Weekly Update

I was able to talk to my boy again on Easter Sunday and all is well. Earlier in the week, they went to a town called Kubaysah for a Civil Affairs Group Mission to visit the locals and deliver medical supplies. He said that the locals were pretty friendly considering that he drove 4 tanks through their town. I think they were grateful just to have the supplies. Sleep still is infrequent but I don't think it has caught up with him yet. He tried sending a picture of him and the self-promoted General but for some reason it has not come through. I did get a picture of him and the "short Texas lawyers" that are stationed I believe near him (picture below). Ironically the short guy on the left is David Little - he used to work at the firm that I now work for and he is stationed at the dam a few miles away from Doug. Small world.....

Doug still has not received the boxes of goodies I sent to him on Monday of last week but I am hoping for this week. FYI - if you send it priority mail - the post office should have these great 12" x 6" x 6" boxes that fit quite a bit and mail out to Iraq at a flat rate of just over $7.

Doug did get the Baby G pictures I sent to him last week and he was quite found of the little guy's feet. He did think that he had a big head but what can I say, we know who the father is..... Baby G is moving around quite a bit and last week was the first time I could see him squirming around externally. I am quite fascinated now with trying to watch my belly move and Doug thinks it is really cool that Baby G is kicking his way around and making more room.


Hanging with the short lawyers..... 

In Iraq....

I finally was able to talk to my husband this week! He called over a week ago and I missed it but we were able to talk on Thursday and again today. Unfortunately, the phone lines have not proven to be reliable. The first time he called we were cut off six times - but on the bright side, he was able to say that he called me six times that day. We were able to talk a bit longer today.

Doug has safely reached the City of Hit (population 130,000) which he is calling home base for time being. I believe that it is along the Euphrates River about 100-120 miles west of Baghdad. Once you get close to the river it is rather pretty and the weather has been California-like. Some of his company is actually housed in a dam on the river (pictures in route). He is staying on an old Iraqi army base that has about 4 buildings on it. He said the food was decent enough to keep the weight on - especially since P.T. (physical training) has been nonexistent since his arrival in late February.

Doug is serving as Task Force commander over the FOB (Forward Operating Base). His job is to maintain a presence in the city and keep the convoy routes safe. They have daily patrols in the city and the children, who make up most of the populace, are very friendly. He met with the self-promoted Iraqi General yesterday and today for peace and future planning meetings. The intention is that this General will eventually take over the US Military’s position with his army. I think they have a ways to go but at least there is an effort. Although there is a lot of work to be done and a lot to learn, he truly is enjoying what he is doing over there.

I have listed two email addresses for Doug below – you may want to send to both, as neither is overly reliable. Don’t take it personally if he does not respond or if it takes him a couple of weeks to respond – you should be used to it : ) I think especially while everything is new, the hours are long and there is not much down time (the phone call I received today was under the guise that he was talking to someone about military stuff). You can also post comments to the blog that he can view. I have also listed his physical address. I am sending out a package tomorrow so I am not sure how long it takes to get goodies yet. I’ll let ya know. By the way if you are thinking of sending oatmeal, raisins, brown sugar, or peanut butter – I already have it covered.

Email Address:
GardnerDW@1DIV7MARDM.1MARDIVDM.USMC.MIL
gardnerdw@hotmail.com

Physical Address:
Major Doug Gardner, USMC
3/25, H & S Company, Camp Hit
Unit 72110
FPO AE 09509-2110

20 Week Sonogram

We took a trip to the sonographer today (that is me, my mom, my sister & Baby G). Baby G is half way there! We could have had the sex confirmed but what fun would that be? I will continue to call him a he eventhough I did not see anything. Baby G looks great - he has all of his fingers and toes and fortunately is no longer macrosomic (Doug's favorite word for "ahead of schedule"). He weighs about 13 oz and is hanging out in a breach position so that he can continue to kick my lower abs before moving onto my ribs later. I have attached his first published photos below.


Hi Daddy! 


Hmmm - good thumb 


I have 10 toes! 


Where did that noggin come from? 

Quite a Year

Quite a Year

To say it is going to be quite a year is an understatement! We have more going on than we know what do with and I thought it was past time to create a way that you can keep track of us! And for my beloved husband, who does not even know what day it is, I thought it would be a good way for him to keep tabs on life at home. So here are a few things that are new for us this year:

Iraq - "Freedom Isn't Free"
As most of you know Doug was activated on January 4 of this year and is somewhere in Iraq as I write this. For those of you know Doug - this site will be the most communication you have ever had with him. And we all know how good he is at writing, return calls, etc. Maybe on occasion he can fill in a word or two himself. As of right now, I don't have an email or physical address for him but hopefully will in the next few weeks.

Heading out to 29 Palms, CA in early January, Doug spent about a month and a half in the beautiful desert for more training (he was also gone for about half of October, November & December for training). He is attaching to an infantry unit out of Ohio with a few guys from his San Antonio Unit. The nights were cold, the days long, and the food - well you can probably guess. But like most things, it didn't phase Doug. The days go by fast - the food is "fuel" - and he is from Iowa so the cold doesn't bother him. I think he feels as though they are well prepared and I know they are in good hands. I have attached a few photos from his stay in 29 Palms.

I was lucky enough to have a few days leave with him in February before they headed out. The Marines were given liberty in Vegas. Doug was the "on duty" officer so if anyone was arrested he was the person they'd call. Fortunately, everyone behaved and we were able to have a few relaxing days together. And it afforded him a few days to sleep in a warm bed, have some decent food, and see my growing belly.

His unit is now heading to or already are in Iraq - details are not given for security reasons. He is excited about seeing what it is like there first hand and contributing his part. I will keep you all updated as I hear from him. I just keep in mind that today is just another day sooner he will be home.

Baby On Board
While Doug is off serving our country, I am letting it all go and have gained about 10 lbs. I am 19 weeks pregnant and yes, Doug does know. I thought if I told him before he left, he would be less suspicious. We found out in November to our very big surprise that we were expecting and are very excited! Of course the timing could have been better - but I think Doug planned it strategically. We are due 8-4 and Doug is expected home around mid October. Don't they say that the baby starts sleeping through the night around month 2? Hmmmm......

The baby is growing like a weed. Doug was able to come to an ultrasound before he left and the baby was already ahead of schedule in size then! When we were in Vegas last month he was able to listen to the little guy's heart beat with a fetal heart rate monitor. We are going to hold off on finding out if it is a boy or a girl - although we both think it is a boy. The baby is starting to move quite a bit although I am the only one that feels it. We are keeping up with our running - I hear that you have smaller babies if you continue your exercise routine so I am doing everything I can.

Never Ending House
We are still working on the house we bought over a year ago in Round Rock. It is a 1910 house that has for all intensive purposes been gutted. Unfortunately, Doug has missed quite a few of the aesthetic improvements - so I am posting the progress here so that he can see the changes. Although it is the Money Pit, at least it looks good!


I am signing off for now and will let you know when I have more to report!

Camp Wilson - 29 Palms 

Freedom Isn't Free 

K-Spans 29 Palms 

The Money Pit

Yikes 


Parlour - chimney came down - what have we gotten ourselves into! 


Master Bedroom Before 


We are getting there.... 


Master Bedroom  


Dining room