Reims, France---The Champagne Region

We just went on our first mini-vacation as a family and the destination of John's choice was Reim, France. This is where champagne is made, so of course we had to visit a local "house" to see their underground caves for storing the wine. We chose to visit Pommery, and I was not disappointed with my 2 glasses of champagne!! We also went to the Notre Dame in Reims, which was beautiful both inside and out. An unexpected find was the location where the Germans surrendered to Eisenhower to end WWII. We were actually in the 'war room' and saw the maps and statistics that were used. Pictures never do justice to these locations, but they preserve memories! What an experience!

Bacharach, Germany

This is a wonderful town we visited for a cruise on the Rhine. The vineyards are beautiful and the town is quaint. The castle on the top of the hill is now a youth hostel--what a place to stay! We had a delicious German dinner after our cruise. We'll definitely go back to spend more time there. John kept saying how much it looks like a movie set!





This island castle was built as a vacation spot for a king or someone special....we can't remember, as John was getting the beer and I wasn't paying attention!

Wesley leaves the country on his 3 week birthday!

For Wes' 3 week birthday party, we went to Belgium to see Bastogne and Liege. Grampa had lots of knowledge to share with us, which is like having a personal tour guide! Once again, we had a wonderful dinner...and Wes had his first shot of vodka. Knocked him right out...Happy Birthday little one!

Goodnight, Sweet Boy

I love to watch Wes fall asleep at night. He makes the sweetest little noises. Those last flutters of his eyelids are so peaceful, I feel like he knows how much he is loved and how he will always be taken care of.

Our Growing Boy!!

Gammi, Grampa and Auntie Katie

Daddy's Turn!

Almost two weeks old!

We have been quite blessed to have such a wonderful baby! Right now, Wes sleeps well, doesn't cry, and makes wonderful little noises! Every day he is awake more and more, and we love to see his eyes! I'm sure once he learns about crying, he will use his "voice"! We love him so very much!
Tummy time turnes into a nap! In the pack and play and on daddy!

Happy Birthday

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LR1tQcVX_9Y

June 27, 2007

Week 36--We've come a long way!

John and I went to the doctor today for a check-up and were pleasantly surprised to hear that Wes weighs about 6lbs 7oz! That is an estimate from the ultra-sound. I am just starting week 36, although Wes is a week ahead of schedule, measuring at week 37. We are thrilled that he's waited this long to meet us, but we are very anxious to meet him. I told John this is pretty much the last thing our son will be able to control for awhile, so we'll give that much to him! HA!! We just want to make sure he's here for all of his visitors!!

Wes' Room is Waiting for Him!

Well, there really isn't much more we can do in this room, until our little boy comes home! I find myself opening the door and walking in just to make sure we are ready for him (like he even cares!). Lots of airplanes, that are very cute. But no pressure; we'll let him decide what his next room will be like! Our plan is to learn how to "install" the carseat and base this weekend. At that point, I'll be just starting week 36, which means the hospital stay and treatments have let us get to a much healthier point for Wes. He continues to be an active baby, which can take my breath away at times. I've learned NOT to NAP during the day, or my night is horrendously frustrating and uncomfortable! Our last childbirth class is tonite, so we will be as prepared as possible!

Wes turns 34 Weeks Old...before birth!!

Here's Wes all snuggled up against mommy's uterus! It took a few minutes to get his fist out of his mouth!!! The ultrasound estimates his weight to be 5lbs 4oz!!!

Wesley at 32 Weeks

Here's the little man!!! Sooooo sweet!!!!

A Visit to the Krankenhaus (Sick House)

On May 29, we went to the hospital for our routine check-up; I was just going to have a fetal heartbeat test. But I guess I was having some contractions and my cervix was thinning to 1/2 the size it was supposed to be. I ended up staying the week in the sick house, on a magnesium drip to stop the contractions. I watched a lot of movies and did some reading, John and friends brought me lots of treats, and I learned how to say "see you tomorrow" to the nurses (bis morgan). It was a long week, but the contractions appear to have stopped and I've been taking it easy at home. The doctor, midwives and nurses were very good to me, with only a few language barriers (like heartburn, ice and cereal/milk!!). They don't use ice here, so when the nurse figured out what I was saying, she said....ahhh like at McDonalds! My friend brought me some ice the next day!

Pre-Registration...we loved listening to the heartbeat!! Now it really isn't exciting, and I've had so many ultrasounds it's like uh, ok! We did get a 3-D ultrasound out of the ordeal, so that was special!

My home for the week! The bathroom shower was great!!! Wish ours was that big! I loved the seat in the shower! Notice my sexy tights that I wore for the week to prevent clots! I'm bringing sexy back!!!!

A Newborn's conversation with God...

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?" God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."
The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy." God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."
Again the child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?" God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"Who will protect me?" God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."
God said, "You will simply call her, "Mom."

Golden Days

Morgan and Austin...Feeling right at home!!
Don't think they have a clue about what is about
to come their way in a few months!!

Happy Mother's Day----Week 30!!!!

Here I am on my last child-free Mother's Day! We are definitely taking advantage of our last few weekends of sleeping in and vegging out! Yesterday I was in my comfy robe (thanks Cheyna!) until 4:30 and today we stayed in bed until 11!! John and I are so excited to have our baby here and can't wait to get to know him!!

Into Our 29th Week!!

Baby Wes is getting bigger! He now weighs about 3 pounds and is approximately 15 inches! The pictures that are difficult to see are of his mouth and nose. You can enlarge them by clicking on the picture. I'm feeling great, minus a little heartburn, frequent trips to the loo and stretching skin! We can't wait to get his room set up!!

Spouse's Dining-In

We just had our base Spouse's Dining-In with a Broadway theme. Each squadron or group decorated a table and dressed as the performers on that musical! Some even performed skits! Our group chose Pajama Game, mostly because they were easy costumes. We had to follow the traditional "Rules of the Mess" and were sent to the 'grog' for breaking them. We even had to come up with a saying to ask Madame President to go to the bathroom! Our was "Dresses are fine, but pajamas are divine, may I please go release my wine". Luckily for Wes, there was a non-alcoholic grog for the few who couldn't drink!! It actually wasn't too bad! It was lots of fun, and we even had a DJ after dinner and entertainment!


The "Cranium Table" had to go to the grog for taking Jello shots from us!