Proud mommy to Isabella Maia! My first name is Athena, Greek Goddess of Wisdom and War. My brother's name is Hermes, Greek Messenger of the God Zeus. The middle name Maia was given to my daughter after the Greek Goddess of Spring and the Mother of Hermes. Since I was very young, playing with baby dolls, I knew Isabella would be the first name I'de give to my daughter one day! The name fits her perfectly!

WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes

WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes, going on 4 years

WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Nervous, shocked, excited

WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Hell no

HOW OLD WERE YOU? 23

"Think of stretch marks as pregnancy service stripes."

"People who say they sleep like babies usually don't have them"

"I take my children everywhere, but they always find their way back home"

"Any child can tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he's in trouble."

"Always be nice to your children because they are the ones who will choose your rest home."

"Everyone is in awe of the lion tamer in a cage with half a dozen lions - everyone but a school bus driver."

"The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey their children."

"You know your children are growing up when they stop asking you where they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going."

Hello everyone! I'm Athena and I started using this site when I was pregnant with my little girl, Isabella Maia. My husband Joshua and I met when we were both stationed in Mississippi while serving in the Air Force. I was 19 and he was 21 when we said our "I DO's". We knew eachother for exactly 3 months before gettin' hitched on June 8, 2004. I asked him if he was going to marry me or not because there were plenty of desperate guys in line that would take his spot, LOL. That got him going, so the following Tuesday he proposed to me on Biloxi Beach, Mississippi. We drove to Alabama 7 days later and got married by a very southern gentleman at the Justice of Peace. It was so romantic, he even asked if we were blood related in any way during our vows, haha. No one knew we were getting married so needless to say, one week later when I called my mom to tell her I got married, she hung up on me. The parents calmed down and they couldn't be happier for us now. Josh got sent to Korea for 1 year after only one month of being married. When he came back we got stationed in Northern California. I was born in Southern California, so I am glad to just be back in my home state. I found out I was pregnant when we came back from a trip to Spain. We are huge Pink Floyd fans and flew to Barcelona and traveled to Galicia and Portugal to see Roger Waters from Pink Floyd LIVE. We had planned to have a baby soon, so the birth control patch came off, whoop whoop. Let the fun begin! Sure enough a few weeks after arriving from Spain, my eggo was preggo. I completed my 4 year term in the service and my hubby is now in his 9th year. I also happened to be 6 months pregnant at the time of separation. I gave birth at 34 weeks to a healthy, beautiful baby girl on December 17, 2007. She wieghed 5lbs 10oz and was 18 inches long. Although she came early..we were sent home the next day because she was doing so well.

6/9/2009- Hubby and I just celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary yesterday (June 8th,2009). I am starting to get baby fever, but I know now is not the time. We just bought our first home and I also just started a new job with the government. I am also trying to finish my degree in Human Services and Social Welfare. I think we will wait a bit so we can get settled and fix a few things around the house.

6/25/2009- I've been feeling a little depressed lately. I am not sure what has been triggering this but I think I may have a good idea of what is causing my feelings of sadness and just overall gloomy! I have expressedto hubby how much I desire to have another child. I feel like I am stuck though. If we have another child, we will be alright financially. We will be able to make it, but we will need to cut back on pretty much EVERYTHING. I hate the feeling of having to live pay check to pay check. I haven't had to do that in 5 years and I do not plan in starting now. Especially while having children. I just feel the experiences of going on trips like the zoo, museums, camping..etc, etc..is all part of providing the best experiences for you child. We are able to freely do all of that now with just Isabella. So, the other thing that adds into this equation is the fact that we went from a $1,500 a month rent to a $2,000 mortgage. So, my scenario is this...have just the one child and live comfortably and worry free, or have one more child/sibling for my daughter (which is something that will make our lives complete) but not be able to live life with the comforts we have now and risk being un-happy in a new financial situation? I know this sounds petty..but making a wise decision on wether or not having another child is in your best interest is a huge matter. I am very into "planning" my life, I don't plan on having another baby just becuase "they're soooo cute". It's a huge decision that can effect your life greatly and it stresses me out not knowing what hubby and I should do. Of course his reaction and answer to this is "we'll be fine no matter what". I guess it's natural for a woman to feel overwhelmed easier than it is for a man. For now, the baby plans we had to TTC in December 09, will be put on hold..perhaps forever