"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"

We finally got our Christmas decorations up around the house. Now it feels and looks like Christmas. I've missed the joy and fun of decorating our home for Christmas since Skylee was a newborn 2 years ago. Last year we were in the thick of moving, so we didn't get to put up anything, it makes this year that much more enjoyable! Skylee "gets it" this year. She's been having so much fun with the holidays, always wanting me to sing "Jingle Bells" or "Rudolph the Red-nose Reindeer" and she loves the old classic movie "Rudolph the red-nose reindeer". Since we had no decorations in stock, Skylee and I had a fun day of shopping for all of them earlier in the day. When Ryan got home from work we went to the tree farm and picked out the perfect tree. Ryan thought I was totally crazy when I was frantically gathering up all the tree trimmings off the ground at the tree farm...but I had ideas! I remember one year my mom went to the tree farms and got their tree trimmings for free, wrapped them in lights, and made beautiful real garland. I gave it a try and now Ryan appreciates it! Besides looking great, it adds the smells of Christmas to our home! I still have to add the ribbon on the tree, but here's a look at our creation! Merry Christmas!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYLEE

My little girl is all grown up...well at least 2 years grown up! Skylee had a birthday on November 29th, so we took her to the zoo. We had a birthday party for her in California with all our family, but we thought she would enjoy a day out of the house where we could have fun celebrating her! We got to the zoo around 10:30am and noticed right away we might have a problem...there were police cars surrounding the entrance and the gates were closed :( We could hear the officer at the gate announce that a bobcat had gotten loose and the zoo was temporarily closed! My first thought "This kind of stuff always seems to happen to us...like the pumpkin patch hunt last month!" We were pretty bummed but thought maybe we could find something in Jacksonville to do for the day. We drove around aimlessly for 30 mins and headed back home feeling a little defeated. As I approached to zoo exit I thought "hey, who knows? Maybe it's open again???" We drove back with success! They had opened the gates and we just had to wait 10 mins, for the okay. Even with the initial set back, we had a great day. Skylee loved the elephants especially. She got to brush baby goats, play on the play equipment, eat a snow cone, ride the train, and most of all see all the animals she loves! When we got back home I still hadn't done my shopping for her birthday...give me a break, we were gone the previous days! I had to hurry and get her presents, make the cake, dinner, wrap and then get our festivites here at home going! She didn't get to bed until 9:00pm! I'm so sad since the brand new batteries that we bought didn't work! I didn't get to take pictures of her blowing out candles, opening presents, eating her cake or playing with her new toys! I got some of the action on my video camera, but for posting sake...I've got nothin! Ryan and I got her the new "Tinkerbell" movie, pink (girly) building blocks, and Sleeping Beauty pretend make-up. She knew exactly what to do with her make-up and had fun making Ryan and I beautiful all night!

I thank my Father in Heaven for sending me the little angel that Sklee is. Now I understand when mothers say "my children are my life!" Skylee (and Ryan) is my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Skylee is the sweetest, funniest, smartest, and most loving little person, and I am so blessed to be her mother. Thank you Skylee for teaching me so much in these 2 short years of your precious life, Happy Birthday Skylee-bug I love you!

Giving Thanks

We had a nice Thanksgiving holiday spent with the only family around for miles...near Atlanta. Ryan's Aunt Debbie and Uncle Brad invited us to their home for the occassion. Ryan's Grandma and Grandpa Eatchel were also there, whom had never had the opportunity to meet Skylee. Although Skylee was dealing with her first ear infection, getting over a cold, and really grouchy...I think they enjoyed her company :) I was sick too, I've been dealing with a pretty severe cold for about 8 weeks on and off, but I really appreciated spending time with the family. After we put Skylee down for bed on Wednesday night, we snuck out of the house to catch a movie "Quantom of Solace", Ryan said it he didn't think it was that great, I however had a great nap! Thanksgiving day we watched the Macy's Day Parade on TV and enjoyed eachothers company. Aunt Debbie and Uncle Brad worked hard in the kitchen preparing our wonderful meal! I was hesitant to be in the kitchen since I couldn't get rid of my symptoms, and Skylee was a major handful!!! For dinner we had: Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls, green beans, stuffing, spiced apples, cranberries, and candied yams. Everything was delicious! Thanks again to Aunt Debbie and Uncle Brad for letting us into your home once again, it was great to see you guys! I wasn't too great about taking pictures this trip, but here are a few...enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving!

Another trip to CA!

Halloween 2008

It's a BOY!!!

Ryan and I are so excited to say that we will be having a little boy this coming April. As you could imagine Ryan is a proud man, and finally the numbers will even out in this house. It is great to know that we will be able to experience being parents to both genders already with just two. We plan on having more, but it's in the bank now! We can't seem to think of many names at all...we need help! The dilema: Allen is such a common last name. Solution: we need something unique, but not weird. Any suggestions??? Our little guy seems to be doing well from what it looks like, I have another ultrasound in two days at my regular doctors office so I'll get to peek inside again!

While we visited family in California this last week, my sister Jennette and I took a couple hours to our-pregnant-selves, and went to find out together what we would be having. Jennette was up first. While the ultrasound tech was making small talk with her, she casually asked about her son Ethan and said that he would be happy. "why is that?"..."becuase you're having another boy!". We were both so excited! Her little one was so cute and active. When it was my turn, it didn't take long at all for the technician to figure it out, "you're having a boy too!"...two boys in our girl-ruled family, just like that! Ironically the two cousins were in the exact same postition, and a strange one at that. We are all so excited to meet these little studs in 20 weeks!

YES on California's Prop 8

I know I live in Georgia, but I'm still a registered voter in California, it's home! Tuesday November 4 is election day and there are some really important offices and propositions to be voted on. Proposition 8 is big deal...protecting traditional marriage between a man and a woman, in which I believe strongly in. Follow this link for more information and some questions you may have never thought of http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Questions-About-Prop-8-In-California and http://hubpages.com/hub/Truth-About-Same-Sex-Marriage-Equal-Rights-Children go check it out and let others know about it! Both these blogs have great information and will help you get the facts for making the right desicion this election. And GO VOTE, if I live in GA and already mailed mine in...you can make it to your polling place on Tuesday! Yes on 8.

A year already?

I feel like such and old lady when I say this but..."they" grow up so fast. I can't believe how much Skylee has changed and grown! These pictures are from our pumpkin patch outting last year in Rohnert Park, CA. It really does seem like just yesterday, and tomorrow we are going to hunt for a nice pumpkin patch around here!
Today we went to the only costume store around, no luck. The goal is that Skylee will be a witch, but we have found that her head is kinda big :) so finding a hat that fits has already proven to be a challenge! She of course was drawn to all the princess costumes, but I'm not giving in just yet. There will be plenty of years to come when she won't settle for anything less than fairies, princesses, and cheerleaders. This year, I can still get away with being a little more "Halloween-like".

Chubby little Skylee
Anything she could get her hands on!I love pumpkins

A Little Late...

Even though these ultrasound pictures are 3 weeks old, and the baby is much different now...I figured it was about time I posted them at least for those that would like to see. The baby is doing really well from what we can tell at this point. In all these pictures, he/she had it's little legs curled up and arms tucked in. I didn't even hear the nurse pushing a button to take the pictures, so I didn't think I was going to get any, until the very end they handed me 5! I wish I could have requested what shots to take, but that will be at my discresion once the baby is born I guess :)

11.4 weeks along
All this work for someone so tiny :)

I really like my doctor so far Dr. Eva DiLorenzo. I guess with Skylee I didn't really know what to expect from a OB so I just went along with everything. Now I know that I could have been in much better care, and I feel that way now with this female doctor. During the ultrasound she predicted that it was a boy from the looks of it at that point! She felt pretty confident, but at only 11 weeks along, there's no telling for sure!

I keep dreaming up what it's really going to be like when I've got 2 little ones. 2 girls, or 1 boy 1 girl to even the numbers in the house? Both possibilities get me really excited about our growing family. I remember like it was yesterday playing with my best friends and neighbors Holli and Brittany Watkins, what our future families would be like... who would we marry? how many kids would we have? what would all their names be? how many boys/girls? Where would we live? The list goes on and on, and I'm sure this is what most little girls daydream about.

It's an amazing thing to see my life unfold. I never thought that I would be a "military wife". Even after marrying Ryan, I NEVER thought he would join the military. It's been such a blessing though. We've moved a lot, seen different places, and I think all of our kids will be born in different states. Who knows? Skylee is the best, she has already taught me so much in the almost 2 years since she came into this world. What a blessing it is to have children! I'm sure this one on the way will bring just as much joy into all our lives...I can't wait to see this one! I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, then the next one in Nov. we'll find out the sex for sure! We'll keep you posted.

P.S. I know my last post was a pity party...just so you know I'm doing fine. Pregnancy isn't an easy thing for me, like most, but I'm hanging in there. Ryan is my hero. He takes care of me, Skylee, the house, shopping...and working as usual. I'm close to my 15 week mark, so I'm crossing my fingers that this too shall pass...SOON!

Oh Pregnancy...

(6.5 months pregnant with Skylee,

but this is the best picture to show how I feel :)

Ryan has been gone for two whole weeks, and I've been on the couch for two whole weeks. I obviously have a lot of time on my hands and I can't help but think of pregnancy, it rules my life right now. I just can't figure out why pregnancy has to be so hard for some, and not for others? The only conclusion I've come up with is...the harder the pregnancy, the better the kid? I had a tough pregnancy with Skylee, and she is the sweetest little girl. I'm hoping that because this pregnancy is turning out to be the same, that I have another angel on the way.

This pregnancy was really different at first, I had no symptoms until about 2 weeks ago. With Skylee I had symptoms before I even found out I was pregnant with her. There is nothing like it when Skylee comes over to where I am, wraps her little arms around my neck, gives me a big kiss, and says "I love you mommy". I doesn't make all my aches and nausea go away, but it's a great reminder of why I wanted another one, not to mention it melts my heart. Skylee is my littlest bestest friend, she knows how to make me laugh and she is great company to have around.

Not having Ryan around has been a challenge. Most days I don't even feel like I'm capable of taking care of myself, let alone little Skylee. He went on a military assignment with the Brazilian military to Key West, Panama, Coracao, and now he's stuck in Puerto Rico. He was supposed to be home today, but good old Hurricane Hannah is holding him up. If the weather clears up, he'll be home on Thursday, I'm crossing my fingers! The time away has really made me realize how much I rely on him. Ryan is a great husband and daddy!

This time around, as sick as I've gotten, I have a completely different perspective, I know what blessings are in store and I have a better idea of what to expect. I know I have to do my part, therefore I'll be begging my OB/GYN for the same presription that I took with Skylee! I'm going to try to get in this week, but I'll for sure have an ultrasound picture in 3 weeks. I'll keep you posted :)