Find Your Happiness

Amelia turns four months old today! She is one super happy baby. She flashes her beautiful smile at everyone and even belly laughs when she is really happy. And she is so, so squishy! You bet I kiss and nom nom those cheeks all day, every day. When we visited Hubby for Mother's Day weekend in Virginia, we all went to the hotel pool and I dipped Amelia's feet in the non-heated water. She hated it! She definitely likes her bath water very warm just like her Daddy and big brother. Amelia also did amazing during our 13.5 hour drive from North Carolina to Indiana. She was a bit distracted during our nursing sessions because she is so aware and curious of the world now that she wants to look at everything she hears. And because of this, she is also beginning to reject the nursing cover. It blocks her view and gets hot under it since it is almost summer. I had a wedding to photograph the last weekend of May so Amelia also started eating from the bottle. And unlike her Kuya, s...

Memorial Day was spent at my sister's house. We grilled and ate delicious food, the children had a water gun fight and they continued to play in the water for hours. It was a very laid back day and was made possible by those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. The longer we are in the military, the heavier and more meaningful Memorial Day sits in my heart. Because of those who gave their lives, we have the freedom to enjoy beautiful days like this. Because of them, I am able to love on my children without fear. Because of them, we are here. Thank you. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." -John 15:13

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. With Dean being away during our sixth wedding anniversary (for "only" the second time in our married life---a rarity in the Corps) this quote rings true more than ever. And although I love my husband and it's difficult for me to imagine how I could possibly love him more, I do not believe 'love' is the main reason why my heart longs for him. The reason for this intense desire is because each day that he is gone, every moment without him, I realize more and more that I need  him. He makes me brave and bold. He encourages me to follow my dreams. He brightens even my darkest days. He is my worst distraction and my greatest motivation. He makes me strive to be the best I can be in every aspect of my life. He is my Great Wall and he makes me slap happy. God knew I will need a special kind of man to be with and guide me in this life. So He gave me Dean. He is everything I need and more. Dean, you are and will always be m...

Amelia turned three months old on Monday! And she is growing like a weed. A chunky, happy  weed! She loves to flash her beautiful smile at everyone and enjoys baby wearing. We spent quite a few days outdoors this month and she almost always fall asleep in the carrier. Amelia is very strict with her bedtime. She wants to be asleep and in bed by 8:30pm! She is so opposite of her older brother whom we had to force to go to sleep (even to this day!). And Amelia still wakes up once or twice during the evening to eat but she immediately falls back to slumber. Kuya Nathaniel is still her favorite person and has even started to laugh out loud and giggle when he plays with her. I am so thankful that Nathaniel doesn't resent having a younger sibling because even at this very young age, I can already tell that Amelia loves him very much. Read One Month Old entry here . Read Two Months Old entry here .

We went to the Bellamy Mansion (not recorded) and the USS North Carolina Battleship in Wilmington with my family. We also sunbathed in Topsail and Emerald Isle beach We attended Hubby's battalion spring fling event and Nathaniel climbed the rock wall. He made it a little over halfway up before he wanted to get off. This is also my first time taking the kids all. by. myself. Amelia had her second month well baby visit. She is a whopping 12 pounds! Our first trip to the beach with no extra hands and eyes for help: Onslow Beach. We were in Wilmington to pick up Hubby's contacts and I didn't realize Fort Fisher Aquarium was only another 20 miles away. So we made an impromptu trip and this particular aquarium has a butterfly house. All butterflies were so beautiful and friendly! Dyed Easter eggs using our favorite method: Kool-Aid. We went to the Sesame Street Live USO tour. Not only was this show free, they also gave the children free spinning toys and bandanna!...

Nathaniel was watching TV when he turned around and saw me editing photos of his Daddy (and baby sister). He immediately started sobbing and said, "I miss my Daddy." :( He handled the first week that Daddy left well because he was distracted by his cousins' visit. But now that they left too and it is just the three of us, Nathaniel is really missing his Daddy. To help Nathaniel realize how many days he has left until we see Daddy again, I stole the "Hug and Kiss Jar" idea from one of my Marine Corps Spouse friends. Basically, Nathaniel will be eating one hug or kiss chocolate a day until we receive a real hug and a kiss from Daddy! Most days, it comforts Nathaniel and I'm sure getting to eat a chocolate really helps, too.