Bliss.

Next Up?

Sweet Potato. I'm keeping Ellie on a strictly vegetable diet for a few weeks to keep her from getting hooked on sugar... but a little sweet potato couldn't hurt, right? :)

Her face is saying, "Please, don't be peas again."

Aaaaaand, they're a hit!

She's such an insatiable eater and so far, we've tried peas, sweet potato, a little banana, and the occasional rice husk. Next we're moving to carrots then green beans. Then probably some squash and beets. [If you don't have a baby, this is probably so boring for you.] For some reason, searching for foods for her and picking her menu is so thrilling for me. I spend minutes gazing at the baby food... checking the labels... deciding whether Mondays should be a green vegetable or an orange vegetable day. [What is wrong with me?! I have an incredibly absent brain.] And the idea of trying yogurt melts and puff snacks? Too much for words.

Yes.

Just say yes.

It's my new thing and so far, it's been incredibly rewarding. If a friend asks you to do something- as long as you have the time, say yes. If you have the chance to take a new class or learn something- say yes. If someone offers you a second piece of cheesecake... well, duh. Obviously. SAY YES.

Over the past month, two people that I was not friends with during high school have asked me to hang out. During my "mean girl" stage, I couldn't have even considered hanging out with them and you know, one of them has helped me when I locked myself out of the car AND is babysitting Ellie tomorrow. Why did I think I was better than her? Urgh. Who knows. I was totally stupid.

This will be my Deployment Motto. Just say yes. Many wives get stuck at home, moping about their missing husband and the year creeps by at a snail's pace. But, not me! As long as I have the money/time, I will be game for anything. And, honestly, I know that Heavenly Father will throw many exciting offers my way which... sort of makes me excited for deployment? Only sort of. [Already on the agenda: A visit to the White House, whitewater rafting, and getting a job!]

Thrilling life, I tell ya.

This is basically the story of my day-to-day.

Some morning chunky baby rolls.

A little cross-livingroom Olympic crawl training. [HOW does she get herself in these situations?!]

A quick flight on Daddy Airlines.

We strip down for some banana eating/spitting up.

A scrub-a-dub-dub to dislodge any remaining banana particles left under her seventeen necks.

A few slimey hugs... and finger eating.

Back into clothes for dinner at our favorite restaurant... but only if you can pass the impenetrable Daddy Kiss Fortress.

And back to the spaceship for a Papa squeeze before bed.


Thrilling.

Peas: The Eating Saga

We decided to have Ellie try vegetables, and more specifically, peas as her first food. This is her first real attempt....

She has also tried CRAWLING and took a first couple scoots this morning. I'm hoping she gets the hang of it before Andrew leaves and she sure seems close!

Escalators.

I love date nights. I know this is sort of like saying, "I love music," or "I like my friends," but seriously. I love date nights. I feel like when Ellie is around, Andrew and I are so involved with her and sometimes ignore one another. I am trying to work on/fix this, but maybe it's part of having an infant- her needs are just so immediate and typically include blood-thirsty SCREAMS. Not great for romance. Either way, CYS on Schofield offers Parent's Night Out twice a month and 2 weeks ago, I got up at the crack of dawn [or Cassie dawn. Which happens to be 8am.] to sign her up. This was her first experience with daycare and, as the outrageously emotional and stupid woman that I am, I was so worried that my little baby wouldn't get along with the other little babies. Shoot me. [Why do I over-analyze everything?!] Within minutes, an 18 month-old boy was petting her face. Sure, she seemed upset, but she'll have to learn to accept it. Men will annoy her the rest of her life. Once safely in the arms of a care provider, she was fine and Andrew and I skipped off.

The first reason that I love date nights is that I get a new dress. While this may seem expensive to get a new dress for every date night, I kindly remind Andrew that I housed his offspring for most of the last calender year and he hands over his debit card. I'm not sure when this excuse will wear off, but I think it will coincide with when I am pregnant next... and who would deny a pregnant woman a new outfit?

New dress on and Ellie at PNO, we drove to Ruth's Chris. Second reason I love date nights: THE FOOD. Though I am a vegetarian, their menu is still the best in town and Andrew devoured his steak. I have to thank them for such an awesome visit... Not only did they decorate our table with rose petals, but the General Manager came and thanked Andrew for his service and gave us free dessert. Oh. And then they also threw in a $20 gift card. Whaaa?! Honestly, it's so special to see Andrew recognized for his hard work. It's more special that half a piece of Ruth's Chris cheesecake is sitting in my fridge. Priorities, people!

Now, after dinner we had plans to see "Avenue Q" at the Manoa Valley Theatre, but in Knieriem style, we arrived late. So we were rainchecked and have tickets to see it Wednesday. I'm not sure if this means another date night... and another dress... Maybe I am pushing it.

So, what do two parents do with three hours to blow? They go to the mall. This was an actual conversation between Andrew and I:

C: So, what do you want to do now?
A: We could go to a bunch of places... and NOT have to take Ellie out of the car over and over.
C: True. I hate that.
A: I know, it sucks.
C: So, what kind of places?
A: Cassie. We could go to the MALL... and ride the ESCALATORS.

Those without children may not get this joke... See, strollers can't go on an escalator and so we're always stuck waiting for elevators. This annoys Andrew to all end and so here he was on the escalator:

He's ridiculous. Please, someone locate his brain. ;)

After a quick trip around the mall, we decided to see "Little Red Riding Hood." I don't think we had high hopes for the movie, but I like Amanda Seifred... well, except for in "Mama Mia!" Either way, it was actually pretty good. A little of a twist. Plenty of love scenes. Adequate amount of suspense. Whatever. It held my attention and I was distracted from counting the calories in each Charleston Chew. I'm not Robert Ebert.

Now we're back home with our little muffin sleeping in her crib after a VERY full night. Maybe she'll sleep through the night? Riiiiight.

Third reason that I love date night? I get to hold Andrew's hand without pushing a stroller, eat dinner without mixing a bottle at the table, and drive home talking about fun things [sailing, the new house] without Ellie's squeals interrupting us. Yes, I love her. But this Mama needs a break sometimes!

My life is crazy.

1. My child is losing her mind right next to me because she is convinced she's hungry for TWO bottles instead of a very chilled ONE.

2. Andrew and I are buying a house in Maryland. It's a long, complicated scenario, but when the market is right...?

3. I have an awesome date night planned tonight that includes Ruth's Chris and what am I doing? Refusing a second bottle to Ellie and procrastinating on a much needed shower.

4. I have started my sailboat/25 ton boat Captain's course. By this, I mean, when I return to Hawaii I will be a sailboat and charter boat captain. Why? Because I'm convinced that by trying out 100 different careers, I will find one that I REALLY love. Also, because I love sailing and figure I'll go out to sea if Ellie keeps this up.

5. I move in less than three weeks. And, at this rate, my shower procrastination might mean the next time I hit a tub will be in Maryland. Ew. Must change this.

6. I am selling a car, motorcycle, and quite a bunch of furniture. This means dealing with crazy Hawaiian craigslisters. Urgh.

7. I have Church at 9am. WHO DOES THAT?! I am ready to be back at the LaVale Ward!

8. It's 4:30 and we're leaving in an hour. AND I AM STILL BLOGGING. Okay, bye. No, seriously. Leaving now. Ta ta! [Bye see you, Lisa.]

Apparently...

...my mailbox is something of a lizard love shack.

And then it was over.

Just as soon as the vacation was here, it was gone. Hawaii has made me discover so many things... motherhood, the Church, my marriage, and most of all, my family. This week made me discover that I married into a family of adventurers, that I have a grandmother-in-law that has more fun stories to tell than I can count, that my sister-in-law and I may have few things in common, but one of them is our shared love for Ellie, and that, like the tides, it will all wash out in time. I have been so blessed over the past six months and this past week reconnected me to that part of myself that is authentic and patient. I feel refined and elegant, sunbathed and toned. I can feel the Spirit and I notice other's recognizing my light. There is, truly, nothing more beautiful. As I spend my last few weeks with Andrew before he leaves for Afghanistan, I hope to remember that love should be multiplied and not divided.

As I wrap-up our vacation whirlwind, I must say that this was the best vacation I've ever had. Mom & I kayaked in the ocean, Brooke & I searched for squid, Andrew & I slept with an ocean breeze through an open sliding door. Thank you, God. Thank you for Hawaii and for allowing my family to have this time to rejuvenate our relationships before, what will be, a very tough year.

Andrew & Ellie in the morning, before meeting up with the clan.

Sunbathing "beauties."

Bags packed. :( :( :(

The boys. I'd say they were lovers, but Brooke wouldn't do that. ;)

A few snapshots to cap off the trip. It's not goodbye, just see you later!

A last hug and tear from Mom and then they were off. :(

And that was the trip. Squid searching, oatmeal eating, baby cheeking, beach bumming, turtle watching, boat sailing, sibling fighting, ping ponging, beach touring, botanical gardening, face stuffing, train riding, pineapple eating, deep submarining, soccer tennising, sharks coving, harbor cruising, memorial visiting, luau dancing, sunset kissing, pool lounging, airport picturing, and then a goodbye. It's so very true that we had a good time!

And now we are back to the "grind" ;)



This afternoon was spent at Legal Services doing Andrew's will... by "doing Andrew's will," I mean we spent 15 minutes doing that and 3 1/2 hours waiting in the office to do that. Oy Vey. I hate Army offices. And then we went to my second favorite place, the grocery store. Come on! As if watching my fun loving family leave just 18 hours earlier wasn't enough heartache. The only thing that helped was teaching EB a new trick. ;)

You guessed it; more sunshine and happiness!

I seriously can't take that Andrew's family has left. I'm not sure if it's because there are less people to comfort Ellie [especially since she is currently SCREAMING HER HEAD OFF.] or because now that they're gone, it's only a matter of time before Andrew is. Ew. Bad thoughts. Back to vacation re-capping.

On Monday morning, Andrew had to return to work for a quick PT session, so Brooke, Ellie, and I came home to Schofield. This was the first time we have EVER had a relative stay at OUR house... and it was so exciting for me. Why? Because I am a freak.

That's MY brother on MY couch. Ahhh!

After Andrew's workout, we headed to meet our group at the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. This was every one's first visit and though I can't speak for all involved... I was shocked. I consider myself somewhat of a pacifist and have always pondered about the United States' choice to drop the two atomic bombs on Japan. This visit was so eye-opening for me because I was unaware of the total chaos that Japan caused in the Pacific from December 1941-August 1942. I was also surprised at how solemn the entire event was and how I was emotionally touched. I don't know a single person that perished on December 7, 1941, but reading each of their names was... [nevermind. I am leaving this blank. There isn't a word to describe the visit... you must just go for yourself.] I admit that the few hours I spent there has changed my worldview so dramatically.

Everyone, with the exception of Albert. We asked a stranger to take a picture of all of us, but iPhone-ing was a bit much for her technological capabilities, I think.

This was a part of the Pearl Harbor exhibit... it is sort of difficult to make out, but it says:

Aloha means Farewell to thee

Aloha means goodbye

It means until we meet again

Beneath the Tropic Sky

Aloha means good morning

And always to be true

But the best thing Aloha means

I always think of you

I truly encourage everyone to visit the sites at Pearl Harbor. I think it has helped me gain a firm perception of WWII and I am planning a December 7, 2012 trip there with Andrew.


After we visited Pearl Harbor, we checked into the Hale Koa [a military resort in Waikiki] and strolled around for a bit before heading to Paradise Cove for a LUAU! I love luaus. The food is never really that stellar, nor is the entertainment usually... though, it was definitely much better at Paradise Cove. The reason I really love going to a luau is because I love Hawaii. I love the music, the dancing, the radiant spirit of Aloha. I also claim to be an up-and-coming hula dancer, though that is a hot button issue with Andrew. Either way, we all suited up and strolled along the beach, enjoyed some fun Ellie moments, and ate some seriously sour poi.

It is so awesome to have a daughter. I sometimes wish that we had waited longer [not that she was planned] and pain over the things we're "missing," but our life is so joyous because of her. I like being a family of three... and I am sure she likes having ALL the attention...

Mom & Dad. What hotties!

DO YOU SEE WHAT I AM SAYING?! I could totally do that. I, 1. have the hips and 2. have tons of headgear. Count me in!

Ellie is still struggling with her laugh. She's moved from "constipated gurgle" to "quack," though.