Happy Birthday My Sweet Girl

So. Tomorrow, 29 March, is sweet Reilly's 4th birthday. 4 years ago, I was complaining about how miserable I was being pregnant.

I had a pretty easy pregnancy with my little girl. It was a complete shock that I was pregnant...I went into Planned Parenthood to get back on birth control -- what a total shock it was for me when they came back and told me that there was no possible way that I was getting on birth control because..SURPRISE!!! I was pregnant. So almost 9 months later, after about 10 hours of labor and almost 3 hours of pushing, my gorgeous, 7lb 1oz, 20in daughter was born into the world at 4:39pm. She was sure a sight. Gross and wrinkly. And her smooshed up face. But she was my baby. My princess.


I didn't sleep much for the next couple months...I was so busy being a new mommy...and then watching two other kids all day long. I was completely exhausted all the time. I don't think I have ever felt so tired in my entire life. But of course, those baby cuddles and watching her sleep were totally worth it.


Other mom's (and dad's too!) understand what its like...you have this little tiny person who you are now completely responsible for, but you wouldn't change a thing. Reilly was...and still is, the absolute NUMBER ONE person in my life. I would do any and everything for me. She is obviously spoiled. But she is level headed. She's smart and gorgeous and completely ridiculous...but she's MY daughter. I absolutely cannot imagine my life with out her -- even on her worst days, when she is being the BIGGEST PAIN IN THE ASS EVER.....she is still the best child I ever could have ask for.

The last four years have been super trippy. She's just grown up so much. I remember when she first started crawling and rolling, walking and talking....learning her ABC's and 123's. Learning how to form sentences, color, make faces....jump and run....play the drums and use an iPod.


How did I get so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing daughter that makes me smile and laugh so much? I would do anything in the world for this girl, and I hope one day I can.
Not only am I lucky enough to have such a great daughter, but she is lucky enough to have such amazing people in her life. Her daddy, though not her biological father, is the best male role model I could ever fucking ask for. He treats her JUST like his own daughter...he is wonderful. Sweet and loving, but he's firm and fair towards her. Just like any other father should be. She has amazing support system too -- my parents, Bradley's parents, and our friends that are so close that could be family. She just has so many people around her that love her unconditionally. She is an absolute JOY to be around.

There honestly is too much and not enough to say about Reilly all at the same time. I have a hard time finding the right words to just describe how much I love and adore this child, and just saying that doesn't seem to cut it.

So Happy Birthday to you Reilly Eryn Campbell -- my gorgeous, sweet, caring, amazing, smart 4 year old. May the next year bring you amazing new things, and changes.....may you grow and learn great new things. I hope you enjoy your move to Hawaii, and you have a completely amazing year.

I love you so much.

Happy Birthday my sweet princess.

food revolution.

For those of you who don't know, I absolutely love cooking at home. Nothing, and I seriously mean nothing, beats a home cooked meal. It is a staple of American culture....or at least it used to be. 20, 30, 40 years ago, more people cooked at home than they do today. I don't even have to look up statistics to know that. Our lives have become so hectic and busy that we feel the need to pick up fast food on the way home from work every day, or take the family out to dinner. We rarely have time to look through a cook book, or make a grocery list, or go to the grocery store and go shopping. And when we DO cook at home.....we make frozen pizza, or chicken nuggets...I am a huge lover of Lunchables...why? Because all of those things are easy. It's easy to push a button and heat up the oven, or to start a microwave. We work SO hard every day at our jobs that we end up putting our own health and the health of our children at risk.

I need to say right now that I am not and don't claim to be the healthiest eater. Yea, I go out for fast food every once in awhile. Yes I have some junk food in my house. Sure, we heat up a frozen pizza sometimes -- but the difference for us is that I rarely let that junk into my house...about 60% of the food we eat is organic. There is rarely a good time for us to make a frozen pizza. And I try to cook good, delicious, HEALTHY food for my family. 6 out of 7 days of the week I cook. We don't eat crap every single day of the week. Not only do I love cooking and creating meals for my family, but I think it is absolutely necessary to have someone cook at home for the children and teach them about food and cooking. I'm not trying to get on anyone's case, I'm not trying to say I'm better than anyone, because I too am guilty of the things that Americans, and people all over the world are doing which is causing obesity and health problems.

I needed to get that out of the way...

American's especially are in danger. We have already lost ourselves, and our bodies, to fatty, processed food that is ridiculously bad for us. Packed full of sugar and preservatives. Packed full of fats and oils that we don't need in our system. Think about what you, or your child eats in a day -- especially those school age children. There was a reason I rarely ate school lunches. I thought they were disgusting. And that was about 20 years ago that I started elementary school. They weren't good food. So what do you eat? How many cups of coffee do you have packed with sugar and syrups? (Yup, I sure do love me an iced latte!) How often do you stop through the drive through when you are in a rush? How many #3's or #7's have you eaten in the past month? What about your children? How many happy meals have they had? How many cartons of school milk have they had that are packed with sugar and additives? What about those sloppy joes or previously frozen tater tots? And what do you think you are doing with all of that sugar, fat, and preservatives? Well, if you are one of the people in the less popular category, you work out. You go for a jog or a bike ride and you stay in shape. But those foods are still doing bad things to your body. If you are in the more popular, and easy category, like I am, your exercise consists of picking up your almost 4 year old or walking up the stairs. But I digress -- I'm not talking about exercising. I'm talking about eating.

I have a challenge for everyone. Go to this website http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes -- I absolutely LOVE Jamie Oliver, and if you aren't sure who he is, he is a British chef, who is starting the Food Revolution. A talk he gave is the reason for writing this post (I'll post the video later) -- he is a huge advocate of eating healthy, home cooked and also, organic food. I love him. Anyway, go on over to his website. Pick out TWO new recipes to try out this week. Its only two. Cook two home cooked, healthy meals for your family this week. Not only will you be proud of yourself for cooking two meals from scratch -- I always feel accomplished when I make a meal that my family adores -- but you will be making a healthy meal for your family. Its replacing that big mac you were going to have for dinner. That's all I ask. Two, quick, easy, simple, HOME MADE meals. If you want recipe suggestions, not only do I have a million, but I know other people who have good recipes stock piled as well. Even you single guys -- you should be able to cook yourself a meal. Trust me, nothing is sexier than a man who knows how to cook a good meal.


Lastly -- this is what started it all. This blog anyway. Please, if you have 20 minutes, take the time to watch this video. Its amazing how much shit kids are literally putting into their bodies every single day. It makes me want to cry that a child, older than Reilly, doesn't know what a tomato, or an eggplant is. One of my daughters FAVORITE all time food -- you wanna guess? Sure, she loves her popsicles, and her candy, and her happy meals (mostly for the toy I'm certain) but she LOVES eating raw green and red peppers. Last I checked, that was a vegetable. She would also rather eat a salad than fries. She has great eating habits. So please check out this video


<3

abortion. pregnancy. life in general.

Whenever something on the news pops up about abortion, especially when politicians are involved, I almost immediately reach for the remote so that I can change the channel. Why? Because 99% of ALL politicians make me want to throw something at the TV. There are some things that I've scooted over to a more conservative point of view on, something that my father in law and I have had more than one conversation about, which is fine by me. I have my beliefs....but being pro-choice is the one thing that I am absolutely DEAD SET on being on the liberal side about. I can't STAND that we as Americans...as WOMEN have to sit by and let men (mostly) make decisions about what we can and can't do to our bodies. I personally, have never had a reason to have an abortion, and I don't foresee any reason to have an abortion in the near or distant future....BUT that doesn't mean that I don't think that every women in the continental United States shouldn't be able to get an abortion. Going to the rallies against the pro-lifers, I've seen a lot of people get out of hand...as in any rally. However, a lot of the problems can from the pro-life side of the spectrum. As pro-choicers, we were merely there to make our opinions heard. I can't tell you how many high-school (AND YOUNGER) kids were made to go with their pro-life schools and parents, and how many of them had questions about abortions. It wasn't "what is an abortion, or how does it work?" But questions like "why did you feel that you needed to get one" or "why should this be important to me". I saw numerous kids get shuffled away from these conversations because their parents/teachers....those are the kids who are going to rebel against their parents in a HUGE way because they have all these thoughts and questions that they aren't going to get answers to.

I respect the people who choose to think that abortion is wrong -- I'm not going to sit here and say that their opinion is wrong. That wouldn't be right. They have every right to not like abortion, to not believe that women shouldn't be able to get them....but what they DON'T have a right to do is tell me, or any other woman, what they SHOULD or SHOULDN'T be able to do to their bodies. As of age 18, I could go get whatever I wanted pierced or tattooed. I've been able to get pregnant and have babies if I choose to, or even if I didn't. Why shouldn't I be able to have an abortion if my life can't deal with a baby right now? What if I didn't make NEARLY enough money to cover the cost to have a child...should I have that baby anyway? Sure...there are TONS of couples looking to adopt....but um...hello?! How many children right now are stuck in the foster system and can't get out because people want babies, or people without disabilities? If you want a child THAT fucking bad, then you should be happy no matter what. Also, I do not condone abortion as birth control. Just because you continually forget your birth control and keep getting knocked up, doesn't mean you can just get abortions willy nilly. This is also why they have the Plan B pill! Come the fuck on people. I know more than one person who have had at least one abortion, and I can tell you that it affects everyone differently....some people are remorseful, some people aren't. It just depends on what kind of person you are, and under what circumstances you are getting an abortion. If they make abortion illegal, there are going to be back alley abortions again...people doing it in their own homes, not in a sterile environment, "doctors" performing them with coat hangers and surgical tools that are not supposed to be used....no counseling...no nothing...is that really how these cats in Washington want their wives, daughters, granddaughters to live? Really?!

Okay. I'm done with that topic for now.

On to pregnancy -- Soooo I'm 14 weeks pregnant. Still. Everyone is absolutely convinced I'm having twins....I'm still crossing my fingers for only one baby. Though, if we did have twins, I'd be getting my IUD put back in again and then scheduling a counseling session to get my tubes tied. I can't imagine having any more than 3 kids, and I think it would be a good idea. I'm still not feeling that great....I don't have the morning sickness anymore (though, there are some things I still can't eat...I have a hard time with shrimp for some reason), but I'm still completely exhausted and I try to take a nap at least once a day. I'm constantly getting headaches throughout the day, starting with the first one when I wake up. I've also been getting dizzy and feeling faint between 1 and 2 if I don't eat something right at lunch time. Sometimes other times during the day too. It's pretty fucking lame....as I told Bradford this morning, this is the part of pregnancy that is supposed to be GOOD. The part that makes me wanna have MORE kids. The part that reminds me that the first trimester sickness and the last trimester miserableness (I know, not a word) , and the labor pains and staying up all night is TOTALLY WORTH IT....I base all other pregnancies on this trimester alone! And so far, this trimester isn't looking that great. I'm going to talk to my doctor on the 29th and see what she (or he?) says...I'm just so tired of feeling like shit. Not to mention now I have this ridiculously stuffy nose, and I can't sleep more than a couple hours at a time for multiple reasons (the nose, having to pee, Reilly...whatever) I just want to feel better, and myself....and not like a fucking lump on a goddamn log. I'm so tired of this.


Meh. Alright, on to other things. Nothing really has been going on -- we're gearing up to go through everything in the house in anticipation for our move. I can't believe that we'll be outta here in just THREE MONTHS. There are so many things that we want to do and so many things that we HAVE to do before we move. We want to make a list of things that we can enjoy with Brooklyn and Steven (only our best friends in the entire world) which include going up to Seattle AT LEAST once. I also have to have a baby shower (which Brooklyn has so graciously offered to plan for me) and do family stuff and it just seems like we don't have the time. I wish we could go to Brooke and Steve's wedding and I wish we could go to Ohio and visit before we move...but we just can't. I'm not going to put my body through THAT much flying and time change and Bradford doesn't want to either.

Expect pictures for one of my next posts as well because its going to be after Reilly's birthday party. I also need to do what I said I was going to do and start doing a food blog. Maybe I'll do one later for the dinner we had last night. It was delicious. Tonight I'm going to make cheddar biscuits and some kind of chicken. Haven't decided yet. Reilly and I are also going to be making Muddy Buddies at some point in the next day or so.

Reilly is calling me to take a shower...sooooo I guess that's what I'll be doing.

<3

yikes. 10 days!?

So its been awhile since I've updated. So lets get to gettin!

So lets see -- Bradford came home last week. Which, besides him being home again, was pretty uneventful. Though Reilly was very very excited, jumping out of the car and screaming "DADDY!!" while running to him. It was completely adorable. She loves him a ton. So since he's been home its been business as usual...he gets up and goes to work, and Reilly and I hang out and home and do home stuff. It's pretty boring staying at home all day again.

We went out for date night last weekend -- we went to The Rock, where I ate a ridiculous amount of pizza and chips (and drank way too much diet coke) and then we went and saw a movie (Shutter Island to be exact -- was an alright movie....). I love date night. We rarely get nights to ourselves, so it's always welcome. And since we don't have Jax anymore, we actually get to do stuff for date night.

So as of tomorrow, I'll be starting my 14th week of pregnancy. I've been feeling a little better, but it seems like once something goes away, something else comes to take its place. I still feel sick every once in awhile, usually early in the morning, or late at night, and my RLS (restless leg syndrome) has been completely ridiculous the last week or so. It keeps me up at night (unless I'm taking something to help me sleep) and then if I wake up at any point during the night, I can't get back to sleep. I've also been completely exhausted, again...I always want to take naps, and usually end up dozing off during the day at some point...I try to get as much done as I possible can, but my body just needs me to take it easy. I feel bad because I know I need to keep up on the house and stuff, I mean shit, its my goddamn JOB for fucks sake, but I just don't have the energy. After I take a shower, I have to lay down for a little bit. After dinner, I have to lay down for a little bit (or like the other night, I have to lay down in the middle of MAKING dinner) I'm pretty sure I caught Brad's cold, which is why I've been feeling so uber icky lately....but I know its not all cold. So I've just been trying to take it easy -- luckily Bradford has been pretty understanding with everything and giving me a break. I think that he's okay as long as I get something done during the day. And I'm trying really hard, but then again, it took me a little more than a week to get the house clean for his arrival home, and even then it wasn't perfect. I just really hope that I start feeling better and more energetic. On the plus side, we have a couple appointments coming up!! March 29th (Reilly's birthday!!) is my 16 week appointment that Bradford will be coming with me to. And then April 26th is our ultrasound appointment! Yay! I'm still debating on if I want bring Reilly with us -- if we do, Brad has to watch her in the waiting room until right before we're done with the appointment. Mom talked about coming and hanging out with her, but I don't wanna make her do that if she doesn't have to. I think there are pros and cons to both having her come and not having her come. But I think in the end I'll see if someone can watch her for a little bit while we go to the appointment. Whatever, we'll figure it out when the time comes, we still have awhile. So picture update time. (The picture is at 13w2d I believe) Please ignore the ridiculous face I'm making. I was concentrating on sucking in the fat. Everyone seems to be thinking I'm having more than one baby, but I honestly highly doubt it. If that's the case, they might as well cut me open and tie my tubes after the birth...because I think if I had twins, I'd be done. Haha. but anyway. So I'm not as huge as I feel, I don't think. It's just really hard to think that I'm both only 14 weeks AND HOLY CRAP 14 WEEKS! I feel much farther along than I actually am, but at the same time, the last couple months have flown by. I found out exactly 2 months ago that I was pregnant. 26 more weeks to go. Haha. Ish.


So what else is there to update on? OH! Sooooo since my due date was supposed to be about a month before we had to be in Hawaii, Brad and I were talking about leaving early...which I think I mentioned...anyway, when he got back from Maldives, he put in paperwork to see if it would get approved for us to move earlier....well -- it did. July 10 is his new report date, which means, we'll be outta here probably at the very end of June. I feel like we have a lot to do before we move, and of course, I'm the only one that thinks so...but we have to make sure we get all of our utilities shut off and our last bills, we have to get movers here to pack up everything, go through everything, decide what we are going to do about housing, and a car when we get there....and a ton more stuff....it just FEELS like a lot -- it probably isn't all that much. And depending on when we can get all of our stuff shipped will depend on when we can get outta our house....its just deciding a lot of dates and times and what not and we need to kinda get everything as set in concrete as we can since we are depending on mom and dad for a couple weeks before we move for a place to live and a car. This isn't going to be anywhere near as easy as when Brad moved from Hawaii to here....he didn't have a wife and a kid (with one on the way) to move too. *sigh* I'm just glad that we'll be there and we can get settled before the baby comes...I should learn to just let things go and let them happen as they happen and deal with things, but I like to be in control and know exactly what is going to happen and when, and the Army doesn't help with that. :/ But I'll deal and everything will be fine, and I'll just be stressed and Brad will deal with it like he always does because he loves me. It's weird that in just a couple months we'll be in Hawaii starting a new chapter in our lives...a new state, a new baby....my how time flies. Also with moving so fast, I'll have to have a baby shower in time for everything to get packed up by the movers -- so like, the end of May-ish...but then again, its one of those things that needs an exact date....and Brooklyn is dealing with it, so yea.

So Reilly's birthday is coming up. (March 29 like I mentioned earlier) and so is her birthday party (SpongeBob!!) ! I have almost everything -- minus the cake, and a menu...unfortunately, the menu is going to depend on if its sunny outside or not. I'd really love to BBQ something...but I'm not entirely sure what to make! I'll have to sit down this weekend and figure it out...(thought I just checked out weather.com and it doesn't look like its going to be nice at all...sooo) maybe crab cakes or something along those lines? I guess I don't really have to MAKE anything (like lunch) I could just do snacks or something. I dunno. I'll figure it out. I'll get help from Brooke/Steve & Bradford and make a semi-kid friendly menu. I also have to deal with the balloon situation...I want to blow up 50+ balloons to give the house an "underwater" feel, but Bradford doesn't want that many balloons in the house. LAME! I bought them for a reason. Whatever, I'm going to call the Party Store and see how much renting a tank would be vs. having them blow them up.

So I think that's all for now! More updates to come! I'm going to start a weekly food post as well, since I'm always cooking and everyone seems to enjoy my food. It's pretty nommy.

<3

my complaints about the army...

There are some things that military spouses often complain about -- deployments or tdy's where their spouse as to be gone for an extended amount of time, PCSing, the late night on guard duty, kids not being around both of their parents...the list goes on and on.

The one thing that I hate MOST about Bradford being in the Army is this -- there are some things that I just don't want to do. As a stay at home mom, my livelihood...my JOB is to take care of my house, and my family and that's it. Which, I have absolutely no problem with. When I feel 100% and I'm not feeling sick or tired from pregnancy, I'll spend the day cleaning and entertaining my daughter. But there are still things that I really DON'T like to do. And when Bradford isn't home, I'm FORCED to do those things. Lets see...what I can think of right off the top of my head.

OH! Okay.

#1 - calling/talking to/interacting in any way with my landlord -- Its not that I don't like my landlord...he's a pretty alright guy. He's really understanding, lets us kinda get away with a lot of stuff, etc...I just don't like talking to him or interacting with him. It feels like confrontation to me...and I really don't like it. I don't know why, but I've always been like that. I wish I could find a landlord that I could talk to, and get along with and could feel comfortable enough around, but this landlord just isn't it -- and I don't expect my next landlord to be any different.

#2 - dealing with the car in any way, shape or form, other than putting gas in it -- A lot of this stems from working at a car dealership for a long time...and also comes from a little bit of a sexist point of view. If it has to do with the car, its the mans job. Men, in general, don't bullshit other men when it comes to certain things, cars being one of them. I don't like taking a car in to get the oil changed (except for when my most ultimate favorite mechanic Eli worked on my car) because I FEEL like they are trying to rip me off. Which is why I've gotten into the habit of mentioning that I used to work at a car dealership. I think that by mentioning that I was at one time "in the biz" so to speak, men in said "biz" will take me a little bit more seriously....I'm not sure that they do....but its still something that I don't like doing...

#3 - doing anything in the garage -- First off, I was told that the garage is NOT a place for the ladies. In fact, the only reason I was allowed in the man cave (as far as I am concerned) is because Bradford didn't have anyone to play pool or darts with besides me. Which is all well and good, I love playing pool and hanging out with my husband. But what I DON'T like, is having to keep it up to his standards. I don't know where everything goes...I don't want to spend hours out there trying to put everything back in its place...hell, when he's gone, I rarely step foot out into the garage unless I ABSOLUTELY have to....which thankfully I don't have to do that often. But the mans garage is intimidating! I don't like that.

#4 - anything and everything involved with dyi. -- INCLUDING putting pictures up on the wall. That's also one of those things that's a little sexist -- and I don't like doing it because I hate being responsible for lining things up the right way, and everything like that. Plus, I'm not sure I'm very good at fixing things either.


I know that these (even though I've already stated it) can come across as sexist. I believe that in the household, there are jobs that men do, and jobs that women do. Women clean out the oven and organize. Men take out the garbage and handle "manly" jobs, like dealing with the cars, and things of that nature. But that's just how I am....I like being able to have my husband certain duties and I handle my own. I deal with the bills, and the utility companies, things of nature.

I don't think its necessarily WRONG to like things that way either -- it's just what I'm comfortable with -- kinda like back 40-50 years ago when the man was the bread winner, and the woman stayed at home and did all the house work...I still like that part...only I expect to be able to work when/if I can, go to school, and I would still like help with the house work and kids...a little more equalized if you will, but for the most part, I like things the way I like them.

<3

this might be old news but...

I was talking to my mom the other day, and we were talking about growing up and being adults. It came about because we were in the mall, walking towards Best Buy so I could get Where The Wild Things Are and get Transformers for Reilly for her birthday. As we walked through the food court, there were about 10-12 teenagers just sitting here...totally loitering...not doing anything of any value for society other than staring daggers into the adults and unpopular kids. I made the comment about how I never wanted to be a teenager again. Which is the complete and total truth. You couldn't pay me to go back and be a teenager. I told my mom that I was happy being a grown up -- and even though paying bills and being responsible sucks sometimes, I would much rather be happy in my marriage, and with my family, and content in my life, and not have to deal with all the petty bullshit and drama that your late teens and early twenties brings you.

Then again, you will always be forced to endure a little bit of drama as you get older...close friends and family...and normally you put up with it because you love them...but then there are people who you just can't deal with. Who always have to be up in your business, and bringing the drama into your life. I know a couple people like that -- so I'm not singling anyone out by any means, but I know multiple people who its seems that their only goal in life is to make life more difficult for everyone around them, and then themselves.

I realize that I already kinda did a post on this, but it bothers me -- teenagers are teenagers and for the most part, we assume they are going to act like total asshats to everyone they know. But what excuse do you have, people in your mid to late 20's? How can you call yourself a responsible adult when you have a kid (or kids)? Or you're married....or you plan on GETTING married? Why even involve yourself in such petty bullshit? Because its "cool"? Because its not. Its why people don't like you...because you can't separate your 24-25 year old self from your 16 year old self. Just -- for everyone's sake, just please go ahead and take your head outta your ass, look in a mirror, and grow the fuck up. You and your behavior don't make you special. They make you look like a jerk.

Just sayin. (stay tuned for another post sometime in the near future)

<3