December Happenings

To keep myself occupied, I have been decorating the nursery. My parents bought Bryan and I a chest deep freezer for Christmas. Since we have limited room in our apartment home, I made a dust ruffle to cover the freezer act, acting as a changing table. Cute huh?

 Then I recovered a bumper Bryan's mom gave us, to go more with the neutral theme. I am doing yellow and grey for now, and then when we find out the sex, I will add splashes of blue or pink. 

Christmas morning was fun! Santa must have thought we were really good all year. The weather wasn't cooperative though. We had flash floods and tornado warnings. Crazy!

Santa brought us a Recaro baby car seat, Burley bike trailer/jogger, Tangled, Cinderella, Despicable Me, black cowboy boots, lasers for the 45 and glock, printed digital scrapbook for 2010 & 2011, 3 prong curling iron and hair dryer, life vests, and bed sheets. 

This is me Christmas Day (33 3/7) before going out to see Jack Reacher. It was actually a really good Tom Cruise movie, highly recommend. We wanted to see Les Miserables, but our theater didn't have it :(  

We went to the Festival of Lights in Natchitoches, LA. It's a fun tourist town where the movie Steel Magnolia was filmed. They had snow blowing machines, a live band, a zip line, boutique and antique shopping, a light show, and fireworks. It will definitely be something we will do next year!

Oh, we also celebrated our 7th Year Anniversary this month. Crazy huh? I made a delectable steak, with acorn squash, sweet potatoes, and broccoli for dinner and then we enjoyed a Netflick's movie on the couch. How special!

2012 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

We have had quite the eventful year; full of many changes and of course many more to come!

Bryan graduated with his Doctor of Optometry in May and started working for the United States Army in June. He was assigned to be the Company Commander of the 33^rd Medical Detachment of the 115^th Combat Support Hospital in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Since then, he has gone to Officer’s Basic Training, a Commander’s Course, and a month long field training exercise where his optometry team made over 100 glasses and completed over 100 exams for soldiers at this training. He continues to excel in all he does, both physically and mentally.  He is a wonderful person, husband, and friend.

Rebekah traveled to Korea and Alabama during the beginning of the year to further her nursing training (which was excellent), but decided it was time to call it quits with the Army. She traded in her boots to be an Army wife, a civilian nurse, and a soon to be mom. Yup! We are expecting our first child early February, or whenever he or she decides to come. There are a lot of changes headed our way, but we couldn’t be more excited.

We have enjoyed finally living together and being a “real” married couple.  No more driving back and forth the see one another or long distance phone/internet chats.  We were truly blessed with great support from family and friends during the last 4 years. The lessons learned and the relationships built will forever guide us. We want to send our love to you and your family and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bryan and Rebekah Ahlborn

November

Our November was eventful and relaxing. It has been nice to actually be together for a month without much going on (in October Bryan was in the field and I was in Utah and the month before we were just getting settled). 

We took our kayaks to one of the lakes on post called Alligator Lake. No worries. We don't think alligators live up this north in Louisiana, and if they did, the post would have them removed. The lake was small, but it was a fun little outing. 

For Veterans weekend, we went to one of the Army's MWR sites called Toledo Bend State Park. We payed for these stationary tents called yurts, but they bumped us up to the cabins for the weekend because of the holiday. Our view looked out onto the lake. We made a dutch oven dinner and sat under the bright stars.

 In the morning, we went kayaking. It was beautiful.

I enjoyed chasing the ducks. They walk on the water and it makes this really funny sound. 

For Thanksgiving we went to Aunt Julie's house in Waco, Texas. It is only a 5 hour drive for us from Fort Polk. Grandma Adams, Robert and Debbie (B's parents), Adam (B's brother), and Bryan and I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. We have a lot to be thankful for this year with a baby on the way, living together, having jobs and good health.

 Bryan and Adam trying to steal Grandma Adam's chocolate.

On Friday, we went to Homestead Heritage. It is a festival the Ana-baptists put on every year with lessons on how to make candles, chairs, quilts, baskets, pottery, and tools. They live a simple life much like the Amish and Mennonites.

After we returned home, Bryan headed to the field for 10 days so I have been busy getting the baby room ready. My craft for the month was sewing a boppy cover. Way cheaper than buying the ones at the store! Plus, I used old scrapes to make an extra which turned out super cute.

2nd Trimester

During the first half of the second trimester, I was still in denial of being pregnant. I wasn't showing or having the normal pregnancy symptoms like everyone always talks about. I was able to keep up with my workouts for the most part and wanted to be treated like a normal, non pregnant person at work. 

Bryan and I told our parents around week 14. 

 16 weeks. 

I started to have strange thoughts about this time. I think most of them were due to the stress of moving, getting out of the Army (not working anymore), being pregnant, being bored, Bryan being missing (still at BOLC) from this important time in my (and our) life, and just irrational thinking in general. Wierd. 

 23 weeks. 

It was actually about week 19 that I really felt pregnant. Bryan was taking me out to dinner for my birthday and I wanted to put on some of my nice pants. Well, I got those suckers over my hips, but I sure couldn't button them. That made me sad. I guess it was time for stretchy pants and maternity jeans!

27 weeks.

My 21 week ultrasound was normal. Heart rate has been consistently in the lower range of 130-140s. We opted not to find out the sex of the baby. It will make for such a fun surprise when we finally do meet him or her. For now, we call the baby Billy.

The last half of the second trimester has been harder to run, exercise, and sleep. I have realized that I can't do more than 2 or 3 miles without finding a restroom, I have to bike with my knees facing more outward, and when I am at the gym's fitness classes I have to use all the modifications (which makes me feel weak). I usually fall asleep pretty easily, but around 6 in the morning I am ready to get out of bed because I have been laying on my side for 7 hours and my back starts to ache. Towards the end of the day I occasionally get sciatic pain which is unrelieved by anything. I just try to stretch it out, sit down, and put heat on the area that hurts.

Today, I am 30 weeks. I can't believe I am in my third trimester. I can't believe I will have a baby in 10+ weeks. I have been "nesting"- getting the baby room ready, reading parenting books and magazines, hanging out in the baby isle of Walmart, but I still don't feel ready. What did Bryan and I get ourselves into :) ?

1st Trimester

Every month my co-workers would find some reason to test me for pregnancy. They would think because my back hurt or I had a cough was a good enough reason to be tested. In June, I had unusual back pain to the point I was having trouble walking and getting out of chairs. The doctor ordered a script for a pregnancy test and I had a training medic draw my blood. I knew it would be negative. My co-workers just wanted proof. When I read the results, it didn't say negative. I thought for sure something was wrong so I called a fellow co-worker over to see the results I was looking at. She said, "Girl, you pregnant!" I couldn't believe it. I texted Bryan and then realized after I sent the text that this was probably a moment I should call him. His first words were, "I already knew." What?1?! Was I the only one who didn't know?

The first trimester was not bad. I craved Swiss cheese and green olives and felt sleepy before I found out I was pregnant. I didn't have morning sickness. I had  heart burn only when I ate pizza, twice. And I had this awful metallic taste that could never be brushed away (my mother had the same odd symptom). My friends husband cooked me a lot of steak during this time, thinking it was an iron deficiency? Other than that, I was feeling pretty normal.

This was taken at my 12 week ultrasound. Heart rate was not heard, however, the ultrasound said it was 155 bpm. Bryan was unable to be there because he was at BOLC (army training), but the technician sent him a picture. I was exciting to actually see the baby, because I was still in denial of the whole thing 

This was taken the day before I found out I was pregnant. 5 Weeks. 

Unexpected Vacations

I am so grateful for my family, who made it possible to come out to Utah for my grandmother's funeral from the smallest city I've ever lived in, and on such short notice. I will miss my grandma dearly, but I know I will see her again someday and I am glad she is no longer in pain. Here is all the family at the grave site that could make it.

Daphne, Jordan, McCartney, Linsey, Bridger, Kim, Norah, Jared, Malachi, Lily, Mom, Dad, Me, Felicity, and Brandon. 

 I decided to extend my stay for a whole month as Bryan was going to be in the field for 3.5 weeks playing Army. Why not? I don't have a job...yet. My flight to Utah ended with lost luggage and then "severely damaged" (per the message machine) as they dropped it off in a plastic bag. The only thing I was really upset about were my new black boots- fortunately they were repairable. This is what my CHI came back looking like...

...and here is my make up bag, toothbrush holder, hair brush, and luggage bag.

I kept pretty busy during my visit. I moved out my grandmothers belongings, had a large garage sale consisting of my sisters, grandma, and parents items, moved all of my sisters belongings into her newly purchased condo in Park City, biked across the Salt Lake Valley, and hiked American Fork Canyon. 

I forgot how beautiful Utah is in the Fall. But I also realized how I am used to warm weather. I was always cold, even when others around me were wearing shorts and flip flops!

 My sisters threw a baby shower for me since I didn't really have any plans of returning to Utah in the next 2 to 3 months. It turned out better than I could have imagined!

Yellow and grey was the theme, since that is the color of the soon to be nursery.

The food was delicious. Lemon and strawberry cupcakes, chicken salad sandwiches, carmel apples, chocolate dipped strawberries, & cheese and crackers.

My parents and I then took a week trip down to Phoenix/San Diego for my nephew Maxwell's birthday and of course, to visit my brother and his family. My mother got Max this awesome Power Ranger costume. 

 While in San Diego, we visited the Midway Navy Battleship, the beach/boutique shopping district of Solana, Old Town San Diego, and the Mormon Battalion.

This is a picture of a statue poking my 24 week belly. We thought of other "funny" positions, but there were too many people around.

 Dad, Maxwell, James, Benson, and Brandon saluting. Love that Benson is using both of his hands!

 The whole gang.

I got to spend a lot of one on one time with my parents, which has been nice as I have been away for the last 4 years. They make me laugh all the time. They really enjoyed having my around too and seeing me grow fatter because of baby Ahlborn. On our way up from San Diego, we made a sleep stop in Mesquite, NV. I gambled for my first time and won $9! Bryan was so proud.

The next morning we drove to Kanaraville, UT and hiked up a slot canyon called Kanara Falls. I tried so hard not to get my feet wet at the beginning, but toward the end it was inevitable. The water was numbingly freezing. It was a nice break from the car.

When we got back to my parents house, we traveled to Kim's house to visit her newest addition who was only 1.5 days old. I was so worried I'd miss seeing the baby, but Kim pulled through and delivered just in time! He was a big, chunky baby as you can see with his cheeks. I just wanted to hear him cry, but he was all about sleep. Made me excited for my little one to come :)

 I was so excited to see and be with Bryan after being away for nearly a month! He was glad to be home from the field too. He completed over 100 eye exams and made over 100 eyewear for soldiers, which was awesome given he doesn't do much Optometry as a company commander. I love him and am excited to start working on the baby room and welcoming baby Ahlborn.

We've Moved!

Remember back in 2008 when Bryan and I hauled all our belongings with his tiny Chevy S10 from Utah to Texas? That little black truck held together for 3 1/2 years after that trek through the Rocky Mountains! We finally said goodbye when the truck repairs cost 2 times as much as it was worth (that was back in January).

When he received his orders for active duty, we purchased Dr. Ahlborn his dream truck: GMC Sierra. He sure loves his truck.

This move went very similar to our first big move. However, we had a heavier duty truck and Bryan built a much more stable "box" to haul our belongings.

Bryan left September 6 to report to work the next day. I had to officially sign out on terminal leave September 8, so I left super early in the morning to start the unpacking process. 

We had a few casualties along the way, but nothing that can't be replaced. We found a nice 3 bedroom home right off post (it is seriously 1 mile from post and 3 miles from Bryan's unit). The neighborhood is quiet and we have come to enjoy having our own space. We were truly blessed during the last 4 years to have friends/family to stay with and call their home, "home", but after 4 years I was ready to have my own home and use my own stuff. It was like Christmas morning opening all our boxes that had been in storage for little over a year. We are almost settled in and organized. We just have to make a few large purchases to make our home a little more cozy.

Welcome to Louisiana!

 

Goodbye ICU friends and family

My last day of work was sometime in August. I actually can't remember when I really "worked" this summer because it seemed like I was always on leave or working on out-processing. My fellow coworkers put on a wonderful farewell party before I left. I have truly learned so much from each of them over the past 3 years. I won't say I will miss working at Darnall, but I will miss my friends and my Texas family. 

The ICU: Jimmy, Monty, MAJ Yarde, MAJ Row, Merri, Rosa, Jeff, Jeanne, John, Rebekah Angela, Cline, Joan

I got some maternity scrubs for my new civilian job!

 A scrapbook with all my accomplishments while stationed at Fort Hood.

Texas Memorabilia: blue bonnet seeds, chili powder, Christmas ornament, Texas flag, and chocolate covered pecans!

 I guess I am going to have to learn to make crawfish etouffee.

 I was awarded an ARCOM for my service in the military at Fort Hood. 

Utah 2012

I took a mini vacation to Utah in August to visit family and celebrate a wedding. It was nice to be away from the heat of Texas and spend time with loved ones. Every morning, my mother and I would go to Curves for a good work out. Then we had the rest of the day to do pretty much whatever. Here's what I did:

• Visit with my Grandma Harris and Grandma Frederickson several times
• 22 mile bike ride with my mother up in Park City
• Visited Kristi at Olympic Park and saw where she does all her training 
• went on a 5 hour hike with my father up in Alpine
• Shopping with Kristi and Linsey at City Creek
• Hogle zoo with Kim's girls, Linsey's girls, and mom
• Picnic and roasting marshmallows in Alpine Canyon
• BBQ at my parents house with all the family
• Michael and Lauren's luncheon, wedding, and reception

 Grandma Harris was in great spirits when I visited her at the nursing home. I want to remember her like that.

 Michael showing off his new bride. 

Unfortunately, the temple was under construction. Makes for good memories though.

  Bryan was able to come out for the weekend of the wedding. He was at Officer's Basic Training all of July and August.

 Our attempt to let Robert and Debbie Ahlborn know that they were going to grandparents to the first Ahlborn. Robert thought someone meant to put it on the brides car because she is the first to be married on her side of the family. We gave them 2 weeks to figure it out and then sent them an email with the ultrasound picture attached. It was pretty funny.

My parents celebrated their birthdays together and we got them a special ice cream cake with a picture of the ultrasound on it. It took both of them a few seconds to figure out the picture, but when they did, they couldn't believe I had kept the secret for so long (I was about 14 weeks along). The cake says "Happy Birthday Gma and Gpa!" My dad's first response was "And I took you on the long hike!"

 The long hike. It was actually fine because my dad had to take a few pit stops:)

Hogle Zoo