Taste Buds

Kellie: MaMa, it's gross.
MaMa: What's gross?
Kellie: I don't know. But it's really yucky.
MaMa: Did you eat the soap?
Kellie: Yeah.

Informed

Now that I've shared this wonderful news
with my parents and parents-in-law,
I'm ready to share with the world!
Sit back, enjoy the ride - it's a doozy!

Brian has re-enlisted in the Air Force for another four years.
We will remain stationed here in Alaska until September 2009.
He received a tidy sum of money for his committment (and ours!) to the Armed Forces.
He is not scheduled to deploy until December 2009.
I am finally able to fit into pre-pregnancy jeans.
Kellie is very interested in nurturing her younger friends.
Our life, marriage, and finances are stable.
We feel ready.
We are in the best possible position for...



A new BABY!
I am 3 weeks 5 days pregnant!
We're so thrilled!
Immediately upon finding out the good news, Terra insisted we celebrate. My sweet friends (and family- while away from home) met us at Red Robin where I stuffed my face silly and Baby got this bear from the Gudgels. Thank you families Ferrell, Gudgel, Petersen, and Reed for welcoming Baby into existence with such exuberance!

After dinner, we took Kellie to Target to pick out a present for "her baby." She chose this bunny over the monkey (the other choice we offered) and hugged and squished it the whole way home. We have talked about babies and bellies a little. We told her about Brooke (in Heather's belly) and we've decided to call this baby "Kellie's baby." I figure this will make the transition to "Kellie's brother" or "Kellie's sister" smooth. Throw in a few days of "Kellie's baby brother" and eventually we'll drop the "baby" part to come to "Kellie's brother (or sister!)"

Since the implantation of Kellie's Baby on the 22nd of October, I have been on a roller coaster of emotions.

When I nearly broke down over a messed up balloon order for Heather's baby shower that made me late to the pre-party decoration festivities.

When I slammed my nipple in a baby gate (Youch! That hurt!) so hard it bled.

When Brian tossed a soft dog toy down the stairs and hit me in the face. (I cried a LOT over that one...)

When I accidentally decapitated a G.I. Joe.

Not pregnant - I wear my emotions flapping freely on my sleeve.
Pregnant - I wear my emotions like a fragile body suit. I'm a mess and sob a LOT.
All the ups and downs and (one bout of) puking I've enjoyed for less than a week have been overall wonderful.
Because I know they will lead me to a beautiful baby sometime around
July 8, 2009.

Kellie kissed my belly "goodnight."
Life is peachy keen - jelly bean!

Ask and You Shall Receive...Sometimes

A birthday outfit sneak peek - at Grandma's request. :)

Fringe, Bangs, Patch

Whatever you call it - Kellie's got it.

I trimmed the hair
that was continually causing
the swift swipe
of the toddler hand
in an effort
to clear her vision.

Want to see what I got
when I asked Kellie for a real smile?

Dear Grandparents

I have a sizable stack of developed photos for each of you - hand picked for your optimal enjoyment. I've had these stacks for three weeks now. Shameful. I need to send them. If you're bored at work or looking for a way to pass time, call and harass me. I may just get on top of mailing these out that much faster. I keep forgetting and it keeps getting pushed to the bottom of my pile. Eek.

Just to keep you in the loop - we are in the process of planning Kellie's second birthday party. As many of you may know, her first birthday party was as low-key as they come. Knowing our little bean, we decided less fuss was in her best interest. This year? She's all geared up for a big girl party and we're going a bit overboard to make up for the dud I threw last year (Sorry we sucked you into the lameness, Gudgels!)

We'll be having Kellie Allison's Elmo themed second birthday bash at the Imaginarium Children's Museum. We'll have a host put on a bubbles display and it will appear as though itty bitty Elmo clones have taken over Alaska. Two of Kellie's best friends are leaving town mid-November, so we'll start the celebration early by rocking the 16th of November. We'll celebrate the actual anniversary of her birth by going out to dinner in her birthday best dress - a berry shimmery gown with a black velour bodice.

Feeling loopy yet? Welcome to the inner workings of a maniacal mother's brain. :D All are welcome here.