Cinco de Mayo and sleep

Ever since we got here Chase's sleep has been totally thrown off. He was sleeping a 6-7 stretch every night before we moved, now I'm lucky if I get 4-5 hours out of him, then he's up every 1-3 hours for the rest of the night. This has made me kind of tired and frustrated. He was in a semi-good napping routine before we left, which has been basically non-existent since we got here, not for lack of trying on my part. A few mornings ago, when Chase got up way too early and wasn't going back to sleep, I stuck him in the stroller and took him on a long walk. Chase usually doesn't last ten minutes in the stroller before he falls asleep. I know sleep in a stroller isn't considered high quality sleep, but at this point I'm thinking it's better than no sleep at all.

We did the same thing again today. At least he's getting some
sleep and I'm getting some exercise right?

FOR ALL OF YOU MOMS:
ANY ADVICE???
It would be much appreciated.

and...

We couldn't let Cinco de Mayo go uncelebrated.
Even if it did just mean Mexican food for dinner.

Our lovely grocery store, IGA, has a lot of things that used to be unavailable on the island. Last time I checked I couldn't get tortillas there. So I decided to make them myself. (Turns out, IGA DID have tortillas yesterday, but by that point I was committed to doing homemade tortillas, so I stuck with my original plan)

Behold: Chicken quesedillas on homemade tortillas

I put salsa inside one and on the outside of the other.
Ben loved it. I was super proud of myself.
And I lit the stove all by myself this time- I'm learning!

4 months

I can't believe it has been 4 months since I had Chase, it went by so fast. I love this little boy so much. He has turned my world upside down and I love spending my days with him. Here are some pictures I took of him this morning. Sadly, the bear (see 3 month post) did not make the cut on coming to Dominica, so there is no size comparison in reference to his bear.

Also, another big accomplishment for Chase- he finally fits (using the term "fit" loosely) into this cute 3-6 month outfit his Grandma Hugo bought him months ago.

Ben and I laughed at this last picture. Chase is such a funny baby sometimes.

Also, the rice cereal is going really well. He gets kind of excited when he sees me bring over the little bowl and spoon. And I think he actually ingests most of it now. And he's spitting up less. All in all, I'd say it's been a success.

Chase's first dip in the ocean

We took Chase to the ocean yesterday. We just dipped his feet in, he thought we were nuts making him do it. He didn't really fuss, but he didn't really enjoy it either.

Happy Birthday Kelly!

Today is the birthday of one of my best friends in the whole world- my cousin Kelly! Kelly was born one month before me and ever since we were babies we've been best friends. When we were really little we had fun getting into trouble together, we thought it was awesome to "clean" her bathroom with toothbrushes and toothpaste. I remember being honestly confused as to why my aunt wasn't happy about this. When we got older we would go on adventures, hiking with our American Girl dolls (I had Samantha, she had Addy) and putting on shows for our families. Then we got older and our relationship turned more into phone calls and meeting up for lunch. I just love Kelly and I'm so glad I got to have a cousin that is also my best friend.

Our tiny baby eating solids-ish

Chase tried rice cereal this morning. I'd say the results were mixed. Our pediatrician recommended we start trying a little rice cereal once he was four months to see if it helps him keep milk down better (the kid spits up a lot, but doesn't have acid reflux). Possibly, the cereal will give him a little bulk in his tummy to soak up the milk. At first Chase was really excited to be sitting in his high chair (Thanks Aunts!) He looks so tiny in it!

We tried several bites. He was okay with it at first. Then he started crying and was just letting it sit in his mouth. I'd say the majority of the cereal ended up on his bib.

Oh well- it's mostly for exposure at this point right?
We'll try again tomorrow:)

Our new home

Here is a tour of our new little home in Dominica. This is the view of our little cottage as you come down the front walk.
First is Chase's room. Notice the baby in the pack n play NOT NAPPING! We are having a battle of wills this morning. I'm not sure who's winning. I am not giving up on the nap idea. He is not giving in and going to sleep. Right now he's in there crying. I'm trying to stay busy so it doesn't get to me and I pull him out. We'll have to see how this one goes. (She's rocking him now ;)from Ben )

Our shower and bathroom sink

Our bedroom

Our family room, Ben sitting on our couch/dinner table

And the tiny kitchen with the stove that has to be lit with a match

That's pretty much it! We love it. It's tiny, in a gorgeous location, pretty close to campus, but far away from the noise and craziness around campus. It's just perfect for us. Not to mention we have some really awesome next door neighbors. They are LDS as well and have a baby- so I have a stay at home mom next door to hang out with all day (and night) while our husbands are at school!
Also, not pictured, there is another queen size bed in Chase's room- this will be our guest room when you all come visit!

Adjusting to life in Dominica

This is the view from right behind the medical school

This is such a beautiful island! Yesterday I went out with my next door neighbor and got a little more used to the island and figured a few more things out. Maybe it's the exhaustion from being up at all hours of the night with my baby, or just pure laziness, but I've had a hard time getting motivated to learn where everything is, how to handle all different types of situations, but even though I'm taking it slow, I am learning and we are all adjusting.

Here is my handsome little guy before church this morning

Here is Chase enjoying church Grandpa Smith style, asleep.

We had our first time at church today. There is a branch here with about 40 members, mostly students, quite a few who graduated from BYU. There were about 4 new families today that will all be starting school with Ben. It was a nice meeting, so different from what we are used to, but I liked it.

Ben starts orientation tomorrow- I'm excited to get this medical school ball rolling! He has orientation all week then starts classes the following Monday. I've got a few activities this week for spouses and our ward is having an opening social on Friday. Chase and I have a goal to get out this week in his brand new stroller and explore a little more.

A few luxuries from home that I now appreciate:

• A stove/oven that lights itself. I have to do it with a match. I have yet to do it successfully- so far every time I've tried Ben has had to come do it for me. I'll get it one of these days.
• Box Elder bugs- I know they are everywhere in the SWKT and at my house in Kaysville- they are no big deal compared to the bugs here. We sprayed around with insecticide and are trying to clean up any crumbs, but still we've had a few cockroaches....
• Teflon pans- I feel like we've jumped back to 1940 with our cookware. This will take some getting used to.

Overall, I like life here. I keep telling myself that lots of my friends have gone on missions to remote places like Indonesia, Brazil, Ecuador, etc. where conditions were probably much worse than this. I can do this!