Goopy Eyes

Over the weekend, Austin's eye went from bloodshot to goopy and this morning he woke up with both eyes "gooped shut." Last night, I had already resigned myself to the fact that I would have to wake up early and make a same-day appt at the clinic, so at 6:30am I like,many others, called the appointment line (I was number 10 in queue when I first called).

Austin appt was at 8am....but before we were to leave, I found out that the airline (Aloha Airlines) we were supposed to fly with to the Big Island on Friday had stopped all passenger services starting today (they had filed for bankruptcy a little while ago and were trying to figure out how to stay operational). Our tickets were worthless and we couldn't cancel and get a refund for our lodging at this point. So, I had to book another flight on Hawaiian Airlines and call the credit card company to put in a dispute on the first set of tickets. As soon as I did that, it was time to leave for the doctor (and Austin still wasn't dressed yet!)

We get to the clinic and I knew we were in for a hard time when he wouldn't even step up to get his height or weight checked. I had to hold him down for his temp and for the doctor to look in his ears and eyes. When all was said and done, our little boy has Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis) in both eyes and an ear infection in his right ear (the one that the tube already fell out of ). So, we have three meds...eye drops, ear drops, and an oral antibiotic, to administer everyday for 4-5 days. Yay! LOL. The eye drops get put in 3 times a day!!! YUCK! Let's just say the first time was the easiest and I had to hold him down....the second time was harder and I'm not looking forward to doing it anymore....4 more days to go!

We hope everyone else is having a better Monday than we are!!!

Not so ready....

Some of you know that Austin is still not potty trained. He just is so comfy in his diapers and just doesn't seem to want to stop playing to sit on the potty! Lately, he has been asking to sit on the potty. He hasn't gone yet (well, once he's gone number 2, but I think it was a fluke).

Yesterday, he started freaking out when you change his diapers on anything elevated. That means the couch, the bed, ANYTHING up off the floor! Seriously, he freaks out and cries and keeps saying he's scared. I'm GUESSING he had a dream about falling off the bed or somewhere high up and that's what started it. You ask him why he's scared and he just says, "because."

So, today after TRYING to change his diaper, I decided we would just throw the kid into underwear and see how he does. About 45 minutes after we put him in underwear, we had to go to the store. He was really good and didn't even wet his pants. I kept telling him that if he felt he needed to go potty, to let me know and we'll go to the bathroom.

Well, we get home in dry pants, and he wants to play outside. I tell him that he needs to come use the potty first and he runs off to play instead. So, I put my purse in the house and let Abby outside and he comes running from the neighbors door....and then I see it. His pants are all wet and I see a wet spot where he had just stood to go. LOL.

So, I just take him inside and take off the wet clothes, put him on the potty (knowing he's all empty, but wanted to see just in case) and then put dry clothes on him after he sat there for a bit.

So, Austin goes back out to play until Brian comes home for lunch. After lunch, we tell Austin that he needs to go potty on the toilet before he takes his nap. He sits there but doesn't go. So, I said that he will probably have to wear his diapers since he didn't go potty. He said, "no diapers...I'm not a baby!" So, I pad his bed and hope that he continues to be dry when he wakes up just like he has been for over a year now!

He wakes up from his nap and he's dry, so we go sit on the potty. Nope, no peepee he says. I have him sit there for about 15 minutes and NOTHING! So, we go outside to play....10 minutes later, he's riding his bike with Taite and I see him standing up in one place....and Taite runs to tell us that Austin's peeing in his pants. I went over there to get him and take him inside to change him. I said, "I thought you were going to stop playing to go potty." He said, "I did!" I guess he forgot the part where you go potty in the TOILET!

OH WELL.....guess we'll wait a bit more before we try again.

Easter Sunday

Easter Morning was an early one! The Easter Bunny left some really great goodies for Austin and had hidden some Eggs for him as well. However, after going through the Easter Basket at 5:30 in the morning, we had to get going for Sunrise Service at Waimea Bay. It proved to be too early for Austin, as he had a fit and wouldn't go into the Children's tent willingly. Instead, the workers assured us that he would calm down soon after we left him there....Austin proved them wrong and they had to walk him around the tent during the service to keep him happy.

The service was good and it wasn't too bad being up that early! So, we stayed for a bit and ate some breakfast that the church provided and took in the views of the water.

When we got home, Austin helped me bake some Easter Cookies and then we went out and hunted for those eggs! Austin did a great job finding them...but had to have some help when the Easter Bunny decided to hide them in the bushes.

We were supposed to have Ham and Beans for lunch/dinner. However, I forgot to soak the beans in water the night before, so it wouldn't have worked out. Instead, we had brats for lunch and Outback for dinner! :-)

Overall, it was a great day! Happy Easter Everyone!

Dying Easter Eggs

The old Family Tradition....dying Easter Eggs the day before Easter. Austin had a TON of fun this year doing it. He actually did it with very minimal dye on his hands as well!

We decided to do 2 dozen eggs since I figured he'd really have a lot of fun and one dozen just isn't enough when you're having fun like that!

Here's some pictures.....

Fun Fest Excitement

Schofield has a carnival type event called the Fun Fest. It's usually the day before Easter and they have bouncers, rides, games, food, and all kinds of fun things to do and see.

Brian and I took Austin this year and it turned into a pretty decent day. Austin could have been in a better mood, but overall, he had fun.

Now, I have to say, Austin is usually all for getting on the bouncers and even last year, he went on some of the rides. This year, we waited in 5 lines....only once did he actually go on what we waited for! He would BEG to get in line for something, we'd take him, then we'd wait and FINALLY get to the ride or bouncer and then he'd be like, "I too scared." So, then he'd BEG to go on another ride or bouncer, we wait, then finally get to his turn and the same thing...he's scared!

Finally, a friend of his, Taite, showed up and we took them to the game area where they had fun playing games and getting prizes.

They had a petting zoo as well and in one area of the petting zoo was this cage of chicks. Do you see what colors they dyed these chicks??? Austin was just in awe of these little things....wonder how they did it and if it's permanent or not!

Easter Bunny Buddy

We had gone out to lunch with a friend at the mall. I asked Austin if he wanted to see the Easter Bunny, fully expecting the same answer he gives about Santa, "No, I too scared." Instead, the kid was EXCITED about seeing the Easter Bunny! Well, he was off eating carrots for lunch, so I told him he'd be able to check him out after our lunch.

We get done with lunch, walk by and see the Easter Bunny. I figured he'd be scared after seeing him...I mean, a 7foot tall cartoonish Easter Bunny isn't exactly something that you see everyday! However, much to my surprise, Austin BEGGED to sit on his lap and actually talk to him! Brian wasn't with us and I just couldn't bring myself to do this without Brian. I mean, he's actually home now and not stuck in Iraq...he should be able to take his son to see the Easter Bunny right?

So, after a little fit, I get Austin out of the mall and promise to take him to see the Easter Bunny with Daddy soon. Two days later, Austin gets his wish. Again, I figure he would have changed his mind and be scared....NOPE! Surprises me again and goes right up to the Easter Bunny, climbs on his lap, gets his picture taken and gets his sucker!

Later, I asked him why he liked the Easter Bunny, but not Santa. His response?

"The Easter Bunny is happy, Santa is mad!"

Go figure! So, here's the picture we got....guess it pays to be a happy bunny, huh!

Soldier Boy

Austin decided that he wanted to dress up in Daddy's uniform while he was taking a shower. I got my camera in hand just in time to get this picture of him....

K-Bay Boat Adventure

We have been hearing about it for a while now. Brian and Randy have talked about it in Iraq. But, this is the first time we have been able to actually do it. We finally got to take a boat out to the sandbar in the middle of Kaneohe Bay. It was an absolutely gorgeous day. The sky was clear and the sun was shining. Austin was so excited about going on a boat!

Basically, there's a sandbar out in the middle of the bay where people stop their boats and have a day of fun at the "beach." The Marine Corps Base rents pontoon boats if you have a boating license that they offer. Our friends, Randy and Leslie took us out there since Randy has the license and we all had a blast! In fact, Austin actually got INTO the water! We grilled some meat and had lunch out there before we headed back at the end of our 4 hours rental. Here are some pictures of our day....

It is really shallow all around the sandbar....so, it was a perfect place for Austin to get the courage to actually play in the water.

The guys threw the football, Austin had fun, Leslie and I relaxed on the beach...can it get any more perfect?

Sea Life Park

Sea Life Park is basically a smaller version of Sea World. The shows aren't as good, but it will do. Plus, it's easy to get through in just a few hours and Austin can make it through the whole thing on his own two feet! So, we woke up today and decided that Sea Life Park would be a good activity for us to do.

If you click on the picture to make it bigger and look closely, you can see a long trail of stairs that leads all the way up to the top of the mountain. This is called the Stairway to Heaven and it's right off H3 on the way to the Windward side of the island (the eastern side). It's something I wanted to do before getting to Hawaii, but after seeing it in person, I have my reservations. I have heard that the stairs are a little rickety, but we see people climbing it almost everytime we drive by. Guess it's doable....

Austin being silly...he loves these things!

When you first walk in, there's a pool full of stingrays, turtles, and fish. You walk around the pool and you go deeper and deeper "in" the water. When you get all the way down, you go out of the aquarium and you are in the park.

My two boys...

Then you walk into the park, there is a turtle pond right in front of you. For $2.00, you can buy a cup full of vegetables and feed the turtles. Austin loved thowing in the broccoli, lettuce and cauliflower!

Watching the Dolphin Show

A good shot of one of the dolphins...after seeing this show, Austin decided that he wanted to pet some dolphins. We will probably do one of the Dolphin experiences before we leave Hawaii.

Austin petting a baby turtle...

Overall, it was a great visit. Austin was so tired he fell asleep on the way home!