So Long, Farewell

Today Brian left for England, four days early mind you. This 100% sucks! It gave me less time to be able to really contact him whenever I needed/ wanted too. The last few days were tough for him and really packed with a lot to do and get done. This unfortunately left little time for us to really talk. I am trying very hard to stay positive and most importantly busy! I need to keep working on things around the house so I don't think about everything that is happening. What else is happening?

1. My husband is deployed
2. Potential government shut down
3. I feel all alone
4. I'm 4.5 months pregnant
5. I don't go home until Thanksgiving time
6. I have two pups who miss their daddy VERY VERY much! 

So with all that I have lots to take care of around the house. Today I disconnected and packed away our DirecTV, I trimmed some tree branches outside our house, trimmed bushed in our front yard, and I am now trying to convince myself to go to an FRG meeting that I REALLY REALLY don't want to go to! I am trying to give it the good ol' college try though. I just have this feeling that I'm going to show up and there isn't going to be a single person there. 

On the positive I got to talk to my hubby up  until the last moment. He also sent me some wonderful pictures that made me cry, but something I really and truly appreciate. I love that man so much!

D Day...

Today was the day... Brian deployed. I am not sure if I am lucky or not, but we are somewhat easing into this deployment. Brian will be in Texas for a week where I can talk to him, then limited contact in his next training, and then full blown deployment in country. 

I had no idea that all of this would be so hard. I thought it would be easy easing into the deployment this way, but I find myself sobbing in tears multiple times a day since last night when he was packing. The emotional roller coaster that is deployment mixed with the hormones of a pregnant woman simply SUCKS! I miss him so very much and I just want him to come home. 

I know that I have a LONG way to go (my vase of pieces of candy reminds me), but I am assuming these first few weeks are really going to be tough. I don't think that at any point during this it will be easy, but I am giving myself a week of trying to deal and then I plan to make a schedule and stick to it. 

I need to remind myself IT DOESN'T LAST FOREVER! 

This is our last picture together before he left... I wanted to take another, but after this I was a hot crying mess...

End of Vaca...

Today we leave our little get away. Hilton Head Island was amazing. We really focused on enjoying our time and not thinking about the rest of this week. Last night it started to creep into our minds and now this morning I can't shake it...

My husband leaves in three days! I only get to sleep in the same bed with him for three more nights. This, to put it simply, SUCKS! On a positive note, we get to spend every second of the next three days together (with the exception of his time today in the dentist chair). 

We had an amazing time on our trip and happy memories to last us awhile. Such a relaxing time was had. We spent a day in the pool, a day farming sand dollars in the ocean, and lovely dinners. I'm going to miss my best friend, my confidant, my true love. 

September...

So, it is September and my heart is so heavy. My husband leaves in 19 short days and I can't believe it is here. We have known about this deployment for 8 months and I struggle to figure out where did the time go? What have we done in those last 8 months? This reminds me so much of moving. We spent 3 years in Washington and in the last two weeks or so we wanted to do a million things that we "didn't have time for" in the 3 years leading up to the move. So, in this 19 days we are trying to plan out our time together to get the most time and love and enjoyment in. The downside... we have a lot to do! With a baby coming while Brian is gone we have things to do that I will not be able to do alone. 

On a positive note it is almost fall, which is (was) one of my favorite seasons. I only say was, because it is NOTHING like fall in GA until maybe December/January. What I love about fall:

- Sweaters (except in GA)
- Pumpkin Spice Lattes (must be in moderation now...)
- Pumpkin EVERYTHING 
- Bugs start to die (except in GA)
- Holidays coming up = seeing family! 
- Leaves changing colors (not in GA either...)
- Scarfs (except in GA, though wearing them in the AC works...)

So, tomorrow I will be partaking in some seasonal fun by shopping at the outlet mall for Labor Day sales. I wish I would know if we were having a boy or a girl so I can shop the sales more, but alas I will have to shop neutral which is fine with me. I hope to find some good things and continue working on my Christmas shopping. (I already have some wrapped)! :) 

Back from Chicago

As many of you (or maybe only a few of you...) may know I spent the week in Chicago to be with my dear mom. She had surgery on her neck to remove her thyroid and lymph nodes due to cancer. She went into it and came out like a champ (as if I expected any less). My mom went into surgery the day after I arrived and went back to work the day after I left (I will remind you here that I was only there for 1 week!!) 

When I returned home my husband had also returned and worked 4 over night shifts in a row. Brian had spent the prior week in San Antonio for training for his upcoming deployment (only 25 days from today...) The only sad part of returning home was that Brian became sick the day before I traveled home with a 103.2 temperature! So, the first night back I spent the night in the guest room to let him sweat and get over his sickness. I popped some extra vitamin C and was able to return to our bedroom (after the sheets were washed and everything was wiped down with Lysol wipes). So far... not sick! *KNOCK* *KNOCK* (me knocking on wood). 

Now, we fast forward to this past Saturday. I was able to convince Brian to go with me to a Baby Expo at the hospital. (My previous person who was going with me flaked...). We had a lot of fun, got through it like champs, got a lot of free stuff, and Brian was able to ask some tough questions... which was slightly hilarious! 

Now Brian is finishing up he last of three days in a row. No idea what we will do with his next two and a half days off, but we have A LOT to do! The problem is we just want to relax and hang out together, but then I feel guilty for not getting the mounds of things done. 

25 days is not enough time (although I don't think any amount of days will be enough time). Next doctor appointment is September 3rd for my 16 week/ 4 month appointment! :) 

Ultrasound = Pictures

Monday, I had an ultrasound. One I REALLY REALLY wish Brian could have been at. This is the first time our baby actually looked like a baby! The baby was moving around, kicking, and stretching like crazy. This sweet baby was moving around, showing mommy moves, and not cooperating with the ultrasound tech. Stubborn already... :)

On the plus side, the baby gave us beautiful pictures, showed their beautiful Brain, fingers, toes, ears, and eyes. When I saw it's little fingers all I could think about was the "fingernails" scene from Juno. LOL! So, here are a few of the latest shots of our sweet baby. 

Nice Profile! :) 

In this picture the baby is looking at the ultrasound and waving!

3 months

This past Saturday Brian and I were able to celebrate the three month mark of our sweet little nugget. On Friday we were able to hear the baby's heartbeat. It was in perfect range and a great sound to hear! Last week I also met with infectious disease who informed me that the chances of spreading my TB to my baby are basically non existent. She was concerned however that I am MMR negative, which means that I am not immune to Measles/Mumps/Rubella no matter how many vaccines I have. This is especially dangerous to my baby during the second trimester. If I were to contract MMR from anyone I would get very sick and the baby will die. With this knowledge I will be on high alert by avoiding those who are not fully immune, those who don't immunize, and wearing a mask on my upcoming plane trip. More then 50% of the people affected this year contracted it while in an airport or traveled through an airport while sick. In general being by that many people is dangerous so... a mask I will wear. 

I am hoping to get a letter from my infectious disease doctor tomorrow that informs the security and people who work at the airport that I am NOT contagious and that I am wearing a mask to protect myself and my baby. I just do not want anything to happen that will prevent me from flying to Chicago this week. 

Monday I will also be going in for an ultrasound and blood tests to see if my child will potentially have a genetic disorder. This is a simple measurement via ultrasound and up to two vials of blood from me. I am really looking forward to seeing the baby again, but dreading the blood tests. In general something always goes wrong when having them done and I just don't want too, but alas I must. 

Today also marked the beginning of a MICRO deployment. Brian and I will be away from each other for about 11 days between his training and my visit to Chicago. It is obviously NOTHING compared to our upcoming deployment, but a stepping stone (or pebble). By the time I return from Chicago Brian will be leaving in less then 30 days, ugh! Not something I'm looking forward to, but I am thrilled that it looks like I will be able to have some alone time with Brian before he leaves.