28 Weeks Preggo!

I am OFFICIALLY in my final trimester of this pregnancy!! It's been a good pregnancy thus far. I have had more cravings than with little man, I've had many major mood swings (from what Hubby tells me), and I can definitely attest to the fact that it is harder to be pregnant while caring for a toddler. Not that anyone said it would be a walk in the park, but the fact that little man has hit his terrible twos early, it hasn't made anyone's life easy. Only harder. But we're working through it. It's a process with him every. single. day.

Ok, so here's the little photo shoot Hubby and I did for 28 weeks. We haven't been diligent on them for a bit, like the past few weeks, but from here on out we definitely will be!!!

So the whole 'being on the fence' thing doesn't mean anything. It's not a metaphor for anything, Hubby actually suggested it. And it was NOT easy getting my 28 week pregnant, broken toe, in heels, large butt up there....but I did. With the help of a sturdy chair and a strong husband. And the "K.G.H." is the initials for our new little guy. I'm making cards to send the family, and then we will tell everyone. It's not going to be a huge secret until he's born, but I love the idea for those people that do that. I have too many nosy loving, eager family members that want to know NOW what his name is....so might as well tell them, then tell everyone else :)

SUI....that's all.

So last week has rolled over into this week, and I'm totally okay with that. I'd rather spend time with the family on the weekend than write about my week. Sorry. So maybe I'll change that title. But anyways, so here's a recap:

- My son is the master of climbing on the kitchen counters. Yes I have disciplined him for this countless times, but he keeps doing it. He gets his fat little toes wedged between the divets for the drawers and climbs up. Heart attack, I know.
- Super stoked about the Olympics beginning! Go Team USA!! Although I am confused by some of the sports...like, not confused by the actual sport, but for the fact that it's an Olympic participant. I'll keep them to myself, but I know I'm not alone in this.
- Speaking of Olympics...my toe is still broke (I have a point here, I promise) and last night Hubby and I were watching the woman's gymnastic team and they mentioned that McKayla Maroney had a broken toe but was still competing and doing amazing. Instantly, my husband looks over at me and just stares. So I was like "what?!" And he says, "that girl has a broken toe, and is competing in the Olympics, and just rocked on her vault with a broken toe. You walk around here and whine because your toe hurts. Man the [f-word] up." (He was kidding about this whole thing...he was just trying to make a funny point.) We did have a good laugh at this, but thanks a lot McKayla, my husband thinks I'm a wuss. Although she's not 6 months pregnant with a broken toe. I'm sure that's a lot harder than doing an awesome vault or balance beam routine in the Olympics, so, take that.
- Planning a 2nd birthday party for little man has become daunting. I only say this because I have to rely on people to actually do things through a phone call as opposed to being there to watch things get done like last year. But here's to hoping everything goes smoothly.
- We got news on our orders!!! We officially know where we are going. We're just waiting for "hard orders." Hubby doesn't think they'll get taken from us again, but there's always that chance. I probably didn't react as excited as Hubby expected, but I'm happy about them. Excited even. Nervous, but glad to be going there as opposed to Japan or the desert. I'm sure the more and more I learn about the area, reconnect with an old friend, and spend time with some family, the more I'll love it. It's just going to take a bit to realize that I am no where near a beach, and yes....this Florida girl will be landlocked. I've never ever ever ever ever ever lived somewhere that wasn't on the coast, so it'll be a change, but I'm sure I'll keep busy! I know that seems stupid, and petty, but I grew up in Florida, near a beach and it's what I know. It's my sense of peace, tranquility, and keeps things in balance. Even out here in mostly cold & rainy WA state I still go to the beach and watch the waves, or take little man there to explore. I love the "salt life" and it's hard for me, but I am excited to welcome a new change. I'm more excited about a few things, but I have to tell the rest of my family where we'll be going for the next three years before I can make it "public."
- We've also decided on a birthday for the new little guy. It will be October 17th. His actual due date. I don't have to worry about when I'll go into labor or doing all those things "normal" pregnancies entail because I am having a scheduled c-section. VBAC isn't an option for me, and I'm totally fine with this because honestly, the risks are far too grave and I'd rather live and be around for my kids than try to please a bunch of nay sayers that say "c-sections aren't the right way to deliver a baby." Sorry, death or watching my child grow up.....hmmm....such a tough decision. Dumbasses. Don't judge or criticize me because I know what's best for my body and the life of my unborn child. I really hate those women who do that. There's a few out here that have [nicely] chastised me for not trying, but I just stay firm in my decision that this is what's best. Besides, who the hell are you to tell me how to birth my own child. It doesn't make me any less of a Mom because my child didn't come out of my vagina. I still carried him around for 9+ months, one moment doesn't define motherhood for me like it apparently does for them.

But other than that...same old same old. I am 28 weeks. Well, 29 this week, but we're still pretending it's last week :) So I'll put up some pictures for y'all. Have a great week!!

Tired from a LONG day on the mainland.

He was super fascinated with the camera right here. I love this face!

It was a good popsicle. 

This is what he does when he's tired.

Until next time :)

Planning an International Birthday

My Little Man is quickly approaching two! Now...we have already started on that whole "terrible twos" thing and my god is it HORRIBLE! He is so emotional and will just have a tantrum any where he sees fit....and I mean anywhere. Sometimes it's embarrassing, but at the same time...all Mom's have been there. Although, we did go to the park the other day, and of course, someone was tired and starting to get all tantrum-y, and well... he threw himself down on the ground and started screaming and crying. I just kind of let it happen because honestly I've learned that nothing will work. He just has to get his frustration out. But the thing that kind of pissed me off, but I understand it at the same time, was when another Mom was right behind me and says to me, "I know it kind of sucks for me to say this, but I'm glad to see that your kid is doing this....I thought my kid was the only one who did it." Yes I get it...yes, I know it is kind of a relief to see another kid throw a temper tantrum in a public place, but come on....DON'T say that to me in the midst of my child's breakdown and expect me to show empathy for your feelings when I'm the one currently undergoing this embarrassment. But, we got through it, and moved on to another area of the playground, away from crazy-outspoken-woman.
So anyways, back to this whole planning a birthday outside of America ordeal. Since we don't really like anyone who lives here hang out with people who have kids, we decided that we would make a weekend out of little man's birthday, and head up to Vancouver, BC and do some touristy things. Touristy-Toddler-Friendly things to be exact. Like take the aquabus over to Granville Island and see what that's all about, check out the astonishing Vancouver Aquarium and maybe go see Grouse Mountain. It's all about Decklan, so we will see what he can handle. But I know one things for sure, we will be hittin' up the [indoor] pool at the hotel! The kid absolutely LOVES to swim, so it's definitely a must for us. (And I say 'indoor' because it's too cold to go swimming in an outdoor pool right now, let alone in the beginning of September. Sad but true.)
So now it's all in the planning phase. I have finally found a hotel that we really like, and is large enough for not only us, but my Mom and her "friend." All I really cared was that it was central, and had an indoor pool, so it got booked. Now to find a bakery to get either a cake or cupcakes from for him. We did a really awesome cake last year, and he had his smash cake and all, but this year, since it's just going to be "us" and my Mom, we don't need another HUGE cake that feeds 25+. That's why I'm thinking gourmet decorative cupcakes, or else a little themed cake. I'm sticking with the whole aquatic theme since the main focus is "water" things on this trip for his birthday, so quite possibly a Finding Nemo theme. But I'm still working out those details. 
I just think it's cool that one day he'll be able to say, "yeah, for my 2nd birthday, my parents took me up to Canada for the weekend," shoot....I'm even jealous. But it's all about planning things and doing the currency exchange, which BTW, is in our favor right now. Our American dollar is actually stronger than the CAD. I'm stoked by this. But I will definitely have pictures when we do this. Super excited to go up there...but, not so thrilled that my little baby boy is going to be "2", I mean...where did the time go?!?!?! Geez!

You broke what?! How?!

So...I have a broken toe. A broken pinky toe. And apparently some bruising on a bone in my foot(?!). And heavy bruising on the top of my foot. It's not a pretty sight. How did I do this you ask? Well that's a funny story.

Last night, right before little man was about to lay down for bed, Hubby was chasing him around. This is nothing new, it happens almost every night. Well, little man decided he wanted me to "hide" with him, so he grabbed my hand, and we ran down the hallway. We decided to dip into mine and Hubby's bedroom, and it happened. I apparently overcompensated for little man going through the doorway and not enough for myself and my foot hit the door frame. Apparently pretty hard. Down I went. I don't even remember falling really, I just remember kind of tucking and falling on my side and not my belly. But I grasped my foot and started making "funny noises" from what my husband tells me. I remember crying out in pain, holding back my tears, and hearing little man screaming because he didn't know what was going on. Hubby was in the doorway.....LAUGHING AT ME, but trying to hide it. You know, that 'I'm-covering-my-mouth-but-my-eyes-are-laughing' kind of look, so he didn't get in too much trouble...yeah, that was all my hubby. So I'm on the floor, on my side in some kind of tortured pose, while little man is screaming, and hubby is laughing. Got that mental image? So I tell hubby to just take care of little man, and I'll be alright. So eventually I get up and hobble to the living room where my boys are and ask hubby if he'd like me to lay little man down for bed. He of course wants me to do this, so I gather little man, and we walk back to his bedroom. Well, I only thought I jammed a few toes, but when I started rocking little man with my foot propped up on the footstool I thought I was going to pass out from the pain and throbbing in my foot. God that hurt so much!! So I just out little man down in his bed and said goodnight, and walked back out to the living room where Hubby was. Well, little man was not asleep, nor ready (yes, we rock him to sleep every night, otherwise he won't stay in his bed) so I had Hubby go back and finish up while I took some tylenol, propped up my foot with an ice pack on it, and read Fifty Shades. By this point, I'm not sure what's wrong with my foot. All I knew is that it really hurt. But I figured I'd give the pain the rest of the night to subside and figure out a POA the next day.
So I woke up, it still really hurt, was swollen, bruised, and throbbing. Off to the ER I went. Luckily Hubby got to stay home with little man, so I didn't have to deal with all of that. Well, the outcome was that I broke my pinky toe, bruised some of the bones in my foot, and have a lot of external bruising. Fun stuff....all for playing with my kid & husband. A few good things did come out of it though:

1) I got to catch up/finish reading the Fifty trilogy. (Yeah...I got some "looks" while reading that book at the hospital. Nothing says you're a kinky gal like being caught reading Fifty Shades, especially the one with the handcuffs on the front. YES!)
2) I get to sit on my hiney with my foot propped up for a few days! Which means hubby gets to do all the chores for awhile. This makes me super happy, but also super sad because I hate sitting on my ass while he has to do everything. But, it's good for him. At least, that's what I tell myself :) And as long as I keep telling him how great a job he's doing, he'll keep it up!
3) I totally have an excuse to LIVE in my new VS Gator sweatpants. I am in love with these. Hands down the most comfy pair of sweats I own. (And let's not get ahead of ourselves, I really only have 3 pair of "sweat pants.")

But my foot does feel better today. Not that I'm ready to go and run a marathon or anything, but I can hobble around a little better. I mean, someone's gotta take care of the demanding almost two year old that lives here. I think he knows that Mommy doesn't feel well because he spent a really long time cuddling with me this morning in the bed, and then on the couch. I just hope he keeps up this sweet facade for a little bit because I am loving it!

And here's a few pictures of my foot. If you hate feet, don't look. I HATE my feet, but that's not the point.

After the tapped my toes together. It doesn't look as bad here, but after walking on my foot all day, it got more swollen. It's kinda crucial now, but I'll spare you.

Catching up on some reading in the hospital. 

SUIS (or...SUIM?!)

I've decided that I am not the quintessential blogger because I don't blog religiously, or when I say I'm going to. So, good thing it's just a "for fun" kind of thing....right?! So anyways....I have been a cooking fanatic lately. I'm getting braver and braver in the kitchen and it's super exciting. So let's see...this week:

- I absolutely LOVE when I have the opportunity to go and get my husband beer or wine from the mini-mart (sense sarcasm please) because NOT ONLY do I have to get dressed, but I also get to enjoy the wonderful smirks and comments made under breath by people witnessing a pregnant woman purchasing alcohol. Totally makes my day. Here's my finger up in the air to you miss "oh-my-god-why-is-she-buying-alcohol-while-pregnant-that-cashier-shouldn't-sell-her-that", may I remind you that my husband is of legal age, not pregnant, a sailor, and can enjoy a beer. Thanks.
- Speaking of Hubby, he cracks me up. Here's a small dialogue we recently had:

H: "Baby, I am just so proud of you."
Me: "Awe thanks honey...that's so sweet. What exactly are you proud of me for?"
H: "You know, for taking the initiative and learning how to cook chinese food."
Me: <Jaw drops...but smiling> "Well...thanks. Although, you're not [proud], you're just happy that I can make it whenever you want."
H: "Haha...what?! Noooooo."

With that being said, we are having baked sweet & sour chicken, homemade fried rice, homemade baked crab rangoon, and yum yum sauce, all made by yours truly.
- So Little Man and I treated Hubby to an ice cream date recently, and something interesting happened. Decklan (for some odd reason) threw a really bad temper tantrum. He just didn't want to sit down, he didn't want ice cream, he didn't want to do anything but scream at me and Hubby (Terrible Two's?!). But we did, eventually, get through it. My issue: a staring bystander. Not really my issue, but Hubby had a little problem with it. Here's the kicker....she HAD a toddler with her too. And this toddler didn't look like he had a halo around his head either, but this lady just stared and stared with a 'my-child-never-screams-or-misbehaves-ever' look on her face. I know that a screaming child isn't pleasant, and sometimes it just happens. Get over it. But especially when you're a parent, and I know for A FACT that ALL kids do this, please don't just stare. And it's not like we were in some small ice cream parlor that was super quiet, we were outside, with navy jets flying overhead, in the middle of a freakin' corn field. She didn't really make me uncomfortable because I just blew her off as being ignorant, but Hubby didn't like it. And I understand why. So just a little PSA.
- We have officially decided on a first and middle name for the new baby. We've got to tell the family first, then it'll go public, but it's definitely an awesome name! It's got an Irish/Viking-Military feel to it. We love it, and that's all that really matters. 
- Little man is talking a lot more these days. Doing more sign language as well (which just tickles me!). He's definitely a smart kid, but like his Dad, has selective hearing. But I love watching him every day and I love learning from him. I'm super excited to see how he interacts will interact with the little viking that will be making his debut in October. 
- We still don't know where we are going. It's probably narrowed down to two places that we know of, but we aren't 100% sure, so we're not telling a soul until we have 'hard orders' in our possession. We'll maybe know something the first week of August, but nothing is definite until we have our hard orders, so that's when we'll tell the family and friends where our next journey will begin.
- I have been craving butterfinger blizzards like it's  no one's business lately! The good thing about that is I normally have BOGO coups for blizzards, so Hubby makes out like a bandit, not to mention, Little Man gets to have some too. It's a family affair when we have ice cream. We LOVE it!

"Pregnant in Heels"

Yummy.

We made brownies for Daddy.

I finally did a rock project. Totally loving my frame.

Working on the new little guys closet. 

We visited Daddy at work. Little Man was so happy!!

SIUS

Happy Saturday to y'all! We've had a GORGEOUS week here in the PNW, except for the past 2 days, it has actually stormed here! Not the little wussy rain showers that normally takes place, but it has stormed with thunder and lightning!! Yes, that makes me extremely excited! I haven't seen a storm with thunder and lightning since I left Florida, so it's definitely a nice change!! But anyways, here is a recap of our week:

- So I got BURNT out here in WA. Like literally my skin is red like I sat at the beach all day! What has happened to me?! Geez I mean, I have literally become the "pale" population of WA state. No wonder they have coffee shops ALL over the place. Realizations like that cause depression.
- I finished the first book in the Fifty Shades trilogy. I have to take a break between this one and the next one. For obvious reasons, like, trying a few things with my husband...but also because when I get so wrapped up in a book, everything else takes a backseat. And by everything else I mean cleaning & homework. Yeah, house = a wreck..and my homework is no where near being completed.
- I need to start compiling a list of things to tell little man he did as a toddler when he gets older. (i.e. walking around the house with his blanket on his head crashing into walls, the dog, or me.) This has happened a lot this week and I don't want to forget!
- I am always reminded of why I chose to limit my friendships with other military wives. All to often they "wear their husbands rank" instead of just being a normal wife and chatting with another gal. (This does NOT include my friends back in VaBeach & Jax.) Honestly, why should it matter what rank my husband is per our conversation/friendship. It's not like you will outrank me in an everyday setting. So simply put, don't ask me and don't let that be the first thing out of your mouth when meeting me.
- Found out today that Little Man can still kind of fit in the sink and "bathe" sort of. He was helping me do the dishes, somewhat, and one thing lead to the next and before I knew it, he was submerged in soapy water, splashing around, cracking up. I can't lie, it cracked me up.
- We learned something this week. Well, actually we (and when I saw 'we' I mean Hubby and I) learned two very valuable bits of information. First of all, ALWAYS google/wikipedia something before trying something new or something that you have very limited knowledge/experience in. In this case, it would be 'plumbing.' Secondly, NEVER EVER EVER EVER EVER EVER put drano in a dishwasher. Yup. We did that. Well, actually Hubby did that. I watched. And about 20 minutes after he did that, I walked back into the kitchen to find that the floor was covered in acidic drano bubbles. Fun right? But apparently (and we found this out AFTER I googled it) you're not supposed to do that. The drano will eat through hoses, and completely contaminate the dishwasher, and you'll be forced to run your dishwasher about 15 times to make sure it's clean and all the drano is out. Not to mention the smell of bleach/drano will flood your house instantly causing a massive headache. It was definitely a learning experience.

That pretty much sums it up. Hubby was on nights all week, so Little Man and I just went to the park a lot, we did go for an ice cream date, which was super fun. I think we'll treat Daddy to that later today. Nothing says ruin your dinner like an ice cream date! Ahh, we're having chinese for dinner, who am I kidding, that kid will eat all the rice and chicken his little tummy can hold, even with a belly full of ice cream!
And here are some fun pictures. Just from the bath experience, the drano experience, and randoms.

Until next time. "Laters, baby."

Mood Swings

I took this video of Little Man yesterday. Hands down it cracks me up. One day, not too long ago, he slapped me, so I tapped his hand and said "no no." Well that turned into him smacking anything and saying "Ma Ma Ma" as in "No No No." Well yesterday, he took his leap frog stand up thing and pulled it over to the kitchen counter, stood up on it like it was a stool, and tried to climb on the counter. I first started scolding him about this, telling him he could fall, he'd hurt himself, etc., but then it turned into this. And I had to video it. He does have a breakdown at the end (it WAS nap time), but rest assured, he was fine after I cuddled him and then we went to lay down. Yes, I probably shouldn't antagonize the issue of "No No" to make it more effective, and I probably should be more stern about something like climbing on the counters, but sometimes in life, you have to make moments like these more fun and sometimes they need to be on video. So don't judge me for this...my kid is absolutely fine.

As My iPhone Sees It

So I was just uploading a TON of pictures from my phone to the laptop and realized that there are a million (not literally) pictures there that unless everyone has instagram, doesn't really get to see. So I figured I'd share them here!

I didn't have the pleasure of taking this photo, but how can it NOT make you laugh?!?! It stays on my phone for this exact reason!

I bought this new outfit for our "little viking" (as Hubby as nicknamed him, due to his middle name). 

At the beach with Little Man the other day. He's my beach combing buddy.

Not sure what he was thinking, but it's an intense look nonetheless. 

I absolutely cherish little moments like this.

And cuddling moments like these.

The jets were flying over at the parade. He was excited!

Here Daddy, have a cheeto, but only one.

Love this look.

The DeLorean. Actually there were three in this parade. Three DeLoreans on this SMALL island in WA! Mind = Blown.

Just when I think Little Man is my BFF...ha.

Yes, this is EXACTLY what it looks like! It's the Yum Yum (aka "shrimp sauce") from a Japanese steakhouse! A friend pinned this and I copied it and HAD to try it. It is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.. I am a happy pregnant woman these days!

Busy body Little Man.

Yeah, so I got burnt the other day sitting outside reading 50 Shades. Who the heck would've thought you could actually sun burn in WA state?!

Big ole Baby Bump. The Little Viking is getting bigger! 24 weeks here.

Little Man vs. Hubby. Twins...right?!

Little Man and I had an ice cream date. A girl HAS to dress up for outings like this! 25 weeks.

These two small bowls of ice cream cost about the size of a TUB of ice cream, but it was the memories we made that was worth it! He decided he HAD to have mine, as well as his. At least I can share :)

 There are some photos I left out, but for the most part, this is a good little collection to share! Happy Thursday to y'all!

I am a Lucky Girl

I rarely have pictures of my family together. Normally Hubby and I switch off to take photos, but when  my in laws were here, we got lucky and got some pretty neat and beautiful photos of our little growing family. 

I say I'm a "Lucky Girl" because I am very blessed to have these two (soon to be three) men in my life. Hubby and I have come a LONG way, endured a lot, and are at such a great place in our marriage. Deployment changed him, and completely for the better. He has grown into the man that I always knew he was and has become such an amazing, caring, loving Daddy to our Little Man. I'm so proud of him and how much he has grown in the past year. Anyone who can't see this is truly blind, not that anyone else's opinion matters except mine, but it's such an amazing transformation. He is truly my rock, my best friend, and the love of my life. We have learned that as long as we have each other, and our boys, we have the world. I'm so excited to face any adventures that come our way because I know that together, we can take on the world. 

So here are just two wonderful pictures that were captured of my beautiful family. 

On the Mukilteo Ferry headed to Seattle.

At Windjammer Park, in Oak Harbor.

I'm a very lucky girl....and I know it.

22 Weeks (Better Late Than Never!)

Wahoo, got the 22 weeks preggo photos! Thanks to my wonderful Momma in law! I must clarify that while these were being taken, my little man was throwing a major temper tantrum, and I wasn't feeling super hot that day. But still...I got it done. (Unlike my 24 week one...yeah, big failure there.) These photos were taken at Fort Ebey near Coupeville, WA on the Gun Battery side. The view is stunning here. 

I was pushing out here. Definitely not sucking in.

But there you go :) As promised! I know my belly looks big, but it's really not. I swear the camera ads like 30 pounds when you're pregnant. Just saying. Someone should really look into that.