Fall can't come soon enough!

Becca had her 12 month check up last week. She's 18.6 pounds (as she was 2 months ago) and is now 28 inches. So she's in the 13th percentile...my little munchkin. : ) She had her immunizations and it was pretty rough, she had a fever for a couple days and was very clingy and whiny for a few days.

I had my 14 week check up last week. The baby is doing very well. I got to hear his/her heartbeat. And the baby was very active; the doctor had a hard time getting a heart beat because as soon as she found it, the baby would move. I am starting to feel her move frequently now. I did once in a while feel the little flutters, but now it's starting to be more actual movements and pokes. If I change positions too quickly I can feel the baby shift against me. I'm excited to see how she reacts to Becca once she's born. FYI, we don't know if it's a girl or a boy, I just usually say "she" because that's what I'm used to saying.

I'm going to make homemade applesauce today. I'm really excited about it. My grandma always used to make applesauce and serve it warm and it was sooooo good!

Wow, I had no idea that it had been like 6 weeks since I'd updated! September is already half over! Josh is currently in FEX II, but will be back tomorrow. Becca misses him so much when he's gone, she'll be so excited to see him tomorrow. Every night when he gets home she hears him unlock the door and looks up from whatever she's doing and yells, "Dada!". Today I was putting something in the car and she heard me unlock the door and yelled, "Dada!". I felt so bad that it was just me!

So Becca's first birthday was Saturday. I was very weepy the day before and the day of her birthday. I was feeling so overwhelmed with how fast this year has gone by. I realize that were I not pregnant, I probably wouldn't have been so emotional though. : ) Just looking back on the last year and how she's grown and changed....she is such a blessing from God in our lives. *sniff sniff*

I'm now 14 weeks pregnant! It's going by so much faster this time. And my belly seems to be getting bigger a lot faster too...though I think that's normal? I've gained less than 5 pounds so far, so at least I know it's not just fat! I saw 2 women tonight who were both less than 4 months from giving birth and my belly was very nearly the same size as theirs, if not the same and I have like 6 months to go! But it is both of their first kids.

I've been spending lots of time with the other Echo wives lately. Last night and tonight for dinner. It's nice to have people around who understand it all.

Becca is learning like crazy lately! She started saying at least 2 more new words in the last week. Now she knows 8 words I think. Mama, Dada, Baby, Hey, Grandpa, Doggie, Becca, and Book. When she wants something now she points at it and says "Becca!" She also recently started patting our backs when she hugs us....she also does it to her baby!

I guess that's all for now, I won't wait 6 weeks until the next update. : )

Is it August already?

Well, Becca is going to be a big sister on March 15! I am 8 weeks pregnant! The last 3 weeks have been rather unpleasant, but I don't think feeling sick will last too much longer. With Becca I think I was feeling better at about 13 weeks. I'm a little nervous about having 2 kids, particularly since Becca will only be 18 months, but we'll figure it out.

Andrea and Tiffany (& Lydia) surprised me a couple weeks ago! It was such an awesome surprise; I was so happy and excited. My parents are coming next weekend and I can't wait to see them either. The longest I've ever been away from home was 2 months so now I'm crossing into unknown territory for me : )

This was Becca's reaction when I told her she was going to be a big sister! As you can see, she was very excited.

Us with my surprise visitors at Pancho Villa! Everyone else knew they were coming but me.

Things are going very well. We are adjusting and getting into the swing of things. The first couple weeks were pretty tough for all of us, Josh and I in particular. Becca adjusted very quickly, although I think she misses her cousins. She looks at their pictures on the wall and talks to them while she plays. Josh has already had 2 exams and has been very busy. I had a little rough patch because I don't know anyone, and his long days are lonely days for me. Today however, we had a spouses orientation, which remedied that problem. I got a lot of information of volunteer opportunities and other things. Some of the Senior Officer's wives talked to us for quite a while and it was immensely helpful. They talked a lot about what it means to be an Officer's wife and the duties that come with it. I also met several other wives in the same boat as me. Even the ones who don't have kids don't have anything to do all day because none of them can find jobs.

Although we miss the families, it's not as hard as I thought it would be. I talk to them a lot on the phone, and to some of them on Skype so we can still see each other. It's not the same, but it's not as bad as I expected.

Prayer requests would be for me to have the ambition to make the most of my time in Quantico and not be withdrawn, for Becca to remain closely bonded with Josh as he works long hours, and for Josh to perform to the best of his abilities.

Happy Birthday Josh! : )

Well, we are all settled in Virginia! We live in a very nice area very close to the base, which is very convenient. We chose these townhomes because they are close to the base for Josh's convenience, but it has turned out to be a blessing for me as well as I have ended up having to run several errands on base since we got here. We're still adjusting being away from family, me especially, but doing pretty well with it. Josh is very busy, working 13 hour days most days, but he starts very early so is usually home by 6 or 6:30. He doesn't particularly enjoy the early mornings, but definately likes getting home so early which is a nice change from when he was working in Lansing.

Today is Josh's 25th birthday! I have always associated "25" with how old my dad was when my sister Andrea was born, so it has always seemed very old to me. Not so much anymore! : )

Becca is doing great. She had a hard time for the first few days because of the new surroundings and disrupted schedule, but she has acclamated now. She is such a good little girl. She is becoming quite a stinker though! She has recently begun hitting when she's mad. Not just a baby reflex of flailing her arms, but intentionally hitting. Whether it is me, herself, or toys that happen to be around, it doesn't matter to her. So we are having fun trying to figure out how to discipline a 9 month old... : )

Tomorrow we are going to Mount Vernon (George Washington's plantation on the Potomac River)! I am excited. I went there with my parents 7 years ago and thought it was cool, so we are taking Becca there tomorrow. Also next week I am meeting Katie, my best friend for 19 years, for dinner since she lives in D.C! I can't wait to be able to spend more time with her again.

Well that's all for now, I will update with pictures of our new place eventually. : )

Time to say Goodbye...

I should be working on packing, but frankly, I'm quite sick of it! We have a weekend full of goodbye parties with family and friends, so we're really running out of time to finish packing. Yesterday we went out for lunch with my dad before he and my mom left for a weekend of fishing at Lake Erie. Today we went out for lunch with Grandpa and Pat and tonight we're having a cookout at Mike's house with friends. Tomorrow we're going to Binder Zoo with Tiff/Joe and kids and Heather and Austin. Sunday we are going to Josh's aunt and uncle's house for a cookout with the Schnittker side of the family. Monday we are going to Tiff/Joe's house for lunch with the Goeman's. Tuesday we pack the truck, and Wednesday we leave!

It's been very difficult to say goodbye to everyone and it's hard to leave, but this will be good for us. God has called Josh to serve him in the Marine Corps and we know he only has plans to prosper us and not to harm us and he will bless us for following his call.

"I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands!
You are who you are,
no matter where I am!
Every tear that falls,
You hold in your hand.
Though my heart is torn,
I will praise you in this storm."
(Casting Crowns)

Trying Out..

Just created our blog....trying it out. : )