Day 52

Doctor's appointment was fine today. No new information. Strong heartbeat, as usual. Good stuff. Cale rolled around on the floor for a good half hour, so there's no telling what brand of typhoid he brought home. 

Got everything (almost) ready to head home in the morning. We are, of course, waiting on toys and such until last thing. We got Cale some headphones for the trip, so we will see how that goes. I'll be sure to take a pic for you. 

Hopefully the dogs won't be jerks, (I'm looking at you, Kahne) and the trip home will be smooth. We are going to the wool festival Friday, so I'm totally excited about the food. :)

Sent you a box today, so I guess you'll get it in about two weeks or so. I'm annoyed that a child on a raft can get to Key West faster than you get care packages... Totally joking... Because, sharks, and because I'd try to raft out of there, too. 

Anyway, long day tomorrow, so I'm going to try to sleep. Love you forever. Muah. 

Day 51

Today was all about finishing up everything I needed to do before we go to Cynthiana for some vacation time! Woohoo! 

Cale was great today until bedtime when he decided he didn't want to take his medicine. That tantrum kinda made the whole day seem rough. Haha. 

We went to All Slabbed Up for dinner and it was yummy, as always. We had to take the new elephant with us, which was almost as big as the table. ;) This kid cracks me up...

He ate well, though, so whatever. That elephant can sit by me if it means my child will eat. 

Tomorrow is an OB appointment... Maybe we will get to see Gray. 

I'll talk to you tomorrow, my love. Have a good day tomorrow. Night. Muah. 

Day 50

We went to the zoo today! It was a beautiful day, and Cale was so good. He stayed in the stroller, and never fussed. We walked about 4 miles, and I really couldn't be more pleased with how he behaved. Proud mommy right here. 

He passed out as soon as we got to the car. Sweet boy. It was a good day. 

We love you. Night. Muah. 

Day 49

I managed to get a lot of work done today, and we got the crib reassembled and boys' room rearranged while Cale was napping. 

Tonight was the eclipse. I got my camera out and the battery was dead (of course), so I charged it for a few minutes while I looked for the tripod. I found the tripod, but not the piece that attaches to my camera to hold it on the tripod (sigh), so I took pics of the eclipse with my camera propped on the chimnea on the back porch. One actually came out non-blurry.

Pretty proud of that, actually. Not bad for no tripod. 

Anyway, that's all I've got for tonight. Going to the zoo tomorrow, so maybe I will get some fun pics. :)

Love you to the eclipsed moon and back (Cale says 'see that moon, Mommy? It's far. I can't reach it.'). Night, my love. Muah. 

Day 48

Holy cow, Kentucky just beat Missouri. I should maybe dig out the boots because it might snow tonight!

Today was haircut day. 

He did so well. :)

We went to Sam's today, and the hair salon, and then mostly cleaned and hung out. I'm totally tired, so I'll talk to you more tomorrow. Love you! Muah. 

 

Day 47

We have been busy bees since Aunt Donna got here yesterday! We are in full blown nesting mode now... Fun times! Haha. We would have everything done a lot faster if I didn't wear down this quickly, but we will get done. :)

I took Kahne to the groomer today, so he's looking dapper. Cale is getting a haircut tomorrow, so he will be looking dapper, as well. 

It's been so nice to have actual adult conversation, and Cale has probably said "Aunt Donna" two thousand times more than he has said "Mommy." It's music to my worn out ears. :)

I had to get up at 5:45 this morning to take Kahne to the groomer, so I'm pretty worn out. I'll talk to you tomorrow, my love. Night! Muah. 

Day 46

I totally forgot to blog last night. I'll catch you up tonight. Muah. 

Day 45

Aunt Donna is coming tomorrow!!

Ahhhhhhh! I'm so excited!!!!!

In other news... I'm watching the BB finale. It was down to Vanessa, Steve and Liz. Steve won the final HOH and sent Vanessa to jury. So it's down to Liz and Steve for the jury vote and the winner is...  Commercial... Ugh. Waiting. 

STEVE! The little nerd did it! Haha good for him. 

Ok. Going to bed... Big day tomorrow. Love you to the moon and back, and so much more. Muah. 

Day 44

I wrote something and then it disappeared, and I'm too tired to write it all again. 

30 week belly pic:

Night baby. Muah. 

Day 43

Full nesting mode. 

Over the past two days I've sorted through and categorized all the clothes that are too small for Cale, and organized his closet into half his/half Gray's. I have washed and hung all of the newborn through 3 month clothes (except the pants; I need to find my clothes pins), and have the 3-6 month ready to wash, dry and hang tomorrow (complete with closet dividers). We have laundry baskets for pants, jommies, shoes, miscellaneous items, which will all have embroidered labels and I will empty and relabel the dresser when I move it to rearrange the room for the twin bed install. Tired yet? I'm wide awake. Told you I'm nesting. 

This is what we have so far...

Side note: 

I need one more basket (I think I have one in the garage) and I ran out of kid hangers, so I'm going to have to go get more of those. 

All of the clothes that are 9-24 months are now in totes (except the ones that the shrimp is still wearing haha) and ready to go to the garage for a while. I *might* move the changing table pad to the dresser and get rid of the changing table. That is to be determined. I just can't see us not using one at all after we used it with Cale so much. It's all starting to come together... Now if I can get everything else done!

Another side note:

I just want you to know how very proud you make me. I love you. 

Ok. I'm going to try to go to sleep. I love you to the moon and back, and so does the shrimp. We miss you! Muah. 

Day 42

Feeling a little sick tonight. Between the lack of sleep last night, reflux and it being hot in here, I don't know how tonight is going to go. Crossing my fingers for some rest. 

I need sleep. 

Goodnight, babe. Muah. 

Day 41

He's finally asleep...

The day started off fine. Normal, actually. We had our milk/coffee, watched cartoons, whatever. I got a ton of work done today, which is awesome... Hopefully that will continue so I'm not swamped after Gray is born. He finally went down for a nap, just before 2pm. 

I'm not sure whose child woke up from that nap, but they can have him back. He whined and he cried and he screamed and had meltdowns until it was bedtime. Once we got into bed, he proceeded to scratch and hit me, and thought it was hilarious. So I'm totally thankful he's asleep, and I hope the kid who went to sleep finds his way back to his real parents and they let mine come home. That was ridiculous. 

I'm sure part of it is that fact that we have been together 24/7 since you left (save two doctors appointments), and he's probably getting tired of me (Lord knows I'm ready for a break), but tomorrow afternoon we are going to go outside and let him play until he has worn himself out or it gets dark... Whichever comes first. 

I still have a lot of work to do, but he's relatively calm in the mornings, so maybe that's my best timeframe. 

I miss you like crazy. Seriously. I might be crazy by the time you get home. Haha, I'm joking. Not really joking. 

Talk you you tomorrow, my love. All my heart... Muah. 

Day 40

I got quite a bit of work done today after my doctor's appointment (which went fine other than a sore arm from that t-dap vaccine). Gray's heartrate is still in the 150s. She said he is head down and low, and feels long, which would explain why he's constantly in my ribs. He had better fit in this onesie I stitched today, because if he's too big, I'll cry. It was not fun to work on because it's so tiny, but the bro shirts are finished! Hard to believe that Cale was ever that small. 

I also managed to finish a burp cloth during nap time today, which turned out super cute...

I'm starting to get really excited! Hopefully I can finish and post more pics tomorrow. I still need to do Cale's Halloween shirt, and both of their thanksgiving shirts. Plus, you know, everything else. Haha I got this. No problem. 

Talk to you tomorrow, my love. Sweet dreams. Muah. 

Day 39

Cale is laying on my back like I'm a bear skin rug... I tell you this, not because it's sweet (it is, and he does it every night), but because it's extremely difficult considering I'm laying on a beach ball. Luckily he doesn't do it for long before he rolls off and goes to sleep, because it gets uncomfortable pretty quickly. He's also becoming increasingly like me in that he doesn't like to be touched as he is falling asleep. The back rubbing days may be over. Sad face. 

I have an OB appointment tomorrow. I'm sure it will be fine, I just always get a little nervous. It's also starting to storm, so that's probably not helping. Ever since the flood incident a few months ago, storms make me nervous. 

We went to Walmart today to get the oil changed in the jeep. After I'd done 2/3 of my shopping, I remembered that I went there specifically for an oil change. By then it was too late. That's what happens when you add deployment brain to baby brain. I'm lucky I remember how to tie my shoes... But don't worry. The bills are paid and we are all fed. :) Gotta be sure we do all the important stuff!

That's about all I have for tonight. Cale just rolled off my back and is snoring softly (this Zyrtec at night is amazing! He slept until 0900 this morning!), so I'm going to sleep, too. Goodnight, my love. Sweet dreams. Muah. 

Day 38

Almost forgot about this tonight, and I'm falling asleep (finally) so I will probably be short. 

I got quite a bit of work done today, along with some laundry, which was good. Now if it can get it put away tomorrow... Well, you know how awesome I am at that. ;)

I gave Cale his Dinosaur Train shirt tonight. It's probably his favorite that I've made. I guess I'm not surprised. 

BB rewind: Steve won HOH. Only 4 remain in the house after they evicted Austin last night...Liz, Vanessa, Steve and Johnny Mac. Steve put up Vanessa and Johnny Mac, Vanessa won veto, since she came off the block, Liz had to go up, Vanessa sent Johnny Mac to jury. 

That's about all I've got for tonight. Love and miss you. Muah. 

Day 37

So the toddler had a nice little meltdown a few minutes ago... But I'll come back to that. 

Cale and I got up this morning, went and picked up Taylor, and did some shopping and errands today. We got home around 3 or so this afternoon. Cale did fantastic all day, but only took about a 20 minute nap in the car. We had a good day. 

I was exhausted when we got home, so we just kinda vegged out, ate some dinner, etc. He wanted to watch one of the Ice Age movies, so I started it for him while he drank his shake and we calmed down before bed. As his movie was ending, he started melting down about not wanting to go to bed, start the movie over, I'm going to scream and show myself, whatever.  So I turned off the lights and went upstairs. 

He followed me to the bottom of the steps and proceeded to scream, so I went back down, picked him up, carried him to the bedroom and let him kick and scream in the floor until he was tired and ready to come to bed. He's in a much better mood now. :) I hope he's starting to realize that his tantrums don't really bother me, and he doesn't get what he wants from them... But we'll see. 

Oh, the fun you're missing...right?

Anyway, all in all, great day. We miss you terribly, though. Can't wait to have you home with us so we can get this baby here! Goodnight, my love. Talk to you tomorrow. Muah. 

Day 36

The allergies are upon us. 

I laid down on the couch for a bit while Cale was napping today. When I woke up, it was like my head was filled with cement. 

Now Cale is sneezing and coughing his poor head off in bed, and I wish I had given him this dose of Zyrtec about three hours ago. Crap. I hate it when he's puny. If only I had caught it sooner. :( Poor kid. I feel his pain. 

Not much to report from the Homefront other than ragweed (or whatever the crap this is that is turning our house into an isolation ward).

Caught another mouse in the garage today. Gross. I set three more traps, and I'm calling maintence tomorrow to have them come do whatever it is they do about mice. Ain't nobody got time for that. 

The mini cougher has stopped for the moment, so either the Zyrtec worked, or he fell asleep. Hopefully both. And I'm right behind him. Goodnight love. I miss you madly. Come home soon, ok?

Muah. 

Day 35

Today was a better day (if you don't count the stomping of the cereal into the rug this morning). Cale napped...

And I finished Gray's Halloween costume...

Haha. 

We watched some football, and some basketball, Big Brother, and came to bed. 

That's about it!

I miss you so much, it hurts. Be safe, my love. Goodnight. 

Day 34

I didn't sleep much last night. For some reason, there are nights when I just can't seem to find any comfortable position to lay, and if I manage to fall asleep, it's only for a few minutes at a time. Cale slept in a little bit this morning, and after we got up, I spent the morning laying on the couch unless he needed something. 

After that, we went to the commissary, he took a nap, we had dinner, talked to you... Pretty good day until he decided it would be fun to start picking at the dogs. I can't stand it when he does that. We were doing so well...

So after the 5,000th time of yelling at him to leave them alone, and the 50th timeout, we went to bed, where he proceeded to be a turd, except now he was being mean to me instead of the dogs. Yay. 

I hate when I feel like I'm being mean to him, but I can't let him get away with that crap. So right before he fell asleep, he said, in the sweetest little voice, "I sorry, Mommy. I wuv you. I not be mean to the doggies." (Which he will forget about by tomorrow, but whatever)

Now if that doesn't make someone feel like the meanest mom ever, I don't know what will. Sigh. I just told him that I love him more than anything and we would both try to do better tomorrow. I hate being mean mommy. Hate. It. 

So now he's asleep, cuddled up against me, and I'm about to join him. Wish you were here. Love you. 

Oh, and UK won. ;)

Night, baby. Muah. 

Day 33

When I turned on the tv after working 3rd shift 14 years ago, I had no idea how that morning would set the course for the rest of my life. I didn't know I'd marry a soldier nine years later, and I certainly didn't know that we would spend close to three years of our first six years of marriage apart. I would never have dreamed that we would have a two year old who tells the moon goodnight because that's where he thinks you live. I couldn't have imagined preparing to have a child while my husband was in another country. And yet, here we are. And I wouldn't change a thing. 

I re-watched the footage from the Today show of that morning. It was no less terrifying today than it was then. I know that you have seen some maddening things, and most of those I will never know to the full extent because you insist on protecting me from those nightmares. You know I have broad shoulders, but I'm not sure anyone should have to relive those images, so I don't ask. 

It's enough to see the footage of the refugees on tv, with their blank stares, only imagining what they've seen. I know you tried to prevent that. I'm sorry that we can't help them more, and a very guilty part of me is incredibly thankful that we have not had to fight this war on our soil; at least not directly. I'm thankful for those of you who stood and answered the call, and for those who never returned home to their families. 

I'm proud of you. I'm so proud to call you my soldier, my husband, my hero. Cale is proud of you and although he doesn't understand the meaning of the word, he shows his pride daily when he points you out in photos. If he could really talk, he would tell the entire world about his Gaga... Just like he tells the moon. We love you. 

Goodnight. 

Day 32

Today was a much better day. I finally got a pic for you of the new dinosaur costume, so here's that first...

He loves it, and it's so much better than that other one (and half the price). I'm going to have to find some green gloves, though. He wants claws. Baby wants claws, I'll make him claws. 

They stopped a terror plot in KC today. A man from Florida was going to detonate a pressure cooker bomb during a 9-11 ceremony on Sunday. Hearing that on the news today made me a tad uncomfortable. Even after everything we've been through, all these deployments, it's strange to think that these things can happen. That's twice now, in Kansas, in just a few months. 

This Pittsburgh game is ticking me off. I really hate New England. Ugh. 

A few other moments from today...

He looked so cute drinking my Coke. This was taken seconds before he dumped it in the cart beside him. Seriously. 

Then he ate a taco. 

And this was just before he fell asleep...

Cutie. 

And here's what the other one is up to...

We love you and hope you have a great day tomorrow. I'm sure it will be tough, but I've got your six and your heart. I'm always here. Hang in there. 

All my love. Goodnight. 

Day 31

So kind of a lot happened today, and my brain is pretty fried. Not sure how much I can write, so I'll catch you up tomorrow night. 

Sorry my love. Goodnight. 

Day 30

I posted on Delta's Facebook page, thinking that maybe I would get an apology, or maybe they would work on their military flight policy. 

It's kind of blown up. Not viral, by any means, but I'm terrified now that maybe I shouldn't have done it. The last thing I want is to make military families look like we are out for money. I mean obviously, if anyone has ever been in the military, they know you enlisted for that sweet, sub-poverty pay, right? Haha jokes. 

But really. There are so many stereotypes about military wives, and the last thing I want anyone to think is, "oh, she's one of those..." I know you know better. This entire situation breaks my heart, and I know there are soldiers who won't come home because of the cost. And that's insane. That shouldn't be an issue. 

There have already been a couple rude comments, but they self-deleted, and I'm going to try not to let them hurt my feelings. The positive support though, babe, has been overwhelming. 

Crazy. 

I guess I'll see if this leads anywhere in the morning. For now, here's a mis-matched jommie nap pic from today. 

Love you to the moon and back. I miss you. 

Day 29

Today was a pretty good day. Uneventful. I don't mind uneventful. It's the closest I get to quiet, and it's never, ever quiet. I don't have a ton to say tonight, so I'll just leave you with a few pics from today. We love you. Goodnight. 

Day 28

I'm just going to go ahead and get all this negativity out so I can leave it here and move on...

First off, the new costume was an epic failure. It was no bigger in the stride, but the rest of it was huge. He bawled. Big crocodile tears. It was tragic. I ordered one offline. Poor baby. I'm so upset that this has been disappointing for him. 

After I got the info I needed from you, I booked your flight to Fort Lauderdale and back. That went as expected. Then I checked on the tickets from Fort Lauderdale to KC and back. They went up $50 since midnight. Crap. "Ok," I thought, "I'll call and get the military discount. You're flying on orders, shouldn't be a huge deal. Maybe they will give me last night's price." Hahahaha! Wrong. Two dollar military discount (from the $50 they tacked on since last night, so $48 more than it was at midnight). I can't even. 

Several weeks ago, I contacted multiple organizations asking for help with the cost of getting you home. All were organizations that are very vocal about their missions to help military families. None would help me. That, in itself, is a huge disappointment. Kind of makes you wonder where all those donations go, right? So when you add in the $2 flight discount, I'm pretty disappointed with all of this right now. So thanks for all the support, airlines and organizations... Or not. 

*If anyone is considering donating to an organization that claims to help military families, ask them what they would do to help a pregnant wife who calls to ask for help with an extremely expensive trip home for her deployed spouse so he doesn't miss his child's birth. If you find one that says "we would help her," shoot me the name of that organization, and I'll back them, too. 

I'm sorry to be so negative tonight, but it's so unbelievably frustrating, and it's been building and I need to vent. 

I'm past all the tears over it. I'm just glad you're safe and you actually get to take leave. Maybe Gray will cooperate and stay in there until you come home. I just don't want you to miss it. You've sacrificed so much. Ok. I have to stop worrying about it all. I got it off my chest... I just hate that people with fewer resources have to suffer this same nonsense. 

Here's a throwback to a Halloween costume that fit, just to make you smile...

We love you and miss you so much. You're our hero, and I can't wait to be back in your arms, even if it's only for a few days. Cale wants you to know that the wheels on the bus go round and round. And so do NASCARs. ;)

Goodnight baby. See you in my dreams. 

Day 27

First off... I'm just gonna leave this here. 

We are 1/10 of the way through this, babe! We got this. 

Second, we had a very sad dinosaur when we got home from the costume store and tried on his Halloween costume... And it was too small. I got a 2-4t. It should have been too big... But no. Poor guy cried when I had to take it off of him. I'll have to go exchange it tomorrow, but here's a pic, just because. 

Ain't that the cutest thing you've ever seen? Precious. Rawr. 

We have a busy day planned tomorrow. Not really, but whatever. We have to leave the house, so that makes it busy when one of the two of you has 12" legs, and the other one waddles. We are going to bed, since one of us wouldn't take an actual nap today... Not me. 

Love you to the moon and back, and so much more. Muah. Goodnight. 

Day 26

Laying in bed at 9pm, and the dogs start to bark. Awesome. 

I had been leaving the baby monitor with the intercom plugged in downstairs so I could tell them to hush if they started barking in the middle of the night. I forgot to plug it back in today after I cleaned the kitchen. So, after Cale fell asleep, I snuck back downstairs to plug it back in. I thought I would check the mouse traps in the garage since I just set them this afternoon... Sure enough, two dead mice. I'm assuming that's what all the fuss was about. 

I guess I'll deal with that grossness in the morning. 

Oh! Totally forgot to tell you! I was walking out the door to the car today and saw the tail end of a snake turn the corner in front of me and go under my car. It was gone before I was brave enough to actually look for it. EEK!! I could have gone my entire life without that. I'm just thankful that Cale wasn't out there with me. I might have never gotten him in the car again! These nondomesticated critters around here might be the death of me...

So that's my awesome day. I cleaned, ran errands, etc. Nothing exciting. 

Last night's BB was on the DVR. It came on at 1am. I guess after the Chiefs game? Anyway. Double eviction. Meg was sent to jury. Liz won HOH, she put up James and Johnny Mac, Julia won veto, she didn't use it. James went to Jury. So final 6 are: Austin, the twins, Vanessa, Steve and Johnny Mac. 

Ok. Going to bed. Talk to you tomorrow, my love. Muah. 

Day 25

Today. 

Today there was a lot going on. I know you saw some of it on the news there, but I've never really had to watch the Armed Forces Network, so I don't know how much you really get. 

I know you saw the nonsense with the Rowan Co clerk who was held in contempt of court for continually refusing to issue marriage licenses. Well now, since she refuses to allow her deputy clerks to issue them, her butt will be in jail for several more days, ironically, one of those days being Labor Day. Maybe she will have time to reflect on the labor she didn't do. :/ 

Another big story today was about a little boy, a Syrian refugee, who drowned while he and his family were trying to find safety. His tiny body washed up on a Turkish beach, and I can't get that image out of my head. That poor baby. My heart breaks each time I think about it. I know that this is the reason that duty calls you; so that Cale is never that little boy, and while it's so hard to be away from you, I'm so thankful for the sacrifice you make to keep us safe. It may not feel like much, but it certainly is to me. I can go to sleep every night knowing that you will do everything in your power to keep our children from suffering the same fate as that little boy, and I'm also proud that your efforts protect the rights that we all take for granted. 

So thank you, my love, for fighting for me, and for our family. 

Goodnight. 

Day 24

Today was a good day. Cale and I took a field trip to pick up some embroidery supplies and odds and ends to keep our crafty selves busy. 

The glucose test came back fine (hallelujah), so I don't have to worry about that anymore. Gray is practicing his ninja moves, Cale is in the tub, and we will be watching Big Brother shortly. 

*oh. To recap last week, Austin was HOH, he sent Johnny Mac home, Johnny Mac won the jury comp, so he's back. Vanessa is HOH. She put up Meg and James. James won veto, so she put up the other twin... Whatever her name is. 

I spoke too soon. After his bath, Cale lost his damn mind. One of the golf clubs is now in the trash (I warned him), the dogs are mad, he has spent more time IN timeout than he has OUT of it, and he told me to shut up while I was disciplining  him for being mean to the dogs. Lost. His. Mind. 

We went to bed. 

He calmed down pretty quickly, told me he was sorry about 100 times and cuddled until he fell asleep. Now I'm in bed with heartburn so bad that I have to sit up, and I can even feel it in my back. Ugh. Just a few more months. 

Miss you so much. I'd give just about anything for a hug tonight, and for you to be able to tell me it will all be fine, but these big girl panties will have to do for now. I got this. Don't worry. I love you to the moon and back. Muah. 

Day 23

We have had a rough day. Cale has been a tornado since we got up this morning. The only time he has been calm was when he was asleep. I'm done. Between him and these contractions tonight, I'm ready for bed. I'm praying that we have a better day tomorrow. It's a good thing he's cute...

I love you and miss you more than you know. Talk to you tomorrow. Moon and back. Muah.