double trouble!

Connor has found a new best friend.  Scott's parents have a boxer named Chloe and the two of them are two peas in a pod. Chloe is much more active than Connor, but over the last few weeks, Connor started playing more, and Chloe started chilling out more (a little).  

While we/I visited my mom and Nanny in Tennessee Scott's parents graciously watched Connor. When she came home the first time, she was depressed because we took her away from her friend. She moped until I took her back. We are done traveling until after CJ comes, so Connor and I got home on Wednesday. So far she doesn't seem too depressed, but I may have to get my dog a dog to play with.  

While Connor was gone we also got a new sofa. She seems to have adjusted to it quite well...

33 weeks

I can hardly believe CJ is coming in 7 weeks. Suddenly it seems like I have SO much to do. You know me - I am super organized - so the fact that I don't have this thing organized, color coded and systematized is a little unnerving.  ;)  

Mostly CJ hangs out on my right side. And when I say the right side, I mean he barely crosses to the left side of my belly button. When he was smaller, this wasn't so strange, but now that he is getting bigger that side is getting a little crowded and finding a comfortable sitting position is getting harder and harder. This afternoon Scott was mashing (gently) on him trying to figure out what parts were what. He surmised he is about the size of his forearm and that his knees and feet were under my ribs and his hands were in the middle of my belly. When Scott would push on him he would kick and punch back. At least we know he won't be a sissy, and Scott loved getting to feel and see him moving.  

Enough rambling though...here is an updated picture.  I keep thinking I can't get any bigger, but I do....

And for those of you who have hated me though my easy pregnancy, I now have heart burn! You don't have to hate me anymore.  But honestly, it isn't that bad.  I only hope labor is as easy and being pregnant has been.  (I know that is a long shot, but a girl can hope right?)

home is where the army PCSes you to...

Well, after much anticipation, we have an answer!  Once Scott finishes his class in Arizona, we will be heading back to Ft. Benning in Georgia.  He will be part of the 3rd ID, ensuring a deployment in the future.  They have been very active up to this point; they were the division who originally secured Baghdad airport, were pivotal in ensuring a secure election and handover to the first democratically elected Iraqi government, and they were also the first to serve three deployment cycles in Iraq.  We were ready for a deployment though, and we both know Scott is a soldier and that means serving with honor no matter what is asked.  He hasn't done anything thus far to avoid a deployment; we have just been lucky.  We both know it is his turn, and we are OK with it.  It will be hard, but we know we can make it.

So our timeline is to be in Benning until the end of August with CJ coming in early June, off to Arizona until mid-December, and then back to Benning for three years.  I will go with Scott to Arizona so he can spend every possible moment with CJ.  We love visitors, so if you want to come, you are ALWAYS welcome.

proud of myself

While I was in Jackson my mom gave me sewing lessons, and I was able to make this cute summer romper and pants that I have no idea when he will be able to fit into.  They just look huge compared to the romper.  They plan is to make a onesie to go with the pants with a little frog on it.  But, I don't want to do it yet until I know how big he will be when he is wearing them.

And over the last week, I was able to do this all on my own.  I am very proud of myself!

update (finally, I know...)

It seems like we have been waiting for this time forever.  Scott submitted his Officer Candidate School packet in November of 2007, and back then we honestly thought he would be starting class around August of 2008.  Boy were we wrong and did God have other plans for us!  Almost a year after we originally though Scott would start school, he finally did.  Last Sunday he started class, and after a week, he is still positive and feels like this is the right thing.

After we left Tennessee, we set up our house here in Georgia at Ft. Benning.  Scott was super-thoughtful and worked hard to help me get everything set before he started class.  He knew I wouldn't be able to resist moving boxes and furniture around when he was gone.  :)  He was also able to meet the doctor that will deliver CJ.  We were both very thankful he had that opportunity.

Scott says class is OK.  The first week has been very physical.  He has taken a PT test, done an obstacle course, taken a water survival test, and has to run everywhere.  When they leave the chow hall they have to drink a glass of water, do a chin up and then run back to the barracks.  I think I would throw up!  He also gets to wear this really cute ascot.  :)

I am doing OK too.  CJ is growing like a weed, but I still feel great.  My mom gave me a sewing machine for a graduation present while I was in Jackson, so I have been keeping busy this week making things for CJ.  Mom showed me a lot while we were in Tennessee, but this is my first time flying solo.  I have learned a lot through trial and error, but it has been fun and it keeps me busy.  Here's an updated picture of my growing belly.  I can't believe I am already 30 weeks...only ten or so more to go until the little guy is here.  

my papa's car

While we were in Jackson, after all the snow melted, Scott got to do something he has been dreaming about for over 5 years.  My Uncle Ronny restored my great grandfather's '52 Chevy. Last time Scott was in Jackson the car was in pieces so he wasn't able to see it in action. During this last visit, he finally got that opportunity.  My Papa would have been appalled that they boys drove it over 45 miles an hour, but they did it anyway.  :)  Here are a few pictures Scott took.

snow!

When it snows, Scott loses the ability to pronounce the letter s at the beginning of words.  So, on Aturday it no-ed at my mom and Nanny's house.  We got lots and lots of no...

26 weeks

So I feel HUGE!  The difference in 24 weeks and 26 weeks is amazing.  Before my burgeoning belly was kinda cute and not at all in the way.  Now tying my shoes, sitting, standing, getting into and out of Scott's Jeep is all suddenly much harder.  But good things included Scott finally being able to feel the baby move and this Sunday, we could actually see him moving around.  We were sitting in church and suddenly my belly started jumping.  So cool...  Also, our friend Amy who is a doula, studying to be a midwife, taught Scott how to measure my belly and how to figure out if he was feeling CJs head or butt.  :)

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!!!