25 October 2009

Another week has come and gone!

Peyton, John and Gavin were all sick this week with a very long lasting (about 10 days total) stomach bug. Gavin still is being a little cranky and quite picky with his food. We all packed up on Saturday and went down to San Antonio to meet up with Amanda's friends Emily and her son Graeme and Keri and her daughter Elaina. We met up at the San Antonio Zoo. Everyone had a blast and we got some good pics of the little ones getting to know one another.




There is a rumor going around that Rob's unit is going to be disbanded. Not all of 3rd ACR, just 4th squadron. It does make sense as all of 3rd ACR is heavy tanks and equipment and 4th squadron is all aviation. It's like that little jingle "one of these things is not like the others". We've heard a lot that they are going to be making a large aviation brigade, which would make WAY more sense. One of the troops has already switched and now wears 'Task Force 49' patches. News articles have stated that Ft. Wainright (ALASKA!!!) is going to be taking them. We will see, this is a BIG RUMOR....and even things that aren't rumors can change in a heartbeat in the army. Rob is in the field this week, prepping for deployment. We hope that he will be able to be home for halloween...


Amanda has been working her butt off and has gotten her first federal paycheck (boy do they take out A LOT of deductions!). She also was approached today by one of the Physician Assistants that she works with at the weekend sick call clinic. Her normal job is working in the ER and she really likes Amanda. Often she claims that Amanda is HER nurse, even though they are not assigned. She says she loves working with Amanda and she is more than competent and knows what to do in emergency situations. She asked Amanda to come and work over in the ER. Amanda does not technically fall under the qualifications, not having enough experience as a nurse, but she thinks that they most probably could waive it considering Amanda's paramedic training previously. (The PA also said they like to keep her happy and working there so they tend to give her what she wants!) So Amanda will be checking out that opportunity soon!


Hope everyone is well and has a happy and safe HALLOWEEN!!!!

18 October 2009

Hello again friends and family!

We had only a few things happen this week....

Gavin stood up by himself on Saturday. He also seems to have totally realized how to talk. He has said "hi", "yes" and "nana". Although the only one he likes to say on command is Dada and sometimes Mama. He decided just today to shake his head NO continuously while Mommy put him down for a nap. Although he still can't really crawl yet he is getting around much better (and faster!) by scooting on his butt! BUT he did crawl in the tub tonight (and swam!). He also turned 11 months old on Wednesday and Amanda weighed him at work, 19lb 7oz!! YAY Gav....he is now in about the 11th percentile.....

Peyton & John have no new news to report...they are growing like weeds, we had to move them into size 3T this week. They helped Mommy and Daddy decorate for Halloween....they think it looks good!

Amanda got a great compliment at work, by the head nurse, Lt Col Mendoza. He told her that he has heard good things, that she is a great nurse and should keep up the good work. It's always nice to hear!

Rob's squadron had "family day" on Saturday at BLORA (Belton Lake Outdoor Recreational Area- Ft Hood's own lake with a beach and playgrounds and other recreational activities). There was free food and candy (ALWAYS a plus!) and games for the adults. Rob's troop (Renegade) won the Tug o War. They also raised money by paying to throw a pie at the 1st sgts (really funny!). The boys had fun on the playgrounds and dancing to the music...Gavin had fun eating (he has apparently made eating a sport...). P&J really wanted to go down to the water but it was a little too cool for it. Rob will be going out the the field on Tuesday. We're not sure how that will work, but it is possible he will miss Halloween again. We have heard they will not come home the whole time. We have heard that they will be home only for the weekends and we have also heard that they will be doing 12 hour shifts....this is the Army and it is sure to change, that we know. It is also unlikely that we will know until the very last second (that is always nice when you have childcare to worry about!).

Well it is late and everyone needs to be in bed.....more next Sunday!

The first sunday 11 October 2009

Welcome to our new blog! Amanda has decided that as a way for all our friends to keep up with the goings-on with our family, being so far away, that we will post blogs every sunday to let everyone know what is going on....especially pictures of the boys so everyone can see them grow!

So right now, the major things that have happened recently:

Amanda was hired as an army civilian, working in the same clinic but now has better benefits and a very stable job. Yay, no more worries about contracts ending!

Rob is working on several things. He is set to deploy next year. He is trying to get surgery to remove the excess skin he has from losing 110lbs and also Lasix for his eyes. He is also trying to promote to Sgt, and is thinking of signing up for re-enlistment. We may get to chose what post we move to next, Ft. Drum(NY), Ft. Lewis (WA) and Ft. Bragg (SC) are all on our short list. We could move as early as Jan or it could be a long while.

Peyton & John have a speech problem. We've spent since March trying to get them into some program to help. We are finally in the final stages of getting help from the local school system. Amanda's nephew went to speech a while back and her sister said it helped a bunch so we're hoping for similar results. The boys are SO excited that they are going to get to "GO TO SCHOOL!!!". They are speaking in more full sentences and say more words, but most are unrecognizable to anyone but mom & dad so we hope there is some change....

Gavin will be 11 months old on Wednesday (how did THAT happen!!!???). He is working on becoming mobile. He still hasn't gotten crawling down in the least bit, but he scoots a lot on his butt and does get places....he LOVES to walk holding our hands and tries constantly to pull up on furniture....surely he'll be walking soon. He is also learning his voice! His first word was "Hey", followed shortly by "Mama" (this word is often SCREAMED at mommy when she comes in the door from work or to get him up in the morning or after nap) and his new favorite, "Dada"! He loves feeding himself (making a HUGE mess!) and the ensuing baths (especially with his big brothers). We can't believe we'll be planning a first bithday party for our little guy soon!

Until next week....