What have we been up to? Well, We have moved back to Washington! It has been great. We love our apartment, and we love the area. We are really missing family though. Me especially. I can't complain though, it has been WONDERFUL having Matt back home.

Moving up here was a bit of a challenge though! at the end of September we gave our 30 day notice, but moved out the day we gave the the notice in hopes of pocketing a little bit of rent money. Matt had immediate orders and had to move right away to Washington. So, he went and stayed in the barracks, while Jack and I stayed at my dads! Matt came home on the weekends, but after a week and a half, he missed us and found out we could stay in hotel on base for free, for ten days (well. not free. We pay and then the Navy reimburses us).

On our way up to Washington I checked my phone and realized I had a missed call/ voice mail from a weird number. I listed to the message and it had turned out that I had won a contest! Matt entered us into a drawing through the Oregon college savings plan that he had heard about while listening to a beavers game. I had won tickets the the OSU vs. BYU game, AND tickets to the civil war! Not only that, but we were invited to a pre- civil war party where I will be entered into a drawing for $5,000 for school! I was excited, but Matt was REALLY excited ;)

okay, lets fast forward a little bit! We moved into our apartment last friday! We were supposed to move in the 19th, but the carpets weren't cleaned yet, and then they moved it to Thursday, but the carpet wasn't dry yet, so Friday was the day. It worked out just fine. We were a little stressed, but the wait was worth it :)

This week has been pretty stressful too. I got a phone call from our old apartments in Gresham saying that our apartment smelled of animal urine AS SOON AS YOU OPEN THE DOOR. and that there was so much damage to the carpet that they think they will have to replace the entire carpet and that it will cost us around $1000. Now, anyone who really knows me, knows that I'm a clean freak. My house is always in great shape, always clean. I vacuum every other day, and I especially clean up after Riley! My dad also came over a few times to shampoo our carpets while we lived there. So, I was very surprised to get this phone call, to say the least. I know Riley had an accident here and there, but definitely not enough to damage the carpet. She is house trained. Does any one have any advice for this situation?
In the grand scheme of life I know this is a small thing and I shouldn't let it stress me, but $1,000 is a lot of money!

I will keep you all updated on this situation :)

Jacks 4 month appointment.

This morning Jack had his 4 month appointment! We had to change doctors since we moved to Washington, but I found a great doctors office just 3 minutes from our house!

Jack is doing awesome, to say the least. He weighs 15.10lbs, is in the 50th percentile for weight, and is 25.5 inches long and in the 75th percentile for height. He is happy, healthy and just too cute:)

I'm also happy to say that I'm still exclusively breastfeeding and will do so until he is 6 months old, then we will add in solid foods. I was afraid for some reason that he wasn't gaining weight and I would have to start supplementing with formula, but he is thriving on breastmilk!

The American association of pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding at least for the first six months, and I'm thankful it has worked out that way for us! Did you know that in America, only 14.8% of babies are exclusively breastfed at 6 months. Also, the center of disease control Is urging hospitals to be more breastfeeding friendly, only 4- 5% of hospitals in the US fully support breastfeeding! Anyways, that is a completely different posting that I will talk more about later. Also, I don't want to come off as thinking I'm superior, because I'm definitely not! Breastfeeding is just what's worked best for our family, and I'm happy to be doing what I thinks best for Jack :) breastfeedingdoesn't work for everyone, it can be stressful, and overwhelming, especially in the beginning and I think it's great that there is formula for those it doesn't work for!

Okay, that's enough about breastfeeding/formula for now, I will update on what we have been up to and post some recent pictures of Jack soon. Our internet hasn't been set up yet and I'm posting this from my phone, which isn't easy! Until then, happy fall!

Reasons I'm excited to move:

1. Our new apartment is super nice! They were built two years ago, have granite countertops/showers and all stainless steel appliances. Plus, there is no nasty moldy smell.

2. Trader Joe's/Costco are literally a 5 minute drive from our house!

3. Living local. It is soooo much easier to buy locally in silverdale! They started a food co-op since we left and we are excited to get involved with that.

4. Finally being together as a family! This one doesn't really need an explanation, but I'm so very excited to be with matt again. Jack changes so much each day, I can't wait until he can be a part of his daily life :)

Of course, I will miss my family and friends down here, but EVERYONE is welcome to come and visit!

Why does time go by so fast? Jack is already 3 1/2 months old now. He is grabbing toys and sticking them in his mouth, laughing, smiling and he even already has his first tooth coming in! Teething has been less than fun. He is grouchy(I don't blame him) and not sleeping as well. Normally, he sleeps through the night., but the last few nights he has been up every hour to two hours. It's so tiring, especially because I've had a head cold.

What makes things a little harder too, is that we are no longer in our apartment anymore, so Jack's schedule is all messed up! He isn't used to sleeping in his bassinet for naps , plus he is moving so much in his sleep! We are staying at my dads over the next few weeks until our apartment is ready, and hopefully that happens soon!

I'm so excited for this next phase of our life. To be done with the Navy, to be back in Oregon, and to be together as a family for GOOD!