Show and tell Monday

After I blogged this morning I forgot about Show and Tell Monday hosted by the fabulous From arms to Mama! Today it's all about your wedding so head on over to her blog and link up

1. Are married? If so when did you get married and tell us about your big day. If not? How would you describe your dream wedding.

  

I've been married for a little over 4 years. M and I were married 4/11/08 in Key West, Florida and I couldn't have asked for a better day. I always dreamed about a big wedding but after we had vacationed in Key West I knew a small destination wedding was perfect for us. We had about 20 of our family members and closest friends who came to celebrate the day with us and the photographer, flowers and reception site were everything we dreamed of. I relive that day over and over in my head and looking at pictures or hearing our song playing on the radio always takes me back to that amazing day and how I felt at that time. I'm also glad to say that I love my husband more today than I did that day which I never thought was possible. I'm a lucky girl

2. Show us your wedding photos 

3. How about the engagement? Tell us your story. If not engaged, what's your dream proposal?

As many of you know the hubs and I met, dated, got engaged and were married all within a 5 month period. Hey when you know you know right? Anyway since the hubs was in the army we talked alot about long distance dating. Of course along with those talks came the subject of me moving to where he is stationed. Now I was 23 years old, had a good job and was working on my master's degree. I was not going to pack up and mnove miles away from my family and friends without some sort of commitment. I've seen it happen before. Girl meets guy, girl moves to be with guy and within a few months guy dumps girl leaving her alone and broke. That wasn't going to be me. So without putting any pressure on M I said that I need some sort of commitment in order for me to move. I also said if that wasn't what he was looking for then we should part ways. He also said that he wouldn't expect me to move either unless we were considering taking the next step. Problem solved. Well one cold day in January, I was sitting in my apartment in Wisconsin talking to M as he drove to Charlotte, Nc to go shopping. He said his phone was about to die and he'd call me when he got home. I didn't think anything of it. A few hours later there was a knock on my door and who should it be? M with three long stemmed roses and a ring. I was so shocked and excited I could barely say yes. Obviously I did however and four years later we are still going strong with baby number 2 on the way!

4. Show us your wedding rings or an engagement photo?

5. Tell us why you think marriage doesn't work out for so many? What can we do to make things last 

 Hmm, I think that today people get married without really thinking about what marriage really means. I feel there are people out there that just want their fairy tale ending yet aren't willing to work hard to making things work. Marriage isn't all fun and games. Its hard work. You and your spouse are always changing and growing as individuals and so is your marriage.When you first start out, its just you and your spouse. You feel as though you can conquer the world and nothing can stop you. Fast forward a few years, throw in a few kids, stressful jobs, financial issues and the picture has changed. It is what you do with it now that will matter in the end. I always look at things like this. It is what you make of it. You can choose to let things get you down or you can chose to work it out. Some people don't feel like that and they leave. I think that is why today marriages don't last

In four and a half years the hubs and I have had our fair share of issues like everyone else. But I can honestly say that it has been the hard times that has made our relationship better. We wouldn't be where we are today without them and while at the time things seemed daunting I now look back at them and smile because if we can handle that we can handle anything. 

At the end of the day I think you need respect and communication to make your marriage work. Your spouse isn't a mind reader and neither are you. Keep open the lines of communication and always talk to your spouse. Make time for them and always let them know you appreciate them and all that they do. And yes that may be hard at times but put your relationship with your spouse first. At the end of the day not only will that benefit your marriage it will teach your kids what a healthy relationship and marriage looks like. 

I do not know why my blog changed fonts halfway through but I don't have time to fix it. G and I are off to a play date before the hurricane hits!

Thanks Becky for hosting

Playing Catch Up

I feel like its been awhile since I last blogged. Last week was beyond crazy and stressful and I'm hoping this week will be a little more relaxing. But to get back on the blogging track I thought I'd update y'all on what's been going on over here in my neck of the woods

1. Dear Mom and Dad- Thank you for buying the dresser for baby boys nursery. And adding in the crib as well was such a nice surprise. I'm so grateful and thankful to have amazing parents like you. Over the years you have taught me what it means to be a good parent and I only hope I can live up to the example you set?

2. Dear Hurricane Isaac- I wish you would make up your mind on whether your going to be a category 1-3 and which direction you are heading. One minute you are heading straight for us, the next you are moving west. And taking money outta my baby fund to get supplies for this storm was not what I wanted to do. so even if you don't hit dinner every night this week will be Chef Boyardee.

3. Dear Husband- I love how nonchalant and calm you are about the Hurricane approaching. You can afford to be calm because once again you are gone. You seen to forget that I'm a military spouse and have handled deployments, natural disasters, family emergencies and crises all on my own since you are never home. So please don't talk to me like I'm 5. And when you call to yell at me about wasting gas because I drove 2 miles to Dunkin Donuts I am not going to react nicely. If I could have reached through the phone and slapped you I would have.

Also in regards to the garage. Thank you so much for leaving it a disaster when you left. There are boxes of army gear, uniforms, tools, etc etc laying all over the garage. Its pretty sad that I couldn't fit one car in our two car garage. So at 8 months pregnant I spent my Saturday night trying to move and organize the garage so I could pull my car in in preparation of the hurricane coming. No luck. Luckily thanks to my amazing friends who spent their Sunday cleaning and organizing my garage for me I can now pull my car in.so when you come home this weekend I don't even wanna hear about how you can't find anything in the garage or that something broke when we moved it. Tough shit

4. Dear Dunkin Donuts- my newest obsession. I may have visited your local location 5 times this week. All baby wants is your blueberry donuts and a dunkacino. Talk about yumminess. And cheap. One medium drinks and donut is 3 something. Way better than Starbucks. I may have to go again today!

5. Dear fellow mil spouses. We are all adults here. Yet I feel like I'm back in grade school. One day this person doesn't like this person, then they don't like you, then your deleted off Facebook, then your being asked to give another mil spouse money since her and her husband racked up debt, and so in and so forth. I have no desire to be apart of any drama or gossip. I'm 28 years old and grew up a long time ago

6. Dear Pregnancy Insomnia- you have got to go. I'm exhausted and yet can't sleep. I spend all day struggling to keep my eyes open, then nightfall comes and I toss and turn for hours. When I do finally fall asleep I have nightmare after nightmare. Ugh. I'd love to get a good nights sleep for once

7. Dear Gianna- please stop growing up. You are getting so big so fast. Yesterday I walked into your room and didn't recognize you. Long gone is my baby and in her place is a toddler, sitting up and playing with her stuffed animals in her crib. Mommy had tears in her eyes when she picked you up yesterday. I love you so much

8. Dear Church Family- I blogged a few weeks ago about joining a new church and I love it! The woman that work in the nursery are amazing and take such good care of Gianna. Gianna just walks right in and goes to them and plays. When I come get her she smiles at me but makes no move to go. I'm so glad she likes it. Next week my parenting 101 small group starts and I'm so excited for that

9. Dear Mops- I can't wait for this new year to start up Thursday. I love my Mops group and all my mommy friends. It's going to be a great year

10. Dear Husband(again)- although you irritated me the other day I am so excited you will be home this weekend. I do know it's hard for you to be away,especially when something like a hurricane is approaching and you feel helpless unable to do anything. I'm just glad we will get to see you this weekend and I know Gianna will beyond excited to wake up Friday morning to you home. I'm also excited to get the nursery set up, the car seat installed and the stroller put together. I can't believe the next time you will be home our baby big will be here!

I think that's about it! If you can't tell I'm stressing a bit and these pregnancy hormones aren't helping! Oh well. If the hurricane stays a category one hopefully I will not lose power or have to evacuate and will be back to regular blogging this week.

Happy Monday everyone




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Pregnancy- the 2nd time around

The minute after the pregnancy test showed a positive faint line announcing we were pregnant with Gianna the hubs and I were off to Barnes and Nobles where we bought every single pregnancy and baby book on the market.Afterward we went out for a celebratory lunch talking non stop about our baby on the way. 15 weeks later when we found out it was a girl, I immediately spent my whole paycheck on clothes, designer monogrammed bedding and picked out a beautiful nursery set for our little one. By 28 weeks those clothes were all washed and put away with the nursery painted, set up and decorated just so for out little princess.

At almost 30 weeks with our little man this is how the nursery looks...



We have a lot of work to do. But more on that later

While pregnant with Gianna, besides suffering horrible migraines and constantly throwing up for the first 17 weeks I felt fine. I worked full time, dealt with the stress and loneliness of a deployment and worked out at least every other day. You'd think I'd have been exhausted but I wasn't. Sure I was in bed by 9 every night and I could take a nap during the day on weekends if I wanted but other than that I felt fine

This time it's a whole other story. Besides the headaches which have never eased up, the constant nasueau and dizziness paired with utter and total exhaustion. I constantly feel like I've been run over by a mack truck. Plus baby boy is so good at finding the most uncomfortable position in my stomach. Usually he enjoys camping out on my bladder, making me run to the bathroom every two minutes but lately he's enjoyed playing in my rib cage. Yesterday I barely moved from the couch it hurt to move and Gianna had to occupy herself the majority of the day. Mommy fail I know.

I guess what I'm saying is that I thought pregnancy round two would be a lot easier than the first time around. But it is true what they say, every baby and pregnancy is different. With the first I could lay around and relax when I wanted with no baby or husband demanding my constant attention. With this one although the hubs is gone yet again,I know have a toddler needing me constantly. I can't just take a nap when I feel like it! And with my fickle sleeping habits, I can never nap with Gianna does despite the exhaustion I feel during the day and by the time nighttime rolls around I'm wide awake and can't fall asleep until about 3 in the morning. I think this baby is preparing me for all the sleepless nights in my future

Yet despite all this I am def not ruling out having another baby. Nor am I not cherishing this pregnancy because I am. I love feeling his every little roll and kick. I love shopping for him and deciding how I want to decorate his room and finding all sorts of cute little clothes for him to wear. I can't wait until he is here and I get to hold him for the first time and then introduce him to his big sister. My heart swells just thinking about it

Only 9 more weeks to go!



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Monday Rambles

1. I'm feeling more prepared for baby boys arrival. I purchased the car seat, double stroller and dresser. Well my parents purchased the dresser. I can't wait until it arrives at the house. Then I can start washing and folding baby boys clothes!









I feel so accomplished and a lot less stressed

2. The hubs is coming home this weekend. It's only been a month since he's been gone but it will be so nice to see him. I know he can't wait to see Gianna! He misses her so much

3. Is anyone else bummed the Olympics are over. I know I am. Though this show started last night and I can't wait to watch the new episodes



Watching this may be a big part of the reason I only go up to my knees in the ocean but I can't help it. Last year they had an episode dedicated to Miramar beach here in Destin. Apparently never swim past the second sand bar here at any of the beaches. If you do you are shark bait. They recently started a helicopter shark tour here and my friend went on it. They said they literally say hundreds of sharks all right by the shore. Yikes!

4. Baby boy is in the most uncomfortable position. It hurts to move. And once again I think I have another breech baby. Oh well he has 9 weeks To flip. Although it doesn't matter since I'll be having a c section anyway

5. I'm already planning on baby number 3. The hubs isn't so convinced. Although at first I was shocked to find out I was pregnant so quickly with number 2, the thought that this may be my last baby makes me really sad. I said we'd wait two years before trying for number 3. So I have two years to convince him hehe.

I hope everyone had a great weekend. Love bug and I are off to a playmate with a stop at Starbucks along the way because this mommy needs some caffeine

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Photo Inspirations

With my maternity session coming up and baby boy coming in 11 weeks I have been stalking pinterest and etsy for maternity and newborn photo inspirations. I thought I'd share some of them with you

All the pictures of the sweet little babies make me even more excited for my little man to get here!
(All images were taken directly from pinterest and etsy and when clicked on will take you back to the original site)

Keeping Busy

I've found that the easiest way to get through a deployment or a TDY is to keep busy. When I worked full time that was an easy thing to do. My days consisted of going to the gym, working and coming home to make dinner and veg on the couch before going to bed and doing it all over again the next day.

Now that I'm a SAHM it's not quite so easy to keep myself as busy as I used to. Especially when I put myself on a restricted budget since I have a whole list of baby things to buy these next two months.

Don't get me wrong. In some ways this time it's easier having the hubs gone. Gianna keeps me so busy, not to mention entertained that some days fly by in the blink of an eye. Other days I go crazy walking around the house with only a 1 year old to talk to. My mommy group is off for the summer and all my friends are on amazing beach vacations with their husbands who are all on leave due to upcoming deployments. So that leaves Gianna and I to ourselves. I try and jam the day full of activities. But face it, that's impossible with a one year old. By the time we've gone for a walk, played outside in the pool or water table, read some books, colored, played with stuffed animals and any other activity I can think of to stimulate her it feels like the whole afternoon should have flown by. But in reality I'm good if I can keep her entertained for an hour and a half straight. She constantly is on the go, wanting to explore and try new things leaving a pregnant mommy exhausted and praying for nap time.

And packing up a toddler and heading to the pool, beach or park by myself is not an easy task. I'm constantly chasing after her and my independent child wants nothing to do with me following her around or guiding her to activity after activity. She thinks she can do it all on her own!

And with baby boy due in 11 weeks, I've started to realize that mommy needs some mommy time and it will be healthy for Gianna to get some time away from me and get used to the idea that all my time and attention won't solely be on her after the baby is born. (sniff)

One thing I have wanted to do is find a good church to attend, one with small groups and activities oxides tide of Sunday service that the family and I can go to. And today I did. Although catholic I wasn't a fan of the only catholic church here in town so I tried a Methodist church down the street from my house. And I loved it. They have a military support group that meets once a week along with having play dates and other kid focused outings. Plus this church offers amazing small group options. Today I signed up for Parenting 101 which starts in a few weeks.

And with school starting and the end of summer approaching my Mops group meets back up, story time at the library begins and i have a whole list of activities filling up my calendar starting at the end of August. I am so excited for all the activities Gianna and I will have to fill up our days! Nothing like keeping busy to help the time fly until we see Daddy again. And as Gianna has gotten older I've realized that her and I do need time apart. It's healthy for us to be away from each other. She needs time to grow and socialize with other kids and mommy needs time for adult conversation. With the hubs being gone on and off for the next year and the addition of a new baby, my only time away and on my own will be during small group at church and during my mops meeting. When Gianna was a newborn I felt selfish wanting time for myself. Now I welcome and appreciate it.

And what I like about all these activities is that they only are for a few hours each day. Just enough time to get Gianna and I outta the house and around other people. So I'll still have plenty of time to soak up my one on one time with her. So bring on August. We are ready for you!



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Toddler Mom

When Gianna was born I didn't think life could get any better than it was right then. I loved the newborn stage. There was nothing better than snuggling all day long with my newborn baby girl. I didn't mind the sleepless nights, the endless breastfeeding or walking around in pjs for the third day in a row covered in spit up. I loved it all

And every stage after that has only gotten better and better. As Gianna has grown, reached new milestones and developed her own little personality I found myself saying. This is my favorite stage. No this is. And I realized that life with her just keeps getting better and better

Now that we've hit the one year mark I find myself looking at my daughter in amazement every single day. I can't believe how fast she has grown. No longer is she my pink, squirmy newborn but she is a walking, talking toddler. A very independent one! Two traits that she inherited from both the hubs and myself. Our stubbornness and independentness. A family of three stubborn people. Oy are we in for it later on!

But her independent and stubborn streaks really come out when she is playing. She may come over to me and show me the book she's looking at but me reading to her. Forget it. She wants to do it herself. And she will walk away to go find another book the minute I start reading to her. Completing a puzzle. Of course shell hand me a puzzle piece but as soon as I place it on the board she takes it off and does it herself! Yesterday by 9:30am we had read some
Books, played outside in the water table, gone for a walk, watched Doc Mcstuffins and played with our stuffed animals. And I was exhausted. Gianna of course showed no sign of slowing down

And of course that made me feel bad. Now at 28 weeks pregnant I have become so tired and sluggish lately. I plop myself on the couch and do what I can to stay awake. I try to keep her entertained as possible but some days it's hard. With her wanting to do everything herself and having a one minute attention span I'm running outta activities to do. I told ye hubs today I was going to run to Walmart and get markers and moon sand. Not sure if shes to young for that but I'm clueless as to how to entertain a one year old. Any ideas mommies

I just want to make sure I'm stimulating, educating and spending as much on one one time as possible with my baby girl


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