Progress

We're making progress on this deployment - today we hit the 5 month mark! Who knew 5 months could simeoultaneously pass in an eternity and the blink of an eye? The perspective just depends on which man in my life is on my mind. If it's this little guy -

then I'm ready to stop the clock right now, this very second. He couldn't be a better baby, a more perfect answer to prayer. I treasure every moment we have together.

On the other hand, if my mind turns to this man -

then time can't slip by quickly enough. 5 months apart is 5 months too many. I miss everything about him, but I miss the little things the most. I miss my best friend.

5 months sounds like a big milestone. It's close to 6 months, and 6 months is close to 6.5 months. 6.5 months is the halfway point! We're nearly to the downward slope. Pretty soon our little family will be together again, celebrating different milestones. More fun milestones. Milestones from the cutest kid around.

(I know, I know, he's eating sand. At 10 months, sand is a delicacy.)

We can do this!

Days before Daddy left...our family portrait when he returns will look substantially different. One of the 3 of us is growing like a weed!

Phases of life

Our little family has entered a new, not entirely welcome, phase of life - deployment. Daddy left two weeks ago and William and I miss him dearly. It truly is the pits living apart, but we know that in the long run our lives will be enriched by this experience. Our greatest sorrow is all the developments Josh will miss in William's early life. Fortunately, we have cell phones, digital cameras, email, Skype, and of course, the blog to help us keep in touch. I have such respect for families who have been separated without these modern conveniences. Technology is an amazing thing. Our little family has also entered a new, very welcome, phase of life - belly laughs! Josh and I have been waiting and waiting for our little dude to start laughing out loud. I knew it would be cute, even adorable, but I had no idea of the joy it would inspire in me. I literally could listen to this laugh all day long. :) Daddy, this one's for you...

Hungry Little Hippo

William has had a busy first 3 weeks in the mainland. He has had countless new experiences (and met an infinite number of family and friends!), most of which I will cover at a later date. However, today he had a momentous "first" that I just have to share - he had his first taste of solid food! We started with rice cereal mixed with Mommy's milk and it seemed to be a success. It would appear we have a hungry little hippo on our hands!

It sure is amazing to watch your baby grow up. Mommy and Daddy are particularly excited about this new development, because our little dude seems to have forgotten how to sleep for more than two hours at a time. Apparantly it's harder in the mainland than on Guam... Here's to wishing truth to the old wives' tale that eating solids will make a baby sleep through the night!!

Sunrises and Sunsets

And so the sun has set on our time in Guam...



...but risen on our life in San Diego!

4 months

Today our Sweet William turned 4 months old. Where did the time go?? 1/3 of a year already! We celebrated in true island style with an afternoon at the pool. Now that William is a mature 4 months he got a special treat - a trip down the water slide with Daddy! (Actually, several trips...) He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself, and of course Daddy did, too. We are so glad to have a water baby on our hands. Happy 4 months, baby boy!

Let's get this show on the road!

Faster, Daddy, Faster!

But it's too pretty to go too fast...

The inaugural slide

The surfing slide

Sweet baby boy

Getting kisses (per usual!) from Mommy

Not yet too mature for a poolside nap!


Mmmm, my fingers are tasty...

...but Daddy's nose is even tastier!

All dried off and in great spirits - Happy 4 months to me!

The Beginning of the End

Perhaps that's a touch melodramatic, but I'm low on sleep. And for once, I can't blame it on my darling son! We returned home in the wee hours of the morning from our South Korean get-away. William flew in luxury:

Mommy and Daddy are not quite as well-rested. There are some definite benefits to weighing only 12 pounds!

It's raining cats and dogs today - I can hear the movers outside singing, "It's raining, it's pouring!" Seems Guam doesn't want us to leave any more than we do.

But such is life, so here we go - on to our next adventure!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love, William...


...and his two favorite valentines!