Baby Moon?

I have heard baby moons are all the rage, but I refuse to travel this far into my pregnancy.  My last trip I had a TON of braxton hicks contractions, and it freaked me out.  A lot.

The hubs is on vacay for a while, so we are taking care of baby business as well as just enjoying time together.

We tried out XOCO on Clark Street, which was awesome, but we had to wait 35 minutes for food.  Kind of a long time.  Love the churros.  OMG.  So good.

We went and bought nursery furniture for our girly, because I was freaked out at hearing that our friends had to wait weeks to get theirs.  Yikes.

We went apple picking, and tried out a brewery while we were out there.  So nice!

Picking some gala and suncrisp apples!

We went to my college's homecoming game and tailgated with classmates of mine.  Incredible to catch up with a great group of folks.  I went back in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010.  I love this tradition. Oh the 3 in 1.

Foam fingah and the baby belly

Love these gals!

Mike and I.  He loved Grange Grove!

We had brunch at the house for a few of my girl friends that haven't seen the remodel yet.  Yay!

So now onto more house prep and adventures.  Let's hope my body holds up for it all.  #swollenfeetsuck

Homecoming, Recap!

So I am very behind in blogging.  Like a month or two. 

That is okay.  Life happens.

So I came home from deployment, in a rather non-traditional fashion.  We first went to Yorktown, VA..which is obviously NOT our homeport.  I had a busy week there doing my job, but I was lucky to have my big brother and his family come down to visit from their home base. I was in a meeting, and the best part of coming out of that meeting, was seeing this awesome sign that said "Welcome Home!" on my stateroom door.  My brother convinced the customs agent to bring it to my room.  AWESOME!
I finally got to leave the ship, and met my family in the parking lot.  We went and grabbed some food and a beer, and I had to get back to work (duty on Saturday).  Booooo.
Saturday duty was busy, and I was glad to get out of work on Sunday am, which was Easter Sunday.  We had brunch at Cracker Barrel, and then went out and about in Colonial Williamsburg.  We had dinner at a great steakhouse, Aberdeen Barn.  I loved their food.  It was just what I needed!
I had to make my money, so to speak during the week, so I had some long days. I went out the first night with some of the other Officers to Joe and Mimmas.  Holy hidden Italian charm.  This place was incredible! Luckily, I met a friend for dinner at Yorktown Pub one evening, and another good college friend at the Riverwalk. We got underway from Yorktown, and made it to Mayport on the 7th of April.  I was so excited.  My guy was waiting for me on the pier!!
First thing we did was hit up brunch at Casa Marina hotel on the beach.  I changed out of my "monkey suit", or summer whites, into a dress to enjoy my new found freedom.  We had the most amazing brunch, and just relaxed.  We walked around the blues fest, grabbed some beers, and soaked up the sun.  We got to check into our suite at the Casa Marina later that day, and it was nice to nap in a sea side room!
The next day, we drove down to St. Augustine. We stayed at the Penny Farthing Inn, which was the best B&B a girl could ask for.  The room we stayed in was the attic room, complete with a hot tub.  So adorable!  We ate at the Conch House and Meehans on Matanzas, and enjoyed gelato at the Whestone Chocolate factory. 
We flew to Chicago at the end of the week, where Mike had a surprise for me.  Little did I know, that one of my best friends, Ellen, had arranged a special homecoming surprise for me at O'Hare.  I was stunned.  I never had a homecoming like that before.  I wanted to just reconnect with Mike, which is why I didn't invite anyone to Florida.  It was just too much for them to travel.  That night, we went to Hub 51, and to the Hawks Game.  We had such a great time!
The next day, I spent the day with Mike and my older brothers, just hanging out in Downers Grove.  Sunday, I threw a party at Morettis, in Edison Park.  Great pizza.  Seriously, you should try it!
We went to a slew of other places that week, and just hung out with the pups.  This post would go on for days if I listed each restaurant, and each meal.  No worries, more food posts to come!

Just a few pics at first, will add more later!

St. Augustine, Bridge of Lions

Me and my big brother at O'Hare

Me and my guy @ Moretti's

America!

So..yesterday was the day that my ship sailed back to America.  We aren't in our homeport, but we had to make a stop in Virginia to do some work.  Then, we set sail to Florida for our "real" homecoming!

The day started like any other, with reville, and the morning wake up song.  The Officer of the Deck played some of Boss' "Born in the USA", and got the day going.  The electricity was in the air.  9.5 months of deployment down..and the crew was giddy.  I was lucky, I had my family waiting for me on the pier, and I got to see them after my work was done for the day.  They took me out for some good 'ol American BBQ, and a beer.  Nothing like being back in America.  Eating good food, being around people that speak English, seeing trees, grass-you name it.  What an amazing feeling.

I have the duty blues today, and will make the most of my day so I can enjoy Easter with my family tomorrow.

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we finish this last week of deployment strong.  It isn't over until we get back "home"!

via GOOGLE images

Homecoming Preps

Homecoming is right around the corner.  Happiness, anxiety, worry, planning-all of it is in the air.  You hear Sailors milling about talking about their plans when they get home.  Taking the family to Disney, buying a new car, going on a date with their girl friend-you name it-we are in full planning mode around here!

I know I am in full planning mode,too..but I have a ton of work to do before we get there. 

I am looking forward to dry land, fresh food, my own bed, seeing my guy, family, friends, getting my puppy back..well-the list goes on..and on..and on!

Homecoming is full of so many emotions.  Here is one article that describes the rollercoaster of emotions that one may face.  Luckily for us, we have teams of counselors that come to the ship and teach class ranging from new babies, reconnecting as a couple, financial management, etc.  The families have similar classes offered to them, too! 

Please continue to pray for us as we continue our journey to our homeport.  We have quite a few days of hard work ahead of us before we can say "Moored, shift colors!" in Florida!