Dominic at 2 months

Dominic had his two month checkup on Monday.  He was 23 inches long, 11 pounds 8 ounces, and his head was 15.25 inches around.  That puts him pretty much in the 50th percentile across the board.  He's started smiling recently and he's still waking and eating every three hours.  At least we're in a routine.

A picture of Marcus at 2 months to compare

Personally, I think they look nothing alike.  It'll be interesting to see how they compare as they continue to grow.

Easter

What a great Easter we had!!  Marcus got a ton of candy from our unit's event the week before, so I didn't even have to buy that much.  I got him some peeps and a big chocolate bunny, but everything else was from the bunny bop.  I also got him his first bible and a golf club set.  Here's a picture of the basket before Marcus got his hands on it.

They have a program here on our post where single soldiers come around and hide easter eggs for you in your yard before sunrise, so Marcus had some eggs to find outside before we could go to church.

Marcus checking out his new golf clubs

Marcus' first peep

While Dominic and I were at church, Marcus had another egg hunt at daycare.  Then it was off to our friend's house for brunch.  Marcus got to participate in yet another egg hunt there.  He was finally getting the hang of finding eggs, but this time they were camouflage eggs, so they were a little hard to find.  Fortunately, he had the help of his best friend Cole, who was also the one that hid the eggs.

Marcus is still working on all of that Easter candy and of course, Mommy is helping as much as she can.

April

The beginning of April found us attending a friend's 3rd birthday party.  It was princess themed, but not to worry, Marcus didn't even notice.  All he cared about was the splash park and the cupcakes.

The next day, we discovered a Scottish festival down in Waikiki.  We were planning on just observing, but Chantal and I got talked in to participating in the housewife games.  What are housewife games you ask?  Rolling Pin, Frying Pan, and Haggis Toss.  The rolling pin and frying pan were thrown for distance and the haggis was an accuracy toss into a frying pan.  

They had us all wear kilts to truly get into the spirit.

Me participating in the rolling pin toss

Marcus wanted to try on the kilt, he kept tripping over it

The next day was our friend Chantal's birthday.  We headed down to California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate.

The next Sunday was the start of Polo Season here in Hawaii.  The polo field is up on the North Shore, right on the beach.  It makes for an awesome Sunday.  Marcus can play in the ocean, on the beach, or on the polo field.  We spend about six hours up at the field just hanging out with friends, eating good food, and watching a little polo.

The girls enjoying the polo match

Marcus and Dominic napping

The second photo was actually taken at the next Sunday's polo match, it's become a regular activity for us.  And Marcus wasn't actually napping, I think he just wanted to take a break from the action and  hang out with his little brother.

That previous Friday, our unit had an Easter thing.  They called it Operation Bunny Bop.  We were late and missed all of the easter egg hunts, but a family we knew took pity on Marcus and gave him more eggs than he knew what to do with.  He also got to meet the Easter Bunny.

He was a little scary, so Marcus had to be bribed with an egg.

The next weekend found us at an event held on Schofield that highlights the travel discounts that we can get through our base.  It was also an opportunity for all of the units to raise some money for the family activities they put on through out the year.  They brought in a group called "The Party Animals" for the kids.

Like any kids group, it was a little cheesy

Marcus with his adopted siblings

Patrick, the boy holding on to Marcus, has 4 sisters (3 of which are standing right behind them in this picture).  So, he loves it when Marcus comes over to play because they can do boy things.  The girls love it because they can dress Marcus up however they want, like Mickey Mouse to their Minnie or a Prince to their Princess.  He looks just like them, so he fits right in to their family, and his girlfriend Maggie is only a few months older.  They got to enjoy the concert together while their mom and I got to relax for a few minutes.

March

As one would imagine, March flew by with the addition of Dominic to our family.  The month was actually pretty routine.  Here's a photo recap.

Marcus discovered Splash Parks

We spent some time at the beach

Marcus' swing in our backyard (he wants to swing every day)

He really loves the splash park

Why do kids do this? (No, he wasn't the only one)

The new pool just down the street from our house, our new favorite spot.

Another month of deployment done.  This one was celebrated at a spa night.

Dominic Michael Sturzinger

I guess you could say March started out with a bang!

Dominic Michael Sturzinger was born at 11:58 pm on March 1.  

He weighed 6 lbs. 15.5 oz and was 20 inches long.  

Marcus was super excited to meet his new little brother the next day.  He loves him so much!  He loves to give him hugs and kisses and is always the first to let me know when Dominic's upset. 

Our first family photo (minus Eric)

Dominic's first bath

A hug...

and a kiss

Marcus helping give Dominic his first real bath after his umbilical cord came off

My friend Bonnie-Jean got a new camera recently and wanted to take some newborn pictures, so she asked if she could come over and take some pics of Dominic.  Of Course!! Here is just a sampling, the rest are on Facebook.

I love this one because he crossed his own legs to cover up his privates.

These teddy bears are from the base Eric is at in Iraq and he's lying on Eric's uniform.

Again, those are just a sampling, the full collection is on Facebook.  We're also getting professional ones done this week for Easter.  I'll post those as soon as I get them.

January and February

January found us attending a halfway celebration for Eric's deployment.  Yippee!! 

The spouses from the unit got together to celebrate and take a few pictures.  

Marcus and I are in the top left half of the H.

At the end of the month, I attended Casino Night, which was put on by the Blue Star Card Program.  That night marked my 7th month of the deployment.  I had fun and won some spa socks at the end of the evening.

The next day, Marcus and I got to create a Valentine's Day card for Daddy.

In February, Gary Sinise brought The Lt. Dan Band to Hawaii.  I was able to put Marcus in daycare for the day and Chantal and I went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch (Why not make it a Forrest Gump day?).  

We got to sit right up front and our friend Chantal even got to go on stage.  

During the Half Way Celebration in January, we took a special picture for the soldiers for Valentine's Day.

We're in the left inner corner of the heart.

At the end of the month I got some maternity pictures taken on the beach in Mokuleia.  (Good thing, because the baby came the next week.)

This is just a preview image from Facebook, but I love how sweet Marcus was being.

That night, thanks again to the Blue Star Card Program, I dropped Marcus off at childcare and went to see a play with my friends.  That night marked 8 months done with deployment.  What a great way to celebrate.

Chantal, Bonnie-Jean, her brother John, and me on the bus to the play.