Our Christmas Celebration.

It's hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and New Years is just around the corner! Our Christmas consisted of having over a few single sailors and those without family for Christmas eve dinner. It was a good time with food, friends, and a white elephant gift exchange. Then Christmas day was a day in with just our little family =). Zebryna was the cutest while opening her gifts! And there isn't any other way I would rather have spent the day than in with the hubby, baby and dog.

Putting the angel on top of the tree Christmas Eve.

Auntie Rosie playing with Zebryna.

The guys singing carols

Waiting to open presents Christmas morning.

Wrapping paper tastes good!

So happy =).

Playing in one of her new toys!

6 months old!

My sweet baby girl turned 6 months on the 15th. I can't believe she's already been in our lives for half a year! Yesterday was her 6 month checkup and she weighed in at 18.4lbs and was measured to be 26inches! I can't believe how big she is getting.. She's becoming more talkative lately and can now sit all by herself (with the occasionally topple over). I've added broccoli to her diet and tonight we try sweet potato :). She's also started sleeping 6-7hrs straight at night! Which may not sound like long but is a very welcome step up from 5hrs.

Last week we had friends come visit from Florida. We also had the hubby's command Christmas party and our ugly Christmas sweater party that we threw with our neighbors. It was a busy week but a lot of fun :). 

Baby with her broccoli.

Christmas photo shoot at home.

Masquerade Christmas Party.

Ugly sweater party.

Santa hats all around.

Hanging with the big kids.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Wow, I cannot believe we're already into the second week of December! I've been meaning to post since Thanksgiving weekend... but better late then never right? One day I will keep up with my blog better (hopefully). Anyhow, so thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a wonderful thanksgiving with some great people. We hosted dinner here and I made a turkey and all the fixings. Mmm I love turkey! Last year I was pregnant and having a major aversion to poultry so wasn't able to make or eat turkey. I definitely made up for it this year =). Of course as soon as thanksgiving had passed it was time to put up Christmas decorations!! Growing up my mom always insisted we wait till the weekend following thanksgiving to put up our Christmas decorations and it is something that has stuck with me and become tradition in my own home. Zebryna was the cutest little helper while decorating =). I'm so excited with it being her first Christmas!
Baby girl will be 6 months in less then a week. She grows more and more everyday. She's nursing well and gobbles up her rice cereal. I've given her banana for breakfast the last 3 days. Sshh.. don't tell my pediatrician, she recommended I wait to introduce other foods till after 6 months. But the way Zebryna eyes our food while we're eating I truly believe she's ready for solids.  I'm considering trying Baby Led Weaning. I was a little bit skeptical when I first heard about it but when I feed Zebryna her rice cereal she grabs for the spoon and is happy to hold it herself while eating off it. So I began to look into BLW (baby led weaning) and the more I research it the more I think I want to try it. I intended to make her food myself anyways, partly to save on money and partly because I like the idea of knowing exactly what she's eating. So it could save me a lot time and energy to go the BLW route. I kind of already tested it out with the banana. Instead of mashing it up and feeding it to her I removed most of the peel, leaving enough so she would have a "handle" and let her feed herself. She loved it! I'm still not 100% sure what I'm going to do but I will keep you all updated. I also welcome any input on the matter!

Thanksgiving Feast!

Christmas Decorating.

Putting the star on her own little tree =)

First Banana!

Baby's first hike!

Thanks to my neighbor Gaby I decided to order the ergo carrier for Zebryna. Best baby carrier ever! I had a Chico carrier that we received but it put a lot a strain on my neck and shoulders and I could barely last a shopping trip with it. With the ergo I could instantly feel a difference and Zebryna likes it better!  So today we ventured out on out first hike. It was just a short easy hike up to a beautiful lookout where you could see Makapu'u Lighthouse as well as a beautiful view of the ocean and beaches. I'm glad we started out with a short hike because I can already feel it! The last hike I did was Diamond Head when I was pregnant (so I guess this was baby's second hike?). It felt good to get out on a trail again. It was a perfect day, not too hot, there was a great breeze and not a cloud in the sky :). I would love to do a weekly hike. There's nothing better then some fresh air and beautiful scenery to make exercise enjoyable!

In other news we took Christmas pictures and will be sending out our first family Christmas card this year!! So exciting! 

We made it to the top!

Makapu'u Lighthouse.

Beautiful!

 

 

 

sneak peek!

5 months old.

Today my baby girl is 5 months old. She's growing so fast! I don't think I'll ever get over how she develops before my eyes... She has both of her bottom teeth now. She wears 6-9month clothes.She can sit up for a little bit =). She's rolled over a few times but mostly she just scoots around on her back. When she is on her stomach she likes to do the "superbaby" by flailing her arms and kicking her legs. She's discovered that she can reach her feet and is usually trying to pull her socks off or eat her foot. She loves our dog Asher, she likes to sit and coo at him and pet him (when he lets her that is). She loves grabbing and touching everything. Sometimes she'll even reach for me when she wants to be picked up. She's a very happy baby with a smile that just melts my heart. I remind myself often that she won't stay little for long and that I need to soak up and enjoy this time.

All Smile's

She also fits in her big girl stroller.

Superbaby!

It's time...

Ok, so I've decided that's it's time to get serious about getting back in shape. I've been saying that I need to work out for the last couple months now but it just hasn't happened. It probably has a little to do with the fact that I hate working out so after taking care of the family and the house and all the other things that need to be done the last thing I want to do is make myself workout. But I've made the decision to put in the time and effort for me. I've already lost my pregnancy weight but I am far from being in shape. While I wouldn't mind losing a little bit more weight my main goal is to just tone up and get fit. I'm starting out slow with a 24day ab challenge and a 30day squat challenge. Both of these combined shouldn't take 10mins a day so there is really NO excuse for me not to get them done. Wish me luck =).
In other news Zebryna's first tooth has cut through! It's made her a little bit fussy and she's been wanting to nurse more but it hasn't been too terrible. I'm going to get a massage tonight so hopefully she won't be too much of a handful for the hubby =).

My new lock screen on my phone to keep me motivated.

Autumn adventures

Ok, so we had a busy weekend full of good times. We went to our first ever pumpkin patch as a family! In fact it was the first time the hubby and I ever went to a pumpkin patch together. We went Saturday morning and even though it was hot and muggy and didn't feel like fall even a little bit, I was pleasantly surprised at all the great things the pumpkin patch here in Hawaii had to offer. They had a little amusement area for kids, a fresh produce stand, lemonade stand, hay rides and of course lots of pumpkins! You could even go pick corn yourself right next to the sunflower field :). We got some corn and enough pumpkins to make our own little pumpkin patch at home.. what can I say, I got a little carried away.  Saturday afternoon we had a little baby Halloween party which included us and a few friends with their babies :). Zebryna dressed up as Pebbles from the Flintstones and was the cutest thing ever!
Zeb went back to work last week which has helped me get back into the groove of things. I feel like I've been out of it since I had Zebryna really. I finally feel back to normal physically (well for the most part) and so I'm able to take the dog on the nice long walks he needs. Which is good because honestly there were days I wasn't sure I could handle him and the baby. He's a very energetic dog and when he doesn't get the exercise he needs he can be very trying. But he really is a good dog and now that I'm walking him like he needs things are good. Zebryna has a new found interest in him lately which is just too cute. He likes to go up and lick her face and she just squeals with delight. Other times when she's sitting in her exersaucer she'll just watches him. Oh something else new, we've taken Zebryna to the pool a couple times now. The first time I think was a little too cold for her but last time I got a smile outta her :).

Baby's first pumpkin patch!

Sunflower field.

Pumpkin patch at home!

First halloween costume.

Hanging by the pool

Another week comes to an end..

I can't believe it's Saturday night already. Time seems to just fly by lately. Next week Zeb will be going back to work and it will be time to get back into the swing of things. I'm looking forward to getting back into a routine.

Something I didn't mention last post, Zebryna is officially crib trained! She sleeps in her own room now and everything :).  Most nights she goes down between 7-9, she's up once around 2 or 3 and the down till 5 or 6 at which point I generally bring her in bed with us for a couple more hours. Her favorite time of the day lately is first thing in the morning and then bath time. I have a feeling it has to do with it being when mama and papa are both giving her undivided attention. I'll miss having that  in the morning when the hubby goes back to work. Who knows maybe we'll just start getting up earlier....Haha we'll see about that. 

Bath time!!

Sound asleep in her crib.

Baby got a new toy!

Catch up..

So it's been a while! I've been meaning to blog but things have just been busy and by the end of the day I forget that I want to blog. 

My hubby's recovery has been going great! He's down to using a cane for aid and at home he doesn't even really use that! In so proud of him for the hard work he has put in to get to where he is. But since he's doing so great that means he'll be going back to work next week :(. Now I'm somebody who definitely enjoys my alone time and it's been hard at times to have my hubby home all day everyday for the past month and a half but I wouldn't give it up for the world. Having this extra time with him has been a blessing. He's gotten to see Zebryna grow so much over these weeks. My baby girl is now 4 months old! I can't believe how big she is. She's developing before our eyes. She had her 4 month check up yesterday and had to get shots :( but she was a trooper! She is now cleared to eat rice cereal. She had her first serving yesterday and I think she liked it :).  

As far as what's been going on with me, I've had to drive more since my hubby hasn't been able to since surgery. I know, it's crazy, I'm 25 and still don't have my drivers license. I have my permit so I'm not driving illegally! But growing up in Japan I didn't need to drive (the beauty of awesome efficient public transportation.) and I've been able to get by without needing to drive here in Hawaii until now. But since my hubby's leg has been out of commission I've been forced to do the driving and it's been a good thing. I'm actually getting to the point where I even enjoy it a little (until I hit traffic anyways lol). I've also been a Pinterest junkie. Someday I will have to do a post on all the wonders of Pinterest I go to it for recipes, craft/decorating idea, even housekeeping tips! I've been working on some fall projects that once finished I will share :). 

One of Zebryna's favorite things; bath time with papa!

Trying out that rice cereal!

It got messy... Lol

Upside down and turned around.

So it's been a busy couple of weeks. My hubby got ACL reconstruction surgery last Monday and we spent the days leading up to that trying to fit in as much as possible. Right now I'm sitting in the physical therapy office with our baby girl while the hubby tackles his second day of PT.  Between my hubby, my baby and the doggy I feel like a mother of 3 lately! But I am happy for the extra time Zeb is spending at home with us. Especially with Zebryna growing as fast as she is, it's nice he gets to see it all. Our little bit of a schedule we had going on has gone out the window but I think it's worth :). I do need to get serious about crib training tho because baby girl is growing out of her napper and doesn't sleep well on the pack and play mattress..  I've also taken a week off from trying to get her to take a bottle so that's something else I need to get back on this week.. 

So I wasn't able to finish my entry I started Tuesday.. It is now Thursday and things have progressed! Zebryna took a nap in her crib without me having to rock her to sleep! And last night she slept in her bassinet/pack&play without any problems :). But best of all she just drank a bottle :). My wonderful hubby sent me out for some girl time to get mani pedis and so I decided to pump a bottle just in case he should need it. He didn't use it while we were out so I decided to give it a shot tonight and while she wouldn't take it from me when I held her or rocked her she did take it when I sat her in her chair! While I truly love breastfeeding and that special time I get when I feed her it gives me such peace of mind to have her able to take a bottle. 

Papa post surgery.

My manicure.

Baby drinking her bottle 😃.

Labor Day Weekend

So it has been a busy week with an even busier weekend! My hubby has had a four day weekend since it's Labor Day. Friday we had a fantasy football draft at our house which was a good time with good people :). Hopefully I become more football savvy this year so I can figure out what's going on lol. Saturday we had a room at the Hale Koa hotel in Waikiki for the night. Enjoyed some pool time and an awesome Sunday morning brunch. Sunday night my hubby and I had a much needed date night. The first since my mom was here in July. Unfortunately Zebryna has been refusing to drink from the bottle starting last week so we couldn't leave her for too long. But we did get a movie and a little bit of shopping in :). Hopefully we can figure out a way for her to take the bottle again.. She has been going through a growth spurt and I think that may have something to do with her wanting to strictly breastfeed.

Today we are having a family beach day. My little angel is sleeping while the hubby and her godfather snorkel which is giving me an opportunity to blog while lying on the beach :). That's right, life is good. 

My view. 

She models while she sleeps.

Adjusting to life with a baby.

Before our daughter was born my husband and I would always say we weren't going to let having a baby change us. We weren't going to be "those parents" who stopped going out or socializing with our friends. And while we have been able to keep up a social life and not stay cooped up in the house all the time, having a baby has definitely changed things. We don't stay out as late and leaving the house tends to need to be coordinated with the baby's feeding schedule. My day to day life at home is a juggling act of taking care of the baby and her fur brother, housekeeping, and trying to get other projects done around the house. I'm one of those people who likes to tackle something head on until it's finished. I would rather not do something at all then do it partway. But I'm learning that with a baby it's just not always possible to get things done in the manner that I would like. So sometimes only half the dishes get done. Sometimes only the dusting gets done and vacuuming waits til another day. And then there are some days (however rare they may be) where cleaning and laundry gets done as well as dinner made all before my hubby gets home. And let me tell you, those days I feel like freaking superwoman! But even on days where nothing gets done as long as I get a smile from my daughter I feel pretty awesome =). She has a way of making everything better.
This past week was a great one with dinners with friends and neighbors as well as a great beach day! Zebryna is now 10weeks 2days old and developing right before our eyes. I'm extremely blessed to have good friends who are also mama's. It makes life a little easier for sure =).

My loves.

Little beach bum

Zebryna and her fur brother.

I'm finally doing it...

..I'm finally starting a blog. I have been thinking about doing this since I was pregnant. Now my baby is 9 weeks old and I am finally getting around to it. It helps that my neighbor and a friend of mine have both started blogs that I enjoy reading. They, and my husband are my motivation.
So I'm a new mama and I am loving it. I'm very blessed to have a beautiful healthy baby girl. I'm a stay at home mom which surprisingly, I enjoy. I never thought I would be the type to want to stay at home but now that I am a mother I'm extremely thankful that my husbands job allows me to be able to. My husband serves in the US Navy which makes me a navy wife. Something else I never thought I would be.. what can I say, life is full of surprises =).
I am in the process of trying to crib train my daughter, Zebryna. Not so much because I want to but more so because I feel like I need to because they say the transition becomes harder the older the child gets. My problem is I love having her in the room with us at night I would probably co-sleep if our bed was a little bigger. But with our queen size it just isn't comfortable. Especially for my hubby who has to get up early for work and needs his sleep. That being said, after my hubby leaves for work Zebryna often joins me in bed =). Anyhow, back to crib training. Since I'm not all that eager to have her out of our room quite yet I'm taking baby steps. This week we have started hanging out in the baby room more to try and get her use to the different sights and smells. I also try and bring her in for her naps. She took a good 45min nap in her crib yesterday for the first time. Usually she will wake up after a few mins after being put down in there so I have been going between having her sleep beside me on the guest bed (which is in her room) while I do things on the computer like write my blog ;). And putting her down in the crib. I do feel like letting her sleep on the bed beside me has helped because she's adjusting to the room but still has the comfort of me nearby. We shall see how the rest of the week goes. For now my baby is awake and I must go. Because who can resist this face...