The countdown is on!

We are counting down the days until we get home! I saw a countdown like this on a friends blog and I couldn't resist!


Create yours at BlingyBlob.com!

I Bee Tired!

Happy Halloween!

Dog the Bone-ty Hunter

You may recognize little Hale from a previous post where she is giving Jane Ritchie a kiss, or you may not because this time she's dressed up for Halloween as Dog the Bone-ty Hunter. She even has beads in her hair! Hale is sweeping the island of Oahu this week winning every doggy Halloween costume contest you can imagine. Her parents are very proud!

Laughing

Jane Ritchie started laughing today. I thought she had laughed a little bit before, but when I heard her today, I realized that she wasn't really laughing before. What was so hilarious, you ask? The fan in our bedroom! Click here to see some video:
http://picasaweb.google.com/maryabigail808/101807

Randomly, today I read this in a magazine. Very interesting!

According to Navajo (or Dine) tradition, a baby is considered to be of two worlds at birth: that of the holy people and that of the earth people. As weeks pass, adults wait and listen for the child's first chuckle -- a sign of joy that signals his desire to join his earthly family and community. In Navajo culture, it is believed that a child assumes the qualities of the person who witnesses, or coaxes, his first giggle. (So it might be wise to keep your less noble relations away!)

To commemorate this event, the laugh witness hosts a A'wee Chi'deedloh ("The Baby Laughed") ceremony. Guests, often bearing gifts, file past the infant with plates full of food. With help from the host, the baby holds out salt crystals for each of them. Placed on the food or tongue, the salt is meant to rejuvenate the good character in each recipient and serve as the first in a lifetime of generous acts by the child.

At the meal's end, either the host or a community or family elder blesses the baby, wishing him a life of generosity and gratitude. -- Putnam Goodwin-Boyd

Introducing the sensational and fabulous

DANCING PRINCESS POODALEENA ROSE!!!!

My good friend Chuck Steelman sent this to Jane Ritchie. Once she is old enough she can strap her shoes to Poodaleena's shoes and dance! It is fantastic! Here's a picture so you can see how tall Poodaleena is.

Alex was very excited when Poodaleena emerged from the box. I think he thought she was for him. Poor Alex.

Baby Pool

Jane Ritchie had her first trip to the pool today. The baby pool on base is really nice because it is totally covered with a canopy. You don't have to worry about sunburn. But, the canopy makes the water pretty cold! I put Jane Ritchie's feet in and she immediately started crying! But, we had a nice time just sitting outside.

Blue Angels

The Blue Angels are in Hawaii this week. Our friends Carin and Allen invited us over to their place in Kaneohe to watch. They have had a pretty good view of them practicing the last couple of days. We got to see a few of the planes up close and experienced the very loud noise a couple of times!

Here is Jane Ritchie sleeping in the papasan.

The noise only woke her up once, but she sure was wide eyed!

The view from Carin and Allen's is fabulous.

It is normally very peaceful but today there was some action. The Blue Angels.

And the best shot of the day...