Mommyhood

3 weeks old

I really do love being a mommy. Madelyn is the sweetest, happiest baby. Watching her grow and learn has been so fascinating. I find myself just staring at her and smiling. She is just amazing. Madelyn has been healthy and strong these past 6 months. Can't believe she is already 6 months old! I am still nursing, which is a blessing, I know. However, I have moments when I think its time to stop. But why would I? When it is going so well. Some days I'm tired and cranky, but I spend most of my days praising GOD for all he has given me. For the miracle that is Madelyn and the joy she brings every day. Those toothless grins, excited squeals, and jumpy legs fill my day with laughter. Even on fussy days, I find something to be joyful about. Madelyn is now sitting up and reaching for EVERYTHING. And everything must taste delicious because it all ends up in the mouth. No teeth yet but we must be close. We have moments when she is just a mess for no reason at all. If I rub her gums she stops. Poor baby. Growing new teeth must be hard. Bottom line...I LOVE being a mommy.

6 months old-Easter

Over Half Way There!!!

I can't believe it is already June and I've reached the 22 week point! Our little girl is growing and starting to make her presence known. Somedays it feels like she is using my bladder as a trampoline. Though it is not the most comfortable feeling, I beg for more because it is such an amazing feeling. To know that there is actually this little person in there who is developing a personality and a routine already is the most humbling emotion I've ever felt. When Madelyn moves I feel like we are bonding. Strange I know, but isn't that what motherhood is all about? Jeff is anxiously awaiting the day when he can feel her move. Until then he is letting her hear his voice and giving her the rules of the house. We'll see how long that works! Soon as he sees that sweet little face it is all over.

Despite an ER visit last week, due to a damaged sciatic nerve, I've been feeling pretty good. My tummy is growing and my body is changing in more ways than I ever expected. Some days I feel overwhelmed and self conscious about my new body image. Other days I feel like I'm sporting that "pregnancy glow." Jeff has been my hero, however, sometimes its nice to hear something other than "well you are pregnant" when I vent about the odds and ends of pregnancy. I LOVE YOU SWEETIE!!!! I've realized how much Jeff has to learn about babies. For example: during one of many trips to Babies R Us I was showing Jeffrey the car seat I like. He was extremely concerned that it was not going to be comfortable. He then proceded to point out the one he liked because it looked more like an easy chair. In which I responded..."Sweetie, those are for toddlers over 25 lbs." OH How I love HIM!!!

Jeff has been gone training for almost a month and I'm so ready for him to be home again. All us girls (Hayley, KitCat, Madelyn, and I) miss him so much we just wander aimlessly around the house. Well, I wander. Hayley and KitCat just follow me to every room.

First Ultrasound!!

So I'm a little behind but that's alright. We had our first ultrasound about 3 and a half weeks ago. I was about 9 weeks along and super nervous because I was meeting our doctor for the first time. In a military hospital you're never sure who or what you're going to get. Anyway, it turned out great!! My doctor is awesome and she will be with me the entire way. Plus she is a Christian and very supportive of helping me figure out the birthing plan that works for us. She did an ultrasound and for a moment Jeff and I held our breath. We half expected there to be 2 little peanuts in there! But we found only one. We were met with the most amazing image of a little form stretching its arms and legs then squirming around to show us its back. Apparently our little peanut does NOT like to be poked and prodded because it refused to turn around for the rest of the u/s. When the Dr tried to get it to move it would kick its little legs, but stick to its guns. Great a stubborn child already!! The picture we managed to get was of its back. That's alright. We know its in there and healthy and that's all we care about. Hopefully at the next u/s, which well be 18 weeks, it will be more cooperative. That is the week we will find out the gender. Even better, my Mom will be in town that same week. Happiness!

Hitting the 12 week mark this week I've noticed a little more of my energy coming back. However no food can seem to tempt me at all. My appetite has been next to nothing lately. Unfortunately, I've taken to eating whatever it is that seems remotely appealing. Not always the healthy food. I'm hoping my appetite comes back soon. Meanwhile, the crazy 7 pounds I gained almost immediately has subsided. I haven't seemed to gain more, but heading into the 2nd trimester I expect to start gaining more steadily.

One praise that is worthy of mentioning...I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Jeff was tested and found to NOT be a carrier. I hadn't realized how heavy this thought was in the back of my mind until the Dr called and told me the results. If you're not familiar with what this means....since I'm a carrier and Jeff is not....there is a 50% chance that the baby will just be a carrier rather than being at risk of actually having Cystic Fibrosis. Praise the Lord!!

The jist of the past 10 wks

I had a baby bump almost immediately...6 weeks.

I thought it was a joke, so I took two.

The moment Jeff realized he was going to be a Daddy.

Welcoming Baby Kraft in October

Yes you read correctly. We are welcoming a buddle of joy October 10, 2011. We have been praying about starting a family for quite some time. Probably since last summer. After we returned from our Europe trip we decided to start trying. We didn't have to wait long since 4 weeks later I discovered I was pregnant. It was overwhelmingly exciting for us to share with our family and close friends. We chose not to make it "facebook official" until we were a little bit further into the pregnancy. At 10 weeks and 5 days Jeff couldn't wait any longer so I agreed to make it "official". Overall I've experienced boughts of nausea but it hasn't consumed me. I've only been sick a few times which I HATE. Plus brushing my teeth is causing one heck of a gag reflex. The exhaustion is what seems to be the most daunting. I've had very little motivation to clean or exercise. Some days are better than others and when that happens I do my best to take advantage of it. I'm hoping as I near the end of my 1st trimester these things will begin to diminish. As far as planning and buying things for the baby we've gotten diapers but waiting until we know the gender to go further. I love my doctor and have heard good things about the military hospital here on post. We are so excited about this new adventure in our lives. Sharing this with all our friends and our family will make this baby's arrival that much more joyful.

God's Amazing...did you know that?

Jeff and I have just come off of a lovely 4 day weekend. We spent it with friends, family, and of course ourselves. It was beautiful weather and we managed to finally give our new bikes a try. With Jeff's busy schedule during the week we relish any extra time we have together. GoD has done some amazing things in our lives this year, already. He is making some big changes that we're both excited about. It is going to be a great year and we are blessed to have made some wonderful friends here at Fort Benning who will be with us through out it all. I'm blown away by GoD's grace and daily I am in awe of how my life is turning out. He has provided Jeff and I with more than we could have imagined. The fact that we are secure enough that I don't have to work but can focus on volunteering and getting involved in his unit as a spouse is incredible to me. Since we only have one car we struggled with finding a job close enough and flexible enough that we could function with one car. Unfortunately we couldn't find a job like that. If I could work from home that would be fabulous, but what could I do?? I am just hopeful that one day a job will present itself. Right now I am just trying to be content in being home when Jeff is home and not feel like I have no purpose in life. If you know about the Army life you know that our soldier's schedules are NOTHING like normal people. It is so difficult to plan ahead and when they are off you may not be. That is frustrating. Some days it is a struggle to be thankful and trust that we are forever in GoD's hands. But we are reminded daily how blessed we really are. So we are looking forward to being amazed by God each and everyday.

Ugh, This House!!

I am so frustrated with this house. Yes, it is military housing and yes it is old and no, it has not been renovated. I grew up in houses like this, but I don't remember them being in this state. Of course I wasn't doing the cleaning then. When they re-paint the houses in between residence they just slap it on the walls and don't take the time to make it nice. The tile floors are fine, however, they are so old that they don't ever look clean. Add two long haired black animals and you've got yourself a messy house no matter how often I vacuum. The difference between Fort Knox and here is black and white. We lived in the historic houses in KY, so they were actually a lot older than the one we live in know. But it had been renovated and the housing office did an amazing job cleaning it and painting it. We had wood floors (which makes a HUGE difference) and the walls were painted either a nice sage color or a camel tan color. Makes it a little more homey. Here is it just different. I think it would make all the difference if we had 2 bathrooms and the stupid washer and dryer didn't have to be in the kitchen. Oh well, as long as Jeff and I are together it is a home.