Sleep, where art thou?

Gracious me, awake till 1 am and up at 5:40 am. Feeling every bit of this baby! The last month has HIT. Of course Isabelle was already out of bed. 2 nights and we'll be back in a routine. You would think shes in bed early, last night she didn't fall asleep till almost 9. Vacation is great but everyone knows the feeling of wanting in my case needing, to be home. :)

 I'm missing Jake more than words can describe. God has blessed me with such a good man and when he's gone it sucks. This morning simply through an email I am blessed by the words my husband has written me. Even through a deployment there's always a good! This short tour has really opened up the lines of communication between Jake and I. He has shared so much of himself, work, and I can't help but love him more. I know a lot of women that have to pull teeth to get emotions and conversation from their spouses. Even though miles away I can still be open and share right back with him. This deployment has been different but luckily not too stressful. Another silver lining!   

I don't have to be strong and put on a front, or hold off on sharing 'what's really going on.' And as a dad and husband it's been great for Jake to know he's helping and still participating in our lives. 

Well the girls and I are off to start packing-say some goodbyes. 

TGIF!

(34.6 weeks. Big sister and possibly little sister!?!?)

Nearing the end

The girls and I have been on vacation in Wisconsin for the last week and a half. We head back home early next week. It has been relaxing with hardly a thing planned to do. As always Isabelle and a few times Lydia are up at the crack down. Isabelle has always been a morning riser, starting her days by 6:30. Lydia would sleep till 7ish but with big sister out and about she doest always get the chance. Now put being at grandma and grandpa's house...well all that excitement cant be contained so its 5:30 and rearing to go. Not much you can do, I'm working with her and the number 6 on the clock. So that Isabelle stays in he bed or room till at least 6. None the less it is tough, with out Dad here its Isabelle against the mom and all my 'rules'. I do feel like the bad always saying no more juice and no more snacks, your up to early...yada yada. Mommy is ready to get the girls back in a routine especially during my last month of pregnancy. 

Before we left for Wisconsin Isabelle had her dance recital. Unfortunately she got sick. She tossed her cookies the morning of and was in and out of a fever. She was able to be in the opening act, ballet, and tumbling, but her fever had started up  again and I could not make her do her tap routine. It was so sad to see her so feverish and there was nothing I could do. Grandma's arms was where she wanted to be and I couldn't be more thankful for her being there. With out her or my sister law n there's no way I would have been able to handle that situation. 

I am so glad dance is over and am not sure how soon I wan to sign her up for the next round, it will be a while. 

Im feeling every bit of being pregnant. And am counting the days till the hubby's return so we can meet our third blessing.

My rambling...

Saw a very pregnant women walking into the on post library puffing away on a cig. Hurt my heart.

Lydia still wakes up by 6:15-30 and sounds like a hillbilly yelling "MAA" till I get her. (FYI. She is in a day bed so she COULD crawl out. Does she? NOPE)

The last few days I have been feeling pregnant , not to mention lots of elbows and knees. I get it my little one, you are in there! :)

I've been nesting like a crazy women. Rearranged the bedroom last week. At one point sitting on the floor pushing my bed with my feet so I wouldn't strain my back.

My floor and keeping it clean has all of a sudden become the most important chore. Make it stop!

Lydia is going #1 and 2 on the potty! She tells me when she has to go, she is really growing!

I hate the thought of buying a van.

Had a dream we were having a boy, and it wasn't same weird pregnancy dream where I give birth and the baby is a doll.(which seems to happen a lot.)

I've decided on painting the baby's crib/changing table grey, accessorizing with yellow. Adding blue for a boy pink for girl....down the road.

I'm longing to run. My body just aches to lace up and sweat....4 months till that comes.

I miss my hubby-Isabelle comments every day at some point or another (normally before bed) that she wants daddy home. It's a challenge always repeating the same thing. Telling her she doesn't need to be sad, pray to God and tell him how you feel, only 2 more months, yada yada.

Oh and I had to fart at the store the other day and could NOT hold it. Yep, that totally happened. I don't know if the women a few feet from me heard it. The joys of pregnancy....not! I high tailed it out of that isle ASAP.

Trucking along

We are slowly but surely headed towards summer. 3 weeks into our man of the house being gone. Isabelle is really showing the effects of dad being gone. What attitude she has always had has turned up to 100 degrees and its hard. I'm the yeller in the marriage; Jake bless his heart is the quiet one. However since he has left I have made it a priority to quiet myself. Heaven knows the girls don't need a stressed out momma. So I am constantly taking my time when we head out the door for errands, play time, appointments, etc...
I have also found myself having to spend one on one time with each girl. It's amazing how the dynamic changes in the house when you go from a team of mom and dad to flying solo. Lydia seems to do well when I spend one on one with her before bed time and Isabelle wants my attention 24/7. I can see how much she misses her dad so I have had to step my game up. She's thrown some wild tantrums and has even hurt other kids. It's hard dealing with those situations, Isabelle has always played well with others her age and to hear her teachers tell me how she is acting out and other things really hurts my heart. So we're dealing with that...she'll get over this faze, and hopefully sooner than later.
We have 5 weeks till my MIL and SIL come down to visit and see Isabelle at her dance recital. We are looking forward to family coming and something different in our day to day.
Over the next couple of weeks my goals are to branch out and do more spring like activities. There's a farm on our list of things to do we'd like to visit, feed the animals, etc...there's a strawberry patch I'd like to take the girls too. As well as different parks around our city. We're also going to check out Nashville's Zoo in the next 2 weeks.
Spring here is just beautiful-were outside all the time and its lovely. Yesterday we rummaged all morning and the girls found a lot of 'new' toys. We followed it up with a McDonalds breakfast.

Have a great week!

Had to throw in a pic of daddy and his girls. :)

2 weeks in

And we are in a routine. The girls and I really are enjoying our time together. Jake said something yesterday, he commented on how lucky I am to have our girls with me daily. He's so right! As mothers stay at home or not we can easily get frustrated when our kids are constantly asking questions and "mom mom" is always being yelled, etc... It made me check myself and once again appreciate my time with them. I've made it my goal to thoroughly enjoy this spring and part of summer with these 2 pretty chicks before baby arrives. Last night we had some serious thunderstorms which included a few tornado warnings. The plus side to that? Being in bed at 8 pm with my 21 months old arms wrapped tightly around my neck, my fave snuggled in her chest. And as my arms were around her my 4 year olds hand was in mine. We fell asleep to the booming of thunder and the flashing lightning. It was bliss.
Yesterday was marathon day in Nashville. I was supposed to be running my first half. Womp womp, that has been put on hold till next spring, thank you baby:). I had about a half dozen women I know running it yesterday and one doing the full. They all finished, it was so cool to see status updates pooping up on fb of them finishing! Their run was done in the pouring rain, some waiting a couple of hours just to start the race.
Lydia has got quite a scrape on her right foot. Until it fully heals she can't wear her afo's or shoes on that foot, no aquatics for her either. These things are bound to happen, SB or not. It just effects her a little differently when they do. Through fb I met another SB mom who's son is just 2 months younger than Lydia. She is a Christian and has introduced me to a couple of pages for Spina Bifida children that are Christian based. The posts and questions are so much more positive and uplifting than the other groups I have scene. I'm so encouraged to be open to this kind of reaction and parenting, story sharing, updates, etc...these groups are private and not as public so no wonder I hadn't found them before.
Spring is in full force here, more and more I am loving this area where are in. I find myself picturing a life for Jake and I even after the Army(whenever that will be!) I find myself day dreaming about buying a home somewhere near Fort Campbell and what kind of sports group to get the girls involved in. This are is such a prime location for traveling to the east coast or back home to the Midwest. The weather is never too extreme and let's not forget its the south. If its one thing Jake and I agree in its that we do love the South. From southern cooking, BBQ sauce, cowboy boots and country music...this next year 2014 will be a big year as far decision making for our family. We will be deciding if Jake will stay in and retire with the Army or if getting out and possibly moving back to Wisconsin is the right decision. I think him and I both understand too that if he stays in we most likely will never move back to Wisconsin. Because seriously, who moves to a cold state after 40? Normally. Your looking at a winter home in Florida! Ha kind if funny hey?
Well my Lydia wants a book or 5 read to her. Then it's off to get ready for church!


Enjoy your Sunday!

Where to start?

The last 48 hours have been emotional. Sunday night we said goodbye to Jake. My heart just ached as I watched him walk away from my rear view mirror. Every part of me straining to hold on and to get my last look of him. You never know if its the last time you will see your Soldier when they go off to war. My husband, my better half, my night in shining armor, the father of my children. It literally took my breath away. I could taste his big red on my lips for a moment and the tears fell. I gave into that moment of fear. And as quickly as those negative thoughts came in I had to let them go. For I know my God will protect him, and I have such peace in that. My heart is aching for my husband, but this is our life, his job, to go and fight the bad guys.
We are so fortunate to have him gone just 3 months. It could have been the whole 9! To think if he would have left when the other soldiers did there wouldn't be a number 3 on the way.
I was surrounded by my fellow Army wives this morning. I felt their love, understanding, and prayers, and I was once again comforted, so humbled that I have such women in my life. As much as I want to be home and sit by my dad like a little girl, and cry, I know here at Fort Campbell is where I am meant to be. Where my girls are busy with their normal day to day routine, their friends, and their home.
My husband can leave knowing we are safe and have a good support system. I can't imagine what he is going through. I mean sure he shares his feelings with me. But as a man, a father, a husband, their every being is made to protect to build up, to guard. And he has to let that go, he has no control over there. But we have the man upstairs! Jake and I have come a long way and thank goodness we are at a good place with our walk with God. Jake gave me a list of bible verses to read throughout this deployment and Isaiah 41:13 has stuck with me. "For I am The Lord your God,who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'do not fear; I will help you"
The girls are keeping me smiling, right now I need them as much as they need me. Funny how that works...we are already in a routine. I am soaking up this time with them. These last few months before our lives change again and we have another baby Gehl!
My dad and I were talking last night and he told me he went to his weekly bible study. He was running late and when he walked in and joined the others who were already praying he told me how humbled he was at what he heard. 4 different people went on to pray over Jake and I. To pray for our household, our marriage, our children, his job. My father was choked up hearing his brothers and sisters in Christ praying over his son n law and daughter. It was so good to hear that, so reassuring, these prayers, I'm sure along with others, have really carried Jake and I through these first few days and will continue to. So thank you!

It's time to sneak away and nap now while my little chicks are napping...have a good Tuesday!

And give your husband an extra long kiss tonight-cause I sure wish I could do that to mine. :)

Photo shoot.

It was last minute but she agreed to do it. Vanessa, over at VJoy Photography agreed to do some family photos for us Gehl's before Jake leaves. It is another example God's little blessings. Something so simple has turned into beautiful memories we now have captured and we will so enjoy these on our walls at home while Jake is away and before number 3 arrives and changes it all up! :)
She did such a beautiful job, a few photos I feel like I could stare at all day and never tire of looking at. Which I plan to do....Again we are just so thankful for these updated and fun pictures (moments.)

Enjoy!

http://www.vjoyphotography.com/blog/2013/3/-gehl-family-military-family-pictures