The Arrival of Caitlin Anne

June 11th, 2012. 11:30am. I headed into Wright-Patt's hospital for what I figured would be my last doctor's appointment. Oh how right I was. After a regular check-up, my doctor decided to have Baby Bee monitored for about an hour because my blood pressure had been roller-coastering a little and so she just wanted to make sure everything was okay. After about an hour on the monitor, they decided to do an ultrasound because Baby Bee wasn't moving much. The ultrasound showed that my amniotic fluid was low so it was decided I should be induced right then and there. My nerves went into full panic as F had started a new job that day where he couldn't have his cell phone but his desk wasn't set up so he had no desk phone or email access. I feared I wouldn't be able to get a hold of him. Lucky for me, he had just left and so he had his cell phone. After calling him asking him to run home and get my hospital bag and then hurry up and get there, I called my mom and in-laws so let them know it was time to have a baby. I was definitely VERY nervous!
Once admitted to the hospital, the doctor checked me and found out I was already in active labor! Guess Baby Bee wanted to come that day anyways! They opted to still give me some pitocin just to speed things up a little but I was definitely dilating on my own. I was surprised by how much it really wasn't hurting me. Sure it wasn't completely comfortable, but I swore I would have the epidural by 6cm and, voila, I went in at 5cm and felt fine. Guess I have more pain tolerance than I thought!
After a little while of progressing on my own, they decided to break my water. That was when things got real. The contractions that came after that were unbearable! Thank GOD, the anesthesiologist had already put the epidural catheter in so I could get that medicine real fast. And, believe me, it wasn't fast enough! That pain was intense! Once the epidural was in effect, though, life was great. I never felt anything after that. :)
Only 5.5 hours after coming in, it was time to push. The doctors would be talking for days afterwards about how fast my whole labor went. My epidural was perfect. I could feel contractions so I knew when I wanted to push, but there was no pain whatsoever. The only way I even knew Baby Bee was out was when I felt a massive feeling of relief and then looked down and saw them place her on me. Just 45 minutes of total pain-free pushing. It was the perfect delivery. Caitlin Anne was born at 11:16pm at 7lbs, 2oz and 20in long. She is now 2 months old as of today and is absolutely perfect. I couldn't have asked for any better daughter. She is my everything and her Daddy and I are so in love with her. <3

Baby Bee is Here!

Caitlin Anne, aka "Baby Bee", was born on 11 Jun at 2316 at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. She was 7lbs, 2oz and 20in long. By far the best thing to have ever happened to me. I can't even explain how much your heart swells when you have a baby. Daddy and I couldn't be happier. <3

our little angel

milk coma

Daddy's little girl

right after being born

my first time holding her

sleeping with Daddy

Taking a Moment to Brag

It's hard to believe that I've been doing this military wife thing for almost 2 years. But, here we are, about halfway through our time at Wright-Patt. We just moved off base into a bigger house to prepare for Baby Bee's arrival and it's crazy to think that the next time we move it'll be to whole different part of the country. However, none of that is the reason for this "brag post". No, instead, I want to brag about April 13, 2012. On April 13, 2010 F commissioned into the Air Force and our journey began. Two years later, he promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. I'm proud of both of us for making it to this point. I'm proud of him because, well, how could you not be proud? And I'm proud of me that I've adjusted to this lifestyle and I truly think I'm starting to get the hang of it. So I just needed to take this moment to put a little bragging in my blog that we've made it this far. Next step? Captain.

pinning on my new 1st Lt.

 redoing his oath

 thanking me for the support (awwwww)...yes, I got it on video too lol

 with the Major who did his ceremony

 <3

 the beautiful roses F got me

:)

Baby Update

One of my friends has been doing this "survey" of sorts on her blog and I thought it was just too cute to pass up. So, here you go, a brief update on Baby Bee's progress.

How far along? 31 weeks on Wednesday
Total weight gain: about 10 lbs
Maternity clothes? Nope! :)
Sleep: it seems I have forgotten what that is
Best moment this week: F finally seeing my belly moving around
Miss Anything? Feeling like myself!
Movement:  She's usually pretty mellow but sometimes she can cause quite the commotion!
Food cravings: Never got any of those
Anything making you queasy or sick: some smells can get to me sometimes. For instance, when F makes pork I think I die a little
Gender: girl! (my hubby won that battle lol)
Labor Signs: Nothing yet...as it should be!
Symptoms: ridiculous amounts of stiffness and muscle aches, fatigue, insomnia, swollen ankles, and heartburn like you wouldn't believe
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm pretty much still same ol' me with emotions. The biggest one right now is a lot of nervousness as my due date gets closer.
Looking forward to: my shower next month and being done with this! So over pregnancy!

almost 7 months pregnant

the Single Life of the Military Wife

Whenever I talk to people that I've been out of touch with for awhile, they always ask how F and I are doing. I always tell them how I'm doing and then joke that I don't know what F looks like anymore. While it's something we giggle over, the truth is, a lot of times being a military wife does feel like the single life. Yes you have a rings on your fingers to remind you that it isn't, but often seeing your husband is something that just doesn't happen. F works a full time job in the Air Force and then, after work, takes classes at a local university to complete his Master's degree. By the time he is home he wants some time to himself to unwind and then it's generally bedtime.
Is it glamorous to never see my husband? Of course not. I guess, in a sense, it's good practice for being independent and having to take care of everything on my own but, when 6 months pregnant, that practice is not wanted. I'd much rather have him around to be there and especially to help out when Baby Bee is giving me a rough day. But it's part of the job. I knew that this lifestyle wasn't going to be easy. However, that doesn't stop it from being "unfun". But I know that, someday, the "big D" will happen to this household and just maybe all this practice will pay off then. In the meantime, just keep on truckin' through and keep on doing my job on the homefront as part of the "silent rank".

Wordless Wednesday

F wanted a girl, I wanted a boy...F wins! But I have warmed up to her being a girl and have fallen completely in love with my daughter. <3

2011: A Year in Photos

As 2011 comes to a close, it's time to reflect on the happenings of this past year...in photos, of course. 2011 was a relatively uneventful year but still a good one, nonetheless.

January

because every year should be started with a party

February

F and I had our first Valentine's Day where we could physically be together...

...we also had our first experience with a massive ice storm that closed the base for a week

March

we celebrated our first St. Patty's Day physically together as well

April

F marked one year as a commissioned officer in the Air Force

we had our first Easter in the same state (lots of firsts when it came to holidays!)

May

I turned 24

F and I celebrated our 2 year "dating anniversary"

June

F and I went to Fort Benning in Georgia to watch F's best friend join the Army

July

I got to meet the USAF Thunderbirds and watch them in action at the Air Show

and my mom came to visit! :)

August

I happened to be home in Michigan when the sky turned some rare colors

September

F turned 25

I got the honor of being the Matron of Honor in my best friend's wedding

October

F and I celebrated one year of marriage <3

November

it became public knowledge that Baby Bee is on their way!

December

we said goodbye to 2011 and prepared for all the changes 2012 will bring...including our daughter!

Here's to wishing all of you a wonderful 2012. Happy New Year!