Day 50

Both kids in the bath at the same time

Knocking out two birds with one stone

Bathtime conversation consisted of the following

"Don't pour water on your sister's head"

"Don't pour water on her face"

"Don't put your bath toys in her mouth"

"Don't press down on her stomach"

"It's ok that her belly button has water in it"

"You can't push up on her bath seat"

"Don't pull on her leg...she'll fall into the water"

"She can't sit in the water she's not big enough yet"

"Don't throw your toys at her she could get hurt"

"If you pour water on her one more time you have to get out"

"You can't push down on her head that will hurt her"

"No, don't move her bath chair it is fine where it is"

"What did I tell you about pouring water on her?"

"Alright bathtime is over...I told you not to pour water on her face"

Then a little screaming and crying

I think my stone needs to be a little bigger

Day 49

Day 49

Actually it is day 50

I missed a day

I don't know when

I don't know how

I don't have the energy to figure it out

Day 48

Home at last

At least to temporary home

Laundry is going

Baths are done

2 kids are snuggled in warm clean beds

Feels so good to be back

But missing hubby and daddy

So hard knowing were at the beginning of a long stretch

That it will be 6-9 months before we see him again

And a year before he's home for good

But the beginning just means the end is closer

Day 47

One more day of travel

So tired

So emotional

So stressed

The first couple days after he leaves are always the worst

I'll be better in a few days after a routine settles in

We talked this morning about the worst goodbye ever

He reminded me it was just a family moment

Family moments happen

Maybe it will be one of those things we look back at and laugh someday

Or maybe we'll look back and just be glad we're past that moment

Day 46

Talk about a bad goodbye

I think we officially can say we had the worst goodbye ever

I am so stressed out, sad, mad

Started with the baby bawling the ENTIRE way back to Fort McCoy

We got there..didn't have the vehicle registration

Had to pull to the side to see what could be done

Hubby is going to be late

Baby still crying

Toddler whining

Adults blaming each other for not having registration

Blaming each other will obviously make it magically appear

Allowed in

Baby still bawling

Hubby about to lose it because of bawling

Yelling at me to do something

Me yelling at him that he needs to deal with it

3 year old whining about wanting his window down or something along those lines

Hubby blasting the radio to drown out sounds

Me crying from stress, frustration, and anger

Then I was upset because I didn't want the hubby to think I was upset because I would miss him so much

But rather because I was so mad at him for yelling at me

Get the idea yet?

I drop him off

Baby still basking

3 year old whining

Mommy crying

Pull over to feed baby

Baby eats, burps, then pools all over herself and me

At this point my only thought is " really?"

Tried to get gas and the machine told me to go see cashier

Left with empty tank as dragging two kids into the gas station to "talk to the cashier" was not about to be on my agenda

What is the point of pay at the pump if you have to go inside

Drive back to the cabin

Baby bawls the entire way

Get back and can't find the babies blanket

Can't find the baby lotion

It's 10 pm and my kids are up

11pm they are both down and out

Thank goodness for wine in my cabin fridge.....

Day 45

I believe that I have been down the waterslide at Yogi bear waterpark more times then I can count

Somehow the hubby ended up watching (ahem...sleeping) with the sleeping baby

And I was stuck going down the waterslide

Over and

Over and

Over again

It was fun the first 20 times

After that I got a little tired

My son was in heaven

Were a little sunburned

Tired as can be

And he's never been happier

Day 44

Spent the day at the indoor waterpark

Was pleasantly suprised at my 3 year olds enthusiasm for water

Enjoyed having a two against two family scenerio

Just love being with my entire family

Day 43

Long.day of traveling

Waiting around to check into the campground

Of course it was freezing out so it was 10 times harder to just sit around

Finally saw my hubby again

Was not impressed with the moustache he grew

Impressed the hubby with my unpacking skills and abilty to unhook the trailer

Finally was able to pass out for the night

Day 42

Day one of travels done

Only listened to 15 minutes of screaming

Arrived at destination with 2 sleeping kids

Success.

Enjoyed a night if catching up

And discovered the wonderments of boxed wine moscato

Wonderful

Day 2 tomorrow and finally get to see our soldier

And I'm bringing the boxed wine moscato with me.

Day 41

A rainy cold day

My 3 year old testing every limit he can possible test

stuck in the house all day

wow, glad both kids are finally down for the night

Tomorrow we begin our week long trek to visit daddy

Should be a crazy, fun, exhausting week

I'm so excited to see my husband for a few days

I'm so not excited to travel with 2 kids by myself and sleeping in a hotel room with my 3 year old

Guess thats just being an army wife

Day 40

I officially joined the committee to bring the yellow ribbon network to my hometown

It felt so nice to get out and do something that I felt was so important

It was so nice to get out of the house and do something besides take care of children

Although I did have to bring my non-bottle drinking infant with me

But she only cramped my style a little bit

Mostly when she decided to poop up her entire back and I had to change her in the corner of the meeting room

Those kids, they sure know how to time things JUST right

I am also apparently the poster woman for the yellow ribbon network

The spouse of a deployed soldier with children who has moved out of her usual area which contains all the support to a new area, such as with grandparents, and needs support in the new area

Glad I can be of assistance

Maybe my picture can be on all the posters for this group

I did use to tell my parents that I wanted to be a star when I grew up

Day 39

It's father's day

My daughter's 1st father's day

My son's 3rd

The first one my husband has missed

Now I'm not huge on these types of days

If my husband was here I'd probably go as far as giving him a card and saying happy dad's day

And that's about as far as I would go as far as celebrating goes

But I still had a moment today where it felt very sad and lonely

I was even more sad and lonely at 10 pm tonight when I had two wide awake kids

Or maybe that was frustrated and irritated

Day 38

My 3 year old is starting to realize something is different

He'll tell you his daddy is in iraq but does he understand what that means?

Probably not

Our breakfest conversation the other day went something like this

" This grandma and papa's house"

Yep you're right

"This not my house"

No this is not our house.

"My house FAR away"

Yep your house is far away

Sits and thinks for a moment...looks off in the distance and says,

"What we doing here?"

How do you answer that so a 3 year old understands?

He doesn't understand where his daddy is

He doesn't understand where Iraq is

He doesn't understand where his dog is

He doesn't understand why were at grandma and papa's instead of his house

This deployment stuff is pretty hard when you're 3

Day 37

Dear child of mine,

I love you very much but I also love sleep

Please stop fighting against such a wonderful thing

I know you are not really hot or cold or starting to poop

Your water cup is full and no one is making to much noise

You don’t need to tell me something or get something and no you did not forget something

It's ok that you can't see because your room is dark

The tag on your shirt is not bugging you because there is no tag

Your special blanket is not dirty and does not need to be washed

So you see my special child I love you a lot but I also love sleep

Day 36

2 kids

No naps

'Nuff said

Day 35

Today I did the ultimate awesome mommy day

I traveled out of town 50 miles to shop in all the big stores

But the part that made me so incredibly awesome was that I did it alone with 2 children ages 3 years and 3 months

Was it fun?

Not really

Did I feel slightly like super mom because I was able to manage it by myself with no significant meltdowns by me or my 3 year old

pretty much.

I went everywhere and got everything that I really needed to get.

Here's the list of accomplishments

Managed to go in a dressing room and try on 2 pairs of pants intended for purchase for myself

only had to tell my 3 year old twice to stop looking at the person changing in the dressing room next to us

Found a solution for my 3 year old to poop his pants in the middle of target with privacy so he didn't run away from me to do it

(The logical solution would have been a locked bathroom stall but try telling him that....he wants nothing of it)

Changed my 3 year old in the trunk of the car because of said poopy pants

Maintained control of my 3 month old's blowout in Burlington Coat Factory

Changed 3 diapers in the front seat

And....

Had 2 sleeping children in the car on the way home

success.

AKA....Ultimate awesome mommy day.....supermom

Day 34

Not a lot to report today

Did some playing

Did some napping

Did some errand running by myself with 2 kids

Errands took 3 times longer than if I hadn't had 2 kids

Took care of all the bills myself

Wished I had a husband to help

Day 33

well Still tired today.

How horrible to be getting old and taking two days to recover, not from drinking all night but from simply staying up late

so pathetic

My 21 year old self would laugh in my face

Back when my nights began at 10:30pm

Those were some fun nights though

But I'm still glad to be in bed at 10:30pm now

I'm currently trying to go to bed as exhausted as I still am

HOwever my daughter has decided the only place she wants to sleep tonight is in my arms

I've been attempting the cry it out method for 15 minutes

But now I just feel bad

I'll probably go hold her some more

I figure I have a year to get her sleeping in her own bed anyway

I'll plan on having it done by the time my husband is home

But tonight I'll go pick her up

Day 32

Oh how I am to old to stay out until 1:30am

Enjoyed my night of old high school friends

Enjoyed that my daughter while not taking a bottle did pass out at 9am and allowed me to go enjoy my night anyway

Did not enjoy getting in to bed at 2am only to get out at 3am to feed my daughter

And then getting up for the day at 7am with my son

I'm way to old for this

Now I'm exhausted and counting down the slow slow minutes until bedtime tonight

Day 31

Over a month now since he left

Had my 10 year high school reunion today

Spent the entire time hearing...."you alone today? "

Then explaining where my husband was over and over

Then hearing, "that must be SO hard! "

Over and over and over

Needless to say I felt a bit leftout in a place where couples were surrounding me and I was alone

Then I kept thinking how much easier it would have been to have the hubby there to entertain our 3 year old while I tried to socialize

After the reunion picnic I had to spend another hour and a half at the park across the street that my 3 year old had been eyeing up the whole time

If husband was there I would have had him bring him over there to play while I socialized

Hubby probably would have been happy to have an excuse to leave for a while

I would have been free to visit and in the end we would have made it home in time for nap

We however did not nap yesterday

And my son spent the entire time seeking out random male classmates to play ball with him

He obviously does not know the concept "stranger, danger'

And obviously misses his dad...a lot

Day 30

My child refuses to take a bottle still

I skyped with my husband tonight

Made plans to skype with him later on without kids around

Kids got in the way and that never happened

Have my 10 year high school reunion tomorrow

Disappointed I'll be attending solo

Can't believe its been that long

Still upset the cashier at Walmart didn't want to see my ID to buy wine coolers the other day

Her exact words were, "oh I KNOW your of age"

*tears*

Followed by complete denial

Day 29

Haven't talked to my husband at all today

Just feels like the day is incomplete when that happens

I wanted to tell him about the new tee ball set our son recieved

And how proud he is when he hits the ball, even just a couple inches

Our daughter was laugh out loud giggling tonight

First time she has done more then just one little giggle

My son was the one making her laugh hysterically

It was the cutest thing ever but as soon as I turned on the video camera she stopped

Such a lonely feeling to have such exciting news to share and laugh about

But when I turn to share my news there is no one to hear it

Day 28

When I thought about having two kids it seemed like a good idea

at the time I also pictured my husband around

Sort of like a tag team effort

You know like those ridicoulsly dumb wrestling shows that are aired at least 3 nights a week

I might have to say the one positive thing I see about my husband being gone is that I NEVER have to see or hear wresteling

I hate it more then anything I think

The throwing guys around, hitting them over the head with chairs and body slamming them on the ground

The kind that has to be fake but my husband insists is really anyway

(yeah right)

But they have the tag team thing going for them

If one gets hurt or tired you just slap your partners hand and they take over for you

Logically with 2 adults and 2 kids it should work out pretty well

Take out the one adult and I'm getting body slammed and hit over the head with a chair all day long

I'm out numbered and pretty sure I'm on the losing team right now

Those kids are just to good

Day 26 & 27

Hot, hot, hot

The last two 90 degree days have been filled with sun, pools, lakes, sand, toys, and friends

We're sunburned and exhausted

In the best possible way

I took one for the "enjoy the nice weather team" and skipped nap both days

Each day around 5 or 6 pm I highly regretted this decision

At about 8 pm while doing our bed time routine and especially 8:05pm when my 3 year old was passed out cold I was glad again for letting him enjoy a full day

I felt bad again when my soldier felt bad because he can't call in time to talk to his son when the overly tired child is out cold so early

It's always something

Day 25

As a 1 and 2 year old my son did wonderful in church

It helped that we have a relaxed church where walking around or moving a bit was not frowned upon

Today I discovered as a 3 year old ....not so much

He was yelling at grandma to say the words instead if silently point to the pictures in his book

Walking all over

Scribbiling on the bullitens

Demanding water and cookies

Case closed ...three year old in church....not worth it

Three year old in the church nursery=mommy won't lose her mind

Day 24

Just another day

Beautiful day

Took a walk

Went to the street fair

Ride the train again...this time a green car which according to my 3 year old is now his favorite color

Although "It's my favorite" is also his new favorite saying so I'm not taking anything to seriously

Figured out which doors my double stroller does and does NOT fit through

Played at the park

Put our feet in the lake

Ate lunch outside

Refused to nap

Missed my husband

Day 23

Hot and sticky day

I'm glad summer is here but really not used to the warm weather

here in the land of ice and snow it takes awhile to adjust to the extremes of weather

Spent a wonderful day at the street fair

We go every year.

Sort of like our family tradition

Our son was there at 10 days old his first year of life

It was a crazy time

Didn't buy anything except train rides behind a tractor and the pinwheel my son took of the display and proudly showed me his "prize" after riding the train

Like I could really say no after that

Went with two other adults and five other children

Do the math, three adults, seven children total

Total outnumber

Made for a much less fun trip also

Between 2 double strollers, a single stroller and 2 elementary age children that had to be reminded to stay close every couple minutes we were the group to avoid

If I hadn't been part of the group I would have done everything in my power to stay as far away from us as possible

I could just see the people walking towards us, spotting our craziness and switching to the other side of the street

Most people are polite about it though, you know pretending to see something far away from us that is extremely interesting as not to offend the fertile group.

Really who could blame them?

Plus with all those strollers and kids its not like we left much room for anyone else

On top of the ridiclous amount of kids it was 80 degrees and humid so it just helped make the outing that much more fun.

I love to be around a ton of sweaty, hungry, overheated children.

But we survived and my day just ended with a little voice that makes my world say "I wuv you too mommy"

Totally worth it.

Day 22

Wow...sure could have used an extra set of hands today

Big negative to the hubby being gone

When I'm in panic mode and in normal circumstances would be screaming ..."get in here and help me!"

I'm reminded that I'm single mom this year and there is no one to run and help me

Although my prediction in this scenario of my strong soldier husband would have been him gagging...covering his mouth and nose and repeating over and over..."I can't (gag) ...I just can't (gag)...seriously I'm going to throw up(gag, gag)

Scenario went something like this,

Baby eating in a very innocent way

Begins to let out some bodily functions

Due to past experience I naturally lean her foward to check the back for diaper overflow

Interesting fact at this point us that this is the first time she hasn't been completely covered up in a onesie and was instead in adorable leggings and a dress

Diaper overflow begins

Imagine a fountain pointing upwards and then flowing down

Instant panic results in baby poop on baby

On cute adorable outfit

On my pants and shirt

On the floor

And topped off with a cupped hand full of said baby poop

Panic

So I ask the only person available for help

My 3 year old

He helps by removing the boppy that was also in my lap that was preventing me from getting up and had somehow avoided the fountain

To bad he dragged it through the poop in the removal process

I'd like to be helpful to all moms out there and let them know how I dealt with this horrific situation but I think I blocked out the worst of it

All that matters is we are clean and well

See what I mean?

Extra hands = good

But the day is over...kids are sleeping ....and we've moved up a size in diapers

Day 21

Finally a nice day

Got out in the jogging stroller

Discovered my not quite 3 month old weighs 16.5 lbs

Realized she should have stopped sleeping in the bassinet part of the pack and play weeks ago at 15 lbs

Spent time at the park

Had a playdate and pizza

Listened to some sing a long songs in bed with my kiddos

Found my suppose to be sleeping son locked in the closet of his room pooping

Considered calling Grandma down to change said poopy diaper

Changed it myself.

Day 20

Another rotton day
No rain but we would have been blown away if we were outside
would have been a perfect day to clean and organize all the stuff we recently dumped in the basement of my parents house
To bad children got in the way if that goal.
The highlight of my day was watching my mother attempt potty training with my recently turned 3 year old
She was so excited about it and helping with him I didn't have the heart to brake it to her that he was using her for her reading abilities
(in the fact that she is simply able to read )
It went something like this

Boedy : I have to poop.

Grandma : You have to poop!?!?! Do you!?! Should we go!?! Let's go downstairs right now!!!! Do you want Grandma to help you?!?!? Let's go!!!! Grandma will give you money!!!! Grandma wants to give you money!!!! Should we go potty!?!?!
Boedy: yes.

This is followed by grandma grabbing my son and running down the stairs lugging him along like a sack of potatos.
Then this step is followed by 30 minutes of reading stories in the bathroom
No bodily functions are excreted.

Repeat above scenario several times.

I learned that reading trick LONG ago
Oh well...we'll be here a year. She'll figure it out
I'll just finish my supper.
and change his diaper later tonight.