A busy week and a new blog title...

It has been quite hectic at the Freeman residence.  Sophia will be four weeks tomorrow, and I am proud to say that I am still showering on a daily basis and our kids are happy and well fed.  Jack has had a lot of company come and go, and finally the light bulb went off this week that no one is else is claiming this baby and that she is here to stay.  This has left him a little puzzled, a little angry with me but, as the amazing host that he is, very kind and hospitable to his new little sister. He says hello to her when he wakes up, hands me the binky when she cries and gestures that I give it to her, and is the bouncy seat DJ every morning getting her rocking with some baby tunes and turns on the vibration button when she starts to fuss.  All in all, Carl and I are very blessed to have two great kids.  The dogs have also stepped up to the task.  George has become "super watchdog" growling at any man that comes near our residence.  Herme has been the biggest helper during this deployment.  Once the dog that was two steps from landing at the pound, Herme has risen to the occasion to become the "Family dog" allowing Jack to pull and tug at him.  Further, he senses when he is needed and starts this hedgehog like run across the house that puts Jack in hysterics and entertains him for 30-45 minutes at a time.  He has earned some free passes for some of his less desirable behaviors.

Jack and Herme spending some time on Herme's bed

Sophia enjoying some time in the swing

 Michael and Melanie came to visit this past week. We had a blast.  Melanie (Mimi) was so helpful, and made us some great meals.  Michael arrived for the weekend, and Jack and his granddad had SO much fun.  Mimi helped us garden, and planted us all sorts of fun things.

Flowers from our garden

We had two beautiful bouquets of the roses from the garden

Granddad and Jack working on Mommy's bathroom

Jack LOVES to help put things together

Sophia after her bath...She is getting so big.  She is not even a month yet but has already outgrown some of her 3 month clothes

Debuting her new hat

Content on her changer

We installed a splitter, and a new automatic dog watering bowl.  This thing is a life saver.  Jack loves to turn the water off and on

Mimi and Sophia

Mimi's new garden...she planted cantaloupe, watermelon, basil, oregano, cucumbers, blueberries, tomatoes, string beans, and eggplant.  We can't wait for our new fruits and veggies!!!

Jack eating his favorite snack....coco krispies. We started this snack when I was pregnant and loving chocolate.  It is hard for both of us to break this little snack habit now. 

After our chocolate fix of the day!!!

DJ Jack

Adding a little vibration....

Well, I finally did it. I broke down and put a TV in the living room. Jack's favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Jack and Herme sit in their chair and dance to the hot dog dance!

As you can tell, this is one of our favorite parts of the day. 

Sophia already has a favorite toy. She is obsessed with this little pink elephant.  

Sleeping beauty

I can't believe how long she is getting! She definitely is taking after her dad's side of the family

Mimi and Jack in the garden working on the tomato plants

Jack hydrating after a long planting session

Sophia at three weeks

Mimi and Sophia

We have such great wildlife just walking through the backyard!!!

Jack and Granddad making music on the lunai

Granddad was a great sport and listened to what seemed like endless amounts of Elmo music

Mimi giving Sophia a bath

My sweet little girl

Michael really helped Jack eat all of his meat, and made dinner time LOTS of fun

Best Pals

As you may have seen, I have changed the title of the blog to "Our baby steps."  Although I am trying to document the kids as they grow and change, these nine months of deployment require that Carl and I take things day by day.  It is so hard to want time to pass quickly so we are together again but yet to also want these kids to stay the same and not grow up so fast.  Each day holds it challenges, and together we will get through this taking baby steps.  We appreciate all of your love, support, and visits.  It means so much to me, Carl and the kids.