Popsicle Carnage :)

I went and bought a fun pool for the girls at KMart, how could I not, they were only $20! We have so many fun toys that the afternoons go so quickly with all the excitement to be had. Ella devoured her strawberry popsicle and it was all over her and the table... maybe next time I'll give her grape or orange so it doesn't look so much like a crime scene! :)

Korean Co-Workers

We went into Waikiki to meet some of Ron's former co-workers: Tommy, Susan and Linda. They all worked in Seoul with Ron and are now stationed here, except Tommy who is back in Maryland but visiting on a business trip. I was nice to see Tommy again, we haven't seen him since I'taewon and those infamous nights on the hill... and as some of you know, those could have been any night, on any given weekend in Seoul. :)

Today

I took the girls to Ko Olina today. We spent a couple of hours before lunch there and had a lot of fun. Ted is loving all the activities during the day, when he picks Lahrissa up in the afternoon, she's tired from all the sun, sand, water and adventure. I love that her and Ella are getting on so great. I met another mom with a 14-month old. Actually the babies met, wanting to take each of the others' toys. It's hard to meet people here as everyone is vacationing and the friends I have met are usually leaving soon being part of the military. We chatted a bit about the babies but she seemed a little aloof so we made our way back to our neck of the beach. I give props to men... this whole "Do you come here often?" is really hard!!:)

Yesterday

Bummed

Well, we're totally bummed that Karen and Maddison aren't coming to Hawaii anytime soon. I know they are really disappointed and how do you explain to a 3-year-old with a packed suitcase that "No, we have to go home now." I was looking forward to some quality girlfriend time too, lunches and shopping and beach lounging. :( Karen showed up for the flight that had 50 available seats but because she's not stationed with Robert in Korea, she's not eligible to fly on the free military fights without him. As she's not "overseas" they won't let her take advantage of the MAC flights.

The worst (and dumbest) part of this whole fiasco: they had 50 seats, probably had less than 20 people but still wouldn't let Karen and Maddison catch the flight. That's American bureaucracy for you. We've been waiting since March, what's a few more months?? Robert's home in November, hopefully we'll see them all then.

Fingers Crossed

We have our fingers crossed that Karen and Maddison arrive tomorrow evening sometime. They are catching a flight from McChord Air Base in Seattle but won't know if they can get on until they show up at the base tomorrow afternoon. If the flight is still scheduled and there are seats available, they should be flying into Hickam at Pearl Harbor after dinner sometime. We are so excited! We've been waiting for their visit since March!!! Beaches and lunches and shopping oh my!

Poison Control

Ella is fine... When we baby proofed the house, I wrote the poison control number on a post-it note and made sure it was always on the fridge, just in case. This afternoon, as I was cleaning up from lunch and Ron was in the bedroom sleeping, Ella found the Baby Vaseline and in a matter of a few minutes, managed to have it open and smeared on the floor. (The same floor, I might add, that I just cleaned during my 2 hours of house work.) As evidenced by the Vaseline tub, she only got a few fingers in it but I wasn't sure if she put any in her mouth and ate it. According to the label, I called Poison Control to see if we needed to have Ella checked out.
Ella is fine. Even if she ate half the jar poison control told me, she'd only experience a stomach ache and probably diarrhea which could mean dehydration would be a concern. As it was only a few fingers and it looks like most of it was smeared over my clean floor, she probably won't even be affected. The RN said it was the third call today about 15th-month-olds and Vaseline. I did have to give my name, address and phone number so now I'm sure I must be in their database for something. :)
On a lighter note, Ella has mastered drinking from a straw.... And yesterday when she was sitting on my lap and Lahrissa came to give me a hug, Ella hugged me and said "Ma mumma". Does she now know me as mumma? Usually mememe or mamama is milk but I might officially be mumma. Yeah!!! She mastered Dadda and Da-dee months ago and I've been patiently waiting...

Life

Sigh, life isn't working out as planned in my MASH (Mansion, Apartment, Shack or House) game as a child: I am not rich, I don't live in a mansion, and I don't own a Lamborghini. Some disappointment that game turned out to be! So far we're paying for a house we don't live in; driving a car that may or may not get us from point A to point B; and will end up forking over $1000+ to immigration this summer if Bush and his cronies have their way...impeach, impeach!!!!

But, there is nothing better to brighten your day than little girls, summertime and popsicles. This was Ella's first popsicle and she loved it! So adorable. We tried to go to Ko Olina beach but it was full so we tried another beach but the waves were up today and too big for the girls to go in the water. We came home and played in the backyard instead.

Daddy's Weekend

Well, I'm not sure how much of a Father's Day it was for Ron with him still on pain meds, sleeping as much as possible, and sustaining on a diet of Ensure and protein shakes. Ella gave her Daddy a card and a pair of board shorts and was so cute walking up to him her arms outstretched with her gift for him. She loves to share and give us things, anything really from her toys, to fluff on the floor, the remote, her milk. If we look at all interested in what she's doing she come over and give it to us. She so sweet! So when I gave her the card and gift and said "give to Daddy" she ran up to him and was so excited to "share".
Ron is enjoying his new laptop and it's making mine feel inadequate. Ooh, it's so shiny and new, everything works perfect and he's been watching videos and tv clips, listening to music, surfing the web....all in bed. I'm quite jealous really! It even has a built in camera and mic so we were able to see and talk to everyone at home in GA.

Though belated, I hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day. To our Dads who continue to love, advise and support us, we are so grateful for everything you both do for us. To Ron for being a wonderful father and really being a big part of Ella's life. He is always so patient, so willing to help out changing diapers, looking after her when he comes home form work. He really is a hands-on dad, which can be rare unfortunately. Ella and I are so blessed and so loved. We love you Daddy!

Happy 15 Months

Ella is 15 Months old today. We had her well-baby check-up and at 31.5" she's still in the 95th percentile for her height; at 22.5 lbs she's still in the 50th percentile for her weight. Long and lean like Daddy. Everything else is great, she's hitting and surpassing all her milestones. She is learning everyday. She can understand so much now it's amazing! :

* She can find and bring to you when asked: her milk, juice, teddy bear, blanket, angel, froggy, shoes, and puppy.
* When we go outside she knows to get her shoes first.
* She brings us anything she knows she shouldn't have but has found lying around: the remote control, her cd's, the phone, our folded laundry... really anything that's not in her toybox.
* She knows "It's naptime" and will take our hand and walk to her bedroom, or get her blanket and stick her thumb in her mouth.
* Wrinkles her nose when you ask if she's got a stinky diaper.
* Blow kisses and waves bye bye. Can give "Eskimo" kisses with her nose.
* Mimics our facial expressions, and body movements.
* Will dance when she hears music or when we say "Dancing Ella!"
* Has signed for us that she's finished (eating usually).

Ron continues to heal. For anyone who knows him, knows he's so energetic and active. I think the hardest part of his recovery will be taking it easy. I came home with Ella after the doctors and the kitchen was spotless and he was cleaning the bathroom! LOL It was so funny to know that after a few days of sleeping he is now literally unable to sit still and the bathroom is sparkly!
We played out in the backyard and Ella has picked up on my gardening. She carried the watering can around and touched all the flowers with it. Too cute.