20 Weeks!

Somehow, we are halfway through this pregnancy! I can’t figure out how that’s possible, but here we are.

Outside of my belly feeling twice as big twice as fast (please see below), everything is very much comparable to my pregnancy with Jackson. I feel great, am sleeping like the dead, and have very few symptoms. I can feel this baby moving all the time now, and I think it’s only a matter of days before Tyler (and other friendly hands) can feel movement too.

I’m so thankful for an easy and event-free pregnancy thus far, and am so looking forward to holding this little (or maybe large?) nugget in my arms.

We’ve begun work on the nursery, which includes removing the wallpaper border from the walls. One down, three to go. You guys, wallpaper removal is THE WORST. I’ve complained about it before, and I’ll complain about it again. It’s slowing down the whole painting and decorating process massively, and is just a giant pain in the butt.

I’m looking forward to getting that room painted and moving forward with décor! Pictures to come…

One Year

In the last year, this little family has had our share of ups and downs, of struggles and growth, of separations and homecomings.

Just over a year ago, we said goodbye to Tyler, leaving him in Florida to serve his deployment for 6 long months.

A sweet homecoming left Tyler home just long enough to enjoy the holidays, before he was off on several TDYs (military lingo for business trips) in January. At the end of February, Tyler once again packed his bags for a 5-week training in Alabama, and then just as we were settling back into a normal routine (wait… what is normal?) in April, he headed back to Dayton for three weeks of classes.

Now it’s May. And while I’m certain it’s only a matter of time before he’ll be packing that broke-in suitcase again (June, to be exact), I’m looking forward to a summer with him HERE (mostly).

In the last 12 months, we’ve been apart for more than 9. And sometimes most times, that’s really tough. But I’m SO proud. I’m proud of the man that he is, the sacrifices he makes, and the work he does. I’m proud that when he is home, this family is his focus and priority.

I’m proud of the woman I’ve grown to be. I can hold shit down y’all, and I’m more confident in my role as a wife and mom than ever. I can totally rock this thing. And while some days I break, I know that I have an incredible support network, just a call away.

I’m proud of Jackson. He’s well-rounded, and well-adjusted. He goes with the flow, and he knows that change is an inevitable part of this life.

I’m proud of the relationship we’ve cultivated and the family we are growing. Long distance relationships require a unique amount of patience, communication, and empathy. We’ve become pretty darn good at it.

I’m looking forward to a new year. Maybe one where we are together more than we are apart.

Here’s to the next 12 months – and everything it may bring.

A Baby Update

Man, I'm more terrible at this than even I expected I would be. Tyler has to call to remind me to try to get Jackson to take some sort of resemblance of a belly picture weekly, most of which turn out to feature my face or my belly, but not both.

Truly, there’s not much to report. I’m feeling good, have regained (most) of my energy, and feel like my stomach is growing at the speed of light. I am sleeping well, am beginning to feel some movement, and really have no other symptoms to report. I suppose no news is good news, right?

I’m just over 18 weeks, and have gained 5 pounds – which it appears is entirely in my stomach. I’m somewhere between regular clothes and maternity clothes, and nothing fits quite right. I’m getting creative with my loose fitting shirts, and hoping that this strategy will work out until it starts to warm up outside.

In two weeks we’ll have the ever-exciting 20-week appointment, marking the halfway point of this pregnancy. How is that possible? It’ll be the first appointment Tyler will actually be around for, and we’ll drag Jackson along and see if the experience makes this thing any more real or understandable for him.

#countdowntostubbsnugget2

18 Weeks

(Photo Cred: Jackson)

Next up: That pink room has got.to.go.