2 months

We are two months into deployment, and where we finally started to settle into a rhythm by the end of last month, we continued to cruise along through the second.

Really, I can't complain. I've heard deployment woes and all sorts of stories from friends and family, but I don't really feel like we've had it too rough. Did we have some dog and car issues? Yes. Did Grace go to the doctors and did we have off days? Sure. But that's just life and something that we'd deal with whether D was here or not.

I feel SO lucky to have my girl on this ride with me. I can honestly say, it's hard to feel lonely when you are in the presence of my sweet thing on a daily basis...or at least busy dealing with her when she's not being so sweet. ;) By night time when D and I would usually have time together at the end of a long day...honestly, I'm just too exhausted to even dwell on the fact that it's just me. Me time is something I need lately. I'm tired, I'm getting further into this pregnancy, and getting to end my day snuggled in bed without bickering over the TV channel is a gift. Sometimes you just wanna watch New Girl instead of Pawn Stars, ya know?!

New Girl fan. Kidding.

That being said, one of the main reasons we have dealt with the last 8 weeks so well is because my husband is still so thoughtful and helpful, even from afar. When I mentioned that I was still getting a Christmas card together this year, he took it upon himself to order return address labels with our new address. Were they what I would have picked out? Nope. Not at all. But in the end, they are perfect because I know he put thought into them and wanted to do something to help out. When I mentioned that I've been too tired to paint the girls' rooms at night, he encouraged me to look into getting them done professionally. My feet are tired? The man supports a good pedicure. Done and done husband.

Here's Grace checking out the Christmas book he recorded for her and sent to us:

I know our situation is unique. We are able to communicate much more frequently then many other deployed families, and it may be the key to my feeling so at ease with all of this. There was a short period of time this past month where I hadn't heard from D and knew my emails hadn't been read and I won't sugar coat it, I was starting to go into freak out mode. It was probably a good reality check to have considering the situation and made me very thankful for the communication pattern we've been able to establish.

If our months continue to fly by as quickly as this last one has, he will be home with us in no time...which is convenient considering an extra set of hands will be appreciated once Miss C arrives. ;) He will definitely not be here for her birth, but we are still holding out on a slim possibility that he will get some leave right after her arrival. If it happens, great. If not? It'll make his eventual homecoming even that more sweet.

Bring on 2013. I'm ready for it. (At least I am this week...)

xo,
H