TJ receives AAM...

On Friday, March 27th I attended a going away celebration for 5 Soldiers of the 3rd Chemical Brigade. Of those 5, TJ was recognized with an Army Achievement Medal for his contributions to the S-3 staff operations. The Army Achievement Medal is awarded to any member of the armed forces of the United States, or to any member of the armed forces of a friendly foreign nation, who while serving in any capacity with the Army in a non-combat area on or after 1 August 1981, distinguished himself by meritorious service or achievement of a lesser degree than required for award of the Army Commendation Medal. During this last year, "SSG Armstrong meticulously planned, coordinated and executed the 3rd Chemical Brigade Semi-Annual Training Brief (SATB). He executed the brigade operation order, synchronized six subordinate Battalion SATB's, the Battalion to Brigade STAB, the Brigade Commander to Commandant SATB and the final SATB to the Commanding General. He was instrumental in collecting the briefs from all the subordinate Battalions and building briefing books for each phase of the operation." After receiving the award, TJ thanked his fellow Soldiers for mentoring him throughout his time with 3rd Chemical Brigade. He added that he is excited and honored to be a drill sergeant and that he hopes to many great things. We all know he will do a great job. TJ starts his first cycle of basic training at the middle of April. He is eagerly excited to start.

Fargo Flood of 2009...

God bless all the flood fighters out there!

Instead of evacuating...they stayed to fight! This is what North Dakota is all about. I was born and raised in ND. I am so proud to say that this is where I am from. I feel bad because I cannot be there to help my Fargo friends and family. I miss you, love you, and God Speed.

This video is by leehoedl. He has made many great documentation videos. Check them out at http://www.youtube.com/user/leehoedl.

Myths, Traditions, and Folklore...

First of all, how is gender determined? Baby Armstrong's gender is determined by the father, TJ. If TJ provides an X chromosome, the baby will be female, and if he supplies a Y chromosome, the baby will be male. I can only provide only an X chromosome. Studies show that there is nearly an equal number of sperm containing X chromosomes as containing Y chromosomes so we have an equal chance of having a boy or a girl.

Are we having a boy or a girl? Predicting the baby's gender is an area filled with myths, traditions, and folklore, as well as science. Here is our results to the tradition and science.

How you carry the baby. Low is a boy. High is a girl.
This predicted Girl

Drano test. I did this at about 15 weeks. The first mornings urine is mixed with crystallized Drano. If it turns a brownish color it is a boy. No color change means it is a girl.
This predicted Girl

Mayan method. The ancient Mayans believed that you could tell a baby's sex by comparing the mother's age at conception with the year of conception. If both numbers are even or both are odd, you'll have be a girl. If one number is even and the other is odd, the baby is a boy.
28/2008
This predicted Girl

Cravings. Simply, more cravings for sweet food mean you are having a girl. Sour cravings indicate a little boy is coming.
This predicted Girl

Pendent test. Suspending a gold ring from a string over a pregnant woman's belly can predict the sex depending on the way it swings -- back and forth for a boy, in a circular motion for a girl.
This predicted Girl

Activity of the baby. It is said that an unborn baby who is very active, kicks, and moves a great deal is more likely to be a girl than a boy.
This predicted Girl

Chinese Lunar Calendar. The sex of the baby is determined by my 'lunar age' (age plus nine months) at conception and the month of conception.
This predicted Boy

We can't say for sure...but it looks like a girl. We are so anxious to find out. We are hoping we can get in soon and get another ultrasound...not that ultrasounds are 100%. We just want to know pink or blue?

Sorry

I apologize for not letting you view the videos on this blog. Because I had made the videos private on YouTube you were not able to view them. I edited the videos and now you will be able to see all the videos on Beyond Genes. Enjoy...

It has girlish features...

TJ and I had an ultrasound today. We have been patiently waiting for this day since we found our we were expecting. Before the Dr. began he made sure that we wanted to find out the sex. We assured him that we were ready. However, our little baby Armstrong wasn't ready to expose his/her gender. Baby's was head down looking at mommies legs. Therefore, we got a really good picture of the head (picture #1) and feet (#2). In addition, the legs were smashed together. Thus, the doctor was unable to tell us anything. Dr. Baldwin stated, "it has very girlish features, so I am for a girl." "Don't throw away your receipts though!" he added. TJ and I laughed. Well, what can you expect. You wait so long for the day to come and it just doesn't work out. I am hoping to get in again someone this week or next and try to get a clearer picture. Maybe then we will have a better idea than just "girlish features."

It is official...Drill Sergeant Armstrong graduates

TJ graduated from Drill Sergeant School class 03-09 from Fort Jackson, SC. I was able to be there, although, peanut and I had a little bit of problems getting to daddy due to the weather. My flight from Springfield, MO was delayed due to bad weather in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX where I was supposed to fly in. Thus, when I arrived at Dallas I had missed my flight. The only other way to get to TJ was to fly into Charlotte, NC instead of Columbia, SC where I was originally supposed to go. Poor TJ had to drive 1hr and 1/2 to pick me up at around midnight the night before his graduation. We were all so tired the next day, but it was all so very well worth it. Daddy was able to feel peanut move inside of me. Something I had been waiting for him to experience since he left.

TJ considers this accomplishments to be one of the highlights in his career. He was very excited and proud of himself to be able to be this successful in this short period of time. Now comes the hard part. He has to endure 2 years of working 6-7 day work weeks with hours from 5 in the morning till about 8 at night. He isn't too worried though because this is what he really wants to do and he knows that the payoff will be tremendous. I think even more exciting than his drill sergeant graduation will be the graduation of his first cycle of basic training. I am so very excited to see him and the Soldiers that he has transformed from civilians to Soldiers, In addition, to see the gratitude and thanks he will receive from families and friends of their loved ones.

Although there was some talk about us possibly moving to Fort Jackson, SC or Fort Benning, GA due to Army drill sergeant needs. In the end, we will be staying at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and will stay here until his drill sergeant tour is over. Even though there is not much to do here, I am excited to continue our lives here in Missouri. TJ, on the other hand, saw what Fort Jackson, SC had to offer and was a little bit disappointed to return to MO. Life isn't always about the place you live, but those in which you live there with. I am excited for those memories to continue, especially once our little peanut arrives. We both realize how dramatically our lives are about to change. Although some may believe that

The stork dropped off some gifts...

You don't have to do something big to make an impact in the McDougall/Armstrong family. Or the McStrongs...a ridiculous name that TJ thought up tonight when we were bumming on the couch. We received two gifts this week, actually the same day. I came home late that night from a final and was so relieved to be done with the semester and wind down for the night. Much to my surprise I had two packages waiting for me at home. I scurried up stairs and opened them as soon as I could. Aunt Kathy and Darrel Holm sent us the very cute onesie and baby blanket. Grandpa and Grandma Elbert sent us a baby bag, onesies, and a book. In addition to the gifts that we received from Christmas and throughout the pregnancy our closet is definitely growing. I guess that means that I will have to give up some closet space for little peanut. Which means, I have some organizing to do=( Thank you to everyone who has sent gifts. In addition, for your all of your love, support, and advice you have given us. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and can't wait to share our little peanut with you all. May God bless you all and comfort you in the palm of his hand.

Our baby is 1lb...

Little baby Armstrong is 24 weeks old now. I can't believe how the time has flown by. It seems like we just found out we were having a baby. Now, I in 3 short months we will be meeting our little peanut. I am also finally looking pregnant as it took awhile to get the baby bump. I guess that means that more maternity clothes will be in my future. So far, I haven't had to wear any up to this point. I ended up just buying a bigger size in jeans because my belly wasn't really developed yet. I have experienced that it has become a bit harder to get out of bed and I am not as graceful as I once was with my movements. With the increased baby bump, people have started to touch my stomach more. At first, I was a little weirded out with people touching me. However, I have gotten used to my belly being rubbed and petted like an animal at the zoo. TJ and I have discussed many baby names but are not quite 100% yet. We have considered our family history and recently purchased a book to help us brainstorm and make our final decision. I know you all have been waiting as patiently as we have to find out the sex of our peanut. March 16th will be the day we find out. I can't wait to start the decorating process. Only three months to get it done...