Gender Revelations

I had my appointment on Tuesday, Dec 22. It was amazing. Baby Moody was moving all over the place. At the end of the ultra sound the doctor revealed to us that he got two very quick flashes and he was pretty sure we are having a boy! I was so excited, I couldn't stop smiling. Kayla is going to have a little brother. I had gained a kilogram since my last appointment, which was great news. My blood pressure was great, albeit a little higher than at previous visits. I also had ketones in my sample which kind of worries me because you get ketones in urine from the body burning fat for energy, which means you're not getting enough calories. My doctor assured me it was just because I didn't drink enough water before my appointment since I had gained weight.

Vinny arrived the next day. So far it has been amazing having him with us during the holiday season. We went to the Nurnburg Christmas Market on Christmas Eve, it was beautiful. We are lucky enough to have made some good friends and spent Christmas Day at the Hillius household. Saturday was spent playing with new toys, reading books, and doing a little shopping. Then it was fire-pit time at the Brown's. Vinny had a great time chugging from "Das Boot" Sunday we bowled.

Andrew arrives this afternoon. We need to figure out what our plans are. I believe we are going to Munich on Wednesday.

Twenty-Two Weeks and Counting

This pregnancy really seems to be flying by, it seems like yesterday I was posting on FB that I was 9 weeks and 31 remaining. I continue to be 20 lbs less than my starting weight, which my doctor has informed me is okay as long as I start gaining by 28 weeks, and don't lose anymore between now and then. I've felt a little run-down today. I haven't been sleeping well at night, and I wish it was because I was having to get up to go to the bathroom, but it's not. I've also began to notice becoming short of breath much quicker the last couple days, and I kind of grunt when bending over, or sitting onto the floor, or getting off the floor. I'm still not "showing" as much as I would like for being this far along, but what can a girl do?

My younger brother will be here in 7 days, I couldn't be happier about that. We went grocery shopping today and there is barely enough room in the fridge for everything and there is more I have to get tomorrow.

Kayla's birthday

Well...Kayla turned two years old on Sunday. We had a great time. It was very difficult being away from family while celebrating such a huge milestone in her life. We were very fortunate to be able to see our families on webcam while she opened her presents from them though. I love technology. We also had a party with our neighbors. We had almost 20 people in our house for Spaghetti and Cake and Ice Cream. It was so much fun! Here are some pictures from the big day/night.

Quiver Full

The news about Michelle Duggar giving birth to her 19th child via emergency c-section at 25 weeks gestation has sparked some controversy. It has also made me curious about this "quiver full" movement. As a Catholic, I am not supposed to use artificial birth control. We are taught "natural family planning" because we follow the bible and believe that the purpose of sexual intercourse is procreation and by using artificial methods to inhibit this possibility, one is in essence denying God's will. Natural family planning is really just abstinence for the married couple, and what religious zealot is against abstinence? In my opinion, this whole quiver full movement is just another cult in which woman are servants to their husbands. If Jim Bob wants to have sex, as his wife, it is Michelle's duty. She cannot tell him no. Not that she would because she seems to have bought into the whole quiver full thing as well.

Becoming pregnant 19 times is not the same as God blessing you with 19 children. It is being irresponsible and ignorant of simple biology. If a fertile woman has sex during her period of ovulation, with a man who is also fertile, she will become pregnant. God gave us this ability, but I would imagine He expected us to use the knowledge of a woman's cycle and how she becomes pregnant to plan our families instead of just leaving it to the biology.

Potty Training and Sleeping through the Night

Kayla will be two years old on Sunday. It is hard to believe all that has happened in such a short amount of time, and how fast those two years have flown by. She is potty trained! I get a diapering reprieve for a few months, then it begins all over again in April. Sleeping through the night is a completely different story. She sleeps through the night all right...as long as she's in bed with her daddy and I. It is beginning to become very uncomfortable since she, of course, decides she has to basically sleep on top of me. Sleeping at night becomes increasingly more difficult every night. Thankfully, it's not because I have to get up to pee. I think it's time her daddy and I buy her a bigger bed.

21 Weeks

Well...I am officially 21 weeks along in this pregnancy. So far I am exactly 20 lbs less than my pre-pregnancy weight, all of my clothes still fit me with no problems, and I don't appear to be pregnant at all. I received my fetal heart rate doppler in the mail yesterday, I was so excited to finally here the LO's heart beat. Up until that point I had only seen it on the ultra sound. LO's heart rate was 122, which means according to old wives tales , he's a boy. My next ultra sound is on the 22nd, I would love to know the gender, but it's been fun not knowing and doing all the little Old Wives Tales tests to see if it's a boy or girl. I can't look at how I'm carrying the baby though since I'm not showing and I think that one is most accurate. So far what we have is boy based on heart rate, boy based on Chinese Gender Chart, boy because my age at conception and the month added together is even, my husband is not gaining sympathy weight...so again it's a boy. A pendant held over my hand reveals boy, as does a ring over my belly. It seems as though we're destined for a boy. I hope destiny proves correct.

On another note, my younger brother will be arriving in Germany in two weeks! I am so excited, as is my daughter, for his visit. I have missed my family very much. It has been very difficult going through this pregnancy without having them around. They have alway been my support system and even though my husband is currently here, I know the time will come where he has to leave yet again and I will be alone in Germany with a newborn, a toddler, and without my support system.

Introducing Me!

I've always hated being asked to "Introduce Yourself to the Group" I never knew what they wanted to know, or what I could tell the group that would give them an accurate portrayal of who I was. I could tell you that my name is Christina. I was born and raised in Smyrna, TN. I attended private Catholic schools K-12. I am the luckiest person in the whole world. I say this because of everything I have, and everything I have accomplished in 23 years of life.

I have been married for 3 years 2 months and 2 days as of this posting. My husband is a soldier in the United States Army, and I couldn't be more proud of my status as an army wife. We have a daughter who will be 2 years old on the 13th. Kayla is absolutely the best thing I ever could have dreamed of. She is smart, and sweet, and beautiful, just overall perfect in every way imaginable. I am also expecting my second child on April 24, 2010. I've felt amazing thus far, and can't wait for my little one to arrive. I am most excited to see Kayla as a big sister.

I was also fortunate enough to be able to graduate from college this past May. Although I am not currently using my degree, and probably never will, it was a huge accomplishment for me given I attended 5 different colleges, got married, and had a child during the 5 years it took to finally graduate.

Finally, I currently live in Vilseck, Germany. This is the farthest I have ever been from my family, and the longest period of time I have gone without seeing them. It has been difficult adjusting to life without such a close knit family as my own, but my husband and daughter keep me strong.

I hope you enjoy following my adventures as an army wife, mother, and pregnant woman.