Tips for a Successful PCS

Has anyone seen the baby?
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

When you're moving (or, in Army lingo, making a Permanent Change of Station), it's important to safeguard your valuables. Keep track of important documents and high-value items. Definitely keep track of your infant. Letting your movers pack her into a crate probably isn't the best idea!

All our household goods (but not Kathleen!) are now packed into crates and are making their way to Oahu. We're that much closer to living in a tropical paradise! Until then, we're wrapping up loose ends at Fort Knox before we head off to visit friends and family in Illinois and California.

How did it come to this?!

Dads and Daughters
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Jim and Josh trusted to raise little girls...it really doesn't seem possible. Luckily, they got our looks but still manage to look good in pink. Not that Josh and I don't look good in pink, we just choose to wear it only on special occasions.

Our whirlwind trip to Georgia was a huge success. We managed to ship our car out of Atlanta before heading to Josh and Kate Gilliam's house for the weekend. We met their daughter, Faith, and got to spend some good time hanging out and solving the world's problems. Josh is a part of a great community at Christ Community Church, which is really doing amazing work in Columbus.

We also managed to see several of our other friends who are stationed at Fort Benning and are popping out babies faster than we can count. In fact, we just missed getting to meet Caleb Davis Toth, who was born to Kevin and Krissy on Tuesday morning. We did, however, meet Riley and Michelle Post's adorable daughter, Ellie, and Sarah and Chris Johnson's son, Nathan.

Nevertheless, the highlight of the trip may have been seeing a very pregnant Marie Childress. She's so cute! She and John are expecting Anna any day now. John and I predictably talked politics and economics. It was as if we never left Schweinfurt.

After a wonderful trip, we almost didn't want to leave. I think Kristen actually might have stayed in Columbus if I had let her.

A Whirlwind Weekend

Golby Grandparents
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Kathleen was an angel on her first road trip. She either slept or gazed happily out the window of the Jeep for almost all of the drive to and from Kewanee. With minimal stops, our little family made the trek in record time. What a great little traveler we have! (We're pretty thankful about that, considering that she'll be traveling a whole lot over the next few weeks.)

The weekend was full of a lot of firsts for Kathleen -- first visit to another state, first overnight trip, first time meeting some of her aunts and uncles and cousins, and first invitation to a birthday party (she was a guest at her cousin Matt's 11th birthday party -- a bowling party, no less!). She took it all in with her typical curiosity and with plenty of smiles.

To sleep, perchance to dream...

Who needs sleep?
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

We like to pretend we have our act together, but sometimes we just have to share our less-glamorous moments with our friends and family. Although Kathleen has been doing much better sleeping through a big chunk of the night, she's still wearing us out!

This weekend Kathleen is making her first trip to the Hog Capital of the World. She's been bursting with excitement (or was that gas) all week. We are all really excited to be able to spend some time with grandparents and aunts and cousins. This visit will most-likely be our last before we move to Hawaii next month so it should be packed with family and fun!

Growing By Leaps and Bounds

swing
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Kathleen is a genius! I'm sure all parents say that about their little baby, but we actually mean it. Today, she rolled over all by herself. They say some babies can't even do that until they are two or three years old. Because our little prodigy turned seven weeks old at precisely 2:25pm today, it's indisputable... she's a genius.

Not only are her brain cells multiplying at a staggering rate, all her other cells are too. If you're curious just how fast she's growing, just stop by our house at around 1:30 or 3:30 or 5:30am. There's evidence of her current growth spurt all through the night! For those of you who would rather waste those hours sleeping, we offer further proof. She's over 9-1/2 pounds now, and she is quite tall for her age. She smiles and laughs more everday. Sometimes, when Kristen isn't looking, Kathleen even sticks out her tongue at us. But please don't tell Kristen, it's Kathleen and my little secret!

When It's Not Snowing In Kentucky

Walking
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

A few days ago, when this picture was taken, the weather was beatiful and sunny. The three of us (Kathleen snugly tucked into the Baby Bjorn) headed out for a walk around the neighborhood. Jim even wore shorts! The next day, though, we got several inches of snow. And it's been cold and snowy since then. We're hoping that it warms up soon so we can go out again. Kristen and Jim like the exercise, and Kathleen likes sleeping while she's toted all around.

Dancing with Daddy

Dancing
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

An affinity for dancing seems to be an inherited trait. From what we can tell, Kathleen likes dancing just as much as her daddy. She's got talent, too. In fact, she's inspired us to name a new dance move after her. If you'd like to do the Kathleen, shrug your shoulders up, hang your arms down, and indicate by your facial expression that you're way too cool for this. If you need help, Kathleen's demonstrating for the camera at right.

Hanging Out

Hanging Out
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

So, here's Kathleen hanging out in her bouncer. The bouncer is a high-tech wonder, complete with flashing lights, music, ocean sounds, dancing fish and starfish, bubbling water, and a vibrating seat. Kathleen loves the bouncer. Somehow she manages to be happy in it whether she's awake or asleep, and that makes us pretty happy, too!

Testing...Testing... 1, 2, 3

This is a new experiment -- the Golbys on the web! We're trying to figure out the best way to share our numerous photos of Kathleen with our families across the country. If I can figure it out, this might be it!