10 Months (Christmas & Repatriation)

I’m WALKING! It feels so good to walk across the room by myself---just like Mommy and Daddy do. Oh, except I toddle and fall a little more. I’m such a big boy! Yes, I added walking to my repertoire on Friday the 13th. I think that’s an appropriate date because Mommy & Daddy should be scared now! I’m going to get into everything! (Although I do a good-enough job of that by crawling. Grandpa says I crawl a 4.6 40.) I was on my way to walking when I started standing by myself on Christmas. I would let go of a table or the couch to explore whatever I’d found with both hands. Then, to celebrate the New Year, I started taking a step towards Mommy & Daddy if they were sitting on the floor and holding out their arms. I would smile every time I made it safely to their embrace. They would smile, too. I liked that. In the meantime, I was practicing my skills by cruising along the walls,cabinets and appliances in the kitchen and living room. It’s nice to have open space in our new house to practice my new skills! I’d get a little more confident each day until finally I let go of the wall and took about 6 steps toward Mommy who was sitting on the couch. The next day (Saturday), I was home with Daddy while Mommy ran errands. All I wanted to do was practice walking across the rooms towards Daddy. I even skipped my afternoon nap. Who can sleep when you’re working on something so exciting?

Now to backtrack; it’s been a busy month since my last blog. I need to record these events. My fifth flight across the Pacific went well. This time I had my own seat. I didn’t necessarily want to SLEEP in my carseat, but at least Mommy could put my down for a few minutes to eat while I explored the toys that Mommy kept pulling out of her seemingly bottomless bag. Mommy was battling the crud our last week in Okinawa. The sinus pressure on descent from San Francisco to San Antonio was almost unbearable. I was a little uncomfortable, too, since I was cutting all four upper incisors at once. This was the first time on almost 20 flights that I cried on descent; so Mommy thinks it was the teeth and not the ears.Regardless, I cried for about 20 minutes straight while an icepick went through the sinus cavity above Mommy’s eye. It was good to get on the ground and see Daddy. Granna & Papa came to the airport, too, in case we needed help with the luggage. Mommy navigated the airports with two suitcases (one filled with mostly Christmas presents for the family), a diaper bag, a carry-on with our irreplaceable documents and military records, my big-boy carseat (since I’d need it right away in SA) and my stroller. We managed to fit all but the stroller in our car.

My first Christmas was a lot of fun. I went to Christmas service at Granna& Papa’s church dressed up in my black corduroy pants, white oxford and red plaid vest. I looked very dapper if I do say so myself. I was still a little jet-lagged on Christmas night (and sleeping in my fourth bed in 12 days), so it was a long night. I cried for about 2 straight hours (from 11-1) until I finally calmed down. When I calmed down, I didn’t want to go to sleep, so I played with Mommy (who was only getting sicker) until about 4:00 am.Christmas morning started at 7:00 when cousin Skyler woke me up. I was in a daze. There were so many presents—so many empty boxes and crinkly papers to explore.Mommy wore her flight suit for possibly the last time on Dec 27th when she went to Randolph AFB to out-process the Air Force. She was sick with the flu by now---fighting a fever and the shakes—so it was a short trip. Once she signed all of the necessary papers, she started her terminal leave. I guess she'll stop getting a paycheck from Uncle Sam on 18 Feb when she’s a “free woman.”

We left for Minnesota on Dec. 29th. I had so much fun in Bemidji . I got to see all my "girl cousins"—Anna, Sydney & Ashley. I ate my first snowball, went sledding on the run my Grandpa made, had another Christmas celebration, and got used to my FIFTH bed in 2 weeks.Like I said earlier, I took my first step at Grandma & Grandpa’s. I also saw myself on TV. The hometown Holiday Greeting that Mommy & I recorded in Okinawa appeared on TV while we were watching the news one evening. The camera does seem to add a few pounds! Daddy & Grandpa didn’t get to see it because they were out ice fishing. Oh, I also had my first trip to Sears portrait studio to get Holiday photos with my cousin Ashley (who’s just 10 days younger than me). My Uncle Jeff and Aunt Julie are twins, so Grandma always talks about how much the two of us remind her of Jeff and Julie when they were little. While we were in Minnesota , Mommy's illness turned into a bronchial infection. She was coughing so much she pulled a muscle or two in her ribcage and couldn’t lift me for 3 days. Daddy really came through. I got over my jet-lag up north,too. (Probably because it got dark so early and stayed dark so late it was easy to sleep late in the morning).

Daddy went back to school on January 6; but after his help with my jet lag and Mommy’s illness; he caught the crud. He even came home from lab early a few days. He has a bad cough and fever/chills cycle like Mommy had. My four teeth are finally in, so I’m settling down. I’m totally on a normal schedule. I seem to be the only one. In fact, I’m sleeping through the night now. (I used to wake up at 2:00 for a feeding.) I’m sure the Tylenol 3 that the doctor gave Mommy had something to do with that. It was a little easier for her not to come to me when I cried since she was a little groggier in the middle of the night. It will be such a welcome change when this family is all feeling better.My transition is almost complete. I survived my first few weeks with my stay-at-home mom. I think we’ll get our groove on eventually. It’s a little hard when 80% of our life is still on a "slow boat from China." The express shipment arrived last week. Now Mommy is wondering how she’s EVER going to get the house set up when all I want to do is get into everything. I am certainly curious.Well, I think I’ve covered it all--move, Christmas, walking, teeth.

My hands are getting a little sore from typing. I think I’ll go work on calculus or read “War and Peace.” “Goodnight Moon” seems so unsophisticated compared to the trials of the Rostovs and the Bolkonskis.

A Week Shy of 9 Months (Sayonara Okinawa!)

OK, OK…so it’s been awhile since I wrote. Mommy has me pretty busy with this move. My last day at daycare (Niko Niko Center for Child Development) is Monday the 19th. I’m certainly going to miss my friends and caregivers. I’m told I have a way with the ladies in my room. When I first started crawling (and before I got teeth), Mommy got a report that I’d chased a girl, caught her foot and started sucking her toes! Heh, heh! What can I say?What else am I going to miss about Okinawa? I’ll miss the ocean. I listened to the sound of the surf everyday before we moved on base. I’ll miss the beautiful sunsets that Mommy describes to me. I’ll miss the garbage trucks painted with bunnies and hamsters playing ice-cream-truck music as they drive by our house (only in Japan ). I’ll miss going to such a variety of sushi restaurants and other small restaurants that only fit about 15 people,but have a very attentive staff (especially when I give them my smile) and delicious food for Mommy & Daddy. I won’t miss Mommy stressing when she’s driving and someone stops in the middle of the road to get out and buy a beverage from one of the roadside vending machines. I won’t miss the humidity in the summer.

Other significant events since my last update? Well, I broke my first fever right before Thanksgiving with the crud that was going around base. I was a little fussy for a few days. Mommy got it next. She could barely talk for two days. (That means she couldn’t tell me, “No!”) On Thanksgiving I shared turkey with everyone—except mine came from a jar and was mixed with sweet potatoes! I also got to take a field trip out to the flightline with Mommy to see her airplane before her last flight in the KC-135. Of course, she made me pose for pictures, too. Now that I’m mobile, I plan to stay busy keeping Mommy & Daddy on their toes. The other day, Mommy walked into the guest bathroom to see me standing next to the toilet, splashing in the bowl. The water was fascinating! That display should remind them to put the lid down. And this past weekend, I found the stairs leading to the bedrooms upstairs. Result: my first bruise on my forehead.

I’m about to take my fifth airplane trip across the Pacific Ocean . I’m a seasoned 777 passenger by now. I think I have it down. Mommy says I’m a good traveler. I should be; she gives me enough practice! She always says this trip is a bear—almost 28 hours of travel from the time we leave the house, fly from Okinawa to Osaka, Osaka to Chicago, Chicago to wherever and then the drive to the final destination. This trip will be a little shorter because we’re going through San Francisco instead of Chicago enroute to San Antonio. If things go the same as they did the last trip, it will probably take me about a week to start to recover from the jet lag. Luckily, Daddy has 3 ½ weeks off from school, so this time he’ll be able to get up with me when I wake up to play at 2 until 5 in the morning.The end result of all this travel? I will be with Mommy AND Daddy in San Antonio for my First Christmas. We’ll go to Granna & Papa’s in New Braunfels with the rest of the Goodwin family on Christmas Day.On the 29th I get on another airplane bound for Bemidji, MN to see Grandma& Grandpa Breyen and my aunts, uncles & cousins in the North Country. I hope to see some of your soon now that I’m living in the ol' USA . I hope you have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY 2006!

6 1/2 Months...and All is Well!

Where does the time go? My mommy says that all the time. I'm not sure exactly what she means. Hmmm...what have I been up to? Here's the quick milestone update: I'm sitting up on my own; I'm low crawling; I'm eating solids--I LOVE green beans and sweet potatoes; and I'm sleeping in my crib (just waking up once in a 10-hour night). I still don't have any teeth and I'm not in any hurry to get them it appears. Mommy says she's fine with that. During play time, I still love to put anything in my mouth before I play with it. If it passes the mouth test, I bang it on a hard surface before I actually take time to explore with my hands. I'm also reaching and grabbing for things that are away from me. I look for things when I drop them on the floor, too. I'm really becoming aware of my surroundings. It's a big world out there!Everyone says I'm growing so quickly. Mommy put my new "big boy" carseat in the car last week. So, no more baby carrier. I like my new view. I move up to Big Boy daycare next week (6-12 months), too. Mommy has to go shopping because I have to wear shoes in that room. I'm also excited for my second trip to Texas. We're going on an airplane to see Daddy on 21October! :whoopie:Well, it`s time to feed soon! Bye Bye!

The 4 (and ½) Month Update!

So much has happened since my last update! Sorry I missed the 3-month entry--my calendar`s been full! Granna Goodwin’s stay was fun. We went walking along the seawall everyday, she sang to me and liked to rock me to sleep. Papa actually made the trip to Okinawa for the last week. They left and were soon followed by Grandma & Grandpa Breyen. Grandpa took me to all the Yen stores and cooked some great food including one of his infamous apple pies. He left after nine days—he has a very busy retirement schedule to keep you know. Grandma stayed here until 6 July. She took me tide-pooling in the ocean, walked to shopping plazas and listened to Sesame Street CDs with me.

On July 14th, Daddy left for the USA. He started med-school at Univ Texas—San Antonio on the 24th. I took my first airplane ride the next day. I flew from Okinawa to Osaka to Chicago to Minneapolis. I did pretty well. I like the crowds of people at the airport and on the airplane. When I was fussing, Mommy would just lift my head above the seat; I’d stare at the multitude of people, and quiet down. On the trans-Pacific flight to Chicago(13.5 hours), I had a bassinet in the bulkhead row. When I fell asleep in Mommy’s arms, she’d lay me in my little bed on the floor and try to get some sleep herself (but usually just watched the in-flight movie).My first time in the USA was a whirlwind. We landed late Friday night. On Saturday morning, we had breakfast with Mommy and Daddy’s friend Alyssa at our hotel. Saturday afternoon we attended my great-Grandpa Folck’s 85th birthday party. I met almost all my relatives on Mommy’s side of the family—7 baby cousins and second cousins.

Sunday, I was in Des Moines for my cousin Ashley’s baptism (my Aunt Julie and Uncle Wes’s second baby girl and Mommy & Daddy’s goddaughter). Monday morning we left Iowa (in my new, bigger carseat—the Britax Marathon) and drove10-hours to Enid, Oklahoma. Mommy and Daddy had to drive their Sebring that’s been in storage and Grandma & Grandpa’s from MN to TX. Enid was a nice half-way point to San Antonio and we got to see the Gwinnups (and my friend Riley) one more time before their move to Florida. Tuesday we drove 4 hours from Enid to Altus, Oklahoma to visit my god-sister, Remy,and her mom and dad, Kelly & Martin. Mommy told me there was just one more leg of driving—the 8 hours from Altus to San Antonio. (All driving times are adjusted for babies. Mommy & Daddy had to stop every 2-4 hours to feed me, change my diaper, and let me roll around for a little on a blanket in the grass.)

Daddy had his official White Coat Ceremony on the 24th.Afterwards, we went out for a late lunch at one of Daddy’s favorite restaurants, The Alamo Café. Mommy and I looked at some houses with Granna. Daddy started orientation week. Mommy and I returned to Okinawa on July 27th. I didn’t have a bassinet for this sortie, but we had our own two-seat section. The seat next to Mommy was empty, so that’s where I slept most of the way. Mommy says I’m a good traveler. The airplane didn’t bother me at all—even take-off and landing.We’re going to stay here in Japan until Mommy finishes her AF pilot training commitment in February. With the leave she’s saved up, we’re hoping to be back in the USA by late Dec or early Jan. I miss Daddy already,but Mommy video-taped Daddy reading some stories to me. I love to hear his voice. That’s the update. It’s almost time for my 5-month entry, so I’ll talk to you soon!

My 2-Month Blog

Being a baby is the life. :cool: Just when I thought I couldn’t get anymore love and attention, Granna (Grandma Goodwin) arrives to watch me while Mommy and Daddy are at work. There’s so much sugar in the house,I’m going to get a cavity (and I don’t even have teeth yet). Granna’s here for the month of May and then Grandma & Grandpa Breyen arrive for the June shift.Yes, after seven weeks of maternity leave, Mommy had to go back to work on Monday, May 9th. I think having Granna here helped make the transition easier for Mommy. She didn’t even cry when she left for work the first day.She does call Granna at home during the day; so I know she misses me. While I’m home with Granna, we listen to music (I like Veggie Tales and classical music), go for walks along the seawall, read stories and play on my blanket. Mommy and Daddy call it “tummy time.” Granna did drive the car onto base last week to watch the Spurs. I slept the entire game, but apparently they won. Granna was very happy.

What else have I been up to the last month? Oh, I’m getting bigger! But at a seven-week bonus weigh-in, I topped the scales at 13 lbs 12oz. That puts me above the 95 percentile. I was right at the 50% line for height and weight when I was born. My doctor says breastfed babies tend to jump above the charts for the first three months. She expects me to slowdown in the next month or so. (Mommy says she hopes so, too—for her back’s sake.)

I am also a lot more attentive of life around me. I focus on people’s faces and hold their gaze for awhile. It’s funny to watch Daddy’s repertoire of silly faces. He tries to get me to mimic them. Sometimes I throw him a bone and stick out my tongue when he does. I smile a lot more, too. I can also grip small toys that Mommy puts in my hand. I have a strong grip. Daddy says that’s good for sports. I’m still breastfeeding, so I’m not sleeping through the night and probably won’t until my tummy gets a little bigger. Mommy,Daddy and I have found a comfortable arrangement. I’m better about soothing myself to sleep at around 9:00. Then I wake them up twice-a night—sometime around midnight and 3:30.That’s about all that’s new in the Goodwin “Castle by the Sea.” Daddy’s getting ready to start med school on July 25th. Mommy is still waiting to hear if the AF is going to find her a job in San Antonio. I sort of hope Mommy gets to stay home with me in Texas!

Three Weeks Down

Three weeks and all is well. I had my two-week “Well-Baby” check-up on Monday and weighed just shy of 9 pounds. Dr. Gwinnup said that she was only expecting me to gain my birth weight back. I exceeded her expectations. Mommy and Daddy should get used to that. ;)

I had my first diaper rash, too (much to Mommy and Daddy’s chagrin); so I got some prescription ointment. It’s cleared up already. After my appointment, Mommy and Daddy took me for sushi again at our local hangout, Kitakaisen. On Thursday, I got my blood drawn at the hospital for a screening test. I cried; but you would too! The technician pricked my foot and drew about 8 samples of blood.

The rest of the week, I went for daily walks along the seawall with Mommy & Daddy, slept, sat in my swing and listened to stories. My neck control is getting pretty good. During tummy time, I lift my head 45 degrees and turn it from side-to-side.Mommy and Daddy think I’m going through a growth spurt. On Friday and Saturday, I needed to feed nearly every hour. One of the funny things I do when I eat is to grunt and fuss. I get so confused whether I want to suck (inhale) or toot (exhale) that I sort of lock-up and start crying. I guess it’s cute because I make Mommy and Daddy laugh out loud. I just need to figure this predicament out for myself.

Well, it’s time for my bath…cleanliness is next to Godliness, right? :D

GO SPURS GO!
GO TWINS GO!

The Two Week Mark

Well, I’ve survived two weeks in this crazy world! I’m slowly figuring my way out. Not a lot has changed in my routine since Easter. I do have a little more awake time. I get about a three-hour dose in the morning—anywhere from 6:00 to 10:00 and another three hours in the evening—usually 8:00 to11:00. During this time I stare at Mommy & Daddy, I listen to stories from these wonderful books I have, I practice my push-ups with tummy time or I listen to Daddy play the guitar. On special occasions, I get to rock in the swing or sit in the bouncy chair. Mommy tries to show me the ocean during her walks along the seawall, but I’ve slept through all of them so far. (Can I help it they bought a comfortable stroller?) I’m also starting to appreciate bath time and the black-and-white mobile above my crib.

On the social scene, I attended a couple of dinner parties this week. It was too much for me; I slept through both of them. I also went to my first furniture bazaar today. I was fairly fussy, so Mommy didn’t have a chance to buy anything. She thinks Daddy and I are in cahoots. Daddy insists I was just fussy because it was pouring rain. I agree, today was probably the gloomiest day since I’ve been around. On a side note, sometimes when I’m out and about, a well-meaning Japanese person (usually elderly) will tell Mommy & Daddy that I’m too young to be outside. It’s a traditional Japanese custom keep to the baby at home until he is 100 days old. Strict adherence to this ancient custom means not naming the baby until then either. But, since I’m not really your typical Okinawan baby, I’ve got my name and I’m soaking in the scenery. There’s so much to see!