I started this site in 2005 after our son, Wyatt, was born with a cleft palate. Over the years the posts became less about Wyatt's condition and more about every day life. Seven years later, its a place to chronicle my journey as an Army Wife and a working mother of two children struggling to find balance in life.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Presenting Baby Kathryn
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wyatt
Yesterday, after getting off the phone with Eric I was a little teary. Wyatt came over to me and asked "are you sad because you miss Daddy?".
Me: "Yes baby, I miss Daddy".
Wyatt: "I miss Daddy too. I can't stop thinking about him. I think about him all day long . All I can think about is my Daddy and my new baby. I just can't stop." Then he walked out of the room to go play.
Can't he's oblivious anymore.
Me: "Yes baby, I miss Daddy".
Wyatt: "I miss Daddy too. I can't stop thinking about him. I think about him all day long . All I can think about is my Daddy and my new baby. I just can't stop." Then he walked out of the room to go play.
Can't he's oblivious anymore.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
37 Weeks Pregnant During A Deployment
Eric is under the impression that if he came home and the baby didn't come, he'd have to return Iraq on time and miss meeting her.
Trying to plan when he should come home using a 15 day window is really tough. We ended up taking my due date, Aug 17th and added 1 week, which is Aug 24th - that's when the Army will induce labor. Add another 1 or 2 days so that he doesn't have to say good bye to me while I'm in hospital and we come to August 26th. Minus 15 days of leave and you get Aug 12th. That's the date he requested to be home to begin his leave.
I've seen other people's husbands during this and previous deployments stay behind for several weeks to wait for their babies to be born - at the beginning of a deployment. This courtesy isn't extended during the deployment for some reason though. I'm feeling ticked off and hurt that Eric can't stay and use his paternity leave (10 days) so that we can make sure he's here for the birth and help out a little afterwards. There is also talk of soldiers coming home to go to school in the middle of this deployment. It upsets me that my husband can't be spared an extra 5-10 days in order to be here. BUT others can take 6 weeks off of a deployment to go to school. Eric was gone for 3 months to go to school AFTER a 15 month deployment. I sold our house and moved to our new duty station on my own.
I sacrifice for the Army. All I'm asking is that my soldier gets his 10 days of paternity leave on top of his normal r&r to help ensure he's here for the birth of our child and to help me afterwards. I "suck up" a lot, but this just stinks and I'm pissed off about it.
Trying to plan when he should come home using a 15 day window is really tough. We ended up taking my due date, Aug 17th and added 1 week, which is Aug 24th - that's when the Army will induce labor. Add another 1 or 2 days so that he doesn't have to say good bye to me while I'm in hospital and we come to August 26th. Minus 15 days of leave and you get Aug 12th. That's the date he requested to be home to begin his leave.
I've seen other people's husbands during this and previous deployments stay behind for several weeks to wait for their babies to be born - at the beginning of a deployment. This courtesy isn't extended during the deployment for some reason though. I'm feeling ticked off and hurt that Eric can't stay and use his paternity leave (10 days) so that we can make sure he's here for the birth and help out a little afterwards. There is also talk of soldiers coming home to go to school in the middle of this deployment. It upsets me that my husband can't be spared an extra 5-10 days in order to be here. BUT others can take 6 weeks off of a deployment to go to school. Eric was gone for 3 months to go to school AFTER a 15 month deployment. I sold our house and moved to our new duty station on my own.
I sacrifice for the Army. All I'm asking is that my soldier gets his 10 days of paternity leave on top of his normal r&r to help ensure he's here for the birth of our child and to help me afterwards. I "suck up" a lot, but this just stinks and I'm pissed off about it.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Omaha Zoo
Loved the skyrail. Great way to see the animals.
There were picnic tables set up along the giraffe exhibit so we sat and ate lunch while we watched the giraffes eat.
Huge koi pond.
Sometimes I Amaze Myself!
Yesterday I drove 3.5hrs from Omaha, NE back to Manhattan, KS and straight to a birthday party for Wyatt. Then straight from the birthday party to my home where I hosted a book club meeting.
Today I worked 10am - 4:30pm, went grocery shopping, picked up Wyatt, mowed and edged my lawn, laid seed, made dinner, took the trash out to the curb, unpacked from our trip, did 2 loads of laundry, bathed Wyatt, unstacked the dishwasher and cut up melons for some fresh fruit snacks.
Did I mention that I'm 7 months pregnant and that my husband is in Iraq? That's right - you can say it - I ROCK! :D
Today I worked 10am - 4:30pm, went grocery shopping, picked up Wyatt, mowed and edged my lawn, laid seed, made dinner, took the trash out to the curb, unpacked from our trip, did 2 loads of laundry, bathed Wyatt, unstacked the dishwasher and cut up melons for some fresh fruit snacks.
Did I mention that I'm 7 months pregnant and that my husband is in Iraq? That's right - you can say it - I ROCK! :D
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Wyatt's New Pool
Thank you Grandma and Grandpa in Georgia! Wyatt loves his new pool! He floats around in the boat with frogs he's collected from the yard and shoots everything in sight with his watergun. He's a very happy boy!
Monday, May 03, 2010
Wyatt Fishing
My boss, Cassie, invited us to go fishing with them a couple weekends ago. Wyatt had a great time, although he spent most of it playing with the worms rather than fishing. It was relaxing and we will definitely go more.
25 Weeks
Sorry its blurry and that I wasn't smiling. I had to take a million before I could get a picture without the flash ruining it, but also light enough that you could see me.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
No Uniform Required
Written By: Christina Piper, Her War Her Voice
There is no uniform required to be a military wife. There is no handbook to read or secret handshake to learn. There are no prerequisites to complete or paperwork to be approved (well maybe a little paperwork). The only thing that will get you into this exclusive club is loving a man in uniform. We have no rules to follow, but we do have open arms for all, that say, “I do” to a man that is called to serve his country.
Being a military wife is not without struggles, but we learn how to deal with those struggles. We learn through our falls, and the helping hands of those that have gone before us. We learn through doing and trying again. We learn from not wanting to do anymore but we do it anyway. We are strong, independent, fierce, loud, meek, and quiet. We do not fit into any set mold. We come in many shapes and sizes. We are from every background that can be imagined, and we are the ones that our heroes rely on.
Our pride runs deep, and it is hard for us to admit that we would ever need the help of anyone else. We stand up for our children, and we support our spouses, that do don that uniform. We cry in private and we cry in public when we have to say goodbye again, but we will hold our heads high while doing so. We will love our military children enough for two while he is gone and we will keep his home running, and waiting for his return.
We love without surrender, even if that love may never come home again. We build walls to protect ourselves as best we can, but we leave a key in the pocket of that uniform-wearing man. It is not in us to give up on the hope that he will be fine and that we can handle anything that can come our way. It is not in us to run even when we are curled up on the floor with worry and fear.
There is no uniform required to join our ranks, but know that when you are alone and overwhelmed by what it means to be a military wife, we stand beside you. We stand to your left and right and we will catch you. We will be there even when it seems that no one else is. We are in this together until every one of our uniform-wearing spouses comes home. We may not wear a uniform, but we are a force, a force that will never waiver.
There is no uniform required to be a military wife. There is no handbook to read or secret handshake to learn. There are no prerequisites to complete or paperwork to be approved (well maybe a little paperwork). The only thing that will get you into this exclusive club is loving a man in uniform. We have no rules to follow, but we do have open arms for all, that say, “I do” to a man that is called to serve his country.
Being a military wife is not without struggles, but we learn how to deal with those struggles. We learn through our falls, and the helping hands of those that have gone before us. We learn through doing and trying again. We learn from not wanting to do anymore but we do it anyway. We are strong, independent, fierce, loud, meek, and quiet. We do not fit into any set mold. We come in many shapes and sizes. We are from every background that can be imagined, and we are the ones that our heroes rely on.
Our pride runs deep, and it is hard for us to admit that we would ever need the help of anyone else. We stand up for our children, and we support our spouses, that do don that uniform. We cry in private and we cry in public when we have to say goodbye again, but we will hold our heads high while doing so. We will love our military children enough for two while he is gone and we will keep his home running, and waiting for his return.
We love without surrender, even if that love may never come home again. We build walls to protect ourselves as best we can, but we leave a key in the pocket of that uniform-wearing man. It is not in us to give up on the hope that he will be fine and that we can handle anything that can come our way. It is not in us to run even when we are curled up on the floor with worry and fear.
There is no uniform required to join our ranks, but know that when you are alone and overwhelmed by what it means to be a military wife, we stand beside you. We stand to your left and right and we will catch you. We will be there even when it seems that no one else is. We are in this together until every one of our uniform-wearing spouses comes home. We may not wear a uniform, but we are a force, a force that will never waiver.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Not Enjoying This Pregnancy
Not that its been a painful pregnancy, but I am very uncomfortable already and just wanting to get it over and done with. I am not enjoying the extra pounds or how my belly makes life difficult when dealing with Wyatt. I am having the same trouble I had with Wyatt - I am carrying VERY low and so even maternity pants cut across right where the baby is and the pressure makes my stomach ache and adds to the whole bladder issue etc. Of course, I am happy to cook Kathryn as long as needed - but if I could turn the calendar forward 3.5 months I certainly would!
Umm - My Camera Is Missing
I HAd it a few weeks ago for Easter, I remember taking it out of the car when I cleaned my car the following week. I haven't seen it since. I don't know if it was stolen out of the garage, or if I brought it inside and Wyatt's hidden it somewhere. I hasn't shown up for a couple weeks now though...I've looked in and under the couches and the draws I normally put it in for safe keeping. Soooo...I don't know! I may have to use our old camera just so I can get some pictures put up! Sorry everyone!
Wyatt's ENT and Endocrinologist
Wyatt has had several ear and sinus infections since Eirc left for Iraq. He's been on 3 sets of antibiodics and many sets of ear drops etc. Finally, left ear drum burst and he has lost quite a bit of hearing. We drove to Kansas City (after being on a wiatlist for 6 weeks) to see an ENT. She's scheduled him for surgery on May 21st (Happy Birthday to me) to have his tonsils removed, his adenoids partially removed and a 4th set of tubes placed in his ears.
We are driving the 4hrs round trip to K.C. on May 14th for his pre-op appt with the anethesiologist since they sometimes find it difficult to intubate Wyatt because of his small airway. I really don't expect that there would be any issues with his airway at this point, but they are just being safe.
Its not just a simple outpatient tonsilectomy. We will be staying overnight. Due to the fact that they are doing all three procedures at once, Wyatt is at risk for bleeding issues afterwards and his recovery will be slower (1 week). They have instructed me to set the alarm clock in order to give him his pain meds throughout the nights. He isn't allowed to go to school for a week or go outside, or use his voice etc. I am thinking the recovery will be the hardest part as I am sure he will go crazy couped up inside. I am so happy for him to have the surgeries so that he can get better, but I am dreading the week following.
Luckily, the 21st is Friday so I will have Sat and Sun to get through the worst and then I will go to work the following week and my friend, Sandi will watch him for a few hours while I am work.
I am in the process of getting Wyatt set up with a new Endocrinologist - the person who prescribes his growth hormone shots. We will have to drive to Omaha, Nebraska! That's 3hrs each way :-( I am hoping for a Friday appt so that we can make a week end trip out of it. Apparently, there is a great zoo in Omaha - so that would be a nice treat for Wyatt.
Wish Us Luck!
We are driving the 4hrs round trip to K.C. on May 14th for his pre-op appt with the anethesiologist since they sometimes find it difficult to intubate Wyatt because of his small airway. I really don't expect that there would be any issues with his airway at this point, but they are just being safe.
Its not just a simple outpatient tonsilectomy. We will be staying overnight. Due to the fact that they are doing all three procedures at once, Wyatt is at risk for bleeding issues afterwards and his recovery will be slower (1 week). They have instructed me to set the alarm clock in order to give him his pain meds throughout the nights. He isn't allowed to go to school for a week or go outside, or use his voice etc. I am thinking the recovery will be the hardest part as I am sure he will go crazy couped up inside. I am so happy for him to have the surgeries so that he can get better, but I am dreading the week following.
Luckily, the 21st is Friday so I will have Sat and Sun to get through the worst and then I will go to work the following week and my friend, Sandi will watch him for a few hours while I am work.
I am in the process of getting Wyatt set up with a new Endocrinologist - the person who prescribes his growth hormone shots. We will have to drive to Omaha, Nebraska! That's 3hrs each way :-( I am hoping for a Friday appt so that we can make a week end trip out of it. Apparently, there is a great zoo in Omaha - so that would be a nice treat for Wyatt.
Wish Us Luck!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
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