23 September 2010
22 September 2010
"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping!"
This past weekend, along with putting up all of our autumn decorations, Kris and I tackled the baby registry thing.
I have been a good little girl and stayed away from the baby section until we found out Peanut was a boy. Let's face it, anything baby related is simply adorable and I only wanted to buy what was needed without blowing every paycheck.
Kris bought this cute little outfit for Jackson a few days after we found out he was a boy!
I haven't bought one thing for Jackson yet so when it came time to start scanning items for our registries, I went a little crazy.
Well, this picture is clearly posed. I actually didn't do much scanning at Target because the gun was so big and awkward to carry. Plus, I had my little list of suggested things to register for and I was bossing Kris around half the store.
I was complaining while we were on our way to Walmart to do our second registry that I didn't get to do any scanning. So, we agreed that I could be the scanner the second go-around. Little did we know that Walmart would have way cooler, smaller scanners for registries.
Kris was pretty mad that it was my turn to carry this scanner when he got stuck with the big, junkie one.
Our "wish lists" are pretty small compared to the suggested registry size but we only scanned things that were completely necessary. We know that a lot of people would like to pick out their own baby clothes to give us and we didn't want to stifle anyone's creativity by scanning our choices for clothes. I am going to buy one or two pieces of clothing for Jackson so I am able to pick something out though.
All-in-all it went pretty well minus the fact that we had to go online to finish adding some items. I am excited that we got our registries done in time for baby-shower season.
I have been a good little girl and stayed away from the baby section until we found out Peanut was a boy. Let's face it, anything baby related is simply adorable and I only wanted to buy what was needed without blowing every paycheck.
Kris bought this cute little outfit for Jackson a few days after we found out he was a boy!I haven't bought one thing for Jackson yet so when it came time to start scanning items for our registries, I went a little crazy.
Well, this picture is clearly posed. I actually didn't do much scanning at Target because the gun was so big and awkward to carry. Plus, I had my little list of suggested things to register for and I was bossing Kris around half the store.
I was complaining while we were on our way to Walmart to do our second registry that I didn't get to do any scanning. So, we agreed that I could be the scanner the second go-around. Little did we know that Walmart would have way cooler, smaller scanners for registries.
Kris was pretty mad that it was my turn to carry this scanner when he got stuck with the big, junkie one.Our "wish lists" are pretty small compared to the suggested registry size but we only scanned things that were completely necessary. We know that a lot of people would like to pick out their own baby clothes to give us and we didn't want to stifle anyone's creativity by scanning our choices for clothes. I am going to buy one or two pieces of clothing for Jackson so I am able to pick something out though.
All-in-all it went pretty well minus the fact that we had to go online to finish adding some items. I am excited that we got our registries done in time for baby-shower season.
Autumn's Arrived!
Even 90 degree weather in the afternoon can't stop me from getting ready for my favorite time of year!
20 September 2010
It's a BOY!
I am very late in blogging this news: everyone already knows that Peanut is a boy and that Kris and I have decided to name him Jackson Dean.
I have a great reason for not blogging yet and it has to do with an evil scanner and my computer-illiteracy. I wanted to include Peanut's (uhh Jackson's) ultrasounds in this post because they are really quite funny, his legs are spread and he seems pretty darn pleased with himself. However, I don't have a scanner at home and the scanner at work is satanic.
(The printer/fax/scanner combo is not set up to a computer. Seems like an easy solution right? WRONG! My mac is not compatible with the software to connect to the scanner EVEN THOUGH it connects to print. What the heck...)
I WILL update this blog asap with photos of Jackson's ultrasound once I gain access to a normal scanner that likes me.
Moving on to the doctor's appointment:
I was originally supposed to find out Peanut's gender on Friday the 10th but the ultrasound tech had a family emergency and my appointment was rescheduled for Monday the 13th. Kris pulled all kinds of strings at work to get to be in Chattanooga instead of Fort Campbell during the appointment (including having a doctor's note faxed into his chain of command.)
Needless to say, the day had already started out stressful enough because I had to stop at my old OBGYN to pick up records and they conveniently "misplaced" Peanut's first ultrasound EVER from Fort Campbell. I was beyond livid. I think it is pretty reasonable for a first-time mom to want that memento but the receptionist acted as if I was being unreasonable. I couldn't wait around for her to find it so I had to leave to make it to my appointment.
In the waiting room, Kris and I waited for well over an hour before even being brought into an examination room. The entire time I was worried about work because my appointment was at 10 a.m. and realistically I should have been back at the office by now. When we were finally brought into the back, no examination rooms were open so we were placed in another doctor's personal office to wait.
Cue another 45 minutes of more waiting, during which my preggo self was fuming!! It was not a great first impression of a doctor's office that is for sure. The doctor whose office we were sitting in finally made an appearance and offered to do an initial consult because our doctor was busy. She was awkward, unperson-able and after reviewing our file stated the dreaded words:
"Well, it looks like everything in your pregnancy thus far is fine. We don't do ultrasounds until about 20 weeks so we will see you back in 3 weeks time."
Cue my uncontrollable break-down of tears. I seriously could NOT stop crying and I NEVER cry. Poor Kris didn't know what to do and the "fill-in" doctor probably thought I was a crazy person.
In between hiccups and tears I explained to her that our appointment was rescheduled because the ultrasound tech was not in on Friday. If we were NEVER going to get an ultrasound to find out Peanut's gender than why was our appointment rescheduled? Kris and I firmly said we were not leaving until we had an ultrasound and met the doctor who would be delivering.
Moral of the story : I should have starting crying two hours ago and I would have been seen faster because as soon as the tears came everything fell in to place: they gave me an ultrasound 3 weeks earlier than their policy, my OBGYN set down and spoke with us and I got the blood work done for the genetic testing I wanted.
I am usually a pretty level-headed person but I think after everything that had happened to us that day, I just lost it when they made us wait 2 hours past appointment time and then didn't even have the appointment I was supposed to.
I think it will be funny to go back for my next appointment. I am sure nurses and employees will turn around and walk the other way to avoid "the crazy lady."
I have a great reason for not blogging yet and it has to do with an evil scanner and my computer-illiteracy. I wanted to include Peanut's (uhh Jackson's) ultrasounds in this post because they are really quite funny, his legs are spread and he seems pretty darn pleased with himself. However, I don't have a scanner at home and the scanner at work is satanic.
(The printer/fax/scanner combo is not set up to a computer. Seems like an easy solution right? WRONG! My mac is not compatible with the software to connect to the scanner EVEN THOUGH it connects to print. What the heck...)
I WILL update this blog asap with photos of Jackson's ultrasound once I gain access to a normal scanner that likes me.
Moving on to the doctor's appointment:
I was originally supposed to find out Peanut's gender on Friday the 10th but the ultrasound tech had a family emergency and my appointment was rescheduled for Monday the 13th. Kris pulled all kinds of strings at work to get to be in Chattanooga instead of Fort Campbell during the appointment (including having a doctor's note faxed into his chain of command.)
Needless to say, the day had already started out stressful enough because I had to stop at my old OBGYN to pick up records and they conveniently "misplaced" Peanut's first ultrasound EVER from Fort Campbell. I was beyond livid. I think it is pretty reasonable for a first-time mom to want that memento but the receptionist acted as if I was being unreasonable. I couldn't wait around for her to find it so I had to leave to make it to my appointment.
In the waiting room, Kris and I waited for well over an hour before even being brought into an examination room. The entire time I was worried about work because my appointment was at 10 a.m. and realistically I should have been back at the office by now. When we were finally brought into the back, no examination rooms were open so we were placed in another doctor's personal office to wait.
Cue another 45 minutes of more waiting, during which my preggo self was fuming!! It was not a great first impression of a doctor's office that is for sure. The doctor whose office we were sitting in finally made an appearance and offered to do an initial consult because our doctor was busy. She was awkward, unperson-able and after reviewing our file stated the dreaded words:
"Well, it looks like everything in your pregnancy thus far is fine. We don't do ultrasounds until about 20 weeks so we will see you back in 3 weeks time."
Cue my uncontrollable break-down of tears. I seriously could NOT stop crying and I NEVER cry. Poor Kris didn't know what to do and the "fill-in" doctor probably thought I was a crazy person.
In between hiccups and tears I explained to her that our appointment was rescheduled because the ultrasound tech was not in on Friday. If we were NEVER going to get an ultrasound to find out Peanut's gender than why was our appointment rescheduled? Kris and I firmly said we were not leaving until we had an ultrasound and met the doctor who would be delivering.
Moral of the story : I should have starting crying two hours ago and I would have been seen faster because as soon as the tears came everything fell in to place: they gave me an ultrasound 3 weeks earlier than their policy, my OBGYN set down and spoke with us and I got the blood work done for the genetic testing I wanted.
I am usually a pretty level-headed person but I think after everything that had happened to us that day, I just lost it when they made us wait 2 hours past appointment time and then didn't even have the appointment I was supposed to.
I think it will be funny to go back for my next appointment. I am sure nurses and employees will turn around and walk the other way to avoid "the crazy lady."
13 September 2010
Family photos!
Ok, I couldn't help myself...
In late June, Kris and I got family photos taken by a fellow Army wife, Dana, who owns her own company Mugshots by Dana. I was so excited to see how they turned out and even MORE excited when there were several great shots to choose from.
I mean, let's face it. Most family portraits end up like one of these beauties:
Can you believe those are ACTUAL family portraits? I don't know about you but I would be embarrassed to hang those on my wall.
Because of pesky copyright issues, I can't just copy and past some of my favorites here. However, you can view our album compiled by Dana here!!
After being directed to Mugshots by Dana do the following:
Scroll down to Recent Muggings
Select Page 2
Click on Samantha 6/26/2010
Browse through our album!
Would love to hear your favorites!
All photography taken by Dana at Mugshots by Dana Fort Campbell, KY
In late June, Kris and I got family photos taken by a fellow Army wife, Dana, who owns her own company Mugshots by Dana. I was so excited to see how they turned out and even MORE excited when there were several great shots to choose from.
I mean, let's face it. Most family portraits end up like one of these beauties:
Can you believe those are ACTUAL family portraits? I don't know about you but I would be embarrassed to hang those on my wall.
Because of pesky copyright issues, I can't just copy and past some of my favorites here. However, you can view our album compiled by Dana here!!
After being directed to Mugshots by Dana do the following:
Scroll down to Recent Muggings
Select Page 2
Click on Samantha 6/26/2010
Browse through our album!
Would love to hear your favorites!
All photography taken by Dana at Mugshots by Dana Fort Campbell, KY
08 September 2010
Best graffiti ever!
I am normally the person who gripes and complains whenever I see graffiti. I seriously think it is a form of littering, not to mention it usually looks so tacky.
(Ok, whining over.)
Today, on the way to one of my article interviews I saw this beauty:
Now, thanks to my lovely sorority sisters Journey's Don't Stop Believing is pretty much a staple in any of my play-lists. I mean, who can resist the catchy music and awesome opportunity for air guitar solos and screaming of lyrics. At least, that is how my friends and I typically enjoyed it.
The creative stop sign couldn't have come at a better time: my furbabies are currently in surgery for the day and I am a nervous wreck; I was running late this morning and to top it off, I just found out that my OBGYN appointment this Friday had to be rescheduled to Monday, making me wait three more days to find out if Peanut is a boy or girl.
Really, it just made me smile and I hope you're now smiling too!
(Ok, whining over.)
Today, on the way to one of my article interviews I saw this beauty:
Now, thanks to my lovely sorority sisters Journey's Don't Stop Believing is pretty much a staple in any of my play-lists. I mean, who can resist the catchy music and awesome opportunity for air guitar solos and screaming of lyrics. At least, that is how my friends and I typically enjoyed it.
The creative stop sign couldn't have come at a better time: my furbabies are currently in surgery for the day and I am a nervous wreck; I was running late this morning and to top it off, I just found out that my OBGYN appointment this Friday had to be rescheduled to Monday, making me wait three more days to find out if Peanut is a boy or girl.
Really, it just made me smile and I hope you're now smiling too!
01 September 2010
The light at the end of the tunnel?
Right now as we speak (or as I write, rather) Kris is about to go into the examination room for his Phase II evaluation. This could be the light at the end of the tunnel for this whole MEB process. Even though Kris loved his job in the Army and wanted to make a career out of it, I know we are both ready to finish the process and be done.
The Army sums up this lengthy process the following way:
The purpose of the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) is to evaluate the Active Duty member’s Medical Condition(s) to determine if they do or do not meet the medical retention standards IAW AR 40-501, Chapter 3, documents a Soldier’s medical status and duty limitations, and refer Soldiers to Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) if necessary.
This evaluation is the final step and is basically a physical summarizing Kris' medical history, the history and treatment of his Torticollis, the results of any specialized testing he has had done, his current physical profile and any medication he has been taking. They will do all kinds of range-of-motion tests to "prove" that he is unfit for physical duty.
All of this information will be compiled into a report today and shipped off to the Physical Evaluation Board (a.k.a. the people who determine DH's future financially.) The board will then send us all of their findings and their disability percentage recommendation. Kris can either dispute or sign the papers. Once the papers are processed, he will begin out-processing from the Army (turning in all his equipment and knocking off a two week long to-do list) and then make the final trip from Fort Campbell to Chattanooga.
So, how does the PEB decide the percentage of disability?
The big question (and the reason the MEB process takes so long) is determining how much disability the Army will award Kris. Depending on the severity of an illness or injury, the PEB rates each person from 0 percent to 100 percent disability. Each percentage comes with a different amount of money and benefits.
Typically, your percentage of disability is multiplied by your basic pay (what he was originally making per month) to figure out how much money they will award. If you are awarded at least 30 percent, you and your family are still eligible for insurance and money for school along with other benefits. With Peanut on the way, we are crossing our fingers for at least that much.
The Army is missing out on a wonderful soldier, leader and man by loosing Kris. It has been a great almost three years though!
The Army sums up this lengthy process the following way:
The purpose of the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) is to evaluate the Active Duty member’s Medical Condition(s) to determine if they do or do not meet the medical retention standards IAW AR 40-501, Chapter 3, documents a Soldier’s medical status and duty limitations, and refer Soldiers to Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) if necessary.
This evaluation is the final step and is basically a physical summarizing Kris' medical history, the history and treatment of his Torticollis, the results of any specialized testing he has had done, his current physical profile and any medication he has been taking. They will do all kinds of range-of-motion tests to "prove" that he is unfit for physical duty.
All of this information will be compiled into a report today and shipped off to the Physical Evaluation Board (a.k.a. the people who determine DH's future financially.) The board will then send us all of their findings and their disability percentage recommendation. Kris can either dispute or sign the papers. Once the papers are processed, he will begin out-processing from the Army (turning in all his equipment and knocking off a two week long to-do list) and then make the final trip from Fort Campbell to Chattanooga.
So, how does the PEB decide the percentage of disability?
The big question (and the reason the MEB process takes so long) is determining how much disability the Army will award Kris. Depending on the severity of an illness or injury, the PEB rates each person from 0 percent to 100 percent disability. Each percentage comes with a different amount of money and benefits.
Typically, your percentage of disability is multiplied by your basic pay (what he was originally making per month) to figure out how much money they will award. If you are awarded at least 30 percent, you and your family are still eligible for insurance and money for school along with other benefits. With Peanut on the way, we are crossing our fingers for at least that much.
The Army is missing out on a wonderful soldier, leader and man by loosing Kris. It has been a great almost three years though!
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