Lately, Nathan has been a real devil. It seems like ever since we've returned from our trip to PA, he has a horrible attitude and he hits and bites and all manner of nasty things. Where is my good little boy? Where did he pick up these nasty habits? It is so frustrating sometimes, especially since I usually have no way of getting away for a little bit of me time. I suppose this was bound to happen at some point, or at least everyone tells me about the "terrible twos," which I guess he is starting a little early. I guess we just have to be vigilant in correcting him, even when it seems like it just bounces off his head because he is doing something bad again two minutes later. I really don't want to be that family that has real brats for kids, you know. The ones you always look at and think, "man, I would never let my kid get away with that!" But now he's doing things that I vowed never to let my kid get away with, and I don't, but he still does them anyway! On top of everything else, he has been waking up in the middle of the night and screaming bloody murder. Normally, I try to let him go back to sleep on his own, but it just seems like something isn't quite right recently. I think he is either sick or teething something aweful. I hope that ends soon.
We are finally getting snow again! We had some a couple days ago and again last night, so we all went out and played in the snow today. Well, apparently the baby didn't like that so I lost my breakfast because of it. Oh well, I had fun until that point. Now we are thinking about going to see a movie this evening, but I'm not sure if we will or not since the roads are probably not too great. Amazingly enough, they actually plowed our roads the last time it snowed! I couldn't believe it. They haven't yet this time, though, and I'm not holding my breath. Mike started to shovel the driveway today, and our neighbor from down the street came up with his fourwheeler and plowed it for us. I thought that was really nice! He is a retired Coast Guard veteran. I guess he told Mike we should invest in a "toy" up here hahah. Everyone has them, either fourwheelers, snowmobiles or dirt bikes. We don't need anything extra to sink our money into. I'm sure they are quite a lot of fun, though. Well, I suppose that's all I have for now
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
This past weekend was a four day weekend for Mike. We didn't end up doing much but relax around the house on Friday, but on Saturday we went to an indoor water park in Anchorage. I'm starting to really feel the length of the winters up here since we haven't seen much above freezing since mid October, so I thought it would be a nice break from the weather. I believe this was the fourth or fifth largest indoor water park in the nation, one or two behind Splash Lagoon in good old Erie, PA believe it or not! Yeah, that surprised us too, but I guess where you have a long winter season, you end up with large, indoor water parks! We really enjoyed it, and Nathan had a lot of fun too. Unfortunately, there were no pictures taken. I have a phobia of taking cameras near water, especially our Nikon. We do have a waterproof case for disposable cameras that we got on our honeymoon cruise so we could take pictures snorkeling, but I just didn't plan ahead enough to think to have it with us. Maybe next time! At any rate, this marked the first real outing I've had since becoming severely sick with this pregnancy way back in early November, so that was nice. I think I'm finally starting to feel better! Unfortunately, after a day like that, I normally still need a day to fully recover. It's frustrating feeling this weak and without energy (especially since men don't usually understand)! I don't remember this with Nathan. I'm hoping I start to regain my energy soon because the house is in very bad need of my attention. Mike has been a wonderful husband to me, though, and he has been cooking a lot and helping me out with things. I am so thankful to have him!
We relaxed on Sunday, and yesterday we went down to Anchorage and did some shopping. I finally bought some maternity clothes! I did have some things last time, but I skimped a lot and just tried to find stuff that was larger than normal instead of spending the money on actual maternity clothes. Well, not this time! I am treating myself, and let me tell you, they are comfortable! I am a little sad that I am already to the point where I am not comfortable in my regular clothes at only 15 weeks, but everyone tells me you start showing earlier the second time around anyway. I'm just hoping this baby is not going to be as big as Nathan was :-/ We did our Costco shopping for the month, too, which is always nice to get done. I love coming home and getting everything put away and then being able to look at our stocked fridge and shelves and know that I don't have to go out and buy meat for another month :) I know, I'm probably weird, but I really dislike grocery shopping. I don't know what we would do without Costco because meat up here is so expensive everywhere else, but relatively reasonable there.
Today, I am just trying to get some stuff done around the house. I've started to clean our bedroom, which I will hopefully finish after lunch. The kitchen needs some attention, and definitely the dining room. I need to get our files and accounting stuff in order since I have fallen behind for the past 2 months being sick. I am avoiding that with every form of procrastination I can think of, because there is a giant pile of receipts waiting on my desk and I am DREADING the whole thing! 2 months behind, that is a lot of accounting!! Yuck, but it only gets worse as we go, so I guess I better do something about it soon. I think I will put a pork roast on for tonight, so that will be pretty easy. I am really looking forward to spring! The sun is climbing a little higher in the sky every day, and that's such a big deal up here! It's funny how some things you don't pay much attention too elsewhere can be such a huge thing in some locations. It's starting to look like the normal sun, instead of a little, weak, red ball down near the southern horizon. We are supposed to start getting some snow again this week. We've had a giant high pressure system over us for several weeks, but it is finally moving away and we will be getting moisture coming in from the Gulf. I am looking forward to snow because we barely have any on the ground. I have this really strong urge to try skiing lately too, which is no good because I am not allowed to at this point :( Maybe next year I guess.
Well, I should probably figure out something for lunch because I am getting really hungry. Nathan is taking a nap right now because he slept in this morning. Usually he is up at lunch time. I will try to find some good pictures to post next time, perhaps of Christmas.
We relaxed on Sunday, and yesterday we went down to Anchorage and did some shopping. I finally bought some maternity clothes! I did have some things last time, but I skimped a lot and just tried to find stuff that was larger than normal instead of spending the money on actual maternity clothes. Well, not this time! I am treating myself, and let me tell you, they are comfortable! I am a little sad that I am already to the point where I am not comfortable in my regular clothes at only 15 weeks, but everyone tells me you start showing earlier the second time around anyway. I'm just hoping this baby is not going to be as big as Nathan was :-/ We did our Costco shopping for the month, too, which is always nice to get done. I love coming home and getting everything put away and then being able to look at our stocked fridge and shelves and know that I don't have to go out and buy meat for another month :) I know, I'm probably weird, but I really dislike grocery shopping. I don't know what we would do without Costco because meat up here is so expensive everywhere else, but relatively reasonable there.
Today, I am just trying to get some stuff done around the house. I've started to clean our bedroom, which I will hopefully finish after lunch. The kitchen needs some attention, and definitely the dining room. I need to get our files and accounting stuff in order since I have fallen behind for the past 2 months being sick. I am avoiding that with every form of procrastination I can think of, because there is a giant pile of receipts waiting on my desk and I am DREADING the whole thing! 2 months behind, that is a lot of accounting!! Yuck, but it only gets worse as we go, so I guess I better do something about it soon. I think I will put a pork roast on for tonight, so that will be pretty easy. I am really looking forward to spring! The sun is climbing a little higher in the sky every day, and that's such a big deal up here! It's funny how some things you don't pay much attention too elsewhere can be such a huge thing in some locations. It's starting to look like the normal sun, instead of a little, weak, red ball down near the southern horizon. We are supposed to start getting some snow again this week. We've had a giant high pressure system over us for several weeks, but it is finally moving away and we will be getting moisture coming in from the Gulf. I am looking forward to snow because we barely have any on the ground. I have this really strong urge to try skiing lately too, which is no good because I am not allowed to at this point :( Maybe next year I guess.
Well, I should probably figure out something for lunch because I am getting really hungry. Nathan is taking a nap right now because he slept in this morning. Usually he is up at lunch time. I will try to find some good pictures to post next time, perhaps of Christmas.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Well it's been far too long since I've posted anything on this blog! So much has happened in between my last post and now, it is nearly impossible to catch up. I guess I am simply not disciplined enough to write on this once a week. Maybe this will change because I've made some changes in my life recently that may lead me to look to this blog more often as an outlet for my constantly humming brain. So here goes:
Since my last post, I graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Humanities and Foreign Languages and a minor in History. I gave birth to my son, Nathan Alexander, on May 22, 2009 at 4:40 PM. He was 9lbs 14oz and 22in long. Shortly thereafter we made the move to Kentucky where my husband was stationed at Fort Campbell. Finally our family was together!! First time since we were married in 2007! Ah, the military life! Anyway, recovery from Nathan's birth was long and hard because his birth was complicated to say the least. But after many months of pain, I was finally sort of back to normal. Summer 2009 we went to PA for Sarah and Frank Olon's wedding, and also for Casey and Randy Brewer's wedding. It was a good summer full of baby memories and happiness. It was also a hard summer full of long workdays for Mike. Fall of 2009 was uncertain for a while. Mike was either going to be deployed early 2010, or get his request for branch transfer approved and finally go to Military Police Captains Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Thankfully, it was the latter that ended up happening, so once again, we packed up our little household and moved to little St Robert, MO. Missouri was full of spiders and tornadoes, so I am thankful that it was only six months that we had to be there. It was also dreadfully hot and humid, although so were Kentucky and Tennessee. After a short six months, it was moving time again. This time, we really got crazy and requested Alaska. So, at the end of June, 2010, we packed up again and started our long journey north. And a long journey it was, but we finally arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, AK on July 15th! We searched and searched for a house that was just right, and we were blessed to find just the right one in Wasilla, AK.
So here we are, new homeowners at the top of the world. It is beautiful up here, but it is very lonely because our families are so far away. Nathan has been growing wonderfully, and we are expecting another baby on July 8th! We are experiencing our first winter up here, and it is cold and dark. I am definitely looking forward to spring thaw, whenever that is supposed to arrive. So, my recent life change was that I finally got rid of facebook. I know, I know, how long will that last, right? It does make it a little harder when they don't actually delete your profile, so you can go back anytime if you want to, but I intend to be strong. So what is so bad about facebook you ask? Well, nothing really I guess, but I have been long considering getting rid of it for many reasons. On top of that list, I spend way too much time on there. I've also found that it is far too easy to take what people post on facebook the wrong way. When you aren't speaking to someone where you can hear their tone of voice, or when people put up status updates and you think...oooh are they referring to me? Bottom line is, I'm fed up with it. Those of you who know me should know me to be a very outspoken and opinionated person. I don't balk at sensitive topics or controversial issues. As a result, I've apparently posted some things that have offended some people. Let me first state that my intentions are rarely to offend, but generally to provoke some form of thought. You know, that thing our brain does that many of us spent years at college nourishing and exercising (often times by discussing controversial or sensitive issues, may I add). Not to sound like a heartless cog, but I don't know of anyone who has gotten through life without being offended at some point or another. Quite frankly, if my opinions or my choice of topics to discuss offend you, then don't listen to me! It's ok, I won't be offended. And if I am, I'll deal with it because I understand that not everyone agrees with me and that's OK with me! I would be bored if everyone agreed with me for goodness' sake! At any rate, if I have ever offended you on facebook, I am truly sorry, that was never my intention. And I mean no offense now, but perhaps you should work on getting a thicker skin ;) So will I miss facebook? Undoubtedly yes. I enjoyed it as a tool to help me keep in touch with people who I don't ordinarily call or see every day. I enjoyed reconnecting with old friends whom I haven't seen for years. But I also hope that this will force me to be more connected with the people who really matter in my life. I will be forced to call or write a letter instead of just post a brief comment on a page. Who knows, but I intend to try. Will I be gone from facebook forever? I don't know that either. Maybe after a break of sorts, I will return and continue being my old, offensive self. lol, oh my. To my own credit, I did tone down my status updates and article posts after I realized that some of my friends may be getting offended. For a while I posted nothing but non-controversial menu items for dinner, or stuff about the weather. I guess I got bored, hah. I know, I'm hopeless. Well, maybe some of my friends and family will stumble upon my blog and you can keep up with tidbits of my life that way. Or, you can always call me if you have my number :)
I know I keep saying it, but I do intend to blog more, especially now that I don't have facebook! I feel that this will be my place to turn to when I feel the need to say something or want to update you on life in Alaska. I guess that's all for now
Since my last post, I graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Humanities and Foreign Languages and a minor in History. I gave birth to my son, Nathan Alexander, on May 22, 2009 at 4:40 PM. He was 9lbs 14oz and 22in long. Shortly thereafter we made the move to Kentucky where my husband was stationed at Fort Campbell. Finally our family was together!! First time since we were married in 2007! Ah, the military life! Anyway, recovery from Nathan's birth was long and hard because his birth was complicated to say the least. But after many months of pain, I was finally sort of back to normal. Summer 2009 we went to PA for Sarah and Frank Olon's wedding, and also for Casey and Randy Brewer's wedding. It was a good summer full of baby memories and happiness. It was also a hard summer full of long workdays for Mike. Fall of 2009 was uncertain for a while. Mike was either going to be deployed early 2010, or get his request for branch transfer approved and finally go to Military Police Captains Career Course at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Thankfully, it was the latter that ended up happening, so once again, we packed up our little household and moved to little St Robert, MO. Missouri was full of spiders and tornadoes, so I am thankful that it was only six months that we had to be there. It was also dreadfully hot and humid, although so were Kentucky and Tennessee. After a short six months, it was moving time again. This time, we really got crazy and requested Alaska. So, at the end of June, 2010, we packed up again and started our long journey north. And a long journey it was, but we finally arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, AK on July 15th! We searched and searched for a house that was just right, and we were blessed to find just the right one in Wasilla, AK.
So here we are, new homeowners at the top of the world. It is beautiful up here, but it is very lonely because our families are so far away. Nathan has been growing wonderfully, and we are expecting another baby on July 8th! We are experiencing our first winter up here, and it is cold and dark. I am definitely looking forward to spring thaw, whenever that is supposed to arrive. So, my recent life change was that I finally got rid of facebook. I know, I know, how long will that last, right? It does make it a little harder when they don't actually delete your profile, so you can go back anytime if you want to, but I intend to be strong. So what is so bad about facebook you ask? Well, nothing really I guess, but I have been long considering getting rid of it for many reasons. On top of that list, I spend way too much time on there. I've also found that it is far too easy to take what people post on facebook the wrong way. When you aren't speaking to someone where you can hear their tone of voice, or when people put up status updates and you think...oooh are they referring to me? Bottom line is, I'm fed up with it. Those of you who know me should know me to be a very outspoken and opinionated person. I don't balk at sensitive topics or controversial issues. As a result, I've apparently posted some things that have offended some people. Let me first state that my intentions are rarely to offend, but generally to provoke some form of thought. You know, that thing our brain does that many of us spent years at college nourishing and exercising (often times by discussing controversial or sensitive issues, may I add). Not to sound like a heartless cog, but I don't know of anyone who has gotten through life without being offended at some point or another. Quite frankly, if my opinions or my choice of topics to discuss offend you, then don't listen to me! It's ok, I won't be offended. And if I am, I'll deal with it because I understand that not everyone agrees with me and that's OK with me! I would be bored if everyone agreed with me for goodness' sake! At any rate, if I have ever offended you on facebook, I am truly sorry, that was never my intention. And I mean no offense now, but perhaps you should work on getting a thicker skin ;) So will I miss facebook? Undoubtedly yes. I enjoyed it as a tool to help me keep in touch with people who I don't ordinarily call or see every day. I enjoyed reconnecting with old friends whom I haven't seen for years. But I also hope that this will force me to be more connected with the people who really matter in my life. I will be forced to call or write a letter instead of just post a brief comment on a page. Who knows, but I intend to try. Will I be gone from facebook forever? I don't know that either. Maybe after a break of sorts, I will return and continue being my old, offensive self. lol, oh my. To my own credit, I did tone down my status updates and article posts after I realized that some of my friends may be getting offended. For a while I posted nothing but non-controversial menu items for dinner, or stuff about the weather. I guess I got bored, hah. I know, I'm hopeless. Well, maybe some of my friends and family will stumble upon my blog and you can keep up with tidbits of my life that way. Or, you can always call me if you have my number :)
I know I keep saying it, but I do intend to blog more, especially now that I don't have facebook! I feel that this will be my place to turn to when I feel the need to say something or want to update you on life in Alaska. I guess that's all for now
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