SLACKER! and Updates

I am such a slacker. Not really a slacker by any means, and I have to say I am proud of myself. Things have been so busy with everything going on that I do not have time to think much less throw myself out to the world. One of my 101 things to do in 101 days was to tell someone that I couldn't help them or do something for them whenever I already have plans. I have been doing it a lot lately, and I am so relieved. I still have been doing a lot, don't get me wrong. But I definitely stopped some nonsense that was taking place, and I am on the verge of stopping another one due to certain circumstances. Sadly, they will only be replaced with other responsibilities, but at least they will be more spread out and a variety of things versus the same stuff.

With that sad, my new 'to-do' is observing in the schools and volunteering at the different schools. I think I am going to very much enjoy it. I have been wanting to do this, but I was afraid if I did it too early, it would put a kink in things, which is why I waited. And I am so glad I think because that instinct was very much so correct. Soon I will be walking the school's halls again. Not the school I attended, but something other than my current classes. I am pretty excited and anxious about it.

Another thing is I have decided to spread my wings throughout the community instead of within certain areas. I did that a lot because those areas needed me really bad, but it looks like they are on their feet and going solid and I need a change. So it works out. I am excited to do that, too. I am happy that I made this decision while I still had quite a bit of time left here in the UK. I can get out and do some things, even with Mr. Man and enjoy this country while doing it.

The next 'to-do' that has been a 'to-do' for several weeks now is the baby! Of course. We finally finished the house 100%. The baby room is set up the way I want it, and now we are slowly just accumulating things that we will need. Neither one of us are in a rush to get everything, but we are both planners in the sense of not waiting last minute and making sure we have what we need before it is too late. It's been a nice adventure, and I am sure it will continue to be.

School is going really good. I am officially a Junior on papers. I was a Junior as far as credits go, but since I extended to get my break during the Christmas/New Years Holiday it is just now getting to paper. That is pretty darn exciting. I am taking my last Math class right now, which is also extremely exciting! From here, it will strictly be in the schools, volunteering, creating a portfolio, and nothing but Education classes. I am excited, super excited. I am super pumped!

Mr. Man is finally on regular shifts again, which is so nice. We started going to the gym together again, which I love. Even though it uses more gas since I have to drive to another gym that has showers and high enough weights for Mr. Man, I enjoy being with him more often and having that motivation. Mr. Man also has changed is workout for his goals for the winter time, so on his off days he told me he would start doing yoga with me right here at home. Pregnancy-approved yoga at that! He's pretty amazing if you ask me. Maybe I can sneak a video camera on day to later on show our child... haha. That would be priceless!

So I have been wanting to do a giveaway and I have been tossing it up between two options, so I will throw them out there and ya'll can take a vote. CSN has contacted me to do another giveaway, which I want to do. They have been sending me amazing discounts and products, and I have been wanting to share those with you all. If you are interested in that, let me know. The other one is themed around the UK. The things that I love here that are made here. I wanted to do this a while back when I reached the 200 readers, but things got crazy so I had decided to put it off. Now things are slowing down, and I am offering it. So which one? I can't decide, so you tell me what you think?

Have you thought about it? Came to a decision? Please let me know by leaving a comment so I can count your vote!

For now, it's time to get to doing some housework and cuddling up with my baby boy.

Pictures of Our Pouch:

So before I go all confusing everyone, the last pregnancy belly photos were still when I had a due date of March 23. When I went for my second appointment, they changed my due date to April 5, which put me back 2 weeks. So that is how I am going to list these, but do not get all confused like I did when I went through my last set of pregnancy photos! :) 

Week 12

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15- At the top of Snowdon

Week 16

These are the next 5 from where I left off the last time. I know I said I would do 4 at a time for comparison, but I had to post the 5th ones because it was when I officially got my bump. I wanted you all to be able to see the difference. At 16.5 weeks I ended up having to take my belly ring out because it began stretching. This week I also had my first set of people rubbing on my belly, which I found extremely odd. I  hope you enjoy the pictures, and the next set will be pretty adorable, too! 

Questions: (About the pregnancy)

The last guest blog post I forgot to post a link to her blog, and I am just now getting up to date with doing that! So I edited that post to add her link, and I will add it here. If you missed out on that post, be sure to check it out. She is amazing, and so is her story. Her link is http://thediaryofamrs.blogspot.com/. 


Now I am finally making a post. Since nothing has been going on since Mr. Man is still on this crazy shift, I decided I would answer some questions that we have been being asked a lot. 


Before I do that, I will kind of update on our life right now. I am currently 18 weeks pregnant. I am behind on Pregnancy belly photos, I know! And I will get those up by the end of this week, promise. I have not gained any weight since my last doctor's appointment, which was 2 weeks ago. We will have our next appointment in 3 weeks. That is that with the pregnancy. No sickness, no cravings, nothing exciting to report. Tonight is Mr. Man's last night of his crazy shifts, and we should get back to a normal schedule from now on. Thanks goodness! That is about it that is going on with us. I am so ready to get back to normal, start on the baby's room, and go sightseeing some more!


Now for the questions:


The first one I want to address is about the blog and comments. People have been asking me why their comments are not being published. Sadly, it is a long story, but the one's that I feel appropriate to publish are being published. The others I reply personally so they know I received the comment. The situation sucks, but there is nothing I can do about it at this time until things settle down. I hope you understand! 


Most frequently asked questions: 
1. Will you set up a PO Box for gifts to be sent? Do you have a registry?
Since I live overseas, I am only allowed one PO Box for my mail, which is my main mailing address. We are not allowed more than one, so I could not open a second one. Obviously, I will not publicly share my mailing address for security reasons either. I do have a registry, multiple ones actually, and I have been giving the details out to friends and family that have specifically mentioned they wanted to get us something. I wish there was a way around this where you all that have offered to send gifts could, but sadly there is no way for it to happen. If you do know a way, let me know and I will look in to it. We do greatly appreciate all of you who have offered to send us things. It was an honor to read all the requests. Thank ya'll! 


2. Do you have names picked out yet?
This was actually asked to me about a month ago. Ok, so it felt like a month ago, but maybe not that long... ? Not sure. Anyway, we do have names picked out. We have for a while; however, we are not sharing them any time soon. We will tell close friends and families that want to make special items for us, but that is it. We want it to all be a surprise. 


3. When do we find out what we are having?
Another one of those things that we are not sharing any time soon. I would love to share it with you all, but now we have family and friends that read this blog, so we have to keep things on the hush hush for now. The time will come soon enough!


4. Will you breastfeed or bottle feed?
This is probably the most commonly asked question. Probably because it is the most controversial topic when it comes to parenting. For me, I will try to breastfeed, but I am also preparing to bottle feed. Which means, I will have everything need to breastfeed, as well as things needed to bottle feed in case something comes up. Not to mention, when people say bottle feed, they mean formula feed. But I do plan on pumping, so Mr. Man can help with middle of the nights and such. It may be a while after we are into somewhat of a rhythm, but I definitely want that option there. 


5. Will we co-sleep?
This is another one of those things that people who are due after me have started asking me my opinion on it. To be honest, we do not plan to co-sleep. Now if it happens, it happens. If it works for us, it works for us. I do not plan on even having the baby in my room for longer than a month. We will see what happens. My biggest concern with co-sleeping is that I am afraid of rolling on the baby or suffocating the baby with pillows or blankets. Mr. Man agrees, and neither one of us can see another 'thing' in our bed with us between us, 6 pillows, 1 body pillow, and our pup. Just will not work.


I have gotten some questions about travelling, the military, and our lifestyle, so I will do that question post next. 


I hope everyone is doing well, and thanks for hanging with me through all of this!

Guest Blogger (Mrs. B.):

I am the worst blogger ever. I totally forgot to post her blog URL! Please, check her out! She's amazing, as you can see by this post. http://thediaryofamrs.blogspot.com/


Hi ya’ll, I’m Mrs. B from The Diaries of a Mrs., I hope you come and check me out. This is the first time I’ve ever been a guest blogger and I’m so excited about it. I had been following Mrs. Ma’am for a while and seen some of you other awesome bloggers’ guest posts, I think they are all so fun and I wanted to join as well. Since Mrs. Ma’am is a mil-spouse and my husband is leaving for Air Force BMT I thought it was a good time to share our story.

I met my husband Ryan in the spring of 2007, at the time he was taking the semester off of school, since he didn’t do very well his first semester, working full time and trying to get his life back on track. That fall he headed back to school, it was important to me that he got an education and did well, even if he didn’t know 100% what he wanted to be. He was thinking of becoming a male nurse, but that just didn’t sound like a “good” path for him to go on (in my eyes, don’t ask me why I thought that because I honestly couldn’t give you an answer), so I suggested business (mostly accounting). He switched his major and started taking classes for a business degree. He continued taking classes through this past spring, but was getting really frustrated with his school loans only increasing and felt as if he wasn’t making a dent in the classes he still had to take. I knew I was graduating in December and it would become even more difficult for him to go to school. I remember we were sitting at dinner one evening and I said, “Ry, have you ever thought about the military?”

After I asked him, I quickly wanted to take the question back…after a long pause he said, “It’s never been an option, but maybe I should schedule an appointment with a recruiter.” What did I do? Why did I ever ask him that? I tried to stay calm thinking he would never actually make the appointment and go., he did say it had never been an option. Boy, I was wrong! In the beginning of June, Ryan scheduled an appointment with an Air Force and Army recruiter. He seemed to like the Air Force better than the Army (the Army flat out told him that they didn’t need him), he talked with friends from each branch (A.F. and Army) and made his decision on the Air Force. After about a week or so, he was scheduled to take his ASVAB (scored in the high 80s) and got all of his medical and personal records in by the end of June. At this point, everything became extremely real to me, the process was going so fast, and I began preparing myself. I remember a conversation that we had, he said, “I would be really disappointed if I backed out or was not able to go for whatever reason.” In the second week of July, Ryan was headed to MEPS and swore in under the Delayed Entrance Program. Throughout this entire process, I began googling (is that a word?) everything, reading mil-spouse blogs to get first hand experiences from other wives and looking for forums and websites that helped “teach” me more about what our lives were about to be like.

Ryan and I were both expecting quite a long wait before he got his call informing him of when he heads to BMT. After doing some research, reading forums and talking with his recruiter we were under the impression that it could be a really long wait. It was the end of August and Ryan sent me a text in the middle of the day telling me to call him and that it was important while I was at work. I called him and he said, “I’m leaving in November.” I remember my heart feeling heavy and my stomach drop; I was silent momentarily before I finally found words…or more like rattled off 100 questions in seconds. Ryan couldn’t talk too long since he was also at work and he didn’t know all the details. When he got out of work he called his recruiter and sent me a message full of details. He was leaving November 2^nd, he wasn’t able to sign a job and had to go in as open general (something that made me go from excited and anxious to REALLY scared).  Have any of your husbands, fiancés or boyfriends signed as open general? Did it work out for you?

Both, Ryan and I were hoping he would be able to sign a job, he would know exactly what he would be doing, when his tech school was and how long it would be. “Open general? Are you sure? Is there anything you can do? Is there anything your recruiter can do? What if you get a really bad job? What are your options? Can you not go?” I had so many questions but kept asking the “Are you sure it’s open general?” question.

I asked him if he still had to sign or if you could figure something else out, if he wouldn’t go. While I was only mildly serious, I was scared shitless. He told me he could not, not go. At this point he had done so much running around and research, began training, and was preparing himself mentally and physically for going. He told me that he thought he would regret his decision if he just didn’t go. I respect his decision and despite my fears and anxiety I would never be able to tell him no or hold him back. Eventually his regret would turn into anger and then would be shifted towards me and I too would regret holding him back from something he’s worked so hard to achieve. It seemed he really found his calling, he was excited and it was something he REALLY wanted to do.

The past two months we have been able to do a lot and I’m extremely grateful for the time we’ve had together (especially since I used to wish he would get a call saying he had 24/48 hours). I didn’t think I would like knowing he has X amount of days before he leaves and doing the whole countdown. Just in the month of October we went from boyfriend and girlfriend to being engaged and now married in a matter of 2 weeks. We had dated for 3 ½ years, we were engaged for 13 days, and as of October 21, 2010, I married my best friend. While it wasn’t my dream wedding, I married my prince. At first I was disappointed because I didn’t get the “excited, this is everything I ever dreamed for day”…but then when I sit back, I did get everything I have ever dreamed of just not put into one day, I got a best friend and the most amazing man I could ever imagine and I get to enjoy that for the rest of my life. We are tentatively planning a vow renewal and reception for June of 2011. While it’s somewhat difficult without knowing when Ryan’s technical school is and how long it will be for, we are still so very excited for it.

I’m scared of the future, the unknown and everything the military has to offer, my anxiety is often through the roof, AND I have been more emotional as time gets closer than I have in my entire life. I no longer take the small things for granted (laying down at night with him by my side, help with the dogs, and even the things that would normally annoy me I try to let slide), I squeeze a little tighter and kiss a little longer knowing Ry will soon be jumping on a plane and I won’t see him until graduation. With all those scary emotions, I am still proud Ryan took a step that so many will not, I am his biggest fan, I am excited to potentially travel and for all the other…benefits, and I am happy to say that I am [going] to be a “Milie”!

For any and all of you Milie’s, I’m always open for advice, suggestions and pick me ups. I am expecting my days to go by much slower beginning November 2^nd, but I have faith in our relationship and believe in our love.

Thank you, Mrs. Ma’am for allowing me to share my story and thank all of YOU for reading my story about why we chose the military. I hope you all will visit my blog or send me an e-mail just to say hi or even to give me any advice, suggestions, show your support OR even send a funny little joke. J   

Fun Game:

First off, I want to welcome my new readers. I have gotten so many emails and comments on new followers. Not all of you have a reply back email address listed, so I can not personally say 'hi! When you get a chance fill in your email address on your account, so when you leave comments, I can email you back!


I have not really updated you all on the last doctor's appointment. It was on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. All the doctor did was check the baby's heart rate, my weight, and ask lots of questions. Like always! Baby C is doing great, and everything is going good. I got an estimated week that we will have the gender ultrasound done, so I thought it would be fun to play a little game. We have 5 to 6 weeks until the gender ultrasound is done, so I wanted to start this now. 


I am sure most of you have heard of the game. It is the "Baby Pool." I will provide a link for the website and our game. For those of you that enter before our gender ultrasound and get the gender correct will have the opportunity to enter a special giveaway for only you. No outsiders will be allowed to enter. This is to make sure that no one tries to add in after the ultrasound. Unfortunately, it is not guaranteed that everyone will win, but since there is a 50/50 chance that everyone will get it right, I can not afford to give all the winners a gift (although I would love to!). So for the first game, be sure to go in and guess the gender. I will try and post this once a week for everyone to have the opportunity to make a guess. After you go and guess, (which you will also be able to guess the arrival date, weight, heighth, etc) be sure to leave a comment stating that you entered before my gender ultrasound. I will also try my best to keep track of it before the gender ultrasound to make sure there are no cheaters! 


Later on, after the ultrasound, you will be able to edit the other parts of the pool. You will be able to edit your pick throughout the pregnancy. When the pregnancy gets close to the end, I will host another giveaway for the winner that guesses the closest with the lenghth, weight, arrival date, sex, etc. 


I am sure a lot of you are going to ask me questions like 'how am I carrying', 'what do I think it is', 'what is the baby's heart rate', etc. etc. So I will try and fill you in the best I can at this point. Be on the look out for belly pictures, so you can decide if I am carrying high or low. 


The heart rate was at a 157 at the last appointment. It seems everyone keeps calling him/her a 'him'. My gut tells me it is a girl; however, in the beginning of the pregnancy, I had 2 or 3 dreams about finding out and it was a boy. I have no cravings (yet). I have gained 7 lbs up to now. I am 17 weeks pregnant. Be sure to check updated belly pictures for how you think I am carrying. If you have anymore questions that you would like answered before you put in your vote, post them and I will try and update information as time goes on. 





In case that handy dandy little graphic thing does not work, the URL is http://www.expectnet.com/games/BabyClementine.


I know there have been a lot of questions regarding the pregnancy, registries, and other baby related topics, so I will get back to you all with that information as soon as I can. 

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake:

I have been thinking about which recipe to post for the Fall season that involves pumpkin. Last year, I share my Pumpkin Bread recipe. It was a hit, so I will still definitely share it. But this year, I decided to try one of my friend's recipes that have been a tradition for her. 

It is the famous Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake. I am a part of this group of girls that like to host events and share recipes. Some I know personally because I was able to meet and others I do not know because I moved away before they joined in. One of the girls shared this recipe, and it is one I plan on trying before Thanksgiving, before Ireland. Since I have not tried it yet, I can not say how delicious it is. But what I can tell you is that it comes from a woman that has decided to create her own recipe book!

Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

Ingredients:
2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
6 tablespoons butter (melted)
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese (room temperature)
3 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions:
1. Mix the gingersnap cookie crumbs, sugar, ginger and butter and press into the bottom and up 1 inch along the sides of a 9 inch spring form pan.

2. Bake the crust in a preheated 350F oven for 5 minuters and set aside.

3. Cream the cream cheese.

4. Mix in the eggs one at a time followed by the sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla and then the spices.
5. Pour the mixture into the spring form pans.

6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until it is set, about 60-70 minutes.

7. Let it cool completely.

8. Chill the cheesecake in the fridge overnight.

If you try it, you must let me know how it is! 

We received our first piece of baby gear!!

We have not really had the time to shop around and make purchases for the baby since we found out we were pregnant due to Mr. Man's work schedule. However, people have been buying for us. Mostly little odds and ends here and there. But on Tuesday when we got back from Wales, we had several packages waiting on us. One of them was a gift from my Mawmaw. It was the car seat and stroller frame!! I was so excited when I saw it. I just about had a heart attack because I am such a planner and organizer, and all this busy-ness has been driving me insane. I have a hard time getting past the fact that we have done so little for the baby. We have bought one outfit for the baby, and that is about the extent of what we have done (other than rearranging and organizing the house). When I opened the box for the car seat and stroller frame, I was nothing but smiles. I was so very excited. I was so anxious and impatient to put it together, too. I just felt like it would make it seem more real. Poor Mr. Man was sleeping upstairs (because he's on nights), and I was downstairs putting it together - hammer and all. When he woke up, I had to show it to him. I made him push it around a little and play with it, too! We played with it until we figured out the easiest way to put the car seat on the frame and remove it. At first, it was hard for me, but I found a secret to make it easier. I was so proud and happy for that moment!

So after that, I was like, "Yay, we have the most important thing for the baby!" Mr. Man could tell I was so excited about it, so he told me he would get me a baby doll to use in it for the time being! Haha. He's hilarious!

But since I did want to make all of our big purchases before it got too close to the holidays and mail got crazy, I decided to order the bedroom furniture set. I am super duper excited to get that here. It will probably be a bit before we can put it together, but the comfort of having it purchased and in my home is such a relief. Just being able to walk by the room every morning and night and seeing the baby car seat and stroller frame is enough to make it seem so realistic for me.

So now, I am really starting to get excited. It has definitely sunk in, too.

My belly is definitely growing. I went from my stomach measuring 30-30.5 one week to being 31.5 this week! I know I am due to show the next 4 pictures, so as soon as I get them uploaded to the computer, I will share them. Mr. Man says I actually look pregnant now. I am definitely feeling the baby starting to move up in my stomach, too. It's pretty amazing. Last night, Mr. Man wanted to listen to the baby while we watched the football game. I laid down by him so he could listen. I pointed to where the baby was positioned because I knew he/she had moved up from where he/she was. Mr. Man's facial expression was priceless. It looked like he was in shock because he could hear the heart beat a whole lot better, and it sounded like the baby was very close. He was so amazed. He was shocked that I knew exactly where the baby was, too.

Yesterday for the first time I had 4 people rub my belly. So uncomfortable I must tell you, but thankfully most of them were people I am really good friends with. Only one person made me feel super uncomfortable about it, so I told her to ask before she touches. Just so I am prepared. I dread the day that strangers do it. I really do not like people touching my belly unless 1.) they ask or 2.) they are a good friend. Not to mention, I am only 17 weeks, which means I have a long time worth of this belly touching! Yikes!

For now, I am going to go lay on the couch and read. I am just waiting for Mr. Man to wake up, so we can take our pup for a walk.

Until next time..