Valentine

This year, valentine's day went a little differently...and it was perfect! Hubby bought me presents a few weeks ago and I got to open them when they came in. And same for his. It's a bummer that customs requires all contents be written on the box, so Hubby knew what he was getting before he even opened the it.

We had a home dinner of steak, box mashed potatoes, canned greenbeans, and hotdog bun modified garlic bread. I can't stand the taste of most meats right now so I stuck with the potatoes, beans and bread.

Now I'm watching wonderful AFN (pure sarcasm there...) while Hubby is doing homework.

Just another glamorous day in Italy.

Baby Things

Looking for important baby items such as a crib, stroller, highchair...etc. is a bit overwhelming. I plan on waiting till I visit home to go shopping with sisters and Mom before I pick out the big items.

But...I am going to start a list of baby toys and books and I would love your input! I'm looking for things between 3 months - 2 years.

Hallmark recordable storybooks

Baby Einstein toys, books and dvd's

LEGO Duplo

Foam puzzle play mat

Dr. Seuss books

little tikes

We Have A Theme!

Nursery theme has been picked out! It's been decided (thanks to hubby's sis) that the nursery is going to be beach/ocean inspired. I'm happy because I LOVE the beach, and hubby is thrilled that his sand turtle from Disney World has a "home" now.

Pinterest has been my latest time hogger and I've been finding all kinds of cool ideas to inspire us as we start to plan and prepare. Hubby's goal is to have all the main stuff in place by the time he deploys (who knows when).

For all those that are wondering about where we are going to register for baby things, that won't go out until we know the sex of this little bambino which happens the end of April.

Great Day in Italy!

Today I had an interview for an AMAZING job here in Italy on base. It went so well (in my opinion) and I couldn't feel happier or more confident. It will be two weeks before I know if I'm offered the job or not.

Yesterday was a huge low. But today helped by turning out to be so great! The best part about these good days is that I get to share the joy with you! I love sharing happiness with you...even if it is just thru the internet.

After the interview, hubby bought me lunch at the bowling alley. (It's the most popular place for lunch on base.) Maybe I'm still in newlywed "puppy love," but I can't help but be so proud to be out with my husband. It doesn't hurt that he is the handsomest of all the other boys in uniform!

Happy Friday to all.

Italian Hospital Experience

Today I had to visit the Italian hospital here near Vicenza to see a specialist. I expected something different, even difficult, but I never expected a day from hell. And that is to put it nicely.

I spent 45 minutes trying to find parking around the entire hospital. I called the patient liaison
three times asking them where to park and where to go. Side note: I had to circle the little town three times because of all the one-way streets exiting the parking lots. I called my poor hubby sobbing and ended up yelling at him. I didn't mean to!

Finally, after the third call to the patient liaison and explaining all the illegal parking that
was going on (people were that desperate), I was finally directed to a grocery store lot, down the street, thru a round-about, down another street, past the hospital. I showed up to my appointment about 20 mins late. I was somewhat remorseful...but mostly mad.

The patient liaison walks to me the doctor's office which is in an alley way, and into a closed
office. For the next half hour I sat and listened to the doctor and patient liaison talk back and forth, asking me very few yes/no questions. I wondered why I was even there. They seemed to have a pretty good conversation about who-knows-what without me.

After the appointment I waited another 20 minutes for the patient liaison to write up the notes,
walked back to my car about 1/2 mile away, and drove back to the base (getting lost on the way back).

Then I really cried.

Now we are back in the apartment watching an old show called Roseanne, and song just came on "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

I should have balls of steel by the time this three years is up.

Latest Cravings

Fettuccine has been my lastest craving...along with wishing I could shop at HomeGoods. Don't ask me why the two are combined. Maybe cute cookware to go along with wonderful food?

Here is my homemade recipe of Fettuccine for 2:
6-8 oz. fettuccine
3 strips bacon
3 boneless chicken breasts
3 T. marg or butter
3 T. flour
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 c parmesan (can use more - it's all I had)
dash of basil
couple dashes of parsley
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
3/4 c. frozen peas

Very yummy and very creamy!

Learning to Adjust

Yesterday we had our first ultrasound and the little one was so cute! I'm ten weeks along today and will start taking weekly baby bump pictures at twelve weeks.

Not really sure why, but I've always thought this little one is a boy. So until we find out for sure what the sex is, sometime in April, I'm going to be calling this baby "Jr." During the ultrasound he was flailing his little fists around and kicking vigouriously. Looks like I will have a little energizer bunny on my hands.

Our new dog, Baylo, is such a sweetheart. For being less than a year old, Baylo is very laid back and I love spending time with him. I don't feel as crazy talking out loud to myself when Baylo is around!

Living in a foreign country is quite an adventure and traveling throughout Europe is a blast! But, the day-to-day life can be frustrating and all the new things thrown at me are a bit overwhelming. It isn't easy being pregnant for the first time on top of being away from everything and everyone I know, living in a different time zone (my body still hasn't adjusted fully), and facing a deployment in the future.

It all sounds horrible when thrown together like that, but it's not THAT bad. My morning sickness is getting better. I have more energy to go out and do things now. Not having a job just yet has allowed me to rest when I'm tired, and organize the apartment a little each day. I have a beautiful and BIG apartment with more amenities than I ever expected. I have a job interview coming up (and it's for a GREAT position). I have a mountain view from nearly every window of the apartment!!!! AND best of all, I have a wonderful husband that is adjusting and adapting like a champ to all my crazy hormonal changes.

Come to think of it...I'm the luckiest girl in the world!

Thank you for all the wonderul congratulatory phone calls, emails, and FB posts after Jr's first ultrasound. It's always great hearing from you all!

By the way, any cool plans for Super Bowl? It doesn't come on until about 1am on Monday morning here, and since it's not the Rams playing, we probably won't be watching it. Who are you cheering for?