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!

Because I know you are all dying to know...

...Our bags made it last night! I have never been so happy to hear the sound of rolling suitcases coming down our front walk! The stuff we shipped early still isn't here, but at least Chase and I have clothes, Chase's bath stuff, his nice thin swaddling blankets, my hair gel, etc. This has made me much happier.

And here are just a few cute pictures of Chase, our happy little elf, who apparently loves traveling. He was so good the whole time, especially under the circumstances. He did much better than either of his parents.
Our friend Alyse made this onesie for him. I love it! Chase and Ben were kind of matching.
Like father like son.
Just in case anyone wanted to know where we were from,
if we were Mormon, etc. It was a pretty good indicator.
In fact, when we got to campus, a girl came up to me and said,
"Are you the Hugos?" (I was holding Chase)
She introduced herself and said she works in the primary.
I thought, wow-lucky guess? Just saw a girl with a baby and assumed they were in the ward.
Then I realize that Chase was wearing this shirt.
Obviously we were the family joining the ward.
(Something very similar happened to Ben and I last summer while traveling in Greece. A few missionaries saw us, got all excited and came over to talk to us. At first I thought maybe we really radiated the spirit? Then I realized Ben was wearing his BYU hat. Duh Court.)

Chase just chilling in his stroller while we filed claims for the lost baggage.
He is obviously not worried about the fact that he only has two outfits left to wear until the bags come.

Ben had Chase squealing with delight this morning.
I pulled out the camera.
This was the face I got.
Silly kid.

Once I get the house a little more organized I'll post some pictures. For now, here is the view from the window where I am sitting typing this...

This is the view from our front porch!
Now do you all want to come visit?

This morning while I was struggling to do my hair without my hair product or a brush or comb:

Courtney: AH! I don't even have my hairbrush. It's in the suitcase that didn't make it.
Ben: Do you want me to get you a fork?
Courtney: Seriously Ben?!
Ben: Hey, it worked for Ariel.

I'm so glad my husband has a thorough knowledge of Disney Princess hair styling techniques.