Too Much Time on My Hands

Too Much Time on My Hands

To keep myself distracted I destroy about one room every couple of days. Purging, reorganizing & simplifying it. I am also moving some stuff around...it helps me cope.

I decided to bring my blog back after a very wonderful & eventful summer. Too much happened to catch everyone up on everything but short story, we had a wonderful time as a complete family. Right now we are down to 3 from 6. Alexis & Kaiden went back to their mother's in Arkansas & the man of the house has deployed until Christmas time. But we here back home, even though we miss them all too much to put into words, are surviving.

Today was my first full day without my Chachi & it was a serious adjustment. We went about 24 hours without communication which I think is the longest break in the last 2 years, since my deployment. We haven't even had an argument that lasted more than 8 hours... I miss that man like crazy. It's funny how the most annoying traits in someone are the first things you miss.

Well for my first entry I am going keep this pretty short, but I am going to try my hardest to write here everyday. Sort of a deployment diary. Katie has a "snake" calendar that she gets to use to countdown til Chachi returns, today's snake ring said "Say your ABC's" which she did perfectly. Ryan has pretty much been asleep all day, I think he is hitting a growth spurt. I am pretty blessed. Hope all is well with everyone out there, thank you for your love & support!

Katie Quote of the Day:

"Is Chachi going to be home when we get there?" (No Remember he is at work far far away) "Oh I forgot. Sorry. I miss him.

Don't Call it a Comeback

Coloring Fool

So Katie & I have been doing a lot of drawing and coloring lately because it is an activity that allows me to sit. She usually tells me what to draw (I have no talent). Here, she asked me to draw a crab and for some reason my pregnant brain went more towards some lobster looking creature.

I know it has been a while since I have been on here but my energy level has been idling around zero for some time but now that the doctor has reduced my work hours and I have some more "free" time. I will try to get on here as much as I can. I can't even image what my time is going to be like when Ryan gets here and then Alexis & Kaiden but I am so looking forward to it.

I had an OB appointment on Monday. Not only did they reduce my hours but they gave me a sneaker wavier, which means I don't have to wear my boots anymore with my uniform. Starting at my next appointment on the 5th of April I will be starting non-stress tests too. Ryan is still very active in there and I have had a lot of Braxton Hicks contractions but other than that it is getting better all the time.

Work has been alright as of late, I am still busting my ass with no notice but oh well that is life. I have of course gotten a lot of gripes about my hours being reduced but they are just jealous, but honestly do you think any of those men making comments would take the 4 hour shifts and carry this kid? I don't think so! I just do my job the best I can and know that is all I can do.

I am really getting excited about Alexis & Kaiden coming, we miss them so much! Katie talks about all the fun things they are going to do with her and where they will sit at dinner, which by the way hasn't been happening as much as I would like but my energy to cook dinner comes and goes. I haven't seen a picture of Alexis & Kaiden in well over a month, I bet when I finally do they will look so different. I miss seeing their faces regularly, but I will make sure I take tons while they are here.

Speaking of picture taking, I have a few friend lined up so I can start practicing having actually shoots. In fact I have one this Sunday. I have a lot of great photographer friends helping me and guiding me along the way too which really helps. Each time I take that camera out I feel more and more confident. I even bought a new lens the other day and am dying to try it out!

Oh well that is enough for now. Hopefully I will be back tomorrow!

Katie's quote of the day:

"Alexis can play baseball with me, Kaiden can't. He has to sit & watch, boys can't play baseball."

Hello Sunshine

Sunny Dayz

Finally a beautiful day and of course it came on my first day back at work after a little vacation. I was able to have the sunroof & windows open and enjoyed the sun on our skin and cool breeze on our faces.

Today I tested for Technical Sergeant and I already know it is not happening for me. It is hard enough to take that test in perfectly good health, your suppose to get a good nights sleep, eat a good breakfast and just feel good to be able to take this test and do well. Being pregnant really hinders a lot of that. I was so uncomfortable, I had to pee (you cant leave the testing room at all) and people were annoying the crap out of me. Shaking legs, sniffling noses, and just over all annoying gestures that are amplified in what should be silence. So no I do not feel I did well at all but there is always next year.

After testing I went into work and did some catching up. It was a decent day, people weren't as judgemental as usual and were kind of friendly but I really felt like crap all day. The "morning" sickness has come back and I just get really crampy when I walk too much and at work even though I have a desk job, I do a lot of standing and walking. Plus if you add the stress of my job it just makes for a hard day's work.

Once I got home and was able to take off my uniform, which has become extremely uncomfortable especially after not wearing it for a week I started to feel really good and really productive. Katie played outside in the yard with the puppies, and I was able to clean the kitchen, pick up the house, grill dinner, shampoo the carpets and put away laundry. Dinner was awesome, I actually grilled veggies out on the grill with a few select meats. I always cook extras so I don't waste the charcoal and Chachi has quick easy lunches ready for him. Now Katie is in the tubby and I am chilling in bed watching American idol. A very happy productive day!

Katie's quote of the day:

"Mommy your belly is big, and ours match"

(Thanks kid that makes mommy feel good cause your tummy is cute and flat lol)

Too Much Time on My Hands

Roper Photography

Today I took the first step in trying to make something out of my love of taking pictures. I created a fan page on Facebook and hopefully will have some people interested in letting me practice taking pictures of their families.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Roper-Photography/370259624724?ref=nf

Today was my last day of my little mini-study vacation. Tomorrow is the big test, I am not really expecting much but at least I gave it a little effort. The gist I am getting is that it super hard, so I am just going to try my best and see what was meant to be.

I woke up super early again but it's fine, it just means it won't be so hard tomorrow. I woke Katie up around 0745 and asked her if she wanted to go to Lesleighs or stay with me, and surprisingly she said me & she followed it up with because I love you so very much. Gotta love that. We took Neko in to get fixed and then had to run by my work to do a couple things. After a quick stop in to see Chachi we headed home for the rest of the rainy day. We played here and there, watched Scrubs and I played around on the computer. There was a little studying but I am not going to burn myself out the day before the test.

After Chachi left work and we picked up Neko we met him at Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. It was pretty tasty and nice to have another night off from cooking. Now we are all pretty beat, going to just relax together and then head to bed.

Katie's quote of the day:

"That was my gas."

(She was pooping and farted...gotta love kids)

Cats in the Cradle

Baby Blanket

Each of our children have their own distinct baby blanket, some have had since birth others a little later but it is still a thing that they each posses. This will be Ryan's blanket & if you know anything about the men that he is being named after this blanket is perfect. This is also the first thing that I have purchased for him outside of clothes.

Today was an amazing day! Even though Katie and I were both up by 0700, it was still amazing. We laid on the couch, ate breakfast, watched Sleeping Beauty & Peter Pan, played a little Mario Kart and took a nap together. Then we took showers and went out for a girls day. We did some shopping, had some lunch and just chit chatted all day. We also treated ourselves to some Ritas!! Thank goodness it is Rita's season again!! Although she had her terrible three moments overall it was a wonderful day with her.

After Chachi came home from work he started on a few projects around the house for me, which takes a lot of stress off my shoulders. I have been so overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done before Ryan gets here and then Alexis & Kaiden shortly after that. I have four bedrooms to complete before May. I really wish my tax refund would show up because it would make it go a lot faster. Katie's room isn't even done yet!

For dinner I made steaks, twice baked potatoes, broccoli & bread. It was pretty tasty but of course I would say that I made it. Now I am going to cuddle my husband and watch scrubs for what has to be the 15th time I have watch it all the way through but what can I say, it's a good show.

Katie's quote of the day:

"That makes me hard"

(she was explaining that something we had to do would be hard to accomplish and this is how it came out, but still...)

Bad Day

I had such a bad day today there are no pictures or words for me to even post. After an amazing week I am really sad that this was my day, although Katie has really saved it tonight the day was pretty much ruined. Love you all.

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head

Rainy Dayz

It was another rainy day, but I will take it any day over the snow. We are in fact getting closer to spring every single day! Who cares if we just washed our cars...

Today was a good day! Chachi & I awoke a little after seven, Katie a quarter to eight. She went to Lesleighs while we went to go see Ryan. We waited almost an hour for our appointment and this time it was not worth the wait. We had a new tech in a new room with a different machine. She was not personable and the machine was crappy. We were given one crappy profile picture that wasn't even as good as the one we were given at 24 weeks. She seemed in a hurry until it came to his heart, she spent 15 minutes on it and didn't say a word. Then when she was reviewing the results she said everything looked good but didn't say a thing about his heart. So when the doctor came in we had to actually ask him why she had taken so long and were there any concerns, to which he replied, "No his heart is fine, she just likes hearts". Yeah she needs to get better skills for this kind of job, 90% of the women in there are high risk and nervous as it is.

Ryan's overall growth is great, he is going to be a big boy. At 29 weeks he is 6oz shy of 4 pounds. My fluid is still slightly elevated & the doctor told me anytime I feel I might be contracting no matter what I need to go into L&D. He was very strict on that and doing my fetal counts. Now he has always been really big on telling me to do those but today he was extra stern on it which made me a little nervous, like he is a bit nervous. The mass and the amniotic sac that surrounds it grew a bit but is still not affecting Ryan's growth so they are not worried. The doctor wanted me to tell my OB that when I deliver to send my placenta to the lab. He really wants to know what this "goober" is, that is what he calls it because he still has no idea what it is. I think he wants to do research on it and publish a paper.

After the appointment Chachi & I went and did some grocery shopping and got him & Katie new games to entertain them over the rainy weekend. Then we came home had a nice lunch and afternoon together before going to pick up Katie. Her tutor was canceled for tonight but she will be going tomorrow so no big deal. I didn't get much studying done but I will tomorrow. Tonight was pizza night, which is always a favorite in this house. We ate and then all 3 of us cuddled up to watch the Princess & the Frog, which actually wasn't too bad, I just thought the voodoo guy was a little scary for a Disney cartoon. Now we are all just hanging around the house. Chachi & Joel are playing on the Xbox, Katie on her DS and me here at the computer. I am going to try to find some more pictures to remaster tonight because that is what I love to do.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Katie's quote of the day:

Knock Knock (who's there) Katie (Katie who) Katie am I

* They all can't be winners...but this is a classic Katie joke.