Bumper Crop

My parents and our good friends Laynce and Leslie were all here for a couple of days last week before heading out on an Alaskan Cruise (lucky dogs)!! So, I wanted to give them a little taste of one of my favorite things about Whidbey, BERRIES! I love berry picking (all kinds) but it just happens to be Strawberry season around here so we headed straight for Bell's Farm. I think they have one of the most authentic experiences around and lucky for us this year they had a Bumper Crop (or at least that's what the Old fella' who runs the place told us). Last year it took me about an hour and a half to pick a flat of berries, but with all 5 adults picking just for me we had 3 flats in 30 minutes! That means I had 30 lbs. of strawberries to start my 2009 freezer collection, which made me very happy. We had a great time picking...

Now that's a lot of berries!!

And in other news, I'm busy growing my own little bumper crop around here...and, at 10 weeks I've got a definite "bump" to show for it...

Quite a bit earlier than the last time around I think! For those who don't know me I just look like I'm sporting a nice little beer belly...or I guess you could say prune belly....

I've becoming a little better acquainted with each of the toilets in our home (if you catch my drift), but I'm hoping the next two weeks or so brings an end to that! I find myself admiring Carter and all of her little amazing qualities more every day as I begin to realize there is going to be a second little person just like her joining us...what a gift.

Monday Carter Edition #33~Sleeping Booty

Today is kinda' a Monday around here...running errands, cleaning up, etc. So, we thought we we share a couple of pictures of "Sunday Carter" with you instead! She was looking awfully cute for church in a new outfit from Roxi! She said she felt, "just like Sleeping Beauty", which happens to come out sounding a whole lot more like "Sleeping Booty"....

I had posted a while back on a cute line called Matilda Jane and my mom had her good friend Molly make a knock off version for Carter (we're all about saving the big bucks around here)! It is adorable, thank you so much Molly! On another note we are half way through our FIFTH separation from Nate and then end can't get here fast enough. I flip flop from moment to moment thinking how glad I am that we are half-way done, and then only a few seconds later how I can't believe we are only half way done. I miss him so much and so does Carter. I'm happy that she can at least vocalize her feelings and she says at least once a day, "I just want daddy here right now." I couldn't have said it better myself. But we'll just keep plugging and hopefully he'll be home before we know it!

Dear Daddy,

We're baking you some goodies today! I sprinkled in a little extra love, and some hugs and kisses for good measure! We're not sure how good they'll be a week from now when you get them, but it's the thought that counts right?! I love you daddy, with all my little heart.

XOXO Carter Brooke

Just the Two of Us

I sometimes have a hard time finding the balance when Nate is away. I feel like it is important to try and maintain a sense of "normalcy" (whatever that is) for Carter, but I also hate doing things without him and feeling like he is missing out. I have come to the realization though that it is very important for us to still have fun while he is away and last Saturday we did just that! We were in Seattle for the day waiting to pick up Roxi and decided to spend the afternoon at the Zoo. We both got a big kick out of this "Ape in a Bag"...

C enjoyed the petting zoo...

and made fast friends with a certain little Penguin...

It did my heart good to see her little smile...

We had a really great day just the two of us...

The Brave Little Munchkin

Last night wasn't supposed to be eventful, but it was. My mom (more on her fun visit soon) and I were getting ready to head to bed a little before midnight. She has been cooking for me (YIPEE) and so we headed out to the garage to put a few things in the freezer. Unfortunately for us the door just happened to slam behind us and it is just happened to be....LOCKED!! It took me a second to process the fact that my house is about as secure as Ft. Knox and the only person who might be able to let us in was three and just happened to be fast asleep.

The only thing I knew to do was try and wake her up. So I headed to the backyard, in Nate's 3 sizes too big tennis shoes, to begin banging on her window. I alternated the banging with calling her name for a good five minutes (I'm sure my neighbors think I'm nuts) when I finally heard her little voice (and it was slightly exasperated) say, "WHAT!" Victory, I thought, feeling like half the battle was over. "Can you go to the kitchen baby, Mommy's locked out!" I run to the next window down and peek through the half open blinds waiting for her to appear. And much to my delight here she comes, half asleep and looking quite disoriented but she is there!!

I tap on the window saying, "Here I am sweetie, mommy is locked out can you turn the knob?" She tries but unfortunately I realize that the back door is going to be way too big of a challenge. It is dead bolted and she is tired with a capital T. She begins to cry and tells me she can't do it. I convince her to head to the sliding glass door thinking it is our best bet, but once there she quickly gives up and I fear she may just lay back down on the floor and go to sleep. I can only catch glimpses or her through the blinds as she wanders around the house and then she disappears. I begin to think I'm going to have to break a window. I don't know what else to do...but, just when I think all hope is lost I see her come back into the kitchen!

She is so brave and I finally convince her to go to the garage door to let me in...I know she won't open it unless she can hear my voice so I sprint (as fast as I can in my size 12's) back around the house to the garage. I can hear her and encourage her through the crack in the door to just turn the button...that's all she has to do...then...CLICK the sweetest sound and we're in!!

Thank goodness my sweet girl is 3 going on 30, I seriously could not have been more proud of her. And, I may or may not have promised her a new doll somewhere in all my coercing and convincing...I had actually forgotten, but as she fell asleep she told me she knew just the one she would pick out from the NEX. I'm thinking it's probably cheaper than replacing a broken window, and a lot less messy!!

Monday Carter Edition #32~Guest Spotlight, Adventures of Nate the GREAT!!

Well, since yesterday was Father's Day and all Monday Carter decided it would be a great idea to share the spotlight with her favorite guy today! Her dad, aka Nate the Great, has been having quite the adventure while he is away! We are happy to see he is having fun (and still looking pretty fine while he does it)...

He's not taking himself too seriously....

He's catching a few winks whenever he gets the chance...

And, if his day job doesn't work out he may have a future as a Samurai Warrior...

Dearest Nate,

Boy, do we think you are GREAT!!! So glad you are having a chance to see the world, but we like it a lot better when you're right smack dab in the middle of ours! We love you around the world and back!

XOXO Beth and Little C

We hit the jackpot!

When it comes to dads we hit the jackpot around here. I've never had any doubt when it comes to Nate that he would be all you could ever dream of in the "Daddy Department". I think it is safe to say that no man in the world means more to our sweet little girl than her daddy. He is, in my opinion, the most positive loving influence in her life and in return he is beyond adored by our sweet little three year old. It is hard to believe this is the THIRD Father's Day in a row that we have spent apart. Gosh, babe, your day just always seems to be one we miss! And missing you we are that is for sure. We wish we could shower you and pamper you and show you how much we love you...will you take a rain check?? I find it completely endearing that Carter has become very attached to this photo of she and Nate. It represents something significant to her and she carries it around at least part of most days...

It is pure joy to see the two of you together...

There is no doubt she is your mini me...

Can't wait to hug and kiss you again...

And as far as dads go I'm a pretty lucky girl myself! Happy Father's Day Dad, I owe it all to you...

Goodbye Sweet Friends...

As I've said before one of my least favorite things about the military is all the goodbyes. Some of our sweet friends here in Oak Harbor are about to embark on their second six month deployment and while their daddy is away they are headed home to be near family. We are going to miss them dearly, Elli and Ava are truly some of the sweetest friends Carter has ever had...

We enjoyed spending some time with the girls (and Connor and Cooper this week) nothing says summer like Otter Pops...

I also decided to do this little craft project I've had sitting around for awhile with the girls. The puppets are a kit from Martha Stewart and they turned out really cute...


We are so thankful for such sweet friends and we hope your time with family is just what the doctor ordered! We can't wait for you to get back, hopefully right before Baby makes it's debut!

Saying goodbye definitely stinks, but saying hello to one of our FAVORITE people tomorrow should soften the blow. Look out Oak Harbor, here comes ROXI!!!!


We can't wait!! See you soon Mom!

Puppy Love

or Kitty, Bunny, Gerbil, etc...calling all pet lovers!! My super talented momma is having a "Pet Portrait Give-A-Way" and if you win she'll immortalize your special "someone" on canvas forever!! So, head on over to Roxanne the Artist and enter...Fido will thank you.

The cutest little gummi bear I ever did see...

I love gummi bears...especially the Haribo kind. So, much to my delight the doctor at my ultrasound today said our little baby looks just like a gummi bear, which was music to my ears...

a little closer...

and I think I can definitely see the resemblance...

I saw the sweet little heart beating which is so cool. The whole visit was very reassuring. I had actually had my first visit last week but the doctor was quite impersonal and did a very quick ultrasound where she "wasn't able to see a whole lot", so she had me re-schedule for this week. It left me a little anxious to say the least. I was so thankful today for the grandfatherly Dr. Loeb who took his time and explained every little thing he saw today...amazing how a person and their attitude can make all the difference. Our little gummi bear is looking great and should be making his/her debut around the end of January. And yes OF COURSE we will be finding out what we are having, I mean seriously how could I not?? So that and other little tidbits will be coming in the next few months. Meanwhile this little gummi is sucking the life out of me as I type and I feel a nap in my near future. But, the next time you're about to pop a gummi bear in you mouth listen carefully and you'll hear me screaming, "STOP don't eat my baby!"

Monday Carter Edition 31

Not one photo of the Monday Carter munchkin', can you believe it? We were busy bee's...running errands, working out, and eating something every hour to try to combat the nausea. I think it is actually helping a little, the only problem is the next time you see me I may be as big as a...

we'll see how that works out. Truthfully, Monday Carter is one happy camper because she has her buddies Connor and Cooper here and they are sleeping over tonight. The promise of waffles and her friends when she wakes up in the morning we'll have her dreaming sweetly I'm sure.

Dear Daddy,

I told Mommy today how much I wished you were here! I can't wait to get the box you sent and I check the mail for it everyday. I love you daddy! Miss you much!

XOXO Carter

Time has a way of making you forget...

About 4 years ago I endured the bliss known as pregnancy...and only until now I had all but forgotten it is at times not so blissful. I have decided that nausea is by far one of my least favorite things in the world. I could go on and on because I think the saying misery loves company is true, but I'll just leave it at that. Right now I am feeling quite accomplished because Carter and I have both eaten, had a bath/shower, and are snuggled on the couch for a movie. Amazing how the simplest things are suddenly such a challenge when you feel like Crap with a capitol "C". I will be thrilled when I get out of the "sick" stage and onto the craving Macaroni and Cheese stage...for now a little couch snuggling and 7up may be just what the doctor ordered.

Up, Up and Away....

Carter and I had a date today. With her dad away there is no competition and she is by far my favorite person to head to the movies with!

Our choice today (thanks to the recommendation from Clint) was the new Disney movie Up. I'm not sure which one of us liked it more...actually I'm fairly certain it was me....

It may or may not have been the pregnancy hormones (it's sometimes hard to tell) but I actually found myself teary a couple of times. I also loved the way the helium balloons looked throughout the movie, that kind of stuff tends to fascinate me...

So the chicks at our house (or at least the big one) would highly recommend Up, particularly if you have a sweet little three year old to share the experience with...

Monday Carter Edition #30~Divalicious

Today was little Miss Monday Carter's very last day of MDO! She has had such a wonderful year learning and making new friends. I am so very proud of this little lady...

In other news after we got home this afternoon I was busy on the phone talking to Nate and apparently Carter was getting into a little mischief. I thought she was dancing to music but, she was actually giving herself a little makeover. Apparently she tends to lean towards a more dramatic eye...

I wanted to be mad, but I really just busted out laughing. She looked hilarious. Plus, who can stay mad at this little face when it says, "Sorry Mommy"...

Dear Daddy-
Good thing you weren't here today when I put some makeup on, Mom says I looked 13! I wish you were here, I would feed you some very yummy Banana Bread that I helped make. I love you so much and miss you more! XOXO Carter

Chicks on the Ark

So I had a little Debbie Downer moment last night (as evidenced by my previous post). But, that can't last long when you wake up the next morning and are greeted by a munchkin' blaring music, dancing and singing at the top of her lungs in a leotard that is at least one size too small. Yeah, that'll blow the stink right off of you. Carter recently found an old Dixie Chicks CD of mine and she seems particularly fond of "Ready to Run" and "Cowboy Take Me Away"...

And, while I don't think Noah and the Dixie Chicks would have been friends we like to balance things out around here and a little "Who Built the Ark?" is perfect for that. Did I mention Carter has outgrown her leotard?? This video leaves me with just one word...wedgie.

TGIF!! Happy weekending to you...

Positive Patty vs. Negative Nancy

I think I kinda' suck at this whole separation thing (sorry mom, I know you hate the word suck). I'm competitive to the core so it really bugs me that I can't be better at this. I mean for crying out loud (which I've done my fair share of) my husbands been gone a little over a week...what is my deal?? I have all my glass half full theories that I usually dwell on but right now I think I'm giving into the the glass half empty side (and pregnancy hormones may not exactly be helping).

I sometimes feel like a mental basket case. I try so hard to prepare for these times. I picture myself as the strong independent type doing things like taking Carter to the Zoo or Aquarium by myself, coming up with ways to make everyday fun and exciting...so why is it when the moment is finally here I sometimes feel like it's all I can do to function? Right now I'm just having the melt down that I've come to know and love. The one that says what the heck am I doing here again? Sitting, alone, in my living room again...missing my best friend again...flying solo as a parent again...you get the point.

Can I just be negative Nancy for two seconds and say I am absolutely sick and tired of my husband coming home only to turn around and see in the very near future when he will be gone again. I don't feel like I can do this anymore, and yet that train of thought always brings you full circle to the neon sign that says, "YOU DON'T HAVE A CHOICE." And, as I type that, I can hear my dad say something like, "You get to choose, you get to choose whether you're gonna' have a good day or bad day." You're right dad. And to be honest I had a good day, but I guess I chose to have a bad night. My bad. No pun intended.

It'll get better, it always does. I'm not taking the time to go back and look but I could almost guarantee there is a post a lot like this one about a week into every absence we've had. Melt down, adjustment, whatever you want to call it...it's just a part of it I guess. Bah. Negative Nancy signing out. (Let's hope tomorrow Positive Patty is back in the building).

Bubbly

I think nothing says SUMMER like bubbles in the backyard...


Carter has been enjoying some fun in the sun this week with some of her best buddies. I love seeing her with her friends, hearing her talk about them, watching her make stuff for them. I don't have the heart to tell her that within the next month or so all of her nearest and dearest won't be here anymore. Sometimes this all feels like a bit much. I mean it's bad enough that you spend countless nights at home missing your husband/dad, but then for reasons related to the military your friends are suddenly gone too. Don't get me wrong we've still got some great ones here, that's for sure. But saying goodbye is never easy and to be honest I'm getting just a little sick of it. I know that it's just another milestone in the "military life" but I don't think that means I have to like it. For those of you that have done this before (I'm thinking specifically of Megs and Sam with your kids most recently) how do you break the news and what do you say...advice is appreciated!!

Monday Carter Edition #29

Monday Carter was headed to MDO this morning...

AND she also has a very important message for her daddy...

Dear Daddy,

I MISS YOU!!!!!!!! (that was shouted at the top of my lungs)

XOXO Carter

p.s. Today is the first of the month so head over to Scoop and enter this month's Pay Day Give-A-Way, going on now!