Good-Bye

Paul's parents, Lee and Stacy, helped us get down here after I had Hawken... as you may remember. :) Then they stayed to help us get adjusted back to island life and to take a break from the real world to go snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, drinking passion fruit juice with every meal, playing on the beach, etc... It was SO nice to have them here.

Matix and Hawken were treated like royalty and they will miss them terribly I am sure (as will we). Here are some pics of their trip here, although they did tons more on their own too, that I don't have pics of.

Waiting for Grandma to come take Matix swimming at the pool.

Grandpa built a swing for the boys and hung it in the mango tree in our backyard. So fun! Thanks! :)

Being carried everywhere by Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks guys, we needed that little break! :)

Playing on Coconut Beach.

Chinese food for dinner (one of many meals provided by Lee and Stacy, YUM!)

I want to be just like Grandpa!

Grandpa helping Hawken to "walk", Grandpa says "crawling is for slackers"... :)

Playing at Sister's Beach.

They were supposed to leave the island yesterday early in the morning and get back to Phoenix all in one day, BUT, the flights were all cancelled because of the volcano ash everywhere, so they came back and spent the night. We went out to eat at Peter's BBQ in Portsmouth, VERY tasty, but I am pretty sure our "ribs" were goat ribs... ? Huh.

Waiting for dinner to be ready.

And Paul and I snuck in one more date night while they babysat. :) We went salsa dancing, and it was SO much fun.

This morning they left. Matix and Hawken said their good-byes to Grandpa and Grandma. I wanted to record Matix's reaction to them leaving, and this is what we got.

Don't worry he calmed down quickly afterward, but I know he will miss them. :(

Hopefully they will make all their flights. Today are flying to Puerto Rico, with a million little stops along the way. Tomorrow they are flying to Chicago (what?! ) and then to Phoenix FINALLY. What a long trip for them. Colleen really misses them, so it will be good for her to have them back.

Thanks again Lee and Stacy for coming all the way out here, helping so much and being so wonderful to us. We really appreciate it! :) We love you.

Montserrat

A volcano erupted on an island called Montserrat... Click this link to read an article about it. The island is a few islands north of ours. You have to look hard, it is TINY! :)

And there is a thin layer of ash everywhere. We didn't hear or feel anything, but this morning it looked a little like it was snowing... Although usually it doesn't snow when it is 70 degrees outside at the coldest. :) The sky is gray, which is strange, since it is usually so blue.

I tried to get a video of the little ash clouds we make while we are walking in the grass, but you can't really see it on film. Also, our power went out (luckily we have a generator)... I don't know if that was related to the volcano or not. :) Oh well. Interesting way to start the morning, right? :)

Peek-a-Boo!

Where is Maaaatttiiiixxxxxx??????

There he is! :)

Lately

What have we been up to lately? Here are some updates.

Hawken...

• is loving being snuggled before he goes down for a nap or for the night.
• is such a calm baby still
• is so smiley and happy while awake
• is sleeping from 7pm to 7am and only waking up once (sometimes twice) to eat
• is holding his head up well and can push up with his arms
• can roll over easily from his tummy to his back, but not the other way around
• giggles sometimes and fake coughs to get our attention
• is very patient with Matix

Matix...

• likes to go lizard hunting with his bucket
• goes swimming in the mornings with Grandma Stacy
• eats completely by himself, and refuses help (he will tap us with his spoon and shake his head 'no' if we try)
• still loves his paci and blankie combo, and can't sleep without them
• waits anxiously at the gate everyday for Daddy to come home
• makes silly faces and funny expressions all day long
• flirts with anyone who will give him attention
• loves to snuggle with people he loves

Paul...

• passed all the areas on his test and even got a 100% in one of the sections! Good job Paul!
• still comes home everyday for breakfast lunch and dinner
• is constantly thinking up new ways to improve medical school (he wants to start his own one day)
• makes breakfast every morning and takes the kiddos for an hour or so, so I can sleep
• insists on date night every Friday (i know, now i am just bragging) :)
• is SUCH a good Daddy to Matix and Hawken and has energy for them even when I know he is exhausted

and I...

• am able to write this post because both babies are on a similar napping schedule (woohoo)
• am loving watching my kiddos grow, it makes me SO happy.
• have killed all the ants on this side of Dominica :)
• am excited to get back to the pool more often (once Hawken is better about the wind)
• am so proud of Paul for the dedication he has for his family, school, church, everything.
• am going to go take a nap myself... why not, right? :)

Sweet boy

What a GOOD boy. Matix is getting to be SO sweet with Hawken. He often asks to hold him and is SO patient with him.

Hawken was ready to go to down for a nap and was almost asleep when Matix crawled up on the couch, sat down so nicely, tapped his own tummy (that's what he does when telling us it is his turn), and smiled a big cheesy grin... How could I say no?!

So I set Hawken down with Matix... His paci fell out, he was jolted back awake, and was being given kisses right in his ear. Apparently NOT his favorite thing. :)

Matix ever so calmly, pointed to the paci which was just out of his reach. I picked it up and tried to put it in myself, but he took it from me so HE could give Hawken his paci back. Then after a few more kisses in the ear and pats on the tummy Hawken was calm and Matix, the good big brother, said "duhh" (meaning: done)

I love this! :)

Beach Bash

We went to the "beach bash" yesterday and had the BEST time. :) Every semester after the students have all taken their first mini exam, the school puts on the beach bash. There are free drinks, food, and t-shirts. The t-shirts are always a little cheesy, but who doesn't want a free t-shirt? :)

We had so much fun playing in the waves, digging in the sand, and hanging out all together. :)

Paul didn't go back to studying that evening so we had him all to ourselves. :) Hooray! We even got some family pics of the 4 of us. This is my favorite, edited a few different ways... Which do you like best?

These are my new favorite pics of me with Matix. Paul had the camera, so I actually got to be in some pictures. :)

They also had music playing and Matix danced pretty much the whole time. :) SO cute. There were even people we didn't know taking pictures and videos of him. :)

After getting VERY sandy...

We went to the pool to clean up and swim for a bit. Hawken didn't go in the pool or ocean yet, but probably will soon.

Thanks to all the help from Lee and Stacy, it was nice and relaxing. It is sure a LOT easier when you have a newborn who likes to be held and a BUSY 1 year old when you have helpers on the beach and in the pool. :)

On the way home, the sun was setting over the water and we saw a pirate ship! COOL! :) Probably not a real pirate ship, but doesn't it look neat with the sails all up like that?!

I can hardly believe we get to live in this place. I know there are some tough things about living here, but we LOVE it. :) Hooray for island life!

Semester 2, Exam 1

So Paul is currently taking his first mini of second semester... He has been studying and went into the test feeling confident. We will find out in about a week how he did. It has become somewhat of a tradition to cheer him on by putting signs up on the door after each one. Matix LOVES to color, especially when I let him use markers. :) So here it is:

We are so proud of Paul and all his hard work. He is always so dedicated to everything he does, and puts in 100% of his efforts. He is such a good husband and father. We couldn't ask for anyone better. We love you Paul!

Say Cheese!

The other day, Paul was holding Hawken, and Matix tapped on his own tummy to indicate that it was HIS turn to hold the baby (which he often does). He climbed up onto the couch next to Paul and held HIS baby. :) First I got this picture with Matix and his SUPER cheesey grin.

Then I got this one... I like them both. :)

Blankie boy

Do you think Matix has enough blankies? At least he isn't in love with any one or two particular blankies... it is just any blanket I give him... but he does like LOTS of them. :)

Flip flops

Matix is into doing whatever we do. He was trying to get my flip flops on the other day like I do. By standing up and sliding each foot in.

Usually Matix sits down to get his on... But he is a big boy now and can do big boy things, like put on sandals just like WE do. :)

Big boys

Check out my big boys! :) Hawken thinks he is SUCH a big boy now and prefers to have tummy time on the floor near Matix.

Matix loves it too and is doing a great job shaking all the baby toys for Hawken to see. It is so cool seeing them "play" together. :) I love this.

Back to play group

Matix and I went to play group yesterday. Hawken was napping and stayed at home with Grandma and Grandpa. We are still figuring out his schedule... :)

There are a few new kids who have joined us, which is GREAT! :) The more the merrier!

What a mess!

Matix thought the foosball table was pretty fun too.

It is so nice to sit and chat with the other moms, get ideas and share stories. I love this place. :)

How do I love thee...

I have the best hubby ever. This is one of the MANY reasons why...

Thanks for the beautiful flower hubby, it is prettier in person and smells amazing. I love you SO much.

2 months old!

Hawken is 2 months old today!!! What?! When did this happen?

He is such a good baby, although he is hungry at unpredictable times, he is MUCH easier than Matix was at this age. He loves to be held by most anyone, but his favorites right now are Mommy and Grandpa Lee. His hair is darker than Matix's is (or ever was), but he has lots of similarities in the faces he makes. Hawken can hold his head up VERY well and uses his arms to push himself up to see out of his pack-and-play when he is protesting going to sleep. He doesn't mind getting his diaper changed, or getting dressed. We usually see BIG smiles from him when we get him up. He is tolerant of Matix learning to be a big brother. He makes cute baby cooing noises all the time. He sleeps for about 12 hours at night and wakes up only to eat once (sometimes twice). He has rolled over from tummy to back a few times, although I don't think he knows he is doing it... He always looks startled afterward. :) He doesn't like the wind, and cries if we are out in it too long. Hawken smiles for Matix when Matix dances and shakes toys in front of him. He weighed 12 pounds at his last Dr. visit in the states (6 weeks old) and was in the 75% for weight and height... and I am thinking he is a bit heavier and taller now... Probably similar percentile. We love this little guy and are so happy he is part of our family. :)

A bit camera shy, I guess. :)