The Duke and Duchess

So who watched the royal wedding? I meant to dvr it yesterday but forgot about setting it up since we had a busy day with the packer's coming. I got up at 6:30 this morning though and immediately turned on the ceremony. I loved the pomp and circumstance of it all. I'm just mad at myself for missing her entrance into the Abey.

It was cool to see all the fashion. And those hats. My cousin's husband is from England. Cambridge to be exact. Last summer at their wedding all his female relatives wore hat's and proper two piece skirt suits. How different things are!

Now on to the ceremony

I have to say I loved Kate's dress. Look how beautiful and classic she looked




I do think they as a couple look very happy together. I don't know too much about them except what I've read about Us Weekly. Some of those things not too nice. For example I heard William was a womanizer and only married her because his other girlfriends weren't queen worthy. And I heard she was only interested in the crown. But I hope those are just rumor's and that they do make it as a couple. They truly do look like they love each other. To read more about them I also ordered a book on the couple! What can I say, Im a book nerd.


The Kiss. So sweet

My thoughts..
I don't know how I would feel to have such a formal wedding. As cool as it was I think I would feel as if the wedding was more about other' than about my husband and I. But again I didn't marry a future king!

I def do not like the idea that William won't wear a wedding ring. I'd put my foot down on that!

How many people are now going to name their baby girls Catherine. I guess I should start embracing my full name which I've hated for years!

But one thing I do love is that both William and Harry serve in the military, I believe all important leaders should serve in the armed forces at some point. So go William and Harry!

And to the happy couple. I wish them all the best

Moving Day!

Ever since I met the hubs I knew his unit would be moving to Florida. However when exactly was unknown. When I moved to NC in April of 2009 talks about the move became more frequent. I became frustrated when the hubs would bring up the move. I had just moved thousands of miles away from my family and friends to a small town where I knew no one. I didn't even want to think about moving anytime soon!

Last April I attended my first briefing on the move and allowed myself to get excited. We had always discussed moving to Florida after M's time in the army so this would be the perfect opportunity to see how we liked it.


After these briefings all our friends started planning trips to the area to look for houses. Our initial plan was to rent an apartment for 6 months and then find a house. Then we decided we wanted to rent a house and planned a trip to go down to Florida and scope out the area. Then two pink lines appeared on a pregnancy test and we skipped our trip to Florida.

Now with a baby on the way our plans changed. So in march my dad and I went down to Florida and met with a realtor. We looked at over 20 houses before I found one I really liked and that the hubs liked also. Let me tell you, house hunting with your husband via text message is very hard to do.

But we found one. The sellers are also military, the husband had steady moved to his new duty station overseas and the wife was ready to sell as soon as possible. Before we had even looked at the house she had dropped the asking price by a significant amount. The sellers are also using the Hap program, a govt program for military families that helps them out if they are upside down on their loan. So these families don't have to foreclose their homes.

We offered on the house and the sellers accepted. Now we are just waiting for the Hap program to give us a closing date.

We also agreed to rent the house before the closing date, so once we move to Florida we aren't having to stay on a hotel or find temporary housing while waiting for our moving date

Everything was good to go until last weekend the sellers decided they wanted a $500 security deposit, non refundable if the sale doesn't go through. The husband and I refused. We had already signed the rental agreement they had come up with stating that we didnt owe a security deposit. And our financing and everything was approved so if the sale fell through it wouldn't be on our end. With a baby on the way I didn't feel comfortable shelling out rent money and a security deposit that we may not get back. Since then we would be out that money and a home. Plus the sellers were refusing to fix the repairs for the warranted items on the house.

After we refused the deposit we received a slightly nasty email from the sellers realtor stating that they feel the request for a security deposit is reasonable since they painted the master bedroom for us and dropped their asking price by a significant amount.

This made me mad. Those were things they had done before I even looked at the house let alone offered on it. But we agreed to pay the deposit as long as they fixed their repairs. They agreed but are only fixing the repairs that are not deemed cosmetic. So instead of fighting with these people we are sucking it up so we can move into the house right away.

I can understand where the sellers are coming from. But I find it funny they are placing all these demands and acting like they are cheating them out of money long after we placed an offer on the house, signed the rental agreement and signed all the final paperwork. Especially since the selling of the house is costing them
No money since their using that program. But I don't know their financial situation and I love the house, which we did get for a great price. And at least we can move in and paint before the closing date.

So now I'm just praying the sale does go through. I'm still in shock that we have 5 days left at Bragg before we move. Here's to a whole new chapter for us!



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Labor Pains?

Yesterday I got my first hard kick from lovebug. I was driving to work when I felt her kick. It actually hurt a little and took me by surprise. I'm not complaining though, there's nothing better in the world than feeling her kick.

During my last client of the day however I noticed that my stomach felt different. The area from my belly button and below felt really tight. Painfully so and it felt more uncomfortable when I was walking or standing. I just shrugged it off thinking maybe she changed position. While running errands after work the pain was still there. It was very uncomfortable to walk around or stand nup straight. I felt like someone was stretching out my stomach. So I went home and relaxed. Chalking the tightness up to packing all day and walking the dogs. As long as I was laying down or sitting I was fine. Lovebug was still up and kicking so I wasn't too concerned

This morning however when I woke up the pain and tightness were still there. Especially off to my left side. When my dog placed her head in my lap it hurt. When I went to use the bathroom and shower, the pain was more intense. So I called my mom who told me to go to labor and delivery. I decided to hold off and did as instructed in birthing class. Drink some water and lay on my left side. That helped a bit. The pain wasn't so bad and the tightness was more even along my lower abdomen. But again when I was up and walking around I felt like someone was stretching out my stomach. Almost like I had had a hardcore ab workout.

So I called the advice nurse and she told me to go in to Labor and delivery. Now let me explain how the hospital on post that I go to does things. I have never seen the same dr once. If I need a same day appt I have to call the advice nurse. She is the only one that can schedule a same day. And her hours are from 8-11 and then 1-3. So when she instructed me to go to L&D I did. I walked into L&D and told them I was experiencing abdominal tightness and had been instructed by the nurse to come up. Even the Er has a sign saying if you are 20 weeks or over go straight to L&D. They wont see you in the er. The first Dr I ever saw for my 10 week appt was up in L&D and nastily told me that I wasn't in labor, that if my stomach hurt I needed to go to the ob acute care clinic. She said they wouldnt admit me or see me at L&D. So down I went to my dr's office. The receptionist there told me I couldn't be seen same day since I wasn't a soldier. She told me to call the advice nurse. I explained that I had and was told to go to L&D. This woman instructed me to do the same. Again I explained they wouldn't see me and that they had sent me down here. She told me to go next door to the Gyno clinic and talk to them. So off I went again explaining to the receptionist what happehed. this girl called the advice nurse who again said I needed to go to L&D. When the girl told her they sent me back they got a nurse to come talk to me. I explained everything that had been going on. That it hurt to stand or walk, that it hurt when I used the bathroom and it felt like things were stretching whenever I moved.

Basically I was told that as long as I wasn't bleeding or had a change in discharge that I was fine and needed to go home.

So here I am at home. Trying to take it easy and not freak out. My lower abdomen is still bothering me and I don't know if it's due to doing to much in regards to packing or if there is something going on with the baby.

Ladies any similar pain? Issues? What do contractions feel like so I know if I'm having one? I don't know what to do

Water for Elephants

Last weekend while home for my baby shower the hubs sent the following text..It's just you and me for a few more weekends. I can't believe lovebug will be here in 15 weeks. With moving in a week, then all the unpacking and settling in it won't be long before she is here. And while we are beyond excited and cant wait for nightly walks pushing her in her stroller and weekends spent in a sleepless haze admiring our little one, we also want to spend as much quality time together as possible. So today we were off to see this movie.


We saw an early showing, both to save a couple bucks and to push off packing as much as possible. I have heard amazing things about this book. In fact it's been sitting on my nightstand for the past few months, unopened. I received it for free from Militaryonesource.com And is it weird that now that the paperback version with the movie cover is out, I want to run and buy that. I know I'm a nerd like that.

Anyway, the movie received some bad reviews but I have to say I loved it. It reminded me of going downtown to the lakefront in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with my parents to go see the Circus Parade and walk around and look at the circus cars. And I've always loved movies that take place in the 30's and 40's. Such a different time compared to today. The movie did move kind of slow but not in a bad way. There was some depictions of animal brutality which made me bawl my eyes out. Not sure if that was due to the pregnant hormones or what, but I've always been sensitive when it comes to animals being mistreated. I hate it. So needless to say the hubs had a good laugh, especially when I was the only one to walk out of the theatre still crying and with red blotchy eyes. Anyway I would recommend the movie. Reese and Robert Pattinson were awesome and it was such a good story. For those that read the book, did you like it? I did hear the book and movie are different

While watching the previews, I saw the trailers for the following. These movies are also based on books. My two favorite books to be exact so I can't wait to see these

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

I love this book. Emily Giffin is by far my favorite author and her books are ones I can reread over and over. I love the fact that their chick lit with a more serious side. Her books always deal with a moral issue that I find her readers can relate to.

When I heard Kate Hudson was being cast in this movie however I did not feel that she was not the right fit for the movie. And seeing the trailer I can already tell that it is way different from the book. However I still want to see the movie and am excited to see my favorite book on the big screen

The other movie coming out I am beyond excited for is this one..


The Help based on the book by Kathryn Stockett. This book had been recommended to me by a friend. When I bought it I didn't really expect to like it. It isn't my typical type of book, as I tend to read books that are really light and quick reads. Especially during deployments. I don't like to read serious books when I'm already stressed. Anyway this book while of a serious subject matter was awesome. I started reading it by the pool one morning and didn't stop until I finished it later that night. I could not put it down. It is a must read for everyone and I can't wait to see this movie. I def think I will be rereading this book again.


Other movies the hubs and I are excited to see are
The Hangover 2
Pirates of the Carribean-On Stranger Tides
Thor
Transformers 2
Harry Potter- Part 2
X-Men First Class
The Rum Diary

Any movies y'all are waiting to see. What about books. With moving and being unemployed in a week I will have plenty of time for reading. What books should I add to my list?

Wisconsin Baby Shower: Picture Overload

This past weekend I flew home for my baby shower. It was thrown by my Mom and my brother's girlfriend. They worked so hard to make this such a special day for me! And I couldn't have asked for more. Everything about the shower was so amazing. I am so lucky to have such amazing friends and family. LoveBug is already extremely spoiled

I of course brought this cute spring dress to wear to my shower. Lo and behold it was a balmy 30 degrees in Wisconsin last Saturday. I guess I should have rethought my wardrobe!! Anyway on to the shower pics!

Isn't this cake amazing. My brother's girlfriend made it. The bottom layer was oreo and the top was strawberry shortcake. My two favorite's!


G and I: I love this girl. She put so much time and effort into this shower
/">
Grandma and family friends

My aunt, cousin and G


The Gift table


My Cousin and I


The hubs family!

My mom's side of the family

The girls!I love and miss them so much


My friend Katie and I. She's due with baby Number 2 in June

My best friend from high school. She's also due in June

High School best Friends

My BFF Forever

The cutest cupcake tray made out of baby socks and washcloths


My brother, G and cousins! I love my family so much

Dad and I: he's so excited to be a grandpa

My beautiful Mom: I can never thank her enough for all that she does for me. I only hope I can be a great of a parent as she was to me

Megs and I-this girl and I have been through so much together. I only wish we lived closer to each other

25 weeks!

25 weeks down and 15 more weeks to go. I can't believe how fast time is going by.

I feel bigger and bigger each day. Since I hit 22 weeks I feel like I've been packing on the pounds! I have my sugar test next week which I am a little anxious about since I've spent the past week eating a ton of cake from my baby showers and anniversary! I should probably lay off the sugar and start going for weekly walks at night. Now that birthing classes are over I can now go back to my water aerobics classes!

We are pretty much all set for baby girl. I ordered her pack in play, stroller, and carseat this week. The only other things we need to purchase is the crib mattress, bottle Warmer, breast pump, bumbo seat, the moby wrap and her high chair.

Question for all you moms. Are a bottle Warmer and sterilizer necessary. I know you can sterilize the bottles in your dishwasher and that you can't microwave breast milk. Apparently not sure if that is correct or not but I don't want to buy all these things If they aren't necessary and will sit and collect dust!

And prayers needed for my mom. She suffers from bad migraines and today has an MRI because her migraines have gotten worse and she is starting to black out and lose her vision. So If you could please keep my mom in your prayers I'd greatly appreciate it!


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Natural Vs the Epidural

So last week Tuesday I had the labor and delivery portion of our birthing classes. We discussed breathing, the various types of pain meds available and different birthing positions

As hospitals and Drs make me nervous and anxious I think the epidural would be a lifesaver since I would already be tense and scared upon arriving at the hospital. However the thought of being numb and not able to move worries me.

The image of a huge needle being stuck in my back sends me into a panic attack.

The thought of no pain meds worries me also. What if I can't handle the pain.

I am considering hiring a doula. I haven't done so yet since we are moving in two weeks and I don't know where tricare will be placing me for my ob care.

So I turn to you ladies, natural or an epidural? What's are your thoughts, advice? Help me out

Hot flashes and dizziness!

Hello hot flashes! From the beginning of this pregnancy my inner body temp has increased. I am always hot! No matter what the temp is outside I sleep with the air on 65 degrees! I need to be cold when sleeping!

Lately however I've been hit with random moments of dizziness. I'll be up and walking and all of a sudden feel like I'm going to pass out. I never have and I discussed it with my dr and she said it could be due to the fact that I started increasing my workouts. She advised me to drink more water and eat mini meals throughout the day.

In my birthing classes they told us the warning signs that we need to be careful for and that if you are having dizzy spells associated with black outs, blurred vision or seeing spots you should call your dr immediately. This could be a sign of high blood pressure. Luckily I haven't had any of those signs and I always take my Bp after a spell and that has been fine

Yesterday i had another occurrence. I had gone with friends to work out and then to get our nails done. I snuck a fruit bar in between but probably should have eaten more or drank more water. At the nail salon they usually have the door open and fans going. Yesterday they didnt and I started to feel uncomfortable. Then all of a sudden I started feeling like I was sweating profusely and my head, back and chest felt like it was on fire. I got up to get some water which helped. I felt better but must have looked awful cause the nail guys kept getting me more water and asking if I was ok. My friend I was with said my face was bright red and my feet looked really swollen. She also happens to be a nurse and took my Bp in her car. It was a little high but nothing to be concerned about. She told me to go home and relax. I had to work. It actually ate and felt a lot better. However I was scared

Today I'm boarding a plane to fly to Wisconsin for my baby shower. And I'm nervous about flying. I packed a bag full of sandwiches as snacks in case I start to feel dizzy or faint. I'm also wearing loose and comfortable clothes. So hopefully I will have no issues on the plane!

Have any of you flown while pregnant. Any tips? What about the hot flashes or dizzy spells?


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Baby Gear

Once we found out it was a girl I mainly started buying lovebug clothes and decorations for the nursery. Now as we are less than halfway away to our due date I have a huge list of bigger item's that we need to purchase.

When the hubs and I registered I was only 9 weeks. He was a day away from deploying and wanted to be involved in the process. We hardly knew what all to register for. Like our car seat for example. We registered for one of the convertible car seats thinking that was the way to go. However after a trip to babies r us this weekend I realized we probably should have registered for an infant carrier. We received the car seat from my aunt and debated returning it for the infant carrier but then decided to keep the convertible car seat and purchase an additional infant carrier so that way we will each have a car seat in our cars. The hubs and I decided to go look at the carrier's together but while browsing through a friend's facebook I saw the cutest car seat. It also happened to be one of my favorite baby brands. So I goggled the car seat and found out I could purchase it from Walmart online

Here is a picture of the cutest car seat ever! Well in my opinion anyway


I have my big family and friends shower this weekend in Wisconsin and I cant wait to see what Love Bug will all receive. She is already so spoiled!

One question for all you mom's out there. I registered for a Pack n Play and a Bassinett. I plan on having lovebug stay in our room for the first few months but am unsure if I should just get the pack n play with a bassinett attachment or if I do really need both. What did you all use for the first few months? What are your opinions?

3 Years Ago Today

3 Years Ago today...


I stood on the beach in Key West Florida and said I do to my best friend and soul mate. Looking back I don't know where the past three years have gone. We've been through three deployments, have only spent 1.5 of those years together and like everyone have had our rough moments. But each year I can honestly say I love him more and more

I truly married my best friend. I thank god every day for sending me someone as kind, caring and compassionate as he is. He constantly makes me laugh, always puts me before everyone else and I know he is going to be an amazing dad.

As we start off our third year of marriage we will be going on our biggest adventure yet. Starting off with our first PCS move, our first house and our first baby. There is no one I'd rather go on this journey called life with. I know the next few years will bring more deployments but I also know that with each deployment our relationship only gets stronger and stronger. I can't wait to see what our future will bring!

Happy three year anniversary babe. I love you.

Govt Shutdown

With an upcoming PCS and a baby on the way the thought of a govt shutdown stresses me out. To think that the military will not be getting paid is insane. I'm thankful my husband just came home this week because at least he is safe where he belongs. For all those currently in a war zone I can't even imagine. I think it's a huge slap in the face to those that serve our country, put their lives on the line and spend months even years apart from their families to be going unpaid.

What I find even worse is how nasty people are being on social media sites. Fellow mil spouses are on twitter bashing others who don't have money saved in case of emergencies and so forth. Who are you to know some one elses financial situation. A few months ago my hubs and I had an amazing emergency cash fund. Last spring when he was deployed I paid off a ton of debt and saved a lot of money. Although we as a couple don't put anything on credit I was still paying off my debt from when I was an 18 year old college student who thought I could make it on my own while paying for my own tuition and books. Rent, gas and food went on credit cards and I racked up debt. Now I've gotten better with my money habits but 8 years ago I didn't think about the consequences. So last spring I paid a chunk off. When the hubs came back we went on vacation and dipped a little bit into our savings but we still had a great fund saved for emergencies. Then the army screwed up his paycheck and we went from October to February of this year without getting a pay check some months or half of a paycheck others.When they fixed his pay there was no back pay to compensate. So needless to say our savings had to go to bills and what not. And doesn't it always figure that when you need money the most cars seem to break down or some other things breaks that needs to be fixed right away. Now again we have another little nest egg but with the shut down I'm scared.

We have a baby due in 4 months. We are supposed to PCS in a month. We just paid a down payment on a house and our nest egg is for the move and baby. I am only working 10 hours a week. Originally I put in my notice for April 1st but luckily I have an amazing company that I work for that allowed me to stay on until we officially move. Some of my client's got new therapists which I understand but some I was able to keep although my hours were cut. So on ten hours a week and the hubs not getting paid we will be seriously hurting. And people can live frugally all they want but if you have student loan payments and car payments that you have to pay each month, sometimes that affects your savings.If no money is coming in, yet needs to go out it doesn't matter how frugal you live. Eventually you will run out

So why are people bashing each other instead of sticking up for one another. Again no one knows any one elses financial situation. I can see their point however, we as a culture are more inclined to spend rather than save and we are more motivated by having nice cars than having money in savings. Will I def make it more of a priority to save. Of course but that still doesn't make up for the fact that our men and women serving our country, who risk their lives should ever be asked to go unpaid when reality stars, celebrities, sports players and etc are making millions for acting drunk and stupid on tv. And I will admit it angers me when I see people driving around in Escalade's while parking in front of the WIC office or applying for food stamps. But again who am I to judge. ALl I know is that I'm terrified that the govt will really shut down and the hubs won't be getting paid. Will we be able then to collect welfare, or WIC. no we won't. It's a scary thought for everyone in this situation that a once steady income will be yanked away, with no warning or chance to even allow people to stock up on their savings.

So I am trying to avoid CNN but am anxiously awaiting to hear what is going to happen with this shutdown. Please pray for everyone this affects and pray that if this happen's it doesn't last long