Family Friday: Nov 16

10 Weeks Old

We are finally transitioning to larger clothing and diapers!  The newborn-size diapers are getting snug but the size 1 diapers are still a bit too big.  However, we've had a few major blowouts with the newborn-size lately so on to size 1 it is.  I've packed the rest of the newborn diapers away for our next baby.

We definitely needed a bath after some of the diaper blow-outs!

Cameron is still wearing her newborn-sized onesies but is suddenly now fitting into some of the 0-3 month things we have.  Another week and I'm sure the newborn clothing will have to get packed away as well.  Cam pretty much only wore onesies for the past two months so I'm excited for the variety of things she has to wear in the 0-3 month clothing!

She wore a little jean skirt to a squadron Thanksgiving potluck lunch this week.  I've been waiting for her to fit into it!

I don't think there is anything more cuddly than a baby in footed pajamas :)

Cameron is getting very good at bringing her hand to her mouth.  She loves to suck (very loudly) on the side of her index finger.  She will still suck a pacifier but at times prefers her finger instead.  I'm so proud of her growing ability to self-soothe!

Cameron gets a little fussy in the evenings and eats her last few meals very close together.  Regardless of that, she is actually easy to put to bed at night.  When her belly gets full enough, I change her and put on her pajamas, partially swaddle her with one arm free (so she can suck her finger), put her in her bassinet, turn her Sleep Sheep sound machine on, and she puts herself to sleep.  I feel very fortunate that she makes bedtime easy!

Cameron's hair may have gotten a lot thinner but her eyelashes are definitely growing!

Cameron's eye color is finally changing!  Her eyes will definitely be some shade of hazel or light brown, just like daddy :)  They will be beautiful, whatever color they end up being!

Dulce had a fascination with Cameron's socks the other day, poking them with her nose and sniffing them which made Cam kick her feet.  I turned my back for a minute and this is what I found:

Dulce the sock stealer!  She must have taken it off gently because Cam didn't make a sound and she didn't seem to mind missing the sock :)

Johnnie's parents left this week.  They had been visiting since before Johnnie deployed.  It was certainly nice having the extra help while they were here, allowing me to get caught up with some things on my to-do list.  I'm glad they had the opportunity to see Cameron while she is this young and small.  However, it is also nice being able to settle into our own schedule and groove now that we have the house back to ourselves.  It's relaxing not having to worry about making too much noise at night and being able to nurse Cameron on the couch while catching up on my favorite TV shows :)

The night before the in-laws left, we all went to the Aulani Disney Hawaii Resort for an evening of food and drinks while watching the sun drop into the ocean.  It was a beautiful evening with a warm breeze that reminded me how lucky we are to be stationed here.

*******

"When babies look beyond you and giggle, maybe they're seeing angels."

~ Eileen Elias Freeman

The Dog and the Baby

There is a special bond between Cameron and Dulce that is growing every day.  It all started once I hit the third trimester of the pregnancy.  Baby G was moving around a lot in my big belly and Dulce suddenly loved to cuddle with her!

I know there are a lot of articles and advice out there about preparing your pets for a new baby but we didn't do anything to prepare Dulce at all... at least not recently.  When we first adopted Dulce over three years ago, she was a little skittish and growled at small children.  So I began doing things to her that a small child would, without hurting her of course: I would pick her up suddenly from all angles, grab her tail and ears and legs, hold and carry her awkwardly, touch her mouth and face, and grab food and toys away from her, all with the intent of desensitizing her to those sorts of things.  I actually still do some of that now in a playful way :)  The desensitization did work because now she is awesome around children!  She is always getting petted, poked, pulled, grabbed, and carried by people known and unknown, young and old, and she stays calm and passive (as long as she's not being hurt or threatened).  When she's had enough, she walks away.

Dulce is fantastic around Cameron.  We still watch her carefully when they're together but I'm trusting her more and more every day.  Dulce gets very close to Cameron and sniffs her all the time, but she doesn't lick her and rarely touches her.

Dulce had never been around a new baby before so she had no idea what Cameron was when we first brought her home from the hospital.  Here is a video of their first time meeting:

During the first two weeks after Cameron's birth, I was recovering from the C-section and didn't move around very often.  I rarely went downstairs for anything.  Dulce was a huge help during this time!  She would carry things downstairs to Johnnie from me, and bring things upstairs to me from Johnnie.  For example I would send my empty water bottle downstairs with Dulce, Johnnie would fill it up, and Dulce would bring it back up to me.  She also carried things like packs of diapers, bags of wipes, baby things, snacks that were packaged or in ziplock bags, mail, etc.  Some of those things were pretty heavy but she managed to always get them up the stairs to me!

Dulce is still a big help around the house, like an extra set of hands at times.  If I drop anything, Dulce picks it up for me.  This is particularly useful when I'm holding Cameron or nursing her and can't bend down to get it myself.  Dulce also keeps all the drawers and cabinets closed in the kitchen.  If something is open, she'll push it shut!  The cutest thing (though but not particularly helpful) is that Dulce searches out pacifiers and the suction bulb and brings them to me when Cameron is fussy!  She has learned how to get these things off the top of the dresser, off of my nightstand, and wherever else they may be.  It's so sweet and amazing that she knows to bring a pacifier when Cameron cries, but I can't exactly use it once it's been in her mouth.  I suppose it's the thought that counts :)

When we first brought Cameron home, Dulce got anxious and whined whenever Cam cried but she grew accustomed to it after a couple weeks. The first sign of acceptance was when Dulce offered her rawhide bone to Cameron when she was napping in her bassinet on the floor next to me. Cameron wasn't interested so Dulce took it back and chewed on it herself. It was still a sweet gesture :)

Dulce is a cuddly lap dog so she does get a little jealous at times when the Cameron is being held.  She used to try to join Cam on our laps but now she waits until our laps are empty so she can get our full attention.  Smart dog :)  Unfortunately, Dulce hasn't been getting the same amount of cuddle time and attention as she used to so there are times that she gets very needy, clingy, and whiny.  I try to give her extra loving when I can.

Dulce is very curious about Cameron and the things we do to her.  If we do anything at her eye level, she is right beside us sniffing and watching carefully.  The first time I gave Cameron a bath, Dulce went crazy whining, barking, and pulling at things; obviously upset that the baby was in the water.  Now she watches calmly, maybe understanding that the baby is not being harmed.

Dulce checks on Cameron often when she's in her crib, especially if she hears her making noises.

Dulce often plays with her toys beside Cameron when she's on the floor. She'll offer them to Cameron once in a while and seems disappointed that Cam won't take them.  Soon enough, Dulce, soon enough! Cameron really seems to enjoy watching Dulce whenever she is near.

These two are going to be the best of friends :)

*******

"A dog naps so much because it loves so hard!"

~Anonymous

Happy Veterans Day!

THANK YOU to all those who serve and have served in the United States military!  

Especially to those I have the privilege of knowing personally through all our past assignments and to those who surround me here now.

And most of all, to the amazing man I'm so proud to be married to!  Happy Veterans Day!

*******

There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.

~John 15:13

Family Friday: 2 Months Old

9 Weeks Old

Cameron had her 2 month wellness check-up today.  She now weighs 9lbs 2oz (a 3lb 5oz increase since birth) and is now 21 inches long (a 3 inch increase since birth).  She got four vaccinations today!  One was a liquid done orally, the other three were shots in her thighs.  The doctor had me hold her arms but she stiffened them so tightly against her body that they weren't going anywhere regardless.  Her whole face turned purple in one of those "silent screams" and then she wailed for about two minutes before falling asleep!

It's hard to believe that Cameron is already 2 months old!  She has changed so much already although I know it's nothing compared to the changes that are still yet to come this year.

Cameron is very aware of everything her now and turns her head to look around, especially towards sounds and moving objects.  She maintains eye contact with me now during feedings, changings, and baths.  She is gaining good control of her neck, holding it steady when we hold her upright and lifting her head high if she's on her tummy.  She has also increased her "vocabulary" from cries and squawks to include sweet coos and gurgles.

Her schedule (on most days) is really good and allows me to get a lot more accomplished.  After every feeding during the day, she has active awake time for about 45 minutes.  During this time she lays on a quilt on the floor and has a great time kicking her legs, stretching her arms, and looking around.

The Boppy Tummy Time Pillow really helps her lay comfortably on her belly.  Just look at that height... and that drool!  Dulce is doing her usual sniff check of her baby sister :)

After her active awake time, Cameron is always ready for a nap and usually falls asleep without a fuss.  She naps either in her crib upstairs or in her swing downstairs.

Cameron almost always goes 4 hours between feedings during the day.  In the evenings, she eats her last two meals only 2 hours apart, fueling up for the night.  At night she does a 6-hour stretch, a feeding, and then a 4-hour stretch.  She currently sleeps in a Summer Infant By Your Side Sleeper bassinet on our bed.  I'll keep her there for another month or two, or until she starts sleeping through the night.  It's so convenient not having to get out of bed for that nightly feeding, or to reach a hand in to comfort her if needed.  However, if Johnnie wasn't deployed, I would transition her much sooner so that we could have our bed to ourselves again :)

*******

“I don't remember who said this, but there really are places in

the heart you don't even know exist until you love a child.” 

~Anne Lamott

Deployment Begins

Deployments are part of the military lifestyle.  They are expected but that doesn't make them easy.  This is Johnnie's fourth deployment but it's the first since we've been married.  He's been gone a LOT on work trips and "temporary deployments" throughout our marriage but this will be the longest continuous stretch of time that we'll be apart.

While I miss him every day with every beat of my heart, I know that life can't be put on hold while he's gone.  There will certainly be times when I'll need to curl up and cry for a while, but otherwise I'll stay busy with everyday life and focused on the good things such as getting phone calls from him and having extra space in the bathroom.  Yes Johnnie, the entire double sink is now mine ;)

Being a military wife is not easily understood by others, especially how we handle the long trips and deployments.  The author of the blog They Call Me Dependent wrote an amazing post that explains it perfectly:  Confessions of a Milspouse, I love my husband more than you love yours.

And our deployment begins...

A couple nights before Johnnie left, we had a much needed date night.  His parents and sister watched Cameron and we headed down to Duke's in Waikiki.  We had a great dinner complete with a bottle of wine and a serenade of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by a musical ukulele trio.  Afterwards we walked down the street, marveling at all of the tourists, and finished the night at a little coffee shop.  It was great just focusing on the two of us and enjoying time alone together.

Johnnie's plane left in the evening so we had all day together to finish packing and simply enjoy each other's company.  Johnnie had two very heavy bags packed full.  He did well, as I'm sure I would've had at least four packed myself :)

Because of the USO, Cameron and I were able to get gate passes so that we could go through security and wait at the gate with Johnnie until he boarded the plane.  I am so thankful that we could do this.  It allows for more closure than would simply dropping him off on the curb at check-in.

We got to the airport with plenty of time to spare so we got some lattes and baked goods from Starbucks and sat in seats by the window at the gate.

We smiled and took some photos but this was a no-makeup kind of day for a reason.  I knew the tears would eventually fall like rain.

The setting sun was a sign that our time together was getting short.  Boarding was about to start when Johnnie was called back to baggage security because of an inspection issue with a locked piece of luggage.  I stayed at the gate, thinking it wouldn't take long but unfortunately it did.  Everyone at the gate started boarding the plane until I sat alone crying amidst the empty seats in the terminal.  I was so upset that our final time together was cut short.  When Johnnie finally returned, I threw myself in his arms for our final hugs, kisses, and I love you's before watching him disappear down the jetway, being the last person to board the plane.  Saying good-bye is one of the hardest parts of a deployment.

I stood by the window, holding Cameron, sobbing until the plane pulled away.  We stayed and watched a few planes take off, imagining that one of them was the one that Johnnie was on.  We went home and spent a couple days in our pajamas, adjusting mentally to this change, before continuing on with life.  I'll stay busy raising Cameron and Dulce, taking care of our home, working on my many projects, and putting effort every day into letting Johnnie know how much we love him and miss him.

*******

"Close your eyes and I'll kiss you

Tomorrow I'll miss you

Remember I'll always be true

And then while I'm away

I'll write home every day

And I'll send all my loving to you."

~The Beatles

Family Friday: Nov 2

8 Weeks Old

At the end of Cameron's 8 week photo session, I added the card and money and snapped this photo with my iPhone to send to Great-Grandma "Boppy" as a thank you for sending the card.  I ended up liking this photo better than all the others because she looks so happy :)

This week was Cameron's first holiday... Halloween!  I grew up in a rural area where you had to drive to other houses to Trick or Treat and you needed a costume that you could fit over warm clothes.  Here in Hawaii, it is warm at night so all of the neighbors sat on patio furniture in their driveways and handed out candy to the constant parade of kids (and some parents) dressed up going from house to house.  The whole neighborhood is quite large so we saw almost 200 kids!  The older kids who had traveled the entire neighborhood had a huge sacks of candy.  Next year we'll be dressing up and decorating more now that we know how festive the evening is!

I didn't see the point of buying Cameron a Halloween costume this year since we never left the driveway so we wrapped her in a white swaddle blanket, put on a white hat, and called her a ghost :)  Dulce put on her Seattle Mariners jersey for the occasion.  She got tons of pats and hugs from all the trick-or-treaters.  I love that strange kids can come up to her and hug her head and all she does is sniff them... she is such a good dog!

This week Cameron had a growth spurt.  Babies typically experience a growth spurt between 6 and 8 weeks so Cameron is right on schedule!  She had all of the signs of a growth spurt according to www.parents.com:

1. She wants to nurse nonstop.  Eating more often during the day and waking often to eat at night.
2. She's fussier than usual. Harder to soothe and fussy while breastfeeding latching and unlatching because she wants more milk right now.
3. She suddenly hibernates. Following a growth spurt she'll sleep more soundly and more often. It's thought that is when growth occurs.

Cameron had a couple days of eating more frequently which peaked on Sunday night.  She was super fussy, wouldn't sleep, and nursed every hour from 8:30pm to 2:30am.  It was completely exhausting and frustrating.  However, Cam has more than made up for it.  Every night since then, she has been sleeping for 6 hours straight!  During the day she is now going exactly 4 hours between feedings.  This schedule certainly makes life a little easier :)

We've been trying to take a photo a day for daddy.  I upload the photos to a photo stream on our iCloud and he can instantly see them on the other side of the world... how great is that?  Here are a few from this week:

All dressed up for church on Sunday.  We stopped at Starbucks afterwards.  I'm in love with the new peppermint mochas (soy decaf of course)!

Cameron has become a lot more alert in the past couple weeks.  She stares at things and tries to reach out for them but she still has very little coordination.  You can see in this photo that she is losing the hair on the front top of her head!  I wonder if it will still be brown when it grows back in?

We took Dulce to the dog park where she played with some new Chihuahua friends.  Cameron was unimpressed.  This was our goofy photo of the week :)

We went to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet on Wednesday which is a great place for cheap Hawaiian souvenirs.  Cameron slept in the Ergo carrier the entire time.  Don't worry... except to take this photo, I kept her head covered and we stayed in the shade :)

I went running this week!  The last time I went jogging was in July and that was just around the little park next to our house.  This was the first real, out-of-the-neighborhood, going-for-multiple-miles run that I've done in six months!  Dulce and I went 3.25 miles over to the Pearl Harbor channel and back.  Dulce loved it and did better than I did.  My legs and breathing felt great the whole time but my heart rate was so high (despite jogging slowly) that I had to walk at times just to bring it down.  Johnnie's parents are here for another week so I'm excited to get a few more baby-free runs in before they leave.

*******

"I did so many things, where do I start?

Gonna tell you everything and not leave out a single part.

D-A-D-D-Y, oh how I love ya 

Oh how I love ya, Daddy-O"

~Frances England