Olivia's First Birthday in China

Olivia Marie Tebo

September 21, 2013

Got some food and cupcakes out.

Ready to go!

Balloons!

Happy Fairy Birthday Girl

She looks so grown-up here...

Charlie and Olivia

Isabelle, Olivia, and Charlie

Girl time!

Olivia is drinking someone's sippy cup. Sorry!

Isabelle and Mini-Bec (Charlie) are

having a cuddle...

Stephen and Velora Brown

Guide-Parents!

Waiting for the cake...

Make a Wish

The only group shot!

I'm SO kicking myself for not taking more

pictures of people. Next time!

Olivia dived right into this...

Loves her sweets like her mama!

Washing it down with Water

Cupcakes AND Pizza!

Happy girl.

My baby girl is one-years-old...

People have always said that time flies when your babies are young, and that is so true... It seems like yesterday I was getting up in the middle of the night to nurse and/or pump and now she's eating pizza and practically running! Working full-time is also the culprit in this "holy-crap-where-did-the-time-go" feeling-- but I'm thankful I live so close to home and I work at a school where I can easily say hello to Gabby at lunch, drop her off at school, have a quick chat with the teacher, spy on her at recess, and attend all of her day-time performances. Not to mention, the vacation time we have as educators! It's hard, but it could be worse, and I think we're making it manageable. 

A friend of mine once blogged about her third baby being her "dessert baby," and it is right on. Olivia has truly been the hot fudge brownie sundae (with whip cream and sprinkles) to this Tebo family. She's mellow, happy, loving, clever, mischievous, and by far the easiest of the three girls. Thank goodness! People say she looks like Travis or Gabriella-- but to me she is her own little person... Olivia Marie... I cant wait to discover this little one's personality.

New developments... Travis told Livvy to go to her chair because it's time to eat and she walked right over there and looked-up, so she's beginning to understand language. She's also giving these awesome, open-mouthed kisses-- LOVE that. She's also saying mama and dada. Chen Ayi said Livvy is saying "xie-xie," but I haven't heard that one yet.

Next up... 1st birthday party #2 with the family in December.

Special friends that shared in the birthday celebration...

Stephen and Velora Brown

Tami and Ella

Kelly and Charlotte

Bec, Doug, Will, and Charlie

Megan, Lainey, and Marley

Mike, Carson, and Reilley

Kristen, Henry, and Esme

Laura, Nate, and Camden

Rest in Peace, Dad.

Handsome guy, right? 

Love those dimples.

Nothin' but love...

Sibling Picture... Circa 1983

The last time I saw my dad... 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Gabby had ajawbreaker in her mouth, which is why 

she's covering it up. :)

My dad passed away this week... I miss him so much and have so many good memories... The grief really ebbs and flows... I understand the theory behind grief and loss and now I'm experiencing it... 

I got an email from my brother on Tuesday night at 9pm (China time) saying that he was in grave condition. I went to school the next day and Travis came into my office around 9am to check on me... We went to HR, talked about my leave, and I decided that I needed to go home that day. I left school about 11 am, took a shower, packed, all in shock and disbelief that it was happening so fast. Right when I was entering the airport, Travis called me outside of the doors and said that my dad passed away... I never got to say goodbye but I feel relief knowing that our last goodbye was a good one... It was on Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013. I took Gabby with me to Emeritus (memory care facility). He was in "town square," which is what they call the front of the facility. He lit-up when he us... so happy... wearing his James K. Polk hat that I brought him from home the week before... After some conversation, where he was trying to tell me a funny story (his eyes lighting-up and me nodding yes but not truly understanding what he was saying), we were told it was dinner time. Gabby took his hand, without me telling her to, and led him to the dining room. I convinced him to sit at the table, for some reason he wanted to sit in a chair next to the wall, and gave him a big hug... "I love you so much" is what I said and gave him a tight hug. I rushed out because I felt tears stinging in my eyes and I didn't want Gabby to see her mom cry... I had a brief thought that it might be the last time I see him, but pushed that aside because I needed to concentrate on packing for China, getting the house organized, saying goodbye to family, gearing myself up mentally for the start of a busy school year, making sure my kids were fed, etc. Life really does get in the way sometimes...

At this point, I cant verbalize how awesome he was... So patient. He never yelled at me... Ever. He was the one person in my life that I know indefinitely would always love me unconditionally. He proved this time and time again, especially when I was in my 20's and making really bad decisions... He showed me with his actions that I was loved and appreciated. Holy crap, did this guy like to laugh. I cant tell you how many times I'd hear him laugh out loud by himself at the TV. Who does that? I'm talking laughing LOUDLY, just by himself at something that tickled him. I'll miss his booming voice, yelling at the TV when the Seahawks fumble, the way his eyes light-up when he's happy, and the look on his face when he sees me... His eyes just glow with love and I feel it instantly...

My mom always said, you should marry someone like my dad. I did with Travis and it makes me love him even more... Who says nice guys finish last? 

I've always visualized what it was like to lose him... it consisted of getting on an airplane by myself, needing to take care of business once there, being in shock... All of that happened. What I never thought I'd do is write my own dad's obituary... I miss him so much, my body physically aches... I vow to share all the good memories with my kids... Not only do they look like him, they love to laugh and have fun, which was the trademark of my father... God damn do I miss him... RIP dad...

OBITUARY

Charles Martin Meeker

of Bremerton

June 22, 1936

to Sept. 3, 2013

Veteran

Captain Charles "Charlie" Meeker USN, of Bremerton, WA, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2013.

He was born to the late Theodore and Ruth Meeker in Oak Park, Illinois. Charlie graduated from Arlington Heights High School in 1954 and received a BS degree in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College in 1958.

Charlie served in the United States Navy for 30 years and retired as a captain. He commanded the USS Daniel Webster SSBN626 from 1976-1980. After retirement in 1989, he traveled the world and enjoyed his time volunteering at the Naval Undersea Museum.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Francine Meeker of Bremerton, WA and his three children: Martin Meeker of Bremerton; Todd Meeker of Boston, MA; and Cara Tebo of Beijing, China. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Gabriella, Isabelle, Olivia, Mikayla, and Mateo.

Charlie was an avid sports fan with special loyalties to the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks and the Seattle Mariners. He enjoyed sporting events, sharing stories, going on walks, telling corny jokes and being a grandpa. Whenever he walked in the door he greeted everyone with "hola," as a nod to his family's time spent living in Rota, Spain. He had a great sense of humor, was always quick to smile and made friends wherever he went.

He will be missed very much, but forever remembered with love and laughter...Adios, Dad....

Isabelle's First Day of Pre-School

Outside on our front door

Where did she learn the head tilt? Ha!

I love this lady...

Don't know her name but she remembered Gabby and I.

This is Isabelle getting on her little bus.

CIBA (Children's International Bilingual Academy)

Getting on her indoor shoes.

She loves these Hello Kitty Knock-off Crocs!

Bethany, Liam, and Isabelle

Friends!

Liam and Isabelle

She ran to this "Learning Door" toy.

Not sure what's up with this toy... Gabby loved it too.

Orientation day on Friday, August 30th. 

Here we go! 

It's literally a 5 minute walk to the school in the nearby compound.

I took some time off work. I'm such an awesome mom.

Going potty!

She loves the indoor play area!

Sliding down...

More climbing...

Isabelle started her first day of pre-school at CIBA, the school she went to last year. She's attending there on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday full time. So far, she's taking naps and having a blast. I was a tad worried about how she'd do... The first 30 minutes at Orientation, she wouldn't leave my side, so different from Gabby... After she got the swing of things, she was happy to go play. She left with no problems. On the first day, I took the bus with her to make sure she was okay. I dropped her off and no problems! The people there are so nice... It helps that she went there last year too and there are kids that she recognizes. Looking forward to a good first year!

I just realized that her first day of school (China time) was they day my dad passed away in Washington... :(