Once Last Quick Goodbye

Abigail and I went to visit Stephen one last time before he heads off to Iraq. We were there Friday to Tuesday (supposed to be Thursday to Monday but my flight was canceled). We had a really nice visit. Time went by so fast as we knew it would.

We got to see where Stephen lives. If you look at this building he is on the second floor second door from the left.

Of course it isn't the biggest place I've ever been in, but he gets by. This is the room from the inside. He has his own living space which consists of a bedroom that has a twin bed, a dresser, a desk and a window. There is a sink and counter and walk in closet in his space also. There is a door that leads to the shared kitchen and bathroom. The kitchen has a fridge, sink, microwave, counter space, cupboards and two person table and chairs.

Hey, it beats living in a 40 man bay in a bunk bed and showering with a bunch of other guys every day.

Here is a picture of the closet full of Stephen's gear. Yea, if he is taking up a whole walk in closet with nothing but Army gear I want to know where we are going to put all of our clothes when we live together again!! MY CLOSET!

Okay parents don't freak out!! Yes, Stephen got a tattoo. A soldier ain't a soldier til a soldiers been tattooed (There's No Business Like Show Business -except soldier is sailor). He has been wanting this tattoo for 10 years. We figured before you go to war you are allowed to do something outrageous. It is below the neckline completely. He only wants this one in his lifetime. It will not hinder any promotions in any way being on his back and completely covered. It was the smartest spot to put it (if there is such a thing). Even better than the foot I would say.

Abigail and Daddy really got to bond. We were sad that the boys couldn't come too, but it was too expensive. At least the one on one time gave Stephen and Abigail a chance to get to know each other a little better before he leaves. She will so big when he gets back. We all know videos and pictures can never really capture your child.

Logan had a little action of his own while I was gone. He thought it would be a good idea to play too close to the edge of the play equipment at the park. Grandma Kay was telling him to watch out behind him there was a whole but he thought he would be funny and back away from her. Well, needless to say it didn't end well. Logan fractured his right collar bone. He will be fine. He will not require surgery. He keeps his arm in the sling for the most part and doesn't use his it.

I tried to use a scarf of mine to help keep his arm against his body better and keep his arm from coming out the bottom of the sling. He did well but even the smallest sling was too big for his tiny frame. This helped. Poor little dude.

Zack will be heading to Illinois next week to spend two weeks with family there. We were all going to go but I have to start thinking about saving up for our move to Texas. He is so excited it's just about all he talks about. He will be braving the airplane solo. I'm stressed about it but I don't think he is. I am even more upset because I can't even take him to the airport. Due to him being a minor he has to have direct flights only and the only flight I could find that was affordable was out of Phoenix. With Abigail breastfeeding and Logan being broken it just isn't possible for me to make the trip.

No Time To Title

I know I should have posted a few times before now, sorry. My life is insane. I feel like a champ if I make it to the end of the day without exploding.

Abigail Louise Hanna was born on April 17, 2009. She weighed 6lbs 8 oz and was 18 1/2 in. long. Mommy had no problems and says that this was the easiest of all 3 deliveries. Abigail was healthy as can be and just perfect. Daddy was able to be there for Abby's birth. He had to report back in on the 20th to Texas.

Upon reporting into Fort Hood, TX Stephen found out that he will be deploying to Iraq. This puts a damper on the family moving to Texas to be together any time soon. He will be leaving for Iraq on June 19th and should be returning home some time in January 2010. Needless to say we are not exactly excited about this.

I have been dealing with things as best I know how. Life is really crazy and stressful. Taking care of a toddler and newborn while your husband is gone is a journey I do not recommend embarking on. We do our best to make it to the end of the day unscathed. So far we are doing ok.

I returned to work last week for my in laws. To my surprise it went pretty well. My brain isn't as quick as it used to be and I am having troubles retaining things (stress I guess) but I did OK. Of course it takes me longer to get things done, but I will get the hang of juggling work and the two young one (they come with me for those of you who don't know that). I am only working 3 days a week right now. If all goes well I may pick up more days, but for now that is all I can handle.

Stephen is doing ok I guess. He doesn't say much but I think he is stressed. He has been working out a lot lately with some of his buddies. It is good that he is so great at making new friends. He has never had a problem with that.

Zack got out of school a couple of weeks ago. He found out his best friend and next door neighbor is moving. Colleen (his mom and my friend) offered to watch Zack while I work this summer so that the boys can spend as much time as possible together before they move. He is doing well other than that. He has been trying a bit harder to help me lately which I greatly appreciate. We still have our days but we are making it work. He will be going to Illinois for a couple of weeks this summer to visit family. We were all going to go but I decided the money would be needed for the move in January.

Logan is good. He is growing like a little weed. He is in his terrible two's like no other! He can either be the most polite little sweetheart you have ever met or the biggest monster. He is really good with Abigail. He loves her to pieces. I think he gets a bit jealous of her though. He only takes it out on me and Zack at this point though. We are trying to give him as much attention as possible but if you have ever had a newborn and all the responsibilities of the household and work you know how hard it is to manage it all.

Abigail and I are going to see Stephen this coming Thursday for a long weekend. This will be the last he sees of any family before he leaves for Iraq. We are excited but stressed about the visit. I didn't do very well when I thought the last visit was the last. I hope I can keep it together so we can enjoy our last 4 days together.

That is all for now. I know I am bad at keeping everyone updated. I am not going to lie and say I will get better because I most likely won't with everything I have on my plate. Sorry.

Yikes Stripes!! The End is Near

Well, I'm almost done cooking. 34 1/2 weeks along now. Since I will be induced at 38 weeks if Abigail hasn't made her appearance on her own by then, this gives me just 3 1/2 weeks left to go. I think I am more scared than excited, but I am trying to embrace it.

Stephen will graduate on the 27th and come home on the 28th for 3 weeks. He has done very well and was awarded Jr. Leader of the Cycle which is the highest honor given to a soldier at this point. It is given to only one soldier each cycle and he was picked this time out of almost 400 other soldiers. We are extremely proud of him!!

The boys are good. We went to see Thomas and Friends live on St. Patty's Day. This was more for Logan but Zack had fun eating a ton of cotton candy. It was a really good time. Kay also went and the evening was a gift from her and Larry to the boys.

I was thrown a surprise baby shower last night. I thought I was going to my weekly game night at my next door neighbors house and SURPRISE it's a baby shower!! It was hosted by Colleen my good friend and neighbor and seems to have been colaborated my many. Thank you to all involved, it was beautiful. I am very spoiled and feel very privleged to be surounded by such great people.

I am missing out on my father's 60th birthday party tonight. The family is getting together to celebrate back home (Illinois). I wish I could be there. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!

I hope everyone is well. I know I am terrible at calling people and keeping in touch these days. I am sorry for that. Life is so insane when you are pregnant, have a toddler in his terrible two's, have a nine year old, work most of the day and your husband has been gone for 8 months. Please don't take offense to my lack of contact.

Okay, don't fall over. So I decided not to wait 6 months between blog posts, big deal. I just don't want to clean my house and thought this would be something I could say I did that was still productive. hehehe

The boys are great. Zack just earned his Bear Badge in Cub Scouts. He was excited. Sorry no pictures because his den leader isn't very good about contacting us and we didn't know he was getting it until they called him up. GGGgggrrrrrr

School is going well for him right now. He has improved a great deal over the last few months. He earned most improved student of the month a little while back. His spelling grades have proven his increased effort. His continues to work 1:1 with his teacher every Friday which is a big help.

Logan is a big boy now. He has gone pee in the potty 3 times today!!!! I only put a diaper on him once so far today and that was to lay him down for his nap. WWWWWooooo HHHHooooo

He is a combination of sweet heart and monster most days. He loves to throw food all over the kitchen at every meal time. I can't figure out how to stop this behavior. I take his food away and put him in timeout and he laughs. I make him clean it up and he thinks it's a game. I ignore him and he again thinks it's a game. I don't even know what to do with him. I hate the terrible two's!!!

Stephen is okay. He has been injured for over a month and every time he thinks he is getting better he injures himself again. It is his ribs. He had an x-ray but nothing appears to be broken. He thinks he tore a muscle.

Beside physically he is doing great. He is still on track for Honor Grad. He's scores are still really high. He was put up for soldier of the week and came in second then put up for another award and came in second AGAIN. He really hopes to get selected again so he can grab 1st this time.

I went and saw Stephen for Valentine's Day. I was there 3 days. We had such a great time. It was so nice to have that time to reconnect. It is really hard having a long distance marriage sometimes, especially when you are pregnant.

Speaking of pregnancy, mine is going great. I haven't had any big issues to speak of. Just my heart thing still. It is a little annoying but nothing I can't handle. I have been doing good with weight gain. I think I will gain a bit more this time than with Logan but that is probably good since I really didn't gain enough last time. I am 31 weeks (on Tues.) now and feel and look the part. I haven't been very good about taking belly pictures so sorry I don't have any for you. Trust me, it's there and getting big. Just picture what I would look like if I had swallowed a women's basketball and was holding my shirt up. That's about right.

I just want to give a quick shout out to Bonnie (my step-mother) who just completed her round of radiation treatment. She recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been a trooper in her battle to kick it's butt!!!!! GO BONNIE!!!!! Remember to show your support to all the women you know who have fought this battle. Early detection is the key ladies!!!!

A Little Past The 1/2 Way Mark

Well it has been a while, sorry about that. As you can imagine life is a bit busy and exhausting for me. It can be a bit much sometimes being pregnant, working, taking care of a 9 year old and 2 year old boy, and having your husband away. I do what I can.

Everyone is doing pretty well. Stephen is nearing the end of his training. He has about 8 weeks left. I think he would back me saying he will be happy to move on to the next stage of his career. He is tired of living with a bunch of guys in bunk beds. He has made some great friends but he had also found some people he can't wait to get away from.

At this point he is on top with education and physical training. As long as he can stay on this path he will be able to get honor grad. That would go on his record and look really good when it comes to promotions and opportunites.

The sad part is that Stephen has basically been fighting cold after mutan cold since he left 5 1/2 months ago. As soon as one passes another one comes. He can't wait to be rid of all the germs that come with mass living.

Zack is doing ok. He is still being a handfull and a 1/2. He is improving in school. His teacher is a great help. He has been tutoring every Friday 1:1 with him and it seems to be working. He had is Pinewood Derby car race this last weekend. He didn't do so hot but it was fun. He still hangs out with the nextdoor neighbor boys all the time. They are good kids and I really love their whole family so it is great. Besides his friends everything is Star Wars right now. He got tons of Star Wars toys for Christmas and is always looking for the "rare" guys at the store when we go.

Logan is getting big (still small though). He is a little chatter box. That kid says anything now. Don't say it if you don't want him to repeat it. Between him speaking and signing there is nothing he can't get across anymore. He is into Thomas, Cars, Wall-E, trucks, and playing outside. He moved up to a toddler bed at Christmas with no problems. He loves being a big boy. He still won't come out of his room without permission most of the time though. He will open and shut the door until you tell him he can come out. It's cute.

As for me, I don't even know. I really don't have much time to do much besides stick to my mom routine. My days are basically always the same as the one before; go to work, come home and pick up Zack, start some laundry, make dinner, clean up the massive mess that Logan makes all over the kitchen at dinner, get the kids ready for bed, pass out. That's about it. I keep the house picked up but can never seem to find time to do the deep cleaning. I still try to play games with my girlfriends every few weeks or so. We took a break around the holidays but are trying to get back on track. I have been reading a lot lately. When the kids are watching T.V. or if I'm not tired once they are down. It's all about the Twilight series right now. I'm 1/2 way through book 3.

We are all really missing Stephen. I know he feels the same about us too. As it looks right now we won't be able to join him until after the baby is born and big enough to move. We are 26 weeks along right now so if that tells you anything about the long road we still have to endure until we can all be together again. By the time it is all said and done we will have been apart for about 11 months I think. His orders say Texas at this point but that can change anytime from now til the it's time to report basically. If we hear anything new I will let you all know.

Take care and keep in touch.

Your Left Your Left Your Left Right Left

Stephen has done it, he graduated from Army Basic Training on October 23, 2008!!!!! We are so proud of him. His mother (Kay) the boys and myself all flew to Missouri for the event. It was a long journey but worth every agonizing minute. Stephen looked so handsome in his Class A uniform. He gained 12 pounds of muscle in the 9 weeks he was in training. He weighs more than he ever has. You can tell he is proud of all his accomplishments. He seems to walk a little taller now.

The boys were very happy to see him. We were worried Logan wouldn't take to him right away but he did. He knew that was Daddy. He wouldn't stop staring at him for quite a while. It was cute. He played with and showed Stephen all the changes he has made in the last 9 weeks too. Stephen couldn't believe how much he talks now. I tried to count and am guessing he is up to around 75 words now and adds new ones everyday it seems.

It was so hard to drop Stephen back off after his 11 hour family day visit. I cried more this time then when he left home to start basic. I guess I knew how hard it is this time. Zack was very upset too. It broke my heart to see him so sad.

Stephen left the next day for a long bus ride to Fort Sam Houston, Texas which is in San Antonio. He arrived early Saturday morning. Upon arrival they were informed that they were not going to be starting AIT for 3 weeks. Training only starts once a month and one had just started a week before. So he is stuck in holding for 3 weeks!!! Frustrating!!! Another piece of bad new he got was that they were not allowed to go home for Thanksgiving like they had originally thought. That was hard for me to swallow. I was getting by on the knowledge that I would see him in a month. I arranged it so that I can still do that by flying to Texas to see him instead. It is super expensive so it will just be Logan and myself, Zack will have Thanksgiving with his dad this year.

Besides all the bad news things are going well in Texas. He is able to call me every day now instead of once a week. We almost are used to not talking. It was hard at first to think of things to say every day again. We are good now though. Like teenagers who spend an hour on the phone with their friends every day. It's funny. He and the most of the rest of his platoon got tickets to a NBA game. They watched the Phoenix Suns stomp the Spurs. I guess everyone yelled at Stephen for cheering the Suns. What can he say, he's from AZ.

That's it for now I think. Have a good one.

Alpha Beta Charlie, (gotta know those ABC's)

Well, Stephen didn't get to start actual BCT until Friday the 22nd. This means he won't graduate until he has been there 11 weeks instead of 9 weeks. And so life according to Army orders begins!!!

He had injured his knee by pulling a ligament. He wasn't in actual BCT yet so he was gonna ride it out. He almost went to sick call because he was worried it wasn't getting better fast enough. He didn't go though and it is much better. He just has a slight twinge now and then now.

BCT started off with a physical exam. They had to do a 2 mile run, push-ups and sit-ups as fast as they could. I don't remember his exact numbers, but they were good. They were divided into 3 groups depending on those numbers; Alpha, Beta, or Charlie. Just like grades A is best. Stephen is in Alpha. By the end all the guys have to get to Alpha group before they can graduate. He is already there, so we know he won't be behind physically.

About a week or so ago a DS (drill Sargent) came in and called 6 names for a test. Stephen's was one of them. They were confused because the rest of the guys didn't have to take it. You never ask though, you just do. Come to find out it was a test that the smarty pants guys who scored really high on their entrance exam had to take to test their intelligence. It was either a audio or visual tape of some dude with a thick accent teaching them a pretend language. They had 20 minutes to study the fake language then take a test on it. Only a couple of the guys past and Stephen was one of them.

On a not so great note, Stephen and a couple other guys got busted writing letters after lights out and got the whole platoon in trouble. They all had to get out of bed and go outside for a punishment of exercises. Stephen and the other bad boys had to stand in the front and watch they peer get punished for their mistakes. Stephen said it was awful and it WON'T happen again.

That is all I can think of for now. Just wanted to give you a quick update. The boys and I fine. We are getting by as best we can. I am actually proud of how much I am able to get accomplished in a day.