It's a BOY!

An update on our SON, Troy and myself...

Cletus the Fetus is a boy! I had a doctor's appointment this past Thursday and found out then that we are having a little boy. We are both so excited! It's what we both had hoped for - Troy for obvious reasons, and myself because I think every girl should have a big brother, so I've always wanted a boy first. We haven't decided 100% on a name, but we are leaning towards Ezekiel and calling him Zeke! He is healthy and active and kicking his mother's bladder quite frequently which sends her to the bathroom every 20 minutes or so.

Troy is also doing well. He has made a life long friend out there - Frank. They seem inseparable and I tease Troy that I am jealous of all this time Frank is getting. :) He and Troy have lots in common and it is so comforting to me to know that Troy has someone there to keep him from being lonely. I'm grateful for Frank and am excited to meet him and his family one day!

And I'm fine as well. I'm adjusting ever so slowly to Troy being gone. I've slept on the couch since I've been in Mississippi because it's small enough to make me not feel so alone when I sleep. However, baby boy Morgan has made my belly so large, I'm transitioning back to the bed starting tonight. I no longer comfortably sleep on the couch. Healthwise, I feel great! My energy is back, I'm not puking anymore!!

I am getting excited and nervous about having a baby. I was watching a delivery on television last week and it's the first time that it dawned on me that I'm actually going to have to deliver this little guy. These four months I've just been excited about having the baby in my life, and haven't actually considered how it is going to get from my belly to my arms. Haha...so, that's brought on a bit of nervousness, but I'm a tough chick, so I'll be fine.

That about sums it up for the Morgans. Here is a video of the last ultrasound. The baby was sticking his whole hand in his mouth and my sister was able to capture a few seconds of it. It was adorable!!

Troy's Iraqi Singing Debut

Here is a picture that was taken of Troy singing the National Anthem recently in Iraq! Not only is he talented, but look how HANDSOME...wow! I'm so lucky! ;)

Funny Kid!

Here is another Jacob the Comedian moment. I swear, he has the coolest sense of humor!

So, I cooked chicken stew for dinner and asked him to get the guts out of the whole chicken that I had bought. My pregnancy gag reflexes won't stand for it and he seems to like it, so it's a win-win. He came to me to let me know he was finished, and I went to get the chicken to find this:

I suppose he thought the chicken deserved one last hot tub luxury before being eaten by our family. It really cracked me up! He's such a funny kid!

My Amazing Airman!!

Troy has been doing very well in Iraq! It amazes me how he is able to make the absolute best out of any and every situation. Lately, he has done some pretty incredible things.

First, after having blown away everyone with his amazing voice while singing The National Anthem, he has been asked to sing it again at two other ceremonies in the future!

Also, he sent a letter to the editor to the San Diego Reader about an article that he had read on Environmentally Friendly Pest Control. The editor emailed him back asking for permission to publish his letter! :)

He will be going this Sunday to Stake Conference in Iraq at another base, and he got an email from his Bishop yesterday that Elder Holland would be there! I think it is so fantastic that the General Authorities would risk going into a combat country to inspire and bring their spirit to the men and women out there who are serving our country.

Troy received the Dust Devil of the Week award for last week! :) It's an award that is given to one airman each week in the Civil Engineering field for outstanding work!

I am so grateful for my husband and his work ethic and amazing talents!! I love you, baby!

Troy in front of one of the archways at the Biblical City of Ur. This is right off base of where they are stationed. He get to go tour the ruins last week. It is believed to be Abraham's home.

One of his Army buddies from his ward that went home recently.

A fox that Troy trapped. They check these animals for disease or bombs and then tag and relocate them.

This is the plane ride on the way to Iraq. It doesn't appear to be comfortable in the slightest, and yet, there he is...smiling and enjoying it.

Standing on a wall at the City of Ur.

Missing Half of Me

I've had a rough day emotionally. I think the prego hormones have kicked in FULL FORCE!! I cried probably 80% of the time that I was awake.

I really miss Troy. It's been really hard for me to have him gone. I hide it well usually and keep my head up and stay positive, but today was not one of those days.

Someone commented today that I had not been myself lately. I was thinking about that comment and agreed with that person, and started pondering on what about me was different (other than the obvious.) I then realized that I am truly missing half of myself. Troy being gone has made me realize how complete my life is with him in it. He truly makes me feel like a whole person, and him being gone is like part of me being away as well.

As sad and hard to bear as that has been, it has also made me so very grateful! It is such a fantastic realization to know that I am hopelessly in love with my husband. Of course, I have always known that I love him and care for him deeply, but have never had to experience not having him since we've been together. I am grateful to have found him! I am grateful that my Heavenly Father saw fit to put such an amazing, loving, special individual in my life to spend my eternities with. I miss Troy very much, but am so grateful for this opportunity to be able to realize how much he means to me! And how happy he makes me!

I am looking forward to having him home and for both of us to be better to one another. To cherish more fully those small sweet moments and the time that we are able to spend together. We both have talked alot about realigning our priorities and being away from one another has really put that into check.

I love my husband! He truly is my best friend and the best thing that has ever happened to me!

Funny Kid

I used the "boy's bathroom" earlier because the other was occupied. I never go back there because it really is only used by the boys and can be quite disgusting.

I was looking in the shower for a bar of soap to wash my hands (which disturbs me to know the boys don't have hand soap) and saw this creation in the shower. It made me laugh! Jacob says he got bored while taking a shower and made this out of soap and bobby pins.

My American Idol!

Troy will be singing the National Anthem at a Change of Command ceremony in Iraq tomorrow afternoon! I am so proud of him! He tried out and they loved him the most! (Of course) It's a very important event where he'll be singing in front of hundreds of people.

He has an amazing voice - I'm so lucky to have married a man who serenades me and writes beautiful songs for me and our baby. He's the best! And so very talented!!

Check out some of his music here: www.myspace.com/namaste39