There's something in the water.

There are so many people we know who are expecting. I wondered if I am hypersensitive to all things baby since having ours and while that is likely true, it isn't why I've noticed all these pregnancies. I've simply noticed because I am surrounded!

Let's see...just recently one of the guys worked with in Pendleton found out they are expecting. This is great because they have been trying since before I moved out to California last spring.

Then there is one of my best friends back home; she's expecting her second little bundle. Those of you at our reception may remember her first, whom I lovingly call Baby J (even though she'll be three this May). She was the little rascal that really, really wanted robe part of our pictures when we were cutting the cake. Oh and her other best friend is expecting, too.

My best friend from elementary school is expecting in October. One of the wives from Dan's platoons is expecting, due in June. We just learned that another wife from the platoon is expecting, too. Ev will have built-in playmates for the duration of our stay; she can be the boss since a he's the oldest. I kid, I kid.

Another person from home that is close to me is expecting too but I've sworn to keep my lips zipped. I am very excited for this lady and her husband, though.

That's all I can think of right now but I am sure I am missing at least one person.

In non-baby news, there are some changes that have occurred in our family's schedule. Dan was supposed to go to Thailand for a joint-training mission with the Thai Army in February; he was the acting platoon sergeant and was in charge of getting everything organized. He was due to leave on a Monday but the Friday before they informed him he was pulled off the trip. Why? 'Cause he was chosen to go to the Phillipinnes for about half a year, leaving in April.

April is next month, obviously. Just last week he and the guys he was training with were informed they wouldn't be going. Arghhhhh. Just as with Thailand, I was just beginning to get comfortable with the idea and then the whole situation is changed under our noses. This is the nature of the beast though and I just need to get used to it.

The Phillipinnes was my "ideal" deployment, if there is such a thing. He would've left in April and my Momma and sister would've been out to stay for two months at the end of May. They still are coming but when he does deploy, I don't think we'll be as lucky with the timing. I was getting excited about filling my time with family bonding, finally being able to go to Zumba with Krissi, spending time at the barn (built-in babysitter with Mom here), and just having two of the six or seven months fly by because I'd be busy and with my family.

I am excited he will be home with us though, even though I know he was looking forward to the opportunity. Now he'll get to see Evelyn have her first bites of "solid" food, see her sit up, wobbly, unassisted, and who knows what else. Oh, and we'll get to go to the beach on the weekends and go surfing! He'll be here for Easter, Father's Day, and my birthday.

I wanted to talk about our fun weekend but this is long enough the way it is; I'll share pictures and details of our weekend another time. Be sure to check back later today (Monday morning for those in the States) for this week's Japanese lesson.