Stars, Stripes, and Jet Fuel: Fletcher 4 Weeks Old

The time goes by so fast! This was my first full week alone, and I was ready. The help was amazing but I was ready to settle into something that resembled a routine. We also have SO much to do to get ready for our move to Japan, and I needed to get started. The amount of paperwork and appointments is crazy!

All three of us needed new passports. Jesse's had expired and mine had my maiden name on it. We got that accomplished. I couldn't apply for Fletcher's until he received his social security card and birth certificate. I was anticipating a paperwork nightmare trying to get his birth certificate, but I managed to get same-day copies this week just by going to the County Recorder's office. I went to Costco to have Fletcher's picture taken and it was quite entertaining. They just put a white towel over his car seat and had me lay him on it. The challenging part was getting him to look straight ahead, with his eyes open. He decided to cooperate after about 10 minutes. The results were well worth the wait!

All three of us also need medical clearance to move. Jesse got his accomplished pretty easily on his own (something about being the priority ha). I had to go to the Point Loma Naval Health Center and request a PCSing packet in person. They told me I needed to have a form signed off by my dentist saying that he didn't foresee me needing any major dental work over the next three years. Once I had that form signed, I had to go back to Point Loma as a walk-in, show my face, and say "hi I'd like to schedule an appointment". I have no idea why they wouldn't let me do it over the phone. They scheduled the appointment with the doctor two days later. So, Fletcher and I went back again to Point Loma to see the doctor. She asked me if I could think of any reason why I shouldn't move to Japan. I tried not to hesitate when I answered 'no'. Then she let me know that, despite receiving all of my pre-natal care through the Navy, I was not current on a few things, and would need to come back. Sounds about right. She sent me to the lab to have blood work done because she needed proof that I received the polio vaccine as a child. Once that comes back, I have to go back to her to have the packet signed off. Fletcher can't have his medical clearance completed until he receives his 2 month vaccines. He also has to have a dental exam in order to move. We're crossing our fingers and hoping our move/vacation isn't delayed due to his clearance being so last minute.

I spent a lot of this week trying to get the two houses set up for us to be so far away. We already have a property manager for the Florida house, so I contacted them and the current tenant asked to renew for another year (phew!). I have been managing the Virginia condo on my own since we moved out, and it's been relatively stress-free due to having an awesome tenant. Unfortunately she's moving out at the end of August, and we'll already be in Japan. So we hired a property manager for the condo this week and are hoping that we don't have any issues finding future tenants.

It was nice having so many errands to run this week. San Diego experienced a heat wave and we don't have air conditioning. Being home during the day when it's 100 degrees outside would have been miserable!

This weekend, Fletcher went to his first pool party (in the shade, of course). He was a trooper! It was nice to relax with friends, and the weather was gorgeous! It was even hot enough to go swimming.
On Sunday, we took Fletcher out to breakfast to celebrate his 4 week birthday. Then we headed downtown. We walked through a farmers market and along the water. Fletcher enjoyed his first gyro, and we picked up some crawfish on the way home. Great weekend!