Uptown Diner

We recently found this cute little place to eat called the Uptown Diner. They serve breakfast all day and close to American cheeseburgers. :) YUM! Dominica doesn't have a whole lot of the everyday comforts that the States have, so when we found this place we fell in love. :) We have eaten there a few times and love it every time. Can you see the excitement on Matix's face for his pancakes?

Here is Hawken leaning back in the baby bjorn to get a few kisses. One of his new favorite things to do. :)

kids meet and greet

RSO also had a "meet and greet" for all the people who have kids. It started out at the playground and then moved into the CAC because of the rain.

Hawken stayed with me and Matix ran around and had a great time. He even let me put him on this swing, but did NOT like it. :) Apparently he only likes the one Grandpa Lee made for him, that hangs in our mango tree.

Hawken was happy to see Jazz when we went up to the CAC. Jazz is his girlfriend and their new thing is to give each other kisses. :)

He is still trying to crawl, but all he can really do is a scoot. He does get around pretty well though.

It was nice to get to meet some of the kids we never get to see (because they go to school), and of course play with our friends who we see all the time. Friends never get boring. :)

How cute is this. Lucy holding Matix's hand and leading him around. She is so sweet to him.

Yogurt

These pictures were pre-haircut (obviously), but too funny not to share. :) Matix has got to be the MESSIEST eater EVER! :) I love him like crazy though!

RSO Social

A few days ago we went down to the beach for play group. We got there a little early, but we ran into a new friend Tracy who joined us. She was so sweet and played with Hawken while I entertained Matix.

Later more kiddos came, but I don't have the pictures from Kelly yet. PS, Kelly, email me those pics! :)

Then later that day, the Ross Spouses Organization (RSO) had a social so all the spouses (old and new) could meet each other. It was really fun and there was free food. :) Free food always tastes better. Sadly, it rained, but no one seemed to care. Matix had his usual fun time splashing in the puddles, and throwing rocks.

Somehow, in the midst of all the fun and chaos, Hawken fell asleep in the stroller. What?! This still amazes me how easy he is. :)

Tired

Every morning Paul wakes up at 5am... I know, he's a crazy person. :) He gets up so he can do yoga, take a shower, read his scriptures, write in his journal, and make breakfast for us. Paul also takes care of the boys from the time they get up until just before 7 when he has to leave to study before class starts. Sweet hubby, right?! :)

I know I am so lucky... BUT, sometimes when I get up, I am STILL SUPER tired! :( Long nights with a possibly teething 5 month old are usually the culprit! Matix is always really excited to see me, so I try to give him attention. Lately he has been more understanding and will snuggle me in whatever position I give him. :)

Sunday

After church we walk home. Actually, I should say, we walk and walk and walk and walk and walk... :) Some days when we get home Paul and Matix are SUPER thirsty, so they go to the backyard and pull down a few coconuts to drink the milk.

Other Sundays, like today, it rains, and both boys are lulled to sleep. :) How sweet are sleeping babies?! I love it! :)

together

I love to see these little boys play together. Hawken has become interested in the toys Matix is playing with, and he will scoot himself over wherever Matix is, just to try to get them.

Other times, when Hawken is doing his own thing, Matix will on purpose lay down near Hawken and play there... So sweet. I love my boys.

Comedian

Is this child his father's son, or what?! He is so silly and will do anything for a laugh. :)

Baby Walker

We recently acquired this baby walker for Hawken from one of our friends here on the island. Up until a few weeks ago, we had kept it in Matix's storage closet. So obviously, Matix thinks it belongs to him. :)

After showing Matix that it is too little for him (only for BABIES), he ran to get HIS baby. Lovingly referred to as "Baby Go-Go". I had a stuffed Grover doll that my sister Heather gave to me when I was little that I called "Baby Go-Go". So when my sister got this one for Matix, we just called it that from the beginning. Anyway, Matix gives Baby Go-Go a paci and sometimes a blankie and pushes him all around the house.

Oh the concentration... notice his tongue sticking out. :)

Sometimes, and I should emphasize, SOMETIMES, Hawken gets a turn. And when he does, he really enjoys it. Scooting around all over the place.

Take THAT Baby Go-Go! :)

But after Hawken gets a few minutes in it, Matix always asks for a turn again. Here he is tapping his tummy "ma-tuh" (my turn). :)

Batibou Bay

We went to Batibou Bay for the first time on Saturday. Our friends the Fredericks came with us. The transport dropped us at the trailhead where we walked down. It took a few minutes to hike to this point, where the trees parted to give you the first glimpse of the bay. Gorgeous.

Liz, Jason and Emmy had been there before so they showed us all the fun things to do.

We swam over to the other side of the bay and hiked up on the rocks and played in the tide pools. Afterward, we swam back to the beach for lunch. Matix of course snuck in some important romance time with Emmy. :) She likes hugs and kisses now, and Matix is thrilled. :)

Thanks guys for coming with. We had a great time. :) Let's do it again... SOON.

1st Hair Cut

Yes, it is true. I finally cut Matix's hair. I know he is a year and a half old, but I hadn't really needed to cut it up until now. He was a baldy when he was a baby and it took him forever to grow what little he has. I really like the shaggy hair look on him, but NOT the rat tail curls in the back. His hair was super curly and long, but only in the back.

We pulled out a book he hadn't seen in a long time to keep him busy, while I went to town on the curls. :)

Hawken enjoyed the view. :) I think he was mocking Matix because he knows he doesn't have to get a hair cut. Hawken's hair grows perfectly even and looks like we have styled it already.

The end result... Still shaggy, just trimmed up a bit. I think he looks so stinkin cute and still himself. I am glad I didn't cut it too short and have to deal with him becoming a big kid all in one day. Even though we have Hawken, Matix is still my baby. :)

Semester 3 begins!

Paul just left to start his first day of semester 3 of Medical School. Wow. Time really went fast and with the first year of schooling behind us, we are both feeling really good. Matix, Hawken and I will surely miss all the extra time we have been getting in the past two weeks, but we are excited to be even closer to the light at the end of this long Med. School tunnel. :)

Here is Matix. Copying EVERYTHING Paul does. He was a little upset when Paul left this morning, but once we get back into this schedule, he will be just fine. Happy first day Paul! See you at lunch!