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Can I just say that when a man returns home from an 11 month stint in Iraq the chores are never ending. I feel like I have been caught in a whirlwind ever since Adam got back. There are a hundred things to do and, when you have a baby, it takes FOREVER to do them! So far we have had to tend to various banking and investment changes, get tax info together, buy Adam new clothes (apparently he "bulked up" over there and now his clothes are too small - hehe), buy new suits for his upcoming interviews, get items from storage in Starkville, arrange everything in Madison, find a place to rent, purchase baby furniture, attend baptism class... this list could go on and on. I am tired. Anyway, this is why I have been slightly MIA lately. Oh, how I have missed my daily blogging. It is such fun "me time".

If you might remember in my last long post, I mentioned I would elaborate on some new fun things I had found. Its been a while since my last "blog-o-mercial" so here are some new things I LOVE!

1. The electronic "catch phrase" game: Let me begin by saying I am a game-aholic. I love me some games. This game is super fun, and since its electronic you don't have all the pieces and score keeping to worry with. Anyway, it will give you a phrase and you have to give clues to get a teammate to guess it. You then pass to the next team who does the same. The team who is not holding it when the buzzer goes off gets a point. (On a side note - while I love games, I suck at almost all of them. Apparently "sir plan" is not an intelligent guess at a phrase. I won't even get into the logistics of how this answer came about, but given Adam's clues it seemed smart.)

2. ipod nano: Adam's parent's got us one of these in November before MC was born and it is uh-mazing! Its so tiny and takes AWESOME quality video. Its super handy to carry in my purse so when MC does something funny I can just whip it out! (I mean, who wants to carry a video camera into a doctor's office or to someone's house for a play date?)

3. Lash Stilleto Voluptuous mascara: You might not know this about me, but I am in constant search of the world's best mascara. I buy a different one every single time I purchase the stuff in hopes that there will be some magic formula to pump up my tiny, very-much-lacking lashes. My newest find is Lash Stilleto by Maybelline. This is not the one in the black container - this is the red. (I wasn't digging the idea of patten leather looking lashes and I need some major volume in addition to length, do I opted for the "voluptuous" line) Anyway, I've been quite pleased and am anxious to see how it stacks up to my next trial - L'Oreal Telescopic Lash Explosion.

4. L'Oreal infallible never fail powder foundation: So I used to be a Clinique girl... however, I figure if you can find something that works just as well for less money, why not? Since I have started wearing this make up I have gotten SOOOOO many compliments. Random people like the super market check out lady have asked what kind of makeup I wear and where they can get it. Makes a girl feel good ;)

5. 206 Front restaurant in Hattiesburg, MS - This place is awesome. I had shrimp and artichoke pasta and Adam had duck. It was FABULOUS and the atmosphere was great! You should totally go if you are ever in Hattiesburg!

Well, thats enough advertising for now! Hope everyone has a wonderful easter!!!! I'm sure I'll be posting pics of Miss MC in her easter attire! :)

MC is a hoot...

I wanted to see if this video thing would work... I guess so! I am excited to put some more on here when I get a chance! :)

Updates

Well, as you saw from the pictures in my last post, Adam is home safe!!! Next to the day I met him, the day we got married, and the day MC was born, it was the best day of my life. It still doesn't feel real though! I keep expecting him to leave any day now - like he is just here for R&R or something.

Speaking of leaving, we finally found a place to rent in Starkville. We will be in Madison until June, then we are back to Starkvegas. We ended up finding a cute 3 bedroom house that is being completely renovated and ironically fits all of our needs. (We NEVER thought we'd be able to find anything that had everything we were looking for in our price range). Anyway, the best part of moving to Starkville? MC FINALLY gets her own decorated room! I have to admit that it was really difficult when all of my friends were having babies and posting pictures of their nurseries. I have been patiently waiting for Adam to arrive so that we could pick out cute things for a nursery and now we can! We bought her furniture while we were in Florence visiting my parents.

This is the line and finish we picked out...

However, the crib is curved at the top like this one (this is the same crib as above, just in a different finish and curved at the top)

Haven't selected bedding yet, but I'm super excited for the poor baby to finally have a nursery!

"Jessica, why haven't you had time to pick out bedding?" Let me tell you - we have been SOOOO busy since Adam got back. He arrived at Camp Shelby on a Friday and we stayed with our friend Jennifer until Wednesday while we attended his grandmother's visitation and funeral (luckily all this was in the same city). Wednesday we left for Starkville and got some things out of our storage unit and stayed with our friend Oliver. Then Thursday afternoon we left for Florence to stay with my parents. We hung out there for my mom's birthday and got to visit with my brother, Jeff, and Angela who also came up to visit. We left Florence Monday and went back through Starkville so Adam could stop by and see some of his professors and then finally made it back to Madison. Wow. Are you as confused as I am yet? I swear, since we have been married, we have spent at least half of our time on the road. Our parents need to move closer together (they are currently about 5 and a half hours apart).

Since we got back to Madison, it has been nothing but unpacking (UGH!!!) and tending to MC. I have to say thank goodness for Baby Einstein though. She LOVES it. If we have something to do we can set her in front of the TV and she will watch Baby Einstein movies like they are going out of style. Not sure how good that is for her, but hey, every parent has to have SOME time to get things done! Its not like we leave her there all day - just for half an hour or so while we work on stuff.

Anyway, this boring post has gone on long enough. I am glad to be back and hope that soon I will have some time to elaborate on some fun things I have discovered recently. Until then, have a happy weekend!! :)

Sorry...

I appologize, still no time to write about the crazy happenings here lately. I am desperately trying to unpack all of our stuff from the two week nomadic stint. Anyway, here are a few pics to tide you over ;)

At our friend Jennifer's house feeding MC before picking up daddy!

Back together again!!!!

MC's photo shoot

Yes, I know, I have a TON to write about and catch everyone up on. Brief summary - Adam is home and we have been on the road non-stop for the past 2 weeks... I just wanted to post some pics of MC from her 3 month photo session real quick. I will be back in Jackson tomorrow and will finally be able to fill you in on the last two weeks and post pics of my reunion with the hubby!! Until then, enjoy some of my favorite new pics of Maggie Claire!

Ugh

Well... here it is. The day Adam is supposed to arrive in Mississippi. It is now 3:45 and I have yet to hear from him. This has been the second longest day of my life (the first being the day MC was born). While I am so excited to see my sweet husband, sadly he has to come home to a not-so-great situation. His grandmother passed away earlier this afternoon (the one in the pics from my last post). I just knew he would make it back in time to see her... well, it was God's plan. I just feel so horrible for Adam. As you might remember, his grandfather also passed away since he has been gone. My amazing man has lost two grandparents in one year while he is halfway around the world. As soon as he arrives home (which I am still hoping is today, but its looking like it might be tomorrow) he will have to attend a funeral. What a welcome home present. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Hopefully my next post will be news of our reunion :(

News

I've got some news... however, I am going to make you read my entire boring post before I fill you in. haha. Well, first of all, how cute is MC? haha. We had a birthday party for Adam's mom here at the house so baby girl got dressed up in her cute smocked dress... too bad she drools constantly and got it EVERYWHERE. I wonder if she's teething..

Also, funny story. Sooo we are all catholic and Adam's parents are great friends with the priests here so of course they were at the party. I had MC sitting in her lamb chair on the table when one of them arrived. As soon as he walked over to her, up comes the dress! She totally grabbed her dress, pulled it up, and showed her stuff! haha. I can tell you right now that we are never taking this kid to New Orleans.

In addition to the party, we also went to Hattiesburg to visit Adam's grandmother (his mom's mom and who miss Margaret Claire is named after). She isn't doing too well and so it was such a blessing that she was able to see MC for the first time. She thought she was so cute - who doesn't though ;) I also figured out after our visit that MC loves hockey. Go figure. It was on ESPN and she was ENTRANCED. I'm sure it was all the different colors moving around so quickly, but either way, she adored it. She and her uncle Ryan had a great time watching it together. Bowling followed and she even seemed to like it too! Definately didn't take after her mommy...

And the last event in our jam packed weekend was MC's first ever stroller ride! YAY for warm weather! It has been so cold since she was born that I haven't been able to even get her out for a stroll! Our friend Allyson and her little boy John (such a cutie!) came by to visit and we went on a nice little walk. I was curious as to how MC would react but she looked around for about 10 minutes then went to sleep. This child requires more sleep than I thought was even possible. If you don't get her down after, max, an hour and a half of being awake you better watch out. CRANKY! Now, the news I promised ........................................................................

ADAM IS ON HIS WAY HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right people; no more rants about missing my husband. He sent me an email and said he was in route to the US!!! He left Iraq and for security reasons I can't really say where he is now, but he will be there one more day and then he'll get on a second plane to come home!!!! I should be able to see him on the 11th!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe my 10 months without him are coming to an end!!!!!! Keep him in your prayers and hopefully soon I'll be posting video and pics of our reunion!!!!

We're Ready Daddy!

Sooo, I told Adam not to read my blog so I figured it was ok to post pics of MC's outfit she will wear when we go pick him up! Cute huh? I know I'm going to cry...

Adam's grandmother came up today so I got a pic of her and MC. I think I've mentioned this before, but she is - hands down - the most amazing woman I have ever met. I'm so glad she got to see MC. She hasn't seen her since a few days after she was born. Anyway, here's MC and her great grandma!

Boxes and Babies and Boots, Oh My!

Wow, I don't even know where to begin. First up- boxes.As you all know, MC and I made the big move to Jackson to get everything settled before Adam gets back. Here's the biggest reason for the "oh my!" I never want to move again. It was INSANE. Trying to carry everything up the stairs, unpack, and take care of a baby all by myself was completely exhausting. MC was in a new environment and wasn't sleeping so neither was mommy. I seriously thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. Not to mention the fact that Adam and I (and now MC) have so much stuff its ridiculous. I never thought I would finish organizing everything.

Next up- babies. MC is doing wonderfully now. When we first got to Madison I think she was so overwhemled with all the "new-ness" that she just couldn't bring herself to sleep. If you have a baby you know that that means.... overtired = CRANKY. She would cry and cry and cry and wouldn't let me even put her in her crib. However after the first two days or so I suppose she became more comfortable and calmed down.

Many new milestones for her since we've been here. At my parents house, we didn't have an extra room to use as a nursery so she slept in my room in the pack and play (Don't even get me started on the whole nursery thing. Its quite depressing. I think most women have this vision of decorating a nursery while the husband grumbles putting together a crib. With Adam gone, I didn't get to experience that so its a little sad..) Anyway, I digress. So since we have moved here, MC now has her own crib in her own room (still not a nursery - that will come when daddy gets home and we finally get moved into our own place). She didn't do so well the first two nights (still adjusting to the environment I'm sure), but last night she slept from 10-5 without waking once!!! She ate at 5 then went back to sleep until 9! WOOOOHOOOO! Now, dont get me wrong, I don't expect this to be an every night thing now. However, I will enjoy my MUCH needed night of rest!!!

Another milestone? Rolling over. Ok, I may be a little premature in this excitement since she only rolled from her back to her side, but its still amazing to see my little baby girl on her way! She was laying on her mat and just scooted herself right over to her side, almost onto her tummy. I was cheering like an idiot off to the side "go baby, go!!" (Ths is not THE picture. Just another one of her showing off her new trick) I have a feeling she'll make that final push over to the tummy soon! What age did your kids roll all the way over for the first time?

The last thing about MC. I'm sorry, I know its a sin to be vain, but I seriously think I have the cutest baby on the planet. I know every mother thinks this, but I just can't believe God and Adam and I made such an amazingly beautiful little girl. She should totally be a Gerber baby...

Next topic - boots. Army boots that is. Unfortunately my husband's are not on their way home as we had thought :( His leave date got pushed back so he'll be getting home a little later than anticipated. I hate it so much. I was finally able to see the light at the end of this long tunnel and now they blew out my light. Stupid light blower-outers. Anyway, he can't exactly say when he will be coming home now but I am praying my hardest its soon!!!! Please continue to keep him and all the other soldiers in your prayers!

I am trying to look on the bright side and be positive and the delivery I got yesterday helped a great deal. I have strictly instructed Adam NOT to read this post so I hope he doesnt - it will totally ruin the surprise. I wanted something special for MC to wear when we go to pick him up (the guy hasn't seen her in forever!) and I got it in yesterday. Picture this if you will....baby camo pants (courtesy of Adam's mom at my baby shower way before MC was even born) and a light pink onesie with brown "Kid's handwriting" letters that says "I'm here to get my daddy!" Yes, I cry even thinking about it. I cannot wait to get pictures of her wearing it and daddy holding her!!! Adam if you just read that I am going to kill you.

Anyway, I am still staying super busy but I'm going to try my best to keep up the blogging. However, as you might have imagined, I will probably be MIA for a while when Adam gets back! I want to soak in all the time I can with him!!!! Hope you all have a great day and I'll be posting again soon hopefully!!!