Being a Mom

Being a Mom is such an amazing blessing. It is amazing what is instilled in you the moment you become pregnant. You would do anything and everything for your children. You find strength in yourself that you didn't know you had. You find patience you never dreamed you would have. Things that you never imagined you would do come so natural. You go through poopy diapers and sleepless nights. You automatically put yourself in the back of the line, making sure that your family has everything they need before you attend to your own needs. I love being a mom. And I am pregnant and feeling a bit mushy. I'm glad that I had a great mom to look up to. It's such a cliche' but you really don't realize all that your mom does for you until you yourself are a mom.
Rykkar and Josh are both pretty sick with colds that are very uncomfortable. Last night we tried going to bed at 9 pm. I got the boys down and decided to take a shower for the day that was now over lol. Once out and ready for bed myself I crawled in at around 10 pm and our wonderful new neighbor decided to turn his music up so loud that it sounded like it was a concert in our living room. Then Rykkar woke up demanding that he sleep with Josh and I in the tiny inn bed. So at about 10:30 pm I got up and let Rykkar and Josh sleep comfortably in the bed together and I decided to call the MP's (Militairy Police). It took them about an half an hour but they finally came and put an end to the noise. After that I put Rykkar in his room because Josh and him kept waking each other up coughing. Anyways I was woken up about 10 times after that from a crying 2 year old sick of being sick and an 8 1/2 month pregnant body demanding to pee and drink gallons of water, only to have to pee more in another hour. Then Rykkar woke up bright and early at 8 am wanting to watch Barney and have Mommy make him pancakes, which when done he decided not to eat. Needless to say I honestly didn't mind any of it. It made me think of my mom and I saw a lot of my mom in myself. I'm glad I had that example
So thanks mom for always thinking of us before yourself. I love you and I'm very grateful to have you in my life. I'm happy that my kids will have you as a grandma to look up to. I know where you got it from because I have the most amazing grandmother in the world. I guess we are all taught by example. I hope I can carry this example on to my children. I love you all. Mom's are the BEST!

All happening at once.....

So I guess when it rains, it poors.... Not in a bad way though. We've gotten a lot of good news, it's just all happening at once. We had our fist doctors appointment on Friday the 23rd. We met our Dr, Dr. Erhart. She is very nice and speaks great English which makes things a little easier. We had our appointment at 10 and didn't get done until 1. These Germans don't mess around with having babies. I had the full work up. I was poked and prodded and given every test imaginable. I don't know why but oh well. We had an ultra sound and little Bentley Coupe is doing great. He looks just like his brother did in his ultra sound. The difference between Rykkar and Bentley is that Bentley is a whole lot smaller than Rykkar was. He shows to be 5 1/2 lbs right now and he only has 2 1/2 more weeks to grow. We are doing my c section between February 11th or 13th. I guess they like to do them 10 days before your due date. I can't believe how soon that is. I am so happy about not being pregnant though. I have had a hard time watching a 2 year old and being in so much pain! So I will have to stay in the hospital for 3 to 4 days and then get to go home. Then my mom is flying out to be with us for a week on the 21st.

We also found out that they have a house for us. We went into our appointment in the housing department and were given a 2 bedroom apartment available to move in on February 6th. But when they saw that I was pregnant again they offered us their last town home. It's a 3 bedroom and much bigger. It won't be available to move into until February 17th but we'll be there for 3 years. So I am ok waiting a little longer for the right place to live. We've driven past the house and it's so cute. We feel very lucky to be able to get such a larger place. And we're very surprised. The Army is funny because we were told that because of Josh's rank and because our kids were so young and both boys that there was no way to get anything but a 2 bedroom apartment, and then we go in and they ask why we didn't tell them I was pregnant. Which we did tell them but to out knowledge it didn't matter. Anyways we're very greateful to get into a house.

So In 2 weeks it's going to be very crazy. I will have Bentley hopefully on the 13th and then get out of the hospital on the 16th or 17th. Then we will be moving into our house which I will be on baby duty, also taking it easy from my surgery. Josh will be juggling Rykkar and moving all of our stuff into our house. Then our car arrives on the 19th!!!! Yay no more walking. Then we will pick my mom up from the Frankfurt airport on the 21st. WOW! Crazy stuff. Then our stuff will arrive from the states on March 3rd. It will be nice to have our furniture and clothes and all of our familiar things. Rykkar will be excited to get his toys. Anyways... This is our crazy life for the next month. It's going to be exciting but very hectic. We will keep everyone updated and try to post some pictures. Love you all.

Germany

Wow..... Where to start??? So clearly we are alive and living in Germany. It has been quite an adventure so far. First off Josh had to leave to Germany without Rykkar and I because our passports weren't here yet. That was really disappointing but we got through it. Rykkar's and my passport got here and we left 2 days later. We boarded a plane to Chicago on January 1st. This was an easy flight, Rykkar slept the whole flight. Then we got off the plane and headed to McDonald's for a happy meal, YAY! After this we waited for what was suppose to be an hour layover. It turned into 2 hours because of mechanical problems with the plane. That's gotta make you feel all warm and fuzzy boarding a 9 hour flight on a plane with mechanical problems. Anyways all I can say is travelling that long, by yourself, with a 2 year old, 7 1/2 months pregnant is no picnic! It was worth it though. We met a good Samaritan family who helped us get our 4 bags and 1 car seat off the belt and on to a cart. We found Josh and got into the car for another 3 hours to get to Vilseck, Germany Rose Barracks Military Community.

So now we're here and it is absolutely beautiful! It's very cold though, especially when you have to walk everywhere. We're still waiting for our car which will arrive by February 19th. We are staying in temporary housing until a house is available for us. We live on corn dogs and sandwich's, haha, we have no stove but we're making the best of it. As of now our new addition, baby Bentley Coupe, is still due on February 23rd. We will be having him at a German hospital in Amberg. It is a very nice hospital so that is comforting. We have our first doctor's appointment on Friday the 23rd so that will be nice. Hopefully we can schedule a date for our c-section.

A few things that are different about Germany.... You most definitely have to pay to use the bathroom. I found this out when I shoplifted a pee pee from a German Burger King lol. Also they have a holiday about every 10 days I swear. German's take their holiday's very seriously. No one works on a holiday. Also every store closes at like 5 pm. Most German's speak English, but a lot of them will pretend like they don't. Also I'm pretty sure everyone here smokes cigarettes. And they smoke everywhere. No clean air act here. Oh ya, also Germany is very environmental. There is no litter here. You have to recycle everything. There isn't just one garbage can there is about 5 for every category, metal, compost, waste, cardboard, plastic, and a few more. Oh and gas off post changes every day but it is usually around like 1.20 Euro a liter. WOW, that's expensive.

Well anyways we will try to post later and let you know what's going on here half way around the world. Watch some good old TV for us, we are having with drawls, and enjoy your free pee's out in public. We love you all! Love, The Clements Family.