So, I had a Baby...

It has been a while since I put anything on the blog, but mostly because I have been otherwise engaged.

On December 10 we welcomed our beautiful daughter Hazel into the world!

She was 8lbs 13oz of squishy baby love!

I was scheduled for a c-section on Dec 14 because she was measuring so big at my 36 week ultrasound, but when I woke up on the 10th, my water broke!

Of course, after it broke I showered, went to a cookie sale at the church down the block, had lunch with my mom and finished a few sewing projects! By 2 in the afternoon my mom was a nervous wreck and insisted I call the doctor. I'm not sure why I was so hesitant to call, except that I was afraid they would tell me I had peed my pants and it wasn't my water breaking!

I call my husband, who was at work, and told him I was going in to get checked out. He too thought it was a false alarm so he stayed at work.

When I got to labor and delivery the nurse explained that she was going to do a litmus test, but that they are more often than not unreliable. She said if it was negative, which they usually are, she was going to do a different test. She did the litmus test and was shocked by how definitely positive it was!

I called my husband at work to tell him it was "baby time" and he panicked! He got to the hospital in record time and was a babbling and pacing mess. I had to yell at him to sit down and shut up because he was making me nervous!

I was informed that the c-section would take place at 5pm that evening so we just had to wait.

At 5pm I walked into the operating room and by 5:19 we had a baby!

We didn't find out what we were having and it was absolutely the greatest feeling ever when the doctor held her up and said, "It's a girl!"

I was in the hospital for 3 days before we headed home. I LOVE our hospital, but I was so ready to be back in my own home.

Since then we have a lot of family visiting (glad that's over!) and we have been having a lot of fun!

Hazel is 6 weeks old today!

30 Days of Being Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to all!! Today I am thankful for a lot of things! A lot of my friends were posting 1 thing a day that they were thankful for, but instead I made one big list. I of course am thankful for so much, but here are a few things that I thought of!

* My husband - He is my everything and my best friend. I am so thankful that he is part of my life and that we have the relationship that we have.

* Baby Squirrel - Even though the baby hasn't made it's appearance yet I am so in love and thankful for this baby. After a lot of trying and heart break, we have a beautiful baby on the way who I can't wait to meet!

* My Family - I have a wonderful, loving and supportive family. They may be a little crazy and drive me nuts at times, but they are mine and I am so thankful for them

* My grandpa - He is no longer with us, but I am thankful for him every single day. He was an amazing man. He taught me so much. I can feel him with me every day, and I truly believe he had a part in me being pregnant with baby squirrel. I am not sure how to fully put into words how thankful I am to have had my Pap in my life.

* Our home - It may be falling apart in places and it is a work in progress, but we have a roof over our heads and a place we call home. There are so many people who don't have something that I take for granted sometimes, and I am truly am grateful that I have a home.

* My friends - I have made a lot of amazing friends over the years and I am thankful for each and every one of them. I don't live near most of them any more, but I love chatting with them when I can. Even from 1,000+ miles away my friends bring a smile to my face and I don't know what I would do with out them.

* The Marine Corps - The Marine Corps never makes life simple and they have taken my husband away from for more time than I care to count, but I can't imagine our life any differently. It is a way of life that is not for everyone, but I am thankful for all the Marines have done for us and all things that have come from our experiences.

* To have my husband stateside - I am so thankful to have my wonderful husband home. He is in the US, in the same state and same city as me AND he comes home every night!

* Our military family - When you are part of the military, you are frequently far away from your family, but the other military families become your second family. I am lucky enough to have my mom in town, but I still have my military family too. They are people who understand the life and what you are going through.

* For being pregnant - I am thankful that I am pregnant during the holidays because that means I get to eat whatever I want and no one can say a word!

* My pregnancy pillow - Seriously! Without it, there would be no hope of getting any sleep at night these days!

* The local YMCA - I have been taking a prenatal swim class and I am so thankful for my 45min twice a week that I get to get in the pool and get the weight of the baby out of my pelvis!

* Music -"Music Washes away from the soul, the everyday dust of life." enough said...

* Everything my husband does - He works 12+ hours a day 6 days a week and he still finds time to get things done around the house to help me out. I'd be lost with out him.

* Food in the cupboards - I have a kitchen full of food. This time of year it becomes more apparent that many people don't have enough food to go around. I am thankful that we have plenty of food to go around.

* My husband - because even after a long day he calls to see what I need him to pick up and he goes out of his way to make me smile.

* My husband - because he looks damn good in a uniform!

* The way my family celebrates thanksgiving - for as long as I can remember we always invited people who didn't have anywhere else to go. No one should spend thanksgiving alone and no one should eat take out on thanksgiving! Since my husband and I have been married we have kept this up and always invite those that may be alone. It doesn't matter if we have 5 or 35 people around the table already...there is always room for one more.

* My mom - I am so thankful to have her live close again and I am constantly thankful for all that she does for us

* Cell phones - because without them I would lose touch with the world and wouldn't be able to catch up with friends and family.

* My in-laws - because even though I complain about them sometimes and get frustrated, they really are great people and they always come through for us in the end!

* Modern technology - because I got to see my baby's sweet chubby face today! I am so in love with my little (or not so little) butterball!! I can't wait to meet him or her!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy your family and friends and don't forget to be thankful for all that you have!

Making New Friends

Friendship is a funny thing when you are an adult.

I have found that the older I get, the harder it is to make friends.

As a kid, and even a teenager, you are at the same place in you life as most of your peers, but as you get older that changes.

I got married pretty young, which instantly put me in a different place than my friends. While I was going to school full time, working 2-3 jobs and coming home to my husband every night, they were full time students who had part time jobs and partied full time. I tried so hard to stay in touch with my friends, but they were quick to write me off, because I lived a "boring" life in comparison to their party filled lives.

In the years between being written off by long time childhood friends and today I have made a small handful of friends whom I love very much. the problem is that we don't live in the same cities anymore. Hell, we don't even live in the same time zones!

A year ago, we moved to a new city. I have been trying since we got here to make some friends, but as an adult this has been no easy task.

I have found that most people my age are just in a different place in their lives and have no interest in a married gal with a baby on the way. Then there are the people who have kids, but aren't interested in being friends because I don't technically have a kid yet. My favorite though, are the people that have all of their friends and don't seem to be interested in making any new ones.

Two of the guys that my husband works with have wives close to my age. I was friendly with both of them and we hung out from time to time, but once they met each other I ceased to exist. They both have kids so they hang out all the time. They have no problem calling me when they need a baby sitter, but when it comes to doing something fun I am not invited.

Maybe they think I wouldn't be interested, but really I just want friends and I would love to hang out.

Why does it have to matter if I have kids or if I am married or what I do for a living? Why can't it be like when we were 7?

I am so sick of trying to maintain and/or build new friendships when the other person doesn't give a shit. I am done helping other people, when they never reciprocate. I am sick of being forgotten by people. Mostly, I am sick of being used by other people. All I want is a friend. A friend to get together with, someone to talk to, someone who doesn't just want to use me.

Making friends as an adult SUCKS!!

Gender Predictions

I blogged a few weeks ago about the gender predictions I have been doing. This week marks single digit weeks until Baby Squirrel makes it's appearance and I couldn't be more excited!

I decided to recap the gender predictions on this blog because in a few more weeks I am going to start a pool for people to guess Baby Squirrels gender and stats and the winner will get a gift from the babe!

Gender Predictions:

Chinese Gender Chart - BOY
 The chart tells you if it is a boy or girl based on your age, the year and when you concieved
Ring Test - BOY
 A wedding ring tied to a string will swing in circles when held over your belly if you are having a boy and back and forth if you are having a girl
Intelligender - BOY (I have PCOS, so of course it said boy!)
 A kit you buy at the drug store. You pee on some powder and see what color it turns, but it says right on the box it is not meant for people with PCOS...
Color of Pee - GIRL
 If your pee is a bright yellow you are having a boy and if it is a dull yellow you are having a girl
Moms Skin - BOY
 If mom has acne during pregnancy it is a girl and clear, glowing skin means boy
Ask a 5 Year Old - BOY
 5 year olds are very intuitive and they will tell you if it is a boy or girl
Toddler Boys - BOY
 If a toddler boy shows interest in an expectant mom she is having a girl, if the toddler boy shows no interest then she is having a boy
Clumsiness - BOY
 If a mom to be is extra clumsy she is having a boy, but if she is more graceful, she is having a girl
Needle Test - GIRL
 This is a complicated one that my mom did...she held a needle over my belly and asked questions. The needle moved according to the answer to each question. (I can explain better another day)
Boiled Cabbage - BOY
 Boil cabbage then add equal parts cabbage water and urine. If the liquid turns purple it's a girl and red it is a boy
Leg Hair - BOY
 If a mom to be has leg hair that grows like crazy it is a boy, if the hair is normal then it is a girl

Cravings - GIRL
 If you are craving salty things you are having a boy and sweet cravings means a girl
Sleeping Side - GIRL
 If you are more comfortable on your left side it signifies a boy and more comfortable on your right side signifies a girl
Dad's Weight Gain - GIRL
 If the dad to be gains weight you are having a girl and if he loses weight or stays the same, you are having a boy. In my husbands defense...he recently quit smoking (GO HIM!!) which could be the reason for the weight gain!

I have done 14 gender tests, 5 have said I'm having a GIRL and 9 have said I am having a BOY.

Right now the odds are saying it is a boy, but we will know for sure in 9 weeks!! I am so excited and I can't wait to meet my little squirrel! :)

Military Spouse Friday Fill-in

Fridays are Military spouse Friday fill-in days over at Wife of a Sailors Blog. It is a fun way to get to know other military spouses and learn about each other each week.

Here is this weeks Friday Fill-in:

1. I always feel like I’m     84      years old, but in reality, I’m far younger than that.

I am to the point in my pregnancy where I am getting very uncomfortable and it is difficult to move. Sometimes it takes me 5 minutes just to get off the couch!


2. I wish my family understood better when I tell them I am allergic to dogs.  
I am severely allergic to dogs and my in-laws just DON'T get it! When we go to their house they refuse to put the dogs outside or in the basement. My husband will put them in the basement and then EVERYONE goes down to be with them because they are lonely...leaving me upstairs...ALONE! I was there a few weeks ago and they let their 100+lb jump up and shove his paws into my pregnant belly. The dogs can't b left outside or in the basement, but it's ok for me to have to go sit on the front porch in the snow so that I can catch my breath and stop wheezing. It's not like they are small dogs either. They have a 100+lb golden with TONS of fur and a 50ish lb pit/lab mix. SO damn frustrating!

3. If you saw me when I feel like getting pretty , you’d think I was a total girly-girl, but if you saw me any other day , you’d think I was a tomboy through-and-through. 
I do love to get dressed up. I love a cute pair of heels, a pretty dress and make-up! I love to feel pretty and sexy, I just don't take the time to do it very often. I am a billion years pregnant and if I put make-up on I just sweat it off in about 3.2 minutes. And seriously...lets not even talk about trying to fit my giant swollen ankles into a cute pair of heels!

4. I feel like I’m in a totally different universe when I'm with military families vs civilian families.  
I have a lot of military friends and I have a lot of civilian friends. I absolutely adore all of them for their own reasons. The military world is just so different than the civilian world. A milspouse friend of mine posted this on Facebook yesterday and it kind of explains the difference:

Civilian wives will get angry and snotty if your child is misbehaving, military wives will come outside yell at your kid and then let you know they did it

Civilian wives will tell a neighbor child to go home when dinner is ready, military wives expect that all children in their home will be eating with them

Civilian wives get angry if their husband is late and doesn’t call, military wives are ...grateful if they get a call this week
...
Civilian wives expect their casserole dish to be returned, military wives aren’t exactly sure who owns what

Civilian wives think men look good in uniforms, military wives think one man looks good in a uniform

Civilian wives get excited when the doorbell rings, military wives don’t

Civilian wives ask their friends if they can help, military wives don’t give their friends the option

Civilian wives get annoyed when plans change, military wives are surprised when they don’t

Civilian wives ask if their child can come play, military wives call and say “Hey is my kid over there?”

Civilian wives get angry when they trip over their husbands shoes, military wives would do anything to have to pick up their husbands boots

Civilian Wives hate their husbands’ stinky shirts, military wives snuggle up to them at night.

 I don't agree with all the statements, but some of them are so true. And, for the record, I truly love all my friends the same. I don't value military friends over civilian friends or vice versa. I value my friends for who they are and the different relationships that we have!!

5. In honor of this being MFF #60… 60 months ago  (exactly 5 years ago, so September 30, 2006) I lived in a duplex in San Diego, CA with a roommate and my life was totally different because of SO many reasons.
It was my freshman year of college and I was living with a milspouse. I was not married, but I was engaged to my husband. My fiance and the roommates husband were deployed to Japan. I was a full time student, working 40hrs a week and partying like it was my job. I was living off of $20 a week for food and struggling to make the bills, but I was too proud to ask for help. It was a time in my life where I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of and I learned so much about life and the world. I would never trade that time of my life for anything! Plus, I truly feel like that deployment helped my relationship with my husband (fiance at the time) grow! 

Gender Predictions

SO...I have a super secret (not really) blog with baby stuff on it. I have been doing gender predictions to find out what Baby Squirrel is going to be. My lovely husband and I have decided not to find out the sex of our baby so I have been having fun with the old wives tales trying to guess what the baby will be. I posted another one today, so I thought I would share it here.

Yesterday I was 28 weeks pregnant!

That means I have officially entered my 3rd trimester!

This is getting real now! Just 12 short weeks from now I will be meeting my sweet little baby!

This week I am going to tackle the old wives tale about cravings.

A friend of mine from culinary school told me about this old wives tale yesterday, so I decided to share it here. According to this tale if the mother to be is craving sweet snacks she is going to have a girl. If the mother to be is craving salty snacks she is going to have a boy.

Courtesy of Google Images

My food cravings have been fairly regular throughout this whole pregnancy. Early on when I was nauseous ALL the time, all I could eat was cinnamon raisin bagels with peanut butter. From about week 12 on I have craved orange juice and mashed potatoes. The last 3 weeks ALL I have wanted is a yellow cake cupcake with chocolate frosting!! (In fact, I am still dreaming of that damn cupcake!)

Courtesy of Google Images

All of those foods are sweets...well, except the mashed potatoes. But, for the most part I have craved sweets, which means that I am having...A GIRL!!

That brings our totals now to:

Boy: 9 - 75%

Girl: 3 - 25%

Worry and Panic

Panic has started to set in.

I am 26 weeks and 5 days pregnant and I have started to panic.

I have been panicing about everything!

Early in this pregnancy we decided to forgo the testing for downs syndrom and other chromosomal abnormalities. It was not covered by our insurance and for other various personal reasons we decided not to go down that road.

While I am still certain that we made the right choice, I have started to panic thinking that something is going to wrong with my baby. I feel like if something is wrong, it is all my fault and somehow by not having that test I have hurt my baby. (*If you want to judge me for not having the test, be my guest, but please keep it to yourself!)

I worry, all day long, that I am not going to be a good mom. What if my kid doesn't like me? What if I am just a crappy mom? Am I going to ruin my child's life?

I want to have a relationship with my child like I have with my mom. My dad and I don't really have a great relationship. I was always trying to please him and I was never good enough. I don't ever want my child to feel that way...EVER! I worry my child will feel that way about me though.

I have 13 weeks to go, but we have so much to do around our house. I worry that it won't get done. I worry that we will have to bring the baby home to a crappy house that is a nightmare for a baby because of all the unfinished projects laying around.

Basically, in a nut shell...I am a nut! I am panicking about the little things and worry about things I have no control over.

I need to get my overly emotional self together and relax. All this stress can't be good for the baby! (One more thing to add my list of things to worry about!)