The Turner Family: New Beginnings

We started December off welcoming our new little baby boy into the world. Cowen Brooks Turner was born on Monday evening at 6:14 pm weighing in at 6 pounds 13 ounces and measuring 19.5 inches long. The story or details of the birth are (will be) posted to Candi's Corner, our pregnancy blog. Cowen is such a darling little feller and he already holds and has held, since we found out about the pregnancy, a special place in our hearts. We can already tell he will be similar to his big brother in so many ways and grow into one special little man. He is such a good eater and sleeper and hopefully he will stay that way, of course this time we will know a little better in how to maneuver around the obstacles a new baby brings.

On Wednesday, December 3rd, we had one rough day. That day was the day we split as a family temporarily as Sheyden and Graison started their journey to Japan. They had two flights one on Wednesday from Spokane to Seattle and then another, Thursday, from Seattle to Okinawa. Thursday brought them a 16/17 hour flight.

Graison did amazing! He was so excited to be flying in an airplane and going to Japan to help daddy get us a new house on base and he's so pumped to get to see sharks and look for seashells when they can. Sheyden kept Graison occupied with his Jake and the Neverland Pirates episodes and his learning games on the iPad and then the big brother gift Cowen got him. Although it was a long trip they got to see the ocean and The islands of Yokota and Iwukani from the plane and Graison slept for the majority of the trip. Pretty amazing traveler we have on our hands.

The time difference from Spokane to Okinawa is about 16/17 hours. When Sheyden and Graison landed it was 8pm on a Friday and 3am on Friday for us. Sheyden and Graison both have had some bouts of sickness. Sheyden started the trip of with a form strep that stole his voice, Skype sounded like a frog was literally just sitting in his throat. Graison had a little bit of constipation before the plane ride, got that dealt with, and then had some puking but now is better and happy as can be. Sheyden ended up in hospital with an iv for hydration as he got the pukes as well and it took everything from him. He was able to discharge and rest up and is feeling loads better, even able to hold in food. I'm sure all of this traveling has been the cause of their ailments and of course being in a new place with different climate is something too.

They were able to fit in some time to explore the base with our friends the Manuels and Graison has been playing with their boys. He's having a blast and it makes his momma have comfort and peace of mind hearing that. They went and saw a pretty cool tree at the youth center and learned that the common house spiders are as big as sheydens palm and the tarantulas are about the size of Graisons head. (Sorry no pics of that yet.). Also got a look at some yen, Habu Sake (no he didn't try it), and their vending machines.

Cowen did very great on his first road trip. I'm very happy about that, being as he was 5 days old when the driving happened. He has been doing great with getting a bottle feed in for one feed and I like that because it'll help with our plane trip. He's so stinking cute. My mother in law came up and drove us to Dillon and that was nice. I'm glad I am able to see family once more and that they are able to meet Cowen before we head out of the country. I can't believe we have another little boy to watch grow and learn new and exciting things. I can't wait for us to be back together again and to see my boys be brothers! I just know Graison will be such a big helper, he was so excited once it registered in his mind that the baby I was holding in the hospital was his baby, the baby Cowen in mommys tummy that he talked to and kissed. They'll be best friends for sure. (Even after all the rivalries they'll have)