Dave Updates

I couldn't think of much to post about so I thought I'd update everyone on how Dave is doing at boot camp.

September 15th he got his wisdom teeth out, just the left side. Only local anesthetic was used, so he was awake the ENTIRE time. Poor guy!! He's healed now and back to business as usual.

He passed the swimming test. Now he is concentrating on the Physical Fitness which he failed the first time. I think his next test is this week. Keep your fingers crossed that he passes!!

Dave has always had issues with shaving, if he shaves too often his face gets pretty cut up. In effort to stay clean shaven Navy standards, he really screwed up. So for the past month he's been put on what is called No Shave Chit. This basically means he's not allowed to shave at all until boot camp graduation. Dave is now fully bearded! I have NEVER seen him like that and so wish he was allowed to have a camera. His Chief Officer calls him Grizzly. LOL!!!

That's about it. Because its like "strict high school" Dave shuts his mouth and does what he is told and is rewarded for his maturity. Good boy!

Dave's birthday is next week (October 6th). So if you want to send him a card or a note then let me know and I will email you his address. I really want him to get my card ON his birthday, but I don't know how long it will take to get to him, so I bought a few and am sending them on different days. I'm such a dork!

Birthday Girl!

That's right folks, its that time again. The time we all dread as adults past the age of 21 (because really, after you can legally drink, what else is there to look forward to?) another birthday. I am 27 today. I thought I would enlighten everyone with some information about me that you may or may not know.

Stuff I HAVE to do:

I have to wear a watch. Its not that I have to know what the time is, I just have to have it. Although I glance at my watch often throughout the day, I don't really pay attention to what the time is.

I always wear a bra. When pregnant with Jordan I started wearing sleep bras because of how big my boobs got. I haven't gone bra-less since.

I have to check my email at least every 10 minutes when at work.

I have to have my legs crossed in some way. I hate sitting with my feet on the floor. Even when I played flute I would often practice with my legs crossed. I once was sitting indian style on my bed and fell completely over when particularly moved by a passage I was playing. My flute got nicked, my stand was dented, and I am sure I looked like a complete fool.

I have to sleep with sheets, and usually a blanket. Even in the summer without a/c, I have a sheet.

I have to clean myself in a particular order in the shower: Wet hair, wash face, shampoo, conditioner (but don't rinse yet), shave, wash body, rinse conditioner.

I have to pay bills by check, not electronically.

That's it for now. May add on to the list another time. =)

Things that go Creak-a-Creak in the night

I'm a pretty light sleeper, this is a well known fact. I wake up to the cat snoring, the other licking herself, I wake up when Dave scratches his leg. Last night at 1:33 in the morning I woke up to creaking from upstairs. A very distinct rhythmic creaking. OMG... the upstairs tenant is having sex. GASP!!! I haven't heard this noise coming from another apartment since I lived on my own about 4 years ago and that girl made our rented house literally shake. Thankfully nothing fell off my walls last night, but still... what a noise to wake up to. About 20 minutes later it stopped. I felt like I was staying in some cheesy hotel, like in movies, where you can hear the person in the next room and find condoms in your bedsheets. I wonder if I should leave her a note saying "Next time you are going to get lucky, let me know so I can sleep peacefully on my couch."

Daddy Doll

I don't have all that much to post. Not much has happened the past few days. I did buy my ticket to go to Dave's graduation and Liberty weekend in October. We'll be flying out Thursday, coming home Monday. I was a cheap-o and will be sitting Jordan on my lap instead of buying her a ticket (though really... how would I get her in the stroller, the car seat, and our luggage through the airport by myself??). Speaking of Dave... Jordan's Daddy Doll arrived a few weeks ago.

Not Just for children!

Well, THIS didn't happen last time

Since Dave left I have been having to drive myself to work. To save money I park up near Carnegie Mellon University behind a golf course and walk about 20 minutes to work. There is plenty of parking near my office but I'll be damned if I am going to shell out $8-$10 bucks a day when the weather is nice and I'm not waddling yet. Since I now am walking 2-3 miles a day I have finally remembered to update my Ipod. I recently discovered Pregtastic, a weekly podcast I can download from ITunes that hosts pregnant women and talks about all aspects of pregnancy symptoms, birth, and the first few weeks of the new baby's life. Needless to say this preggo momma is addicted. Anyway, I have discovered with this pregnancy that I cannot listen to people talk about breastfeeding without my boobs feeling as though they are growing and getting heavier! They start screaming at me "get that baby on us NOW"... What the heck? That didn't happen when I was pregnant with Jordan. Yet another thing different between the two pregnancies.

My veteran boobies are ready for ya Ben =)

Bigger every day....

Today I am 24 weeks pregnant. 5 months completed! I was thinking about my belly today and how this pregnancy is different than Jordan's pregnancy. According to "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" my uterus is now about 2 inches above my belly button. Apparently Ben has not received this memo. He much prefers to hang out below the belly button as if his home is staying the same size. Jordan, however, would go everywhere she was able to, especially higher up towards my ribs. This is the best part of the pregnancy though. No morning sickness, not too uncomfortable to do every day activities such as walking, and lots of lovely movement. I'm enjoying this while I can because before I know it I will hit that stage where nothing is comfortable, I won't be able to put on my shoes without some acrobatics involved, and everything below my belly will be greatly ignored.

Internet Woes

The internet is a great thing. There are more hypochondriacs in the world (thank you Webmd), there are more game addicts, people are broke (see previous entry), people can learn random facts (today's word of the day is beneficence), but in all seriousness, people can come together and "meet each other" from all over the world. I have met an amazing group of people on my addictive baby website, Babyfit. Most of them I met when found out I was pregnant with Jordan, some I met since her birth when asking numerous questions, like "When in God's name will she lose her cord stump??"... it was 3.5 months by the way. Yes, 3.5 months. I have really gotten to know these ladies over the years and consider many of them close friends. Unfortunately the internet is also bad. Very bad. Because once I log off my computer and feel the loneliness of my quiet apartment, I realize how far away these ladies are. Many of them are all over the USA, but some are as far as Australia, South Africa, Great Britain, France, and Canada. Oceans really suck by the way. And curse the airlines for making traveling so expensive (not that I particularly enjoy the idea of flying with a toddler).

I realized last night that when I move I will be moving not only away from the city I have lived for nearly 27 years (aside from 2 years of college, and 3 of my dad's sebaticals from work), I will be moving away from family whom I love dearly, and one of my closest Babyfit friends. She came over Friday to remind me that I'm not alone while Dave is gone. We bonded over stories about our children, past relationships, rodents, cats, and drunk men talking to women driving minivans at 8pm in her pjs. Gotta love this town. While we ate our delicious chocolate ice cream and were being stalked by a chocolate-thirsty kitty, I forgot for a moment that in about 7 months I won't be able to do this anymore.

I've never been one to make friends easily. Sure, I'm quite friendly with strangers, but to create real bonds with people takes work. It takes actually liking the person. It takes opening up and being accepting of yourself and confident in yourself. I am fortunate for the friends I have made in "real" life and on the internet. Thank you friends!

Get me my beer, Woman!!

A tribute to Dave.. not that he forces me to fetch him beer, but he loves bears, he loves just chillin, and this was about the funniest thing we've ever seen at a zoo together. Oh, and he also calls me Woman on occasion.

Happy 3rd Anniversary To Me and Dave =)

On September 19, 2005 I married the Tubist of my dreams... oh and I guess the boy of my dreams too.

They had known each other since that fateful day in August 1997 when Dave moved to Pittsburgh and joined the high school marching band. Who knew way back then that he would fall in love with that skinny, awkward, loud, obnoxious, but fun piccolo player who had a knack for having asthma attacks on the bus when people sprayed perfume, or after band shows. Who knew that she would fall in love with that short, cute, crude on occassion, tuba player who happened to think her curves and boobs were smokin hot. It seemed obvious to them that they were not meant to be high school sweethearts when they had a typical one week relationship and things just didn't pan out. Then, in September 2002, just a year after Kate moved back to town, she and Dave met again when Kate went to hear her roommate, and best friend, play in her college wind ensemble. Dave wasn't playing the first half of the concert and sat with Kate. They held hands as they listened to the students play. After the concert the three reunited friends went out for dessert and Kate realized that she was going to marry this boy. One month later, they started dating. December 2002 Dave proposed in a very silly way (while driving in the car). Many ups and downs, 2 engagement rings, and 2 cats later, they were married. Wedding planning was driving both of them bonkers, so they went to the local court office one Monday afternoon. Ironically the judge had a daughter Kate's age and a son Dave's age who had gone to the same high school. While telling us about marriage, having us sign forms, and us saying that we do, we discussed teachers we liked, didn't like, people we knew... it was certainly a day to remember.

June 2006 the happy couple found out they were expecting their first child. Oh my... how was a research associate and a full time grad student going to raise a child?? Somehow it all worked out and their first child was born, the most gorgeous girl anyone could ever ask for. After deciding to wait awhile before having another, to ensure financial stability and pay off some college loans, the couple found out they were pregnant AGAIN. Thankfully Dave had graduated and had a secure job lined up as a member of the Navy band program. Now the couple is enduring the most trying time in their relationship. Hopefully to come out of it with newfound respect and love for each other, as well as 2 amazing children, 2 cats, and supportive friends and family.

Who could ask for anything more? I couldn't... well, maybe to hear my husband's voice or feel his touch.

Kate and Dave at the Flemington house, New Years eve, 2004. (Obviously slightly drunk as Dave seems to be mesmerized by the flashing device taking our photo).

The polaroid picture the judge took when we got married. I wonder if we are still on the wall in the office. I also wonder how many of those couples are still married...

Dave and Kate on their honeymoon, February 14th 2006. We rented a cabin in West Virginia and nearly got snowed in. It was fun. I also learned that I did not marry Dave for his fire making skills.

December 2006, 7 months pregnant with Jordan.

Last family photo we had taken, Pittsburgh Zoo, August 2008. I am 3 months pregnant with Benjamin.

Ebay Addict

Instead of continuing old hobbies or starting new hobbies in my spare time I have become addicted to Ebay. In the past week I have bought...

1 Bumblebee halloween costume: $1.90 + shipping
1 Discontinued Little People Dream House plus people and accessories: $33.99 + shipping
1 Pair Black mammoth Crocs (Mom repaying me... Birthday present!!)
1 Lot of 4 Mr. Potato Heads (various sizes) + accessories: $1.75 + shipping

I have bid (half-heartedly) on multiple listings of Kiddapotamus swaddle blankets but lost.

I also stalked Craigslist but everything I would be interested in is too far of a drive. Mostly stalking crib listings as we'll probably need another one and I can't justify spending hundreds of dollars on a crib.

I really need to stop. Dave will kill me if I keep this up!

24...

Boy, what a rough 24 hours it has been. Dave had sent me a letter last week saying he would get to call me on Sept 15th. So yesterday came and nothing could have brought me down off my cloud, I was so thrilled to finally get to hear my hubby's voice after a month of nothing but a letter a week. 9pm rolls around... STILL no call. I am panicky. Do I dare shower and perhaps miss his call? Maybe he forgot my number and tried his cell phone, I'd better be sure his is on. Maybe our house phone is unplugged? I make sure all 3 phones are working, rest them on the sink and take the SHORTEST shower I have ever taken. Seriously, it only took me a minute to shower and shave my arm pits. Get out, get into pajamas, still no phone call. I catch myself periodically holding my breath during the evening/night and have to consciously breathe. I was so anxious I bid on too many items on Ebay and spent $30+ on a discontinued toy. Finally around 1am I went to bed.

Devastated doesn't begin to describe how I felt. For those of you who know me well, I tend to let my imagination run wild. Maybe he's dead (at boot camp???), maybe he failed the test he was taking and he was refused a call (will he get kicked out for failing? Should I not quit my job in December?), maybe someone in the division messed up and they all got punished (bastards!!!), maybe he finally got his wisdom teeth out and is recovering (how on earth will my husband get through recovery without me nursing him to health???).... you get the idea. I dozed on and off from 2a-5a... probably only got 2 hours of sleep total. NOT good.

Well... after many supportive emails from close friends, I managed to stop crying at work and calm down (ever so slightly). Around 1pm I got a phone call from an Illinios number and I was so sure it was Dave... well, it was a recruit. Just not MY recruit! Thank you to the man who called for Dave to let me know he is recovering and is sorry he couldn't call himself. The recruit told me Dave loves me, Jordan, and Ben and that he's doing fine and wants more photos. I am disappointed I couldn't hear my husband's voice, but I know he's ok and my mind can finally rest.

Oh, yeah, and I started watching Season 1 of the show 24 =)

22 Weeks Down!

I am now 22 weeks pregnant! OH MY! Also today the baby got his first hiccups! How fun =)

How Many People Have Your Name?

For Kate's Name:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 4 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

For Jordan's Name:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 8 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

For Dave's Name:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 289 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Loving The USPS and random photos

Because they have now delivered THREE letters from Dave to me. YAY!!!! He is doing well, actually seems to be doing much better than I thought he would (sorry sweetie... I do really have faith in you!) . He got put into a music division so he gets to play tuba on Saturdays with the band. But most of all, I know he misses us and still loves us and thinks about us always. And seeing those words written down to look at every night before bed makes this whole situation so much easier!

Here are some random photos from the past couple of weeks.

Jordan and Roy playing nicely!

Jordan in her new tent. Usually Roy is in there with her fighting for space!

First ever soft serve ice cream cone and she LOVED it. Daddy will be so proud to know his daughter likes vanilla just like him. She refused the cone, but that's ok, she got enough of the good part (as did her clothes and the stroller. Haha).

Labor Day

Happy Labor Day everyone. Hopefully none of you had to work today! The Yeagers won't be attending the parade this morning. The idea of crowds, bored toddler, tired pregnant mommy, etc just doesn't sound like fun. Instead we'll be going to the National Aviary. Yes, again. Maybe this time I will just buy a membership?? Jordan loves those birds though. Not even going to bother bringing the stroller this time as she spends NO time in it when there are birds to be looking at and chasing. Hopefully we'll have fun. Its our last day of the long weekend before I have to go back to work. OH POOP!! I am so over work!