Wahoo!!!

We're coming to the end of a stage of our lives, and I'm pretty excited about it.

Tonight is Rob's very last day of his night job. I'm thrilled. We get him at home every evening for the first time in three years. During school he was gone anywhere between two and five evenings a week between classes, work, and then his internship. Last May it became three nights a week and it's been that way for the last year.

I'm just hoping that in this next 4.5 weeks we can pack in some productivity (as I try to rid the house of some junk that we shouldn't move), but some major fun. We've got him every night until July 1. On July 5 he heads out to COT, though, and we won't see him until sometime in the beginning of August (the 6th at the latest, but a definitive time is yet to be determined).

This week the major "To Do" list includes: Moving Counseling up at Hill AFB (a mandatory 40 min appointment that tells us what hazardous materials we can't move and stuff like that--hopefully it IS productive), scheduling a date for the packers and movers, and the BIG purchase - spending about $1,500+ on his uniforms. And if I can, I'll go through some drawers and boxes, too . . . and if I'm super lucky, I'll get some photos of the boys, too. Cooper's still growing like a weed. Next week we've got his 4 month appt, and I'm excited to find out what his weight is--every day he's giving my arms a good workout.

:)

New Toy

Last week I got a new toy. And I love it.

Our computer's been dying - slowly but surely. It's been a good little machine, but I've been getting tired of the slowness. I kept having this feeling that I needed to get the photos backed up. I'm not a good milestone recorder on paper. However, with a camera I've captured Guy's first steps, his first tooth, when he started crawling, etc. The only real way for me to know those things for him now are to go find those photos and look at the dates when they were taken.

I need to be better about recording things like that anyway, but it's a huge relief to me now, to know that all the photos that I've recorded Guy's life with are now on a new computer. And a beautiful computer at that.

We got the 27" mac, and it's so fun/neat. The screen resolution is beautiful - I want to make the screensaver set to all my favorite photos and just sit and watch for hours.

After we got Rob's bike I told him that I should have thrown a new mac into the deal. I've struggled justifying this expense--he even offered for Christmas, but I didn't want to do it. He was the one to finally just get things done and make this happen. I'm so grateful for that.

I've been without a mac for years - now I have to relearn the system again, but I'm not complaining. I just know I need to learn a lot to utilize what I've got. Yea!

We'll have carpet!

We just got housing arrangements. Yea! I'm so glad I moved on things so quickly. Aside from the recruiter neglecting to attach Rob's family to his orders (which would make a huge difference if we didn't once again fill in the gaping blanks that he's left wide open), the process was fairly easy, and I'm just thrilled that Cooper won't be learning to crawl and walk on linoleum and area rugs. Hooray! Two other bonuses are that we'll have a patio (where we'll put our new grill, thanks to Rob's parents) and our place is just 2 doors down from a big play area.

As an aside, I think I'm becoming more sensitive to the whole deployment thing already - it was depicted on a tv show today and tears welled up--just a little, but they were there. Some days I feel like I'm getting old and emotional.

It's Been At Least One Month

And I still haven't even gotten a ride on Rob's new bike. Blast this lousy weather (though it's actually nice out today). One of these days I need to get a babysitter on a Saturday afternoon just so we can get out on a ride.

Three Years

This morning I came to the realization that this Air Force plan makes more sense than previously recognized.

Apparently, I'm on a three year plan. I was in DE for 3 years, now UT for 3 years, OH will only be 1, but the continual plan after that will be a move every 3 years. The most interesting thing to think about in that regard is that after Rob's internship, I'll become more physically stable than I have been pretty much ever.

I moved a lot in college (who doesn't). Grad school was 2 years. In Delaware I was in 3 different housing arrangements, 2 different wards. Here in Utah we were at my parents for about 2 years, then we moved into our own place.

In the Air Force, we'll move to a home and be there for 3 years. That will certainly bring some different stability.

I'm really looking forward to our experiences. I know I wasn't thrilled about Ohio at first, but I keep hearing great things about it, and I certainly recognize that attitude will determine lots. I want to be happy and I want my family to be happy. Because of that, we will be.

Everything is becoming more real. Rob got his official orders on Wednesday. I put in our housing request today. We'll contact the moving people early next week. It's all going to happen faster than I know it. Cooper's growing up too quickly while all of this happens. I'm already realizing how spot on all the people were that told me to really enjoy the first one, because the next all grow up so fast. It's certainly true.

Life is good. I feel blessed.

Before & After

I've known he needed a cut for a while - I just kept putting it off because I like it long. Last time I cut it in January, it was a trim - I wanted it long for photos when Cooper was born. Then it got really long. I decided it was time for a summer cut since his head gets SO sweaty in warm weather, already. I should have taken a photo of the floor and his body afterwards - everything was COVERED.

Cooper's Hair

Cooper's hair grows like a weed. Above, this was a shot I took when he was 8 weeks old, and it was right before I gave him his first hair cut. Guy's hair went way too long before he got his first haircut, so I didn't want to make the same mistake.

Funny thing about Cooper's hair is the differences on the sides.

My Kid's on Crack

Guy had a particularly rough day today - he was out of sorts in almost every way. Church was really difficult, and then without a nap this afternoon, he was really on one by the end of the day (which ended super early for him).

While we were getting him ready for bed, Rob asked, "Did someone give you crack?"

Guy: "Yeah."

Rob: "Yeah? Who?"

"Uh . . . Santa."

I've always known Santa was trouble.

The Boys

After a long and productive day of work today (lots of lawn care, cleaning out my car, some imperative errands, etc.), this evening we went and celebrated Cinco de Mayo two days late with my family (since Rob was working on Thursday). Afterwards, Guy was playing outside so we joined him, and I grabbed my camera. I love evening lighting--it's just so fun.

I can't believe how fast time goes. Cooper is 12 weeks old now. And since he's so big, he seems even older. At 9 weeks he was 14 lbs., and he's just growing exponentially. He's just moved into a size 3 diaper - Guy's in a size 4. Funny, huh?

He's a pleasant baby, and "talks" a lot - coos and smiles like crazy. I love it - and him.

FIRST* Lieutenant Justiniano

It's official. Today Rob signed away our lives for the next four years.

It started with a swearing in that took less than 2 minutes. Then the paperwork took much longer. But it was good. My first contact with the Air Force (less a few emails with the not-so-impressive recruiter) was good. I've felt good about it the whole time, and today was nothing different. Yea!

I'm excited for this opportunity for our family. I think it's going to be great. The men that we were with today each raved about the base we are going to. One was there for a while, and the other two keep hoping that they will get their turn there. What an adventure it will be!

The officers that were involved in today's business were great. I really enjoyed talking to a couple of them while Rob was doing the paperwork. They talked motorcycles, BYU, Jimmer, and Mormons/caffeine with us which was all good. But my favorite thing that I want to remember was when one of the two bald men in the room asked for a wig donation from Guy. They all loved his hair.

*Until yesterday, when it counted most (with the paperwork) he'd been under the impression that he'd be a second lieutenant (so I was, also). He's not, though--I just found out. It's like he already got a raise. :)

Love This Kid

Some recent photos . . .Dad dressed him . . .