Mikey's First Birthday

My Dear Michael,

Wow - Where did the last year go? I cannot believe that you are already ONE year old! Where did the time go?! It seems like it was just yesterday that I got to meet you for the first time and hold your sweet, little body next to mine. And here we are, a whole year later.

This has truly been one remarkable year. You have changed and grown so much from that little bundle of joy that we first brought home last winter. And now, you are crawling all over the place, "My Little Speed Demon." Just trying to keep up with your big sister. You pull up onto furniture and climbing on and up anything and everything that you possibly can. My only hope is that as you grow you are brave to take new risks and that you learn from your journeys and your risks no matter what the outcome may be.

You came into this world weighing in at 7 pounds and 5 ounces and 20 inches long. Such a tiny, precious, little baby. You came into this world so fast that you didn't give your mommy much time to get checked into the hospital. You knew that you wanted to come and you weren't going to wait for anyone or anything, now were you? You were my little bathroom baby. :) And now, you are still such a little baby. You laugh, you talk, and you walk. Making everyone who meets you smile. I can only dream of the young man that you will one day become. I will do anything and everything under the moon to be a good mother to you and to help guide you in your journey childhood and into your adulthood.

I love you Michael Justin. I love your cuddles, your smiles, and your giggles. I love your big, wide opened smile and the way you smack your lips as if you are going to give kisses. I love your dark hair and your almost black eyes and your long eyelashes. (Just like your sister.)

Happy first birthday to my sweet little son. May this be just the beginning of many, many more wonderful years to come. Thanks for letting me be your mommy! I love you my sweet, special boy!

Love,

Mommy

December 15, 2013

Lyric's Third Birthday

My Dearest Lyric,

Oh my. We are three years old now. Where did the last three years go? You are growing up too fast. Your mommy doesn't like it. But boy, has it been three years. I have watched you go from a newborn baby that relied on your daddy and mommy to a very independent young girl. You love to do things on your own that are easy enough for you. Although, you do have your daddy's temper. If something isn't going the way you want or your way you tend to throw a fit. We haven't really had any problems with temper tantrums. But boy can you get an attitude. I guess you get that from both your mommy and from your daddy. 

You have made a wonderful big sister to your baby brother. I love to watch the two of you play. Don't ever let anything get between you and your brother. You two are family whether you like it or not. 

You love to run around in nothing but your pull up or your panties. But I think that if you had it your way, you would run around in the nude if you could all day. Your mommy just seems that she can't keep your clothes on you. You just like to take them off! Silly girl!

I hope that you have a wonderful birthday and can't wait for the many many more wonderful years that we have ahead. 

I love you baby girl!

Mommy

November 25, 2013

Guess What?!?!

I got some good news this evening...

Chris' leave got approved!

We are going home!!

It's been long overdue for Chris. He hasn't gotten to go home since he has joined the Marines. 

And, I bet his grandma is going to ecstatic.

Yummy!

Tell me...

If you could eat any one meal every day, what would it be? 

I would choose to eat my grama's breast of chicken. I think it is to die for! I love it. 

Instead of the peas, we usually have corn and mashed potatoes. But since we don't have any more corn, I opted for peas. 

Breast of Chicken

1 lb. of chicken breast

1 can of Cream of Chicken soup

1/4 c. water 

Seasoned turken/chicken stuffing

1/3 c. melted butter

Sliced swiss/american cheese

Put your chicken breast in a baking dish (I cut mine up into bite sized pieces) you don't have to.

Put a slice of cheese on your chicken. Mix your soup and water together in a bowl, then pour over the chicken. Top your soup/water mixture with the stuffing mix. Melt your butter and pour over stuffing mix. 

Bake in over at 350 degrees for 1 and a 1/2 hours.

Sleeping Babies

Last night we started putting Michael to bed in his crib. 

He hasn't slept in his crib yet at night because he was't sleeping through the night completely.  He was still getting up around 3-4 or earlier to eat.

He has been taking his naps in his crib for the last two weeks. He seems to like it, except that he hates to take a nap in his crib. He prefers to sleep in my arms. And as much as I love to hold my babies, I don't think that he needs to always sleep in my arms. It takes only a few minutes for him to fall asleep in my arms. Once I get him to sleep, and start to move him to his crib he wakes up as I lean over his crib to put him down. It doesn't matter how I go to put him down in his bed, he wakes up every time.

My babies share a room, Lyric (2) and Michael (6 months). Lyric is sleeping in her toddler bed, but once we put up the the crib she was constantly climbing into it every morning when she woke up. So, in order to try to persuade her from climbing into the crib we bought a netting to put over the crib. The netting was very loosely fitting. So, I was only putting him down at nap times, while Lyric napped on the sofa or continued to play. I had to figure a way to make it fit more snugly. So until I did that, I only used it for nap time.

Until last night... I sewed on ribbon onto each corner of the netting and then tied it to the crib. I was hoping that having it fit more snugly that Lyric wouldn't try to get into Michael's crib.

Well, it didn't do it's job. I was awakened this morning at 6 O'Clock to Lyric talking and giggling and then Michael responding. I figured that she was probably standing on the side of the crib looking over it talking to Michael. So, I go in to see what they are doing, and guess what I see?

I see Lyric sitting in the crib right above Michael's head. She figured out how to get into the crib even with the ribbon ties making it more snug than it was before. I take her out of the crib and guess what Michael does? He starts screaming. I think that he liked having his big sister in the crib with him talking to her.

I guess if she is only in the crib in the morning after Michael wakes up, that it is alright. I don't think that she is going to hurt him. And, it's not like she is going to be in there for very long. Because once I hear her and Michael are awake. I will be getting up with them.

This is what I thought I would see when I got up this morning. But, instead she was in his bed.

This was taken this evening when Michael woke up from his nap.

Outdoors

Boy, does Lyric like to go outside!

She is constantly wanting to go outside. Even after we just got back in from going outside. 

The thing is though, is she wants to go outside with daddy most of the time. She will go to the sofa and grab his hand and try pulling him off of the sofa to go outside. 

She won't do that with me during the day. It will start right after Chris gets home from work. It is cute to watch. 

While we are outside, she loves to run around and look for birds.

 But especially look for birds. 

Michael doesn't seem to mind the outdoors. He sure doesn't mind the grass, unlike Lyric. 

Summer Bucket List

1. Go on a family picnic at the park

2. Go on a picnic at the beach

3. Build a sandcastle

4. Slumber party in the living room

5. Family photo shoot with fun props

6. Go to the zoo

7. Go to the aquarium

8. Go to a museum or two

9. Make homemade bubbles

10. Make homemade silly putty

11. Make homemade ice cream

12. Make and play balloon ping pong

13. Have a date night with Lyric/Mommy 

14. Have a date night with Lyric/Daddy

15. Go to the petting zoo

16. Have fun and relax!

My Baby Boy

Michael Justin...

My world changed again, on Saturday, December 15, 2012. My second baby make his debut into the world. This labor was 99 percent faster than my labor with Lyric. I woke up about 8 o'clock in the morning with terrible back pain. I wasn't sure if I was actually in labor, so I called the OB/GYN department at the hospital. I was having contractions but not as close as they should be, so, I decided to take a bath and see what happens. I went from having my contractions every ten or so minutes to three to five minutes in a matter of minutes.

We got Lyric to a couple that were going to watch her while me and Chris were at the hospital getting ready to have Michael. Boy, am I glad we didn't have to drop Lyric off somewhere, we just had to walk her across the way to another apartment building. Otherwise I probably would have had Michael on the side of the road or wherever we had to drop Lyric off.

We got to the hospital at about 10:20 in the morning. Chris got a wheelchair as I was unable to walk the distance we needed to go. We got to the check in window and they wanted us to start up paperwork, while I was in active labor. I thought that it was crazy. Then I had to go to the bathroom, so I asked where the bathroom was, I couldn't wait... I get into the bathroom and I realize that I was going to have him then and there. I had locked the door, pulled the cord to get help, and heard the nurses, doctors, and the people from the check-in desk say where's the key. They didn't know where the key was to get into the bathroom to help me. I'm sitting there, panicking, wonder if they were going to get into the bathroom. I hear Chris pounding the door trying to get it open. No such luck. I somehow get up and unlock the door. Next thing I know, I am on the floor saying that I have to push and then Michael was here.

He arrived at 10:50 am
Weighing 7 pounds 5 ounces
Length 20 inches long



His big sister is head over heels in love with her brother. She can't get enough of him. She is always by his side, sitting near him, or playing with him.



He is a pretty happy baby. Loves to laugh, giggle, smile and play. Oh, wait! He loves to eat as well! He is a little oinker! My own little piggy.



He sure is mommy's boy. He loves to lay on my chest and go to sleep. Once I move him to his crib he wakes up the second that I start to lay him down, and if I pick him up, he will go back to sleep in about five minutes. He just loves to be held by his mommy.

My Baby Girl

Lyric Anne...

My world changed on Thursday, November 25, 2010. It was Thanksgiving afternoon that my daughter, Lyric decided to make her debut into the world. Changing my life forever. It was one of the hardest nights/mornings of my life. I went into active labor on Wednesday night. I was having contractions for three days before I finally got the okay to go into my birthing center to have Lyric. My midwife kept saying that my contractions weren't close enough or that they weren't strong enough. Although, I thought that they were close and strong enough to go in. But, I listened to my midwife. I was in active labor all night of the 24th and all morning of the 25th. It was about eleven that morning that I decided that I couldn't go all natural anymore. I wasn't dilating anymore past 9 cm and decided that it was time for me to transfer to the hospital. And, boy am I glad that I did. I got the epidural, fell asleep for about and hour to hour and a half and then about 45 minutes later Lyric made her debut at

1:49 pm.
Weighing 7 pounds 9 ounces
Length 20 and 1/4 inches

 

I have a relatively easy going two year old baby girl. Although, she really isn't a baby anymore. She is my baby girl. She is a very independent young girl who wants to do everything for herself. She can dress herself and put her shoes on and on the correct feet. She is such a good girl. She goes to bed relatively easy around 9:30 and sleeps through the night and gets up anywhere between 5:30 and 9:00. 

She almost always wakes up and goes to her door and calls, "daddy" "mommy." That is our cue to get up and start the day. Sometimes she will wake up in the morning and just play in her room for a while. I  love just laying in bed awake and listening to her play. She will sing and play with her baby dolls. Then, when she is ready to get up and eat breakfast she goes to her door and calls for mommy or daddy.

She isn't really a picky eater. She loves her fruits and her veggies. But some meats are harder for us to get her to eat. We went to Costco the other day and bought pears and bananas. She ate three pears, yes, three pears in one day and a pear a day after that. She loves her oranges, apples, and bananas as well. She is always wanting to eat fruit. 

Oh, and cheese. She loves her cheese as well.

Although, she is a really good girl, she hates to calm down enough to relax and take her nap. Once she gets settled down though, she goes to sleep and takes a good nap. 

She is going to be a great mommy one day. She sure does love her baby dolls and her baby brother. She seems to not be able to get enough of her baby brother. She is almost always by his side playing with him in some way. Whether it be playing with him on the floor or hiding behind the wall while he is in his bouncer or just sitting beside him playing with him while he is playing in his bouncer. 

She loves to sing, pat, kiss, hug, and dance with her baby dolls and her stuffed animals. Especially her giant Tigger and giant Sock Monkey.

She is one of the lights of my eyes. I love her and her brother more than life itself. I would give anything for them. 

I think that Lyric looks like her daddy. What do you think?

She's got beautiful light brown, and curly hair, dark brown eyes, and skinny long legs. 

My baby girl!

MilSpouse Quiz

I saw this cute little quiz over at My Marine and Me, and figured that I would join in. So, without further adieu...

The Milspouse Quiz

1. How did you and your spouse meet? 

I was involved in an organization known as The International Order of Job's Daughters also known as Job's Daughters. And Chris was involved in an organization known as DeMolay International. We were together with our organizations for an installation or something like that. And after the ceremony we went into the dinning room for refreshments and I sat close to Chris. While my youngest sister and her best friend sat right beside him. And they had to turn away from him so that they could eat their cake. Funny thing is, that Chris was trying to get with my middle sister before we got together. 

2. How old were you when you two met? 

I was 18 (almost 19) years old. And Chris was 16 (almost 17) years old. I am a little over two years older than Chris and I think that it bothers him. HaHa!

3. How long have you been together? 

We have been married for almost three years and we have been together a little over three years.

4. Where are you and your spouse originally from? 

I was born in Pocatello, Idaho but raised in Nampa/Boise, Idaho area. And Chris was born and lived most of his childhood in Apple Valley/Los Angeles, California.

5. How did you feel about him joining the military? 

I was scared and afraid. I was full of mixed emotions. But it was something that he wanted to do, so I supported him one hundred percent.

6. Where did your spouse go to Basic Training? 

He went to Boot Camp in San Diego, California and then MCT was in San Diego as well. He then went to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for MOS school. 

7. Has your spouse ever been deployed? 

No. Thankfully, he is in a non-deployable unit. Is it bad that I love that?

8. Ever been to his promotion ceremony? 

Nope. Not yet.

9. How long have you been a military wife? 

Since I have been married.

10. Did you marry him before or after he joined? 

We got married the day before he left for MCT.

11. How did your husband propose? 

It was the night of my graduation/prom. On our way back to my place we stopped by the Boise Train Depot and were sitting near the pond. And he asked me if I would marry him. Although, we had already agreed to get married when the time was right. 

12. Where did you get married? 

We got married the afternoon before he left for MCT school. We went to the courthouse, just the two of us. We hope that later down the road we can have a ceremony where our family and friends can be there.

13. How old were you two when you got married?

Chris was 18, and I was 20. 

14. Did he wear his uniform on his wedding day? 

No, we both wore casual day clothes. When we have our ceremony for family and friends he will wear his uniform and I will wear a gown. (Hopefully my dream gown)

15. Where are you and your spouse currently stationed? 

We are stationed in Norfolk at the Norfolk Naval Base. And currently, I love it. I love living near the beach. I just hate being so far away from my family and friends back in Idaho.

16. Do you live on base? 

No, we don't. 

17. How long were you married when you had to go through your first separation? 

The only separation that we have had to go through so far is Boot Camp, MCT school, and MOS school. 

18. What is your favorite base so far? 

We have only been stationed at one base so far and that is here in Norfolk. So, so far, this is my favorite base.

19. Do you think your spouse looks good in his uniform? 

Of course! I love it when he has a uniform on. Whether it be his cammies, his Blues, or his Alpha's. He looks good in Uniform. But who doesn't?

20. Do you think military life is more advanced than civilian life? 



21. Do you like the benefits you receive as a military dependent? 

I do. I really do like the health benefits that we get. Although, I either don't or forget to ask whether or not they give military discount. 

22. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? 

Locally I spent a lot of time with a wife of a husband that my husband works with in the shop. That was until things went down hill all of a sudden. There was another wife that I hung out with a bit, we hung out a bit, then didn't. She moved to Florida for a little while, then her and her husband got stationed in North or South Carolina. I'm bummed that we never got to see each other before they moved. 

23. What is the hardest part of the military life? 

Them not having a set schedule. It's hard to plan things in the evening because, I never know when he is going to be home for dinner. It's hard to know whether or not he is going to be home late or early.

24. Do you own military wife stuff? 

Not really "wife" stuff. I have a sweatshirt, and a few sweatpants. I do want a Marine Wife license plate border, sticker, lanyard, and maybe a few more sweatshirts. 

25. Do you support your spouse as a member of the military? 

Of course. I am so proud of him and I will always support him.

Me and the Military

1. How long have you been a military wife?  Since November 15, 2011

2. What branch of service is your husband? Marines

3. Active/Reserve? Active

4. What is his job? Maintenance Management

5. How many deployments have you gone through? None yet, Chris is in a non-deployable unit

6. ACU's or Class A's on your man? Dress Blues

7. What do you like about being a military wife?  I love that my husband is giving me the opportunity to be a stay at home mom since he has a stable paying job

8. Do you live on base? No

9. What is your favorite base so far? Norfolk Naval Base is my first base

10. What is the hardest part of the military life? I don't know. Having to share my husband

11. Do you go to the grocery store or commissary? Commissary

12. Do you work or stay at home? Because of Chris, I get the opportunity to stay at home with my 6 month old daughter

13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? Not really, I have a few military wife friends, and a few who are in the service themselves

14. Do you prefer Walmart or the BX/PX/NEX/MCX? I like both the NEX/MCX as well as Wal-Mart

15. How did your husband propose? It was a mutual agreement

16. Did you marry him after he joined or before?  After he joined, we had been together before though

17. How long have you been together? Almost three years

18. Any kids? 2. My beautiful and amazing daughter Lyric,and my handsome and loving son, Michael

19. Any kids yet to come? Not yet

20. Is your husband one of those "I am soldier hear me HOOAH" kind of guys?  Heck No!

21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband? Not yet

22. How many bases have you lived at? 1

23. If you could change one thing about the military? I got nothing! They wouldn't have to deploy anyone anymore

24. Do you like military balls?  Never been to one

25. Where does your family live? Both mine and his are in Idaho

26. What do you do for a job? I am a stay at home momma

27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCO's wife? No

28. Name one thing you do when your husband is gone.  He hasn't had to leave yet

29. Do you think other wives do that too? Not applicable to me

A to Z of Me

The A to Z about ME!

A. AGE: 22 1/2

B. BED SIZE: Queen

C. CHORES I DISLIKE: Laundry

D. DOGS: Sadly, no

E. ESSENTIAL START TO MY DAY: Get Dressed and maybe eat something

F. FAVORITE COLOR: Colors of the Rainbow plus Pink and Pastels

G. GOLD OR SILVER: Gold

H. HEIGHT: 5' 3 1/2"

I. INSTRUMENTS I PLAY(ED): I play the Flute and the Piccolo. I can play a little bit of Piano and Clarinet.

J. JOB TITLE: Stay-at-home-Momma' and I love it!

K. KIDS: 2 Lyric Anne and Michael Justin

L. LIVE: Virginia Beach

M. MAIDEN NAME: (Legally) Morgan Janae Bray (Preferably) Morgan Janae Bahr-Bray

N. NICKNAMES: Morgie, Morgie Loo, Sweetheart

O. OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAYS: After having Lyric and Michael

P. PET PEEVES: People driving with their blinkers going non-stop or not using them at all. Aggressive drivers. Chewing with mouth open. Ect...

Q. QUOTE FROM A MOVIE: Neville Longbottom: [discussing a battle strategy] Are you really giving us permission to do this?

Minerva McGonagall: Yes, Longbottom.

Neville Longbottom: Blow it up? Boom?

Minerva McGonagall: BOOM!

Minerva McGonagall: I've always wanted to use that spell!

R. RIGHTY OR LEFTY: Righty but can write with my left as well, but not as good.

S. SIBLINGS: 2 sisters, 3 brothers, and 1 step-sister

T. TIME I WAKE UP: It varies. I will sometimes wake up with Chris anywhere from 4:30-5:30 or when Lyric and Michael wake up which can be anywhere from 6:00-8:00, the latest time I would possibly get up is 10:00.

U. UNDERWEAR: Yes, please.  :)  Most of the time  :P

V. VEGETABLES I DON'T LIKE: I don't think there is a vegetable that I don't like.

W. WHAT MAKES ME RUN LATE: I either slept in late, or it took me longer to get Lyric and Michael ready.

X. X-RAYS I HAVE HAD: I have had quite a few. My hand, wrist, arm, back, and probably more that I cannot think of.

Y. YUMMY FOOD I MAKE: According to Chris and some friends, I am a really good cook.

Z. ZOO ANIMAL: Zebra

Memorial Day

Memorial Day: A Day We Will Never Forget

Photo By - http://www.household6diva.com/

Memorial Day, was originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

I think that we should all remember during this holiday weekend that the freedoms that we enjoy, they come at a cost.

May God Bless The Families of the Fallen, 

and 

Those Who are Currently Deployed Around the World.

I especially remember the memory of my grandfather. Who is one that fought for my freedom. 

I miss you very much Popa. 

Rock reads: 

MORGAN JANAE

WITH LOVE,

OOMPA

I'm Back!!!

Hey All!

I know that I was gone for over a year now. I started taking classes on-line, I got pregnant, went back home for two months, moved, and had a wonderful baby boy. 

My goal is to post at least twice a day. my daily questionnaires and at least one post about my daily life and my wonderful family.