May Days

Wow...where did the merry berry month of May go?  You know, for all you 'burgh folk out there, I will always hear that Eat n' Park commercial in my head when thinking of May :)  Anyway...

I promise all of you I have not given up on the blog and I do hope those of you who read my blog in the past are still around.  It's just been a rather busy and exhausting month!

As you all know, May started with the passing of our sweet Kona.  The same day we let Kona go, Reece had his two month vaccinations.  He was quite the trooper and only cried just until I was able to pick him up a few seconds later.  He stopped crying, snuggled against me and fell asleep.  I hope the four month vaccines go as smoothly!  Just two days later, Reece's Pappy and Nana B showed up for a wonderful visit.  I am so glad that even though we are half way around the world, in just 11 weeks of life Reece has been able to meet all of his wonderful grandparents.  He is a lucky little boy to have so many loving people in his life.  Of course he shmoozed them all with his charm and adorable smile.  I'm sure that charm and smile will be used later in life to get out of trouble, but at least I'm already on to him :)

I celebrated my very first Mother's Day and loved every second of it.  At first it was kind of surreal...I kept thinking, "wow, I'm a mom!"  I mean, I knew I was a mom, but it really hit me now that I have a day to celebrate my new status that I'm actually doing this mommy thing!  Crazy!

Reece started "school" (I don't like saying day care...it just sounds ugly) this month...the day after Mother's Day was his first day.  He is the youngest baby in the infant room, but he holds his own with the other kids :)  Again, that charm and smile has all the ladies who work in the infant room just eating out of his hand.  It makes me feel so good knowing how much they enjoy having him around and hearing how content he is during the day.  I know they are doing a wonderful job with him and Reece doesn't seem to have any adjustment issues.  The military CDC's (Child Development Centers) really are phenomenal facilities.  My favorite part of the day though is when I get to pick him up and as soon as he lays his eyes on me when I'm in the room, I get one of those big gummy grins that I love so much and my heart just melts.
The downfall of "school" is that Reece also caught his very first cold the other day.  He has a stuffy little nose and a junky cough that just breaks my heart when I hear it.  He is getting a lot of rest though so I hope it won't last too long.  Warm baths, some saline drops in the nose and lots of cuddles are helping him along as well...the cuddles may be helping me more since I feel so badly for him :(

May also brought around the arrival of our boat.  Carlos has been looking and looking, all the while educating himself about boats and even renting boats from the marina on the Navy base to get comfortable and practice his fishing (I'm still waiting for a fish, but he'll get there).  My husband has a grin from ear to ear over the arrival of his boat.  It makes me happy to know that he found something he really enjoys and that it is something we can all enjoy as a family.  The first boat launch will probably be this weekend, but Reece and I will most likely sit this one out.  We want to make sure everything is smooth sailing (no pun intended) before we board :)

So today as I celebrate my 32nd birthday with my hubby and Reece, I realize its been one crazy busy month, but a great month nonetheless (with the exception of Kona).  Carlos baked me a birthday cake and sang to me in only the way Carlos can...and has since we met...very off key and VERY LOUD, but it makes me laugh every time!  I opened presents with my two men and am now ready to drift off to a good sleep after a fabulous day.  Only 6 days remain in this merry berry month and I intend to enjoy every last one of them!

I vow to not go as long between blog postings again so don't give up on me just yet :)

The boat has arrived!

Reece enjoying his Bumbo

Reece and Mommy out to lunch

Another Angel

This is just an update to last night's post.

Kona passed away this afternoon.  He went peacefully with lots of hugs and kisses from the two of us.  Kona essentially told us last night that it was time to let him go.  We know he is watching over us and his little brother Reece.  We miss him like crazy, but we know he will always be with us.  He is surrounded by other dog friends now and munching on doggie biscuits...without having to do tricks to get them now :)

We love you Kona!

Man's Best Friend

Had you asked me two weeks ago what was the hardest thing in life I've ever had to do, I would've responded with "give birth."  We all know I did not have one of those fairy tale births of just sneezing and out popped a baby.  I incubated for 41 weeks, was nauseated for most of my labor, had back labor so the epidural wasn't 100% effective, and I pushed for almost 3 hours simply because I was so exhausted.  I remember it all like it happened yesterday and yes, it was the top contender of life's most difficult moments until this past weekend.

When my dog Kona started becoming a little under the weather two weeks ago, we thought a trip to the vet and maybe some antibiotics later we would have our Kona back.  So when the days kept ticking by and he wasn't getting better, just worse, and we were left without any answers, Carlos and I became extremely frustrated.  Fast forward to Thursday when we were able to get a CT scan done on Kona because we had already maxed out all the other tests that could be run and nothing was conclusive.  We had the images put on a cd and thanks to a friend of mine back in Pittsburgh, we were able to have a veterinary neurosurgeon (yes, there really is such a profession...I was shocked too) read Kona's CT scan images we had emailed him.  While we were prepared for what we would hear (denial could only last so long and his symptoms weren't fooling two people in the medical profession), it still didn't make it any easier to hear him say the words: brain tumor.  Alas, we had our answer, but it was devastating to know there is nothing we can do.  Carlos and I don't know how to be helpless.  We are in professions that help people and treat them and do things to give them a better quality of life and we are not able to do a darn thing for one of our own family members.  How is this fair??!!

So, back to the hardest thing I've ever had to do...
I think it was a couple of things from the weekend...one was actually have a conversation with Carlos about letting Kona meet his maker.  The second was watch my husband suffer over the thought of losing his dog.  Sure Kona is "our" dog, but he and Carlos have a bond that I can't compete with and never cared to.  Kona loves us both unconditionally, this I know, but he truly is Carlos' best friend.  So while Kona and I had a talk on Saturday about how much I love him and I cried pretty much all day, I have also decided I can and will do whatever is best for my darling dog.  Never did Carlos and I think that we would leave Guam without our precious pooch and that is what makes this so much harder.  Kona should still have quite a few more years and we are angry that his life is being cut short.

I would take the pain of giving birth any day than the pain of losing Kona.  Because in the end, the pain of birth resulted in a beautiful baby boy and tons of joy, but the pain of losing a loved animal only results in sadness and a void.

Kona is still with us at this time.  We know it will probably just be a matter of time, but as for now we are just letting nature take its course instead of interfering one way or another.  He does not appear to be suffering so we are just taking this day by day.

Survival of the Fittest

Well folks, I survived.  No emotional mess, no kicking and screaming (from me, not Reece), no anxiety.  What I am referring to is my successful return to work today.

I thought about blogging last night and having one of those 'woe is me' kind of moments because truthfully, yesterday, I was a bit consumed with the thought of returning to work today.  However, because I really didn't have any extra time yesterday to blog, it worked out well that I waited until today and can now say with much delight that I actually ENJOYED my first day back to work (sssshhhh...don't tell my co-workers :) ).  It may be that I also enjoyed the fact that my return to work meant Carlos was on Daddy duty (he took his 10 days of military issued paternity leave when I started back because of some daycare issues we were having, but have since resolved...whew).  I don't think anyone can truly appreciate just how exhausting taking care of an infant can be until they have spent a full day with one.  And our little guy certainly does enjoy wearing us out.  When he wants to fuss, boy can he fuss!  So I will admit I took some delight knowing that Carlos was going to experience what I had experienced for the past 6 weeks!

Of course being the concerned mommy I am, I called a few times to check in on my men...although I'm not sure who I was checking in on.  I think it was more a concern for Carlos' well-being than Reece's!  I had to make sure he was still standing and that Reece hadn't done a complete knock out :)  Alas, both my  Kennedy boys did well today, minus a missed nap (for both), but all in all, a successful day for two of them...now just 9 more to go :)

I will say that work wasn't completely smooth sailing since it is amazing what a mind can forget in the span of 6 weeks.  However, just like those darn bicycles, I hopped back on and pedaled away...I just rode into a couple of pot-holes, but nobody minded!

It is only 7:30pm here, but I am heading to bed.  Because of that missed nap, Reece is already down for the night and I'm not missing my opportunity to catch a few extra zzzz's while he sleeps.  It may have been a good day, but being back on my feet all day has worn me out.

I ask that everyone who reads this blog say a little extra prayer for our darling dog Kona.  Kona has been severely ill the past few days and we can't seem to get a conclusive diagnosis.  Three trips to the vet (and two different veterinarians) and Kona has everyone stumped.  I unfortunately witnessed my poor pup have two seizures yesterday and I still can't get the image out of my mind.  He hasn't had any since, and we are doing everything possible to treat him and whatever it is that is causing his medical issues.  This dog was the picture of perfect health so to have something occur so acutely is devastating to us.  We've already told him he has to be a fighter because we need him around and our wonderful pooch is definitely fighting!  We are saying our prayers that some of these treatments we are doing will work and turn whatever this is around.

Sorry to end on such a sad note, but we are staying positive!  Send him a little love because if you know him, you know he is just the best darn dog there is!

Tiny Dancer

aaahhh...a moment

A moment may be all that I have.  Reece is sleeping...finally...but I don't imagine for long.  This little boy fights his afternoon naps like nothing I have ever seen!  I would love to be told to go to sleep, but not him!  I guess he thinks there is too many exciting things to stay awake for.  He'll realize soon enough that this is not the case and sleep is best.

So what do I talk about with my few minutes of free time (he doesn't stay asleep very long)?  My maternity leave is winding down...about 2 weeks left, or a little less.  Sigh.  This is one mommy who does not wish to return to work.  I'm sure every new mommy feels this way and I will be able to adjust...heck, I'm sure after awhile I'll even enjoy being back!

Side note:  The first two paragraphs were typed 4 hours ago...I told you he wouldn't be asleep for long!

Carlos and I are just enjoying life with Reece.  There isn't anything like it!  Fortunately for Reece, he has also met and been shmoozed all over by his grandparents...first my mom, followed by Carlos' parents, and soon to arrive are my dad and Betty.  What a lucky kid he is to have all these people who just love him and want to meet him as soon as possible!

Every day I notice something different about Reece in terms of his growing.  Today I happened to pick up on how long his eyelashes are getting.  I was sitting feeding him and was just staring at his adorable little face and thought "my goodness!  His eyelashes are so much longer than they were a few weeks ago!"  Everyday is something new with my growing boy...whether it's physical or just the addition of a new baby word...aka...new babble :)

One of my favorite moments so far has been Reece's discovery of his hair.  It was quite a funny moment, although, not so funny for poor Reece.  See, Reece is still learning that his hands are HIS hands.  He is still at that age where he sees them, but doesn't quite get they are connected to his body and that he controls them.  Well, about a week ago, Reece reached up to his head and grabbed a handful of his own hair.  Problem was he started pulling because he didn't know what it was and he pulls mommy's hair so why not this new hair?!  Well, he pulled...then he screamed...followed by more pulling and more screaming.  He had his hand clenched so tightly on his little wad of hair that it took all I had to get his fingers pried apart and get him to let go.  I shouldn't have been laughing at him, but if you could've seen it, it really was quite funny to watch the little guy pull his own hair and then scream as if someone else was doing this to him.  Poor kid.  Still has so much to learn in life :)

Other than the hair pulling, he is quite the trooper.  He enjoys car rides, but does not like when I stop at red lights.  I think he thinks I stop at them to piss him off since he likes to "yell" at me when the car stops moving.  I hope this is no indication as to how he is going to drive when he is older or he may never be allowed to get his license!

I wish I had more to update about Carlos and myself, but Reece is pretty much our life!  We are getting caught up on our sleep thanks to Reece doing great at night now (knock on wood he stays this way!).  I'm still having a hard time getting things done because this little boy loves to be held, but we are working through some of those harder moments.  During the more difficult times he refuses to be put down I just "wear" my child.  Slip him into his Baby Bjorn carrier and he is in heaven and I have my arms back!

Tummy time!

My new sun hat!  A must have in Guam!

I've been social smiling since 3 weeks old.  It wins everybody over and I get my way.

I'm 4 weeks old in this picture. Yes, 4 weeks.  I just have really long legs.

Reece-isms

I have been trying for two days now to upload a video to this blog.  I'm obviously not doing something right.  I'm sure by the time Reece is 3y/o I'll have it figured out.  In the meantime, just thought I'd give all of  you some Reece updates!

*Reece is now 3.5 weeks old and weighing in at 8lbs 11oz.  He is definitely a good little eater that's for sure!  He may even weigh more than that now, but that weight was from his appointment with the doctor this past Monday

*He takes after his mommy with his lack of patience.  When this boy is hungry, you better be right on it.  He doesn't give you a second to delay before he'll start screaming as if he has never been fed in his whole short life :)

*He amazes us daily with his awareness.  He can already focus on people/objects and will just sit and stare at us...and make faces.  It's the cutest!

*At 2 weeks old, Reece was already holding his head up in order to get a better view of these people/objects.  At 3 weeks, that little head is up and turning and moving all over the place.  It won't be long before he can hold it up for good at the rate he is going!

*He has the best smile and loves to just give you a big gummy grin when he is looking at you

*He loves to snuggle against my neck and wrap those long spaghetti noodles of arms he has around me

*Play time with daddy is one of his favorites...daddy gets his little legs and arms moving all over the place and Reece just lays there and enjoys every minute

*we are starting to get some baby babble and find ourselves repeating back to Reece everything that comes out of his mouth :)

*Reece is sleeping a lot better/longer which is making his mommy and daddy quite happy and will hopefully allow me some time to update this blog a little more frequently :)