Wednesday, August 24, 2011

32 weeks!!

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I have definitely gone through a growth spurt this week!! I’m feeling huge!!

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 32 weeks

Size of baby: A large Jicama which is about 3.75 pounds and 16.7 inches long

Total weight gain/loss: 17 pounds

Maternity Clothes: For the most part.

Gender: Baby girl!

Movement: Seriously, all the time! I don’t know when she sleeps! She might end up being like her daddy and only needing a few hours of sleep a night.

Sleep: I sleep pretty good. I usually only get up about once a night to go to the bathroom.

What I miss: Nothing this week!

Cravings: Ice water

Symptoms: My feet hurt all the time. That’s about it though.

Best moment this week: Buying the car seat and some other things for her room.

What I am most looking forward to: Getting her room finished!

 

Have we picked a name?

Yes we have!!! Bryce and I have chosen to keep it a secret until her big arrival for many reasons. But the name we picked out is so perfect and we are totally in love with her already!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

31 Weeks

I forgot to do my 31 weeks post yesterday so I am a day late. Its so crazy to think that in 6 weeks, I will be full term! Oh man, I have so much to do before then!! I did, however, get the baby’s crib set up (or Bryce did at least). And I got her bedding in the mail the other day so that’s all set up too!! It’s so cute!! Here is a picture of it…

 

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I still need to wash the sheet and iron the bed skirt but I just wanted to put it together to see what it would look like. I love it! I think it looks so girly!!

 

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Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 31 weeks and 1 day

Size of baby: 4 naval oranges. I feel so big this week!!

Total weight gain/loss: According to the doctors scale, I have gained 17 pounds. I have gained 6 pounds this month!! :/

Maternity Clothes: Most of the clothes I wear are actually regular clothes but I like to wear maternity shirts for the length

Gender: Girl!!

Movement: All the time!!

Sleep: I sleep pretty good

What I miss: Being able to get up or bend over without strain. Oh yeah, and my feet not hurting 24/7.

Cravings: Still Ice water and I have a new craving of German Ice Cream!! YUM!! I want some right now! I just discovered the German ice cream truck that stops right outside my house almost every evening!!

Symptoms: Its been a pretty rough week actually. My feet hurt continuously!! Seriously, its horrible!! And my lower back always hurts too. I can never seem to find a comfortable position.

Best moment this week: Getting the crib and bedding put together and unpacking and washing all of the baby clothes.

What I am most looking forward to: Getting this baby out of me and into my arms!!! AND picking out a name!!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I’m in the 30’s!!

Can you believe it because I sure can’t!!! I am already 30 weeks pregnant!! This is unreal to me!! I need to start getting the baby’s room ready!!! My husband was born at 29 weeks gestation so it’s crazy to think that he was already a week old at this point!

Guess who took this picture? Yep, my wonderful husband!!!!

30 weeks

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 30 weeks!

Size of baby: 15.7 inches long and 3 pounds! The size of a head of cabbage

Total weight gain/loss: 11 pounds

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I can still fit into most of my regular clothes but maternity is more comfortable

Gender: Baby Girl!! Hopefully she will have a name soon!

Movement: All. The. Time!! I love it!

Sleep: I sleep pretty good!!

What I miss: Being able to bend over without strain. Besides that, not really anything! I love being pregnant!

Cravings: Ice water

Symptoms: Still some acid reflux and my feet hurt when I am on them for too long.

Best moment this week: Having my husband feel the baby move for the first time! His reaction…”Whoa, what is she doing in there??”

What I am most looking forward to: Getting the nursery all set up and picking out a name!

Bryce is home!!

Bryce got home yesterday, August 9th from his 6 month deployment to Kuwait!! I am so excited that he is finally home!! Here’s the story…

He was originally supposed to be home on the 6th. Then it got changed to possibly being the 1st, then it changed to the 8th, then a couple of days before he was supposed to be home, they changed it again to the 9th! Of course I am used to the dates changing because it’s the military! Nothing is ever set in stone. I had to change my wedding date 3 times because Bryce’s graduation day from tech school kept getting changed. It was crazy!

So a couple of days before Bryce got home, I found out about an organization called Operation Love ReUnited! Its an organization where you choose a professional photographer in the area and they come out to take pictures of your deployed soldier returning from a deployment. I thought it would be so cool to have pictures of seeing Bryce for the first time and seeing his reaction to my ever growing belly. I got in contact with a lady that was doing one of my friends pictures when her husband got home. I was even able to meet her! We kept in touch over email and she agreed to come take pictures the day of Bryce’s arrival! The night before Bryce got home, I emailed her and gave her the time of Bryce’s arrival which was 8am. Unfortunately, she was unable to come that early. I guess 8am is too early for her…I’m sorry…I’m still a little irritated and bitter about the whole situation. I was extremely disappointed and tried to get in touch with any photographer that I could get a hold of to come take pictures! I heard back from a couple of photographers and they were all unavailable at such short notice, which was totally understandable!

So…. I asked a very close friend if she would come video tape and she was more than willing to do this for me!! She then asked one of her friends if she would come take pictures and she also agreed. I went to bed that night still very upset but thankful that at least someone would be there to capture the moment of Bryce’s return.

I got up really early on the 9th (5:30am) and got ready and headed to the airport right at 7am to go pick up my sweetie. The two girls that were going to take pictures and video tape were going to be at the airport at around 7:30 or 7:45 so I was just going to meet them there. Bryce’s plane was scheduled to land at 8:05am.

Right before I got to the gate, which goes to the airport, I got a phone call from a weird number. I answered and it was Bryce! He said, “Hey babe, we just landed”. IT WAS 7:15am!!! He got home an hour early!!!! So I was freaking out and hoping to make it in time before he got off the plane to welcome him home. Right when I got off the phone with him, I called my friend to tell her that he had already landed and it was pointless for them to come since he landed early. I was a little sad that I wasn’t going to get any pictures but I honestly didn’t really care. All I wanted to do was see my husband!!!

I hurried to the terminal hoping to make it in time. Thankfully I did!! I waited in a glass box for about 5 minutes and before I knew it, the soldiers were coming in!! I got a small video of him walking in and seeing me for the first time. It was the most excited I think I have ever been! I seriously don’t ever remember being THAT excited!! I even jumped!! ha!! I was just beside myself!!

When we first saw each other, we couldn’t hug or even hear each other through the glass. Bryce had to wait and get his luggage and once he got everything, he came outside and that’s when I finally got to get a hug!! It was the greatest feeling ever!! When Bryce first saw me, he commented on how big and cute my belly is! He kept touching it and rubbing it! It was the sweetest thing!

 

Here are some pictures and a video of his arrival…

 

I took this through the glass box so that’s why it looks kind of funny.

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Bryce waiting to get his luggage

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Finally together again!!!

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This is the first time I actually saw Bryce!!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

New Crib and Couch!!

I have been really busy since I have been home. I bought a crib and a couch!! Crazy, I know!! I bought the crib off of Ramstein Yardsales (one of my top 5 favorite websites) and I got it for really cheap! My original plan was to buy a new crib at the BX and have it shipped here but it would take 3-6 months for it to come in so I said “forget that!!”. I really wanted a white crib and knew it would be hard to find unless I got a German crib, which I did NOT want!! I searched high and low on Ramstein Yardsales and came across an off white Pottery Barn crib! I absolutely LOVE it!!! I think it will go really well with the baby’s bedding.

I haven’t set it up yet but I am waiting for Bryce to get home so he can set it up. Only a couple of more days!!!! Yay!!!

I also bought a leather couch. The BX has this thing where they set up a tent and sell furniture that isn’t able to sell in the store. Its furniture that has small scratches and tears or display items. I could not find anything wrong with this leather couch and didn’t understand why it was so cheap. I asked the sales clerk and she said that there was a small tear on the back of the couch at the very bottom. Sure enough, there was a small tear but I didn’t even notice it the first time I looked!!

I was really hesitant on buying the couch because I hadn’t talked to Bryce and I never make purchases like this without him. I knew I wouldn’t be able to talk to Bryce until really late that evening and I was so scared that the couch would sell. A friend of mine that was with me talked me into it and I bought it. I was really worried what Bryce would think about the couch and me buying it! I knew he would like it  because it is pretty masculine. He knew I had been wanting a new couch for a long time so it shouldn’t be that big of a surprise to him, right?!

I talked to him later that evening and showed him pictures of the couch and guess what….he LOVED it!!!! I can’t wait for him to see it in person now!! Here is some pictures of the couch and rearranged living room…

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I absolutely LOVE our new couch and it is so comfortable too!!

 

Today I have been getting the house all ready for Bryce to come home! I did laundry, cleaned out the shelves in the babies room, and cleaned! I’m not completely done but hopefully I can finish up tomorrow!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

29 weeks!

I can’t keep up with how far along I am anymore! The weeks go by so fast!

29 weeks

This is the best picture I could get. It’s the only full length mirror in my house and my sweetie isn’t home to take it for me…but next weeks post, he will be home to take it!! YAY!!!

 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How far along: 29 weeks!

Size of baby: A Butternut Squash! About 2 1/2 pounds and over 15 inches long!!

Total weight gain/loss: gained 10 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I can still wear my regular pants with the belly band and I can still fit into my regular shirts but prefer maternity shirts.

Gender: Sweet baby girl!! Hopefully we will have a name soon!

Movement: ALL. THE. TIME!! LOVE IT!!!

Sleep: I sleep pretty good but the 7 hour time difference has kind of thrown me off this week.

What I miss: Monster energy drinks!

Cravings: Ice and I don’t necessarily crave fruit but I eat it everyday and I love it!!!

Symptoms: Acid reflux has been pretty bad this week! I’ve been popping the tums like candy!!

Best moment this week: Coming home and unpacking all the baby stuff!!

What I am look forward too: SEEING MY HUSBAND!!! AND looking forward to him going to the doctors appointments with me!! EEK!!! I’m SO excited!! Words can’t even describe!!

 

Next post: BRYCE’S ARRIVAL FROM HIS DEPLOYMENT!!!! YAY!!!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

I'm home!!!

 Warning: this post is going to be long and boring with no pictures!!

I flew into Germany Sunday afternoon and I had a relatively good trip. I woke  up at 3:30am on Saturday morning and headed to the airport with my sister at around 4:30am. My flight left at 7:30am!!! Talk about a start to a long day!!! Once I got through security and headed to get on the plane, it hit me....I was going home and I get to see my husband really soon but I also just said bye to my family. It was the worst and best feeling ever! I had mixed emotions and it was weird!

I got to board the plane early with the "family group" because I was pregnant!!! Once I got on the plane, I was so thankful to get an aisle seat! I usually like the window seat but since being pregnant, I take numerous bathroom trips so I knew it would be best if I could get an aisle seat. My flight was from Dallas to Baltimore and it was about 4 hours long.

Once I got to Baltimore, I immediately got my luggage and found my way to the AMC which is the military flights. Of course it was on the opposite side of the airport and if anyone has ever been to the the Baltimore airport, its huge!!! I did not want to pay $5 for a cart so I decided to carry my purse, backpack, and 2 suitcases. I'm crazy, I know! And probably not the smartest decision I have ever made. I was about 2/3 of the way there and decided I couldn't go any further without a cart. My arms were about to break off!!
I stopped to ask a man if I was going in the right direction to get to the AMC and thankfully I was and then I asked if there was anybody that could help me with my luggage because I am pregnant and not supposed to be carrying this much stuff at once.

Poor guy, he felt so bad! He went and got a cart for me and then wished me well. He was so helpful and later that day, I walked by him again and he asked to see how I was doing and if there was anything he could do for me!

Once I got to the AMC, I was a little confused. There was absolutely NO ONE there!!! It was closed!!! I arrived there at about 1pm and my military flight to Ramstein, Germany didn't leave until 10:30pm (or so I thought). I heard that the AMC doesn't open until 4pm but the airport has an awesome USO that I could go hang out in until then. The USO is for military only and its a big lounge area with a huge tv, internet service, coffee, food, and girl scout cookies!! So I hung out there and got on my computer for awhile and then got me some Subway.

At 4pm, I went back to the AMC to get on the list to fly Space Available. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is where military families can fly for free but they have to fly stand-by. The flights are not guaranteed and if there is room on the plane, then you can fly! Sure enough, the AMC was still closed. Some security guards told me that they actually don't open until 6pm. So, I headed back to the USO with all my luggage (that was on a cart) to wait another 2 hours to pass. I was very tired at this point and just wanted to get home. My sister-in-laws brother and his wife live about 15 minutes from the Baltimore airport so they came up to the airport to see me and see how I was doing. If I wasn't able to catch the flight that night, they were going to let me stay with them! They were SO nice and I am so thankful for them and their generosity!!

At 6pm, I waited in line to put my name on the list. Well, the workers didn't show up until 6:30 (that's the military for ya!). I got my name on the list and the workers told me that the "list" would go up in a couple of hours. The "list" is all the people that are wanting to fly Space Available (aka Space-A). It is just a list that shows you where you are and your chances of catching the flight. Well, there were 53 people in front of me and only 22 seats available. I knew I wasn't catching this flight but I did have a little hope because the workers told me that there are always people that don't show up and more spots would open up. So I prayed and prayed all night long. Seriously. Turns out, the role call is at 10:30pm and the flight doesn't leave until 12:30am. So, I had to wait until 10:30 to see if I could get on this plane or not. When they did the role call, my name was not called but more spots would still open up. A lot of people hadn't showed up yet and they were still waiting for them to show up. At about 11:30pm, almost all of the people on the Space A flight had been called that were in front of me on the list. My heart kept sinking but I kept praying. At this point, I almost gave up. I was so exhausted because I had been awake for 20 hours and all I wanted to do was sleep!

They kept calling names and there might have been 5 people who's name hadn't been called. Then... I heard my glorious name being called!!! I could not believe it!!! And RIGHT after they called my name, they told everyone that the spots had all been filled. Thank you JESUS!!!! He is So good!!!! All I could do is cry and praise Jesus for allowing me to be on that flight. Only He could have made that possible.

I made some great friends that day. They are a family of 4 and they were headed to Germany on vacation. We sat in anticipation all day together! They got on the flight way earlier than me and once I realized I could catch that plane, I saw them and they were so excited! They told me they were praying so hard that I would get on that plane. Made my heart smile!!

Not only did God bless me with getting on the plane, but he also blessed me with another AISLE SEAT!!! AND I got to sit next to a sweet little girl that look like she was about 7 or 8. She slept with her feet on me which I didn't mind at all because she was keeping me warm! I forgot how cold planes are!!! Such a blessing!

As far as the flight goes, it went really well. I actually slept most of the way home and the last hour was the hardest. My feet started swelling and I was just ready to be home. I got up about once an hour to go to the bathroom and just walk around. I was scared I would get blood clots!

Once I landed, some great friends of mine and Bryce's picked me up, the Mimms. They are so sweet! They have really been taking care of me since I have been home. They took me to the commisary to buy groceries so I wouldn't have to carry anything, they unloaded about 7 boxes that I had shipped and they carried them to my apartment, they have fed me dinner every night since I've been back, and they have just been the best of friends. I am so very thankful for them.

As far as Germany goes, it is quite chilly here and I am NOT enjoying it. Today was actually REALLY pretty outside. I think it was about 85 degrees and NO humidity!!!! Texas friends, don't be jealous. I can honestly say that I truelly MISS the Texas heat. I know it was hot but I loved it!! The day I arrived in Germany, it was freezing!! The first thing I did when I got home was turn the heater on and put warm clothes on. Definitely not used to that!! I miss Texas SO MUCH!!!!

I just want to thank everyone so much for praying for me! God definitely heard your prayer and I don't think I would have caught that flight if it wasn't for you!! God tends to amaze me every single day! I am so blessed to have friends and family that care for me and want the best for me so again I say THANK YOU!!!!!

If you made it this far...congrats!! I told you it was a long a boring post!!