Konnichiwa from the Nelis family!

It's time for a new blog!

2010-07-24T04:31:00.000+09:00

You can now follow us at:

TheNelisFamily@blogspot.com

Hope to see you there!

Committing to a Goal

2010-01-08T20:52:00.001+09:00

I've been told that if you want to meet a goal you have to commit yourself to it. I've also heard that telling people about your goal forces you to take responsibility for it. It's more embarrassing if you have to tell people you quit, you lose face...no one wants that. So here I am, committing myself to my goal. Which is to get into a regular workout routine. I am not setting a goal weight or dress size because, while I really DO want to lose weight and look fabulous, the real reason is that I need to get healthier. With two wild little men in my life (and one of them just so close to being mobile), I really need to be in top shape! I want to be the Mom who chases her kids on the playground. I want to be in good health so I don't miss out on all the wonderful things my boys are sure to do!

So, now it's out there (for whoever it is that reads this thing....mom???). And hopefully I'll remember that tomorrow at 7 am, when my alarm goes off or when I'm too tired (hm hmm...lazy) to lace up my sneakers for the gym.

Saying Goodbye to Friends

2010-01-06T08:17:00.001+09:00

As a military family, we get to enjoy living in locations that we would otherwise never dream of. We're very lucky to have the opportunities, job stability, and benefits that we have. We have learned to live with the cons of military life and enjoy the benefits -- but the one big, huge, major con that we have not gotten used to, let alone learned to accept, is saying goodbye to friends.

Being far from family is very hard, particularly around holidays, birthdays, and milestone events. But we always know where they are and that we will see them again. It's different with the friends you make along your military journey. Pre-military, I don't know that I would have thought I could have a confidante in someone I'd met only a month or two earlier. In the military, everyone knows that you have to make friends fast or you don't make them at all. Even when you're stationed somewhere for 3 years, everyone you meet is on a different schedule, so you are constantly saying goodbye.

Sadly, we just had to say a goodbye to some wonderful friends we met and became close to here in Iwakuni. Despite it not being a new thing for me, it was terribly sad. But I feel the worst for Bennet. He's at the age now where he really has preferred playmates and this was his first real BFF. As of yet, I don't think he gets it. We talked to him about moving away and how we won't see our friends anymore, but I think the idea was too abstract. Perhaps over the next few weeks, when we don't go to their house or see them, it will sink in for him.

So for now we have a Tanya-Brian-Kirby-Addy sized hole in our hearts. But we hope that the military will bring us back together one day!

Resolutions

2010-01-01T09:53:00.003+09:00

2009 has been pretty good to us, but we're very excited to see what 2010 will bring! And just as we always do, we've discussed our resolutions for the year. So without further ado, here they are:

Jude plans to learn how to walk and talk this year. Bennet will continue to expand his vocabulary. I'm working towards cooking from scratch more often. And Tim is going to finish a marathon.

As a family, we have also resolved to continue our quest to go green. This year, the adults are focusing on cleaning and eating green, while the children are going to work on playing green! Basically the boys are giving up battery operated, plastic toys in favor of natural toys that stimulate the imagination. Don't worry if you've given them toys like this in the past -- we've kept a box for rainy days!! BUt as for their everyday toys, we are making sure that anything they play with is constructed safely (no bpa, pthalates, lead paint, etc) and does not do the playing for them (bells, whistles, lights, songs, and buttons). It's certainly going to be a big change, but we all feel that it will help the boys expand their imagination considerably! If you are interested in going green with YOUR child's toys, I've listed several simple ideas and stores at the end of this post!

As I said, the adults are also going green. I am buying more organic and local food as well as cooking more of our food from scratch. We have a steam cleaner on it's way so that we can disinfect our floors and counters without the use of chemicals and I'm testing out different natural cleaning solutions.

Sooo...what's YOUR resolution this year?

************************************************************

Books, videos, and non-toxic craft supplies are always a hit and easy enough for anyone to find, even if they aren't up and up with the green movement. Several web stores out there have done a fantastic job of stocking educational and natural toys. The go to stores for us include Jillian's Drawers (www.jilliansdrawers.com) and Oompa Toys (www.oompa.com) for young kids and Fat Brain Toys (www.fatbraintoys.com) for older kiddos. Haba, Plan Toys, Green Toys, Sevi, Sprout, Playmobil, Lego, and Sprig are all great brands too!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T13:07:00.003+09:00

Bennet and Jude are really getting into the Christmas spirit! See for yourself!

Waiting and waiting for Santa and Mrs. to get around to our table at the Santa brunch!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Our turn!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Mama and her boys.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Decorating cookies Christmas eve.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Christmas morning

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Turtle and ball that Mommy made for Jude.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Cape and mittens Mommy made for Bennet.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Daddy made this ring stacker for Jude!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Yum!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Be sure to listen closely...he's singing the Superman theme song!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Fancy Shoes

2009-12-21T16:10:00.003+09:00

Today marked the official start of Bennet's winter break and he celebrated by sleeping in until 9 am!! Now, that is amazing on it's own. But what made it even better was that Jude must have talked it over with Bennet, because he slept until 9 as well! Needless to say, I was a very happy, and well-rested Mama.

This morning was the Jingle Bell Jog 1.5 k here on base. So we had to get dressed and out the door by 10:30. I quickly fed everyone, dressed them, and threw a diaper bag together. I sent Bennet to go put on his shoes and off he ran to the shoe basket in the front hall. Now, normally, he pulls out his favorite orange crocs and puts them on himself, but today he pulled out his black dress shoes that we bought for him to wear with his holiday outfit. I saw what he was doing and told him to grab his crocs. What happened next was so sweet and funny!! Bennet shook his head, "Uh-uh." Then, with a twinkle in his eye and goofy grin on his face, he said, "Fancy shoes!"

What could I possibly do? Certainly, I couldn't deny such a cute request!! So my sweet 4 year old jogged 1.5k in his "fancy" shoes this morning!

I have to add that the plan was for me to push both kids in our double stroller, but as soon as Bennet saw all the costumes, heard the music, and saw other people running and walking, he hopped out of his seat and literally ran the entire way! He was so pleased with himself! Of course, I wasn't thinking and I didn't take my camera with us today, so I missed out on taking photos of his very first racing experience. Bad Mommy!!

After the run, everyone went inside the gym for some lunch and raffles. Both Jude and Bennet won!! Bennet got a giftcard to the NEX and Jude got a toy. So after the run, we went to the NEX where we exchanged the toy (it had far too many flashing lights and sound effects) and got Jude a few outfits while Bennet chose to buy two Melissa & Doug toys (I may have gently swayed him towards those rather than the plethora of "boy toys" lining the shelves) with his gift card.

All in all, it was a very fun, and thoroughly exhausting, day!

It's been almost 2 years!!!

2009-12-18T15:18:00.002+09:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

January 28th will be the 2nd anniversary of Adoption Day!! Of course, Bennet came to live with us in September of 2007, but January 28, 2008 was the day he became an official Nelis and we were finally recognized as a forever family!! Last year we had a special family dinner, but I think this year we may take a weekend trip. Not sure though. Do you have any good ideas for celebrating our family's special day? We'd love to hear them!!

7 months old today!

2009-12-17T08:02:00.003+09:00

Where is all the time going?!

The Official End to my Blogging Hiatus

2009-12-16T16:59:00.002+09:00

Vacations, holidays, and children have been keeping me thoroughly busy and away from the computer. But I found a spare moment today and decided that I really needed to update here! So here is the past few months in a nutshell:

Bennet started going to school 5 days a week which has been great! He's opened up a lot more at school and he's beginning to repeat a lot more! However, this has meant that Tim and I have had to watch what we say...

Jude started eating solid foods. Super fun and SUPER messy! His favorites are green beans and squash. He's rolling all over the place now and is sitting up on his own...well for a little while anyways until something catches his attention and he rolls off to the side!

Tim is still training for his marathon and working long hours for the Navy. In his spare time, he's been building toys for Bennet and Jude. More on that in a later post -- don't want to spoil the surprise!

As for me, I've been preparing for the holidays and working towards my goal to feed my family wholesome foods from scratch as much as possible. As you know, I've been enjoying bread baking for about a year now and I recently tried my hand at making my own pasta!

It would be ridiculous for me to try to tell you every little thing from the last few months, so I'll leave you with a few photos and videos along with a solemn vow to blog frequently in the coming year!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Hats for Boys

2009-09-09T15:11:00.000+09:00

The boys are just that much closer to ready for the fall and winter! I've got their jackets on my knitting needles right now and am hoping to have them done for our upcoming vacation!!

Bennet's Penguin Party!

2009-09-06T19:46:00.002+09:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing
Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Our First Japanniversary!

2009-08-18T13:04:00.002+09:00

We've lived in Japan for one full year as of today! So much has happened in our year here. We moved twice, welcomed Jude into our family, Bennet started school, we learned how to drive on the left side of the road, Tim got his first engineering job, and we've had the opportunity to visit so many cool places like Hiroshima, Miyajima, Tsuwano, Yokosuka, and Shimonoseki. We're really settling into Japan now and enjoying so much of the food, culture, and people.

And to celebrate it, we're all going to Chicken Shack for dinner tonight. It is one of our favorite places to go around here to eat. It's actually got a Japanese name but all of us gaijin just call it Chicken Shack. I'll be sure to take lots of photos tonight and post them tomorrow so you can all experience it with us!

We have a lot coming up for the next year too! Tim will continue training for his first marathon, Bennet will be in school again, Jude will be busy learning to walk and talk, and we're planning several more trips around Japan. We cannot wait to see what our second year in Japan will hold for us!

3 Months Old!

2009-08-17T18:26:00.002+09:00

My little redhead is 3 months old already! Yes, I said redhead! I've suspected for some time now (and Tim has been in denial) that his blonde hair was more of a strawberry blonde. Other people have commented on this too, and now that it's getting longer in the back, there is an undeniable red tint to it! Sadly, it's near impossible to capture on camera because he's so nearly bald, BUT Tim has finally admitted that it is truly red! I know there is plenty of time for it to change, but I kind of hope it stays red!

Sweet Baby Giggles

2009-08-13T09:30:00.002+09:00

Jude laughed for the first time ever yesterday at 12 weeks old! I was tickling his tummy during a diaper change and all of a sudden, the sweetest little sound in the world came from him! We've suspected for a time now that he was ticklish but simply unable to figure out how to handle it. But it would seem that he's finally figured out the appropriate response! I tried to get it on video, but no dice!

Since I couldn't get a video of him laughing, here's something to make YOU laugh!

Pirate Jude! Yar!

"Fixing" Daddy's bike!

Jude's Fishy Vest and more....

2009-08-07T19:22:00.012+09:00

As promised, photos of Jude's new vest!

Besides knitting, I've been baking up quite the storm! Tonight we had pizza from the olive oil dough. Over the last week, we've had homemade soft pretzels, bialys (OMG good!), prosciutto and rosemary focaccia, chocolate ganache filled brioche, wheat artisan loaf, parmesan and sundried tomato wheat bread, and a spinach calzone. YUM!

Prosciutto & Rosemary Focaccia and Artisan Wheat Loaf

Here's what we've been doing lately...

2009-08-06T11:03:00.006+09:00

What have we been up to?

Tim has perfected the art of drawing a bubble bath, while Bennet has been working on styling his "hair".

Jude is big enough to use his jumperoo (with some blankies for support) and he is LOVING the new freedom!

I've been having fun experimenting with my wraps...

Why yes...that IS a 30 lb child on my back!

Jude is learning to grasp toys and is really getting into "play".

And I've been getting into another knitting frenzy...babies do that to me! This is a little sundress for Stella, and I've curently got a little vest on the needles for Jude (pics to come later).

And, as you can tell, Tim has been busy BEHIND the camera, honing his photography skills! Hopefully this weekend I'll get some of him too! He's been extremely busy lately, training for the Iwakuni triathlon that will take place September 20th! We're all very proud of him, if not a tiny bit resentful about how easily he's able to lose weight while some of us are struggling with baby weight!

BUY NOTHING NEW CHALLENGE UPDATE:

Well...it's going...not great...but it's going. We've had a few lapses here and there, but we can definitely see a HUGE difference in the amount of stuff (not) accumulating in our house! Sadly though, I can't say this is something that we'll be able to stick to 100%, but I do think it will drastically cut down on our (my) spending in the future!

Babies!

2009-07-30T08:33:00.002+09:00

So, this is a few days late, but as of July 24th, Bennet and Jude have a cousin!! Tim's sister, Sharon, and her husband, Nate, had a beautiful baby girl! We are so thrilled to be related to such a gorgeous little girl!

Stella Elizabeth

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

6 lb. 5 oz.

19 3/4 inches

Jude had his 2 month check up yesterday and he is weighing in at a whopping 13 lb. 8.8 oz. and 23 1/2 inches! When he was born he was in the 5th percentile for weight and 25 percentile for length. He's now in the 95th and 75th respectively!!! He's actually starting to grow out of his 6 month clothes!!! The doctor gave him a clean bill of health and he got his first vaccine (DTaP) yesterday. We've chosen to do a selective delayed schedule of vaccinations for him. We are declining the rotavirus and varicella vaccinations completely (although if he still hasn't gotten the chickenpox when he's a teen, we'll consider it then). Otherwise, he will be receiving all the other recommended vaccinations, but spread out and several will be started later (such as Hep B, MMR, and Polio). Tim and I spent a LOT of time researching and deciding what to do about vaccinations and we truly feel that we are making the best decision for our family's situation. I was really nervous about him being pumped full of chemicals when he's so small, but I really think we've made the best possible decision for ourselves! AND, just to be on the safe side, I took extra fish oil, vitamin C, and probiotics in addition to giving Jude a 1/2 dose of baby vitamins to boost his immune system. So far, he's been a tiny bit fussy, but no fever or other side effects. We go back in a month for two more vaccines (HIB and Pc) and then monthly for boosters until he's 7 months. If anyone is interested, we came across a GREAT resource for vaccinations that is about as unbiased as you can get for such a heated topic! The Vaccine Book by Dr. Robert Sears. It's absolutely wonderful and is pro vaccine, but offers a great schedule for vaccinating that includes ALL the recommended vaccines, just spreads them out, so your baby isn't getting more than one aluminum containing vaccine at a time or 6 in one day! We actually used the schedule as a starting point and made a few changes to suit our family. SO, if you have children, are currently pregnant, thinking about becoming pregnant, or just may have kids one day in the future, you NEED to read this book! Whether you choose, to fully vax, delay, or not vax at all, you will be able to rest comfortably knowing that you have made the best decision for your child(ren)!

Bennet's potty training is going well! He peed in the potty last night before bed and then stayed dry all night (the FIRST time ever) and even peed in the potty this morning!!! Which means, Bennet got a cookie with breakfast. It's acutally really cute! He sings a whole song whenever he pees in the potty. Tim and I started it, but B has added his own verse to it!

Pee-Pee in the Pott-Y!

Now I get a cook-IE!

I'll let you guess which line was added by Bennet!! :)

Baby on the Way!!

2009-07-24T06:44:00.002+09:00

It's official!! Tim's sister is in labor!! We're getting a niece or nephew today!!!!!!!

Buy Nothing New Challenge!

2009-07-23T08:00:00.002+09:00

This fall, we'll be heading back to the states to visit family and we couldn't be more excited! Or shocked at the cost of things! Between flights, rental cars, and hotels, let's just say it's gonna cost a pretty penny! So that's gotten me to thinking about our finances a lot lately. We also recently purchased a new computer and financial software. And any of you that know Tim very well, know about his penchant for charts and graphs! WELL, after one too many pie charts showing just how much we're spending, I started going a little nuts. We waste a LOT of money! I started looking into ways to reign in our spending and came across some interesting articles about a group of people in San Francisco called The Compact. Basically, they gave up buying anything new for a year. They could buy essential edibles and some hygiene products, but beyond that, anything else had to be free, borrowed, bought used, or bartered for! I'd heard of them before but never thought I could commit to something that intense. But it got me thinking!! IF we could buy nothing new for just one month, we could really save a lot! And learn a little about our spending habits as well as really see the difference between necessities and luxuries.

So, Tim and I chatted about it last night and decided the best thing to do would be to start immediately! That way there's no time to "stock up" before hand. So we came up with our rules and it starts NOW! No new clothes, household goods, toys, tools, makeup, salon services, gourmet foods, restaurants, etc!

1. Buy Nothing New period lasts from July 23rd to August 31st at midnight.

2. Groceries may be bought, but only essentials, no luxuries or prepared foods. (i.e. cookies and frozen pizza are out, flour, butter, sugar, chocolate, cheese, and tomatoes to make cookies and pizza are in!). No going out to eat either! OR coffee runs!

3. Basic hygiene and cleaning products are ok, but makeup, salon services, etc are not (with the exception of Tim's haircut ever other week -- it's technically part of his uniform).

4. Going out cannot cost money, with one exception: Harry Potter is coming to our theater on base next week and we've been waiting a LONG time for it! So at $2.50 each for Tim and I, we are "splurging"...but no popcorn or soda!!!

5. Any prescription or non-prescription products for health reasons are ok to buy.

6. Any car repairs are ok.

7. Postage costs are ok! As are any communication costs (phone and internet).

8. Obviously, we will pay our bills as well!

9. Any thing that comes up that doesn't fit into these categories must only be bought used, free, bartered for or borrowed!

Luckily, Bennet started potty training a few weeks ago, so he's out of diapers, and Jude is breastfed and in cloth diapers, so we don't have to worry about those expenses. I do foresee a few challenges though! Namely the pampered chef party I'm hosting next week and the fact that I am going to be an aunt sometime within the next few weeks!

I'll try to update once in awhile on our progress. I'm actually kind of excited about it! I'm a wee bit of a shopper and I really think that being restricted will open up a whole new world or cost-free hobbies and fun to us!

Aquarium Day!

2009-07-21T08:34:00.000+09:00

Last weekend we went to the Shimonoseki Aquarium with the boys. We saw some really cool fish, dolphins, seals, and even a whale skeleton! While we were there, we also visited the fish market and tasted blowfish! Here are some of the photos we took while we were there.

2 Months!

2009-07-17T16:26:00.002+09:00

Jude is 2 months old today! I can hardly believe it, but my little chunker is really growing up! He has started smiling at us recently, which is SO fun! Tim, Bennet, and I all sit around making faces and acting goofy, in an attempt to get him to smile at us again. He's also gotten huge! He hasn't had his 2 month check up yet, so we don't have an exact weight for you. BUT, we did use the highly scientific bathroom scale method to get a weight estimate and he's a whopping 13 pounds! More than double his birthweight! He's also awake during the day a lot more now and occasionally sleeps for longer bouts at night (OCCASIONALLY). He's still a very happy and easy going baby -- not much crying at all! We're extremely lucky to have two fabulous little boys who make our lives SO much more exciting!

As you can probably tell from the lack of posting, life has been busy around the Nelis household! I plan to update you all later with a mega-post and lots of pictures from the last month. But for now, here's Jude's 2 month picture from today and, of course, a shot of Bennet being his goofy self!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

You can see the fat lip he got today from falling....he's a rough and tumble little man for sure!

Congrats to the Navy's newest Lieutenant!

2009-06-29T11:09:00.003+09:00

After an administrative snafu which resulted in a one month delay, Tim is finally being promoted today!!!

Congratulations Lt. Nelis!! We love you!!

Things we found IN our couch...

2009-06-21T08:41:00.002+09:00

2 television remotes

The letters F, Y, and O

A cordless phone

A dinosaur - unspecified species

1 sock

2 pretend coins belonging to the Fisher-Price cash register

A magnadoodle

And, interestingly enough, $0.00!!

One Month Old!

2009-06-17T16:48:00.002+09:00

Has it really been one month already? Jude is growing so fast before our eyes! I wish there was some way to slow him down. He's much more alert now and he's got quite an appetite! He's also falling into a nice little sleep routine at night. He eats around 10 before I go to sleep. Then he wakes to eat and get a new diaper at 1 am and again at 4:30/5:00. Then we get a little more rest until Bennet gets up.

Jude's diaper rash is clearing up, but it took a lot of experimentation to find a solution for his sensitive tushy!! The regular diaper cream only made his bum worse and the prescription did nothing! So now, every diaper change includes spraying his bum with water and wiping with a clean cloth, then he gets his bum washed off in baking soda and warm water. He then lays butt up for 5-10 minutes to dry off and air out. After that, I slather on extra-virgin raw coconut oil and pure lanolin. A cloth diaper (unbleached cotton only) rounds out our routine! A bit high maintenance, I'll admit, but it works!!

Since I'm nursing at the keyboard (again), I'll leave you all here with just a little sample of the cuteness we've been seeing around the house lately!

Home Alone

2009-06-09T14:18:00.003+09:00

Well, Tim's paternity leave is over! We were so very lucky to have him home with for so long, but we may have been a bit spoiled! I mean, how many Dads get to stay home until their little one is 3 weeks old? Anyways, Tim went back to work yesterday, leaving a VERY scared new Mom-of-two at home. Luckily, I found out about a class on Monday mornings for Bennet so we went there yesterday and signed him up. He's the only boy in class but that doesn't seem to bother Bennet at all!! I should tell you, it's a ballet class, but Tim prefers to refer to it as "rhythm and movement" class. Either way, Bennet LOVES to dance and is absolutely thrilled with his new class. I forgot to take the camera with me, but I certainly will next monday and will have to post some pictures. He particularly loves sautees (jumping)!

Poor baby Jude has an awful diaper rash (I suspect a yeast infection) and a terrible case of gas! I'm taking him to the doctor tomorrow to check out his rash and I ordered an extra-strong diaper rash cream and mylicon drops. Unfortunately, one of the cons to living here is that you can't always just run to the store and find what you need. It's not too hard to find things online, and I've not come across too many things that I can't order. But waiting for things to get here is a pain, especially when I know my baby is suffering!! Hopefully the doctor can prescribe something for his tushy tomorrow and the gas relief drops should be here any day now!

Tomorrow is Bennet's last day of school before summer vacation starts! We're planning to celebrate the beginning of summer with a whole weekend of events! Saturday morning, we have Bennet's closing ceremonies for tee-ball. I've heard that all the kids get trophies! How stinking cute is that? Later that night, we're going to a friend's house for dinner. Their daughter, Chloe, is Bennet's age and he absolutely adores her!! Then on Sunday, we're going to Safari Land. It's a local zoo here where you get on a bus to go through and you can even feed lions and tigers from the bus! (With tongs of course!)

And so the chaos begins

2009-05-28T15:45:00.002+09:00

11 days. That's how long it took for us to get the "everyone in the house is sick" experience. After a quick (2 1/2 hour) trip to the doctor's office, we went to the pharmacy to pick up meds for everyone. Tim, Bennet, and even baby Jude all have pink eye! AND, all four of us have a nasty virus!! Ah the fun of it all!

On a good note, Jude has not only regained the weight he lost in the hospital, but he's surpassed his birth weight by a 1/2 pound!! The doctor said they like to see a baby back at their birth weight by two weeks old. He's now a whopping 6 lbs 12 ounces!! He also now has an adorable belly button instead of a creepy umbilical stump!

That's all for now. We're all going to get back on the couch to watch movies together. Misery does love company!

1 week old today!

2009-05-24T16:39:00.003+09:00

Time is surely flying!! I can't believe just a week ago, I was meeting Jude for the first time! The whole family agrees that we can't remember what it was like around here pre-Jude. Bennet is enjoying being home again. Shortly before we left, Tim and I set up a whole new playroom for him and he's LOVING having his own place to climb, jump, and be wild! Unfortunately, B is feeling under the weather, so we don't have as many brother pictures as I'd like. But he'll be better soon hopefully and then we'll have plenty I'm sure!!

Otherwise we've been relaxing and enjoying life as a family of four. We all went for a walk last night and got some ice cream. (One of Bennet's favorite family outtings!) Jude and I have been working hard at nursing. Which is going really well. I love knowing that I am providing him with all his nourishment. And nothing beats the snuggling and staring into his eyes while he enjoys a tasty snack!

Jude had his first spongebath at home this week too. He's not a huge fan of being cold so I'll admit, there were a few tears at times. But it went well, until he got us back for having the audacity to want a clean child!! Only mere moments after being wrapped up in a snug, clean, dry towel, he let loose a huge, messy poo! So he also had his SECOND sponge bath that night!

Since I'm typing one-handed, I'll just leave you all with a few new pictures from the last week!

Meeting Jude for the first time in the delivery room!

His first outfit. In the hospital, he went au naturel with only a dipe and blanket. I embroidered his tiny little shirt for him in the last few weeks of my pregnancy. *notice the big brother in the background*

Hanging out with the boys. This was the day we were discharged from the hospital.

Jude's coming home outfit. One of the few outfits that actually fits him! He's SUCH a peanut!

First bath!

Just moments before the great poo disaster!

He make look just like Tim, but he seems to have inherited my tendency towards making wierd faces! I'm so proud!!

Big Brother Bennet in his big kid playroom!!

Look Ma, no hands!! That's right! I'm such a pro, I'm nursing hands-free...DISCREETLY! Who knew I could be discreet?

And just because he's so cute it's sickening:

The Kid Formerly Known as Squid

2009-05-20T20:41:00.004+09:00

Jude Allen Nelis is finally here! After 43 hours of labor, he made his grand entrance May 17th at 1:31 pm. He weighed in at 6 lbs 4 oz and measured 19 1/2 inches long. He's a carbon copy of his Daddy and is an absolute doll!

I'm a bit tired now from the trip, so I'll keep it short and just post a couple of pictures. I'll have plenty more up in the next few days and a birth story as well. For now, enjoy oogling our sweet baby Jude!

Shortly after birth

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Meeting my big brother for the first time!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Daddy is so in love with me...and it's no wonder why...I'm cute as can be!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Kisses from Bennet

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Mommy couldn't be any happier or more in love!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

My first time all wrapped up and ready to go! I was asleep before Mommy even finished tying it!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Home at last! Cranky after the long trip, but who can blame me?

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Preggo Recap

2009-05-09T17:15:00.004+09:00

Well, our bags are packed and we leave in the morning. On Mother's Day no less, how appropriate! And the very next day I'll be 37 weeks and considered full-term! Back in september when I found out I was pregnant, this point seemed so far away and unattainable. And yet, here we are, literally days away from meeting our son! In celebration of that, let's revisit some photos from the last 9 months!

I passed the test!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

1 month

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

2 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

3 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

4 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

5 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

6 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

7 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

8 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

9 months

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

1st ultrasound - 8 weeks

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

2nd ultrasound - 10 weeks

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

3rd ultrasound - 15 weeks

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

4th ultrasound - 20 weeks

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

I can't wait to post pictures of the end result!!!

One last thing -- To all the mothers and women in our lives -- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! We love you all!

Maternity Photos

2009-05-07T16:13:00.003+09:00

Also, we just got word that a room opened up at the Stork's Nest (room near the hospital for pregnant women from out of town) so we WILL have internet and will continue to update you all as our due date approaches!

Enough of that though...enjoy a sample of the pics! For more, see our family photo website (link in the left sidebar).

Getting Close!

2009-05-04T22:13:00.002+09:00

Well, I'm 36 weeks today. Only one week until I'm officially full term! I had an appointment today which went just ok. For the second week in a row, my blood pressure is high. I normally have low blood pressure so I'm kind of surprised. Last week it was hovering around 142/90, but today it 148/102. Not so good. I swam a lot last week, did some yoga and meditation, napped a fair bit, and just generally relaxed. But none of it helped my bp obviously. Both appointments I had blood and urine tests to check for protein in my urine and liver function. Both times they came back normal. Basically, that means that I don't have pre-eclampsia, but that I do have pregnancy induced hypertension, which can lead to pre-e. I've had quite a bit of swelling as well. Tim says my feet look like the people on Wall-E. You know, the ones who live in the chairs and never walk! I would be offended, but it's true! I'll go back to the doctor this week before we leave to have my bp checked again. If it remains high, I may be induced once I'm full term. I REALLY don't want an induction, so I'm hoping this little boy will decide to come on his own before the doctors decide to evict him!

Just to give a head's up, we won't have a lot of internet availability in Yokosuka. We'll try to update from the library on base as best we can, but no promises! And we definitely won't be able to upload pictures. So you'll all have to be patient and wait for birth stats and photos until we get back home at about 3 days postpartum. So, just be patient and know that not hearing from us isn't cause for alarm!!

35 weeks down, 35 DAYS to go!

2009-04-27T15:22:00.002+09:00

Hard to believe, but Squiddy will be considered full-term in just 2 short weeks! He's definitely running out of room in there. I get very few big kicks and rolls these days and more pushes and stretches. He's also been getting the hiccups aabout 2-3 times every day! I've got another appointment tomorrow, possibly the last one here in Iwakuni. I should be getting tested for group B strep. Other than that, the appointment should be the standard weight, blood pressure, fundal height, and heartbeat routine. Maybe she'll throw in an internal, just for kicks and giggles.

According to the all-knowing internet, Squids is just about 19 inches and 6 lbs now. It certainly feels like he ways more than a measly 6 pounds though! I'm really quite sure that if he grows another ounce, my belly is going to burst. I had to buy another round of maternity clothes. Partly because of the change in season, but mainly because nothing was covering the bottom portion of my belly anymore. I have grown partial to a particular dress someone passed along to me. Tim calls it a muu muu and bursts into laughter everytime I waddle out of our bedroom in it, but I could care less! It fits, it's comfy, and I stopped caring about how hot I looked when I stopped being able to reach my ankles to shave them.

We've all but finished our spring cleaning -- just little things left here and there. I've started cooking and freezing meals. So far, I've got about 3 done and I plan to do a few more. I know I'm going to be lazy when we get back, and I'm sure I'll be very glad I did extra cooking NOW, so I can relax and enjoy my babymoon with my boys! I've started pulling things together to go into my hospital bag. And Tim has graciously offered his services to make me a birth music playlist for the Ipod. He's also been honing his massage techniques to help me cope through labor. We're still finishing up all the paperwork necessary to get our lil man his record of birth overseas, social security number, and passport. It all seems to being coming together nicely!

We're having professional maternity photos done on saturday at a beach nearby. I'm very excited about it and hopeful that she'll be able to crop out my poor swollen feet! I'll post pictures from our photoshoot as soon as we get them!

Bennet's been his usual wild self lately. Although, in the past month or so, he's become obsessed with the movie Happy Feet. You know, the one with the tap dancing penguin? I told Tim that he may be more into dance than athletics and perhaps we should enroll him in the ballet classes offered on base. And just as Tim was rolling his eyes and saying that Bennet was only running in circles and jumping, little B did a perfect imitation of the tap dance steps up on the screen! It was so cute, and Tim could only sigh and tell me to go ahead with the caveat that when we get back to the states, we enroll him in a more manly style of dance!!

Tim's been working like a madman lately. His department is severely understaffed and since the Navy is broke, it doesn't look like it's going to be getting any better anytime soon. He's counting down the days until his baby vacation. He informed me this morning that he's down to 9!

Well, I better go. I've got a list of things to get done, and only an hour left until t-ball practice!

Update!

2009-04-23T16:18:00.003+09:00

I was doing so well with 9 posts in March! Then...nothing...for a whole month. Not exactly dependable, huh? Well, I'm gonna play the pregnant card one more time (please don't confuse this with one LAST time....it certainly will not be the last). Anyways, in the last month, quite a bit has happened! I've gotten quite a bit bigger and less comfortable. The pool on base opened up (thank goodness). Bennet started T-ball (more on that later). Tim has been working LONG hours as always. And Squiddy has begun to run out of room.

We're all preparing to head up to Yokosuka in only 2 1/2 weeks! Where has the time gone? We're in the midst of spring cleaning. Who wants to worry about that with a newborn? Unfortunately we've (once again) bitten off more than we can chew and the house is a disaster. Hopefully it will all pay off in the end. In the meantime, we are pretending to not be home whenever the doorbell rings! We've still got a lot left on our list of to-dos including:

Install the car seat
Pack for Yokosuka
Write a birth plan
Finish reading the birth book (Tim!)
Cook and freeze casseroles
Pre-address birth announcement envelopes
Finish spring cleaning
Hire someone to watch our house and water our garden
Find a babysitter for Bennet while we're at the hospital

It seems like a lot to fit into 2 weeks, but I'm sure it will all come together in the end! Luckily I've been nesting since about 20 weeks, so all of Squid's clothes, diapers, and furniture are set up, clean, and ready to go! I even finished embroidering a very special kimono top with his name (his REAL name, not Squiddy). Let's just hope he comes out looking like a ____ ! *wink* Apparently, the hospital I'll be delivering at doesn't provide clothing for the baby. Instead they have tiny paper gowns. Like the kind you wear for a lady exam! Wierd right? So a friend who recently delivered there let me know I should take my own kimono tops for him to wear if I don't want crinkly paper to be the first thing that touches my son!! I'm pretty excited about it. And of course, I made sure to choose embroidery thread that will match the hat I knit for him to wear in the hospital. He really is going to be the cutest baby there -- all the other babies are gonna be jealous!

We've started making plans for the trip as well. We'll be leaving Iwakuni on May 1oth. Oh joy -- spending Mother's day on the train. At least I'll have my favorite boys with me. And you can buy ice cream on the train...which always makes me happy! Monday, I should have an appointment with one of the docotrs at the hospital just to make sure all is well after the trip and to get to know them. Tuesday, I'll be attending the local La Leche League meeting. We don't have a LLL group here in Iwakuni, so I feel very lucky to be able to attend Yokosuka's monthly meeting while we're there! Tim and I have been talking and decided that since I'll be only 37 weeks when we get there and he is taking off a whole month, we should really treat it like a vacation. And because we'll be SO close to Tokyo, we've started to plan a few fun outtings! There are a few things that are "musts" for us. So we'll, be doing those the first week we're there. The first wednesday, we are planning to go to Tokyo Disney!! Tim's already found his Goofy hat and has it ready to go! I'm hoping that a day of walking will help to encourage our little womb buddy to get moving. We're also hoping to have lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe in Tokyo and see the aquarium which is supposed to be absolutely awesome! We may plan one more Tokyo day just for walking around and sightseeing. Other than that, we've got a few other ideas, but it will depend on how I'm feeling and how close I am getting to Squid's big day!

************************************************************************************
Now, to the grandmas that are reading this blog -- DO NOT WORRY! We're not going anywhere farther than one hour from the hospital. And only if I am not having any pre-labor signs! We will not be having a baby on the It's a Small World Ride! I promise!!
************************************************************************************

Bennet had his first t-ball game on tuesday. It was....interesting.... Tim and I came to the realization that we may need to step up our retirement fund. It looks like we probably shouldn't rely on Bennet to support us in our old age with his stellar athletic career! It sure is a good thing he's so darn good-looking!

The game itself was actually VERY entertaining! At any point there was at least one kid laying down in the outfield, one throwing his hat in the air, another picking grass, at least two testing to see how hard you can hit with a glove before it hurts, and one crying. About half the kids had no idea what to do after they hit the ball -- there was a pretty good split between chasing the ball, running to 3rd base, standing still, and carryind the bat with them to 1st. All of which really didn't matter, because the other team seemed to have about as much of a clue about fielding as our team did about batting!

Bennet spent the majority of the game dancing to whatever song was currently in his head, wandering around infield, crying because I wouldn't let him climb in the bleachers (he ALWAYS falls in and you have no idea how hard it is to maneuver my VERY pregnant body into the bleachers to retrieve a bleeding, crying child), or climbing the fence behind the home plate. I think he may have a shot at MVP!

And, because I know you don't come here to read my intelligent, witty writing, here are some pics!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Lately, I've been very toasty...could be the 5 pound heater I've got living inside my belly. Who knows! Anyways, I apparently fan myself quite often because Bennet has started to imitate me by fanning his face and repeating over and over "hot". WELL...last night, Tim was playing with Bennet and asked him what a dinosaur says, to which he replied "roar". Then Tim asked him what a dog says -- "woof". Finally he asked Bennet what a cow says. Bennet stopped and thought before fanning himself and replying "HOT!" And so, here I am, looking like a cow (to my 3 year old at least) at 34 weeks!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

In the 10 week countdown!

2009-03-25T11:41:00.002+09:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

One day shy of 30 weeks!

We're officially in the 10 week countdown now! And what's more, we're leaving to go to Yokosuka on May 11th (at 37 weeks) to wait nearby the hospital! We're all getting very excited. The house is more and more ready with everyday. All the tiny clothes are washed, diapers are prewashed, folded, and ready to go, and Bennet felt his brother move for the first time the other day! Tim still hasn't read the birth coach book I gave him. And now that we're in the countdown, my polite pleas for him to prepare himself for the birth of our son and my strategic placing of the book where he's sure to see it have morphed into slightly less polite demands that he read the damn book before I have to strategically place it somewhere else. I'm happy to report that I caught him reading it today, unprompted, during siesta. :)

The Many Faces of Bennet

2009-03-24T08:35:00.002+09:00

Bennet has been really into making faces lately. In particular, he likes for Tim and I to mirror the faces back to him before he moves onto a new one. We've played the face game at home, in the tub, at the park, in the doctor's office, at the post office...and so on. I'm pretty sure most of the people on base either think I'm insane or think Bennet and I are constantly feuding (B is really into making the squinty-eyed angry face). Tim and I both really enjoy seeing what kind of faces he comes up with and thought we'd give you a little taste of the many faces of Bennet. (Please don't mind the eggs on his face. This particular round of face game was played at the breakfast table.)

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Like Buttah!

2009-03-17T14:33:00.003+09:00

With all the bread that's been baking in our house recently, it was only a matter of time before we decided to make our own butter! So today, Bennet and I went to the store and bought fresh cream and spent the afternoon in the kitchen. We even used the buttermilk for irish soda bread. After all, you really need something to slather all the butter on!

Mommy is using the food processor,

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

...but Bennet is going the shake-it-up route to creamy, buttery goodness!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

We've got whipped cream!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

At this point I started wondering if I did something wrong...

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

But all of a sudden, the processor started shaking and there was something clunky inside! It actually worked!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Drain off the buttermilk.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

And Bennet's STILL shaking!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

It's time to flavor the butter!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Sun-dried tomato and basil butter.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Italian herb and garlic butter.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Toasted almond and honey butter.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

How about now, Mommy?

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Let's take a look....BUTTER!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

All the pretty butters in a row.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

After all that hard work, a little taste of buttermilk sounds good!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

PICTURES!!

2009-03-16T10:43:00.002+09:00

Finally I have gotten the last 10 weeks of pictures off of the camera and onto the computer! Not sure what I did to fix it, but the important thing is that it is fixed now! I'll post some highlights from the last 10 weeks!

Over the weekend, we went to the mall in Hiroshima with friends (Tanya, Brian, Kirby, and Adeline). Bennet and Kirby are only a month apart and get along so well! They had a blast running around and playing at the indoor park! We ate lunch and dinner out too. Lunch was this place that serves Japanes style omelets (with seasoned rice inside) and awesome rolls. For dinner, we went to a garlic kitchen and had some wonderful Japanese-Italian dishes. SO yummy! I finally found a wooden play gym for Squiddy too! I've been searching for one since I got pregnant and I am so pleased that I found one! It's adorable! I'll post an action pic in about 2 1/2 months!!

But enough chatter, on to the pictures!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing

Baby dropped!

2009-03-12T12:21:00.003+09:00

Already! Can you believe it? I was shocked. This morning when I woke up, I had lots of pressure and pain very low in my abdomen. Hoping it would go away, I went about my normal routine. But it only got worse. So I headed in to see the doctor just to be sure everything was ok. And it seems he's flipped into the head down position! Yesterday, he was kicking my ribs, and now he's so low, my whole belly has changed shape.

***TMI WARNING***

Just to be safe, she checked my cervix, which is still long and closed. So no preterm labor worries, thankfully!

***TMI WARNING ENDED***

His heart rate was 144 bpm and I'm measuring 29 weeks. My glucose test came back perfect and I'm just barely borderline anemic (12.0-16.0 is normal and mine was 11.6). I also got my rhogam shot today. So all in all, a good, clean bill of health.

I go back in 2 weeks now instead of monthly. And I finally got a date for me to head up to Tokyo to be near the hospital. I'll be leaving on monday, May 11th when I hit 37 weeks. Just one day after mother's day!! I am thrilled about this especially since last year, Tim was gone for training on my first mother's day. I am very happy that we'll get to spend the day as a family this year.

A Tiny Hat for a Tiny Head

2009-03-06T08:04:00.004+09:00

I found a great pattern for a hat to fit a brand new baby (it's soooo tiny). So I knit one up (with a few modifications to the pattern of course) the other night when I was supposed to be folding laundry. So, our little one is certain to be the most stylish, fashion forward baby on the labor & delivery floor at USNH Yokosuka!

View From the Top

2009-03-05T14:34:00.002+09:00

27 weeks

Miyajima and Monster Feet

2009-03-04T14:58:00.003+09:00

Over the weekend, we went back to Miyajima. We visited back in August when we first arrived here, but it was so darn hot that we never got to go up Mt. Misen. So, this time, we took the ropeway up to the summit. It was a great day for it too! Not too hot or cold. While we were there, we had a local specialty called Okonomiyaki. It's a thin crepe-like dough with lots of cabbage, pork, egg, and special sauce on top. Tim got it with shrimp and squid. I got it with oyster which is abundant in our region. Bennet tasted squid and oyster! He seemed to like both of them!

After lunch, we walked around the market for awhile before we went up to the mountain. It was a gorgeous walk on the way to the ropeway. We of course had to stop to take pictures along the way!

Once we got to the top, we saw deer and monkeys all over the place. Bennet was very interested in all the animals running around! We walked around the summit for awhile, but poor Tim soon learned that pregnant women and three year olds are not the best hiking partners! On our way back to the ferry, Tim had squid on a stick, a popular street vendor food. Yum!

And on a completely unrelated note, I knit some monster feet booties for Squiddy!

27 weeks and OFFICIALLY in the third trimester!!

2009-03-02T08:13:00.003+09:00

Title says it all! Only 13 weeks to go!

Fresh, Homemade Bread EVERY day!

2009-02-27T10:46:00.004+09:00

I heard about this from a friend and just had to give it a shot. So, I made the dough 2 days ago, which took about 5 minutes to mix and then just sat around on my counter, and later in my fridge. Yesterday, I spent another 5 minutes taking it out of the fridge and setting it on my counter. A little while later it went in my oven. And by lunch time, we were all eating sandwiches on bread that had been made less than an hour before! YUM!!

Today, I made sesame rolls that were destined to be lunch sandwiches again today! Delicious!!

Here's a link to a page with the master dough recipe that I used. It honestly couldn't be easier! I don't even have a pizza peel or baking stone, so I used the back of a cookie sheet and another cookie sheet with parchment paper instead.

99 Days!

2009-02-22T11:00:00.005+09:00

That's right! This morning marked the official foray into double digits. Only 99 days until my due date. I cannot even begin to express how good that feels! To celebrate, I'm sharing my latest belly photo from last night. I'm just a few days shy of 26 weeks. Which means I only have one more week left in the second trimester! I would ask where the time has gone, but I actually can't remember what it feels like to NOT have a human being inside me. 99 days doesn't seem all that long though! Not when I started with 280 days to go!

And, we've been having issues getting photos off of the camera and onto the computer. I can only do them one at a time, which takes FOREVER. So don't hold your breath for tons of pics! We're working on the problem and you're just going to have to hold yourself over with these!

Just because they're so darn handsome!

My new wrap carrier makes an awesome hammock for Bennet. Check back in 99 days for pics of Baby Nelis being worn in it. I cannot wait to babywear again!

Belly shot

2009-02-11T09:17:00.000+09:00

Here's our most recent belly picture from the very end of 22 weeks. I'm starting to really FEEL pregnant. It's taking a bit more effort to roll over, get up, and bend than it ever did before. Hard to believe I have 16 more weeks to grow!

Per my doctor's orders, I've been relaxing more and having fewer braxton-hicks, which is great. But now it seems that I need to relax less. Apparently, if I sit for too long (which is kind of necessary for relaxing), I get horrible sciatica pain when I get up. Long story short, Tim had to come home from work today to rescue me! We went to the doctor and his new advice is to not sit for too long, but rather keep moving and changing positions. Oh, and I'm allowed to take a whole tylenol!!! (note oozing sarcasm) I'm just hoping I have no attacks next week while Tim is in Alabama for training!!!

Japanese Junk Food

2009-01-31T15:50:00.003+09:00

McDonald's and Coca-Cola are about as American as you can get. But Japan does both WAY better we do!

Ever since we got here, people kept telling us to go to McDonald's and we just couldn't figure out why. But we finally did a few weeks ago and now we get it. It tastes SO much better here! Normally I would never eat Mickey D's, but here, it's a whole different story. Their oil is cleaner which means no nasty after taste or belly ache from your fries. The sandwiches actually look like the pictures -- every time! And the serving sizes are normal instead of gargantuan. Tim, Bennet, and I have been going on saturday mornings to get breakfast there because it's so yummy. I'm slightly addicted to egg McMuffins right now (which are actually fairly balanced and nutritious if you don't mind the cheese and white flour). They have a few interesting items on their menu here as well. Like for breakfast, you can get a biscuit muffin, or if you're feeling healthy you can go with the salad McMuffin (literally salad on an english muffin with a slice of bacon and cheese). They also serve german-style hot dogs and fish filets for breakfast. Later in the day, if you're not up for a Big Mac, you can always get an Ebi burger (a shrimp patty with all the typical fixins of a burger). I've not actually tasted the Ebi burger myself, but everyone tells me it's pretty awesome!

I'm not a big soda drinker, although I've missed diet coke since I became pregnant. And once in awhile I will indulge in soda, usually some coke. And when i do indulge, it's almost always out in town. Japanese coke tastes different - it's less sweet and it doesn't coat your throat with sticky sweetness because Japan uses sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. It's actually really refreshing and delicious!

I know this post is taking a turn from my norm (Bennet and preggo updates), but I figured you could all use a break from that. This is SUPPOSED to be a blog about our Japanese adventures after all.

OH...I almost forgot to tell you! Tim and I had octopus the other day! It was surprisingly good! Similar to squid, but a bit less chewy with a mild flavor. I figure, if I can eat calamari, I can surely eat octopus - even if the tentacles and suction cups are a little freaky!

Relax! Relax! Relax!

2009-01-29T09:36:00.002+09:00

That's the doctor's order I got this morning. I've been having some Braxton-Hicks contractions lately. Probably due to the full social agenda that Bennet has been keeping me busy with. The doctor isn't too concerned as long as the contractions don't become more intense or too frequent. So for now, the official order is to let the house go and relax. Should be fine today, but tomorrow B has gym playgroup in the morning and then school in the afternoon. So I'll just do my best to get some rest in between, and of course, plenty of hydration.

Baby Boy's heartrate was 150 today, which is just perfect and my belly is measuring right on target too! So, it seems that other than the contractions, we're doing pretty well.

Bennet is going to school now!

2009-01-21T17:03:00.002+09:00

And he loves it! He only goes for about 2 hours 3 days a week, but it's perfect! He really enjoys it a lot and it's nice for me to have a little quiet time to myself once in awhile. In fact, Bennet had so much fun on his first day, he didn't want to leave!! His teacher reports that he's doing well. But it seems he is testing them!! He pretends to not understand simple directions when he doesn't want to do something!! Don't worry, I made sure to let her know that this is only Bennet's OLDEST trick! hehe Poor kid is gonna be bummed out when he figures out they know what he's up to!!

We also joined the co-op at the gym! Bennet and I go there three times a week now. I work out for an hour while he plays with the other kids and then I watch the kids for an hour. It's really nice to get out of the house and Bennet loves socializing! Factor in his weekly playgroup and our bimonthly MOPs meeting (Moms of Preschoolers), and we've got one full social agenda!!

Baby Boy ____ (it wouldn't be fun if I didn't tease you all about his name!!) is quite active these days! He is laying outrageously low and I often have to contort myself into funny yogic positions to try and shimmy him up! Tim thinks it's hilarious and seems to be under the illusion that my birthing should be quick and easy since he's "hanging out near the exit". His words, not mine!!

I have an appointment for a prenatal massage in a week and I can't wait! They're offered here on base at the gym for a reasonable price and lord knows my aching body could use it!! I'll let you all know how it goes!

Oh yea...I'm 21 weeks now!! Past the halfway mark! WOOHOO!!

Snips & Snails or Sugar & Spice???

2009-01-10T23:53:00.000+09:00

Isn't that the sweetest little foot you ever saw?

Well, we just got home from our (long) trip to Yokosuka for the BIG day! And Squiddy was ready for us! We got to the hospital and checked in for our appointment around 9 am. The sonographer took us back to the room and we all got ready to see how much Squiddy had changed in 5 weeks! We found out that the Squid is now a whopping 12 ounces and we even got to see our little one yawning and squirming around. It would seem that the softer kicks I've been feeling aren't actually kicks at all!! They were punches! It was really fun to see AND feel the movement. We also found out that my placenta is on the front of the uterus which means that it should be much harder for me to feel movement. Of course that has certainly not been the case. Although, it would explain why I never felt the flutters everyone talks about! I just started getting kicked from the get go.

That's a hand covering the face, in case you can't tell!

I suppose you're all waiting for me to get to the REALLY exciting part, huh? Well, it turns out that my fear of a modest baby was completely unfounded! We didn't have to search around at all, because Squids flashed us as soon as the ultrasound wand hit my belly!! Tim and I didn't even need the sonographer to tell us that we're expecting a sweet little BOY!! It was obvious!

How cool is that?

We are both so thrilled to welcome a second son! And Bennet is very excited that he is getting a little brother this summer! After the appointment, we headed upstairs to the maternity floor for a tour. It was nice to see where our son is going to be born and we got to talk to one of the midwives there. She is one of the two midwives on staff, so there is a very good chance that she could be the one attending our birth! We actually didn't know that the hospital had any midwives and were thrilled to find out! We're planning a natural birth and we'd had some anxiety about delivering with doctors who might not be as gung ho about it as we are. So that was a VERY pleasant surprise for us!

And there's our sweet boy's face! Look at those chunky little cheeks!!

After that, we all trekked over the department store on base for a little (a.k.a. a LOT) of retail therapy!! We bought a play yard, some babyproofing stuff, socks, bibs, and about 10 outfits. Bennet even picked out a toy for his new baby brother! We all had a really good time oohing and ahhing over all the sweet baby things!

47 hours!!

2009-01-07T09:58:00.004+09:00

**I have no excuse for my bad blogging habits. And I'm not making anymore promises about when I'm going to start writing more regularly. So, think of it as a surprise when you get a new entry!! That will make it fun!**

On to the blog!!!!

Only 47 hours until we find out what "kind" of baby is in my belly!!! Tim is still holding firmly to his guess of "boy" and I still have a strong mother's intuition that it is definitely NOT a puppy or alien! As far as boy or girl, I really have no clue though.

Unfortunately for all you, you're going to have to wait a few days longer to find out! Since we're here in Japan and I'm high risk, I have to birth in Yokosuka (near Tokyo) and so that is where I have to go for this ultrasound. Which means that we won't be getting home until Saturday night (Saturday EARLY morning for those of you US dwellers). Good news (for Tim and I) is that the weekend we are in Yokosuka, their NEX (Navy department store) is having a big baby sale!! Ok, so really that is good news for me moreso than Tim, but that's really just semantics! I've been eyeing up all the cute, frilly dresses, and the adorable little boy rompers. Now we just need to find out which I should be buying!!!

In other news, Squiddy is becoming quite active!! He/she sleeps all morning, and then comes alive after dinner! Kicking, rolling, stretching, and even tap dancing at times! We've even had a few times that the Squid kid has stretched so hard that Tim and I could feel both ends of the baby!! Tim still has not felt any kicks yet, but that's only because EVERY time he puts his hand on my belly, Squiddy instantly calms down! Should be a GREAT trick after he/she is born, but for now, is annoying mommy who just wants Tim to feel a swift kick!!

We've also determined that Squids has his/her father's taste in breakfast foods! I've been craving cereal and cheese omelets. But not even the good omelets with cheddar, tomato, onion, and green peppers. No no no. Squiddy wants omelets a la Daddy (i.e. american cheese)!!! The natural, eco-friendly, organic-loving girl in me is outraged! But the belly has spoken! Tim has been known to make me an omelet at 11:00 at night so I don't have to go to bed hungry! How's that for romance?

Bennet is starting to get excited. He says hi to the baby now and is stil enraptured by all the babies we meet around base! He's also starting preschool and therapy next week. He's VERY excited!! I had wanted to try homeschooling with him for a few years, but he gets SO excited everytime we walk past the school, say the word school, or pull his backpack out of the closet. I think he's REALLY going to like it!!

And just for fun, here are some of Bennet's shining moments from the last few weeks!!

16 week belly

2008-12-24T11:33:00.002+09:00

I've been slack on the belly shots. So here's a quick one from over the weekend. We were in Hiroshima for the day. I'll post about that one later. It was a really amazing city and great trip!

More baby news!

2008-12-22T19:59:00.002+09:00

I'm 17 weeks today and have been feeling some movement for about a week now. It was only here and there, but now I'm feeling it daily. Just little pokes and jabs once in awhile, but it's so cool!! I also had my first braxton-hicks contractions. Not painful at all, but it was cool to feel exactly how my uterus is lying now. It's all the way up to my belly button now!

We also made our appointment for THE ultrasound! January 9th at 9am! Let the countdown begin! Tim and I are, of course, VERY excited to find out if Squiddy is a boy or girl. But we have gotten even more anxious to find out as we have FINALLY settled on names!! So, instead of finding out if it's a boy or girl, we'll be finding out exactly who is in there! Of course, we are going to be mean and not tell any of you what those names are. But take comfort in knowing that Baby Nelis WILL have a name when it's born!

We had an ultrasound and found out....

2008-12-11T20:53:00.003+09:00

...that we're expecting the cutest, smartest, wittiest baby ever!!

I mean, look at that nose and the little fingers curled into a teeny tiny fist!! Ugh...so cute it hurts!!

And already sucking it's thumb! How flipping precious is that? We even saw Squiddy get the hiccups! And he/she graced us with a beauty pageant wave and showed us all five little fingers! Feel free to ooh and ahh all you want! We certainly are!

We're moving Friday!

2008-12-01T13:39:00.003+09:00

Well, we got on a list to get into a bigger house about a week ago, and today we were offered a three bedroom apartment in the building that we were hoping for, no less! It's one of the two newly renovated buildings on base and it's right next door to the school that Bennet will be attending. It's closer to the middle of base too and there is an adorable park right out the front door! We're very lucky to have gotten in so quickly, but that means that we are moving very soon now!!

Unfortunately, Tim is going to be on a business trip from Sunday until the 18th of this month. So we have to have everything moved into the new place by Saturday night and I'll have to take care of having our current place white-glove clean for the final inspection next week. We'll get the keys to the house Thursday and will start slowly taking over boxes then. Saturday will be the big move day when we get a few friends to help us with the furniture. And then I'm on my own for unpacking and settling in. I hope to have the house up and running by the time Tim gets back from his trip.

So what does this mean for all of our family members? Well, since I had planned to wrap and mail all of your gifts this week, it means that I will be sending them a full week later than I had planned. So you may or may not have your packages in time for Christmas Day....I'm sorry!!! I will have them sent out by the 13th though, so it will be a REALLY close call!!!

This was very unexpected for us!! We were initially told that we would not get into a 3 bedroom until February, so it was a shock to hear today that we're moving THIS WEEK! We're very excited though since the new place is significantly larger and Bennet will have his own dedicated playroom! I'll take some pictures for you all as soon as we're moved in and settled. Until then, posts will (again) be scarce!

Are you sick of hearing about my pregnancy yet?

2008-11-30T20:08:00.003+09:00

Hope not!! Because we haven't been doing too much exploring around Japan lately and the pregnancy is really all that's going on with us right now!!

We've got our next appointment on Thursday. It's my 15 week appointment, but I'll technically be only 14 1/2 weeks. But Tim is going to be gone on a business trip for a week and half so I scheduled it early because he really likes to be there for all the doctor appointments. We don't have an ultrasound scheduled this time though. Our next isn't until mid-January. I'll be 20 weeks then and we should be able to find out the gender then!

In the last few days, I've started feeling quite a bit better and my appetite has finally returned!! And it had returned in a big way!!!! Which is great because a woman of average weight pre-pregnancy is recommended to gain 25-35 pounds throughout the pregnancy. And since I lost 15 pounds in the first trimester, I need to regain those 15 PLUS the recommended 25-35 which will be quite a feat in a mere 6 months! Luckily the morning sickness seems to have flown the coop and I am back to cooking healthy, filling meals. My goal in the first tri was just to eat, now my new goal is to eat HEALTHY! I'm also getting back into my walking routine and prenatal yoga. I'm really beginning to enjoy this pregnancy so much more now that the mind numbing fatigue is edging off and the nausea is finally dissipating!

Oh, by the way, now that I am 14 weeks (in 4 hours), Squiddy is about the size of a lemon and is covered in fine hair. The Squid is moving a lot too now, though I can't feel it yet.

Oh, and I'm officially in maternity clothes only now...and my high heels are shivering in their storage bin in the storage shed. *sigh*

Thanksgiving and Belly Shots

2008-11-27T20:44:00.005+09:00

We just got home from Thanksgiving dinner at a friend's home. They were wonderful enough to invite us to their home, thus sparing the poor pregnant woman from having to cook and clean up after Thanksgiving dinner. I am VERY thankful to them!! I decided to include two belly shots, as I've had a few requests and this is the first week that I feel like I have some belly to show. They are both from today (13 weeks 3 days), one before the turkey dinner, and one after. You'll notice QUITE a difference between them!

13 weeks FINALLY!

2008-11-24T10:01:00.002+09:00

So today is the official beginning of the second trimester! Unfortunately, I am still exhausted and not feeling quite myself. Though it's not nearly as bad as the first trimester! Squiddy is now about 3 inches long and can suck his/her thumb!! My belly is starting to pop out and I am officially in the in-between stage where nothing fits me! My pre-preggo clothes are a joke, and maternity clothes are like tents! So I wear the same pair of yoga pants everyday! Which is no big deal, because I'm still too tired to leave my house! So no one is the wiser! I have another appointment in two weeks, but no ultrasound planned until the BIG one at 20 weeks. I recently made our first Squiddy-specific purchase: a new, gorgeous, sling to carry the little darling in! Granted, I already have a lovely black and white one that is perfect for carrying a large tot in. But it's just a wee bit big for a newborn. Not that my shopping craving has subsided in the least! Now I'm searching for the perfect wrap for summer! GypsyMama makes a gorgeous light weight batiked wrap that is perfect for carrying a baby in the hot summer months. I know EXACTLY which pattern I want, and now I'm just searching for it used!

We're making plans now to visit our very good friends in Guam in late February as a sort of "babymoon" before we officially become a family of four. We're really looking forward to seeing them and it will be a nice break from the cold weather we've got here!

In other news, my college room mate got engaged last week and is planning a summer 2010 wedding!! So, those of you who know Jo, wish her congratulations! She is going to be a gorgeous bride!

Bennet is currently in the throes of the terrible three's. About a week after his birthday, the body snatchers came and took my sweet darling and left behind a whirling tornado with a ferocious attitude! Despite the fact that he does not yet say the word "no", he's mastered the dirty look and angry shout that so clearly lets us know EXACTLY what he thinks of us!

Tim is busy working long days, but he always makes the time to come home and spend his lunch break with us! He's become quite the chef lately as well! He's really taken to his new role as Expectant Daddy (a.k.a. slave to the gestating queen) wonderfully!!

10 weeks today!

2008-11-03T17:11:00.001+09:00

And our appointment went great!! The obstetrician decided that we will be able to deliver Squiddy at the (semi) local Naval hospital instead of having to travel to Okinawa for the second half of the pregnancy!! We also got to peek in at Squiddy today. I couldn't see the screen very well, but Tim got to see the baby's heartbeat. He even saw him/her moving!!! I'm pretty jealous, but we got a great picture so I'm ok with it!

That's Squiddy's head on the left and body to the right. The legs and arms are curled up so you can't really see them. But if you look hard, you can see the face!!

Oh yea, Squiddy is officially no longer an embryo today, but a full fledged fetus!!

See you all in a few weeks!

2008-10-20T06:23:00.003+09:00

So, I thought the queasy feeling I had 24/7 since 4 weeks was the full swing of morning sickness. Over the weekend, however, I learned that I was oh so wrong! For your sake, and so I don't have to relive it, I'll skip details and just let you all know that you shouldn't expect to hear from me for the next few weeks!!

See you all in the second tri!

I lied to all of you...

2008-10-15T17:45:00.000+09:00

So, do you remember back about 2 weeks ago when I complained about the Iwakuni funk? Well....I lied.....

We found out on September 18th that Bennet is going to be a big brother!! Actaully it was EXACTLY one month since we had arrived in Japan, so this little bean really IS our "Iwakuni Funk"!!

Now, on to more important things...I'm just shy of 8 weeks along. Baby Nelis is due in early June and has already been wreaking havoc for his/her poor mommy! Tim has been wonderful the last few weeks, cooking, cleaning, and doing everything for me! I've been too sick and exhausted to do anything at all really!

Sorry for the poor quality of the picture!! Our household goods still aren't here so our scanner isn't here. Which means that I had to take a picture of the ultrasound!! No big deal though. You get the gist! We are in love already and Tim has lovingly nicknamed our child "Squid"!

I've got the Iwakuni funk!

2008-10-03T17:19:00.002+09:00

Well, we've been very busy with all the birthdays around here! Bennet's was really fun, then there was mine, then Bennet's party (the wild dinosaur disco), and this weekend will be Tim's. Of course, I have lots of pictures, but they aren't uploaded yet, so you'll have to bear with me!!!

Unfortunately, I've had the Iwakuni funk, as it's affectionately referred to here. Apparently some people start feeling junky about a month after they arrive in Iwakuni. I've heard a LOT of different reasons for this from many people (none with any actual medical background). My favorite possibility is dust from China blowing into Japan!! Other people have told me it's different germs, or plants, or food, or water. Who knows?! But basically, I don't feel so hot! So don't expect too much blogging until this lets up! Sorry!

Driving in Japan

2008-09-16T08:07:00.000+09:00

So as all of you *should* know, Japan is a nation of left-side drivers. This was not one of my main anxieties when we were still stateside. Only because I had far bigger fish to fry at that point. However, now that we're here, it's a priority-one neuroses. As stated in another post, we walked the equivalent of about 8-12 Mt. Fujis while waiting to get our driver's licenses. While we b*tched and complained the whole time, I must say that had it not been for the painful amount of walking, I may never have conceded to try driving here. But it's darn hot here and I was finally ready last week! So my sponsor put her life in my hands and gave me her car keys. I think maybe she trusts me too much, but we'll get to that later!

She was lovely enough to take me around base and not laugh too much when I tried to signal my intent to turn with my windshield wipers. All in all, it was not too bad! But, I had only driven on base! Saturday, I took a crack at driving out in town. And for the most part, I did great! I did not hit a single car, pedestrian, or biker! Which, if you've ever driven down a one lane back country road and had the entire tour de France bearing down on you, you'll know is quite an achievement. Except that I was not on a one lane back country road -- no no, this was a two lain main drag in back-country-road disguise! But like I said, we got to our destination in one piece! My confidence was squashed however, when I couldn't find the courage to try parking in the insanely tiny spaces in the parking garage. I had about 25 Japanese cars in queue while Tim and I switched seats so he could park us...

Just so that I am not leaving you with an image of me at my incompetent best, I'll tell you the story of Tim's first drive out in town! (Though this story still doesn't make me look good...)

We decided to take the short cut home (pause for you to roll your eyes), and of course we got lost. In Japan. Where we speak only enough to tell someone we cannot speak Japanese (soo glad that was the first phrase on our "Learn Japanese" tapes). Tim eventually figured things out, while I cried in the front seat (that's the part that I'm not proud of). But, we did end up on the wrong side of the bridge, which sounds sinple enough, right? Just cross the bridge. Well, to get to the other bridge, you have to drive down a VERY windy road with tall trees on either side that is about wide enogh for 1 1/2, MAYBE 1 3/4, cars to fit through. And it's windy, so visibility is not so great. And everyone driving down the road is going 40 kpm. So, Tim pulled over, and I cried again. Eventually we decided to turn around. On the drive home, I closed my eyes and let Tim deal with getting us back, which he did.

So, you tell me who the better driver is!

Too Flippin' Cute

2008-09-08T07:45:00.000+09:00

No words today, just this:

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

No more walking please!

2008-09-06T08:33:00.002+09:00

We've been here for a little over two weeks now and in that time, Tim estimates that we've walked about 500 miles. Not really, but maybe 100 (for real!). Grocery shopping on foot was my favorite. One screaming toddler, enough food for 3 people for as many days as I could carry, in humidity that makes a former resident of Pensacola whine, at a grocery store a mile from home translates into an afternoon of fun! And that's just grocery shopping! There was also checking into every building on base, running errands, buying a car, not to mention exploring town! Tim and I made the extremely dumb mistake of deciding to WALK into town! We'd gone on a bus tour and figured that the walk wasn't that far! HA! We arrived home 6 hours later, sweat-drenched and with feet that had gone on strike 2 miles back.

So you can imagine my elation, when the car dealer called yesterday afternoon to say that the car we purchased is ready to go!

I dragged Bennet (screaming all the way, mind you), one last time, through the streets of base, before we crawled into that air conditioned haven and drove off on the left side of the road. And it was good!

Miyajima

2008-09-02T16:18:00.002+09:00

On Saturday, we took our first real day trip into Japan. We decided to go to Miyajima, a small island about 25 minutes away by train. The island is famous for it's floating Torii, oysters, and maple leaf-shaped treats. To get there, we walked off base to the bus stop, took the bus to the train station downtown (only a 5 minute ride), hopped a train to Miyajimaguchi, and from there took a ferry to the island.

It was a gorgeous, albeit hot, day to walk around the village. Bennet loved the train so much, he cried when we got onto the ferry. Of course, once the ferry started moving, he loved it and cried when we got off the ferry!!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

I'd been warned about the deer in Miyajima before we went but it still surprised me! They are very friendly. In fact, they let us pet them! It was really cool, and Bennet thought they were dogs! He even said "woos woos" to them (his version of barking!).

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

From there we headed to the covered shopping area. There were so many shops with some really interesting things to buy. The street vendors had squid on a stick (which I'd like to try, but I figure I should pace myself...we do have three years after all), fried oysters (which I really do want to try, but it was August 31st, and I was taught to eat oysters only in months ending in -er), and momiji-manju. Momiji-manju are the maple leaf-shaped treats I mentioned. They are like a sweet pancake filled with bean paste or cream cheese. We had the ones with cream cheese since none of us are fans of bean paste. On a side note, bean paste is a very popular filling for Japanese desserts. We also met an english class full of kiddos. They were really cute and asked us some questions.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Bennet, of course, made friends along the way. One sweet little old lady held his hand and commented on his long eyelashes. Then he met a little girl out with her mom and grandma. He's quite a hit in Japan already!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

After having some lunch, we walked to the aquarium. The aquarium there is being closed for renovations in December for 3 years, so it was a priority to go there. They had some great animals, but the facilities were so-so. We saw porpoises, sea lions, sharks, and penguins. In fact, the penguins come out to meet the people a few times a day. Bennet got so excited he ran through the crowd, shoving people out of his way, and straight up to the penguin. Of course, that meant that I had to run through the crowd, shoving people out of the way, to get him back. It was embarrassing. But I got to practice my Japanese. Gomensai means I'm sorry.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

We didn't go through the temple or up the mountain to see the monkeys. It was really hot and we figured since the island is so close, we will be back often. We're planning to come back for Tim's birthday to hike the mountain. So we'll have more pics then. For now, here's some from the weekend.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

And of course, on the train ride home...

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Part 2: At Home in Iwakuni

2008-09-01T15:58:00.003+09:00

Long post with pics! Part 1: The Trip to Iwakuni

2008-09-01T13:05:00.003+09:00

Finally, I've found some time to sit down and update you all! I'll start at the beginning. On the 15th, we woke up at the La Quinta Inn in Pensacola and drove to the airport around 5 am.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
We flew out of Pensacola late due to weather and landed in Houston. From there, the Houston to LA flight was over 3 hours late and we landed at LAX after our Tokyo flight had left! The next flight out was not until the following day! It was quite a bummer, but we were lucky enough to find the USO at the airport. We had planned to email our sponsors in Iwakuni to let them know we would not be arriving and it turned out, we could stay overnight at the USO! It was pretty nice. They had a family room with a tv and kid's movies, toys, and some books. They had dinner and snacks as well which was nice. We got showers the next morning before heading back to the airport. LAX was a whole other story! It was terrible. We got into the first line to drop off our luggage, only to find out that they could not help us at the desk because we had one way tickets (still don't understand that one). So we waited in another line to be helped. About 2 hours after arriving in LAX we were finally heading to the security checkpoint. We made it through and had some breakfast before boarding the plane to Tokyo!
Bennet was wonderful on the plane. He read stories and watched movies in between flirting with flight attendants!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Once we landed in Tokyo, we had to take three trains to get to Iwakuni!! But before getting on, we had our first run-in with Japanese culture! We were very thirsty and bought what we THOUGHT was water!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
(HINT: Read the bottle!!!) It was actually closer to a salty tasting gatorade! ICK!

So, we took the trains, which was fun, but would have been better if it was daytime so we could see the countryside. But still, 600 miles in 4 hours is pretty cool!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
So on monday, we arrived at the base at 2 am!! (which felt like lunchtime to us) Luckily, we were so worn out from the trip, we felt right to sleep and had very little jet lag!

Tune in later, for part 2: At Home in Iwakuni!

In the land of the rising sun!

2008-08-30T21:03:00.002+09:00

So, we're finally in Japan! We're settling into our new home (with loaner furniture that looks like it belongs in a doctor's office waiting room), and we just bought a car. We're enjoying all the new sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of Japan too! We had an interesting dish the other day that consisted of rice, beef, onions, and a raw egg on top (the egg cooks from the heat of the food -- no salmonella worries).

We're taking a train tomorrow to Miyajima, a small island halfway between here and Hiroshima. We're really looking forward to our first trek into the Japanese countryside!

Sadly I have no photos to post right now. I JUST found the cord to upload photographs, so they are currently being put on dropshots right now. This weekend, I will update the blog with photos and the story of our trip here. I'll also try to update you all on our side trip to Miyajima.

I know this isn't a very exciting update, but as anyone who has moved 7,000 miles can tell you, it's a tiring adventure! I will do my best to update often for you all. K

Fast Update

2008-08-08T04:53:00.002+09:00

So, I know I've been a bad blogger. But I think I have a half decent excuse for it! If you've been paying attention to our moving ticker, then you know we have only a week left in the country. So, you can imagine, we're pretty busy. The movers have come twice already, for storage and our express shipment. They're coming for the last time to tomorrow for everything else. Between now and next friday, we're busy with the last few administrative errands, dropping our car off for storage in New Orleans, and running the last minute errands.

I can't promise that I'll be blogging any time soon though. I'd suggest that you give us 2-3 weeks to get there, and get settled. I do promise though, that my next entry will be exciting! I'll be sure to post about the journey and will make it pic laden!!

p.s. Tim got home two weeks ago. It's been lovely! Bennet is thrilled to have Daddy back!

Fig, not newton

2008-07-15T12:07:00.001+09:00

At a recent playgroup that Bennet and I attended, the hostess handed us a baggie on our way out and told us to feel free to pick some figs. Apparently there were a lot and they were falling off the tree quickly. Now, I have never actually had a fig, other than the fruit and cake version, so I was surprised that someone actually had a whole tree full of them in their yard!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Being someone who enjoys trying new things though, I marched on over to the tree, where a 9 year old girl taught me how to pick figs and which were ripe. Also, she told me that the flower is on the inside. Interesting.

So when we got home, I washed one and sliced it in half, and munched. They are fabulous! Bennet and I ate a ton! They may be my new favorite fruit! (Recently, jicamas became my favorite veg.) Since, I had known nothing about figs before today, I thought I'd share some interesting tidbits about them courtesy of California Fig Advisory Board.

Although considered a fruit, the fig is actually a flower that is inverted into itself. The seeds are drupes, or the real fruit. Figs are the only fruit to fully ripen and semi-dry on the tree.

Dried figs were first sold in a commerically manufactured cookie in 1892.

Figs contain a natural humectant -- a chemical that will extend freshness and moistness in baked products.

A chemical found in figs, Psoralens, has been used for thousands of years to treat skin pigmentation diseases. Psoralens, which naturally occurs in figs, some other plants and fungi, is a skin sensitizer that promotes tanning in the sun.

Figs provide more fiber than any other common fruit or vegetable. The fiber in figs is both soluble and insoluble. Both types of fiber are important for good health.

So I couldn't just eat them plain. I had to do some experiementing! So I halved the figs, stuffed them with goat cheese and a pecan, then wrapped them in bacon. A minute or two under the broiler, and they were heavenly!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Kinda makes you want to try figgy pudding!

Our 2nd Anniversary Project

2008-07-09T23:55:00.001+09:00

Yea yea, I know. My anniversary was over a month ago. But Tim and I weren't together, so I'm allowed to be late. Anyways, last year was our paper anniversary. So in honor of it, we had professional photos taken (on PHOTO paper...get it?).

This year is our cotton anniversary. After much thought, I figured out how to memorialize our first two years of marriage.

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

My Mom and Meeko gave us gorgeous bedding from Pottery Barn for our wedding. Seriously gorgeous! Well, our darn dog ripped a big hole in the fitted sheet. Being sentimental, I didn't want to throw it out. But since I didn't inherit my family's pack-rat gene, I didn't want to keep a ripped sheet. So I got a bit creative, and I gotta tell you, I'm proud of me! Not only is the (COTTON) fabric from a wedding gift, but the photos I used for the silhouettes are from our wedding photography. And, of course, it coordinates with our bedding PERFECTLY!!

My inspiration came from three separate projects I found online (silhouettes, this, and this).

I think it's the perfect project for our second anniversary!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Bad Navy!

2008-07-09T09:13:00.001+09:00

I am very angry at the US Navy right now. Too mad to write coherently. Suffice to say, they are making this move MUCH harder than necessary! This move had better be worth it! GRRRRRRRR!!!!

No toddlers were harmed during filming

2008-07-07T13:29:00.001+09:00

He did this a few times and I was lucky enough to get it on film! He was not hurt and after the camera cut away, he proceeded to re-enact it over, and over, and over, .....

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

p.s. sorry for the junky quality -- I filmed it on my phone.

Plans for this week

2008-07-07T13:06:00.002+09:00

Monday -- Heading to Pensacola to get carriers for the cat's for our flight to Japan. Apparently, we need to weight the carriers with the cats in them for the paperwork for our move! (Sounds ridiculous, I know). And Audrey Hepburn will be DISPLEASED!!! Don't worry, I promise to photograph the adventure!! Hopefully we'll get a chance to hit the pool for an afternoon swim. Although the afternoon storms have been pretty bad lately!

Tuesday -- Bennet's speech therapy in the am, of course. And then I think we'll head to the library too. If our stroller is back from the shop (yes...I got a flat tire on my stroller) we'll hit the trail that runs in front of the library.

Wednesday -- Popsicles and some sprinkler action in the morning. We're going to a playdate in the afternoon for a few hours. Yea for socialization!!

Thursday -- More therapy and pool time! Perhaps some grocery shopping as well.

Friday -- Lundy's blueberry farm! We're going to pick our own blueberries and then bake a pie! YUMMO! Pics will be added for you to drool over!

Saturday -- I'm thinking this is a potential beach day (weather dependent). I really want to head down in the late am and pick up some Bagelhead's for lunch. I REALLY miss Bagelhead's! Next to Bobbi and Cathleen, Bagelhead's is what I miss most about working!

I'd like to go to the playground a few times too. We didn't get to all week because the weather has been awful! I brought our slide indoors for Bennet, and he's been dragging it all over the house -- apparently you haven't fully experienced the slide until you've slid in the bathroom, bedroom, living room, and hallway!

At the Zoo with the Jones'

2008-07-01T07:46:00.003+09:00

Saturday, we went to the zoo with my good friend, Bobbi, and her husband and son. Little Nick is 9 months old now and such a big boy! It's been almost 3 months since the last time we saw him, and I'm amazed how much he's changed! Bennet and Nick had so much fun together at the zoo despite the stifling heat! And, this was our first trip to the zoo that the otters were out! They are definitely Bennet's new favorite animal!! The otters seemed to like Bennet too!

For your viewing pleasure:

The Jones'

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Bennet and Mommy

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Almost...

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

So close...

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Aha! Got it!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Bennet's new friends!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Stealing kisses!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Then, Bennet got ahold of the camera...

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
Not too shabby for a 2 year old!!

I'm such a proud Mama!

2008-06-30T00:04:00.002+09:00

In the past week, Bennet has started to show an aptitude for classic literature and knitting!! There couldn't be a prouder Mama!!

He sat on my lap the other day while I was knitting him a scarf (shhh, he doesn't know it's for him), so I put the knitting needles in his hand and laid mine on top. And we knit hand over hand for about 15 minutes, with little B staring intently the whole time. He enjoyed it so much, I found some yarn and needles from my stash for him and he's been walking around clicking the needles together and sticking them in the yarn!

For the last 3 evenings, I have been reading a chapter of Journey to the Center of the Earth before I tuck Bennet in for the night. I bought the real version of the book, not the watered down children's junk they sell. So I wasn't sure if he would be interested (I had to sound out a few of the geological terms), but he listened the whole time. Now here comes the cute part!! I found him in bed each of the last three nights, fast asleep, curled in a little ball, with the books in his arms!!! So, I guess he is enjoying it after all!!

What a smart and creative little person my baby is growing into!

A bittersweet moment for a lover of all things Jane!

2008-06-29T11:26:00.001+09:00

Contrary to popular belief, we did not just pick our son's name out of a hat one day and then butcher the spelling. Bennet's name came from Pride and Prejudice. We gave him the main character's family name. I have always loved to read Jane Austen's novels and daydream about the gowns, country balls, and manors of England. I've read and re-read her novels countless times. But somehow, one of her earliest works (it was published first, but written after she had already began others), has escaped me all these years. So, the other night, while little B and I were on a "date", we stopped into Barnes & Noble for some book browsing and left with a bag full of books. Among them, Northanger Abbey.

Despite my excitement about reading a Jane Austen novel (I've been reading her novels for so long, I honestly don't remember ever reading them the first time) that is completely new to me, I can't bring myself to start! I know that if I read it now, then I will never again open a Jane Austen novel for the first time! So, for now it is wrapped in tissue paper and tied with ribbon, awaiting a day special enough for the last "first" reading!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Nurturing Creativity

2008-06-27T23:03:00.000+09:00

Tim and I have of course talked about how we want to parent. And we've discussed what values are especially important for us to instill in our children. Among them, environmental awareness, religious and cultural understanding, and an active imagination (as well as a number of others not mentioned here).

I recently purchased this book, and I am so in love with it, I need to share it with you! This book perfectly mirrors my vision for our little family. I am so pleased to find such a well-written book with so many fun and imagination-inspiring ideas.

I would recommend this to any and all parents. Children are blessed with such wonderful imaginations that we should all strive to nurture and cultivate that creativity.

Making up for all of the not posting I've been doing lately!

2008-06-26T14:03:00.008+09:00

Alright...so let's go back in time a bit.

A few days ago, we had some boxes, tissue paper, tape (no glue though -- bummer), and toilet paper rolls. So we made a dinosaur habitat! I don't know who had more fun with it!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

In fact, I got so into it, that I made a mailbox and mail during B's naptime!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

A few days later, our playsilks arrived!!! YEA! SO we dyed them with Kool-aid, which worked really well. A bit too well actually! I'm scared of what all that kool-aid I drank as a kid has done to my insides....oh well. The silks came out great, B loves them, and as an added bonus, they smell nice and fruity!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books
p.s. playsilks are my new favorite toy! We're never buying another mass produced toy again!!

Two days ago, B and I decided we would lift the cooking ban which I started when my dear husband left for training. So we made a real meal! *gasp* It was great! I've really missed cooking and the lasagna turned out great. We used goat cheese instead of ricotta, and veggies in lieu of meat. It was pretty kickin if I do say so myself!

So there, you're caught up! And I'll do better now!

Wow...I've been SUPER lazy lately!

2008-06-26T03:32:00.002+09:00

Sorry for the lack of posting. But, life has been hectic without parent #2 around! I really don't know how single moms do it! I'm pulling my hair out here! And I've only got one kid....and he's a pretty decent one! Besides, not getting my housework done, we've been hanging out around the 'hood, swimming at the pool, and going to the library mostly. I've got pics to add here, but I haven't uploaded them yet. And, since he's napping now, I REALLY need to do my dishes! Not very much of an update, I know. But at least you got this!

I'll be a better blogger later! Right now, I'm too tired to vacuum, let alone form complete sentences and witty parables.

Filling the void with crafting

2008-06-06T01:24:00.003+09:00

Bennet goes to bed pretty early each night, which means that I am in an empty, very quiet, house all alone for a few hours. So, I've started crafting again. I finished a knitted x-back tank top a few days ago and did a knit dish scrubbie last night. Currently, I've got a pair of socks for Tim on my needles. I also have been researching organizational tips for small apartment living. This should come in handy in August when we move into an 800 sq foot apartment in Japan. So far, I have found a very cool way to get all of my spices into mason jars with magnets, so that All my spices are hanging on the side of my fridge instead of taking up space in my cupboards! I'm kind of proud of me!

An update for all of you missing us!

2008-05-27T05:34:00.003+09:00

Well, Bennet and I just got back a few days ago from our visit in NJ. It was great for Bennet to meet everyone! We hung out at the pool, play Wii American Idol (and learned who can and cannot sing), and even went on a drive-thru safari where we were attacked by thirsty giraffes!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

On a separate note, today is our (Tim & I) second anniversary today! While time seems to have flown by since we got married, I have a hard time remembering what life was like before Tim!

Tim is in California now!

2008-05-11T02:12:00.002+09:00

Well, we dropped Tim off at the airport bright and early yesterday morning. He called last night to say he got in fine and is just getting settled into his room. Bennet and I are already missing him, but doing our best to keep busy. We went to the post office today to mail out care package number 1 and then we spent the morning doing chores around the house. Tim called and Bennet's face lit up when he heard him. Bennet even said "hi, Dad" clear as day! It was so sweet.

We are planning our trip up to New Jersey and are soooo excited! My lovely Aunt is flying us up to stay for a week. Bennet hasn't met his Aunt Meow, Aunt Jilli, Great-Nanny, Uncle Kevin, or Aunt Bobbi yet so it should be fun!! He is also excited to hang with Aunt Zozey again!

Not much else is going on right now. I'm trying to figure out what to do with my days. And more importantly, my evenings! Bennet goes to bed at 7 pm so it's pretty quiet around here all by my lonesome! I'm sure I'll find a good routine soon enough though!

I'll start bugging Tim to update sometime in this next week. So check back for that soon!

The Artist Currently Known as Bennet

2008-04-22T09:51:00.004+09:00

We are sending original "bennets" out to a select few and keeping photographic evidence of his entire collection for posterity. For your viewing pleasure:

"Turtle Power"

"Rain on Mars"

"Self Portrait of the Artist"

"Art Transcending the Medium"

"Green Thumb"

And now, a peek at the artist at work!

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books\

As the smell of bread fills our home...

2008-04-17T04:37:00.003+09:00

Ahhh....I've just pulled two loaves of farmhouse white bread and one cinnamon raisin swirl loaf from my oven. I started the bread 4 1/2 hours ago, and it was sooo worth it! I think I may serve sandwiches for dinner!

Teaser:

And our sick little boy, lounging on the couch watching Pooh. (Note the crusty face!)

And now for something competely unrelated...

2008-04-14T00:04:00.003+09:00

My good friend and neighbor had a baby boy yesterday in the wee hours of the morn. A few months previous to her delivery, she had asked me to be her backup labor coach. You see, in the military, even if your service member is NOT deployed, you really never know where they will be at any given moment or if they will be reachable. I was, of course, completely honored by her request and set about to learn all there is about birthin' a baby. I learned a lot of great tools and techniques, none of which I actually used when push came to shove. But I learned nonetheless.

Anyways, the reason I am telling you all this, is because it was the single most amazing event I have ever witnessed! Before yesterday, I would have told you that my friend is a very strong woman but now, I feel that is a complete understatement. Even through the contractions, she was as polite and poised (although she did correct my grammar at one point -- I had it coming though) as always. I was absolutely amazed at the whole process and in awe of the human body's ability to bring forth life (cliche I know -- but you weren't there! You don't know!). My prior birthing experiences had been limited to The Baby Story on TLC. So you can imagine how very different it was to have front row seats!

As anyone who knows me can tell you, I adore children, and especially babies. There is something about their honesty and innocence that is so beautiful. And this baby is no different. Holding his tiny little body and looking at his little fingers, it's hard to imagine anything more awe inspiring. I think that being there for the beginning of this child's life has created a special bond though. I see a lot of spoiling in the future for this little one!

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to be there with my friend during such an important event in her, and her family's, lives. I hope that I was able to provide a level of calm and comfort for them through the rough spots.

And now, for the star of the show:

Stone Soup

2008-04-07T05:12:00.002+09:00

So, to get Bennet prepared for the move, we have bought a number of books about Japan as well as kid stories that take place in Asia. We got one called Stone Soup by Jon J. Muth. As you can probably guess, it is an adaptation of the classic folk tale set in Southeast Asia. We all really enjoyed it and decided that we would make our own stone soup today.

Thanks to my lovely mother in law, we are having some Tastefully Simple beer bread with our stone soup tonight which I jazzed up with some garlic, salt, and parmesano reggiano cheese. After I had that in the oven, we chopped up some onion, celery, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. Bennet helped us to heat some EVOO in a stockpot. Then we dumped in our veggies, some diced tomatoes, LOTS of vegetable stock, and even a can of bamboo shoots to make it Asian stone soup! We finished it all off with some pepper, kosher salt, and seasonings.

In short, our house smells phenomenal, we had a fun afternoon in the kitchen together, and we've got a lot of soup for the week! YUM!

Liar Liar!!

2008-04-06T04:36:00.002+09:00

So the car is not meant to be! Luckily we thought to check carfax before signing the paperwork and found out that the seller had lied about the mileage -- by 100,000 miles!!! And it was a salvage title that had been laundered! Pretty shady huh? So Buffy Wellington is not ours. And Tim will be flying out to L.A. for training in a few weeks.

Not much else going on. Today is my Dad's birthday so I'll send a little shout-out to him! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MEEKO!!

Getting stuff done!

2008-04-01T22:26:00.004+09:00

So things are starting to move finally! We are getting our medical clearances done and should be finished with them by next week. So cross your fingers for us that we all pass! We've also been working on getting the cats ready for the move. luckily for them, they've had most of the shots that they need. So they'll only have to get a rabies booster and some bloodwork.

We found out yesterday that base housing doesn't allow yard sales! I thought they were joking! It's a military community! People are always moving in and out. Apparently they only allow community wide sales. They held one March 15th, but we didn't get orders until March 21st so we didn't know we'd need to do a moving sale at that time! UGH! So now I'm trying to figure out what to do with all this extra stuff!!

Bennet and I got our first JEV shots yesterday (Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine). I made the mistake of looking up the vaccine before we got it. Apparently it's made by infecting mice with the disease, then extracting and liquefying their brains! Sick, huh? So we got our mouse brain shots yesterday and we go back agian next monday and then one more time at the end of April.

We also bought a car last night. Tim needs a car to get to Los Angeles and the right one came along finally. It's a 1992 Mercedes Benz 300E-class (I think). It's in good condition on the outside and decent condition on the inside. Tim is pretty excited about it, and I can rest easy knowing that it won't break down on his way cross country! We've decided to name her Mrs. Buffy Wellington. Here she is:

Reality sets in...

2008-03-25T23:41:00.003+09:00

And I'm going insane! We went to base yesterday to start getting our paperwork together. First, we have to all be screened for overseas suitability which means we have a long list to go through as well as shots, appointments and dental. Then that all gets compiled into a report and sent to the Doctors in Japan to decide if we're suitable to live in Japan. So, now I have that to worry about! But we still have to prepare as if we're moving there in the meantime and just hope that we get clearance. We also started doing an inventory of the house and I was surprised to see just how much junk we've accrued! We definitely have PLENTY for a yard sale next month! Other than that, we've made the decision to store our beloved Honda due to the outrageous fees Japan slaps on cars coming in from the US. So we'll have to buy a cheapy Japanese car when we get there. Bennet is at preschool today which is great for getting stuff done! Nothing like a wild 2 year old to sabotage progress!! That's all for today, I think. Will update again later!

Getting excited!

2008-03-23T23:38:00.003+09:00

We took Bennet to Ichiban (a local Japanese restaurant) yesterday for lunch. Tim had shrimp tempura, I had unagi, and Bennet had yakisoba! He even tried miso soup and liked it! We all had fun celebrating together and the waitresses were of coure loving little Bennet who flirted the whole time! After lunch, we headed to Barnes & Noble to check out their selection of books on Japan! We found a beautiful book about Japan with tons of photographs of the different regions, customs, and, of course, foods! We also got a really neat book about samurai! Bennet even got a book. It was the classic "Stone Soup" set in a Japanese village. I can't wait to read it with him! We might even make our own stone soup next week! We also put in an order for a book of Japanese fairy tales. Next week we are planning a trip to the library to find more books for Bennet. We really want to prepare him for the culture change.

In less fun news, Tim and I started discussing the move budget which means no more trips to Target for me! BOO! We're planning to have a garage sale in the next month since we don't want to take a ton of stuff with us when we move. It should be fun, but garage sales always take so much planning! That's pretty much all for now! I'll post more later!

2008-03-22T09:09:00.001+09:00

Here are some pics from around Iwakuni that I found today!

We're moving to Japan!!

2008-03-22T04:52:00.000+09:00

Today we got orders from the Navy to move to Iwakuni, Japan! We are moving in august, which means we have a LOT of work to do in the meantime! Passports, immunizations, packing, saving for the move, and learning to speak Japanese!! We are very excited about the move. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Well, I am just too excited to write anymore right now! I'll update as we get more info!