Jackson can't contain his excitement either!!
Remember when my husband and I went to the doctor and she did a surprise ultrasound at 16 weeks?? And said she was 80% sure it was a boy?
Well, I had my “official” ultrasound on Monday and almost hopped out of the chair when she declared, “Not one mother has been right today, you’re having a little girl!!”
WHAT?!!
A little girl!
Since this pregnancy felt so similar to Jackson’s, I was convinced this baby would be another boy. The doctor’s visit last month confirmed that, and I was getting comfortable with the idea of having two boys. (My husband and I only want two children, so I thought my chance to have a girl had passed.)
Lying on the chair in the dimmed room with a hunk of gel on my belly, emotions were bubbling over! I get a little girl! First thoughts of dresses, bows, tights appeared; then the movie advanced to think of shopping, cuddle time, manicures, braids and Kindergarten!
All the little treasures I hadn’t considered.
Walking out of the hospital, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of urgency! A desperate need to begin achieving more of my goals in order to prove to her that she can reach hers. A want to be the kind of mom she would think about with pride and admiration.
What a joyful blessing! My heart is full and my excitement can’t be contained!!
If you have girls, I would love some parenting advice, book recommendations, or peeks into special moments that you’ve shared with your daughter. I’m all ears!!
As I sit at my computer tonight, with a sleeping baby upstairs and a calm house, I can’t help but think about my frazzled state just a week ago. Just as I adapting to my husband being gone, Jackson began going through a phase that nearly sent me over the edge. I lovingly referred to it as a screech-fest. Friends, I am not joking when I tell you I was counting the few seconds between outrageous screeches. (If you follow me on Twitter, you heard the desperation in my tweets:)
So God blessed me with a wonderful retreat in Myrtle Beach to find a little peace. There were several workshops on marriage that provided amazing tools to keeping your marriage strong, even through deployments. The most surprising outcome of the weekend was the terrific chance to bond with Jackson. A couple days of beach and sand will do wonders for mom and baby!
Here are some of the best memories from the weekend:
Early morning sunrise from my balcony.
Jackson LOVED the aquarium!
Hardly a screech from this happy fellow!
Outside the hotel:
Along the beach…
I sit here with a soothed spirit and a grateful heart for the delicious weekend! What a great way to spend a couple days! Stay tuned because this week I’ll be revealing some exciting news!
Although my husband is currently deployed, I recently signed up for a weekend getaway with my 13 month old son to participate in an Army’s “Strong Bonds” training event.
The words “Army training events” surely conjure images of tank simulations, boot camp and a mess hall. But don’t be fooled, there is a little more pampering than one would expect from the Army!
Other Army wives in my neighborhood and spouses at a recent FRG (family readiness group) meeting have been buzzing about these fun weekends! When I received an email from my husband’s unit chaplain, I hopped on the chance to go to Myrtle Beach, SC for a couple days. And since Jackson has been going through a screeching phase lately, it will do us both some good to get a change in scenery (especially beach scenery:)!!
Throughout the weekend I will attend workshops on marriage and parenting. There is also a lot of free time built in, so I bought tickets to go to the aquarium. I think Jackson will really enjoy that.
The entire retreat with lodging, food and childcare provided! Woot! Woot! The only out of pocket expense I anticipate for this trip is the cost of gas and Juno’s kennel cost.
Our hotel offers: a “Caribbean Family Water Playground,” a “Lazy River,” and several pools. I’m not totally sure that this pregnant mama is ready for a swimsuit, but I’m not sure that I can turn down a heated pool!
Friends, I am looking forward to this so much! Can’t wait to return to give you the dish and, of course, share plenty of pictures! Have a great weekend!
