Guess what...

We're having a girl! I knew it.

Obviously we would've been perfectly happy either way, but we're pretty excited for a girl. Now I can start knitting.

Yay for promotions!

Congratulations Captain Smith!

You've paid your dues as an LT--and we're so proud!

In other news...

We finally found out when and where we are moving! We will be moving to Edwards AFB, California November 1st. We can't wait!
Edwards is in the Mojave desert, about 100 miles NE of LA. It will be hot and dry, and we are looking forward to the different landscape, climate and--we imagine--culture. We've enjoyed our stay in Massachusetts, but we are definitely ready to experience another part of the country.

Edwards is tasked with flight testing, among other things, and sometimes the space shuttle lands there when it needs to. Mike will (most likely) be with the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, which, um, tests bombers or something. Maybe. I would love to be able to say that I'm not allowed to tell you what he'll be doing, but really I just don't know.

They have a really cool patch though. Skull and crossbones--can't beat that!

So we are pleased. The timing of the move couldn't be better, with the baby due in February, and we're glad that Evan will get to go trick-or-treating with his friends and neighbors one more time before we leave. Now we just sit back and wait for the movers to come. Acutally I will be obsessively cleaning and getting rid of things, but other than that, just waiting!

Make it go away...

So, last night Cody got sprayed by a skunk. What a terrible experience. I'll tell you what--in close proximity, fresh skunk spray does not smell like what you think it smells like. It smells much, much, worse. Much worse. Unfortunately, the skunk sprayed directly underneath our bedroom window, so the smell simultaneously entered the house through the front door (thank you Cody) and the back windows.

Mike did a wonderful job of washing Cody with laundry detergent--which apparently works really well because Cody smells very pleasantly of Dreft now. I think the skunk might have sprayed more at him than on him, but he absolutely brought it into the house with him. I left all the doors and windows open today, and have been obsessively spraying febreeze in the air, but I think we're just going to have to be patient.

Did I mention that this happened around 12:30 last night? Or that it's really hard to sleep in a house that smells like fresh skunk ick? Yep. Good times in the Smith house. Luckily, Evan slept peacefully through it all, and his room is odorless. Maybe we should've slept in there!

Also, I know I'm being overly dramatic...but keep in mind that I am pregnant and

1) am allowed to be dramatic, and

2) everything smells terrible to me anyway, let alone things that actually do smell terrible. Of which I am keenly aware of.

I wish I had taken a picture of Cody and his pathetic self during his rigorous 30 minute bath last night, but I couldn't find the camera. Of course!

Now broadcasting from...

...our new computer! Oh i'm so happy. Right now, I am typing on a keyboard that has all of it's keys. Crazy, I know. We were a little worried about getting a new computer, with Evan's grabby little fingers around, but our setup seems to be safe and mildly Evan-proof so we are quite pleased with ourselves.

More importantly, a lot has been going on around here! First, we had Evan's 2nd birthday, during which great fun was had by all. We had some friends over, and Evan had some friends over, and we ate lots of cake.

mmm. Hot dogs and strawberries. Best birthday ever!

When we asked Evan what his favorite part of the day was, he said blowing out the candles (more or less).

Mike got him a little tool set, which he has been playing with non-stop since he got it. He especially likes to "fix" all his tractors and trucks, and he even knows which tool is which! Daddy's little helper. He is pretty much over the moon with all his new birthday toys.

Also, my girlfriend Jeanine came to visit and we had a blast. We got fabulous haircuts and spent a lot of time shopping, so it was a good trip. We (and Evan) spent a wonderful day at the beach, and the water was warm enough to swim in--Evan loved jumping in the waves and he made a bunch of friends there. I think we're getting spoiled with this warm beach business.

In other news...we're going to have another baby! It's due February 24, and Evan says he wants a baby sister. I don't think he knows what that means though, because when we ask him if he wants a girl or a boy he says "boy". We will be happy with whatever we have, but we are definitely excited to find out--we have an ultrasound scheduled for September 25. I'm feeling like myself again (although slightly larger), and things are good in the Smith Household!

Probably only mildy amusing to others...

This morning Evan and I had to bring Mike's gas mask to work for him because he had forgotten it. I think that's hilarious. I would imagine most non-military wives occasionally have to deliver a forgotten lunch or paperwork or something, but not me. Nope, my husband forgets his gas mask. I love it!

Potty time?

The other day, this innocent looking little boy took off his diaper and pooped on the floor. It was pretty funny, mostly because it wasn't messy, but I think it's time to work on this potty training business. He refuses to sit on the potty most of the time, but yesterday I let him run around diaper-less in the backyard until he peed on himself. He seemed pretty concerned about it and was all about sitting on the potty--for a little bit. I don't see this going well, but I figure if he knows when he has to go, it's worth a try, right? Wish us luck.