just popping in.

So we just got back from a trip to VA (quite literally) and are not settled back home yet, but I just wanted to get on here to tell everyone that Rob branched Friday. He got his pick of Field Artillery, which means we're going to Fort Sill OKLAHOMA! I am surprisingly excited about it, not sure why, especially as this is what my mom found when she did a google image search:
It makes me giggle. Although I have a feeling I won't be giggling later. But I'm still excited. I know, you can tell me I'm crazy (but I already know this, I am well aware of my condition).
Anyway, we don't when we go or for how long yet, we have to wait until he gets his orders for that, but at least we know that's where we're going!

just some updates

Since we really haven't seen anyone in like a month (or more?) due to snow and being busy and traveling and more snow and more being busy, I thought I'd give you a little update...

First off, some big news with Max: he's talking!! Now, he's still behind other kids his age, but he's learning new words every day and communication is occurring so I'm happy.

Because he can now communicate, we've also passed another hurdle: potty training! I'm not sure when you can say they're officially potty trained, but we're at the point that he goes on the potty every time with help, after telling me he has to go. But it's just help to get his pants off and get on the potty itself (I figure we'll cover the standing and aiming when we have dad around to help...). He'll still have an accident every now and then (read: about once a week), but every time it's been because he didn't have his "help" not because he didn't want to go on the potty. I've been so impressed with how well he's done: I seriously thought potty training this kid was going to be a long painful process, but it wasn't.

See those? Those are underpants!

Last weekend Rob had a four day pass since it was a holiday weekend, so Max and I made the long trek down to Georgia to see him... needless to say, we were in heaven and didn't want it to end. We honestly didn't do much except sleep and eat and hang out and run errands. But sadly, it did have to end and I've had a really hard time adjusting back to reality. But after a week, I'm getting back into the swing of things slowly (but already counting down the days until we see Rob again...).

While down there Max insisted on wearing Rob's sweatshirt. Although it was cute, it was also a little ridiculous so we got Max his own Army sweatshirt (that he loves to death, and I have a feeling it's becasue Rob gave it to him). And yes, Georgia (well, this is technically Alabama here) got snow too, and the next day was warm enough for just sweatshirts.

The great thing about the Army is they have this thing called Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) program thing that provides outlets for their service members (and their families) to keep their morale up! So we stayed at this campground just on the other side of the river from the base (hence we were in Alabama AND another time zone... but at least I knocked Alabama off my list of states to visit, and unexpected but welcome surprise!) and pretty much chilled just like this. And the best thing is, it's a LOT cheaper to stay here than a hotel, and they have kitchens! Plus, is there anything more cozy than a cabin in the snow? I think not.

And I can't forget the last member of our family... little Nicola. Because he didn't cooperate at my last ultrasound I had to have another one a couple of weeks ago. So here's the tiny man, looking more like a baby than the last time.

He definitely has my nose, and Rob's chin and mouth (just like Max). I'm thinking we may have two little boys that you will definitely be able to tell are siblings, what do you think? And Nick makes sure I remember he's there by kicking away all the time. I've sort of forgotten what it was like to not have a constant rumble in my belly.

I suppose I should give a little more of an update on Rob... he's in his 6th week of OCS (out of 12), and doing well. He hasn't lost any weight, but has definitely redistributed it and turned his mass into muscle. I couldn't believe how skinny he was when we saw him (and he looks a lot younger too, despite the grey hair)! He's really enjoying the physical side of his training, and I think the obstacle courses and stuff they have to do look kind of fun myself... (but ONLY if I could go at my own pace without anyone yelling at me and stuff). Last week they even did one that resembled the Ninja Warrior course... This Friday we also find out what branch Rob gets, which will determine where we go! Rob is pretty confident he's going to get a particular one, so we'll see if he's right. And next week they start their field exercises for the next 3 weeks, so I won't be able to talk to him during the week because they'll be out in the wilderness somewhere. And if you know Rob, he is a mountain man so I know he'll do fine. And then he graduates April 8th!

And I guess everyone's wondering how I'm doing, and I'm doing ok. I'm holding down the fort here at home, making sure everything that needs attention gets done. It's exhausting, and overwhelming at times (especially as I'm not good at this stuff) but I'm handling it ok (and surprising myself with how much stuff I've done that I never dreamed I could do). And I'm starting to feel really pregnant, which I know is crazy 'cause I still have 3 months to go. But I'm definitely nesting, and have a huge pile of projects I want to do before Nick comes (fingers crossed it'll all get done). I'm also starting to get the hang of this military stuff, at least it's all been a little "de-mystified" so it doesn't scare me anymore. Although I'm getting very scared at the thought of packing up my house:) We just have so. much. stuff. All crammed into a tiny house. I have some major purging ahead of me...

So overall, we're just busy in general but doing well. (oh, and my house is still messy. That's just how we roll)

today...

My house looks like this:



I look like this:

And Max looks like this:

It's a good day.

finito!

As someone with a project list a mile long but no motivation, it feels good to actually finish a project. Now we're ready for snow!!

And I'm dead serious, we missed out on the last one 'cause we were in Georgia.

Also note those mittens are for Max, not me. I am past the stage where I need my mittens attached with a string.

And one final note, I CROCHETED that little connecting chain! I'm terrible at making New Year's resolutions, but I am determined 2010 will be the year I learn to crochet.

sweet things

I have to admit I kind of like the military life. (Good thing, right?) I like the regularity and predictability of our paychecks (I will really like them once Rob commissions though), the benefits (and there are many!), the atmosphere on base, the people I've met. And I'm really eager to start our nomadic existence. However, it's not all sunshine and daisies, and the thing I'm having the hardest time adjusting to is the fact that I now wear the pants. Especially with Rob gone for so long. Everything is now in my hands. And for the most part, I've adjusted pretty well (if I do say so myself). I may be tired ALL the time, and feel like my head is going to explode with the amount of stuff that fills it most days, but I'm managing. And doing pretty well considering (I know everyone is worried about us but we're doing fine compared to lots of people out there). But the hardest thing is that I have NO TIME. In addition to all the stuff I've always done, I'm now responsible for all the stuff Rob usually does. And it's tough, 'cause it's all NUMBERS. Those dreaded things. I'm just not gifted in the number arena. I make things pretty, and that's what I'm good at. Anything with numbers and my eyes gloss over. I will admit, part of it is I have dyslexia with numbers (instead of mixing up letters, I mix up numbers), and so my brain has just sort of skips over numbers when I come across them (like a license plate I read last week, in my mind it said KYblume: and I was like kentucky bloom?, then I read it again and realized it said KYblu4me). And unfortunately, this is a number-heavy time of year. And like I said before, I'm actually doing pretty well, but yesterday things just sort of came to a head. So yesterday evening I was a little stressed from the day's events and how long everything took, and I was really really tired but was looking at a few more hours of work before I could go to bed. And at one point I was taking a break for a minute and got on facebook, and wrote this status at 10:22pm as a joke (this pregnant lady may or may not have been having a craving): "if someone would like to leave some chocolate iced krispy kreme doughnuts on my doorstep tonight I would not object. (unless the feral cats got to them first)" And it got a couple of funny comments, and that was that. And when I finished my work I went to bed, but I was still a little stressed out from the day, and I knew I wasn't going to get much sleep because I had to get up early to take my car to the dealer to get the seatbelt checked out (it broke, and I had no idea how much it was going to cost to fix it). And so this morning I got up way too early and was still a little stressed about things, and rushing to get out the door in time for my morning appointment, when I let the cat out. And this was sitting on my stoop:


At first I didn't believe it, and then burst into tears and probably cried for 5 minutes straight 'cause I couldn't believe someone was that sweet. And it totally changed my day around. Suddenly, I wasn't worried about numbers or my car or anything. Instead, I had a doughnut and everything was good.


And I don't have to pay a thing for my seatbelt! Subarus have a lifetime warranty on them. Those doughnuts really did make everything better.

a day at the park

So in true character, North Carolina has had some spring-like weather the past couple of days. And despite the 450402101485786548797201104687354021 things I have to do around the house (really, it's ridiculous the amount of stuff that needs attention) I decided ignoring the gorgeous weather to stay indoors and get stuff done would officially put me on the bad mother list. So away we went to the park. And since I no longer feel the need to puke every time I'm upright (which really squashes any creative juices that might try to flow), I decided it was time to start taking pictures again. So along came the big fat camera so I could capture my little man doing what he does.

I love the many faces of Max.








My view right now:

i'm always right.

When I was pregnant with Max, I knew he was a boy. And I was right. With this pregnancy, I knew it was another boy. And I'm right. Nicola Anatoly Harmon will be joining us this spring! So far, everything is perfect, so I've got my fingers crossed this time he's here to stay.

Is there any doubt in your mind that this is a boy?

A cute little profile (this actually isn't the greatest, but having watched the whole ordeal I'm pretty sure he has my nose too)

So my ultrasound was right after I had lunch (Nicola's belly was full too during the ultrasound), which meant he was taking a little nap. This also meant that he was a little uncooperative and wouldn't flip over, so I get to have another ultrasound next month so they can see his little behind (ok, so they're more interested in his spine, but I'm excited to see his little bum). But it made for some adorable pictures with his hands over his face (which is how Rob sleeps...)

And he was sucking his thumb too!

It was very exciting to see this little baby finally, and to learn that both him and me are perfectly fine. And, it feels good to know I'm right!


If you're interested, I feel very strongly that the first three are boys, after that it's up in the air.