Two tub kind of day.

Being parents, poop is just something we have learned to live with. Babies "go" constantly. It's a universal truth. And normally, it really isn't a big deal. Normally. However, we recently started Mason on solids (mostly graham crackers and mashed up bananas) and things are getting a little out of hand.
Now, the following stories are not for those with weak tummies or those who are offended by potty talk. You've been warned.
I feel like I have had my fair share of blow outs. Clarification after writing that sentence: MASON has had his fair share of blow outs. I don't have blow outs. I deal with his. Now, as I was saying, Mason has had some record breaking poops. I always, ALWAYS have a change of clothes for Mase in our bag. And have needed to use them on several occasions. This morning was a whole different animal.
Mason has been sleeping in our bed since our first round of teething. Judge all you want, but when I have the choice between all of us getting a mediocre night's rest, or none at all, I will take what I can get. Mason had been, a-hem, tooting all night, I'm sure his little body is just learning to deal with the new foods we have been trying. Just when Riley left for work and gave us our goodbye smooches, Mason let out an especially productive gas. I assumed the Pampers Cruisers could do what they were advertised to do, and Mason and I settled in to watch an episode of Handy Manny and wake up a bit. But OHHH no. No sir. Those Pampers Cruisers let me down in a big way! Mason reached for something, and the problem was made known.
Another lesson I have learned as a parent is there are some poops you can wipe, and some require a rinse. And some clothes you can save, and some you gotta toss. This poop was a rinse-n-toss!
So off to the bathroom Mason and I went. I stripped him down and threw his jammies away, then turned on the faucet and stepped into the tub. My plan was to hold Mason under his armpits, and rise what I could before sitting him down for a bath. That was my plan.
Mason's plan was to soak us both.
As soon as I started the rinse, he reached forward and pulled up the lever to start the shower! I couldn't just toss the babe to the side to save myself. So there we stood, Mason and I. Both getting completely soaked and watching the poop slip down the drain.
That was our morning.
This afternoon Mason was in his saucer playing while I "folded some laundry" (which means drink a Diet Coke and watch E News) and Riley started dinner. Again, the sound I have come to dread. My sister, Halle, calls it the "tuba butt". I should have known the disaster ahead considering the fact that Mase was in his saucer. Straddling the fabric in the seat can't be the most poop friendly situation. As soon as I lifted him from the leg holes, I realized this one required back-up. A rinse-n-save. Back to the tub we go.
Riley jumped into action. He ran to start the bath while I stripped Mason. I held Mason's flailing hands while Riley wiped what he could, then took the nakey babe and rinsed. A poop partner makes all the difference. We just laughed. If only Riley had been there this morning! Perhaps it wouldn't have been such a disaster if my poop partner had been there to offer some assistance.
And now I sit with a squeaky clean and freshly lotioned baby and I just have to laugh. Life with Mason and Riley is never dull, they're a real GAS!!
Xoxo

Washington and a Coastie Update

So, we did it. We made the big move to Washington. I swear I have heard countless horror stories of how terrible government moves are, but we have moved three times, two of those being from one coast to the other, and have not had a single problem. I think the key is flexibility. You have to understand that it's not in your hands. It is in the government's, and things will get done at their pace, which is painfully slow and inefficient 99.9% of the time. Roll with the punches.
Anyway, we arrived here in Neah Bay on Sunday afternoon after attending church at our new ward in Forks. The house far exceeded our expectations! It is spotless, and has a great fenced in yard. And while it is a bit smaller than our place in Jersey, it is "fully loaded" with a beautiful kitchen, hardwood floors, and two big bedrooms. I am beyond thrilled.
We camped out with our suitcases and air mattress until our stuff arrived on Thursday and have been unpacking since. I have to say, putting your things in storage for five months is genius! All the things I hated before suddenly seem brand new! I had quite a bit of motivation to unpack in the days following the moving trucks arrival, but since I have totally lost steam. My fun new kitchen, our bed, and the TV are all set up, so I'm happy just baking and playing with Mason. Hopefully soon we can get rid of the boxes...
Anyway, Neah Bay is probably the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The town itself is a little sketchy. There isn't a single traffic light. Basically it consists of a small grocery store, two restaurants, a gas station, and the post office. A lot of the houses are run down and poorly kept. But the people are truly some of the nicest people I have ever met. The Coast Guard tries to be involved in the community and the locals really do appreciate the work to Coasties do here. It's really cool.
On Saturday we went for a hike to try and get to know our new area a little bit. We hiked to Cape Flattery, which is the most north western point in the US. It was only a mile, maybe just over, and it was the prettiest place I have ever seen. The hike was great because the trailhead is only 5 minutes away from our house, and most of it has this super cute little wooden walkway since all the rain here makes for tons of mud. Everything was so green and beautiful.
As far as a Coastie Update, Riley now works as a BM3, or Petty Officer 3rd class. Here, like in Jersey, he will be working from a station that is home to three boats. However, now he will be in charge of operating the boat, as well as supervising the entire crew. He will lead them in search and rescue cases, boardings to inspect for proper safety and illegal drugs or weapons, and other things of that nature. You know, Coast Guard stuff or whatever. :)
When we first got our orders, I was terrified. Neah Bay is extremely isolated. The closest real grocery store is just over an hour an a half away. Our ward is an hour. We are faaarrrr away from everything. But the people we are stationed here with are the nicest ever. They have gone out of there way to include us, and help us feel welcome and get to know the area. It's a little family out here in Neah Bay and we LOVE it.
Xoxo

Happy Seven Months!

My baby will be seven months old in a few days! I honestly can't believe it.
It's been a huge month for us! Aside from the move, Mase learns something new everyday.
He is getting his top left tooth and right fang so the cruel cycle of teething is beginning again! Ugh.
Mason is also beginning to get a little bit of separation anxiety. At first I loved it! It was so fun knowing Mase loved Riley and I enough to notice if we weren't right next to him. Now however, I am trying to unpack our house and Mase just wants to snuggle. I'm sure it's partially because of the discomfort of his new teeth, so I'm happy to watch Baby Songs and tickle his chubby legs. We have three years to unpack!
I love him so much and I'm so thankful to be his Mama!

He hates:
The vacuum
When mom or dad are not in sight
The car. Still.
Getting dressed

But he loves:
Talking... " Bababababa" "Mamamama"
Dinosaur Train
Riding in the stroller
Bronx
Watching Baby Songs
Taking a bath
Spitting
Touching faces

Mother's Intuition

Recently, a very dear friend of mine shared the fantastic news with me and she and her sweet husband are expecting their first little baby. She mentioned that she would be needing advice, and I thought back to that Sunday morning when Riley and I found out Mason would be joining our family, and the months leading up to his birth. And the 7 months since, really. It occurred to me that I have absolutely no advice to give. None.
The truth of it is, I have no idea what I am doing.
Now, I don't mean that to sound like a "poor me" statement. I am confident that when Mason cries, I can calm him. I can tell when he is in pain from teething, or fussing because he is hungry. I know when he has a tummy ache. I know peaches give him that tummy ache. I can tell if he is stirring and about to wake up, or just shifting for more comfort. I am a good mom. I just haven't the slightest idea what I am doing.
I find myself constantly asking other mothers, especially my own, for tips or input on parenting. Should he eat this? What is this rash? Does he feel warm to you? What detergent do you use? It's never ending.
Most recently my inquiry was about whether or not it is safe to put pillows in Mason's crib with him. I loved one of the responses I got. "Go with your gut, AKA: The Spirit."
Why has that thought never occurred to me? We hear phrases all the time about "a mother's intuition" but I never put that and the Holy Ghost together. Yet it makes perfect sense. Of course Heavenly Father would send His Spirit to guide us as mothers, or fathers for that matter. We are his sons and daughters, raising His precious little ones. Regardless of religion, or education, or whatever situation we are in, I believe parents are blessed to hear the promptings. He knew that in such a sacred calling, we would need to be close by.
My friend mentioned the peace she felt already as a brand spanking (not literally, im sure she would never spank her child) new mom. And she hit the nail right on the head. I feel like my brain (and my house...) is in constant chaos. Yet I still feel such a peace. Riley and I just do the best we can as parents. Sometimes we are right. Sometimes we are wrong. Like squeezing Mason into size three diapers? Probably wrong. Washing his poop covered clothes with our bedding? Wrong. For sure. But I am peaceful knowing Mason knows his mom and dad love him. I am confident that he is aware that we can meet his needs. And that peace comes because of the Spirit.
Just something to think about...
PS: We moved to Washington. There is a loooooong post coming soon.
Xoxo

Co-Dependent.

I was chatting with a Navy Wife the other night about how hard it is to be away from our husbands. Not in the "poor me" sense, just in the "i want to be with him the time"sense. Her husband has been deployed several times for no less than 9 months at a time. Riley is gone exactly half the time, and home the other half. One would think that in the two years we have been in the Coast Guard having spent only 50% of the nights and days together, we would get used to being apart. But we haven't. Riley and I are co-dependent.
As I told this woman about the co-dependence, she said something that struck me pretty hard. "Aren't we lucky to have someone to need that much?"
At first I thought "Look, lady. I am independent. I am strong. I am NOT needy." Then I realized, yes I am. I need Riley. And he needs me. And I love it.
We cry when we have to say goodbye at the airport, every time. We avoid doing anything new, or seeing any new movie, or trying any new restaurants without the other, Because its just more fun together. I forget to fill my gas tank, and Riley knows that, so he does it for me. I know Riley hates green beans, so I don't put any on his plate. Riley brushes my hair for me, because he knows most of the time I get a kinked neck if I do it myself. It's taken nearly four years, but Riley really is like my right arm. Doing things without him never goes well.
We spend either two or five days and nights apart per week. And when he is gone I miss him more than I can describe. Especially when my hair is wet and snarly. But I love how much we need each other.
I love our routine.
I am thankful that we love each other more every day.
And I hate being away from him.
Co-dependence at it finest. For real.
So Riley Stewart, drive a little faster eh? I haven't seen you for almost three days. Things are going to get ugly.
XOXO

Weekend at The Capital

I completely forgot to post about our little weekend trip to Washington DC. Riley and I don't get each other gifts for Valentine's Day or our anniversary. He always gets me beautiful flowers and then we get a gift we can both enjoy. In past years we have gotten a TV, and taken a trip to New York. This year we went to DC. It's only a few hours from our place in Virginia, so we headed up Saturday morning and stayed until Monday night since Riley got it off for Presidents day.
It was such a fun little getaway. We found a slammin deal for a super nice hotel on Groupon, which was so fun. We had a TV for the first time in almost six months, and a big, cozy bed. So aside from all the tourist spots, it would have still been worth the trip.
It was FREEEEEZING. Freezing. But we bundled up as much as possible and ran from museum to museum as fast as possible to keep warm and everything went perfectly.
We also went to the DC temple. We couldn't so a session or anything because we had Mase, but it was so fun to go to the visitors center and walk the grounds.
Mason has been struggling a bit in the car lately. I think he just gets bored facing backwards all the time. The ride home was especially hard for him, and by the time we got home we were all exhausted and starving. Then, my mom surprised us by having a delicious pizza feast delivered to our house! It was so needed, and so thoughtful. She is the perfect grandma even from across the country. Thanks Mumma!
The trip was the perfect way to end our time in Virginia!
Xoxo

Virginia is for Lovers

Well, our time in Virginia is drawing to a close. My Coastie will be Petty Officer Stewart in just three short days and then we're outta here!
It's crazy what a life changing five months it has been here. I have learned so much and we have grown so much as a family. It has been a time to set new goals, and make exciting new plans for the future!
When we arrived, Mason was just short of two months old. He still had that newborn smell, and was just starting to smile and track objects with his eyes. Now he is a giggly, chubby baby. He sits up, and rolls over, and grabs at toys, and eats solids, and mimics sounds. He is a different kid since we came to Virginia, and I'm grateful to have had military healthcare so close to keep my little boy growing strong during these first fragile months of his life.
Riley has worked so hard in school. He stayed at the top of his class the entire time, and got 100% on every single one of his exams except two. And those two scores weren't below 80%. Genius. He has grown to love his job even more, taken opportunities to share the Gospel with others, and made some significant sacrifices for our little family. Most notably selling his beloved truck. That white Chevy Silverado was Riley's trademark since his sophomore year of college. It drove us on our first date, to the temple when we got married, and all the way to New Jersey to start our Coast Guard adventure! I know it was hard for Ri to see it go, but it was the right decision for our family, and Riley did it willingly. I am thankful for his strength, selflessness, and support of me as a mother. I know he has my back no matter what, and our time in Virginia has just reaffirmed that time and time again. And we have gotten to snuggle up in a double bed, instead of our queen! Score!
I feel like I have grown quite a bit through this experience too. I had a great community of Coast Guard wives in New Jersey. I miss and think of them often. Here however, we were placed into a huge military community. Our ward is full of service men and women from every branch of the military and at every rank and rate. The woman here have taught me what it truly means to be a military wife (and a sister in the Relief Society for that matter). Regardless of our situation in life, whether you're a new mom, seasoned mom, single, widowed, divorced, we are in this together. While no one can truly understand what you're experiencing, why not let these women, who are as close as you can get, support and buoy you up? My new friends have fed my family, snuggled my baby, and taught me that there is never a bad time for a visit or a phone call from someone who cares. That is something I hope to take with me to Washington and our new base. Reach out. Call the new neighbor. Invite her to whatever you're doing. She may need your support as much as you need hers.
Finally, I have learned to trust The Lord. He has a plan for each of us. And while it may not be our plan, it is the right plan. I will admit that there were lonely times in this little studio apartment. Many of them. Times where I felt isolated. Times when I questioned my abilities as a wife, and a mother. Times when I wanted nothing more but a shower and a Redbox. But in those times, every single one, a quiet whisper came that there is a plan. The Lord is aware of each of us. He knows our situations and our needs. We just need to stop whining and trust him!
These past five months have brought me closer to Him, and closer to Riley. I am thankful for the memories we were able to make as a family, and look forward to the next batch of memories coming! Onward to Washington folks!
Xoxo