Reflections

Pregnancy-2008

N's Homecoming-2008
N's Graduation-2007

Our wedding- 2006

This past 2008 election got me thinking about the past and looking back to recall my life in 4 year spans. The day of the election I had a doctor’s appointment and thought that I could squeeze in voting an hour before the appointment because I could always vote in under 5 minutes back home. So I go to the polling location and find that the voting line is out the door! I asked how long the wait was and they said that it was about two hours! I had never encountered that. So, I decided to go after the doctor’s appointment and wait in line with N. No need to wait in line for hours all by myself. So we met at the school (the polling location was the public high school), got in line, and thankfully it was so much smaller than it was the few hours before. I made sure I brought snacks, and there we were waiting outside in line snacking away (mostly myself on gummy bears) at a new polling center in a new state with our baby girl. It ended up being only 45 minutes, and it was pleasantly spent talking with my husband. In the past four years we have graduated, married, gone through a deployment, moved to a new state, become members of a new church, and have become parents.

2004
4th navy ball- 2004

The 2004 election was my first time voting in a presidential election, and I remember going with my mom to the local NJ voting polls with less than a 5 min wait. I didn’t even have my driving license! In 2004, I had just started college, many of my friends were still in HS, was learning to drive, was with N, and had a really great time just being young. I remember staying up all night watching the results come in all by myself. It was a lot of fun, especially when they called a state for Kerry and had to take it back, and really memorable.

1st navy ball- 2002

In 2000, my parents had an election party. It was really great fun. I was a baby!- well at least a young teen. I know the pictures from that night are not on this computer but they were so cute and should be found. I had just started HS, was starting to become an “item” with N, and just loved life.

Dance-1992


In 1996, we had just moved back home after two years of living on the other side of the country. We were living with my uncle while waiting for the renters to move out of our house. It was a blast living with my uncle and playing with his kids in woods. Life consisted of getting school done by noon and playing the rest of the day. That campaign season we saw Mr. and Mrs. Dole at a rally. I enjoyed that. I remember that election night very well (which is surprising because I forget so much so easily) because of my dad’s reactions to the results. The memory makes me laugh. By this point, I believe I had seen N once while visiting his church over the summer.
Baby me

In 1992, we went to go see President Bush at a rally. I remember it being sooo crowded. Those are some really cute pictures as well. At this point in life, I was learning to read and just played most of the day.

Finishing the Nursery

Showered with gifts

Getting closer

and closer
Even closer at present day

Trying to get all three pieces in one shot

From this

To this

To this- with Christening Lamb, my own baby cup, and one of our wedding bowls.
Shabby chic curtain, photo frames, lladro from mom's curio, shabby chic lamp



As you can see the nursery is moving along. There are still several things to be done before it is all ready, but so far I absolutely love it. Every time I go in there it takes my breath away. I am sure that it has more to do with the thought of it as our little girl's room than with the actual decorating, but I am so thankful for how it is all coming together. Most noteworthy we are still missing a crib mattress. I am really hoping to go and get that done with tomorrow (but have not been in a huge rush because the baby is going in a cradle at first which we do have the mattress to already). The diplomas still have to be taken down. They were so troublesome to put up in the first place, but it is surely time that they find their places in the study. I am presently hunting for more picture frames and then once I find them will properly fill with pictures. I have been looking for wall art and have really not been happy with what I have seen. So, tomorrow I am also going to make that a priority and try some stores I have not gotten to yet. So, we are still working on wall art, picture frames, candles, and a few other pieces to customize the room.

I love before and after pictures- and therefore have put up a lot. I know that before and afters are much more dramatic without the progress shown along the way. I was tempted to just wait until all the finishing touches were complete, but I decided to show the progress because I myself find it interesting and also because if I were back home most of you would have seen the progress in action.

I started this blog when I moved in order to keep my NJ friends more connected to our life down here. I hope you do feel more connected through it. Life has been flying by the last few weeks, but I surely have the time to be a more faithful blogger. I am going to attempt to update on Mondays and Thursdays even if it means there is less to say and less pictures ( but there will always be pictures-that's one rule I have stuck with so far).

I have a question!!!!! My husband thinks that I over do it with the pictures. I think that there is no such thing as too many pictures especially because most of you reading this rarely see me once a month and because most of you will never have the chance to actually visit our home. So what are your thoughts? are my pictures too repetitive?

Back Home

The beauty of yellow leaves! 35 weeks Playing around with Picasa! Both of our expressions were off so this did the trick.
Love this one of us
At the museum. One of my favorite paintings.
We were originally planning to go to longwood- but this weather was certainly more museum appropriate.

Love this background





Because of the baby's due date, both Christmas and Thanksgiving travel were out of the question. So, last week we went up to visit our families and friends for the last time before baby's arrival. It was surreal saying good bye with the thought that I will see my baby girl before I see them again. We really had a wonderful time visiting with all who could see us. Since we grew up in the same church and our parents still go to church together and even work together, when we are with one set of parents we are generally with the other set as well. That is just how it has always been for us, yet I am realizing more and more how rare that it and what a blessing it is to have our families living in the same area so that with one trip we can see them all. With N's family we went to the art museum. We haven't been there in years and that made it especially sweet. It was great seeing everyone. We really miss you all down here.

I am now 36 weeks and feeling more and more ready. Last Wednesday, at my 36 week appointment I measured to be 1cm dilated. That was a great wake up call that his girl could really be here any day. So I have gotten much progress done on the nursery and packing this week. The packing is odd though because there is so much I will want with me that I am using day to day such as toiletries and certain clothing items. There are definitely certain things that I do not use day to day, and they were easy enough to pack up.

Time has been going by very quickly these last few weeks. I want to be a more regular blogger (at least once a week) and by the time I get on to blog again I realize it has been over a week and in this case two weeks. I am thinking I should just carve out specific days of the week say Mondays and Fridays and just do it so that it becomes part of my routine and so that you out there would know when to check my blog. Thank you to all who are reading and especially those friends of mine who comment. I really enjoy being able to interact with you through this blog. VA is great in so many ways, but it lacks my dear NJ friends. I had been a stealth reader on certain blogs for years and never commented. Looking back I guess I just felt that I did not know them well enough or that what I had to say was silly. Now that the tables are turned, I have become a much better commenter because I realized that saying something even if it silly is so much more appreciated than saying nothing at all. And I do always post pics so at least you could comment on them even if it is really silly.

Monday I will plan on getting up more pics of the nursery progress.

Me...34 Weeks?!?! Better Start Packing

D, you will be happy to notice my hair is actually down :)

Husbands can be sneaky with cameras.
And the hair is back- and look I am wearing jeans. How crazy is that!
Almost there- no that face is not on purpose

There we go! The background of the rustic dock and crane was a stretch for my taste, but it is working for now and can always be cropped or photo shopped away.

I am now 34 weeks. I am simply amazed that in 6 weeks we will be seeing our daughter. She has been really busy as of recently, and I have greatly enjoyed all her sweet "dancing" as N calls her kicks and squirms. I love feeling her move. There are times that she is really moving a lot and forcefully and by the time N comes around to feel a second later the show is over. I do wonder if it is the sound of my voice that makes her stop. We have been playing Brahms' Lullaby to her. It was my favorite as a child. Many say that babies at this age can remember music. So I thought it would be a fun idea to see if her reactions to it are different than to other similar pieces.

All of a sudden I noticed that strangers were complimenting me on my wedding bands. The thought crossed my mind that it was because I just cleaned them. I mentioned it to N, and his explanation was that more people are inclined to check to see if I am wearing any now that I am toting around a baby belly. Anyone think that makes sense? Since baby, I have been extra careful to always wear them even though they are less comfortable to wear these days just for that reason. I have seen pregnant women wear their rings around their necks. I am not there yet, but I completely understand.

I gained two new commenters last post!!!-- and I plan on keeping them. hint. hint. Thank you girls! And to all those stealth readers out there, I would love to hear from you too even if you just want to make fun of my hair or smile.

About Baby

Our first Christmas together 2006


The tree in our hotel lobby

I love the simply way it is decorated
We actually went to the movies on Christmas day. Muvico is the best. Notice the shorts? That's Florida for you.


Next month we will be celebrating our 2nd anniversary, and it has only been since March of this year that we have been living in our own place. I was really looking forward to decorating our house for the holidays this year and building our own family traditions. We were married the day after Thanksgiving 06, he was deployed Thanksgiving 07, and Thanksgiving 08 I will be eight months pregnant. Yes, it would be possible to go all out for Thanksgiving for the two of us. But that really does not sound enjoyable or sensible to this very pregnant one. Going back home to be with family would be an option but just not a wise one being so close to my due date. So, instead of starting our own tradition or going back home to the traditions of our families (who are by the way spending Thanksgiving together without us) we are doing something completely different but really great. We will be spending it with our church family.

Our first Christmas together 06 was spent all by ourselves in sunny Florida honeymooning. It was absolutely great but certainly did not feel like Christmas. We actually went to the movies that day and ordered room service. Our second Christmas 07 was spent completely apart on opposite sides of the world as he was deployed. I was really looking forward to finally starting our own traditions, decking the halls, listening to the best of Christmas music, and actually taking an overly cute picture this year to send to family. And then along came baby... She is due the 10th of December, yet she could easily be late a week or more. Do I really have the energy to decorate? and do I really want to spend the money on that when she is coming? My imagery of the day has turned from a made up woman in a red dress with curled hair dishing out pieces of pie to a brand new mother recovering a week after delivery just wishing for the five minutes and the strength to take a shower.

All of this uncertainty has drawn me back to the reason for the season- a BABY! Christmas is truly about God humbling Himself to be made into a helpless baby to save His people from their sins. and This Christmas as I take care of my own baby- I will not be able to forget why we celebrate this holiday and how amazing it is that God would choose to become such a helpless, messy and fragile being.

This Christmas might not have the sounds, sights, and smells of a traditional Christmas, but what better tradition could there be than having a new baby just in time for Christmas?!

Getting Ready for Baby

The Nursery- Thank you to so many of you for all the wonderful gifts. Anyone want to help put away, clean, and organize???


As it is this moment. I am not sure if we are leaving the crib in that spot and the chest and dresser are still missing from the room.

The crib from this

To this- Thankfully we did not have to put it together ourselves, and yes it is time to move the diplomas.

The closet- with games, uniforms, and weights

After hard lifting- not on my part. Can you see the indentations on the carpet?

To our sweet daughter's closet. I still need to vacuum it, and most of the items in there will be finding more permanent spaces someday.

This past week I have been making progress with the nursery. I am no where near finished, yet I am thankful for all the work I got done this week and hope that next is also a productive week.

In My 30's

30 Weeks




I am now past the 30 week mark and love being so close to seeing our baby girl. Last month the nursery furniture came, and last week we put together the cradle. It seems like I am taking the tiniest steps towards getting everything together and in its place, but we will get it all together eventually.

Finally the Beach

From last year

Yesterday N and I went to the beach together for the first time this summer- well rather this year because we are now in autumn. How odd is that especially considering how close we live to a popular beach destination. I think that well sums up how this summer has barely felt like summer to me. I suppose with being sick, then going to Europe for a couple of weeks, traveling back home, and nesting for baby- life simply got in the way of summer. I was really glad we finally went yesterday. The weather was beautiful with clear skies, lower 80’s, and no wind. So there we were lounging on our large towel reading with one of us resisting the great urge to lie on her back surrounded by several retired couples. It was lovely, and we learned that those who go to the beach after the season are rewarded with free parking :)

Church Baby Shower

I felt so loved to be showered with love, support, and gifts by our new church family. It was a dual bridal/baby shower- actually my idea, and I loved the way it turned out. Thank you all so very much!

First Baby Shower

Decorating in Action

Yummy Cake... I want another piece

My Sister-in-Law

I just love handmade gifts.

Last week, I traveled back home for my baby shower thrown by my mother. I had a really fun time decorating with a dear friend beforehand and enjoyed seeing so many friends during the shower. Thank you so much for all who came to support us and gave us such lovely presents.