Thursday, December 8

Our little Hawaiian Princess with her plumeria flower

This morning's rainbow

A family photo.

What a beautiful day. Shorty and I saw a rainbow on our walk this morning over our favorite hill ending down by Pearl Harbor. I like to think it may be the stairway to heaven for those who were intered in the harbor yesterday with their shipmates at both the USS Arizona and the USS Utah. They interviewed several of the survivors last night on the news and they were commenting on how each year the number of survivors is dwindling and that they are going to disband the Survivors Organization because they can no longer find any one to serve as officers for the group. It will remain as a social group. I think the youngest survivors are 88 years old and the speakers yesterday were talking about the importance of passing on their stories so that the next generation will have a better understanding of what occurred 70 years ago in Pearl Harbor.

Today is Matt's last day on leave and he will be heading back to Bahrain tonight at 11 p.m. This morning we had a photo shoot here at home to get some pictures of Evelyn and her daddy. We also got to FaceTime Luke & Lily which is always pretty interesting and lots of laughs.

December 7 Pearl Harbor 70th Anniversary

There have been a lot of ceremonies going on at the USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor to honor those who were either survivors or victims of the attack on Pearl Harbor 70 years ago today. As we watched the news this morning, they were showing fighter jets flying over the memorial and we could hear them. Sara and Matt's house is actually on a hill overlooking Pearl Harbor. Shorty and I often walk to the highest point in the development to see the harbor and Honolulu in the distance. It is a beautiful day, once again, and we are going out to enjoy it. Matt heads back tomorrow so he is keeping Evelyn pretty close. Pray for a soldier today!

Tuesday, December 6

Our little Christmas package in her candy cane sleeper.

Merry Christmas from the Neufarth Family.

Evelyn's first Facetime with her cousin Lily. Lily kept kissing the phone. Luke called later to see Evelyn.

I could look at this face all day long!!

We've had several doctors appointments since the last post and everything is looking great. Evelyn is sleeping a little longer each day and is nursing really good. I guess those two elements go hand in hand. We haven't been doing too much, just relaxing and enjoying Evelyn. Yesterday we talked to Trish on Facetime which was lots of fun watching Lily and Luke see Evelyn for the first time. Lily actually enjoyed seeing Shorty as much as seeing the baby and cried when Shorty was out of the picture. We also tried to get some family Christmas pictures tonight.

I hope it has finally stopped raining back home. Andy said the yard is under water and he is ready for the rains to stop. Aloha

Sunday, December 4

Last night leaving Tripler Medical Center

Getting ready for Evelyn's first car ride.

Sleeping Beauty.

Everyone had a pretty good night's sleep. Evelyn slept about 3 hours early in the morning and gave Sara a chance to get some needed sleep as well. Evelyn had an appointment at the well baby clinic today so I took the opportunity to do some shopping, grocery and Target and I put some Christmas lights up. We grilled out for supper and Matt made some "killer" steaks. Having a great visit!

* I must print a retraction. In yesterday's post I mistakenly referred to Shorty as a he. Shorty is a girl and I blame the lack of sleep!

Saturday, December 3

Waiting to be discharged.

Evelyn loves sleeping on Daddy's chest.

Shorty trying to meet the newest family member.

Today was a long day but at least we got to come home. Baby Evelyn is now at home and will sleep, hopefully, in her own bed tonight. Everyone is very tired but glad to be home. Evelyn has decided that she loves to eat and announces her hunger quite frequently. Once she has been fed, though, she will often sleep for 2 hours. Not bad for a newborn. She is asleep now so good night to all.

Friday, December 2

Sara after the epidural had taken effect!

Sara finally opens her eyes and sees Evelyn for the very first time!

Thanks goodness she didn't weigh 11 lbs like her Momma, only 7-11

A very proud Papa, so glad Matt was able to get a 10 day leave to be here.

Evelyn Leah, all cleaned up and ready to meet the world.

Happy Birthday to Evelyn Leah Neufarth, born 8:39 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu. At yesterday's doctor appointment, Sara's doctor said he was going to stir the pot and I would say he was very effective. Sara's contractions began around 1 in the morning and by 3 a.m. they had decided that it was time to head for the hospital. Sara was 6 cm when we arrived and within the hour she had gone to a 9. Unfortunately she was also experiencing back labor and she opted for the epidural that then slowed things down a bit. Around 7 she was allowed to start pushing and at 8 the contractions and pushing were yielding results. At a little after 8:30 baby Evelyn came out screaming. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 11 ozs. measuring 18.7 inches long. She also scored a perfect 10 on the Apgar scale. She is about as perfect as they come and Sara and Matt have been beaming ever since. I am home right now with the cat and dog and Matt is spending the night with Sara and the baby. I am exhausted so it is off to bed for me. Enjoy the pics.

Thursday, December 1

Tripler Medical Center is the military hospital in Honolulu.

The house finches in Hawaii have more yellow and orange than red. Very pretty.

Red-vented Bulbuls are very common in the housing development where Sara and Matt live.

Shorty with her daddy, Matt.

Can you believe that it is December already? The winter in Hawaii seems to be a little cloudier with a little more wind and rain than other times I have been here. The temperature is a little cooler, 75-80, and it seems kind of humid at times. I know it sounds pretty good considering the cold you are having back home. Sara had her appointment today. I went along just to get familiar with where the hospital is located. The news was good, the baby is ready as far as positioning and Sara is dilated 3-4 cm. The best news is that her doctor also gave a tentative date to induce if necessary for Dec. 4th. Sara is very relieved now and can relax since Matt will definitely be here for the birth of little Evelyn. Today I put together the baby swing and washed and sterilized baby bottles. We also put up the Christmas tree. Tomorrow we may try to decorate a little outside. You really have to use your imagination to think Christmas over here.