Tank Commander!

It has been a while since I posted the news about our little family. So here goes... Matt started his Armor Officer Basic Course earlier this month and has since learned A LOT about tanks. He fired one for the first time this past week and loved the adrenaline rush. He is training to be a Tank Commander and it keeps him pretty busy. The beginning of his training requires a lot of time in a classroom, but it is shifting into more time in "the field" or on "the range" which means late nights and lots of "tank bites" (bumps, bruises and cuts from moving around inside the tank). He read over his schedule and told me some bad news. He only has 3 weekends off for the rest of our time here in Kentucky. He works straight through most Saturdays and Sundays. Going to be awful lonely and quiet here real soon. Matt will be commanding the M1A2, which is an Abrams tank. Check out the picture of us at the Patton museum to see what it looks like.


Grace is rolling all over the place and is still telling us what's on her mind. She pulls herself up on her hands and toes so I'm thinking it won't be long before she figures out how to pull herself to her knees and crawl away. We took this adorable video of her sticking out her tongue, which is her newest trick. I have tried to post videos to this blog but to no avail.... I finally posted two new videos. You can access them at the link below and then click on videos and the newer ones are called Sniffles and Silly Grace. You'll die when you see them!

Easter Bunny!!!

More Pictures of Grace

Skinny Jeans!!!

While Matt was away, he and I decided to work out and eat better and surprise each-other with the results. But, I wasn't as faithful to my routine and to be honest, there wasn't much of a difference in how I looked or felt.

But, I was determined to start that challenge over again when we moved here. I have limited chores so I couldn't come up with excuses not to take care of myself. I have been working out 4 times a week at home with the fluidity bar my mom gave me when I had Grace back in August. I used it a few times before and I didn't ever really feel "the burn" so I stopped. As of today, I don't know how much I weigh...I don't know my measurements...but I do know that this morning I was feeling a little adventurous and tried to put on my Skinny Jeans. (No, not those horrid skin tight jeans that have become trendy, I mean the jeans you wear on the days you have a spring in your step because you feel thinner than usual.) Needless to say, a miracle occurred and THEY FIT! I still have a bit of a pooch under my belly, but my buns and thighs have really taken on a new shape because of the Fluidity workout. I am so excited!

My mom helped me buy a jogging stroller yesterday, and I now have even more determination to get out there and run by buns off! As soon as it stops pouring rain here in Kentucky, you can trust that I'll be outside with Grace as my partner running around Fort Knox Army base. Yee Haw! I'll post pictures sometime to show the progression of ME since I had Grace. Other than that, the fun things happening in our family are that Grace is starting to pull herself inches at a time while on her belly. One day I just know I'll see you take off and I won't be able to keep up! She is such a ham for the camera, always batting her blue eyes at me.

Being a Mom

Before having children, I was so excited about teaching my kids this and that, whatever it may be. Now, I find that I am the one being taught. I didn't realize how worried I would be about whether or not my children rolled over at 3.5 months of age. But now I spend time every day trying to coax Grace to roll over. I didn't realize how tired I would be, but now I sleep about 50 percent as much and rarely feel rested. But, the best thing is how in love I am with my family. Tears come to my eyes at least once a day when I stare at Grace and she looks back at me with her big blue eyes. I can't help but laugh sometimes when she cries, because it is just more evidence that she really does exist and that right now Matt and I are her nurturers.

Grace has such personality. She often squeaks just to hear her own voice. Her legs are always kicking. Her hands are always reaching. Her eyes always watching. I hope she knows one day how much she is loved. I hope she feels that no matter what obstacles she may face, she can always come home and with open arms we will try to lessen her pain, her grief, and her disappointments.

Bottom line, I love being a mom. And I hope I can continue to be one for my children long after they've started their own families.

Now we are Kentuckians!

We are finally reunited with Matt and we live on Fort Knox Army Base. Our apartment is just the right size, if anything I would make the kitchen larger. But we live in a great spot, right next to the hospital...but don't worry, we haven't heard any ambulances yet!

Grace loves playing with her Daddy and prefers to be held. She is still adjusting to our new home, but seems to be happy as ever. We haven't met any new friends out here yet. The closest ward is half hour away and we didn't have internet set up to figure that our until after Sunday.

Grace still isn't rolling all over the place, which I'm hoping she'll do soon so I won't worry so much about her development. I'll post video as soon as she does.