Thursday, July 31, 2008

My Little Chunker!



Yesterday we took Adalie to her 2 month check up. She now weighs 9 lbs 10 oz!!! She has almost doubled in size. Dr. Sykes says she is starting to catch up to the expected growth chart and is now in the 12th percentile for weight, a month ago she was in the 3rd.


I am also VERY happy to report that since we have been home from NYC Adalie has slept 7 hours or more for 3 consecutive nights and all in her crib!!! Woo hooo, I am a different person now that I am getting 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I am a better wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend when I don't feel like a zombie.


James and I have moved up to the main floor guest room now that Adalie is sleeping in her nursery. Niether one of us felt comfortable being seperated from her by a whole floor. The room we are now occupying has a queen size bed in it and is sans TV.


At first I was not happy about going from a king size to a queen and doing with out television at night before bed BUT it actually has been nice! Now that we are in the queen with less room between us and Adalie FINALLY out of our bed it provides a more conducive atmosphere for cuddle time :)


Without a television in the bedroom James and I are reading more, James is reading "The Shack" and I am reading "A Marriage Without Regrets" for my bible study. We also are talking more instead of zoning out to our usually news program, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360.


Sorry Anderson, we don't mean to neglect you but our marriage is more important. I think I agree with my friend Claire who told me months ago that a TV in the bedroom is not a good idea. Any one else want to take the no TV in the bedroom challenge? It just might be easier then you think.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

NYC Part II






NYC Part I






Here are some pictures from our latest adventure to NYC! We went with my Dad's side of the family to celebrate our Grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. We had a blast, Adalie is so easy to travel with right now. She slept through almost the whole thing which gave us the freedom to enjoy the sites in the city.


A glimpse of my life.

My cousin Michelle posted this poem on her blog and I am "borrowing" it from her to share with you all. It really is a great description of my current life as a military wife. The good and the bad.

A Brief Description of a Military Wife"

What is a MILITARY Wife?

A Military wife can be tough to describe.
She is a southern belle,
a Northeastern Mets fan,
a California 3rd generation recycler,
a Pacific Islander.

She is short or tall
A tomboy
A fashion diva
A physician's assistant
A Republican
A Democrat

A Military Wife is a career gal
A home-schooler
A scrap-booker
An accomplished cellist
An auto mechanic

What IS a Military Wife?
WHAT is a Military Wife?
What is a MILITARY Wife?

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique
But this they have in common.

They have THIS IN COMMON!
Lots of moving---Moving Moving
Moving far from home
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER of Course
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house
Moving curtains that won't fit
Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours
Moving away from friends moving toward 20 new friends
Moving her most important luggage; her trunkful of memories

Often waiting-Waiting, waiting,
waiting for housing;
waiting for orders;
waiting For deployment;
waiting for reunion;
waiting for phones calls;
Waiting for the new curtains to arrive;
waiting for him to come home for dinner----AGAIN!

They call her "military dependent", but she knows better
She can balance a checkbook
Handle the yard work
Fix a noisy toilet.
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes,
sell a house,
buy a car,
or set up a move, ----all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
Reinvents her career with every PCS;
locates a house in the desert,
The arctic,or the deep south and learns to call them all "home".
She MAKES them all home.
She is fiercely IN-dependent

Military Wives are somewhat hasty
They leap into decorating,
leadership,
volunteering,
career Alternatives,
churches
and friendships.

They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.
They connect over coffee,
rely on the spouse-network
and accept offers of friendship and favors
and record addresses in pencil.

Military Wives have a common bond.
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands
his commitment Is unique
He doesn't have a job,
he has a "mission"he can't just Decide to quit
he's on-call for his country 24/7
but for you,he's The most Unreliable guy in town!

His language is foreign
TDY
PCS
OPR
ACC
BDU
And so,
a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed
the glue that holds them together.

Military Wife has her moments----
She wants to wring his neck,
dye his uniform pink,
and refuse to move to Siberia.

But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days,
a travel brochure,
a long hot bath,
a pledge to the flag,
and a wedding picture.

And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.
Why? What for? How come?

You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man
Who puts duty first
Who longs to deploy
Who salutes the flag
And whose boots in the doorway remind her

That as long as he is her Military husband,
She will remain his Military wife.

Introducing Samuel John Grebs!







Our dear friends and neighbors, Tim and Celia Grebs delivered a beautiful and healthy baby boy on July 25th. He weighs 7 lbs. 3 oz. and is 19.5 inches long. We are so excited for him to have finally arrived, he was 2 days late! Please pray for a smooth transition to parenthood for Tim and Celia. As you first time parents know this is not always an easy adjustment between countless feedings and the crying outbursts of a newborn. Praise God for this new little life!

Friday, July 11, 2008

Adalie First Photo Shoot





Here are a few of the AMAZING photographs that my dear friend Caroline Johnson captured of Adalie and I. We had such a wonderful time visiting with her and her 4 year old daughter Riley in Gainesville over the last few days. She is such a special person to know personally and work with. If you are interested in getting a photographer for any event or momentous life occasion, Caroline is your girl. Check out her blog www.lifewithcaroline.com Thanks Caroline for an awesome session and visit. Your generosity and kindness are astounding. We love you and Riley so much :)

Meghan

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More Model Shots!!






Here are a few more shots from Lily's shoot with Caroline. Make sure you scroll down and see them all. There were so many good ones I had to post twice.

Meghan

My Little Sis THE MODEL!






Yesterday was AMAZING we went to Gainesville to meet up with my phenomenal wedding photographer Caroline Johnson. She welcomed us in to her home on Tuesday night with a little wine and fun conversation. The next day we got up for Lily's fashion shoot, the stylist came over to help her with hair and makeup, we all put in our two cents in on her clothing and accessory choices. Then we were off with Caroline as she took us around Gainesville to some of the most awesome locations I have ever seen! Lily is a true natural in front of the camera, I was fascinated to see her working it. Caroline was so much fun to work with she captured every side of Lily. Here are just a few of the amazing shots that were captured.......

Thursday, July 3, 2008

I AM IN LOVE!!




Lily, Grandma, Adalie and I were taking a walk today in my Mom's neighborhood and spotted THE CUTEST DOG EVER, after Jack of course :) His name was Tigger a Wheaton Terrier. He came bounding up to us after his owner gave him permission to leave the driveway. He was the sweetest thing and SO SOFT. The owner said the Wheaton breed grows hair not fur and does not shed a bit. I looked up a description of the breed and it sounds like a wonderful pet to have.

James and I have talked about getting another dog in a few years when we have a bigger yard and Adalie is a little older. I think I have found our next family member THE WHEATON TERRIER!! I better see if James approves.......

~ Meghan