Baby bump debut...

I have promised some people that I would put a picture of me on the blog as soon as I had a little belly. Well, the belly is making its debut. It really isn't much and you can only see it if I am wearing certain clothes, but it is definitly there!! Hey BABY!!! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the little bump. I will try to put pics on every 4 weeks or so as it grows. Mommy also thinks she feels our little surprise and can't wait for Daddy to be able to feel the kicks and jabs too!!!

First Baby Shower...

So, last weekend I was surprised by all my girlfriends here in La Madd with Spa weekend and baby shower! It was a REAL surprise. Mainly because it is so early in my pregnancy. However, a lot of us will be doing a lot of last minute travel before the base closes and some are due to leave in Dec. So, they all thought it would be better now than later! It was really great! The hotel was in an area with hot springs and had a heated pool with saunas, steam rooms, heated rocks to lounge on and of course the spa. I got a manicure, pedicure and facial. The massage thereapist at the hotel would not touch a pregnant woman. So, I just got one in La Madd!!! I got some wonderful gifts from everyone! My favorite had to be the cake made with diapers. It was made with newborn diapers. When I opened it up I couldn't believe how tiny the diaper was. All that went through my head was, "God, are you sure you want ME to take care of something that tiny?" hahah!!! And, one of the girls made me a cake that actually looked like a baby with a pacifier in its mouth! That was cool!! It was actually hard deciding where to make the first cut!!! The party was great and a wonderful surprise. It made me feel special and realize that this baby is real and is REALLY coming!!!

notice the diaper fits in my palm!

the baby cake!

Smile for the birdie....

Here is the newest picture of our baby! The baby is 14 weeks and on Friday we will begin the 15th. All is great with the baby! We heard the heartbeat and saw it really good this time!! We even saw the baby MOVE!!! That was super cool. The doctor was showing us the spinal cord when all of a sudden the baby did a flex motion front and back and then a little flip. The picture we have here is the result of all that motion. If you notice the words are upside down? That is because the baby was doing a head stand!! Yep, that is MY baby!! The doc, who is a great friend, said "There is your little gymnast!!!" I put the picture with the head up because it is much easier to see what it is that way!! The picture is taken from the side of the body and you can see the baby's profile and the arm and hands! The hands are kinda in a praying motion!! During the visit the baby moved the arms a lot as well! I tell you what, Dallas and I totally loved this appt. Compared to the last time, where the baby was practically a gummy bear with no movement, to a baby moving all over made it quite entertaining! Let's just say if we didn't believe in miracles before today (and we did) that we absolutely do now!!! Doc says I am doing well too, so all is great in Gipsonville!!! Even Daddy seem really proud and happy!!

If you double click the picture it will enlarge the image!

Baby at 14 weeks and 4days.

Not sure about mommyhood...

Hahahaha!!!!!! My friend Sandra sent me this picture! We were in Cinque Terre, a town on the northwestern coast of Italy, enjoying the beach until it was time to head home. Not soon after we had gathered all our things and began heading to the car we realized I had everything, the bags, stroller and Mia( her daughter) and Sandra was carrying nothing. Needless to say we laughed so hard!! I looked like her little nanny slave!! It was hillarious. Except, now, I have a picture of what life as a mom is going to look like for Ms. Cindy!! We all know I am a little chaotic and try to do everything all at once. Maybe this was meant to be and a good practice for things to come!! HAHAHAHA!! Poor Dallas!!

Me and my Mia (those are her legs dangling!)

La Maddalena's Last Navy Ball.....

Dallas and I at Navy Ball 2007. No that flower is not in Dallas' hair!!!

As many of you know, the base that we are currently stationed at is in the process of closing. These are strange times here and filled with a lot of bitter-sweet moments! Last Friday was the last Navy Ball ever to be held in La Maddalena. Instead of the usual formal affair we had a very casual luau. The remaining 150 service members and their families came out for one last celebration as a La Maddalena family! The ship has left and now the remaining service members are busy wrapping up some red tape before we lock the gates and turn in the keys to the NSA compound. Sad times, but we are trying to enjoy all of this little island, that has been our home for the past two year, as much as possible.

Baby's first gift...

Baby Gipson has received his/her first gift!! My mom and dad couldn't resist the Arkansas Razorback socks and pacifier!! It was great that they waited to give it to us in person too!! That was really special! I couldn't feel it, but I am sure the baby let out a Hog Call when I opened the gift. Go HOGS!!!! Wooo PIG!!!

Oh, and no comments on how tired I look!! I know!! ;-)

Family Fun in Italy...

The group at the Rome Airport

So, I have obviously been MIA with my blog lately and I am sorry for that. For the last two weeks I have been touring Italy with my Mom, Dad and Aunt Brenda and Uncle Jack! We had such a good time. Well, I guess I should say I had such a good time!! It was so much fun to watch them take it all in for the first time!!! At the end of their trip we went to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany! Wow, what a fun time that was! It is really something everyone should do once. The beer tents are loads of fun, but on top of that they sit in the middle of one the world's largest carnivals. Oh how I wish I could have ridden the rides! I did find solice in the roasted almonds,however!! They all got to taste the Oktoberfest brew while I chugged water!! Let me tell ya, I was glad they had a lot of bathrooms available!! Our little masterpiece loves to take refuge right ontop of my bladder!! I guess technically, little masterpiece, has already begun traveling the world!!

The group ontop of the Duomo in Florence

Chug, chug, chug! That was some great water!!

Cindy and Brenda in the Haufbrau House Beer Tent

Brenda, Jack, Pop and Mae enjoying Oktoberfest Carvnival