We FINALLY moved into a tower apartment on the 21st of August and spent the next several weeks getting settled, unpacking and decorating (which is still a work in progress). We live on the ninth floor of our tower building (which is the top floor) and it's kind of nice that we don't have to worry about people above us. I must make a correction to what I said in a previous post. I think my dear husband misunderstood when he heard there were hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances...I mean, come on, we live in military housing. We have very boring plan tile floors, but we do have wood doors and wood colored door frames, which makes this place feel homier than some of the other tower apartments. I like it. We do not have stainless steel appliances, but we have a nice American-sized fridge, microwave, and dishwasher; however, I think the dishwasher is small (at least compared to the one back home). Anyway, this is home now and it's nice and comfortable. I do miss our townhouse back in VA sometimes, but I'm not really missing the stairs. It's nice not to worry with baby gates and kids falling down the stairs. Fortunately, most of our belongings made the trip in one piece. The only thing that really got busted was my crib :( I loved that crib and of course I had matching furniture for the nursery, but my poor girl could not sleep in that pack-n-play any longer, so we bought a crib here from the baby store. It doesn't match the other furniture, but it gets the job done. I had a couple of kitchen things that got bent or broken, but nothing that couldn't easily be replaced. All in all we made it through the move.
So, what's going on with us....
Ryan is working, of course, and seems to really enjoy it. He is getting to travel a little, but not as much as he had hoped to. He also keeps busy with team sports. He has played softball, flag football, soccer, floor hockey, and we both just finished playing on the bowling team...funny huh?!? He also ran/walked a 5K about a month ago...I was so proud of him!
Somehow being a stay-at-home mom means I stay busier than when I worked...still trying to figure that one out! I try to take advantage of nap times around here and do what I want to do. I struggle with wanted to pick up the toys and other chores, but recently I've been trying to use my "me time" for things I like...reading, scrapbooking, working out (haha), surfing the web, etc. Just recently I volunteered to help out at the New Parent Support Program here on base. For now, I will be teaching the Baby Basics class that they offer to new parents once a month. I'm really looking forward to this new experience and at the same time talking about what I love to do...taking care of babies! It looks as though I will be putting the class together on my own, as the previous teacher, did not have a power point or any agenda at all...pray for me that I can put together a class that is both fun and educational for these parents!
Kaylee, my sweet princess, just turned 3 this month. She has really gotten into the Disney Princess fad and dancing around her "castle" in her princess dresses. For about a month I would have to tie her blanket around her so she could pretend she was wearing a beautiful ball gown. Fortunately, she got a Cinderella and Snow white gown for her birthday and she has really enjoyed those. She is a fun girl, full of energy and funny comments.
I am excited to say that she is now potty-trained and looking back it wasn't so bad. She still has an accident every now and then, but that is to be expected, she's still learning. We now have to conquer the Pacifier...dun dun dun! She loves that thing, but it is time for it to go!
Kaylee keeps busy here. On Mondays we go to story time at the Library and then usually pick out a few books to bring home and on Fridays she takes Ballet, which she is really beginning to enjoy...it took some time, but she is doing very well. I am thinking of starting her in tap class in the fall to see how she likes that. We spend other days at playgroup, lunch, or some other outing that we moms put together...which is both fun for the kids and the moms! Our little Kaylee is quite the social butterfly!
My sweet Abby bean turned 1 in December. They grow up so fast! She is off her bottle, sleeping soundly through the night, eating table food (however, she seems to be more picky than when Kaylee was her age), and ALMOST walking on her own. She can walk, but I think that little girl would rather crawl around. It won't be long until she realizes that in order to keep up with Kaylee she's going to have to start using those legs for walking. :) Abby has definitely been our more challenging baby (which I blame on our overseas move), but over the past few months she has really blossomed and smiles and laughs and plays with Kaylee and quietly by herself. She has become quite the little love bug as she will crawl over to lay her head on your lap or give kisses. She's saying a few words now...Mama, Dada, "ore" for more, "pa" for paci, bird, and her favorite "bye-bye!"
Where does the time go...I'm going to have two toddlers very soon!
I am very thankful that the we were able to find a church here. It's a small baptist church just outside the gates so we drive up to the front and then walk to the church (about 3 blocks). The people are very nice and consists of both Americans and Japanese and the pastor is a great speaker. Kaylee really enjoys nursery, however, Abby has yet to find the fun in it. We are looking forward to getting more involved and seeing what the Lord has in store!
We have missed our dear family and friends very much, but are looking forward to a trip home this summer. We were so blessed to have Ryan's parents come out for Christmas and my Mom made the trip the week after Christmas! We did get to do a little sight seeing to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Disney Sea in Tokyo. Ryan recently got to visit Nagano (where the Olympics were held) and do a little skiing with some buddies from work. Things here are very expensive so we haven't done too much in the way of traveling, but hope to over the next two years. For now, I'm just anxious to get back to the states to see everyone!
I apologize for the lengthy post, but I hope you have enjoyed reading this and seeing a few pictures of our adventures! I am hoping to be better at writing on this blog...so stay tuned!
