We survived the first week!

(But just barely). Steve has been gone one week today. Both boys have been to the doctor this week--Brian to the pediatrician for a mild ear infection and Bailey to the Vet for some bowel issues. Both are on the same antibiotic actually! The Vet said Bailey has something wrong with his colon but between Brian screaming at me and throwing toys and the Vet mumbling in almost a whisper, I'm not clear exactly what his colon problem is. But I did catch the part about what pills he needs how many times a day and that he needs to go back in for xrays. Apparently this problem he has with the colon could be caused by anything from diet to cancer to "dietary indescretions" (meaning he accused me of feeding Bailey human food, I barely have time to eat human food, Bailey certainly doesn't get any). But we did have some fun this week--Brian had his last swim lesson for this year at least. He showed off his kicking skills, played around with a water noodle, and enjoyed playing "humpty dumpty" falling into the pool from the side wall. We also had a fun playdate with Brian's friend Audrey, Brian went to PMO (Parent's Morning Out) for the first time this school year, and we went to Gymboree this morning. Steve called one time this week but we've been emailing daily. He says he lost a tooth filling, sounds like his week went about as well as ours! I'm hoping for another call soon, in fact I wore my bluetooth during Gymboree today just in case! Oh, Brian tried to kiss a cat in the waiting room at the Vet's office. Don't worry, I jumped in before it got ugly. Actually I think the cat didn't mind at all. He was very interested in the cats but really didn't think much of all the dogs. He of course said bye bye to each one as they left the office. Hopefully we don't see the Pediatrician or the Vet next week at all!

Little Puppy Deploys!

Little Puppy was a gift to Brian from my mom at my baby shower. He is tiny and soft and came with his own little blankie. Little Puppy got his orders to deploy this week and began his trip today to the deployed location along with some treats, toiletries, homemade cookies, and the following letter:

Dear Daddy,
I miss you! This is my little puppy. He’s been mine since before I was born. I thought you could use some company and this little guy is small but cuddly. I was hoping you could take him places with you sometimes and take pictures of him wherever he goes. When you and little puppy get home, Mommy can make me a book of all the pictures of the places you and little puppy went together and the adventures you had. This will help me understand what a deployment is when I’m older. Take little puppy as many places as you can! Here are some ideas mommy had about where he could get his picture taken—your room, the bathrooms, the gym, the mess hall, the squadron, the BX, on the wheel of a really cool Army vehicle, in the jet, and anywhere else you can think of. Be creative Daddy! I will love to have a little book about where my puppy went with you!!! I love you so much and miss you already. I kiss my daddy doll a lot and ask about you whenever I’m on you and Mommy’s bed! Your little boy, Brian

The following is a note from mommy: I know this is weird and you’ll be embarrassed to take pictures of a stuffed animal but Brian will love this book one day. Try to aim for at least 20 pictures (that’s only one a week). It could always be worse, I could have picked a larger stuffed animal or something pink ;) I love you, Kelly

I tried to get a few pictures of Brian with little puppy before he was shipped off but he wasn't having any of it, he's not really a stuffed animal fan (you can't loudly bang a stuffed animal against the coffee table and see wood chips fly off it, therefore stuffed animals are boring). Here are some of the funny ones:

Mommy, here's this stupid dog thing again

Little puppy whispering sweet nothings...

Take this mommy and give me something hard to play with

You tricked me!

Happy Birthday Aunt Laura!

Happy Birthday Aunt Laura! She's 22 today and going to "Dinneylannnn!"

Steve has arrived

Steve just called from the deployed location. He said they got there without any problems but he's only had one night of about 6 hours of sleep since friday so he's tired. They are in tents but he says they will move to the "pods" soon. They have single wide trailers divided into three rooms and they call these "pods" for some reason, he'll have one roomate. He got to say hi to Brian and Brian was all smiles as he listened to Daddy talk, then he spent the rest of our 15 minute phone call running around wildly yelling and singing "dada." Steve says internet is very hard to come by right now and they start flying in two days so he's not sure when he'll get to call again but it was nice to hear from him. As for Brian and I, we had our last swim lesson today. He can kick and put his face in the water now but overall he was in a bad mood throughout the lesson because he has a cough and chest congestion and a possible ear infection. I thought the cough was getting better but whatever is bothering his ears is getting worse, so this afternoon we will be heading to the doctor and then I'm sure to the pharmacy which means we won't have time to mail Steve the cookies we made him today, maybe tomorrow. Or maybe I'll just eat them all myself!!!!

Spoon, Spoon in my hand, who's the fairest in all the land?

While eating lunch today, Brian discovered his reflection in the back of his spoon, said "hi, da!", admired himself for a few moments, and then said "bye, baby" and went back to eating his soy yogurt. This picture is of course a reenactment but he was just as delighted with himself the second time! Oh, and after a trip to Target and Michaels, we returned home to faucets of flowing water and toilets that flush!! Completely off topic, but I got an email from the squadron commander's wife that the guys made it to their refueling stop in Europe last night and were enjoying one last pint of beer (probably a guiness if I'm guessing their location right) before heading into the Middle East.

UGGGGHHHHHH!!!

Just got up and we have no water!!! Why would we have water!? I should expect this by now! Steve leaves and some major convenience item like water would go too. I found a neighbor though and they don't have water either so it's not just us. At least we still have power and cable, two out of three ain't bad! I'm off to "wash" my hands with an antibacterial wipe and brush my teeth with some bottled water. I'm so glad we haven't gone completely green yet and actually have some bottled water in the garage! And now to convince Brian to eat something besides milk for breakfast!

We Miss Him Already!

Steve/Daddy left today for his 4-month-long deployment to the Middle East. He was supposed to leave yesterday but things got pushed back and we got an extra day together! We spent alot of time just hanging out at home and Steve wanted some last minute favorite meals (both made by me and dinners out). And also Brian is getting over a little cold so we mostly hunkered down at home this last week for some quality time together. It was sad to let him go but now besides missing him of course, I feel relieved that the hard part of seeing him off and the emotional build up to it, is over finally. Now Brian and I just need to get back into our routine here and get the hang of holding down the fort without the daddy around. I know Brian is too young to understand that Daddy is going somewhere for a really long time but I know he will miss him and all the fun things they do together. I can't even wrap my mind around how Steve feels leaving behind his little guy, you couldn't pry Brian from my hands now matter how hard you tried!!! Steve really is making a sacrifice for our country, in that he is giving up seeing his "baby" for four months! I know I couldn't do it! But of course this deployment is not a choice for him, nor are alot of other things in his life with the Air Force. We'll get through it though and we will reunite again in four months, thrilled to have our daddy back! We have been really lucky in that this is only the second time he has deployed to war and been gone for this long. Hopefully this will be the last time for a while! Below are some pictures from the farewell today. Brian is asleep an hour early since we had to wake him from his nap to bring Steve to the squadron, the wine has been broken out, and I think the DVR is holding a few episodes of mindless entertainment for my enjoyment, so I'm off for now....