Some Surprising Orders

Brian received a call on Friday from one of his Sgt's saying that his company received orders for him to go to recruiting school and become a recruiter for the next 3 years! They are Department of the Army orders and his MOS would change if he does become a recruiter (meaning he would no longer be a mortuary affairs specialist during his recruiting years). Brian has to be interviewed by his Commander & submit a packet of personal information which will be reviewed & then a final decision would be made deciding whether Brian is eligible to become a recruiter or not. If his packet does get approved, he will be leaving for recruiting school on May 26th in South Carolina & he will be there for 7 weeks. He would find out where they are going to place him in his 2nd week of school (we could be sent anywhere in the United States). If he does become a recruiter he would have to work very long hours, including weekends, but at least we would have the peace of mind knowing he would not be deployed for those three years. This was a big surprise for us, but I think we are all just about ready for a change of scenery and I think Brian would make an excellent recruiter. I'll keep everyone updated once we find out more information about all this.

Baby Update

Well, I had another ultrasound on Friday & the doctor was able to tell us for certain this time that it is definitely a boy!! I knew he was just waiting for Brian to be there...already showing favoritism to his Daddy :o) We are so excited and can't wait to meet our little guy!! During the ultrasound we saw the baby yawn, which was really cute & you could also see him pushing back on my stomach where the dr was pushing with the ultrasound machine. Too cute...We are still trying to decide on a name for him - still haven't found anything that we both agree on. I'm sure we will find something soon, or one of us will give in to a name the other likes. ;o)

The doctor said everything still looks great and the baby is developing right on schedule. I, on the other hand, gained 9 lbs (YES, NINE POUNDS!) since my last appt! Someone is going to have to tell this baby to stop craving all the sweet stuff! :o)

I am officially in my third trimester now - 28 weeks on Sunday! Here are some developmental facts about the baby:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can open and close his eyes, which now sport lashes. This movement is more of a reflexive blink than a deliberate opening and closing, but it won't be long before he's batting those beauties at you. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He now sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were born prematurely. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on.

Valentines, Ice Skating & Brian's Birthday

Will you be my Valentine?

Lily & Brian on Valentine's Day

Lily & I headed back up to Dover last week for Valentine's Day & Brian's birthday.

I also bought a new camera since mine has been on the fritz lately & I figured it was time for an upgrade. We took Lily ice skating to see how the camera worked (since we always had trouble with pictures coming out well there), but unfortunately it seems like this camera took worse quality pictures than the old one! I think I am going to take this one back & try a different one...





Here's a couple videos of Lily ice skating - she goes really fast now!! and she gets better every time we go. She is still attempting to skate without the cone every once in a while, but for the most part she just skates around with the cone.





Lily helping me make Brian's birthday cake - for his birthday this year I guess he wanted a chocolate coma because he requested a chocolate cake with triple chocolate fudge chip icing! :o)
Lily sampling the mix while the cake was baking...

I don't know how she always manages to get it on her nose...silly girl!Our finished product - very fancy, I know :o)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, BRIAN!!!

Fun at the Park

We finally had a couple days of warmer weather while in Dover, so we took advantage & brought Lily to the park.

Big Girl Gets Her Ears Pierced!

Miss Lily has decided to overcome her fear of pain & get her ears pierced. (She's been saying for a long time she wants earrings, but she was too afraid that it was going to hurt.) Amazingly, after Mimi told Lily she had some special earrings to give her when she got her ears pierced, she seemed to get over the fear pretty quickly. :o) Brian & I took her this weekend while we were in Dover to get it done.

Pretty excited waiting for them to get done.

Lily was extremely brave & only shed a few tears, which were quickly forgotten with the promise of ice cream...

Enjoying her ice cream...

Her new earrings!

Lily keeps saying how happy she is that she got her ears pierced & she keeps asking why other people are not noticing them. I told her that they don't know she just got them done & when she gets back to school she can show all her friends. She's being very responsible and reminding me when we need to clean them & turn them. She looks like such a big girl now that she has earrings!

Promotion Ceremony

Lily & I drove up to Dover for Brian's promotion ceremony that took place on Friday. The Lieutenant Colonel from the Dover mortuary, where Brian is right now, performed the ceremony. A copy of Brian's promotion orders were read as his Sgt - Sgt Soto - pinned him with his new rank.

Lt. Colonel, Brian, Lily & I beginning the ceremony

Lt. Col., Sgt Soto, Brian, Lily & I as the orders were being read

Sgt Soto pinning Brian

Congratulations after the ceremony

Family pic post-ceremony

Brian & Lily with his Sergeant gifts - a new Sgt hat & a plaque of the NCO Creed - from Lily & I

"The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer"

No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as "The Backbone of the Army."

I am proud of the Corps of Noncommissioned Officers and will at all times conduct myself so as to bring credit upon the Corps, the Military Service and my country regardless of the situation in which I find myself. I will not use my grade or position to attain pleasure, profit, or personal safety.

Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind--accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my soldiers. I will strive to remain tactically and technically proficient. I am aware of my role as a Noncommissioned Officer. I will fulfill my responsibilities inherent in that role. All soldiers are entitled to outstanding leadership; I will provide that leadership. I know my soldiers and I will always place their needs above my own. I will communicate consistently with my soldiers and never leave them uninformed. I will be fair and impartial when recommending both rewards and punishment.

Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, leaders!

If your looking for the montage, it is now dated January 7. Sorry, my OCD requires me to put everything in order or I just go crazy :o)

Introducing the Soon-to-Be SERGEANT Augun!!!

Brian has been promoted to Sergeant effective February 1, 2008!!!

We are so proud of him and know this is well deserved. He will be taking on more responsibility at work and will be responsible for some lower enlisted soldiers as well. We know he will be a great Sergeant!

CONGRATULATIONS, BRIAN!!!

23 Weeks!

Well, after a much anticipated ultrasound, our doctor is still not able to determine for sure if we are having a boy or a girl! This time the baby was in the breech position, and his bum was way down in my pelvic area. As much as he tried, Dr. Rao just could not get a good look! Sooo...we are going to try again next month. I am thinking he is waiting for Brian to be there to show all his glory :o) Everything else looks great so far, although the doctor said I am carrying him very low, which isn't a problem for the baby - it will just cause me extra discomfort. Which explains all the lower abdomen pain I've been having! Other than that everything is going great - I've been feeling great and the belly is just getting bigger & bigger - it seems like every day! The name race is on, but Brian & I haven't been able to agree on anything so far. I guess we must not have found the right one yet...Luckily we have a few months left to decide! I attempted to take pictures of my ultrasound pics and post them on here. I don't know if you can tell what's what, but it's the best I could do. I'll keep everyone posted...our next appt is Feb 22.

19 weeks - you can see how he's practically folded in half!

23 weeks - this is a side view of his face.

Home Again

Well, after lots of traveling, Lily & I are happy to be at home - at least for a little while.

We came home to some very cold weather - and much to Lily's delight - some snow!! The snow did not last very long, but she did get a chance to play outside in it for a little while.

Lily was also very excited to get home to her friends - she couldn't wait to see Stevie and also her friend Madison who had been visiting family in Texas for the past 4 months, but is back in Virginia now.

Lily & Madison playing dress up

Tea Party Time!