The US of A

Well Brynlee and I are in good ole America. We've been here for about a week and a half. Its been going really good. We are in Arizona with my dad and sister, and today my grandparents (dads parents) flew in today! So Brynlee got to meet her great grandparents on my dads side! They are in so awe of her its insane. I mean, honestly sometimes I don't feel like I have a baby with all these people loving in her and wanting her every second of the day! With that, I hope she isn't spoiled rotten by the end of this little vacay we're on. Nah, they don't always hold her and cuddle her, they have been playing on the floor with her too, so hopefully that will be better.




The flight over here was great. As good as a 9 hour flight can get. B did great. There were tons of kids on that flight and she was one of the quieter ones, thank goodness! The first take off she was iffy...I had some water for her...just in case her ears bothered her. She was good, then once we got in the air, but were still climbing...you know when your ears still keep popping randomly..she got a but fussy. So I just made her a small bottle and that worked. Of course then she fell asleep and then we were landing in Ramstein (germany) which we were to get off the plane for like an hour then head back into sercurity and wait about an hour to get back on the plane. Luckily we didn't have to take anything but our boarding passes with us. I really didn't want to lug the car seat and the backpack and such for no real reason. I was smart and since it was just me, I brought the baby carrier...so once we landed I strapped B on my belly and we were good. We walked around, change her diaper in a bigger bathroom than the plane has to offer one last time. Then headed back into security and waited to get back on.


This take off she did just fine. I still gave her a full bottle, her normal 6oz, and once we got up..I got her out to burp her and then she played a bit in her carseat (on this flight they require everyone to have their own seat and carseat, which I liked) then she fell asleep. She did really well on this one. Slept a bit, ate, played...and repeat. I did wake her a couple times just so she would sleep a little better with the time difference. When we landed in Baltimore, she got fussy but it was almost over so all the kids were getting antsy! My friend Kimberly, whom I went to school with when we were in Japan in '95-'98.. she and her hubby live in Balt so we crashed at their house that night, since our flight to Phx wasn't till the next morning. It was sooo nice to be able to sleep without worry and get a shower. Brynlee slept pretty good. She stayed awake till about 7p Balt time....which was 1a Italy time. I was shocked! She slept till midnight and then I put her in bed with me, then slept till about 430a and she ate, the fell back asleep for another hour or so. Then we got up to get ready for our next flight....


Boy did I like that 9hr flight compared to the 5hr flight! One; B didn't have her own seat and we gate checked her carseat with her stroller...the plane was hot cold hot cold, she was sick of me holding her and I was getting tired of holding her. I was so tire but she wouldn't go to sleep...oh was I glad when that seatbelt sign came on saying we are making our decent! And I know she was too. Once I put her in her carseat/stroller she was as happy as can be!


My dad and sister picked us up, and that night Brynlee stayed awake till about 6-7p Az time which is even more behind Italy..9hrs! Woke up to eat then slept a little more. By Sunday night she was totally back on her normal schedule! I was so worried about how the time change would be with her. She is such a good sleeper I was worried she'd be back to being a newborn, and even that wasn't bad but it wasn't as good as it is now! She goes to bed at her normal time, about 9p and sleeps till 8-9a. I am very blessed!


We head out to Little Rock on Friday afternoon. I am sooo glad that this flight is only 2ish hours. Since she again doesn't have her own seat! I know my mom and grandparents are dying to see/meet her! And of course I love showing my chubby baby off! Then we are there till about Oct 4th then head back to Balt and then off to Italy to see daddy whom we wish was with us so very much! Soon after we get back we should have an idea as to where we will be going in Feb!

5 months

Yup.
Can you believe it?!

I can't, but I say that with each month that passes us by!

So here's the stats.

*14lbs

*Size 2 diaper

*0-3 month clothes & some 3-6 month clothes.

*I haven't measured her length, so I'm not sure there.

*Still eating 6oz every 4 hours

*No solids yet

*Sleeps roughly 10-12 hrs at night, without waking!

*She grabs at everything she can reach.

*She has figured out the sippy cup, and can do it herself.

*She LOVES to stand!

*The last 2 days has been rolling from back to tummy a lot.

*Still doesn't roll from tummy to back a ton.

*Loves her daddy so very much. Her eyes get wide and smiles instantly when he comes home.

*Started giggling a lot, mainly for daddy of course.

*Getting closer each day to sitting up somewhat by herself.

Well that is our update. Keep praying we get on both flights, Space Available, next week and then on the way back. I am very much looking forward to our family seeing the changes in Brynlee and the family and friends who have yet to meet her! Nick will be here with the dogs, he was originally going to be gone TDY but he isn't anymore but Brynlee and I are still hoping to get a trip in before we PCS in Feb. Matter of fact, we find out next month where we can be goin and then the begining of November where we are going! I can't wait! Ciao!