Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #11

Up:

• Three Days before we meet our beautiful baby girl! I keep saying that I am ready and I am ready not to be pregnant anymore and to meet our sweet little girl. The part I'm not ready for is how tasking it is to have a new baby much less having a newborn with an 18 month old. Here's hoping I can adjust quickly! Good thing is my parents will be here on Tuesday to help out and Mike will get some time off work!
• Watching Jackson and Mike play together just makes my heart melt. Earlier this week Mike was golfing in the backyard and Jackson immediately picked up a club and tried to do everything Daddy was doing! It's so great that he has a male role model back in his life to show him the things that I cannot. Today we went bowling since it was raining outside. Jackson is in LOVE with bowling and did not want to go home!

Down:

• Jackson has been exceptionally whiny this week. I don't know it if was because Mike had to go back to work, the change in sleep schedule over the weekend, or the weather not permitting as much playtime outside. Whatever it is, I hope it self corrects by tomorrow morning and I can have my happy, go lucky, little guy back!

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #10

UP:

• Jackson turned 18 months old on Monday and also got his first haircut. He didn't seem to mind at all. In fact he laughed when the guy started using the clippers on his neck - I think it tickled! It definitely helped having Daddy hold him during the haircut. Our little guy is growing up so quickly.

Jackson's First Haircut!

So handsome!

• The first big purchase Mike made (the day after he got home) was an electric smoker. He's wanted one for a long time, but they aren't cheap, so we just kept putting it off for more necessary purchases. Now I'm wondering why we didn't get this thing sooner! He smoked a brisket on Tuesday while his parents were in town. OH MY GOODNESS - it was delicious! We used mesquite chips of course, being from Texas! On Wednesday the weather got cold here, so we used the leftover brisket and put it with ground beef to make chili. It was by far the best chili I've ever made, maybe even the best I've ever eaten. Looking forward to many more meals from this wonderful contraption! I think we may even try to smoke a turkey at Thanksgiving!

• The countdown is narrowing, we are a week and a half a way from meeting our baby girl! While my weight gain has slowed, I still feel ginormous! I can't wait to hold her and to have the ability to tie my shoes again! On another note, the doctor told me that the c-section was scheduled for 6 am and Kennedy would be born by 7:30. That is a bit early, don't you think?!

Down:

• Many of you know that I was (am) a Registered Dietitian prior to being a stay at home mom. I have had a huge struggle with Jackson and his picky eating. I mean this is what I did for a living, give advice to others about food related issues, and I can't seem to get my own son to eat. This week's 18 month check-up was pretty eye opening. Jackson has only gained one pound since his 12 month check-up, but he's gained over 3 inches. He is in the 17th percentile for weight and the 92nd for height. It's not really that he won't eat, because he does, it is finding something that he will eat. He doesn't ever want to try new things and eating out is an even bigger challenge. Kid's menu items aren't always cheap especially if you don't know if he is going to scarf it or eat two bites. I'm hoping this is just a phase that he will grow out of, but it is really frustrating.

Mike & Jackson enjoying some popcorn and watching Finding Nemo. Too cold and wet to go outside and play.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #9

UP:

• HE'S HOME!!!!! Mike returned from a nearly 7 month deployment on Tuesday night. He was originally flying a jet back, but with all the delays and maintenance issues he kept getting delayed. Both of us were starting to worry if he was going to make it back before Kennedy was born. The opportunity presented itself in Spain for Mike to switch and get a direct flight on a C-17 and he jumped on it! It was all very sudden and I didn't find out until the night before. I cried for like 20 minutes before I could even call anyone to let them know he would be home then. It was such a relief! 
• Now back to HE'S HOME!!! It's amazing how quickly our family has already settled back into functioning as a family unit again. I figured it would take a while to transition back to relating with each other in the same way and for Jackson to remember Daddy. It has taken no time at all. Jackson recognized Mike right off the bat, but it took only a few hours before he remembered what it was like to have Daddy around. They've been getting along great! Same with Mike and I, it's like he never left! We are so excited he made it back safe and sound. Most of his squadron has also returned, but there are still a few guys that won't be back for another week or so....Please pray for their safe return as well.

Jackson...ready for the plane to land! Rover is Mike's call sign.

Out at the flight line, watching Mike's plane land.

It was torture...we got to watch the plane land and then all the guys were bused inside for customs. All we could do is wave as they drove by and wait for ~30 minutes until customs was finished with them.

Our good friend Adam Mattheis was on his way back to Lakenheath from deplyoment in Korea and was able to help us welcome Mike home! So glad he also made it home safely!

He's Home!

Jackson getting some cuddles with Daddy!

Had to show a couple of pics of the house. This is a wreath I made for Mike's homecoming!

We had the sign, sparkly garland hung from the porch, and of course yellow ribbons on the twigs known as trees out here!

• Yes, we have another up! While nothing can top Mike coming home, this is pretty big too! Friday, we purchased a 2007 Honda Odyssey! We are officially mini-van owners! For all of you out there that don't have children, you have to understand that a mini-van to a parent is like a loaded Audi or something for you! It makes life so much easier. There is a ton of leg room, car seats fit with ease, the kids have vents in the back to keep them cool/warm, leather seats for easy clean up, TONS of storage space for toys, snacks, etc., a DVD player for long road trips....I could go on and on! I absolutely love it! Plus we got a great deal with trading in Mike's car!

Posing for a pic with Mike, the car salesman, before we drove off in our new van!

Down:

• Seriously hard to find a down after a week like this! Jackson is super attached to Mike now, but there is this panic anytime Mike leaves the room or Jackson has to go to bed. Jackson thinks Mike will leave again and he starts crying and saying, "Daddy, Daddy." It's starting to get a little better, but I can totally understand where he is coming from. In the meantime, we are just trying to be reassuring and let him know Daddy is not leaving, he's just going potty or at work, but he'll be back soon. At any rate, it gives me great joy seeing the two of them together again, especially now that Jackson can communicate! Hopefully he will understand that Daddy is sticking around for a while!

Love this pic my friend Heather took of Mike and Jackson! 

Mike and Jackson out to welcome another group of jets home!

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #8

Up:

• So happy for all my wonderful friends that have their spouses back after this long deployment! It fills me with such joy to see the jets come in and all the reunion pictures and to know that mine is just around the corner!
• Monday marked one month until our baby girl will be born. Can't wait to meet Kennedy on October 19th; I know she will be such a joy in our lives!

Our beautiful baby girl's profile at 20 weeks (you only get more sonograms if you have a high risk pregnancy). Can't tell a whole lot from it, but I'm pretty sure she and Jackson have the same nose!

Side profile at 35 weeks along!

• So many wonderful family members with birthdays this week. My Mom's was Thursday and my brother-in-law, Andy's was Friday. Popo (John Gaschen), Mike's grandfather's birthday was also Friday. Though he is no longer with us it gives me great pleasure to think how proud he would be/is of Mike right now. They were the best of buds and Mike lived with him through college. Such a great man and Mike is following right in his footsteps!

This was Mike and I with Popo at our wedding. He was already pretty sick here, but he was a fighter!

Down:

• You know the saying, "a watched pot never boils," well that is how I feel about time passing this week. When you want time to pass quickly it seems to slow down to a snail's pace. I'm so ready for Mike to get here, but I'm trying to be patient. The other downside is that with the AF nothing ever happens as planned, so Mike has already been delayed more than once. Lets just pray that from here on out there will be no more delays and we will be reunited soon!

Here are some pics from this week:

Jackson eating alphabet soup! He decided it was a good time to also show me how much he knows about his facial anatomy! Needless to say we went immediately to the bath! 

Jackson and Kenlee (our friend Kellie's daughter) sitting in the chair together. They proceeded to switch shoes after this picture was taken - too cute!

Jackson and I with Sparky, the fire dog, during our tour of the base fire station.

Jackson wasn't too interested in the fireman, he just wanted to see the trucks!

Jackson walking through the cab of the fire truck!

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #7

UP:

• During this deployment the spouses had 'secret sisters' that we gave words of encouragement, gifts, and support. On Friday, at our squadron potluck, we had a 'secret sister' reveal! I was really excited to find out who mine was because she did such a great job and always seemed to know what to say or give Jackson and I to perk us up. It was our friend Amy Baker, which is also funny because I had her watch our house while we were in Colorado this summer when my secret sister made a delivery! Anyway, for my final gift, she gave me a very special necklace with Mike & I's names on the outer circle, Jackson's name on the middle circle, and Kennedy's name on the inside circle - I love it!
• Another very productive day on Saturday while Jackson was at 'Give parent's a break'. I will share pictures later, but I completely finished Kennedy's nursery with the exception of hanging one item that I have yet to get from Zulily. Once it comes in, I will post all the pictures!
• Today Jackson and I went to the air show here on base. Over the course of the weekend, the expected turn out was 80,000 people which is crazy to think about on this small base in this small town. We had a great time and Jackson LOVED the airplanes. I was so worried that the loud noise would bother him, but he just got more excited! I'm now exhausted though because we were there from 11:30-5pm. Luckily I have the best kid because he was completely well behaved and even took a little snooze! Here are some pics/videos of our day (Sorry the videos aren't the best quality):

F-15 Demo Team = AWESOME!!

Jackson wearing his cool shades!

The Thunderbirds!

Down:

• Same 'ole complaint here. I'm so ready to have Kennedy. I actually think I will get more sleep once she arrives than I'm getting now! She sits so much lower than Jackson did and it is just really hard to move around comfortably. It will definitely help having Mike back home to help out with things like carrying Jackson up and down stairs or bending over to give him a bath. Until then, I better just suck it up and quit complaining because I'm only going to get bigger!
• It really stinks living so far away from family. When we were growing up our birthday parties largely consisted of just family unless it was a milestone birthday. Today my niece Katherine turns 3 and I can't be there for her or any of my other nephew's birthdays. It just seems like time passes so quickly and all these kids are getting so big, but I'm not a part of it. Maybe some day we will all live closer.

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #6

Ten years ago today I was a senior in high school sitting in Mrs. Vernon's English class when we heard the news that the towers had been hit. Hard to believe that much time has passed since then because I remember it like it was yesterday. America will never be the same as it was pre-9/11. Today as we remember, I pray especially for the families of the victims and for the countless men and women of the armed services that have and continue to put their lives on the line for our nation. I am very proud to be married to one of them!

Up:

• Along those same lines, this weekend the town of Mountain Home hosted the 51st Annual Air Force Appreciation festivities. Literally the entire town lines the down town streets for a parade followed by a free barbecue in honor of all the local service members. It was even more special this year with all our spouses deployed. Our group was significantly smaller with our guys away, but I'd say we did a great job showing our T-bolt spirit! I am so blessed to be in the company of such brave, strong and wonderful women! Here are a few pics from the day:

Jackson and I waiting for the parade to begin. Our float was near the end, so we waited for over an hour and a half for our turn, but Jackson was such a trooper!

Our Float! Yes, it was falling apart before the parade began, but we gave it our best effort!

Jackson must have been worn out from all the candy and bead throwing!

• As I mentioned in last week's post, my Aunt Marva came into town this week to visit. Jackson and I had such a great time with her and she was a huge help chasing after Jackson! The weather was great while she was here so we took in some good shopping, toured Twin Falls and played in the water at Lucky Peak. I think Aunt Marva was happy to escape the 100 degree summer of Dallas.

Aunt Marva in front of Shoshone Falls!

Jackson and I by the Snake River!

Aunt Marva and Jackson splashing around in Lucky Peak Lake

Loves his Aunt Marva!

Down:

• It has been great getting to talk to Mike more during this last third of the deployment. He is on night shift now which happens to be our day time, so the timing of calls works out much better. Now that things are winding down he has been really busy though and unable to call as often as he was previously. The hard part about this is that any time the phone rings or I open my computer, Jackson gets really excited and says, " Daddy!" Breaks my heart every time. I keep telling myself - soon. Soon he won't think Daddy lives in the computer and he'll have someone to play ball and wrestle with like only a daddy can do. Until then, I just have to tell him, "no sweetie, Daddy isn't home right now."
• My parents were in Puerto Vallarta this week on vacation, which is definitely great for them and much needed, but I missed talking to them. I talk to my Mom every day and my Dad pretty often too, not to mention the fact that we Skype probably once a week. Thankfully Aunt Marva was here to keep me occupied, but I still missed our daily phone conversations. Luckily they made it home safe and sound last night, so we'll have plenty of catching up to do!

Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #5

This week was fairly uneventful, although I know we were really busy! Here are the highlights:
Up:

• September is here! I love fall usually because of the weather, football season, the start of school, any type of pumpkin food, and the decorations. This year September will hopefully be even more special because Mike is scheduled to come home. I can't wait to have him back home and partaking in everyday activities again.
• My Aunt Marva (my Mom's sister) chose to spend her Labor Day holiday with Jackson and I. She flew in on Saturday and will be here almost a week. It has only been one day, but we are having a great time and I can't wait for the rest of the week! Jackson has already shown her all his toys and had her read just about every book in the house!

Down:

• Major downer, Jackson and I both had have nasty colds this week. Jackson, like me when I get sick, has those sickly little eyes and cuddles a lot. I don't mind the cuddling at all, but I hate that there isn't more I can do for him. With all the trouble breathing, he hasn't been sleeping well and has you know when baby doesn't sleep momma doesn't sleep either! Hopefully it will pass quickly and Aunt Marva doesn't catch it before she goes home.