September!

Holy Crap I love this month. Fall is my favorite time of year and I believe that Fall starts today. Also really good things happen to me in September. Like getting married, 4 years on the 15th. And having Dixon, 1 year on the 22nd. And finishing school with my Associates in Business on the 12th. And moving back to California in about 3 weeks! September is also right before the month I get my husband back!
Dear September,
You Rock.
The End.
p.s. September is also cool because it is Brook's B-day month. Give her a shout out on the 17th!

This guy

Sometimes my heart hurts when I let myself think about how much I miss this guy

Half Way and Almost Done

Half Way
So we are pretty much half way done with this deployment. I still can't say that time has gone by fast for me, because it hasn't. But I feel like I can see the end. Kam is doing good and time is going by really fast for him :) I'm really glad July is here because it will be a busy month for me, then it will be August and then it will be time for me and D to move back to Cali. I am excited to go back to California even if it is 29 Palms. I am ready to live in my own house with my own stuff.
Almost Done
I am also starting my second to last class and I can't wait to be done with school. I hate it. For the past year and half I feel like I always have something hanging over my head i.e. homework. I will only have my associates but if I don't take a break now I will stab my eyes out with pencils. Online classes was pretty much the only option for me because I move sooooo much. I may not hate school so much if I went to an actual campus, but I don't see that happening anytime in the near future.

Accounting is the Bane of my Existance

So I just started my Accounting class last week and it is going to be a rough month. This is not my kind of thing. I will be honest and tell you that in most of my classes I don't read the book, I look up a few things here and there but mostly I just wing it. Im not going to be able to wing it with this class. And to make matters worse I had to order a stupid ebook. ebooks suck. So in order to do my reading assignments I have to be sitting at my computer. Lame. So instead of reading I do things like blog and order new swimsuits.

On a happier note, my Mom bought sidewalk chalk the other day. Its not the glow in the dark kind but I will be getting that later. Me and D were playing with it yesterday morning. D was more interested in eating the chalk than watching me draw.

Rain, rain go AWAY!

For as long as I can remember Malad has always been in a drought. Not enough snow fall, not enough rain, watering restrictions during the summer. Pretty sure the drought is over. It has either rained or snowed everyday since I have moved back. Not cool. Since living in California I have become a wimp when it comes to cold weather. I hate it. All I really want to do is to stand in the sunshine and draw with glow in the dark chalk (have you seen the commercials for that, it looks amazing, and I will totally be buying some. I'm not even going to pretend that it is for Dixon or my nieces and nephews. It will be for me.)
The rain is really messing up my weight loss regime. The regime includes going on a walk and eating less. I do OK with the eating less but I ROCK at walking. But people tend to frown at you if you go walking with your baby during a downpour, so I stopped doing that.
So to sum this post up, mother nature needs to cooperate and bring the sun so I can lose weight and not get Child Protective Services called on me for exposing my child to extreme weather conditions.
P.S. I have lost almost 8 pounds since I joined Weight Watchers. Only 10 to go.

What I've learned in 8 months

Dixon will be 8 months old in 5 days! That is crazy to me. The days seem to take F-o-r-e-v-e-r but the weeks go by so fast. I though I would share some things that I have learned in the past 8 months. Granted it not a lot because D in my first baby and I've only been doing this for 8 months.

• Nap time is sacred. I did not fully understand that until D came along and now I count down the hours till it is nap time :)


• Take all the advice you get with a grain of salt. I still have a hard time with this one because I live with my parents right now and they obviously know more about babies than me (they had 4). But I also need to remember that I am a good mom and its OK for me to do things my way


• Having D on a schedule saves my sanity. But it is also OK to brake the schedule sometimes.


• Its OK to ask for help and its OK to ask someone to watch D for a while. I have a hard time with that. I think it is because Kamas is gone and I feel like I have something to prove ( I don't)


• My right arm is waaay stronger than my left arm because I almost always carry D with my right arm.


• Its OK to let your baby play by themselves sometimes. I sometimes suffer from mommy guilt that I am not entertaining him every waking moment.


• Don't let people pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. i.e. feed your baby ice cream and then have the night from h*ll because he won't sleep and screams all night.


• wearing high heels to church is almost always a bad idea.

Why I Love Malad

This is why I love Malad. Brook ordered my Mom's mothers day present and it was suppose to be here last Friday. We were at the Zoo Friday so there was no one home to sign for it. So now it had to be delivered today. While I was eating lunch in the kitchen (in front of the window) the UPS man (a Malad native) drove past my Moms house. He must have seen me sitting at the table because he stopped, backed up, and pulled into the driveway. When I answered the door the first thing he said to me was "Where is Brook? I have been trying to deliver this package to her house for the past 2 days." I told him Brook works on Mondays. Then the UPS man said "I stopped at the Elementary to have your Mom sign for it, but she wasn't there (she was at a meeting in Idaho Falls.) So I signed for the package and my Mom finally got her late mothers day present and loves it.
Moral of the story: if you live in a small town (Malad) the UPS man will drive around to your families houses and places of employment in order to deliver a package that one of you ordered.

What Happens Next?

I am so incredible proud that our Military was able to kill bin Laden. I know that this is a great day for America.
But now all I can think is what happens next? I can only imagine that there will be some attempts from al-Qaida for retaliation and that scares the crap out of me. Since Kam is in Afghanistan near the boarder of Pakistan I am pretty nervous about these next few weeks.
I haven't heard from Kam since early yesterday morning and I'm pretty sure they are in River City (communication blackout with the States)
So while I am proud and of our Military and know that this is a definite blow to al-Qaida, I can only keep wondering what is going to happen next? And pray that nothing does.

1 lb 6 oz

Is how much Dixon has gained since starting him on formula a week ago! I had to run over to Logan to Walmart to get more bottles and formula so we stopped at D's dr. and had him weighed. No doubt in my mind that switching to formula was a good idea.

It's Official. . .

WARNING: This post contains words like lactating and period (not the punctuation) it also contains my bra preference. If any of these things make you uncomfortable I suggest not reading this post.
I am no longer a lactating member of Society! I made the switch to formula yesterday and luckily for me Dixon loves it. The reason I switched to formula is because D has not gained any weight for about 3 months. He has grown longer and and his head has grown, but no weight gain. D's Dr. recommend supplementing with formula, but I decided to completely switch over. FREEDOM!!!
Now looking back I think my milk supply started to diminish when I started him on solids. He started rice cereal at 4 months, veggies at 5 months, and a few weeks later fruits. Once he started eating solids he wouldn't nurse very long. I still nursed him in the morning yesterday and today because that was the only time I was feeling engorged. I plan on nursing him in the mornings for as long as it takes me to dry up.
Ever since I decided to switch to formula I have been making a Pro/Con list in my head. And now I will share it with you.
Pros

• No longer worrying about what I can wear in public that will allow me to nurse modestly



• Someone besides me can feed him (now that D is eating formula it would be the prime time for Kamas to feed him, too bad he is gone for the next 6 months)



• I can now leave him with a babysitter and not have to worry if I pumped enough milk for him



• I don't have to pump anymore



• Goodbye nursing bra, Hello new Victoria Secret Very Sexy Push Up Bra (TMI? )



• I don't have to worry about him not taking a bottle from someone else (when he was nursing he would only take a bottle from me most of the time)



• I can wear what ever dress I want to church


• I can wear layers without worrying how I am going to nurse with 3 shirts on



• and once again FREEDOM! (the thought just occurred to me that I could now leave D for days at a time without a ton of preparation, not that I would, OK some days that sounds appealing, but I wouldn't do that, probably)

Cons

• I now have to buy formula and it is expensive



• I had to buy bottles because I only had one



• I now have to wash bottles



• I no longer get 7 extra points for Weight Watchers



• I have to make sure that I have a bottle and formula in my diaper bag when I leave the house



• When D eats his bottle he makes a huge mess



• I don't really know how much D will drink at meal times so that sometimes leads to wasted formula



• No more nursing covers



• Formula spit up is way more smelly


• The return of Aunt Flo, seriously the day I decided to give D a bottle I got my period, for the first time in over a year (once again, TMI? )

I guess it is a little bitter sweet that Dixon is done nursing, but honestly I am surprised I lasted this long. If I knew that Dixon loved formula I probably would have made the switch sooner. Mostly I am happy to be done nursing, but I am glad that I nursed D for 7 months.

Update

Here is a little update. I don't want to take the time or have the mental capability (last night D hit a new record on how many times a 7 month old baby will wake up-7) to write cohesive paragraphs so I will use bullet points.

• I started Weight Watchers last night. I'm excited for it but you can't take kids to the meetings so I'm going to have to figure out what to do with D on Thursday nights.


• Both of D's ears are infected and he is teething and that is what is making him a dragon baby. But I think he is starting to feel better


• Kamas called and I got to talk to him for about 15 min.


• My very awesome sister booked me a hot rock massage today and she is going to watch D.


• Part of the reason D woke up so many times last night is because he would wiggle into weird positions and wake himself up


• I can't wait for summer to get here because we have a lot of fun things planned

That's all I can think of right now and D is trying to help me type.

Hard

Today I should be doing a million and one things besides this. I should be doing laundry, picking up my room, doing dishes, doing homework. But I can't seem to make myself do any of it. D is sleeping (hallelujah!) This past week he has been hard. He has been one fussy baby for the past week. He has an ear infection but it doesn't seem to be getting any better, so we are going to the Dr. again tomorrow. But this time we are going to Logan to see D's pediatrician. I hope the Dr. can give me some answers because I feel a little (a lot) helpless right now. So far this deployment has been hard, harder than the other two. Partly because I now have D to take care of and partly because In the 3 weeks Kamas has been gone I have yet to talk to him on the phone for longer than a few minutes. The last 2 times Kamas was deployed he had access to a phone everyday and we were able to video chat almost everyday. I took it for granted. I keep waiting for the weeks to go by so I can look back and say, wow that went fast. So far all I can say is, wow this is taking forever. I miss him. And I hate the fact that he is missing D learn new things. I hate the fact that when D says Dada I have to show him a picture of his dad, and I hate the fact the Kamas hasn't heard him say Dada. But I love that Kamas has a job he loves and is proud of. I love that he takes his responsibility to his troops very seriously. I love that he loves me and D and is able to provide for us. Mostly I love him. Being a military wife is hard and lonely, and so very worth it.

Military Spouse Survay

1. How long have you been a Military Wife? 3 and a half years


2. What branch of Service is you husband in? USMC (Marine Corps)


3. Active/Reserve? Active


4. Whats his job? Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) Crewman


5. How many deployments have you gone through? Just started our 3rd


6. Camo or dress uniforms on your man? Cammies because he looks like a bad ass :)


7. What do you like about being a military wife? I like that I am proud of the job my husband does.


8. Do you live on base? Never have, but we will when he gets back.


9. What is your favorite base so far? Camp Pendleton


10. What is the hardest part of military life? Long separations, hurry up and wait, learning the acronyms (it is seriously a whole other language), and learning military time (after almost 4 years of military life you would think I could figure it out, but I can't)


11. Do you go to the grocery store of the commissary? Both


12. Do you work or stay at home? Stay at home and I'm going to school


13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? Not a lot, but some


14. Do you prefer walmart or the MCX? MCX (Marine Corps Exchange) but walmart was closer to our house


15. How did your husband propose? (if you are my parents don't read this answer)The first time we were in his truck making out before he went to boot camp. The next time it was in his parents living room and this time he had a ring. I said yes both times.


16. Did you marry him after or before he joined? After, but we were dating before he enlisted


17. How long have you been together? We started "hanging out" in May of 2006 but weren't "official" until June of 2006


18. Any kids? One, Dixon, who is being so helpful while I type


19. Any kids yet to come? Eventually


20. Is your husband one of those "I am a soldier hear me HOOAH" types? No because he is a Marine :) but no he is not super Moto (motivated)


21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband? Not really sure what combatives are, if it is like MCMAP, than no. He is way bigger than me and does not know how to play soft :)


22. How many base have you lived at? I have lived at 2 and Kam has lived at 3


23. If you could change one thing about the military? Organization


24. Do you like military balls? They are alright but it is sooo hard to find a modest dress


25. Where does your family live? Idaho


26. What do you do for a job? Take care of D and go to school and be the most awesome wife ever


27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCOs wife? nope


28. Name one thing you do while your husband is gone? hang out with family and lose some weight (hopefully)


29. Do you think other wive do that to? Most def

What was I thinking?

So I have a lot to do in the next few days but I don't want to do it becasue that means that Kamas is actually leaving (well he will leave regaurdless). Right now I am trying to keep up with my homework, which by the way I turned in this weeks assignment last week so now I hope my teacher will accept last weeks this week. I also have a 6 page paper due in 6 days. And I have to pack up our apartment, turn off utilities, and take care of a sick baby that may or may not have RSV. I am seriously wondering why I thought I could do this school thing right now. I want to wave a magic wand and have all of this be done with :)Lets end on a happy note with picutures of my cute baby.

Things on my Mind

• I wonder why in the last 2ish years the thing to do for a lot of women is to start a photography business? I personally suck at taking pictures (most of the pics of D are on my phone) It seems like 1 out of 5 people I know are super in to photography. Don't get me wrong I think it is great and I wish I was better at taking pictures, but I am just confused on where this phenomenon came from.
• I am thinking about cutting my hair but I don't want the mom bob, you know the short hair cut women get once they have a baby. I totally understand why you would do it but I like my long hair, I'm just looking for something a little different.
• I really want to be better about blogging and I am thinking about posting more about military life. I read a ton of military spouse blogs everyday and I love them. I also need to find my camera cord so I can download pics to my parents computer.
• I only have 5 classes left until I have my associates. After that I don't really know what I want to do or what I should get my bachelors in.
• I absolutely love it when D takes long naps during the day, Nap time is the Best time :)
• I finally ordered an electric breast pump and I think that D is close to being done nursing. Lately he is not too interested and won't nurse for very long.
• I think am I going to start weight watchers soon. I want to loose 10-15lbs
• I can't wait till it is warm enough to go on walks with D. I hate being stuck in the house all day.
• Kamas will be here Saturday morning! We haven't seen each other since January 16.

Happy New Years!

2010 was an eventful year Kamas re-enlisted, found out we were pregnant,we moved to a different base, I started school, had baby D, survived 2 month long field Mojave Vipers, a 10 week school, and many trips to the field. Celebrated 3 years of marriage a week before baby D arrived. We have lived together for over a year for the first time since we were married (kind of if you don't count all the time Kamas had to be gone for weeks at a time). It was a good year.

In 2011 we are facing another 4 weeks of Mojave Viper, packing up and moving, and another deployment this summer. Me and D will be moving back to Malad when Kam leaves, unless Emily miraculously get the basement finished in her new house :) I will get my associates degree in September and D will turn 1. We can expect Kam to be home sometime in the fall/early winter. Mostly I can't wait till this year is almost over so Kam can be back home with us :) Good thing D will keep me busy till then.

Here are some more pics of D because that is what people really want to see :)