Arrival Updates, Break My Window Please, and Helpers in the Nursery!

So yesterday started out on a good note! I can't sleep anymore out of anticipation and anyone who knows me well knows that you could leave me be and I could sleep for 12-15 hours straight. I loooooooove me some sleep! Well not anymore . . . I wake up every hour thinking perhaps there really is a stork and that it will land on the roof at anytime! I can dream . . . so I woke up at about 6am and started more nesting. Gracie's drawers are not only organized but labeled. Yes, even the drawer with only socks and tights in it is labeled "socks and tights" just in case Jeff fails to see what that drawer is for. However I have gone to extremes since my closet is also labeled "during pregnancy and after pregnancy (hopefully) since i have successfully gotten through this whole pregnancy without purchasing one maternity item! Except the dress for my mom's wedding. I have just stretched the hell out of all my clothes and also found that Forever 21 is key with the great knit empire waist dresses. I know I have a problem and will probably be 60 shopping there and I don't care.

I go to my weekly doctors appt and low and behold I am 2-3 cent. dilated and effaced! The doctor said it "could" be any day now. I am just on top of the world! I am driving home talking to my mom when boom a little pebble hits my window . . . most people wouldn't even think twice but I knew better . . . spot the chip and spot the crack, enter obscenities. I don't know if you guys remember the news reports from the late 90's when people were going around breaking BMW windows saying that BMW stood for "Break My Window", well apparently it does. This is the 3rd time I have had to fully replace this windshield since I got the car a year and 1/2 ago! 3rd time. In the lovely state of FL it is covered by your insurance, however in VA just like how everything costs more here you have to pay your deductible. That's right . . . so there was one very upset 9 month pregnant woman screaming in her driveway at a car yesterday. I called Jeff crying so hard I think he thought I was delivering the baby myself.

So when Jeff finally came home last night (after stopping at the Officer's club for beers because that is what I guess most normal men would do while there wife is at home clearly upset, not a good move whether pregnant hormones are involved or not) I forced him to spend helpful time with me in the nursery as his punishment. Below are the pictures of the final hours of nursery construction last night. Between a cat who thinks the bassinet and chenille is a great place to nap, a dog who must lick, sniff, and investigate every single item in the room (especially those items that might end up in Grace's mouth) and Jeff, I may be better off finishing the job by myself! Jeff has discovered a new use for the Boppy pillow. Now if I can just teach one of these 3 helpers to breastfeed for me . . .

Happy Birthday Aunt Sandra!

I hope you have a great one and get to do lots of painting, gardening, eating of Uncle Louis's food, visiting with Skippy or whatever makes you smile today!! You are such a great Aunt to Jeff and I and can't wait for Graysen to get to know you and love you! Happy Birthday!! Lots of love, Kristen and Jeff

Happy Birthday Patsy Vanderhurst Whittington the First!!!

or P-Doggie as you are known on the streets!! Happy Birthday to one fine member of the Jax Fab Five. You are officially old but I will be there with you next week. I can't believe we will be 28 . . . we should get AARP cards so we can get discounts on things! I love this picture because this was right on the brink of Patsy rolling over to P-Doggie because the wine was flowing. You weren't inappropriate at all though . . . most people scream at the best man to "lock it up" at weddings and mimic every ones dance moves!! HA!! I love ya Pats! Even though you won't let me go to Target or the gym with you. Happy Birthday . . . can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

Announcing the arrival of Delaney Lynne Gallagher!

And for the record . . . I said it would be a girl as stated in one of the posts before! I finally got a guess right, hey I had a 50/50 chance! My new niece Delaney Lynne arrived yesterday AM weighing 8lbs even and 21 inches long!! Mom, Dad, and Delaney are doing great!! Congrats to my brother Jim and sister in law Beth!!! I can't wait to met her! How fun to have cousins so close in age and both girls too!

Happy Birthday Emily, Erin, Shannon and Jaybird!!

It is July . . . and that means . . . just like April a whole lot of birthdays! Including mine and maybe my amazing Graysen's (just please not in the next few days . . . hang in there Gracie!) so you know it is a good month!! Just so far this month we need to wish a huge Happy Birthday to the following:

Shannon 6/28: OK so you are a June girl . . .not a July girl, so I am very late! You are the very reason I am having this baby! HA! For those of you who don't know Shannon and her husband Stewart set Jeff and I up back in 2000 at CofC! We love you guys very much . . . I can't wait for Baby Stewart and Baby Gracie to fall in love!!

Jaybird 7/4: Happy Birthday to the miracle boy!! Anyone who knows Jay knows that I mean . . . the moment we met you in Kingsville I knew we would be forever friends, esp after you survived a weekend with the Husteads! Even though you call Cooper dumb I still love you! Yes, the picture below is from his movie! Speed and Angels . . . I couldn't resist!
Emily 7/5: My dear friend Em, what would I do without having you to check out every bump and bruise on my body!! HA! You may regret going to Med school just for having to deal with me! Thank you for being you . . . there aren't many people who insist on throwing a shower and renovating their entire home for it, in like 2 months. You are amazing!
Erin 7/10: Who can forget the first day we ever met in 1998 on a tour of CofC and I was the "dork in the suit"! HA!!! Little did I know that we would be roommates a year later and that some of the craziest moments would occur! In fact, upon searching my album for pictures this one of of the few pictures I found that was appropriate to post! I have about 30 squirril pictures! Ha!! I can't believe we now both are going to have little girls just like us! Lord help us if they go to college together! Happy Birthday BEAST!

BTW . . . IF I EVER FORGET SOMEONE'S BIRTHDAY IT IS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE IT SAVED! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR BIRTHDAY TO MY LIST :-) http://www.birthdayalarm.com/dob/8158008a3868515b363

Things I Never Thought I Would Hear . . .

It takes a lot to shock me since I have spent 90% of my life with people saying to me "I can't believe you just said that!" Ha!! However, there are many things I never thought I would hear in my life . . .

One of the first being "isn't she a little old and pregnant to be shopping in the juniors department" while I was shopping for my shower dress!! First, how dare him. 2nd, this was coming from a 14 year old boy in the females juniors section so maybe he should worry about himself! I mean that would be like Forever 21 checking my ID and saying 27 is too old to shop there! Ha!

The 2nd being at my doctors appt the other day when she announced "oh you are about 2 centimeters dilated . . . and yup there is the baby's head, I can feel it"! Being a first time mom I wanted to scream "what?? Well stop feeling it and close up shop . . . she has 4 more weeks of cooking to do!!" I guess I never thought I would be in that position (literally).

Speaking of things amazing me . . . when we got in the car and I called my mom I told her I was 2 inches dilated and Jeff interrupted and said "honey, centimeters", which I responded by saying, "thanks Jeff, but I think I know". luckily he had his copy of What To Expect to prove me wrong. He then started joking that he has "done more in this pregnancy, all I have done was carry the baby!" I told him that he is lucky that no women heard him say that because if they didn't know he was joking they would attack first and then ask questions later!

So my number one lesson learned by pregnancy . . . every day I experience things that shock, gross me out but most importantly amaze even me! I think I might even be a little sad for it to end . . . a little tiny tiny small bit sad. Below I m attaching a picture that Jeff probably never thoought he would see . . . I had to laugh when I was doing Graysen's laundry yesterday . . . all pink!! A whole load of pink! Poor Jeff!! At least she got a Barbie fishing rod at the shower so Jeff can hope she won't be a total girlie girl.

The Best Baby Shower and Girls Weekend I Could Ask For!

click on slideshow to view LARGER if you like!



What an amazing weekend!!!! I had the best baby shower a girl could dream of thanks to my good friends who planned and hosted it! A special thank you goes out to them: Allison, Caroline, Eden, Emily (and Chris whose manual labor was insane), Janine, Kathryn, Katie, Lauren, Mo, and Patsy!!! Emily even spent weeks renovating her new home to host the event!! I am such a lucky girl to have such good friends as so many drove in or flew in to be here! A couple of people weren't able to make it thanks to the airlines but they were here in spirit!!

We had a co-ed shower and the fun finally ended with people going to bed around 4am here!! Many of the guys in Jeff's squadron said that if that is what baby showers are like they want to go to one every weekend!! Ha! It really was one of the best weekends I have ever had and can't wait for Graysen to meet all the wonderful family and friends we have! Thank you again guys!!

Bourbon Baboon by Night . . . Devoted Daddy By Day

After Jeff turning our Saturday night from a co-ed shower to Girls Gone Wild to a scene from the show Jackass, I seriously wondered how I would handle having 2 children. Seems Jeff has 2 sides like a superhero. . . the drunken fly boy party machine who shoots bourbon from the bottle at baby showers and the devoted daddy that spends his days reading "What to Expect" (he has already finished What to Expect when you are Expecting and has moved onto the 1st year. I, on the other hand am on month 3 of the pregnancy section. i figure I will get to the 2nd trimester when she is 2!)

I had to snap this before and after shots! The first pictures are from the shower, yes he is hiding a beer behind a stuffed animal. if you can't read the shirt it is the best thing ever! It says "that's how my daddy rolls" with a picture of a super hornet. The 3rd picture is at the end of the night when I was so annoyed I was begging him to get away from me. The 2nd set is are from today when we did all of our hospital registrations, birth plan, and he took notes from his book. Yes that is a binder with dividers . . . that he has made. He has also taken over packing my bag . . . so there you have my Superhero . . . lets just hope we keep the bourbon out of the delivery room and the binder in!

Our Professional Photos from the Babymoon!

Well . . . I wasn't sure if i was going to have these done! I went back and forth and knew that if I had pregnancy shots done I wanted Jeff in them and then thought why not do them in Key West! That way it is special! So below are the shots . . . I am putting 2 of my fave below and then there is a slideshow. If the slideshow is too small for your viewing just click on it and it will open bigger! The only things missing from these shots are the Cooper!!!

View Album

Get your own

It's a . . . and i am offically not playing the "what do you think it is?" game anymore!!

It's a girl!!!!!!!!!! For Caroline and John! That is right my little Graysen will have a little partner in crime instead of a boyfriend! John and Caroline said they had actually looked into ordering a little onsie that said "Future Mrs. Hilburn" for Graysen because they were so sure it was a boy! We are know going to have baby girls just 3 months apart!! It is so exciting! Now if we just didn't live on opposite coasts now in stead of our 4 block difference!

I also reported earlier that I thought our friends the Halberts were having a girl and the Hilburns were having a boy! So I was wrong on both fronts and am never playing the "what do you think it is?" game again!! I actually thought Graysen was a boy too . . . so I am going with the opposite from now on! Just came back from my 34 week check in and the Key west trip added 2 more lbs :-O and Graysen has still decided to lay sideways in breech position so lets hope she goes head down by next week's check!

Return from the "Babymoon"!

Well since I never got a honeymoon (Jeff did to Iraq!) my sweet husband decided to plan a "babymoon"! He had been in Key West for a couple of weeks doing dogfighting (for my non-military friends he wasn't actually participating in Michael Vick activities but flight training!) He said that I should come down there so when he was done we could celebrate!

He spoiled me the whole trip and it was the most relaxing week ever! You can click on the pictures to see the bigger!

We stayed at the Casa Marina after a checking in at their sister resort, the Reach. I wanted to "reach" away quickly!! It is a very funny gross story but we got out of there quickly!! The Casa Marina was amazing! Jeff had already celebrated his birthday down there by treating himself to a fishing trip (oh and buying more fishing clothes even though he was already on thin Ice for the cost of the fishing trip, maybe I do need that LV diaper bag!) and I spent my early bday present at the spa (even though mine was A LOT less, how does that work?)

For those of you requesting ideas of where to go in Key West these are my must do's:
Blue Heaven :for the Banana Heaven dessert, oh my!
Croissants de la France: Where Caroline got her wedding cake which was amazing and they also have coconut cream stuffed croissants. Yes please!! I went 1 time a day!
Banana Cafe: for yummy crepes!
Mangia Mangia: for yummy Italian!
Alice's: the best meal we had!!
Latitudes on Sunset Key: so Romantic! you have to take a ferry and you literally sit on the beach surrounded by torches and watch the sunset!
915: yummy yummy Tapas
Rooftop: very very good!!

View Album

Get your own

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE BUNK!!!!

Well when I was away on my babymoon with no internet access we missed being able to post one of the biggest birthday annoucements of the year, Kathryn's birthday!!! So this comes a couple of days late but with tons of love to make up for it. We have been friends for almost 18 years now!!! When I say best friends it is that in deed that but also more like sisters. We have been through so much together through out the years and I know my life would not be the same if I had not met you on that summer day on the beach in Epping Forest!

We used to laugh about when we would grow up and get married and have kids, what it would be like, how it seemed a million years away. . . and here we are! You were the Maid of Honor at my wedding and I will be yours next spring! My daughter will be your god-daughter and will love your children as her own siblings! Now the next thing we can laugh about in the future will be our 40th birthdays! God time flies, but you will always be older then me!! HA!! We love you very much!

Happy Birthday LALA aka Mini aka Lauren!!

Happy Birthday!!! I hope life in Pensacola is bringing you a happy sunny birthday! It is so weird to not have the 5 of us together on a birthday. For the last two years we spent most birthdays, holidays, anniversaries and more together!! I guess we will let you hang out with Rod this year! I love this picture of the Jax Fab Five! Even thought there are so many miles between us all now we will never be apart in our hearts!! I can't wait to see all of you at the end of the month!! Happy Birthday!! XO, Kitty

Happy 31st Birthday Jeffy-Weffy!!

Happy 31st my sweet sweet husband!! I hope we have a million more of these dances in our life together, I love this old picture from good ol' Kingsville circa 2002! I hate that we are apart on your birthday yet again but I understand your mistress (the navy!) must keep you away!! You are truly the most amazing man I have ever met in my life and I don't know how I ever got so lucky. Just think next year on your birthday Graysen will be here to help her daddy celebrate!! I have fallen more in love with you just watching how excited you are for her arrival. Happy Birthday to my rock, my hero, and above all, my true love. Can't wait to see you in Key West!!!

Pancreatitis . . . a New Family Past Time

Well no sooner do I get the pup over his bout of pancreatitis do I get a call from my step-dad tonight that my mom has been admitted to the hospital . . . for pancreatitis. The poor thing! I am worried sick for her but Jim assures me that she will be just fine. We think it might be from too much drinking and food fun on her honeymoon! She is expected to be there for at least 3-4 days though and I know how much my mom hates being alone at night let alone in hospital! Plus she can't eat for all that time. IV only. So if you are ready this and you pray . . . if you could throw a little mention in there for me mom. I know she will be just fine but I know she is miserable right now and it just breaks my heart.

BTW . . . I am becoming an official WEBMD addict. My doctor called me today too and found some stuff in my last test she didn't like so now I have another pill to take! Between the dog, my mom, and me I will keep all online medical research websites well visited :-) So just call me Dr. Kitty

UPDATE: Tuesday: Poor Penny! They told her today at least 5 days of more hospital time while they run more tests or let this thing run its course! She has a tube going into her stomach and has been told no food or water for 5 days so she is so hoarse. She told me today she hasn't been in the hospital since the day she gave birth to me almost 28 years ago! So she has been very lucky but she is miserable right now! Everything still points to a positive outcome and she appreciates being in every one's thoughts!

UPDATE #2 Wednesday: Well it looks as though surgery is the next step. They let her know this AM. She is pretty stressed and upset but it should be a relatively easy surgery. We don't know when yet but will keep the updates coming!

UPDATE #3: Thursday AM: Well my mom has started having irregular heartbeats on top of her high blood pressure so things are taking a slower course of action. Today she spiked a fever due to the infection raging in her gallbladder. So they have removed her pain meds and given her Tylenol instead to bring the temperature down but she is in a lot of pain. We are waiting for the cardiologist to look at her EKG before they go any further with surgery plans. We just need to get this thing out of her!! I think now she is just more miserable than scared and we def. think all will be well once the surgery is done.

UPDATE #4: Friday at noon: I was just talking with my mom as they came to get her for surgery. She sounds pretty nervous. They tried the ERCP yesterday but couldn't finish . . . they couldn't get the scope in so they let her know she is not a candidate for the surgery we were hoping for which is the laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder. Instead she is going in for the big boy surgery that is done with a 5-8 inch cut. So recovery will take longer but it is time to jsut get the thing and the gall stones out of her and let the infection in her pancreas clear up. Poor thing hasn't had food, water or a shower in 6 days. She hates the hospital! Well have an update after the surgery! Please say a little prayer if you happen to read this! While it is a common procedure I just worry as she has never had surgery before!

The Cooper-McPooper Drama Seems to be Over!

I haven't been on the blog for over a week partly because we had a really bad scare last Friday evening. Cooper went from not being himself that day to virtually being unable to walk, hold his head up, or keep anything in his body. He was admitted to the Emergency Vet for obstruction and surgery seemed the only option. 3 diagnoses later (obstruction, pancreatitis, and gastroencentits)and a little bit of coin after a many night stay at the ER he is home! He actually likes food again which we all know when Cooper is isn't eating something is wrong. Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes for our golden boy. He truly is my 1st child. I literally couldn't have handled if we weren't so blessed to have a positive outcome!

I have been busy busy with Mom and Dad H. here to help me around the house while Jeff is vacationing( flying :-) in Key West! They have helped me with so much! We are almost done with the nursery and it is the most amazing, beautiful thing I have ever seen. When we made the crib up today I cried! Mom H. has done such an amazing job that she is already getting requests for more business! It is very real that all of a sudden she will be here in a couple of weeks! Sleeping in that room! Dad H. has done tons of manual labor around the house so they may never want to come visit again! I feel bad! However, they have accomplished more this weekend that Jeff and I have in months so I am so relived and thankful for their help!

Pics to come tomorrow!!

Special Treat for GG Penny and Grandma Mary!

Thought you two might like this since you haven't gotten to hear her heartbeat yet!! Make sure you go scroll down and pause the music player at the very bottom on the page before you hit play on this video or you won't be able to hear it! Yesterday we could finally tell what was what inside my belly! She scooted her bum to the surface and when I put my hand on it she scooted even more towards it and moved her hands on the other side! Pretty crazy!

Jeff's Take Your Wife to Work Day!

While it really wasn't an offical day it was a lazy sunday and he had a flight to fly with one of his friends so I went along to watch (I watched a Lifetime movie in the OPS building hile he was flying! Ha). Try to control yourself on how hot he looks!!!!!!! This was my first time seeing him fly the Super Hornet . . . and I was very impressed!! I still very nervous about the plane (but i was about the S-3 too) but I am very proud of him!

A Great Picture! But a predication . . . we'll see!

Our friend Tom just sent me this picture of Jeff and me with his amazing children! He joked it is his prediction for us!! He and Lynne have 5 kids, Carson, Sully, and the triplets, Cooper, Keegan, and Colin!! I have to say I have a whole new respect (I already had the highest level of respect!) for Lynne after being pregnant with one! I can't imagine 3!! While his prediction is great . . . I think I will just enjoy watching them! Tom start a blog so we can!

Plus seeing as I spent the day cleaning up after a very sick dog and then the cat started getting sick and then I almost got sick cleaning it up I think I only need 1 baby at a time to care for!

Announcing Leah Catherine Bledsoe!!!

Our dear friends Mike and Adrienne and their little boy, Curran are proud to announce the arrival of their baby girl, Leah Catherine Bledsoe!! She was born 5-16-08, 8 lbs. 9 oz. , 20' long, at 10:47 a.m in San Diego, CA! Adrienne didn't find out the sex with either baby (even though I begged) and she and the rest of the family are so excited to spoil the little princess in their life now!!

We love you guys and miss you so much!! I promise my trip to San Diego will happen sometime soon!!

Happy Birthday Mom H!!!

Happy Birthday to Jeff's mom!! Happy Birthday Mom H!! I love this picture from the fab birthday celebration you gave me last year in St. Simon's!! What an amazing time! I hope you drink as much as we did last year!! Ha! Thanks for being such a great 2nd mom to me, well and first mom to Jeff!! We can't wait for Graysen to meet her grandmother!!! Thanks for being you and all the love you give! We love you, Jeff, Kristen, Graysen and Cooper!

I don't have diabetes but . . . there is "something wrong with me".

As much as Jeff tells me "there is something seriously wrong with you" he usually says this right after I have said something inappropiate but rather hilarious in a large group of people. However, I hear it so much sometimes I think he is right. . .

Since my cravings have gotten over the top. This week I have made chocolate chip cookies, peanut butter brownies, and strawberry cupcakes!! I had my glucose testing done ans was sure I had diabetes. Just heard back from the doctor and my score was a 92 and the cut off is 132 . . . so I am in the clear. Except it seems my little darling Graysen has made me anemic. Great!! One more prescription I have to take!! I officially hate pills (bet you never thought you would hear me say that!!)

Happy Birthday Dad Harper!!!

Happy Birthday to Jeff's dad!!!! Happy birthday Dad H. and soon to be Grandpa!!! Thanks for being such a great dad! I know my toy loving, flying, adventurer's spirit , easy going husband gets so much of it from you!! I know he looks up to you so much and so will Graysen!! Happy Birthday!!

I love this picture of you shopping for toys!!

Happy Birthday Katie!!!!

I hope you have an amazing one!!! Enjoy your trip to FL! I am wishing you lots of love and lots of happiness this upcoming year because you deserve it!! Can't wait to see you soon! Miss you! Lots of love, Kitty

WOW!! What a Weekend!! Birthdays, Anniversarys, Weddings and More!

This weekend was a busy one!! First we had the love of my life's birthday . . . no not Jeff . . . but COOPER!!!! He turned 6 on Friday!! My heart breaks as his face turns whiter with each year. He is the most amazing dog and everyday I remind him he is "my best friend". He is actually sitting here telling me he doesn't believe me because this is his 2nd birthday I spent away from him!! Then on his 4th birthday I scolded him in the AM before I left for work for eating kitty litter and then got to work to see it was his birthday on my calender!! I called my mom crying telling her I was the worst mommy ever!!!! I left work to go buy him toys at PetSmart and went straight home to make all right!! I picked my fave picture with him and of course his daddy picked the 2nd. I love that the box isn't even good beer!

Then on Saturday . . . my mom and Jim finally got married!!!! YEAH!!! What a fun time and our whole family was together Brady Bunch Style!! It was such a great time.
The Wedding . . .

My new brother Jim and I . . .the matron of Honor and Best Man
The Brady Bunch . . . 6 kids all together. I am waiting for the picture with all the spouses and grandchildren!
The Toast!
My Mom's friend's has a tea party for her the day before! The 1st picture is of me, Nikki (Toni's daughter), my mom, my new sisters Toni and Ryen.

My sister in law Beth! We are 8 days apart!! We don't know if Graysen will have a Delaney or a Cedric to play with yet! My guess is a Delaney!
My mom and I before the tea party!
Then Sunday was out 1st wedding Anniversary!!! I can't believe it was a year ago!! I also can't believe I waited 5 years after we got engaged to get married and then 3 months to get pregnant!! Ha!! You can see from the pictures how quickly things have changed . . . well OK i have changed by adding on the LBS.

Also a huge HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of you moms!!! You are what makes the world go round and I can't wait to be one of you!! You never cease to amaze me!! Love, Kitty

Happy Birthday Uncle Catfish Yates!

A big birthday posting for Justin's birthday!! Otherwise know as Uncle Catfish otherwise known as the person who isn't allowed around Graysen after she turns 16!!!! Miss you tons!! I know you miss me too!! We sat next to each at work for a year and you were always a good "work husband" when you weren't throwing dead cockroaches at me or making disgusting bodily functions! Those were the days!!