Lady bugs

So what's new???

Afghanistan is hot, so not change there , but I did get to to see the greatest thing in the world the other day thanks to Skype. What is it?? Look below I shall make you wait till the end.
Life here in Afghanistan is picking up with a Change of Command coming up I keep busy making sure $40 million worth of the governments' money is not lost or wasted. Which means I am VERY busy, but I guess that is the life of an Executive Officer. I am trying to get everything ready to send home too, which is only six months away. Now, I am waiting I put in for a Branch transfer, which means if I get it there is a 98% chance Morgan, Ady, Baxter, Oreo, and I will be cozying it up in the Rockies. (Yes, Tim you can come visit and go to a Rockies game). Well, that is the updates for the Army side.
Morgan has made this a very easy deployment, due to all the letters and cards I get from her. I don't understand why mail takes so long to get home, but it can get here in nine days from Hawaii. I get the Mail Clerk come by at least once a week bringing me a letter or card from M. Balough. I think they finally figured out who it was (DUH Morgan). I am so thankful for all of my family that has sent me mail, packages, and comfort items. Morgan Balough, Ashley Balough, Timothy Balough, Denise Kolakowski, Curtis Clan, Salley Williams, Jane Davis (Greenville Upstate Blue Star Mothers), just to name a few, and Amazon. I have been so blessed that Morgan has sent me pictures in the electronic mail so I can feel part of the pregnancy. She is got to be the MOST GORGEOUS pregnant woman EVER !!!! I cannot wait to come home and see Morgan and little Ady still in the belly, then she can pop out. I am good with Morgan going into labor at the airport as long as I can see Ady and say hey while she is still in Morgan's belly. Question is what do I do with my luggage? Wait for it or have someone pick it up???? Let's pass on the Airport labor part, that might not be as fun as I think.

Two Interesting things that happened recently that made my heart flip!!
1) I was around when another Soldier opened his care package, and he threw me something. I did not realize what it was at first and then I flipped it over and realized it was a little Lady bug bean bag animal, just an amazing realization that Lady bugs is perfect for Ady.
2) See below

Morgan is up next which means another month till the next post. Thanks to all who follow and enjoy reading the life of the Baloughs with a little critter on the way.

The Baloughs


P.S. The cool fact: I got to see Ady kick on Skype!!! Got to be the best present I could have got over Skype. Love you Ady and Morgan.

Mommy to be update!

     It's my turn again! I don't know where to start. I guess with feeling and seeing Ady move. I finally got to see her kick!!! It was the most amazing thing ever. Since the 'first' kick, she has been moving up a storm. She was quite the moving one in church on Sunday, especially when it was time for the music ;). Nate did finally get to see her kick but I will let him tell you about that ;).
     I have been working on lots of baby things lately. I know time is going to fly by in these last weeks and I am def. behind. I have all the decorations for her room ready execpt one or two. I still need to find a crib that I am happy with, it's so hard to choose! I have moved on a little from onesies and have started working on bows. I am trying to stay busy so I don't go stir crazy waiting for baby and Nate to get here!
         Nate and I have been talking a lot about what we want our family to be like and how we want to raise our babies ;). I am so excited to start our family. I know babies are not a new thing, but for Nate and I we are just over the moon excited for our baby. My mom has done nothing but talk about little Ady ;) and the puppies. It is so fun sending her weekly photos. She is going to come out in December for a little bit to help me after Nate leaves, which I am so thankful for. It is amazing to think how many people love our daughter even before she is here ;). It's a def. encouragement knowing we have such an amazing support system behind us.
     On another note Nate and I have been working on a verse for baby Ady. We want just a verse of encouragement and one to represent what we want for our little girl. We think we have decided on Isaiah 40:30-31. I am so excited to teach our little girl about scripture and I am hoping Nate and I can take her to her first "church service" together after she is born ;).
    Well, again not much going on here. I had a good doctor's visit with everything is checking out very good. She is measuring exactly what she should be and heartbeat is 150. My next appointment will be in about 2-3 weeks and I will have to take another glucose test, prayers appreciated! Nate is next with his Balough Bundle update!

The Baloughs

Daddy's Ady Part 2

  Not much new has happened since our last post. I try to talk to Ady all the time and I love hearing Morgan talk to her. She is going to be such an amazing mother. Morgan says she has been feeling Ady kick which I wish I could be there for to feel. I don't mind waiting though ;). I have been enjoying watching all the pictures she has put up so I can see her belly grow every week. Oreo and Baxter seems to notice which is so cute to see on Skype. I know I am going to have some competition for my spot. Oh those little furry babies.
    It took forever for Morgan to finish the registry on Babies-R-Us. There are just so many things a baby needs. We have decided to decorate her room with Lady Bugs! I just love it, my idea. We have already purchased the bedding. Morgan has been buying up all types of clothes that have lady bugs on them.
    Afghanistan has not changed much since the last post. The weather here is hot and sandy. I finally got a cool breeze the other day which was so wonderful. I am working hard getting ready for changes here, but continue the best I can to keep Morgan and Ady informed. Well, time to get to bed.
    Well, that's about it for this father to be. I hope you are all well and Morgan's up next with her update, which will probably take a couple months.

What's New:

Cravings: Cheddar Rounds from Pal's and Home made potato chips with Lawry's Seasoning Salt.
Clothes: Multicams, and PT's, not much else in Afghanistan
Shoes: Boots and Tennis Shoes, like I said not much else here.
Smells: Fresh washed clothes, which is hard here.

A little update!

    Well, Nate is right it takes me quite a long time to post! Not much new has happened since our last post. I have been trying my hand at sewing and crafting of onesies lately. I think I am getting the hang of it. I am trying to think of some cute designs for our little Ady. It is so much fun thinking about how she will look in the little things I create.
    Pregnancy is amazing!!! I am loving every minute of it. I feel so blessed to have been given this gift to carry our daughter. I find myself talking to her all the time and I love hearing Nate talk to her. He is going to be such an amazing father. I am more eager for him to meet her than me ;). She seems to be moving a little more. The flutters have been picking up. My placenta is located more in the front so the doctor said it might take a little longer to see her movements and really feel her kick. I don't mind waiting ;). My tummy seems to be growing more and more by the day! It is so fun to watch my body change knowing why ;). I'm trying to get better about posting weekly pics. Oreo has def. picked up on a change. She is stuck to me like glue and snuggles way to close at night. I get 1/4 of a queen size bed. I don't know what Nate is going to do when he finally gets home and finds all this competition for his spot. Oh those little furry babies.
    I finally got us registered at Babies-r-us. It took forever there are just so many things a baby needs (duh! Morgan) I was just too tired to register anywhere else so I am just telling people if they want to get us something they can use that registry as a place to get ideas and then go to Walmart or Target and get it cheaper!!!! We have decided to decorate her room with Lady Bugs! I just love it, Nate's idea. We have already purchased the bedding. I have been buying up all types of clothes that have lady bugs on them. I need to slow down with the clothes!
    Well, that's about it for this mom to be. I hope you are all well and Nate's up next with his update ;).

What's New:

Cravings: Pickles, sandwiches, SPICY food and cake doughnuts.
Weight: Still no gaining
Clothes: I got some Maternity clothes so they should be good for a while. Need to get more dress clothes, I forget how much I need to dress up a little these days!
Hobbies: Onesie crafting ;), Coloring
Shoes: some are getting a little snug!
Smells: Almost got sick off of the smell of Korean chicken the other day ;(. Loving fresh clean scents.
Wedding Rings: Still fit, and are a little loose!

The Baloughs

Daddy's Ady

So we found out a few days ago that we are having a GIRL!!!!! We are very excited, and cannot wait for the baby to come. We are at 21 weeks which means we are over half way there. I am so proud of my wife and her mother for finding such a cute way to let both of us know at the same time. I am thrilled to have a little girl to watch and take care of. We have decided the way we will clothe and decorate her room. She is going to be our little Ladybug.

Her name:
So Morgan and I knew what we were going to name our first child depending on the sex of the baby. Our daughter's name is Adalynn Brittany Balough, and she will forever be Daddy's Ady. We love this name, and it has a purpose behind it. Adalynn is a name I came up with while Morgan and I were standing outside the Cafeteria at NGU. I saw a purse that was embroidered aDl, and I told Morgan Adalynn would be a cute girls name, at that point the name stuck. Brittany is in memory of Morgan and I's friend from college Brittany Fogg. She was a great friend to both Morgan and I and we will honor her memory with our Daughter's middle name.

Well, that is it for Afghanistan, and next time I blog it will be from Captain Balough as I get promoted 1 July.

It's a girl!!!

     Ok so we finally got the news whether we are having a boy or a girl!!! If you can't tell by the title we are expecting a little girl!!!

How we found out:
     My mom and I went to the doctor's and went back to finally get my ultrasound! The baby was very modest and took 45mins. to finally let the nurse get a good picture of her special place, I said I didn't mind the baby being modest if it was a girl and I was right! The nurse told me when to look away so I would see what the baby was and she showed my mom and made sure she knew what it was so she could tell Nathaniel and I. She gave us lots of pictures to take home. She informed me that our baby looked very healthy and had a big heart with a strong heart beat. Since everything looked good she said that we would get another ultrasound....WHAT??? I have to go another 20 wks without seeing my beautiful baby!!! I guess it is a huge blessing though bc that means she is healthy!
    We headed home and it was killing me not to know and my mom had a sealed envelope with the picutre of the gender in it ( I though about tackling her to the ground and ripping it our of her hand lol). We finally made it home and I text Nate that we were ready to Skype so we could finally find out what we are having. My mom had purchased a girl and boy set of mittens and booties so once Nate was online and ready we waited and she reached for the pink set!!!! We are having a little girl!!!! We are so excited and looking for to spoiling her.

My reaction:
     I was very surprised at first I was really expecting it to be a boy by what everyone was saying and so on. My biggest wish was for a healthy baby so finding out our baby was healthy was the best thing ever. I am growing more and more excited about all the girlie things to come. I know she will have Nathaniel rapped around her little finger! I can't wait to have a little girl to take out for mommy and me days!
     My Mom, Nana and I already went shopping and bought way too many clothes!!! I am looking at all of the stuff to buy and it gets so overwhelming. I am so excited to get to go shopping for all of the baby stuff!

What's Happening with Mom:
     My family has been in town for a week and we had a blast going around the island doing all sorts of things. I have been keeping busy with entertaining that is all I have basically done.

What's Happening with Dad:
     Nate finished up with his first class that he was teaching on Friday. He has enjoyed it very much. Nate will also be promoted on July 1st!!! It will now be Captain Balough!!! I am so proud of him. I will let him tell you what else is going on over the pond!

Updates:

Cravings: Salads with Asian dressing-so good!, honey buns, and potatoes.

Weight: Still no weight gain

Weeks: 20 wks Half way point!!!!

Well that's all from me Nate will post his response next!!! Thank you all for the congrats and well wishes!

The Baloughs

Dad in Afghanistan Part 2

Well, We have made it almost twenty weeks which means we find out whether our baby is a boy or girl. We are super excited and cannot wait till later this week. I have been able to see the progress of our baby as my wonderful wife updates me as often as she can about the happenings in Hawaii. Afghanistan is HOT, and makes me miss the wonderful Hawaii weather every day. I hope every day that is does not break 110 degrees, but every day at lunch I get disappointed as the temperature is averaging 112 degrees at lunch time. I did not know till I got to Afghanistan that Hot breezes existed, and 112 degrees breezing are not fun. Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers out there especially my brother who became a Father Friday when his daughter (my niece) was born. Morgan has been doing wonders in Hawaii with the baby and FRG. I hear daily here that we are blessed with a great FRG leader. The second half of June has and will be a wonderful ending of a month. We find out whether the baby is a boy or a girl, and I got my promotion orders for Captain. I get promoted on 1 July and will be blessed to have the Brigade Commander pin on my rank. I am getting the ability to hone my math and reading skills as I am teaching a FAST class to the Soldiers here. The class helps the Soldiers increase their GT score which will help them further their careers. Well, that is pretty much it for Afghanistan, Morgan is up next which means you will probably not get another post for a month and a half or so.