After a week of being sick, Jenna was back to her happy and playful self. She is learning very fast and is picking things up quickly. She loves her jumperoo - thank you Grandma & Grandpa!!!!!! There are a couple of animals hanging above her and when I say "Where is the bird?" Jenna immediately looks up at the bird. I have been repeating animals and animal sounds to her everyday so I guess it is working. She has yet to master crawling, but we are certainly in no rush :) When she stands assisted, she puts her full weight on her feet. Speaking of feet, she has learned to use hers quite well. For instance, when she is laying on her back and wants a toy, she will pick it up with her feet, bring it over her stomach and grab the toy with her hands.
On Wednesday, I left Jenna with our housekeeper for the first time so I could attend an Embassy event where Ken spoke. She did real well with Karla and I feel comfortable leaving Jenna with her in the future. Since we returned from the states I have watched Jenna's interaction with Karla and she is always happy and smiling at her so it gave me more confidence.
Last week, I started taking yoga with a few friends once a week (which has been wonderful for my sanity). I bring the housekeeper with us and she watches Jenna. The great part is my friend, Pilar, brings her son and nanny so Jenna get's a play day with her buddy Joaquin. So it is a win-win situation :)
As for Honduras, we are still limited to travel within the city. Ken continues to stay very busy. Despite the late nights, Ken manages to spend time with Jenna and I. It is our hope that our travel plans to El Salvador next month will not be cancelled. It will be a nice little break and change of scenery. However, as I write this, Zelaya has just crossed the Nicaraguan border into Honduras so there will be more info to come............
Friday, July 24, 2009
Jenna and Hondo Update
Friday, July 10, 2009
First Illness
After several months of saying "Jenna is so healthy and we are so lucky she has not gotten sick." I guess I finally jinxed it. Last Sunday, Jenna was having some stomach issues and threw up a little, but no fever. I brought her to the Embassy nurse on Tuesday and Jenna received a good report. Apparently there is a stomach virus going around. The last few days Jenna seemed to be okay. Last night I heard Jenna crying in her crib and found her throwing up. It continued while I held her and Ken and I immediately got her in the tub. Ken went to the store and picked up some pedialyte. It was a struggle to get her to drink something and then she fell asleep. So far today she has been drinking a lot of fluids and seems to be doing much better. She is sleeping quite a bit so I know she is still not feeling well. At least her symptoms have subsided. We hope she gets better soon!!!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!!!!!!
Here are some photos of Jenna. No fireworks, but at least a group of us got together for a bar b que to celebrate this very important holiday!!!!!
Also, Jenna has made a new friend. His name is Joaquin and he is actually two days older than Jenna. His parents, Eric and Pilar are wonderful and their former post was in China. Some of the ladies, including myself are hosting play dates at our homes for children ages 0 to 2. It has been awesome to get out of the house for a change of scenery, have some "girlfriend" time and let our children play together!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Honduras Excitement!!!!!!!
Hi Everyone,
We have received tons of e-mails from family and friends and we really appreciate everyone thinking about us. We are doing okay. We got our generator installed while we were in the states so it has come in handy when the power has gone out. Also we have the fridge stocked with food and plenty of water. Our house is within one mile of the presidential palace so it is a little unnerving since that is were most of the activity is taking place. When all this came down Sunday, the cops and military were out there with riot shields and there were some tanks rolling around.
Military planes and helicopters have been flying over the city the last few days. If Zelaya decides to come back on 4 July things could get real interesting. We are not affected too much and the Embassy has asked all families and mission personnel not to make unnecessary trips. Ken is obviously working like a maniac and I am more worried about him traveling back and forth due to the protests and demonstrations. If for some reason things get real bad, Jenna and I will come home. It is funny watching the inaccuracies on the news. On Fox, they stated the Hondurans were not taking any calls from US Diplomats.....totally wrong. Ken has received phone calls since Saturday evening (the day we returned to Honduras). At the direction of the State Dept. we are not to engage the Hondurans since the US does not recognize the new regime. It really is a shame because a lot of progress has been made, especially on the military side. I feel for Ken because a lot of programs, training, etc has stopped until further notice. Hopefully things will pick back up when the elections take place in November.
We had two Embassy events planned for the 4th and now they are cancelled for safety reasons. Also, Ken's brother, David and his kids were to arrive today for a week and a half. They cancelled their trip and thankfully David was able to receive full reimbursement for the tickets. We hope things settle down soon. Meanwhile I have Jenna to entertain me so staying at the house is not as bad as one would think.
Jenna turned 7 months on Monday. She is such a little sweetie and is doing real well with all the new foods Ken and I are introducing to her. She absolutely loves applesauce and sweet potatoes. When she wakes she has cereal or oatmeal with a bottle, a veggie at lunch with a bottle, veggie and some fruit at dinner and a bottle before she goes to bed. She still sleeps through the night and can sit up by herself unattended for small periods of time. The last few days Jenna has been teething a lot so I know she is uncomfortable. Since the bottle water we buy here does not contain flouride, we are giving her 0.5ml everyday. Jenna also has her first tooth!!!!!!!! It came in on her bottom left. Here are some photos from our trip back home, San Antonio / Chief Humphrey's Retirement and Ken's 1st Father's Day!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Eating Solids
At 6 months, I started Jenna on solids. So far she has had pears, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and apple sauce with oatmeal. I would say pears and sweet potatoes are her favorite. I gave some apple juice and so far she is not a fan. She is rolling over non-stop and loves being in the water. We have spent quite a bit of time in the pool and she loves kicking her feet and slapping the water with her hands. I think when it comes to swimming, she is going to be a natural just like her daddy :)
Jenna's Video Rolling Over
I know it has been a while since our last post. I have just been busy traveling to Birmingham to visit family, San Antonio to meet Ken for Chief Ralph Humphrey's retirement and my mom's internet has been super slow at her house.........so finally here is video of Jenna rolling over. More photos and video to come.
We are super excited, Ken is flying in tonight. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Another Mile Stone
As of yesterday, Jenna started rolling over!!!!!!!!! She is figuring out how to pull her arm out from underneath her, but she is getting the hang of it. I plan to get some video of her and post it soon. Once, she starts crawling I know Ken and I will have to watch her like a hawk.
We are enjoying our time in Florida, but certainly miss Ken!!!!!!! He is doing well, but staying very busy. I look forward to meeting him in San Antonio on 3 June for Chief Humphrey's retirement. I am staying busy here, catching up with friends and my sheriff's office family. As of late, I am running around getting paint quotes, etc for our town home in Destin. Our tenants are leaving the end of June and the place needs some paint from the normal wear and tear before we rent it out again or put it on the market. I have someone who is possibly interested in renting so we are keeping our fingers crossed.
More to come soon.......
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Let The Messy Face Begin.............
Jenna turned 5 months old yesterday and began eating rice cereal today. The pediatrican feels Jenna is right on track and weighed 14 lbs 9 ozs and is 26.2 inches long. Jenna has been real picky this month eating. I was lucky to get anywhere from 3 to 6 ozs in her each feeding. The pediatrican gave us the green light to start Jenna on rice cereal twice a day. Then baby food at six months. I gave Jenna rice cereal this afternoon and she loved it!!!!!!!! She actually had 10 spoonfuls. I think we are going to have to invest in more bibs :) Ken and I are pretty excited for her although she is growing to fast. I documented the moment with some photos. Also, Ken was changing Jenna's diaper this morning and she found her toes.......in her mouth. It was pretty funny watching Ken trying to pull her feet out of her mouth to get her dressed.
Next Thursday Jenna and I will leave to head back to Florida. Next Friday is the Law Enforcement Memorial Luncheon and I am going to show my support and honor our fallen officers from the Sheriff's Office and throughout the State of Florida. I will hate being away from Ken for four weeks but I hope to meet him in San Antonio the first week of June and then Ken will meet us in Florida mid-June.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
In Loving Memory
Yesterday, two former co-workers of mine with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office were killed in the line of duty. Both were attempting to arrest a suspect who was involved in a domestic disturbance earlier in the day. The suspect shot Deputies Lopez (top photo) and York (middle photo), fled the scene and was shot and killed by Walton County Sheriff's Office after shooting at them in a pursuit. Both of these deputies served their community as well as their country in the USAF.
Within a year, 3 deputies with the OCSO have been killed. Please keep these deputies and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Deputy Forgione was killed in July, 2008 (bottom photo)
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Jenna's First Easter
HAPPY EASTER to our FAMILY & FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We love you,
Ken, Cathy & Jenna
Friday, April 10, 2009
CV-22's From Hurlburt Transport Humanitarian Aide in Honduras
Hello All-
On Wednesday,8 April, members of the 8th SOS from Hurlburt Field flew CV-22's to Honduras in support of humanitarian assistance for Puerto Limpera, which is the northeastern state of Gracias A Dios. The CV-22's carried hospital beds, non-perishable food and school supplies. The effort was coordinated between Ken's office and Hurlburt's deployed SOS. Members of the Honduran Air Force assisted in loading the items. The beds were donated by a private company in the US and the non-perishable food was bought by the Italian Government.
The photo of Ken also includes Lt. Col Darryl Sheets / 8th SOS, Bill Brands / USAID Directot and Simon Henshaw / Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy
Also, in the montage you will see a building with the USMILGP logo on it which happened to be Col Oliver North's diggs when he was here during Iran Contra......pretty cool, huh?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Laughing with Daddy
I was in the office and heard Jenna and Ken laughing. Needless to say, I had to get video of these two. Ken is a wonderful dad to Jenna and a lot of fun too!
Back in Honduras
After a successful flight with Jenna, we were back in Ken's arms last Monday. Last week was somewhat difficult to get Jenna back in a routine, but we are making much progress this week. We had a blast being in Florida and we were thrilled to see so many members of our family and friends. Ken's parents came in the week before we left, so Jenna got to meet both sets of grandparents. Thank you to everyone for spending time with us!
Jenna saw her pediatrician and she weighs almost 14 lbs and is over 25 inches in length. For height, she is in the 75 percentile and 50 percentile in weight. She received her 4 month shots today and is doing very well. Just a little sleepy.
Everyone here is truly amazed as to how much she has grown since we left 18 Feb. During our trip, Ken and I saw so many changes in her. Now, she is grabbing her feet and toes and is becoming much more vocal.
She attended her first Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. When I get the photos from a friend of mine, I will post them. I am sure they are adorbale. And, on Sunday we drove to the Ambassador's Residence to go swimming. This was Jenna's second time to be in a pool and she loves the water. No doubt she will be a future scuba diver.
We hope everyone is well and look forward to being back in Florida in June!!!!!!
Hugs and Kisses to Everyone!!!!!!!!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
We miss you Daddy!!!!!!
Hey Babe,
Jenna and I miss you very much and can't wait to see you in a few weeks!!!!!!!!
All our love,
Catherine & Jenna
xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxox
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Our Trip to Florida
I know it has been a few weeks since my last post, but it has been high speed since Ken, Jenna and I stepped off the plane in Fort Walton Beach. We had a great welcome from my parents, my brother-in-law, Jimmy and niece and nephew.
The last two weeks have been filled everyday and we have enjoyed every minute. Most importantly, it has been wonderful spending time with family and friends. Besides Jenna's Baptism, we attended my brother-in-law's Change of Command at Hurlburt Field, Ken was able to jump twice and hang out with his former warriors and we celebrated our wedding anniversary on 24 February.
Ken's other brother, David, flew in from Washington State so it was great bonding time among the 3 brothers. They even got a dive in. Needles to say the water was very COLD!!!
A lot of my family came into town which meant the world to Ken and I. I am so glad everyone got to meet Jenna. Jenna has reached a lot of milestones since we have arrived. First of all, she started sleeping through the night the first night we were here. How awesome, right????? She has also started babbling and has learned to suck her right thumb, which Ken and I are unsure if we should be excited about that. :) She is so inquisitive and very, very alert. Everyday has been so exciting for us as parents.
Sadly, Ken left today to go back to Honduras and we will miss him very much!!!!! Although the reunion will be great in a few weeks. I am looking forward to hanging out with my parents and seeing my friends and former co-workers at the Sheriff's Office. Ken's parents plan to visit soon so that will be great for Jenna to meet her other grandparents.
Thank you Aunt Sharon and Uncle Grady for letting us stay at the condo. It is amazing!!!
Here are photos with family and friends...............
Jennas Baptism Photos
February 22 was a very important day for us, especially for Jenna. We had her baptism at St. Peter Catholic Church where Ken and I were married. Father Paul officiated so it was very special. Many friends and family attended and we feel truly blessed to have so many people who wanted to be a part of Jenna's day. Thank you to all who attended. After, we went to Jimmy and Debbie's (Jenna's Godparents) for a cookout. It was great catching up with everyone. Nicole, thank you so much for taking the photos and Lauren for the use of your camera!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!
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