Updates

Well, it's been a few weeks since I blogged last! I even missed Tori's 3rd birthday!! YIKES!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORI on the 30th!! She is working hard towards getting potty trained...and doing a pretty good job so far! YAY! We had the kids' Mickey Mouse Clubhouse birthday on the 25th with LOTS of friends over. Every year I say "Boy I'm not doing THAT again," but I guess it's just one of those things! LOL We had a fun time playing games like "Find Pluto's Bones," "Pin the Bow on Minnie" and "Guess the Mouskatool".

We're looking forward to Mom, Dad & Hannah coming to visit next week. Mom will be speaking at the Post Prayer Breakfast here, so they all decided to come with her!

Wednesday is my first Dr appt. We're hoping to be able to at least hear the heartbeat...and maybe even get an ultrasound?! This will be the last time I have to go to Bethesda until later in the pregnancy. I'll be able to be seen by the midwife here on Ft Detrick in the meantime. I've been feeling OK so far this time...been sick a couple of times, but nothing like with the first 3 kids! YAY!

Page #4

We found out this week that Page #4 is on his/her way! It looks like I'm about 8 weeks along (although I'm not 100% sure of that!), which makes the baby due May 28. I'm feeling great so far...just tired a lot. Guess that's to be expected chasing around 3 other kids in the meantime!! The kids are excited about "the baby in Mommy's tummy"! However, it took them a couple of days.....the day we told them, we paused the movie they were watching, said "We're going to have a baby. THere's a baby in Mommy's tummy." Todd said "Oh." like it was just one of those things you hear everyday and Tori looked at us and said "I wanna watch my movie!!!" I did hear Todd telling one of his friends' about it today though, so they are warming up to the idea! Todd is praying for a boy. Tori wants a sister. LOL We're just praying for a healthy baby!!

Todd is 5 tomorrow!!!

Five years ago tonight, I was in full blown pitocin-induced labor with Todd (after my water breaking at 7:30 am and NOTHING happening until pitocin that evening!!). What an event! He was finally born at 5:50 am on Oct 11...Germany time! So that's 11:50 on Oct 10 our time here in Maryland. So...I guess technically, he'll be 5 in 3 hours!! WOW!! He has brought SO much to our family! I can't imagine life without him! He is such a wonderful kid...funny, happy, ALL BOY, sweet, sensitive to others! I can't wait to see what God has in store for him!! THANK YOU, LORD, FOR MY SON!!

For all you parents out there...

It is inevitable that one child will always get into mischief. While Todd & Tori NEVER colored on the walls, Audrey LOVES to!!!! She will color with anything she can get her hands on....and while most of the time it's just a pencil which is an easy fix, today it happened to be a bright blue Dry Erase Marker. And while those are fantastic and easy for Dry Erase boards, they are NOT meant for white doors!!!!! It was quite a stunning display of artistry! However, not such an easy thing to clean off! I tried Magic Erasers because they get EVERYTHING off.....except Dry Erase marker!! I tried baking soda paste because that's what everyone said to do online. NOTHING budged it. Until I got out the nail polish remover....and Q-tips. There is still a lovely blue tint to Todd's white bedroom door, but I guess at least it isn't huge sweeping lines now!! TIME TO LOCK UP THE WRITING TOOLS!!!!!!

Marriage Retreat

Last weekend, we were able to attend a Marriage Retreat made available to us through Adam's Unit Chaplain, James Choi. We spent 3 days in Lancaster, PA. Childcare was provided, so we were able to bring the kids with us. They had a great time in the pool, playing games at a local shopping center, and playing with all the other kids in the hotel. We even got the experience of a "Family Style" meal, which we shared with James & Christina from New York City, and Kathy & her 2 sons from New Jersey.

Great Frederick Fair

We had a great time at the Great Frederick Fair today! The kids got to see all kinds of cool tractors, animals, people's entries including photos, jams & jellies, baked goods...even bug collections! After about 3 hours of walking around, Audrey was wiped out and asleep on Adam's shoulder! Enjoy these photos of the kids!!

Follow my Blog

You can now sign up to be a FOLLOWER of our blog! Scroll down to the bottom on the left side and follow the links to sign up! Who will be first?!! HA HA!!

Also, our Ft Detrick PWOC Chapter has a new blog page. Find it at www.fortdetrickpwoc.blogspot.com We will be updating it with upcoming events, photos from past events, and other 'need to know info'!