Long Update

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
We had our big ham dinner yesterday since Josh had to leave today. Still haven't colored any Easter eggs! We just didn't get around to it. It's been extremely cold and rainy here all of a sudden. Yesterday was an inside all day kind of day. Josh did homework while I cleaned the house. Noah watched movies and played with toys. The day flew by. The whole week did, in fact... like always. But, it was a great week :)

BABY UPDATE
Right before my sonogram I was feeling a few flutters now and again, but lately he's been kicking hard enough to see. Josh was able to feel him move while he was here, which makes me a happy camper. Everything is going really well. All my tests came back negative and my iron levels are fine (not bad for not being on prenatals). I am a little over 16 weeks now and I go for my 2nd sonogram on April 30th. I can't believe I am almost halfway there already! This pregnancy is just flying by. As of right now we still plan to not find out the gender for sure. Unless Josh begs me enough because I know he's dying to find out. Better start begging, babe. After April 30th it will be too late! ;)

HUBBY UPDATE
Josh had a great (though short) visit with his family at his brother's BCT graduation. I LOVE this picture of our military men. I plan to get a big print for the house. They look so much like their dad! Look at all those awards my baby has :) Dang he looks good in uniform..... but anyway...

We had a wonderful visit at the cabin. No TV, perfect weather, lots of games and talking... just what we wanted. When we got home we decided to get some much needed work on the house done. It started with a new front door. Ours was 25yrs old and had settled with the house (poorly). I could actually see about an inch of light coming through the door towards the bottom. So Josh installed a new door for me and it seals perfectly. We had to rip out all the old door frame and whatnot. The front window had also recently been replaced and was left naked and paintless. We had a choice: paint the door and window the poop brown we already had or paint the roof overhang and all the trim a new color. We of course chose a new color because we love home improvement. We settled on a nice Hershey chocolate color for our trim. It really makes the house stand out! We figure if we stay it will be nice to live in a decent home, if we move the update will help us sell it. Here's our before, during, and after shots.

NOAH UPDATE
Noah had a great time with Daddy. He remembered him right away (finally) and even let Josh hold him at the airport. I did ok without Noah on our weekend alone. I admit I did cry once, but it was on the 2nd day so I think that's pretty good. It's so weird how attached moms become to their kids. I knew he was safe. I knew I was going to see him soon. I just missed him I guess, hard to explain. From what I understand that feeling never goes away either. Anyway... Noah helped us paint the house and was a lot of fun to watch. He did get in the way a few times, but that's to be expected. We all went and had a picnic lunch at the duck park for a little break from our work. I didn't realize I hadn't shown Josh the duck park. I guess he has been gone a long time. We also went to see "Meet the Robinsons" in 3d! Noah kept his glasses on most of the movie even though they were HUGE on his little face. We all really enjoyed it... it's one I'll probably buy and watch a few hundred times haha. I really didn't take too many pictures this visit. I meant to, but I was too caught up in spending time and enjoying the moment to grab my camera I guess. Oh well :)

ALLIE UPDATE
I am doing well. I just dropped Josh off at the airport this morning and for the first time ever, didn't shed a tear. We both finally see an end and it's just not sad anymore. We're just playing the waiting game yet again. I guess it's pretty sad that months apart seems like a short wait to us, but it really is when compared to nearly 3 years. Ask any wife of a deployed husband. Months apart is nothing compared to a year of scary news reports and crappy webcam connections.