Uncle STeeb

" Please bless Uncle Steeb in AfghanistanD" I love hearing my niece and nephew pray and every time they pray, they pray for uncle Steve. ( or as Ashton used to say Uncle Steeb) I realized today that I have not given an update on Steve and how he is doing over there in AfghanistanD.It has been a tough three months since he left, but we have both been blessed with  busy days that help the time pass. Soon after Steve arrived back in the Stan, his unit was relocated to another base. The new base is FOB Lightning. ( fob stands for Forward Operating Base) It is in a more remote location and has terrible internet service. ( So don't be surprised if it takes Steve a while to reply to any emails) The area he is in is warming up and thawing out.  February was cold and had a lot of snow fall,  which usually hindered missions. ( I was ok with that.. the less he had to leave the base the less I had to worry) Steve was promoted to Team leader and temporary squad leader to cover for the normal squad leaders two week leave. ( none of this came with a raise.. just more responsibility and less free time) Steve for the most part has enjoyed the experience and has learned a great deal. He also covered for another soldier and was in charge of organizing the church meetings for the base.( I think Steve's unit is the only one with any members) Speaking of being LDS ....... I am excited  to announce that Steve will be continuing his education this fall at... BYU!!! I am so proud of him for getting accepted. I know he will do great and it will be a wonderful experience ( now he can wear flip flops and shorts to campus.. ohh and get a degree)  For the most part he is doing really well and is ready to come home to his friends and family. Steve says that he has a mustache and his hair is getting really long on top.. but since he can't skype anymore.. I'll just have to take his word for it. If you want to write him or send a package email me and I will send you his new address.  Thank you for all the support.. we both really appreciate it!

Little Stinker

The past two weeks or so Hallie has refused to smile in any pictures. She will be babbling and smiling and kicking like crazy and the second she sees me with that camera she stops. It is driving me nuts because I want to share her adorable little smile with all of my friends and family and especially with Steve. The picture above is the closest I have come, but she smiles so big when the camera is not around and I have no proof. Well I suppose it will be like her and rolling over.. I can't tell you how many times I tried to video her rolling over and she just refused to.. or at least that is how it seemed.  I was finally able to capture it after about 20 tries..I wish I could capture all of the cute faces she makes but the camera is a distraction. Hallie already has a big personality and cracks me up everyday. Hopefully I will be able to show it to you soon.. if she lets me that is.

unexpected

so happy

I could not believe my eyes yesterday, as I watched my 7 week old daughter roll over for the first time. I had just placed her on my bed on her tummy. I assumed it would be like all the other "tummy times" and eventually after she struggled to move for a while she would want to be picked up.(  She once did a 180 by kicking her legs and trying to grip the ground.. like the hands of a clock ) She immediately lifted her head , cocked it back, and started to lift her left leg. Before I knew it she was slowly rolling over. I was so excited, proud and sad all in the same moment. I began to tear up thinking about how badly I wanted Steve to be there and how much I know he would have wanted to see it in person. Despite missing Steve I was elated watching my daughter pass such a big milestone.( big for me at least) After her success, I of course wanted a repeat performance. I have yet to receive one, but I am sure she will be a little Roley poly soon enough. This girl is going to be a mover and a shaker. I can't wait to capture her rolling over on video and send it to Steve.

Chubby Cheeks

first smile caught on camera



First wierd face caught on camera

What a difference a week makes. Hallie has gained 13 oz in one week and it shows. Her face has filled out so much in the past week alone. I can't believe how quickly she is changing. I was told how fast it goes, but it is something you just have to experience for yourself. I wish so badly that Steve could be here to witness these daily changes, but in the mean time I am trying to take lots of pictures to send to him. I used to struggle to write a post, but with Hallie there is just so much to share.  Expect lots of new posts to come!

Hallie- Lujah

one day old

one month old 

Hallie Kathleen Hunter was born on December 20th at 2:24 pm and was 8 lbs 2 oz and 21 inches long. During her short stay at  hospital she made an impression. I was told that she was the best baby in the nursery and everyone loved  her hair. ( not only was there a lot, but it was such a strange and beautiful color) Hallie was beautiful  from the moment she was born, but after her bath, she looked  like an angel. Speaking of angels, Hallie's nickname before birth became Hallie lou, short for Hallelujah. It seemed fitting since her birth would be so close to Christmas.(  I am grateful my family has  moved on to other nicknames) Hallie is now 5 weeks old and growing like a weed. Everyday she seems to change and I am so excited that I get to watch.  Here are a few fun facts about Hallie.  She loves to be sung to, lucky for her, her mom loves to sing. ( not so lucky that I sound terrible) She doesn't enjoy  " tummy time". I don't blame her, I would hate to feel  suffocated and immobile, but we keep trying. While she sleeps, she is either grunting and making noise, or is so quite I have to check to make sure she is still breathing. ( I guess she really is a mix between Steve and I.. Loud and quite)  She recently made friends with a her little pink dog ( its a baby toy) She likes to look at her and is even trying to nibble her a bit. Everyday she seems to be grabbing on to more things and getting a little more control over her limbs. ( the other day her passi was in her mouth and I swear I didn't put it there) For the most part she is just a wiggly happy girl, who sadly has too much gas and a little reflux.  We are trying to get those both under control and thankfully there have been vast improvements.( hopefully it will just keep getting better) I am so blessed to have such an amazing, beautiful, sweet little girl.

Perfect mix

It has been said that Hallie is the spitting image of Steve. I love that she looks like her daddy, but I think she has a little of me in her as well. I posted Steve and my newborn pics and put Hallie's new born picture between us. I will let you decide who she  resembles more. I think she is a perfect mix between her parents. 

Lucky Girl

Dear Friends and Family,

While Steve and I were engaged I went with my mom to her favorite nail place to have a pedicure. The nail technician was asking me all about getting married, Steve and pretty much anything you can think of. When she found out I was marrying a younger man she proceeded to tell me what a LUCKY GIRL I was and that in her country that was considered to be very lucky. Her accent made for a funny story to tell Steve and it has become a running joke between us. I always say what a lucky girl I am in the best accent I can manage. Today I was thinking about just how lucky I truly am and wanted to share. In a few hours I am going to the airport to pick up STEVE!!!!! It still doesn't quite feel real yet, but I am sure that will change the moment I see his face. Not only am I lucky he even gets to come home on leave at all, but we are both so fortunate to have him home during this special time. ( the birth of our first child) I have complained a lot over the past few weeks that I was ready to have the baby and she could come at anytime and I would be alright with it. I am so grateful that she chose to wait for her daddy to come home and be there with us. I am so blessed to have a husband like Steve. He is always supportive, understanding and can make me laugh even when I am mad. ( which gets him out of trouble way too often) I am a lucky girl to have such an amazing family that has taken care of me while Steve is away. Their support has given me the strength to move forward and live as normal of a life as I can. I can't imagine doing this alone, and I know it would make Steve's job in Afghanistan that much harder if he was worrying about me. I just wanted to say Thank you to all of our friends and family that have supported us. We are both so lucky to have all of you in our lives!

Love,
Megs