Friday Night Ramblings/Randomness

Not sure if I told you guys this, but I started a new job on Fort Bliss this past week.  Well, sort of.  My new boss, who has known me over the past few months, knowing that I'm pretty much about to pop this baby, pretty much just told me to stay home until I'm done with my convalescent leave.  How cool is that?  So pretty much this entire week, it's just been Malu and I, at home, waiting on Baby V--who has yet to make her appearance!  No crazy contractions yet, so just patiently waiting.

In any case, I've been bugging Malu about taking the Jeep on post to have the baby's car seat installed and inspected by the MPs.  Malu, was determined to do it himself, saying he didn't need anyone to install it; that he could do it himself.  After all, he pretty much raised his two little cousins in Utah when they were newborns and claimed to have mucho experience in installing car seats, moving them back and forth between his aunt's car and his grandma's.  So today, he installed Baby V's carseat. 

Of course, since this is our first baby, every "first" moment, like installing the first baby's car seat, is monumentous.  So, I caught a picture of him in action.  Not that I don't trust your work, my darling, but I'm still at least going to have the nurses at the hospital check your work!

I've been telling all my friends about how Malu has been feeding me all kinds of fruits since he's been here.  He's such a health nut and rarely eats anything unhealthy.  So when we go to the grocery store, literally half the cart is full of fruits.  I just had to take pictures of the fruits we amassed at Costco yesterday.

And this doesn't even count the bulk packages of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries in the one of the refrigerator bins.  It's a good thing that I've been craving fruits like crazy throughout this pregnancy!

And last...we're doing another late movie night and what's perfect to go with movie than with a pizza dinner.  I made this delicious White & Gold Pizza...

And posted the recipe on my cooking blog.  Oh my goodness, it was so good!  You guys should check it out. 

On that note, I'm off to watch a movie with my sweet hubby!  Hope you guys have a great weekend!

Follow Me & 5 Question Friday

It's Friday and I'm doing the Follow Me Chickadee Friday blog hop once again!  It's hosted by MannLand5, The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom! and The Adventures of Goober Grape and Monkey Man. I can't think of a way to meet more people in the blogosphere!

If you want to get linked up, head over to any one of those blogs and add your name to the McLinky!

I'm also participating in Five Question Friday, hosted by Mama M. at My Little Life!

 Just answer the five questions below and go to her blog to get linked!

And the questions:

1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?

My brother, sister and I still have this Mickey Mouse doll that we all shared.  I provided his "voice" and he actually spoke to everyone in the house.  He's actually very well known in our family and still resides in my sister's room.  Gosh, I wish I had a picture of him.  He's so old, he's missing his eyes!

2. Do you dream in color?

It's the only way I dream!

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?

I'm 63 inches...5 feet 3 inches.  I like my height.

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?

It's funny.  I got a GPS for Christmas in 2008.  It was around the time when the first Twilight movie came out, and I named it's voice Edward.  So if I could really choose a voice, I'd probably choose his.  Cheesy, I know.  When I told Malu (he was in Iraq at the time) that I got a TomTom GPS and I named it's voice Edward, he said (because he doesn't think Rob Pattinson is cute at all), "why didn't you name him Tom?"

5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?

OMG...people not putting their carts back is one of my biggest pet peeves so I always put my cart back.  It's a huge problem here in El Paso and our Jeep was only a few weeks old when it got scratched up by a cart in our Walmart.  Malu noticed how bad it was when he got home and now he's just as peeved by it.  It's almost an obsession.  When we were at Costco yesterday, the car next to us was unloading two carts as we were going in.  Before going in, we watched from the entrance to make sure those ladies put both carts away.  I swear, Malu was ready to say something if they didn't.

Happy Friday you guys.  Still no baby yet and now, I'm going to join Malu and Lucy on their morning walk!

Thursday Five

Well hello guys!  It's time for another edition of Thursday Five, hosted by Mrs. Gambizzle of Life as a Sailor's Girl. 

What a great way to reflect on all of the things that have made us joyous, jubilant, exuberant, thankful, merry and just plain happy this week!  If you want to participate, it's not too late.  Head on over to Mrs. Gambizzle's blog and get linked up!  And here are my five:

1.  Today is Baby V's due date.  Yup...we are officially 40 weeks along today!  But alas, she is not here yet! Everytime I call my mom she's almost in a panic when she answers, asking me what's going on and if I'm going into labor.  Nope, not yet.  Malu and I have come to terms with the fact that she's just going to show up when she wants to.  And she's already starting to be like her mom...hardly ever on time.  I'm just thankful that she's doing well inside my tummy and she hasn't been causing me too much pain.  Really...the last time I had some contractions was the night before last.

2.  When the hubby is gone as much as mine as been, you find pleasure in the smallest of things when he is around.  Like grocery shopping. Malu and I went to Costco earlier today (blew over $200, which is easy to do when you go there on empty stomachs) and we had such a great time.  And it's probably because we're so goofy together.  I mean, we're goofy all the time, but I particularly had so much fun with him today. 

3.  While we were there, Malu picked up a colossal sushi (california roll) platter for the two of us to share for lunch.  And it was oh-so-delicious!

I've honestly tried shying away from sushi during this pregnancy, but to no avail.  I at least make sure that the sushi I get is all cooked!  So no worries!

4.  I'm sad that we took Chester back to the office today, but look back on our great times with him over the past week.  We wanted to make sure that everyone at work knew that we took good care of the big guy, so yesterday we gave him a really good bath with some green apple oatmeal shampoo.  It took us three long washes to get all the dirt off his body, but man was he clean when we were through.  And the best tactic:

For Malu to get right in the tub with him!  Right down and dirty.  It so cute how well they bonded.  Now we miss him!  Not sure if all the guys at work will appreciate him smelling like a giant green apple, but I loved the smell!

5.  Finally, I'm happy that Malu was able to secure himself an Airborne School slot for September, as he's gone through great lengths these last few weeks to get it. He'll be gone for three weeks, leaving me with Baby V, but that's okay.  I'm willing to choke up the absence so that he can finally join myself and many other people in the illustrious paratrooper ranks!  Okay, it's not that serious.  But at least I can stop giving him crap about not having his wings!

Anyway, I'm going to take a nap before dinnertime, as I am so exhausted.  Happy Thursday you guys!  You never know...maybe something will happen over night and I'll have some big news for you all then!

Wordful Wednesday: Summer Essentials Swap

So yesterday, I got my package from Allie of My Marine and Me, my Summer Essentials Swap partner!  The swap was hosted by Nicole at Flip Flops and Combat Boots.

I just LOVE getting packages in the mail.  What a treat!  Allie totally hooked me up for the summer.  Check it out!

I got a great book to add to my summer reading stack, some ICEE chapstick (which is funny, because I can't go to the movies these days without having a large ICEE!), a necklace and flower clips for my hair, some bubbles (the dogs love those) and great summer recipes from a magazine (which I am definitely going to try!).  The last few swaps that I've done, the girls always remember Baby V...and Allie got her an adorable little bib!

Thanks so much Allie!  I truly appreciate everything and will definitely keep in touch.  Thanks to Nicole for linking everyone up and for coming up with such a great idea!

Speaking of swaps, I'm in the middle of week one of Kimberly's Snail Mail Swap!  I sent my first letter out to my "pen pal" the other day.  I can't wait to hear from her!

Happy Wednesday everyone!  Be sure to head on over to Seven Clown Circus to get linked for Wordful Wednesday!

Wrappin' Up Chester Time

So tomorrow, we're taking Chester back to work since we've had him for over a week and a half now.  Well, truth be told, the Colonel comes back from leave tomorrow and I'm sure Chester will be the first thing he looks for when he gets back.  He loves this dog.  And honestly...so do we.  We've had such a great time with him--especially Malu--and we're so sad to see him go. 

Yesterday, Malu bought him this blue, rubber squeaky football. He hasn't parted with the thing since.  As soon as he got it, he gnawed at that thing and all you could hear for forever was squeaking.  One time, it squeaked until he fell asleep.  And he slept with it right next to him.  This morning, we awoke to more squeaking at 0600.  No kidding.  I just think it's the most adorable thing.  And by the way, he decided to claim the chaise on the end of our sectional the whole time he was here.  He got so much of his fur (and drool) on it, I had to put a towel down just to catch all of it.

Here, we're on our way to the park (this was a few hours ago). We had thrown his ball into the back of the car, not knowing that he would climb over the back seat and into the trunk to get it--while the car was moving.  So, he got it and then somehow threw the football back into the middle of the car where Lucy sat.  This is him staring at the ball thinking, "Man, I'm not climbing back over this seat to get it.  I don't care how much I like that thing."  So he stared at it all the way to the park.

After all the running around at the park, he was beat.  But he still held that football close the rest of the time thinking that either Malu or I was going to come near and take it away.

We will miss Chester when we take him back.  I sure do hope that those guys at the Bulldog Brigade don't back out on their word that Malu and I have exclusive rights to bring Chester home every now and then with me moving to a new unit across post and all.  And although I'm sure Lucy can't wait to take her house back, I'm also sure part of her will miss him being around too.

Take care, Chester!  We love you!

On another note:  I've been having some contractions, but they're averaging about 20 minutes apart.  So no baby yet!

~39 Weeks~

Okay, so this is probably not the best picture of the two of us.  Malu looks kinda funny (nope, he's not drunk) and I just look, well, awful.  I was tired, just ready to go home and frankly, just miserably pregnant.  It was taken on Saturday evening at our Italian pasta dinner at Leah & Jay's.  Nevertheless, it's our 39th week photo. 

If you're thinking I look like I'm ready to pop Baby V out, well, I am!  I had an appointment at the doctor's today.  With all the pain in my pelvis, making it difficult for me to walk any distance comfortably, I was sure something was happening; that I was at least somewhat dilated.

The verdict?  ONE centimeter dilated.  The doctor says it might be another week and a half before something major happens.  I was sure (and part of me still is) that she'd be here by this weekend.  So the doctor ordered me to do more walking...and of course more "sex"-ing; the latter of which I think is my least favorite option, believe it or not (sorry Malu).  But I did go for a pretty long walk an hour ago with Malu and we're going to be doing some more of that here in the next few days. 

Because I personally felt that one centimeter was some progress--I rewarded myself to a meal at McDonald's, complete with a hot fudge sundae.  Would you not say that it was warranted? 

In the meantime, we will continue our countdown!  Hopefully, it truly won't be a week and a half before Baby V makes her appearance.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday everyone!  Before I get to my Getting to Know You Sunday questions, let me just tell you guys that Malu and I went to our friends house--Leah & Jay's--last night.  We had Italian night and check out the great dishes we had.  It was all so delicious!

I made a Tiramisu Bowl to kinda fit in with the theme.  I posted the recipe to my cooking blog before I actually tasted what I'd made.  Here is a picture of it...isn't it so pretty?

Oh my goodness...it's so wonderful and wonderfully easy to make.  So check out the recipe if you're interested!

Anyway, it's time for another edition of Getting to Know You Sunday!  Head on over to Keely's at http://www.mannland5.com/ to get linked up!

Here are the questions:

1. Thong or Granny Panties?

Honestly...I've tried thongs and just don't like them.  They're totally uncomfortable.  Although I own a good share of granny panties, I like the boy shorts style of underwear.  They're the most comfy.

2. If you see a guy with his fly down, do you tell him?

Only if it's a guy I know.

3. Spanx or no Spanx?

I have never worn Spanx, but hey, why not.  I'll probably be wanting some later down the road.

4. Do you sleep in your sheets?

Yes.  It gets nippy in the early mornings here.

5. What is your favorite Disney character?

I'd have to say...Cinderella.

6. Dream vacation spot?

I want to go to Greece so badly!

7. What is your dream job?

I would just like to work a Department of the Army Civilian (GS) job after I retire from the military. 

8. Who is your hero and why?

Oh, that's easy...our men and women serving in the Armed Forces both here and abroad--for all of the sacrifices they make every day to ensure the freedom of our Country.

Not sure what we're going to do today...it's one of those lazy Sundays!  Hope you're all enjoying what's left of the weekend!