Today Carolyn gets to meet her Grandpa Frank! We're so excited!!! We'll pick him up from the airport at 1. C and I have a lot to get ready around the house before we leave to go get him (what I should be doing instead of blogging).
Yesterday, Carolyn had her 2 month well baby check up (it was early because of the leaving stuff). She weighs 12 pounds!!! Wow! She's 22 3/4 inches long and her head is 15 1/2 inches around (grow, brain grow!). She also got her shots yesterday... Of course she hated that, and I had a fussy "hold-me, Mommy!" little girl yesterday. I didn't mind too much... Got me out of doing some housework.
I'm sure there will be pictures of Grandpa time this weekend...
Still feeling so torn about leaving Tuesday. I can't wait to be with Mom, but sure don't want to leave my husband.
Saturday, April 30, 2005
Monday, April 25, 2005
Saturday, April 23, 2005
e.e. cummings
i thank You God for most this amazingday:
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;
and for everythingwich is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;
this is the birthday of life and love and wings:
and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
--e. e. cummings
It helps me breathe.
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;
and for everythingwich is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday;
this is the birthday of life and love and wings:
and of the gay great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any-lifted from the no of all nothing-human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
--e. e. cummings
It helps me breathe.
Friday, April 22, 2005
Expotition Hats
So in case you didn't know, we have these hats... They are our "Expotitioning hats." Andy's came from the days of Civil War re-enacting with his Daddy, and mine came from my Grampa Wherry. We wear them when we go places feeling explorative or adventurous. Of course, Baby Carolyn needed to have an Expotition Hat of her own. This isn't the final one, but it did the job today.
We headed over to the Seaplane Base today and walked along a beach until we determined it was a little too 'offroad' for the stroller to handle--not before we saw some beautiful wildflowers though. After that Baby C. was hungry so we went to the special overlook that Jamie showed us where she had a bite to eat. We figured that would be a good place to take some family Expotitioning Photos, and so... we did.
We headed over to the Seaplane Base today and walked along a beach until we determined it was a little too 'offroad' for the stroller to handle--not before we saw some beautiful wildflowers though. After that Baby C. was hungry so we went to the special overlook that Jamie showed us where she had a bite to eat. We figured that would be a good place to take some family Expotitioning Photos, and so... we did.
Daddy's Girl
One of the most precious things that has come out of the last 2 months is the bond that Andy and Carolyn have already. When he walks in the room, she lights up. She smiles great big smiles anytime he gets close to her. And on his side of things it was love at first sight.
We're so grateful that his squadron gave him the opportunity to spend her first two months here with her. It will be very hard for him to leave us, we know. But... how precious these two months have been. We wouldn't take them back no matter how much it hurts when he leaves. It's like what they say in the Shadowlands... The pain then is part of the joy now... and of course, the joy now will be part of the pain then. Both are important and necessary and beautiful.
We're so grateful that his squadron gave him the opportunity to spend her first two months here with her. It will be very hard for him to leave us, we know. But... how precious these two months have been. We wouldn't take them back no matter how much it hurts when he leaves. It's like what they say in the Shadowlands... The pain then is part of the joy now... and of course, the joy now will be part of the pain then. Both are important and necessary and beautiful.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Six Weeks!
Tomorrow, Baby Carolyn will be 6 weeks old. That seems absolutely unreal to me! Time has just gone by incredibly quickly. As I look back over the pictures, I can't believe how much Carolyn has changed already. My little newborn is gone and this little baby baby is in her place.
We've gotten over the feeling of, "Who is this stranger?" and I think we are getting into the groove of being a family of three. We're even figuring out how to go out and socialize a bit with a wee one in the family. We're also getting used to living on fewer hours of sleep, and Carolyn, bless her heart, is sleeping for longer on SOME nights. (We've gotta fuss sometimes!)
I caught a picture of Baby C. giving us a great big grin today. I know the 'smiles in the ducky seat' might all look alike... but they all show something different to me. And this great big grin--how could I not share it?
We have been borrowing a swing from some friends at church and at first Carolyn DID NOT like it. This weekend we gave it another try, and she's decided that the swing is pretty wonderful after all. In fact, she's swinging away right now!
She's also been spending some time on her tummy practicing lifting up her head and supporting some weight on her arms. Pretty neat, eh?
I can't believe in just a couple of weeks Baby C. will take her first out-of-the-womb plane ride, and that we'll be headed back to first home. I know Carolyn's 'Gramma Caro and Grumpy Frank' are going to be absolutely in love. Well... they already are in love! It'll be pretty special when they can be together in person, though.
That's enough of my gushing. I hope you like the pictures.
We've gotten over the feeling of, "Who is this stranger?" and I think we are getting into the groove of being a family of three. We're even figuring out how to go out and socialize a bit with a wee one in the family. We're also getting used to living on fewer hours of sleep, and Carolyn, bless her heart, is sleeping for longer on SOME nights. (We've gotta fuss sometimes!)
I caught a picture of Baby C. giving us a great big grin today. I know the 'smiles in the ducky seat' might all look alike... but they all show something different to me. And this great big grin--how could I not share it?
We have been borrowing a swing from some friends at church and at first Carolyn DID NOT like it. This weekend we gave it another try, and she's decided that the swing is pretty wonderful after all. In fact, she's swinging away right now!
She's also been spending some time on her tummy practicing lifting up her head and supporting some weight on her arms. Pretty neat, eh?
I can't believe in just a couple of weeks Baby C. will take her first out-of-the-womb plane ride, and that we'll be headed back to first home. I know Carolyn's 'Gramma Caro and Grumpy Frank' are going to be absolutely in love. Well... they already are in love! It'll be pretty special when they can be together in person, though.
That's enough of my gushing. I hope you like the pictures.
Friday, April 15, 2005
Tulips and Such
Andy unexpectedly had a day off on Wednesday and we took advantage of it by going to the Tulip Festival and out to eat at The Olive Garden (see... you CAN be spontaneous with a newborn!).
The tulips were just beautiful. The picture doesn't do the place justice, but the batteries ran out of my digital and I only got one shot. Andy, however, got some GREAT pictures--even some of Carolyn's first 'tiptoe through the tulips.'
In other news, my six week checkup was today (Carolyn will be 6 weeks old on Monday... Is that not insane?!) and I am once again cleared to do sit-ups. I am so very excited. Sit-ups and Pilates here I come!
The tulips were just beautiful. The picture doesn't do the place justice, but the batteries ran out of my digital and I only got one shot. Andy, however, got some GREAT pictures--even some of Carolyn's first 'tiptoe through the tulips.'
In other news, my six week checkup was today (Carolyn will be 6 weeks old on Monday... Is that not insane?!) and I am once again cleared to do sit-ups. I am so very excited. Sit-ups and Pilates here I come!
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Denial...
My friend, Carla, tells me that Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.
I got the "Deployment Fair/Briefing" letter in the mail the other day. It said that the squadron is holding all the get-togethers and get-it-together meetings that are supposed to help you work through pre-deployment stuff.
So I get this piece of paper, and read it and immediately my brain says, "I don't want to go." So I say, "Self--what's the big deal? Why don't you want to go."
And then it dawns on me. If I go to this meeting full of squadronites that I barely know and sit through all the little spiels that will be given... If I do that... it means this deployment is really happening.
*Sock* Reality hits home. Sometimes Reality just sucks.
I got the "Deployment Fair/Briefing" letter in the mail the other day. It said that the squadron is holding all the get-togethers and get-it-together meetings that are supposed to help you work through pre-deployment stuff.
So I get this piece of paper, and read it and immediately my brain says, "I don't want to go." So I say, "Self--what's the big deal? Why don't you want to go."
And then it dawns on me. If I go to this meeting full of squadronites that I barely know and sit through all the little spiels that will be given... If I do that... it means this deployment is really happening.
*Sock* Reality hits home. Sometimes Reality just sucks.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Smurfness, Music, and Friends
We had quite the day today! Andy, Carolyn, Jamie, and I went to our friends,' Bob and Jennie's house. While we were there we had some pretty tasty food, had a very nice visit, did some art, and listened to some live music.
Andy disappeared into Bob and Jennie's studio where he did some pottery. While there he was inspired to immortalize the size of our daughter's feet... So... We poked her little feets into some clay and now have two tiles of Carolyn's little foot prints. Well, that wasn't enough, so we did some paint prints too. That's why for a moment I thought my child was turning into a smurf!
Later, Bob and Jennie got out their fiddle and guitar and played us some music. At first, Carolyn was fussing (she had hiccups and we'd tried to turn her into a smurf for goodness' sake!), but then she started listening to the music and dancing with Mama. In no time she was content enjoying the music, and soon after that she was asleep.
Then we came home and Carolyn and Daddy spent some time talking to one another. She's getting so much more expressive and she's added some happy sounds to her repetoire. We see more smiles each day. She's just such a beautiful little girl and each day that we spend getting to know her, we love her even more.
Andy disappeared into Bob and Jennie's studio where he did some pottery. While there he was inspired to immortalize the size of our daughter's feet... So... We poked her little feets into some clay and now have two tiles of Carolyn's little foot prints. Well, that wasn't enough, so we did some paint prints too. That's why for a moment I thought my child was turning into a smurf!
Later, Bob and Jennie got out their fiddle and guitar and played us some music. At first, Carolyn was fussing (she had hiccups and we'd tried to turn her into a smurf for goodness' sake!), but then she started listening to the music and dancing with Mama. In no time she was content enjoying the music, and soon after that she was asleep.
Then we came home and Carolyn and Daddy spent some time talking to one another. She's getting so much more expressive and she's added some happy sounds to her repetoire. We see more smiles each day. She's just such a beautiful little girl and each day that we spend getting to know her, we love her even more.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Sunday, April 03, 2005
A Beach With WAVES!!!!
Oddly enough, this raised-in-Illinois plains girl has come to need the ocean. If I go too long without seeing it, I get antsy and cranky and restless.
So you're going--You live on an Island, you crazy woman... You see the ocean all the time!
Well, really I see an inlet part of Puget Sound all the time and that means that most of the time there are no waves. The water is beautiful, and I love it... But I need the waves. I need the rhythmic in and out breathing of the water crashing against sand or rocks. I need to see the waves curl one upon another infinitely. I have been saying to Andy for a few months now... "Sometime, you need to take me to some waves." We didn't think we could find them here on the Island.
But, we needed to get out of the house yesterday, so we went on an expotition (that's the W. T. Pooh way of spelling it) to Ft. Ebey State Park. We drove around and saw some cool gun batteries, and then drove some more. We turned a corner... And there... was a BEACH with WAVES!!!! Oh I was like a kid at Christmas. I even frolicked--which I haven't done since I lost the weight of the child I was carrying in my womb and all the other stuff that goes with it. It was chilly so we were trying not to get Baby C out too much, but I just HAD to show her the REAL OCEAN!!!
And so we did. The photos commemorating the event are below.
I am SOOO happy we found a real beach with waves. I can't wait to go back! I talk about the tough stuff that goes along with Navy wifeness a lot, but the opportunity to live on the coast... on an Island... lots of different places, is so very wonderful. What a blessing!
So you're going--You live on an Island, you crazy woman... You see the ocean all the time!
Well, really I see an inlet part of Puget Sound all the time and that means that most of the time there are no waves. The water is beautiful, and I love it... But I need the waves. I need the rhythmic in and out breathing of the water crashing against sand or rocks. I need to see the waves curl one upon another infinitely. I have been saying to Andy for a few months now... "Sometime, you need to take me to some waves." We didn't think we could find them here on the Island.
But, we needed to get out of the house yesterday, so we went on an expotition (that's the W. T. Pooh way of spelling it) to Ft. Ebey State Park. We drove around and saw some cool gun batteries, and then drove some more. We turned a corner... And there... was a BEACH with WAVES!!!! Oh I was like a kid at Christmas. I even frolicked--which I haven't done since I lost the weight of the child I was carrying in my womb and all the other stuff that goes with it. It was chilly so we were trying not to get Baby C out too much, but I just HAD to show her the REAL OCEAN!!!
And so we did. The photos commemorating the event are below.
I am SOOO happy we found a real beach with waves. I can't wait to go back! I talk about the tough stuff that goes along with Navy wifeness a lot, but the opportunity to live on the coast... on an Island... lots of different places, is so very wonderful. What a blessing!
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Friday, April 01, 2005
Double Emotions
Well... It's the part of this year where I start feeling two feelings over everything (usually more than 2, but 2 dominant). I haven't stopped being grateful for Andy still being here, and our dodging separation on this detachment... but we're about to enter the phase of much separation. We will probably have one three week break from it after the beginning of May, and then it will be lots of apartness.
So... I have these feelings of gratefulness that Andy is here, and dread that soon he won't be. I get excited about milestones for little girl and realize her daddy won't be here to see them. I think about the time when we'll be getting more sleep, and know that I'll be the parent home during that phase. My thoughts about her "firsts" include brainstorming ways to show Daddy.
When people mention dates that happen after the beginning of May--Dates of weddings, or holidays, or other events--I automatically file them into the 'Things Andy will be gone for' category.
We need to get things in order for him to be gone. Need to get the Power of Attorney and such in order, and make a Daddy Video for Carolyn.
It's such a tearing feeling--Feeling joy for him being here, and sadness at him leaving... And everything seeming to have double meanings.
But we will get through it like we get through everything else: by waking up each morning and continuing to put one foot in front of the other, doing what needs done and focusing on light and love.
And I AM grateful that he is here NOW.
So... I have these feelings of gratefulness that Andy is here, and dread that soon he won't be. I get excited about milestones for little girl and realize her daddy won't be here to see them. I think about the time when we'll be getting more sleep, and know that I'll be the parent home during that phase. My thoughts about her "firsts" include brainstorming ways to show Daddy.
When people mention dates that happen after the beginning of May--Dates of weddings, or holidays, or other events--I automatically file them into the 'Things Andy will be gone for' category.
We need to get things in order for him to be gone. Need to get the Power of Attorney and such in order, and make a Daddy Video for Carolyn.
It's such a tearing feeling--Feeling joy for him being here, and sadness at him leaving... And everything seeming to have double meanings.
But we will get through it like we get through everything else: by waking up each morning and continuing to put one foot in front of the other, doing what needs done and focusing on light and love.
And I AM grateful that he is here NOW.
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