Has It Only Been Three Weeks?

I could have sworn Eric left a month ago. Next Tuesday I will celebrate that one month is down and only 7 more to go until he gets to come home for his mid-tour leave.

Eric called today and I didn't get to my cell phone on time. I felt terrible missing his call. When I miss his call and he leaves a message I wonder if it will be the last time I hear from him and whether or not I should delete the message. Not something I want to talk about, but thought I should record it.

They are in Iraq now and settling into their quarters, otherwise known as choos. I heard that they are being moved into another set of choos and so any unpacking and organzing they have done will need to be redone soon. I bet Eric is pissed off! They are 2 to a choo and have bunk beds. Very close quarters according to Eric.

We are sending Christmas packages to the guys in our troop (approx 30 guys). If anyone wants to donate 30items for the packages please let me know before the end of Oct. We are all donating items that are $1 or less for each package. I think I'll send out an email about that too at some point.

Our troop of wives have been keeping busy. I've had dinner with friends twice this week and we're having a function tomorrow for the kids - a Luau. We'll be decrating shoe boxes for the kids to keep special items in to show their dad's upon their return and putting together Halloween packages for the guys. I have a training on Sat because I am a Point Of Contact. That means I am responsible to keeping in contact for several other wives to make sure they are o.k. We have many events for Oct planned. I guess I'll just talk about them as they happen.

Not sure what else to type. We miss Eric. A LOT.

The Brigthest Rainbow I have Ever Seen!

Today I saw the biggest, brightest rainbow I have ever seen in my life. The pictures do not do it justice at all. It was incredible. People pulled off the raod to marvel at it. I was amazed.

Wyatt looks more like Eric every day

Kylie's Practice Cake

I didn't chose the colors - our chef is really old fashioned. My final cake will be chocolate fondant with this pattern on one oft he layers though.

Wyatt Loves His Elmo Sheets

Helping Mummy Do Laundry

Nice Headband!

That's My Headband!

Cute PJs

Wyatt's Tricycle

I got a blue and red tricycle for Wyatt and when we got to the park all he wanted to do was get on this pink one!

Update on Eric

Eric's Troop has arrived to their training destination in the middle east. They are living together in a huge tent right now. He said its a lot like the training they did in April in California. So much so that he almost forgets where he is. Eric also said its really hot and that when the wind blows its like someone turned on a heater. (I'm sure some foy ou in the south can appreciate that). Right now they are tending to their aircraft and practicing some training missions before they move to their final destination in Iraq

Wyatt and I are doing fine. We've been busy.I must admit it does feel like Eric's been gone longer than a few days though! We took care of a lot of business before Eric deployed which has made life easier. My school schedule is every other day right now, which also keeps my mind occupied. My troop has been really wonderful and supportive. It seems that I've had something to do everyday - its nice to socialize during hours that you'd normally be at home with your husband. Kind of difuses everything.

Eric's Departure

Eric's Squadron left at 3am on Tuesday morning. The timing was difficult for everyone. The kids were supposed to be in bed and instead they were up after midnight in the pjs saying goodbye to their dads. The wives were emotional and the timing seemed to magnify everything. Our group of friends sat in the parking lot in a large circle. We didn't really do much talking, we just hung out together and enjoyed our last hour or two with a completed group. Wyatt was pretty good considering the time of night, or should I say morning.

For all of you that aren't really in touch with what's going on in Iraq anymore, let me fill you in on some important details.

You remember when Pres. Bush said he'd raise the number of troops in Iraq? The press called it a "surge". Well what is really happening is that troops that have already been to Iraq twice (that's 2years away from their families out of the past 6)are headed over again. PLUS, the Army raised its tour of duty from 12 months to 15 months. All the other branches go for 6 months at a time. So when you meet a family that is military - especially Army, make sure you not only thank the soldier, but thank the spouse - running a household and being separated from your spouse for over a year isn't an easy thing to endure.

Wyatt's words and signs

1. Mummy, 2. Gaga (daddy), 3. GG, 4. Beana, 5. Liam, 6. LaLa, 7. Elmo, 8. DD (my sister), 9. Nanna, 10. baby, 11. Cleo (uses this for ALL kitties), 12. Dog, 13. Cracker (sounds like gaga), 14. Milk, 15. Drink, 16. Eat, 17. Fish, 18. Cheese, 19. baked beans, 20.apple, 21.noodle, 22. bananna, 23. more, 24. please, 25. bath, 26. night night, 27. cookie (his speech therapist), 28. cake (he loves testing them for me when I bake for clients or school), 30. car, 31. truck, 32. boat, 33. no, 34. yes, 35.hi, 36. bye, 37.ball, 38. block, 39.duck, 40. cow, 41. horse, 42. Wal-Mart LOL!, 43, keys, 44. hat, 45. bag, 46. book, 47. Let's, 48. Go, 49. yucky, 50. shoes, 51. bubble, 52. Dino, 53. thank you 54. water, 55. pizza.

Signs: He signs 45 of the 55 words. That's because I haven't taught him the signs. He also regularly signs 1. again, 2. sissy, 3. flower/pretty, 4. computer, 5. avacado, 6. toilet 7. change (as in diaper), 8. butterfly, 9. phone. He signs other stuff when prompted like swing, table, chair, sidewalk etc etc - but we have to do the sign first.

That's all I can think of. I did this list so I would be prepared for our next Dr's appointment. According to the experts a 2yr old should have at least 50 words in their vocab. So he's right at par.

His speech therapist took a job with Early Intervention as a trainer and had to give up all of her clients. She told her boss that she would give up everyone except Wyatt - she loves him so much - and he loves her. She said he has a wicked sense of humor that most kids his age don't have. She also says his eye/hand coordination is advanced - that's nice to know.

Genetics Update

I don't really feel like updating this, but I know I have to record it. The blood tests came back from genetics and Wyatt has a complete deletion of the SHOX gene. SHOX is a growth gene and without it, you have short stature and a possibility of a couple other syndromes. Neiother of which can be diagnosed for a few years until Wyatt's skeletel system has grown more.

I've attached an article if you think you can decipher the lingo.
http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/87/3/1402

Bascially, we now have to go through more genetics to see if Eric and/or I have the deletion. Then we also have to see if there are any other deletions of genes in Wyatt. The geneticist thinks he may have addittion deletions because Pierre Robin Syndrome and cleft palates are not associated with teh deletion of the SHOX gene, therefore, it stands to reason, that there is something else awry with Wyatt's genes.

I'm dragging my feet on this. Why...well, I guess because treatments wouldn't begin until Wyatt's thrid or fourth birthday anyway and becuase I'm just not really enthusiastic about finding additional problems I guess

Potty Training

Ummm - unsuccessfully.

Howdy Padner!

Eric's been wearing this cowboy hat and Wyatt thinks he's pretty special when he gets to wear it. Don't you love the t-shirt! A speed demon he is!

Some fun things to report on Wyatt's behalf. He started saying Wal-Mart a few days ago. I suppose that means I've been taking him there too often!

He's fascinated by boobies, which, because he can't pronounce the "b" sound, he calls "moo moos". Hilarious! I joke with Eric that at least we know he's not gay. Eric was a little concerned since Wyatt likes to wear my high heal shoes, put on lipstick, wear bags as handbags etc. Not that we'd care! Its just that I think Eric was hoping for mucho man LOL. I keep telling him that Wyatt is only copying what he sees me do all day. Hilarious.

AFTER - Our back yard after we worked all Spring and Summer on it.

Our Yard BEFORE we started working on it.

We bought the house in the winter so we didn't know what state the grass would be in. Turns out it was completely dead. We knew we'd have to put a patio in and add rock for the landscaping. We spent many, many weeks out in the yard prepping and then laying the patio ourselves, laying the sod ourselves and landcaping with the rock. HARD WORK DOES PAY OFF THOUGH.

Mesa Verde National Park - Southern Colorado

Durango - Silverton Train Trip