Bean's Upcoming Birth

I just wanted to let our family and friends know that we are just about one hundred percent sure that Zack will be home for her birth.  The ship is leaving soon and will not be back for a while(I can't share because of that darn OPSEC-Operational Security).  But it is different here than it is for other carriers in the U.S.(The G.W. is the only forward deployed carrier in the Navy-meaning its homeport is in another country) when it comes to things like a birth of a child.  When I had Noah, Zack was able to stay behind when the ship went out so that he could be there for his birth(my due date was slightly manipulated though to ensure that his paperwork went through).  This time...Zack should be able to fly back before my due date.  I say "should be able to" only because the event actually hasn't happened yet...but it's standard procedure here for the ship to allow sailors to do that.  They really aren't very far from the homeport anyway and it's fairly easy to fly them back.  The "Navy" here is very family friendly and tries to support the family whenever possible(because life IS different here when living in a foreign country)...as does the Navy as a whole.  He will then take his free ten day "daddy leave".  I have no idea was the proper name for this is but basically the Navy gives dads up to ten free days to take during the baby's first year of life.  This is a fairly new program...I think it started while I was pregnant with Noah.  Since Zack will be home for the birth...he will take his ten days immediately after her birth(he also did this with Noah).  And when the event gets closer...I will be sure to update you all on how it's all unfolding...as much as I can say over the internet.