Memory Book

In the last couple months I've been really thinking about making a memory book of my sister Tiffany. She passed away almost a year ago, and it's still hard. I feel more at peace with her passing but I still miss her so much. That will probably never change.

Today I was watching tv and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom came on. The part where Indiana falls into the car with the singer after he's been poisoned the little boy driving tells them to "hold onto your potatoes!" I remember Tiffany and I debated over what that line was over and over again. She insisted he said "Hold onto your patellas!" (The little piece of bone over your knees. lol!)

When I remember things like this, I've been writing them down. I'm trying to remember as much as possible so I can make a scrapbook of memories for her daughter Kristabelle. I'm going to make a lot of copies so anyone who wants one can have one. It's going to take some time, but I know how important it is. It will be worth it.

I've been trying to get as many family members and friends as possible to send me their memories but so far I've only had one friend show any interest in it. If you have any memories you want to add, please email them to me at: pixiestix8618@gmail.com. It really would mean so much to me.

This & That.

BUSY month! It seems things are finally settling down. We finished moving a few weeks ago, but this seemed like the longest and hardest move we've made so far. (Which is saying something, because we've moved A LOT!) It's been stressful and more work than we bargained for. Justin got stuck pulling 24 hour duty TWICE during the moving week. So the big day to move he only had a few hours here and there and then had to go back to work. We got lucky and had some friends helping us out. But still, at this point I'm not moving again until we absolutely have to!

I haven't taken many pictures of our new house yet. I was going to take pictures last Sunday, but the entertainment center decided to fall apart and crash to the floor that morning. I had just gotten up and was in the kitchen making breakfast and heard a heart stopping CRASH! from the living room. I came out and Justin and I just stood there with our mouthes open in disbelief. Here is the before and after:

We really don't know what caused it to collapse. I'm just relieved the kids were upstairs and not in the living room. Nearly everything that was inside broke during the fall. We called our insurance company to see if it would be covered, but no such luck. We got everything cleaned up but I miss the entertainment center. It was only 6 months old and Justin and I really loved it. Justin said he could probably fix it, but I'm afraid of it collapsing again. So we're going to get a new one that doesn't hang on the wall like that.

Tommy starts soccer in a couple weeks. I am so excited for him, he is going to have a blast! The best part, Justin is coaching his team! I can't even tell you how excited I am to take pictures of his games! He is going to be unbelievably cute! I can't believe how big my baby is!

Tristan is quite the little adventurer. He looks for any and all opportunities to climb stuff. He amazes me with all the things he can do. He is so much fun and the boys love to play together. It is so sweet, I just love every minute of it. It still feels weird thinking about a 3rd boy joining in on the wrestling and rough housing!

I'm 34 weeks now and everything is going fine. I'm anxious and uncomfortable but I'm hanging in there. I can't wait to meet little Landon and to have my body my own again. Just thinking of sleeping on my stomach sounds like bliss. It's been a long 8.5 months!

Baby Updates!

At 15 weeks, my doctor said the baby looked like a boy. He wasn't 100% sure since it was still early and he was using an older ultrasound, but he said we would find out for sure at 20 weeks. Well, at 20 weeks the baby was turned away and he couldn't check. So for the past 8 weeks we've been waiting for another ultrasound so we could know for sure. Today was that day! The doctor said it's 100% BOY!

It was also the day for the glucose test to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes. The test came out perfectly normal. My doctor is my favorite yet, he is just SO nice. I think it makes a big difference to like your doctor. Both of my other doctors have been really good, but my doctor now really spends time with me making sure I'm doing well and listening to all my questions. Between doctor visits I'm also seeing a midwife. She will be with me during delivery and come to my house after delivery to help with nursing and see how I'm doing. Medical care in Germany is just amazing.

The baby is measuring a week ahead, but my doctor isn't changing my due date. I am just grateful for 3 healthy pregnancies and 3 healthy (big!) baby boys. We can't wait to meet little Landon! The first part of the pregnancy went by so fast, but now it seems to be dragging a little bit. I'm trying to be patient but anyone who knows me understands how hard that is. lol!

Moving is going well. We get the keys to our new house next week and we're trying to paint before we move our things in. So for right now, we're trying to get everything packed and choose paint colors. I'm a little nervous about the stairs, since there are 3 sets of them. Being 7 months pregnant, I get winded going up just a few stairs so it will be hard to get used to.

Our sweet Tristan is walking! He still crawls if he wants to go somewhere far, but he'll take a good 10-15 steps! He looks so cute walking around. Tommy loves it too, he says Tristan is a big boy now. lol Tommy is talking SO much. He is just a chatterbox. He wants to know everything and is constantly asking us "why?" He's also become really shy. It reminds me of how I was when I was little. I was really shy too. If I stare at him he turns away and says "stop looking at me Mommy, go watch tv" He is hilarious. We're signing him up for soccer soon, and I can't wait for him to get started. He is going to be so cute on a soccer field!

Life is good but we miss all of you! We're trying to plan on a visit to AZ and UT in February. Hopefully that works out and we can see our families and introduce them to Landon!

We're Moving!

Justin and I live off post and haven't ever really wanted to move onto the army base. We like living as a German family would because we think it really adds to the experience. Not many people can say they've lived in a foreign country, and we're going on three years!

But, with a new baby coming soon we really need a bigger place. German houses are really small usually and it's hard moving here. So we decided to see what was available on the army base, since they have bigger houses and apartments. Justin went in to talk to the housing people, and they said to come back later that day and they would have "something really nice" for us. So we went in later and they gave us the keys to our new house. We went to take a look and were amazed!

It's a 4 story, 4 bedroom and 3 bath house! Usually such a big house is reserved for higher ranking officers, but they have an overabundance of these houses available and so are letting specialists and sergeants move in. (Justin is a specialist)

We're so excited!! I'm not sure what we're going to do with all the room, but I'm sure we'll think of something! It even has a front and back yard. We move in just two weeks so we're kind of rushed, but I cannot wait to get into our new house. It will be so nice that all the kids will have their own room, I always worry that if the kids share a room they won't sleep and we'll be up all night. Glad I won't have to find out, at least not for now. :)

Pictures will be up soon once we're moved and settled in! Can't wait to show all of you!

Monkeys!

Tommy is a ridiculously good climber. He climbs absolutely everything. At the park they have a "big kid" playground and Tommy loves it because they have big wooden walls with a rope hanging down that you can climb. He gets to the top in no time and is just fearless. He has yet to fall down, too!

Well recently, Tristan has been climbing too. It started with Tommy's bed, then the couch, then our bed, and now:

The entertainment center! This boy is a monkey! He was so proud of himself. I walked into the room to see this and he gave me a cute little giggle. The only problem is, now he can get to everything on shelves! Time to move them until he gets out of the "I want to touch and taste everything" stage.

And my new favorite picture of Tommy. I just simply adore his smile. This one was taken at a BBQ party for Justin's unit. They had a big jumpy obstacle course for the kids. Some of the older kids couldn't climb up it, but Tommy did it with no problems! Monkeys, the both of them. :)

Fugitives.

Wanted: Two toddlers, last seen commandeering a blue semi. They are believed to be highly dangerous, as neither of them have a valid driver's license.

Upon further investigation, an unknown accomplice came out of the woodwork. He gave himself up with very little resistance.

However he claimed to not know the whereabouts of the toddlers in question.

More details will be released to the public as further knowledge about these fugitives are found.

Waiting, Wishing, Hoping...

Waiting for:

September to come so we can have Landon and I can look forward to NEVER being pregnant again.

For August of next year so we can leave Germany and get out of the Army.

My hair to grow back out already. (I will never cut my hair again, lesson learned.)

To meet my soon to be stepmom finally!

Wishing for:

A maid/nanny.

Justin to have a big fat raise/bonus.

Unlimited chocolate without the calories.

Hoping for:

Landon to be a really good sleeper.

An easy upcoming move. (We're moving to a 4 bedroom HOUSE soon!)

A spacious backyard for Tommy.

... just one of those days.