Homecoming #3 and life after as a family of 3

Wow! Where to begin...I feel like time has flown by since the last time I blogged. My last entry was my anticipation of Caleb returning home and it's been almost a month and a half since he has been home now. I've been meaning to write about his homecoming, life as a family of three and how we have learned (and are still learning) to adjust, and how our precious little girl is growing so much everyday...but have just been so busy, so I apologize!

I'll start with the homecoming. I still remember that day like it was yesterday.  My sister and my two aunts came over to pick up my mom and to help pass some time throughout the day. When they left, I was still in pajamas, waiting for Caleb's text that they had landed. I was expecting him to land around 3:30 pm or later, (his unit would land at an Air Force base in Riverside) and from there, I would wait an hour before I left to meet him on base at Camp Pendleton since they were arriving on buses that would take an hour and a half to get there. I received a call at 3:30, and was shocked when Caleb said that he was on the bus already waiting to depart. He had text me when they landed an hour ago, but for some reason, I didn't get his texts!!!!  HOLY COW! I was still in pajamas, still had to do my hair and make-up, and still had to get Sophie ready. It all hit me at once and I thought I was going to have a panic attack! My husband was coming home!!! When I got on base, there was a professional photographer who so graciously asked me if I wanted her to take pictures of our reunion. I was so touched by her kindness and I will forever cherish the pictures that she took for us.

On our way to pick up daddy! Not the most excited face, but I know she was on the inside =)

Buses parking...he's on one of them! 

Meeting Sophie again after 5 months!

She's a daddy's girl 

My turn!!!! 

The Gowan Three...Reunited at last! 

It has been a humbling experience having to reintegrate again as a couple and as parents. The last time he deployed, we really had no difficulties adjusting when he came back home. I guess we underestimated how much more different it would be with this homecoming! Adding a child into the mix sure does change everything! We realized how little we really did get a chance to communicate with each other during this deployment, with the time difference being the main culprit. Because of that, we have had to work really hard to communicate the way we did before, being honest and open with each other and giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. We realized how hard it was for me to let him parent Sophie as well, as I was the one who always made the decisions while he was gone. We realized how much of ourselves we needed to change instead of expecting the other person to change first...and we realized how much we needed God to help us through this time of adjustment. Deployments sure do take a toll on relationships, but with God, nothing is  impossible and because of this deployment, we are learning more about each other, growing and leaning more towards God, and loving each other more each day. 

In two weeks, we are packing up our bags and heading to Virginia Beach, where Caleb will be in school for two and a half months. We decided it would be best for the family if Sophie and I also came along, as Caleb will be gone for a month long training exercise a week after when we return in August. We definitely want to spend as much quality time together as a family and we are really looking forward to this summer where we actually have the chance to do it. The military will be paying for our hotel room and they are even paying for a rental car for us to use out there! It might be challenging staying in a room with a very active infant, but I'm sure we will find things to do while Caleb is at school during the day! I really want Sophie to learn to swim so I'm eager to enroll her in a class, and might I mention that where we are staying is right next to the ocean?! We will definitely be spending a lot of time outdoors and are even planning on taking a trip down to North Carolina to visit old friends as well! Our motto is, "we would rather be miserable together, than comfortable apart." =) Yup, that's love! 

And what about Angel? 

Angel will be staying at Caleb's friends house who lives on base. He and his wife have a German shepherd dog named Mack, who Angel absolutely LOVES. They kindly said they would watch her and we are so happy that they have a dog that she can play with throughout the day and a huge yard for them to play in. 

A glimpse into our new normal...

Angel's new boyfriend, Mack

Daddy reads Sophie a bedtime story every night. Her favorite is Good Night Moon

Favorite place to nap!

They were dancing so I told them to stop for a quick second for a picture!

Out doing some grocery shopping 

My love

At a friend's wedding at Point Loma

Sophie loves her dada

And dada loves her!

At Oceanside beach enjoying the day

Today Sophie is 6 months old. The little one is up and needing my undivided attention so my blog stops here today! Will try to update later!

"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails" 1st Corinthians 13:4-8

Almost there...

I can't believe this deployment is coming to an end. I remember how I've kept on saying it feels like forever, and here we are, at the end of it! It has been such a journey, but a good one.

I remember how HARD it was saying good-bye when he left in October, with me being 36 weeks pregnant, nervous and anxious about the labor & delivery and whether or not he could come back to see us when Sophie was born.

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 I remember how THANKFUL I was that he was able to get a flight back just two days after she was born to be with us for 10 days and for us to be a family of 3 (plus Angel!). How great it was that we could share, even for a moment, the hardships and fulfillment of parenthood together. 

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I remember how SCARED I was as a new mother, unsure of how best to raise little Sophie, but with the help and advise of family, became more confident in my decisions and myself. There were many challenging days and nights, but God provided in so many ways, from my mom being willing to stay with me in Oceanside to encouragement and support from friends and family.

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I remember how EXCITED I was when we had visitors! Sophie got to meet a TON of family! Great-grandma and grandpa Gowan, Grandma and Grandpa Gowan, Auntie Katy and her kiddos, Uncle Neil and Laura, Great-Aunt Joan, Tania & Genilson, and cousin Ezra, to Uncle Josh and Abi! It was a blessing that so many people came by to visit! It made the time go by that much faster by giving us something to look forward to! 

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I remember how BLESSED I felt by having my family so close in San Diego who loves and dotes on Sophie every day. I'm sure it would have been SO much harder for me if we weren't here in Oceanside with family so close by, and am thankful that God directed us here. She sure does love all the attention, especially from Aunti Ni-Ni! 

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We are so HAPPY that Caleb is coming home and I can't wait to share our reunion pictures. I have grown so much as a person, realizing the love and sacrifice it takes to be a mom, yet wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you all for your love, support, prayers, texts, encouragement, advice, phone-calls and well wishes as we are finishing up this 3rd deployment.  We are so so blessed.

XOXO 

4 months old & an update

Sophia Lee had her 4 month well-visit check up today at the doctors. She was weighed, measured, checked all over and finally had 4 shots + an oral vaccination. I am SO proud of her. It never is easy hearing her cry (especially when she gets her shots), but she handled it like a trooper. By the time the nurse was done with all of her shots, she stopped crying and just had tears rolling down her face. She is such a sweet baby. The doctor said that she looks great and healthy and happy and this mama couldn't be happier to hear that! 

Sophia Lee at 4 months

25.5 inches

15 lbs 13 oz

...and she is in the 85% of her age group. Way to go Sophie! 

At the doctor's office, waiting for her shots! I think she knows it's coming...I love her droopy cheeks =)

 

So proud of my little angel. She had two shots on her right leg and two on her left. 

She is one tough peanut...takes after her father! So far, no fever or any bad reactions. Just a little cranky as I'm sure her thighs are sore =(

Some of my favorites of her from this month: 

Pretty in pink! 

Tummy time to strengthen that neck! 

Her new favorite toy, the O-Ball. It's so easy for her to grab and chew and she loves hearing it rattle when she shakes it. 

She LOVES to laugh and squeal, 

She is drooling so much now that we have to have a bib on her at all times,

(and the doctor confirmed that she is indeed teething, since her gums are swollen),

She is able to roll over BOTH ways now! (a great milestone the doctor said!) 

She will pull and grab on anything, which means that I have to constantly have my hair up and can't wear necklaces or earrings! 

She is able to start solids now.  The doctor gave us the green light on solids, but I am going to wait a few more weeks when Caleb gets back to start her on solids! 

She still is a pretty light sleeper (30-45 minute naps), 

but is getting a bit better at sleeping through the night...

She loves taking baths,

still doesn't take a pacifier but loves sucking on her thumb and hands,

is extremely observant,

and loves to cuddle and be held. 

Mommyhood is tiring and taxing, but just so rewarding. I am just so in love with her and can't believe the blessing she brings in my life.

So a couple of weeks ago, some more of Caleb's family came down to visit us! 

This is Sophie with her great-aunt Joan!

It's blurry =( but it was the only one we took! 

Sophie with Aunt Tania, who will be having her second child in May...right around the corner! 

Angel loves company and was excited to get to play with Genilson! 

Sophie with cousin Ezra!

We recently celebrated my sister and my cousin's birthday, which I'll write about at another time. Right now, I've got to give my little one some more love  as she just woke up from a nap.

Caleb should be returning home in 2-3 weeks. Still not sure of the exact date, but it's right around the corner. It's been a blessing that we have been able to facetime almost every day and especially for him to see Sophie grow and talk to her as well. We really can't wait to have him back at home to make this family complete once again. 

Ok, that's it for now. 

Leaving off with some tummy time from the girls: 

XOXO

3 Months Old!

I'm a little late (several weeks....oops!), but I've been meaning to post about Sophie's 3 month old birthday! She turned 3 months on February 12th, and has been growing so much every day.

Sophia Lee Gowan- 3 months old! 

She is able to turn over from her back to her tummy,

(and just recently from her tummy to her back)

She loves sucking on her thumb and gets frustrated when she loses it! 

She loves to smile and giggle in the mornings, especially during diaper changes,

She still sticks out her tongue, but not as much as before...haha! 

But she still furrows her eyebrows quite a bit! 

She loves grabbing anything and everything and putting it in her mouth,

especially blankets! 

She no longer sleeps in til 9 am =( 

but is becoming an early bird, waking mommy up at 7 am! 

She has JUST started napping in her crib =) 

and LOVES to watch TV (she gets it from both mommy and daddy), and

She is a sweet joy in my life and loves being held, cuddled, and kissed! 

My sweet little angel is growing up! 

She is going to the doctors in a couple more weeks for her 4 month check up and shots (getting another 5). 

Caleb is back in Japan after being in Thailand for 3 weeks for training. He will HOPEFULLY be back with us early April! I am so so so so excited to have him back home with us! We are literally counting down the days til he gets home! We did have a great Skype session a couple days ago and took a family picture: 

We love you Caleb and can't wait to have you home with us! 

We celebrated my sister's baby shower yesterday and I will post pictures and blog about that soon! 

XOXO

Sophie's first word and first giggle!

Is it too soon for a 3 month old to talk?!
Tonight while I was recording her, I was telling her to "talk" in Indonesian, and to my surprise, she said her first word...can you hear it?!...and I also caught her first little giggle in there as well! She is such a joy...and an overachiever! 

In case this video can't play on my page, here is the link to it on Youtube:
Sophie Talking and Giggling

Oh, how I love her!