We're so glad that DADDY is HOME!

Ben got in late on Friday night- and it was a sweet homecoming! Not only to have him back in the states (he hadn't been back since we left 16 months earlier), but to know when he stepped off that plane that he'd passed 4th semester and we were officially done with Dominica. I was in shock on Friday afternoon when I got into his email to check something for his flight and I saw grades sitting there in the inbox. 24 hours after his final was complete we were sent grades? It has always taken a week, or longer, in the past. I checked the dates and classes several times before I actually let myself believe it was real! He was able to check email on one of his flights, so he already knew the good news when he landed. What a feeling of relief though, to be back together and to know that this major hurdle was behind us!

The next morning Chase seemed a little concerned that his dad was actually there. He warmed up to him quickly and then for the next 24 hours wouldn't let Ben out of his sight. Seriously, he screamed whenever Ben went to the bathroom. After a few days with daddy, now I think Chase has adjusted and just wants to be with his dad the usual amount- which is anytime he can! Chase showed Ben his sweet swimming skills on Saturday in the pool. Chase is basically fearless- the kid will just jump in head first if you let him. He also thinks he can swim. It's a blast!

Here are some pictures Ben snapped of him Sunday morning. On Saturday night we went to Fatboy's for dinner and Chase mostly just wanted to run around a play. Poor kid tripped over his own feet and hit the ground hard- with his front tooth taking the brunt of it. Our first major casualty- a chipped tooth. You can see it best in the bottom picture.

Of all the times he's fallen on his face, I'm so glad he didn't chip a tooth like this while we were on the island. On Monday morning I got a recommendation from my dentist for a pediatric dentist to take him to. Chase did awesome at the appointment and I could not have been more impressed with the dentist. He was so sweet with Chase. Chase even sat on his lap to take x-rays (since I couldn't be in the room because I'm pregnant). We are going back next week to have the chip fixed- hopefully it goes well! It doesn't seem to bother Chase at all, which we are so grateful for.

And as if Chase's life hasn't had enough change in the last couple of weeks (moving to another country, being away from dad for two weeks, meeting -again- a bunch of new people, a new crib, riding in a carseat) we took away his binky yesterday! We were wanting to get rid of it and doing while Ben was in school- and needing good sleep at night- didn't seem like the right time. We especially wanted him broken of it before the new baby comes this winter. Nap and bedtimes were pretty rough yesterday, but he did sleep all the way through the night and went down for a nap today without much struggle. With all the change we've put this kid through, he's pretty adaptable! Good thing too, since we are moving to Florida in a little less than 2 weeks!

As for news with the new baby, everything is going great. I'm still pretty sick, but I wasn't really expecting it to be different since I was sick up until the day I had Chase. I can feel the baby move now, which is the most incredible feeling. I think because our doctor wasn't positive it was a boy I haven't been able to wrap my mind around having another little boy yet. We are having our big ultrasound next week and hopefully we'll get a sure answer on what this little one truly is!

All in all, the Hugo family is just thrilled to be done with our first four semesters of medical school, have Ben back home, and to be embarking on a new adventure in a few weeks!