fun weekend

This weekend was really fun. I finally got out of the house and enjoyed myself! Friday night was my new friend, Kristen’s birthday party. So we went out and hung out with all her friends. She’s really nice. I met a lot of cool people. Then on Saturday night I went to see Dark Knight with a couple friends and I LOVED it! I thought that Heath Ledger was incredible! The way he laughed and then yelled was SO CREEPY! And we bumped into a bunch of people we knew. It’s amazing how many people you see when you actually leave your house! Then today Chris and I went and hung out with our neighbors and they had a little BBQ. It was really relaxing after such a busy weekend. Anyway I enjoyed my weekend A LOT!

another needed purchase

Lily has a corner she likes to sit in when she uses the restroom. And she does little things that make me think we might want to at least have a potty around for her to get used to. Maybe we’ll put it in her corner! Anyway I was looking at baby toilets and I have no idea what to look for! Anyone know?

nothing really

Today has been so pleasant! Because the house got so messy last night I was in a hurry to vacuum up the house before Lily woke up this morning. Well then once I was already cleaning I decided to finish cleaning the home. I had already cleaned the house yesterday so it was a piece of cake! Well once Lily was up all we did was relaxed and watched Lily’s new Classical Baby: Dance, Music, and Art DVDs I just bought her. It was so soothing that both of us ended up taking naps. So pretty much the house was spotless and we just had a good day doing absolutely nothing. We haven’t even showered. I love peaceful days, but I’m ready for Chris to get home tomorrow so I can go out tomorrow night for my friend’s birthday! I need to get to the commissary to buy food for his birthday tomorrow!

Lily loves it when daddy leaves because she gets pancakes for dinner :)

Girls just wanna have fun!

Chris has all these guy friends in Greenpark and I’ve been kind of slow to get in the groove of things so my social life has kind of been nonexistent the past couple of months. So tonight since Chris went out of town this week, I took it upon myself to invite a few girls from Greenpark over for a movie night! Well as the week progressed I met more people so more people got invited. So in the end I had 9 Greenpark girls over. It was SO MUCH FUN! We hardly watched Clueless at all because we were having so much fun getting to know each other. We ate tons and I mean TONS of junk food. There was so much talking and it was great! I felt at home with these girls. They’re a lot like me. One of the girls is pregnant with her second kid too. Her first kid is only a few months older than Lily and they loved playing together! They fed each other and played with toys... oh and WASHABLE crayons are my new bestfriends! I forgot how much fun girl’s nights could be! I had one awhile back that was a lot of fun too, but I guess the more girls the better! I hope we do it again soon, because that was the most fun I’ve had since my antisocial breakdown. I think I might finally be getting out of that stage! I actually fely like cleaning and doing things today! But let me tell you this house is now TRASHED! Lily loved to dump whole bags of chips and goldfish and then smushed them into the floor with her new friend! A little vacuuming was worth the fun she had though! We both had a blast!

another craving

I’ve been having this crazy big craving for glazed donuts… preferably from Krispy Kreme. So I went to the commissary yesterday and I SAW THEM! I mean they weren’t from Krispy Kreme, but they certainly were glazed! I ate it and the sugar exploded in all my senses. It was everything I wanted and more! Now I’m even more excited to go to the states to eat… now that I know it will be satisfying! I wish they sold those out here! They have pastries out here, but they’re mainly dough and less sweet. I NEED sweet!

the girl across the street

I’m so aggravated with this girl. We’ve only had contact 3 times ever and it’s like she decided to hate from the first day we met!

First day- Chris, Lily, and I were taking a walk through Greenpark and I had just found out I was pregnant. She was almost due with her second baby so I simply asked her how far along she was and who her doctor was. With a VERY rude voice she said she is due in a few weeks and then is leaving Belgium in a few months. Then she just went on with her business like I wasn’t there.

Second time- I was outside walking with Lily and her son who is just a little older than Lily was in his backyard. They met up at the fence and we just playing together. Then the mom came outside and gave me this really mean look and demanded her son to get inside. I apologized and she just went inside… it was really awkward!

Yesterday- Sometimes some of the neighbors meets outside just to talk for a little while and I was telling this one girl that I was having a boy. Then the mean girl gave me this look and said, “How do you know you’re only like a month along”… I told her I was 5 months along and she rolled her eyes and said, “You skinny girls with your tiny bellies ugh… you all need to just shut up”

Um… people don’t understand how much offence I take to that! I’m sorry I’m not showing enough for your approval. If I had the choice I would be twice the size! I HATE not looking pregnant when I’m this far along! When we went back inside Chris even agreed with me that she was being rude for no reason! It’s like one day she decided she wanted an enemy and I moved into Greenpark that same day. I’ve NEVER been rude to her. I may be a little shy, but she’s not a very welcoming person! Anyway I hope when she leaves someone nice moves in! I’m not even going to bother confronting her... she’ll be gone soon.


*****The bed below is from www.dELiAs.com

the kids room

I was thinking of using this (but in twin size) for Lily’s bed. I thought it was girlie and really cute! But since Lily and Aussie are sharing a room I want him to have a similar look to his crib set. So I was thinking maybe using the same zebra fabric and blue for the crib… and the zebra curtains! Then in black have their names displayed above their own beds! The zebra print would be the main factor to tie both pink and blue together! ANYWAY if you’re really good at sewing, want a little extra cash (I’ll pay what I would pay at Babies R Us plus some, because it’s specially done), and already have experience making baby bedding (jess)… let me know if you’re up to doing a sewing project. If so I’ll buy the zebra fabric (from the curtain, sheets, or something) and the blue fabric. If you’re not up to it then I’ll just think of something else… no biggie!

What do yall think of this idea?

Because the walls are so PLAIN I thought the zebra print and the colors would spice it up a bit :)

helpless

HORRIBLE! Last night this headache began and it kept me up till almost 4 am. Then Lily woke me up at 9 and I still have a headache. It’s not a normal headache… it’s a pounding right behind my eyes one. I can barely function! It’s so bad that it’s making me feel a little nauseous! I just want to get a little sleep, but lily’s sick so I can’t just put her down for a nap. She hasn’t been taking naps ever since she got sick. I don’t think she’s sick sick… but there’s something wrong with her. She wakes up all through the night crying, wakes up early, and won’t take naps. She acts really uneasy… it’s just not normal behavior. She doesn’t have a fever or anything major. UGH MY HEAD IS GOING TO FALL OFF! I wish I could just take a 2 hour nap with sleeping pills and STRONG headache medicine. Tylenol hasn’t helped one bit! When I was a little kid and we used to go on vacations, every time we stayed in a hotel for some reason I’d get this same headache and throw up in the night. I always thought it was a mix of the hot tub and the bed or the smell of the room. Okay typing this isn’t helping one bit… I’m out.

Oh and we’re TRYING to go to GA and TN for about a week in January.

5 months already!

sucking in at 19 weeks

not sucking in... I KNOW my belly looks bad right now!

And all veiny... UGH

sucking in at 20 weeks
Updates

• My back HURTS SO BAD... like to the point that I can't sleep.
  Yesterday I actually thought I was having an early contraction because it was so painful! I thought back pains didn't come till later... it seemed like last pregnancy it wasn't till I got pretty big. I'm getting bigger faster this time so maybe that has to do with it.
• My lips are SOOOO DRY and SORE!
• I have to sleep with 4 pillows to even fall asleep
  one between my legs
  one under my belly/ hips
  and 2 under my head so it's level with my belly
  and I have to sleep on my left side
• my pregnancy acne is TERRIBLE!
• the baby is kicking pretty regularly now... and getting stronger everyday
  but still not strong enough for Chris to feel
• I have to nap with Lily because I get so tired
• I feel off balance and sometime I feel like I'm going to fall while climbing the stairs I still get a little dizzy
• I'M SOOOO THIRSTY ALL THE TIME!!!
  I go through water like a freakin' fish!
  ...and I need to pee constantly
• I get heartburn at night... but it's not too bad yet

20 weeks

I’m half way done! Hopefully a little more than half way!

Diaper Disaster

So today was a mother’s favorite type of day! I woke up this morning and went to let Lily out of her room. There was a HORRIBLE smell coming from her room so I immediately look down at her diaper to find just a bare bottom! I ran into her room and freaked out! Lily had had quite fun finger paining her room with her crap! It was EVERYWHERE! All over all the blankets, her comforter, pillows, walls, her rail, the ottoman, her toys. Well I hope she had fun, because my day was cut out for me. I had to disinfect all her toys, wash all her blankets pillows, and stuffed animals, shampoo her mattress, the ottoman, and the carpet. It was HORRIBLE! I hate that her favorite thing to do is pick in her diaper. Well that afternoon I put her down in her crib to take a nap. When I got in there to wake her up she was standing in front of me DIAPERLESS again! I almost had a heart attack! Luckily she had just peed. So since she has learned to take her diaper off we have to keep pants on her at all times! I think it’s funny and cute now, but this morning was no picnic.

Big Girl Bed

Lily slept in her big girl bed for the first time last night! I just took this picture as her second night in her own bed! I want her to be used to this bed now so when the baby comes the crib won’t be her bed anymore… the bed will be. She’s actually sleeping in the twin sized bed I slept in till… well now!
So it’s a little big for her, but she’ll grow into it.

We added the rail on the side so she doesn't fall off, but if she's awake she can get down easily... which sucks, because if she doesn't want to take a nap it's harder to put her down.

Anyway I’m now almost 5 months along! Not too much has changed. He doesn’t really kick much… at all. Well I’ll take belly pics soon… not much has changed there either though :(

bad BAD idea!

I can't stop throwing up!

never again.

heaven

dipped in

OVERLOADED POTATO SOUP

and a cup of unlimited free ICE cold water with a straw!

Don’t take good American food for granted!

curly hair with a bow

Curling Lily's hair didn't turn out as cute as I thought it would, but oh well!

Speacial thanks to ems for picking out this CUTE shirt
and for Lily's favorite MINI Nilla Wafers!!
SHOES

The Dragon

I have a friend in greenpark who is Korean. She is becoming one of my favorite people out here. She has such a different life than me. She was born into a hardcore old fashion Korean family. So for example, when her husband gets home from work he sits and the table and she sets all the food in front of him. Then he eats what he pleases. Once full, he goes to rest, while the rest of the family eats their dinner. But because of this respect they have, their marriage seems to be wonderful! I wouldn't be able to take that, but then again I'm not old fashion Korean. Well Kim and Chris had a big barbeque this last weekend, and we got to talking about dreams to find out the babies sex (she is pregnant too). I didn’t really catch on to all of that, but then she asked me my Chinese zodiac. I told her I was born in 1988 and she was so surprised. She was born in 1976… and every 12 years the zodiacs repeat themselves. So since we are 12 years apart, we are both Dragons.

Dragons are supposedly leaders, and mysterious. Every Chinese parent hopes for a dragon. They’re powerful and can change a mood in a room. Anyway I think that’s cool that we are both Dragons! It’s weird to think that she’s 12 years older than me though!

oh boy

So I’m officially stuck between two names. Chris likes both… but he likes Austin better. I like both… but I like Kayden better. I know since it’s a boy Chris should have the last say, but Austin just doesn’t seem like a name I’d have for one of my kids. I mean I love it and all, but I just don’t know. I have definitely narrowed it down to the two, but bringing it down to one is killing me. I know I have 20 weeks to decide, so I guess I’ll wait till I see the baby. What are yall’s thoughts?

Kayden Christopher O’Neal

-or-
Austin Christopher O’Neal

If you ever want to use the same name... I don't mind.But don't get all possessive... it's a name.This is a question not an argument starter...

Baby BOY

So I was right! We're having a little baby BOY! Chris got to get off work to come find out with me! Lily loved seeing her little brother... and kept pointing at him! Oh and OF COURSE they took a gallon of blood again. It's their favorite thing to do! I got my blood work from last visit back and I'm very healthy and so is the baby! Oh and today I made ALL my appointement from now until a week after my due date so they won't screw me over again like they were about to this month. Also I found out that when I have the baby I'll get my own room for the delivery part but afterwards I have to go into a room with someone else! They SHARE rooms out here! They'll be a curtain keeping us apart, but that's not enough. I COULD have my own room for an extra 100 EURO A DAY!!! Yeah right! I will just share... I guess it's all apart of having a true belgian experience.

Hair

It's weird how when girls are feeling down a cute new outfit or pair of shoes can put them in a good mood. Well that's how I am with my hair. If I have a great haircut or hair color I'm in a great mood. I think I peak when I have my side bangs, layered hair (with modern curves), and when my hair is blonde. Right now it's grown out, very straight and thin, and a plain brown color. So since i'm not spending the money to go to Utah or anywhere this summer... I think I'm going to just pay the euro rate and get myself a cute haircut. I WANT the coloring too, but I know my hair grows too fast when I'm pregnant, and I don't want my hair half blonde half brown on the delivery bed... I already look like crap after giving birth and I'm not adding to it!

Chris rocks!

I called him all upset about the appointment and he found out my doctors CELL PHONE number and personally called her (which I'm glad he got, because he told me he was going to go through his chain of command all the way to the commander of the hospital... that had be a little worried)! I could hardly get in touch with her secretary! Anyway now my next apt. is June 30th! So I'll know the sex on monday!! Chris definitely has a voice... and I don't. So I'm glad he called! Anyway that's my good news!

July 18th

So there was FINALLY an opening! So my next obgyn apt. is in July! Chris said he's going to the commander... it took me two months to get an apt... they didn't even see me at all in June! What's going to happen when I need to have weekly visits? So i guess I won't know the sex until then.

HOT

In my home... I'm going to die!!
Our fans are on and our windows are open.
I'M SWEATING!

I'm starting to feel sick.

Belgium needs to get with the times and start putting AC in the homes!

16 weeks

Sorry I'm putting this up a week late, but I just thought about getting it off the camera.

I'm a little bigger now... and I'm laying down in this pic.

But i like to lay, because it makes it so you only see baby and not all the extra I got going right now.

I love that every morning i can tell that I've grown... just a little.

Books

I now have four books to read so I think I'm good for awhile!

Right now- The DaVinci Code - GREAT SO FAR!

Next- If Tomorrow come

Then- Loves Music, Loves To Dance

Finally- The Host (I just bought it yesterday at the PX!)

So I have a full list of books to read now. And since I can't read as often as I was- I think it will take me a good while to get through these!

Thanks Ems and mom for sending me books!

The Today Show

I was watching the news today and they had a story on teen pregnancies. Pretty much since 2006 the states have rose A LOT! It's the new "fad" and teens are trying to get pregnant! Then they said all the reasons for teens to want to get pregnant... needing love, a community that accepts them, doesn't have a good family support system. Well I had a great family. I was always taught right from wrong, and none of my friends were having sex... in fact most of them were virgins! As a teen mom I wouldn't say those were my personal reasons. I was a teen that just thought it couldn't happen to me. I had a boyfriend that I really liked a lot, and sex was just apart of it. Like kissing, hanging out, going on dates... it just went along with those. I mean I wasn't too worried about my virtue since I left that back in the 9th grade. So what was the big deal... and my mind never fully considered pregnancy. Which is so stupid! I've ALWAYS done things the hard way! Well anyway now that I'm living it... I'm a teen mom. I see all these girls going down this road and it freaks me out! I was VERY fortunate to have Chris as the father, because he's an AMAZING father and husband. We have good lives, live on our own, and make well enough money to support a family of our own. But I see these girls getting pregnant, having babies, and just living at home while their parents babysit all the time! It makes me MAD at myself for EVER living at home after Lily was born! I know when it comes down to it, I was stupid and should have NEVER become pregnant. I had no job, I lived at home, I had nothing going for me... Chris wasn't even REALLY there. I was stupid. I don't know what I'm trying to say, but I just wish so much that these girls would figure it out! Because i didn't. I have no regrets and I'm so happy that i can have a family with Chris and that we are doing so great, but like I said before... I WAS LUCKY! If Chris decided he didn't love me and we just went our seperate ways, I would have nothing. I'd still be at home... working my butt off just to pay for childcare, because my parents aren't stupid... they wouldn't just take Lily and raise her for me while I go out and party... even if they'd love too. Anyway I just feel for these girls... that's all.

And I hate that parents are letting these girls live at home fully supported while they play!

No wonder girls don't care to get pregnant!

Why not... have a little "dolly" that's cute and then let their parents do all the hard work!

Ridiculous.

stupid dreams!

I hate when I watch a movie and fall asleep around 9 and then wake up WIDE AWAKE at 1! I've always done that and it's so weird! When I fall asleep during the day and wake up later in the day I'm always still tired. I've always been like that I suppose.

Anyway right before I woke up I was dreaming that I was with my family in Utah. My mom, dad, sisters, and family from my mom's side were there. We were all around the table eating turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls, and lynn wilson burritos. There was more to my dream, but that was the only part that affected my wake up! I woke up SO thirsty! Then SO hungry! I'm still hungry and I ate chicken nuggets and just things in the fridge. Ugh I could eat all that food from my dream. I'm NEEDING it now, but I'm not about to make a thanksgiving meal! But MAN I'm wanting one BAD! Seriously I'm dying right now. Nothing else will do! It has to be my mom's too! Anyway I got to stop typing before I DIE!

growing up

So... when are you due?

Yesterday at the grocery store I got asked for the first time this pregnancy! I was excited that I'm big enough for someone to have enough guts to ask! I kept thinking... what if I wasn't?? I mean in my eyes I just look like I need to be sent to fat camp and left there. I didn't mention anything about being pregnant or anything! It was so out of the blue! I wasn't expecting it so when he asked I hesitated and the first thing that came out was JANUARY! That was the month Lily was due! It came out of nowhere! I'm due in November... I need to get that in my head! I always hesitate when people ask me questions like that. How old Lily is, how far along I am, what Lily weighed at birth... my mind ALWAYS goes blank! So I end up telling the stupid lie that pops out of my mouth and then when I figure out my mistake I'm too embarrasted to correct myself so I just keep the lies rolling. It's almost 2 am and I've been in bed trying to go to sleep since 10 pm! I TRY SO HARD to get to sleep! But either the baby won't stop shifting in my belly, I can't control my heartburn, I can't get comfortable, or I can't stop THINKING! I came down here to call my mom to complain, but I decided that I'd be more satisfied telling the world, already knowing what my mom will say (to read something boring like the Bible or a computer manuel) Oh I went to my WIC apt. yesterday too, and the lady said I weigh less than I did to begin with and that I need to gain 6 pounds to be healthy... STUPID! I eat ALL DAY LONG! I feel fat without gaining more weight! I HATE this stage of my pregnancy! I'm not fat! I just look it!
Oh and both Tana and Jenny are as antisocial as me! So I'm not being crazy! It must be a pregnancy thing! Tana says she'd rather stay home and sleep and Jenny won't leave her house either! So I'm being NORMAL in hating going out of my house and doing ANYTHING!

Anyway I'm out of things to say...

15 weeks!

Lily is so cute! We have a big girl bed for her for when the next baby comes

and she loves to climb up to watch her cartoons
We found her asleep on the edge!
I guess we have to put up the protection siding a little early! I wish a camera could REALLY capture it at this point!

I just look like a little fat bump!

This one I'm sucking it!

Look how my belly button isn't centered anymore.

but it's really hard and looks bigger in person!
I'm growing faster this pregnancy than last!

Besides the belly
I now feel light kicks... not strong yet.
(hopefully next week they'll be stronger)
and today was the first day my boobs producing that weird before milk syrup stuff

... gross.

Father's day weekend- full of flavor

We ate SO GOOD today to start our 4 day weekend with a kick!

We had eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy for breakfast!

(Chris's mom's way)

We had our FIRST watermelon of the year today for lunch

... and it was BETTER than I remember! Nat was right Pregnant food at it's best!

Then for dinner we had Tomato Soup with whole milk instead of water and salt and pepper (the BEST way to make it!)

... and Grilled Cheese sandwiches! The meal filled every part of my stomach! It was AMAZING!

Then tonight we are going to have rootbeer floats for dessert when we snuggle up in bed to watch a action movie (it's father's day weekend so movies are his choice)

July

Since I'm coming to the STATES this summer I decided to list my desired foods!

francesco's (Uncle Tom's)
schlotzsky's
Speghetti Factory
Chuck-A-Rama (I had a dream about this place the other night!!! YUM!)
Taco Bell (or any american taco place! mmm that Mexican place near grandpa's that he took us to once!)
Lynn Wilson Bean and Cheese BURRITOS!!
... those are my main food lusts!

Also I want to do a little shopping while I'm there and get some clothes on the cheap economy!

And I want to go to the pool with Lily atleast once, because there's no pools out here
(not even a community one)... and Lily needs to experience the fun of water outside the bath!

And when we were all there last time we left all the kids with someone willing and all the girls went out for desserts! I think whenever we all get together we should do that as a tradition. It was so much fun last time and I really enjoyed our girl talk! So I hope we can do that if Nat can come!

I'M SO EXCITED TO GET OUT OF THIS COLD DREADFUL COUNTRY!!!

oh and if anyone needs me to bring anything out from here like a certain chocolate, lace, or anything belgian... let me know!

headaches

I've been getting these headaches every single day, and they seem to be getting worse and worse! UGH my head is going to fall off!

Ashes in the Wind

Shelbey used to say that when she reads good books that really make her happy she hugs the book at the ending. I never thought I'd do the same, but Ashes in the Wind was a beaitiful story and it really touched me. I can't believe how it struck me... I'm STILL smiling about the ending. I think this book was so wonderful in every aspect! UGH! I loved it so much!

Anyway... if you haven't read it I BEG you to reconsider!

Ashes in the Wind
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

my little smiling rockstar

Mom asked for some Lily Pictures... and videos. But Lily wasn't wanting to do the different smiles or the dance so I just took a few of her playing.










lily is ALWAYS folding her arms...
even behind her back
(parade rest)

Oh And Happy Birthday Lou Bug!

Sorry sisters!

I won't be able to make it out this July!

But Christmas is a different story! So go to NY for Christmas!
... come see my babys!

Pregnacy update

Now that I'm beginning the 2nd trimester of my pregnancy it's time for an update.

Little baby bump now always showing and making me feel fat.
Low blood pressure
ALWAYS THIRSTY... to the point that I wake up during the night dying of thirst.
Really tired
MOODY as can be
not interested in sex at all
having to pee ALL THE TIME!
craving junk food
swelling fingers making my ring fit nice and tight
I now get sick a little in the mornings again... but never throw up
... and I feel better once I eat
cry a lot... especially while watching movies and reading books.

I'm sure there's more... but these are the major ones.

Thankful

This past month I've been having some... issues. I've lost all care for friends or family's approval. I've stop doing anything around the house... it looked like hell broke loose. I've had no reason to be nice or even mean to Chris. Didn't even talk really. Just sat. No care in the world. No motivation to be.

Although, things have improved I'm still in the low. I think it partly has to do with me stopping on any medicine I took. And also how crazy my hormones have been in this particular pregnancy. Also I'm terribly homesick and this place is always so rainy and dark. It's hard to breath in a place like this.

Instead of Chris getting mad at me for ditching all my duties as a wife, he has seen the low in my eyes and decided to step up and take over. This house has stayed spotless and all the laundry has been done for over a week now... no thanks to me at all. He has cooked dinner and has taken everything you could imagine over. He's not rushing me to get better. He's be such a great guy with a smile on his face. It really makes me happy to see how much he knows me and is so helpful. He's just a blessing in my life. I'm starting to feel better and I only have him to thank.

Also I don't know why, but no matter what I do, everytime I stand up I get really dizzy and can only see spots and have to hold on to something for like 10 seconds.

2nd trimester

began today.