This morning we said goodbye to Dan once again for a 6 month deployment. These goodbyes never get easier. I swore I was going to remain strong for the children, but as we are approaching the base a little after 6am I can feel the tears gently rolling down my cheeks and the knot in my stomach slowly rising up. Dan reaches over and clasps my hand to comfort me. I just keep looking forward as we approach the pier; I am afraid that if I make eye contact that I will burst into tears. I smile at the sound of Kaitlyn's giggles and chattering. I wipe the tears away and take a deep breath then get Kaitlyn out of her car seat so Dan can hold her once before heading to the ship. She is full of squeals and giggles which puts smiles on both our faces. We all exchange hugs and kisses before watching Dan disappear into the sheet of mist and fog on the dark pier.
We kept with our tradition after dropping Dan off for underways and had breakfast at McDonalds. Kaitlyn and Alex were in great moods and chowed down as they bounced and swayed to the unusually loud music. This helped break up my somber mood. We left McDonalds for a play date with one of Alex's friends. This was probably the best medicine for both of us; it took our minds off of his departure.
Dan was able to call this evening during the children's story time; both of them were super excited! Alex wanted to know when he was coming home and if we could stay the night on the ship; I don't think he quite comprehends everything yet. As we talk I find myself tearing up again. I try to wipe them away before Alex turns and sees them, but he turned around too quickly. Alex says "what's wrong Mommy?", I say "Mommy just misses Daddy", Alex says "it's alright Mommy" and he gives me a big kiss on the cheek. He is such a sweet little boy!
I know in the next few days things will get easier and we will get in a routine, but there will always be an empty void till he returns. They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder; I guess this is true because it makes you realize all the things you love, appreciate, and cherish about them. It makes you realize all the little things you take for granted.
Sweetheart, I wish you and all aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln a safe and successful voyage! Come home quickly! We love you and miss you!
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Time to catch up
Wow; I can't believe it has been so long since the last time I updated this blog! So much has happened, so I will just start with events that have happened since January.
The baby was getting so big and things were getting busy between doctors visits, and getting things ready for the baby. Now that I had finally finished Alex's train table, it was time to get busy making all of Kaitlyn's nursery bedding and decor. The theme is Damask meets Elephants. The elephant is a symbol of good luck and fortune, wisdom, strength, and longevity. So when I found these coordinating fabrics of pink and brown, one of which had elephants on it, I knew it was the right collection for her nursery.
January was the start of my weekly non stress tests in addition to my monthly ultrasounds and bi weekly doctors appointments. With the complications that I had during Alex's delivery, my doctor was concerned with her growth and wanted to make sure that as she got bigger that her blood supply wasn't compromised causing her to suddenly stop growing. Every Friday I would have between 1 and 4 doctors appointments; I was so thankful that we had Alex in school so that I could go to these appointments by myself!
She was measuring nearly 4 weeks ahead of schedule (so much for the thought that her blood supply would be compromised and would be small, lol), so I told my friend that we better get those maternity pics before I look like a house. A good friend of mine, Jennifer Likes, had offered to take these pics for me; she took our family pictures last summer as well. She did an awesome job!
February was a rough month! I was missing Dan terribly and was wanting him home to be with me during this last month! Valentines Day was uneventful; I don't think we have been able to spend this holiday together since before Alex was born since he was always deployed, or on a business trip. Several of the military spouses threw a baby shower for me and that really helped me get excited about this little girl's arrival. Not that I wasn't excited to see this little girl growing inside me, but it is difficult when you are raising a toddler, working full time, and your body is exhausted from a pregnancy while your other half is deployed through the entire pregnancy. The shower was a chance for me to forget about everything else and share my excitement over her arrival with a bunch of other lovely ladies. We got lots of adorable little girl's clothes, blankets, toys, and accessories to shower our little girl with.
Two days after the shower, Alex came down with a cold which I caught as well! I had done so well through this pregnancy at not picking up any germs (especially considering I have a toddler in daycare) and it had to hit me now! This cold progressed and after a week it had developed into an ear infection, sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, and a subsequent pink eye. All of this on top of Braxton Hicks contractions that were progressively getting stronger as I got closer to the due date. I had this fear that I would deliver early and have to have a mask on in fear of spreading it to my baby. My Mother was not due for several more days but after hearing me on the phone, she insisted on flying here early. I am so thankful that she did come early; I was losing strength and my emotions were causing me to fall apart. Having her there gave me a chance to rest and gain my strength back.
Two days after my Mom arrived, Friday May 4th, my contractions began to pick up again. I had my regular doctors appointment when the doctor said that I was already 4cm dilated. I was beginning to freak out; Dan wasn't due back for another week and I was only 37 weeks! I desperately wanted him to be there for the delivery. The doctor told me to prepare for an early delivery and I began my maternity leave that day.
My contractions started up again that evening after they had progressed to 5 minutes apart. We dropped Alex off at a friend's house and headed to the hospital. After several hours and the contractions subsiding, we headed home to get some sleep. I continued to get these contractions on and off through the weekend; usually starting in the early evening and lasting through the early morning hours. I was beginning to feel like they would continue through the week and Dan just might make it back for her arrival.
I woke up in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 8th with contractions again, but these contractions felt different. Since they were only 30 minutes apart, I put then out of mind and continued to try to sleep. My Mom helped get Alex off to school that morning. My contractions had continued into the morning and I would just walk them off till around 11 when they had progressed to 10 minutes but were becoming very painful to walk them off. We decided to head to the hospital. By the time we made the 20min drive to the hospital checked in, and admitted me (1 hour), I was 2 minutes apart and 6cm dilated. The contractions were so close and I was still so tired from the cold that I was still recovering from, that I decided to get an epidural. I was tired of being Superwoman! The epidural slowed things down considerably and allowed me to relax and enjoy the delivery. I had finally accepted and come to terms with the fact that Dan would not be making it back in time for this delivery. I was comforted by the fact that I had my Mom, and two other wives there to help me through this delivery.
The contractions picked up considerably around 4pm. I was able to speak to Dan several times on the phone and I was sending him updates every hour. I know he felt helpless being so far away and unable to help me through this, but was comforted that things were progressing without complications as we had with Alex and that I had so much support with me at the hospital. By 6:00pm I was fully dilated but not completely effaced so my water was broken which helped get me the rest of the way and by 6:30pm I was pushing. At 6:56pm on Tuesday, March 8th 2011 a 9lb 1oz baby girl, names Kaitlyn Lucia (lu-see-a) Walford was welcomed into this world. My Mom was given the honors of cutting the umbilical cord. I now have this beautiful healthy baby girl in my arms, but there is still someone missing. We would have to wait till Friday to welcome Dan back.
I found out Thursday about the news of a tsunami that was expected to hit Hawaii; Hawaii!!! where Dan is waiting for his flight out to come back home!!! We spent Friday preparing the welcome home signs and checking the news as well as calling him to find out the latest information. By 10am, we had learned that his flight would be delayed by 8hrs; we were bummed that our highly anticipated reunion was going to be delayed. As the day went on the 4pm arrival became 12am which eventually turned into 2am.
I decided to put Alex to bed at his normal bed time, how he fell asleep with so much excitement I have no idea, and then woke him up at midnight to leave for the airport. When I woke him up he was giggling and jumping with excitement. We got into the airport with signs prepared and Alex dressed in his flight suit (just like Daddy's). Every tall slender caucasian male that walked by, he would exclaim "that's my Daddy" and would giggle uncontrollably and each time I would have to tell him "no that's not Daddy." Finally, I saw him walk through the gate, Alex began running towards him giggling, tears were rolling down my face, and my Mom was trying to capture everything on camera. After we all hugged and kissed, I turned to get our baby girl out of the stroller so he could hold her for the first time. Finally, our family was back together again!
The baby was getting so big and things were getting busy between doctors visits, and getting things ready for the baby. Now that I had finally finished Alex's train table, it was time to get busy making all of Kaitlyn's nursery bedding and decor. The theme is Damask meets Elephants. The elephant is a symbol of good luck and fortune, wisdom, strength, and longevity. So when I found these coordinating fabrics of pink and brown, one of which had elephants on it, I knew it was the right collection for her nursery.
January was the start of my weekly non stress tests in addition to my monthly ultrasounds and bi weekly doctors appointments. With the complications that I had during Alex's delivery, my doctor was concerned with her growth and wanted to make sure that as she got bigger that her blood supply wasn't compromised causing her to suddenly stop growing. Every Friday I would have between 1 and 4 doctors appointments; I was so thankful that we had Alex in school so that I could go to these appointments by myself!
She was measuring nearly 4 weeks ahead of schedule (so much for the thought that her blood supply would be compromised and would be small, lol), so I told my friend that we better get those maternity pics before I look like a house. A good friend of mine, Jennifer Likes, had offered to take these pics for me; she took our family pictures last summer as well. She did an awesome job!
February was a rough month! I was missing Dan terribly and was wanting him home to be with me during this last month! Valentines Day was uneventful; I don't think we have been able to spend this holiday together since before Alex was born since he was always deployed, or on a business trip. Several of the military spouses threw a baby shower for me and that really helped me get excited about this little girl's arrival. Not that I wasn't excited to see this little girl growing inside me, but it is difficult when you are raising a toddler, working full time, and your body is exhausted from a pregnancy while your other half is deployed through the entire pregnancy. The shower was a chance for me to forget about everything else and share my excitement over her arrival with a bunch of other lovely ladies. We got lots of adorable little girl's clothes, blankets, toys, and accessories to shower our little girl with.
Two days after the shower, Alex came down with a cold which I caught as well! I had done so well through this pregnancy at not picking up any germs (especially considering I have a toddler in daycare) and it had to hit me now! This cold progressed and after a week it had developed into an ear infection, sinus infection, upper respiratory infection, and a subsequent pink eye. All of this on top of Braxton Hicks contractions that were progressively getting stronger as I got closer to the due date. I had this fear that I would deliver early and have to have a mask on in fear of spreading it to my baby. My Mother was not due for several more days but after hearing me on the phone, she insisted on flying here early. I am so thankful that she did come early; I was losing strength and my emotions were causing me to fall apart. Having her there gave me a chance to rest and gain my strength back.
Two days after my Mom arrived, Friday May 4th, my contractions began to pick up again. I had my regular doctors appointment when the doctor said that I was already 4cm dilated. I was beginning to freak out; Dan wasn't due back for another week and I was only 37 weeks! I desperately wanted him to be there for the delivery. The doctor told me to prepare for an early delivery and I began my maternity leave that day.
My contractions started up again that evening after they had progressed to 5 minutes apart. We dropped Alex off at a friend's house and headed to the hospital. After several hours and the contractions subsiding, we headed home to get some sleep. I continued to get these contractions on and off through the weekend; usually starting in the early evening and lasting through the early morning hours. I was beginning to feel like they would continue through the week and Dan just might make it back for her arrival.
I woke up in the early morning hours on Tuesday, May 8th with contractions again, but these contractions felt different. Since they were only 30 minutes apart, I put then out of mind and continued to try to sleep. My Mom helped get Alex off to school that morning. My contractions had continued into the morning and I would just walk them off till around 11 when they had progressed to 10 minutes but were becoming very painful to walk them off. We decided to head to the hospital. By the time we made the 20min drive to the hospital checked in, and admitted me (1 hour), I was 2 minutes apart and 6cm dilated. The contractions were so close and I was still so tired from the cold that I was still recovering from, that I decided to get an epidural. I was tired of being Superwoman! The epidural slowed things down considerably and allowed me to relax and enjoy the delivery. I had finally accepted and come to terms with the fact that Dan would not be making it back in time for this delivery. I was comforted by the fact that I had my Mom, and two other wives there to help me through this delivery.
The contractions picked up considerably around 4pm. I was able to speak to Dan several times on the phone and I was sending him updates every hour. I know he felt helpless being so far away and unable to help me through this, but was comforted that things were progressing without complications as we had with Alex and that I had so much support with me at the hospital. By 6:00pm I was fully dilated but not completely effaced so my water was broken which helped get me the rest of the way and by 6:30pm I was pushing. At 6:56pm on Tuesday, March 8th 2011 a 9lb 1oz baby girl, names Kaitlyn Lucia (lu-see-a) Walford was welcomed into this world. My Mom was given the honors of cutting the umbilical cord. I now have this beautiful healthy baby girl in my arms, but there is still someone missing. We would have to wait till Friday to welcome Dan back.
I found out Thursday about the news of a tsunami that was expected to hit Hawaii; Hawaii!!! where Dan is waiting for his flight out to come back home!!! We spent Friday preparing the welcome home signs and checking the news as well as calling him to find out the latest information. By 10am, we had learned that his flight would be delayed by 8hrs; we were bummed that our highly anticipated reunion was going to be delayed. As the day went on the 4pm arrival became 12am which eventually turned into 2am.
I decided to put Alex to bed at his normal bed time, how he fell asleep with so much excitement I have no idea, and then woke him up at midnight to leave for the airport. When I woke him up he was giggling and jumping with excitement. We got into the airport with signs prepared and Alex dressed in his flight suit (just like Daddy's). Every tall slender caucasian male that walked by, he would exclaim "that's my Daddy" and would giggle uncontrollably and each time I would have to tell him "no that's not Daddy." Finally, I saw him walk through the gate, Alex began running towards him giggling, tears were rolling down my face, and my Mom was trying to capture everything on camera. After we all hugged and kissed, I turned to get our baby girl out of the stroller so he could hold her for the first time. Finally, our family was back together again!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Train Table
Dan and I have been promising Alex a train table since just before his second birthday, but with the upcoming deployment we never got around to it. We knew we wanted to make him one that would be stronger than the MDF/Particle board ones you can buy in the store. I finally decided that if it was ever going to be made that I just needed to start it; if I waited for Dan to return I knew it would get put off even more with the baby's arrival. I know Dan would have loved to be a part of it's construction, but I think he will enjoy it even more when he gets to play on it with Alex upon his return.
I started with making the base using stock oak and my Kreg pocket screw jig. It went together easily, but took time since I had to do all this during Alex's naps on the weekends. Next came the table top and bottom shelf. I had the plywood cut down some for me and then I made the final cuts on our table saw being very careful to stand to the side of the wood in the event that it was kicked back. I think the hardest part of this table was the finishing of it. It is difficult when this is Seattle's rainy season with overcast skies, late sunrise, and early sunsets. The lighting is not the best in our garage either, making it difficult to see the finish.
I think the table came together wonderfully in the end and I know Alex will love it!
I started with making the base using stock oak and my Kreg pocket screw jig. It went together easily, but took time since I had to do all this during Alex's naps on the weekends. Next came the table top and bottom shelf. I had the plywood cut down some for me and then I made the final cuts on our table saw being very careful to stand to the side of the wood in the event that it was kicked back. I think the hardest part of this table was the finishing of it. It is difficult when this is Seattle's rainy season with overcast skies, late sunrise, and early sunsets. The lighting is not the best in our garage either, making it difficult to see the finish.
I think the table came together wonderfully in the end and I know Alex will love it!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Tree and Decorations
It is not the same this year with Dan being gone. This is our first Christmas apart from each other and my first to have to get the tree on my own. I thought about not even getting one, but this wonderful group of vendors got together and were providing free trees to active duty military in our area. We got a beautiful 8' Fir tree. Alex loved watching me decorate the tree and even added a little song to the occasion.
I couldn't stop with the tree and decided we needed a little something to decorate the outside of the house. It is minimal, but I had to be sure that what went up could easily come down with me being 7 months pregnant. Alex is fascinated with the Christmas lights this year and was so excited to see lights go up on our house; it's hard to tell from the picture, but the garland and wreaths are lit with white lights.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Turkey Day
I awoke this morning wondering if we were going to make it out of the house. The snow was coming down nonstop. I went ahead with my Thanksgiving dinner preparations since it was supposed to stop snowing by afternoon. Alex and I were going to have dinner at another Navy wife's house. Since it was supposed to warm up a bit but then dip below freezing at night, we made plans to sleep over if necessary; the roads from our house to hers are pretty steep and scary at night if there is ice on the road.
By noon the snow had stopped and things were beginning to look like we just might be able to get out for dinner. I was so happy; the thought of spending Thanksgiving alone at home was starting to look a little depressing. We made it to our friend's house without any trouble and had a wonderful dinner followed by great conversation and the kids having fun playing. Alex loves playing with Juliette "Juju" and they enjoyed playing in her kitchen and playhouse.
The evening was finished off with a wonderful football game of TAMU vs TU. A&M kicked some butt as expected; I definitely see a bowl game in their future. I wonder which one? Cotton Bowl would be awesome!
By noon the snow had stopped and things were beginning to look like we just might be able to get out for dinner. I was so happy; the thought of spending Thanksgiving alone at home was starting to look a little depressing. We made it to our friend's house without any trouble and had a wonderful dinner followed by great conversation and the kids having fun playing. Alex loves playing with Juliette "Juju" and they enjoyed playing in her kitchen and playhouse.
The evening was finished off with a wonderful football game of TAMU vs TU. A&M kicked some butt as expected; I definitely see a bowl game in their future. I wonder which one? Cotton Bowl would be awesome!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Arctic Blast brings Snow and Ice
It's Monday morning and Thanksgiving is only days away. I am in my office at my desk watching the first snow flakes beginning to fall. Alex is at school and I am wondering what he is thinking as he sees these first flakes beginning to fall from his classroom window. What I thought was just going to be a light fall of snow is now being predicted to be heavy snow fall with temperatures as low as the teens. By late morning the flurries pick up and all I see is a sheet of white from the window.
I left a little early to pick Alex up from school as the roads were starting to look a little icy and the snow fall was heavy. The evening reports were showing commuters into Seattle stuck in miles and miles of backups due to icy roads and accidents throughout. I am so glad that Alex and I are in the comfort of our home.
I woke up Tuesday to find 3"-5" of snow. The roads in our neighborhood are steep and covered with a mixture of ice and snow. I decided to keep Alex at home since the steep drive out of the neighborhood appeared too much for this inexperienced driver. Alex was fine with that and spent the morning watching movies and staring out at all the snow. Just before lunch I took a break from work and bundled us both up for some fun in the snow. I rigged up one of our laundry baskets to act as a sled for Alex. He had soooo much fun!
I have tomorrow through Friday off from work and I am hoping that they clear the neighborhood roads so that I can get out and run some errands before Thanksgiving.
I left a little early to pick Alex up from school as the roads were starting to look a little icy and the snow fall was heavy. The evening reports were showing commuters into Seattle stuck in miles and miles of backups due to icy roads and accidents throughout. I am so glad that Alex and I are in the comfort of our home.
I woke up Tuesday to find 3"-5" of snow. The roads in our neighborhood are steep and covered with a mixture of ice and snow. I decided to keep Alex at home since the steep drive out of the neighborhood appeared too much for this inexperienced driver. Alex was fine with that and spent the morning watching movies and staring out at all the snow. Just before lunch I took a break from work and bundled us both up for some fun in the snow. I rigged up one of our laundry baskets to act as a sled for Alex. He had soooo much fun!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Pre-Thanksgiving Weekend
The weather her is definitely getting colder! Temps are in the 30's with highs in the 40's. I think the pregnancy is keeping me from feeling too terribly cold; the thermometer says 37 but it feels like 57 to me. I have to keep that in mind when dressing Alex and make sure he is dressed warm enough. Snow was predicted starting Friday night, but by Saturday morning we had none and it was absolutely gorgeous!
Too bad I spent the morning baking my family favorite "Granny Taylor" hot rolls for the officer spouses Thanksgiving potluck lunch that afternoon. They sure turned out good and were a hit at the lunch, though! The lunch was really nice and Alex had a lot of fun playing with all the other little boys that were there. I enjoyed talking with the adults while the kiddos entertained themselves; something that is very precious to all the wives while the guys are deployed.
Sunday morning we got a call from Dan; a great way to start the morning off. After getting off the phone, I realized that it had started snowing. It was short lived and melted shortly after, but it was really nice while it lasted! I don't mind some snow, it's the ice that I despise. I got some pics of the snow falling in front of the house, but by the time we were ready to go out and play in it, the snow was gone. I have been told that this is supposed to be a COLD winter, so I am sure I will get another chance to get some of Alex playing in it.
We finished the day off with a birthday party for another spouse's 1yr old son. Several of the wives that were at Saturday's lunch were at the birthday party, so it was a nice continuation of conversation. By Sunday evening, the temps had dropped into the mid 30's again and were supposed to continue to drop to below freezing, so when we got home I decided it was time to shut off the water to the exterior faucets and wrap them. Alex enjoyed watching the moon (full moon) while I did the work. He has become fascinated with seeing the moon and loves the fact that the sun sets by 5pm and he can see it before going to bed. I, on the other hand, hate that the sun starts to set at 4:30 and it makes you feel like you just lost about 2hrs of your day.
Too bad I spent the morning baking my family favorite "Granny Taylor" hot rolls for the officer spouses Thanksgiving potluck lunch that afternoon. They sure turned out good and were a hit at the lunch, though! The lunch was really nice and Alex had a lot of fun playing with all the other little boys that were there. I enjoyed talking with the adults while the kiddos entertained themselves; something that is very precious to all the wives while the guys are deployed.
Ok, I hate pregnancy photos of myself,
but everyone has been requesting them,
so here you go. Can you tell she is
getting BIG and boy oh boy does she move!
Sunday morning we got a call from Dan; a great way to start the morning off. After getting off the phone, I realized that it had started snowing. It was short lived and melted shortly after, but it was really nice while it lasted! I don't mind some snow, it's the ice that I despise. I got some pics of the snow falling in front of the house, but by the time we were ready to go out and play in it, the snow was gone. I have been told that this is supposed to be a COLD winter, so I am sure I will get another chance to get some of Alex playing in it.
We finished the day off with a birthday party for another spouse's 1yr old son. Several of the wives that were at Saturday's lunch were at the birthday party, so it was a nice continuation of conversation. By Sunday evening, the temps had dropped into the mid 30's again and were supposed to continue to drop to below freezing, so when we got home I decided it was time to shut off the water to the exterior faucets and wrap them. Alex enjoyed watching the moon (full moon) while I did the work. He has become fascinated with seeing the moon and loves the fact that the sun sets by 5pm and he can see it before going to bed. I, on the other hand, hate that the sun starts to set at 4:30 and it makes you feel like you just lost about 2hrs of your day.
Alex being silly after we came in from winterizing the pipes.
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