Tuesday, 22 Jan

Friday, 29 Feb

Saturday, 15 Mar

My husband and I are getting on each others ` nerves today! Ha, ha. We don `t live together at the moment, unfortunately, but we talk all of the time. He always asks how I am doing, and since I didn `t want to lie today and say `Fine! ` I told him the truth (I still have morning sickness, achiness in my lower stomach and breasts, backaches, headaches, trouble sleeping, etc., so I told him so). He didn `t sympathize at all and pretty much told me to stop complaining. Then I asked him if he `s thought of any names for the baby, and he says `Suzy Q and Betty Sue ` trying to be funny. I got mad and yelled for a while. Oh, well. My mom thought it was really funny, but I was not amused. Men aren `t always the most understanding creatures, are they? I wish that he was here though, because this is hard to do this alone sometimes. Oh, well, I just had to vent for a minute. On a good note, I will be going to the states to visit him in a few weeks and we will find out the sex of the baby (even though I think I know)! We are going to have a private ultrasound. I really can `t wait!

Thursday, 1 May

Everything seems to be going well so far. I am a little achey sometimes in the lower abdominal area, but the baby kicks and squirms all of the time, which is great. We are pretty sure that the baby is a girl now. I love her so much. I can't believe that I am 27 weeks already. Time has gone by so fast! What's really neat is that I talk to my husband every night on the phone and he always talks to the baby. I put the phone on my abdomen and as soon as he starts to talk, she kicks just about every time! It's so cool that she can hear his voice and respond to it. So far, I have gained 24 pounds, which sucks, but I passed my glucose tolerance test with flying colors and my blood pressure continues to stay low. Plus, I am finally going back to the states for good on 30 May. I have already begun the countdown! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do much shopping to get ready for the baby while I have been in Germany. Everything is so expensive on the economy and there is not much of a selection at the PX. Oh, well. I will just go all out when I get back! My husband and I are hosting a 'Name Our Baby' contest for all of our relatives and friends. . .just for name suggestions. It's been really fun so far!

Tuesday, 3 June

I am finally home! I got back to the states on Friday evening and I am off work for the next couple of weeks, which is great. I am so glad to finally be out of Germany. My husband finished painting the baby's room over the weekend. It is pink and white and looks great! We purchased the Tropical Punch bedding set and I am going today to look for large stuffed animals to match the room. Anyways, we have officially decided to name the baby Gabrielle Olivia. The name Olivia actually won the contest, and Gabrielle came in second place, but I had my heart set on calling her Gabby already. The baby moves all of the time, which is wonderful, but sometimes her movements hurt a little. I have finally been able to sign up for childbirth classes, too, and my husband and I start attending them next week. My job gave me a baby shower before I left Germany. It was really nice and made me feel special. Anyways, I am having a second baby shower this weekend. . .it will be exciting to see everyone that I haven't seen in years! We also have another ultrasound tomorow, which I am really looking forward to. There seems to be a lot going on for my husband and me over the next couple of weeks! It's exciting!

Sunday, 22 June

Well, we found out on Friday morning that I will be delivering the baby on 11 July 2008 via C-Section unless she decides to come earlier. I will be 37 weeks along. I was hoping to wait until I was 39 weeks, but my doctors will not allow me to go any further than 37 weeks due to my previous surgery. Oh well. It just seems so soon. I hope that my husband and I will be ready. My parents are going to come for the baby's birth and my husband will be off work to help out. We have almost finished decorating the baby's room. It is so cute so far. We still have a few more items to buy and I am planning to get as much as I can over the next couple of weeks. I had my second baby shower on 7 June. It was so much fun! I am having my thrid (and last) baby shower this weekend. My sister-in-law is throwing it for us. I have been so blessed to have so many baby showers and so many people are supporting me, my husband, and our unborn daughter.

Friday, 11 July

I gave birth to Gabrielle Olivia today. It was the happiest day of my life. I love her so much already.