Coming to an end...2011

This year has been jam packed with "stuff" going on. I am truly a horrible blogger. I don't have much time with my 2 very active toddlers, and I feel bad that I don't have time to blog. When I get my daughter to sleep at night, I normally fall asleep with her...so my only computer time is really taken up by sleep. They run me ragged.

Right now, I'm only getting to write because I'm forcing myself to do it while my daughter is running rampant and getting into things she shouldn't be and making myself just say "no" or letting her do it, leaving it for later to clean up. Luckily, my son is taking a nap.

Caralyn keep bugging me to be around me on the computer. It's quite annoying, but at least she's going to be a techie when she gets a little older. She's already in love with her kid friendly camera she got from Grammie for her birthday.

But I digress.

Ups, downs, somewhere neutral...that has been this year. We haven't had the best luck financially and have had to borrow money that we still haven't paid back and it's stressful. It doesn't affect our marriage, but it does make us feel guilty for not being able to be completely on our own two feet and having to ask for help from others.

Things have changed a lot with Caralyn, who turned 3 on Thanksgiving this year, and Alaric who is now almost 17 months old. Things change fast with toddlers. It really surprised me. I knew time flew but it flies faster with a second kid. I don't know where this year went. I don't feel I remember the majority of this year even!

I do remember Christmas though! Josh left just over a week before Christmas so I wasn't much into the Christmas Spirit. I tried to fake it for the kids, but I think I failed for the most part.

I think on the 23rd I received my Secret Santa gift. I absolutely LOVE it! Mrs. P (from A Little Pink In A World Of Camo) did amazing! My mom is jealous of my present even!



This is the whole gift! Isn't it awesome? Homemade card, a beautiful bookmark, the best Ocean scented candle I've ever smelled, a beautiful bracelet, toffee, chocolates, keychain and some great samples! I've got more pictures, but those may just have to be uploaded to facebook since Caralyn is having a meltdown right now. Looks like the plan of going to church tonight will be non existent. I was really looking forward to it too since my plans for Zoo lights was cancelled.

Hope your new year is wonderful! I'm hoping to write more often in the new year. Both kids are getting old enough to let me have an hour or two on the computer every few days.

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Friday Mil-Spouse Fill In #42

Welcome to another addition of Friday MilSpouse Fill Ins! Thank you Wifey for doing this weekly! I, for one, appreciate it very much!

1. Do you think civilians, in general, understand the meaning of Memorial Day?
I think it's becoming less and less understood by everyone in the country. To most, it's a day of BBQing and having fun with family and friends. Growing up I didn't really understand it and didn't understand it until I had friends in the military that were risking their lives for me and their families and friends and our country in general. It struck home even more when I became a Navy Wife. I had dated a guy in the Marines before I met my husband, but becoming the wife of a man who was willing to die for me and our families, wow.

2. What are your plans for the Memorial Day Weekend?
I don't really have any. Today I am going to try to help a friend move to her husband's base (she just became a civilian not long ago and her husband is stationed 2 hours away so instead of him commuting, she's moving). Saturday and Sunday are open. My hubby has duty on Sunday...so I probably won't even go to church...my kids are just at that stage where it's too hard without full time help at church.

3. What skill/talent do you wish you had? submitted by The 3 Turners
I wish I could sight read music. I could've gone so much further with my singing and piano playing if I could read music.

4. Which came first: the chicken or the egg? submitted by I Married Into The Army
Whichever God decided was first. I will ask him when I die.

5. What is the best thing about your post (base)? The worst? submitted by Randomly, Robyn
I love our base really. It's all submarines and it's a gated base. We have a great commissary and NEX, there's a Uniform Shop, cinema, a few restaurants, a bowling alley and so much more. There's also another base a little closer to our house that is another Navy Base and it's not as good, but it still is great. Then we're not too far from the Army/Air Force Base out here either. And there's two amazing hospitals...one between our base and the other Navy Base and one on the Army/AF base. I feel so blessed to live here so close to so many military places.

I don't really know what the worst part of the base is...maybe that the housing isn't the best. I came from a 3 bedroom house with just my husband and I and we barely had enough room then. We were put into a 2 bedroom house and then we had a baby and were still in the 2 bedroom house. It just didn't work. We felt like we were basically forced into buying a house off base just to have adequate room for our family and all our stuff. I think I feel this way because we were spoiled at the first base we lived on since everyone that was just married with no kids had a 3 bedroom house.

Friday Mil-Spouse Fill In #41

1. What is one of the things you always do special when your husband returns from a deployment? submitted by Keep Calm and Soldier On
The only real thing we do is spend time together and with the kids. We go out to dinner if we have the money too, but that's not a guarantee :)

2. What do you do to help your spouse and/or yourself re-adjust after a deployment or long separation? submitted by Diapers, Dogs and Deployments
We don't need too much adjusting. I mainly just make sure he has time with the kids so they can get reacquainted...he and I just kind of fall back into the routine.

3. Are you a crazy coupon clipper (I'm becoming one, so share your secrets with me)? submitted by Married My Airman
Nope...I always seem to forget my coupons when I go shopping. It's kinda sad.

4. What's your most treasured memory of you and your spouse (not counting your wedding - that's a given)? submitted by Scrubs, ACUs and One Crazy Ride
I would have to say the look on his face when he saw his son for the first time. I don't remember his face the first time with his daughter since he was there when she was born, but he didn't meet his son until 8 weeks after I had him. The look was priceless.

5. If you could live anywhere overseas, what would you pick and why? submitted by Little Moments Like This
Does it have to be on a military base? If so, Japan because I have always wanted to go to that base and live there or Italy because my friend Amy is moving there this summer...if not, probably Ireland because it just looks so beautiful there or Switzerland because the little part of that country I visited I absolutely fell in love with!

I really need to get here more!

Another Friday Fill in! Thank you Wifey!

1. How many pets do you have? And what type? submitted by Life and Times of a Displaced Jersey Girl
We just have one cat right now. His name is Sparrow and he's a Domestic Shorthair. He's white, grey and black. He's GORGEOUS! A spaz but very loving. He's still a little iffy with the kids, but he's wonderful with them. He puts up with a lot before he starts getting mean....I'm talking hair/tail/whisker pulling for like an hour or two before he's had enough...He usually just goes off to another room and stays away if he's not in the mood. Such a good cat!

2. What are your favorite projects to do while hubby is away? submitted by my-inspired-nest
I like working with my kids extra with the learning. I do a lot of it while he's home, but when he's away the cooking is lessened and I have even more time to concentrate on the learning of ABCs and 123s, potty training and art! I try to get the house organized and get rid of some of the stuff we don't use/wear/etc.

3. What are the must-haves in your deployment care packages? submitted by Christine's Little Blog
Well, we only have underways (3 months or less) but our halfway night boxes always include letters/cards, pictures Caralyn has drawn or colored, sunflower seeds, gum and other snacks. That's really all. If we're lucky enough to get mail drops I try to include pictures/videos on a memory card, letters/emails from me and his parents and my parents. If I ever get enough notice I'll hopefully get some letters/emails from his friends to put in also.

4. If you could star in any TV show, which would it be? submitted by Just a Girl
I think Home Improvement. I loved Home Improvement. Or 7th Heaven! That was an awesome show! If it is shows from now, maybe Make It Or Break It or The Secret Life of The American Teenager or Drop Dead Diva...there's just a ton I would love to do!

5. What was the biggest hurdle that you faced during your/your significant other's first deployment? submitted by The Pavlik Perspective
There really wasn't one until our last couple. Once I was pregnant with Caralyn it became harder. I was on bedrest for most of Caralyn's pregnancy, including while he was gone. It was hard for me to even get up to get food for myself or to go to the bathroom. I worked through it though...just one step at a time. I ate a lot of pizza so I didn't have to be up for long. When I was pregnant with Alaric and he left, Caralyn and I both got this horrible stomach flu and it just kept coming back as soon as it left. Both his mom and my mom came out (for a total of a month, his mom one week, mine three weeks) to take care of us because I just couldn't do it all. Then the next time he went out (I was still pregnant with Alaric) I was induced 11 days before my due date because I was in so much pain and had pre-eclampsia slightly. I had been in so much from halfway through my pregnancy on because of pain and on and off labor that the Dr just decided it was best for me to just have him. He wasn't going to be home for the birth anyway, but it was just slightly more stress being told "okay it's time to have your baby" 11 days earlier than expected. I hadn't made official plans with anyone to take Caralyn, lucky for me the friend who took me to the hospital and our mutual friend took care of her and the main friend was also there for me during the delivery of Alaric. I don't think I could've done a totally natural (not by choice) delivery without a friend there.

Another Friday Fill in...This time on the right day!

Thank you Wifey at Wife Of A Sailor! I appreciate these! It's the one time I really get to blog without thinking too much, yet thinking a lot all at the same time! I hate trying to come up with topics on what to write!

1. What is your must have gadget? submitted by Flying High With My Flyboy
I would have to say either my Slow Cooker or my iPhone. Those are the two things I use the most out of gadgets.

2. How does your adulthood compare to what you imagined it would be like when you were a little kid? submitted by L to the Third
Honestly, it's completely different, like most. I thought I would be a professional dancer (ballerina or broadway), a teacher and a mommy. I was going to be married to either my childhood best friend or my dance teacher or my childhood next door neighbor. I've got one of the three professions, but I'm not married to ANY of those people...I've only known my husband 2 days longer than I've been with him. Oh and the other life I was going to live as an adult...living with my parents forever...that DEFINITELY hasn't happened!

3. What is your favorite chocolate recipe? submitted by Our First Deployment
I haven't done too many things with chocolate for myself. I love boxed brownies with frosting, brownies or cake in ice cream cones with frosting, no baked (boiled) cookies, german chocolate cake, and S'mores...all those are just easy to find recipes online. Oh and Dog Chow (Muddy Buddies is what Chex calls them)...I like those too...

4. How do you deal with military life when it gets to be to much or to hard? submitted by Combat Boots And Pointe Shoes
Honestly, I don't know. I was with a Marine before I met my husband, I only saw him 2 times while I was with him and it wasn't too much of a hardship because I was in high school and the beginning of college so I was focused on school. With my husband, he's had more of a hard time with the military life than I have. I've always just kept busy (especially when I got pregnant with our first child and ever since) and time just flew by while he was away. It does get frustrating during offcrew when he's home later than most because of his MOS, but that's just how it is so I live with it. Even when he wasn't going to be able to be home for our second child's birth, I was more okay with it than he ever was. He still feels bad almost 8 months later. I was prepared to go through labor/delivery alone as soon as I found out he was going to be out to sea. I was just made for this life I think.

5. What piece of advice would you give a new Military spouse facing their first deployment? submitted by The Albrecht Squad
Stay busy! The more you keep you mind off the time away and on other things, the better. Keep a journal for him to read of what you've done that day, but don't dwell on the fact he's gone, keep living life so he doesn't feel worse than he already does that he has to leave you. Count your blessings every day...there are still people, including other MilSpouses, that have it MUCH worse than you! And most important, always remember, every moment he's gone is a moment closer to him being home!

That last one was hard for me because I am so independent and I knew more of what I was getting into than my husband knew he was getting into. I had to explain things to him at first at how much he would really be away from me, and our kids once we had them, and he didn't believe me until it really happened the way I said it would. I was friends with NJROTC people who went on to the military and also with other military personel along with being involved with above said Marine and having a (now ex) boyfriend's cousin in the military and I got to ask him questions about it...so normally my biggest advice is "suck it up, you knew he was in the military before you married him" or for those that got in AFTER they were married "suck it up, you supported his decision to join"...I'm quite mean and blunt when it comes to that. I have gotten better now that I have kids and understand more of the hardships through them...but a lot of the MilSpouses I've met...my 2 year old has taken underways and stuff better than they have...it's quite sad.

Reverse Thinking

I found this through the Christ The King Elder's blog this morning. It was forwarded to them by a member of our church, Dawn Kropla.

I watched this, and as I did, I realized how well it summed me up in my teenage years.

I was born and raised Catholic. When I was 15 I was raped by one of my best friends. I halted and backpedaled in my belief of/in God. If he could let that happen to me, he must not be real and if he was real, he must not truly love me.

The reverse thinking came into play when I was 18 and started going to church with Josh. I had already started going back to the Catholic church with my Pipi while my Mimi was sick. One week I decided I would go to church with Josh instead. I was completely hooked on his church from that first week. The sermon touched me and I had an overwhelming feeling of belonging and understanding. I knew I needed to be in that church in order to live a happy and truly full life.

I started going to their membership classes soon after and when I was 19 I was confirmed into the church. We have only missed a handful of services since I started going at 18. Josh had stopped going to church before he met me also, and he says he was happy that I came into his life and got him to go back to church. My first church with him was Zion Lutheran Church in Monroe, MI. We came back to the Lord there, I was confirmed there, making me a member of the church, we were married there, we go there when we're back in Michigan. Our second church we attended was a mission church in Summerville, SC called Beautiful Savior. I never felt as close to the members of that church, but we went every week regardless and also participated in their different fellowship activities. We are now members of Christ the King Lutheran in Bremerton, WA. This church welcomed us and felt like home from the first time we stepped foot in it. The members here were part of the decision making process for Josh and I to buy a house and stay here after he gets out of the Navy (we took the church and the members into consideration when we were making the decision, we didn't really talk much to them about it, but just let our feelings towards them guide us).

We have grown close to a few members and I consider them truly a part of my family. There are others that I wish we were closer to, and it's mostly my fault for not putting myself out there and inviting them over more and asking them to go out with us more. I need to work on that aspect of my relationships, I also feel it may be because at least one of those couples doesn't have kids and we do mainly kid-geared activities. I don't want them to get bored with us or frustrated with us and our kids when they get unruly. I need to get out of that mindset and just go for it anyway.

In the end, I just had to share this video. These were my beliefs when I was 15 and the reverse thinking is when I started going to a WELS church. I am thankful to God for pointing me in the right direction without me even knowing it.

Friday Fill In!

Yes, it's that time again! Time for Wifey's (at Wife of A Sailor) MilSpouse Friday Fill In! Can't wait! This week has some good questions from other MilSpouse Bloggers! Here we go!!!!


1. What are some of your ideas for staying connected with family...you know, those people we moved thousands of miles away from? submitted by Live it. Love it (or not). Write About It.
We stay connected through Facebook and phone calls. We send cards when we can, especially during special days (anniversaries, birthdays, Christmas, etc.) I also have a Snapfish.com account to upload and send photos to them of my little munchkins.

2. What's the most romantic gift you have GIVEN? submitted by Painting My Canvas
My husband and I aren't too romantic, but our first Valentine's Day of our married life, I made a Lasagna dinner for him and our 3 closest friends (2 married with their wives still not there, and one who was single). I had it ready for when they got home. I served them and everything...no one else had to lift a finger. I think that's as romantic as I get.

3. Would you encourage your child, if they came to you and wanted to join the military? submitted by Perfectly Imperfect
I will support my children in anything they want to do. I may not be thrilled, but if it's what they truly want, I want it for them.

4. What is your least favorite bill to pay and why? submitted by A Little of This, A Little of That
Even though it gives me a roof over my head, I hate paying my mortgage. I also hate paying my car loan. The reason is because of how much it is. My BAH doesn't even cover just my mortgage...but it's a house we can grow with. We're even thinking of saving up to add on a second story so we can stay here even longer.

5. What is the proudest moment you've had as a military spouse? submitted by Our Okinawa Life
I think the last time my hubby came home was my proudest moment. I got to be pierside with our kids. My son was 8 weeks old and the first time he saw his daddy. I was proud because of how excited and happy and proud my husband was of his son and the rest of his little family. I was proud because he held up for 8 weeks underway away from his little boy. It broke his heart when he couldn't be with me during the delivery of him, he knew others were able to stay or be brought home when their wives went into labor. He still feels bad for missing it and not being there for me even though I continuously tell him it's okay and it's just part of being a military family.

Does that really count as a proud moment?

Friday Mil-Spouse Fill In!

Thank you Wifey for hosting this meme! I love when I can get here and do them!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

1. Do you or your {spouse} ever wish your {spouse} was in a different branch of the military? submitted by The Turner Family
I actually wanted to join the Navy myself, so I'm perfectly happy with the Navy life. Hubby actually wanted to join the Coast Guard before considering the Navy. I don't know if he would be happier there or not. I just honestly don't think the military is for him, regardless of the branch he's in.


2. What duty station(s) are on your “No Way, Hell No, Not Going, Have Fun Unaccompanied” list and why? submitted by Every Branch
I have nothing of the like. We are a family and I married him when he was becoming a sailor. I knew there would be places I wouldn't like and places I would love. I am there to support him through anything, no matter where he is stationed. That's part of being a military wife.


3. If you could be one age forever, what age would you choose and why? submitted by Three Krakens
I love different ages for different reasons. I loved high school because of how I looked. I loved 21 because that's when I got married. I loved 24 because that's when I had my beautiful daughter, 26 because that's when I had my son. I loved being a young child so I could be carefree and not have responsibilities. There is a perk to every age I've ever been and ever will be.


4. If you were a breakfast cereal, which one would you be? submitted by the C.W.
I think Lucky Charms just because it's my favorite cereal and has been ever since I was little. I am liking Cinnamon Life a lot more and still love Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Captain Crunch like crazy...so any of those really.


5. What is your morning beverage of choice and why? submitted by NH Girl Displaced
I usually drink milk with my daughter. The more she sees me drink it, the more she wants it. So, if it makes her healthy I'll do it! If I do one of my own choice, it's usually hot tea (chamomile is my choice for the most part) or Hot Chocolate.

Friday's MilSpouse Fill In!

As I rarely get here, I still have nothing to really talk about so I'm just doing the MilSpouse Fill In today. Thank you Wifey from Wife Of A Sailor for continuing these! When I get the chance to do them, I love them!

1. Since most of the country has had nasty weather, what has your weather been like this week?
My weather has been wonderful! 50's with sun mostly, but it's been in the 40's too. We are supposed to get back into typical Washington winter weather soon...which is rainy and overcast in the 40's. I don't mind it...soooo much better than a ton of snow! Like I told my mom the other day...the few times we get snow a year is fine with me...though sometimes I do wish we had it a little more often than just twice...maybe once a month in the winter would be best that way it's spread out a little.

2. What is/are your best money saving tip(s)?
My mom always told me to save 10% per check. Unfortunately we need all the money we can get and have no savings at the moment. We've even had to borrow from our kids' savings accounts. Once taxes are done we'll be better again though. I also use coupons when I have them and shop the sales as much as possible. As a woman I love shopping for clothes, but lately I've stayed away from that. I haven't bought myself anything new since fall and I will only be buying a few t-shirts this spring. I'm worse about buying my kids clothes because I love making them look super cute, but I've been good with that too...I only bought them 2 outfits each in the last couple months.

3. What was your favorite vehicle you’ve ever owned?
I honestly love my 2008 Honda CR-V! I've always driven smaller cars (91 Geo Metro LSi Convertible [2 seater], 96 Chevy Cavalier, 05 Kia Rio) and I'm loving the small SUV. I can't wait to own a bigger SUV or a van. I'm liking the bigger cars...but I also need to make sure I have more room for 1) more kids and 2) storage for vacations, cross country drives, soccer mom stuff.

4. What is a question you’d like to see asked in a future fill-in?
I don't know what all questions have been asked, but I would sure love to get back to some basics. I have a lot of questions for this one. 1) Where are you from and what is your favorite and least favorite thing about that place? 2) What has been your favorite station so far and why? 3) Where all have you been stationed and what is your favorite and least favorite things about each of those places? 4) A Day In The Life (Picture or just explaining) 5) What were your favorite childhood books (all different ages), 6) Why is your favorite movie your favorite movie (can be used for tv show, book, etc. also) 7) What is your least favorite bill to pay and why I have some others too but you only asked for one and I have you 7. LoL!

5. Fill in the blank: You might be a MilSpouse if…
You might be a MilSpouse if you see all those "Support The Troops" causes on facebook and laugh to yourself because you support them to the fullest extent by supporting your own spouse (in more than one way) and their whole crew.

I honestly don't have much to say. I've had so many things pent up inside me and I don't know where to start or what to say or what I really shouldn't say.

The main thing going on around my head is this long winded dream I've had over the last couple of weeks. It's so weird. I'm part of Harry Potter, only it's REAL and not a fantasy. I'm a friend of Harry, Ron and Hermione (and obviously Ginny and Fred and George, Luna and Neville) I'm in Gryffendor and it's the 6th and 7th year...so the fight is coming up very soon. The odd part is that I'm in love with Draco Malfoy....and he's in love with me. It's just a really odd dream, but for some reason I'm really intrigued by it. I won't divulge all the details of the dream, I do like to keep some things to myself...it's just funny to me that it's taking up the most space in my head.

In other news...Alaric is getting a ton of teeth all at once. I think I've counted 7 teeth trying to poke through, maybe 8. I haven't really decided if that last one is a tooth or just swelling from the teeth around it. He's been eating solids for about 2 months now. He's loving it. I'm thinking of putting it up to two times a day instead of just the one. He's been up once or more a night, but I think it's the teething more than anything. It can't be comfortable with all those teeth coming in.

Caralyn...she's growing by leaps and bounds. She's got a love of coloring, she loves talking and watching PBS shows. She even takes the PBS shows over her favorite Disney shows! It's crazy! She's almost 3 ft tall now too...She's growing WAY too fast! Ric is still about half her size.

The last official weigh ins had Caralyn at 30lbs and Alaric at 18lbs. Caralyn was 2'10" and Alaric was 2'1" Can you believe that?

As for me and Josh...nothing too new is going on. I'm going through pole classes again. This Wednesday is my last Pole 100 class. I'll start Pole 200 soon after. It's a little expensive for the little money we have, but I need to do SOMETHING just for me, and this is what I choose rather than bi-weekly mani/pedi/massages. At least it's exercise.

Josh is leaving soon again for a short underway that could get extended to a normal underway. We're not looking forward to this, but it's all worth it in the end. On the other hand, his 10 year high school reunion is this summer. We are planning on going back, but if they don't pick a date soon we're not going to be able to make it. I'm already going to be skimping like crazy just to pay the over $1,000 to get to Michigan for the four of us (hopefully five either before we leave or before we come home!)

Well, I need to go see what Caralyn is screaming about. I'll hopefully be on again soon!

Dolphin Dance Studio, Poulsbo

There are three Dolphin Dance Studios in the country as of now. The first is in Columbus, Ohio the second in Poulsbo, Washington and the third in Monroe, Michigan. My friend Emily is the owner of all three. I currently take classes in the Poulsbo studio and hope to check out the Monroe studio while I'm visiting someday.

I have taken three pole classes in the 101 course so far. I did these lessons in November. I am finally finishing the last three classes starting Thursday (then the following two Wednesdays). I can not wait to start these classes again. I am hoping to go to the 201 class afterward. I am loving the exercise and the kid free time (just an hour and a half a week, but it helps me destress BIG time!)

Tonight was the family friendly open house for their two year anniversary. I took Josh, Caralyn, Alaric and my friend Mahria to it so Josh could meet Emily (and Andy was there too! What a stroke of luck!) and to introduce Mahria to the possibility of pole classes. I don't think she is going to get into it, but at least I tried.

I think the person that had most fun (other than the people watching) was Caralyn! She really took to the pole FAST! She was adorable! I would lift her up and she automatically crossed her legs and would hold tight and let me spin her around. Great form for a 2 year old! What do you think?



I know some people think it is horrible that I'm so open about pole dancing and that I let my children near a pole, but I do it for exercise and I'm not going to tell my children that they can't do something that I have done. I don't want Caralyn to ever become a stripper...that's definitely not why I'm taking these classes...and I hope she never feels she has to do that for any reason...but if she ends up wanting to take pole classes when she's older, I'm not going to tell her no. It is one of the best kinds of exercise I've ever done. The first three weeks I lost a couple pounds (but always put it back on because of my eating habits) and started getting more strength back that I've lost since I quit dancing. I felt good for the first time since South Carolina when I was working out with a friend and a personal trainer. I wish people would get their heads out of the ground and realize it's not JUST about money when it's pole dancing...it's about body image and feeling beautiful and sexy for yourself no matter what size and shape you are. It's wonderful.

If anyone in any of the three areas there is a Dolphin Dance Studio is even slightly interested or curious about it, stop by, take an open class, ask questions, check out the studio...it's so much fun and can give you a HUGE boost in your self confidence! If you're here in Washington and want to check it out, let me know and I can set something up with Emily sometime...or if you want to jump in and do a party, I will host one there so it's just a friendly and fun time where we can laugh and joke and be completely relaxed about it all.

For now, I'm going to close. I just had to put this out here because it's the most fun I've had in a long time...and it was just a simple open house that I didn't really do much of anything at, but I got to share it with my family and that's what made it so wonderful for me.

What are your thoughts on pole dancing?

Why oh why

So I barely get enough sleep as it is...so why in the heck am I on the computer at 12:05AM when I should be sleeping? Because I'm afraid that the moment I lay down and get comfortable, Ric is going to wake up wanting a bottle. So I'm trying to wait up to see if he is going to wake up...stupid, I know...especially with the long day ahead of me.

I do have to say...I'm amazed my daughter hasn't woken up yet. She's been asleep in her bed by herself for 2 hours already...she's normally been up at least once, scared from a nightmare or something. She has always slept with my husband and I, she is 2 years old and, until recently, has only slept 2 weeks out of our bed. Monday we started sleeping in HER room. She is in her bed, we are on a futon. I miss my bed, but she's (or maybe it's me...) isn't ready to be alone in her room, especially if she wakes up...she freaks out just because she's alone in bed. I think one more week in her room (if it goes as well as this last week or better) and then we'll be able to at least mostly sleep in our own rooms again...It will be the first time we have been alone in bed in over 2 years...3 if you count the big baby belly when I was pregnant with Caralyn.

Well...Caralyn has woken up and needs her mommy since Papa isn't waking up to her cries. Later.