O-69... I am SO Immature

I went to BINGO with some sorority homies the other night. A good time was had by all. Little Miss Thang came with me and enjoyed lots of attentions. When they called O-69 I laughed. Loudly. The next times that they called it, I giggled. My maturity amazes me. I did not win a single thing but I did have a fun time. Winning would have made it more fun, but I digress. Lots of money was made for Children's Miracle Network, our national philanthropy, so I guess everyone is a winner.
I made lasagna for dinner tonight and the family liked it. Success.
I have not heard from the hubby since Saturday. Fail.

This post was short and sweet and I am tired and going to bed. Please don't hate me for lack of commenting, bloggy friends, I'm doing my best. If blogger would work better on my phone I'd be all over that, but I only get a few minutes a day for computer time while Poops is sleeping and I'm not using that time to do some other task... I promise I still love you all and do read your posts in my few minutes online, even if I don't comment :)

Blizzard Bloghop (During a Real Blizzard!)

Hello Blizzard Bloghop visitors (if you haven't heard about Blizzard Bloghop and you think I'm losing my marbles, check it out here). I am currently writing this while here in Maryland it is snowing and is supposed to be a real-life blizzard. Woah! (Edit I woke up to like a gazillion inches of snow this morning)

My name is Rachel, but here in bloggy land I simply go by Mrs. P, the abbreviated form of my (newish) married last name!

I started this blog in order to organize my crazy thoughts of everything that was going on at once. As a newly married, newly pregnant Marine wife, I had a lot going on. Now, as the wife of a deployed Marine with a newborn, the fun (craziness) just doesn't stop.

Let's start from the beginning. In 2008, I was a wild-girl party animal. I graduated from the U of MD Baltimore Co. May 08 with a degree in psych (with honors) and a specialty in partying/being a drunk (with no dignity). I was planning on going to law school, but the one I got into (with a scholarship) was in Michigan and well.... I just didn't wanna go to Michigan. SO I decided to work at the Child Development Center on the Army post I've lived next to basically my whole life (Army brat married to a Marine... oops hehe).

That fateful evening I met my hubs (the dark Italian one on the left)

While working there, I met some people and one fine day, was invited to go bowling at the base post Bowling Alley. It was there that I met a group of rowdy, strange, funny, and mildly attractive Marines. One happened to be named Jonny, and I found him particularly dorky. (haha he's gonna murder me when he reads this). Anyway, this silly guy and I ended up hitting it off and then he kissed me, and we always like to say it was Love at First Kiss. After that we had a few ups and downs and he ended up proposing to me 3 months later.

6 months after that, we were married. And 2 weeks after that, we found out we were expecting (Honeymoon Baby!!)! Yea, we don't waste anytime, but I've learned as a Marine Corps wife that there is no time to be wasted! So we happily (and not so happily, like I said, ups and downs) spent our lives in the surrounding area of Camp Lejeune, NC. Until December when we found out Mr. P was headed for the sandbox. On Dec 8, I did the hardest thing I've done yet in my young life (yes, even harder than labor), I said a temporary goodbye to my other half.

On Jan 15, I did the second hardest thing of my young life and gave birth to our gorgeous daughter. Now, together, Ariana Ralyn and I send hugs and kisses (and toilet seats...) to our beloved hero from around the world. And here I am to blog about the days (hours... minutes... seconds) of my Life as a Marine Wife, waiting to be reunited with my one true love.

Thank you, bloghoppers and other bloggy friends, for stopping by and taking a minute to read about lil ol' me!

Sweet Giveaway

I really want to win this Housework Tuesday giveaway
for a fabulous chores planner (lol I'm a nerd I know, but being a new mom and getting a new house soon I WANT IT) over at Amber's at Survival Guide for the Young, Fabulous and Newlywed.

To get an extra entry I have to post it in my blog and encourage you to enter, but if you don't want to enter that's ok because it'd give me a better chance. Haha I'm not selfish or anything... noo, not me.

You Know You're a Marine Wife When...

*First, a note of business, please head to my last post and ask me some questions. I've seriously only gotten like 3 or 4, and don't want to look like a loser, come on people!*

My friend Tamara, a fellow Marine wife (of a deployed Marine as well) posted these on myspace and I just had to share them, I find them quite entertaining. My notes and additions are in pink.

You Know You're A Marine Wife When...

- You can roll his sleeves better than he can.
(hubs always rolls his own, neither he nor I think sloppily rolled sleeves are acceptable, and although I don't roll his for him I will call him out when they aren't done well :-P)

-You know to stay off base between 1130-1400, unless you absolutely can't help it
(at least don't try to go anywhere near a place with food. Also, don't try to get off base/out of JVille between 1630-1830 or on/into JVille 0400-0600)

-You know his "last four" better than your own.
(I have to think, hard, about what mine is.)

-You find yourself up at night doing his MCI's because he has to get up early and needs to rest.

-You get out your ID at Walmart without thinking about it.

-You've said, "Good to go", "Roger that", or "oorah" without noticing.
(Good to go is def one of my most used phrases... oops)

-It only costs you $25 to have a child
(umm... it was free. Oorah, Naval Hospital)

-You've had a dog named "Sergeant", "Scout", or "Chesty"
(Chesty Puller, if you're confused... look him up, he's got some great quotes)

-You've used a crooked-neck flashlight with a red lens during a power outage because it was the only one you can find.
(And now he has it with him, hence why my mom says "We're taking the trash out in the DAYLIGHT I'm not feeling my way to the street tonight!")

-You think his skivvy shorts are hot.
(I thought most wives, like myself, laughed at these silly little things. They're AWFUL!)

-At a distance, you can pick out your husband out of 100 men with the same clothes and haircut.
(By the way he walks!)

-You're more "moto" than he is
(He calls me a motard, he thinks I'm going to get a high and tight...)

-You know that "field day" has nothing to do with a field.
(Yeah and it needs to be done in this house... I'm a mess)

-You know the exact day he switches from deserts to woodlands and vice-versa.
(But he doesn't, hence why I was running on base with his greens at 5am the day they switched)

-You know the exact measurements of his ribbons and medals on his uniforms.
(Actually I don't, I let him take care of that I just check for straightness)

-You get chills when you hear the Marines Hymn Play.
(Or you randomly hum it during the day, especially when you're apart and particularly missing him more than usual)

-You know better than to go to the commissary on or the day after pay day.
(O Good Lord!)

-You know how to cut a "high and tight"

-You know what boot bands are and find them all over the house.
(I'm still finding random gear parts... 6 weeks after he's left...)

-You can pack his sea bag better than he can.
(I was such a packing list nazi when he was getting ready for deployment, seriously, I was awful - "Where is this, why don't you have that? Why is that packed at the bottom??")

-You know what "motomail" is, and it's your lifeline.
(While I know what it is and I try to use it, it is not my lifeline I am, so far, not impressed)

-You know to pull your car over and prepare for colors at the end of the day, if you're really moto you get out of the car

-The National Anthem and any USMC recruiter commercials make you tear up (especially the new one - many will hear the call, few will be chosen - OORAH!)

-You have made a nosedive for a phone call that came up on the caller ID as "Private Name Private Number" or better yet you've gotten out of the shower with full soap on because of a "Private Name Private Number" call


Ok now it's your turn, how do you know you're a Marine/Army/Military wife? Add them in the comments (participation ladies, you get special points for it ;-D )

Purdy-in' Up

Yay! My blog is getting prettier!! I'm very excited. I would like to thank Ambs for point me in the direction of Shabby Blogs, they've got all kinds of stuff to spice up your blog.

I'm also SUPER proud of my new header, which I made myself using Picnik, a really neat photo editing website that I use when I don't have PSP on my computer! Yay for pretty and pink!

The two end pictures are mine, obviously I didn't take them but they were given to me, so they're mine, and the center photo I found here and did not take or have given to me.

Thinking Happy Thoughts

Ashley at Kiwis and Cocktails is basically one of my favorite bloggers. Not only are her posts so funny and light, does she enjoy some good drinks and fun nights out, and have beautiful wedding pics in her header, she also nominates me for lots of awards. Go check her out now. I command thee!

Speaking of the award, she has nominated me for this Happy Little Award:

And the rules of this award require me to list 10 things that make me happy and 10 bloggers who make me happy as well.

Thinking about happy things and being positive is part of my First Goal of Deployment, so this is great timing for me to think positively about what makes me happy and not what (or who) I am missing so very, very much at this moment.

So on with the happiness...

1. My Husband. Total duh, but my hubs is the light of my life. He is the one person who just, as cliche as it sounds, completes me. He makes me smile and laugh and feel loved. He thinks I'm beautiful he does his best to make me happy all the time. I am thankful and sooo happy I met him and have him in my life.Before he left
2. My family. I am soooo lucky to have the family that I do. Especially a mom who will sit up and webcam with me until I fall asleep and a dad that will buy headphones to make sure HIS granddaughter can listen to music and an auntie that continues to send me love and support and prayers through a tough time... Among many many other things. They are really an amazing group of people. And if ya met them, you'd totally get me - we're quite a silly bunch.
3. My daughter. Feeling her move is definitely one of my favorite parts of the day. I love my big belly and knowing that my little baby is in there growing away and will be here to meet me in only a couple weeks.33 weeks
   
4. My friends. I could seperate friends into a few categories... I've got my home friends, my Phi Mu sisters, and my USMC friends. They are all equally important to me and do so much to enrich my life. They are all helping me out so much through this deployment, from phone calls and messages to hanging out all day and road tripping to another lonely Marine wife's house - we have a blast. Being with my friends makes me happy, makes me laugh, and helps me to keep on truckin'.
5. Christmas. With everything else that's going on in my life right now, I have not been paying much attention to my favorite time of year! Mr. P and I set up our little 4ft tree and had a mini-Christmas before he left. It was a good time and a nice way to celebrate for a holiday we'll miss together.Blurry pic in front of our little tree
   
6. Webcams. I got to see my hubby last night. It was amazing. I'm telling myself not to get used to it, but am secretly wishing he could get on right now. Webcams are pretty awesome. I also webcam with my mom at night so I don't feel so alone in my house.
   
7. Pedicures and massages. Man do I LOVE being pampered!!
8. Dogs. Mr. P and I are very excited to start looking for a puppy when he gets home. We both wanted one so badly but couldn't have one per our lease, so when he comes home and we're in the house we own, we're going to entertain the idea. We might not get one right off (settling in, new baby, money, etc) but I'm very excited to start looking!!
9. Traveling. I always have so much fun when I am on vacation. I can't wait to go on our next vacation. I think we (Ariana and I) are going to Disney with my family around Easter time. It will be right before we move into our new home and a few months before daddy comes home. I'm very excited!
10. Food. I love eating. I'm a total fatty at heart, whatever. At least being preggo I have an excuse to eat whatever. Haha too bad I'll be on chicken and lettuce once Miss Thang gets here. I have started to enjoy cooking and baking and I looove making things for my hubs - he always thinks it's delicious, even when I screw up. I have all intentions of sending him food, mom says she knows a good way to keep cookies fresh so you can bet your butt that there will be cookies shipped!!

So there is a limited list of the things that make me happy! I am WAY too lazy to tag 10 people right now, so if you would like to list the things that make you happy, feel free to yoink this! Reading blogs in general makes me happy so anyone is free to have at it :-)

I Love Getting Bloggy Awards :)

The lovely Ashley at Kiwis and Cocktails nominated me for the fantastic Sugar Doll award. I just looove being nominated for awards, especially playing along the little game that goes with the award.

For this award I am to give 10 interesting tidbits about me and then nominate 10 blogs. For my tidbits, I'm being a copy cat and stealing Ashley's idea by letting hubby give the tidbits so here it goes, straight from the horse's mouth (so to speak):

1. She is particular - things have to be done a particular way, have to be done her way.
2. She is adorable.
3. She likes to laugh a lot.
4. She loves her music, she needs her music.
5. She is pretty good at driving a stick (he said this with a smirk, but for all you perverts out there, I drive a manual transmission, mmk??)
6. She is a good wife. An awesome wife. She likes to baby her husband. (He didn't want me to add that last part on, but he said it, no backsies!!)
7. She likes to be tickled (he says as he 'tickles' my feet... tickle as in lightly touched. My tickle-ish-ness had drastically faded and he's right, I enjoy to be 'tickled')
8. She likes to drink when she's not pregnant.
9. She is stubborn.
10. She is loving. Very loving.
(And the Patriots game is on, so this took a REALLY long time hahahaha)

and the blogs I am nominating...
Lyr @ Breaking Through
WC @ Everything Happens For A Reason
Katie @ Loves of Life
Ashley @ Ramirez Family
Kelsey @ The Seattle Smiths
M @ Driving in Stilettos
Rachael @ A Sweetheart and a Soldier
Kate @ Imagine all the people, living for today
Lindsay @ Lindsay Writing
Christelle @ Journey to be a Mrs.

I also realized I never posted that I was TAGGED by Ashley once before and missed it. So here it is now.
For this one I answer 5 Questions with 5 Answers for each Question. Then I tag 5 bloggers. I'm going to be lazy and say the people tagged above are tagged again, if they'd like. :-P

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

November 15, 1999...

• I was in 8th (I believe?) grade at Aberdeen Middle School
• It was less than a month until my 13th birthday so I'm sure I was planning some kind of party. Actually, this may have been the year we went Scuba Diving at Knight Divers
• I was relying on my mom to drive me around to hang out with my friends. I hung out a lot at the mall during these years.
• I was totally boy-crazy! I mean, what 13 year old girl isn't? I also really liked both NSync and MXPX... what a mix...
• I was really ready for Thanksgiving/Christmas break - some things never change!
  

2. What are 5 things on your To Do list today?

Seeing that today is basically over, let's focus on tomorrow, I should create a To-Do list anyway!

• Preggie lady fitness class at 1030
• Call the doctor and find out if train rides @ 9 months are ok
• Head to Best Buy for some Christmas present research (shh don't tell Mr. P!)
• LAUNDRY
• Lamaze class
  

3. Snacks you enjoy?

• Cereal. That's what I'm about to have actually!
• Starbursts
• Girl Scout Thin Mints
• Freshly baked cookies (I can't wait til hubs is done his diet so I can bake for us some more!)
• Fresh fruit
  

4. Where are 5 places you have lived?

• Richlands, NC
• Catonsville, MD
• UMBC Campus, MD
• Aberdeen, MD
• Zweibrucken, Germany
  

5. What are 5 things you would do if you were a billionaire?

• Baller houses for us, my parents and Jonny's parents. Our house would also have lots of land and horses.
  
• Maybe a private island (haha)
• Fun toys for us... Boats, Four-wheelers, RV for the parents
  
• Baby P's school/college
  
• Money to a good cause, maybe breast cancer? march of dimes? Maybe a FEW!
  

Veteran's Day Thankful Thursday

I don't typically partake in Thankful Thursdays, usually because I forget it's Thursday before I have the chance (hence why I've been slacking in my Wishful Wednesdays, too) but yesterday, I skipped a Veteran's Day blog because I wanted to incorporate it into a Thankful Thursday post.

Warning: This post may be a bit Motarded.
Definition of a Motard (a la Mr. P): "Motivated to the point of retardedness."
A term often used to describe people who are overly excited about anything Marine Corps/military/regulation/American. Often associated with the "super motivational" haircut, the high and tight.

Photo Cred

Used in a sentence: Babe, you are such a motard, I am surprised you don't have a high and tight (Hubby to me when I was seriously rocking out to "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue" by Toby Keith)

Ok, enough with the babbling, on to the thankfulness...

Photo Cred

Every day, I am thankful for my wonderful family. I'm thankful for the family which I was raised, my amazing parents who support me like none other, my crazy little sister that I am lucky to have no matter how annoying she can be, and my extended family at large, they're pretty neat. I am thankful for the family I married into. My awesome husband, who I don't know what I'd do without. I could seriously go on for hours about all the reasons and ways I am thankful for him so let's just leave it at he loves me no matter what, he takes care of me, spoils me, and is the bestest man I could have asked for ever. And my new extended family, they're pretty neat, too.
Also, the new family that we are creating. My beautiful little daughter baking away inside. I'm thankful for the opportunity to even be pregnant and the chance to become a mommy. I'm thankful for every kick, every symptom of pregnancy, and every little joy that comes along with it, because it really is a miracle.

I am also thankful for my friends. My wonderful friends I've grown up with who have been by my side regardless, all the women that stood by me at my wedding day, I don't know what I'd do without them. My friends from school that I still keep in touch with and the sorority sisters that continue to think about me even though I'm so far away. And my new friends, the Marine Wives I've met along the way so far. I would be a mess down here without the ladies I've gotten to know.

And *begin motivational section* in this issue of Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for our military. Without which America wouldn't be... well America. I'm thankful that there are men and women out there who risk their lives daily so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do and feel safe and protected in the ways we do. I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to grow up in a military family and learn to appreciate all these things at an early age. I'm thankful that my husband is the strong and good Marine that he is, that he has the dedication to work his butt off for the Corps. I am thankful for all the things the military has provided for us, as well.

--
So now I'm wondering what's up with my lack of readership? Is my life that boring or my posts that difficult to read (I know I tend to write in stream-of-consciousness fashion, so maybe I'm just too all over the place?) I'm beginning to get a bit depressed at the dwindling amount of comments I receive, it's kind of a blow to the ego!! So if you stop by and my blog sucks, feel free to let me know! Hahaha.
--
And lastly, hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Also, in lieu of the Veteran's Day topics of this post, head over to Married to the Military for an awesome Build-A-Bear giveaway!! Run quick, the giveaway ends tonight!!

Mondizzle

• Got a new job (as you've heard) and the next three days, guarenteed, I'll be making some moneys!!!! After that I get some sort of work schedule (hopefully) and will be working semi-regularly, if all pans out accordingly.
• My husband is home. While we still don't know anything, I cherish each and every day/minute/second I get with him. Although a little word would be fantastic, having him home is basically awesome.
  
• New and expecting moms meeting tomorrow night. Our battalion spouses have lots of fun things (Girls Nights Out I've mentioned before) that we do to get together, and once a month we have a Girls Night for the mommies and mommies-to-be of the group. Since I fell asleep before the first one (oops!) and didn't want to leave husband (not even for a few hours!!) right after he came home from training, this will be my first one. I'm pretty excited, two of my closest friends from the BN are hosting it, so I know it will be a blast.
• 26 weeks pregnant and celebrating the last little bit of the second trimester. I've enjoyed this stage of pregnancy, as it really is the "honey moon phase," but I'm sooo ready to meet my baby that each day closer is more and more exciting. That and I love popping out, watching my body change (and finally not looking lumpy and jiggly and weird and actually pregnant - oh and my belly button change haha), and generally just enjoy being pregnant.
• Thirteen nights of Halloween begins tonight on ABC Family. Ok so, maybe I cheated on this one a little bit (The commercial just came on), but realizing that 13 Nights of Halloween is here really excites me, because I love Halloween and fall time and the movies during the Halloween season :)

Happy New Week Everyone, Hope you all have wonderful things to look forward to this week!!!

Sweet Giveaway

I just wanted everyone in bloggy world to know about this sweet giveaway going on over at Life in the Burbs with the Lenz's.

She is giving away a super cute apron from Flirty Aprons.




Go check it out now!!
And thanks to Ramirez Family for posting about the giveaway!


Headed off to my first day of work - wish me luck!!

Manic? Monday (A Reason To Look Forward)

Because Mondays are usually kind of stressful, I have chosen to steal this positive way to look at Mondays from the lovely Heather at Live.Love.Laugh. Such a good way to get over having a case of the Mondays. So now I present to you...


Why I love the week of October 5, 2009:

• My husband will be in training but will be able to come home each day (I was really worried he'd have to stay out there which is no fun) and it may be early days.
• Fall weather is finally starting to creep into the depths of North Carolina. And while it is still warm enough to wear flip flops and short sleeves, I got to wear long pants without sweating today. Woo hoo!
• I will be 6 months pregnant on Wednesday. 24 whole weeks I've been at this baby growing stuff! Only 4 short weeks from entering into the third and final trimester!
• I created and am adhering to a meal plan! We made it Saturday and bought all of our groceries on Sunday. It helped us save so much money and we shopped in complete meals so I won't have to run back to WalMart every single day.
• I will be getting my flu shot some time this week. I went today but was confused and given the wrong instructions so did not get it, but I found out they are there all week. I've never gotten a flu shot in my life, but it's the best for baby girl so it's what I'm doing.
  
• Tomorrow night is the Meet the Spouses night with the Batallion CO. Maybe, just maybe, we'll be given a clue as to what is going on within the unit. If not, I get to see some of my favoritest Marine Wives tomorrow, to say the least!
• And last but not least, TWO of my favoritest (yes, I know favoritest is a made-up word and yes, I know I used it twice, there's no other word to use there though, really!) Phi Mu ladies are coming to visit me this very weekend!!!!! I'm sooo excited! Shan W and my little Theresa are making the trek down here to the (not-so) dirty south. I am really really REALLY excited for them to visit, and know we will have a blast (and I am determined to have the best time ever without going over budget, wish me luck!) They were planning a surprise but they (thankfully) let me know so I can prepare. Which, thank God they did, because we had a lazy weekend and the house was a disaster (and now I have time and a reason to clean, woo hoo!)

I am actually pretty freakin' stoked about this coming week. I'm just sayin'...

It's Wednesday (And I'm Feeling Wishful!)

I Wish I Got Paid A Million Dollars To...

Write Restaurant/Bar Reviews

Get paid to eat at all the best places, have drinks at all the hot new clubs? Yes please! This job would include traveling and eating, what isn't there to love? All I'd have to do is write about how fantastic (or sub par) the food, service, etc. was. And everyone knows that restaurant critics get nothing but the best service! I wouldn't have to wait in abnormally long lines for restaurant openings and I wouldn't have to pay for the food or drinks! I think that sounds like an ideal job. Plus, did I mention it would include traveling?! There's a new restaurant opening in a tourist section of Italy? Send Mrs. P to do a write up for the paper! Haha, I love food, I love traveling, I don't think it could get better than that.

cartoons source

Head over to The Seattle Smith's to play along!

First Blog Award (Tag, I'm It)

I hopped on my blogger today and discovered I had been TAGGED! Haha, I received a "Cute Blog Award" from Ashley over at Kiwis and Cocktails. (Go check her out if you haven't already!).

As I'm always wishing I could make my blog cuter like so many of the blogs I see on here, I'm pretty delighted to have received this. Woo hoo!

The stipulation that comes along with this award is to list 7 things about yourself. Now the challenging part begins...

1. Every time I'm asked to list things about myself I can usually think of far too many or far too little things about me. Far too little is the case right now, but never fear I will do it. When I was still in school we had ice breakers that often included listing facts about yourself (Like 2 Truths and a Lie) and found my mind wandering to interesting tidbits about me in my spare time (too bad it never wanders there when I need it too...)
2. My husband won't let me sing "Born in the USA." This is an extended version of my normal tidbit - I wasn't born in the US. I was born overseas, in Germany. This summer Mr. P and I went to SandJam, an all day festival at the beach here on base, and "Born in the USA" came on. He wouldn't even let me clap along - "You were NOT born in the USA!" I changed the lyrics then, "I was booooorn overseas." Always thinking outside the box ;-)
3. Husband FINALLY felt baby girl move today! As this fact isn't totally about me, it is one exciting tidbit that happened today that I feel the need to share. He hadn't felt her, and then my mom felt her when I was home and he still hadn't felt her (I think she was hiding from him) and today when I visited him during lunch he totally felt her. His whole face lit up and that, in turn, just makes me die. Seeing that man smile still makes me melt.
4. I actually had no intention of seriously dating my husband, much less marrying him. We joke about this sometimes. As an Army Brat, I didn't really find anything spectacular about Marines (Dumb Jarheads! hahaha) and frankly thought he was a bit of a dork. The first time he kissed me, my legs tingled and my knees went weak and that changed that idea. I now realize that it is his dorkiness that I am most fond of and could never be prouder of my Jarhead. Oh, fate.
5. There are lists all over my house. While I am a huge procrastinator, I am a big list-maker. "Maybe in the future I will get --- done" I think would be a more appropriate title of my list than "To Do." Unfortunately, my disorganization often ruins even the smallest purpose of the list, as I don't usually find the list until after the time I needed it... still working on that.
6. I'm still thinking about going back to school. I often miss just learning in general and realize that during the day I could be doing some kind of learning work. I think online classes would be the most appropriate right now but still have not made a decision. I was almost all set to get my MA in Teaching, but then I met some Teachers in the area who are having a really hard time getting interviews, let alone finding jobs, and spending all that money to learn and then make no money in return just doesn't sound appealing. Plus I'm not 100% what I want to do, every day I have a new idea. Oh, indecisive me.
7. I am skipping a meeting tonight to stay home and cook for my husband. I don't do it every night, so the nights I have dinner ready (or on it's way) when he gets home make me so proud. And I haven't seen him in a while, so skipping out on a meeting, I feel, is totally justifiable.

Now I get to tag 7 lovely blogs. And the winners are...

1. Whitney at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife
2. Heather at Live.Love.Laugh
3. Kelsey at The Seattle Smith's
4. Rachel at Beautiful Life
5. Katie at Loves of Life
6. Kristen at Wivelihood
7. Lindsay at Lindsay Writing

If you've already done a list for an award (or what have you) it's totally ok to skip out on that part, just wanted you to get your recognition!

Wishful Wednesday (Something to Write About!)

This fun game is from The Seattle Smith's.

I Wish I Could Be...

Abby Sciuto of NCIS

I think she has a really cool job, that as Mrs. P I've thought of doing in passing, but probably couldn't handle it! She does all the analysis stuff and doesn't have to tote a gun (I'm kind of a chicken). She is very smart in sooo many areas, has a lot of fervor and spunk, and gets to work with the Gibbs, DiNozzo, and McGee, all whom whom I find incredibly charming (in their own ways of course).
She is also incredibly quirky (not unlike myself) and it is totally part of her charm! She's got an edge, an interesting taste in music (maybe different from my own, but still interesting) and a unique fashion sense! I think she is just fantastic.

It also helps that I have been very addicted to NCIS lately, thanks to USA for playing it for 6 hours straight this evening when I had nothing to do but watch TV and clean my house...

Pregnancy Survey

I found this on My 9 Months' blog and decided to snatch it. I think it will be neat to do now and then maybe do again later on to compare any changes!


Name: Mrs. P

Age: 22
Birthday: 12/12/1986
Birth Place: Zweibrucken, Germany
Height: 5'6"
Pre-weight: between 150 and 155... SH

Father's Name: LCpl P

Age: 25

Birthday: 2/26/84

Birth Place: Florida

Height: 5'8" or so

Are you still together? Yes, happily married

How did you find out you were pregnant? Home pregnancy test the day of my missed period.

What kind of Pregnancy test did you take? The first one was a dollar store brand, the second was a Clear Blue Digital

How many? Just those 2

What were your 1st symptoms? Funky smell - I thought the meat was bad when in actuality I just smelled it more than ever

Who did you tell first? Husband then mom

Who was with you when you found out? Husband, we were still on our honeymoon!

My 1st reaction: I believe I just kept saying We're pregnant! Mr. P stuffed his face full of chips and then didn't say much of anything haha

Was your baby planned? In a way, I went off BC and we said we'd leave it to God. We weren't actively "trying" but we were not- NOT trying either haha

When was the baby conceived? Between May 2 and May 6

How far were you when you found out? Right away, the day I missed my period.

How did your parents react? They're pretty stoked!

My baby

Due Date: 27 January 2010

Do you want to know the sex? YES! I was so impatient!!

Do you know the sex? Yup!

If so, boy or girl? GIRL!

Any names? Ariana Ralyn, still up for adjustment though

Any Ultrasounds? I had a couple in the very very beginning, like 5 and 6 weeks. Then one at around 7 at the orientation, one at 11, and the 3D at 18. Next one is 17 Sept @ 21 weeks

Have you heard the heart beat? Yes, I love it!

Who do you think it will look like? From the 3D he swears she has his nose, I think it's too early to tell but I'll let him think that ;-)

Will the baby have siblings? In the future!

Have you felt the baby move? Yes just little movements right now, like "Don't forget about me, I'm still here!"

Miscellaneous

Did you have morning sickness? Yes it was horrible. I'm hoping it doesn't come back!

Did you have any cravings? Burger King Nuggets, OJ, apple sauce/baby carrots, pb&j sandwiches, and whatever I see on tv haha

Did you have any mood swings? YES. Poor Mr. P.

Are you a high risk pregnancy? Not that I've been told thus far.

Any complications? So far, no. Knock on wood that this remains the case...

Formula or Breastfeeding? I'm really going to attempt breastfeeding, I am pretty dedicated to that option right now.

Have you bought anything for the baby yet? Bought the first little pink outfit after the 3D scan. Grandma has been buying lots of stuff though, and Grandpa helps A LOT haha.

When did you start to show? I feel like I showed right away, but I'm a spaz like that. I think I finally actually really do have a "pregnant belly" now at 18 weeks.

How long could you wear your regular clothes? I stopped wearing my pants really early on, they just weren't comfy. I still wear a lot of my dresses. Shirts are getting too short.

Will you keep the baby's clothes? Probably, or give them to someone who needs them.

Home or Hospital? Hospital.

Natural or Medicated birth? Most likely medicated, unless she comes really quickly.

Who will be in the delivery room with you? I pray pray PRAY that my husband will be there, that is depending on his deployment. Also my mommy.

Do you think you will need a C-section? I'm not planning on it...

Will you cry when you hold the baby for the 1st time? I'm sure.

What's the 1st thing you might say to the baby? I really think I'll be speechless. Or say something really stupid like "A baby." haha.

Will you let anyone video tape the birth? It's not allowed at our hospital. Which bums me out for if he's deployed so let's just pray he'll be here, k?

Are you excited? STOKED.

Who will help you with the baby after the birth? HOPING my husband, and probably mom and dad

What is your favorite thing about being pregnant? Eating and sleeping. Hell yes. I think I was a cat in a previous life haha.

What is the worst thing about being pregnant? Getting fat and being an emotional monster haha

What's one thing you miss doing since being pregnant? Drinking. Going out and acting a fool. It would be nice to still be able to enjoy a cocktail or two on the weekends... baby's worth it though :)

Any days you wish you were not pregnant? When I was really sick I felt like that often. Not that I didn't want the baby, I just felt like shit.

Are you ready for a baby? To be perfectly honest, no. I'm terrified. I will be ready when it's time though, I know.

Do you have insurance? Lol, yes thank you. Good ol' TRICARE

How many kids do you want? I think 3 is a nice number but we'll see...

Do you talk to the baby? ALL the time. I looked really crazy before people could openly see I was pregnant haha

Do you still feel attractive? No but my husband is good at reminding me that I still am, he's so great.

Have you had your baby shower yet? Nope, not for a lil while.

Do you like kids? I do. It's adolescents and older that are questionable - eep!

How far along are you now? 18w2d