1,000 Days of Marriage...

ONE-THOUSAND DAYS AGO, Huzz and I said our "I-Do's" and committed to each other for the rest of our lives.

Forever and ever.

Always.

Devoted.

Just the two of us.

While eating dinner tonight, we were talking about some of the things that have happened in the last 1,000 days.

• Traveled to Costa Rica for our honeymoon
• Lived in NYC for 10 months (me)
• became an aunt and uncle for the first time (Hi, Hannah!)
• Traveled to Alaska
• Moved to and lived in Kazakhstan for a whole year
• learned to depend on God and each other
• prayed together every day
• Learned enough Russian to get by while living in Kazakhstan
• Flew business class (I had never done this before) while flying around the world
• rode in said Business class with Hugh Jackman (I saw him go in and out of the airplane toilet) -- I know -- I am very special.
• Traveled to Dubai for vacation
• Traveled to Turkey for vacation
• Found out we were expecting our first child
• Shed lots of tears (mostly me)
• Experienced lots of laughter together
• Moved back to the US and near our parents
• road-tripped through the midwest to visit family
• traveled to Seattle
• celebrated our 2nd anniversary
• Gave birth to our first child (trust me, that was ALL me)
• Spent lots of time awake in the middle of the night, feeding that first child (also ALL me!)
• watched in awe as our beautiful baby girl grew and changed every day
• learned what it means when another life completely depends on  your existence
• traveled to NYC with baby
• traveled to Florida with baby
• became an aunt and uncle for the second time (hi, Sadie!)
• became an aunt and uncle for the third time (hi, Peter!)
• went to lots of Rockies games
• watched pretty much every sporting event possible on t.v.  (surprisingly, this was NOT just Stephen - we only have one t.v.)
• learned how to be patient with the amount of sports that is watched in our house (totally me)
• turned 30  (Stephen!)
• turned 29 (me!)
• gone through some very tough times together
• gone through mostly amazing, unforgettable times together

There are hundreds of other things we did during the past 1,000 days that I can't remember because it's ONE-THOUSAND DAYS.

How cool is that?  I know that 1,000 days sounds like a lot and that it's only about 2 2/3 years, but it is still really special to me.

I love you so much, Baby.  Here's to 1,000,000 more days!

Yes, I understand that's about 2,700 years.  Just go with it.

For inquiring minds, since we got married, I have been keeping track of each day that has gone by with marking a tally in a little book I have...

Just kidding.  I'm not crazy.  I just happened to be on theknot.com the other day to look for our friend's page and found that our wedding page is still up and it said that we were married 997 days so far.  I got a little excited, knowing that Friday would mark 1,000 days.  I also know that I said I wasn't going to be blogging for awhile, but that I am blogging at this very minute.  I'm weird like that.  But seriously, this will be the last blog post you'll see from me for a long while.  I am reevaluating what I do with my free time and am feeling strongly that spending the time on the computer that is required in order to blog on a regular basis is probably not the greatest use of time.

Now, I am going to sign off and go snuggle on the couch with my husband of 1,000 days and finish my celebratory margarita.  Yum.

Also, if you'd like to read the accounts of our engagement that we wrote over 1,000 days ago, click here.

Pudge and Kisses...

Let's take a moment to study the rolls...

Thick Thighs

Rubberband Wrists

Fat Feet

Bodacious Backside

Oh, man...I LOVE the site of all those rolls!  I think each one is beautiful and perfect and satisfying.  She got those rolls from me!  

Both genetically, and otherwise...

I am still in awe of the fact that I have been sustaining another life for almost six months now, with no help, whatsoever from formula or cereal, or anything else.  That is just amazing.  It just shows that our bodies are designed to do it.  And clearly, she is more than simply sustained.  She is substantially sustained!  Ha!

Now that I got that out of my system...

Avery discovered her hands at least two months ago and it's still cute.

She studies them from all angles, rotating, twisting, and turning her hands slowly.  

She stares in awe that something so intricate is attached to her body.  I can see her little wheels turning...  "What are these for?"

Avery has also been giving "kisses" for a few weeks now.  First, she was just doing it to me, but it's next to impossible to take a self-picture of it when it's happening.  So now, she has started doing it with her Daddy.

She makes her sudden move toward your face, quick like a cat, with her mouth wide open.

She closes in on her target, ready to leave her wet, slobbery mark.

And ever-so-slightly closes her mouth around her target.  In this case, Daddy's nose.

And it's only fair that she gets a kiss back!

She thinks it's pretty funny!

Two Years Ago Today...

We married each other.

We committed to each other.

We began the rest of our lives together.

I am so blessed that I get to spend the rest of my life with my husband.

I am so thankful God gave me this gift.

I love you, baby!

*Photos courtesy of Brad Walters Photography

33 Weeks...

I know I am posting 4 days late, but the last 4 days have been so busy!

First, I'll talk about Baby Bruce. I went to my doctor's appointment on Friday and found out that the little monkey is head-down, so that is great news! Dr. P says that at this point, babies rarely flip back up, so hopefully Baby will stay in position.

I also spoke with Dr. P about vaccinations. I have been reading a lot about the normal flu vaccine and the infamous swine flu vaccine lately and was on the fence. I don't overreact to sickness and illnesses, but just try to eat right and gets lots of sleep during cold and flu season. But Dr. P said that she's never seen an illness like swine flu in her 16 years of having her practice and she's strongly recommending all OB patients to get the vaccine.

Because I trust her, I decided to follow her advice. And Huzz and I need to go get our normal flu vaccines soon. Again, the only time I've ever actually had the flu is two months after I got the flu shot when I was living in Maryland. But again, I could react differently since I'm pregnant. Sigh... This is just the beginning of making decisions like this for our family!

As you can see, I continue to get larger.

Baby is now the size of a large melon and should be over 4 pounds now!

"Baby's gaining weight almost as fast as you are these days (averaging out to about half a pound a week), which puts the grand total so far at more than 4 1/2 pounds. Still, your baby has plenty of growing up (and out) to do. He or she may grow a full inch this week alone and may come close to doubling in weight by D-day. And with that much baby inside your uterus now, your amniotic fluid level has maxed out (there's no room for more fluid now). Which explains why those pokes and kicks are sometimes extremely uncomfortable: There's less fluid to cushion the blows. Antibodies are also being passed from you to your baby as your little one continues to develop his or her own immune system. These antibodies will definitely come in handy on the outside and will protect your baby-to-be from many of those playground germs."

~ What to Expect When You're Expecting, 4th Edition

I have been getting lots of sharp pain from Baby's legs stretching up under my ribs. That hurts!

Last Thursday, Bro-in-law "E", flew in from the northwest for the weekend and his wife, Julie came on Friday night. On Thursday evening before we headed to the airport to pick up "E" (that's what we call him, seriously), we headed to the baby superstore to pick up the crib that had come in. Then, we headed to Triple B to buy the raised air mattress that was on sale and we had a 20% off coupon for. We got a $300 bed for about $180. Not bad, eh? We picked up "E" and got home kind of late.

Friday was spent getting ready for Saturday: cleaning, straightening, brushing Riley, fixing the kegerator, all the things you do to get ready for about 30 people to come to your house. Huzz turns 30 this coming Wednesday, so we celebrated that on Saturday night with a BBQ get together with friends. By the time the party started at 5:00, my feet were already throbbing with pain, but I pushed on until 1:00 am!

I made and decorated this cake and a sheet cake ~ do you like?

That cake was on FIRE!!! Haha.

Then, we had to get up by 8:30 on Sunday morning (we didn't make it to church) and drive down to the Springs so Julie could help host my baby shower at my mother-in-law's house. I hung out with my mom until it was time for the shower and that started at 2:00. It was so fun! I love seeing people who I don't get to see on a regular basis, but I have known since I was little. I have felt so blessed, loved, and cared for these past couple of weekends with these showers!

After the shower, we headed back to D-Town to take E and Julie to the airport, stopping at Noodles for dinner along the way. By the time Huzz and I got home, my feet were the most swollen they have ever been! I soaked them in cold water and then propped them up the rest of the night. They look a lot better now, but are still swollen, so they're up on the ottoman.

Today is a lazy day. I have a lot to do, but I've decided that today is my recovery day and I'll get busy tomorrow!

Quick update: my friends, the Stroups, have brought home their little Livia Joy home from the NICU! It sounds like she is doing awesome. Thank you for any prayers you lifted up for this family during the last couple of difficult and joyful months.

D to the Dubbs....

Who is the dishwasher in your house?
What's that? You have a dishwasher?

We don't. And we didn't when we lived in NYC, either. I forgot how much I hate not having one.

I despise handwashing dishes. The only time I don't mind doing them is when you have to wash the china.

But I registered for dishwasher safe china, so I will not even have this problem. One day. When I can live in a house with my stuff.

Gotta say: The dishwasher has to be one of the greatest inventions....EVER.

Lucky for me, Huzz is going home soon to do the dishes so I don't have to. Aren't I the luckiest girl, ever?

A-Towns...

So, Stephen's on his way to Astana today, for business. Just a day trip and he'll be back late tonight, thank goodness.

The last time Stephen went away on business, he went to Aktobe and Aktau, which are oil cities in the western part of the big K. He was supposed to get back late at night then, too, and was supposed to be home by 2:00 am. I had gone to bed and found myself waking up at 2:30 am, in a cold sweat.

I was freaking out. Where was he? I called his cell phone. No answer.

It was the first time I have ever felt like I had an actual panic attack. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't stop crying. I was so worried, I didn't know what to do. I actually ran around the house, calling for Huzz and checking every room, just to be sure he wasn't home.

Once I gained some sense, I cracked open the Big Book and read some comforting words. I sent up big P's for a long time, in the bed.

When I heard the car pull up around 3:00, I ran down the stairs and greeted Huzz at the door, sobbing uncontrollably, and so relieved. He hadn't answered his cell because he had to turn it off for the flight and at the time, we had to put a pin # in to get it back on and he couldn't remember what it was. Needless to say, we figured out how to disable that setting!

Let's just hope all of this does not happen again tonight. His plane is due back in at 11:30, so he should be home around 12:30, as he has no luggage, since it's a day trip.

Last night, we were talking about how this will be his fourth A-city he's been to in the big K. Almaty, Aktau, Aktobe, and now Astana.

I'm noticing a trend, as 7 of my 19 students have names that start with "A".

I have a big 'ol headache today that I woke up with and I have to teach tennis after school to twenty 8-year-olds. Oh, the joys.

29

** Even though the date above says the 6th, it was the 7th here in the big K. Stephen's birthday is on the 7th.

I've been having fun the last couple of days, slightly harrassing my husband because today is his birthday.

He is 29.

It's not really this birthday that I'm giving him a hard time about. It's next year's. Ha-ha!

Just kidding. But seriously, I am going to have to throw a serious 30th birthday party next year.
Now, the real point of today's entry is my tribute to my husband. Did you know...

• I knew within the first week of us dating that we would get married.
• Stephen is my best friend.
• Stephen always dirties a plate to make his sandwich in the morning.
• We call each other "baby" - gross, I know.
• I am a crier and Stephen is the best hugger.
• When he played basketball in high school, he was number 24.

"SINK IT 2, SINK IT 4, SINK IT NUMBER 24!" Yes, I cheered for him.

• He loves it when I cook for him.
• He completely gave up watching sports when we moved to the big K.
• He is working hard to learn Russian - more power to him.
• When his temper flares up, he gets really loud. I get annoyed.
• He is really good at math. Like really good.
• He keeps me informed about politics and the Market.
• His smile melts me.
• The power went out over the weekend for 6 hours. We talked and talked and talked to each other.
• He makes me feel like I matter more than anyone ever has.
• He convinced me to move halfway around the world.

Stephen, you are who I waited for for sooooooo long. I am so thrilled and excited that we get to spend the rest of our lives together. So, I will be there when you turn 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and even 100! And I will try to harrass you with each passing decade. Because I love you. And that's what loving wives do.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm a Little Behind...

I am the worst wife, ever! Even though things have been crazy, there is no excuse for me withholding the biggest CONGRATULATIONS that I can produce to my husband:

This is him, holding his CFA Level 3 results, which said he.................
PASSED!!!!!!! Whew!

He never has to take a CFA test, ever again! I am so proud of you, Stephen! You worked so hard ~ I know this because I was there with you in our 375 sq.ft. apartment, trying my darndest to be quiet, which was especially hard when I'd put on my I-pod while I did dishes or whatever and couldn't help but sing along. (I intensely annoyed him a few times!)

Nothin' like a nice cold one to celebrate ~ yes, this was back on August 22, but whatever. And he went for the expensive import beer....Amstel!

Update...

So, after hunting for an available cab on Saturday morning for twenty minutes, Stephen spent the day taking his final CFA exam!

When I asked him how it went when he got home that evening, he said, "It's over."

He says he doesn't feel like studying any more would have helped. He did his best. If his best isn't enough....it is what it is.

We are both so glad it's over. He will get his score in August sometime. Regardless....

I have a new husband! He is relaxed and happy and able to do what he wants without feeling guilty because he should be studying.

I am so proud of you, Stephen! You were so diligent with your studying and the amount of dedication that you have shown is unbelievable to me. You have so much more self discipline than I will ever have. I admire you for that!

CFA Numero Tres

It is 12:21 am and I am still awake, as my wonderful husband is still awake.....studying. Bless his heart. He started studying for this exam back in February and really hasn't stopped for too much.

All of his hard work and dedication towards this [stinky] test will finally come to an end on Saturday, when he shows the silly CFA people that he knows his stuff!

We will be starting off the day with a very early morning breakfast before he heads to the test site. Don't worry, people, I'll make sure he has a super breakfast, full of protein and goodness for his brain matter. Last summer, when he took the CFA Numero Dos, we did the same thing and I'm sure the eggs did a wonderful job of holding his appetite until his Chipotle run at lunch break.

Yes, he already looked it up and found that there is a Chipotle by this year's test site, too.

I am learning Stephen can be a little superstitious!

Please keep Stephen in your thoughts, especially on Saturday. He has worked so hard. He knows his stuff, so I'm just praying that he keeps a level head and remembers the things he has been studying. I know he is going to pass.

I will love him no matter what, though. Because that's why I married him.

I do really hope, though, that this is the last time I, I mean he has to go through this.