Helping with groceries

Caleb and I went to the commissary for a big shopping day. I had a trunk full of food and was trying to bring it all in before stuff started to melt (it was very hot). As I was bringing in bags, I met Caleb with his little play shopping cart pushing it out the door. I had to follow to see what his plan was....he brought out the shopping cart to help bring in groceries. He'd put a bag in the cart, push it in the house, and then go out for another....it was the cutest thing ever!!! And then once we got all the groceries in the house, Caleb started going through bags to see what he could put away. At one point, he carried a jumbo bag of diapers up the stairs to the baby's room. I never asked for his help, he decided on his own to help...

Busy Friday

Friday was a busy day for us. It was a good thing that we had lots of fun that day because we ended up sick all weekend with terrible colds.

John and Caleb had a blast running and jumping through the sprinkler in our backyard. The weather was BEAUTIFUL! Not too hot, but warm enough for the water fun.

Later that afternoon, our wonderful FGR (Family Readiness Group) ladies offered free babysitting from 5-9pm. I was so excited about getting dressed up and heading out for a night without the kids, except I couldn't leave Riley just yet, so just without Caleb. It's been 5 weeks without Shawn and 4 hours without Caleb was just what I needed.

This is my version of dressing up and trying to take pictures of myself. I thought I looked pretty Hot for just having a baby (6 weeks ago).

Jen and I went to this place called, Gyu Kaku, a Korean BBQ restaurant at More's City Mall. It's kinda like Melting Pot meets Japanese Steak House. There's an open charcoal grill in the middle of the table where you grill your choice of meats and vegetables marinated in tare, which is a soy sauce. It was sooooo yummy!!

This is More's City Mall. There are all kinds of restaurants and stores. This is also the location of one of our many train stations.

These are just some pictures of Yokosuka at night.

Learning to help

Caleb is learning to be the big brother. Finally, he's starting to interact with Riley. Here, he's trying to give Riley a bottle except that as soon as Riley gets attached, Caleb takes the bottle away.

Caleb now opens the car door to Riley's side so I can put Riley inside and always makes sure that I have my diaper bag with me.

Caleb shows Riley how to play with the toys on his floor gym and likes to read books to Riley. He also likes to help give Riley his sponge bath. When Caleb feels that I have held Riley long enough, he points to the swing and says, "mommy, baby here", just in case I've forgotten where the baby can sit....alone.

It's so different having two babies..more work, but twice the reward, more mommy guilt, but twice the joy.

Dreamland

Dreamland is a small version of an amusement park on top of an 8 story shopping mall. It's literally on the roof, in open air. There's a Thomas the Train bumper car and other bumper cars, a little red train that goes around on a track, several little carousels, lots of arcade style games, and several little cars to pretend drive (alot like a Chucky Cheese, but no food or rat).

It's crazy that it's on the roof top. I mean you literally look over the edge and see other roof tops and then beyond is the ocean.

USO Carnival

Reach Caleb reach!!!

At the top, Yeah!!!

On Sunday, we went to a USO carnival that was on base. There was this huge air slide that Caleb decided he needed to conquer. Of course he's too short to reach between the foot holds that lead up to the slide, so he recruited help from his good friend, Christine. When he got to the top he was so happy and excited. He worked very hard for that 3 second rush of adrenaline and when he landed at the bottom, his face told of his accomplishment.



There were also bounce houses at the carnival. Thankfully, Jen and her kids were there and helped out with Caleb, otherwise I'm not sure we would have been able to attend. Caleb had a great time and worked off some stored up energy. He came home and took a 2.5 hour nap!!! He hadn't taken a nap all week, so it was awesome to get that break again.

Birthday fun

We went to a birthday party on Friday night and there was a bounce house. Caleb and John and several other boys (and two girls) played ultimate fighter. Basically, they were kicking each other's butts and taking names. I gotta tell ya, the girls were kicking the most butts too.

Caleb was feeling a little less than the center of attention, so after the candles were blown out he yelled, "Tada!!!!" like he had done something awesome.

It didn't end there. Before the cake could be cut, Caleb went over and very silently started eating the icing right off the cake, not by using a fork or a spoon...no...he used his finger. The finger on the hand that had been playing outside in a dirty sandbox and in the bounce house all evening. YUM!!

And then once everyone noticed him devouring the cake, he got his picture taken again and again because everyone thought it was too cute. He had icing on his hands and big chunks hanging from his face. You'd of thought it was his party!!!

Working out

I've had my first workout session. The gym on base has this awesome room where there are a limited amount of workout machines, but they're placed in a soft play room so that your child can play while you run or bike or elliptic... I had to get off the treadmill several times to correct Caleb's behavior, but even my interupted time was time spent on ME!!! I got to do something for myself and it felt GREAT!!