2nd Car, Beretta's Babydoll, and London

Happy Halloween! This week went pretty fast now that I realize it's Saturday morning! We're starting to get into the swing of things. Ben's enjoying work and I have all but a few boxes to unpack. At least all the boxes are opened! We're going to try and hang pictures up this weekend. We're waiting to get al the boxes out to get some pictures up. The baby's room is a nightmare with empty, broken down boxes. I'm not a betting girl but, I'm going to bet if we didn't have 8 flights of stairs we would have them out by now but it's okay. I'm still looking for two of my cutting boards. How do you loose two cutting boards? Oh the joys of moving!!

We got our second car this week. We were keeping our eyes open for one but really wasn't pushing the issue. At first we were just going to stick with one but, once I got the WIC job it turned into a different story. Once Ben starts shift work here in a few weeks he will either start and 4am or 4pm. I start at 0730 in December, so we thought we'd look around. Ben found a 1998 Audi station wagon Diesel. It's a navy blue with navy inside. It is the cutest car ever!!! It has much more room for baby things and a dog, much more room! It's also a lot more comfortable to us to sit in for longer trips. I now have a real Mom car! :) When Ben brought it home we started giggling and said really, this is the only time in our lives we will own, at the same time or separately, a BMW and Audi. Honestly we'll put pics up! haha :)

Not only did Ben get me a car this week but he got me tickets to go see the Phantom of the Opera in London in two weeks!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it! A group of ladies from the church we're going to (which also are some of the same ladies I'm going to be working with) came up to me and offered me a ticket. I wasn't going to go but Ben said I was going. I have the best hubby in the world! We leave late Friday night and come home Sunday afternoon! I'm a little nervous but this is a good thing and good for me to do!! I saw the Phantom with my Mom in Toronto before they shut that theater down and LOVED it! I can't wait to see it again!! IN LONDON!

Beretta also got something this week! She got her babydoll! We thought it would be a good idea to get one and have around her. We've been carrying it around, holding it on the couch, talking to it and everything! haha I can't imagine if someone peeked in and listened into our apartment, what they would think. haha She's doing pretty good with it. She just gets so excited, she does not know what to do with herself. She's a work in progress...

Today we're going to get some end tables, coffee table, and rugs from ikea. We scoped it out a few weeks ago, now were going back on a mission!

Have a great day and be safe tonight! We miss you all!

Wonderful ultrasound!

We just had our ultrasound this morning and it was wonderful!!! The baby is 12oz and is in the 81st percentile and growing beautifully! When the ultrasound started, the little one had his/her knees to the nose! (And for clarification- we do not know the sex of the baby so if I put he or she, it's just easier to do that than put both! I get excited and start typing fast so I works better this way :) ) It was sooo sweet! Just about bent in half! We couldn't believe how clearly we could see our little one! It was amazing to see the little arms and legs just going! I'm pretty sure I'm right, we have a gymnast on our hands! I lost track of the flips and flops the little one made during the whole ultrasound!

Everything looks wonderful. The heart has four chambers and is the best little heart in the world, the spine is intact and very flexible, three vessel cord, lovely bladder, sweetest hands and feet, appropriate nuchal fold, and beautifully form little mouth! It was so awesome, right at the end we were getting some profile pictures of the little one and all of the sudden he brings his hannie up to his face and starts sucking his thumb!!!! It was sooo cute! Oh my gosh I couldn't believe it! You could see the little tongue moving and sucking! Then then thumb came out and the little one stuck her tongue out!!! We were able to get pictures of both!!

We couldn't be happier that God has blessed us with such a wonderful, healthy baby! Thank you all for your prayers!! This little one is already loved so much! My dates are pretty accurate. The estimated due date is March 18, 2010!! This ultrasound says it will be a few days sooner but only by four days. We'll see. We can hardly wait!! My next doctors apt is the 25th of November with all the lab work.

We had a great weekend here! We unpacked and got organized. Well, my wonderful husband unpack and organized while I baked and cleaned :). I think I finally have come to an understanding with my oven. We weren't on speaking terms after I made the most wonderful pumpkin bread. I had two loaf pans, baked them for exactly the time required with the right degrees in celsius. However, after I let them cool a little bit, I went to cut a piece for Ben and me, the batter oozed out of the loaf onto the counter. Both loaves were like that! I was mad! So I thought I'd try my luck again but with some pumpkin chocolate cookies. Well, they would have been great if I didn't over cook them. haha It was not a good day for baking on Saturday!

Now yesterday, the oven and I had a great day! haha We made super yummy mini pumpkin gobs that I sent into work with Ben, so we wouldn't eat them all!! I think I might just have to make another batch to freeze! (If they even last long enough to be froze)

The living room is unpacked all but the boxes of lamps. We don't have anything to set them on yet. The couch and loveseat are set up with the tv. We put the tv on the card table. It's not the greatest tv stand, but it works for now. Really, the only unpacking left to do is my boxes of clothes. Notice I'm writing this blog instead of unpacking... :) This week we're going to try and hang up or pictures. That'll really bring things together.

Ben the great put up the little ones crib on Saturday night in about 10 minutes! It looks soo nice! That room has quite a few of broken down boxes in it yet so pictures will be once they are all out! :) He used the lap quilt I made him a few years ago as the bedding, and it's adorable!

Well, I guess it's that time- time to get to work!! Have a great day!!

**The picture is our little one sticking out his/her tongue!

Home.

Thank goodness we're in our place! Boy do I have some things to tell you! Brace yourself once again, it's going to be a novel. So go grab a cup of coffee,tea, what ever you please and sit back!

So Wednesday morning we drove over to meet the housing person at the apartment to do our walk through. We both were so excited! I think we both forget how many steps it took to get to our new front door, 4 floors later... We walked in and I was instantly happy! When you open the door (which weights a ton) you walk in to a little foyer area. To your left is the little one's room/ spare bedroom, to the right is the bathroom. The bathroom has double sinks, big ol' tub, and the heater is in combo with a towel warmer! Can you believe that? It's been heaven getting out of the shower and wrapping up in a warm towel! The bathroom is huge! We both can be there and never once do we touch elbows!!! OOO and a little off track I found out what the faucets above the toilet are! I asked the German housing man and its the water shut off!!!! I couldn't wait to tell you all that! Anyways the next door on the right side as you walk in is my laundry room!!! It's small but still a laundry room! I was a very happy girl!

After the baby's room there is a built in coat rack, then a built in linen closet. When you walk in the door straight ahead of you about 15 ft is our bedroom door. It is the biggest bedroom ever! The right side of the room is completely built in closet's and shelves! You could easily fit two queen beds in our room!

All the floor's are beautiful hardwood except the kitchen, bathroom and laundry room are white tile. If you facing our room with the front door behind you, your turn right into the living room/ dining room and kitchen. The dining room is in with the living room. It's a huge area! The door to the balcony lead off the living room. If you walk in the living room about 15ft you swivel on your feet to the right in you in my BIG kitchen! It's so big I have empty cupboards! I could've jumped up and down when I saw the kitchen! It was a little bar area to the left then opens into the kitchen. I have to get on a chair to reach the second shelf from the top!! It's bigger than our TLF kitchen (and a lot nicer)!!

Both of us were extremely surprised how nice the apartment is. We weren't expecting this at all. We got our keys at about 830 and the first set of movers came about 930. The next movers with the 5 crates came about 1130. They were here about 4 hours total. They came in and sat the boxes down. They did put up our bed but that was it. I wasn't real sure about the movers. The one guy who was hauling the boxes from floor 2-4 had to have been in his 70's. He was sweating, panting, wheezing, you name it. I was like oh man, I really don't want to do CPR on a man that smells like the biggest ashtray on the forth floor landing because he had a coronary. He took chairs from the crate and set one on each landing. I was scared for him and was worried a little bit but then I looked out the window and he's puffing on cigarette like it's going to save his life. THEN- he came in didn't ask or anything and shut himself in my bathroom for about 20 minutes. I waited awhile before I went in and when I did I about flipped. He peed on my floor and didn't bother cleaning it up!!!!!! I WAS MAD!! Then he comes wheezing up the stairs, stinking up our apartment with body order and smoke. I had get busy and not think about it. Ew, ew, ew, ew.

Anyways, the other two movers were in better physical condition to be moving. The one, very polite guy had long dreadlocks and a Jamaican beanie on. I had to stop watching out the window as they threw boxes and tossed things on the ground. so far only a few things are scratched and minor dents. None of my dishes or any kitchen things were broke! We're very thankful the movers in WA did such a great job packing us up!

As of tonight, the kitchen is all unpacked as well as the bathroom! The living room is stacked with boxes. The couch and loveseat hidden amongst them. We were just sitting here looking at the mess and realized we really only have a table, couch, loveseat, and cabelas chairs as furniture. Not that we need a ton but we have no coffee table, no TV stand or end tables. Hello IKEA! :) We're also really going to have to get rugs soon!

Beretta is adjusting nicely except for tonight she's been a bit of a handful. There are a group of cats outside our building that will come and sit below our porch and just taunt the daylights out of Beretta. She just losses it. Like she doesn't know what to do with herself. haha Ah it's something. I'm not able to take her out anymore or take her down the stairs. She's put on weight and I'm so off balance it would not be a good mix. I actually tripped over her yesterday and fell. I knew I was going to fall so I turned my body and landed on my right side/hip. I laid there just scared to death. I just prayed and prayed for the little one that I didn't hurt the baby. I haven't had any cramps, bleeding, and the baby's been moving all over so I not worried. I just really know now I have to be so careful. I really have been clumsy and forgetful too! haha I'm going to say it's baby!

I have really been able to feel the little gymnast the past few days! I mean it seems like it grows in intensity daily! Ben was able to feel the other day and was SOOOO happy!! He loved it! You have to press a little bit to feel it but its there! The baby really moves or I can tell better when I'm resting or laying down. Then it just goes to town! :) We are soo excited for the ultrasound on Monday! Ben has the morning off so he can go with me and not be rushed. SO excited!!

I passed my drivers test on Thursday! Thank you so much for your prayers! I forget every single thing I needed to take the test but some how managed it. haha Such a nightmare. I'm telling you, I have been so forgetful it's scary! Driving isn't too bad! I've gone off and on base a handful of times! I even put gas in the car with the ration card today!! ALL BY MYSELF! It's too bad I couldn't figure out how to open the gas cap and a very nice guy and gas attendant had to come and show me. Everyday is adventure!!

This weekend is full of unpacking and organizing. Ben doesn't have to go in at all! We so thankful to be in our new place and finally getting things put back were they belong! No more limbo! We also got our internet and phone hooked up!! Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. It just amazes me how it works and how much God has taken care of us!

We miss you all and love you very much!! Talk to you soon!

Doc's Appointment

This morning went good! We finally got everybody on the same page with my dates. They corrected my dates with the information from the lab work so it's back to March 18, 2010. So I didn't get my 20+ week lab work this appt., I'll get them when I go the 25th of November.

She said everything looks great, the heartbeat was the best sounding heartbeat ever (our opinion but I think she thought so too:) ) She also said my measurements are right on track for 19 weeks, which made me feel much better.

We can't wait for next week when we get to see the ultrasound. We're still going to be surprised on the gender! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers, it means the world to us.

Busy week ahead!

We had a great weekend and both agreed it went way too fast! On Saturday we went to the IKEA outside of Mannheim. It was the biggest IKEA I have ever seen! I couldn't believe it or contain my excitement! Thank goodness they put everything on display because we really had no clue what anything said.

I never would have thought that I would learn so much about German culture by going to a Swedish store. The very first thing I learned is that in Germany, you have no personal space. It's nothing to stand right up against someones back, shoulder, and anything else. I like my space, I don't like being able to feel so stranger breathe on me! Second lesson learned- they can't get enough PDA, at all. I'll admit- I couldn't help staring but really there was nothing else you could have done but stare. Then laugh about it later when I'll telling Ben!

It took quite a bit of time to walk through! We needed to check out a coffee table and rugs. The apartment looks like a looker room shower to be honest with you. The floor is white tile and so is everything else, all white. We have a few rugs but need a couple more with everything being tiled. Ikea had some great colorful rugs and even a few on sale! A lot of our things are neutral so we need a little bit of color.

We even ate lunch at Ikea!! It was pretty good actually!! I had pasta and sauce for a huge 1.99euros! Ben got some cordon bleu with french fries and gravy. It was an odd combo but that what goes together for them! It was fun trying to order in German and figure out what in the world they were asking us. Another German fact- all their drinks are carbonated. You name it, they carbonate it. Water, apple juice, orange juice... everything. I was soo thirsty and forget about the fizz, and take a huge drink resulting in hick-ups for the next twenty minutes. I'll learn some day. We tried to make it to the car after lunch but got lost in how they do things at ikea and wound up going through the entire store again just to get to the exit! haha It was kinda funny but by that time we both wanted out!

We thought we would try to shoot down to Heidelberg from Mannheim and take a quick drive through. Ben had his map and set out! I fell asleep. I'm actually a better copilot that way. It was starting to get dusk out and it had been raining so it got darker quicker. Ben found the road he needed but it took a minute to figure out the signs and by that time, thought it would be better just to head back. We came home and got to talk to a good bit of our family which was sooo nice!

We checked out a church on Sunday. It was a Faith Baptist Church and we both enjoyed it. There was a ton of kids, all ages running around which we both really liked about it. Also, it was pretty much all military. We're going to check out a few more and see which one we should be going to. After church we went and scoped out our apartment building. We found it and thought well, since we're here why don't we just see if we can find our apartment. We new the number so we started climbing stairs...and more stairs... and a few more. We made it to the 4th floor and found ours! haha Wow. It's a lot of stairs. We didn't get to see the inside or anything but that's okay. They all look the same. It looks out into some woods which is very nice. We also don't have anyone above us since we're the forth floor. I'll just really have to watch the steps, they can get pretty slick.

My doctors appointment is tomorrow!! YAY! I'll have my blood work and just a check up I believe. My ultrasound isn't until next week. Wednesday is move in day followed by my drivers test on Thursday! It's a very busy week! We probably won't have Internet right away so it may be a little bit till were back on. But don't worry, it'll probably be a novel when I'm back! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers! We miss you all very much! Talk to you soon!!!

Sweater weather!

It's sweater weather time here in Germany and by the sounds of it, it's that time at home too! We haven't had any snow showers yet but it feels like it! Thanks goodness we'll be able to get our things next week, including our winter coats!

Tomorrow we're planning on an adventure! We found an even closer IKEA to us in Mannheim! We're going to go and check out the store then head into the city. I'm a little nervous haha I really don't know why? Ben is an excellent driver, I guess just being a country mouse in a big, foreign city! We're going to try and get a little pocket guide with some phrases so we don't like complete dummies. We have our map, our required first aid kit, warning triangle, and reflective vests! We should be good to go! Have a great weekend everybody!

WIC job update

I had my interview today! It went very well. The ladies that interviewed me were wonderful and made it a very comfortable experience. It took about an hour total. It's a full time position, I'd be working directly with families, and I would be apart of a great team! They said they needed to send my app to corporate and would let me know today or tomorrow. They called about 45mins after the interview to offer me the job!!!! Thank you soo much for all your thoughts and prayers! There is a ton of paper work to battle through so it won't be until the first week in December that I'll start. God is so good and is really taking care of us! Thanks again!