hello everyone... I am here in Kansas visiting Amber and family... I haven't talked openly about this but Amber had some blood work come back elevated a few weeks ago and today we had our appointment to check to make sure baby was ok. The blood work was the alpha fetal protein (AFP) and this test can be an indicator of either Downs Syndrome if it is lower than the norm or Spina Bifida if it is elevated. Our test was elevated. Needless to say those that knew about the abnormal blood work have been anxiously awaiting today's appointment... None more so than Amber and I...



We had a level II ultrasound which is just a very detailed look at baby. We got to see all of her organs, her face and feet as well confirm she is indeed a she.. :) I was very concerned when I asked how the babies spine looked, knowing that was why we were there, and the tech said "I don't know, i am only the photographer" I agree, she isn't the doc but what bothered me was that she said everything else looked great as she was going over each part of the body. I realize it is FAR better than to be lied to as last time and I am sure the stress was my own doing...

Not only did the techs comments (or lack of) make me stress but the 1 hour wait after the ultrasound REALLY stressed both of us out... it was horrible... we got to the point where had exhausted all conversation and started talking about Hannah Montana?? what?? it was bad and we were running out of things to keep our mind off the reason we were sitting where we were sitting..

Once the doc came in, she saw Amber's face and told us while still walking in, how wonderful baby looked.. that she was perfect and looked great.. (THANK YOU GOD) there is still a chance that there could be something but it is very slim and Amber is scheduled to return in 8 weeks (we will be 32 weeks then) for a followup to make sure baby is growing as expected.. she was measuring 24 weeks 4 days today and she weighed 1 pound 11 ounces.. : )

Both Amber and I are exhausted after the morning and are now sitting here trying to relax (hard to do with two little ones who really want to play.. :))

I am heading home tonight, home to my parents, then home home tomorrow morning...

Thank you all for continuing to pray for us, our unborn child and Amber.. we welcome all prayers... and appreciate every one...

Good morning all!

Today we are 24 weeks 1 day pregnant! Which to those of you that don't know is a huge milestone in pregnancy as the earliest a baby can survive if born is 24 weeks and it means we are 111 days until due date. (wow hard to believe?!?!)

This past weekend we had lots going on with John and I taking Annabelle to the adventure science center (see the slide show) and Aunt Sharelle having her big birthday party! (yet, another slide show!)

The adventure science center was tons of fun for all three of us... but personally I think John had the most fun..:) Annabelle played with the trains and balls but loved the digestion slide that 'farts' when you exit... haha.. she also loved the piano that played all types of sounds, to include helicopter sounds... We have a video of her playing the piano... too cute

Sharelle's party was lots of fun too but we were so sorry to see Ally hurt herself just after getting there and having to head to the ER to find she fractured both bones in one of her wrists.. So sorry honey... :(

Kurt, Sharon and the kids were here for the big day so Annabelle got to spend some quality time with her cousins... There is a long slide show of the party with photos galore (most of Annabelle but several of the cousins) ... and just so you know, I think you can click on a photo during a slide show and it will bring it up larger.. but I am not 100% sure about that.. (try it and let me know)

John finally has a job (aka, crackberry) again... which is handy when you want to call PF Changs to get yummy lettuce wraps to go! He took command last Friday and has a few weeks of "transition" studies to go but for the most part he is a SO Blackhawk pilot now! who would have ever thought? (I know Chris wouldn't have.. ) I am very excited about his newest command but am looking most forward to next summer and SSC! (I know, shame on me but it will be so nice to have him home all the time)

Lastly, I am heading back to Nashville today for a 6am flight to Kansas tomorrow! Amber and I have an early ultrasound appointment Wednesday and we are all very excited to see our girl up close and personal! I will post/call/email as early as I can with any news from the appointment.. and maybe I will get photos or video to post as well... (but don't hold me to that... they may not let me)

I hope you are all well... we think of you all often, especially those that are far away, and love each of you very much.. Please continue to keep our soldiers and their families in your prayers..

This is jsut a test to see if the subscription I added is working.. :)

Hope you are all well!

Hey everyone.. I just added two new videos to the video bar atop of the blog... one is of Annabelle talking to John on the phone and the other is our trip to the zoo with Craven...

Enjoy!

Hey... I just wanted you to all know I added a subscribe link so you can subscribe (opposed to me sending an email letting you know we have a new post) ... you can see it on the top right corner of the blog -----> asking for your email address... then each time we post, you get an email letting you know!! this keeps me from feeling like I might be sending updates to people that might not want them! ha ha..
Everyone is well... Annabelle is just growing and talking up a storm (she is a Ruppel even if not genetically!!) and baby b (who still doesn't have a name) is keeping Amber up playing disco dance all night.. ha ha.. sorry Amber..

Gotta go for my walk before it gets too hot!

Love to you all!!

Carolyn

I decided to see what the war college is all about and here is the link to inform you as well..:)

http://www.carlisle.army.mil/

Well today it is official... John has been selected to attend the Senior Service College (AKA, War College) next summer!! I am very proud and very excited to finally live some place other than Tennessee and Kentucky... :) I am not exactly sure what the "War College" is or what they study, seems like they would study war but I don't think it is that simple... ?? Maybe strategies? I will have to ask John to give me more details... regardless, we will be moving next summer most likely to Carlisle Pennsylvania! WOW.. that is a bit of a change from the south I'd say.. The best part is he will be home most all the time during this year.. it will be like having a 9-5 type job where he is actually home by 5 each night and home every weekend... I had begun to give up hope of this happening.. but alas! It will...


Baby is still doing well and growing like crazy... as is Annabelle... Tonight when the phone rang, she exclaimed "It's DADDY!!" and put her hand to her ear and said "Hello?" Very cute... she is very into the phone now... today she got our home phone and was just talking up a storm... So I decided to call Daddy and have her chat with him.. She got off the couch with the phone to her ear and walked around the living room just talked talked talked to him.. it was so funny... and John got a kick out of it too!

Another little newbie thing she does is exclaim "WOW" and WHOA" when something is exciting or if she loses her balance coming down the stairs.. so funny... I should just walk around all the time with the video going to catch all the cute things she does...

I have also found a way to keep busy while John is gone... I have cleaned out three closets now and put everything I kept from said closets in containers... Amazing how much better things look when the same junk is in a container!! You do have to go broke buying containers but it really needed to be done... (especially after getting 7 years worth of clothing from a dear friend)

Thanks for all the name votes! I thought Abigail was the front runner by a long shot but it seems now, Addison is closing in!! haha... I like them all so it will be interesting to see witch one is on top come November!!

OK.. Time to sit on the couch!! Thanks for the continued prayers... we love you all and miss those that are away from us...
Carolyn

What a great feeling to get closer and closer to the date where baby can survive if born early! (24 weeks for those that don't know) three more weeks and maybe we (Amber, John and myself) can rest easy... Which happens to be the same amount of time that hubby will be away. Three weeks...

Today was a sad day for me.. John left to head back to Alabama for the second half of his transition and I was left feeling as I did when he left the first time. Sad, lonely and bored ... no more than 1 hour after he left... bored and lonely. How can I be bored with an 18 month old? Good question but I was... and just blue... Annabelle and I played at the playground twice and had fun with her toys but it just isn't the same without daddy here... Something I need to get used to with his new job it seems... He will be gone FAR more than home for the next year... So I decided to rearrange the house.. parts at least.... Our closet, the laundry room and the downstairs closet... there is a purpose for the laundry room and closet downstairs.. see when baby 2 gets here the cats room will become the nursery and the cats will be sent to the laundry room... (which was a mess) so I had to remove all of the items in there and make room for the cats... the closet had the rack I needed to I had to unload that as well to get the rack out... so as of now, I have the rack out and back in the laundry room but nothing back in the closet... Annabelle will think a bomb went off when she comes down tomorrow.. :)

Something to do tomorrow I suppose.. (20 more days) Ahhmmmmm...


Love to all!

No baby news but I wanted to share the joy that John came home this weekend!! Yeah... I know it isn't much but for those that have their husbands/wives away for any length of time you know how it feels to have extra hands/eyes to help...

Also, now that we know our little one is a girl, I added a poll to the blog to help us name our daughter... vote and help us decide.. John tells me he doesn't care as long as he doesn't "dislike" the name so that doesn't really help too much... there are 6-7 that we like as so far they are all 'A' names... I might do a middle name poll too... we aren't getting anywhere fast... ha ha...

Love to you all and thank you for the prayers and for sharing in our joy...

Carolyn