my mahi tastes like chicken

While we were at Disney World, we were able to have dinner with Hugh and Lauren.  Due to a mix up in orders we got a good laugh, a free dessert and Scott got a free sombrero.  It has been so fun to reconnect with friends over the past few weeks. 

 

disney world

I don't think there is a family in the world that loves Disney as much as the Hetzel clan.  When we got to Florida we were lucky to tag along with Scott's brother, his wife, three of their kids, and two of the kids' friends to Disney World.  (Don't call the Florida one Disney Land or Scott will freak out of you and give you a lecture about what makes them different.)

While we were in Japan I forgot how much I loved the words "Aunt Allison."  The kids have grown so fast in the last three years, and it was great to spend almost a week with them.  Here are a few pictures from the week...I will post more later.  I left my camera in Lauren's car half way through the trip and haven't gotten pictures from Balenda, my sister-in-law yet.

my mother-in-law shaved my dog

Baby girl looks a little rough for wear.  Scott's mom is allergic to pet dander and she asked if we could shave Connor.  I didn't think it would make a huge difference, but she was convinced it would.  I think it has actually made her itchy and made her have more pet dander, but mom is happy so we can deal with it.  

When we left for Disney World we dropped her off at PetSmart so we didn't see her for almost a week.  When we got back we laughed so hard it is amazing this pregnant girl didn't pee in her pants!  My favorite part is the puffy head and tail.  Here's a before and after for comparison...

Connor as she should be...

Connor after visiting Nana's house...

24 weeks

Here's a shot from when I was 24 weeks.  I'll post another in a few days...

allison's tattoo

After the movers did our final pack-out, I was exhausted.  They arrived around 8:30 and were pulling away from the house with our last quick-shipment by 9:30.  After that I went into crazy Allison cleaning mode and finished scouring the house for our final inspection.  We got to the hotel around 5:00 and I had time to clean up before meeting a group of girls for dinner at 6:00. When I got back to the hotel, I was 100% pooped out!  Scott decided he wanted to draw on my leg and I was too tired to protest.  Here is the final product.  I fell asleep while he was doing it, and it freaked me out when I got in the shower the next morning!  : )  It lasted about 3 days before I was finally able to scrub it off.

leaving japan... part II

It is my turn today.  I get to leave Japan and go back to America to see my honey.  Yippee!

leaving japan

I can't believe I am about to get on a plane to go back to America! This morning we came to the airport expecting for Connor and me to get on a 1300 flight, but the plane was grounded due to mechanical problems.  So, now Scott is hanging out with us until 1900 to make sure we get on the plane.  Over the past three years there have been times I thought this day could not come soon enough, but now that it is here, I am a little sad.  I will miss friends and friends who have become family.  

The past weeks have been full of farewell dinners and a baby shower. We are so blessed to be undeservedly loved by friends here.  Here are a few shots from the baby shower...

4 preggers all in a row.

A few of the friends from our unit

CDC ladies

 I only hope CJ is as cute at little MJ.  Her smile will totally melt your heart!

And here is a picture I stole from Julia's blog.  This was over the summer after we were coming home from Tokyo Disney.  Words can't describe the way Julia, Mark, Scott and I got close (literally) during that train ride.  Nor are words adequate to describe the horror that I felt when Mark and Scott started singing Christmas carols as they shared Scott's iPod during the same train ride.  I wouldn't trade the memories with those three for anything!  

Looking back over our three years, we have been so blessed.  I will never forget the way Chad and Kenalea loved us through hard times, adventures with Paul, Erin, Dreaka, and Cora in the Town Ace Royal Lounge (I really wish I had a picture of that van!!), the ladies from the CDC who kept me going when I  thought I would pull my hair out over work, and too many friends to name from our unit who are like family.  We will miss you guys so much, but the beauty of the Army is that we will most likely see you again in the future.

CJ's first photo shoot

Well, here they are...the much anticipated pictures from CJ's first ultrasound.  

It's a boy!

Scratching his head wondering what the heck is going on.

His head is on the left side of the picture and his torso is on the right side.  He is still scratching his head.  It seems like he may be a pensive little guy.

Full frontal - I like that you can see his eyes.

One little foot

Two balled up hands with one little pinky pointing up on the left side.  Scott thinks he is practicing his boxing skills in this one.

And finally, a great profile shot.  I thought he was blowing bubbles in this one, but the little spot is the placenta.  (And Scott thinks he looks like Homer.)

22 weeks

Sorry I am so behind updating!  This is a picture from almost a week ago, and I've already outgrown the pants I am wearing.  They were the last pair of regular pants that fit, and when I tried them on this morning and couldn't zip them, I confess I was a little sad...they are (were) my favorites.  : (  

I will write more tomorrow while the MOVERS ARE HERE!!!

WARNING: Spoiler Alert!

If you don't want to know if Sprout is a boy or a girl, then do not proceed any further.  If you do, scroll down to see more!

Why are we wearing blue you ask...because Spout is a BOY!!  And why am I wearing a Baylor T-shirt...because where else would he go??

We are going to name him Christian Josiah and call him CJ.  Christian is Scott's middle name and we both really like the story of King Josiah from the Old Testament.  If you want to read it, his life is chronicled in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35.

We packed our scanner last week, so we have to find a friend's scanner to upload the ultrasound pictures.  The radiology technician said CJ was very "well endowed."  That of course made his dad proud.  = )  Also, it seems he might have Scott's ears.  We'll hope he grows into them. 

20 weeks

Here's an updated picture.  We find out Thursday if Sprout is a Camden Grace or a Christian Josiah so check back in a few days.  = )

the house that echos...

We are coming home and it is starting to feel real!!  Last Thursday the movers came and packed up our big shipment.  They took almost everything, and the last little things will be packed on the 29th or go with us on the plane.  It really is amazing how much we can live without.  And it is much easier to clean the house now that there is nothing to dust!

We were able to borrow furniture from the housing department on base.  So right now the only furniture we have in our house is a horrendous hunter green sofa with gold leaf patterns, a semi-horrendous hunter green chair with gold and navy blue checks, a coffee table, a dresser and a bed. The only think worse than looking at the pattern on the couch is sitting on it.  It is really hard and sounds like you are sitting on plastic, but at least it is a sofa.  Even Connor doesn't like it.  The first day we got it, she jumped up on it and immediately jumped off.  Then she looked at me like "what the heck is that thing?"

The other funny thing is that every room echos.  We have hardwood in every room, so there is almost nothing to absorb the sound.  Connor sounds really ferocious when she barks!

Seriously though, we are leaving Japan and I can't really wrap my head around it.  I am excited to see y'all back home - we have missed family and friends so much!!!

18 weeks

Here is a picture of me and Sprout at 18 weeks.  While we were in Hiroshima last weekend I started to feel him or her moving.  It was so amazing, and a little strange all at the same time. Scott is jealous he can't feel the baby move , but he still talks to the little guy.  I still feel great; I have lots of energy and I don't think I am too moody...Scott may tell you a different story though.  = )

christmas 2008

Well, this year we had a fun-filled, busy Christmas.  On Christmas day, we were the local USO and 28 people plus kids and 2 additional dogs came over for Christmas lunch.  We started out inviting the single soldiers in Scott's office, but then it just kept growing.  It was really fun to spend time with friends, relax and enjoy each other's company.  Scott made his famous smoked pork butt with raspberry chipotle sauce.  This left me to make loaded mashed potatoes, garlic bread, and mini-sausage muffins.  I usually tell guests not to worry about bringing something, but this year, I took the help gladly...I just don't have enough dishes for all that food!  We ate and ate, and ended the night with a fire and s'mores.

The next morning we left early for Hiroshima and Miyajima.  We left about 5:30 to catch the Shinkansen (bullet train) and were in Hiroshima by 11:00.  The first day we saw the Shukkei-en, a beautiful garden.  

Then we went to see Hiroshima Castle.

And we ended the day at the Peace Park.  It was amazing to see the A-bomb dome and tour the museum.  It was worth the 5 hour train ride.

On the second day we went to Miyajima Island where we spent the day at the Itsukushima Shrine.  It is built totally on the water.  We went early and were able to be there at high tide and avoid the crowds.  For both of us, it was the best thing we have done in Japan.

Hetzel graduations

There are two recent honor graduates in the Hetzel family - me and Chloe.  After a year and a half of grad school, I finished this December.  I now have my Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction.  Just like my undergrad, I have an emphasis in Middle School Mathematics as well. It is a relief to be done, and I was able to graduate summa cum laude.  I originally planned to finish next semester, but when we found out we were pregnant and we would be moving next year, I took 5 classes (15 hours) this semester.  It was crazy, but now that it is finished, I am glad I did it. Scott was a HUGE encouragement through it, and I am so thankful for his support.

Because we are in Japan, I wasn't able to attend the official ceremony last week.  But, Chloe, the other Hetzel graduate, made it to her graduation.  She went to obedience school and was the top graduate in her class.  Here is a picture of her with her mom and dad...

16 weeks

Sorry to post three times in one day.  I haven't been able to get pictures to load the last few days.  So, finally, here is a picture of my growing belly.  I was exactly 16 weeks in this picture.  I still feel great.  I haven't been sick and I am not really tired.  I told Scott this morning that I am so thankful to have a job that is not stressful.  I really enjoy my English students, I only teach 20-25 hours a week, and best of all I don't usually start teaching until 10:00.  This has allowed me to rest and take care of myself like my old job wouldn't have.  

I have also started to "feel" pregnant this week.  Since I have felt so great, and I just started to show, I haven't felt pregnant.  I am ready to start feeling the little one moving...

connor is learning to be a helper

Connor knows we have been busy getting ready for Christmas, a yard sale and moving back home. The other day she realized she needed to start pulling her weight more around the house. (We have been talking to her about how things will have to change when Sprout comes and she is a big sister.)  She realized we had too many Christmas packages to open and decided to help us open them...

leaves

Last weekend we finally gave in a raked our yard.  We have 7 HUGE trees in our front yard, and we could easily spend hours every weekend raking because leaves just keep falling and falling. 36 bags later, we were done.  Scott originally started building a tower with the bags, but there were so many it kept collapsing.  Here is what we finally ended up with.  The first picture is the view from the front of the pile, and the second is the back of the pile.  Scott is in them both for a point of reference... 

flashback, and not a good one!

For those of you who knew me at Baylor, do you remember the little white house I lived in the last year?  It was really cute, but literally could have been a zoo. 

Yesterday, I came home and I saw a cat crawling under my house.  At first I thought, he must be cold, poor thing.  But then I remembered the mating cats that lived under my house in Waco, and I didn't feel so sorry for the cat anymore.  Then all I could think about was waking up at 2:00 in the morning to banging coming from under my bed, yelping, screeching and other noises I would rather not describe. The housing company caught them, but then my roommate felt sorry for them and let the out of the cage.  They were also the beginning of the animal onslaught.  Once the cats were re-caught and released in a new area, a possum, followed.  

One night I heard something funny coming from the kitchen.  When I went in, a little head popped out from behind some cans and hissed at me.  I whacked it with a broom and it crawled under my stove. Possums either "play possum" or emit a smelly green substance from an unmentionable place.  Unfortunately for me, it chose the latter defense mechanism before running into a hole under our kitchen cabinet.  The next day I tried to get my friend Brett to give me his BB gun, but he convinced me that was illegal in the city limits and gave me a golf club to protect myself with instead.  The next night, I heard it in the kitchen again, and I watched it try to open a screw top container of Kool-Aide while I called 911.  A nice man from animal control came to take it away and luckily, I didn't have to use the golf club.

Following the possum, we had a raccoon.  One evening I was grading papers and I heard what can only be described as a wounded man crawling on his belly dragging his legs behind him in our attic.  I remembered the night before my roommate told me that she saw a raccoon so big that all other raccoons would be scared.  I called animal control again, but they told me they couldn't come until the next day.  With some internet research, I realized raccoons didn't like light or music so I spent the night with radios blaring and all the lights in the house on.  The next day animal control put cages in our attic and caught an entire little raccoon family.

After the possum, when we were moving out we had at least one rat. My two roommates had already left, and it was only me and the little guy.  It was then that I realized I was really glad to leave the little house.  I only hope the cat I saw yesterday was not the start of this whole process again!

observations...

Yesterday our friends were in a Christmas musical, so I volunteered to watch their three kids. Kariss is in second grade, Breck is 4 and William is 2.  They are GREAT kids, and I had a lot of fun with them.  

After the day, my observation to Scott was, "Girl's toys have a lot more little parts than boy's do. Girl's toys have shoes, clothes, and little sparkley things, but boy's toys are things like guns, swords and trucks...all one big thing."  To that Scott countered, "Well, I noticed that girls really like to talk and boys like to hit you."  While I was making dinner, Scott joined us.  Kariss immediately took a liking to him and started chatting at him.  While she was talking, William came over and started jumping on Scott and then torpedoed his entire body into Scott's face. Breck thought this looked like great fun and immediately joined in the pummel Scott game.  I didn't see all this, but it was REALLY funny to listen to!

But the best observation of the day came from Kariss.  She looked at Scott, and with complete seriousness said, "You are just a big toy."  She is wise beyond her years!