Month 12

Happy Birthday to me! What a year it has been. From my first two days in the nursery with high respiration rates & hypothermia, to sleepless nights for mommy & daddy, to learning to roll over, crawl and now walk, this year has been quite an adventure. There is so much I learned that it is really quite amazing. But for now, I will reflect on the past month.

Moments Old

I'm ONE!

The most obvious thing that happened was my first Christmas! It was really neat. We went to visit Santa at the Mall, and I really did not care for him. I went to my first Candle light Christmas eve service at Calvary Chapel, but I didn't get to see the candles; I played with my new friends in the nursery there. Finally, Christmas morning arrived, and I received WAY too many gifts. I was certainly spoiled by my extended family. It was so nice to celebrate with everyone, but one special person was missing that made the day bittersweet: Daddy. He stayed up late where he is to skype in and watch me open my first gifts and then I was able to skype with him before dinner when Halmoni came over, but seeing him in the computer is not the same as getting hugs and kisses from him in person. I really cannot wait to have him home with us again.

My gift from Mommy & Daddy

A Hammer to bang on things.

Skyping with Daddy

After Christmas, I celebrated New Year by not sleeping through the night. I was giving mommy such a hard time there for a while. Even Grandpa & Grandma couldn't get me to sleep. I think I was having a difficult time because I was learning a new skill. WALKING! I took off last week on Thursday January 10. I was Skyping with Daddy and I just decided it was a good time to do it full time. I had taken a few steps here and there since Christmas, but I wanted to make sure Daddy saw me start walking for real. I've been nonstop since. I rarely crawl anymore, and I've even tried running!

walk, walk, walk.

Just after the new year, I had my pictures taken with a cake. Man, that cake was delicious, and my mommy said the pictures would make great memories of when I turned 1. Here are some of the photos that were taken. A big thank you to Bridget Vanderveen for squeezing us in last minute!

Every week I get to spend a few days with my Halmoni. She enjoys it because she gets me all to herself for the day, and mommy enjoys it because she knows that once we're back on Guam, she will never have a moment to herself until Daddy gets back. I don't know what she does while I'm away, but I do know that I have a blast! I even put myself down for a nap every afternoon all by myself. You should have seen the look on Mommy's face when Halmoni told her that. She didn't believe it, but I am always on my best behavior for Halmoni. She makes me delicious lunches, plays with my toys with me, and lets me watch Korean television. Mommy worries that I'm not saying too many words yet, but what she doesn't know, is that I'm speaking Korean!

I love my Halmoni!

Playing with Halmoni is FUN!

I went to the Circus with Grandma, Aunt Michelle, Uncle Keith, and Wesley. It was so neat seeing all the performers. I especially loved the Dog act and the Elephants. We moved up to the last row so that I could walk around and cheer (read: Yell) at the performers. I had such a great time, and was so tired out that I fell asleep as soon as I got into the car.

I love the Circus!

I've really enjoyed the last two months here in Navarre. Seeing my family and getting to spend some quality time with them all has been wonderful. I will truly miss eating breakfast with Grandma Triebold while mommy catches a few more zzz's, getting flipped in the air by Grandpa Triebold, playing with my cousin Wesley, getting lots of hugs and kisses from my Aunt Michelle, being spoiled by Halmoni, and getting to see my Bumpa, Nana & Auntie Sha Sha whenever we take a quick trip to Destin. Even Aunt Teresa and Uncle Ryan came down to celebrate my birthday, and it was great being entertained by them! I may be leaving this family for a while, but I know I have a Guam family to get back to that will help mommy and me get through this deployment.

Playing with Aunt Michelle

Grandma Triebold protecting me from the baby Gator

Aunt Teresa hanging out with me and Wesley

Grandpa Triebold reading to me

Just as our time here in the states is coming to a close, so is this blog. Mommy is going to start a blog now that I'm a year old that talks about the adventures we have as a family. I know there is a big move coming up, and of course, Daddy will be coming home, too. It has really been fun updating you all every month with everything I learned this past year, and who knows, maybe when I'm older, I'll want to continue it, but for now, I want to focus on learning and growing and playing on my little island of Guam. Be sure to look out for the Ismay Family Blog posts in the future to see what we're all up to in the coming months!

Happy Birthday to me!

Month 11

A lot has happened this month, so I'll do my best not to ramble too much. It was all so exciting, and I'm eager to share it!

To start, I had my very first Thanksgiving dinner. It was so delicious. I devoured everything on my plate. I had so much fun watching my dad fry the turkey, and mom bake the traditional cranberry apple crisp. We ate at our neighbor's home, and had such a great time playing games and eating way too much food.

Thanksgiving Dinner!

Afterwards, Daddy, Mommy and I went to the Agana lights to get a little taste of Christmas on Guam. It was nice to have something special with daddy before we were separated by another deployment. I also received my first birthday present early so that daddy could put it together and have some quality time playing together. I love my new tricycle!

Agana Lights

Playing with Daddy

Just one short week later, mommy and I were on an airplane to Hawaii to meet up with Grandpa to fly to Navarre for Christmas and my first birthday. It was hard leaving daddy behind knowing that when we got back, he wouldn't be there, but we've already had plenty of skype dates and he recorded himself reading some of my favorite books. I love watching them and skyping with him, and I always say "dada" over and over again when I see his face.

Jet lag was trouble, but mommy worked really hard to get me back on my usual schedule, so after a few sleepless nights and cranky days, I was back and better than ever! I'm even sleeping better than I did on Guam, but I think that might be because there is just so much to do here in Navarre.

I spent the first couple nights with my Halmoni and had a great time with her. She made me chicken soup, and it is now my favorite meal. She put all the left overs into the freezer, so I can eat it whenever I want (or whenever mommy heats it up for me).

I went to a tree farm to cut down my very first Christmas tree! It was so fun crawling around and picking out a tree. Uncle Keith cut both mine and Wesley's trees down, and then we took some silly pictures and looked at the animals at the farm. We ate some fried pickles afterwards since it was a tradition of my mommy's, and man, the couple bites I got were really tasty!

Tree Farm

I love looking at all the Christmas decorations at Grandma & Aunt Michelle's house and I especially love the lights. We went to the Zoolights in Gulf Breeze and I had so much fun! I was able to pet a bunny, some goats, and see a baby alligator up close. I saw Santa in a helicopter and it made me think of my daddy and how he flies in the helicopters, too! There were so many lights, so I was in awe the entire time I was there.

Zoolights with Mommy

I also met up with some of my old friends from Guam. My friend Leia, and my new friend Brynn flew out to Pensacola to visit their family, so we were able to have lunch together. Mommy had a great time catching up with Auntie Maria, and I had fun playing with Leia. We're sad it was such a short visit, but maybe one day the Navy will bring our families close together again.

Reunion with the Blackwell Family!

The last big thing I did this month was drive to Texas (well, Aunt Michelle & Mommy drove) and surprise my great grandparents. My Pop-pop was turning 85, and I had never met either of them, so we took the opportunity to see them for a few days. The drive wasn't much fun, but once we got there, I had a great time meeting them, and all my 2nd cousins and great Aunts & Uncles. We celebrated Pop-pop's birthday, went to a rose garden to look at the lights, and just spent some great quality time with the families.

Meeting my Great-Grandparents

I cut my sixth tooth this past month, and I took my first step just before we left for Texas. While I was in Texas, though, I took five consecutive steps! I'm getting braver, so it is just a matter of time before I'm off walking full time. I still think crawling is faster, for now, though.

Hanging with Wesley.

Now, I'm anxiously awaiting my first Christmas. I've had so much fun this last month, and I can't wait to see what the LAST month of my first year has in store! I know I'll be seeing some other of my Mommy's friends and the biggest thing will be me turning ONE! I'll make sure to fill you all in on the festivities next month!

Merry Christmas!

Month 10

This last month was a lot of fun!

It started with a family photo session for our Christmas Card, and I was allowed to crawl around the golf course while getting my picture taken. Mommy picked out a really cool outfit with a clip on tie, and Daddy had me put on my Jaguar's jersey for some pictures, too! I even "climbed" a tree! Daddy, mommy & the lady taking the pictures were acting soooo silly, so I laughed and smiled a lot, and the fact that we were outside really put me in a good mood.

Photo Credit: Memory Layne Photos

After the pictures were done, I ate some dinner, and then went to my very first Halloween Party. The FRG for Daddy's squadron hosted it, and there were so many kids there! I even won the costume contest for funniest costume. I shared my prize with some of my older friends because I am still a little too young to appreciate candy and silly straws.

Sumo Squat!

Daddy had to go away for some training after that, so he missed my first time out trick-or-treating. Mommy and I went over to our neighbor's house for a "spooky" dinner of mummy dogs and spider macaroni and cheese. Trick or treating started at 6pm, and my bed time is at 7, so we went about one or two blocks and then went home. I can't eat candy anyway, so it really wasn't a huge loss.

First Pumpkin!

Trick or Treat!

While Daddy was away, Mommy & I had lots of playdates with my friends! We had dinner at a friend's house, went to underwater world, and splashed around at the pool. Mommy didn't realize how exhausting it would be to chase me around all by herself, and she looked forward to naps and bed time every day.

Pool time with Liam!

Sea Star at Underwater World

I'm still crawling all over the place, and I've even stood up on my own a few times (not pulling up, just straight up standing!). I still haven't taken any steps all by myself, but I do walk holding Mommy or Daddy's hand, so I'm still working towards my goal to take my first steps before Daddy deploys.

I have 5 teeth now, and it looks as if the 6th tooth is going to break through any day now. I'm getting lots of bumps and bruises from being adventurous around the house, and my new favorite game is to take my blocks and place them in & out of a bucket. I also love banging on things with my hands, and throwing toys for Luna.

I'm eating more and more finger foods lately. I absolutely love ham, squash, and pasta! I get a little bit of Mommy & Daddy's dinner every night as long as it's not too spicy, but I don't mind the spice! I tried some kimchi at lunch one afternoon and LOVED it! It was more sour than spicy, but man was it yummy!

I Love Food!

I will be in Navarre at my next blog post spending time with my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles & Cousin to prep for Christmas and my first birthday! I can't believe I'm already 10 months old! Only two more to go until I'm ONE!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I will be sure to tell you all about my first turkey day next month!

Month 9

This month has gone by so quickly, but then again, time flies when you're having fun (and boy am I having fun!).

Trying to get in the kitchen

I perfected my crawl, and I move so quickly that sometimes it is difficult for Mommy to catch me when I'm trying to get into trouble. A lot of times, though, I start laughing halfway to my destination, so my parents know they need to move fast to catch me. One of my favorite off limit spots is the dog's water bowl. It is just so much fun to splash around! I also, really like going into my room and pulling all of my books off the book shelf. I keep telling them in my adorable baby babble that I'm just trying to decide which book I want Mommy to read to me at bed time!

Water Bowl Fun!

Picking out my favorite books

I'm also working on standing on my own. I can walk with the assistance of my walker toy and mommy or daddy's fingers, but I've only stood on my own for a few seconds at a time. I know that I'll figure it out soon, though. I really want to take my first steps for daddy before he deploys!

Daddy & I must have seen something very interesting on the TV.

I absolutely LOVE playing with my puppy, Luna. I always take her toys and try to get her to play with me. She runs down the hallway when Mommy & Daddy throw her toys, so I'm figuring out how to do that, too. I climb all over her, and pet her, and sometimes pull on her fur, but she lets me and I'm learning how to pet her correctly so I don't hurt her.

I got the toy!

Here, Luna, now take it back.

I had my 9 month appointment a little early because of some digestive issues, so here are my measurements. I'm in the 77% for length at 29 inches, 81% for weight at 22.5 lbs, and 91% for head circumference at 18.5 inches. I'm definitely starting to trim up with all the moving I'm doing... I'm still pretty chunky, but I don't think I'll be that way for too much longer.

9 months old!

I'm starting to really enjoy eating solid foods. My favorite meals are green beans, carrots, sweet potatoes, and pears, while I'm not really a fan of asparagus or hummus. I haven't really been introduced to meats just yet, but I have had some small tastes of kalua pork and chicken on a stick. Mommy & Daddy wanted to wait until my digestive issues started working themselves out, and it looks like I'll be trying some more this month!

Trying some Kalua Pork at the Islands Festival.

We went to the Micronesian Islands Festival as well. It was a lot of fun walking around all the different vendors and seeing the artwork. There was wood carving, carabao rides (I didn't ride one THIS time), and a mosaic artist that was really neat. I especially enjoyed helping mommy hold the umbrella.

I love hanging out with Mommy!

I now have THREE teeth! You can really see them when I smile, too. Teething is definitely no fun, so I can't wait to get all of them and be done with it.

This upcoming month should be a lot of fun! We have a family photo session, Halloween, and lots of play time with Daddy before he leaves. Until next time, I hope you all have a great month!

Month 8

Well, I am officially crawling... and pulling myself up to standing... and cruising along the furniture... and getting into trouble! It all happened in one week; Mommy and Daddy were shocked and happy all at once. They had to lower the mattress on my crib because they were afraid I would flip over the side and hurt myself. I feel like there is a whole new world in front of me. Mommy definitely has to keep a much closer eye on me. I've had some pretty scary falls, but I always get right back up. I follow her all over the house, now, so they bought some baby gates to close off the kitchen. They keep saying it's easier to do that than it would be to baby proof every drawer and cabinet in there. The oven doesn't lock either... but I think they just want to keep me out of the fridge!

Crawling around my toys to get to Daddy's laptop.

I know this is where you keep the food!

I'm awaaaaaake!

Mommy and I are working on my swimming skills, again. We took a little bit of a break the last couple months because the weather was always so rainy, but now that we get a few sunny days here and there, we go to the pool whenever we have the opportunity. I really love splashing around in the water. I stand up on the side of the pool, and if Mommy puts me on my stomach, I kick my legs. We've even done a few dunks to get me used to going under the water. I never cry, and quickly go back to playing in the water. Pool time is probably one of my favorite things right now. Sometimes I go over to my friend's house and swim in her little pool in the back yard. Mommy says she has one she needs to get out of storage so I can swim in my back yard, too!

Tired out after an afternoon swimming. I pulled the towel over my eyes so I could sleep!

I saw the Imagination Movers here on base, too. They were GOOD! I had never heard of them before, so Mommy put on one of their episodes the day before the concert. I wasn't very interested, but that is probably because I don't watch much TV, so I didn't really understand what was going on. But when I saw them live... man, oh, man, was I impressed. I just sat on Mommy's lap and took it all in. All the other kids around me were up dancing around, but I had never seen anything like that before. The lights and music were mesmerizing, and I took a nice long nap after the concert.

Imagination Movers show!

We also went to the Chamorro Culture Center and took a tour around a replica of a Chamorro Village. It was a lot of fun. We were able to eat dinner and watch the sun set over the ocean. Then the "Chamorro villagers" came out and performed a show for us. I got scared because there was a lot of chanting, clapping, and slapping of legs, but once Daddy handed me over to Mommy, I felt better and was able to enjoy the show. I was a hit among the lady villagers, and they all wanted to hold me after the show!

Chamorro Culture Show

Hanging out with the ladies!

Let's see... what other things have I learned this month? Oh! I started clapping my hands! I was imitating Daddy one night, and now I can do it on my own if I really try. I also talk a lot. I know what I'm saying, but I don't think my Mommy and Daddy quite understand all the priceless knowledge I am passing on.

I'm so cute... even when I'm doing something I'm not supposed to do!

The last few months have gone by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I was visiting my family in the states, and now we're beginning the fall season. I can't wait to update you all again next month with all I do here on the island of Guam!

8 Months Old!