Fa la la la la...

The neighbors that live behind us have their Christmas tree outdoors. It's been out there since we got back from the US. It's lit and decorated... and sitting in their backyard. It's a little odd.

I swear my husband is like my father. The day after Christmas he was eyeballing the decorations and then he headed downstairs. "Where are you going?" I asked. "To get a box to start putting the Christmas stuff away," he answered. Just like my dad. "You don't leave it up until New Year's?" I asked. Let's just say I was met with a look but the Christmas stuff is still intact.

I had all these notions of what I was going to do with Sam over the Christmas break. I haven't done anything but drag him to the clinic with me and run errands. I went on Wednesday and had a gestational diabetes test and then back on Thursday for my rh shot so I don't start producing antibodies that try to attack and destroy Ralphie. I don't think he's stopped moving today, it's strange. Seems like he's been up all day long reminding me he's there.

We went out to dinner this evening, something we like to do on Friday nights. I ate too much, as usual. The thing is, I consciously tried to avoid overeating. I had some french onion soup as a starter followed by salmon filled ravioli. I ate about 2/3 of the ravioli and was happy that I left the rest. Unfortunately, I kept sneaking fries from Schmitty's plate and then had apple struedel and coffee for dessert. Maybe I'll hit the gym tomorrow. (Yeah, I don't think so either.) I'll be sure to brag if I do go...

Whew!

Christmas is over, thank goodness. It wasn't easy coming back a couple days before the holiday with jetlag. I'm pretty sure Sam knows I'm Santa now. (okay, I'm positive because he's a pretty smart boy) I hauled the presents downstairs and spent a little while bickering with Yagopuchae about how I overdo Christmas. Apparently, wrapping gifts is above and beyond in his book. Anyway, I stuffed the stockings and came upstairs to hang them on doorknobs and go to bed. I hung Sam's and brushed my teeth. I left the bathroom with Yagopuchae's stocking in hand only to bump in to Sam standing at his stocking in front of his bedroom door. It was after midnight but he was still awake trying to adjust to the time change. I dropped Yago's stocking (which has a jingle bell on it, so much for being sly) and asked what he was doing. He said he woke up. Oops.

On Christmas Eve we went to a small gathering at Karry and Amy's house. They have five kids with the sixth due in a month (Mormons). They do a reenactment of the birth of Jesus every year and invited us and two other families over. Sam got to be one of the wisemen, it was cute and funny. Sounds a little more bizarre than it turned out to be. I was braced for pure wackiness but it was fun watching them all.

Yago is bragging that he got 3 Christmas cards and I didn't get any. I'd just like to point out that getting a Christmas card from a merchant that sold you several thousand dollars in rugs a couple years ago DOESN'T count. His friend sent one addressed to Jason and Jennifer. Also, the neighbors don't know my name and addressed the card to Jason and family... joint cards. I assured him if people knew my new address I would have gotten many more cards. (or at least one) By the way stuckinmd, it's PSC 3 Box 64 APO AE 09021. Thank you, and feel free to address to just Sam and me!

Packy Pack

I drafted an entry the other day explaining why the German dry-cleaning ladies hate me but I became bored writing it so I knew you'd be bored reading it. Suffice it to say, they aren't very nice or forgiving of my forgetful tendencies. Even if it's in German I know they're insulting me. It reminds me of when Elaine knew her nail technicians were talking about her in Vietnamese. (Seinfeld)

Sam sang with the Catholic Children's Choir last night for the tree lighting ceremony on base. I tried to take pictures but by the time the flash when off and the picture snapped someone's head would pop in my way. It was a complete debacle anyway. They changed the song list at the last minute on a bunch of 4-7 yr olds. No one knew what the heck they were singing. They sang two songs and one of them was in German, you can guess how that went.

I have a lot of getting ready to do for the trip. I'll have two cranky boys that don't travel well and honestly? I'm not sure which one will be more difficult. At least I can give the little one a trinket or game to keep him busy. The big one is higher maintenance and not as easily pacified. I wish I could slip them some extra-drowsy Dramamine or something... And, by the way, I was supposed to by flying business class this trip until evil Delta doubled the mileage requirement on me!! Still bitter.

I haven't done much Christmas shopping yet. I've gotten a few games for Sam and that's it. That means I'll either have to brave the mall crowds in the states or wait until the weekend before Christmas here. Either way, it doesn't sound fun. Tonight is St. Nick's Night here. The children leave their shoes outside and St. Nick comes and fills them with candy if they're good or coal and switches if they're bad. Heehee, I can exact my revenge.

Well, I'd better get busy doing something or else Yagopuchae will be grumpier than usual. He's already in service dress today, I hadn't better push my luck. ...Where do I keep those Dramamine?

Nuernberg Trials

I've been quite neglectful of my little blog lately...

Yesterday we went to the Christmas Market in Nuernberg, it's quite famous. I got up at 6:00 on a Saturday morning to leave at 7:00. We got there at about 12:30. I really love the Christmas Markets but this one was so crowded it was difficult to really enjoy it. They serve Gluehwein, mulled wine, everywhere in about a thousand different varieties but being pregnant I had to practice restraint. Anyway, it was so crowded... It's a huge outdoor market and little amusement park for kids but it was shoulder to shoulder throughout and I get grumpy when people constantly push me and never say, "Excuse me." Especially when I'm pregnant, whether they can tell or not. I feel bad for Yagopuchae because he's been talking about the gingerbread there for over a year now and he bought lots of it to bring home only to discover it's fruitcake.

Sam nearly got suspended from school on Thursday. That's right, first grade. He punched a kid during recess and they tried to suspend him but couldn't get a hold of his parents to pick him up. The kid he punched is huge, going to be eight this year and I learned it wasn't so much a punch as a heel of his hand to the kid's forehead. I think the kid was running at Sam and Sam panicked...

Yago's 30th birthday was last Friday and I tried to make him a special lemon raspberry liquor bundt cake. Unfortunately, I forgot the baking powder, baking soda and salt. That didn't make a very good cake. Sorry.

Well, I've already skipped mass this morning and if I don't get my behind in gear we're going to miss CCD too. (For the third week in a row...)

Mistress... we need to work out what day we're coming up there. Maybe the 19th? What do you think?

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at our house went really well. I was exhausted by the time it was over and dishes were done. I made turkey, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, pistachio salad and green beans. Oh yeah, and two pumpkin pies. It was WAY too much food. I've never made Thanksgiving dinner by myself before, all I had to work with were memories of my mom making it for our family. I didn't keep in mind that Yagopuchae, Sam and I can't eat as much as my parents, sister and me. I bought a 20 lb turkey and have no idea what we're going to do with it all... We had turkey tetrazzini last night for dinner.

Sam lost ANOTHER tooth. He's going to look like his Gramma pretty soon! The Tooth Fairy left him three quarter dollars.

We put up the Christmas tree last night. We had box after box of mismatched decorations. In the end we went with an oldie but goodie... the salmon colored tree. I know Mistress would be relentless if she were here but it looks good! Good, I tell you!

I wish there were Christmas movies on TV. I really want to just curl up on the couch and watch cheesy Christmas movies. Any cheesy Christmas movie would do. Of course, right now there's too much work to do. The living room is destroyed with the boxes of Christmas decorations I have to sort through.

I hear Yago doing dishes and I should get downstairs to help. He's making pumpkin muffins for breakfast. Such a good husband...

I'll be back in the states in a couple weeks, I can't wait to see everyone.

When will it end?

Although I've tried to avoid watching the footage of Michael Richards' tirade I wasn't able to escape it this afternoon. It was disgusting. What is wrong with people? I had hoped 20 years ago that this was over...

Ralphie is really worrying me. I've still got almost four months of pregnancy left and I'm uncomfortable entirely too often. I found out a few weeks ago that Yagopuchae was 8 lbs 11 oz and I was none too happy. Plus? Yago has a big melon. Some of you remember what Sammy's head looked like... How can I have heartburn this much and feel so much pressure on my ribs already?

Sam's teacher gave them something like 5 sheets of homework over the holidays. I'm glad he'll be kept busy but I think it's odd that a 1st grader should have that much homework over a long weekend. Not to mention his parent's dole out plenty of workbook assignments for him as it is.

Or not...

This weekend wasn't really that busy after all. I skipped all the Sunday morning stuff because I didn't feel well, I have a cold. So no church or CCD. We did, however, all go to the Pack Meeting and the choir thing for Sam. A little girl that was chosen for the solo ruined it, in my opinion. No one showed her or told her how to use a microphone so she stood up there with her lips pasted to it and yelled her solo in to it. She completely drowned out the other kids and made me cringe. At one point I giggled out loud at how ridiculous she sounded.

I went to yoga again this morning. The pilates instructor is filling in for the yoga instructor and everyone is just patiently waiting for Jennifer (the regular instructor) to get back next month. Today there was an old couple there, it was cute. They had to have been in their 60s, at least the husband was. I was amused at the thought of Yagopuchae and I going to yoga together in 30 years. During the relaxation at the end of class Ralphie always wakes up and completely distracts me. How am I supposed to go in to a deep state of relaxation when he decides it's time to strike a few poses of his own?

Still Busy

I've been very busy the last few days and Yago always takes the computer on Wednesdays for his class so I haven't written much.

Sam had Thursday and Friday off from school due to parent/teacher conferences. We went to his conference yesterday and he's doing very well. Ms. Oppenheim wants to have him and a couple other kids in the class tested for reading. She thinks he's above his grade level and could benefit from this test. Really the only advantage she mentioned was that the librarian would direct him to more challenging books. They color code the books according to grade level and if he places on the test then they would make sure he chooses books of corresponding color. His teacher says he's doing well though and his behavior is improving.

Tomorrow is a rehearsal for some choir thing they're doing Sunday. Sunday is mass, CCD, pack meeting and then choir performance. That should keep me busy most of the weekend...

Poor Yagopuchae has had to tolerate my hormonal mood swings. Twice last week I started bawling for no real, apparent reason. I'm not usually much of a crier but I think Ralphie's getting the better of me. I started crying at the gym last week and had to hurry out after watching the 60 Minutes tribute to Ed Bradley. How silly, I don't even know the guy. I almost cried at choir practice because the kids were so cute singing about the Lord. ???

Sam lost his other front tooth last night. I don't know why losing teeth grosses me out so much but it does! (Maybe it has something to do with an incident with a "frozen dog turd.") Sam is so excited, he can't wait until Gramma and Grandpa see BOTH of his teeth gone. I think he looks like a hillybilly, but that's just me.

Sorry about the lapse, Mickity. ;^)

Drumroll Please...

Mistress of MooMoo. Bad news, your niece has a penis!! That's right, it's a Ralphie... not a Spider-Girl. Turns out Schmitty wanted a brother anyway.

I was sure it was a girl and almost bought some girly things. I found myself wandering through the pink baby section of stores on more than one occasion. I would see little girls in cute clothes and smile, I'd imagined how I would do her hair. That's why I was so suprised about how excited I was when the radiologist told me it was a boy. I wasn't disappointed or anything, just excited. I really didn't care whether it was a boy or girl. I always thought people who said they didn't care, just wanted a healthy baby were full of bologna.

Well, off to yoga today. I used to love doing downward dog pose, I even used to get Sam to do it with me in the evenings before bed. Turns out the pose sucks when you have to hold it for an extended period of time. Don't even get me started on plank pose.

New Doc

I had my doctor appt today. Very uneventful. I had the nurse take the history and about a 15 minute conversation with the doctor. Then off to Radiology to schedule the ultrasound (Tues morning), the Pharmacy for vitamins and the Lab for bloodwork. Poor Yago and Sammy were starving. Anyway, I'll post more when I know more.

Scary Clowns

After many weeks of intimidation and procrastination I went to a Yoga class this morning. I talked to the instructor beforehand to let her know I had never attended a class before, I'm not bendy and am almost 5 months pregnant. She was very encouraging and gave me alternatives to any poses that were uncomfortable or that just weren't good for me to do. I'll go again because it got me out of the apartment early and I indeed liked it. One myth I've found true, Yoga makes you want to toot. ;^) Really.

Yesterday, I finally got through the appt hotline and got an appt for Friday. Two, actually. One at 1200 with a nurse filling out forms and medical history and another at 1400 with a doctor. I'm a little confused though. I asked the person making the appt if it was unlikely I'd have an ultrasound on Friday since it would be this doctor's first time seeing me. I assume she'll put in a referral to Radiology and then I'd go back later have a tech from Radiology actually do the ultrasound. That's how it was at Offutt. The appt lady said I'd probably have the ultrasound Friday since the dr had to put in the referral. That doesn't make sense to me and the more I tried to get clarification the more confused I got. It doesn't make sense the doctor AND the radiologist would do the ultrasound or that they would both just drop everything (at the same time) and do it. Whatever. I just want to know if it's a Ralphie or Spider-Girl. (Names that Sam has chosen.)

Sam had his choir practice last night and it was like herding cats. They went through a couple songs and now the parents are supposed to work with them. I don't think Sam trying to sing a song the way I sing it is going to help anyone. I was hoping he'd learn pitch and stuff, not be permanently screwed up from trying to sing like his mother. I can't hit a note correctly to save my life and I think it's a little gift I'll wind up passing along.

Sam and Yago went trick or treating last night. Apparently, one house was so decked out that Sam ran away when a spooky clown and old lady answered the door. I'm sorry I missed that but watching the Germans trick or treat was fun too. They would come to the door and say something, I have NO idea what it was. Half of them didn't have bags, they just held out their hands. The vast majority did say, "Danke," to which which I answered, "Bitte." American kids tend to just turn and run to the next house, the danke was refreshing.

That's about it for today...

The Kicker

The baby's started kicking to where I can feel it now. That's been cool. I'm still waiting to get in to a doctor here. I've been trying to call the appt line all morning but it's busy. Maybe I'll just show up and deliver in March.

I made banana bread this morning and accidentally ate half an entire loaf already. Oops.

Sam has his first children's choir practice tonight, he's excited. I think. He was very reluctant at first (i.e., he refused to go) but I think he's coming around. Then it's trick or treating tonight.

I got him a Ninja costume but he told me this morning he wants to go as the Hulk. His grandparents got him a Hulk costume for his birthday.

I hear Barry Manilow singing on the Colbert Report downstairs, it's kind of funny.

I really need to be more motivated in the morning but I'm just not a morning person. Left to my own devices, I don't start anything until about 3 pm but that doesn't exactly mesh with everyone else's schedule. Hmm.

Tried to call for an appt again, still busy. It's annoying.

There's no crying in baseball...

But apparently there is in Cub Scouts. OMG!! We went to a pack meeting Sunday afternoon and holy cow. The Cubmaster started bawling that his son was progessing from Cub Scout to Boy Scout. Talk about uncomfortable. He was up there reading some story about climbing a mountain and broke out crying. Not just once but probably three different times during the "ceremony." Yagopuchae and I almost laughed out loud. Part of it's funny because I had told Sam the day before he didn't want other boys to see him crying, especially in his man uniform. (Tiger Scout uniform)

I'm making cupcakes for Sam to take to school tomorrow since it's his birthday. I bought a little cake decorating bag and tip and I'm trying to draw an orange bat on each of them. I think I'm more impressed than any of the kids will be. In fact, I'm certain of it. Next I'm going to try to draw a Spider-man on his actual birthday cake. That sad part is, I know Sam would prefer a store-bought cake but I refuse.

Happy belated birthday to Mickity, I'll have a cupcake for you. Hope you feel better.

Fast Death

I'm going to say the quickest way for a girl to die is to spot a spider in the car while she's driving. Well, quickest way for her to die or accidentally kill someone else in a vehicular accident. I'm guessing...

That water and soap thing...

Yesterday, after posting my entry I took a shower. It was then that I discovered a... shall we say, shallowing? on the right side of my bellybutton. This seems soon. I don't remember when it happened with Sam but I'm only halfway through my pregnancy. It's going to get worse.

I've painted my nails a very dark berry color. Something I don't think I've done in years. Sam asked me last night why I painted my nails. "Because I can paint them any color I want now, I don't have to wear my uniform anymore." That brings me to other adjustments. When I enter the base I still hesitate waiting for the guard to salute me. Then, I remember what a knucklehead I am and drive away. When I go to the commissary I proudly pull out my dependent ID. As if to say, "Ha! I have a husband! Can you believe that?" When I was active duty I used to think, "See, I don't need a man to take care of me. I'm doing it." Now I'm happy someone really wanted to make my life easier. (And rob me of a bellybutton for a few months.)

I need to clean the house, I've been incredibly lazy the last couple days. I feel even worse than usual because Yago is working all day and then comes home, eats dinner, and spends the evening studying until he's ready for bed. He's halfway through a statistics class and I can't wait for it to be over. I feel like I hardly see him.

This weekend Sam has a bowl-a-thon fundraiser for Tiger Scouts. We haven't gotten any sponsors but there isn't really anyone to ask here. Yago is a flight commander, he can't ask his subordinates and I don't know anyone to ask...

Oh, and I took Sam to his first CCD class here last week. We're working on memorizing the Hail Mary. They're learning it in small sections but he gets upset that I say, "The Lord is with thee" instead of, "The Lord is with you." It just sounds wrong and I don't know how the rest of it would go without the thees, thous, arts, etc. I've had a tough time convincing him both ways are correct. He thinks he's going to get it wrong on a test.

Behind door number one

I'm sick. Not bad, just stuffy and lacking motivation. My hair was so greasy today that I had to wear a baseball cap out. I just wasn't in the mood to shower yet and knew if I did there was no way I'd go work out. When I did go to the gym I rode and exercise bike for a little while because I didn't really have the energy to stand up. As I was pedaling my thighs kept bumping my belly. It felt like I'd swallowed a water balloon and then someone was smacking it around. Distracting.

I went to the commissary and bought some bottled water for Yagopuchae this afternoon. It was like an 8-pack of one liter bottles. I went to pull it off the shelf and the handle came off so the package fell on the floor. Thank goodness, it didn't break. I pick it up, stuck the handle back on it and headed for the register. As I was exiting, I stood in front of the automatic door waiting for it to open. Unfortunately, the door slid from right to left and I was standing on the left... Made me look a little retarded. Not to worry though, I did it again when I exited the second set of automatic doors. Then, I took about three steps out of the building when I experienced handle failure again with the water. I turned and laughed to all the people I was holding up with my shenanigans but I couldn't find one amused person. No humor.

Well, I really must do something involving water and soap before my boys get home...

New Friends

Not mine. Sam's. He's finally got some friends in the neighborhood. I took him to the park yesterday and three American girls came to play with him, they ride the bus with him. One of them even came over to the house and played for about an hour. I'm glad he's finally got some friends nearby, I think it'll make the summer easier.

I ordered him another Leapster for his birthday. I got him one a couple years ago but it finally croaked. He hasn't mentioned wanting another one but I'm hoping he'll be happy to have it again. He spent a lot of time on the other one and we're still working on math. Once he gets a little better he'll be able to get the Batman game for it and I know that'll make him happy.

Yagopuchae turned in the command sponsorship package last week and we may have an official verdict the middle of this week. Then I can enroll in TriCare and figure out how my doctor visits will go. Who I'll see and where the baby will be born.

Today I'm sorting through towels and dishes to donate to the Airmen's Attic. I found a lot of my books over the weekend, pretty happy about that.

Last Friday I went to the school's volunteer training. Ick. I quickly realized it was run by the PTA. They were all wearing their school "spirit day" shirts and Keds. The training consisted of instructions on how to use a copier and paper cutter. Seriously. We each even got to keep a copy of the instructions for our own personal use. I thought it was going to be more along the lines of, "You're not allowed to beat other people's children, regardless of their behavior." Of course, the training would not have been complete without the bitch session at the end. Thanks.

Quickie for Mickity

All right, all right. I'll update, sheesh.

I've been going to the gym every school day since last Tues or Wed. (Mind you, they had Friday and Monday off so it's not that impressive.) Here's something interesting though, I feel like I have a nerve problem near my tailbone on the left side. It's been that way for a few weeks but usually only bothers me if I'm laying on the floor and try to get up. However, exercising seems to have aggravated it. Now it hurts whenever I move my left leg, that's nice. I'm not sure if it's something related to the pregnancy or not, I guess that'll be a question at my next dr appt.

I love taking Sam to the bus stop every morning. We talk and play, I don't rush around and drop him off at the CDC anymore. Almost every morning he blows me a kiss as his bus pulls away and it makes me smile the entire walk home. He's really just too cute.

The tons of boxes in the basement still haven't unpacked themselves. I'm not sure how to motivate them.

My belly's annoying me because it's poking out but not in a cute pregnant way... More in a super-size-it-please kind of way. If I had a smaller frame it'd be cuter. Plus, I don't remember when I started showing with Sam. I just don't want to be humungous and get crazy stretch marks. I got really lucky the first time but I have plenty of friends that didn't get stretch marks until the second baby.

Time to pick my boy up from the bus stop.

Finding a Routine

That's what I'm trying to do now, find a routine. I'm not working and I have a TON of stuff to unpack and throw away. I wish that part was over so I could create a schedule. ...Go to the gym everyday at -- o'clock, when there aren't many people there. Run errands at --:--. Go to the cleaners on such and such day. Do laundry on this day... Otherwise, I don't really get much accomplished.

I have unpacked a few boxes today and I'm hydrating to go to the gym. I haven't really done anything physical in about a year or so. I'm looking forward to it but I have that sense of dread you always get when it's been too long.

Sam got his Tiger Cub Scout uniform yesterday, he's very proud. We also sewed a cub scout wallet using the whip stitch. We talked about Grandma sewing and how she'd get a kick out of all of us sewing together. Maybe she can give Yagopuchae some lessons, I think he could use some remedial.

I lost everyone's email address because I didn't save it from my eucom account. They said they'd keep the account open for 30 days after I left but it's already been deactivated. Right now I'm using csobarbie@hotmail.com but I may change it soon, I hate hotmail.

Time to get back to work. Oh yeah, my belly's starting to poke out a little.

Lisp

Sam is completely adorable with his missing tooth (gaping hole). We had a good weekend together and tomorrow I'm moving, very excited. I'll post pictures when I get the computer moved and set up.

I had my going away luncheon yesterday. The most interesting part was the attendance of the general's wife, the general is TDY. You all should have seen my brown-nosing, butt-sucking boss. "I didn't know you were in with the general's wife like that!" So dumb.

I'm wondering how the big adjustment will go for all of us. I think Sam is doing okay but I don't think it's easy on him. I foresee some flared tempers, I'm just wondering how long it'll take. Maybe it'll be okay as long as I don't drive. For some reason we seem to get cranky when I'm the one driving.

I saw the baby again today... completely adorable sticking its little hand in its mouth. We tried looking for the "privateers" but they weren't really visible yet. Next month.

I'm off to get my car fixed for about the fourth time! I'll post again next week.