28 Weeks!!!

Baby Shower Part III

My wonderful sister-n-law threw me a beautiful baby shower for Jackson Gregory. All my close girlfriends came from all over the US to join the celebration of this little boy. It was such a wonderful weekend. I enjoyed all the time spent with both family and friends. I am truly blessed with both a wonderful family and beautiful friends. Oh and these are my favorite two pics of the weekend. Charlie, the kitty, loved to be the center of attention and the towel is Jackson's but it is almost big enough for me...haha!!!

Baby Shower Part II

Baby Shower Part I

25 Weeks

100 Things about Me

Thanks Mendi for giving me something else to do besides reading the endless laws regarding the pharmaceutical industry!!!
1. I met the love of my life in Tampa, FL.
2. I never thought I could love someone more than Troy until lil Jackson! I suppose it is a different kind of love.
3. My family is my everything
4. I am 25 weeks pregnant.
5. I tend to overreact a lot.
6. I tend to have select OCD.
7. I tend to get stressed out more than people think.
8. Anxiety should be my middle name.
9. Death is my ultimate fear.
10. I have been through 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of professional school.
11. I love the beach but not the salt water.
12. I like my friend Mendi love to read blogs, even if I don’t know the person.
13. I would love to go back to school to study religion or maybe something else medical.
14. Sometimes I wonder why I went to school for so long.
15. My son will be a Norwegian citizen.
16. I admire my husband’s work ethic.
17. All I have ever wanted in life is to be a mother, however (see 18).
18. I am now terrified of motherhood.
19. I love all animals, especially my Sydney.
20. I sometimes find myself rescuing insects from death. (I know weird)
21. I strive for perfection.
22. I always thought that failure wasn’t an option, and then I realized that failure is what makes you stronger, more determined, and more successful.
23. I am not a very good cleaner; however I am improving with age.
24. I am not a very good cook, ask my husband.
25. I love to bake.
26. I love cheese, all different kinds (except Norwegian brown cheese).
27. I hate white wine and love red wine.
28. My grandparents are my hero’s.
29. I believe that my grandparents are the most remarkable people and should have been on Barbara Walters Top 10 remarkable people of ALL TIME.
30. I have finally given in to my dark roots and decided to go natural instead of blonde.
31. I do not feel like I am a smart person.
32. I believe I could be a student for the rest of my life. I love learning.
33. I feel like I have so much more to give in my lifetime, I just need to find out what.
34. I am blessed with amazing friends.
35. I never thought I would live in another country, so far away from home and love it.
36. I am a dreamer.
37. I have selective hearing. (Just ask my mother or husband)
38. I hate violence.
39. I am an advocate of the American Heart Association.
40. I don’t understand why healthcare professionals smoke.
41. I have a shoe and purse fetish. However, it has become much better.
42. I have grown to realize that materialistic things are not important.
43. I believe in True Love.
44. I am a true believer that things happen for a reason.
45. I love to read crime thrillers.
46. I hate scary movies.
47. I cry more than people think. (even more now that I am pregnant)
48. I love my husband’s career, even though sometimes it takes him away from me for awhile.
49. I believe that home is where the heart is and that can be more than one place. (I know corny)
50. I went to Gulf Breeze High School on Gulf Breeze Pkwy in Gulf Breeze FL.
51. I hate cancer.
52. I do not like confrontation and fighting.
53. I do not like to go to bed angry.
54. I am a very individual person.
55. I love alone time.
56. I love dates with my husband.
57. I rather stay in than go out.
58. I love rainy days.
59. I love the smell of lemon Lysol.
60. I love hand sanitizer.
61. I tend to start things and not finish most of them. (Working on this one…)
62. I want to run a ½ marathon before I die.
63. I have realized that I hate driving.
64. I tend to let anger build up until I snap at someone I love, most of the time being my husband. (working on this one too)
65. I don’t like to share my emotions, I rather hide them.
66. I am not a cuddlier or hugger.
67. I am not Buddha and don’t like to be rubbed by complete strangers. (don’t understand why strangers like to pat pregnant women who they don’t know)
68. I don’t like mean people.
69. Birth scares the living shit out of me, especially since I watched live birth on TV.
70. I had to stop reading pregnancy books because they started to make me worry endlessly.
71. I do not care if my husband stands outside during birth as long as he comes in right after. (I wouldn’t want to watch it either)
72. I have cool parents that I love hanging out with.
73. I love the fact that I am giving my parents a grandson!!!
74. I love family reunions.
75. I give props to Meghan and Bess for doing a residency.
76. I think infectious diseases scare me more than war.
77. I hate decorating. Not an interest of mine! I am not a homemaker. (might have to learn though…baby steps)
78. I love orchids. (maybe because it is the first plant I have kept alive for longer than six months)
79. I have no clue what to do with a baby, however I will be learning real quick.
80. I love the fact that I will be able to stay at home the first year of my son’s life.
81. I love the fact that I get to experience my husband’s success.
82. I love my labeling machine.
83. I love my grandmother’s homemade jelly and vegetables from the farm.
84. I do believe that organic milk tastes better.
85. I am going to make all of my son’s baby food.
86. I tend to second guess myself a lot.
87. My husband makes me stronger.
88. I let my dog sleep in the bed with me.
89. I like to stare at my stomach and watch it move (I suppose it is a pregnant thing)
90. I have a compassionate heart towards mentally handicap people. My sister has taught me patience and has shown me how to love abundantly.
91. I grew up thinking my brother was the coolest person on the planet, I guess I still do.
92. I love to be pampered.
93. I do not have a problem admitting that I am high maintenance. (Yes my husband knew that before he married me)
94. I love diamonds and pearls, but definitely can live without them.
95. I polevaulted my way through college.
96. I hope I am always there for my child like my parents were for me.
97. I have no tolerance for drinking and driving.
98. I would love to learn how to ballroom dance.
99. I wear the same jewelry every day.
100. I am a true believer in faith and God.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!! (Part II)

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!!

Cup Finale Winner's

Valerenga won the cup finale on Nov 9th. Sorry for the late post. Will post more pics of the final after christmas as my pictures were taken with Troy's camera and not mine!

Snow, Snow, Snow...

Snow, Snow, Snow...I guess that is what you expect when we live in Norway (DAD!). We had our first snow fall on the 29th of October. We woke up ot our yard covered in snow. Luckily, I will be coming back to the states in two weeks (Nov 12th). This allows me to avoid the extreme weather until Jan.

Warning, Warning, Warning…this is not pre-term labor!

Round Liagment Pain, definition: sharp pain in the abdomen or hip area that is either on one side or both. Some women even report pain that extends into the groin area. Round ligament pain is considered a normal part of pregnancy as your body goes through many different changes.

I believe that pregnant woman should be warned on this type of pain before it happens and before they completely freak themselves out and their husband. Even though it only lasts for like a couple of seconds, it is very discomforting and downright scary; especially when these pains are sharp, sharp, and did I mention SHARP. They should create a book about all the NORMAL warnings of pregnancy (No Pain, no Gain, Poking and Prodding: the TRUTH). Maybe I will write one since I am just a domestic engineer, which I have to say isn’t my cup of tea. But then again, cleaning and I go together like pickles and ice cream…ha!

I think I am getting better though, however I was informed by my husband today that when I do laundry I need to fold the long sleeve shirts different than the short sleeve shirts. Surprisingly that didn’t bother me (he probably thought I was about to rip his head off but nope); actually I found it quite amusing. He did show me a better way to fold it too, which is also hilarious. Where does he learn this stuff from? I thought I was particular about things.

So to the people who know me well and are amazed that I did not lose my cool (I know I am kind of amazed too, usually I would have slammed a door, yelled at him or just thrown the shirt at him--maybe all three). My reasoning behind not losing my cool is first it was HILARIOUS and mainly he works his butt off every day to provide and pay the bills (including my student loans. I only have a 55 square meter condo that I have to keep clean and I don’t mind the whole laundry thing. It is wonderful to have a great husband (he definitely gets an A+ in the husband department, right now I am probably at a C- but that is okay I am pregnant). I am truly blessed to have an amazing hubbie:)

It's a Boy!!!

Baby Perkins is a BOY!!! At the start of the scan he was sucking on his thumb and taking a nap. However, once getting poked a few times he woke up real fast. The boy is fascinated with his fingers and hands. Might be the first sign he is going to take after his daddy!!! In one of the pictures you can actually see him sucking on his index finger. In the same picture you can see his heart. He was very active during the scan. He was kicking up a storm (probably because he was mad he was woken up) and then he decided to have a bite to eat. By the end of the scan he was tired again and starting sucking on his thumb again. Everything looked great and he is very healthy at the time being. So thank you for your prayers and keep them coming. The midwife told me that I should start feeling him very soon as he kicks with force and sure likes to push against my uterine wall.

Vålerenga har slått Lillestrøm to ganger i år!

Translation: Vålerenga has thumped Lillestrøm two times year! Last night VIF beat Lillestrøm for the second time this year. They are VIF arch rivals. The score was 3-1. The guys played a great game!

Troy is Home!

What makes me happy...not seeing your husband for 12 days and when you do, he is so happy to see you. He has the biggest grin on his face and gives you the biggest bear hug. What makes me more happy...when he sees your ever growing belly (which has doubled in size since he has left)and thinks it is the most fanastic thing ever!

How did we found out?

Everyone has been asking me how I told Troy I was pregnant; well here is the story…

It all started on a Tuesday evening…Troy was gone to an away game and I decided to go and pick up some beer at the market that morning. Well, after a hard day of work (you know the house cleaning, laundry,….haha). I decided I would have a nice cold beer while watching TV. I went, opened up the fridge, grabbed a cold one, and poured it into a wine glass (that is how they drink it over here, actually to think of it they drink everything out of wine glasses.) Well, as soon as I got it out of the damn can, got it into the glass and started to take a sip, it dawned on me that this doesn’t smell good and I really don’t want a beer. First, let me tell you I am NOT an Alcoholic, but for me to turn down a beer (and Norway has some good beer) there must be something wrong with me. So I sat on the sofa and contemplated why on earth I didn’t want a beer. DING, DING, DING….AM I PREGNANT???? Well, of course when that thought came to my head I sure as hell didn’t touch the beer. And of course it is the time of day when all the Apotex’s (pharmacies) are closed (and they don’t carry pregnancy tests in grocery stores). Now I am cussing silently at my husband for bringing me to a country that does not have 24 hour pharmacies or groceries. Of course I am silently cussing because I don’t want my “maybe baby” to hear the words that are running through my head. The poor thing obviously didn’t even have ears at that point, but oh well. So after no sleep and waking up at 8:00am I went to the dreaded Apotek and bought a pregnancy test, of course thinking I was just overreacting about the whole situation. So I get home, pee on the stick, and of course it comes back GRAVID!!! Well, then I think to myself what the hell does that mean. So I rush off the toilet, almost falling on my face, to look up the word in my oh so handy pocket dictionary. Well, of course we all know now that GRAVID equals PREGNANT. I was looking for IKKE GRAVID (not pregnant) because Troy and I weren’t planning on this. (We all know what a planner I am too!) Next, I rush back to the Apotek to buy four more tests because surely that test was wrong because I am on the pill. It even says on my package insert in my birth control that it is 97%-99% effective. So I come home, pee on three of the four sticks (wanted to save one for the morning, just because that is what it says online to do.) I also looked up the instruction online in English because maybe I didn’t do the first one right the first time (even thought I was doubtful, I have counseled too many patients on how to use a pee stick, but this is Norway). But of course the other three and the one the next morning came back positive. There I had it! I was convinced! So now I am like…OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT. The first thought after that was “how am I going to tell Troy?” Well, I went through mixed emotions and convinced myself that Troy was going to be mad at me (we all know I hate it when Troy is mad at me). But then I thought… no he isn’t going to be mad. Well, it was game day and I didn’t want to tell him before the game and I really didn’t want to tell him after the game either because I believe this sort of news needs to be told in person. So I waited another sleepless night until he got home. So I met him at VallHall and as we were walking home, I just busted out in tears and Troy said “Honey what is wrong.” Then I proceeded to tell him that I was pregnant, more tears streaming out of my face and that I was sorry if he was mad at me. Well, of course he wiped my tears away (don’t know why guys do this sweet gesture, just makes me want to cry more because they are being so loving). He told me how could he be mad at me. He had a big smile on his face and just gave me the best bear hug. After I stopped crying and shaking we proceeded on our walk home. He then stated, “I can’t believe you would think I would be mad at you, especially something we made together.” Then I started laughing uncontrollably. We got home and Troy drank all the beer in the fridge and I went to bed.

First Real Pregnancy Craving...

Well, people always ask me what I am craving and I crave the usual: salt, protein, sweets, and pickles. However, today at lunch there was pickled red beets. I know sounds discussing. However, I can not get enough. They are delicious. I think I might just run to the store to get a jar!

Boy or Girl...One Week Left!

Only one week left until we find out the sex of Jellybean. Oh how excited we are!!! It's amazing how excited you get over seeing your babies privates, my bad reproductive organs!!! Can't wait to quit referring to the baby as a it!!! So mark your calendar's.

Oh so Fabulous!!!

They say that pregnancy is SUPPOSE to be glamorous. You are SUPPOSE to have this pregnancy glow, your hair is SUPPOSE to be shinier, your complextion is SUPPOSE to be ravishing, and you are just SUPPOSE to have this great aura around yourself. Well…I can’t wait for this to happen. I am nowhere near any of that. I am not so glamorous (I feel uglier than prettier), I do not have a glow (more like a pale complexion), my hair is a mix between tangles and frizziness (way out of control), my complexion is more of zits and dark circles under my eyes, and I really don’t feel like my aura is shining or broadcasting anything. I spend most of my day contemplating whether or not I am going to be a good mother (know this is normal) and whether or not my baby is going to be healthy (also know this is normal). I know these feeling are all natural. I guess motherhood comes to you naturally, especially in regards to how many baths you give a baby a week or day(woke up panicking about this one after a weird dream), what each cry means etc, etc, etc. They also have great books for the technical things. On the other hand there are some benefits of pregnancy:
1.Never being alone and always having someone to talk too that won’t
tell you to be quiet--Ha!
2.Bigger Breasts (Yes I am almost 34D now)
3.No obsessing over gained weight
4.Maternity Clothes (yes not so fashionable but oh so comfortable)
5.Great Nails!!!
6.The shopping for little clothes, shoes, and toys for the little one
7.And best of them all THE BABY!!!
Yes, the baby makes everything worth it. Knowing that you are growing a human being in your belly is one of the most amazing, incredible experiences that any woman would be blessed to go through. So if asked would I do it all over again…ABSOLUTELY!

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.").

USA heads to Trindad...

Troy arrived late last night in the Port of Spain, Trindad. I haven't spoken with him but did manage to read that the USA team arrive safely and were at the hotel. They will play on Wednesday night and the game will be televised on ESPN 8pm ET. Here is the 18 man roster: U.S. ROSTER VS. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
GOALKEEPERS (2): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa: 2/2 SO), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF: 0/0)
DEFENDERS (6): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA: 0/0), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland: 2/0), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus Crew: 13/1), Michael Orozco (San Luis: 0/0), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock: 6/0), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC: 0/0)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Freddy Adu (AS Monaco: 3/0), DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers: 20/6), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers: 3/0), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA: 4/0), Pablo Mastroeni (Colorado Rapids: 11/0), Danny Szetela (Brescia Calcio: 1/0) José Francisco Torres (Pachuca: 1/0)
FORWARDS (3): Jozy Altidore (Villarreal C.F.: 1/1), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF: 0/0), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew: 0/0)

Washington Post Interview with Troy by Steve Goff

A Few Minutes With Troy Perkins
What's it like being back in Washington?

"It's weird. I actually came out to D.C. United training [Tuesday morning] to say hi to everyone because I never really got a chance to say goodbye last winter. It was funny because Ben Olsen was out here on the practice field, trash-talking with everyone as usual, and he kind of looked over and looked at me and then turned back around. I just kept walking and then he turned around again and recognized me. I said, 'That's right, it's me!' He came running over. It was good to see those guys."

Overall, how have things gone for you with Valerenga?

"it's been a good move. For my career, I feel like I have made huge strides. I am in a good environment with a great club that I feel apart of and grown to love."

How would you describe the level of play in Norway?

"It's quite good. It's a lot faster than MLS and you have all the big guys because all the athletes play football there. It's physical, like in England, but obviously closer to the Championship division than the Premiership. You don't have the technical players. There are some, but not as many as you find in England."

More below.....


How's the language and culture in Norway?

"The language sucks. It's a tough one to learn. Everyone speaks English and they love to speak English with you. You start speaking English to them, they think it's great. Oslo is a fantastic city and we have a lot of friends there now. Socially, it's getting better and better."

Is your wife working there?

"No. She graduated from Auburn with a degree in pharmacy, and she can't get a job in Norway because she doesn't speak Norwegian. She could be a pharmacist or work alongside a doctor. She was going to come back here to Washington to work and learn the language, but then we found out she's pregnant. So she has stayed. The health care takes care of everything. It has worked out in the end. She'll learn the language there and, that way, when we're settled with the baby, she'll be ready to go."

When do you find out you were being called into U.S. camp?

"It was only a week or two ago. It was a fax to our sports director. He showed it to me. To be honest, even after that fax arrived, I didn't think it was going to happen. I thought it was just an early list that they came up with and I would be the fourth goalkeeper on it. But when the plane ticket showed up, I got a big smile. It was finally nice to have that chance again [after being in one other camp, in early 2007]. I'm here to get better, to learn, no matter what position I am in, and leave a good impression with these guys."

Best Friends...were the bestest of friends!!!

Valerenga Advances to the Cup Finale on Nov 9!!! They also qualified for UEFA Cup 2009!!!

Valerenga beat Odd 2-1 on Wednesday, securing a spot in the Norwegian Cup Finale (the largest game of the year in Norway). They also qualified for the UEFA Cup 2009, one of the largest fotball tournaments in the World. So exciting!!!

First Trimester...Offically Over!!!

The first trimester is offically over! Now I hope to regain energy, start eating more, and grow a belly. I guess this is the only time in life where your husband is a cheerleader of the gaining weight side. Next goal, finding out sex of the jellybean. Oct 21st Troy, Jellybean and I have our 3-D ultrasound to find out sex. We are super excited. We hope all is well with family and friends.

First Picture of Baby Perkins

Well, first let me say that everything with both Baby Perkins and I are fine. But Baby Perkins thought it would be funny to scare both mommy and daddy. Had a doctor's appointment with my new doctor (who is great) and when they were doing the examination everything was going fine until they couldn't hear a heartbeat. Then I remembered what day it is…may God Bless America (say a prayer for the families and friend of the 9/11 victims). Well, Dr. Henrik called his good friend and got me an ultrasound appointment to make sure that everything is okay. (Just to let you know how great of a doctor he was, he knew I was upset and didn’t want me taking the T-bane or tram so if offered to get me a cab and pay for it, however I told him that walking would do me some good). So I called Troy and he met me at the gyno’s office. We both waited very nervously for the ultrasound. Baby Perkins was just hiding. So finally we got to see our little one and also got to see that his/her heart was beating just fine. They determined that I was in my 12 or 13 week (no change there). Still could not see if it was a boy or girl, but he/she was sure kicking up a storm and then even waved at us. I will have to say that it was one of the greatest experiences of my life!!! We also saw the nose, stomach and bladder. The doctor said that everything look great!!! So first milestone accomplished…the first picture of our little one!!!

Dinner Party

Well I have now heard Norwegian rap, country, hip-hop, and blues music. Even though I didn’t understand half of what they were singing it was still amusing. It was a couple of guys who make fun of other artists and at the same time they do a comedy act. They did make up a song about Martin (the head trainer/captain) and Troy. They did try to make the parts about Troy in English. Players and staff were asked to shout out three things about Troy and this is what they shouted out: 1) soon to be daddy, 2) from Ohio, and 3) big balls (meaning he doesn’t have a problem saying what he thinks, however the comedians didn’t seem to get that meaning, of course they thought of something else:) So first they proceeded to sing in Norwegian and got to the point where we were having a “little Norwegian” because Troy was “soon to be a daddy.” Second, they sang about how Troy wishes he wasn’t here (at the dinner party) but rather be in Ohio so that he could understand everything that was being said. Finally, they went on to sing how they were going to call the tabloids because Troy had “big balls!” Totally took that phrase out of context, but it was quite hilarious. Then they did some more stuff, however we didn’t understand most of it. Then they had a game where we answered questions. Of course, since they had picked on Troy, they wanted to pick on me as well. However, they gave me an easy question (Who is the best team in Norway?) and I won Troy and nice down vest. I wanted to say Lillestrom (there biggest rivals) to get a rise out of them like they were Troy and I, but I wanted my baby to make it into this world. Needless to say we had a good time.

Baby Update

Troy and I finally got approved for the hospital that we will go to when the little one comes. Yes, in Norway we have to fill out paperwork and choose three hospitals that we would like to deliver the baby and then we have to get approved. You might not even get your top choice depending on availability. Funny how things work over here. I wonder how they tell when a baby is going to come when 1) you don't have a set due date and 2) doesn't the baby come when he/she (really God) wants too!!! The hospital is Ullevål Hospital. It is actually the biggest hospital in Norway and one of the best. We are very lucky to have gotten this hospital.

The hospital also has a hotel attached that mother stays at for a few days after delivery. The hotel cost is covered for the mother, baby and next of kin. It is called the Post-Natal Department at the hotel.

We also got our ultrasound date, October 21st. Not only will we see the baby for the first time but we will also be able to tell if it is a girl or boy; so it will a big day for us. I just wish it was closer to the date!!! Starting to feel much better, however I still have my moments.

Oh SoTired....

No one told me how tired I would be during the first trimester. I mean I went to the post office today and got back to the condo and was quite winded. I had to sit down before I went to the gym. I go to the market, winded. Anywhere I go that used to seem so close, seems so far away now. I think Troy is “tired” of me complaining, but he is quite the husband because he gets me anything I want or should I say crave. He is very patient and comforting. I guess that will come in handy in several months. However, we are truly blessed and I almost done with the first trimester. Thank you to all for your prayers and blessings. We can’t wait to meet our bundle of joy. Nevertheless, the question that seems to come to both Troy and my mind is will this bundle of joy be a girl or a boy!!!!