Aiden is Back and Block Leave

Aiden was returned to us on Sunday the 5th, and we were very happy to welcome him home. He was definitely happy to see us as well. He has said over and over, " I missed you and am so happy." I just love when he says things like that. He's been full of snuggles and kisses and still loves his pop tart every morning for breakfast :) It's nice to have him back and just be with him all day. One of the first things he did was want to touch my belly so baby Averie can "jump." He let out a few belly laughs when he felt her move beneath his hand....I LOVED IT! I can't wait to meet her, and see the two kids together.

The unfortunate thing about Aiden's return is that he is COMPLETELY un-potty trained. It took so much mental effort on my part to get Aiden to where he was, and now it was all for not. He has no desire to use the potty, doesn't even mention it. I started using some Thomas stickers as a bribe and it seems it might work....if he feels up to it. Big bummer :( I'm not sure when to start again since he leaves in less than a month for another trip, and I don't want the same thing to happen. I guess we can just take it slow and remind ourselves that he won't go to college in Pull ups. :)

While Aiden was gone, Jon had his block leave. Its the set time soldiers in their unit can take leave before deployment. Jon took 2 weeks, and I loved every minute of it. We never were really 100% alone since before the wedding, so this was a good time to spend just being together...and sleeping in! I can't remember the last time I slept in until 11am, but Jon and I made sure that happened. Often!

We spent the time off seeing movies you would usually need a babysitter for, eating out, the military surf classic, more eating out, father's day brunch at Hale Koa then looking for sea turtles and toolin' around on a friend's boat, a BBQ, AMAZING salmon and cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory in Waikiki, accumulating things for baby Averie's arrival, working to sort out the garage (this was definitely a Jon thing, and it's looking fantastic), finishing up the painting of the walls and hanging pictures, golfing in Kanehoe, and just being together.

I could do nothing but sit on a sofa and stare at flies on the wall as long as Jon was there next to me. I just love being with him, doing anything. I honestly don't care what it is. It's a wonderful feeling. I loved our little bit of time alone, as this is going to be the last time before we welcome Averie and Jon leaves for the desert. Too bad it couldn't last just a bit longer!!

Belly Pic of the Week

Week 29. I can feel limbs now and not just kicks. She doesn't like
cold things on my belly. I still love sugar. My belly button is flat
and I'm praying it doesn't poke out. No stretch marks....Yet. Hope
those never come! She about kicked me in the throat when the big saw
turned on at home depot yesterday.... Halarious! And in this
picture... I don't know what sticks out more.... The belly or the
bootie! LOL!

One week left!

Aiden is home in a week! The time went by fast! I'm really looking
forward to hugging the crud out him and hearing his little voice say
the funniest things :) On the flipside... I must mention that being
home alone with Jon has been wonderful! Everyday I am more and more
grateful that I married such an AMAZING man. I definitely consider
myself the luckiest!!

Sleepy dude

Preschool Graduation

On May 19th, Aiden graduated Keiki Land preschool for the year. It was a month long program that the seniors at Campbell High School put on each spring. He absolutely loved it! He was such a ham up there, running up to get his diploma. He was loved by all the seniors and would always compliment how well he talks. YES I KNOW...the kid won't ever sit in silence. He sure is a cutie and is friendly to everyone he meets. No self esteem problem here! We will definitely have him do this program again, it was great, and gave Aiden something fun to do each day.

Belly Pic of the Week

Week 25 is here. I was in and out of the Dr. in about 20 minutes. It took me longer to drive there! Averie is still transverse, with her head on the left. Doc says they usually flip one way or the other, let's just hope her head goes down :) Yes please, that would be nice. Her heartbeat was in the 150s, and it took a while to find her beat...bout 5 minutes. She kept wiggling away from the doppler, the doc kept laughing. I wasn't worried at all, since I just felt her moving minutes before we went into the appointment. Aiden was good while we were there and he kept asking if my arm needed a snuggle from the machine. He wanted me to get my blood pressure taken again, and was convinced that if I got another "snuggle" from the blood pressure cuff, I would be cured and not get a pokie. He's too funny.

Magic Bullet Margarita....kinda

Jon and I purchased the magic bullet at Costco last Saturday. I'm really starting to fall in love with "as seen on TV" things. Anyway, I bought a bunch of fresh fruit for a fruit pizza (which was fabulously delicious by the way) and I decided that I should start using up the rest of the fruit before it spoils. Solution?? My new magic bullet of course! I made a YUMM-O smoothie/slush concoction with a handful of fresh berries, OJ and some ice. It took a whopping 6 seconds to whip up and I loved how I could just pop off the blade and drink it right out of the cup! I'm all for little or no clean up! The other night we made chocolate mousse in about 10 seconds. FANTASTIC! In some ways I regret doing this one. It was too easy and wayyyy naughty for the bootay! And of course I plopped a huge spoonful of cool whip on top. ahhh...heaven in a cup!

If you don't have a magic bullet and like cool kitchen gadgets, I highly recommend. I'm going to tackle some hummus and fresh salsa soon!