Happy Easter

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I will post more pictures soon. Needless to say, Malia loves Peeps :)

bug spray needed for the nesting bug...

I'm already 1/2 way through my second pregnancy, and I can tell I'm starting to get the nesting bug. Exciting, right!??! No... not good at all...

The downside, I can't really nest right now. We have NO idea what is going on with our housing/moving situation at the moment. When will we move to Fort Bragg? Is Keoni going to jump school immediately after his DCC stint at Fort Benning? Where are we going to live? Are we moving in June? July? All questions I know the Lord will answer in His time, not mine. But I'll admit, this is where I struggle, and I knew I would struggle once the nesting bug bit my booty.

A few things we have decided, which will not be effected by who/what/when/where we move, is Malia is getting a big girl, toddler bed. We've looked at a few stores for the perfect fit for our short chunky monkey. She will also get a new chest of drawers and possibly a book shelf.

Which means, daughter #2 gets Malia's nursery furniture- however, I'm contemplating getting a new crib since the one was have is a drop down and almost all of them have been recalled- thoughts?

Anywho- I took Malia shopping the day after we found out she was going to have a little sister for a few little clothing items and a toy or two. Malia picked out this super cute plush Owl toy, which has my non-creative juices flowing. Maybe baby # 2 will have an owl themed room... Here are a few things I've found on etsy (i love etsy). Let me know what you think!!!

(how cute are the little pink, orange and yellow owls!?)

(I know its not owls, but I like the bright colors- feels like Summer)

I've also found some cute prints on Etsy:

(my concern would be the lighter colors, but maybe the artist make the colors 'pop')

Enjoy the rest of your day!! I know I sure will- I found more on Esty :)

he offered me forever, and i said yes

April 15, 2006

Can't believe that 5 years ago today, Keoni asked me to marry him. Not a day goes by that I'm not reminded how lucky I am to have met my soul mate at such an early age. We have experienced so many things in the past few years that have made us into the strong couple I believe we are today. April 15th was one of the best days of my life.

I don't know how many people have video and pictures of their engagement, but I'm luckily enough to have both. Keoni was extremely thoughtful and had everyone prepared for the big event. In case you want to read all about it, I've copied what I wrote for our wedding website years ago (don't laugh):

Every Easter, Meghann's family goes to Keyser, WV. This is where her great grandparents have lived their entire lives. Every Saturday before Easter, the great grandchildren have an elaborate Easter egg hunt. Normally, each cousin has an egg with their name written on it. This year, the special eggs were empty. In past years, they were filled with gold dollar coins. Once all the Easter eggs were found, the kids were allowed to trade in the special egg for a candy/gift bag. All the kids got bags and they all waited patiently to open them. Meghann began to open her bag and noticed a big golden egg. Never once did she know what was about to happen. She started to take the egg out of the bag to open it, but Keoni took the egg from her. Keoni tends to always take Meghann's things and open them for her so needless to say; Meghann was a bit upset when he started to open her egg. Meghann then saw Keoni take out a red ring box and get down on one knee. Then Keoni asked, "Will you marry me?" Meghann was already crying when she first noticed that Keoni was going to propose. He had to ask again "Well, will you?" Needless to say, she said yes!! The entire family was thrilled!

Can you tell I was super excited to tell the world how we got engaged :)

Anywho, here are a few pictures from the proposal from 5 years ago today...


Thank you Keoni for asking me to marry you. You asked me one of the most important questions of my life, and it was by far, the easiest answer I've ever had to give.

I love you Keoni!!

Malia is going to have a little.....

.....

We found out last Wednesday that Malia would be the proud big sister of a...... (haha must read entire post to find out)

As you all know, and if you don't by now, get out from under the rock- Keoni is in Charlottesville until May 4th. There was no way he would get out of class and make it back to Richmond for our ultrasound on Tuesday. The thought of finding out the sex and telling Keoni over the phone just seemed, well wrong and uneventful... so I WAITED. Yes, folks, I WAITED. I had the ultrasound tech, who was super sweet, put the gender pictures in a separate envelope for us to open together as a family on Wednesday. She said this was the most romantic thing she heard all week. Let me tell you my friends, it was the longest 24 hours I've had in a while- more exciting than the night before your birthday or Christmas Eve! I was so tempted that I locked the envelope in the car overnight-I knew I was not going to go hiking out in my pj's to take a sneak peek.

After work on Wednesday, Malia and I raced to Charlottesville (okay, not too fast, I do have a 17 month old and I'm pregnant- but fast enough to pass the time away). ** Side note- does it frustrate anyone else when K-Love does their 'week long' funding promotions- drives me NUTS- might be why we drove a little faster** Keoni worked out with a buddy so we waited around (I took pictures) for Keoni to get his butt back to the hotel room- I don't know if he fully understood the amount of self control I used to not open that envelope, but it sure felt like he took his sweet time getting back to the room.

I wasn't sure honestly, when we were going to open the envelope. I thought maybe over dinner, or dessert. But, as soon as Keoni walked through the door, he said 'let's find out'. Ahhh I was thrilled! It was about time! However, before we opened the secret envelope, I showed Keoni the first set of non gender pictures- the adorable profile, hands, feet, and face. This little person definitely has a little Malia nose. Keoni then quickly took his pocket knife and cut through the tape on all sides of the envelope- without peeking I might add. We thought it would be a special moment if Malia found out before mommy and daddy. Keoni opened the envelope and she said " bahh bahh dee daaa"- AHHH yes, we know the sex- don't you!? Keoni and I quickly tuned the envelope around to us and saw these words.... " It's a GIRL". We told Malia she was going to have a baby sister, and I kid you not, she stood up on the bed, put her two little hands into fists, and started screaming and jumping on the bed. You can take her interpretation both ways- 'yeah I'm so excited for a baby sister" or "a baby sister? I wanted a brother, do I have to share my toys now?" but we decided she was really excited to find out she is going to have a baby sister.

I'm still on cloud 9~ I'm so excited to be raising another God fearing woman (itty bitty baby). Malia has been such a joy, that I knew having another girl would be just be another huge blessing to Keoni and me. I'm also excited because I guessed the sex right this time- Keoni thought this was going to be a little dude- but my pregnancy symptoms where JUST like Malia... and I was right! I only rub it in every now and then, but hey, I'm allowed to- Keoni guessed Malia right, which makes us both 1-0.

And of course, here are some pictures documenting the exciting event:

(daddy, where are you?)

(can we play basketball while we wait for daddy?)

(i'm so excited)

(pink envelope with non-gender pictures and blue envelope with the big surprise)

(profile with little Malia's nose!)

(IT'S A GIRL!!- note, Keoni would flip if there was a 'naked' butt shot on the internet)

(Malia checking out her baby sister- melts my heart!)

So, next time you see Malia, ask her about her little baby sister- she will do one of the following- lift up her shirt, try to lift up my shirt, give my belly button her 'ba ba' (passie) or share her milk cup with my belly- all super cute and adorable actions that make me fall more in love with my daughter!

all leading up to the event that could make or break Keoni's military career

Well folks, we did it! Keoni and I successfully made it through our first ever, Army Blues Reception/Receiving line. And let me tell you, it's NOT like a receiving line at a wedding. But before we get to the exciting details, I want to share some events, lessons, and pictures that led us up to this wonderful event with my hubster and new friends.

Two weeks before the event, I realized I really needed to buckle down and begin the search for the best maternity formal dress, ever.... haha what a joke indeed. I searched tons of websites, ones that frankly, I don't know how they are even in business, to every maternity store I could think of. I was clearly faced with a serious problem. I couldn't show up to Keoni's first blues reception in anything less than perfect.

First mental breakdown... I was a bridesmaid in my brother's wedding, where I was 30 weeks preggers with Malia (see picture below). My belly was clearly out and about for the whole world to see....

(not the best facial expression)

Well, at the Blues Reception, I hit 19 weeks... so 11 weeks away from being as big as I was at the wedding. There was NO way I was going to even put on the dress from Jack's wedding. If it fit, I knew I was going to have some sort of panic attack. Granted they say you start showing earlier with multiple pregnancies, but there was no way I would allow myself to fathom the idea I was as big as 30 weeks. Who wants to be that big this early, knowing you are only going to get bigger!?!

Which brings us to my second mental breakdown... Keoni and I had the privilege to attend Governor McDonnells Inaugural Ball, 10 weeks after Malia was born. I thought this dress had serious potential, until it dawned on me... there was NO WAY my no nursing self would even come close to filling out the inaugural dress. So, it was back to the nonexistent drawing board.

(this was such a wonderful evening with the hubby and my parents)

So here I am, four days out from the 'event that could make or break Keoni's military career' (not really, but I couldn't help but think this) and I was still dressless. Monday after work, I made one last ditch effort and drove back to our old stomping grounds, Stony Point Fashion Park. I knew they had A Pea in the Pod, which tends to sell more expensive, trendy maternity clothes. Imagine the shock on my face, when I've driven 30 minutes, to find that the STORE IS NO LONGER AT STONY POINT. Oh yes, my dear friends, I FREAKED. I took a couple deep breaths and regrouped. I decided to run to Dillards, because I was clinging onto one last little glimmer of hope. My two younger sisters, Amanda and Allie, have always had some success finding cute dresses in Dillards. I walk straight to formal dress section, belly and all. A super sweet sales girl comes up and asks if she can help- and I laid it all out on the table. "Oh yes you can help. Here is my problem, I'm pregnant, need a formal dress, and it can't be any of these bright, crazy prom colors. I need either black, gray or navy blue." Like I said earlier, I was hanging on to one last glimmer of hope, when she brings me a long, formal, navy blue two strap dress with an empire waist in a size small. I almost cried. We still had one problem- it needed to fit, and I needed to look pregnant, not fat. CHECK! The dress fit perfectly. So here it is, Monday evening almost 6pm, when I purchase the best dress ever. The dress was perfect, however, I wanted to wear a shorter length, cocktail dress. So, I called my dad and he said the tailor closed at 6. Well, that solved my delima- I would keep the dress long. On my way home from Stony Point to my parents to get my lovely daughter, I had an inkling to swing by the tailors. You wouldn't believe it- they closed at 6:30! I ran in, had the dressed pinned and was out the door in 10 minutes. I was able to pick up the dress Wednesday after work. Blessing!!!!

Ok, now its Friday, the day of the Spousal Events and Blues Reception. The spousal luncheon was great. General Petraesus' wife spoke at the luncheon and provided insight to life in the military. She solidified my excitement, and calmed my fears. I sat at a table with others PCSing to Fort Bragg. We learned the places to live, not to live, churches, schools, the whole 9 yards. Needless to say, it was just the information I needed. After the luncheon, we had a 'short' Army Family Team Building workshop that provided a plethora of information. Unfortunately, the workshop ran over, and I started to get antsy. I knew we had to be back and dressed by 4:45. We got out of the workshop at 3:45. Keep in mind, this was the event that could make or break Keoni's military career, so everything had to be perfect :). Here is the one and only picture we grabbed leaving the spousal events.

( i love these JAG officer Army wives)

We raced back to the room and began the wonderful process of getting ready. Allie, my baby sister, came in town to watch Malia for the evening. She pulled in right as I did. It was great having her around to watch Malia while Keoni and I were getting dressed. Nothing like trying to get all formalized, while having an almost 17 month old running around.

We have now arrived at.... the Receiving Line (ok, really, we took some professional pictures, chatted with friends, waited, waited and waited some more until it was our turn to get in line). The dreaded event was minutes away. What the heck was I going to say? What would THE Judge Advocate General ask me and Keoni? Oh, and for all you etiquette savvy, did you know the female stands slightly to the left and in front of the man... yea, so that meant I went through the receiving line FIRST. All week I kept reminding myself, I'm good at this. This is part of my job, this is what my father has so generously taught us by taking us to many a political functions- how to schmooze... so why was I so scared- oh yeah, this was the event that would make or break Keoni's military career.

Sir, I would like to introduce Meghann and 1LT Keoni Medici. Eeeeek... insert spotlight and cue the swarm of butterflies. I immediately reached out my hand and gave a firm handshake. Step one, done. The General then asked me where we were from {Richmond} , were we spider or rams fans { neither, we went to WVU, although Keoni did go to UR for law school so I guess we are spiders fans} there are many people from West Virginia {yes Sir} Lieutenant, where are you and your beautiful wife headed {Fort Bragg, Sir. 82nd Airborne Division} Ahh, I think I've heard of that Division. I wish the both of you the best of luck, and enjoy your evening .... THE END...we then walked down the rest of the receiving line, shaking a few other hands and exchanging small talk. We passed through the double doors and jumped into the elevator to head to the reception... we did it, we did it, we did it. I was so excited and so was Keoni. The rest of the evening, Keoni introduced me to his mentors, professors and friends who I had not had the privilege of meeting before. Needless to say, we had a fabulous time. Here are some pictures of us from the Blues Reception...

Once we get the professional pictures in the mail, I'll be sure to share. Clearly, we had a great time with our new Army family. And I think it's only fair to add... this event, defiantly, made Keoni's Army career!!

17 weeks

Here is our first belly picture of baby #2.

dad-deee

I miss you Dad-Deee. Thank you for coming home and playing ball with me. I love you and can't wait to see you on Wednesday. Can we have waffles for breakfast!?

Love,

Malia