Saying Goodbye

I don't talk too much about being a military wife on here, because it's just a part of my life. Not something I really think about on a daily basis. But lately it seems like it's been on my mind more. When Ben graduated pilot training, he was chosen as a FAIP (First Assignment Instructor Pilot). So we stayed here while almost everyone else moved on to other aircraft in new locations. That was hard, but Lucas was a baby so he didn't know what was going on and we went to San Antonio for a few months so that was a nice break. But recently, people that we met after we came back from San Antonio have been moving away. This isn't the first time someone has moved, I've honestly lost count of how many families we have said "see you later" to. But the biggest difference is that now Lucas is aware of what's happening. He misses people. Wants to know where they are and why we can't go see them anymore. And this is just a small taste of what his life is going to be like for as long as we are in the military. People will move, we will move. It's just part of the package. It just breaks my heart when he tells me he is sad because his best friend isn't here anymore. It's also hard for him to find a replacement because this particular friend was just such a great match with Lucas. They would have conversations, play without arguing, crack each other up, they just got along great. And he lived next door. Perfect. But his dad finished training, and they moved. It's just a fact of our lives, and even families that aren't in the military have to deal with friends moving.

I am thankful for technology. We Skype and FaceTime people every day. Lucas knows our friends,that moved away when he was a baby, because he talks to them on the iPad. Ten years ago, he would just have had pictures and maybe talked on the phone a few times. He talks to grandparents, his aunt and uncles, and my friends from home. Even Juliana likes face timing now. She gets a big smile on her face when people talk to her on the iPad and will even get upset if she is taken away from the conversation! So anyone that wants to see us, FaceTime me! My kids love it. :) 

I know that Lucas is going to miss his friends, but he will also make new ones. He has met and played with so many fun little kids in the time we have been here, and I know that we will continue to keep on touch with many of the families after we move on. And Lucas will have a network of friends across the country! Maybe one day he will end up going to college with his buddy he played with when they were two :) 

Dogs

I am not a dog person. I love my parents' Yorkie, Paris. 

(Paris, riding in Lucas's stroller)

But in general, I could take or leave most dogs. Especially big dogs. I just don't like the slobber, the hair, the jumping on me. Not my favorite thing. That's why I don't have a dog. And that's not to say there aren't dogs I like. Just in general, I'm not a dog person. Lucas seems to be of the same school of thought. He doesn't like dogs. He immediately comes to me or Ben when he sees one loose outside. He startles when a dog barks. He doesn't want to be around big dogs, which I totally understand. A lot of them outweigh him, several times over. And even gentle dogs get excited and jump and play. He's just not used to that and doesn't like it. He has been knocked down a few times by big dogs, so I understand his reservations. 

It's always a tough subject, to me, dealing with other people's dogs. I don't want to offend people, and make them think their dog is bad or that I don't like their dog. It's a part of their family, and it works for them. But does what does that mean for how my kids have to interact with them? If we are at the base park, and a family comes with a dog on its leash, I have no problem with that. Of course the dog wants to be outside with the family. But more and more often, people let their dogs off the leash. It's a rule, on base, that dogs have to be on a leash, unless they're in a fenced in yard. But we were at the park yesterday and there were SIX big dogs running around, off leashes. I'm talking about dogs over 60 pounds. My kid is 30 pounds. A group of six dogs, twice his size, running free in the area that is designated for him to play in just doesn't seem fair. He kept going to areas in the park that were away from the dogs, then when the dogs got close he would go somewhere else. Finally, he just asked if we could leave. Now, the dogs really weren't bad. They were just running around, playing with each other, and their kids. I didn't know any of the owners, but when Lucas immediately yelled "Mommy!" And looked stricken when the dogs started playing with each other near him, I told the owners that he is scared of dogs. I guess I could've asked them to put the dogs back on their leashes but I didn't feel comfortable doing that. My biggest fear is that my kid is going to get hurt. I know that the dogs at the park are family pets, that have children in their homes. But what if one of the dogs decided to protect his family and snapped at Lucas? Or just randomly went for one of my kids? It's happened before, that a kid gets bit by a dog at a park. There are an estimated 4.5 million dog bites in the US every year. I don't want my child to be one of them. 

I don't want Lucas to grow up being terrified of every dog he meets. He is going to see dogs, and as long as they are leashed and controlled, I don't want him to be scared. But honestly, I think it's healthy to have a little fear. Dogs are animals, and can act out of pure animal instincts no matter how well trained they are. I would much rather he walk in the opposite direction of an unknown dog than go up and try to pet it. He's not going to get hurt by keeping his distance. I've seen other kids trying to give unknown dogs kisses. That freaks me out. I never want my kid to do that. Who knows how a dog will react? I just googled dog bites and found that "the second highest amount of fatalities due to dog attack are 2 year old children." "Children often engage in behavior that will trigger a dog attack. For example...trying to hug or kiss an unfamiliar dog." Www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/dog_attack So I'm not crazy. That is so scary!! Ugh. 

I guess the best thing I can do is just keep my eyes on my kids. If I'm not comfortable with a situation, we won't stay in it. What do you do about other people's dogs? I can't be the only person that thinks about that! :) 

Life

Wow. How is it possible that Lucas is two and a half? And Juliana is 5 months?? This time just keeps flying by. I try to really relish the sweet moments that I get every day. Especially when they are surrounded by crazy, tantrum-filled, whining moments. Seriously, parenting a toddler is hard!! Lucas is such a sweet boy. I know this. But, man! He can throw fits like a pro! I have to keep my calm and just remember that this too shall pass. Because when he isn't acting like a terrible two year old, he is such a fun kid. He loves playing pretend. We will go on treasure hunts, narrated by Lucas, that involve volcanos, boats, pirates, sneaking, and find the x to dig up the treasure. Guess his favorite show. He will randomly decide we are on a train/boat/airplane and act accordingly. He will show us his pretend books, pictures, maps and tell us about them. I love his imagination.

(He's having a meltdown because he doesn't fit in the basket like Juliana does)

Juliana is my sweet girl. She is always smiling. When she wakes up, when she's watching Lucas, when she's in her bouncer, swing, or jungle mat. She's smiling. She loves talking to you. She loves being tickled. She is just a happy girl. I never worry about her. I can remember having anxiety about taking Lucas into public when he was little. I was always worried that he would start screaming and crying. He hated his car seat, so I didn't like taking him places. I never worry about any of that with juli. If she cries, it's because she is hungry or tired. And I can fix that. Otherwise, she is just a content baby. She did so good at Disney world. Just went along with everything. I just love her! I can't wait to see how her personality develops and grows with her.

Disney world 2014

I love disney. Like seriously love all things Disney. Movies, songs, characters, and especially Disney world. We were blessed to get to go again this year, with my family. This was Lucas's third trip in as many years and it has been so cool seeing how much he grows and appreciates it each year. He was so excited about our upcoming trip this year that we had to make a paper chain to count down the days. He would wake up every morning and get upset because he wanted to go to the airport and go to Disney world that day. Frustrating at the time, but it was obvious that he was excited!

We stayed at week and had the best time. It is such a wonderful place to  take kids. I would go once a month of I could! Here are just a few pictures I took on my phone through the trip. Disney world is the happiest place on earth and I think our family can attest that we were thrilled to be there :)

Potty Time!!

Wow. Lucas is once again blowing my mind! We came home from Maryland on Monday and started talking about potty training, bought m&ms and undies on Tuesday, and started using the m&ms on Wednesday. He wore his undies yesterday and today and has kept them dry so far! Each time he pees on the potty he gets 2 m&ms and poop gets him 3. We went to a birthday party yesterday and church this morning and he kept the undies dry through both! I am so proud of him! We'll see how it goes from here, but I can't believe how well he has done so far!

Breastfeeding

I am so happy that I'm breastfeeding again. The first week was really hard and painful. I mean curling my toes in pain kind of painful. But once I got past that, ithas been great. Juliana is a fast eater, only takes about 5 minutes to nurse each side. Some feedings she wants to eat on both sides and sometimes just one. Which means that feedings are between 5 to 10 minutes long. That is super helpful since I don't have time to be sitting nursing her for half an hour or more. Lucas sometimes gets annoyed that I can't help him right away, but it's never too long until I can. 

This morning we were at the park and Juliana decided she was hungry. I just sat down and fed her. Didn't have to stop Lucas's fun and go home. Didn't have to go make a bottle. Just covered up with her blanket and fed her. That is my favorite thing about breastfeeding. It can really give you so much freedom. I don't have to be scared to go out and about. I can feed my baby wherever I go. 

I was interested to see how Lucas would react to me nursing his sister, since he stopped nursing at one, he has no memory of it. He asked me what I was doing the first time he saw me and I explained it to him and that was it. I told him this is how mommies feed their babies and it is called breastfeeding. End of discussion. He was satisfied with my answer and hasn't been concerned since. Although when Juliana cries he will tell me I need to feed her. 

Here is a picture of us at the park! Is she eating or no? You can't tell! :)

First night home

Well we are officially a family of four! I will post the crazy birth story soon, but for now I can say we are all in love with our little Juliana Elise. She is so sweet and cuddly, but also very content (so far!) I just finished a feeding and we are getting a better latch so that is awesome. This one wasn't actually painful enough to curl my toes! Haha yay for breastfeeding! But I know once we get it down it will be so much better than the alternative.

Lucas has been amazing with his new sister. He calls her His baby. And always wants to know where she is, but prefers it when he can touch her or kiss her and snuggle her. It just about burst my heart open yesterday when she was fussing whistle getting her diaper changed. He walked over to her and put his head near hers and whispered "It's ok Juliana. It's ok!".

And now I'm crying. Ugh the hormones have arrived!! I remember this from last time, so it's not quite as upsetting to me but it's still weird to cry over everything. Good, bad, neutral, whatever. I cry randomly.

Ben has really helped this transition be as easy as possible. He and Lucas have been spending Daddy/ bubba time together, which Lucas loves. Ben also got up twice last night to rock Juliana so mommy could sleep :) He is also so adorable with her, just like he is with Lucas, I love watching him be my kids' daddy.

Well, I am going to see if I can catch a few snoozes before everyone is ready to start the day! More to come, I don't want to forget this beautiful stage in our family.