16wks.

Last Friday I was 16wks with our little baby nugget and decided I might should do a post so I could remember all of this!

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 16 Weeks

Size of baby: Avocado

Total Weight Gain: Gained 3 pounds, and starting to get nervous cause I should be putting on more in the 2nd trimester, right?

Maternity Clothes: Well, let's just say I feel like a stuffed sausage in my regular clothes except for sweats, so yes.  

Gender: We KNOW! :)

Movement: YES!  I had a VERY stressful week last week due to some ridiculous events and my nugget felt every bit of it!  It was all over the place!

Sleep: Greg and I have been slumber partying it up on our couches because I am soooo miserable!! :(

What I miss: Feeling cute, having clothes to wear.

Cravings: Apples, Cereal, and jumbo soft pretzels!  Thank you Sams Club!

Symptoms: Heartburn, lack of sleep, and just feeling plain fat.

Best Moment this week: Finding out what baby nugget is and starting the shopping process!! :) We are so excited!



Merry Christmas.Happy New Year.Hello 2nd Trimester!

We had a great, quiet Christmas here in the Artic!  We were unable to travel home this year due to some work scheduling so we spent the Holidays in our little home, surrounded by Army Family!  I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed we are to have met such extraordinary people..I couldn't imagine life without them!  I have met some of the greatest couples who I know will be lifelong friends, long after our time in AK is up!  A lot of our great friends were able to travel back to the Lower 48 for Christmas, but there was a handful of us still around who enjoyed the Holidays together!

Tacky Christmas Sweater Party 2010 @ the O'Neill Household

 sweet friends.

 White Elephant Party 2010 at our house. Look at my awesome prize! :)

 We hosted Christmas Eve Dinner at our house and we love having our home filled with people!

Christmas Morning 2010...PJ's, Presents, & Pancakes (breakfast).

A new tradition we started! Our final Christmas just the two of us!



New Year's was spent at one of our friend's house and we rang in the New Year with some delish Apple Cider and then headed home cause I was pooped! We had a great time celebrating with such sweet friends and their house full of kids!  I felt right at home with all the silliness...made me miss my nephews just that much more and got us both excited about the years to come! 2011 is an exciting/challenging year for us, but in the words of my sweet husband "I'm excited about us".  Life is the best it's ever been, and even with the challenges to come I know we will continue to grow together, as a family.

And last but not least..as of yesterday, I'm in the 2nd trimester!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

Size of baby: A Lemon

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 3 pounds, which I find is so crazy considering how much my belly is poking out!

Maternity Clothes: I have two pairs of Maternity Jeans that are like heaven right now!

Gender: Can't wait to find out this month! :)

Movement: Not yet...

Sleep: Ugh, averaging about 6 hours per week. No joke. I am miserable.  I took Unisom for the first 2 months of my pregnancy and decided to come off of it since my morning sickness has decreased.  I didn't realize how much it was affecting my body until I decided to try to go to sleep without it.  I'm still holding strong by not taking it, but it has been pure exhausting!

What I miss: Feeling cute??

Cravings: Pickles and Apples!

Symptoms: Gagging all the time (embarassing) and lack of sleep.

Best Moment this week: Knowing that in 2011, I'm going to be a MOM!

 

Happy 2011!  May your year be blessed!

love/hate..and God is good.

I have a serious love/hate relationship with blogging...and my computer in general!  I don't know why but I just cannot stand the thought of sitting down and typing up something worthwhile.  I am truly sorry.  I do still read and keep up with you all!

There have been some serious changes going on in our household during the last few months and the biggest one is this:

yes, yes..there's a baby in there and not just a few extra cheeseburgers!  I find it shocking how much I am showing..a belly is NOT normal for this girl so I've had a very hard time adjusting and feeling comfortable with myself.  I have been sicker than I even knew imaginable {could have contributed to the lack of blogging} but I am in high spirits that life will pick up as I move into the 2nd trimester!  Puhhhleasseeeee!  Greg and I are just so thankful for this blessing from God at HIS perfect timing. 

I really don't want to turn this blog into a baby journal, however, we live so far from family and friends and I just feel like there are certain things that don't belong on facebook so I might do a few posts on my journey through pregnancy. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and Holiday season from our family to yours! 

justice.

I still remember exactly where I was when I met my friend's boyfriend (later-to-be husband). Wal-Mart. With my Mom. Right in front of the shoe department. I remember walking away from running into them and thinking, man, Shae has found a great guy. She is soooo happy.
I still remember exactly where I was when I received the text message. Living with my best in our tiny little house. Attempting to sleep on the futon in the living room because of all the sirens. June. Summer of 2008. Greg was in WI for his Annual Training with the Army Reserves.

As I read the text that June night my heart feel from my chest and onto the floor.  One of my lifelong best friend's husband had been murdered.  She LITERALLY is the most heartfelt, sweetest, kindest person you will ever meet.  How could this be happening to someone as precious as her?  They had only been married less than a year.  Why him, he was SUCH a great man?  He was so young and full of life.  Their newborn son is in the NICU fighting for his own life, why today?  So many questions.  

Many sad events and sleepless nights later, her newborn son went on to Heaven to be with his daddy.  Why does one person have to endure so much pain?  She is way to young to be experiencing this.  More questions.

Her and I have grown up together..cheering together for many, many years and then dancing together in college. If there was anyone on this Earth that deserved happiness..it was HER!

I cannot explain to you how greatly this affected her, me, and our entire community/state.  I hug a little tighter, pray without ceasing, and most of all, love more passionately.

Today, justice was served. Over 2 years later, he was found guilty of 1st degree murder.  Thank you GOD!
You can read/watch the story here.

{one of my fav moments of Shae}

Shae - I love you. Today, tomorrow, and forever. I pray that you feel Shawn's famous smile today more than ever and know that you are LOVED.  Thank you for being such a shining example of class, dignity, and pride.  You are remarkable and there is a special spot in heaven for you, my lady! 
"Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right." Psalm 106:3 NIV

ready or not.

currently my yard/driveway look like this:

ohh yes. winter is here. ready or not.
this pic was actually taken on 10.10.10.

-I've had a few people contact me about living here/moving here...if you are one of them, leave me your email addy so I can be in touch! :)

you deserve the world.

Today is my sweet husband's 29th birthday.  He should know it by now..but I'm pretty fond of him! :) 

So, today..on your birthday, Greg...I love you more than yesterday, and the day before that!  I cannot begin to describe in this silly blog post how much JOY you bring to my life!  I cherish these birthdays we get to spend together!  Enjoy your day sweet boy...YOU deserve it!

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Summer has came..and gone all too quickly!  While most of the country is gearing up for crisp mornings, colorful leaves, and most importantly a pumpkin spice latte..us southerns transported in Alaska are breaking out the 3-layer North Face jackets, hats & mittens, snow boots, and the thought of getting out of our car in 16 degree weather for a Starbucks makes us cringe. {because drive-thru Starbucks are unheard of here}

We have had a wonderful summer and used our time with nice weather to the fullest!  My best friend, Laura Beth came to visit in July...then Greg's parents visited...and my parents just left!  We LOVED having family and friends come see our home in Alaska and get to explore here...wish I could make everyone come! :)  I've got all kinds of beautiful pics from our excursions this summer, but for now, I'll keep this post short and sweet since it is a very special day on our calendar! 

I do still LOVE fall even if it ultrafast here in AK, like 2 weeks fast!  Last October I was in NC welcoming my twin nephews into the world and Betty Crocker'd it up!  I adore pumpkin flavored anything so when I found a recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies I knew I had to try!  My first attempt last year was a huge hit with my family so I decided to break out the recipe box again last week.  They did not disappoint and I had many people on my facebook ask for the recipe..so here it is:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 1/2 C Spiced Pumpkin {Add more pumpkin if you like a more cakey cookie, less if you like it firmer}
3/4 C Sugar
1/2 C Oil
1 Egg
2 C Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Salt
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Milk
1 C Chocolate Chips {or as many as you like}
1 tsp Vanilla
Nuts {optional}
Dissolve baking soda in milk; set aside. In a large bowl add pumpkin, sugar, oil, and egg; stir. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda mixture. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and vanilla. Spoon onto cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 10 to 12 minutes or until done. Enjoy!