Pool Time!!

Jack had his first pool outing on Sunday! He seemed to enjoy it for the most part ... so that's great! We went over to the Carter's house late in the afternoon for a leisurely swim and a Sunday dinner. It, of course, was great company. Dylan and Olivia are so great with Jack. By the end of the evening, Dylan didn't have one issue with wiping up a little spit up. :) We had a delicious dinner, a couple games of gin and then hung out in the front yard playing some games that Trish brought back from China. Jack was a trooper - he wasn't really into napping, but he sat in his Bumpo and watched all of us.

The past couple of weeks, Jack has started to show signs of teething ... so I think he more interested in his fingers than anything else. His little float works great other than it's too big. But, he'll grow into it.

Family Photo

Night before Bryan left back to Mississippi.

Bryan Update

Bryan as made it to Kyrgyzstan! (Where in the hell is that, you ask??) See map - it's west of China. The flew from Gulfport to Maine to Ireland to Romania to Kyrgyzstan. I need to educate myself a little more. I embarrassed to say I have never heard of it.



He finally met the rest of this 16 man team that he will be working with. The rest meaning - 14 of them. He is attached to A Company, 1-121 of the Georgia National Guard. They are currently at Manas Air Base - he said like any other Airforce base, it's pretty damned nice. Better PX's, bathrooms, etc. - but they are living in a huge, huge tent. But it's only temporary - they'll be moving out soon.

(yes, there is a website for the base ... typical Air Force :) - just jokes, Dale)

He seemed in good spirits - they are finally done sitting around and are moving out and about. Soldiers never like to sit idle... especially Bryan.

He is able to get on his laptop as they have wireless (another Airforce Luxury) so be sure to drop him a line if you have a moment. He's at his army account - comment me if you need it - I don't want to post it.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Like usual, I woke up to Jack just hanging out in his crib. I think he was talking to his mobile - so I let him talk to his little friends while I wake up and start my day. He's so good at not waking up and crying. I am so proud of him.

Precious PPFace . . .

Well - long, long ago (well, not really) ... Bryan was deploying to Iraq and his beloved cat, Peanut, went and stayed with a friend during his training. As we all know, Bryan and I got engaged right before he left for overseas. After he left, I was informed that when Bryan comes home - Peanut will move back in with Bryan - so I needed to start taking care of Peanut now that I was technically his new mom.

Peanut moved in and we became the best of friends. Outside my darling roommate, Lindsay, Peanut really got me through that first deployment. He was my best support, even though he was a feline. He loves me. Just ask Bryan.

Bryan came home and wanted to hang out with his little buddy ... but nooooo. Peanut would sleep on my side of the bed - flat out ignoring Bryan. He's wouldn't pay him any attention. Peanut moved on and thought Bryan should, too.

Peanut & his sissy showing her the ropes.

Slowly, over the last couple of years, Peanut has found a happy medium between the Bryan and I - but at the end of the day, he still sleeps with me.

So here Peanut and I are again. Another deployment; this time with a couple more attachments, Mac & Jack - both who are clueless to the situation.

But Peanut knows. He's very insightful.

Mac just wants to play. Jack just wants to eat. Every night, he purrs his way up to my shoulder and I fall asleep to his motorboat. (I really think I got Jack to sleep in his own room so PPFace and I could cuddle again. Kidding!! [uh, kind of]).

PP & I at our Tacky Christmas Sweater Party (2006ish?)
He lets me do whatever.

That is why it pains me to say ... I found out today that Peanut has diabetes. It's nothing I can cure with his diet, unfortunately. Between all of the possibilities, it was the best outcome- he could of had either kidney or renal failure. So, I have to bring Peanut back in on Monday - we have to see where he's at health-wise and where we can go from here. He'll need daily insulin injections. (like I have nothing else to do).

I hate it - but he's still fairly young. He's only 5 - his vet said he was an older cat ... but I think the cats that are 10 - 11 years old are 'old'. So here I sit looking at my savings account and calculating years-worth of insulin shots. It makes my stomach hurt. Half of my paycheck will go to daycare and the other half to cat insulin. I can't ignore it - it's not very humane to not treat an ill animal when you know what the issue is. But on the other hand ... you know. Now I just have to wait for Bryan to call home so I can break the news about his little pal.

He's a part of our family. He's Bryan's cat, but my friend. I am sad. :(

Peanut hanging out today.

(thanks a lot, God. - just add something else to my plate.)

Bathtime is so much fun.

Jack still loves his bath and still loves his shower.

Thanks to Auntie Robbie for taking some pictures of J-man during his bath.

Jack Loves His Bumbo

I'll endorse this product, no problem. Jack loves to sit up and watch everyone in the room with him. God forbid he can't see what's going on. So - I sat Jack in his Bumbo the other day while I semi-cleaned.

I had to sit on the other end of the room and take these pictures ... otherwise Jack studies the camera. And I posted so many because it's amazing I got so many of him smiling. But please note when Jack was distracted by his foot.

Bryan's Mobilization Pictures

Taken with Bryan's phone, so the quality isn't the greatest - here's what he sent me ... their holding pen. He said he'd call when they land and will send an address as soon as they get to their new home. The John Boy & Billy Morning Show (radio) gave them all 100 minute phone card. (it's not a lot of minutes ... but times that by 300 soldiers ... pretty impressive)

Such a Big Boy.

Jack is as great as they come ... ! He's been sleeping through the night for a while now ... 9pm - 3am and 3am - 6am (they say 6 hours straight = sleeping through the night). Last night, however - the little champ slept from 9 - 6:30! Yippee Skippee, did I get a good nights sleep, or what! I really needed it after hearing of Bryan's departure. So Jack, thank you :)

Did I mention Jack rolled from back to tummy over the weekend?

I am usually the one to run super late in the morning ... you know, getting up 35 minutes before I need to get to work. He's the best alarm clock I could have ever asked for. He's not loud and obnoxious like an alarm and he greets me with a huge smile every day. These days, I get to work 10 minutes early rather than right in the nic of time.

Memorial Day Weekend

A weekend to remember. A weekend to forget.

Exactly one year ago, Bryan and I were celebrating the Memorial Weekend with our cousins, Brandon & Nia in Washington DC. It was a weekend I'll remember forever. God how I wish it was that weekend again. However, this Memorial Weekend is the weekend that Bryan leaves for downrange - it's now my weekend to forget.

Since the beginning of March, he departed to weekly training and would be home on the weekends. March 27 he left to Mississippi. May 24 (today) he left to go overseas. Yes, he's been gone for a month and a half already ... but the difference being is - starting today he is no longer available by cell phone. He'll no longer receive my texts or picture messages of Jack. We're on his time now. We'll hear from him when he can call or write. Until then, it's just a waiting game. I don't know when I'll have an address for him. I don't know when to expect his next phone call. It could be days. It could be weeks.

Until then, I pray that his travels are safe and that his new home will treat him right for the next year. Hopefully he'll have access to communications, a comfortable cot, and a warm shower.

We thank all of you for your kind emails, phone calls and prayers. We just hope Bryan has a speedy and safe return. I know it will go by fast ... but then I think about Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter ... and just those seem like years away from now.

Jack & Daddy

Jack got spoiled by his daddy this weekend - as he should! We (I) tooled through Babies R Us for the random baby items on my list ... all the things that go along with a growing baby. I lost Bryan and Jack. Bryan wandered his way to the Toys R Us section ... much cooler stuff to look at, supposedly; I found him in the GI Joe section ... I mentioned that Jack is far too young for toys with guns. (I used the choking hazard as an excuse - ) So off we went to look at the endless isles of toys. Bryan found Jack a Shape Sorter ... you know, the kind that you have to put the circle into the circle, square into the square, etc. It'll be awhile until Jack can play with it ... but it's a nice gift from his daddy when it comes time. We discussed the next year of Jack's life and the developmental toys that go along with it. We both agree that we loved building things as kids and hopefully Jack will, too. Bryan also picked out some clothes for Jack and got him a Jumparoo. Jack l.o.v.e.s to stand ... so hopefully soon he'll be able to hang out in his new contraption.

I think Bryan was floored by how big Jack had gotten in just 2 and a half months. Jack showed him how he can smile, talked, hold things, laugh, sleep in his own bed (YES! He can!), enjoy a bath, munch on his fist, roll to his side and so many other things that I have grown used to.

Here are some pictures of the two of them from Bryan's visit:

Jack & Daddy watching TV

Jack using Daddy as a jungle gym

Taking a break to smile for me

Reading a magazine

Sitting on the golf cart at Daddy's Send Off

Daddy giving Jack a bath
(blurry, but I love how Jack is looking up at his daddy)

and my favorite one of all.

Build-a-Bear

While Bryan was home, we also headed to Build a Bear. Yes, Build a Bear. We were the only people in there and boy ... did the saleswoman love her job - and loved that they had business. Good for her. We got an idea from a fellow FRG wife ...

Bryan picked out an animal (he was sure not to pick out a dog in fear that Jack would one day want one ... ), an outfit and did all of the steps to building a bear ... you know - rubbing his heart on your cheek so he's always happy and giving it a huge hug so he's always loved - before stuffing him and sewing you shut. I wish I had my video camera ... Bryan was a good sport; he didn't let the excited saleswoman down. After Bryan picked out the outfit he made it a point to put him in the 3-way mirror of the miniature dressing room so the saleswoman was not disappointed. Really - I think he just wanted to.

We named him and gave him a birth certificate. I suggested 'Pauli the Koali' ... but Bryan wasn't amused.

So ... without further ado ... meet Joe.

Born May 18th, 2009, 15 inches and 5 ounces.

When you press the koala's hand, Joe says - "Hi Jack, it's Daddy - I love you." in Bryan's voice. Jack just loves it. He can't stop staring at him and smiles each time he hears his dad's voice.

Bryan's Going Away ...

Party ... ? I wouldn't really call it a 'celebration' - perhaps a Send Off? At any rate - the day was for Bryan and so many of his friends drove a long distance to see him before he left. Thank you. You all made Bryan so happy and that means the world to me (& him, of course.)

The day was spent outside ... the weather actually held off until the sun went down. Imagine that. We spent the day catching up, reminiscing, and day dreaming about when the 'boys' got home.

Family Photo ...

Jack in the outfit daddy picked out. (It's a little Bryan outfit)

Yes, I put a hint of lemon in his mouth ... I think he likes it.

Some of the guys talking about the last deployment & looking through pictures.

Jack hanging out.

Auntie Ashley & Jack. He loves her.

Robbie & I.

The Sigma Nu boys.

Some of the Army guys.

Jack & his friend Thomas

Jack & his uncle Ray ... (who is due for one of his own anytime now!)

Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree ...

... Or if you're a Neal, 'Round the Old Georgia Pine.


Bryan's 'Leave' (R&R) ended today. It was short. It was bittersweet. It was worth every second.

Bryan left early today - he's on his way back to Mississippi and is planned to fly out on the 24th. Jack & I aren't really in the mood for blogging right this second - I took the day off of work so we're going to spend the afternoon out in the garden. Hopefully the warm sun will melt away our sorrows. :)

Jack & Steph's Semi-Saga: Minnesota, Part V

4 Generations

The last installation of our Semi-Saga ... possibly the longest due to pictures. So be prepared to scroll. Grandpa and Grandma Arends had a brunch at their house Sunday morning so our family in Minnesota could meet Jack. I was so thankful everyone drove the distance to meet our little one. Brunch was short but sweet. I wish I could have stayed in MN longer ... but I had to get back to go to WORK. (blah!)

Great Uncle Royal

Great Uncle Roger

Gracen, Great-Grandma & tired Jack

Great-Grandma Alyce

Cousin Elizabeth

Great Uncle Dale

Great Uncle (& Steph's Godfather) Chuck

Great Aunt Carol

Cousin Todd

Great Aunt Brenda

Great Aunt Bev

Great Aunt (& Steph's Godmother) Beci

Cousin Alyson