Christmas 2010 in Photos

Sorry this thing is going to be really full of photos, but its easier at the moment than writing it all out. Besides you'd all rather see my kids than hear me talk! Enjoy!

He didn't very while on Santa's lap this year! He was quite excited.

 Aislynn on the other hand walked up to him and decided to book it the other way. We did manage to get her to cooperate, she just wasn't sure what to make of this man with the big beard.

The kids were so excited to help put presents under the tree.

Christmas PJs, a Christmas Eve must!

 Buzz Lightyear PJs and Aidan was in heaven.

End result!

 Helping make Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve. He wanted to be such a big boy and do it all himself, however that proved to be unproductive. Aislynn just wanted to eat the dough! (Takes after me!)

 Aidan helps Aislynn press the cookie cutter down. So cute!

Let the cookie frosting begin!

Christmas morning and boy what a stash of goodies from Santa!

Aidan in a Christmas box compliments of Uncle Duane and cousin Devon

Playing in the snow for the first time ever! They were pretty excited, but only made it about 10 mins out there! Unfortunately it wasn't the kind of snow we could build a snowman with. Darn! We were looking forward to using our new snowman kit.

He hates having his picture taken, but this is my sexy husband out with the kids.

They were having such a blast!

Pregnancy Survey 26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks  (12/29)
Total weight gain/loss:I'm going to be honest, I weigh 198lbs and I started at 163. Its so depressing watching all this weight jump aboard, but I'm really starting to believe the Dr in that its mostly water weight. I'm not up for very long before I start having sausage toes and last Sunday we spent some time with our families for Christmas, by the time we got home I could barely walk due to my feet & thighs being so swollen. Needless to say I spend as much time as possible with my feet propped up.


Maternity clothes?Definitely


Stretch marks? I have a couple right above my belly button and new ones (that are small) on the sides of my boobs. Yeah for stretch marks or rather not!


Sleep: Even with all the sleep I'm getting I'm still always exhausted. Part of it is obviously pregnancy related, but the other part is all the meds I have to take to make life bearable. Meds for nausea and for migraines, and I even take something for anxiety.



Best moment this week: MY sweet little Aidan wanted to know the other day on our way into town if we were going to go see the baby. I think he understands more than most 2 1/2 year olds.




Movement:Oh yes. She kicks me every time I cuddle with my husband in our bed. I don't know if it means she likes the extra heat or if she's telling us she doesn't and she's squished. This is my favorite part about being pregnant, I love feeling them move inside.




Food cravings: Cheese, the last couple days its been cookies & creme candy, cheese sandwiches



Gender: A little girl, Rhiannon Brielle Adelaide

Labor Signs: Lots of cramping but nothing else, still worried about having an early delivery



Belly Button in or out? Still just alittle shy of an outie




Wedding rings on or off? Not even a possibility for my rings to fit

What I miss: Energy!




What I am looking forward to: Being done and enjoying our little girl in our arms!



Weekly Wisdom: Don't be afraid to ask your Dr questions about anything, they are there to help you



Milestones: Aside from being like two weeks shy of third trimester. We also learned something at my last appt, I have complete placenta previa. This will make a c-section a must (which is fine since we'd already decided that was the route we wanted) and can be potentially risky to Rhiannon and I. I do believe that it also means my c-section will be done earlier than 39 weeks in order to keep me from going into labor on my own (loads of health risks).

Halloween Photos (What I have anyway)

My kid sister and Aidan trick or treating on post.

 Aislynn as a springtime fairy! She was so cute and even endured me putting some makeup on her.

 My sister, brother, husband and my kids doing some more trick or treating.

Time for 'Buzz Lightyear' to get ready for bed. Aidan taking off his costume, which he wasn't too happy about.

It's Been Awhile

I realized today how long its been since I actually wrote a post. Life during the holidays are always crazy and this year has been no different. Between shopping (of which I will be finishing tomorrow, thank heavens), decorating, parties, spending time with my family, long drives into civilization and many Dr appts its just never ending. I've developed some new problems in my pregnancy which has made life and taking care of my kids very, very difficult. I was diagnosed with placenta previa and after a second follow up ultrasound today, they found that my placenta pretty much covers my entire cervix and will not be likely to move. So, now I have to go in every six weeks for an ultrasound to keep an eye on it and I've been put on light, light duty. Gotta love that when you have two toddlers who make that near impossible. My other problems have been the increase in my migraines, I've been having kidney problems (even spent three days in the hospital for pain management) and I've started retaining water. I've dealt with a small amount of swelling during my pregnancies in the past, but now by the end of the night I can barely bend my fingers, spending more than 30 minutes on my feet causes them to swell and I'm now packing on large quantities of water weight, which is so depressing. I hate that I have now gained 35lbs and I'm only 6 months along. It sucks. It all makes life so complicated, but I am trying to enjoy my down time by reading, playing with my kids and keeping up with everyones blogs. If I haven't been so great with mine, I've certainly spent lots of time reading about everyone else's lives. I still need to post up Halloween pics, for which I apologize and the ones I have at the moment aren't super great. My parents however took a lot of photos so I need to get copies from them. I also need to get a current pregnancy photo up. I feel like there is a never ending list of things I'd like to put up for everyone's enjoyment. I'm not sure I'll get around to writing again before Christmas, so I'll wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you enjoy your time with your loved ones, you will most certainly be in my thoughts.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #23

Come join the fun with Wife of a Sailor.

1. If you were given $1,000 right now, how would you spend it?
I'd definitely say pay off some bills, but if I could I spend it on a whole bunch of toys for me, you know scrapbooking stuff, books. Or maybe I'd put it toward my family vacation to Charleston in 2012
2. If you had to choose a movie title (a real one that already exists) for your life story, what would it be?
That's a tricky question. I honestly can't think of one. Here's a random one, Timeline. I know not exciting or anything, but my life seems sometimes that its just ticks on the timeline.
3. If you were a teacher, what subject would you like to teach?
Creative Writing! I would want to share my love of writing with everyone!
4. Has being a MilSpouse changed how you view holidays or how your holidays are celebrated? If so, how? If not, what hasn’t changed?
Makes me appreciate the time I have with my husband and my kids. Because I never know if next year he'll be deployed. I just don't take any time I have with my family for granted.
5. What is your favorite Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate) memory?
My first official Christmas with my Husband. He'd been deployed during our first one as a married couple, so the second one was the best. We were together and we were expecting our son. It made it such a magical celebration.

Pregnancy Survey 22 Weeks

How far along? 22 Weeks 1 Day (12/2)
Total weight gain/loss: Ok, I really don't enjoy the fact that this pregnancy I have been packing on the weight. The Dr says its water weight, I have been a lot more swollen then in my previous pregnancies, that being said at my last appt last week I had gained 13lbs in four weeks. I've gained a grand total of 28 pounds and I want to cry!


Maternity clothes? There is no way getting around it these days, none at all


Stretch marks? I think I found my first one this pregnancy on top of all the others


Sleep: Well, as of the last couple of days I sleep 15+ hours. I'm exhausted all the time and am still being plagued by migraines.




Best moment this week: Hearing my two year old say Mommy's having a baby and she's sick. Its his way of connecting the fact that because of the baby I've been more under the weather. My one year old pointed to my tummy earlier today and said baby. Not sure she knows what that means, but it still made me very excited.




Movement: Constantly, she is active at night (Thanks, Rhiannon! Mommy would love to sleep!)




Food cravings: Egg nog, cheese



Gender: A little girl, Rhiannon Brielle Adelaide

Labor Signs: Thank heavens no, but I still am worried after Aislynn came 6 weeks early



Belly Button in or out? Barely an innie




Wedding rings on or off? I wish I could still wear them, I hate not having them on. Stupid fat fingers


What I miss: Feeling great all the time




What I am looking forward to: To getting to hold my daughter in my arms and see my other two kids with her.



Weekly Wisdom: Be careful of what you eat, because it can add extra weight!



Milestones: Being a little over half way done with the pregnancy and closer to welcoming my daughter into the world

Wordless Wednesday: My Crazy Acrabatic Son

Wordless Wednesday

Catch Up

Its been quite a while since I've written, but things have been so crazy the last couple weeks. Let's see I'm now 19 weeks and feeling Rhiannon move a lot more. One of my favorite things about being pregnant! ;) On the 1st of November we were so excited that the next book in Christopher & my series was being released. The Wheel of Time books are the best series I've ever read and a few years back the author, Robert Jordan, passed away before completing the series. So, his wife selected another author to work with his notes and complete the last book, which has actually turned into three books. Anyway the new author, Brandon Sanderson, actually lives in Provo, Ut making the first and second books big midnight releases in Provo. Which is so exciting, so we've got numbered books last year being 87 & 88, plus personalized by Brandon. So, this year we were excited to get the same with this book. We had to go be in line at 8am to collect our book numbers for later that night. We actually got there at 6am and got books 45 & 46. Then we came back at about 9:30 PM that night and participated in a Q&A with Brandon, then waited in line until midnight to collect our books. The books were all pre-signed and numbered, but then if you wanted the books personalized you waited in another line. Of course we did, I even got him to sign the inside cover of my Nook, which he had never been asked to do that before. It was a lot of fun. Christopher and I even had the opportunity before heading to the signing to go out to dinner. He took me to Rodizo Grill, a Brazilian cuisine, which I had been craving for weeks. It was a nice date.


I am participating in this years NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) contest and its been a very daunting task. The goal is to write 50,000 words by midnight on November 30th. It started on the 1st of November and I am already at 21,845 words. I'm so excited at how well I'm doing. My personal goal has been 5,000 words a day and I was doing that well, until Saturday this last weekend when we were out and about doing so much that I didn't have a moment to stop and write. Same with Sunday. But Monday was an entirely different issue.

I had to be rushed to the hospital for some very severe right flank and bladder pain. I thought for sure that I had a kidney infection, but after our two hour long drive to get to the hospital, and a few tests later they could find nothing. No signs of a kidney stone on the ultrasound and no sign of infection in my urine test. Yet, they couldn't get my pain under control and so after some discussion about my concern about going home two hours away and still being in so much pain, I was admitted. They kept me on dilaudid ever hour and zofran every two hours, but by that evening I was now having a narcotic migraine. It was awful! I ended up staying until Wednesday morning, since the Dr was concerned about sending me home with such a bad migraine and the kidney pain. I had to laugh when several of my nurses knew me for previous hospital stays with my other two pregnancies. I'm doing better, still drugged up with oral pain meds and the narcotics migraine has slowly been dissipating. Still have kidney pain, but it has mellowed out some too. Thanks heavens. The Dr thinks that the kidney pain was just my kidney being colicky due to my pregnancy, but he says we'll keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't quit working and that sort of thing.

So, that has been my adventures for the last couple of weeks. My posts might be few and far between until the end of the month, but once this contest is over I'll be back. I'll try to post Halloween pictures over the next few days, so you can see how much fun we had trick or treating. I hope all of you are doing well and that you have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

 

How can you not love that face? Melts my heart!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #19

Come join in all the fun at the weekly MilSpouse Friday Fill-In by Wife of a Sailor! You never know what you will learn about yourself and other MilSpouses!


What’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for you?
I would have to say the nicest thing someone has ever done for me, well for my husband, which I benefited from was from when my hubby first got home from Iraq a group of my husband's Army buddies and I went out to breakfast at a local IHOP. We were suddenly approached by a couple of older gentlemen who thanked my hubby and his buddies for serving, then told us that they had paid for our meals. Each of these gentlemen had served in the past. Breakfast for the group of us wasn't cheap and I couldn't believe that someone could be so kind & grateful for the fact that my hubby & others had served.
If you are having a hard time going to sleep, what do you do to help yourself?
I read or turn a movie on, and wait until I fall asleep. I usually have to find ways thanks to having insomnia this pregnancy. I will do just about anything (safe that is) in order to get to sleep.
Name something that makes you wish you were a kid again.
Halloween & Christmas, the pure joy of trick or treating and getting fun new presents always makes me want to be a kid again. Of course now I enjoy giving gifts and watching others open them.
What is something you never believed until you experienced it?
How wonderful and at the same time how horrible childbirth is. It hurt far worse than I ever imagined! But I got an adorable baby after.
What can’t you say “no” to?
My kids crying. I'm working on being able to withstand the tears, but sometimes it takes a lot to do so! Ahh, the world of being a mommy!

Its A....

That's right we will be adding another little girl to our family. I have to say I was surprised because I thought for sure we were having a little boy. We are still very excited! At first we weren't sure if we'd be able to tell since she had her butt pressed against the placenta making it very hard to see. The ultrasound tech was persistent and finally announced that it was a girl. Her name is going to be Rhiannon Brielle Adelaide. I can't wait to get some more pictures of her in November at my 20 week appt. Poor Aidan is going to be outnumbered for awhile by girls! ;)

Dr Appts, Dr Appts and More Dr Appts!

This last week was absolutely nuts. I mean even more so than normal for my family. We had three Dr appts this week, which required three separate trips into town. Thats no easy feat seeing as thats an hour and 45 min drive each way! We had my 16 week appt on Wednesday. I gained 8lbs since my 12 week appt. 8lbs! I could hardly believe it. I have never gained so much at one time frame so early in my pregnancy. I was very worried about it, but the Dr said that as long as I didn't continue to put on weight like that I was ok. I'm just supposed to avoid large amounts of sugar and try to eat healthy. It really sucks seeing as Halloween is this weekend and all the other holidays over the next two months. (Although I can't pack in sweets the way I used to!) I guess I'll just have to make do and be careful. My other thought was perhaps the weight gain meant that the other baby was thriving. So, my Dr set up an appt for Friday to do another ultrasound. I was scared about what we would find. Or wouldn't find. And the waiting was awful!

Thursday we went to Aislynn's 15 month appt. She now weighs 21lbs 10 oz. She didn't really gain a whole lot since her 12 month appt, where she weighed 19lbs 14 oz. It puts her in like the 27% for weight and she's 30" tall putting her in the 31%. She's still so little. We got to talk to the Dr about some of our concerns, like the fact that she doesn't really say a whole lot, but she does say four words and so he said that she should be able to say anywhere from 4 to 6 words at this point. Ok, one thing to not worry about. We talked about her temper tantrums and he said that its common & will get worse before it gets better. Then she was diagnosed with night terrors where she wakes up screaming in the middle of the night and fights you until she is fully awake, then she wants to be held. Makes for long nights. He said she'd out grow it. She got three shots, including the flu shot and boy was she not happy about that. We all got flu shots actually, we figured we might as well while we were there. So, her appt was pretty good and we don't have to go back until January for her 18 month check up.

After a lot of waiting, Friday finally arrived and we made our long trip into town. I was really, really nervous. I wasn't sure what we were going to see and I was terrified. We went into the ultrasound room as soon as we got there. Right off the bat we could see the one baby, squirming around like crazy doing very boxer like moves. Then she moved it over to my left horn and what we saw was a big fat nothing. There were no longer any signs of the other baby, which said it all. We had lost the baby and it had been reabsorbed into my body. It broke my heart and I wanted to cry. I actually held that in until last night, but that's another story. She did some quick measurements on the baby and the baby is growing right on schedule, weighing about 1/2 oz.

I can hardly believe that I'm only three weeks away from being half way done with this pregnancy. I kind of wish that it was over already and that I had my baby in my arms. My husband reminded me that if I skipped all of the 'fun' of being pregnant it wouldn't make the whole thing worthwhile. Having a baby would be great, but I wouldn't have worked for it. So, that's the latest on my life. Other than suffering massive migraines and all day sickness, I've just pushed forward. I've been taken off bed rest, but still need to take it easy. Let's see if we can stay off of bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy, I'm not holding my breathe, but we can hope right? Anyway, so if my posts are few and far between its due to the migraines they really wipe me out. And I try not to do a whole lot on my computer.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #18

Welcome to the weekly MilSpouse Friday Fill-In! Its always exciting to see what new things you can learn about others, but I find I enjoy learning new things about myself. These questions are always creative and make you think. Come join at  Wife of a Sailor.


Are you a night owl or an early bird?
I am absolutely a night owl! It only gets more so when I'm pregnant. I get so much done at night while my kids are sleeping and I'm the most creative at night. Plus it puts me on the same schedule as my Hubby!
What makes you jealous?
When family members take my husband away especially when we get so little time together as it is! Sometimes I get jealous of women hit on my husband.

Have you started Christmas/holiday shopping yet? When will you finish? (There’s only 63 days left!)
For once we are actually ahead of the game. I have most of my kids gifts purchased and so all I have left to worry about are my Hubby's gifts and our exchange gifts for our siblings & nieces and nephews! Hurray for early shopping!
What would you have a personal chef make you tonight?
Brownies and fancy pasta of some kind. I don't know I'm pregnant and I'll eat just about anything!

Where was your first kiss?
The worst place ever-work! It was the worst kiss ever! His lips were dry and he didn't know what he was doing! Yuck!

Wordless Wednesday

Pregnancy Survey 16 Weeks

How far along? 16 (10/20)
Total weight gain/loss: I gained 8lbs at my appt today! Yikes!




Maternity clothes? Of Course


Stretch marks? Still just the ones from the first two pregnancies




Sleep: I try but sleep is difficult now I'm being plagued with migraines




Best moment this week: Well, I'm hoping that Friday we find out we have two very healthy babies growing.




Movement: Definitely a mover and a goer




Food cravings: Cheese & anything sugary



Gender:I'm actually hoping they'll be able to tell us on Friday!

Labor Signs: No



Belly Button in or out? Innie




Wedding rings on or off? I wish I could still wear them, I hate not having them on. Stupid fat fingers


What I miss: In some ways not being pregnant




What I am looking forward to: I'm hoping that this week we can finally confirm that there are two babies. I'm praying for it.



Weekly Wisdom: So maybe eating anything you want can be risky!



Milestones: Making it 16 weeks with a healthy growing baby!

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #17

I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I have participating in the weekly MilSpouse Friday Fill-In. I have to admit sometimes I really have to think about my answers to some of these awesome questions, because they aren't your run of the mill 'what's your favorite color' type of question. So, if you're curious about what new things you can learn about yourself come join MilSpouse Friday Fill-In over at Wife of a Sailor.

What are some things on your bucket list? (from New Girl on Post)
Travel the world to some of the most unique places like Scotland & Egypt. Write a novel and have it published before I die (it would be so great if it was a bestseller, but I won't be too picky.) Work on a great archaeology dig and have a blast doing it. That's really just to name a few. I'm always adding something new!
How long have you been a MilSpouse and where have you been stationed so far? (from Raising Roscoe)
I've been a MilSpouse for almost five years. As a reservist in the Army you don't get stationed places, but we've lived on post in Dugway for a year this month. It has its good points, but I can think of some cooler bases to live on. My hubby may go active duty in the near future and we'll see what kinds of places we get stationed at that point.
What is a list of songs that sums up your life so far? (from Confessions of a Sailor’s Wife)
 What my hubby was saying before we finally got together-The One by Gary Allen

This is how I felt as I joined the Army Reserves and felt pride in doing what no one thought I could do, survive Basic Training-Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue by Toby Keith

How hard it was for my Dad to let me go and marry my sweetheart-I Loved Her First by Heartland
This is what being married to a soldier is like for me-American Soldier by Toby Keith
This describes the glue that keeps my hubby and I together through everything life throws at us, which has been alot-Come What May by Ewan McGregor & Nicole Kidman
I was scared that this would be my life if (the dreaded if) my soldier didn't come home during his 18 month deployment-Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw
How I see my hubby be with my daughter (whose birth he missed by a day)-Tough Little Boys by Gary Allen (no this does not describe me, but the man I married)
How my relationship with my hubby was for awhile on and off for the first four years of dating-Love Story by Taylor Swift
How my hubby makes me feel and reminds me that I am all the time-One Hot Mama by Trace Adkins
 I can't think of any others. Sorry, its late!
What is your favorite kind of pizza?
 Chicken, Ranch, Bacon & Cheese
What are three good things in your life right now?
My husband of 4 1/2 years who is my absolute best friend in the whole world
My two beautiful kids & one on the way
Having a roof over my head and food on the table & just being alive, what more could you ask for?

Remembering Our Babies

 I will keep this short and simple. I read on another blog, a blog that I read with passion for what the Mother has been through this year, about October 15th being Remembrance of pregnancy and infancy loss day. I like so many other women around the world have lost a baby. I've actually lost three and two of which were during a time in my life I couldn't share my pain with anyone, had to endure this heartache alone. I want to support this day for my loss and so many others losses. So, please light a candle for your loss or the loss of a friend at 7pm tonight and join in the day to honor our babies that we didn't get enough time with! I look forward to the day I hold my babies in my arms like I couldn't in this life.

Dinner With the In Laws

Or I guess rather with my sister's soon to be in-laws. It was definitely a unique experience and one that I don't pity my sister having to go through with all these people you don't know. We did have a huge chunk of our family there, but she knows all them and knows what to expect from them. While his family is something else. Although I know at one point she was thoroughly embarrassed by my Dad's immature behavior, but as I pointed out to my husband later that 'Its my Dad.' And it was enough said. He was teaching my very impressionable two year old how to suck up jello with his straw and blow it at other people. I scolded my Dad for teaching my son such naughty things, but I also realize that its a grandpa's job, as it is a father's job to teach kids bad things. Its inevitable. I've excepted it and I really didn't do much to stop him. My sister kept telling my dad that he was embarrassing her in front of all of her honey's family. My Dad pointed out that none of them were watching. He had a point. In fact you would have thought we weren't together, his family and ours. They sat segregated on one side and our family on the other. I really didn't see too much mingling going on and I kind of thought that was the point. I honestly don't know seeing how the family dinner we had when Christopher and I got married was to IHOP after we were married as the celebratory meal. It was also a fairly small group compared to tonight's deal. I hope for my sister's sake that we all didn't embarrass her too much! Although all I can say is she should just wait til she sees what we have up our sleeves as far as car decoration for leaving the reception on Saturday! My brother-in-law should be worried too since his wedding is tomorrow and my hubby is his best man. All I can say is here comes trouble!

15 Week Prego Pics

I apologize now for the fact that I took these myself using the bathroom mirror and I'm in my PJs. But here I am 15 weeks pregnant and I look & feel huge. My Mother-in-law says I look much further along than 15 weeks. What do you guys think? Here they are in all their glory.

Writer's Workshop: The Biggest Prank I've Played

Come participate in Mama Kat's weekly writing assignment!

The biggest prank I ever played was actually an April Fool’s joke. We always get a big kick out of finding the most creative pranks. I love seeing everyone’s expressions and see how they react to whatever we’ve said. You would think our family and friends would have figure this all out by now, but we always manage to trip them up. This  year we announced that that my son had broken his arm and that my hubby was deploying in a few weeks for Afghanistan. Everyone fell for it! It was amazing the responses we got. Lots of heart felt concern for me and my family. We even managed to fool his Dad who almost never falls for our pranks. He told me later that I had really fooled him. He said the added broken arm bit really got him going and then add in the deployment info just made it more real. I loved that I had gotten everyone so good. We’ve done the deployment prank before. We also told some friends one year that we were having a shot gun wedding and that it wasn’t anything that nine months wouldn’t fix. We got them good and they were a little upset at us over that. But it didn’t last too long thank heavens. So, that’s my prank playing. We’ll see what next year brings when I have a newborn or two.

Wordless Wednesday: A Day At The Zoo

Pregnancy Survey 15 Weeks

How far along? 15 (10/13)
Total weight gain/loss: I gained 7lbs at last appt




Maternity clothes? No maybes about it


Stretch marks? Still just the ones from the first two pregnancies




Sleep: I sleep alot these days, I can't say if its really good sleep, but I sleep alot.




Best moment this week: Just being pregnant!




Movement:A little bit




Food cravings: Cheese, pretzels, granny smith apples with caramel



Gender:The day before Thanksgiving we'll be finding out, as long as the baby cooperates with us.

Labor Signs: No



Belly Button in or out? Innie




Wedding rings on or off? I wish I could still wear them, I hate not having them on. Stupid fat fingers


What I miss: Not being so tired all the time




What I am looking forward to: I'm hoping that this next week we can finally confirm that there are two babies. I'm praying for it.



Weekly Wisdom: Find what food is edible for you and don't feel guilty about eating it.




Milestones: Hitting 15 weeks and looking like I'm 20 weeks

Memory Monday

So I didn't actually take this picture of Aidan, my mom did. This was taken the day I went into labor with Aislynn. Who knew that I'd be going to the hospital and having an emergency c-section six weeks before my due date. My mom and my siblings took Aidan with them to a ward BBQ party. He got to swing on the swings and go down the slide. It was the first time he'd ever been to a park. Meanwhile I was back at my parent's apartment, having contractions that weren't stopping and causing achiness in between. It really was a crazy day. I had to call my mom to come back, because she needed to take me to the hospital. I figured that they'd stop my contractions and I'd get to go back to my parent's, but no such luck. I was dilating while I was there and she was breach. So, the decision was made for me. Luckily, she was a big premie at 6lbs 3oz and only had to stay in the hospital for a week. I even got to stay there after I was discharged since I was pumping. It was a big help. So that's my Memory Monday.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #16

I know this is several days late, but I was crazy busy over the weekend with having to help with my sister's bridal shower. Better late than never!

1. What is the longest road trip you’ve ever taken?
We drove like 13 hours from Grand Junction, CO to Rio Rancho, NM. It was a horrible drive what with having to take an alternate route due to an avalanche, to cranky kids who just wanted out of the car and trying to hurry and make it to a funeral on time. What saved us on the return trip was going from New Mexico to Utah and avoiding Colorado, but we also bought a double screen DVD player that kept our kids entertained the whole drive.

2. Do you collect anything? Tell us a bit about it.
Well, I collect a lot of things. Dolls, fairies, books, swords and even old bottles. I would actually say that my bottle collection is the most unique. I've found some of my older bottles myself by digging in old mining garbage dump sites, I've been given bottles by family and have bought some myself. I even have a bottle that has the original receipt from the bar it was purchased dating pre-1900.

3. What is your favorite part about being an adult?)
I don't have to ask permission to do stuff and I can stay out as late as I want.

4. What song brings a tear to your eye?
Tough Little Boys by Gary Allen and Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carsle (I think that's how you spell it)

5. Describe your first plane ride (how old you were, where you were heading, etc).
I flew for the first time when I was nine and my grandma & I were headed to California. I was the first grandkid to be taken to California for turning 8. We got to go to Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc. I was a little nervous, but excited at the same time. Now, since I joined the Army I have flown many times to many places. Still its always an adventure.

Writer's Workshop:If You Could Stop Time...

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Perhaps I’m just really boring, but honestly the first thing that popped into my head when I read the prompt ‘If you could stop time for 24 hours, what would you accomplish?”, was all of the housework that has been in desperate need of getting done. Boring, right? These days, while I lay in my bed doing a whole lot of nothing (it seems anyway), I think about the dishes not getting washed, the laundry not being done and all the other finite things that need to be done in house with two toddlers. So, you would laugh to know that I have no idea what fun things I would do in that 24 hours. Perhaps I’d take my kids somewhere fun like the local Children’s Museum or the zoo. Yet that doesn’t seem like the most adventurous thing to do. Maybe I would travel somewhere far away and enjoy relaxing without worrying about rushing back anywhere. It most certainly would make going on vacation last longer without putting jobs in jeopardy.

Then again maybe I’d stay home and work on my scrapbooking, which is fairly behind now that I have two kids. I could catch up on all the photos and be able to enjoy scrapbooking even more when I’m not feeling so burdened with so many older photos. That would be fun. I’d invite some of my girlfriends over and we would make a girl’s day. Sounds good to me. I could also work on my quilting projects. I could find dozens of different projects that are just waiting for me to work on them.

Maybe I would spend the day reading all the books that are on my list. I would be able to get through quite a few in that 24 hours of ‘no time.’ Then I could have time to reread some of my favorite books, instead of feeling so bogged down by all the other books I want to read and had never read before. That could be really fun. I love reading and never have enough time to read. Kids keep me plenty busy, even while I’m on bed rest. I guess I’d really make sure my 24 hours of ‘no time’ held a little of everything. That way I could get things accomplished around my house, but still have time to enjoy the time with my family, friends and myself.

There is always so much to do and so little time to accomplish it in. I think even with time stopping for 24 hours I think I would still have so much to do that it couldn’t all get it done. I guess that’s what life is really like there is always something to do and never enough time in a day to do it.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Sorry this isn't a better photo it came off of my phone!

Pregnancy Survey 14 Weeks

Sorry still no new picture. I'll try and get one tomorrow.


How far along? 14 (10/6)
Total weight gain/loss: Don't really know, maybe a lb





Maternity clothes? Definitely


Stretch marks? Thank heavens no! I'm hoping we can forgo stretch marks this pregnancy!




Sleep: Still not sleep as great as I'd like but since I bought that pillow I toss & turn far less than before. Which is relieving.





Best moment this week:Today actually, feeling the baby being very active!




Movement:Today like crazy




Food cravings: Cheese, pretzels, Swiss Rolls, Spaghetti




Gender:The day before Thanksgiving we'll be finding out, as long as the baby cooperates with us.

Labor Signs: No



Belly Button in or out? Innie




Wedding rings on or off? Off, my fingers keep swelling


What I miss: Feeling good more often and getting lots of sleep.




What I am looking forward to: Still hoping that we'll be finding out if the U/S can determine if there are two babies or not! I'm hoping for sooner rather than later!




Weekly Wisdom: Keep something to nibble on by your bed so you can eat a little something before getting up for the day. You'll be less likely to throw up!




Milestones: First Braxton Hicks contraction, just one and it took me by surprise. Apparently its easier to notice them with subsequent pregnancies.

Talented Tuesday

I'm not sure if I've posted these photos before, but its all I could find for Talented Tuesday. And seeing how I'm sick in bed with a massive migraine, I really don't feel like looking very far for my Talent of the day. I have developed a passion for cake decorating and I don't mean simple icing with a little writing on top. I mean cakes like this APC for my Father-in-Law's birthday or the dragon I made for my husband's birthday. The Dragon took me 9 hours, all through the night to finish and it was worth it. The APC actually took me 14+ hours and I still felt that I could have used more time on it. He liked it just the way it was. I also made a birthday cake for my kid's joint birthday party. It had a castle with all the Disney Princesses and the toy box from Toy Story. Unfortunately I never got a chance to take a picture of the finished project and on the two hour drive to the party location it fell apart. And I do mean completely apart. I was about four or five weeks pregnant and so I bawled & bawled. I worked about 16+ hours on the cake to watch it fall to pieces. It wasn't a good day for me. It won't stop me however from making more cakes. I think my kid sister-in-law wants me to make her a dragon cake in November for her birthday. We'll see how I feel at 19 to 20 weeks along, if I have the energy to take on such a project. So, that's this week's Talent. I hope you enjoyed it!