Stay Safe!

 (this post is some random ramblings.. fyi!)

I finally just turned on the news here in Hawaii and the images from "Sandy" are unbelievable... stay safe Westport, NYC, and the East Coast! Although Harps and I are here in Hawaii and Will in Afghanistan, both of our families located on the East Coast as well as a ton of our friend. We hope everyone has power and is safe. Enjoy a couple of days off work.

Although hardly comparable to Sandy, (and I was minimally concerned)... on Saturday night, we had our first Tsunami warning. Sirens were going off everywhere. Thankfully we live up on the mountains at Schofield Barracks and didn't have to evacuate but it was definitely "O, I live in Hawaii" moment.

Harps and I have been attending a mom/kid workout class called Stroller Strides on post. It is amazing and perfect workout combo for both of us. It is an hour combo of running, weights, etc but the babies are with you. Believe me, it is much harder than you would think... but a great excuse to get in shape. Today Harps was extra patient in her stroller so we went to the park after for a treat.

and this weekend we got our pumpkins ready for Halloween on Wednesday.

and how do you survive a Commissary trip with a curious toddler? a new snack!

Stay Safe!

xoxo,

allie

Mama and Harp Dates

Although we live in beautiful amazing Hawaii... so much of our day to day life is just life. We are busy shuffling to and from activities, folding laundry, endlessly cleaning Harp's high chair, and lots of playing! Sometimes it is easy to forget we live in paradise... and then you just have to look outside. Anyway after our Saturday morning Stroller Strides (a mom stroller workout class), Harps and I decided to hit the beach. It was a necessary break.

On Oahu there is so much diversity with beaches. Depending on the summer or "winter" season, each side of the island differs with wave height/frequency. With H lady now "running" towards the water, we always try to avoid the big waves for beach time (although they are super cool to watch!) but not as safe for toddlers. Anyway, on the air force base here they have a very shallow sand bar that is protected in a cove; the water is SO warm and never goes above H's belly... the perfect combo for a fun morning.

We hope everyone else is having a relaxing weekend and enjoying the fall weather that we are missing!

xoxo,
allie

sippy success

Thankfully we have finally had some minor success transitioning to the sippy cup. Pediatricians recommend a full transition to the sippy cup by 12 months... a lofty goal for a women who ADORES her bottle. I can't honestly say we still don't have the bottle in house but we are using them much less. Baby steps, as some would say.

These last couple of photos are from a playground in our neighborhood. H lady loves just playing on the rubber mats and running in circles around the playground... (hey, whatever works for a good bedtime!)

(shopper!)

Redeployment (the term used for soldiers returning!) is coming up soon. As an FRG co leader life is getting busy. It is a very exciting time, yet, also chaotic. We are focusing most of our energy on the single soldier barracks; after a year away in Afghanistan a "homey" room is a nice touch (especially if you are a single soldier and don't have a family to welcome you!). The holidays seem to be quickly sneaking up on us as well....

xoxo,
allie

Birthday Bananzas.

We have hit that season of life... The season of birthday parties! Harps and I have been going to quite a few recently and loving all of them. It seems all of Harp's friends turned one in August, September, and October! I love birthday parties at this age, because all of the parents are there and it is the perfect venue for chatting while the kids run and play (or in our case as we chase after Harps!). The other moms are so clever with themes, decorations, etc and I love seeing all of the different ideas. This party was "lobster" theme so naturally H lady had to sport this particular outfit.

Harps also is getting to that age were she really appreciates birthday parties and loves seeing and playing with all of the other kids. This party had a bounce house; I never allow Harps in them because I honestly do not think she is big enough or study enough but no one was on it for a bit, so we did a couple of quick bounces. (and in all honesty, I think Will would prefer the bounce house job over me... I didn't want to be doing too much bouncing in my dress). I do, however, have a feeling in a couple of years, we will have quite the bouncer on our hands. Anyway, one of my closest Hawaii friends was photographing this birthday party and (lucky for us) got some amazing shots of the little lady.

(she looks just like her Daddy with blonde hair! crazy!)

xoxo,

allie

13 Months

Someone in this family is 13 months... that literally seems unbelievable. Everyone tells you that your kids grow quickly and honestly you don't believe them. Well it is true... they change your life the moment they are born in ways you can never predict and everyday after that. Being a parent is the best journey and also an all day, everyday job. We can't imagine our life any other way.

(Don't worry! I promise she was wearing SPF 70 ). 

Right now H lady says mama, dada, dog, duck, ball, and yes. Her favorite past time is being outside and if she had her own way we would play outside non-stop. She loves playing with her little friends, music class, her baby sign language, and eating. Some of H lady's favorite foods are apples, grapes, BBQ chicken, bananas, and cheese flavored crackers. 

Harps is also an excellent relaxer... for about a second.  (caught)

She also loves babies; we were helping out someone in our FRG and I had quite a helper. 

and sweet friends!

xoxo,

allie

ps. i am sure this is boring to most but this post is for Will! We love you and miss you!

Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

The girl who hated her birthday cake and frosting has discovered candy... just for in time Halloween. I have always had candy around my house, (naturally with my sweet tooth), and someone found it. 

The best part is she thinks she is very sneaky. Silly girl. She actually has never had candy (yes, I am admittedly weird about her sugar intact) before but I think I will give her a piece on Halloween. Anyway, the best part about structure, nap times, bed times, rules, etc. is to break them so October 31st every year will be filled with sugar. Why not? We only live once.

xoxo,
allie

Wordless Wednesday (ha a day early!)

(courtesy of D Company 3-25 Facebook page!)

xoxo,

allie

Pumpkin Patch

We are embracing fall around here.. yes, ironic with daily temperatures in the mid 80s, but such is the life of a Hawaiian (I can only imagine how strange the Christmas season will feel!). I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that Oahu does, in fact, have a pumpkin patch. Harps and I went with a group we are involved on post with called MOPS (mother of preschoolers). Super awesome group of moms and babies. Last time we went to the Pumpkin Patch H looked like this...

A sweet 1.5 month old.

and now... our toddler H was running (as fast as she can with those little legs) through the patch.

I think she picked the perfect sized Harper pumpkin.

We also went on a hayride. It was cute but Hawaii is not know for its' corn fields. I am behind on a couple of posts so hopefully this week I get caught up...

xoxo,
allie