*SIGH*

An email was sent out to families of MrE's ship that protestors have scheduled a protest outside the base on the day the ship returns to Norfolk. Flipping idiots. Now, I get the whole freedom of speech aspect. I get that most people do not agree with the war. But do they understand that they had the right to protest because of those soldiers, sailors, airmen that have fought for that right? Do they understand our military members are sent all over God's green Earth because the President & politicians decide that it is to be? Do they understand that families are reuniting after months away from each other? Do they understand that some of our children can read these colorful signs? Do they understand that not all military are returning from a war in Iraq? Some are on humatarian missions. Some are returning from working on strengthening foreign relationships. Flipping idiots!

If you don't agree with policies and/or the way things are done, please feel free to protest at your state & government offices where the politicians are. Write letters to your representatives. Have a politically opinionated blog. Please do not protest where families are reuniting. That is just disgusting.

***UPDATED***

I just finished reading about the group that is scheduling the protest. They have been categorized as a hate group and have been banned from Canada. I was right, flipping idiots!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for so much. I am especially thankful for... My beautiful, healthy boy. My wonderful, loving husband. My supportive family. My husband's safe return from deployment in 4 days. Our next tour, the east coast for 2 more years! My husband's next ship, it isn't slated to deploy until summer 2010. That is 18 months together!!! 1.5 years!!!

I am just so thankful to have the life I have.

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!!!

The Talk

I am up with my parents for one more week before returning *home* to VA, home to my husband. Maybe this is why my father felt the need to have the talk with me while my aunt was there.

dad: I hope you are going to be safe, i.e. taking birth control.
me: Yes, dad.
dad: Because your husband could deploy again soon, and you really should wait...
aunt: Oh, I've already talked to her about having more kids.

I just shook my head. There I was in the middle of the living room having the "safe sex" talk with my father & aunt. At 31. Married.

I guess this just proves "a daughter is a daughter for life..."

Friday Fill In

1. The last band I saw live was Jimmy Buffet, Sep 2007.. (I have seen 4 theater productions since then though - Spamalot, Les Miserables, Annie, & A Christmas Carol, plus a Christmas concert / choir.)
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is a delicious dinner with family without the stress of holiday shopping.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is half way done.
4. Thoughts of going to meet MrE on the pier with Bean fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear my old size, damn post-pregnancy weight.
6. Bagpipes make me sad.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to my cousin's 40th birthday, tomorrow my plans include some heading out with my sister and Sunday, I want to finally get together with Beth for breakfast and then head to my *aunt's* house to visit with everyone before I leave!

Off to the office... When I return I will be a stay at home mom.

A Good Day

I crawled into bed at 2:00am this morning after the last item for the move was in place. Ahh, sweet relief. I was given between a 2 hr window in which the movers would be here, 8-10am. They arrived early. Miracle One. This is when I realized that my father & I would be a little preoccupied with the movers and we had one 9 month old and one 4 month old on hand. Sweet Baby Jesus. I reached for the phone and called my Savior, my SIL Kat. She was awake and at the house in a about 10 minutes. Miracle Two. Since I had already organized all items in three designated areas and placed them in totes or XXL storage bags, the move went very smoothly. They had to repack a very few things, and were out of here in under 4 hrs!!! Miracle Three. This left me the perfect amount of time to clean up Bean, shower & change myself, grab a coffee, and head to Bean's 4 month appt. Early. Miracle Four. (Side note - I am usually running in the door making it just in time or a couple of minutes late. This happens whether I get ready 15 minutes or 2 hrs before. Damn that Murphy!)

As for Bean's appt, Dr.C called him a little "butterball", but a healthy butterball. He is in the 90th percentile for height, weight & head size. Proportionate. We were given the okay for fruits & veggies. He was laughing and smiling for Dr.C. Unfortunately, this was short lived. I really wish MrE was around for these shot appointments. I certainly don't like being associated with that pain. He grimaced. He cried. I cuddled with him. He stopped. He is such a little trooper. If it were only this easy every time. Today, I would have given him a lollipop if he were older, but he's not. So, I guess I'll have the treat instead. **grinning**

All of this was topped off with Bean rolling over on his own for the first time. He has been close the last few days, but just as he was almost over he would roll to the other side, hold, and repeat the process. I know he was thinking, mom why the hayride would I go on my belly? I hate being on my belly! So it was a very productive day here!

Tomorrow I am off to the office. One last time. Again. But tonight I will relax. There is no more to pack, just laundry to do. G-Pa is in the chair with Zilla & Bean singing Row, Row, Row Your Boat. So this mama is going to enjoy a glass of wine, ahem, her treat.

Eleven more days to enjoy with the family before heading home with MrE.

Last Day at Work

Today I took a break from packing to go into work one last time, or so I thought. There was a mini-going away party with cake and some of my friends from work. I brought Bean in for one last visit and he was on his best behavoir. He smiled. He laughed. He ate. He slept. There were some teary eyed moments. My friends gave me a beautiful Irish knot necklace. I love it!!! Nice things were said, hugs were given, and after the chit-chat there wasn't enough time to turn in company owned property. So I'm going back. One more time... Well not one more time really, but at least for now. I could really see myself going back there when we return to MA or if we end up in CA. Who knows? I do know that I have met friends there that will last.

As for tomorrow, the movers will be here bright & early!!! Another day closer.

Winding Down

I am living in a war zone. Seriously. Disorganized. Messy. Chaos. These are all words that come to mind. There are boxes, tupperware bins & XXL storage bags with items that are to survive this move. Other items have been sent to the reserves. No need to bring any baby stuff that Bean has grown out of. Said items will stay in MA until the next boy in the family is born. Just like outdated ships are sold off to other countries, some items have been set aside for the local second hand store. Then of course there are the casualties of war. This includes anything that has served its purpose and no longer has any life left in it.

This is all unstrategically placed throughout the house. I just hope that the gods of moving & gods of childcare do not plot for my demise over the next two nights. Navigating in darkness to my son's crib may be a mission where injuries are sustained. My original plan is a little off and this is not completely due to procrastination. At least this viral thing went around before the drive to VA. With any luck, I will be finished packing tomorrow night. Items will be organized and in two general areas for the movers, who will be here Thursday. Then it will be suitcase living until Dec 2nd. At least it will be minimal disorganization.

So, when MrE was last with us, I was 36 weeks pregnant and so emotional that I cried. And cried. And cried. The crying debachle was before he even left. Surprisingly, there weren't as many tears once he left. Still a few, just not as many. Being in MA with family was so comforting. I will truly miss it here. Six months flew by! Having my parents, my sister & her family, my brother & his wife be part of my journey into motherhood was so special. I cannot begin to thank them for all of their help & support these last 5 months with Bean. That being said, I am so very excited to see my husband. I am even more excited to have our new family together.

And I can't lie, I'm looking forward to having things neat & orderly again! Can we chant, no more boxes!!! That is unless the USN desides to move us come July...

Cutie Patutie

Don't let the carseat & smile fool you, he's a tough boy.

Best Buddies

I have a feeling that there will be some seperation issues between these two little boys... Mon - Fri and some part of the weekend they are together. Zilla is usually crawling towards Bean. He gives him kisses, pats him when Bean is crying, and even holds his hand when they are watching their baby show. Of course some pats are a little tough and must be quickly intercepted. Sometimes Bean is in Zilla's direct path and becomes a mere speed bump. Sometimes there is the theft of the coveted binky. Most of the time Bean instantly smiles when he sees Zilly. Then again, he sometimes looks at me for protection.

Whenever our time in the Navy ends, be it 2 years or 12, we plan to settle back here in MA. Bean and Zilla will be 2 or 12. They will be in the same grade and potentially at the same school. Little buddies. It really is great having them so close together in age. Until that comes Zilla will be missed greatly by Bean.

Home Sweet Home

Yey, we have a home!!! We were just waiting on the contract before all was 100%. We lucked out finding a home on Chesapeake Bay. I grew up on the ocean. I have lived away from the ocean before, but it is where I prefer to be as does MrE. So we are quite happy. Our home is a 3 Bed, 2 Bath. Room for visitors! So come on a tour...

All L-R
1st Row: Front Door, hallway, back of the house
2nd Row: Living room, kitchen, dining area
3rd Row: Master bath, master bedroom, Bean's bath
4th Row: Deck, our view, another view



We're on the marina and just down the road from the beach. There is a neighborhood pool. The best part, I'll be there in 3 short weeks with Bean and MrE!!!

My Little Man

I can't get over how big he is getting or how much it looks like he should go help GPa build something in the garage. I just love him!!!

Happy Veterans Day!!!

This morning we made an early dash to the high school for a spot at the end of the Veterans Day parade route. It is important for us to note when asking my brother for the time of the parade we specify the time for spectators (us) not those marching in the parade (him). So we were an hour early, for once! The parade was such a great tribute. There were veterans past & present, police officers, fire fighters... A nice group of those who give selflessly. The raising of the flag was timed with a BlackHawk flyover, very touching for this Navy wife - Air Force veteran.

I do not have pictures of all family & friends who serve, but here are some. Thank you for your sacrifice, and to the families at home because it is a sacrifice to you as well!



And thank you to Liz for the photo collage idea!!!

Quarantined

We've been hiding here on Whisper Ln. A bit of a cold has passed from me to my son to my nephew to the grandparents and so on. I'm not sure who started this whole mess, but a mess it was. We are feeling human today and the sun is out.

We did manage to dress up on Halloween and visit some family! All of the boys were adorable. I imagine this will only last a few short years. Then there will be no more lion, turkey, bee or monkey costumes. They will be heros, monsters, and the like.


We're also getting ready for our move, 22 days away! The movers will be here tomorrow to inspect what they will have to pack & ship later on in the month. Other than that, we're heading out to enjoy some fresh air & sun. Bean is also letting me know time for lunch. Gotta run!