew by two feet and ten toes!

Hanging out in the Moses basket.

Snuggles with daddy and Alison during bedtime story.

Sept. 29

Diaper time!

Followed by rocking with daddy.