Mary's first sentence

We went to church tonight. There weren't as many people as Sunday morning, so every little noise Mary made sounded so loud. She pulled out her pretend phone and was "talking." Doug and I kept "shhhh-ing" her. Finally, Doug leaned down and told her she needed to whisper. Mary said, "I want time out. I want time out." Dang it if that isn't the first complete sentence she's ever said.

Happy Anniversary!

10 years ago I pledged my life to the best man I have ever known. In case you never knew the story, or need a refresher, Doug and I were set up by a mutual friend. I remember moving to Virginia as a young Ensign in the Navy. Getting my first apartment by myself, starting my first job and just learning to be on my own were foremost in my mind. 2 weeks later, my preceptor at work, Melissa, asked me if I was single and if she could set me up with her friend. I took a chance. Why not? June 8th, 1998 Doug and I met for the first time. I remember feeling instantly comfortable around him. None of those crazy butterflies in my stomach. None of the embarrassing shyness and awkward silences. It's like we had always known each other. It was a feeling I had never experienced before. After our 2nd date, I remember closing the door and saying to myself, "I could marry this man." And I did, July 24th, 1999.

Thank you, Doug for all the wonderful years together. I could never in my wildest dreams have imagined such a great, happy and fulfilling life. You have been my travel partner, my confidant, my comedian, my shoulder to cry on, my best friend. You are a wonderful father to our child (soon to be children) and husband. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you and hope that we may celebrate many, many more years together. I love you with all my heart. Happy anniversary, Sweetheart.

I never read this in a book

After 3 days of potty training, Mary wakes up at 3:45am to go potty. What??? Aren't you still supposed to pee in your diaper at night? So I stumble to the bathroom, take off her pants and diaper and pray to God that I have her centered over the toilet. I didn't want to turn on any lights. Well, she went, and went, and went. I guess she really did have to go. Of course after that, she wanted water. Why wouldn't she? She just peed out half her body fluid. So finally, 15 minutes later, I crawled back in bed. Nobody ever told me this would happen. I'm glad she went, but I was also glad to go back to sleep. Needless to say, I didn't do a potty dance, get all excited or even give her a magnet. It was way to early. When is nap time?

Day 3

Well, we're on day 3 of Mary's official potty training and she's doing wonderfully. Can I admit that I get so excited when she sits on the potty and pees? Ah the thrill of motherhood. Mary is getting so good at going to the potty, flushing and washing her hands. Today, she went 11 times! I bought her a reward chart that we hung on the bathroom door. After each time she's successful, she gets to put a magnet on the chart. She had so many magnets, they overflowed onto other days of the week. She never asks for the M&Ms and frankly, if I gave her 22 M&Ms per day (2 for pee and 3 for poop) she'd have no appetite for anything else. So, in a way I'm glad she's not asking for candy and she's satisfied with the magnet. Of course, I get really excited and make a big deal about the magnets, so she's very pleased with herself. She's still scared to poop on the potty, but I figure that will come soon enough. Doug thinks I should try to get her to hold it longer, since 11 times is quite a lot. I feel that this is kinda the practice stage and she's still learning her body and all it's feelings. I think it's good for her to get on the potty every hour or hour and a half and go. It gives her a sense of accomplishment and teaches her that she can go like a big girl. Besides, I'm almost always in the adjoining bathroom peeing at the same time. Who knows, maybe she goes that frequently in her diaper. What a great day when I have to only change 2 diapers! Yea! My baby is really growing up.

Today we had the longest solar eclipse of the century. Asia was supposed to have the best view, with Okinawa having 80% visibility. I didn't spend $6 for the special glasses (which Doug later told me weren't nearly thick enough to protect the eyes), so I rushed outside, took a couple quick photos and went back in the house. I didn't let Mary come out for fear of permanent retinal damage, but she was more focused on lunch anyways. There was the coolest ring around the sun. I caught the eclipse a bit too early, since the moon is no where in my picture. Oh well, it was still fascinating.
This was the picture that was in our newspaper this morning.

Fun is...

Fun is...a public bathroom in 93 degree heat, 110% humidity, no air condition and apparently no ventilation, 4 1/2 mo pregnant, and a 2 yr old that wants to go potty. At least we snagged the handicapped stall and had plenty of room.

Fun is...trying to tell the 2 yr old that even though the potty is different than the one at home, it's still the same.

Fun is...putting said 2 yr old on the potty only to have her immediately say, "all done" and get off, without doing anything!

Fun is...spending 20 minutes in a crowded Japanese store, excited about leaving, only to have the kid tell you she wants to go potty...again. So we do it again. No luck. Just one really hot Mama (and not in the good way) trying to be so patient when all she can think about is the wonderful AC in the car.

So in case you didn't know, this is what I call fun.

I'm not above bribery

As per previous post, Mary and I had attempted potty training, but then she decided that she liked the diaper and had no urge to try the potty again. I decided to let the matter rest and not force the issue. I know it will happen with time. In the meantime, I've been busy renting potty training videos from the library and subjecting us to some extremely annoying songs that invade our brains and decide to play over and over again right when we want to go to sleep. Yes, I suffer..., but it's all for a good cause. Annoying Doug? No, I mean for the growth and well being of our little girl...and dang it, diapers are expensive. Well, Mary's friend, Jessica, came over yesterday and decided she needed to go to the bathroom. She's 1 month older and has really been doing good using the potty. She went and sat on Mary's potty and Mary just watched and was really curious. Not only that, but she saw how everyone cheered when Jessica was successful and how she received some M&Ms as a reward. Mary wanted some too, but we told her she only gets them if she goes to the bathroom like a big girl. I think that got her thinking. She actually went twice today!!!!! Yea! We were so excited. She even told me before she wet her diaper. So yes, if candy will get my little girl to use the bathroom, then get me to the store because I need to buy more M&Ms! I'm not above bribery.

Happy Birthday Doug!

Doug really milked this birthday, but I guess when you turn 40, then it's ok. Friday the 10th was the actual day day and per Doug's request, we had a baked whole sea bass (Sicilian style), broccoli risotto, fresh french bread with roasted garlic spread, salad and chocolate cake. Saturday night was parent's night out, so we put Mary in the day care and went to dinner over at a new friend's house. It's too, was Italian night since the couple had moved here from Naples and the other couple that was there was stationed in Sicily with us 6 years ago. Pasta with shrimp and clams, caponata (roasted marinated veggies), Cesar salad, bruschetta olives and of course the obligatory lemoncello (Yum- ok I had a tiny sip...or two) were on the menu. Tonight finished off the celebration with good friends and yes, more Italian. I asked Doug if that was too much Italian, but he said the Italians eat it everyday and they just call it food. He requested a spinach lasagna. So, Melissa, Kaye, Nicole and Mary's friend, Jessica came to dinner for lasagna, homemade bread, salad and Nicole's wonderful apple pie and ice cream. Thanks Ladies, we had a great time.

So one might think this particular blog is all about food, but I do have to mention that I have a fantastic husband. Thank you Doug, for all the ways you make my life better. You are a terrific husband, father and friend. I love you so much. Here's to another 40!

So what do you do?

Lately, Mary's been waking up earlier and earlier. This morning it was 4:35am! That's way too early. I decided to try to let her work it out and see if she could fall back asleep. The crying just kept getting louder and louder..."mommy, mommy, sob, mommy." Doug said "it isn't working" i.e. get up and stop the crying I'm trying to sleep. Groan. Mary quiets down the second I pick her up. A couple weeks ago if she woke up early like this, I just crawled into her bed with her and fell back asleep. That worked. She was happy and I was happy...and semi comfortable. We even slept together at the hotel this past weekend since there were only 2 twin beds in the room. I don't want it to become a habit. I kept trying to put her back down in bed without me and she would start crying again. I finally told her that she need to stop crying and use her words. "Tell me what's wrong?" "Water", she replied. Ok, I can do water. I put her back in bed and got her the water. She wanted her book that she always sleeps with. I handed her the book. I pulled the covers up, she looked at me and said, "bye". Was it that easy? Slept until 6:30am. Thank you.

Happy 4th of July!

We had our first vacation as a family this weekend. We went to one of the neighboring islands called Yoron. It was a 2 1/2 hr ferry ride away. Doug has always said that he would divorce me if I even looked at another boat, not to mention get on one. I guess he's a bit touchy about being vomited on...or at least having to deal with a massively sea sick wife. Doesn't seem to make the adventure fun for either of us. Anyway, thanks to our friend Kaye who was able to prescribe me an anti-nausea med that's safe for the baby, were still married. Thanks Kaye!!!

"Mommy, where's the big boat?"

"There it is!"

There were no chairs, only mats and pleather covered rectangles that acted as pillows. I really liked lying down the whole time, but Doug would have preferred a chair. Mary was happy to have her DVD player. Doug took her up top a couple times to let her walk around and see the ocean.

What a pretty little island. It's tiny and quaint. The resort was nice, but not exactly what I had pictured in my mind as a "resort". The rooms were serviceable, but not plush by any account. Good thing we're not high maintenance. I did like how all the furniture was close to the floor. My feet touched the floor when I sat on the couch! Mary could just sit down on the bed without crawling up on it. I was just so relieved to have a refrigerator in the room and cartons of milk at the convenience store. I bought the store out of all the single serving cartons they had and she drank them all.

Mary LOVED the pool. They had a great kiddie pool that was knee deep and had a big umbrella for shade. The first day we were there, it was a gorgeous sunny day. Mary put her feet in the ocean and stood watching the waves for a bit before declaring that she was ready to go to the pool. She was able to entertain herself a loooong time splashing around. Hard to believe she used to hate getting water in her face. I guess those swim lessons paid off after all.

"Oooo, pretty. All done, Daddy"

"Pool time!"
My new favorite picture

Friday was rainy. I mean thunder and lightening rainy. Too bad. Luckily, we brought Mary's portable DVD player. That thing is worth it's weight in gold. We also made a quick trip to the souvenir store and bought a pack of balloons. That afternoon, our friends Kaye and Mel arrived, so we spent the day socializing and braved a trip to a Greek village nearby. We took a cab and as we were driving we suddenly noticed a large bush moving in front of us. Ok, it wasn't a real bush, but that truck was seriously loaded down. I guess the farmer didn't want to make 2 trips. It was a very cute tiny town and it pretty much drizzled/rained on us the whole time. Oh well, we had a great Greek salad and pizza.

Watching the rain

The moving bush

Saturday was our last day there and even though it was overcast, it wasn't raining, so we frolicked in the pool and beach. The sun was even able to poke through the clouds before we headed in for lunch. Mary couldn't get enough of Doug's squid and cabbage pasta. She loved it. We were all amazed. The squid was stuffed in her mouth as fast as he was putting it on her plate.

Another trip to the beach. This is as far as she would wade into the ocean.
"Yummy Squid!"

At 2pm, we set sail once again on the great big ferry. It was a nice 3 day trip. We were very happy to see that Mary could put herself to sleep in a hotel room without difficulty even if we were in the room with her. Now we can really start planning our trip to Tokyo in September.