Grrr iPad...grrrrr

I know, I'm a total witch for complaining about something that's freaking awesome BUT somehow in trying to edit my blog my iPad deleted my custom made header. Just upload it again, right? Wrong...my laptop was brutally murdered by a virus recently and, until I get an external hard drive, convince my brother-in-law to let me borrow his"precious" gaming computer, and beg my husband to transfer my thousands of pictures I'm outta luck. So...in all my new years eve whining...does anyone know any tricks for editing using an iPad? If you do, I'd love the help...and...if you live in Houston I'll teach, your babes, you, or anyone in your family how to swim for free. Too bad I can't do swim lesson swaps like, all the time...damn me for not being a crafty awesome person. Oh well. Happy new years! Xo J

New Years and yeaaaa

It doesn't feel like New Years Eve.It just doesn't.Not like it's a bad thing, just feels like the same ol' same ol'But holy crap guys, I've downloaded a gazillion apps to help me organize my life, my goals, my weight loss, AND reefs first birthday luau...yes A BIRTHDAY LUAUA BACK IN HAWAII WITH A GOOD ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE. Welcome to being Hawaiian. My dad started planning when Reef was born. I. Kid. You. Not.Sooo while I lounge in pj's in this foggy weather. Here's a piece of my 2012 idears.XoJ

Mirror mirror on the wall

Oh. WOW. Who knew mirrors could turn my son into such a self obsessed lil dude. Kidding.... Kind of... So...for now...my new lethal baby calming weapon, a mirror! Got any baby calming weapons you used to use, are using, or would NEVER use?! I would really loooove to know!
Xo
J

Impossibly Easy Breakfast Bake

I love the fact that I can type "breakfast bake" into google and I get a million delicious recipes.

Below I have Betty's version with how I altered it in capital letters. This is how I tend to cook. Which is why I'm hesitant at sharing recipes...I tend to mix & match and I rarely measure...but...it almost always turns out yummy.

So enjoy my little Fat Kids, enjoy.

Xo
J aka A Total Fat Kid

Ingredients:

2 packages (12 oz each) bulk pork sausage {16oz CANADIAN BACON DICED}
1medium bell pepper, chopped (1 cup){I DIDN'T ADD THIS BECAUSE MY HUSBAND'S A BELL PEPPER HATER}
1medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
{1TBS CRUSHED GARLIC}
3cups frozen hash brown potatoes{I TOTALLY DID 4 CUPS}
2cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)
1cup Original Bisquick® mix{I USED A BISCUIT MIX WE HAD IN THE DEEP DARK CAVE OF OUR PANTRY..SAME DIFFERENCE}
2cups milk {2 CUPS HEAVY WHIPPING CREAM...YEP THAT HAPPENED}
1/4teaspoon pepper{1/2tsp PEPPER}
{1TBS CRUSHED ROSEMARY}
4eggs

Step 1:
Heat oven to 400°F. Grease rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Cook sausage, bell pepper {GARLIC}and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir together sausage mixture, potatoes and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese in baking dish.

Step 2:
Stir Bisquick mix, milk, pepper {ROSEMARY}and eggs until blended.
{YEA, TOTALLY USED MY HANDS TO MIX IT....WAY EASIER AND FASTER WHEN YOUR BABY IS JUST ABOUT TO HAVE A MELT DOWN}
Pour into baking dish.

Step 3:
Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer or just until cheese is melted. Cool 5 minutes.

Find the recipe here

Baby envy...or not

So. For a while I was feeling completely cheated. My son (in all his glorious high needs craziness) cried(s) a lot, needs constant attention, constant stimulation, constant touch, and still has trouble napping without being held or cuddled. I barely get things done now that he's pretty much over being in his sling and ME time doesn't exist. We're attached constantly. Moving around constantly.

BUT

Honestly, how awesome is it that I get to hang out and play 24/7. Christmas Night I finally just LET GO. So maybe things aren't as tidy and maybe my hair is extra oily and,yes, my son is the one screaming bloody murder in the grocery line but i really need this toilet paper im buying...I'm getting precious time with the raddest lil dude ever and that right there is priceless. If it takes me rolling all over the bed with Reef while singing made up songs about his binky to make him giggle and not cry, I'll do it.

It's amazing. No one has ever been able to get me to just play and hang out...Zach was the first person to EVER get me to play video games (I always thought they were a waste of time that could be spent actually doing things)...I have to always be doing something productive. Yet Reef, in his persistent padowan wisdom, kept screaming until I just stopped and played.

Now, I'm happier than I've ever been, I'm living completely in the moment, and I've never felt so alive.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

Xo
J

Ps my lovely in-laws have a hot tub that we utilize daily. Reef is obviously the next MP (yes that stands for Michael Phelps) :)

Balls.

Have you ever lived with boys?

....

If you have, have you ever gone to wash your face in the bathroom at 5am reached around the sink for the clean hand towel you know you put there the night before, wipe your face with it and half way through wiping realize that some nasty dude has totally used it on his balls?

I have. A few too many times. So, as a kind reminder to my husband (I really hope his brother doesn't do it too but I haven't wanted to ask since I put those putrid towels all over my clean face) I made these signs.

Happy Wednesday.
Xo
J

T.M.I

Let's step back to Sunday for a moment...

I was desperate for a shower and reef was covered in puke. My mother-in-law offered to watch him for a bit so I could get a few things done (as of now we're living with my in-laws while renovating a studio type deal). Watch out! I was not going to let this opportunity slip by.

Soooo I figured I would shower Reef with me (I do this way too much when I'm home alone & he's inconsolable) then hand him off to gramma.

I asked if she would come with me and hand him to me once I got in since, let's face it, that's way easier then doing it by myself. I also asked if I could then hand him back to her once he was squeaky clean so I could actually shave my legs.

Now, I didn't realize I hadn't asked her if this would make her uncomfortable until her, Reef, and I were crammed in the bathroom with the shower running as I quickly undressed... The time had passed for me to give her a chance to opt out ot laugh off the awkward so I said nothing, got in, took reef from her, and then proceeded to chitchat with her. It was maybe 3 minutes then i handed the baby back and she left.

While I finished my much needed leg shaving I thought 'hmmmm too much?am I being THAT girl right now??' I totally was. Then I realized 'ohmygod I'm acting like my mom'.....I guess after giving birth in front of an entire class of nurses, my mom, my dad, my husband, my sister, and my aunt I lost all sense of shame. But, even if all of those people hadn't been watching me push Reef out, my college roommate could probably tell you that I would have done it anyways.

Some things never change. I'll always be THAT girl.

Xo
J

Letters to Santa

Dear Santa,

What I want for Christmas is cheap, unless you want to get me a ticket home then that's $1,000 and for a man who only works once a year I think that's out of your price range. All I'm asking for (more like begging for) is one day where I can just lay in bed and do absolutely nothing. All. By. My. Self. No baby, no husband, no in-laws, no phone calls, just lil me.

Considering I do everything for everyone else I don't see this as a selfish request.

Love,

A tired mommy trying to regain her sanity.

RIP Kainoa

A year ago today I fell on the floor in my hallway, tears streaming down my face, and clutching my stomach that housed a pea sized Reef. It was 5am and raining, raining hard. It never rains in Ewa Beach.

A week after I found out I was pregnant you died. Just like that.

And then right after you were gone you gave three people what they had been begging God for. You gave them life four days before Christmas. Wow.

There were three days of nonstop celebration in honor of your life. All of Kona was there. Everyone cried, partied, and cried some more. I wish I could've been at the parties.

I didn't get to see your family until ten months later, yes, that was too long. By this time I had my son and he was two months old but your mother's sorrow was still eating her. I could see you missing from her soul and it tore me apart. Her strength was so admirable, when she held Reef I cried and hoped she didn't see. She's my hero.

My father gave Reef his middle name, Kaikoa. Yes, Warrior of The Ocean, I don't think there's a better name then that for him. I ask you, ever so humbly, to watch over him Kainoa and give me strength like that of your mother's to love him and help him grow.

We miss you and know you're still there, in all of Kona town wrapping your arms around those you love.

Xo
J

Broke-ass Christmas

This year we. Are. Broke. Well, not so broke that we couldn't buy gifts but we're on a serious budget. NOTE if anyone is getting out of the military soon PLAN AHEAD we got by just fine but took a huge income hit, especially since I just had given birth to Reef and wasn't working when we left the Army.

Now, I don't care about being broke. I grew up poor. We never had big Christmases but it didn't matter. Christmas is about family and community, pure and simple. There were many Christmases without a tree and small gifts but I don't remember ever "feeling" broke or let down. I remember going to Christmas Eve Mass and singing all the songs I love, driving around different neighborhoods and being wowed by the light shows, taking gifts my mother collected from the community to people much poorer than us and I'll never forget the parents faces and the hugs we shared- this is what Christmas means to me, it's completely magical. Love and giving. I hope to instill these values in my son.

This year will be quite a change.

We've started a new adventure in Texas and are living with my in-laws who, I'm sooooo lucky to say, are amazing and we get along fabulously. They're big on Christmas....like, they buy huge gifts HUGE. I'm not complaining, I enjoy nice things and being pampered but my husband is stressing about not getting people expensive gifts. He's such a Taurus. I repeat to him that it's the thoughtfulness of the gifts, it's the hug that it's delivered with that matters...not the price.

Maybe I don't care enough, who knows.

All I know is I have my family, I was able to use miles to fly my sister home to my parents, and I've got cocoa in the pantry.

Xo
J

Focusing on the Good.

Do you ever get so tired that the littlest thing sets you off?

I've been like this the last few days and really need an attitude change. I mean...i got absolutely livid with Zach for eating pretzels in bed...like whoa, I'm going to kill you!

I'm reeling myself back in.

I've been so focused on being tired that I've been dwelling on the negative and thats a dark road I don't like going down.

Soooo I'm shaping up, taking a much needed HOT shower while Reef naps and focusing on everything beautiful in my life.

Xo
J

One of them days...

This photo speaks for me today. Yay for teething...

The Zaky Hand

First, some sweetness...

This, my friends, is the Zaky Hand. My best friend is amazing enough to send it to me because Reef can't sleep without being cuddled. He won't nap good unless I'm wrapped around his tiny little frame. As precious as it is and as much as I secretly loooove it. My wifey duties and need to constantly be doing something are severly suffering from it. We moved here October 18th...our household goods arrived November 15th...I STILL HAVEN'T UNPACKED MY SHIZ.

Hopefully that is all about to change.

This awesome device feels like a human hand and forearm, therefore helping baby sleep better (chaching!). Reef's already using it. I'm hoping to ween him out of our bed and into the crib using this handy dandy..errr hand..

P.s. I know it looks creepy...okay extremely creepy...but it's worth a shot.

Xo

J

Desperation Sunday

Today we were completely desperate to keep Reef happy & entertained...with that being said, I did something I promised myself I wouldn't do... I put him on my knee, gave him his teether (which vibrates when he bites it, its basically the coolest thing EVER), & turned on the tv...Yo Gabba Gabba to be exact. And...well...he stopped crying and watched every second of it, screaming with joy at random parts of the show.

Good mommy? Bad mommy? Who knows but he did enjoy those bright colors & fun songs.

I'm not going to lie, it was sooooo nice to be able to sit with him for 25 minutes straight and just chill out.

Anyone have opinions on tv & babies/ toddlers/ kids?

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High-Need Baby, Yes...there is such a thing

I was in complete tears this morning...I mean WHOA.

A friend gave me her copy of The Fussy Baby Book by Dr. Sears (how i love him & his wife). She never realy used it since she had such angelic easy lil babes. I finally cracked it open this morning and OMG YOU GUYS THAT RIGHT THERE IS MY SON!

I have been completely befuddled, exhausted, and frustrated. I had to stop reading baby development books, I had to stop all of my emails that send baby updates, and I had to stop listening to well, everyone. Even my dearest friends who are great parents had no idea what to say to me. You see...this crazy baby I have hated being swaddled, he rarely napped as a newborn, he hates anything restrictive (including clothes), has been hyper alert since birth, hates to be set down, refuses to play with anything that isn't myself or my husband, wants what he needs RIGHT when he needs it, hates sleeping in his crib, and has wanted to stand since he was four weeks old more than anything else in the world.

Now, after all the reading and talking to doctors and friends and nurses and parents and grandparents- THIS. IS. NOT. NORMAL. Oh, awesome...just what every new young mommy wants to hear. Whatever. I went with it. I did what I thought Reef needed and of course thought I was doing everything wrong. When he was three months old I finally told Zach, "I can't do it, I need sleep. I'm putting him in the bed with us" and, oh holy shit, if that didn't get me a whole slew of advice I didn't ask for. People are really good at, accidentally, making you feel like a terrible parent but hey...when your baby won't sleep for longer than an hour at a time and you're THAT tired, you'll do anything..right?!

Well, Dr. Sears and his lovely wife had a High-Need daughter and wrote a book about their journey with her and other high-need babies they've worked with and well, it's my new Bible (sorry God). After reading the first two chapters I had a whole new confidence and outlook on life. Guess what, I WASN'T DOING ANYTHING WRONG (i know right?!). I was actually...wait for it...doing it RIGHT..I should say WE since my husband is right there with me every tired step of the way.

It's called Attachment-Parenting. See, Reef NEEDS to be held, he NEEDS to be cuddled at night, he NEEDS the constant physical interaction...NEEDS NEEDS NEEDS...Now, I had way too many people tell me "youre spoiling him" or "he really shouldnt be sleeping with you, you could smother him you know" and (my favorite) "have you tried patting him and shushing him when he wakes in the middle of the night, it puts my daughter right back to sleep"...I feel so at ease now, so relieved. I hadn't met anyone else with a baby like Reef and was starting to worry that there was something seriously wrong.

Does anyone else have a High-Need Baby/Toddler/Child/Teen? If you do or have experienced one I would absolutely love to hear your wisdom.

XO
J



Dear Jonny Jump Up thank you for entertaing Reef for 5 minutes at a time so I can sip my coffee and not pour it down my throat.



Ummm, yes please!

I'm not a craft-thinker-upper...I'm just not. I used to be but somehow I've lost my spark...will I ever regain it? Who knows...BUT I'm perfectly content stalking other bloggers fun crafts and DIY projects and recreating them! Here are four that are on my to do list for this weekend since everyone is either working or out of town.

CREATIVE JUICE

 How awesome are these decorative Christmas Trees?! Go to Creative Juice to see the turorial, they're super easy and inexpensive to put together AND they're quick so yay for getting them done during nap time!


CREATIVE JUICE

I also LOVE this Advent Tree from Creative Juice! I've always had Advent Calendars and Advent wreaths with candles but never an Advent Tree. I'm loving it. 

Space 46



This Snowflake banner is cute and elegand and easy peasy AND cheap. My at Space 46 is basically super human..seriously..shes a full time mommy, wifey, student, and employee! Not to mention a fabulous crafty blogger with awesome taste.

The DIY Mommy

That's right...baby leg warmers! Totally making some for my son. I love them but they're pricey and I just dont have the extra dollar bills for them right now. This tutorial seems easy enough. I also found two other sites that have a bit simpler instructions. The first one is Everything Your Mama Made  and Daisy Designs Shops.

Anyone have fun plans for the weekend?

xo

Gay Pride

I can't believe I missed hearing about this group at gay pride this year!

I know there has been A LOT of controversy over the repeal of the Don't ask Don't tell policy and I'm still not sure how I feel about it BUT I love all of my gay friends and I love all of our brave men and women who are fighting in this horrid war. So, I can't help but love this photo.

Share your thoughts with me, I'd love to hear your views.

Xo

Holy toys

When did Reef get big enough for a bouncy walker?!

Happy Sunday everyone. I hoe you're all relaxing and enjoying the day!

ADDICT

Yes. My son is a binky addict that is now starting to suck his thumb. I think its really due to the fact that I have to pump and use bottles so he needs extra comfort sucking but gah. I hate the binky. Did anyone one else have a binky addict? How and when did you wean them off of it? Let me know your thoughts, please.
xo
J



Reefs also into attempting to suffocate himself by pulling whatever is near him over his head- awesome. I constantly sleep with one eye open.



I've missed you

Dear bloggy world,

I've really, really missed you. Now that my son, after 4 months of no naps, is finally napping and sleeping better I have time to blog and enjoy everyone elses blogs again. I love all the blogs I read and people I've connected with. Especially now that I'm home all day everyday and rarely go out and, well, don't have friends here in Texas yet...Not complaining because I'm really loving life..I mean I get to hang out with my son and play all day and in between i do some laundry and dishes- living the dream :)

So, I'm back. And I can't wait to catch up on what everyone has been doing. Ooooh and it's the holiday season so I'm sure many of you will have glorious tutorials for fun holiday goodness! Let Christmas explode all over my house!!

xo.
J

ps Reef is living the life...

Sneak Peek

When we were in Kona my loverly friend Chelsea Abril did a lil photo shoot with Reef, Zach, Myself and Reef's godparents- awesome. Here are a few she snuck me ;)

Beach Baby Goodness

Holy eff balls...has it seriously been over a month?! We packed up and moved quicker then quick and are finally in Kona on the Big Island hanging out with my parents, Tutu Fay and Papa as we are now calling them. It was sheer chaos the last two weeks of our move especially since I was infected with some stupid bacteria thing and was sicker then sick the whole time...needless to say I didn't clean our house and just took the cleaning fee with my head in the toilet.

Nowwwww for the cuteness. We spent all of October 8th at an awesome spot called 2 Step on the southern kona coast. We did some scuba diving and hit 130 feet, my new record :) and chilled with the dolphins BUT most importantly REEF WENT SWIMMING!!! Yep, we took him in the tide pools and he cried for about 10 seconds and then just kicked away and enjoyed himself. So he's living up to his name Reef Kaikoa (warrior of the ocean).

1) yes, I let it all hang out the other day 2) excuse my stretch marks 3) Reef is super white and i luuuurv it.

My little 'Opihi

1: Naked Reef chillin in his favorite thing- WATER 2: Reef hangin out in his sling [yes, i have things attached to my bra to hold his bink] 3: Reef 'Opihi sleeping on Zach while we watch Clerks 4: Reef does "sleep sucking" its hillarious 5: Again, Opihi sleeping on mommy.

I've started calling Reef an 'Opihi [oh-pee-hee]. 'Opihis are a type of hawaiian sea snail that live on large rocks and cliff edges in Hawaii. They suction onto the rock super TIGHT to avoid being knocked off by massive waves. As you can see...Reef is an 'Opihi during nap time...and night time...basically the kid hates to be put down and needs to be suctioned onto one of us..do I indulge this? Hell yes. He's only 5 weeks old, if he wants to sleep on my chest I don't see the harm. And, he is starting to sleep in his co-sleeper crib more and more. He also sleeps in his swing, bouncer, and of course the sling (which I finally posted a better photo, sorry for the last one).

Update on our move: It looks like the army puked in my living room. It's COVERED in Zach's army stuff..Armor, duffle bags, tents, cold weather gear, goggles, random objects that look like they are either for helping or hurting, etc...our dogs are jerks and peed all over it when we turned around...oh the joys.

Happy (what is today?) Thursday.

xo

Fourteen Actors Acting

Fourteen Actors Acting: a video gallery of classic screen types

This...yes THIS...right here..is absolutely brilliant. It's gorgeous and moving vignettes...I only wish Brando was still alive to be in it...mmm Marlon Brando, he's my favorite. One of the greatest actors of all time.

Here's my favorite clip of a screen test Brando did...he's mesmerizing just answering simple questions on camera.

Things We Love

SUCCESS! Yes, I'm having five minutes of feeling like an accomplished mommy (i know, right?!). I've finally gotten Reef into the sling- THANK GOD. Since we're moving in oh, 3 weeks and 4 days it's a relief that I can finally do things with him attached to me and still use my hands.

Light-On-Shoulder Baby Sling in Nirvana. You can find it HERE.

I ordered a Light-On-Shoulder Baby Sling in Nirvana off of Amazon for the beautiful price of $29.95 + Shipping.

I originally fell in love with the slings from Sakura Bloom they are UH-MAZING but also a little pricey. But..I mean...Just look at it

Finally, the gDiapers are fabulous. I love love love them. After a few days of figuring out a good routine it's easy peasy. Those of you considering cloth diapers I highly suggest gDiapers.

Bottle. Boob. Baby. Advice Palease.

Yep, my son loves the bottle more than me. Well, not exactly. But he does love the bottle. I can't keep up with this kid I'm telling you! Does anyone have advice on a good....electric breast pump?? I'm hoping to keep him on breast milk as long as I can but this kid can EAT. 3 oz at a time and he's just over 1 month. Anyone else have a hungry lil boy like this??? I'd appreciate any advice. xo.

Happy Birthday Nikki!

Yesterday my best friend and Reef's godmother turned 25! I was lucky enough to see her over the weekend since she hopped on a flight and surprised the bageezus out of us :)

I can't imagine my life without her. She's not my best friend but the third sister Bridget and I never had. Nothing but love for her. xo

SURPRISE, YOU'RE MOVING!

Yep, I haven't been around much lately. With Reef, family, friends, and more family coming and going last thing I needed or wanted was..TO MOVE...but I can't control anything the army says, soooooo...We're moving ASAP. We'll be off to Texas in who knows...at earliest in 2 weeks (YES TWO FREAKING WEEKS) and at latest in 4 weeks. We weren't supposed to leave until January 2012, so..yea..sucks...we had a glorious plan of taking a month or two in Kona (my home town) and then off to Texas to start our army-less life BUT nothing seems to work out how I plan...which I'm learning to accept.

Come Monday I will be packing packing packing. Luckily my mother-in-law is here to help, THANK GOD.

In other news: Reef is getting huge.

Have a fabulous weekend.
xo

The Happiest Baby on The Block- READ THIS BOOK & WATCH THE CLIPS

If you have a colicky baby- read this book.
If you have a fussy baby- read this book.
If you have a baby like mine who won't go back to sleep in the middle of the night- read this book.
If you have a baby in general- read this book.

I first heard of it from Joanna Goddard in this post on her blog (A CUP OF JO), which if you don't follow it you totally should, she's hilarious and completely down to earth with great advice.

Dr. Karp (a brilliant, brilliant man) has come up with a very simple solution to calming your screaming baby. Before I explain it I've posted two videos- one British and one American- of interviews with Dr. Karp and him demonstrating the technique. I like the British one better because the American one is on The View and ugh the ladies during this interview were just fricken irritating- like LET THE MAN TALK. Anyways, I digress.

Maybe you're like me. You don't follow too many baby trends because, well, many of them just don't work.This one...oh this one does and is totally worth the $10 bucks for the book on amazon. I'm lucky enough to have a Kindle reader on my phone and downloaded it straight to there. There's a lot of info for a whole big book but just flip through and find the techniques and have at it. Your baby will thank you and so will your sanity. AND DON'T WORRY- IT'S SUPER EASY!!! (I know, you probably think I'm lying).

Torn, Tired, TMI, & Tentacles

WARNING: DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DONT LIKE TO HAVE TMI RUBBED IN YOUR EYES.

Today my amazing parents left and Zach went back to work. Today has been rough. Today, I'm exhausted. 

For some reason unknown to me Reef decided he wouldn't sleep from 1:30am-4am this morning and that everything I did would make him content and then highly upset. We played this game for two and a half hours. I know, newborns are fussy and unpredictable and yadda yadda yadda but DAMN I'm tired. I barely remember Zach leaving for work, did he kiss me goodbye or was that a dream? Who knows. BUT I'm very blessed. Before they left my mom held and rocked Reef so I could get in a quick nap since he wasn't into napping this morning either.

I'm also unbelievably sore. I, and here comes the TMI, tore in three different places- I tore down (perineum), inside (i have no idea what this is technically called), and I also tore up (labial tear). NOW, I feel slightly cheated and lied to in the fact that I read all the books, took the classes, and talked to my doctor but somehow NO ONE & NO BOOK mentions Labial Tearing- bitches. Even finding credible information on the internet on Labial tears isn't easy. And, since I was so overwhelmed with the birth of my son I didn't really ask my doctor about the tears while she was stitching me up- big mistake on my part.

I can't sit right and I can't stand or walk for anything more than five minutes. It's seriously ridiculous. I also have no idea to what degree I tore either. Ibuprofen and tylenol are my two best friends in the world, I take those suckers every six hours and that relieves some of the pain- thank good god.

Did anyone else have these kinds of tears? I hate to get all "open" with you guys but after giving birth I really have no shame anymore. Sad but true.

And, lastly, here's a photo Zach took of my dad playing with an octopus out at a dive spot called Fire House on the North Shore of Oahu.

My family rocks (just saying)

Papa Clarke with Reef..this kids got it MADE.

I have absolutely no clue if we would have survived the last 11 days without my parents being here, without my sister living here, and without our best friend Jordan living here and being awesome (like so awesome that he cleans up after my dogs have an accident in the house...yes, he's that kind of amazing friend).

Did anyone else have a straight month of family come visit when they had their baby? I'm a little overwhelmed and a lot excited and then more overwhelmed. My parents leave tomorrow night- seriously people I have no idea what I'm going to do without them cooking every meal, cleaning my house, and doing laundry...not to mention taking my crazy dogs on walks and holding Reef so I can pee and take a shower (you know, the things that I took for granted before I popped my son out) Funny side note: I had to pee so bad and no one was home so I took Reef in there with me and gave him a sorry look and said "hopefully you won't remember this and need to see a therapist when you're older" gotta do what you gotta do right?!

Anywho, my grandmother, aunt, and cousin arrive around 1:30pm today- I haven't seen my Nana since our wedding and my aunt and cousin...hmm it's been a WHILE. After they leave my mother-in-law arrives and once she goes home my other epically fun aunt arrives and half way through her stay my best friend finally gets to fly over!!!!!!

I'm really extremely blessed to have such wonderful friends and family willing to fly all the way to our little island in the pacific just to meet our son and chill out on the beach (btw when can I take my newborn in the ocean?! I think it's 2 months, we'll see what the doc says on Wednesday).

I hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday...the trade winds are a-blowin' today and it feels oh so nice.

xo

The Big Debut of Reef Kaikoa Follis

HE'S FINALLY HERE!!!!

excuse my crazy boob and jaba-the-joyce face

The quickie on the birth story (longer version to come once I figure out some balance in my house). 

After all of my complaining I started getting light contractions on August 2nd around 4pm, we thought it was false labor...again...BUT I woke up at about 2am on August 3rd (12 days before my due date) doubled over in pain- oh...so THAT'S what a contraction feels like. I woke Zach up and told him that we needed to leave in an hour for the hospital...he went back to sleep for half a second then realized what I said, got out of bed, took a shower, and started running around getting everything together.

I was checked into Queens Medical Center by 3:45am and had an epidural by 4:45am while I was about 5cm dilated- I know people have strong views on meds vs no meds but oh dear god I LOVED that epidural.

My parents flew in around 7am (thank goodness they only live a few islands away) and by 2:30pm I was 10cm and ready to go...oh wait...that's right, my doctor...she STILL wasn't there. I know they wait until the end to show up but she was seriously pushing it. I told the nurse I NEEDED to push- seriously, if I didn't start pushing it felt like I might die on the inside. 

40 minutes later they told me to "STOP PUSHING, you're doctor is in the parking lot" so I sat there with my son literally about to fully pop out as my doctor waltzed on in...5 minutes later, at 3:22pm & a doctor not even in her scrubs yet,  I had a gooey 6lbs 14oz little baby in my arms.

After a not so ideal pregnancy filled with loads of hurdles I had a smooth sailing labor and am SO thankful for that. Queens Medical Center literally provided the most outstanding care I've ever been witness to and my nurses- FLIPPING AWESOME. Seriously..I kind of want to facebook stalk them and go to the beach sometime, that's how rad they were!

SO..here are some pictures and what I have learned about my son, my husband, myself, and my dogs in the last 8 days.

Zachs Gigantic size has transferred to our little baby robot- Look at those feet!

I've discovered a new level of love for Zach that I can't describe.

I shouldn't try to take photos after not sleeping for two days.

Reef has my nose, zach's lips, my chin, and zach's eyes.

Reef is obsessed with his hands and squeezing fingers.

The last week just leaves my speechless at times.

I've never been so afraid of a car seat.

Zach is a really good dad.

After 3 nights my son finally slept in his bassinet/Arms Reach Co-Sleeper! He also hates being swaddled.

He sleeps just like his dad.

HUGE hands.

Reef is a serious wiggler/snuggler

I've never felt something so loving and perfect.

too hot for clothes.

I had no idea a smile like this could make not only my entire day better but my life better.

Reef has a love/hate relationship with his bouncer. He loves it when he's asleep and hates it when he's awake.

I don't really need anything else in the world.

Despite my largest most natural efforts my son has epic diaper rash on his booty. So, now he naps in a towel while I air out that crazy bottom...Any suggestions for diaper rash cure???

Diesel wants nothing more then to lick every single inch of Reef..I think it's killing him more and more each day. He's also taken a week to calm down and be allowed in our bedroom with baby BUT he's being so gentle and such a good guard dog. He'll ignore all the people in our house take his chew toy and sit outside of our door just waiting/guarding. I love him.