The names have been chosen...

We have chosen the names, however, we are still throwing around the idea of Tyler John Armstrong II also. Both of the middle names are named after someone on TJ's side of the family. Ruby is TJ's grandmother and Robert is his brother. I am not yet sure if they know that our little one may be named after them. It took us forever to decide on a boy name. Even now we are still not 100% sure. I have a feeling it is a girl, so I told TJ we won't have to worry about a boy name! However, TJ thinks it is a boy. If we only knew...we have another appointment tomorrow, so maybe we will find out...stay posted!

31 weeks...63 days to go...

Baby Armstrong is about 3 and 1/2 pounds this week. Our little one is now growing so fast...and so is mom! I have noticed some changes this week. I have began feeling braxton hicks contractions , which are random contractions that last about 30 seconds. Also, I have begun to have a lot of heart burn after meals. I will try to eat smaller, more frequent meals. Lastly, I feel like I have to go to the bathroom all the time from baby putting pressure on my bladder. For the most part, I feel fine. Some days are better than others. Only 63 days to go...

Our house...is a very, very fine house. Part 1

As all of you live so far away I decided to give you a little tour of our home here in Waynesville, MO. Part 1 of the tour will take you through our downstairs living area.

Waynesville/St. Robert, Missouri is the home of Ft. Leonard Wood military base which is currently expanding the number of soldiers on site. Waynesville is in Pulaski County, Missouri which was recently named number 3 in the list of the top 10 military metro areas for quality of life. Hunter's Point Townhomes are located outside of Waynesville, MO about 5 minutes away from the Fort Leonard Wood west gate. Townhouse living provides privacy with no neighbors above or below. This single family garden level condo is located in is a safe, fairly quite neighborhood that is free from heavy traffic. It was built in 2006 and features a roomy living area, 2 bed rooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, kitchen with pantry, laundry room, and carport.

As you enter, you will walk into the living room. It is a spacious area that features hard wood floors.

As you continue on, you will notice the 1/2 bathroom located in the living room area.

Finally, we end at the kitchen. The kitchen is a very large area that features a pantry and white appliances: dishwasher, stove, microwave, and refrigerator.

This is a rental, therefore, we can't really do much of anything to the walls. I have tried to put our personal touches on it to create "our" home. I am going to get creative and try to put some fabric on the walls in the nursery to give it some liveliness. Stay tuned for part 2 to see the upstairs and how the nursery turns out...

SSG Poe is doing great things in Iraq.

The above video is about my battle buddy SSG Kristen Poe. She handed out over 200 school bags and supplies to children at the UR Primary School, which is located in the southern Iraqi city of Nairiyah. SSG Poe is doing great things in Iraq and I am proud to say that she is my battle.

I met SSG Poe during my 6 month tour in Qatar last year and she has become a dear friend of mine. After she returned from Qatar and PCD's to Fort Hood, TX she was sent back to the "box." SSG Poe is currently in Iraq assigned to the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division "Long Knives." SSG Poe military occupational specialty (MOS) is Intelligence Analyst. Recently, she made the selection board to be promoted to Sergeant First Class (SFC). Hopefully, soon she will get picked up and be promoted to SFC. She will then outrank both TJ and I...Congratulations battle!

Her picture can also be found in the March 2009 edition of Soldiers magazine on page 47. The magazine is not yet posted on the website but can be found here at a later time and date: http://www.army.mil/soldiers/archives/

Stay safe and God's speed...We miss you and love you

TJ, Maranda, and peanut

Our crib has arrived...

Thanks to grandma Vonda our peanut will have a place to sleep at night. She purchased our Graco Sarah Convertible Crib. Peanut will be able to enjoy for this many, many years as it converts to a daybed and then to a twin bed. The crib is beautiful and we love it. Thank you grandma Vonda!! On its way to are some additional items purchased for the nursery: futon from West Elm and glider from target. We can't wait to get all these items and start putting our nursery together!

Items to purchase on last week's to do list: diapers, pacifiers, thank you cards, and baby care kit. As you can see I didn't get all the items on my list! I also purchased baby leggings, although TJ is not too fond of them, and beanies. The beanies are the cutest things I have ever seen. They have little holes in them so if peanut is a girl we can add a flower to them.

I am not packing my bag yet, but I have started making a list of items to bring to the hospital. Besides a change of clothes and a toothbrush, some items I will include: outfit for TJ (as he will probably get a call at work), snacks for energy, gum, slippers, favorite pillow, peanuts' blanket, reading material, a nursing nightie, nursing bra, a going home outfit for your peanut, camera, camcorder, and fresh batteries.

The pick-up...

"cattle truck"

TJ started his first basic training cycle on April 13, 2009. He is attached to D company/148th Infantry Battalion. His company had pick-ups on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. What does this mean do you ask? The pick-up takes place after the reception process, where soldiers fill out all their paperwork and all medical tests are completed. If you have ever been to basic training, you will ALWAYS remember pick-up day. A cattle truck picks the soldiers up from the reception area and brings them to the basic training living area. When I say you get into a cattle truck, I don't mean that you casually get in and get a ride. They call it a cattle truck for only one reason, you are packed in there like cattle with your duffle bag strapped to the front of your body. You couldn't fit one more soldier in there it is so tight! A drill sergeant on board instructed us to look straight forward and keep quite. The ride was quite and peaceful, however, I felt nervous, scared and anxious...anything but a feeling peace. We arrived to our destination and I could hear the doors open and the light shine in. Nobody moved. Then, the yelling began and you knew who was in charge.

"Get off my bus."

"Go over there, line up your bags and get in alphabetical order...move, move, move."

They will give you some ridiculous time period, like 2 minutes, which is like 30 seconds drill sergeant time. It is pretty impossible for 200 knuckle-heads to do this.

"Get down and beat your face." (we got down into the push up position.)

"Down"

"Up"

"Teamwork is the key"

"Down" we repeated "teamwork is the key"

"Up" we repeated "teamwork is the key"

The sweat dripped off our face and began puddling onto the ground. We repeated this process until our arms were no longer able to hold our body up. Then, we were given a chance to redeem ourselves and perform the task as requested. We failed. The process continued. The next few hours was a continuous succession of push-ups, sit-ups, and over the head arm claps in between a greeting sessions, training modules, chow, and more. That night, despite my physical fatigue, I remember lying in my bunk, thoughts rushing through my head, "What did I get myself into?" It was the first time in my life that I felt alone and helpless. I couldn't run to mommy and daddy anymore! Mental toughness is 99% of surviving basic training. The purpose of basic training is to turn you from a civilian to a soldier. For the next nine weeks I was broken down, and built back up.

7 months...wow...crazy how time flies by.

Today, I am 29 weeks pregnant. Baby Armstrong is about 2 and 1/2 pounds and is about 15 inches long. I have increased my calcium intake through my milk, yogurt, and orange juice intake as baby will now need this for his/her bones. The books say that constipation and heartburn may occur, however, I have yet to welcome these friends. Knock on wood, baby Armstrong is treating mommy very well. The only thing that I can complain about is that I sleep quite a bit. I never can seem to get enough sleep!

Wow! It seems like just yesterday we found out we were having a baby. The time has flown by. I guess we better get shopping. So far, we haven't purchased really anything yet. The only additional items that are in my closet consist of Christmas gifts. The blanket my Mom and Dave gave us. I absolutely love the colors. I am debating on using the blanket as the color inspiration for the nursery. Also, we received some books and toys. My cousin Kelley and her family sent the Tiger blanket and teething ring a couple months ago. We are so spoiled! The last item pictured is the one that will be most cherished. We received that from Auntie Linda and Dale. We all miss him so much! He was a great man who lived life to the absolute fullest. Most of all, he was there for his family and would do anything for them. He included each and everyone of us in everything he could. He had a heart of gold and I will pass my memories to little Armstrong. He/she will know how excited uncle snake was for him/her to arrive.

Things to do this month: Buy diapers, wipes, nail clippers, thermometer, a bulb syringe, pacifiers, baby-friendly laundry detergent, thank you cards, and stamps.

We also registered at Target today. There will be a shower in ND sometime after the baby is born. We will have more information about dates after a month or so. TJ does not yet know when his cycle break will be. Little peanut is coming right between is basic training cycles. So, hopefully, he will be able to get some time off to travel back to ND. If not, it will just be me and peanut. We are also planning on having the Baptism at Nativity in Fargo, ND. More information on that later as well.

Good-bye 2 door cars...hello mommy wagon!

It is time to get rid of my fun 5 speed, 2 door sports car and get something that is a little bit easier getting to the backseat to take out little peanut. This will be my first 4 door car and I am sure it will be quite different for me. I am not yet sure what I will be purchasing. So far I have been looking at the Chyrsler 300, Dodge Charger, and an Audi's for my perfect mommy car. Of course, I will be making some changes to my mommy wagon...the addition of new shiny rims. After that, I should be the coolest mommy on the block.