Introducing our gift :)

The pictures are a little bit out of order... but I'd like to introduce you to baby girl

Mother and baby are doing great! Daddy and I are head over heels for her already :)

If you didn't like Sara Groves before this...

... I hope you change your mind.

Talk about random!

I just found a mixed cd that I made about 4 years ago. I wonder what I was thinking when I made it because it has the most random mix of songs on it...

• Louis Armstrong "Wonderful World"
• Nat King Cole "The More I See You" - love it
• Nickel Creek "When you come back down"
• "Semper Paratus" - the CG's song
• Josh Gracin "Nothing to Lose"
  
• Ashley Simpson "L-O-V-E"
  
• Randy Travis "Forever and Ever Amen"
• David Crowder Band "All Creatures"
  

Who makes a cd like that? Apparently I do.

The magic 35!

Today I'm 35 weeks pregnant... and my friend Anne pointed out when she got to this point that this means there are only 35 days left! Woohoo!

I am feeling prepared for the most part, but there are a few more things that we need to pick up yet and I have yet to pack our hospital bag. Any advice for me? What are some must-haves? What do you wish you would have known?

I didn't realize

... how close we live to the grocery store until I went outside tonight and heard the Salvation Army bellringer from my back yard.

... that Peppermint Stick "ice cream" had come out for the season already. You bet I'm all over that. And it's technically "dairy dessert" - much like a Frosty. Can someone tell me why it's not "ice cream"?

And I there I was feeling sorry for myself...

Today at Lamaze class, I met a lady who is giving birth while her husband is deployed. Her sister so generously is being her birth coach. I am so thankful that my dear husband is (hopefully) going to be there for me while going through labor. I'm thankful both for for my sake and for his. I just can't imagine if the first time dh meets his baby girl would be three months after she's born...

Friday's thoughts...

Today's random thoughts:

• Tums have become my new best friend and necessary companion.
  
• I volunteered today at an organization and I had to use a typewriter. A TYPEWRITER. That's a pretty good indication of the rest of the organization's stance on modernity and technology. Let's hope that I can help them update things a bit.
• We have a childbirth class tomorrow... I hope it's useful!
• Baby girl was head-down on Monday. That means the pushing in my ribs is her behind. I'm not sure what the pain in my hip is then.
• The nursery is almost set. We aired out the mattress this week and I'll work on setting up more things next week. It'll be good to have things ready.
• Anyone have a good recipe for peppermint hot chocolate that doesn't involve going to Starbucks? I've been addicted to a 12-ounce hot chocolate that costs five dollars...
  

And now we are so happy, we do the dance of joy

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________

______________________________________
For Immediate Release November 11, 2009


STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON S.475

Today I have signed into law S. 475, the "Military Spouses Residency Relief Act". This Act, among other things, would provide that when a service member leaves his or her home State in accord with military or naval orders, the service member's spouse may retain residency in his or her home State for voting and tax purposes, after relocating from that State to accompany the service member.

When the military orders service members to move, spouses who move with them often have to pay taxes in a new State or locality and lose the right to vote in the place considered to be home. This legislation will alleviate these and other burdens on our military families. As the Congress has recognized, and as the legislative history reflects, this legislation is an important means of maintaining the morale and readiness of our Armed Forces and significantly enhances the ability of our military to effectively recruit and retain these highly valued service personnel.


BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
November 11, 2009.

Really?

Some women say that being pregnant was the best time of their lives - that people waited on them hand and foot. Me? I think I'm about done with it.

From the mouths of babes...

My 2-year old nephew can be pretty funny. I guess he's just starting to eat with silverware but wants to assert his independence. He was eating the other day and picked up a few items, put them on a spoon, and tipped them over before the spoon reached his mouth. He looked sternly at the food and said "hang on tight!"

I'm a liar.

So, cousin E suggested that I participate in NaBlPoMo (that's it, right?) where you post every day for a month. Traveling has put a bit of a kink in our plans. You know, the whole 7 to 11 hours per day in a car for the past few days, stopping every two for bathroom breaks for a certain pregnant woman ;) - that whole thing isn't really conducive to posting. So, I lied.

The past two days' posts were not technically posted on their respective days, but they were written (at least mentally) on those days. Whatever. I'll try to post more.

Who could say no?

We are taking a mini-vacation (one last road trip) before baby comes. We spent time with my sister and her girls (brother in law was out of town - we missed you!).

All I know is that we woke up one morning and the first thing my middle niece said to me was, "Tia, we have one extra space in our car. Will you ride with me to go to the donut store?" Who could say no?

I did it.

For the first time in my life (that I remember - turns out there's a whole lot from my childhood that I have no memories of, but that my mom tells me that happened - like eating Spam)... for the first time, I got a flu shot.

I finally sucked up my insecurities and random fears and just got a flu shot. I only got the regular seasonal flu shot, but perhaps I'll consider getting the H1N1 too. It's just that I've never gotten a flu shot, and I've never really gotten the flu. Hmm... that would lead me to believe that I don't need one... but I did it. Hopefully it keeps me and baby girl safe.

Really, over 1 month?

Wow. I've been neglecting this blog. Seriously. Sorry about that, any readers I have left. Hi Mom and Dad. That's you.

I've worked some. I've been trying to volunteer some, but haven't completed my training yet... I've been lazy.

Baby girl is growing right on target, and we still expect her somewhere around Dec 25. That is, if she ever decides to dislodge herself from my ribs. It's her favorite spot lately, and my least favorite spot...

I'm going to try to post more often.

Much love,
me

"87 - more than just a Coastal Patrol Boat" or "Yay for HALIBUT Day!"

Ok, so you all know by now that I'm kind of a dork when it comes to the Coast Guard. Reference me getting my picture taken with ADM Allen at my graduate school graduation.

You now have more fuel for your fire -
When CO and I were counting down until our wedding, I would try to make big numbers a little more relevant by comparing them to lengths of Coast Guard cutters (hey, doesn't EVERYONE do that?). We started off with the Eagle (the CG's training barque - that CO was on while at the Academy), and moved down from there...

We got really excited when it got down to 110 (he was on a 110-foot ship at the time), and then 87, and 82...

It would have been cool had we been counting down the same way for the baby's due date. But alas, pregnancy brain has taken full control over my faculties and we have not been counting this way. But today is the day! Today is 87 days - and 87 feet equal the size of Marine Protector Class Coastal Patrol Boat (I don't know why it's called a boat when it's technically a ship). And CO used to be on one of those, the HALIBUT... Yay!

I also have one more chance at playing this game. In 5 days, we'll be down to 82' ships. And we'll celebrate POINT BRIDGE Day! (82s are now decommissioned so don't try to look them up as being active.)

Today's Deep Thoughts...

• No matter how few groceries you're going to buy, take all possible reusable grocery bags into the store. Somehow, the baggers at the commissary can stretch 4 items into 3 reusable bags and then "double bag" one bottle of dish soap into 1 paper bag and 2 plastic bags...
  

• I am wearing a shirt that Shad really likes tonight in hopes that he'll be so distracted that he will not notice I haven't cleaned much of the house today. I'm not too hopeful that it'll work, but hey, it's worth a shot, right?
  

• I got really scared today because I got a letter from the DOD. Thankfully, it's not about my lack of base etiquette, or crankiness at the commissary due to their lack of canned pumpkin puree (they say it'll be in by the end of this week - FYI), or frustration with the gate guards regarding our car registration, or my "happening to not mention that I had already had an early ultrasound at my civilian provider" when first appearing at the MTF (Military Treatment Facility - aka doctor's office/hospital). Instead, shock of all shocks, it's actually a survey asking about my satisfaction with a visit to a MTF for a referral. I'll be happy to fill out the survey. It was one of the better experiences I have ever had - everyone there was very helpful and great. Yay! Who knew they actually cared?

• I got to go to a Welcome Tea yesterday for a Spouses' Club that I have just joined. I got to meet a lot of other wives and it was really nice to be around and mingle with other wives who have been through the same things.
  

Flu Shot?

I'm debating whether or not I should get a flu shot. CO gets one each year, on the first day he can get them. He swears by them. I, on the other hand, have never gotten one, and haven't really gotten sick before.

Enter this year. I'm pregnant.

According to my doctor, pregnant women are more susceptible to getting the flu, and if they do get it, they usually get it more severely than a "normal person." Great. She can't make me get it, but she can highly suggest it.

I'm worried about the effects of getting the shot. Could it be bad for baby? Is it worth the chance I'd be achy for a few days afterward? Should I be nervous it'd be from a military hospital?

What do you think? Is it worth it? Should I get it?

WW: I feel like Elle (Woods)

Wednesday already?

Well, I'm happy to report it's Wednesday. And Wednesday's almost done. My brain is kind of scattered, so you get a bullet list of my thoughts...

• I've been trying a ton of new recipes lately - it's been a lot of fun. Check out Flaky Apple Turnovers and 5-Minute Individual Potato Gratins.

• Our local commissaries and some grocery stores (aka all of the ones I go to) are out of normal, canned (not pumpkin pie mix) pumpkin puree. I really REALLY want to make pumpkin bread one of these days, and I guess I'll have to roast and puree the pumpkin myself. That could get interesting. But then I can also make pumpkin seeds!
  

• Tomorrow I'm going to listen to a congressman talk about the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act. I'm tired of not knowing where I'm a resident, or having to change it with each PCS. I vote in and still have my driver's license from the lovely state of Hawaii. I technically live in Virginia. My daughter will be born in Maryland (if things go as planned). Um... wouldn't it be easier if I could be a resident of the same state as my husband, who is not a resident of any of the states listed above...

• We're probably going to try to paint baby girl's room this weekend. Hubby wants to paint it light pink. Who am I to say no?

• I get to go to a "tea" this weekend. I wonder if there will be crumpets as well. I hope I can find something appropriate to wear!

• Baby (and I) sleeps much better when I don't eat sugary foods (including ice cream and chocolate malts) shortly before bed. I now eat them during the day ;) Ha!

Things I learned from working at a divorce lawyer's office...

To keep myself mildly busy (but still have plenty of time for creating fun crafty projects and relaxing), I have been working through a temporary agency. I've found that it works pretty well with our moving schedule and sometimes can pay pretty decent. They can propose an assignment to me, and I can either reject it or accept it. Very nice. Plus, unlike subbing, they usually call me a few days in advance instead of at 5am on the morning of... a definite bonus!

My first assignment was a 2-day gig, working as a receptionist. My last job was 2 weeks (fortunately one of them was a 4-day week!) as a receptionist at a law firm. A law firm that handles a lot of divorces.

Here's what I've learned:
- Divorces are expensive, and often ugly, hurtful and painful. Avoid them at all costs because it is a great cost - on so many levels.

- Details are important.

- Even if you're paid less than what you might think you deserve, you can still do a good job. And it might come back to make you more money one day. Or not. Who knows? But sometimes a job well done is satisfaction enough.

- There's a reason lawyers charge so much money for every email, phone call, and appointment - if they didn't, they'd never go home.

- A kind word can go a long way. Try to look for little opportunities to make someone else's day - it kind of becomes a little game (especially when you're not busy at work) and is really fun.

Rave: Starburst FaveREDS

No more sorting through the yellow and orange Starburst candies to get to the good stuff - the reds and pinks. Starburst has finally taken the hint and created an ENTIRE package of candy with various shades of reds and pinks. Let me tell you, they're all of my favorites in one place. And there was much rejoicing in the land.

My surfer boy

We went out to Assateague Island, MD for the weekend so CO could get some of the hurricane swell. (Ask him for how that works...)

I caught a few good pics of him surfing...

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Seestor!

I don't have much else to say than Happy Birthday kt!

I still remember the day you were born...

Why I love our neighborhood...

Not only does our neighbor have beautiful flowers that have made me smile for months... but they also put out a sign saying to take some to a friend. And then they even included scissors to cut the flowers. CO thinks it's not an accident they're from the midwest (like his wife) :)

Registering

CO doesn't care what we register for... as long as the list includes this.

Boys are funny.

Military Program - Budgeting for Baby

I attended a class called "Budgeting for Baby/Baby Bundles" that was offered through a local Army Post. It had some good information on budgeting and basic baby care. This class was pretty small, though another class was full. I got tons of useful information on caring for baby - lots of handouts that I gave CO to read. Also, they gave us these cute little layettes for the baby - diapers, wipes, onesies, tons of stuff!

Also, the other lady who was in class with me talked about her church and so we tried it and liked it! We've been going there for about a month now.

Talk about getting a lot out of a military program!

ps - a lot of the stuff in the basket is pink. No, we don't know what sex our baby is yet. Hopefully we'll find out on Wednesday. I tried to pick a basket with gender-neutral stuff, but they all had some pink in it!

Sewing up a storm!

Some new curtains I just finished! The blue and white ones are for the guest room, but we're using them in our room now. The tree ones are for the baby's room!

 

 

 

 

The quilt is for my new niece, who is just over a month old!

Around Town

We had guests in town and had fun showing them DC's highlights, so here are some pictures. It was cool too, the wife of the couple visiting us was 8 days farther along in her pregnancy than me. One of the pictures is us together - at about 20 and 21 weeks respectively.

ps- I had to include that last picture just to prove the Washington Monument doesn't always have to be coming out of my head...

Life is Good

Trader Joe's has Mochi Ice Cream! Yay!

I think the baby really likes the strawberry flavor. Or it could just be me.

Coast Guard Day!

We went to the Coast Guard Day picnic in our area today. Coast Guard Day is actually August 4. It celebrates the founding of the Coast Guard, hence the Coast Guard Festival being the first week in August (in the fabulous town of Grand Haven, MI).

It was one of the first CG Day celebrations I have been to, and it was nice to hang out with/meet some of the people CO works with, and to see some of their families too.

I guess I've been kind of lonely here. I don't have a job. I don't take classes (well, except hula once a week). I have to figure out some way to productively rejoin society. Otherwise, I'll continue sleeping in and doing nothing worthwhile all day long. I guess I'm spoiled because I don't HAVE to work and I can just sit around eating and growing a child, but still... I'm getting to the point where I'm having awkward conversations with people in grocery stores.

It was nice to get out and socialize a bit today. Thanks for having a birthday, Coast Guard.

Dear Air Force

Dear Air Force,

I am grateful that I can use your medical care facilities (also known as military treatment facilities), but just for your information, it is kind of awkward to start off with an 18 year old boy taking my blood pressure, weight, and giving me the first part of my exam. I do realize that I have an aversion to hospitals, so I'm not that comfortable in them anyway. I guess I just have to get used to the teenage boys, because I'm doubtful you'll change.

v/r,

me

Overwhelming!

Holy cow, people. I know America is the land of options (just check out the yogurt aisle of the supermarket here - in Brazil it was vanilla or strawberry). But come on! How in the world do you sort through all of the strollers, car seats, and crib bedding options?

We're trying to focus on the following things right now:

- Car seats
- Pack n play (baby's bed for the first few months)

Anyone have advice? How did you choose your baby stuff? What's important to consider?

Harvard?

This has been my first experience using MTF (Military Treatment Facilities) for my medical care. Before, I had military insurance but I was able to choose my own civilian doctors (as long as they took my insurance).

I took a pregnancy test and had an ultrasound with my beloved OB back in Nashville. We heard the baby's heartbeat and saw it was progressing as it should. Good news!

Then we moved to the DC area, military capital of the world. No more civilian providers for me. It took me a little bit to get used to the idea of not having much choice, but I think I'm good now. When we got to DC, I figured out which military base I wanted to go to, and then went over the whole process again - pregnancy test, etc! Apparently we still have some North/South distrust/animosity...

After the North confirmed my pregnancy, I was able to go and see an OB here. Funny story - I had been avoiding doctors in Nashville who had gotten their degrees from a certain medical college, hearing that the standards weren't as high as others. I had managed to avoid them while I was in Nashville. Wouldn't you know that I started chit-chatting with the OB doctor on base and he said he had studied in Nashville. I then made the mistake of asking where he had studied, praying he would answer "Vanderbilt" only to have my fears confirmed that he indeed had studied at my avoided university.

At one point, we discussed what prenatal vitamins I am taking. I showed him what my Nashville OB had prescribed, and he read the name "Prenate DHA. What's DHA?" I then, in some weird twist of fate, tried to explain it to him. Me, explaining DHA to my OB. Sweet.

Me: "Well, DHA is supposed to promote brain development"
Him: "Oh, that's good."
Me: "Yes, it's the new 'hot topic' among pediatricians. The pediatric pathologists I used to work with at Vandy suggested that I look for DHA supplements, but then my OB prescribed this prenatal vitamin."
Him: "That's nice. I had never heard of it. Guess we all can't have Harvard degrees now, can we?"

What does that mean? Perhaps I should go to the other military base for treatment? Or just pray I don't get him again?

Recipes!

Thanks everyone for your recipes - keep them coming! I'm so excited to make them. Monica, I think I NEED that cheesecake recipe :)

I have another blog where I keep all of my recipes - it helped me organize them when we were abroad and while we were moving. As long as I had internet access (or could call my sister and have her look something up for me), I had access to my recipes without actually having them in paper form. I try to credit the appropriate people for recipes, if you see something that's yours, claim it!

The danger of making this other blog public is that these recipes are ALL I know how to make! So, chances are, if you come over for dinner, it'll be something from here! My recipe website is here - Mea 'ai 'ono

Some of our recent favorites are:
- Spaghetti Carbonara (surprisingly quick and easy)
- Mojo Corn and Black Bean Salsa (perfect for summer)
- Creamy Penne Pomodoro (I substitute half and half for heavy cream)
- Lemon Chicken with Capers (hubby loves capers!)
- Caprese Tarts - cute appetizers (and you can have fun with the shapes!)
- Blueberry Pound Cake - it's blueberry season!

Three years!

CO and I have been married three years already (sometimes it seems like more!).

I love him so much and am thankful that he puts up with me!

He surprised me with chocolate and flowers this morning and has been so supportive through our pregnancy.

I'm very blessed!

In need of some inspiration...

What are some of your favorite recipes lately? I'll take whatever I can get - appetizer, main, dessert - whatever!!

Please help a girl out, we're stuck in our same eating rut...

Things that annoy me...

- The people at golf tournaments who shout "Get in the hole!"

- The traffic lights that you can't see unless you're immediately underneath them, rendering them ineffective, particularly at speeds over 40mph.

- Weather maps that show random counties with severe weather warnings, particularly when you (I) have no idea which squiggly county is yours

the (other) good news

well, not THE good news, just our good news...

This is what we've got thus far.

I was 16 weeks yesterday. That, friends, makes the due date the 25th of December (as my dad said, "Wow, that's awfully close to Christmas"). And yes, we are already accepting donations to help pay for baby's therapy for getting combination presents (birthday + Christmas).

Will we find out the sex of the baby? I'd like to think I'm patient like my sister, and could wait for the surprise in the delivery room, but alas, I'm not very patient. I reserve patience in my life for things I have no control over, aka our military life. Though I cannot change the sex of our baby, I would very much like to be able to (semi-)plan as much as I can for the new addition to our family. CO kind of wanted the whole delivery-room-surprise thing, but I think I've convinced him that there's no way I could wait that long.

When will we find out the gender? I go to another appointment at the end of this month, and then they'll schedule the big ultrasound then. That's all I know.

As far as names go, we do think that we might keep our ideas a surprise. Plus, we want to make sure the name fits the baby. We are accepting suggestions as far as real names and names I can use for the baby while blogging.

I've been holding out....

Hapai - literally to carry, pregnant

I'm still learning...

Yesterday I went on base to go shopping at the commissary (still using the bags E got for me - thank you!). It was late afternoon, as I had actually gotten some things done!

I got in through the gate (as I got a new ID card after I left mine in Florida). I drove along the road to the commissary, listening to the music on the radio. Some kids were trying to cross the road ahead. I noticed the driver in the other lane had stopped, so I too, came to a stop and let the kids cross the road. The other driver remained paused, which I assumed meant they knew the kids or were picking them up or something.

I continued down the road, and other drivers were stopped at a light. Even after it was green. This is where I became confused. Of course, the light was less than 1/4 mile away from the commissary. So I pulled in, parked, and then realized they were playing the National Anthem. At 5:00 exactly. DUH! No wonder everyone had stopped what they were doing. I must have looked like a horribly inconsiderate person, trucking along to the grocery store for my orange juice. Not honoring the national anthem on a military base? Ooops. Someone should give me a manual on how to behave on a base. Is there anything else I should know before I completely embarass myself?

Yes, I'm still alive.

It's been a while.

We JUST got internet installed in our house TODAY. But really, there hasn't been much to report. We've moved into our house and are slowly unpacking. I'm hoping to have the kitchen table cleared off soon and maybe we can have guests over.

The move went pretty well - the movers delivered our stuff less than two weeks ago. The movers in Nashville didn't do that great of a job - some of our stuff arrived broken or stained (our couch!). AND they tried to insist that they didn't have to unpack our stuff. HELLO! It's in your contract. So the guys dropped off the stuff and left it in boxes. A few hours later, a bunch of ladies arrived and dumped our stuff out of boxes on the ground. Fabulous.

This house has a lot less storage than our other places, so last weekend we went to IKEA and bought a shelf system for pantry storage and a bookcase that holds most of our books! Yay! We also bought some cute fabric that I'm going to try to make into curtains... we'll see how that goes!

Newsflash

This is our news update for the past month or so...

- We found a house in DC and signed a 2 year lease. It's in one of my favorite little cities just outside DC and the house is cute. We'll have 3 bedrooms, so come on over for a visit!

- CO had a great time on his surf trip to Central America and he didn't come back with any diseases!

- We've been relaxing in Florida with CO's family. He's out golfing with his dad, brother, and sister now. I've been busy trying to get things in order for nursing school. It isn't working so well.

- We go back to DC this weekend, and CO starts work officially on Monday. Our playtime is over :(

I think that's about it for now :)

Caprese Tarts

I made these tarts the other day as an appetizer. They were delicious! I tried to find something circular to use to cut them out, but all I could find was a cookie cutter in the shape of my fabulous home state. They turned out really well - yummy and cute! I guess you could just cut them into squares, or use another fun cookie cutter!





Caprese Tarts - as seen on Annies's Eats

Caprese Tarts
Ingredients:
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Black pepper
Cherry tomatoes, sliced thinly
Fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
Fresh basil, minced

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Using a round biscuit cutter, cut rounds of puff pastry. Transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the puff pastry rounds lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each round with sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

Source: Annie’s Eats

Aren't my nieces beautiful?

We drove from DC down to Flo-rida to see CO's family. We got to stop and see my sister and her family along the way. We had tons of fun playing with them at the pool, and CO loves reading them stories.

Aren't they beautiful?

 

 

 

 

"Spanish Tonio"

CO had a conference in San Antonio (or "spanish tonio" as my niece says) a few weeks ago, and since we're technically homeless now, I tagged along and explored the city. I enjoyed the River Walk, the Alamo (she was amazed I saw Elmo!), and the snow cones in Alamo Plaza (though they've got NOTHING on shave ice). We also met up with one of CO's old Coast Guard buddies and his family, who live in San Antonio.

 

 

 

 

DC

We went to DC to scope out housing. Thank goodness we found something that we like! There were all sorts of strange houses in our price range in the area we want to be in - everything from not having a stove to smelling like curry... it was crazy!

While in DC, we went to our favorite pizza place - 2 Amy's for some DOC-certified pizza! Delicious! I've been dreaming about it ever since CO got his orders :) 2 Amy's is kind of by the National Cathedral, so we drove by there and I snapped a quick picture from the car - the cathedral is so pretty!