So Behind!

I just had to blog to everyone that I am sooooo behind and haven't been on Blogger in a LONG time. Since Jeff got home, I've been on FB a bit and that's it!

I am behind in reading a lot of your entries, so that's why you haven't seen responses from me lately :-) Can't wait to catch up later today...

It's time to get back to writing/blogging. I am trying to make time to write for another blog as well. I was asked to write for the Faith Deployed blog as well as Wives in Bloom so I really need to sit down and make some time for all this! I entered a writing contest for the Faith Deployed blog and won 3rd place so I have one entry on there already, so that's where the Wives in Bloom request came from. I'll blog more about this later!

It's Finally Over

This deployment is finally over and we're picking up Jeff at the airport tomorrow afternoon! I cannot believe it's FINALLY here. I can't believe it's been a month since I posted too. Probably because I have been so busy thinking about Jeff coming home and just trying to make the time go by faster. Also, my aunt (mom's sister) passed away a few weeks ago from cancer that had come back. She went into the hospital with pain and was gone within two weeks--so sudden and hard for my mom and her daughters to comprehend. Tomorrow is the visitation in Morton. At the same time tomorrow we'll be welcoming Jeff home in Arizona as my family says goodbye to Aunt Judy. Such is life with its many ups and downs and it's time for the next chapter in our lives. I am definitely ready to see what is to come!

 

Sea Life Arizona

Look! We're in a fish bowl!

Andrew had his first experience at an aquarium on Monday and he had a good time checking out all the fish and other fun stuff there. We met up with a few moms and kids from the mommy group I've gotten involved with and well, it wasn't Chicago's Shedd Aquarium or anything, but it was cute and pretty fun for both of us. The kids liked the light-up floor at the end the best!

Mommy accidentally blinded this fish with her flash.

Andrew and his new friend Hildon.

What Would You Do?

Have I ever told you how much I hate the post office? I think loathe is a better word. I thought it was just the employees, but apparently it's the customers, too. It’s sad. I’m losing faith in our society lately.

Anyway, I didn't know I was picking up a huge box Jeff had sent from Egypt so they say they have to wheel it out on a dolly. Meanwhile I’m still thinking I can probably push it while holding Andrew or having him walk. BUT, it’s even bigger than I thought! It was actually one of those “lockers” as Jeff calls it.

So, I'm standing there holding the baby going hmmm...don't think I can do this, “can someone help me out to my car?” “Nope—everyone's on lunch”, says the super rude government employee. Mmmkay...I turn around to face the 5+ people in line thinking about what I should do, hoping someone might offer to help. Nope.

I can't come back, so I desperately ask the guy closest to me in line if he would mind helping when he’s done. He says sure. Now, geesh—was that so hard, dude? He was totally nice about it, but deep down it seemed like he was saying “Dang it! Why did I have to be the one?”

Oh and don’t you worry—I told him where the box was coming from and that my husband had been gone a year, so I hope you felt bad about yourself mister!

I mean, really people? I’m sorry, but if that was me in line, I would have been jumping to help. I hope those people don’t get caught on that show “What Would You Do?” They would fail their social morality test for sure!

Thank you for reading because I just had to get that out! I should know better, it IS the post office after all…"Hello, Newman!"

1-Year Photos - Finally!

I finally got around to doing Andrew's 1-year photos...over a month late, but they still turned out great so I'm not complaining! Thanks again to Kristin Merwin and her mad photography skills ;-)

Here is my fave so far. Click here to visit Kristin's site where you can see some more.

Tough April "Showers" are Bound to Bring May "Flowers"!

I can’t believe how much Andrew is growing and changing lately. He literally turned into a toddler the day of his first birthday. I think he just looked different and started acting more “grown up” somehow. I’m just over here going with the flow while Andrew grows up. Now he’s:

• waving hello and bye, bye

• blowing kisses (a.k.a. licking his hand and throwing it out in front of him)

• hugging on command and when he feels like it (my favorite…the cats—not so much)

• dealing with some major separation anxiety

• learning to walk (he’s taken 7-8 steps, but is still practicing)

• drinking whole milk

• ditched the baby food

• OK without the bottle. Sippy cup is just fine (and faster!)

• not loving shopping like he used to. (Dang it!)

• still sleeping great, but a later bedtime might actually be helping him “sleep in” a little later (and sleeping in means 6:30 a.m.)

I’m sure there is so much more, but that is what I can remember during this whirlwind of a time.

Like a lot of my life lately, April was one of the best and worst months I’ve had in a while. My Grandma passed away on April 15, but luckily her family was all there with her. Unfortunately she took a turn for the worse right before Andrew and I could get there. I really think she knew we were there though and she knew it was OK to go. She went peacefully and with her daughters and granddaughters by her side. Things were tough for a while with everyone in the family getting sick all at once and traveling just wearing Andrew and I out. Doesn’t it suck that stress can make you physically ill?

Ugh, but May means springtime and a time for new beginnings. Speaking of...May already started out better because I attended my friend Melissa's baby shower over Mother's Day weekend. Photos to come soon in another post.

Once again, we pick up and move on. (as shown by the list above!) There’s no stopping our sweet Andrew, so he really and truly keeps me going in more ways than one! Jeff always says “when you’re feeling down, just give our angel a kiss.” Always works!

Our Baby is ONE!

Today our little angel turned ONE!

Click here to view all the 1st birthday party photos!

The day was a complete whirlwind and so much fun, and I only wish Andrew somehow understood that today was for him. That it was such a special day for his Mama and Daddy as we honored him and thought about how special he is to us and how lucky we are to have him. Here’s a link to Andrew’s Birth Story. :-) And click here to see a video from the day he came into the world.

One year ago today, we were amazed that he was here with us, in awe of how we could be so lucky to get such a beautiful, wonderful baby. We brought him home and ever since he has been the BEST baby and has made our lives overflow with complete joy every single day. I can say we are truly blessed. I was blessed by a wonderful and enjoyable pregnancy, blessed by an easy labor and delivery and finally the biggest gift arrived and he is simply amazing.

We’ve had a number of big challenges to face since Andrew arrived, but we really believe that’s why he’s here right now. He is our rock, he keeps us moving forward in the right direction, he helps his family find joy in some of our hardest times. With Andrew here, it’s really hard for me to look at the struggles I’m facing and not see the cup as half full. I find that completely remarkable—God has placed this person here with me in my life when I need him the most.

It’s such a mix of emotions today too with Jeff not here to celebrate with us and the rest of the family that couldn’t be here (but wanted to so bad!). We took lots of photos for daddy and for everyone back home in Illinois. I think Andrew really did have fun, even if he didn’t understand all of the excitement was for him.

Andrew, you will always be my little baby. Today I thank you for everything you have already given me in only the first year of your little life. I love you more than I can ever put into words.

Love, Mama.