RIP Grandpa Moore, Cooking Times with Lexi.

Well I have some sad sad news to start off with. Our beloved Grandpa Moore did not make it. He passed yesterday. David's dad, and his grandma were with him. He will definitely be missed. R.I.P Grandpa Charles Moore.

Last night Lexi came over, and she brought her dog Rocky to play with Teddy. He is like a little brown hot dog with a feather tail. So cute! Last time, Teddy was excited to see another dog, but this time, he was being a mommy's boy and wouldn't play. Hyde however, came out to torture. They didn't actually fight, but there was a lot of staring down. I imagine Hyde thinking.... "Til we meet again dog... til we meet again"

Hyde sees his prey

Hyde debates his attack methods

I have started a new tradition on Monday nights. Monday, as everyone can tell by now, is the start of a new baby growth week. So I have now been using it as a means to count down the time until David returns. Every Monday now means 1 week closer until David returns, and 1 week of growth for the baby. So on Mondays, I make a special dinner, and have a slice of cheesecake. Lexi, who's hubby is also deployed on that boat, also starts a new baby week on Monday. This week was 20 for her, while mine was 16. So we shared our Welcoming Monday together. I made David's dad chili recipe [my favorite] and we had texas chili pie.

The pot of chili

Our nummy bowls and celebratory sparkling juice

Lexi had brought her pregnancy cookbook with her. I bought one as well, but I am still waiting on mine in the mail. Now Lexi and I have this weird kinda joint craving. I crave lemons, and she craves limes. So while I was looking through the cookbook, I found a recipe for Italian Lemon Cookies, and of course, wanted it. So we gathered all the ingredients, busted out Mr. Mixer David got me, [still working on a name for him] and we made the cookies. It was so much fun, and they came out great! They had lemon icing we made for them, and we added pink sprinkles. Yea, we know, we're girls!

Just a few to show you

Man they were good.

Well that is all I will update you with now. I will actually get to talk to David for the first time in over a week today. I am very excited about that. Soooo

BYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEE

16 weeks

Baby Moore is now 16 weeks! And making mommy fat :(. This morning I weighed in at 164. My belly is also now 36.25 inches. This is soooo not the goal I wanted. I was aiming at 1 pound every two weeks, and I seem to be gaining 1 pound every week. I always read about people who have been pregnant, going to the doctor and getting yelled at for gaining too much. I can't quite figure out how to manage not to gain though, bc I have begun working out again, and I typically have a meal plan through out the day. It's gotta be that dang salt! Grrrrr to those cravings. We will just have to see if I get yelled at or not, and try to take the doctor's advice. Hopefully she will approve jogging again. I know that will help, bc my body was used to working out 800 calories a day, five days a week. Now maybe I work off 100? Haha Well here are the belly pics at 16 weeks.

My lips are really chapped so its hard to smile

I can only fit in the low cut pants a friend gave me now when I first lost weight. Darn belly Haha

This is the side the baby sleeps in every night

Still mostly looks like I'm a chub. Haha

I really hope to hear from David soon. He hasn't received any of my emails that I know of. Tonight's special weekly dinner is going to consist of his dad's chili recipe for Texas frito chili pie. This week I am supposed to start feeling the baby flutters on the inside. I can't wait!!!

Fetal development in pregnancy week 16:fetus in fourth month Over the past three weeks your astounding growing baby has managed to stretch yet another 2 full inches (totaling about 4.5 inches) and weighs around 3.5 ounces. Yessireee, that’s some pretty serious growth... and with it comes several physical developments! For starters, their head to body ratio is finally starting to even out a bit as the rest of the body is actually growing faster than the head at this point. Yes, your little light bulb is not so top-heavy. Their adorable little limbs have lengthened, almost reaching their normal proportions which they will have at birth. Their eyes are still closed but moving and if you had an ultrasound, which many doctors recommend you have at about this time, you may even see your little one sucking on a thumb, not to mention the necessary signifiers to let you know whether you’ve got a wee lad or lassie.

And how's mom doing? Along with an ultrasound, many practitioners recommend administering the “Multiple Marker Test (MMT)”, which is also known as the “Triple Screen Test”. This very common procedure checks your blood (not your baby’s) for specific protein and hormone levels as well as informing you about any potential Before you start breathing in that strained fearful way or furrowing your brow in concern, you should know that even if you do get a positive test this hardly means your little trooper is in trouble. Only about 3 to 5 percent of women yield positive resultsrisks of genetic or birth defects. Before you start breathing in that strained fearful way or furrowing your brow in concern, you should know that even if you do get a positive test this hardly means your little trooper is in trouble. Only about 3 to 5 percent of women yield positive results and of those women, only 10 percent actually have any sort of complication to report. Obviously, a positive test from the MMT will mean further testing for you, including amniocentesis and more ultrasounds. Although this test sounds like a bit of a dud with the high percentage of false positives coming back, it's popular because it has and can effectively identify a majority of all neural tube defects as well as babies with Down Syndrome. So despite its obvious drawbacks, you’ll still want to arrange to take the test to better prepare you and your family for the fact that anything is possible. (see BabyCenter's page for additional information.)

Making a new friend, and cooking crepes for the first time.

So it has been a rough week that is now coming to a close. I have not been able to reach David all week, since he is again under the sea. It's weird going so long without hearing from him. Not only is it weird, it just plain sucks.

His grandfather is still in the hospital barely hanging on. But I believe in miracles, and I urge everyone to continue praying for Grandpa Charles Moore.

Baby Moore is growing and growing and growing. I am slowly watching myself expand, and feel myself get hungrier and hungrier. I have no distinct cravings, I want all food. At night I feel baby Moore at the bottom left of my stomach. It's like a ball is stuck in there. I like to put my hand over it and that is typically how I will lay for hours. I feel like since David sleeps to the left of me, the baby is trying to get as far left as possible to figure out where he is. Hehe. Then this morning, something weird happened. I was still lying in bed, just kinda laying on my back, and I felt something kick my hand from my stomach! Now I haven't felt anything inside yet, but I know something bumped my hand!! People may think it is to early for this entering week 16, but I think baby just has legs of steel like it's momma! Speaking of which, I was able to jog on a much lower speed for 15 minutes today. Unfortunately my heart rate was still much higher than 140, but I did not feel winded, over tired, and my breathing felt fine. I am going to talk to the doctor to see if this is ok, bc I am really feeling unhappy not being able to do any cardio.

And now for the highlight of my week. I made a friend! I know, you are all shocked. Rhonda being social? Not that lovable nerd. Yea, thanks guys. A few nights before David left, I was online trying to search information about his boat, and yes, stalk some people from the boat. Well I came across a girl with a belly pic as her profile who has a husband on the boat. It turns out she is, to the day, 4 weeks pregnant ahead of me with their first. Now I know I have mentioned her before, but her name is Lexi. Lexi and I pretty much talked online every day after that, but we are both shy people, and really nervous when it comes to meeting new people. We decided to set up our "blind date" at a pizza place called Mystic Pizza. It is made famous by that movie with Julia Roberts. Which is called Mystic Pizza. LOL. I still haven't seen it. Regina [long time friend from back home, mommy of my goddaughter Maddie, and fellow Navy wife ironically also stationed here] had started talking to her as well online, so the three of us decided to meet there Friday at 2. We ended up getting ice cream together after, and hanging out until nearly 6.

I'm in the pink, then Lexi, then Regina holding my goddaughter Maddie

Then the next day Lexi, her friend [and now ours too] Ashley, Regina, and I all went to a babies r us baby shower where they show you baby games and give out samples. There was a guess the baby food game, put together a pack and play, and then take it apart in the fastest time, and change a diaper in the fastest time. I won the pack and play game in 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The next closest time was 4 minutes and 20 seconds, and then the others were 5 minutes and up. These man arms still got it! I haven't received my prize yet. We also all made sock babies. I made a boy and a girl, even though I am really hoping for a boy. Hyde got a hold of the girl somehow, and attempted to eat her until I walked in on him. Guess he is feeling back to his evil self. I think it means he wants a boy too.

My sock babies. God they are cute.

And now its Sunday, and after the gym, my new friend Lexi and I once again had an adventure. We went grocery shopping, and I bought the ingredients to make a recipe she gave me. Crepes. She said I can put whatever fruit I like in them, but this time, I made mine with blueberries. It also gave me the chance to use the mixer David got for me for the first time. It was fairly easy to make, and I am excited to wow David with my breakfast skills when he gets home.

Homemade Blueberry Crepes. AMAZING

So while it has been a tough week, I am thankful for so many things. My baby is beginning to make itself known, Grandpa Moore is fighting, and I made a really awesome friend, and I think it is going to turn into a good lasting friendship. She and I seem so much alike, and I really have fun with her. Her friend Ashley is a doll too. Our little babies are going to get to spend their toddler years together! Oh and on farmville, Bethany showed me how to get more chicken coops. I love that girl.

I miss David everyday, and I cannot wait to hear from him. But I am not pouting around too much, because I know that would just make him sad. Until next time....

The Photos From New Years Eve 2009

A little late, but here are the pictures from New Years Eve at Tina's house. I know, I know, I still need to do Christmas. I promise they will come.

I got these socks in a 2-pack for a buck

They light up!

This is Zoe. She was my NYE Date :)

My New Years Eve Kiss

Mommy Tina & Zoe

Tina & I

And my sparkling grape juice. YUM!

Tina & I again

Tina's sissy, Tina, & I outside

STILL SNOWING!!!

Brrrrrrr so cold!

15 weeks

It's another Monday, which means baby has grown again. Today makes 15 weeks. I will not be posting a belly picture today since my last post had belly pictures. Today I weighed in at 162.8. This worries me. I did not want to gain more than two pounds by my next doctor's appointment which is on the 20th, and already I have hit the 2 pound mark. I need to cut down on the salt, and the snacking. But man oh man those potato chips and dip taste amazing. I restart my workout routine tomorrow. That should help.

David is once again unreachable until the next port. It has been a tough week without him, and it's going to suck not getting any contact with him now. Hyde and I miss him very much. Teddy is trying to be man of the house. Hyde finally starting eating again. He is such an emo cat. He spends his time sleeping on Daddy's chair, and curled up against Daddy's pillow. Here is a picture I caught of him sleeping in the bed. That is David's pillow with the Navy Sailor Bear on it, and there is Hyde leaning his little emo cat body against it.

Since David will be able to catch up on this blog in his next port, I am going to also start posting weekly "What to expect" updates on here each Monday as well. We used to read our weekly update each Monday night together. This way he will get to stay in the loop. It was weird to read in this week about the nosebleeds, bc I have been having issues with that. I have never had a nosebleed before, so getting my first one was confusing. I felt my nose run, and smelled something gross, then touched my face, and found blood and thought what in the world is going on? Then it happened a few more times, and I was asking David and my new friend Lexi about it.

Ahh yes, my new friend Lexi. I actually found her online, and we haven't met in person yet, but she seems so wonderful! Her husband is deployed on the same boat as David, and he is also a Nuke. She is exactly 4 weeks pregnant ahead of me with their first, so today is her 19th week. They want a girl, and find out on the 21st. She has helped me out as much as she is allowed to. The ombudsmen here is suppose to fill me in on everything with David's boat but she can't until the boat gives her my information. So I am in limbo, and it sucks being in the dark. I have also met through Lexi a few other wives and a girlfriend from the boat. I am very excited to meet everyone in person, but also very nervous, bc whenever I meet new people, I get super shy.

I also have been told [by Lexi] it would be a good idea to use the new week of pregnancy as a way to count down to when David comes home. So Monday night dinner is going to be "special" dinner to celebrate each week closer until he returns. Tonight I am making rib eyed steak, baked potato, and have my slice of cheesecake for dessert.

Here is what to expect for week 15....

Fetal development in pregnancy week 15:fetus in fourth month Your nearly four-inch long gymnast is happily mobile inside your womb and if you're really lucky, you’ll notice a point when your sneezing, coughing or laughing results in a little kick here or a poke there. Still, many women don't feel anything until the 17th week or later. Although the poking and kicking isn't very charming during sleeping hours, it’s a good sign as it means your baby is actually reacting to outside events. Yay! You’ve got yourself one active healthy baby! Their little elbows and knees are bending more freely this week and their little legs are finally growing longer than their arms and getting pumped up for prenatal Richard Simmons. Many of their major organ systems are increasing in capacity—particularly that amazing tiny heart and complex circulation system, which is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood per day, and will increase to a very impressive 200 quarts per day by the end of the pregnancy. As far as hair goes, we’ve got some new scalp patterns beginning to develop on the head, although actual head hair is not yet present.

And how's mom doing? Have your cheeks been rosier lately? (No, no, no-- we’re asking about your face.) Are you feeling especially radiant? This famed “glow” is brought to you courtesy of the pregnancy fairy who has waved her magical “rosy tinge wand” over you. Seriously though, your body is experiencing an increase in be aware that increased blood flow might cause your blood vessels to expand, resulting in a series of not-so-magical nosebleedsblood flow and you probably do have flushed skin and cheeks. Just be aware that increased blood flow might cause your blood vessels to expand, resulting in a series of not-so-magical nosebleeds for some women, which although perfectly normal, are a bit gory if you’ve got a day job. If you find the nosebleeds especially irritable, consider purchasing a humidifier to ward off future nose bleeds. Also, do your best to avoid irritants, such as aerosols, smoke, and dust.. Even though the placenta is regulating your babe’s hormones, you are still producing additional estrogen, which often causes swelling of the mucosa membranes, leaving you with a stuffy nose—potentially throughout the duration of the pregnancy. These are just a few of the charming physical experiences you can chalk up to the pregnancy fairy!

First of the Year, and I think my belly is starting to rise?

So the past couple days, I have noticed when I touch my lower belly, it seems hard. I have been reading in my books that the baby is now the size of an orange, and I forgot how big it said my uterus was, but it was large enough that it would start pushing into my stomach. I think that may have happened sometime during the past few days.

I am not sure though, bc I fear I could just be missing David so much that I am like imagining things. So even though it isn't a new week, here are some bare belly pictures. Does it look like the baby is starting to rise up into my stomach? What do you think? I just now took all of these a few minutes ago. Today I am 14 weeks and 5 days. BTW you can click on the pictures and it will enlarge them

I can see it is like pushing out beneath my stomach and into it kinda.

Photos of David in Spain. Happy New Year! Prayers for Grandpa Moore

While stalking the interweb I was able to stumble upon a crew member's wife who's husband is also deployed on David's boat. Somehow the husband managed to upload pictures from Spain onto his website, and guess who I found in four of his photos. Yup. By random chance, David happened to have made friends with the same guy, the same day I made friends with the wife. He had no idea she and I started talking. So now I have a photo of David in Spain. Hopefully the husband will upload more, and I can get some more peeks at David. I won't the pictures the husband took yet, in case David wants to show his own pics when he gets home.

My favorite

Black Jacket. Tan Pants

Black Jacket, Tan Pants, White Shoes

David is wearing the tan pants and black jacket, with exactly half his body cut out.

On a sadder note, David's Grandfather, Charles Moore, is not doing so well right now. I urge all of you to please pray for him, and a speedy recovery. It would be a great loss if anything were to happen to him, and I know David would be so crushed. So please please keep him and the Moore family who are traveling the 24 hours to be by his bedside today in your prayers.

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year! I have some pictures I will be posting later tonight of Tina's house. I toasted with my sparkling grape juice, and came home just after midnight. I also played wii fit, ate delicious taco salad, and stuffed myself with Tina's yummy onion dip. Onion dip is amazing. In a few I will be heading back to Tina's for her after party pancake breakfast! I am definitely looking into getting one of those wii's when we get reimbursed for our move here. I love playing the wii fit. Especially the hoola hoop. I am thinking of getting it as a welcome home present for David. If it is opened, it's just bc I am testing it out ;)