Papa is home

A couple weeks ago Levi and I ventured out to find that beach side park that we visited while the 3 of us spent a few days here before Nathan deployed. It was a sunny, warm enough day, so we made our way. We didn't go down to the water this time, but we did walk along the path and swing a little at the campground.
A little model action for you.
There's an old tire swing set and bridge/slide at this path. It's pretty old and kinda lame, but still good for 10 or 15 minutes. A good view, if nothing else.
We got into the fall spirit by painting a pumpkin. I think Levi is just hitting the age of getting more into crafts. He's been coloring and painting and playing with play-do like crazy. This is the first time he's painted. He enjoyed it. I'll have to find more things for him to practice his artistic flare with.
Finally it got to be time for Nathan to come home. We made a calendar (which we did have to alter once) to count down the days until Papa's return. At first Levi skeptically told me "I don't believe it!" when I let him know that Papa would be home in about a week. I explained it all to him, but he just kept telling me he didn't believe me. So I told him that I wouldn't lie to him and that we can just wait and see how it turns out. He agreed to that.
Then after a few days he told me that Papa would come home, but only for a few minutes. He couldn't live with us because he'd have to go back to work. I again explained the situation to him. Yes, he would have to go to work, but not on a boat anymore. And he would come home in the evening and really live with us. Just like before. He still had his doubts.
Finally though, as it all started coming together, he began to believe and get excited. We crossed off the days every night before bed. And we made signs to hang up for his homecoming. Levi talked about how he would need to show Nathan his room and my room and where everything goes because he's never been here. And finally, it truly happened. We left the house around 6:30 to drive down to Seattle/Tacoma International. We took our time and got a juice and Chai along the way. Levi slept most of the ride, especially since it was already dark. Unfortunately it rained like crazy all the way as well, but we persevered for the cause. We parked at the Airport Garage and found our way to Papa's baggage claim. It wasn't too long of wait until he was finally walking toward us. As soon as Levi was sure it was really papa, he didn't stop chattering happily until he fell asleep again well into the drive home. He wanted to help papa find his green bag, and then help him find someone that he was looking for. He wanted to hold papa's hand and show him where our car was. He wanted to tell Papa all about everything in his life, basically. Since the night Nathan got home, every sentence Levi speaks ends with "Papa." Everything is finally right in the world.


I took this picture because I was so blown away by how skinny he is! Nothing like a little deployment and separation from your family to help you drop un-needed pounds. I did not get to take advantage of that opportunity this time around.
This is how Levi wishes to be 24.7. Jumping on Papa or sitting on Papa or hugging papa. When we got home from the airport Levi went straight to bed. But the next day was Saturday and we had it all to our selves. Levi kept coming and sitting in between me and Nathan, putting an arm around each of our necks and saying, "I love you guys."
Kissing the back of Papa's head....fiercely.

Nathan had a big surprise for me when he got home and unpacked his seabag. He told me that he had purchased a present for me. He said it wasn't a big deal, just something practical and that he was proud of himself for thinking of it. I didn't know what to think, and I like to be surprised anyway, so I just let it go at that. Honestly I just wanted him home already! So, as I was warming up the oven for a midnight snack the night of Nathan's return, he comes in and sets a big box on the counter. I spare it a small glance and turn back to my cooking. The my double take of the box confirms that it is a Nikon D90 SLR Digital Camera! The kind of camera I've been waiting.....forever for. Everyone knows how much I love taking pictures. How many bazillions of photos I take on a regular basis and how much I do with them. This is only the best present someone could get me. Thus, the rest of the pictures are all really because I wanted to play with my new toy. Enjoy the amazing quality and clarity. I'm still learning it but it's awesome so far.
The next several pictures were taken while Levi and I were waiting in the car for Nathan to grab our lunch. I told Levi to give me a funny face, and this photo shoot is a result of that.



There are going to be just random, seemingly pointless pictures for a while I'm afraid. I have to play with my new camera! So, here's Levi taking a bath with about 100 cars. He lined up all the ones from "Cars" so I saw an opportunity.
My hansom, cold little hubby playing with Levi at the park.




Auntie Vera had to send an envelope with a disc of pictures from our trip to me so Xander also picked out a present to send along for Levi. Here he is checking it out.



I mentioned that he's been playing with play-do. Well I mean REALLY! He's obsessed. He would sit at the table all day long so long as we keep molding new things for him. Sometimes we have to say, "enough play-do! we're tired of making Rockets!" But it's fun to just listen to him, from the other room, chattering and making up games to play with his creations. He's also learned to make a face on whatever creature he's molded.

More park pictures. I'm telling you, any opportunity to get out my camera...I'm on it. I need to go out looking for different things to photograph to keep it interesting.
That ride on airplane was full of water from recent rain. He was sloshing it around and running away. I liked his face in this one.
He's pretty proud of himself for being able to climb up onto these things by himself. I'm also glad and encourage any time he can do something on his own. It's getting entirely too difficult for me to do...anything.
He's quite cute

Levi sings all day long. Some of you already know this, because we were just visiting Missouri and he was singing there too. I like the sort of thigns I have to deal with in this child. I remember a couple years ago when I voiced frustration at having to be the only mom I knew to tell my child to stop kissing the toilet. Because he's so lovey and wants to hug and kiss everything. Well now I have to tell him to stop singing so that I can have his attention. Many are the times each day that I have to say, "Levi, stop singing for a minute so you can hear what I'm saying to you!" He learns songs very quickly. He joins in with "Annie" on Little Einsteins as she makes up her songs in each episode. And he also makes up his own songs about whatever is going on around him moment by moment. He's a singer. So that's what he's doing in this picture.

Levi showing off his new train track set from Grammy, to Papa.

This is just one picture taken out of another series of making faces. Nathan told him the first time he saw me get out my new camera that 'mama wants to take lots of pictures. Pose for her and smile.' So now, everytime it's out, Levi goes through all his faces and wants to look at each one with me to perfect the next.
The next update will proably have some pictures of the baby nursery. Our first outing as a family after Nathan's return was to drive to Target and Wal-mart to start using our gift cards. Pretty much every time we go to the store we buy more baby supplies. Thus, pictures of cribs and decorations and swings and all such things will begin to appear. Stay tuned. We're just a happy little family thankful to finally be back together again. Thanks to everyone who helped me and Levi survive our period of transfer, traveling and incompletion.