Just a quick note to say:
"Welcome Baby George James III" affectionately known as "Jamie". He was born Feb. 9 @ 12:49 p.m. via c-section and weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz. and was 18.5-inches long.
Both Jamie and I are doing o.k., I'm just getting used to the pain and limits, while he enjoys sleeping!
I know it has been a while, so I just wanted to send out an update as the day quickly approaches for Jamie's arrival. Tuesday was an emotionally draining day for me as well as the usual physically exhausting one, so it took me a few days to talk to our Families and compile my thoughts.
At our weekly doctor's appointment Tuesday the doctor said that Jamie is still sitting breech and has scheduled a c-section for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 12:30 p.m. He was sitting head down at 36-weeks, but apparently got bored and rotated the next week. It will be a busy day for us as George is scheduled for a jump to maintain his airborne status (early that morning), but we are thankful that my mom's schedule allows her to be here for a week, beginning Saturday.
Our hope is that baby Jamie will turn and then I can just be induced, but both George and Mom have stated at if he has not and I still don't feel completely comfortable at that time with the c-section, we can postpone it. Since I will only be 39-weeks, I can still choose to wait another week or so. This week will be trying a variety of methods to encourage the little guyn to go "bottoms up" so if you have any suggestions (that doesn't include chanting or incense as I already have headaches from exhaustion) please feel free to pass them along.
I've not yet decided it I will go trhough with the c-section or ask for more time. These past few days have been very emotional for me and I just can't imagine going through it for yet another week. I pray that in the end my decision will be the one taht is medically the best for both Jamie and I rahter than just to ease my fears and trepidation.
I am resting as much as I can, but for those who know me, understand that I am not someone who can just sit around and wait. I am trying hard not to push the limits on house cleaning and stuff, but I am very self-conscious of what my home reflects upon me and it is hard to let the dishes sit and watch the floors collect dirt. Laundry has thankfully be put on a schedule that allows me to do a load or two each day so I feel like I am accomplishing something, but I know that resting is the best thing for getting Jamie to go "bottoms up!"
I'm also including a photo of me from Tuesday at 38-weeks, probably the last one before he arrives. 
As you can see, I am ALL BABY at this point! No wonder my back hurts. Excuse my puffy face, I had been crying a little as this was just after our appointment and the news he was breech. I also didn't notice until looking at the picture how puffy my feet are. Yesterday, hubby treated me to a pedicure (while he was at work) so now they are PRETTY and puffy! It tried to get a picture of the flowers on my toes, but alas, I cannot bend down to get close enough for a photo!
I'll try keep everyone updated on Baby Jamie's progress, but at this point there is NO position, sitting, lying down or standing that is comfortable and my laptop no longer fits on my lap, so typing is hard. My poor arms barely reach around the baby belly so sitting at the desk is hard and my back aches a lot.
Jamie is his grandfather's namesake, so I am sure he'll do what he wants, when he wants and we can only hope he works on our schedule!
Until our next cup of tea ...
Well, it has been a busy 8 months to say the least and the last two seem to have completely disappeared within the blink of an eye. I am now 34-weeks and staring at the quickly approaching due date. We've barely even touched Jamie's room, so that is the goal for this weekend.
However, I do have some news to share on the preparation schedule. The baby shower in Houston in November was great fun. I enjoyed seeing family and friends even if the thought of a party just for me was a little ... unusual. I don't usually get to be the center of attention and kept trying to help, but Jamie's Fairy Godmother would not hear of it. We did have a lot of fun finishing his baby book for the shower though and I'll have to post pictures of it.
Here is a preview of the baby shower ...
When we got home, George decided to put together some of the gifts we'd gotten. I thought you might want to see how Sgt. Major helped ...
Until our next cup of tea ...
I finally got the chance to scan the latest ultrasound pictures and wanted to share them with you. It has been a flurry of activity here. The movers arrive on Wednesday and I am NOWHERE near ready, but somehow I always manage to make it. We leave next Wednesday and from there will be heading to see our family! We are so excited to see everyone. Making an agenda keeps me from going insane with so many to visit, and now that the preganancy brain is fully activated, my dayplanner has become the Holy Grail! Hopefully we can fit everyone in.
The ultrasound was Oct. 15 and Baby Jamie weighed in at 1 lb. 5 oz. (though I'm sure he's sailed passed that now!) He was nearly 11 inches long, so he's getting bigger (though I am maintaining!) All the test came back fine and despite my risk factors for gestational diabetes, I am nowhere near that diagnosis (thanks to my love of fresh fruit!) His heartbeat is about 150 beats per minute and sounds strong! About three weeks ago he reached the point where he can now taste what I am eating, so that means that he's getting a little variety and has a better chance of favoring foods I eat during this period, so I'm still munching on fruits and veggies, and hoping that we don't have food wars about eating his veggies later on! His kicks are much stronger now, some reach the point of stopping me in my tracks and we are excited that soon George will be able to feel him. 
O.k. so I'm pretty sure I can vent on here because NO ONE from my family actually reads my blog. (And to think that used to bug me!)
O.k. I'm feeling pretty conflicted about some things right now and to really explain it would take a novel, but I will try to keep it short.
Many of you know that I grew up with 11 siblings and for the most part I always felt "alone is a roomful of strangers" kind of thing, not really connecting with any of them. Despite what many of you who know me in real life must see, I was a very shy child and stayed to myself (still am shy but overcompensate with learned social behavior from ettiquette classes.)
Even when it was just me and my biological brother (a year older) with my mom's family I always felt like (and still do) an afterthought. Like a side note. Maybe that's why I diverted my energy and attention into school and education. It was a method to justify the loneliness.
I remember this one time in my teens, we were at my mom's for Christmas dinner and my uncle asked my brother how school was. After his answer he turned and asked me, but before I could answer, my uncle turned to my aunt and started a conversation with her. I don't know why that sticks out in my mind so much.
Anyway, George and I were very excited about getting pregnant and I called everyone to share the news. But since then it has been a very quiet. No calls, other than a few from my mom when she's not busy, and no answers on the monthly baby updates. But this week, my brother and his wife announced she was pregnant and I feel like our family will once again take a back burner for him.
I am very excited for them, I know that they will be great parents, I was just hoping that since we didn't get the big fanfare wedding and stuff like they did that this would be my chance to finally be in the limelight. {Sigh} It's not that I don't mind sharing but just like a child giving its parents a crayon drawing I was expecting some excitement, but instead it's like my brother just proved he was a 7-year-old Michaelangelo or something and my little drawing looks like crap!
I know that it's just something I will have to work through, and it's not like George's Family and our friends and Army Family haven't been extremely supportive. I know a large part of it is because we are a military Family and that takes us a long way from our Family and while I wouldn't say "out of sight, out of mind" it does feel that way at times.
Well, I'm off to cheer myself up by finishing some stitching projects for Baby Boy and as well as for another milspouse who is expecting 6-weeks before me (Ahh, we are partners in crime but you'll never catch us because we can look so innocent!). Back to baby on the brain! I do have some cute stuff to post later on, as well as an update on our crazy fun Miami trip!
Until our next cup of tea ...
Well, you all knew it was coming, so don't act surprised! I tried to hold off as long as possible, but once we learned it was a boy, could you really blame me!?!
I haven't gone too crazy. We still have to move before setting up the baby's room plus the baby shower in Houston, after which we get to figure out how we will tote everything back to Florida (cross country trip with 7-mo pregnant wife, dog who's acting out and a truck full of stuff to be unload alongside all of out household goods ... I really feel bad for my hubby but he's been a good sport about it so I'll have to get him a good Christmas present!)
We have allowed ourselves one plastic tote of stuff to be collected by us while we are here. I'm sure we may get some gifts and such by then, especially from my dad's side of the Family who is not hosting the shower, but there's not point in going crazy now. The key to adding a baby is BUDGETING ... or at least that's what people tell me!
Anyway I'd been looking for a "Johnny Jumper" but couldn't find one at Babies R Us where we'd registered. I remember my younger siblings having so much fun in them, though they were also entertained by the many (12) siblings as well. So George suggested Toys R Us which actually had more baby toys than the Babies R Us, which was mostly supplies and accessories.
While we were there we noticed I couldn't help but walk through the clothes now that I knew what we were having. When we went to register after the results I was looking more at blankets, onsies, bath towels and such, since we aren't registering for clothes (just items such as carseats, bed, bedding, accessories for organization). We want our friends and family to have fun not feel like they are being told what to buy.
Anyway, we went to the clothes and their summer stuff was on sale, and a lot on clearance. I am a bit surprised by how much restraint I did have considering I am a sucker for a baby boy in the little polos and shorts or the button shirts. So cute! Not that some of the play outfits weren't adorable! So I restricted myself to one full price outfit (which turned out to be on sale anyway) and two clearance items. George was concerned since I'd just had a soda (caffine free!) and the clothes were next to the bathroom, but I maintained control.
So here are the outfits I got ...
My brother and uncle are firefighters/medics so I couldn't pass up the jumper with the firetruck on it and what little boy doesn't dream of being a pirate at some point. That one was also too cute to pass up. Both are 6-9 months since I'm sure we'll get most clothes in the smaller sizes.
This one was too cute to pass up too! So adorable for church or a unit activity. I did get this in the 3-6 months, but the next size was 12 months. George picked this shirt over the plaid button up one that was also an option.
In addition to these cute outfits for Father's Day I had gotten a Harley-Davidson blanket, shoes/slippers for the baby for George. He and his dad really bonded over motorcycles and as you may remember he'd rebuilt the HD 1964 Panhead that his dad had started on for a ride in his honor over Easter. We also have a HD 1935 Flathead that he dad had in parts that will be a project for the future. 
(Click on the picture to read the bibs!) The weekend before we found out it was a boy George took a leap and bought the onsie when he was out for a ride while I rested. After we found out it was a boy we stopped by the HD store locally and picked up these bibs as well. I think the baby is set for his HD pride, though there was a cute onsie we saw when at the last duty station that said "My grandpa/dad rides a Harley." Since it was only in pink or blue and I wasn't even pregnant yet, we didn't get it and now can't find it. (Not that I've stopped looking!)
It's definately been fun preparing for the baby and I'm sure it'll be even more fun when he gets here (though I've promised George not to play dress-up with him!) I'm sure they'll be more to come ...
Until our next cup of tea ...
On Friday George and I went to a non-military clinic for a gender determination test. Would you like to know what the results were????
Sorry I've been away for a while, things here are pretty hectic. This weekend George and I were talking about the whole birthing pat of it since I'd been watching another episode of A Baby Story. I mentioned that I was worried that my water would break in a public place or something. He said he thought that the doctor did that. When I told him that it could happen anywhere, even when I'm sleeping he said, "Eww, I don't want your water all over me!" His creative solution was that I would wear adult diapers my last month and a half! God love him, but I am so happy he's not the one who is pregnant!
Until our next cup of tea ...
Editor's Note: I promise not to make my blog completely about baby stuff, but I wanted to shared some updated photos and the monthly update..jpg)
Wow! What a busy month this has been. From learning that we were expecting at the beginning of the month to seeing the baby and hearing its heartbeat for the first time, the days seem to have flown by. Every day has been a new adventure. Two weeks ago the onset of morning sickness, which apparently last all day, set in and that was a bumpy ride until the doctors prescribed something for the nausea. That was the second happiest day of the month!
On Thursday (july 2) we had the appointment for our first ultrasound and it was a great experience. George was able to attend the appointment so he too was able to be there to hear the heartbeat.
I have been working with a personal trainer and nutritionist and while losing weight, my baby bump seems to be growing like a weed! Already in maternity clothes I am learning to work around my growing belly. Sgt. Major is trying hard to find room on my lap for naps, but it won't be long before he will have to find a new way to "nap with mommy". He is still able to sleep comfortabley at night, now choosing to sleep with his head on his Mommy's hip and his chest against the baby. Maybe this is just his way of trying to bond with the baby! His heartbeat tends to lull me to sleep, so it's a win-win situation for all. Sgt Major has definately noticed something going on and it a little more clingy thatn usual.
Trying to find foods that the baby approves of is also a constant rollercoaster. While fruits and veggies were the cravings of last week, this week they tend to give me nausea in even the smallest amounts. The baby seems to like BBQ however (even though the BBQ here in Ga. has not come close to calming my craving for Rooster's chopped beef BBQ in Baytown!) Mexican food is a hit or miss, depending on the item, but my favorite, cheese enchilladas seem to have won the baby's approval ... for now.
George is very excited and wants the baby "now!" He enjoys walking around baby stores and is trying to figure out at what age he can sign the baby up for sports! He and Sgt. Major are starting to spend more time together while I rest in the afternoons, so the puppy is enjoying the extra attention.+7-5-09+small.jpg)
Until our nxt cup of tea ...
No I don't! It's officially 7 days since the morning sickness started and I'm still trying to figure out the "secret solution" for me. There were some suggestions that I did try. Thanks everyone for your support and advice!
~ Vee I do take the time to enjoy my M&Ms, when I allow myself the treat! Thanks for the reminder!
~ Molly I am sick every day but can't be sick. It is the most frustrating feeling in the world, because I just feel if I could "be sick" then I would feel better, but alas, nothing but gut-wrenching dry heaves at this point.
~ Nikki when it comes to food my appitite seems to have disappeared and poor George is left to defend himself sometimes, as as you know from real life, that can lead to disasters at time, but we are learning to muddle through it. The other night I made some chicken stir-fry which I'd been craving for over a week now and it ended up making me sick! Can't win for losing sometimes, but at least he got a home cooked meal that night! I'd like to know how you made it look easy with Tregan!
~ Lime, you will be saddened to know that I now have an aversion to chocolate, at least physically. I still try every now and then, but it makes me sick. It's the hardest part I think. What I'd give for a Dove chocolate bar, all creamy and smooth. {Sigh} I give you permission to eat my share and if anyone gives you problems, send them to me. It would be a shame to let all that dhocolate go to waste! As for feeling better, cold fruit does make me feel a lot better in the afternoons.
~ Sue there are days that cooking is just not an option. I am so sensative to smells at this point. George has been really great and will jump in when needed.
Well, I'm off to read some more while feeling o.k.
Until our next cup of tea ...
~Editor's note: It took me about 4 days to finish this post. I seem to be restless these days. I did actually "get sick" on Monday. All morning, about every 30-45 minutes, and I learned ... it didn't make me feel any better.
