Coastie the Panda, Etc.

It's been a while since I posted because of the picture situation that we have. It's complicated, I won't explain. Anyway, here are some new pictures and we of course have stories to tell! First off, Kennedy being cool in her Gap hat and daddy's sunglasses. She did this all by herself.

She thinks she is so big. Last night we went to a restaurant that has a bunch of hula hoops out for kids to play with, and Kennedy thought she was one of the big kids. Sorry the picture is so dark.

This morning we had another adventure with her. She decided to lock herself in my bathroom. It's one of those push button locks, and it took us 20 minutes to get the door unlocked. Poor thing was screaming and crying for mommy, and all I could do was talk to her and put my fingers under the door. Last week we took her to Build-a-Bear to make a Coast Guard bear for when Brett has to be away. Of course, they had every military uniform in stock except for the Coast Guard. So I came home and ordered the outfit online and it came today. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Kennedy picked out the panda all by herself. Speaking of the Coast Guard, I got a letter from Brett on Thursday. He said that he was selected to be on the color guard (1 of 3 people) which will qualify him to post colors at ceremonies, carry them in parades and present them at funerals. Pretty cool. :) He also said that he is considering being an Intelligence Specialist instead of going into Health Services. We'll see if that really happens, and he has 5 months to figure out what he wants to do. He's still doing really well, learning a lot, and enjoying himself, which we are always happy to hear. He gets to call next Sunday to talk to us for longer than 3 minutes and to tell us where we'll be stationed! So look out for lots of news on the blog next Sunday! And check out the cooking blog for some awesome cookies!

Stuff from Me and Stuff from Brett

Here's an overview of today:

• As of today, Brett has been gone for 3 weeks. So far, no gigantic breakdowns, just some small ones. And only 4 1/2 weeks until he comes home!
• Kennedy has been a NIGHTMARE the past few days. Today has been the worst. I am definitely learning to be more patient. I think the poor thing has allergies because her face has been leaking all day and she's starting to cough because of all the stuff in her throat. I think that Brett being gone is starting to get to her a little bit too, since she has been hitting me like crazy.
• Today is the 35 week mark for Noah, which means that there are only 4 weeks until we get to meet him finally!
• I made some Lemon Poppyseed muffins that turned out pretty well, but I wish that Brett was here to taste them.

Also, from Brett's last letter, here is a funny story that anybody who knows Brett will appreciate. Plus, it really lets you know that he's having a good time amid all the hard stuff. :)

"By the way, while our company was doing an exercise we find ourselves in quite often of holding our guns straight out for a half hour straight, my lead company commander yelled out, "Where's Lee at?"

"Lee aye," I replied.

He said, "Lee, did you know I have been emailing back and forth with your wife?"

"No, sir."

"You have a baby due on the 23rd, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ashley is her name, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"She seems like a very nice girl."

"Oh, she is, sir."

He was doing it to show to the company that although we might feel he was being a jerk for having us hold the gun straight out while telling us all of this, and we being in pain and tired already from the workout, that he has our best interests in mind and that he knows what he is doing; and he does. Later we were shining our boots as a company (but silently) and he cracked some really sarcastic joke, that got me smiling (which we are at no point allowed to be caught doing (imagine how hard that is for me)) and he turned to me and said, "Lee, Ashley must have terrible eyesight if that's what you look like when you smile." I replied, "Actually Chief Ruchser, she does." Everyone busted up laughing, and he yelled, "Lock it up!" which means shut up and quit smiling, because everyone was laughing. He went out of sight so he could have a chuckle, without letting people see. Everyone thought it was pretty hilarious."

You Wanna See My Driver's License? or The Joys of Governmental Bureaucracy

First off, bonus points to anyone who can tell me what movie the first half of the title came from. Since Brett and I have decided to become a military family, I guess that we are going to have to get used to dealing with the annoying red tape and long lines that come with it. Thankfully the people in Cape May (USCG boot camp) are very nice and willing to work with us. Somehow they found out that I'm going to be having a baby before Brett comes home and were working with him to get me on military insurance before that happens. First, you have to be entered into DEERS (the military dependent database). That part was easy because Brett took care of it there at boot camp before he called me to give me more info.

Second, get a military dependent ID card. Slightly more difficult. I had to drive all the way to Fort Worth (about an hour away) at 6:30 in the morning, pay $5 to park downtown, and then find out that I had the wrong address. So then I had to drive to the Naval Airbase, which took me an hour when it should have taken me 20 minutes because my directions were wrong - twice. The first time they got me lost in downtown Fort Worth, what with all the one way streets and such. The second time they took me to the east entrance of the base instead of the front entrance, which I wasn't allowed to enter. I finally got there by following some very sketchy directions given to me by a guy at the ID office. I thought there would for sure be a huge line and I would have to wait for hours since I had gotten there an hour after opening. Thankfully there was absolutely no one in line and the people at Cape May were very quick about faxing the paperwork that I needed over. We got all the info entered into the computer, and then the guy told me to switch chairs so he could take my picture. I was sitting in the chair for 60-90 seconds, and I was wondering what was taking him so long and started to wonder whether or not I should ask him if I should smile. Apparently not, because after a while he said, "We're all done." What? Mug shot anyone?

I was slightly miffed at not being told that the picture was being taken, but my sister and sister-in-law had the same experience. Their pictures weren't much better. Then I got stuck in horrendous traffic on the way home. But the point is that I came away with my ID.

Third, fill out and fax in Tricare paperwork. Done. Since I got it all faxed yesterday I will be on military insurance before Noah is born, which means he's free! Yay!

Also, I finally got a letter from Brett yesterday! He said that nothing could have prepared him for what it is like, and that it is worse than the movies, but that he loves it! He said he's doing really well, he loves his company commanders, and that he is enjoying himself. If you're interested in seeing what boot camp is like and watching his actual company commander yell at people, go to YouTube and type in "It's Just Eight Weeks."

3 Calls, 2 Kitty Battles and 1 Smart Cookie

Dear Brett,

We have been incredibly lucky and blessed with how much you have been able to call! 3 times already and you've only been gone 2.5 weeks. I was happy with the information that you were able to give me today. No one else in your company has been able to call home at all! And even though the last 2 calls were to get me set up on insurance, you did something special to deserve the privilege of calling home the first time. I can't wait for you to tell me what it was that you did in your letter that I will get next week! I'm so proud of you!

Your Loving Wife

Dear Texas Army Bases,

Why must everything be so difficult with you? The first office that is close to me doesn't have any ID cards and gave me 2 numbers for the base in Fort Worth an hour away. It took me 3 hours to get a hold of anyone at all, and when I did, the first appointment available was 2 weeks away! I can't wait that long, so I've been calling the other office with no luck and will probably have to be there at 7:30 tomorrow morning and hope that I don't have to wait 4 hours to get my ID card. Ugh.

Frustrated Military Dependent

Dear Oreo Cakesters,

Why must you be so delicious? I'm trying really hard not to think of you constantly - because if I do I will inevitably eat more. I'm trying really hard. It's not working very well.

Hungry Pregnant Lady

Dear Kennedy,

I cannot believe that you counted to 10 all by yourself yesterday and only skipped the number 5! I don't know when it's normal for kids to be able to count by themselves, but you've been counting up a storm the past 2 days and I am thoroughly impressed.

Proud Mommy

Dear Lost,

You are much too confusing. I still love you though and will be watching next week in hopes of getting more answers. I'm sure they won't come.

Avid Lost Watcher

Dear Kitties,

Stop having kitty battles under my bed in the middle of the night! It sounds horrible and it scares me awake. Please just get used to each other already! Seriously, Lucy's been here for 3 weeks. Deal with it.

Girl Who Wants to Sleep

A Faraway Valentine

Even though Brett can't read this, I wanted to put up a Valentine's post. I just wanted to say how much I love him. I've always appreciated him, but these past 2 weeks have really shown me how much he does for me and Kennedy. He is such a wonderful support for me, and I miss him everyday. I am so proud of him for going through boot camp - especially since I'm pretty sure that he hasn't gotten a letter from us yet either! He is such a strong man, physically and emotionally, to be able to go through something like that all by himself. He is the best husband and father, and my best friend. I am so happy that I married him, and I can't wait for this next 6 weeks to be over so that he can come home to us! I love you Brett!

UPDATE: I got a call from Brett! He had to be extremely professional and he could only talk for 3 minutes. He was calling from his company commander's phone, who was standing behind him listening and throwing insults at him the whole time. But he got to call! I think it was a huge privilege, because as far as I can tell, no one else in his company was able to call anyone. He said that he's doing well. He really only had time to ask how we all were and tell me he loves me (which was followed by barfing noises in the background by his CC), but I haven't heard a word from him in almost 2 weeks, so I don't care what was going on in the background or how long it was. I should be getting a letter or two this week, so I will have more of an idea how he's doing. Just thought I'd let you all know the great news!

Just When You Think You're Safe

Remember that incident I recently told you about in which Kennedy found chocolates and ate them while I was in the shower? Well, after the second morning in a row of that happening I put the chocolates on a high shelf so she wouldn't be able to get at them. A good choice, because the next morning she did not find the chocolates again. However, she did happen to find a tube of lipstick that I didn't even know I had.

Yeah, that's lipstick all over the desk and wall. You can't see it on the desktop or the chair, and I didn't get a picture of her face, hands and shirt, but believe me, it was everywhere. This morning I woke up early so I got out of bed and took a shower so I wouldn't have another incident today.

Also, just when you think your safe and comfy with how your daughter is, she decides to grow up and change some more. How about this grown up haircut?

If you don't remember, it was several inches longer than this and had little curls at the bottom. Now it just curls under and makes her look that much older. She also started Gymboree Play & Learn classes with her cousin Wyatt and is now learning to do all sorts of new things, including but not limited to: rocking, jumping, climbing and rolling balls down slides.

She has also gotten a little ahead of herself and decided that she needs to be the one driving the car. She climbed in that seat all by herself and started steering the wheel. I think I would need to be a little more worried if her feet were closer to the pedals.

She really is growing up so fast! Next week she will be 22 months old. That's only 2 months away from 2 years old! Time has certainly flown with her. I'm excited to have another little one, even though I know he'll only be little for a while. Still no letter from Brett, but I've heard that sometimes they will hold their mail for a week. If they didn't, then it's possible that bad weather on the east coast and here in Dallas could have delayed it. I will be sure to post how he's doing as soon as I know! Also, a quick shout out to my brother, Blake, who is graduating from Army basic training tomorrow! Good job!

A Ray of Hope

love that I finally heard from Brett today! I have his address now so I can actually send him the letter I've been writing for the past week and ultrasound pictures of Noah

hate that he didn't get to send a letter with the little package, but at least I got something!

love that Kennedy is taking a nap right now

hate that she has been so incredibly willful the past few days and has needed a lot of discipline (probably because she's tired from refusing naps)

love that Brett's graduation date is expected to be on March 26 instead of March 30!

hate that he still won't be here for Noah's birth

love that I haven't been watching nearly as much TV since I've been in Texas

hate that I have to watch the final season of Lost without Brett

love that the sun is shining today after so much rain so I can finally get my car washed

hate that it's supposed to snow on Thursday, so it might undo everything that was done to the outside of the car

love the new clothes I bought for Kennedy

hate how much they cost, even with a 30% off coupon

I Really Need to Keep the Camera Close By

When we were in an apartment, it was fairly easy to take a shower during the day. At first, I just stuck Kennedy in a bouncer in front of Baby Einstein while I took a shower. Then, I just turned on Playhouse Disney while she ate some snacks. Sometimes she would come in and see me, but usually she just watched her shows. Since we've been in a bigger place with stairs and many more things to get into than we're used to I've had to do something else. I've been closing the door to my room and essentially locking her in there while I shower. She generally finds some things to play with, including Lucy, and will come and talk to me while I'm showering. But she's still not safe. Twice in the past 6 days that Brett hasn't been here to watch her she has gotten herself into a little bit of trouble that I really wish I had been able to take a picture of.

First day: Yes, the first day that I tried this method I was given a shock. I was about ready to get out of the shower and Kennedy started talking about toothbrushes, which she does often, so I thought nothing of it. However, when I opened the curtain I saw that she had climbed to the top of the toilet (not the seat, the actual top) and had her knees on the toilet and her hands on the sink trying to get a hold of the toothbrushes. I failed to get a picture because imminent death was part of the scenario.

This morning: I kept trying to get Kennedy to talk to me while I was showering and kept getting no response. Finally, when I got out, I found out why. She had found a box of chocolates that Brett's mom had given me right before we left. I have no idea how she got it because it was on a desk with a suitcase and a chair standing in her way. More than half of them were unwrapped and half chewed on the floor. Miraculously she managed to not get chocolate on anything, including herself. I failed to get a picture of this because I had just gotten out of the shower, the camera was downstairs, and I was trying to avoid chocolate stains on the carpet.

I still haven't heard anything from Brett. I'm hoping that we will get the postcard with his address on it in the mail today. I will let you guys know as soon as I hear anything!

Doing Fine

Thank you so much for all of the support that you have been giving me over the past few days! I know it may seem impersonal on the computer, but I really do appreciate your comments and feel your support when I have so much going on! We have been doing really well since Brett left, and although Kennedy is starting to notice his absence, it hasn't really affected her behavior. She has been her sweet self, which includes dressing up in tutus and fancy shoes.

She has also been finding new uses for the kitty house.

Some of you have asked who will be with me during the c-section. The answer is my mom and my sister. They will be there for the operation (as long as Christine can get out of school, if it ends up being in the morning) and there to help in the hospital. Kennedy will of course be staying with my dad while I am cooped up in the hospital for a few days. And I may seem strong on the computer, but I promise you I was bawling all the night before and the morning that Brett left. Thankfully I've been ok since, but we'll see how long that lasts. :) Also, check out my cooking blog for the most beautiful blueberry muffins you've ever seen!

Officially Military

Yesterday was the big day. Brett had to report to boot camp, so at 9:00 we arrived at the Coast Guard recruiting station to finish up his paperwork.

Everybody there was very nice. They gave Kennedy a big bag of stuff including a Coast Guard blanket, 2 boats that she can take in the bath and a helicopter. We finished all of the paperwork and then Brett was officially sworn in as a member of the Coast Guard.

As of that swearing in Brett is an active duty member of the Coast Guard. After that we got a little surprise because Kennedy and I were actually able to take him to the airport for his flight to Philadelphia. We got him there just in time and he made it there safely.

He hung out at the USO at the airport and he said that it was totally stocked with hot dogs, sodas, Girl Scout cookies and a bunch of other things that were really tempting him. He was trying to not eat much in order to ensure that he makes weight. :) He got pulled into the office by the guy running the place who asked how old he is. When he said he is 27 the guy told him that his officers would know that before the week was out and that they would expect maturity and leadership out of him, but that that is a good thing. I don't think they will get anything less than that from Brett. Not long after that they got on the bus to go to Cape May, New Jersey where the training is. They had to turn off their phones at that point, so I didn't get to talk to him anymore and probably won't for a few weeks.

In other news, I went to my first baby appointment here in Texas yesterday as well. I got to do another ultrasound and got some great pictures, including one that shows that there is absolutely no doubt he is a boy. :) The doctor felt that medically the whole thing would be safer if we did another c-section this time around, which is exactly what I was expecting him to say. So Noah already has a birthday! He'll be coming on March 23! That's nice because although Brett won't be here, I get to be pregnant for one less week than normal, and I'll be able to have a little bit of recovery time before Brett comes home and we have to move again.