Read Across America

In most schools across America, March is read across America month.  Celebrating reading and the almighty Dr. Seuss. Just because we live overseas doesn't mean we can't participate. haha We'll Amelia goes to a DODEA school so lots of stuff is just like being in the states. Unfortunately Amelia wont get to participate with most the activities since we'll be on vacay for half the month.  But, we're gunna make the most out of the time we are here.

M is already on leave so we decided to volunteer at Amelia's class to decorate their door for the Read Across America door contest.  So happy that he came with me because we were the only parents that volunteered.  Plus Amelia was so excited to see us in her class and her teacher was super grateful!  We were more then happy to help!

 M and I were able to tackle most of the door ourselves.  We picked Dr. Seuss' Oh, the places you'll go as our theme.  I LOVE this book.  Its' been a favorite of mine ever since I was a lil girl.  I was more then happy with this theme.  It was a fun task to do together for our lil sweet pea and her class.  Her teacher was so stoked, she just wants to personalize it with a lil something for the kids.  I can't wait to see the finished product!  Fun times

Got my badge!  The bathrooms are so small and cute!

Couples that volunteer together, stay together!

LOVE it, turned out soo good!

Leaving on a Jet Plane....or Not???

Early this morning while I browsed my daily news I came across a story that caught my eye.  Family removed from plane due to unruly toddler wanted a 'little bit of humanity'  WOW…..I had to read on.  So after reading I wasn’t sure how I felt about the story.  I even watched the clip.  Having a toddler ourselves and traveling a number of times with her (even by myself) I was a little offended by what the airlines did and the fact that 71% of the people who took the Today poll sided with Jet Blue.  Are you kidding me?  If they already had their daughter strapped in her seat and ready to go why not just go on with the flight?  No, they kick them off and made the family stay overnight to catch another flight the next day!  Sure I’ve been on the other side of this situation before, without kids and even after having Mills.  I just grin and bare it, try to be understanding, and read my sky mall.  Granted I wasn't always as understanding, especially before I had Amelia.  But what are you gunna do?  These people are paying customers and deserve a lil bit of compassion.  Traveling is not easy, especially when traveling with lil ones.  That’s my 2 cents!

25 Week Update

Me at work! Haha

I’m currently 25 weeks, I have about 15 weeks left.  Sometimes it feels like time really flies and other times it feels like it’s just dragging on.  As of right now, feels like things are just speeding through.  I really need to get some baby stuff in order.  I was really good at first, I was starting things early looking up baby products and even started a registry.  Now I’m kind of stalled, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed.  With Morgan leaving soon, we want to get the baby room in order within the next few weeks.  We looked at the stores around Oki and couldn’t really find anything that we liked for baby gear or the room. 

Back to the pregnancy, I’m doing well.  Still growing.  It’s getting a lil hot here (70s), it’s the humidity that’s got me.  Plus my office hasn’t turned on the A/c.  We literally have 4 fans blowing to keep the air circulating.  Apparently the weather has to be a consistent temp for them to turn on the a/c.  I’m pretty sure we’ve been turning on these fans for the past week and still no a/c.  Unfortunately we don’t have windows either, it’s pretty much like a sauna in here.  I say something DAILY to my boss but nothing happens.   Anyways, not sure how much I’ve gained.  I do nothing that my clothes are really starting not to fit. Haha, luckily we are getting in to shorts weather.  My warm weather clothes are a lil more forgiving then my winter wear. J

On a HAPPY note, I got a prenatal massage yesterday.  It was GLORIOUS to say the least.  When I was prego with Mills I got 3 massages.  I am pretty sure I got one every trimester.  With this baby this is my first one.  I don’t know why I waited so long.  Well I do, massages here are crazy expensive not to mention the yen rate killing us.  For an hour massage it was about $100, nuts! I heard awhile ago that the gyms on base offer massages.  I was a lil skeptical because our masseuse was weird and he didn’t offer prenatal.  I read on a couple blogs of this one at another base, she was amazing and offered prenatal massages.  It was a B trying to get an appointment with her, she was always booked!  On the rate occasion she would have an opening, it would be in the middle of the day or late at night (around 8pm).  None of those times really worked for me.  Then finally, by the grace of God she had an afternoon app on a Sunday.  I booked it and I’m glad I did.  First off, it was a 60 min massage for only $30!  She was amazing.  She worked out all my knots and I left feeling incredible.  I’ll have to book another appointment in the coming months! 

 Baby is constantly moving.  I put on music for him periodically while I’m at work, he moves a lot when I do that, so maybe he is dancing in there. No cravings, eating well.  I’m more comfortable at night, I’ve been stacking pillows all around.  I have my next doc appointment later this month.  All in all, so far so good. 

On a side note>>>

{Rented Harold and Kumar Christmas movie, it was funny.  As funny as a stoner Christmas movie could be.  Also rented The Tower Heist, it was good.  There were funny parts.  So 2 ok movies for the weekend.}

{I've been on a shopping craze lately.  Mainly for Amelia.  Toddler girls spring clothes are just too cute to pass up.  I really need to stop though!}

{Got Mills flashcards for 3 lettered words, Alphabet, and numbers.  She really likes them.  I'm going to work on them with her.}

The Cat in the Hat...

With Dr. Seuss’ Birthday upon us, I thought I would write something about him.  I was fortunate enough to grow up reading Dr. Seuss books.  I believe his popularity was mainly in the US.  I asked a couple people I work with who grew up here in Okinawa and they didn’t really read his books.  I’m sure Japan has their beloved children’s books writers too.   With Mills we’ve bought her a handful of Dr. Seuss books and movies based on his books.  She loves them, I think because they are sort of off the wall and colorful.

 I remember being pregnant and getting Amelia’s room ready and buying Dr. Seuss books.  I would strategically place them on her wall shelves.  We started reading to her before she went to bed, even before she could walk or talk.  I would automatically go for a Dr. Seuss book.  It’s funny how tongue tied I would get reading these books to her, I don’t remember that growing up.  I think that maybe another reason she likes these books.  Reading these stories to her made me think of my childhood and reminisce on growing up.  I bet when I’m reading I have a smile on my face.  I don’t think there are any other books out there that can do that.  I definitely plan on reading Dr. Seuss books to our little one on the way.  His books will be in our lives for awhile and hopefully Amelia and our Baby boy will read them to their children.

Most of his famous books were written in the 1950s, and yet they still stand the test of time.  Parents and teachers all over are still reading them to a new set of ears every year.    There are definitely no other children’s books out there that are similar.  His children’s books have such a unique style.  As for my favorite Dr. Seuss book, it would have to go to “Oh, the Places you’ll go”.  That was actually one of the first books I bought Amelia.  I just think it has a good message and it’s inspiring.  I’m thinking the next few nights Amelia will be hearing some Dr. Seuss.  Hats off to you Dr. Seuss you're a gentleman and a scholar! BTW Dr. Seuss spent most of his life in La Jolla, CA!

On a side note>>>

{So far Lent has been going well, no soda, going to church, no fast food, but I haven't started reading the children's Bible with Amelia yet. }

{I'm really focusing on meal planning and cutting our grocery bill down.  I think we spend way too much money for just a family of 3.}

{I wore heels today to work, I got some weird stares. Haha}