-Grace hit the third month of life milestone (post to come SOON!)... and the cutest giggle this side of the Mississippi has come with it.  I look for ways to make her laugh because it will brighten even the darkest of days.

-Driving on to post and seeing an airborne unit doing jumps over the parade field.  Something I've never seen before in my 4 years of military wife life... definitely cool.

-Starting a book club with some local ladies.  Our first book is Heaven is for Real.. and I'm excited because we are going to go see the movie when we are done reading!

-Going to dinner at our favorite restaurant (Texas Roadhouse) with some great company.  We always have a great time when we go out with Eryn and Francis and Abby and Nick.  Always.

-Rob always has fun when we go out with said friends... maybe too much?  This last weekend resulted in this classic.. "Out of six billion women in the world, probably five billion want to be with me... but I choose to be with you."  That's why I keep him around.

-Planning out details and events for our trip home to Kansas in a little less than 3 weeks. I'm. So. Excited. It will be Grace's first trip home.  And the first time Rob will have gone back with me since we moved in the summer of 2012.


-Turning the air conditioner on for the first time this season... house starts at 81. Warms to 83.  Obviously something is wrong, as the a/c is supposed to COOL, not warm.  Luckily they were able to get out and get it fixed before any rain rolls into town.

-Having my washing machine go out at the end of Easter weekend.  It will not fill up... Rob has taken it apart to fix it.  We planned to get it back up and running (hopefully) this last weekend, but the only store in town that sells washing machine parts is open Monday through Friday until 5:30. No weekends.. so um, yeah.  Hopefully by the end of this week it will be up and running, cause Momma is hurting without her washer!

-Getting the wrong appointment time for Rob's wisdom teeth removal that was supposed to be on Monday.  Unfortunately he had to reschedule to June..

-The neighbors cutting down the trees that lined our shared property line.  I do not know why this has me so irrationally mad.  But she hired some podunk company to come out and do it.  The first night they were out from like dinnertime to 9 pm chainsawing.  Then they left a half cut down tree for several days.  Before coming back a second day in the middle of the day to finishing removing two trees (except the stump... they just covered those with pine needles..).  Then this evening at 8:30 pm we hear the chainsaw AGAIN.  This time they were cutting branches down out of a third tree.  I'm so mad.

And that my friends is basically the last week and a half in a nutshell.  I'm very excited to usher in the month of May.  There are so many much anticipated things on the calendar...

If I had to use one word to sum up the last week and a half... CRAZY  would hit the nail on the head. Highs. -Grace hit the third mo...

Good news friends... my AMAZING husband fixed the desktop.  Praise the Lord!  He was also able to recover everything off of the crashed hard drive.  So we are back up and running and will be getting back to a regular posting schedule here in the next week.

In the meantime... what have we been up to?

My sweet family!

We hosted a Baby, Bows, Beer and Burgers party last weekend for our local friends.  All of our closest friends showed up and I do believe everyone had a great time.  Grace slept much of Sunday as she recovered from the excitement.  But girlfriend never complains about being held.  Ever.  It is great to know that we have some awesome friends in the area... especially as a military family.

The very next day was Piston's 4th birthday!  Four?!  He was born just a few days after we got married and we brought him home with us in June of that year.  Just one day after I moved from Kansas to Maryland.  He has been with us every step of the way.  I wouldn't trade him for the world.  Hands down Piston is the best dog ever.  He is easy going and a lover.  A crazy pain in the arse when it comes to visitors... but just way too excited. He's been good with Grace and I literally couldn't ask for anything more.  Happy birthday again baby boy!

Some of the decorations and presents from the BBB&B party. Shout out to Rachel for the awesome frame.  RachJam Decor is where you can find your own!

Grace and I spent a day last week shopping with Abby.  Our goal?  To find ball dresses.  The company has scheduled ANOTHER ball.  Third times the charm?  (Last year they scheduled the ball for two different dates and ended up cancelling both.)  The dress I bought for the last scheduled date is a bit big now as I bought it while pregnant.  I'm keeping it though because I wouldn't be surprised if someday I have to attend a ball while pregnant.  The pickings were slim (if you are a military spouse... check and see if you have a Ross local... $30 price range for formal gowns!) but I did find one dress that I brought home.  After showing it to Rob, I think we have both decided to keep looking.  I still have a month.  So wish me luck!

The baby and I have also spent many days in the last month out to lunch with friends.  One of the ladies I met at Fort Meade just PCS'd here a few moths ago.  It has been AWESOME having Rachel local again.  So among lunch with her, we've had spouse club gatherings, and more.  We've been busy.  Good busy.

On his birthday!

On Friday we had a little scare when Piston ate a wasp (we think).  I was nursing the baby and Piston would not stop running around the house itching his face.  Luckily Rob came home and was able to help.  We got him a benadryl and gave him some ear lotion thinking it was just his seasonal allergies.  Then we noticed his face was swelling.  Popped another benadryl and put him on a leash so he couldn't itch anymore.  The swelling went away EXCEPT where he got stung on the side of his face.  Poor baby.  He scared Momma, that's for sure.  Here's to hoping he learned his lesson!

Finally... how about this weather?  The past week has been high 70s-high 80s.  With low to no humidity.  I wish I could find somewhere where it was like this all of the time with no humidity (I don't do humidity.  Period.)... but I've yet to find that one illusive place.  We have rain approaching today.  But I'm okay with it as we spent a huge chunk of the day yesterday outside soaking up the weather.

My sweet babies.

And just to give you a sneak peak of what is in the works:
-2 month baby post!
-Nursery reveal!
-And more!

Good news friends... my AMAZING husband fixed the desktop.  Praise the Lord!  He was also able to recover everything off of the crashed hard...

The blog went silent there for a moment.  Which definitely coincides with my desktop going down in a fiery ball of crap.  I'm still bitter and hoping all my files can be recovered.  But to make a long story short... remember that ice storm last month?  Our power went out.  In the process of that I am pretty sure our surge protector on the desktop went south.  While Rob's grandparents were here earlier this month the breaker went out and after calling the electricians out they discovered said bad surge protector.  Well three surge protectors later my desktop will not boot.  Turns on, but doesn't boot.  Soooooo... now I'm waiting for the hubs to get a chance to look at it.  Otherwise we take it to a shop and then submit a renters insurance claim.

Blah, blah, blah.  Basically I'm without my beloved desktop.  So I have pictures waiting to be edited, no software to edit and nothing cute to add to this post.  Again, hello bitterness.

As a result I've been avoiding updating because I really wanted my next post to be a nursery reveal.  But nooooooo... guess where those pictures are!

Okay. So now you know.  Hopefully I will be back to picture editing and overall less bitter ASAP!

The blog went silent there for a moment.  Which definitely coincides with my desktop going down in a fiery ball of crap .  I'm still bit...

It is 2 am... the baby is asleep.  The husband is asleep.  And the dog is asleep.  Me?  I'm awake.  All I have been thinking about for a week now is blogging.. and how I need to hop on here and write.  But truth be told, there isn't anything to write about that hasn't already graced the blog since the first of the year.

So just a short update...

Last week we were lucky enough to get to have more family come and visit.  Rob has the best grandparents ever and since all mine are angels now... I am so thankful for these two.  They came and stayed with us from Tuesday to Saturday morning.  Grace enjoyed it.  Grammy enjoyed it.  Grandpapi enjoyed it.  Mommy enjoyed the extra hands.  And even though he had to work, I am fairly certain Rob enjoyed it too.

One thing I've learned since welcoming our first child... you truly find out who is there for you and cares about you.  Even this week, almost six weeks after Grace arrived, we are still receiving surprise packages and cards from family and friends across the country.  I still get texts from friends and family asking how we are doing.  We still have family planning to come see us later this year.  There is so much love for this child, and I love knowing that she not only brings joy to us, her parents, but to countless other people as well.. many who have not even met her yet.  We have had so many people go out of their way for us (visiting in snow storms, bringing us a hot meal, helping us gather our things to leave the hospital.. etc.) in this short less than 2 month time period, and I will be forever grateful.

I've said that before, I know.  But sometimes the love and thoughtfulness of others truly catches you off guard when you are least expecting it.

In other news, we've found our groove.  Or at least I'd like to hope it's a groove at least.  The witching hour has moved to about 10 pm to 1/1:30, depending on the night.  Way more manageable.  The screaming has died out some.  I've learned her cues, which makes things so much easier.  She's awake more, which is fun to say the least.  Nothing compares to the sweet smiles and coos that she is endlessly pouring out.  We are blessed with this one, I will say that.

This week we've even been busy while Rob is at work.  Running errands, just the two of us, going to lunch with ladies from the area, attending board meetings for the spouses club again... it feels good.  It feels good to get out of the house.  Yes, I have a baby, no, I will not use that as an excuse to stay home.  I can't.  If I do, I will wallow.  (I don't think I have ever mentioned it, but I am terrified of post partum depression.  The whole being away from the majority of my support system aspect, mixed with the fact that Rob for the most part gets to do things much the same as he did pre-baby... makes that whole ppd thing a serious concern.. so I keep myself busy, I stay happy, everyone wins.  Especially me!)  Regardless, I'm enjoying the routine of having things to do.  And having a beautiful baby to share it all with makes it extra enjoyable.

Otherwise I have many things I want to do (new blog design, re-doing our master bedroom ((it needs to become an oasis.... and not just the place we sleep and sometimes hang out)), finishing the last few things in the nursery, finally printing and addressing baby announcements) but I have no idea of when these many things will get done.  You know what.. I'm learning to be okay with that.  As long as there is time to cook my family dinner at night, throw a load of laundry in to keep up with the blow outs and spit up, pick up the house before bed... bigger projects can, and will, wait.

Besides, nothing is as fun as cuddling my girl and being on the receiving end of that toothless grin.

Until next time (who knows when that will be)...

It is 2 am... the baby is asleep.  The husband is asleep.  And the dog is asleep.  Me?  I'm awake.  All I have been thinking about for a...

For lack of better blogging ideas.. I'm using the prompts from A Mama Collective after seeing them over on Chambanachik's blog.


So. Currently->

Thinking about: How lucky/blessed/grateful I am for my life, my husband, my baby, my dog.  My parents, my sister, my in-laws, my best friends.  Sometimes it takes a huge life event to help you realize just how fortunate you are.. but dang'nabit... life is so precious and I am so fortunate to be where I am, even if I'm sleepless and still a bit sore.

Reading: Other than blogs, not a whole lot lately.  Hopefully I get back into my groove after the husband goes back to work, but right now?  Right now I'm still learning and mastering this whole being a mama deal.  It takes time, and I'm okay with that.

Listening to: The TV.  The dog snore across my lap.  My husband play Flappy Birds (so. freaking. annoying.).  The baby breathe sweetly in her sleep next to me.  The heater go.  And the keys click as I type out some extra energy for this here post.

Watching: At this very moment?  Intelligence.  Other things on my DVR? The Following, NCIS, NCISLA, Criminal Minds, Real Housewives of Atlanta, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules, Party Down South, Welcome to Myrtle Manor, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, Duck Dynasty... yeah, we watch a lot of TV.  Which has been just fine because all we've done lately is watch TV when we aren't entertaining family.  Judge me.. it's okay.

Thankful for: this baby.  I'm thankful every single day for the precious little bundle God blessed Rob, Piston and I with.  She is the splitting image of her dad, with her momma's attitude and the sweetest little personality ever.  It is so cliche.. but the amount of love I have for her is absurd.. I didn't even know it was possible to love someone as much as I do this little girl.  And she's only been here for 2 weeks!!

We are in the recovery phase from the second wave of family here to visit the baby.  Rob's parents left this morning to head back to Missouri after visiting with us for five days.  It was a very busy five days showing them around the area and even roadtripping to the beach for a day trip.  Needless to say we spent the whole day laying around and I can't say that tomorrow will not be the same.  

For lack of better blogging ideas.. I'm using the prompts from A Mama Collective after seeing them over on Chambanachik 's blog. ...

We've been busy.  Like legit busy.  A few weeks ago I was all "man there is nothing to do...""look at my empty dvr...""my back feels fantastic...".  And then last week hit like a giant wave rocking the largest of boats.

So what have we been doing?

-Exchanging our F150 for an F250.  Then hanging out under the hood like there's nowhere else we'd rather be.  [Actually, I just stand next to it and watch Rob hang out.]
-Cleaning tons of greased covered clothing as a result of above.
-Enjoying 30 degree nights at the demolition derby.
-Enjoying 80 plus degree days in the middle of November.
-Sending prayers and well wishes to the midwest after Sunday's weather.
-Skipping to and from wayy too many doctors appointments on post.  Gestational diabetes tests, nutrition consultations, learning how to take my sugars, actual see-our-baby appointments and then there's the waiting in the pharmacy "appointments".
-Coping with the "I-have-gestational-diabetes" fact.
-Learning to deal with and moving on from the above.
-Eating better and walking more.
-Attending the monthly board meeting and luncheon for the spouse's club.
-Working on the nursery.
-Running into problems in the nursery [more on that in a later post...]
-Making to do lists.
-Planning game nights for said spouse's club.
-Waiting for the Fedex truck, UPS truck and mailman like he's Santa himself.
-Opening our baby shower presents [more on that in a later post...]
-Cleaning like a mad woman.
-Sending out the holiday card exchange list... [did you get yours?!]

And oh yeah, growing a baby.  Hard work y'all.  So between my ten thousand doctors appointments and everything else going on... I crawl into bed at night with a sore back and a kicking baby.  Together we snooze right through the late morning hours [as long as there are no early morning commitments of course] and start the routine all over again.

But ya know what.. I'm okay with that.

Source.

We've been busy.  Like legit busy.  A few weeks ago I was all "man there is nothing to do...""look at my empty dvr......

As per the norm, I've got a bunch of thoughts floating through my head.  When I go to scatter them on paper... they magically just flicker away to a single line or word.  Funny how that happens.

So today?  Today you get the entire mash up.  Whether it makes sense or not.

I love seeing pictures on my feed of new babies.  Especially when the happy (but tired) mother is an old friend from high school.

Halloween is tomorrow... but all I can think of is Thanksgiving.  Why?  Because we are headed to Tampa to spend the holiday with our grandparents.  (AND a very special blogger friend of mine is going to take some maternity pictures for me.  Hi, Rachel!)

Oh yeah. Halloween is tomorrow.  My husband is a sneaky sneak who somehow got out of picking out pumpkins this year!  Again.. But never fear we dropped $25 on candy.  Although we secretly hope all children stay far far away.  More for us...

I've been told by about three people to quit stressing that baby G's room is filled with non-baby related crap.  OBVIOUSLY these people forgot who they were talking to.  Quit stressing? Me? HA!

Husband is knee deep in preparing a packet to hopefully get selected for Warrant Officer school after the first of the year.  So any good thoughts you've got to spare.. send them our way because that's kind of a huge deal!

I'm excited, yet not that the holidays are upon us.  The holiday season always goes so so fast.  Which is not good when a little peanut is expected the very next month.  I'm not sure I am all that ready for Rob, Amanda and baby.  I need more time to prepare.... seriously.

I have never gotten the flu shot.  So I'm making my husband go with me to get it since this whole being pregnant thing kind of requires it.  It's not that I am afraid of shots.... just... I can't even describe it.

It warmed back up here in Augusta, Georgia.  Which is pretty standard.  It gets cold at night, warm during the day.  AKA perfect-oh.

The laundry in this house never never never gets caught up, like ever.

My absolute favorite part of this time of year?  Festivals [because in Georgia.. they have them in October] and rodeos.  Oh and pumpkin scented candles of course.

I just sent out a whole slew of e-mails for the spouse's club.  I do all of my work pretty much on one day.  So sorry, not sorry?!

And now that I got all of THAT off my chest...
I hope you have a very safe holiday and eat tons of chocolate.
[Cause diets should absolutely be ignored on this day.]

"I breathe in, I breathe out." -Craig Morgan As per the norm, I've got a bunch of thoughts floating through my head.  Whe...

The REAL reason (or I guess I should say an additional reason) why I've been away from my blog is a little, big, scary, exciting thing.


Our little family is expanding.  At the end of January it will be Rob, Amanda, Piston, Klutch and baby.

So far I haven't had energy or motivation to blog... so please excuse me if I am rather vacant for the next 6 to 7 months.  I WANT to blog and I miss you all... but sometimes it is way easier said than done.

The REAL reason (or I guess I should say an additional reason) why I've been away from my blog is a little, big, scary, exciting thing. ...