So it goes...

 

Well the month and a half went by too quickly. We had such a great time over Christmas! We enjoyed a great ward party where the kids got to "shop" for gifts for the family. I also had a super fun night at a gift exchange with girls in the ward. Once Joey got here things went into high gear. We started his visit by going to see the new Star Wars film. I thought it was great, but I think the boys had warm up to it. After church on Sunday we headed north to the Twin Cities to go to the Mall of America. We did it last year and it was a ton of fun and we thought Joey might enjoy it. It was a short trip but we had good time. 

It snowed Christmas Eve and we had the best time going out to play in the snow and we made a pretty good snowman. Christmas morning came with lots of great gifts and food. We had fun Skyping with the grandparents too. Johnny was back to work after Christmas so we spent the rest of the days trying to keep ourselves entertained. Joey gave me a day off which was greatly appreciated. I went to my doctors appointment sans kids and then had lunch with Johnny at the hospital. then I took myself to see Star Wars again!

New Years Eve Johnny was working so Joey and I took the kids to a party some people in our ward were having. We played volleyball at the church for a bit. While everyone else had dinner we went to the hospital to see Johnny and have some ice cream. We went back to join the party at the Henderson's to eat and play games. We had a great time and good laughs. 

Once Joey left it was back to our normal routine which now includes weekly doctors visits and weekly ultrasound and NSTs. The kids are not loving being at the doctors so much, but I am enjoying getting to see my baby once a week and getting to spend lunch with Johnny at the hospital. Things are going well with the pregnancy. Baby is growing at the right pace and heartbeat is good. It looks like a Cochran and we got to see some hair today in the ultrasound! Daphne is not enjoying school very much this week. We had been having so much fun with it and then we took a break while Joey was here and ever since it has been a little bit of a struggle. Johnny has been looking at job opportunities for the last couple of weeks and has had a few phone interviews that have gone well. We are heading to Wisconsin in a couple weeks for a face to face, which I'm excited for, but we are going to have to wait til after baby comes to go visit other places.

Life has gotten away from me. We have been so busy. This next week is going to fly by I know it!

While Johnny has been studying his life away Daphne and I have been selling our life away. We have sold all our stuff we are not taking back to the states with us. Our time not spent prepping for our departure has been spent with friends.

Thursday we went out with daddy to celebrate his last Mini. We met his friend Brian up at DeChamps and had a wonderful time. Its always a treat to get to do something with Johnny. After dinner I headed to a little Christmas party the RSO was having. We sat and talked and had a white elephant gift exchange. Some people were very creative with their gifts. 

The next night was spent at a friends house where we had a open house sale to sell all those little things that aren't worth posting on FB. It was a great time and I got to make a little money as well. 

Saturday I went to the pool with the girls. It was the first day in a while that it wasn't rainy, so it was a great change of scene. That night we had a dinner party at Kristens house. We ended up staying til very late, but we were having such a great time no one wanted to leave.

The end of the semester is so close and I am getting so excited to be home and for the next step of medical school. The only thing I'm not excited for is leaving my friends behind.

Food, fun and a cranky baby

Tuesday night I went out with the girls for a goodbye party for our friend Meagan. I was super excited about it and had debated if I should take Daphne with me. I don't get to hang out without her very often, but had decided Johnny needs the quality study time with no distractions and Daphne would probably just fall asleep like she usually does. Boy was I wrong. She would have nothing to do with sleep even though she was super tired and of course she was fussy as a result. We got home and she went right to bed and all seemed to be fine, until the next day. She was not a happy baby. She would only sleep if being held and only for very short periods. She wanted to eat constantly and was just over all cranky. I know its normal for babies to have bad days especially if you mess up their sleep, but it was just so weird to she her so needy and fussy because she has always been so sweet and easy. Well lesson learned, next time I'm out and she is being fussy and not sleeping like she should be then we are calling it a night and both going to bed early. That's almost as good as going out with the girls right?
Besides the Daph being a cranky puss, I had a great time. We went up to DeChamps and reserved their hot tub deck area. We got to sit and watch the sun set, eat dinner and relax in the hot tub. We had a great time talking and eating cupcakes. Can't beat it!

Zam Zam Screw

Wednesday was another great day with the girls! In the afternoon we headed out to Screws Spa. It is one of my favorite places on the island. It is a natural sulfur spring in the middle of the rain forest. We got there at dusk and it was so wonderful. Daphne was a happy girl as well as mommy. We are both water lovers and especially when the water is warm. 

If you remember I mentioned Zam Zams before. We were supposed to go for Katie's birthday, but couldn't because of a Tropical Storm that never showed. It was so nice. It is right on the water and served wonderful Mexican food. The only real Mexican food on the island. The owner was so sweet to us. I am planning on taking Johnny to both Screws and Zam Zams before we leave.

Day 10 (I know I'm a day late)

What will I miss when I leave?

 Sunsets over the ocean,

Girls night,

Sugar cane Coke in a glass bottle,

Dancing at DeChamps,

 The ride up to Dechamps with 12 girls in the back of the pickup and more friends in the front,

In Light In,

Laying out,

The Branch,

Going to the beach with my Family!

Birthday Extravaganza!

Friday we celebrated Katie's birthday. I was so thankful for the Tropical Storm that was supposed to come over Dominica was a flop because it cancelled the original plans to go to a restaurant down near Roseau. I wouldn't have been able to go with everyone, selfish I know, but I REALLY didn't want to miss this. As you can see we had a fun time. We sat at Tulips and just hung out eating and drinking and enjoying delicious cupcakes. Good times, good times!!!

I missed this

Days like yesterday are why I missed living on the island so much. In the morning I went to the RSO orientation. It was fun to get to know new people and to see people again. After lunch with Johnny I headed home and read a book while Daphne slept. At around 3:30 we headed to the river with some friends. It was so nice and refreshing and I think this new spot will be my favorite spot to visit this semester. The river was deep enough to swim in, there is a swing to jump into the water from and there is a hot spring if you get to cold. Oh and it is about a five minute walk from our new apartment. (Have I mentioned how I love how close we are to everything!)

When I got home I had to rush to get ready for Cookie Night with the girls. So many people showed up. I barely had enough seats for everyone. We sat and talked because we are women. Claire brought some clothes she was good enough to save for me from the last clothing swap that were super cute. We all exchanged magazines and ate cookies and played Catch Phrase. It was a great night. Katie and Claire stayed after everyone else left and we talked and played with Daphne. I really missed all the ladies here. We really become more than friends here.