Update

Brad and I had been kicking around the idea of taking a trip home for some time. It was really a tough decision and we spent hours going back and forth. As much as we are dying to see family and shop at a Target, we couldn't justify spending that much money to go home when there is so much to see here in Europe. After all we're only here for such a short time!

So, instead of visiting good ole' Memphis, TN. We decided to go to the original Memphis, amoung a few other places. When I say original Memphis I am talking about Memphis, EGYPT! 

We had the opportunity to join some friends on a 12 day Mediterranean cruise. The ports are Spain, Italy, Greece, Egypt, Turkey, and Malta and leaves on January 4th. 

Even though we are beyond excited about this once in a life-time trip, we are sad to not see family. We are looking forward to seeing them in May or the summer. If time has been flying the way it has been lately then it will be here before we know it!

This sign always makes me giggle. It's on one of the bases here in Stuttgart. I always picture a chaplain taking off his yamaka at the end of the service and snapping on a collar for Catholic service, puts on a suit for the Lutheran service, slips into a Hawaiian shirt and is bare foot for the contemporary and calls in the choir for the Gospel service. What a long Sunday!

Africom

The past month Brad has been working ridiculous hours getting ready for a special ceremony that took place today. The ceremony was a celebration for the new command called 'AFRICOM' that finally stood up on it's own this month. This is the same command that brought us here to Germany and what Brad is working for. Since there are not many Marines here he was "voluntold" to be on the colorguard and basically wave around the Marine Corps flag. You can't see much of it on the video but there is a quick glimpse of him. I'm going to keep searching for a video of the colorguard because it was really neat to see all the guys marching and the band play.

It's raining leaves!

Red, orange, yellow, blue! Ok maybe not blue... but it is beautiful this time of year here. Beats California any day! My friend Emma has been so inspiring lately with her passion for photography that Brad and I went and snapped a few of our own. This is in our front yard, yes the same place where the man peed. (See post below if you're feeling lost). There is a buffer of leaves now so we are ok. Anyway, I couldn't help myself and Miles had a blast. I love fall!

Happy birthday my sweet baby Miles!

One year ago today I was taken to Women's Baptist Memorial hospital in Memphis, TN for a scheduled induction. We arrived at 8:00pm that night and they immediately had me change into the birthing outfit and hooked me up to all sorts of monitors. Being hooked up to all that stuff and not having my husband by my side was one of the scariest things I've ever gone through! Luckily, my mom stepped up and stayed the whole time with me.
The next morning at 4:00am they started me on Pitocin and the fun began there! 16 hours later, Miles came into the world! He was so precious and I couldn't believe that he was the little one kicking inside of me all that time! His Daddy, Brad, was able to be on the phone and coach me through the whole thing! I even heard him cry when Miles let out his first cry! Grandma Baker and Aunt Rachel were also coaching me and able to welcome sweet baby Miles into the world.
Now, it's been a whole year and all I can say is where did the time go?!?

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Photos

A friend of mine is starting up her own photography business and Miles was her guinea pig for her new props. It's great for me because I can get some great pics of my little man for next to nothing! He is such a cheese ball in front of the camera! Thought I'd share some of the pics with you.

Burrr!!

 We've really been packing on the layers this past month. Brad and I are realizing that our little coats that we never used in California just aren't doing the trick anymore. We joke around and say "these are our July jackets". 

Brad is finally coming to terms that he has to wear a scarf. For some reason he thinks it's a woman thing. Anyway, here is our old coats on our walk last night. Time to upgrade! Miles was by far the warmest of the 3 of us!

Miles on the other hand is all set! I love shopping Gymboree and BabyGap's winter selection. It's just too cute! There is a funny story behind his hat. I ordered the hat for him a month ago and then we received 2 more of them (the exact same one) for his birthday! But, all the hats are a different size! So needless to say, he will be wearing this hat for the next 3 years. (Just incase you were wondering why his head wasn't growing). Doesn't he look like a little Russian cookie? I love my chunky little man!