Week 37

When I was pregnant with Amelia, "week 37" was my last post before I had her!  YIKES!!!  I'm totally freaking out right now.  My doctor also informed me that I'm officially "term," so technically, I can have the baby at any time now.

Insomnia!  It's been so frustrating.  I don't really know what's causing it, but I've been waking up around 3am every night and then it takes me over an hour to fall back asleep.  Maybe this is Alex's way of reminding me what it's like to not sleep through the night.

I think Alex is also resting on a nerve somewhere.  It's causing tightness and severe pain in my left thigh.  This past week I've been limping around like an old lady and have had to limit my outings to mostly just my medical appointments.

Fetal monitoring went okay this week. On Monday, they had me stay an extra hour, for additional testing. They were having issues with Alex's heart rate, but in the end, everything checked out okay...PHEW.

Week 37

(week 37 w/Amelia)

This is me at one of my (many) fetal monitoring appointments.  I'm here at least twice a week for several hours!  Argh!

Jimmy's Upgrade

After the merger of Water Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) and the National Naval Medical Center (NNMC) to form the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Jimmy was given a new position at the hospital.  He was formerly the Chief of Specimen Processing/Client Services for both sites.  Now he's the Chief of Quality Assurance for the laboratory at the new hospital. 

In his old position, he was in charge of just one section in the lab.  Now he's in charge of QA for the entire lab, which includes more than 350 employees and 10 different laboratories.  He's the most junior person they've ever given this position to, so that says a lot about how much confidence they have in him and his abilities.  I'm super proud!

Jimmy also received verbal orders to report to Fort Campbell, Kentucky next year.  Although nothing is set in stone, we are anxiously preparing for another big move.  We should have solid, written orders sometime in January, but from the information we've received so far, it looks like we are potentially moving in the late Spring or early Summer of 2012.

We are definitely excited to move, but so sad to leave this area, everything it has to offer, and most of all leaving our friends.  I'll definitely keep you all updated! 

The Brookside Trains

Amelia and I had a play date with a friend and went to see the model trains at the Brookside Conservatory.  I didn't know if Amelia would have any interest but was happily surprised that she loved it!  She was mesmerized and got excited every time the trains came around. 

She kept on pointing to the trains and the scenery and saying, "What's dis?", over and over again.  Whenever other kids would stand by her, she would happily engage in baby talk conversation with them, ha ha ha.  I think she was probably trying to tell them about the trains. It was really funny.  Amelia spent a good solid hour just staring and admiring the trains.

We also spent a lot of time in the greenhouse.  Amelia was obsessed with the small waterfall.  If I wasn't there to stop her, she probably would have jumped into the water!  Maybe she thought it was bath time?  Since the weather was great, we went for a walk around the gardens afterwards.  However, I didn't make it very far.  I was hurting after just a few minutes.

Our schedule has been super busy, and it's been really tough on my very pregnant body, but I'm trying to enjoy as much time as possible with Amelia before her little bro arrives.  Life is going to be oh so different once Alex is here.      

Trey, Julia, and Amelia

We were trying to get them to pose for a picture.  Of course, Amelia ran off!

She pointed to the cars and kept saying "vrrroooom."  Then she got frustrated because she couldn't reach them.

Waiting, pointing...

I took this picture right before she tried to jump in the water!  Doesn't she look so innocent?  Don't let that face fool you.

Christmas Card

We are so lucky to have friends and family located all over the world!  We meet so many great people every time we move and our extended family is growing rapidly.  However, our Christmas card list is starting to get out of control!  I originally ordered 75 cards and then had to order 25 more when I realized we didn't have enough.  Even with a total of 100 cards, we still didn't have enough!  Next year, I'm going to have to plan ahead. 

I so enjoyed going through our address book.  With each card I addressed, it brought back so many wonderful memories we've had with each family.  Again, I feel so lucky to have met so many wonderful people through the years!

Jimmy's job was to seal the envelopes.  Instead of just using a wet rag, he licked every single envelope.  After about 30, he started to gag.  It was hilarious.  However, he continued on and left his DNA every single envelope.  He's such a dork.   

I usually keep at least one copy of our Christmas card each year, but since we didn't have any extra, I thought I would just take a picture ;0)

Card 1 (front)

Card 1 (back)

Card 2 (front)

A New, Fresh Look!

I decided it was finally time to update the look of our blog!  Everyone is currently napping (Amelia, Jimmy, and all three cats), so I had some time to myself.  Also, I don't think I'll have much time once Alex is born, so the timing was right. 

It had been the same old boring black template since 2008 and I wanted to freshen things up a little.  It only took about 10 minutes too.  Thanks Blogspot for making things super easy for me.  I should have updated sooner ;0)

Week 36

I had another growth ultrasound this week.  It went well.  Turns out the baby is measuring about 10 days too big!  The ultrasound doctor said my OB probably measured me small because I don't have a lot of fluid in my belly... I guess it's all baby in there!  They estimate him to be about 6 pounds right now and put him in the 62nd percentile for growth so far.  At this rate, I wonder if he'll be 7 or even 8 pounds at birth!

I also had fetal monitoring this week.  Basically what they do is strap you to a machine for about an hour.  They check the baby's heat rate and movements, my blood pressure, and double check to make sure you have enough amniotic fluid.  Then, in the end, they do an ultrasound to check the baby.  Everything checked out fine this week!

I had to do fetal monitoring for the last few months in my pregnancy with Amelia too.  It's a big hassle, but also nice because every week you are reassured that everything is progressing well.  The absolute best part is that you get to have an ultrasound and see the baby every time you go in... simply fabulous ;0)

I'll be going to fetal monitoring TWICE a week.  Add that to my regular weekly prenatal appointment, Amelia's social calendar, out-of-town guests, holiday events and we have a very busy schedule!  Oh yeah, and on top of all that, we prepping for the new baby! 

Exhausted doesn't even begin to explain how I've been feeling.  However, I know once Alex is born, things will settle down a little bit (schedule-wise).  My plan is to hibernate with the kiddos until the Spring ;0)

Week 36

(week 36 w/Amelia)

New Playgroup, Old Friends

One of the mommy/baby groups we're in just started a weekly playgroup.  I know most of the moms already, so we had a good time.  Amelia and I are looking forward to meeting on a regular basis!  Our schedule is already jam-packed, but we hope to squeeze it in a few times a month.

Mommies and Babies



Celebrating 9 Years of Wedded Bliss

Happy 9 Year Anniversary Sir!

Last year, Jimmy and I celebrated by going to see the musical Annie. Well, this year, we decided to keep up the tradition and went to the musical The Sound of Music.  We were lucky to get a night out because Jimmy's mom was in town to babysit.  Oh, how we so appreciate a night out!  Of course, we just talked about Amelia and Alex most of the time.

I'm feeling very blessed at this point in my life.  Anniversaries always get me nostalgic and gives me a good chance to stop and think about the years gone by.  Life, especially now, goes by too quickly and I think it's important to reflect on where you've been and how far you've come.  It really puts things into perspective and helps to ground me.

The nine years have gone by so quickly!  I have an awesome husband.  He's good to me, loves me, and has been my backbone for over half my life.  After a visiting us last week, my dad told me I was so lucky to have Jimmy.  He talked about how he was a devoted husband and dad.  This really meant a lot to me (especially if you know my dad, ha ha ha). 

Seeing Jimmy as a father has more than tripled my love for him.  He is so involved and interested in Amelia's life and his main focus is our family.  He always puts us first and I love that about him.  I truly believe he was meant to be a father and if you see him with Amelia, you know he's a natural.  I can't wait to see how he is with Alex!

10 years is just around the corner ;0)

Chuck-E-Cheese

Amelia took her first trip to Chuck-E-Cheese while her Nana was in town.  We thought she would be too little to enjoy it, but she had a blast!  There was a special toddler zone, she enjoyed all the lights from the games, she rode on rides, watched the Chuck E Cheese show, and even played a few "big kid" games with daddy. 

Amelia and Nana

Waving to Chuck E Cheese

High-Fives with Chuck E Cheese

Amelia was more interested in petting Chuck E Cheese than posing for a picture.  She just loved him and followed him around!

Skee-Ball with daddy

Bowling with daddy

Hippo toss with daddy

She loved the characters from the show

Pointing at her new friend

Random Pics from Lolo and Lola's Camera

Apparently, in the Philippines, when your child does this pose (downward dog) it means that they are ready for a sibling ;0)  She's been doing this pose regularly for the past few weeks... too cool!

Wearing her new Hello Kitty jamma-jams from Lolo and Lola

Chillin' in her new chair from mommy and daddy (an early Christmas gift!)

New Hello Kitty necklace ("pree-dee") from Lolo and Lola

A trip to the mall with Lolo and Lola

Of course the grandparents let her ride the merry-go-round

Lolo and Lola making her laugh in the van

You can't tell from this picture, but Amelia is wearing a Hello Kitty winter hat from Lolo and Lola.  As you can see, she loves it!

Checking out the pillow pets...

Bear and Amelia at the mall

She ended up eating most of Lolo's pear ;0)

Amelia the duck!

Running around before bedtime