It's been a while

Obviously I've been slacking in the blog department. Lately I've been reading a lot (baby books and my favorite series from Patricia Cornwell) so when I'm not checking my email I'm chatting with the folks or reading so I can get a few books read before my little girl arrives.

Being back with the family has been great and I'm happy to report that things, for the most part have gone smoothly with the transition. My son has had a few days where I feel like I want to pull my hair out as he resists every diapering and clothing change attempt...and for a couple days naps and bedtime. However, yesterday was a great day with a happy boy. I also learned that putting bandaids on booboos can be a bit upsetting once the bandaids are on. Poor little guy got a scratch on top of each foot after playing outside pushing his train and truck on the porch. So, I got some nifty Cars bandaids and ointment to put on them and looking at the bandaid was good, but once that darn thing got stuck on his foot all hell broke loose. I ended up going through 4 bandaids on the first day and giving up since they came off shortly after application. Then I realized the beauty of socks. Throw some bandaids on, put on some socks (which a lot of resistance from said child) and turn on tv for a short time to get him distracted from pulling off socks and thus bandaids. Luckily it worked the last couple days. Here's hoping the little spots on his feet are nearly healed today. It wouldn't be such a big deal if he didn't want to go outside everyday. It's so hard to resist a cute littl guy asking to go "out" when he runs up to you with his tiny little shoes.  On the flip side, a really big deal happened yesterday...and if you don't have kids or haven't attempted to potty train this may seem dull, but to a potty training parent it's a big deal. My little guy peed AND pooped in his potty!  Finally!  I still have quite a few regular diapers to go through as well as pullups, but I'm hesitant to start really hammering the potty routine since I know he's probably going to regress due to the big change of having a baby sister in a matter of a month. Guess we'll see how it goes.

So far the little one in my belly has been doing great and my next appointment is Tuesday so I'm excited to see how I'm progressing. I have to say I'm soooo ready for her to get here, but sooo not ready for the lack of sleep.  Well, my little guy just woke up...time to go!

Getting settled

I've finally gotten my bags unpacked and I'm getting settled. I've got one doctors appointment done and will hopefully have my next OBGYN apt in a week or two. I have a sewing class tonight, which I'm pretty excited about as I have my mother-in-laws fancy sewing machine, which I have little idea how to do most things on it. So, after having it shipped to Hawaii, Missouri, Tennessee, and Ohio I'm finally going to learn to use it and all it's features. I've been sewing simple things with a basic stitch and I sew things by hand, but now I can finally sew things the way they should be and learn to make my own clothes!  This is something I've wanted to do for ages! 
Moving with the complications of military life is always interesting, but this time I had my family to help. The pets did great as did my son, but I have to say traveling at 32 weeks pregnant is not exactly the most fun thing to do! Not only do you have the huge belly, you have the need to find a restroom every hour, and that sweet little being inside you is pushing it's foot out and making you rather uncomfortable, while also punching you in your hip.  All and all we were able to make it with only two stops, so that was good.
Now that we've all settled in, it's time to do some garage sale shopping this weekend, get my hair cut, and perhaps sell some of my garage sale stuff!

Ear infections...seriously?!?!

Well, I'm nearing 30 and haven't had an ear infection since I was probably less than 12 years old. I was prone to swimmers ear at a young age, but only had a few minor irritations through the years until I got to college then I started having issues with my left ear which I think have more to do with a jaw/joint issue than inner ear problem. Anyway, last week I got sick...actually the weekend before that, so I've officially had congestion, a cough, and an ear ache all within the week and a half that's passed. This is also the most notable reason for my lack of posts.

It all started out with a little sore throat, no biggie, then it became a cough, which progressively got worse. After the cough it turned into congestion, then a head cold, and finally after a night of a lot of pain a full blown ear infection for which they gave me 4 kinds of meds at the doctors appointment I promptly made the following morning. I'm not one to take medication unless I have to and I have decided that the acetaminophen isn't essential so I'll save that for a rainy day and the ear drops seem to just make my ear feel more clogged (I still think I have an issue with my ear drum and putting liquids in the ear just seems to make things worse).  So, I have antiboitics and Claritin. I feel ok during the day, but mornings and nights are rough.  I mean, I still feel like crap during the day, but the congestion and pressure in the ear is the worst before and after bed. After a couple days of medicine I'm hoping that I can kick this sickness' butt since my family arrives tomorrow. Thank God my little guy didn't get all the crap that I have. That would have been a week from hell! I do know that I am not up to par and thus have been slacking in the lets play this and that category.  The tv has helped me get through the days as my little one likes to watch a few cartoons

While I'm usually pretty adamant about not plopping him down in front of the tv, this week has left me with little energy and occasionally patience, so Henry Hugglemonster, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Sid the Science Kid...thank you.

I have managed to find some time to do some cleaning be it night or day I have gotten most of my cleaning done and the dogs have all been bathed; which is a feat in itself considering it usually kills my back to do both Brits, let alone all three dogs.

This week has also brought along some interesting events. It rained like a mother over the weekend and flooded my back yard. Luckily I didn't have any water close to my house since we have a rather long back yard. My son also decided he doesn't like to wear pants and has demonstrated his great capability to undress himself on numerous occasions. I'm  not just talking about taking off his pants though, oh no, he's decided he also needs to run around with no diaper on for at least one time everyday. It might be when he wakes up in the morning, after a nap, or even while I'm cooking, but he has shown that he's fully capable of taking off anything on the bottom half of his body.  Now if only he would sit on the toilet instead of just play with the toilet seat I bought him. We will be trying potty training at grandma and grandpa's, but I think I'm going to have to suck it up and buy a little potty since the toilets at their house are a bit higher and he'd never get up onto them with the stool he has. Anyway, let the potty training begin!  And let the ear ache STOP!  Come on body, you got this...you have the power to kick it's ass!

That's one expensive skillet!

So today I went to a Princess Party. I had not heard of this kind of a party before and thought...is it sex toys, princess stuff for little girls, candles?????  Apparently, after a google search I found out it is or bakeware/cookware. And I did need to get some small containers for storing Hunter's food, but then I thought...after seeing an awesome demo of a nonstick non PFOA skillet that was awesome and actually worked cooking an egg, I thought what the heck, I'm going to get it. My husband might kill me for spending a little over a hundred dollars on an egg skillet, but seeing as I cook eggs for my son and I almost every other day and we have a cheap crappy skillet, I thought it was a good investment.

So, now that I've bought the skillet, I have to wait about a week to get it, but that's ok.

So today was my 30 week appointment and I measured at 32 so I'm wondering if my little girl will come a little early like her brother. I'm hoping that she's not too early, but I am excited at getting just a little closer. And she's dropped so now I feel her moving around lower and not kicking my ribs so much which is nice. Although, the exchange is that she gets to punch my hips so that kinda sucks. Oh well, that's what happens.

I also managed to make whoopie pies today...something I've wanted to do again since I tried the recipe and made them for the first time about a month ago. They were like heaven and I couldn't wait to make them again. Luckily, my friend LOVES them so I made them and gave most of the rest of them to her so I wouldn't have to endure eating 8 of them all by myself (not to mention try to keep my little boys hands off them since he's not allowed to eat much of that stuff).

Well, I suppose seeing as it's 9:30 I should probably hop off here, get ready for bed and read some more as I'm halfway through my book and it's due back at the library a week from today.  Until tomorrow!

2:30am, seriously people!

So last night, or this morning rather, I was woken up to the sound of dogs barking (thankfully not my own) and what I couldn't really tell until I lifted my head up and listened was two people screaming at each other. I looked at the clock...2:30am. Seriously, you're having a fight in the middle of the night outside on the road?  So, of course as any good respectful neighbor would do, I got up to peek out the blinds and see what was going on. I look down the road and I see a light (a phone perhaps) waving all over creation about three houses down across the street. Now, my windows are closed, mind you, and I can hear the conversation to the point it woke me up. I listen and hear "it ain't worth it," "I'll call the cops," and "why don't you go home with him tonight."  I can only assume this domestic dispute must have been over a cheating wife or girlfriend as the husband/boyfriend was pretty pissed, but then again so was she. Now, I'm just laying in bed thinking, "if I can hear this over here with my windows closed, I can only imagine what the neighbors next to those people can hear" and I know they have kids. Sadly, today I happened to notice two kids in the house of angry people, so I'm hoping that they are sound sleepers or that it wasn't their parents as there are three vehicles that reside in the driveway. Anyway, my point is, why yell at the top of your lungs outside your house at 2:30am on a Sunday night when you know everyone is home and they're trying to sleep. Not only that, you know there are kids around. I guess in the heat of the moment you don't care, but I would have at least got in the car or gone to another place.

Normally I wouldn't complain too much about a disturbance revolving around noise, but this past weekend I was subjected to 4 hours of bass and later that night at 10:30pm I got to hear more bass from the same house as a jerk decided to pick someone up and leave the music on and car running for 20 min. It's great to have oh so soothing obnoxious bass when you're trying to fall asleep.  All I can say is I'm so over my noisy neighbors. I had to endure several hours of bass from the same house the weekend before so lets just say I'm glad I'll get a break from it soon.

My next doctors appointment, and last one until I get my new doctor, is tomorrow. I have to say I wish I could keep my current doctor, but alas she is not located close to my family so I will be starting fresh and hopefully with a doctor that is open to natural birth and minimal to no medical interventions. Here's hoping it all goes well! Oh, and on a side note, Chipotle has come to town and is opening soon!  I'm so excited! Not that I'll really get to go there opening day or anytime soon thereafter since it's not super close to my house and my son isn't a big fan, but the fact that it's available is awesome! Well, here's hoping all goes well at my appointment tomorrow and that my week is a great one!

Frosting??

Ok, so I have a confession to make. For the past 30 minutes I've been sitting at my computer looking up nothing important while eating about 5 apricots and about 1/8 cup of frosting...maybe a 1/4 cup!  I can't seem to stop my sweet tooth and I bought a can of frosting for a recipe I wanted to make a few weeks ago (it was a HUGE hit by the way) and frosting was part of a filling I needed. I didn't use the whole can and instead of wasting it I thought, what can I eat it with because I'm out of chocolate! I managed to find some dried apricots and low and behold I had a horribly sweet and oh so tasty snack. I even thought about making pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream for dinner!  I feel like I need a chaperone in my house to make sure that I don't eat or bake sugary things every second. I bet this girl's gonna love sweets when she gets older. She'll have a long way to go before her lips ever taste a swiss cake roll or candy, but man is she making me crave them. Of course, last time it was cottage cheese, this pregnancy it's chocolate and sweets. Great...add those pounds to my butt. Luckily, my butt has not reached max capacity for my jeans, but still. I'm going to have to post photos of really buff people all over my cabinet doors to keep the guilt up so I don't overload on sugar. Hmm.

Anyway, I've been reading about having a natural birth and after having read loads of books with my first pregnancy, I've decided to focus on natural birth, rather than birth in general, for my second pregnancy. Lets just hope that this birth goes as well as the first did! I should probably be reading that now instead of sitting on the computer, but I'll read it after I finish this post I guess. Back to the topic. So, I've been enlightened about the world of natural birth and how medicine and doctors took over the birthing scene in the 1900's and eventually a revival of natural birth and education about birth came about in the 1960's. I was inspired to have a natural birth after knowing that my mom had natural births with me and my sister and how so many people thought it was impressive (and crazy) that a woman would willing put herself through that pain. Honestly, I find the pain of birth and giving birth naturally a write of passage into the parenting world and far worth it than getting an epidural. No needles in my spine please and I'd like to feel my body. Not only that, but a woman's body was made for this.  It's what we're supposed to do...have kids. Since we've been on this planet we've been able to do it naturally. Why mess with mother nature?  So, my quest to find a doctor was supposedly over since I found a practice that had midwives and it was covered on my insurance...until I found out the midwives relocated to their own practice which is no covered by my insurance. :(  Needless to say, I was feeling a little worried considering that in two weeks I will need to find a new doctor and see them in 3weeks!  After some digging and asking around I may have found three doctors I'm willing to work with and that will deliver at the hospital I want to have the baby at. I guess when you're in the military you just get used to "here's your provider" and go with whoever you get..unless you really dislike them and decide to switch. But in the "civilian" world you get to choose who you want and be a bit more selective. Sadly, I really like the midwife I have now, but since I'll be relocating to have the baby I'll need a new doctor/midwife. Here's hoping I can find someone! Monday will be the day of phone calls and questions! I also have to find a pediatrician...that is one thing I'm happy about as my last option with the military wasn't the greatest for my son.

Anyway, all that aside, things are moving fast...I'll be moving, the due date is approaching, my husband is gone, but will be back for R&R in a couple months and I'll be with my family and will have a lot more support very shortly, and I have so much to do before I relocate. Not only do I need to clean house, I need to pack up a TON of stuff for a garage sale and rent a trailer to put it all in, do a few crafty things for the nursery, and find a doctor. I have to say I welcome this craziness because with it comes distraction and I'm so distracted with everything else I have little time to think about the loneliness. Here's hoping that it stays at bay for many months to come. Hmmm, no more frosting...what else do I have that's sweet??? Just kidding!  : )

I think I'm addicted to chocolate

So, it's getting closer and closer to the time when I'll be getting picked up and moved for a while so I can have this baby in the presence of family and (hopefully) my husband if he gets back in time!  It's getting so real now as I go from day to day realizing the changes and stress pregnancy has on your body.

I have an insatiable appetite for chocolate and cereal...neither of which fill me up or help my weight!
I have a (what I feel like is a) HUGE belly and I can see the stretch marks I had from my first pregnancy and I'm just hoping I don't end up with a bunch more. I'd like to still be able to wear a bikini after this!  So far I'm confident that if they stay as they are I should be good...but who knows. Sometimes I feel as if there's no where she could possibly go if she gets any bigger, which she obviously will. It really is amazing the changes a woman's body goes through to have a baby. Not only do I feel stretched to max capacity, rolling over in bed is a joy since it's as if I can't breathe when I go from one side to the other...not to mention I have to shift the pillow that supports my leg and keeps my hips from killing me. Then there's the moment when you step on the scale and think...do I really weigh that much??  Luckily, I think I'm doing better this time than with my first pregnancy. And there's the fun hiccups she has that I get to experience multiple times a day (which is fun at first, but then gets a big annoying when it's often during the time you're trying to fall asleep). My son had them too and just like him, she's making sure I know she's there just before I drift off to sleep.

However, throughout it all, many women decide to go through this process more than once in their lifetime. There are a lot of things to complain about (and I don't even have swollen ankles or hands or many of the other unpleasant pregnancy "symptoms"), but all and all it's an amazing experience. The pain of birth aside, I wish everyone could go though this and know what it's like to carry your child and feel the bond that you do with your child when it's born. Having children is something I didn't know if I wanted to do until just 3 years ago. I was happy with my freedom, my job, my sleep, my life, but something told me it was time to consider it and after talking it over with my husband we both decided it was time to move on from dogs to babies. While I do miss my previous life, I'd never go back knowing what amazing gift being a parent can be. I enjoy every day with my son and despite his father being away for awhile, he keeps me happy and helps with the loneliness of the deployment. I have found it harder to keep up while being pregnant chasing a toddler. I know that chasing a toddler around instead of the desk job I had when I was pregnant with said toddler is a lot more challenging, but some days I have to remind myself I can do this and keep chugging along.

Deployments are no fun and I think sometimes they give you a chance to reflect on your life and your marriage. Some people are torn apart, some are brought together. During my first deployment it was rough and I hated the first few months. Loneliness was everyday and phone calls were only once a week if that (while my friends all had skype to talk to their hubbies). This time things are different. I'm sure the loneliness will hit me worst when I'm back home on my own with two children and no help, but I suppose I will have to look at this as a challenge. I have been strong on many fronts before and this is just a test of my strength. Although, to be honest, the real test of strength will be the day this baby arrives and the strength both emotionally, physically, and mentally I'll need should my husband not be there for the big moment. And while I will become a mother yet again, I have to say there is no greater time when you want your mother and thankfully this time I will have her there to support me regardless of my husbands presence. I think strength is the one thing that sets the success from the failure. I aim to be strong and make the most out of what may be a hard situation.