I AM A BUM

I AM A BUM!!! I haven't done any of Riley's mementos yet and I'm starting to wonder if I will...I did a scrapbook of my pregnancy with Caleb. I filled out his baby book before he was ever born. I have a scrapbook 6 inches thick of his first year which includes his birth annoucemet in two different newpapers. I have all his shot records filled out and I have a journal written of my pregnancy with him and then his birth day. What does Riley have???? A pregnancy scrapbook with 6 pages, a baby book with only his name written in it, and a journal that I stopped writing in 4 months before his birth.....

I AM A BUM!!!! I have become one of those moms with second child syndrome. I have no pictures of my second child on the walls. Shawn and I have made no attempt to take a new family picture. There is no birth announcement for Riley....and he's almost 3 months old....I don't give him a bath everyday, or every other day, or even every third day, it's whenever the spit up on his neck becomes cheese or when his toes hold enough sock fuzz to make a sweater....

I AM A BUM!!! I have become too relaxed with this second baby. Even calling him the "baby" instead of his name is being lazy. What happens?? Why is the first child so spoiled?? Where does the attention to details go?? Do we just not have the time?? (I'm using "we" here because I'm hoping that I'm not alone in my neglect)

I have got to put a stop to this!!! I am being a terrible mother. How will I answer the question in 10 years..."Mom, where are all my pictures?" I don't think the answer, "We'll son, I'm sorry that you weren't the first born." is going to go over very well with Riley. It just seems that my ability for time management has been lost somewhere between Caleb turning 2 and Riley being born.....or 4 months before Riley was born as my journal reflects......

brothers

Caleb is getting more active with his brother because Riley is starting to react more. I don't remember Caleb socializing this early. In mean, Riley is only 2 months old and he's laughing and cooing. If Riley is crying, I can ask Caleb to go talk to him and as soon as Caleb does, Riley stops crying. It's amazing, like they already have a relationship. If Caleb is playing trains, Riley loves to watch him and follows the trains around the track with his eyes. Maybe I'm crazy, but I swear Riley is doing more, earlier. All of you mothers of multiple children told me that younger kids develop faster, but I didn't think I'd see it so soon. I know I've said this a million times (and you'll probably hear it a million more), but I love having two boys. It just warms my heart so much to see them together.

Missing you

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. As much as we have made this place our new home it's still difficult being so far away. And with the time difference it's hard to pick up the phone and just call someone you miss. So, I'm sending out this blog post to all those I love. I want you to know that I miss our conversations with a cup of coffee or with the kids running around like crazies or sitting around the pool telling mommy stories or going to the mall for a quiet stroll while window shopping. I miss having dinners together and play dates. I miss having shopping buddies (mom, Renee). I miss the kid swaps and the birthday parties. All of you make me feel excited about being me and I really miss that. I miss all of you so much and I just wanted you to know.

Father's Day

Shawn had duty on Saturday, so our father's day started with making pancakes before he got home. Caleb mixed up the batter while I prepped the griddle. This is one of Caleb's favorite things to do these days, help in the kitchen.

After Shawn got home, we had breakfast and then we headed out to the park. Riley was ready for some fun in the sun with his daddy.

As we walked to Makisia Park, we stopped along the way to smell the roses....and to get a great photo of the Eklund boys, except where is Riley??....oh Riley was in the baby bojourn with his face snug against my breasts fast asleep and didn't want to be disturbed for a photo opportunity. Oh well, these two Eklund boys made this photo shine!!!!

Caleb's new mode of transportation is jumping, so him and Shawn jumped across all the water fountains that spread across the sidewalk. At one point Caleb lost his balance and fell in. His socks and shoes were soaked, but he didn't care. It wasn't until he fell in and got his shorts wet that he got upset.

The park that we went to is full of water fountains. It's really beautiful and quiet. Some of the fountains are just simple, natural fountains and some are enormous that play music.

Of course, Caleb loved playing in them all.

It turned out to be a wonderful day. Caleb had so much fun spending the day with his daddy, and I had fun watching them.

A quiet and relaxed father's day, just what Shawn had wanted (I had wanted to go to Sea Paradise, a kind of Sea World, but I was vetoed...it wasn't mother's day!)

I love that we have these moments together. They seem so far and few in between the busy days of our lives, especially with Shawn gone so often. I know that today meant the world to Caleb and I know that Shawn felt a sense of pride in knowing that.

Happy Father's Day!

2 months old

Riley had his 2 month well-baby check up and he's a growing boy. He weighs 11.7 lbs. and is 24 inches long. His weight falls in the 50Th percentile and his height falls in the 75Th percentile. Caleb was the complete opposite, short and fat. It looks like Riley will tower over his big brother (very similar to Shawn's little brothers). The one commonality the boys have are small heads. Caleb's measurements always put him below the 25Th percentile and Riley's head circumference was only in the 10Th percentile.

Riley smiles now and loves to coo and talk. He likes to interact and Caleb is really starting to enjoy being with his brother. He likes to make him smile and laugh by tickling him (very gently, surprisingly) and by playing peek-a-boo. I love having two boys!!

Kamakura

On Saturday, we ventured out on our first family outing. We took the train to Kamakura and walked to see the "Big Buddha". It was a wonderful day...a long, long wonderful day. Caleb was so excited that we were going to ride the train. He thought that was the big adventure. After he rode the train, he was done.

Caleb and his daddy waved good-bye to all the trains as they came and went. Caleb was in heaven with all the trains.

It was about a 30 minute walk to the "Big Buddha" from the train station. Along the way there were all these little shops and restaurants and fruit markets. This was my favorite part of the day. I love seeing the everyday culture of the Japanese.

Once we reached the "Big Buddha" we took a rest and let Caleb eat a snack and have a drink. Shawn and I took the opportunity to take some pictures of us. We still make a cute couple, don't we?

There was a line of people waiting to wash their hands in this large wooden tub of water. My assumption is that you must present yourself clean before entering the area of the Buddha.

Here he his, The "Big Buddha". There were many offerings of flowers and fruit laid before him. And there was a constant burn of incense before him also.

Behind the Buddha was a rest area. It was so peaceful and quiet. The day was very enjoyable and we loved being together as a family.

Daddy's Home

Finally, Shawn came home last night. There was alittle homecoming on the pier and we were there.

It was fun watching the ship come in, but what was great, was watching Caleb get so excited. I have never seen such joy on his face before. He was in heaven knowing that daddy was coming home!!!

After Caleb was able to pick out which sailor was Shawn, he started blowing kisses to him and jumping up and down. Everyone on the pier just thought he was too cute!!