Well, we made it! Chris had the house and the car all ready for us and met us at the airport on Friday afternoon. The girls are thrilled to be reunited with Daddy and we are all settling in to our new life quite comfortably.
The trip was amazing and grueling and hard. Tess and Lucy both trooped right along through the whole thing and aside from a couple of minor melt downs (mostly mine, some from Tess) around day two of the journey we had a fairly easy time. The kindness of strangers was overwhelming and the support from the other military families traveling with us was really touching. I could not have made it without them and I find it hard to express the gratitude I have. There were really no strangers on that plane by the time we made it to Okinawa.
It took the girls a few days to adjust to the new time but for the last few nights we seem to be back on schedule. For my part I have finally stopped losing consciousness around 8:00 every night, so I suppose I am adjusted as well! Tess and Lucy love the beach. Tess splashed right into the waves and has been spending quite a bit of time searching the sand and water for new sea creature friends. So far she has met a few crabs, some minnows and loads of snails. Lucy spends most of her time kicking in the sand and water. She would love to taste the beach, but so far we have been able to keep her hands mostly out of the sand. We've been eating at restaurants downtown and everyone loves the new food! CoCo's Curry House is a favorite for everyone. We've also been to one very popular 100 yen store, which is the Japanese version of American dollar stores, only much better. It was a lot of fun to shop there and I know we will be going back often to pick up new fun, strange and beautiful finds.
The new house is great, Chris really took his time in choosing it and I think it is just about perfect. Inside we have stainless steel counter tops, all tile bathrooms, and the deepest tub I have ever seen! We are living with borrowed furniture, which is doing the job but we are all eager to get our things. They should be here at the end of this month so in the mean time we are grateful to have enough furniture to be comfortable. Outside we have a cute little front porch off of the kitchen that will be perfect for weekend breakfast and a nice little backyard that just needs a fence and a little herb garden and it will be perfect!
I'll get some pictures this week and post them this weekend.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Here we go...
Well, Chris is on a plane to Okinawa! He left yesterday afternoon and flew all day across trhe country, waited forever in Seattle and is now on his way to Japan, with a quick stop in Anchorage, AK. Once he gets to Japan he will have to find us shelter, food, and get to know his new workcenter for two weeks until we can join him.
The girls and I are hitting the ground running and getting the house ready for the final move out and inspection. It's a lot to do, for sure, but at least we will be able to stay busy while Chris is away. Also all of this work serves as a great distraction from the fact that starting on the 27th South Carolina time and finally ending on the 29th Okinawa time I will be flying around the world with two dogs, a toddler, and a crawling baby! We will be relying on the kindness of fellow passengers and airport personnel for sure, or we'll never make it!
The girls and I are hitting the ground running and getting the house ready for the final move out and inspection. It's a lot to do, for sure, but at least we will be able to stay busy while Chris is away. Also all of this work serves as a great distraction from the fact that starting on the 27th South Carolina time and finally ending on the 29th Okinawa time I will be flying around the world with two dogs, a toddler, and a crawling baby! We will be relying on the kindness of fellow passengers and airport personnel for sure, or we'll never make it!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Happenings
Our move is so quickly approaching and we are rushing, rushing to get everything done and making plenty of time for fun too.
Lucy is now 5 months old and has doubled her birth weight! She is rolling over, smiling and laughing. She has most recently become strong enough to lift herself off of her belly so she will be crawling after her big sister in no time. Tess is just as wild and wonderful as ever. She is a great little buddy to her sister and loves to "read" books. Tess, Lucy and Mama have all been making new friends lately as part of a local Moms group. There are lots of kids Tess' age and Tess has a lot of fun getting to know everyone. Of course, I'm not exactly sad about all of the adult conversation I can squeeze in while she's playing, either! The girls are both just so much fun I am so lucky to be at home with them every day.
Chris is just working, working working and enjoying what little time off they are giving him with the girls. I don't know how his work center will survive once he leaves, he really does such an amazing job. The girls and I are extremely proud of the job he does- both at work and at home!
I'll go ahead and link the photobucket account for the last few months, since I have been so bad about updating here. Of course February will continue to be updated through the end of the month. I hope all of you are well!
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/November%202008/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/December%202008/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/January%202009/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/February%202009/
Lucy is now 5 months old and has doubled her birth weight! She is rolling over, smiling and laughing. She has most recently become strong enough to lift herself off of her belly so she will be crawling after her big sister in no time. Tess is just as wild and wonderful as ever. She is a great little buddy to her sister and loves to "read" books. Tess, Lucy and Mama have all been making new friends lately as part of a local Moms group. There are lots of kids Tess' age and Tess has a lot of fun getting to know everyone. Of course, I'm not exactly sad about all of the adult conversation I can squeeze in while she's playing, either! The girls are both just so much fun I am so lucky to be at home with them every day.
Chris is just working, working working and enjoying what little time off they are giving him with the girls. I don't know how his work center will survive once he leaves, he really does such an amazing job. The girls and I are extremely proud of the job he does- both at work and at home!
I'll go ahead and link the photobucket account for the last few months, since I have been so bad about updating here. Of course February will continue to be updated through the end of the month. I hope all of you are well!
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/November%202008/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/December%202008/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/January%202009/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/February%202009/
Friday, October 31, 2008
Deb, Jess and Darius Visit!
Well, it is a sad morning in South Carolina as Deb, Jess and Darius have started the long trip back to St Louis. We had such a wonderful time and were so lucky to have this time with them. Lucy loved getting to meet everyone and Tess had a ton of fun getting reaquainted, especially her cousin! Halloween was so special and we had a blast going to the park and the zoo.
As much fun as we had we all missed Stan and we can't wait to have a visit with Grandpa too!
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/October%202008/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/November%202008/
Now we have a couple of days to settle down before Gran and Papa get to town!
As much fun as we had we all missed Stan and we can't wait to have a visit with Grandpa too!
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/October%202008/
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/November%202008/
Now we have a couple of days to settle down before Gran and Papa get to town!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Lucy Adele Sefton has Arrived!
Well, the LONG wait is finally over and we are at home enjoying life with our new baby girl!
Lucy was born on September 17, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. weighing 9 lbs 8 oz and 21 inches tall.
At 7:00 p.m on Tuesday the 16th of September we checked into the hospital to begin our induction. I was 42 weeks and 3 days and ready to meet Lucy, but not looking forward to another very long labor and the whole medical induction process. We talked to our MW at length about what we wanted from the process, he was already well aware of our desire for natural birth and so we laid out a plan and decided to start with Cytotec and move to Pitocin in the morning. The pill was inserted and Tess and Chris went home to sleep for the night. Our grand plan was to have Chris drop Tess off at school on Wednesday morning and join me at the hospital to welcome Lucy. Tess was to join us as close to delivery as possible. Lucy had other plans. Around 10:45 p.m. contractions became very regular and noticeable, every 3-5 minutes. They got progressively stronger and at 1:00 a.m. I paged the nurse to ask for something to help me sleep, as I had a feeling I would need it. I was checked for dilation when they brought in the medication and I was at 4cm, which was good progress from the 1 cm I was when we were admitted. I was then able to sleep in between contractions, which was enough to get me through the next few hours. At about 5:00 a.m. I was having a really hard time dealing with the contractions and asked to be checked and taken off of the monitors so that I could cope a little better. I was dilated to 6 cm and I went and got into the shower to try and relax. Much to my surprise I spent a full hour in the shower under very hot water which helped a lot. Around 6:00 I came out and called for someone to come and check on me. Tom, my Midwife, came in right away and told me that I was 8 cm dilated. We figured that as long as my water stayed intact Chris would be able to get Tess to school and still make it to the hospital on time as planned. At 6:30 I called Chris and told him he better be on his way. He was on his way out the door to take Tess to school when I called. About a minute later I called him back and told him he better skip dropping Tess off and just get to the hospital NOW. While all of this was going on the nurses called Rose, the Midwife who delivered Tess and told her that if she wanted to be here for the delivery of Lucy she had better be on her way. I found out later that they had woken her up and she had rushed to the hospital to make it! Somewhere around 6:45 the contractions changed and I started feeling the urge to bear down. I was so scared! Chris wasn't there and I started to get the feeling he might not make it. I tried not to push during the contractions, when suddenly my water broke. At that point I was screaming through contractions, still trying not to push and every time the door opened my heart would rise, and then fall when it was just another nurse and not Chris. Before I knew it Lucy was crowning. It was a very intense labor, I think made more so by the anxiety over Chris not being there. I have a feeling that the anesthesiologist was a busy person after the other moms in labor heard me! Both of my Midwives were sitting on the bed with me, coaching quietly but letting me take the lead. With another push I delivered Lucy's head and the Midwives asked me if I wanted to reach down and deliver her body. I wasn't sure I really believed that she was almost here so I reached down as the Midwife turned her and I grabbed her and pulled her to my chest at 7:12 a.m. It was an amazing moment. Everyone in the room was crying, Lucy was by far the loudest! I called Chris less than a minute after she was born and he was able to hear Lucy crying as he pulled into the town where the hospital is located. Lucy started nursing within a few minutes and Chris and Tess came through the door around 7:20. We had left the cord intact so that Chris was able to cut it as he met his new daughter! Tess kept scolding me for the mess in the room saying, "Mama, mess!" She got to join me on the bed and loved to be able to sit with us while Lucy nursed away. Lucy stayed with us for over an hour, just getting acquainted before they took her to the nursery to be weighed, measured and washed. 24 hours later we were released from the hospital and we have been home getting going ever since.
We are totally in love, recovering well, and can't wait for the whole family to meet Lucy. Tess is a loving (and a little jealous) big sister and I couldn't be more proud of our little family. Here ore the few photos we have so far!
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/Lucy%20Adele/
Lucy was born on September 17, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. weighing 9 lbs 8 oz and 21 inches tall.
At 7:00 p.m on Tuesday the 16th of September we checked into the hospital to begin our induction. I was 42 weeks and 3 days and ready to meet Lucy, but not looking forward to another very long labor and the whole medical induction process. We talked to our MW at length about what we wanted from the process, he was already well aware of our desire for natural birth and so we laid out a plan and decided to start with Cytotec and move to Pitocin in the morning. The pill was inserted and Tess and Chris went home to sleep for the night. Our grand plan was to have Chris drop Tess off at school on Wednesday morning and join me at the hospital to welcome Lucy. Tess was to join us as close to delivery as possible. Lucy had other plans. Around 10:45 p.m. contractions became very regular and noticeable, every 3-5 minutes. They got progressively stronger and at 1:00 a.m. I paged the nurse to ask for something to help me sleep, as I had a feeling I would need it. I was checked for dilation when they brought in the medication and I was at 4cm, which was good progress from the 1 cm I was when we were admitted. I was then able to sleep in between contractions, which was enough to get me through the next few hours. At about 5:00 a.m. I was having a really hard time dealing with the contractions and asked to be checked and taken off of the monitors so that I could cope a little better. I was dilated to 6 cm and I went and got into the shower to try and relax. Much to my surprise I spent a full hour in the shower under very hot water which helped a lot. Around 6:00 I came out and called for someone to come and check on me. Tom, my Midwife, came in right away and told me that I was 8 cm dilated. We figured that as long as my water stayed intact Chris would be able to get Tess to school and still make it to the hospital on time as planned. At 6:30 I called Chris and told him he better be on his way. He was on his way out the door to take Tess to school when I called. About a minute later I called him back and told him he better skip dropping Tess off and just get to the hospital NOW. While all of this was going on the nurses called Rose, the Midwife who delivered Tess and told her that if she wanted to be here for the delivery of Lucy she had better be on her way. I found out later that they had woken her up and she had rushed to the hospital to make it! Somewhere around 6:45 the contractions changed and I started feeling the urge to bear down. I was so scared! Chris wasn't there and I started to get the feeling he might not make it. I tried not to push during the contractions, when suddenly my water broke. At that point I was screaming through contractions, still trying not to push and every time the door opened my heart would rise, and then fall when it was just another nurse and not Chris. Before I knew it Lucy was crowning. It was a very intense labor, I think made more so by the anxiety over Chris not being there. I have a feeling that the anesthesiologist was a busy person after the other moms in labor heard me! Both of my Midwives were sitting on the bed with me, coaching quietly but letting me take the lead. With another push I delivered Lucy's head and the Midwives asked me if I wanted to reach down and deliver her body. I wasn't sure I really believed that she was almost here so I reached down as the Midwife turned her and I grabbed her and pulled her to my chest at 7:12 a.m. It was an amazing moment. Everyone in the room was crying, Lucy was by far the loudest! I called Chris less than a minute after she was born and he was able to hear Lucy crying as he pulled into the town where the hospital is located. Lucy started nursing within a few minutes and Chris and Tess came through the door around 7:20. We had left the cord intact so that Chris was able to cut it as he met his new daughter! Tess kept scolding me for the mess in the room saying, "Mama, mess!" She got to join me on the bed and loved to be able to sit with us while Lucy nursed away. Lucy stayed with us for over an hour, just getting acquainted before they took her to the nursery to be weighed, measured and washed. 24 hours later we were released from the hospital and we have been home getting going ever since.
We are totally in love, recovering well, and can't wait for the whole family to meet Lucy. Tess is a loving (and a little jealous) big sister and I couldn't be more proud of our little family. Here ore the few photos we have so far!
http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r177/sunpeach1/Lucy%20Adele/
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Lucy Soon?
We moved! Chris, Tess and I made the move into base housing and couldn't be happier. We are closer to work and Tess is taking full advantage of the fenced yard, mostly with naked water play time! She has also become quite infamous at school for removing her shoes, stripping off her shirt and streaking around the playground and classroom. I, of course, couldn't be more proud of our little free spirit nudist! She loves to talk on the phone to her grandparents and we can't wait to see them all as the new baby visit parade begins through Sumter!
Our due date is fast approaching and we are getting more excited by the day (or minute) for the arrival of Lucy! We are officially "due" on Sunday (August 31st) though if I learned anything from Tess it is that babies will come when they are good and ready! I don't think Tess is fully aware that she will soon be a big sister, I think we will have a definite period of adjustment around here as she learns about not being an only child. Even if the first weeks are hard I know from experience how wonderful it is to grow up with sisters and I can't wait to watch our girls grow together!
Tess is coming up on her last two weeks of daycare, as I will be staying home with the kids as soon as Lucy gets here. We will miss her school friends and the teachers that have taken such loving care of our baby, but there are several kids about her age in the neighborhood that she will get to spend time with as we both make new friends. I am just thrilled to be able to spend this time with our babies and watch them grow.
I have a few new Tess pictures to share and there are some pictures of the matching tutus I made for Tess and Lucy and a few of the new house.
We love you all and hopefully soon we will be sending out the big announcement!
Love,
The Family of Three... but not for long!
Our due date is fast approaching and we are getting more excited by the day (or minute) for the arrival of Lucy! We are officially "due" on Sunday (August 31st) though if I learned anything from Tess it is that babies will come when they are good and ready! I don't think Tess is fully aware that she will soon be a big sister, I think we will have a definite period of adjustment around here as she learns about not being an only child. Even if the first weeks are hard I know from experience how wonderful it is to grow up with sisters and I can't wait to watch our girls grow together!
Tess is coming up on her last two weeks of daycare, as I will be staying home with the kids as soon as Lucy gets here. We will miss her school friends and the teachers that have taken such loving care of our baby, but there are several kids about her age in the neighborhood that she will get to spend time with as we both make new friends. I am just thrilled to be able to spend this time with our babies and watch them grow.
I have a few new Tess pictures to share and there are some pictures of the matching tutus I made for Tess and Lucy and a few of the new house.
We love you all and hopefully soon we will be sending out the big announcement!
Love,
The Family of Three... but not for long!
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