Hi Family and Friends,
Well, I suppose it is time for yet another update from Italy. Unfortunately, there is not too much to report these days. Unlike the months before, we are not traveling the world, living in a hotel, or celebrating any major holidays (except for my 22nd birthday, of course). As of now, our life is consumed with Paul's RIDICULOUS 12 hour WORK day (so that does not count traveling, lunch, etc...), getting prepared for the arrival of our little man, and trying my hardest to keep this house CLEAN! I tell ya, Italian houses are much more difficult to clean than American homes.
Paul has settled in nicely at work. For the time being he is working 5 days on/2 days off/4 nights on/3 days off and then the cycle starts over again. It's a pretty rigorous schedule but he's handling it very well. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, he will take his board exam to become qualified and will start working a 3 days on/3 days off schedule...that will be nice. We might actually see each other for more than a 2 hour span in a week! His new job is much more "intelligence" oriented so he is definitely enjoying getting his hands dirty in the field. In addition to all of this, he is taking classes at AMU and working on his officer package (to be officially submitted this summer). He's definitely a busy guy.
And then there is me. Besides carrying my 23 pound son around (haha), I am just trying to get myself organized before our world turns completely upside down. You have no idea how much paperwork I have collected in the time it took to pack up our house in California and arriving in Italy. It is ridiculous! I'll catch up eventually...I'm just waiting for the burst of energy that they say you get before delivering...it will be a lifesaver. On that note, I have been completely cleared by the doctor's and will have a normal delivery, given that everything goes as planned. I go to the doctor tomorrow...so who knows what could happen. We have packed our hospital bag, pretty much finished the nursery, and put the carseat in the car (mostly for lack of space), so whenever he's ready...WE'RE READY! Now, all I need is my mom to show up...haha. Besides that, I've just been hangin out and trying to get somewhat involved here on base so I can meet some people. That, too, is something that will just come with time, I am sure.
We've also had the oppurtunity to spend a good amount of time with my brother, Eddie. He has had the oppurtunity to come down to base twice in the last month, so we always enjoy that. This last visit was the first time he did not have american food requests (besides Frosted Flakes, of course) so he might be getting used to this whole 'home away from home' thing. I have really enjoyed spending more time with my brother. Given that he left for West Point and then the seminary when I was in 5th grade, it's really been like getting to know a brother that I never really knew. I've also really enjoyed his excitement surrounding the baby as well. His grin when he sees my belly each time is priceless! Being so close to him is definitely a blessing that I never knew I would recieve! God is so good! And boy do I have the best brothers around!
And lastly, I wanted to let everybody know that we have finally set up our webcam and our skype account. Until this weekend, I was not familiar with skype at all but was QUICKILY and very easily introduced. Skype is a program that you can download onto your computer that will allow you to communicate with other people on their computer...no matter where they are. You can use your webcam or you can just use a microphone...and the best part is that it is FREE! We have definitely enjoyed getting to see our niece and nephew, Caroline and Alex, this weekend. I would love for as many of you as possible to also sign up and get a webcam. There is a $20 one at walmart that works GREAT and has a microphone. Just let me know if you need help and we'll figure something out. This tool is going to make it SO easy to keep in touch and show off the new little one (and the great haircut I am going to get next month). All you do is go to Skype.com and it is explained from there.
Well, this is much longer than I meant for it to be! I will definitely keep you updated on our little man...I'm praying he comes soon. Keep us in your prayers as you will continue to be in ours.
Love,
Jeanne
