Doctor Update

Rodney Jr. and Tristan both saw the dr today. They are both doing well. Rodney Jr. is 32lbs and is 39.5 inches tall. I asked about him being scared about EVERYTHING and she seems to think that it's just a stage that he's going through and should grow out of it. He does NOT show signs of Autism so, we're good there!
Tristan weighs 19lbs and I totally did not pay attention to how long he is. He has every motor skill that he's supposed to have at 6 months old. She is re-entering the consult for Urology so that I can try to get him in there BEFORE August or September.
Thank goodness for two healthy boys!!!

A Busy Saturday Morning

We had a busy morning today. I woke up with the kids at 7am and Rodney came down soon after me. We fed the kids breakfast, Rodney fed me a weight loss pill, and then we headed over to the parking lot across the street to try out Rodney Jr's new big boy bike. He didn't do too well. He couldn't get the concept of pedaling forwards instead of backwards. So, we took the bike and the quad back to the house and brought over the scooter and tricycle and then let them play on the playground for awhile. We lasted about 2 hours at the park and then headed home in the rain. We stopped at a garage sale that Rodney's friend was having and chatted for a while until the rain stopped.
We headed back to the house, got the kids in bed for their naps, and then Rodney sent me out to the store to get some ingredients for tomorrow nights dinner. On the way, the people having the garage sale put out a few more things that caught my eye. I asked them to put aside a walker for me and then I headed out to get some cash. By this point, I was wired from the weight loss pill and it kept running through my mind that I should have asked them to put aside a bouncy thing along with the walker. I rushed back only to find that they put the bouncy thing on hold for someone else for only $5!!! I was so upset over this thing it was crazy. I blame it on the pill! I went to the store and an hour later got back to find the bouncy thing still sitting there. I pulled in their driveway and begged them to sell it to me for $10. They agreed so I left my car in the driveway, picked up the toy and high tailed it to my garage. (I came back for the car later). In all my excitement, I pulled in to the driveway, grabbed my groceries and started to head up my stairs, only, they weren't my stairs!! I pulled in to the wrong house! A woman that I know from one of my groups saw me and couldn't help but laugh. She promised that she wasn't going to tell anyone what I did but, here I am, telling on myself! I put the groceries back in the car and headed to the RIGHT driveway and noticed that the people who wanted the bouncy thing were back to pick it up. I RAN into the house and closed the door, started to tell Rodney what happened and seconds later, there was a knock at the door. I was sure it was the lady wanting her toy back so I was too scared to open it. It was only Rodney's friend coming to tease me about 'stealing' it. It was all worth the hustle and bustle because Tristan had fun in it for about an hour!

This is the first time in the swing for Tristan.


Rodney Jr.'s new shoes. I had to buy closed toe shoes so he could go to daycare ONE time!

All tired out.

Rodney getting in on the fun.

Tatum was all tired out and wet from the rain.
Rodney Jr. wanted to take a nap while we waited out the rain.
Tristan's new bouncy thing. (Yes, we have this same toy back in the states but it would have cost a LOT more than $10 to send it here!!)
Yes, you are looking at ants on my bathroom wall....
They started to come out of our fan in the bathrooms upstairs and no matter how many I killed, they just kept on coming out. So, we called the 'ant guy' to come and get rid of them. He put bait on the wall which drew them all out. (What you're seeing now). At night, we watched them all go into the fan together. I guess they have a bedtime too! We haven't seen any since. (YEY 'ANT GUY!!' THANK YOU!!!)

Love Food??

I thought I was in love with food! Take caution in viewing this while hungry!!!

http://www.thefoodpornographer.com/

They Make Me Laugh!

Yesterday Rodney's friend came over the house and while Rodney and I were in the kitchen, Rodney Jr. runs in and says.. "Mommy, Daddy, Mr. Tony is stuck in the cage!!!" This is what we found....
Last night, as Rodney was making dinner, Rodney Jr. asked "Daddy, why are you cooking again?" And Rodney replied "Cause that's what Daddy's do. Daddy's cook." Then Rodney Jr. said "Restaurants cook, Daddy!". haha. When he said this I'm sure he was referring to his favorite restaurant "HotDonalds". He's MY son!!! :c)

He's SO DARN CUTE!!!

Not that my other kids aren't cute, but there's something so easy about taking pictures of Tristan. Everyday he seems to be getting bigger and learning to do something new. I quite often have to save the dog water from baby boy!! haha. Here's some of his cuteness...

Interesting!!!

So, I was blog surfing yet again tonight... sometimes I'm just THAT bored. OK, so maybe its becoming an addiction.. Anyways, I found this link on someones blog and had to check it out. It's pretty funny that people actually do this! I've heard of Craigslist and I've been on it a few times to look for baby stuff but, never went into it to search for enough stuff to find things such as these... take a look for a laugh!

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/all

Navy Wive's Instruction Book

I stole this off of another blog when I was 'blog surfing'. (I get bored sometimes.) Some I agree with so, I thought I would share....

The Navy Wive's Instruction Book

1. The marriage is the center of the military family's happiness. Put each other first.

2. Send a care package with a sweatshirt, a pillowcase or a bath towel that smells like home not lube oil.

3. Plant tulip bulbs, hydrangea bushes and tomato plants even if you are scheduled to move before they bloom or ripen. The neighbors will never forget you and the new tenant will bless you always.

4. Get a smallish dog.

5. Don't discuss your husband's career. Your friends don't care. Your enemies don't believe you. Your shipmates know better.

6. When your spouse gets orders to another state, move there.

7. Take the kids to visit the in-laws even if your spouse can't go. It's the right thing to do.

8. Live in housing at least once.

9. Know the difference between neighbors, friends and shipmates. Share accordingly.

10. Never miss a family wedding or funeral. If you don't take your place in the extended family, you will lose it.

11. Don't watch the ship leave.

12. Never miss the ship's return.

13. When you move, leave a fresh box of Popsicles in the freezer for the new kids on the block.

14. Know the mailing address of your spouse's ship, which department he works in, the name of his boss and at least three phone numbers where he can be reached.

15. Don't call your husband at work unless he owns the phone he will be talking on.

16. Don't make a senior in high school move. By the time they are 17, these kids have given enough of their lives to the military.

17. Attend some of the balls, most of the Hails and Farewells, none of the business meetings and all of the retirement and Change of Command ceremonies.

18. Find out what an Ombudsman does.

19. Visit the ship in a foreign port during deployment -- without your children. I promise your plane will not go down.

20. When they play the national anthem and raise the flag, stand and cover your heart with your hand. Your children are watching.

21. Find a home church and attend it regularly. God is strictly a necessity.

22. Arrange your photo albums by address, not date. It makes pictures and memories easier to retrieve.

23. You are the interpreter of your husband's absence. If you remind your children that Daddy misses them too, they will believe you.

24. Live overseas at least once. Coming back to Wal-mart is as big an experience as doing without it.

25. Eight hours is not too far to drive for your child's play date. Bestfriendships don't happen every day. Not even to kids.

26. Don't make friends with other men, especially when the ship is at sea.

27. Don't lose yourself in your husband's identity. Explore your own interests, your own ideas, and your own opportunities. Become more than the sum of your parts.

28. Visit your own family during the deployment. Your parents will enjoy a few days of having their baby girl (and her kids) all to themselves.

29. Develop job skills that can be adapted everywhere.

30. Park in the back of the commissary lot. Make those mommies and retirees feel lucky today.

31. Register to vote. Vote often. Write your congressman.

32. Learn to sew well enough that you can remake curtains every time you move.

33. Always feed the movers. Think of something besides pizza.

34. Keep a list in the back of your address book of every house you have ever lived in, the dates and the corresponding phone numbers so you are prepared for that background check someday.

35. Eat a meal together every day -- even if it is only oatmeal or dessert. Shared meals are the essence of strong families.

36. Know that when you have the least to give, your children will need you most.

37. Engender the Navy Wife Motto: Semper Gumby: Always flexible.

38. Be brave.

Fun in the Sun

On Friday I decided to hook up the water toys and take the kids outside for some fun in the sun. I didn't think that Tristan would like it as much as he did but he kicked and splashed and giggled the whole time. I didn't put any sunscreen on him since I didn't think he would last long but, 20 minutes later I decided to pull him out of the sun so that he didn't get burned. It was hard for me to take pictures because water was going everywhere and if I stepped in the wrong spot my camera was going to get drenched!
I was hoping to get them to the beach today to take some good pics but its dark and rainy and I even hear thunder. (We don't get to hear thunder much here. I think maybe I've heard it about 4 times since we've been here.) I guess it's the start of the rainy season because it's been raining a lot more. We're starting to get the ants really bad again. They come in our air vents in the upstairs bathroom when it rains. Great! They've been stripping all the roofs on the units and I guess repainting them so, I'm hoping when they get to ours it gets rid of some of the ants up there. I feel bombarded with ants. And, if anyone has any advice on getting rid of cabinet bugs that would be great! I have everything in big Tupperware containers but they still managed to get into our white rice. (This made me very mad because we have become quite the rice eating family.)
We're all doing good. Tatum is still refusing to go potty on the potty. Despite my bribery of panties, she'll put them on and then 20 minutes later, she'll soil them. Rodney Jr. has started to tell Rodney that "He is the best cook ever!". Of course, this pleases Rodney to no end because he's very proud of his cooking skills! Rodney's knee is still as big as a balloon! Everyone tells him that he shouldn't have swelling that bad anymore but, there's nothing he can do about it. He's off of his leg as much as possible and still, it doesn't help. He'll see the dr again on July 3 but meanwhile, the physical therapy seems to be going fine. He's anxious about getting back to the boat and getting his job back and he's heartbroken that he won't be back in time to go to Hong Kong. Poor guy has only been able to go to Saipan since he's been here. (Saipan is another Guam). I myself have been watching what I've been eating all week and instead of losing some weight, I've gained 7 pounds!! I haven't been going to the gym because of car purposes (Rodney is using mine for now), but, still, I would think watching what I ate would not make me GAIN weight! I have a dr appointment on the 25th to check on bloodwork and to get anymore ideas of why I may not be feeling great, maybe she'll give me some input on losing some weight. Oh how I wish I could afford to be on Jenny Craig! YUM! :c)
Enjoy the pics!!

Doesn't Tristan look so cute in his little speedo??
This is fun mom!!
Rodney and Tatum getting in on the action.
They had to wear their water shoes because our grass hurts to walk on!
Just a picture of Tatum in her Steelers hat.

Just a Peek

Here's a sneek peak at my current naked baby project. I had to stop taking pictures because my battery died and Tristan was getting sleepy. I'll pick it up again later when I have Rodney Jr. awake to make Tristan laugh. My lighting is all messed up because my 'usual' spot is taken up by the big play bus now. I can't wait until I have a real studio to do these shots. Until then, I think my fav pictures are going to be natural lighting.

hi everyone!!
Go ahead, try not to smile!!
Gotta have mommy's keys to keep me awake!

New Feature

Since I'm horrible about remembering to update you on new blog updates, I have decided to add a new feature that allows you to subscribe to the blog. Anytime I post something new, it will email you to let you know. Look for this feature in the right column, put in your email address and .... wallah!

Driving the Truck

Tonight Rodney went to see the Incredible Hulk with his friends and then go to a going away party. So, I decided to give the kids a quick dinner.. (hot dogs), and then take them out to drive the monster truck before their bath. Rodney Jr. is so funny because no matter how many times he drives that truck, he's such a sissy when he first gets in it. I know, that's probably mean of me to say since I'm his mom but, he really is! He gets so nervous to push the petal so it's just multiple moments of stopping and going and forget about turning the wheel! So, getting across the street safely with crazy Finn in one hand and pushing the stroller in the other hand, was not an easy feat. But, once we got into the parking lot and he got the nervousness out of him he screamed with such delight, "THIS IS FUN!!!" So, they enjoyed themselves for about 45 minutes, driving in a circle and 'watching out for the van'. haha.

Nothing else has been going on recently. I haven't seen any of my friends since Rodney Jr.'s party because I don't have much time to do anything since I'm driving Rodney around to all his dr's appointments and now to work again. But, I'm enjoying what time I have left with Rodney being around all the time. (and getting the house cleaned!) :c)

Such a pretty girl!
Finn
Tristans adorable grin

Baby Boy
WooHoo!
Having fun!
This is the greatest! Rodney has such a devious look on his face and Tatum looks scared to death!

Growing Up So Fast....

As I was watching Tristan playing on the floor today, it hit me how fast the kids are growing up. I can hardly believe that I am a mom of a 4 year old, that Tatum was my baby just a year ago, and that Tristan is days away from starting to crawl. How is it that the first 20 years of my life seemed to drag on and on and yet the last 6 years of my life have flown by? Rodney doesn't seem to share my amazement at this, he feels time is going by at a good pace but it scares me just a little. I want my baby to stay a baby!! I know, parents of mine, you must be laughing at this right now because I can only imagine what you feel. You have known this fact for quite some time now but it's just now become a reality to me. Its hard to be so conflicted with wanting time to both stand still and for the next two years to fly by.... Well, here are some videos of what got me thinking today. Hope you cherish them as much as I do!

Tristan's Surgery

No real news to report on Tristan's surgery. Only that, I called to schedule his second consult and they refused me at this time. The Dr that everyone has spoken so highly of is PCS'ing. That means, he has new orders somewhere else and he has one foot out the door so, he's not taking any new appointments. So, they told me to call back in August and we're looking at maybe a September surgery. You would think that this would make me feel better since he will be older but, to be honest, I just don't want him to go through this at all! If I could avoid it all together, I would...

Happy Birthday Rodney Jr.

It has taken me a few days to post this and finally, I have given up. I planned on posting a lot more pics but everytime I try, the upload gets interrupted and its a big pain in the 'you know what' to keep trying over and over again. So, sorry but, you'll have to check the Picasa album for the rest of the pics.

Rodney Jr. had a great time for his birthday. So many people came which was a complete turn around from last year when we spent his birthday at home with just the 4 of us and a no-bake cheesecake. He had so many presents to open from the guests and from everyone who sent gifts. We also spent $15 on a big inflatable bounce house and we also had a pinata, which you will be able to see in the Picasa pics. I made the cake myself and that is a story all on its own! I finally finished it 20 minutes before the party started. Poor Rodney had to hobble between two bathrooms to give the kids a bath and get them dressed for me. Despite all the stress, it turned out to be a great day for everyone.

Here are some pics of the end of the party. I handed the camera to my 'camera man' Wolf so I could help out with the cake and presents. Sorry I wasn't able to upload some better ones.

What a pair!
Danica playing with the balloons
Flashbacks of his first b-day. I think he's even wearing the same shirt... good job Dad!
He couldn't wait to grab a cupcake!!

Caught in the act!!
Some of the gang... Good cupcake huh Story?
Getting some icing out of Rodney Jr.'s teeth
Looks like Rodney got some black icing..
Phillip playing with the bus

Rodney Jr.'s first big-boy bike
Tony enjoying a cupcake
Oh.. Look what Mommy gets to clean up!!! :c)
A group effort.
I wonder what the secret is??