smorgasbord of stuff.

• I've been debating if I should mention it on this blog or not, but I figured if I didn't..I was gonna bust!  This blog has been an awesome outlet for me through the years.  My girlfriends from back home just don't understand my feelings and I haven't found many girlfriends here that really get me on that level.  I'm going through the Big "D" and I don't mean Dallas or Divorce {or should I say fast approaching the Big "D"}.  Although if I were going through Dallas that would mean that I am out of this dreadful, dark, cold place called Alaska and my life would be happy!  My heart aches...
• We've picked out this bedding for Baby B and it's been ordered!  I ADORE animal print and have recently fallen in love with orange.  This bedding just screams stylish, handsome baby boy to me!  Now to just find a crib/dresser and glider I like.  I am picky, picky and not to mention it is terribly hard to get stuff to AK!  Any recommendations?

• I adore shopping for my little boy.  I once wrote on facebook how excited I was about dressing up my child and some rude, opinionated people decided to let me know that there are better ways to spend my money.  Never, ever did I say that I was going to spend a lot of money doing it..I believe anything is possible on any budget!  And if those ever-so-kind people actually knew me, they would know that I don't leave my house without a coupon, won't pay full-price for anything besides underwear, and if Doritos aren't on sale..we don't come home from the grocery store with them no matter how much my husband loves them!  Case in point #1...

$.87 Old Navy sandals for Baby B...$.87 people!!

• I am trying to find an awesome craft project for Bennett's nursery to help pass the time while Greg is gone for the next 6 weeks. 
• I love feeling my sweet boy move all around in my tummy.  Greg was able to call tonight and as soon as we hung up Bennett started going nuts!  It was adorable...I think he misses Daddy as much as I do! :)
• I frequent our local thrift store and found these amazing Frye Cowboy Boots for $12 a while back..don't mind if I do! {please excuse the jumbo belly}

• I CANNOT decide on a diaper bag!  Anyone have any advice on a Timi & Leslie vs. Vera Bradley?

• We are taking a trip home in March and I am sooooo estatic to go back to the South!  There are no words to describe how much I miss it!  The winters here are long, COLD, dark, and depressing.  Looking forward to a breath of fresh air!
• Greg and I were talking the other day about this Big "D" and he mentioned how great this move to Alaska has been for us.  And ya know what?  I totally agree.  While I may not looooveeeee it here, I do love the fact that we moved here.  Main part being "we"!  Greg and I have become so incredibly close during this past year and I know it's because we have had to rely on just each other.  When we were living around family and close friends there were so many stressors on our relationship...where are we gonna eat Sunday lunch?  Who's friends do we hang out with tonight?  Spending time with my family vs. his family?  I think if I could, I would make it a rule that every newlywed couple has to move away for their first year of marriage...it either makes or breaks you!  I say it all the time, but my husband is my ROCK!  I can honestly say that every aspect of my life is better because of him!  We've talked about things I've never thought we would discuss...we've done things I've never thought we would have done and most importantly, we've conquered it all with a smile on our faces.  I've truly never been happier in my life and it's so great to be able to say the same about him!  Life.is.remarkable.
• It's FEBRUARY?? {doesn't that look odd spelled out?}
• And lastly, I leave you with a pic of me and Bennett.  I have been sending Greg daily pics of me so he doesn't come home and think I look like a huge cow pregnant woman.  I thought my outfit today was extra cute and I found the blue long sleeve maternity t-shirt for $3 yesterday!  See...any budget!!

B.M.W.

I'm now over 18 weeks with our little babe, but haven't gotten a recent pic so here I am at 17wks.

Pregnancy Highlights

How Far Along: 18wks 3 days

Size of baby: Sweet Potato..but measuring a week ahead still so really a Mango!  That seems so crazy to me! Love it!

Total Weight Gain: Gained 7lbs!

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

Gender: see below...B.M.W

Movement: every now & then..love those little flutters!

Sleep: Getting soooo much better!

What I miss: Having a wardrobe! I wear the same things over & over. Being able to roll over without feeling like I need a crane to lift me!

Cravings: Still Cereal..and not the healthy kind! Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Symptoms: A belly that gets in the way!

Best Moment this week: Watching our little one move all over the screen at our anatomy scan! SUCH a hyper (and funny) child already!

And lastly....

I introduce you to Bennett Myles W.

{obviously showing that his Mommy & Daddy are #1}

Our anatomy scan went good and I was very pleased until they let me get up and told us they were finished.  I then ran to the bathroom because holding it for an entire hour while someone pushed straight on your bladder was not a pleasant experience.  When I got back our tech had printed all of our pictures and told me they needed to get a few more shots of baby so had me lay back down.  After about 10 minutes our tech had to go get her "coworker" who happened to be her supervisor (I found out on our way out and saw her desk) for help.  They kept us there for 30 minutes longer just looking at one spot on Bennett which I could tell was his head.  Of course, I'm a nervous wreck and of course, the techs wouldn't tell us a thing.  I do understand that's not their job, but no reassurance that our baby was healthy is rough!  I am hoping and praying that our tech is new and just missed a shot that is required.  That's what Greg is banking on, but I cannot help but worry!  Anyone have a similar situation happen to them?

Please say a prayer for our little Bennett.  I'm going to call our doctor tomorrow to see if I can get any more information, but with anything else that involves the Army, I know it's not gonna be an easy task! 

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! :)