The Government Is Trying To Kill Me

I can't believe I haven't been able to post for almost a month! It doesn't seem like that long, but so much has happened. Ethan and I were able to go to Texas to visit Anthony for Valentine's Day/President's Day, which was wonderful, but a nasty drive. We spent 23 hours in the car, and Ethan was such a good little traveller. He only woke up to eat every few hours and slept most of the rest of the time. I, on the other hand, was not enjoying the car as much, especially once we made it into Texas. Have I mentioned how much I dislike Texas? I know most, okay all, Texans think their state is the most amazing place ever (according to a friend of Anthony's: "The best country in the world!"). Even at the hotel we stayed at, the breakfast included make-your-own waffles in the shape of...Texas! I cannot imagine any other state doing this. But I have to admit, they were dang good waffles, so perhaps Texas isn't so bad to eat. Everything else about the state is up for debate. But once we got to Anthony, it was worth it. Almost. Okay, it was worth it, but I don't want to do that drive any time soon. We got to meet one of his friends and see where Anthony works on the jet engines. We also were part of breaking base rules. Anthony had forgotten a few things in his room, so we drove to the base to pick them up, and just as we arrived, it started to hail along with a lightning storm. I didn't know those two went together. Ethan and I went into the Base Exchange to wait, while Anthony took the car keys and went back to his room. As soon as he signed in, he found out they were on lockdown, due to the lightning, and he was told he couldn't leave until the storm was over, which could be hours. He told them there was no way he could stay because I was waiting for him with our two-month-old son, and he had the car keys, so I was stuck. Anthony also didn't have his cell phone, so he couldn't even let me know what was going on. I don't know what I would have done if he didn't come back. Finally he was able to convince them to let him out, but he said they were probably terrified he'd be struck by lightning as soon as he left the building and they'd have a lawsuit on their hands. No such luck. We were able to spend four days together because of the long weekend, and then Ethan and I had to make the long trek home. I was able to cut it to 18 hours, and then I got 2 hours of sleep before starting another long day of running around to get things done for our move. Military life does not leave room for sleep.

We're getting closer to our move, and things are finally falling into place. I have spent numerous hours trying to get our passports together, along with having people both here and in Texas treat me like I'm an idiot that doesn't know what I'm doing simply because they both tell me different things and no one can agree on the protocol. If I have one more person tell me that I don't have the correct form or I need a signature TODAY from a person 1,000 miles away from me, I'm going to have a stroke. One day we'll get it together, and by that time, we'll be moving to our next base and we'll start all over. At least both boys' passport pictures truly reflect the frustrations we've had. Will looks so sad and forlorn, and Ethan is screaming. I'm sure they'll appreciate showing those off when they're a bit older.

Ethan's started smiling and looking around quite a bit. I love it when they get to this stage because they truly start connecting with you. He's got the cutest smile ever, but I can't seem to get it in a picture. And most of the time he's awake, I'm dodging spit up anyway, so the camera has been at the back of my mind. Here's a picture of him enjoying the swing that I finally broke out for him:



Will's talking more and more, and I'm starting to understand a few more of the words. He loves pointing out any dog he sees. Maybe Bob the cat needs a friend? And he's loving being in the nursery. We've been going to the Plainfield ward the last few weeks because Ethan's a night owl, especially on Saturday nights, so we need to hit the later church. Even though he doesn't know anyone, he's happy playing with toys and singing songs. The leaders said he's clapping and singing along. I'm not surprised. He's always making up his own songs at home, even though we don't listen to music all that often. I'm trying to get psyched up to listen to preschool songs in the car, but I haven't been able to bring myself to do so yet. Mostly since we don't have any kid's cds except for his bedtime cd. Any suggestions on music that's not too annoying?

A few days ago, Will attempted to put on sunglasses just like me. I think he missed the point of protecting his eyes from the sun, but he seemed to enjoy wearing them.




I also learned that Will is my opposite in food preferences. We stopped by McDonald's the other evening when we were out too late to make dinner, and Will decided that he wasn't thrilled with his hamburger.



So he took off the hamburger and just ate the bun.


This was even funnier because of this picture my Grandma had of me when I was not much older than Will.


I'm eating a McDonald's hamburger without the bun because I didn't like bread when I was little. For me, these pictures are priceless. Who knew we would be so different? Although I'm blaming his aunt Katie (Corbin) for poisoning his mind with her "no red meat" ways. Will used to eat anything and everything, but that's changing little by little. Growing up is hard to do!