It's A...

   A few weeks ago I had an ultrasound to determine the gender of our little bun in the oven. Grandpa took the afternoon off to hang out with Baby Battle Rattle and I headed out for my appointment. I went to a 3D/4D elective office for what was supposed to be a quick 15 minute peek at the baby. The woman who did the scan was so sweet and I told her when we went back to the room that I actually don't want to know what we're having. I asked her if she could put in into an envelope for me so that when Mr. Battle Rattle had a chance to call we could open the envelope and find out together. When I was pregnant with Baby Battle Rattle we were able to Skype a TON during that deployment, but no luck this go around. With Baby Battle Rattle I made a little onesie that said "I LOVE DADDY" in cammie letters and a pink bow on it to tell him we were having a girl.

   I told her that I really couldn't watch the ultrasound because I would know what baby was if I saw. She laughed and we got going to see what we were having...well 10 minutes went by and baby was NOT being as forthcoming as their older sister was. So I got up and went to the bathroom and ate a little candy to see if we could get baby moving. Laid back down and it took another 35 minutes to find out what baby was! The lady was so sweet and wouldn't let me go until she could find out. She went and put all the photos and a note card with the sex into an envelope for me and I anxiously awaited Mr. Battle Rattle's phone call. The day seemed to drag on forever. He didn't call so I went to bed fingers crossed that he'd be able to call tomorrow. Just after Baby Battle Rattle went down for a nap the next afternoon my cell phone rang...it was Mr. Battle Rattle! I answered and ran to get the envelope. Without further delay.......

Baby 2 is a GIRL! We are both so excited to be having another little girl. I was so surprised, I was sure it was a boy. The best part is that Baby Battle Rattle was born in December and this little one will be born in December/January so all those clothes I saved will fit perfectly in the same seasons! It's hard to believe that in just 2 days this pregnancy will be half way over!

Kindness of Strangers

With our prior deployments getting care packages together and mailed off was such a breeze. The task has become much more involved now that Baby Battle Rattle is a toddler. This morning we ate breakfast, got dressed and made it out the door with our box for Daddy. With my pregnancy brain set in I didn't even realize that the box I used was not a flat rate box, so when the Postal worker told me my total was going to be $46.72 my jaw dropped and I looked at her like she was crazy. Being quite a regular at the post office nowadays she smiled and said "it's not a flat rate box, hun". I looked at it and said, "Oh my gosh, sorry! Let me swap it quick." 

Toddler in arm I took the box to the packaging counter behind me, taped up a new box and started to repackage the care package all while trying to keep a hand on my curious toddler. A woman had walked into the Post Office while I was finishing taping the new box and filling out a new address label. She was filling out a customs form herself and asked me how I had filled out my customs form. She herself was sending a package to an APO. I showed her my form and how I fill in the APO/FPO since there isn't a box for those. I went and placed my package on the counter and answered the usual "is this hazardous, fragile, blah blah blah" when the women behind me asked if my husband was deploying. I told her that yes, he had already left. She then came up to the counter and placed her package on top of mine and said, "This one's on me, you girls have a great day!" I stood there surprised for a moment and told her, "No, you don't have to but thank you!" She insisted and said that her husband just retired after 26yrs just a few months ago.

I left the Post Office thinking about how I could pay it forward to another. I decided that I would donate what I would have spent on that package to OperationShower.org. They are a wonderful organization that throws baby showers for military wives who are currently going through a deployment or have just finished one. So I leave you with one small question, How will you make someones day today? What small gesture can you do for a stranger that will make their day wonderful?

A Bicycle Built for Two

Our newest baby/toddler purchase came today! It is the Phil & Ted's Vibe 2....and it is amazing. With another little bundle on the way we needed to upgrade our single stroller into a double. I wanted something that would be versatile. Something that would last for a long time. For us, it came down to two strollers: The BOB Revolution and the Phil & Ted's Vibe. I love the fact that the Phil & Ted's is an in-line. It's not any wider than a normal single stroller. What's better than finding what you've been looking for? Getting it for a great deal!

When I started my search last week I noticed that there was a new version of the Vibe, the Vibe 2. The Vibe 2 has some updates from it's predecessor. The most notable is the change to the break and the fact that it can be folded with the second seat attached (to the front OR back) as well as the sunshade for the doubles seat. I had intentions of purchasing the Vibe and then came across the Vibe 2 + doubles seat for almost $300 off the retail! It was also LESS than the original Vibe. SOLD! The wonderful FedEx man brought it to me today and it was perfect timing as baby battle rattle was just put down for her nap. I opened the box and set out to assemble my new toy. It was pretty easy and now I am just waiting for the little one to wake up so we can go for a test ride. I hope she loves it as much as I do so far!

Should I Stay or Should I Go

 I know many wives have a lot of back and forth about going "home" over deployment. The thought of going home never made much sense to me though. I am home. We were stationed here, we've made a home here, our life is here. Why would I leave just because my husband is deployed?




With a few friends in NC during our 1st deployment.


During our first deployment I had a job, friends, and responsibilities. I wasn't about to quit my job or leave some great friends (some of whom were also going through a deployment). For me, there was no question of going "home" or staying put. Our second deployment we were stationed in California, 2,989 miles from our hometowns. I kept busy volunteering with Young Life and friends and a trip to Europe. Now we're on deployment number three and we're stationed at Quantico and this is actually where I grew up. I went to high school in Northern Virginia and have old high school friends here, but I've also got a lot of Marine Corps friends who are stationed here from our past bases. Whatever your situation, make the most of it! Life is life and it will be what it is. You can't change everything so you need to find a way to make it work if you stay or if you go home. Best of luck for those of you making this decision!

Happy Birthday America

It is a day for celebrating! I hope you all take a moment today to think about those who fought to make this wonderful country we live in possible; our Founding Fathers, our millions of military Veterans and those who are currently serving in our Armed Forces.

My patriotic baby in her Daddy's blouse. (Photo by the very talented Tyler Plank)

BIG Announcement

I have a very BIG, very exciting announcement for you all. I know, I know...you're thinking "Oh my gosh, Mr. Battle Rattle is coming home (early)" since our President was just on television last night talking about the draw down. This is not our big exciting announcement......Mr. Battle Rattle and I are expecting our next little Battle Rattle baby!!!


Baby #2

 I guess this is becoming our new deployment tradition! My poor husband missed all but the last 5 weeks of my first pregnancy and this time he should be home just a few weeks before I'm due. We can add a pregnancy countdown and OB/GYN appointments to my list of things keeping me busy over this deployment! Surprise!!!

Filling the Calendar

For those of you on your first deployment you'll quickly learn that the more scribbled on days in your calendar the faster the deployment will fly by. With our first deployment I filled my days working and hanging out with friends as much as possible. Our second deployment I filled with the task of growing a baby, OB/GYN appointments and of course Young Life. (If you have a middle school or high schooler and haven't heard of YL, look them up ASAP, it's amazing!) Now with this deployment I'm filling my time with our toddler, building my business more and redecorating our house.

  I like to split up our deployments into smaller chunks. For me it makes it seem like the time goes by quicker. For instance, I'm currently counting down to the 4th of July. There are only 11 days to go!!! Then I'll count down to Halloween...and so on and so forth until I have nothing major left between me and our homecoming. Makes it so much better and lets me look forward to something each month...and sometimes each week!



Baby Battle Rattle at the pumpkin patch last year.



 Another thing we're doing is we joined a farm co-op. It's fantastic! We've been out to the farm twice so far this season. The first time was to check things out and pet the animals. Then we went out for the Strawberry Festival. It was such a fantastic day! We got out there in the morning and it was crowded. We headed over to the animals first since my daughter loves them. Then we made our way through the rope maze and the toddler playground. We ate an amazing lunch there (cheeseburgers made from cows on the farm!). If you've never had FRESH beef, it's a must try!!! Then we made our way out to the field to pick some strawberries.



Baby Battle Rattle & I at the toddler playground on the farm.

 It's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel at the start. Once you find the things you love to stay busy with the time will go by faster. I hope you are all keeping busy and seeing your countdown shrink quickly as well!