23 weeks update!

Well, here are the 23 week pictures....I never really posted the 22 week on a post, but you can see them in the album to the left if you want to compare. The belly is really starting to pooch out and round out now and it is super easy to see Layla moving around inside like a little alien when I lay down! Not going to lie, pretty much the COOLEST thing I have ever felt is a movement all its own inside of me! I haven't measured my belly in weeks, and there is a reason for that haha....measurements are not my friend right now! BUT.... I can tell you....I am getting bigger! Some days I am larger than others depending on my activity level and how stressed I am. She seems to be still sitting really low with her head down, but her back, butt and legs way up near the top of my belly. Growing like a weed! Wait, that doesn't sound very nice....growing like a....Flower! Much better.

Ok, well.....I am off probably to buy some little baby items today. I am tired of waiting and CERTAIN things I am sure we will need tons of like diapers and recieving blankets and onesies....I am stocking up now!

Enjoy the belly shots!

I love my husband....and our baby!!

Ok, so....had a doctor's appointment today. Everything went really well. I am doing wonderful and the baby is healthy and that is most important. I miss Matthew terribly, but I must say the most wonderful part about our relationship is how well we communicate. Yes, we both have our really stubborn moments, but in retrospect to each one, I cherish them. It is nice to both have opinions and to be able to choose and compare two strong opinions is a blessing. It's also nice that neither of us are weak and we always want the best for each other. I suppose talking things through has been the best way we get through things and I think that is why so many marriages fail. The trust in each other is not there and the ability to be honest, open, and up front about everything is true of successes. Anyway, the one thing I HOPE Matthew is being truthful about lately is that he still thinks I am beautiful, because no offense to anyone but I really don't care if you all think I am pretty.....it only really matters if Matthew thinks I am, even more than myself. Thank you to everyone trying to cheer me up about it though! I am not going to turn down free compliments! And to Matthew....you are such a sweet husband, I love you so much!

Layla is taking it easy these last few days, not too active.....she's relaxing from the week of boxing practice she had last week. She lets me sleep through the night mostly except the occasional punch on my bladder. I know, I know........EVERYone and their mom who has had a child tells me "Just wait, it's only going to get worse!".....ok.....I understand it is going to get worse, but is that information REALLY necessary? Not EVERYONE's pregnancy gets worse, ok people?? So let's just chill out on the "it's going to get worse" or the "just wait til the baby comes" comments. They get old and irritating really fast. Fortunately, my other pregnant friends (I have several, last November must have been mating season), we all agree that the one thing we DON'T like about being pregnant are all the people that want to tell you exactly how THEIR pregnancy was, like it is set in stone that yours will be the same.....or that we have no idea what we are in for with a child. I, actually tend to laugh at those people after getting annoyed because they obviously didnt enjoy pregnancy near as much as I do and I have a feeling they didnt enjoy new motherhood as much as I will. And....while they're at it, cut out the eyebrow raise that goes with it.....you know, the one that silently says "I don't know about that, just wait and see" like they are all knowing about your life and pregnancy. Kinda funny, but most everyone knows what I am talking about!

So, to end the day.....the weather is getting warm here (for those of you tempting the "just wait and see" comment, please refer to the prior paragraph) , I think I am going to get a kiddie pool for me to lay out in outside. I want to get some sun so my skin doesn't look so bleak and transparent! We will see though.....usually pregnancy and bathing suits don't match too well! the REAL challenge will be keeping the puppies out of the pool when I am in there! Or from drinking the whole thing.

Phew....ok, I am off to bed.....the tiredness of pregnancy is kicking back in like in the first 2 months! Man, I thought it would stay away longer!!

Love to all and love with kisses to Matthew.

To keep him happy...

Even though I don't find myself the most attractive person in the world right now...I am posting these because apparently Matthew likes them. Even if he liked them I probably wouldn't post them except for the fact that if he DOESN'T see me pretty often, when he gets back he would be SHOCKED at how much I have blown up! So.....in either reason.....here are some pictures of me, my love. I hope they make your day.....you have already made mine.

I love you always.

My littlest angel...

My littlest angel...

It's not the one growing inside

It's the little angel by my husband's side.

The one that keeps him safe at night,

And makes him stronger than his fight.

This little angel never leaves,

Because she knows that he believes.

That every time he has to crawl,

She will hold him and never let him fall.

My little angel won't let go,

When his hand meets friend or foe.

I love you, angel, take away my fear,

Take care of my love, my Matthew dear.

FAT!!

Egh....

That is exactly what I feel today....FAT! I am getting so big that my stomach hurts whenever I eat. I cannot breathe very well either. Being pregnant is not always easy, man! I am tired all the time too and REALLY dont feel like exercising like I should be. Stretch marks are NOT pretty and are almost a guarantee! I cannot wait to get back down to my pre-pregnancy body....for those of you out there who think "good luck, it's gone, baby"....you just watch, it won't take me too long. See, most of you that think that probably don't know me all that well or haven't known me for long. You never saw me during my physical training and body building days...the way you train for that will be very similar to how I train to get back down to body.

I love being pregnant, but I hate having an "excuse" to be fat and lazy. This figure is NOT attractive to me, although Matthew seems to actually like it saying it is beautiful and feminine. What a great husband I have! Lazy.....well, it just comes down to now when i work out my stomach gets tight, my back starts to hurt and I am tired for about 2 days after any semi-extensive workout. Even walking kills me because my back starts to pull and my tummy is just so akward! somebody make it stop growing! Haha....wait, don't because Layla is big and healthy!

Anyway, just an update....nothing too exciting going on here. I signed up for Childbirth and Breastfeeding classes today. I am very excited. Also played some basketball today and STILL have my beautiful shot.....I hit MULTIPLE from behind the 3 and at the end I did my 10 shot free throw count and was still 9 for 10. There is a reason I held the county record 3 years in a row for free throws and set records at my school for 3 pointers! It's not all gone! It feels good to be REALLY good at one thing that even pregnancy cannot erase! haha.

On that happy note, I may even take a bubble bath tonight and just not look at myself in the mirror before bed so I think happy thoughts.

Oh and....Layla keeps getting the hiccups which is totally adorable. PLUS, yesterday I had a CRAZY big Braxton Hicks contraction that lasted a full minute and basically squeezed my stomach into the hardest knot I have ever felt. Kinda wierd, made my tummy sore afterwards! Not like anything I have ever felt before.....kinda like giving birth will be!

Ok, love and good night.

Trip to the doctor!

Hey everyone,

A bit of an update. Today I called the doctor to inform them of my accident yesterday and he wanted me to go to the hospital just to get checked out. So I went to the actual labor and delivery unit where I would have the baby if I was here in Augusta for some reason giving birth. They were really nice, but it was a bit wierd because I was hooked up to all of the labor and delivery equipment to monitor the baby's heartrate and any contractions. Fortunately, no contractions at all and little Layla has a surprisingly strong heartbeat. Everyone was really impressed at how well they picked up her heartrate and said she is a big girl which is great. They monitored for an hour and everything was perfect so I was sent home. It was a little taste of what delivery will be like and is makes me even more nervous to go through it alone. It looks like Matthew is potentially not coming home near as early as we thought and the likelihood of me having this baby alone are getting higher by the day. A bit scary and I really pray he makes it because even in that room alone today for an hour was scary. Fortunately, my sister was able to take a few minutes off and I was actually at the unit at HER hospital. So she came to visit and check on me which was REALLY nice. I love seeing my sister's face. She seems to calm me more than most people when Matthew is not around to do it. I am blessed to have her the way I do right now. Thank you, Kristin, for all you are doing for me, Matthew and this little baby! I love you so much and can not thank you enough.

Anyway, I took a couple of pictures because I actually got dressed today and look cute! If you've ever been pregnant, you can appreciate the days where you actually feel decent looking. I wish we could feel this way EVERY day! haha.

Love to all and love with kisses to Matthew.

I AM OK! Don't worry when you read this post!

To friends and family,

Some of you have already heard, but today I was in a pretty bad car accident on Hwy 20 on my way to North Carolina. I am ok!!! Don't worry, Layla and I are fine, she is still kicking around and playing Tarzan and Jane in my tummy. The truck is badly damaged and my body is very, very sore. But thank goodness because it could have been much worse. People slammed on their brakes in traffic going about 70 moh and I was the last one to get the memo and went careening into the woman in front of me. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the air bag did not deploy. The truck, however, is not driveable and is still in Lexington, SC.

Please pray for us seeing as how money has been tight because we were trying to save up for the baby. Looks like things just got tighter, but the most important thing is that we are ok and home in Augusta with Kristin who fortunately was able to come get me.

Anyway, been a long day...I am pretty tired and sore with aches all down my neck and back. My tummy is still wiggling around and Layla and I might go get checked out tomorrow just to be safe. Matthew does know and everything is fine, I didn't have to go to the hospital or anything to severe since my sister was able to come quickly to check on me and pick me up.

For fear that Matthew might have a heart attack, I am not posting the pictures of his truck online. Just know that fortunately, I was IN the truck and not my car and the truck took the brunt of the impact.

Love to all friends and family. Thank you for always being there and taking care of us! Without family and those we love and adore, we simply would not have the beautiful life that we have! I will update tomorrow with how things are going.

God bless.

ULTRASOUND!!!

Well, little Layla and I had another ultrasound today! It was very exciting! They checked everything and anything that is possible. Her head, abdomen, arms, legs, hands, and face. All are perfect! The placenta and fluid are perfect and most of all, Layla is already over a pound in weight!!!! How exciting!

Anyway, here are a couple photos of her and hopefully more to come!!

Love to all.

A drag of a day...

Dreary day after not much sleep last night...

Went to church this morning, even though not feeling too well. It made me feel better for a bit, but now I am just exhausted. I think nap time is almost essential to me getting through this day. I was offered a job at Motherhood maternity, but I think I will be unable to accept it due to how long it has taken them to offer it. Now I only have a couple of months before I leave again. I look forward to these months passing quickly.

Matthew sent some pictures as you can see on the last post. He surprised me and wow is he getting bigger or what!?! He called today, a bit bummed. He isn't sure exactly what he wants to do so right now is a big "up in the air" time for us both. Our lives are pretty great the way they are, but both of us love change and are trying to figure out where to go from here.

Anyway, the puppies are being sweet as ever. They give mommy lots of kisses and lovin' while their daddy is gone. In many ways I am SURE they know every mood I am. The good days and the bad, they know how to make it all worth while.

Layla is growing ever so much and the belly has really started to pop as you can see in the pictures above. We are growing like crazy and I think I may have finally resorted to just being happy and thankful with how my body is growing and changing during the pregnancy. It is a beautiful thing and AFTER the pregnancy is when i need to start worrying about the way it looks. Right now, I cannot be anything other than PREGNANT and getting more obviously so every week. I must admit though, I love this belly.....I talk to her and rub my belly every day often times just laying silently feeling her move. What a peace and joy it brings. I cannot wait to be a mom! I think some people are just cut out for it at an early age and I am thankful that I think Matthew and I are just those types of people. Parenthood really doesn't scare me, not with matthew by my side. The only thing I am scared of is this CRAZY world that we have to bring her up in.

Well, off for a nap for the two of us. The babies are sleeping in the sunroom already. It's a lazy Sunday and sometimes, these are the best kind of days.

Just some pictures

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

HAPPY 1 YEAR BIRTHDAY, ROXY AND HURLEY!!!

'~'~'~" Cel-e-brate good times, COME ON!!'~'~'~'

We had a grand old time playing today with our new toys!

Roxy recieved a new soft blanket for her laying pleasures and Hurley recieved the newest of tennis ball launching technologies! We threw two balls over the fence accidentally, so it works GREAT and kept the babies running for hours! What a FUN DAY!!

The BIG present were the two HUMONGOUS chewy bones they got! Hurley was a little taken aback that he had a hard time picking up a chewy, but eventually smelled it enough to start chewing right where it was. While Hurley was hesitating, Roxy came and stole his bone, brought it to where hers was and starting chewing on both! She LOVES her bone and unfortunately is a bit protective of it towards the boys. NO WORRIES though, when I went to grab it from her, she was sweet as can be!

All in all, we had a blast today and Layla must have really enjoyed it as well, she is constantly moving all the time now! She is so strong already that my tummy moves and looks like I swallowed and ALIEN! I couldn't resist getting a couple of darling onesies at Target that read... "Daddy does my hair" and "Party in my crib 2 a.m."

Enjoy the doggy pictures, but don't forget on the post right before this one, I posted new pictures of the growing tummy! I think I have officially POPPED! Only getting bigger from here, YEEEHAW!

LOVE TO ALL!!!

NEW PICTURES! 21 WEEKS!

Just the pictures for now, be sure to check back tonight for a special surprise!

A rainy day...

On a rainy day, miles from home...

Home is where the heart is, and my heart is in Afghanistan.....it seems these are the days I miss him most. The days he makes me laugh uncontrollably, then has to tell me goodbye. These are the days that make "us". I must admit that I am weak. I am weak without Matthew by my side. He lifts me up briefly each time he calls, just enough to get me to the next time. It really is sad how emotionally dependent you become on someone, particularly when you are pregnant. I have never needed someone so badly or perhaps it has never been where I couldn't have them when I DID need them. There are many nights where dreams of his homecoming wake me only to be alone in a bed with nothing but a body pillow and a cold other side of the bed. My stomach hurts sometimes and I have no reason why, perhaps it is when Matthew is hungry. I am sad sometimes and don't know why.......it just makes me miss him more, but what can i do but sit and anxiously count the days to him coming home and hope it goes according to that plan. Although, inevitably in the military, it won't.

Layla and I had a doctor's appointment today. Everything looks perfect, all the tests they do came out negative which is wonderful. My fundal height is 21 cm which I am 21 weeks, so it is perfect. Layla was kicking the doctor as he was trying to listen to her heartbeat. A bit difficult to find, however, because she was moving so much. He said she is very long, I laughed and informed him that that is exactly what everyone is saying. I know she will be, our little angel. Ultrasound on Monday. To be posted.

Matthew, I love you. I miss you. Have a wonderful day at work.

HAPPY EASTER!!

Hey everyone....Matthew, sorry no pictures of me today.....I had some on here, but looked REALLY fat and ungly and decided to take them off. They didn't even look like me. I'm sorry, baby. I will run and take a couple of the babies for you and post them. I have been working out and feeling better about myself, and I thought that I looked really pretty today, but for some reason the pictures definitely proved otherwise. Sorry, they didn't turn out well at all.

I accidentally saved the pictures to my camera and not to the memory card so we had a little longer time trying to get them onto the computer! Anyways, I love you very much and hope you get to see them!

I had a good day at church with a really great sermon and really enjoyed the music we played today. A bit challenging, but very fun and meaningful! I took a small nap today and that was much needed, the baby is moving all the time now so it makes nightime sleeping a bit broken up.

So I am off to bed, nothing really too exciting today. I cannot wait until this time next year when we have a precious little angel to dress up and take to church on Easter sunday! The things I look forward to with this little girl are endless! Matthew and I talk about her all the time, the one thing she is guaranteed to be is LOVED LOVED LOVED!

And with that.....Layla and I are off to bed. Love to all and love with kisses to Matthew.

A love letter...

My dearest love,

I write this to you in a very public setting simply because I do not care who knows the depth to which I love you. You are my blessing and my joy. I love you without knowing how or when or why. I love you with more than all that I am, and with who I hope to be. I love you with a kind of passion that makes the stars brighter and the moon bigger. Without your love I feel as though life would stand still, I would be incomplete and insignificant. You have given me a hope and a peace in a world where neither is abundant or sought after. I cannot wait to share my life with you, to share our dreams and passions. I love you for who you are with any imperfections because those imperfections are the small places I can perfect you. You perfect me in mountains of ways. You make me stronger so that I can make it from day to day. You make me smile when happiness is so far and yet when you catch my tears in the palm of your hand, they are your lips that kiss my eyelids so gently. In your arms, I am protected and in your hands do I feel loved and cared for. Like none other is this love, for no one else again could capture the depths of my soul in just one look and take my breath in just one kiss. Every part of me adores you and our beautiful child growing inside of me loves you unconditionally. This child is the perfection of our love, the addition to something that nothing compares. Words cannot describe how I feel for you, but this child can come close. With this marriage we are one unit, blessed by our Lord. With this child, we are one family, the strongest unit of all, unbreakable and unchangable. You are the strongest man I know, the bravest and the most defined. You have defined your life already in so many ways, but the one that sets you apart is who and how you love. You love so completetly and sincerely. In our vulnerability grew our intimacy, and in our intimacy grew our unconditional love. I want you to know that already you have a legacy and a standard set that others around you try to achieve and constantly fall short. Never let your guard down, there will always be those trying to break you and to break us. Our love defines strength. I am strong for you, for us. This time apart only makes us stronger and I look forward to the day we can look back on our lives and on these moments and laugh knowing that we truly lived with no regrets and with the purest of joy. We lived to the fullest, to the happiest, perhaps not with the most money or with the most "things", but we lived in, through, and for each other, completely, unbroken, and unconditionally in love.

You are my greatest gift.

The picture!!

To everyone:

This is a hand sketched, pencil drawn picture by an Afghanistan citizen overseas. Matthew gave him the tiny photo you see and he drew this unbelievable picture! We are so thrilled and Matthew sent it to me as a surprise! How neat! The next one he wants to do is a picture of me when I am later and bigger in pregnancy to hang in the baby's room....like a maternity photo. If I keep going at the rate I am, it won't be long before I can give him a " big" picture of me!

To all you guys out there, friends and family.....I want you to know Matthew is doing really well overseas. He has been lifting weights very hard in his free time and really getting big and buff! As for Layla, she apparently is getting much bigger. At the time of year when everyone is trying to slim down to get into swimsuits, I cannot stop the inevitable growth of the little alien inside! My stomach is ever present and has finally stopped me from running so I am using work out videos to stay as in shape as possible. I told Kristin the other day that I didn't think I was getting bigger and by the look on her face I knew I was mistakened as she said, "I think you might want to measur." Sure enough, unfortunate as it may seem....to me....haha I have gained 3 belly inches since I got here, so 3 inches in a month and a half. WOW. That's all I can say, BUT the good thing is that my belly is what is really showing that weight gain and I love rubbing my belly. Layla is most active when I lay down at night and she just starts wiggling away. I actually can SEE my belly moving now when she squirms! How fun! What a joy we have! I cannot wait until Matthew returns to share in this joy in a new way, we all know how much he wishes he could be here for this exciting time.

All I can ask is that everyone really be thankful for our men and women that serve. Many give up the most important and BIGGEST part of their lives being away in order for us to remain free. Whether you believe in the causes or politics behind the war, support our troops while they are away. They are just doing their job and we are lucky that their job is protecting our freedom! Fighting is more apparent overseas, but it is also an everyday battle for us families left behind to stand strong behind our men in a country growing ever against what they stand for. Let freedom ring!

Love to all!

Hey Matthew!!



Ok, so I know you are so so SOO anxious to see these pictures, so without further delay, here they are! I hope you like them, this picture is awesome! Thank you for the present, baby, it is going to be SO neat to see it in our home again when you get back. You get back here soon, ok? This baby and I are waiting on you!



Love,

Your girls and Hurley

Hey hey hello! 20 week photo!

Hey guys!

Well, first day of the Master's tournament, so Augusta is in FULL effect with people! The hustle and bustle is quite the entertainment, but not very inviting with the traffic it brings. I had an interview today, but it is getting so late in the game that these places are interviewing that I won't even be able to work a full 3 months for them before Matthew comes home. Kinda stinks! Anyway, just another day here. A little cooler with slight winds from the North making for a sunny, beautiful afternoon.

I cannot wait to get the picture Matthew sent me that he had done of us! It is apparently really awesome! I worked out today so feel a little better about the way I look, but I definitely need to get new tennis shoes before I work out tomorrow, I rolled my ankle in these old ones and that might be bad for a prego woman!

Ok, well.....I am going to go watch House recorded from Tuesday night. Matthew, baby, I love you so much.....you make me so happy and here are some pics for ya!

LOVE YOU!

So blessed...

Today has been one of "those" days. One of the days I want to just sit here and miss Matthew, one of the days that I cannot stop thinking about him and everything reminds me of him. From the way the clothes smell to songs that come on the radio. I mean forget ever listening to music because EVERYTHING reminds me of him. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE what reminds me of him, but I HATE how much it makes me miss him.

After going to dinner with Kristin and Brian and spending the day mostly just missing Matthew and sad, I come home to read this sweet message he left me on this blog. I never really check it because well, no one ever writes on here except me. With that note, let's just say my day became instantly better. I cannot say this time away from each other is "worth it", but I know he over there for the right reasons. I just have a hard time because I am selfish with my husband. I want him back and all to myself. Right now I am sharing him with EVERYTHING and EVERYONE and I just want him back to myself where we can be a family and not have to worry about Afghanistan.

Matthew, thank you for that note, my love. It was such a nice surprise and I cannot wait until I can tell you how much I love you face-to-face everyday. You make me so happy and give me such joy. I love you, handsome.

I am going to feed to babies.....and I have a headache.

Love to all, but my heart to Matthew. Oh and P.S. Matthew, Layla already knows her DADDY is the crazy one! But she adores you anyway, it's ok! hehe!

I had some spare time finally

Hey Katie,
You have had this thing for a while now, I figure its time i posted something. As you know its my day off from my workout, and tomorrow I will be getting up extra early to start my new routine. I am going to be so tired at first but will get used to it eventually. I miss you like crazy, and love you so much baby. You are so strong for going through what you go through day in and day out. There is so much you do that people sometimes miss or don't see because they take it for granted themselves. I am so lucky to have a beautiful and loving wife like you in my life. I wouldn't trade anything in the world for the blessings you and i have had given to us. I know that there is nothing our family can't get through together. I just wanted you to know that maybe not everyone shows you the appreciation you deserve, but i know a loving husband who does. I hope you have a good day and smile a lot.

P.S. Layla i love you and don't give mama a hard time, she just wants what is best for you. Oh and Layla MAMA IS CRAZY!! hehe

I love you baby.
Matthew

For you....