What a weekend!

We finally got to return to church this morning. JB was on call two Saturdays this month, and we were in Minnesota for the other so this is the first Sunday we were able to attend. It was good timing too since it was "New Members Sunday" at church. JB, Isaac, and I officially joined Crossway Community. We are so blessed to have found such a wonderful church family here at Eglin. Between our church and the fellow physicians and their wives here on base, we have found our prayers answered -- that we would get good and networked in to our new community. Even though it is so hard every time you move to say good bye to old friends and make new ones, we know how important these connections. This church has a fabulous community and has been so welcoming to us and our growing little family.

A few people at church mentioned I looked tired today. JB and I thought this was sort of funny because, while I am very tired, I am probably the most rested I have been in weeks! Yesterday, after Beach Bash, JB slept from 3:30 until 7:30pm! He told me that the longer he slept, the better it would be for me when he woke up and this was very true. He did Isaac's late night feeding which meant I was able to sleep from 9:30pm until Isaac's 5:30am feeding. I then returned to bed until a wet nose found me on the couch at 7:15am! Glorious! (Not the wet nose but getting such a good night sleep.)

Yesterday, I had my most "pregnant sick day" to date. I went over to Matt & Tiffany's early in the morning. Matt's father owns a barbecue restaurant in Texas, and with this experience behind him, Matt agreed to do all the food for the Beach Bash yesterday. What a huge undertaking! He rented a smoker and worked overnight on the meat. Some of the guys, including JB, helped him late into the night on Friday evening and then joined him again early the next morning to finish the job. However, seeing brisket pulled off the smoker at 8am and Tiffany stirring beans on the stove did not sit well with my stomach. It was the closest I have come to throwing up. I quickly excused myself and took Scrubs to the bay while they worked on the fixins'. I sat by the water with Bobbie while Scrubs and Deuce played for nearly an hour until I couldn't smell the meat anymore. I was worried, after that experience, that I wouldn't be able to eat Matt's awesome cooking later that afternoon. But by 1:00pm, I was feeling considerably better and was able to enjoy a great brisket sandwich! Great job Matt.

Most days, my stomach seems to follow this pattern. Early morning is difficult but by post-lunch, I am feeling hungry and anxious to eat something. Some days the nausea lasts well into the evening, but that's rare. I have yet to throw up. Actually, I have not thrown up since I threw up in Lisa Rossman's car in the ninth grade on the way to a volleyball game. I am hoping to continue this trend even though some days it feels like throwing up would feel better.

Please know that I am not complaining. In fact, I am almost thankful for the morning sickness. It reminds me that there is a tiny new life growing in side of me. I have to pinch myself to convince myself that this is true a few times a day. JB and I will just look at each other and I will say, "Can you believe I am pregnant?!"

We have been trying to figure out how to upgrade our simple life into a more family-friendly existence. The biggest obstacle will be the purchase of a new vehicle. We really need a vehicle with three rows of seats since it is probable that within 2-3 years, we will have a 1 year old, a 2 year old, and a 3 year old -- three tykes needing carseats. We obviously cannot have three car seats sitting in a row. So that is our main goal: find a vehicle with three rows. Wendi would prefer not to drive a mini-van, but if that is what she needs to do, she'll do it. I know Scrubs will also be happy because right now we don't really have the ability to transport him and baby places together unless he sits in the front and I sit in the back with baby which is less than ideal.

Another item of need is a stroller. We are talking about getting a double stroller with a sit or stand third seat. I am not sure if they make these, but I am determined to find this. I don't really see the point of upgrading to a double only to need to upgrade to a triple in another year. So that's another big goal.

Other than that, we feel pretty prepared to add another little tyke to our family. If it is a girl, we'll need some new clothes. But if it is a boy, we really don't need a single thing. We do plan to find out what we are having, but we honestly, truly, don't care AT ALL. We can think lots of advantages and disadvantages to both sexes so we are just anxious to see which one is joining us. Oh and names. That, we intend to keep a secret. If you are mad about that, then try being Joia's friend. She's keeping name a secret and not finding out the sex! :) So surely all our "people" can deal with the whole name thingy. All right Gabbi?!?!