R and R must have been a lot more fun than we thought. We are making our family of four a family of five! The hubs and I were pretty shocked, surprised, and a whole bunch of other emotions! I mean, we certainly didn’t plan this and the timing? Well, it’s not so great. But, as my mama always says “There are those that are ordered and those that are sent!” So, now that the reality of another pregnancy and adding another little miracle to our lives has set in, we’re happy, still a little shocked, but happy!
All Dolled Up
May 8, 2009 at 8:37 pm (Monkey)
Is it Princess Aurora or a miniature version of Dolly Parton?
Getting Back to Real Life
May 6, 2009 at 2:17 pm (Army Life, Army Wife, Dear Hubby, Kendal, Monkey)
We put my wonderful hubby on a plane early Monday morning for his return to Iraq. It’s always difficult to say goodbye to him, but something was different about Monday. We were able to go with him to his gate. We sat at the gate, waiting, Monkey talked some asked him why he had to go back and sat in his lap. Unlike last time, though, she didn’t fall apart and for that matter, neither did I. When it was time for him to board, he gave us kisses and a few words were exchanged and then he walked away. Once we couldn’t see him anymore, we turned to leave. Monkey cried a little and on the drive home I cried a little. When we walked back into the house it seemed different. It felt empty and silent and still.
We are slowly getting back to our real life. A life where my dear husband misses out on so much. A life that at times is lonely and difficult. It takes me a couple of days after he leaves to get over feeling empty. But, we are getting there. Monkey is playing. Kendal is rolling over and exploring anything she can get her little hands on. Laundry is going. Life continues.
I was chatting with one of my very dear friends last night and when she asked how Monkey and I were with my husband leaving I told her about not falling apart or crying for days and she said “Well, I guess it’s just getting easier for you.” Maybe she’s right and I feel a little guilty about that. Don’t get me wrong, we miss him terribly when he’s gone and we can’t wait for him to come home again.
Getaway
April 28, 2009 at 6:41 pm (Alaska, Dear Hubby)
My husband and I had a great overnight getaway last weekend! The last time we went anywhere, besides the occasional dinner alone, was when I was pregnant with Monkey, four years ago! I did suffer from a little mommy guilt, but was glad to have the opportunity to get away with him if only for a night! We went to a little resort not too far from where we live called Chena Hot Springs Resort. When we got there we went and hiked a trail that looped around the resort. We didn’t see any wildlife, but we did find some of the Chena River. When we got back we checked in and our room had a little welcome basket. We decided to change and go for a swim in the hot spring. It was so cool to be swimming while surrounded by snow and mountains. The water went from a nice warm bath temperature to scalding hot, but it was so relaxing! Once we had been boiled we changed again and went to dinner. We ate SO much, but it was SO good! We went on a tour of the ice museum, everything is carved out of ice. If you’re really crazy, drunk, or just have $600 you’d like to blow, you can spend the night in one of the ice museum rooms. We are not that brave! We looked at them and took pictures, sat at the ice bar, and stood on the ice stage where you can get married. Hubby didn’t seem too keen on the idea of renewing our vows in the ice museum. I wonder why?? Later that night we went back and relaxed in the hot spring. The next day we went for breakfast, which was yummy, then headed for one last swim! We toured the dog kennel, learned all about mushing, and met some of the dogs. I learned that it would cost a ton of money to mush. So I guess I’ll have to put my dreams of winning the Iditarod on the back burner for now! Then it was time to come home. I could have soaked in that spring and relaxed with my wonderful hubby for a few more days! Oh, and on the way home, we saw a moose, a BIG male moose with a rack!!!
The Hot Spring!
Four Months
April 21, 2009 at 7:55 pm (Kendal)
I'm Four Months Old!
Trying cereal for the first time.
The Beginning of R and R
April 21, 2009 at 7:50 pm (Dear Hubby, Family, Kendal, Miscellaneous, Monkey)
A lot has happened since my sweet, wonderful husband got home Saturday night. We’ve been doing a lot of running around, but it’s wonderful to have him home! Yesterday I took Kendal to the doctor for her four month check up, while my husband took Monkey to preschool. Kendal is developing beautifully, weighing in at 13 1/2 pounds and 24 3/4 inches long. She got three shots and was not amused. Once we were done at the hospital the hubby and I headed to the Ford dealership to look at cars. I got out of the car with my purse open and slung my iPhone onto the pavement. Let’s just say the phone and the parking lot didn’t get along at all! So, I test drove a SUV, and then headed to the AT&T store, only to find out that the iPhone does not have insurance, so I ended up replacing it. Once done there we headed to another car dealership and looked at three vehicles. I decided to test drive two of them. I liked both of them and they had some similarities, so then I let hubby take them for a spin. He liked them both too, but we both liked the Dodge Nitro best, so that is what I got! I love it! It’s beautiful! As for the other car that decided to fall apart, the transmission and every major component to the transmission apparently burned up. We added two new members to our family, we bought Monkey two guinea pigs, both boys, named Abbott and Costello. Kendal also started cereal. She had her first taste of it today! I’m not sure how she felt about it, she’d get excited when she saw the spoon, flailing her arms and opening her mouth, once the spoon was in, the cereal oozed back out. We’ll try again tomorrow! Anyway, that about sums up the past couple of days! I’m off now to enjoy my family!
My poor shattered iPhone
Monkey and Costello
A Very Happy Day
April 18, 2009 at 9:25 pm (Army Wife, Dear Hubby, Monkey)
So my precious husband is coming in today for his two weeks of R and R! We are all so very excited and he can not get here soon enough! Of course, yesterday, the car decides to fall apart, so it’s spending time at the shop. Monkey has been asking for him ALL day, so I put in his flight info and she’s been tracking his plane.
- Tracking Daddy’s Plane
Monkey and I were talking about the ocean last night and she says: “Mama, does an octopus pee?” Yeah, like I know the answer to that one! So, I did what any good mom would do, I googled it. Finally, I found a document that said the octopus does in fact pee, but did not give information as to how, which of course was a follow up question. After looking around for the urinary habits of an octopus and having no luck, we decided to do some octopus related art!
4 Year Old Style
April 16, 2009 at 12:40 am (Monkey)
I’m not sure what “look” she’s going for! Punk? Or could she be trying to bring back the ’80’s?
Easter Egg Hunt
April 11, 2009 at 4:09 pm (Army Life, Kendal, Monkey)
Monkey and the Easter Bunny
Kendal's first Easter party. Impressed isn't she!
My husbands unit had their Easter party today, inside a hanger! They had bouncy houses, which are usually Monkey’s favorite things, once she’s in, there’s no getting her out. Today though, she is fighting a rather nasty cold and feeling blah, so she only bounced for a bit. They had a helicopter opened up for the kids to walk through and play with. Only in the military! I was hoping to get pictures of Monkey hunting eggs, but when it came time for her age group, she just stood there and cried. I don’t know what was up with that! My husbands company was responsible for the cake walk, I finally convinced Monkey to participate and she won! She picked out cupcakes, pink ones of course! They are now sitting on the bar taunting me! I was surprised that she sat with the bunny and I was glad I took the picture when I did because after I snapped it, she started to cry! Oh, I hope she feels better soon! Kendal was less than impressed by the whole thing. She slept through most of it!
