24 weeks 4 days =)

I decided to do something different for showing off a belly photo. I wanted a shadow one and I wanted to include Alexia in the photo. She was definitely up for it. The photographer who took it was my hubby with the direction of me of course. =)

I'm 24 weeks 4 days along here and I definitely feel pregnant. Baby Devine sure loves to kick my bladder and she just recently got me in the ribs. Her big sister didn't even kick my ribs when I was pregnant with her. Guess we can also say, Devine has some really long legs and she is already really tough. She pushes out my belly all the time with her butt and back. She loves to kick when I'm eating and when I'm about to go to bed.

I'm enjoying every minute of being pregnant and I can't wait to meet my 2nd baby girl this Fall.

WE ALL LOVE YOU, DEVINE!!!

It's Official...

I received my DD-214 today from the Navy Separations Office. I was so nervous and excited all at once. Nervous because I've only known the Navy for 10 years and it's going to be a weird adjustment to be called my first name again and not by rank or by my last name. I'm excited because I'm going to be home more with my family and pursue my degree finally. So what my my plans now...well...Monday I start my Separations leave until August 15th. August 16th will be my official first day as a Civilian / Navy Dependent. My hubby is retired Navy so I'm turning in my Active duty id and receiving a dependent one, my last day in the Navy.

After that I'm off to start school on August 18th to pursue my degree in Photography and minor in Graphic Design. While also preparing for Baby Devine and having a 2nd baby girl in the house. Alexia is really excited to meet her baby sister. Just the other day she got to feel her sister kick and move around.

I'm going to enjoy being home more with my family and not missing one more holiday or event.

For now...I'm going enjoy being with my husband and daughter while I'm on separation leave...while preparing myself to become a college student real soon. =)

Hope everyone is having a GREAT Friday!!

XOXO,

FranJessca

Friday...A VERY Important Day

Friday, July 22, 2011...will be a VERY important day for me and my family. It will be the day I receive my DD-214 from the Navy. It will be a BIG step for me. I celebrated my 10 year Anniversary in the Navy on July 17th. I can't believe it's already been that long. I have several Senior Enlisted at my Command that were trying to convince me to stay in the next 10 years to finish my time...but unfortunately I've challenged myself all that I want in the Navy. I've accomplished what I wanted to do. I wouldn't change a thing either. I would go back in October 2000 and join the Navy all over again. July 17, 2001...I will always remember and so will my parents. The day I went to Boot Camp. It was the first step of becoming something I wanted to become. I wanted to be independent. I wanted to do things my peers weren't doing. I wanted to serve my country, pay for my own college and travel outside of the USA. I accomplished and conquered and I'm ready to challenge myself with something else. I want to pursue in my Photography and Graphic Design passions and also be with my Family more. I want to see my daughters grow and spend more time volunteering at Alexia's school. I want Baby Devine to see her Mommy everyday. Her Big Sister had to see me go on ship in 2006-2007. She didn't like me being away from her. She didn't even like me going to work at my shore command.

My husband of course says...he's glad I'm getting out because he really didn't like me going underway either. He also didn't like how I would stress out from the Navy. He wants me away from the drama and with the family.

I have to agree with the drama part since the Navy is turning out to be a Big Corporation and not the Military. 10 years ago the Navy was different...heck when my Great Uncle was in the Navy, the Navy was different. He still thinks if a Female Sailor gets pregnant, they get kicked out of the Navy. He found out with my first pregnancy that wasn't true. Trying to convince a World War II Veteran that the Navy has changed since then....is kind of hard. Hopefully, I can convince him in the next couple of weeks when I visit him. I can't wait to share stories with him on my adventures and hear his too and also hear about my rebellious Grandfather's stories.

Just one actual working day left in the Navy and the rest is checking out processes and getting paperwork. July 22nd...will be the day I will never forget...it will be one of the most memorable when I receive that one piece of paper that will change my life forever.

So in the next couple of days...I will become an Official Navy Veteran...and also a Navy Spouse.

I'm going to miss my co-workers and hopefully I can hold back the tears on Thursday...but highly unlikely since they had me crying last Friday for my luncheon. I've met some lifetime buddies and I really look forward to hearing my junior sailors tell me stories about their sea duty adventures...like I did with them.

I'll posting another blog later on this week...and hopefully it won't be a tearjerker.

I'm excited to finally be home more with my family...but I'm going to miss my extended family.

XOXO,

FranJessca

A Going Away Luncheon and a 6 year's old Party...Complete =)

Two days of parties can be tiring for a 22 week pregnant lady.

Yesterday, 7/15/11, I had my Going Away Luncheon at the Cheesecake Factory and was I surprised to see over 35 people show up and take over tables. I really was only expecting 20 people. It seems I have alot of people that I've made a difference to or like they've told me...my smile and warm heart has made a great asset to the Navy. I even had people come from previous commands that I was stationed with and people who had retired/separated from the Navy. It was hard to hold back the tears and that means, next week is going to be even more tougher on me to say good-bye to some amazing shipmates. I even had my Senior Chief tearing up a bit. He doesn't really want me to leave. He wishes he could've worked with me longer. I think he was hoping I would change my mind at the last minute and re-enlist. I'm going to miss everyone I worked with in the Navy, but like I've told them before, I'll still around for a little awhile and they'll see me on base since I'll be a Navy dependent and not Active Duty anymore.

Then there was today, with my daughter, Alexia's 6th birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Alexia had over 10 kids show up to her party and she received alot of gifts that we're still trying to sift through. Alexia had a blast with some of her classmates from her Kindergarten class and even got to meet another little boy the same age of her that I knew his Mom from when we were pregnant with our children together back in 2005. She even had Max there who has a big crush on her. All I can say is this pregnant Mama is beyond exhausted and needs a day of break...but it seems tomorrow will be a day of swimming in the new pool. Alexia is enjoying her summer and this Mama is enjoying watching her have an Amazing summer. Tomorrow may be a day of shopping at the Outlets or going to the Antique stores.

Maybe I'll get to sleep in tomorrow....but we shall see. LOL

XOXO,

FranJessca

Happy 6th Birthday to my Beautiful Princess!!!

It's that time of year again...my beautiful baby girl's birthday. Alexia Renee is now officially "6" year's old. I can't believe it!!! She is growing up way too fast on us. We love you, Alexia Renee very much!!! We can't wait to see your expression on your birthday party this Saturday. You are OUR WORLD!!! You complete us.

Happy Birthday, Alexia!!!

It's July so time for some UPDATES

It's July 4th which means in 9 days my baby girl, Alexia Renee will be "6" years old. I still can't believe it! Where has the time gone. I remember yesterday just finding out I was pregnant with her. She is my WORLD!! My exact mini-me...I should say. She wants to be just like me and she is already trying to wear my clothes. I catch her a night wearing some of my t-shirts as nightgowns. What am I going to do with her? I still haven't figured out what I'm going to give her for her birthday this year. I'll know once her party gets closer, I guess.

On to my other baby girl girl who is still in my tummy and loves to kick and punch my insides. "Devine June" who I've loved since the moment I found out I was pregnant with her. She is keeping me company right now as I type since my hubby and little girl are out and about. Although, Devine June seems to love making feel ill still. Just like her sister used to. I think I'm about to have another Alexia running around. I just recently decided for baby Devine June, I will become a cloth diaper Mama. I'll finding it more cheaper and also more adorable. Cheaper is always better I may say. Although...right now it's expensive since I'm trying to buy the cloth diapers already online. I'm also going to go to local cloth diaper store. I'm also going to try breastfeeding Devine June as long as everything goes well. Her big sister didn't want to latch and we both were exhausted after the delivery since I had have a C-section with Alexia. I'm already going to be scheduled for a C-section with Baby Devine also since doctor recommended it. I had too many complications in labor with Alexia and of course I want to make the right decision for my 2nd baby girl just like I did with Alexia. I want to meet the little dancer inside of me.

Onto the Navy life...I have 12 working days life...that's right...12 days. I'm so excited and a little nervous also since hubby is going to be taking care of the bills for awhile when I'm in school. I'll be waiting to hear back about my veteran's disability and that won't be until about 5 months out. Then I'll be able to pick up the bills I need to pick up again. I have my Photography Business and Boutique Business to help which my Photography Business is going full-force this summer thanks to my co-workers sending referrals and also my co-workers asking for photos and such. I even have a pin-up session in the works in the next few months before a Sailor comes home from his deployment. His wife wants to surprise him with a gift. =)

I'm still planning my trip to Florida, but it may be shorten since we've had other things come up.

I'm just looking forward to being home with my family more and finally tackling things I couldn't really do in the Navy. First thing I'm doing when I get out is getting my hair done the way I want it and also my nails painted the way I want it to be. The life of a Retired Navy Wife. =) I'm going to love it!! I'm also going to love going to school for something I love very much.

I promise to update more in the upcoming days...but for now...it's time for movies and popcorn to celebrate the rest of 4th of July. Hopefully Baby Devine will ease up on the kicking and punching for a bit.

Much Love,

FranJessca