38 weeks!

Well I'll keep this short (because I feel like I am being VERY repetitive in my weekly updates).

Report for 38 weeks: NOTHING!

Still feeling good, finally content with God's timing in the delivery of our baby, napping often and enjoying the last few weeks with just me and Ben.

Here's a pic at 38 weeks!

Memorial Day BBQ

It was so nice to have Ben home for an extra day over the weekend. Monday was Memorial day here in the States, so everyone had the day off.

We celebrate the day with our friends Faye & Sam, Klara & J.J and Rick & Rachel, who we had over for a BBQ. Ben was a great BBQ'er and made up some Brats and hamburgers on the grill. Our new patio set came in handy too, as we all chatted into the evening.

37 Weeks and counting...

Well... I had my 37 week apt today, and still NOTHING is happening !

No contractions, thinning, or opening of my cervix!
Oh boy, I have a feeling this little baby is quite comfortable in my belly and doesn't want to come out!

Over the past few months I have had 4 friends who had their babies 2-3 weeks early. So I guess I was anticipating that our babe would want to make an early appearance to please his/her mommy, but I don't think that is our baby's plan. At this point I am just so excited to finally meet our baby, that it would have been nice for him or her to come a little early. I am still feeling great and working out regularly, so I really shouldn't complain!
Truly all I really do want is a healthy baby, so if that means that our little one has to go a full 40 weeks OR even longer... that will be fine!

PATIENCE NATALIE, PATIENCE!

A Day at Lake Altus

Today we spent the afternoon on Sam & Faye's boat on Lake Altus along with Klara & JJ.

The weather was great, food and drinks... hip widening and company wonderful! I was designated the spotter, as I was out of commission to participate in the water sports. But I still had a blast watching everyone else hang on for dear life while tubing and showing off their pro skills wake boarding and water skiing. It will be fun to get back into business after our little one arrives. Thanks Sam & Faye for sharing your boat with us!

Here are some pics from our fabulous day.

Sam & Faye

Klara & J.J

The "Girls"

Ben wake boarding

Go Ben Go!

36 Weeks

36 Weeks...

feeling BIG, but still feeling good.

The baby is still moving around quite a bit, which means he/she probably has more room to grow in there. Don't quite know how I feel about that... But I guess I have NO choice.
I went for my 36 week appointment this past Thursday and the doctor said that NOTHING is happening yet. My cevix is NOT open for business at the moment, no thinning and no contractions! I guess I should get prepared to go a full 40 weeks with this little babe just in case he/she doesn't decide to make an early arrival. I just really hope and pray that the little babe doesn't decide to be stubborn and stay in my belly longer then 40 weeks.

It is getting more exciting though, anticipating the arrival of our baby girl or boy. Ben and I still have the feeling that our baby is a BOY. It is funny how everyone has their own opinion on who is inside of me. Some people are completely convinced that we are having a BOY and the same goes for people convinced we are having a GIRL. It's quite funny. I can't wait to know! Less then 30 days to go... So not too much longer!

Happy 30th Birthday!

Someones getting older!!!
My wonderful husband turned 30 today! That's a BIG birthday...

Ben doesn't like big parties or to make a big to-do about these kinds of things, so we spent the day in an airport (we missed our connecting flight in Memphis) and then rushed around in Oklahoma City to buy the rest of the baby items we needed... I think I was more peeved about it all then he was. If there was anyone I would want to be stuck in an airport with, it would be Ben. I have realized over the past 2 years since we've been married that there is no one else I'd rather spend my time with. Ben is such a wonderful man. He is so dedicated to all the important things in life; his career as a pilot, a husband, making sure the house and cars are clean, being a Man of God and a soon to be Daddy. I can't wait to see him with our first child. He is going to be such a great Father!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HUN HUN.

I love you!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This Mother's Day was special... Ben and I were flying home from Omaha, and I had complete strangers come up to me to wish me a Happy Mother's Day in the airport! It was nice to know that other people also value the 'fetus' in my belly as an actual human being. Even though I have yet to make the sacrifices of a Mother (of children who are physically walking around), I am already a Mother to this little precious baby who will make his/her debut in a month.

What a gift and blessing it is to bring a little person into this world. As a Mother I know that I have many years ahead of me to bring up, nurture, discipline, guide (physically, mentally and SPIRITUALLY) and love the children God blesses us with. In a way it's a little overwhelming... But I know the process with be some what easier, because I have been blessed with the best role model in my own mom. It is so nice to know I have someone who I can go to for advice, encouragement and to be loved on.
Over the years I have learned a great deal from my Mom and know that I am a better person and will be a better mother because of her. Thanks Mom, I love you!

Happy Mother's Day to all the other mother's out there!!!

Off to Omaha!

Early Friday morning ( I mean really early... Ben and I had to get up at 3:15am) we headed up to Oklahoma City to fly to Omaha for Dan's Graduation from Creighton School of Dentistry. Dan is Ben's younger (but way taller) brother. It was a great two days with Ben's family, packed filled with lots of graduation events and fun family memories. Liz (Ben's sister) also flew in from Quito, Equador for the occasion.

Congratulations Dan on graduating and becoming a Dr!!

My 2 NEW Best Friends!!!

These days I found myself 2 new best friends!
Tums and Metamucil! Oh the joys of pregnancy!!!!

Let me say this first: I have had a GREAT pregnancy and really can't complain about the small things that I have had to deal with during the past 81/2 months. No morning sickness, no nausea, no bed rest! However, in the past few weeks HEART BURN has kicked in with a vengeance!
Tums to the rescue... as soon as I feel a little burning, I pop a few tums (depending on how bad it is) and just like that, the burning disappears. I think I should be on a Tums commercial promoting the product, because it has been such a life saver and I LOVE it!

And the Metamucil... well I won't go into too much detail...

Because, I think that's self explanatory. But oh the relief!

Wings of Warriors

This past weekend was the Altus AFB Open House and Air SHow.
This was my very first air show and it was great! There was over 35 USAF planes parked on the tarmac to view and walk through. Aviation just rocks my mind... Even though I have a husband who is a pilot, I still can't fathom how planes actually fly!

The day was filled with 18 different events ranging from parachuters, static displays, various fly-by and aerobatic demonstrations. My favorites were the KC-135 fly-by (which I wasn't quick enough to get my camera out and take a picture), the F-15 fly-by and the aerobatic demonstration.

34 Weeks and counting!

I went for my 34 weeks appointment this past Thursday... Ben came along this time and was excited to hear the baby's strong heartbeat, which was HIGH again... a BOY in the making! Haha!

The baby is head down already!!! And I can definitely tell, as my hips have decided to all of a sudden spread.

He/she has been really active for the last few weeks, flipping from one side to another... and really pushing out and kicking all over! This obviously means that he/she still has more room in there to grow. Not too excited about more growing, but whatever it takes to have a healthy baby!

April Card Swap!

I was busy making cards this morning for our April card swap group.

I have to admit, I was a little unmotivated to make my cards this month... However, I was able to get them all done this morning.

The theme was Mother's Day... My card doesn't have to be used for Mother's Day, but I did make a little 'MOM' tag for those people who do want to use it for Mother's Day!

Here is my card for April!

Here are all the cards for this month...

Only in Southern Oklahoma

This past weekend we went to the Mangum Rattlesnake Durby!

Oh boy! This truly does only happen in Southern Oklahoma!!!!

The Durby started 43 years ago to help take care of the number of rattlesnakes in the area. In Oklahoma rattlesnakes may be taken from March 1 - June 30 by any legal means (whatever that means!!!)

Anyway, it was actually really cool (well some parts at least). Ben, who is NOT a snake person... really enjoyed seeing how the handlers demonstrated how to avoid getting struck by a rattle snake. And since we like going hiking in the Wichita Mountains... who knows when it will come in handy!

Those are all Rattlesnakes!

This was sorta gross... actually REALLY gross! We got to see a rattlesnake getting its head chopped off, gutted, skinned and ready to cook!!!! EEW GROSS! I thought I would be brave enough to try the fried snake meat, but I think being pregnant... my stomach just couldn't take it! Our friends tried the snake meat and said it tasted like chicken!!!

I look huge in these pics... Maybe it was the Indian taco, funnel cake, caramel apple, fried peaches, and kettle corn!!! Oh boy! Haha... I didn't eat them all by myself... we shared with the friends we went with!

32 Weeks and a Baby GROWTH SPURT!

Well... here is my 32 week picture!

And as you can see... I'm on my way to being huge! Haha.
I could just tell that these past two weeks the baby (AND ME) got a lot bigger. I am still having a ton of discomfort in my ribs, which will only get worst as the baby grows in these next few weeks. Ben asked the other day if I was ready to have the baby out of me, and I responded No... But the only thing I am really looking forward to is not having the pain in my rib cage ALL THE TIME!

I had my 32 weeks appointment on Thursday, and this time the baby's heart rate was LOW and the nurse practitioner is convinced our baby is a BOY by the way I am carrying! Not too much longer until we find out! It's so Exciting!

Other then that, everything looked good... my weight gain, belly growth and a strong sounding baby!

54th Squadron Spouse Night

Last Tuesday it was my turn to host the Squadron Spouses with Mandy Fish at her house.
I don't think I have ever baked so many things all at once. I made my Mom's famous Lemon-Blueberry Muffins, Spinach and Artichoke Dip, a French Toast thingy, a fruit platter with dip and helped Mandy fill the Spinach Florentine Cups. Along with all the things I made, Mandy made a California Quiche, Spring Salad, Cinnamon pull apart Bread, a divine chocolate cake and frosted grapes. The night was fun as always with good food, people and lots of laughs!
I am so very thankful for our squadron spouses group!

All the ladies are so friendly and inviting! I don't really know what I would have done in this small Oklahoman town without them. Getting to know all of them has definitely made our transition to Altus a lot easier!

Weekend Outting!

Saturday was a beautiful day here in Oklahoma. After cleaning up the house we headed out to Meers for burgers. If you live in Altus, you know where the Meers Burger place is and most likely have been there on more then one occasion.

The Meers Burger place is like now other... a total 'hole in the wall' restaurant that has been around since the early 1900's with the BEST burgers ever. When we were here last May, Ben and I visited the restaurant, and instead of getting a burger, I ordered spare ribs (even though Ben tried to convince me to get the burger)... Needless to say, I was a little disappointed in the ribs... But it was my own fault, because the restaurant is known for its burger's NOT its ribs.

So this time I ordered the Meers Cheeseburger! And oh was it good.
As you can see, the burgers are HUGE!!! I could only finish half of my burger, partly because I was saving room for the homemade ice cream and peach cobbler!

30 weeks!

I went in for my 30 week appointment on Thursday. The doc said that everything is going really well. The baby's heart rate was high again this time (a girl perhaps????)... who knows, that's why it's going to be a surprise come June.

The baby is getting much stronger now! He/she is over 3 lbs and 16 inches long. I think the baby has switched postions in my belly. I feel the baby poke far on my right side ( I think its a little foot) and what seems to be a big round thing poke out near the left side on my belly button (the babys back, or bum). It's so fun to feel this little one inside of me!

Evolving Baby Room!

Before we bought baby furniture, this room was our junk/stuff that didn't have a space room.

Now... this room is on its way to be our baby's room. Here is the furniture all set up.