short update..

So, yeah, like my last post says, I'm a total slacker. At least I have an excuse! I'm a mommy, and I'm pregnant. That and we didnt have internet for a while. Dont really know why, though.

So, I am 25wks pregnant now. I am also HUGE! I'm measuring about 8 weeks ahead. Babies are doing great! Moving around like there is no tomorrow, and making their presence known. And, we found out (over a month ago...*cringe* sorry!!) that we're having GIRLS! I'm super excited! We are naming them Baby A: Cynthia Paige and Baby B: Gabriella Catherine. I want to call them Thia and Ella, but knowing my family the way I do, they will have about 10 other nicknames, too. At least my family loves them already! As soon as I have 10 more minutes to rub together, I will post some ultrasound pictures. Or I'll just wait til my 28 week appointment, and put up new ones. Or I'll do both.

Gavin is doing really well with his therapies. He's back to sleeping in his bed, and even has gone to bed on his own for the last few weeks. Yay! He's talking more, and interacting more, but I'm still seeing how far behind he is on some things. Like, today, at a website I visit, a mother posted a picture that her newly turned 2yo drew. It was a distinctive smiley face complete with ear. Gavin can tell me that he is drawing it, but it ends up looking exactly like whatever Lena tries to draw. It makes me sad, but I know that if we keep working on it, he will get it.

Lena is still fat. She still likes to eat. She's finally walking, so that's good. She is ALL girl. She likes to "help" me pick out clothes for her. She sits still so I can put her hair in pigtails. She even lets me paint her toenails! Then she points to them and tells me "Preeey!!". And, yes, they are pretty, even though they are VERY small. LOL. We got her a diaper bag for her babies a few days ago, and she likes to put her baby in it and walk around with it. She took it to Gavin's therapy appointment on Thursday, and was so happy to show it off. She likes to carry it and scream, loudly, "My BAAAABBBBBYYY!!!!". Again, she's too cute.

We are still waiting to move. We were supposed to have a house August 17th, but when Russell went to sign for the keys, they informed us that they had tried to get ahold of Russ the week before, and when they couldnt (after only one voicemail, and no phone calls to me) they gave our house to someone else. So, now, we have to wait until sometime in early Sept. In the meantime, I'm still sharing a room with Gavin. Which means, great, another routine change once we move. Not looking forward to that.

Otherwise, we are doing ok. Looking for a cheap van, waiting for a house and taking care of the babies. Both air and non-air breathing babies.

And this post turned out a little longer than I anticipated. Oh well!

umm....sorry?

It's been a while since I updated...sorry about that. A lot has happened. Russ' grandfather died, went to that funeral. Went to visit Joni in Indianapolis (and Cath was there too...major reason for visit). My grandfather died. Went to that funeral. Gavin got tubes in his ears (he is doing AWESOME now!). He is really talking a lot, has new words and phrases every day, and hasn't gotten sick since the surgery. How awesome is that?

Anyway, a little over a week from his surgery we left Ft. Campbell for good (til the next time we get stationed there) and headed for Louisiana. We were there for almost a week, and then ventured on to Georgia. We have since been dealing with getting me OB appointments, getting housing, finding out we weren't going to be staying at Stewart like the said, but going to Hunter (which is in Savannah, so it's ok). Dealing with more housing (at this point I was 36ish weeks pregnant). Fortunately, we have wonderful friends who are stationed at Stewart who let us stay with them for the month we were homeless, but now that we have our own place again, it's soo nice to be settling (especially since it seems I'm nesting right about now). We got our house a week and a half ago, and our stuff wed. So, we are doing some unpacking (mom told me not to do too much, she would help with unpacking and organizing when she gets here on Fri). We bought new furniture, which will arrive on Fri, also.

We have gone to the beach 3 times in the last 2 weeks, and Gavin loves the sand. The water, you ask? He has to get used to it before he likes it. At first he's only wants someone to hold him so he can watch the water going over their feet. He laughs like crazy. After a bit, you can put his feet in the water, and he deals with it. Then, it's all about splashing in the tide. Very cute! I have some pics that I need to upload, but I just haven't had time. I will, eventually.

So, now I am 38 weeks and some odd days pregnant, and feeling every minute of it. My pelvis and hips hurt so bad that I have to have help getting out of bed (thank you, my wonderful husband for being that help), getting out of certain positions on the couch (which I officially hate), and it hurts so bad that walking is becoming a problem. I have gotten false labor contractions, so many Braxton Hicks that I cant even count them anymore, along with other aches and pains I will not mention. My feet, ankles and fingers are swelling badly (which might have more to do with the location we are living in, and the temp than anything else, though, don't get me wrong, the pregnancy definitely is helping). I want this baby OUT! I want to know what I'm having, and I want to hold my newborn and smell it, and nurse it, and yes, even hear it cry. Mom told me I have to wait til at least Sat before I can have it though. We do have other plans in place in case it's before that.

To finish up, I have a cute (short) story. When we first got to our friends house, Russ went to go give Gavin a bath. He was having none of it. New bathroom, new tub, all that. So, in order for him to get clean, Mommy had to sit on the toilet. Gavin became happy. He's just playing in the water (with toys and a certain body part) when he looks at me, points to his belly button and says "look at the baby!" clear as day. I loved it! I always ask him where the baby is, and he knows it's in mommy's belly, so he touches it. And, just now, as I'm typing that story, he sees the infant seat and shouts "BABY!". I said yes, it's for the baby! And he repeats me! He is fascinated babies. He sees one and shouts it out. It's very cute, really!

Ok..so this post turned out a little longer than intended...I just meant it to be a "hello, I'm alive, baby still isn't here, thanks!" post, and it didn't happen that way..sorry.

serious updates....

So, it's been a while since I updated...so much has been happening, that I just couldn't find time. Thanksgiving was great! Everyone was here, and it was so much fun to watch Gavin and Miles interact with each other. The food was great (I do have pictures of the food, but that will have to wait for another post). It was a lot of fun, except for Miles getting sick. He also passed on his cold to Gavin, who decided, after learning his cousin had an ear infection, to take it one step further. He decided that a double ear infection wasn't enough. No, he needed to go and develop PNEUMONIA!!! Geez...and then, on top of that, he got dehydrated from not eating or drinking a whole lot of anything for a week. What a wonderful week that was. We found out Friday about the ear infections, and Monday we spent (on Russell's day off, too) the WHOLE day in the EC. Gavin got poked 3 times by those sharp poky things, and wasn't too happy when he saw people in scrubs. Oh, and he had to have an x-ray, and mommy couldn't even be there with him. Sigh...oh the injustice. But, he is feeling better now, after being on more amoxicillan, and seems to be regaining some of his spunk. He's been running around, hiding things, and being more himself (than he has been since the Monday after Thanksgiving). Anyway, here are some pictures of things..

Obviously, that's me. That was done on Sat, when I was 24 weeks, 1 day. Now, I am almost 25 weeks. Anyway, I'm HUGE! I know I'll get bigger, but still....it's crazy. Oh, and that's our lovely fake tree behind me. The bottom 1/3 of it is devoid of ornaments, and they are scattered all over the floor.
This is from Thanksgiving. Mandy said something about wanting to get a toy box so it could eat her son, too. Good thing I have one, and they were here! He wasn't happy about it. So, I took the picture fast and Mandy soothed Miles' frayed nerves.

Miles and Gavin, trying very hard to NOT look like they are playing together. They did, though.

This was taken, actually, Monday. We were getting ready to head out for my Dr's appt, and Gavin just looked so darn cute with the mittens and hat. Of course, we left my appt and went to the EC (they didn't have any openings in his clinic for an appt) and stayed there til 4. My appt was at 9:40am. It was a long day with no food or water in my pregnant belly.

This is the best picture Russ took of the outside of the house. He had just finished putting up the lights, and they look so pretty! The picture doesn't do them justice. Of course, he also forgot to turn on the lights in the wreath, but oh well.

I have more pictures from Thanksgiving, but again, that will be another post. Hopefully I'll post it before Christmas. Haha.

visit with Joni

Right now, Russ is off with Gavin buying something, I think donuts, so I thought it would be the perfect time to blog about my visit with Joni, and her kids. I went up on a Friday, and we went to a park. We ended up not staying for too long, since Betsy got a headache from this plastic headband she was wearing. So, we went home, got the kids to bed, and watched "Dreamgirls" and ate popcorn with m&m's. Gavin didn't want to sleep too well that night, so I slept on the couch (I was supposed to sleep in the room with him). Umm...I dont really remember everything we did, it was a long busy week. I know on Sat, we went to watch a free showing of "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything", and then went to the dedication of a playground at the mall. As Joni mentioned in her blog, Gavin, and Betsy and Amy got their caricatures done. It was fun. It was also Gavin's first movie, and he lasted a good 15-20 mins before he just wanted to eat or walk. Sunday I went to church with Joni, but Gavin was cranky, so we spent most of Sacrament Meeting in the Mothers Lounge. Then Gavin and I went home, where we both took naps. I don't remember much else about Sunday, except I'm pretty sure I colored and highlighted Joni's hair.

Monday thru Thurs, I watched the kids during the day. They are a handful. It was definitely hard, watching 4 kids and being pregnant. They didn't always do what I wanted them to do. We did have some nice moments. Tuesday, Gavin and I took Betsy to her dance class. She wanted to pay more attention to us, then to her teacher. Which ended up meaning I had to stay away from the windows, but Gavin, being Gavin, wanted to walk. So it worked out well. I watched shows with Joni, and pigged out. It was fun. Friday, Joni worked a half day, and then we all took Besty to school. We went to Steak-n-Shake, and then Hobby Lobby. I drooled over patterns and Christmas decorations. Definitely need to go back there. We got home just in time to get Betsy off the bus. We had dinner, and then Joni, the babies and I went to Motherhood Maternity where I bought a new pair of pants, a denim skirt of my own, and black leggings (which I STILL need to shorten). We then went to Target to get some necessities. Joni kept watching the time, which I think is funny, cuz she had a tutoring session at 9 that night. 9...for a 3rd grader...it was waayy late for that. Oh well. Sat was General Conference for their church, so we lounged and ate. I do believe I cut off the tail on Joni's hair that night, too. I think we did something else, but I cant remember. Then I left on Sunday, and drove home.

Here are all the kids together on the couch that was my bed (it's a futon, so it folds down). Gavin was being contrary.

Amy sitting pretty all by herself. I was glad I got to witness her learning to balance herself while sitting. It was cool. Part of Sat night was cutting the back off Joni's hair, and cleaning our pores. It was a fun girly night, and it makes me appreciate my sister (all of them, but at that moment, Joni) even more. I had a ton of fun. We laughed a lot.
Porter got to wear his Buzz Lightyear costume because he was a big boy and pooped in the potty. Gotta love bribery! Gavin discovered a love for pulling things by strings while we were there. So, Gavin and Betsy were playing together and pulling backpacks by the adjuster strap. They had fun doing it. Russell has now added 550 cord to Gavin's favorite toys so he can pull them around the house. Gavin is happy about that.
I don't know exactly what happened to get them to both be on the floor on the backpacks, but I know they were both laughing. So, I took the picture (don't ask questions, just snap away!), and the look of joy on Gavin's face made me post it.
Porter wanted me to take a picture of him, so he did a somersault. It was actually quite good, but I just got the part where he looks like he's standing on his head.
One of the rare times that Gavin sat nicely next to Amy. He was very jealous of her, since she was getting attention from me. There was one time when they both decided they wanted milk at the same time, so I held them both and held Gavin's milk for him, while Betsy stood over me and held Amy's milk. It makes me wonder how Gavin with react when the new baby comes.

P.S. Speaking of the baby, I have started to feel it move, cant wait til Russell can. The midwife said she's voting for a girl, based on the heartbeat, or something. I have an ultrasound on the 23rd, and I cant wait to see the baby! No, I'm not finding out what I'm having, it's going to be a surprise. The other day, I felt the baby's back, when it pressed up against the wall of my uterus. That was cool! Hey, and I have a bone to pick with those of you who have had more than 1 kid...no one told me it would hurt to be PREGNANT with your second. I have heard that the after affects of birth hurt worse the more kids you have, but no one said that pregnancy hurt. Geez...at least now I know. Thanks guys! lol

pics

Kevin reading to Gavin

The outskirts of the waterpark on post.
In the waterpark...dont you love his bathing shorts?
Swing time! He pushed him til he just about about fell asleep in the swing.

Kevin

So, Kevin came to visit earlier this week. Gavin took to him right away...well, after he took him from mommy (who is very mean) and let him walk. Then Gavin liked him. Anyway, he was here from verry very late Sunday to verry very early Thursday. On Monday, we went grocery shopping. As our luck would have it, we were looking for kleenex, when the power in the Commisary went out. Fortunately for us, we were done shopping, and the cash registers were still working, for the time being. When we got home and put the groceries away, we went out for dinner with my neighbor, Candy, and her daughter Mia (who is a very cute 3). We went to a Mexican restaurant called Casa Blanca. It was good food, and great company. Tuesday, we went to the museum on post. Kevin says he liked it, and I know I did. I would go to the museum every week if I could. It's a great place, and there are lots of interesting things to see...even if you see them repeatedly. I cant remember what else we did Tuesday...oh well. Wednesday, we didnt do a whole lot...we went to the playground, and Kevin took Gavin in the waterpark. Gavin enjoyed that. He also pushed Gavin for a very long time in the swings...until Gavin was on the verge of sleep. Again, cant remember what else we did Wed, but again, oh well. I got up at 2:30 to drive Kevin to the airport in Nashville on thursday morning. It was an uneventful drive.

So, Russell was at WLC, if you remember, for 15 days. He graduated Friday. It was nice, but I forgot my camera. I was in a rush to get out of the house. Oops. He's home now, and he got a 4 day pass that he will use the week of Gavins birthday (I cant believe it's only a few weeks away!!). I guess this coming week, he's going to a school to become a combatants instructor...or something. I'm not sure what that all entails. Hmm....

I have a few pictures of when Kevin was here, and as soon as I put them on the computer, I will put the on my blog. The ones I have are cute.

just pictures

I finally found the cable that connects my camara to the computer, so I decided to post some of the pictures that I found there.

This one was on Father's Day. To honor Russ' first dads day, we went fishing.

He's all snug in his crib...and he did that himself. I left him with his regular blanket, and he covered himself with that one.

Look how short he is!! I love looking at Russ walking with Gavin, and the joy Gavin gets when he's walking with daddy!

He's helping daddy pack for WLC. Only, I think he hindered more than helped. Oh well, daddy didnt mind!

He picked out a movie he wants to watch! Great! I love that movie too!

2 years

Wow...it's been 2 years since I got married. So much has happened since then. We got married, my husband of 1 week went back to Iraq. He came home. We moved me from NY to NC. Moved into our first place. Found out I was pregnant. Russ went Active Army, so we moved to KY. Moved into second place. Celebrated our first anniversary. Had our wonderful baby boy, Gavin. Moved into our third place. Found out I was pregnant again. And today's the second anniversary. It's been a long hard road, but we've made it this far. I love my wonderful husband more every day. Although, he likes to say "whatever" to THAT statement. I really do love him...even if some days he drives me crazy. Though, I don't think I'm much better. I know with the hormones raging through my body right now, he probably wants to kill me 99% of the time. But he loves me, so he wouldn't. Not that I would blame him in the least if he did. I am a hormonal mess.

But again, wow...how time flies when your having fun!

I have joined the blog revolution...

So, Joni has a blog, Mom has a blog, and Mandy just got one...so I figure, why not? This way mom will always know what's going on with ALL her grandkids, and so can all the other family members I never talk to. So, I will fill you in on the happenings in the Brown household.
Russell is off doing a field exercise, he wont be back til friday. This is going to be a long week for me and the Gavman. Once he's home from that, he'll be around for a few weeks, and then it's off to WLC (warrior leadership course, where you go to learn how to be an NCO). He'll be gone for 15 days there. Oh well.

I am doing well...feeling a bit sick...but that's ok. It'll go away soon enough. More on that later.

Gavin is HUGE! He's 10 1/2 months now, he's got 6 teeth, and is just a bundle of energy. He keeps me on my toes. He's walking, holding onto just one of my hands, as opposed to both. He's climbing up walls and lifting himself clear off the ground using the stereo. He loves to fly...as you will see in the pictures. He's a creature of habit (which is frustrating at times...he knows when he's supposed to be down for a nap, and makes a fuss if you dont comply). He loves his solid foods...he's a meat boy. Loves hot dogs and sausages and the like. Its fun to watch him eat, he likes to screach at me when his tray is empty and there is still food on his plate. He knows...he just knows. He plays catch, and has quite an arm on him. He's been known to throw his paccy clear across my living room, into the dining room. Crazy. Monkey. Boy.







I feel that I should tell you, that since I dont reliably have internet, I wont update consistantly. I'm hoping to remedy that soon, though.