15 month appointment

Today was Matti's first appointment since Jason got out of the Navy. It took FOREVER!!! lol. I always heard when Jason was in that our wait times were long. We went to Langley AFB & they were always pretty good with seeing us on our appointment time. So we went today. We showed up at 2:30 like we were asked to...our appointment was at 3:00pm. We got called in around 3. The nurse took us to a room where she measured Matti's head, height & weight. After that, she told us to wait in the waiting area for doctor. So we waited....and waited.....and waited. Finally, we were the only ones in the waiting area..and finally we got called in. We got showed to a different room.....and more waiting. Matti was restless & grumpy & cranky & just everything. He wanted to either be held or play with everything in sight. Finally, we saw the doctor, and he was good. :) It felt kinda rushed since I think we were the very last appointment, but he still took the time to play with Matti and get him comfortable. I liked the Dr. but it just felt rushed. Everything was fine & we were given orders to come back on the 18th. Dr. left & the nurse came back for Matti's shot. Just one :) & he took it like a champ! Once that needle was out of his leg, he was fine & trying to figure out what "bit" him lol. We made his next appointment & set it in the morning..I'll see if I still get that "rushed" feeling then.

So beeb boy's stats:

Height: 30 in. (@ his 6 month, 28 in) which puts him in the 10th percentile
Weight: 21.6 lbs (@ 6 month, 19 lbs) which puts him way below..not even in the 3rd percentile. he gained 2 lbs! but he is still so small for his age...he takes after his momma for sure!
Head: 48 cm which puts him in the 75th percentile..lol!! yay! but of course, we knew his head was massive anyway.

He says 7-8 words & signs "more" & "all gone." He has little ways to let us know he needs milk or whatever else. So overall, he's doing great!

a little of everything

Wow...it's been almost 4 months since I have updated this. A lot has changed since my last post. One of the biggest changes is that Jason is home! He came home (along withe the rest of the sailors on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower) on July 30, 2009. It was truly one of the best days of my life! He's been home for 70 days according to my ticker :) & it has been great. I have pictures posted on my Facebook page. Needless to say, homecoming was more than what I anticipated it to be. I spent months & months of trying to picture it in my head & it was just unreal. I am so glad we were able to have the experience of a deployment & homecoming. I had a photographer through Operation: Love Reunited & he was just amazing! I'm glad that it was documented in pictures & I love looking back on them. Matti went straight to Jason & they have been attached since. Jason was also able to see some of Matti's first few steps...

Here is the link to my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/album.php?aid=136073&id=504482742

Another big change we have in our little family is that Jason is no longer in the Navy! Shortly after homecoming, he was out of the Navy. It was scary at first but all our trust was put on Him & He has plans for us. We have moved out of our house in Virginia & we are in the process of putting it on the market. We pray that it sells fast! We are currently (temporarily) living at my parents' house & it's a little hectic, but hopefully the house sells soon so we can move out & give my parents their space back. & so we can have our own lol. Jason is in the process of getting a job & hopefully in a few weeks or so, I'll post good news about that. Prayers, please! Jason hasn't worked in the last 70 days, and has been home with Matthias & myself that whole time period. & we don't get tired of each other. We don't have a routine, we don't know what we're doing for the day or in the next hour, we just take things as they come along. It's great! We're enjoying this time together because we'll never have this much time together in a very long time. Retirement? lol.

Matthias is going on 16 months on the 22nd. Our boy is just wonderful. What a blessing he is! He's a full on walking, running, dancing, getting into everything, screaming, crazy & goofy little toddler. How & when did he get to be such a big boy?! We love every minute with him even though at times it's tiring because he screams & just wants to be held, but it's worth it. We love just sitting back & watching him walk around & play because he is so funny! He says "naoh" for no & shakes his head when he doesn't want something. He knows how to ask for milk & how to sign "more." He says "bye" & waves. When the phone rings, he puts his hand to his ear & says "hao" for hello. Or if you say hi or hello to him, he will put his hand to his ear...haha. He dances...aka marches. Says mama & likes to call out DAT! for "dad." It's hard for others to see just how much he knows because we're with him all the time so WE know what he asks for or what certain things mean. Like running to the refrigerator or putting his palm out with an outstretched arm towards the fridge means he needs a drink. If you ask "do you want a cracker?" he'll smile because he's saying yes. He also puts both palms up & moves them side to side to say "all gone/done" when he eats. Gives my mom flying kisses *she is STILL the favorite in this house* Oh he likes to hide & jump up & say "baaah!!!" instead of "boo" & plays peek-a-boo lol. Baaahhh is totally my fault because I used to say that instead of boo lol. He loves playing drums, piano & guitar. He brings me his books when he wants to read & says "vroom" when he sees a picture of a car & does the phone gesture when he sees a phone. He loved finger painting & drawing on his pad of paper. He can even hold a pen/crayon/pencil the proper way & "writes." He is definitely a water baby--loves the pool & bath time. He is quite the character & such a smart little boy. He is tiny as ever, though. Still 20-21 lbs..he takes after his mama, but hopefully not too much. He's definitely started having tantrums & hits when he's mad, sometimes he bites (usually it's me), he has started to bang his head on the floor & wall when he's upset & does a great job & fake crying. The kid could be an actor, I swear! I think I can go on & on about him, but I'll cut it short.

As for Jaces, we are doing great. I love having help around...I haven't had to put Matti in his car seat since he's been home. LOL. Matti is still rear facing so it gets challenging when I have to lift him in there haha. We've been attending the Families in Christ Jesus (FCJ) Life in Christ Series (LCS) every Saturday and we love it. & everyone always comments about how we've been spoonfed the material & if we're learning everything new, but we are. I know the talks are similar to the youth & yea Jason & I used to be so active in the youth group & even gave the talks ourselves, but it's different because we're at a different stage in our life now. We have a family & we're "old" but not lol...and we get something out of it each week. We didn't have anything like this while we were in Virginia, so we are really excited to have this now. So yea! As a family we've been going on walks/runs & riding our bikes. I'm out of shape again. I haven't touch the Wii Fit since Jason's been back & I really should, but Jason & I are on the same page with this fitness thing. We have P90x & hopefully we'll start that soon. Jason loves being home & working on our cars. He says it feels good to change our car's oil, wash them & take care of them. It's always something new when it comes to maintenance. As for me, I have been cooking more (finally!) again. I'm trying out new recipes & so far so good. I love cooking for Jason & even more when he loves what I've made. I even baked (gasp!) because that's some I NEVER do. I made Pianono Roll (Filipino cake roll). I'm also trying out more crockpot recipes...hello!? it couldn't be any easier! So I'll leave with the recipe I just tried that I got from a military wife site I'm on..

3 envelope chicken

Need:
boneless chicken (frozen or thawed, I used a pack)
1 packet of Ranch dressing
1 packet of Italian dressing
1 packet of chicken gravy
1 cup of water

Directions:
1. Place chicken in crockpot
2. Mix all three packets in 1 cup of water
3. Pour over chicken
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
5. Get your eat on!

*halfway through, I flipped the chicken--you don't have to. & I tasted the gravy/sauce & added more water cause I didn't want it too salty--optional, again.*

We put the sauce over our rice but you can put it over mashed potatoes too.

3 weeks in

I think the Wii Fit is told me I'm on day 24 so that's a little past the three week mark. So two weeks ago, I put on this shirt. I've had this shirt forever, but I stopped wearing it cause of my jiggly overflow. I put it on two weeks ago & was making sure I looked okay. When I turned to the side, I had to do a double take. No jiggly! & I was curvy. So, a week ago, I decided to wear that shirt again & I saw my sister in law. Again, I was LOVING the shirt. She actually commented that I looked good & that the Wii Fit was working. I was surprised she saw what I saw too but I blamed it on the shirt haha. I've continued the Wii Fit this week (kinda slacked last week cause AF came to visit lol) and I am trying to run 3 days a week. I found this: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml and I'm going to try that out. My brother in law & his wife got two jogging strollers (wifey is about 7 months pregnant right now) so they gave one to us. So, I have to put it to good use & I am quite excited that I don't have to do it while Matti is napping. So we'll see how that goes. Jason just hit up a port not too long ago & he was telling me about the water park he went to. It sounds amazing..I wish I could've gone. Water parks are the best! I hope we can go the Water Country USA when he gets back & use our annual free tickets =) Matti is awake now so I must fulfill my mommy duties!

get Fit!

I ran I think 2 days after that last post & that was my last run. :( boo. To make up for it, Jason got me an early birthday present: Wii Fit. I've been doing that daily..or every other day. & I use it for a whole hour. The yoga, strength exercises, and the aerobics. I don't really do the balance games since they are more for fun & to try with friends. I like it. It tracks my weight which upsets me cause it goes down which I don't want it to do & then it goes back up like 4 days later. I do feel a lot better since I've started using it daily. The strength exercises are my favorite! It has me doing lunges, rowing squats, push ups & side planks. It works my arms & legs out which is what I like. There are also plank exercises & I can hold myself up for 50 seconds or so. I've never gone into a gym to work out--I don't like people watching or seeing me while I work out. LOL..so even the running outside, I was worried someone was home & peeking out of their window. So, this is a good alternative. It probably will be "easy" for those that do work out though, but hey...I'm not one of those people. I just want to tone up some & I think it is helping. I definitely feel it in my legs & arms. &after an hour of this stuff, I am sweating...it's gross. I want to get back into running, but now it's so freaking hot...I really want a tread mill. Matti & I have been slacking on the walks too & those need to start back up. For real. But really, if I am sweating then that means that I'm working myself enough lol. Right?

Onto other things. It's June!! Actually, it's my birthday today--23. Woohoo! I was never a big one to celebrate birthdays...and this year I really am no into it at all. Probably cause I hate celebrating things without Jason. Marisa talked me into having dinner with friends though so that will be happening. In 20 days, Matti will be a year old. OMG. :( *side note: I need to make his appt* & that's enough of that...& it will be Xa's bday too! woot woot! & the best thing of all, since it's June, Jason will be home sooooooooooooooon! :) I am so excited! *I need to find a homecoming dress* So yea, people say life is a roller coaster. Mine about a week and a half ago was at the very bottom of a drop...and it's on it's way up again!

peace out & apple sauce!

soo..

i ran today. I'm trying to get myself moving. Watching Fit tv makes me laugh & I feel goofy trying to do it with them. So, I decided to run again. I used to do it before I got married so I've decided to start back up. My goal is to be outside for an hour. Running for 30 mins for now. I started today & since I'm so out of shape, I was only out there for 30 mins. I didn't want to push myself, I've done it before bike riding with Jake & I passed out. I didn't want that to happen again. I ran for 10 minutes of the 30 minutes. Lame, I know. & part of it is because I walk the first & last five minutes...supposedly better? So hopefully the running number will go up while the walking goes down. & once I get that, I'll move onto the hour :) Also, I still want to go on walks with Matti in the evenings. I chose day runs because I feel self-concious about people seeing me run/work out & most of the people are at work. I saw another lady running at the end of mine haha. So yea..I hope to keep this up. I'm glad I pushed myself to go outside today..I kept trying to make excuses, but I made myself do it. :)

livin' on a prayer

Hello world...

I'm sitting here on another gloomy day eating some ampalaya w/ egg & tomatoes & pork with my rice...hehe. Yummy. Matthias is taking his first nap for the day. Hmm...so it's May! Our 3 year anniversary is on the 20th...woohoo! & it's the second anniversary that he's been gone for. My birthday is in less than a month & Matti's is in more than a month ;) haha. It's exciting, but it's also sad for me. I can't believe our baby will be a year old already :( Can't he stay my baby forever? I have everyone asking me left & right, "What are we doing for Matti's birthday?" I have nothing planned & I don't want to plan anything until Jason gets back. I don't care that it won't be his "real" birthday but more than anything, I want Jason to celebrate it with us. I'll probably get Matti a cupcake or an oversized cupcake & let him destroy it. Have the families over, but nothing big. He has a big boy sippy cup now WITH a straw, I should add. He climbed up the stairs yesterday so we had to bring the baby gate out. Too fast too fast! Really though, I am happy that he's growing up & learning all these new things, it's just really crazy how fast time goes. Everyone told me that before & now, I say it so much. I love the laughs he gives me everyday though...he keeps me sane.

I've been doing pretty good lately..so far. I think that I've been handling this deployment extremely well. Better than I thought I would. I haven't cried since that one month mark when I had my little melt down. We still don't have a date as of now, but it seems sooo close. I drifted off to sleep the other night dreaming of homecoming. Of me & Matti picking Jason up & just trying to imagine his face when he sees us....when he sees Matti. I think more than anything, that is what will make me cry on homecoming. Seeing my boys together again. I keep telling myself, "Don't get so excited about the time that has passed because you'll jinx it & then time will slow down." haha..but my goodness, time has gone fast! & I really pray that it continues to keep going at this pace, if not, faster. I hope that it's the same for Jason's side. Recently, I've been finding myself staring at pictures of Jason. It's been so long since I've seen his face (minus webcamming a month ago) that I feel like I've forgotten every detail that I once knew. So, I study his pictures...it's weird. I probably sound crazy. I just miss him & on calendar, it looks like the days will just fly by. I hope that's the case. I still need to work out like I wanted to & get in shape. I have my goals that I want to get done by the time he is back. He just emailed me :) ...I'm glad that Jason is always right...I'm stronger than I think & I'm slowly realizing that as each day passes.

here's the rundown

Matthias is asleep so I have a little bit of time to update this. So here goes...

Jason:
I can't speak for him, but he is doing fine. He is still gone & he finished his class that he's been taking while deployed. He is debating whether he should take another one or not--I'm encouraging him to do so, but it's all up to him. He's been sending us videos of himself reading books to Matti through the United Through Reading Program they have. It helps both me & Matti since we can "see" daddy. I know he misses us terribly. He is just trying to do what he needs to in order to get through the day. He's been to France & Dubai already. He didn't really get to see much of France because of the bad weather, but he was able to get off the ship in Dubai. He did a sunset safari tour & rode a camel & all that fun stuff. :)

Me:
I just finished my program & I'm preparing myself to take the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board). & that's just that---to be certified, haha. I have to go over some laws & math problems & I should be okay. I'm teaching myself how to play the guitar & I've got one song down :) My day consists of playing guitar & taking care of Matti. I'm looking into taking a few classes (dance/workout) soon to help pass the time, but I'm having a hard time finding ones that look interesting--the area I'm at isn't very big. I'm getting through the days okay, but I have days like today that just knock me down. There's rumors going around & I'm just waiting to hear on the confirm/deny on that. It's just that we have things planned--thing with family--for when he's supposed to be home & he might miss out...so that's really upsetting. The weather is getting warmer & I make sure me & Matti are outside for at least an hour when those days are around. I've set a few goals for myself while Jason is gone & I'm trying so hard to get to reach them.

Matthias:
He is just amazing. He continues to amaze me everyday. He is growing up & he is starting to rebel against me already. If I tell him no, he will yell back at me or do this fake cry. He started crawling a month ago? So he is everywhere!! He likes to pull up & just stand alll the time. & a lot of times, he tries to let go & try to balance himself. He got his first tooth back in February & his second, two weeks after that. So he likes to bite when he's not allowed to do something---& it hurts! He's still a very happy baby who brings me so many smiles throughout the day. His personality comes through more & more everyday. He is just as goofy as Jason & myself...and I love it. I cannot wait for Jason & him to be together again....He started saying mama in January & still won't say dada. He'll say baba, nana, mama, lala, but he won't say DADA! I have a few months to work on that & on his walking. I hope he is doing it by the time Jason gets back. He doesn't like the sippy very much & would rather drink from a regular cup lol. His eczema is under control & it doesn't look so bad. He just got up from his nap & soon he'll be calling for me so I can go make his bottle.

Teddi:
Yes, I give updates on our dog. He is still crazy, but I love him! He barks at everything that moves outside & it gets tiring, but he is the best buddy to Matti. He lets me know if Matti is crying & I am away. Or if I'm holding Matti & he starts crying, Teddi will come to me to make sure he is okay. When Matti is napping, Teddi will nap near him. He likes to give Matti kisses but my mom doesn't like that very much....He is going on 3 years old this July....he'll be legal ;) I still wish I had more time to just cuddle with him & baby him like I used to, but he knows I love him.

Us:
This deployment, although we're only a few months in, has brought us closer to each other. We communicated well before he left, but I think that we're much more open now. I mean since email is pretty much all we have (minus the phone calls every few weeks), we have to be. We've been writing each other stories of our childhood & years we weren't together before we go to bed & it brings us closer together. It's still early into the deployment, but we are kicking it in the bootay! I think that us having God in our relationship really does make everything easier. & I think that him being away, really showed both of us that. We miss each other like crazy, but we are looking forward to the day he comes home.

& I have to cut it short, cause babyboy is calling out for me :)