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...

 Come join in all the fun with Mama Kat's Weekly Writer's Workshop every Thursday!

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!

Memory Monday: Who Are You?

I love this photo of Aidan's first time on Santa's lap. Surprisingly he didn't cry. He just looked at him like, "Who are you?" I love that in this photo it shows both of them almost surveying each other trying to figure out what to make of each other. This is the only time he didn't cry on Santa's lap. This last year he was hysterical about it, even when the once party Santa was played by my Hubby! Over the last couple weeks, Aidan is convinced that Santa is sitting in  my rocker glider and is always going over and telling Santa he wants dragons and trains. Its so cute. I hope this bodes well for this year's Santa visit. I guess we'll see.

Signature Sunday: And What Did I Find...

This last week my daughter went 'missing.' Do not worry she was lost somewhere in our house. When I finally found her, this is what I found

She had conveniently put herself away in her toy box! I couldn't believe it. She was beaming up at me like, "Here I am Mom. I've been here the whole time." Silly Aislynn! After a few minutes though, she found she couldn't climb back out and was very upset. Mommy had to come to the rescue. Just another day in the Misadventures Of An Army Momma With Two Under 2, soon to be Three Under 3.

Braxton Hicks, Already?

I just had my first Braxton Hicks contraction of my pregnancy and was totally shocked about it. To the point where I raced to the computer to check on What To Expect website to find out if this was normal this early. Which luckily I found out that it is and especially since I've had two other babies its more common. It was a relief to me. There isn't really anything to worry about until there is cramping accompanying it or more than six in an hour. *Big Sigh* It really was weird though. I went downstairs to grab a munchie and suddenly my abdomen felt strange. I touched it and found that it was hard as a rock. It lasted a minute or so and then was gone. My husband pointed out that contractions at this point are bad. I thanked him for pointing out the obvious (got to love Husbands!). I haven't felt anymore in the last half hour, so I'm not worried and it didn't hurt.

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In #15

Come join in all the fun at Wife of a Sailor's Milspouse Fill-In

1. What is the silliest get-up you have ever worn outside of a Halloween party? (from To The Nth)
I was in a play the summer before I was a Junior in high school and i had to be a hill billy. Ragged levi shorts multi-colored blouse with multi-colored patches and my braids stuck out like Pippi longstockings.

2. What is something that you gave up in order to live the military lifestyle? (from Pennies from Heaven)
A life with predictable events. As a soldier's wife you come to expect the unexpected!

3. If money wasn’t a factor and you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? And why? (from Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl)
Definitely Scotland! My hubby and I have a rich Scottish Heritage. So, naturally we'd love to spend lots of time exploring. We're also big history buffs.

4. If you were going to join the military, what branch would you join? Or which MOS/rating would you choose? (from And You Never Did Think)
I did join the Army Reserves and I was a 92F (a fueler) If I had to do it again I'd have gone either Active Army as a photographer or Air Force as a photographer.
5. What is your favorite thing to make for dinner? (from Armendinger Party of 4)
Chicken Pillows from Real Mom Kitchen. My family loves it and its so simple to make.