My TDY present?

As you may recall, Mr. Top Gun has been away flying around the world for a few days. I, have been left at home (again,) but found a way to pass the time: Shopping, eating, shopping, and lots of girl talk with one of my fave ladies here! Her hubby is on the crew with Mr. during this TDY, and boy did we have fun while they were away 'playing.'

Yes, he had an ample amount of time to play around in the evenings on this TDY. It is an extremely rare occasion when the guys get a night to themselves, so I am glad he was able to let loose and have some fun. I may or may not have received a few 'tipsy' phone calls from him in the wee hours of the morning... Apparently during their last night out (and boy, have I heard it was QUITE the NIGHT!) he found time to look for my special 'TDY' gift to bring back home to me. On his last TDY, he pranced through the door with a giant black bag. Scared, worried, and full of wonder, I opened it. Inside? A huge handmade blanket with my LONGHORN on it!

So, what did I get from this TDY? Last night during our usual Skype chat, he asked me if I wanted to see my special present. Sure! This is what he held up:

Now, I will be waiting with baited breath by the door for him to walk through it with this little gem... It really is perfect though, because Mr. affectionately refers to me as his "Sexy Lady." Now I can proudly wear this throughout my pregnancy, and whenever I feel like a house? I can peer down at my wrist ;) *Seriously, I am NOT wearing it* It will go in my car.

The land of the non existent fruits and veggies...

Living abroad has challenges. It presents us with new ways of living, learning to understand a new language, adapting to the local customs and cultures, and learning to enjoy the food. Well, here in Okinawa, things are a little different. The houses are very much modernized and built to American standards (our house for example,) is four stories, four bedrooms and three baths, with about 2,000 square feet. HUGE in Japan, and definitely not a home that a traditional Japanese family would live in. The food is amazing, and being able to have the freshest fish and seafood at my fingertips makes me very happy!

What doesn't make me happy about living here? Well, besides being 14,000 miles away from family and friends and dealing with typhoons... Not having FRUIT. Yes, FRUIT. Japan has extremely strict import laws which prohibits the Military from shipping in certain types of fruits and veggies from the states. And, if we are lucky enough to have some make it past customs? Well, they are REALLY EXPENSIVE. Like the cost of dinner for two people expensive. Yes, that bad. Here's a few of the fruits we cannot get here, followed by the ones we can get and how much we pay for them.

Red Delicious Apples: Nope, can't get these here. They got dressed up for the party, but they aren't getting in.

Granny Smith Apples: Nope, not joining the party either.
Jalapenos: We get these in the Commissary, but we pay $12.99/ lb for them!! Want Habaneros? Fork over $14.99/lb!
Delicious, tart, red plums: Denied entrance to the party.
Strawberries: We get these, but pay $9.00/lb for them...

Also not allowed access to the party: Peaches, pears, yukon gold potatoes (The potatoes here SUCK!) yellow squash, mandarin oranges, tomatoes that don't rot a day after you pick them up, normal looking carrots... The Japanese carrots are HUGE and look like a sex toy. I'm not kidding!! The cucumbers are thin and tiny (hehe ;) and they taste a little bitter to me. I have begun to purchase my produce at the local markets and the tomatoes are gorgeous!! What I wouldn't do for some a crisp, juicy, and tart granny smith apple! Oh well. Suck it up, buttercup!

The Birds and The Bees... In my driveway?

Yesterday started off like any other day. I had some errands to run before Mr. left to fly around the world (again,) and I wanted to get them finished in the afternoon so I had time to spend with him that evening. As I was walking to my car, I noticed my sweet 'adopted' cats lounging in the driveway soaking up the sun, and noticed two more of my cats in our neighbors driveway. As usual, they were waiting for their breakfast, so I grabbed the bag of food and poured it into their bowl. As I proceed to get into my car, I notice the little black cat is lying with a siamese cat in the neighbors driveway. I go to fix the mirrors and that's when I saw it:

The poor little girl cat was being MOUNTED by this HUGE siamese cat!!! AHHH! My eyes!! As I stared awkwardly at them, a few things were going through my mind:

1. OMG. I cannot believe these cats are just going at it right here in front of me!

2. What is wrong with me? Why am I even looking at this? Weirdo!

3. Oh no. He's biting her, and she is in pain. HONK YOUR HORN, darnit!

4. This makes me very uncomfortable to watch. STOP looking then. I can't help it!

By this time, it's raining and I decide to peel my eyes away from the spectacle before me and head to base. When I got home, they were gone and all I could think of was "Well, in a few months when I see baby siamese and black kittens running around, I can say I saw them being made!" Ohhhhh. Awkward!!!!

And guess who was outside on my driveway this morning waiting for food? None other than the little gigolo himself, Simon the siamese cat... All in a day in my life :)

Baby on board, Bump on board!

That's the bump that baby Top Gun has decided to give me!

It looks smaller than what it is, I think!! Especially after I eat... that's a different story, and then I suddenly look 7 months pregnant. I promise to get some better and full length photos of me (with my actual face in them,) but Mr. is off flying around the world again, and taking those pictures alone is hard!

Weight gain: Probably 4 lbs!!

Clothes: Still wearing my jeans and shirts, but jeans are getting a bit tight...

Weeks: Almost 12!!!

Meet my 'neighbor'

Bahahaha... So, y'all really want to come visit me in Japan, you say? Perhaps you may want to reconsider this:

I found this cute little guy hanging on an A/C unit in the neighborhood...

Pregnancy food cravings and aversions... Fun!

I think it's time for an update on preggo me! So, without further adieu, here y'all go...

How am I feeling?

- I am tired, but honestly can say in the last week I have had a bit more energy than usual. Heck, I'll gladly take that, over feeling like a zombie any day!

-No morning, afternoon or evening sickness!! YAY! Small waves of nausea every now and then, and usually when I let my stomach go empty. I am getting up in the middle of the night to snack and eating something small in the morning when Mr. wakes up.

-Weird stretching feelings in my tummy...

-Still emotional and crying at silly things...

-Very clingy to Mr. and not happy to be left home alone... AGAIN!

-My hands and feel have begun to swell slightly when we are outside in the heat. So, we have to make sure we have somewhere to go to cool off, or I will faint. It's so hot here right now that just walking keely takes it out of me!

Food Aversions:

Food Cravings:


And Anything SOUR!

Introducing...

It's Baby Top Gun! Mr. and I had our first appointment today, and we are pleased to announce that our little one is growing right on track! The heartbeat was strong and loud, and we even got to see him move around!! He shook his little arms and legs around too!! As for me, I was a nervous wreck ALL day long... It started this morning when I woke up with Mr. as he headed off for work. I figured it would be a good idea to wake up super early and eat breakfast (bagel and two corn dogs...) Hey, don't judge my corn dogs for breakfast :)

By the time lunch time rolled around, I was so nervous I thought I was going to faint. Mr. managed to clam me down and before I knew it, we were sitting in the clinic waiting to be seen. In typical Mrs. Top Gun fashion, my nervousness led to my blood pressure being elevated, which led to me having to get my pressure read manually like 10 times... Ugh. Eventually it went down, and all was well. I also became best friends with the restroom in the OB/GYN clinic, as I managed to use it a lovely 5 times within the span of my hour visit. Love that baby bladder! After the exam, Mr. came into the room and we saw this:

Baby Top Gun!

We are both so blessed to know we have created a new little life, and thankful that he is doing well and growing!