Constipation Proclamation

Well, from the poll in the left margin, some of you may have noticed that my precious MMG has had some tummy issues. Last week we went from Friday to Tuesday with only wet diapers, then again starting Wednesday no such luck either. But, I'm pleased to announce that yesterday we changed 4 productive (if that's what you'd call it) diapers!!! After eating nothing but prunes and applesauce, drinking A LOT of juice, and finally having a bit of Karo syrup at the doctor's suggestion, we are back to normal. I think. So, my proclamation is to do my best to keep this unfortunate circumstance from happening again. If any of you new (or more experienced mommas) have any tips besides those I already listed to keep my angel regular let me know!

Military Wife

This is a little deviation from my normal posts but I thought I'd add it just the same. I think a lot about what our lifestyle will mean for M, how it will affect her, how she'll have to make new friends and adjust over and over and over again. Please keep her in your prayers...ask that she'll have the strength and devotion (with our help) to maintain old friendships and the courage and tenacity to create new ones. I pray that God will plant (or transplant :-) people into our lives who are Christian, kind, loving, and fun and I also ask that we can be that for others. Thanks to Tiffany (one of my favorite military wives) for sending this on. Unfortunately, I don't know who to credit for writing it.

What is a MILITARY Wife?

A Military wife can be tough to describe.
She is a southern belle,
a northeastern Mets fan,
a California 3rd generation recycler,
a Pacific Islander.
She is short or tall,
a tomboy,
a fashion diva,
a physician's assistant,
a Republican,
a Democrat.
A Military Wife is a career gal,
a home-schooler,
a scrap-booker,
an accomplished cellist,
an auto mechanic.
What IS a Military Wife?
WHAT is a Military Wife?
What is a MILITARY Wife?
They may look different and each is wonderfully unique
But this they have in common.
They have THIS IN COMMON!
lots of moving---
moving,
moving,
moving far from home,
moving two cars, three kids and one dog--
--all riding with HER of course.
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house.
Moving curtains that won't fit,
moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.
Moving away from friends,
moving toward new friends,
moving her most important luggage; her trunkful of memories.
Often waiting-
waiting, waiting, waiting for housing; waiting for orders;
waiting for deployment; waiting for reunion; waiting for phones calls;
waiting for the new curtains to arrive; waiting for him to come home...
for dinner----AGAIN!
They call her 'military dependent', but she knows better.
She can balance a checkbook,
handle the yard work,
fix a noisy toilet.
She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move, --
--all with ONE Power of Attorney.
She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
Reinvents her career with every PCS; locates a house in the
desert,
the arctic,
or the deep south
and learns to call them all 'home'.
She MAKES them all home.
She is fiercely IN-dependent.
Military Wives are somewhat hasty...
They leap into decorating, leadership, volunteering, career
alternatives, churches and friendships.
They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are
short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves and
perennials for those who come after them.
Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.
They connect over coffee,
rely on the spouse-network,
and accept offers of friendship
and favors,
and record addresses in pencil.
Military Wives have a common bond.
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands.
His commitment is unique.
He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission.'
He can't just decide to quit.
He's on-call for his country 24/7
but for you,
he's the most unreliable guy in town!
His language is foreign
TDY
PCS
OPR
ACC
BDU
And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long-distance link to keep them informed
the glue that holds them together.
Military Wife has her moments----
She wants to wring his neck,
dye his uniform pink,
and refuse to move to Siberia.
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days, a travel brochure, a long hot bath,
a pledge to the flag, and a wedding picture.
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.
Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man
who puts duty first,
who longs to deploy,
who salutes the flag,
and whose boots in the doorway remind her
That as long as he is her
Military husband,
She will remain his Military wife.

Dancing queen

Here's my first attempt at adding a video. J was home from work today and we did a lot of important stuff, including our European dance party. I know many of you are saying "Is there any other kind???" M is also doing G-pop's famous dance (something I was privy to over 7 years ago the first time I met J's parents...go G-pop!!!). Am I on a posting rampage or what?!?

Best buddies

While we were in Missouri we got to see our very wonderful friends B and A. Again, as with the previous two posts, I'm making plans for M and A is definately part of her future (maybe they'll be more than friends, hee hee). Poor thing doesn't get to decide anything for herself :-). I sure wouldn't mind spending holidays with the in-laws! Also, you can see some of B's handiwork...M is wearing a dress that she made. I promise that very soon I'll post some pictures of her wearing all 3 couture garments. B is very talented so if any of you are looking for unique and beautiful clothes, bags, or baby accoutrement (bedding, curtains, slings, burp clothes, you name it) she's your girl!

Say my name, say my name...

Lately we've really been working on trying to get M to recognize her name when we say it. There's only 1 problem, well, about 8 actually. We call her so many different things!!! She's known as M (which is what I'm trying to focus on now), MMG (she is a southern lady after all), "G", Muffin, Muffin Puff (no, NOT Muffin Top), and most recently Twister. The poor child has no idea who she is and we, her supposedly loving parents, are creating confusion.

Maybe we should just give up and say "Hey you!"

My bright (and slightly strange) future plans...

I figure that it's never too soon to start thinking of M's future (and planning to live vicariously through her, hee hee). In the previous post I already mentioned a her aspiration to be a pilot. Here are a few other choice careers that could be for our little girl:

Philosopher

Julia Roberts/Mick Jagger impersonator

Magician/escape artist

NASCAR superstar (move over Jimmie & Junior!)

hula dancer OR sorority girl

Shakespearean Actress

Journalist (she's already destroying the news!)

perfect daughter...well, she already is this one!

Sittin' Pretty

I love that M is sitting up now. I can definately tell that she's embracing her new independence and is quite proud of herself. We've had a pretty uneventful few weeks (which is great!) but are looking forward to a visit from Aunt J this coming weekend.

This picture cracks me up. Here she is, looking dainty in her pink outfit and fancy socks, yet her face is screaming "I don't wanna be a ballerina...I wanna be a fighter pilot!!!" Well, I have control of the pink and girly stuff for a little while longer so, TOUGH girlfriend!

Another 6 month post...

1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

As we try to get back to our "routine" of survival I remembered that I wanted to get a picture of M in her crib at 6 months. So I thought I'd post all the pictures as a visual record of how much she's changed. Today she weighed 15 lbs. 8 oz, and was 25 3/4 inches long. I think that's the perfect size for a baby who is 6 months and 14 days old...don't you?