Tahdaaaahh....

I know that you all have just been on the edge of your seats waiting to hear how well our journey went. Well, it was great. Except for the tiny melt-down that Eli and I had at our connection in Newark. Long story short, we had an hour to get through boarder control, luggage claim, luggage re-check and security. Uh, yah. Along with about a million other people too. In the security check line I realized that there were about (no lie) 300 people in front of us and our plane was already boarding. I had Eli in his stroller with my carry-on suitcase on top of it. I had been crying since baggage re-check and Eli was sensing my frustration. He started crying, I picked him up and the weight distribution on the stroller was uneven and it tipped over and everything went everywhere. I was humiliated and already crying like a naked baby dipped in a cold tub. Thankfully someone complained about the crazy woman and her baby in the line and we were escorted to the front of the line. I'm not going to say that I wasn't hoping that would happen. Thank God for being hormonal and being able to cry when needed. And obviously pregnant. Hell-o belly!

But we made it safely and GG and Boppa (previously Poppa but E calls him Boppa these days) were in ATL smiling and waiting on us as we entered the luggage claim area. It took him all of about 2.3 minutes to warm up to them. Eli went to bed at 11 pm Saturday night and was up at 7 am on Sunday. Talk about adjusting quickly. Sunday was awesome since it was homecoming and there was SO much awesome food and dessert afterwards. Monday we chilled and that night I was feeling rough. Tuesday woke up with a virus and praise God for mommies. She came home and helped with Eli while I tried dying. And in case you don't know me, I do not handle pain or sickness well. It's apparently genetic in the Gay family and it was not lost upon me. It drives my mom crazy, but we all can't be so perfect now can we?

Wednesday I got to meet my new Ob and I'm really happy with him. He's a huge Alabama fan judging by the decor in his office and I guess that makes him qualified enough to deliver my precious little bundle of joy.

Thursday night my "little" brother graduated from high school and Eli was such an angel during the ceremony.... Oh wait, that was all the other babies in the audience. Eli was actually so bad that my dad missed pretty much everything up until Luke actually got his diploma ONLY because Eli loved clapping with everyone else.

Friday we headed to the beach for the long weekend and got in late last night. For the first time in I don't know how long, I didn't get burned. I wore my SPF 50 the whole weekend, and maybe just 30 a couple of times. I wish I had known that you could still tan with sun screen. Eli had an absolute blast until he came down with the virus I had only 5 days earlier. After several bouts of nasty stuff he was finally better and back to his old self the next morning. Thankfully he didn't get sick while we were on the road.

Today we went and had to 3D scan and got to see sweet little Andrew. He definitely favors Eli but I'm sure he will have his own little unique features. We noticed that his head was really bumpy in the pictures so that means LOTS of hair! Even though they aren't girls, I love that my babies have lots of hair. They surely don't get it from their daddy though :) Tomorrow we are headed to the Land's for a week or so, so MAYBE things will just be nice and calm and just hanging out.

And now that I've caught you up on the events in our life you may rest. It's taken me a while to post this... Who knows when you'll see me again!?

tomorrow, tomorrow!

eli and i are busting out of this joint in the a.m.!

i have packed and packed and packed some more... as daniel and i were skyping today i was telling him about how i knew i was missing something and he reminded me... as long as we have enough snacks, diapers and our passports it doesn't matter. we'll be in the states where everything is cheaper and can easily replace whatever! i like to think that i may forget all of my shoes...

this morning i had my 28 week appointment and got my recent lab results back...no diabetes...

i wasn't worried though. my sugar wasn't an issue with eli and at my 20 week scan he was only measuring in the 34th percentile... so far i've gained 15 lbs and it's gone straight to my face (and butt.) at my first appointment my doctor told me that i could gain up to 40 lbs but i set a personal goal of 25... but if i do gain 40, i wont feel so bad... it will still be 20 less that i gained with e!

anyway, can i just say... i really miss the husband. skyping sucks. next time you hear from me, we'll be in the good ole usa!!! go america!

I can be your hero....

I couldn't think of a better title with "hero" in it than that... Sorry if it's stuck in your head for all eternity as it will be in mine... ugh...

Once we found out that Andrew was a boy, we started talking about names as most people do. We really, really loved the name Max/Maximus but there was one little problem... I had a great-great uncle named Max who may or may not have killed someone... He spent a lot of time in prison so we'll go with the former. I debated on whether or not to tell Daniel of the history since I loved the name so much. But he just didn't understand why so many of my family members turned their noses at the name. My dad's parents literally would not even acknowledge that we were even considering the name. But it wasn't like we were naming the baby AFTER him.

I was naming him after Maximus Decimus Meridius. And I know that the "Gladiator" wasn't really a hero but I just thought it was awesome. And Daniel did too. But, what about Eli? Wouldn't he be a little miffed if he grew up and his little brother had some type of hero's name and he was just a normal kid... Then we talked about adding a second middle to Eli's. When he was born, my dad gave him the nickname "The Hammer" (pronounced "THA HAMMAAAA" in a very manly tone). You can just guess why he was given that name.

So, if we were to add another name to Eli's how about Thor? He carried around a large hammer too. All I would have to do is get a power of attorney from Daniel saying that I could legally have Eli's name altered and when the baby was born he would get a hero's name too. Apparently I was the only one serious about this and Daniel laughed in my face and told me only redneck's do stuff like that.

Whatever.

We're being deported...

Not really. But if we were I wouldn't even care. In just 1 little week from now Eli and I will be in Jersey or somewhere over the east coast heading to Atlanta. We will be exactly 5 hours from landing! Our European excursion will be taking a 5 month break and I for one am looking forward to it. I am not confident enough to travel too far without Daniel. And as of the past couple weeks, I've not ventured more than an hour away from base. All the warnings of security really scare me and obviously we are driving around in American cars so we'd be an easy target. And Muslims aren't scarce in these parts...

I'm so ready to take a break! It seems that ever since Daniel left we've gone non-stop. I can't call him and tell him to run the base errands and we have had such incredible support from amazing friends. They have really helped these past few weeks go so smoothly and I am so thankful for all they have done and time we've spent together. We have moved onto one of the best streets on base but unfortunately so many of our neighbors are going to be gone by the time we get back... Military life. One neighbor though will be here when we get back and she and her son are keeping a look out on things like our grass and flowers so that's nice not having to worry about that.

I feel like I have been preparing for the past few weeks for this plane ride. This is our first flight with Eli as a walker... and I'm scared. I've bought all of his favorite snacks and now that this is like our 10th flight with a baby I've finally decided the best way to pack our carry-on and Eli's bag. Eli eating M&M's and yogurt covered raisins equals happy Eli. And amazingly he is the kind of kid that doesn't get hyper from sugar. It truly knocks him out. I better watch myself talking about that since it could always have the opposite effect at some point in time.

All the grandparents are busy getting ready for Eli to come play. Poppa traded his big, fluffy, white rabbit for 12 baby chickens last weekend. I need to tell Poppa that he is not a farmer and that sounds a little redneck. (Dad, if you read this I am just kidding. It's one of my favorite stories to tell these days and I know Eli will enjoy chasing them around the yard.) I requested a baby duck. I don't think they are as gross as chickens. GG is moving her and Poppa into our old room so that we can have their room since it's A LOT bigger. We'll have plenty of room for when Andrew arrives. Grandma and Grandpa Land have been busy putting up some of the girly toys and putting out trucks and cars and other boy stuff. I've heard from Daniel they're also putting up a gate on the stairs. E has no fear of 18 steep stairs.

I'm sending a lot of Eli's sleepers and whatever clothes are season appropriate from when he was a little bitty baby home. I have to admit a few tears were shed when I pulled those tiny clothes from the bin I had them stored in. I held up the cute little footed pajamas and told Eli that he use to be "this" tiny. He started helping me pull out the clothes (imagine that) and say, "awww" when he held them up to himself. He's a sweet one. He has definitely started noticing that mommy's tummy is getting bigger as he likes to poke it. Probably because it pokes him so much lately.

I keep thinking that things are going to slow down once we make it home but our first week is pretty much a dive in head first. On Sunday is my baby brother's baccalaureate, Monday I have to meet with my new general provider for a referral to my new OBGYN and then on Wednesday I meet with him. Thursday the previously mentioned brother graduates and Friday we leave for the beach. Hopefully somewhere in there my trusted hairdresser can squeeze me for some highlights. I look extremely trashy.

And finally, I'm leaving you with this story. The other night after saying a special prayer for daddy, Eli covered his little eyes and repeated, "God, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, God, Daddy." I have never been so amazed at anything he's ever done and it was really the sweetest thing he's ever said. I have a lot of memories with him that I will always cherish and this is definitely number one on the list.

Oh, little boy...

As much as I may feel cut out for this mom thing... I wonder sometimes what God was thinking when he placed Eli with me. See, I am a VERY cautious person. I have an extremely difficult time making big decisions, and even some small ones, without dwelling on possible outcomes. However, I have been entrusted with the life of a daredevil. I don't know what Daniel did to his mother, but I am paying for it.

He climbs.... like a freaking monkey. Onto EVERYTHING.

He eats anything. Old raisins, check. Whatever that was in his car seat, check. Rocks, check.

He jumps off of the couch headfirst onto our tiled floor.

He falls constantly, his legs are mostly scrapes and bruises.

And this morning, he got his first bloody nose. He was spinning like a tornado waiting on me to finally get all of our stuff together and all of a sudden... BAM, face-planted right into a bar on the dining table chair. At first I thought he hit his mouth so I immediately checked to make sure all teeth were still in tact. They were. Thank God. But then, he really started crying and when he breathed out through his nose... blood gushed everywhere. Thankfully there is only a small bruise on the side, I was thinking his eyes may have gotten blackened but nothing has happened yet and it was over 4 hours ago.

I'm hoping that since he is so intelligent that he will realize that had he just been a patient little boy and not rush mommy, that wouldn't have happened. I'm not betting on it though...just hoping.

I was made for this...

Eli. He is truly the funniest little thing that God has ever placed in my path on my journey through life. Yesterday we were listening to his cd of Sunday school songs in the car and Father Abraham was playing. His little melon head was banging right along. That beat was just waaaay too catchy. Next the Wise Man came on and he was in the back seat just-a building his house on that rock. Those little arms couldn't be contained. About a week ago we were out shopping and it was time to go home even though Eli was not ready. I turned on his cd and his favorite, This Little Light of Mine, was playing. Even though he was in the back screaming bloody murder acting like someone had told him he'd never see another Hot Wheels again, his little finger (light) was going around and around. Even though his light wasn't really shining, he tried.

Bath time is my favorite. Or just right after bath time. After Eli has gotten out of the tub for as long as I can remember, I hold him all snuggled up and we look in the mirror and I talk about how much I love my clean baby. He loves it, and that makes me love doing it even more. He lays his head on me and admires what an awesome pair we make in that mirror, or at least I pretend that is what he's thinking about. He's probably admiring his good looking little self. And even now that he knows he isn't a "baby" he still will let me cradle him and talk baby talk to him during this time. As soon as the pajamas are on it's back to big boy Eli.

I love when we are out in public and Eli behaves. Yesterday we were at a bizaar and for the most part he was an angel. He rode around in his stroller and waved at everyone like he was some famous bachelor waving to all of his adoring fans. It wasn't an eager wave, but one of acknowledgment. His smile wasn't toothy, but flirty. His eyes would squint a little bit, he just made everyones day. A lady told me that he had the face of a cherub angel. I kind of laughed and then looked down at him. And of course she was right. His little cheeks were so pink and his eyes were twinkling. I decided right then that he would be getting a new Hot Wheels later for just being so adorable. (Surely I'm not going to ruin my kid with a 96 cent toy every once in a while?)

Everytime I look at him or feel Andrew move, I know that this is the life I was made for. I'm so thankful that I can celebrate Mother's day with such a beautiful, healthy, happy child. I've never wanted anything more than to have a family of my own to love and care for and I can't thank God enough for this blessing.

I won't go there...

I have a funny story. Or at least I think it's funny. It's one of those TMIs that everyone deals with but doesn't talk about. I'm not a modest person when it comes to telling an embarrassing story, even when it is about myself. But for the sake of my husband who reads this as well as his family, and I guess even for the bond that you and I somewhat share I'm just going to keep it bottled up. Unless we are ever talking in person and you really feel like you need to know. The story is borderline Jenny McCarthy. Maybe even totally. Anyway, I'm just going to leave you longing for it and go on to the rest of my post.

Has Daniel really only been gone for two weeks? It truly seems like it's been 2 months. I have totally taken him for granted this past year. Man. You don't realize how much help you get until it's all gone. I mean, I know that he's always been helpful with E... but he was REALLY helpful. Had he been here, this morning at 3:30 would have been so much easier, but I won't go there.

Daniel made it safely to where he'll be spending the next several months. I don't think it's very big and from what he says, the food is hardly edible. He's mostly living on cereal and sometimes if he's feeling adventurous he gets yogurt too. We get to skype if the internet isn't completely overloaded on his base and at least e-mail every day. Eli sent him a car the other day so they can play cars through skype. When Eli saw him playing with it he tried to grab it from him. I really think that Eli understands what all is going on. For the most part at least. The good thing about babies is that they have a horrible perception of time. But as long as Eli still talks about Dah-dah I think we'll be good. Right now our time difference is only 3 hours but it will turn to 9 when we go home. It will definitely make communication much more difficult. It's hard enough finding a convenient time to talk to our families from here.

Oh, and speaking of talking to Daniel... before he left "I" bought him one of the new iPods that he can carry around the base and skype us when he had a free minute without dragging his computer around all day. Well guess what... someone stole it. Can you believe that? He said the last place he laid it down was his bed. They dumped the ear buds outside the tent. I feel like it was probably someone he's living in his tent with since there are like 6 of them... I'm mostly bummed because we had some really great pics of the last days up until Daniel left on it that hadn't been emailed or saved. That's what hurts... I'm sure the guy that stole the iPod had to of seen those sweet pictures of Daniel holding and hugging and playing with his little boy the morning he left for his deployment. I wonder if he felt bad when he deleted them.

I hope so.

Hot Wheels leading the way & Our weekend

Well friends, once again I have uploaded the pictures backwards.

Oh well.

First off, let me begin with this little story. It's a story about a little boy who will obviously grow up to be a typical man who rushes his woman to get herself dressed and out the door in a timely matter. For him, it's as soon as you say, "let's go byebye." I am starting to learn that I must get myself and his snacks and drinks and whatever requirements we must travel along with ready before making the statement. If not, he sits at the door yelling mama for 10 minutes and follows me around with a whiny little voice that is longing to use real words and say "get your @&& out the door NOW." He usually gets a pop on the leg and quits crying once the house door is unsealed. The end.

I'm afraid I'll have to keep taking ages to get ready so that when he marries, she won't have to live up to a standard of her MiL who gets ready at the speed of light. I'm giving her the greatest gift in doing so. She will have a lot to work with.

Today Eli and I got up and went to the BXtra where they have all the cool stuff you don't really need. Eli had been an angel this morning, since I threw on clothes without showering, fixing my hair or applying any make-up whatsoever. I just wanted to get out of the house since it was another gorgeous day here. Since I have a hard time not spoiling him even more he got 2 new motorcycles and a 5-pack of Hot Wheels. He held them the whole time we were in the store just admiring them. I watched his little fingers point at each car, just longing to play with them. He handed them to the little old man working the check out and stared with his huge brown eyes waiting for them to be handed back. Apparently this gentlemen was experienced with checkouts involving small children receiving prizes and promptly handed them back.

Usually Eli goes buck wild in the food court but while we were standing in line at Burger King I noticed he was frozen to my leg. There was a little, well not really little, but an old man behind us. He was waiting to put water bottles in the cooler at the check out. I think he was a little special because Eli was absolutely terrified of him. He wouldn't even look at him without turning away quickly. It's always embarrassing for stuff like that to happen. I am hoping that the man just thought he was shy, which Eli is normally not.

This is only about 1/4 (maybe even less) of all of Eli's cars and trucks.

He pushed them around in this little thing all afternoon like they were his pride and joy. And I guess they sort of are.

Saturday we went into Bury St Edmonds and ate lunch, browsed through stores and went to the abbey garden. I tried REALLY hard to get a good picture of E, but he knows that boys don't pose next to pretty flowers. No way! Plus it's not easy trying to keep up with him while snapping pictures and pushing a stroller!





I could just swim in those eyes. We went to my favorite place to eat lunch and have tea. He was so good. We kind of quit going out to eat because he always wants to get down and run around. I think that it's because Daniel is normally with us and he knows that his dad will give in or something. He was the perfect gentleman and lunch date