And he is finally here!!! (im 22 days late on this...)

so.......my child, Bomani Leonard Sydnor was born 29 September 2010 at 3:30pm. He was born at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii. It was amazing. one of the most amazing moments of my life. and let me tell you, epidurals are sent from heaven! i got it just in time. labor is the most pain that i have ever experienced physically in my life!!!

but i soon forgot the pain of the contractions. i didnt feel the pain as soon as that epidural kicked in, and soon i was face to face with my little BB!!! And my Leonard was there with us as well!!

check out my pictures of Bomani on my facebook!!!

28 days to go!

Went to my 36 week appointment. Everything is fine, the doctor said. I follow up in two weeks, when I'm 38 weeks along! We checked via ultrasound to see if his head was in the proper position, which it is, I can definitely feel it!!! Baby measures to be around 35-36 weeks along, and is doing fine. Heart beat is 140.

I can't wait to meet my little BB face to face!!! I already love him, he is so cute.

leaving - again!

Leonard came back from RIMPAC on friday afternoon, and so we were able to spend the weekend together. I missed him so bad! he was on the cleveland, (one of the ships in the navy, and is supposedly going to get decomissioned this year.....) and was gone from the 5th of july, till this past friday, the 30th. I was so glad when he came home! i managed to get that day off, so i could pick him up from base when they got back.

Melanie flew in on tuesday night, i gave her a red lei, and we went out wednesday night, to giovanni pastrami's.

today though, was sad, cause Leonard left again, for CACS, training in california. I drove him back to base, and was able to spend a little time with him in the car, before he had to go, I was sad to see him leave again, but i guess it gives me time to spend with Melanie.

Tomorrow, were planning on going to the beach, and lay out in the sun, and gather up some rays! cause who wants to get back from a vaction, in hawaii, and not have any tan!!!

Baby is getting so much bigger. He is looking great. I got a 3d ultrasound, but i havent had a chance to put them on this blog yet. I will though, eventually. he is so cute!!!

Until next blog message~

vindictive?

Working with females is hard in the military, at least in my experience. They are vindictive, and usually don't like to see you succeed in anything. They try to push you down, and achieve more than you do, and they are not friendly to other females at all. This has been the experience in my navy life. There has been a few females that I have worked with, that were not like this; but the majority are the evil ones...

Except, I got lucky when I came to Hawaii. The 2 females that I work with are really nice, and they help eachother, and me, and I know that they are genuine, and good people. Such a great relief. And I'm glad to be working with them.

My belly...the continuing story...

Status of Belly

Here is a picture of my belly, well, and of me. I took this one a couple of days ago.

It's been a while...

Sorry for those of you who do choose to read my blog... I've been busy, and also, exhausted and sleeping when I'm not at work!

Whats been happening lately???

Since my last post of June 16, I have been pretty busy:
We attended the Corpsman Ball on June 19th. It was fun I guess. I did enjoy introducing me Handsome Husband to people I know at work. I wore my maternity "dress whites" and Me and Leonard were able to wear our new rank on our sleeves!! yay!!!
Busy at work, learning more in's and out's of my job, and taking over certain jobs people needed to get rid of. I've started wearing the maternity uniforms.
We moved into our new apartment, it's in Kaneohe, right outside of base where Leonard works. Its a better apartment, and bigger too. I'm excited with getting it all decorated to how i want it. There is a back patio, and also a front poorch, all to ourselves!!! So I am playing with different ideas on how to spruce up the areas!
We celebrated the 4th of july at our friends house. It was great to be able to grill, and to have our own fireworks! I've had to work every 4th of july since being in the navy, and this has been the first 4th of july that lots of the guys were able to spend here at home. I guess the past 2 4ths, have been spent in either Afghanistan, or Iraq. So it was special.
Leonard has been gone since the 5th of July for RIMPAC. He is on the USS Cleveland (LPD-7) and will be gone until the 29th of July. I miss him a lot. But I'm using this time to get the place a little decorated so it's a surprize for when he comes home.
I bought a really nice crib for baby, (still no definite name picked out yet) and set it up and put it together all by myself! I had to recruit our room mate Stanfield, to pick it up from the NEX, and to bring it downstairs for me. Too too heavy for me! I added some cute bedding to it, so it has a cute little jungle theme going on. Same as our bedroom, but ours isn't the baby animals. Baby will be sleeping in our bedroom until he is about 1 year or so.
I had a tour of Labor and Delivery at Tripler Army Medical Center the other day. It was good to see the place I will be having my baby in. When baby is born, they dont take him away from you, and keep him in a nursery. Instead, they let baby stay in the room with you! i thought that was great.
Speaking of baby, he moves a lot lately. He likes it when i sing, and he has a schedule he likes to keep, when he wakes up, when he falls asleep. And he gets a little annoyed when i turn over on my other side. I can feel him moving and situating himself after I move, so he can get comfy. It's so cute! sometimes he just won't quit moving around, so i rub my belly, and he eventually calms down.
I went to a "swap meet" yesterday. It's sort of like a flea market i was told. but I think its more like a state fair, where you can buy all kinds of stuff, like touristy things, and lovely fruits, and good fried food. I got 2 warrior heads for protection to hang in the mini cooper, and the mustang, a miniature traveling buddha, a pukka shell necklace for cheap! and also a set of bamboo wind chimes that i put out in the front poorch. also, I ate a malasada, its hard to describe these, but they are kinda like a doughnut? and I had a strawberry slushy.
I start online school tomorrow. I've started on the work already, and am trying to familiarize myself with the way online school works! Computer literacy, and the History of art are the classes im taking right now. It seems like a lot of work! But i'll manage.
Melanie is coming out this summer, her tickets are all set, and she is probably getting packed as you read this! She will be here from August 3 until August 11. And we will have a blast!!!!
Leonard will be gone for training again from the begining of August, till some time in September. and I'm not looking forward to him being gone some more! I'm just glad he will be here for the babys due date.

I might have missed a few things, but thats the majority of it! I'll be online more often now that i have school online. And so i might update this more often!

My belly!

My belly just seemed to pop out this weekend! All of a sudden, there was a belly!!! And there certainly is a baby in there! I can feel him numerous times throughout the day, kicking and squirming!!!!

New Petty Officers

Last week, Leonard was frocked as a Third Class Petty Officer! I was able to make it to his ceremony, and I wanted to be able to pin his new rank on.
And here I am, pinning it on, and they are reading his certificate.
Congratulations!!!
Me and my Husband, the newly frocked Third Class!!!



And here is a picture of me, with my new rank pinned on! I didnt have a camera during my ceremony today, so I will be posting pictures soon!!! And I was given a lei as well!!!

Rainbow at Tripler

When I parked at Tripler Army Medical Center for my ultrasound appointment, this is what I saw! This is looking south-east towards downtown Honolulu, I believe.

"He's going to be tall! Lucky baby!"

Those were the words of the ultrasound technician when she measure his feet, legs, and arms. Apparently, by the measurments she took today, his legs are developed 1 week more than the rest of his body, meaning, they are longer than a typical 21 week old fetus.

status of baby:

21 weeks, and 3 days

Approximately 1 pound

over 10 inches long

all vital organs healthy

all body parts healthy

everything coming along just great!

There is a spy among us...

I knew I was being watched! I just had that feeling! From my bedroom window I could see the infiltrator looking in!

And after the information was gathered, he slips away...

ribbons and medals... versus me?

What are the worth of the rows and rows of colorful strips of shiny striped and solid material, that humans add a value to? The strips that represent different criteria, or qualifications that a person "accomplished" or was "awarded?

What about the warfare pins, the shiny metal in intricate designs, representing different tasks a person memorizes, and demonstrates to one person, or a group on a review board? The eagle globe and anchor? The ship moving through water? What about the A with the wings? And the strange looking dophins? The bubble of a diver helmet? All demonstrate the things the person has done in the past, and shows what the person had access to.

Do they define the person? Do they make the person worth more if they wear them? Do the pins show that a person is smart, or is better than anyone else? Is the number of pins someone gets, a matter of value, enough to judge one person over another?

Ribbons that are awarded to a service member, do show that the person has accomplished something, they show that the person might have seen combat, or they might have had access to a shooting range, or they might have recieved a NAM in recognition of some job they did that their command thought was great. Or, they just happened to be at the right place, at the right time. Or they might be of a certain gender. Or, they just happened to get lucky to get stationed where they did.

I was judged, by my appearance. I'm not saying my uniform was a mess, or my cover was on crooked, or my name tag was on backwards, or my ribbons were on the wrong side. I was judged because of my rank, and number of ribbons, and "lack" of warfare devices that I wear on my uniform. Maybe I should have expected this when I joined the navy. But come on, seriously, do these pieces of cloth, and forged metal really show what a person can really do???

Working in a large command, for example, the Naval Hospital of San Diego, hundreds of corpsmen compete with each other. They dont do it on purpose all the time. But with so many people stationed there, its hard to get noticed for what you do. So, when you are awarded with Blue Jacket Sailor of the Quarter, or even Blue Jacket Sailor of the Year, you think someone should notice. Those titles arent given to everyone. You have to display a sense of military bearing, a sense of pride, and have knowlege of the navy, the history, and things that are happening around the world. You think someone would notice. But no. There are no ribbons, there are no medals, not even a letter of commendation or whatever. Nothing to show that you have done a great job, except a freaking "bullet" on your "brag sheet". Stationed at the hospital, you dont get the opportunity to go on a ship, and you dont get the opportunity to go with the marines, and you dont get the opportunity to work with aircraft. Working at a hospital, you have your job, and you do it. And you work to go to school at the same time.

In order to get a lot of ribbons, you need to either get deployed to somewhere that the "action" happens, Which is usually an FMF Corpsman, getting deployed with the marines, which is usually a male. Or, you have to get on a ship, preferably a "small boy", and that way, since you are a corpsman, you are taking care of so many damn people, that you are bound to get noticed. You even might take care of the medical issues of the CO. But what if you dont get that "lucky" to get on a small ship, or get with the marines? Should it even matter???

Being in the navy for 2 years, an E-3, just took the 3rd class exam, with 3 ribbons and working on the 4th ribbon, (the good conduct) (in 9 more months I get it), excellent eval both times it has been given, BJSOQ, BJSOY, letter from the Admiral, something should stand out, you know???

But no.

Sitting next to a 3rd class dental tech, (who probably was in corps school and dental school the same time they were actually in the real fleet) who has been in the same amount of years, with 3 rows of ribbons, and two warfare devices, i look like nothing. I look like I just came out of freaking boot camp.

Why does this bother me? Why am I comparing myself, when I know that I am a great person, when I know that I am happy, when I know that I am loved, and that I am in a great marriage, why should it even bother me? I'm working on my degree, I'm constantly improving each day, I'm almost a mother, and its just strange that pieces of stuff that people make, and pin on their chest defines what people make you out to be.

I know that people are worth more than their ribbons. The actions speak louder than the ribbons. In my last post, I was talking about how I was proud to shake the hands of the Medal of Honor recipients. Maybe I shouldnt be. They are just people too. There are other people out there, that deserve the medal too, but didnt get recognized, for one reason or another. Maybe their chain of command all got killed, and no one reported the circumstances. Maybe the person died, and everyone else did too. Maybe their command just didnt submit the award request. In many cases, thats why someone doesnt get recognized. Because the chain of command, or lack of reports.

I know that I was all happy and interested in these medal recipients. Maybe I shouldnt have been. Because today, I was just getting angry at someone who did the same thing that I did yesterday. "Oooed and Awed" at a person, because the person was wearing a piece of stuff that someone else made into a thing that represents something.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Services of the United States. Generally presented to its recipient by the President of the United States of America in the name of Congress. (the two medal of honor images and text above found at: http://www.cmohs.org/ )

Today was my first day back from leave, and I was back to work in the navy. My house hunting leave was done, and I was actually ready to start something new. After a day of the checking in process, and nko training, it was a real treat to be able to go to the Makalapa Clinic here in Pearl Harbor, to go see three Medal of Honor recipients, and hear them speak, and have a chance to ask them questions. The three that were there, was Mr. Donald E. Ballard, Mr. Kenneth E. Stumpf, and Mr. Allen J. Kellogg. They all recieved the medal of honor after serving in Vietnam. The pictures here, are mine, and they were actually signed right then and there after they spoke to about 30 navy men and women. They each gave a brief history of where they were from, when they joined, if they were drafted or signed up before they were drafted, and also the accounts of how they actually performed under fire with complete valor. It was interesting to be able to hear their opinions of the war in Vietnam, and also on the wars going on now. And I'm trully glad that I was able to shake their hands, and to attend this rare occasion that three recipients be in the same room together.

For more information on the Medal of Honor, and the recipients, passed away and living, go to this web site:http://www.cmohs.org/

Sightings of Gecko's

A few days ago, I was cleaning the bathroom. I saw this little sliver of a dark tail. I suddenly freaked out. I thought it was a silver fish or some other strange bug! When I looked closer, it was a tiny tiny lizard! A gecko to be exact. He was about as long as the distal phalanges of my thumb! I didnt catch him, because he was so small that he resembled a small bug! I just let him be...

Since that encounter, I have seen 2 other gecko's climbing on the walls in the living room.

Tonight, I was able to catch one. I went to close my window a little, and there on the screen was this little tiny beige and black gecko! I caught him in a little playing cards box. So I aligned him next to a five of spades, to illustrate his length, and size. Of course, after taking about 15 snapshots of the cute thing, I let him go outside on some bushes. As soon as I came inside, and closed my bedroom door, another one, slightly bigger than this one, and a bit orangy in color, started running down the wall, onto a blue rubbermaid tub I have. He dissapeared, and I couldn't find him. So I might be lucky later, to have another sighting of him!

My New Home

The Koolau Mountains (I think thats what they are called) is seen in the distance. Every time I step out my front door, I see these beautiful mountains. My home is on the left of the picture.

A few days ago I was finally able to pick up my car from the Matson industry that ships cars to Hawaii from California, and back. It feels so good to have it back with me!

And here is a view of the home that Leonard, and I, and our room mate Ghaly, live in. We live in the lower left of the house, and our land lord in the rest of the house. The purple Bougainvillea are so pretty! They have been in bloom ever since I arrived the 31 of March.

Beef Stew with Red Wine (recipe by Diana Rattray)

(the italicized text is actually my input into the recipe. all plain text is from Diana Rattray)

Today, I have decided to use the rest of the stew beef that Leonard had left over from last night. I googled recipes for beef stew and this one sounded the best!!!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds stew beef
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
1 to 2 medium carrots, sliced
2 ribs celery (I didnt use this cause I dont like celery...)
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 cup dry red wine, such as Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon
1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary, or a dash of crumbled dried rosemary
1 jar (15 ounces) small onions, or 10 to 16 ounces frozen small onions, thawed
1 box of egg noodles
butter
salt

Preparation: Trim stew beef and cut in small bite-size pieces. (I didnt cut up the meat, cause I dont like cutting meat!) Put in a food storage bag with the flour, onion powder, and seasoned salt; toss to coat well.


Heat oil in a large sauce pan, over medium heat. Add beef to hot oil, and cook, stirring until lightly browned.




Cut up the onion. I didnt dice the onion as the recipe says to, my eyes were watering too much, and plus I like the big onions!!!

Add the onion, and celery. (again, I didnt add the celery....ewe!!!)

Continue cooking, stirring for about 3 minutes.

Cut up the carrots, and minse the garlic. I didnt mince it, cause I dont have a mincer. I just cut it up.

Add carrots, garlic....

beef broth, wine...

and rosemary.

stir it up a little.

Bring it to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, and cover with a lid. Simmer for about 30 minutes.

While the stew is simmering, you can go ahead and
Drain the onions in the jar. Start the pot for the noodles as well.

fill a medium sauce pan with water, and add a dash of salt.

When the water starts to boil, add the pasta.

Cook the pasta until they are soft.

Add the drained onions to the stew, and continue simmering for 20 or 30 minutes, or until beef is tender.

Serve with the freshly done noodles.

Delicious!!!!!

to kill a Cockroach

So I found out a new way to kill a cockroach.

Make sure you put the nasty bug in with your laundry, and spin it in the washer for about 30 to 45 minutes.

After the wash, put all the clothing in the dryer, for about 50 minutes.

After the dry, gather all your clothing,

but make sure you remember you put the cockroach in there, cause otherwise, you might accidently touch the crispy nasty thing with your hands!!!

Kittys Boy

I miss my Kittys. I was just thinking about him, and what a great cat he is. It will be in 2013 when we can be reunited again. Until then, he will probably be happy with his new Colorado outdoor life, hunting ground squirrels, and watching the birds. Here are a few images of the cutie..