Harrison's First trip to the dentist

Today we ventured to the dentist. I've been practicing with him to say "ah" and show his teeth. Well it really didn't matter because when you scream at the top of your lungs, your teeth show anyways. The dentist said it was perfectly normal for him to react that way and that he probably would until he is 3. 3, really??? Harrison still only has 4 teeth and this is the main reason I went ahead and took him. I don't know if you know, but my teeth always have issues so I wanted to make sure there were more than 4 in there. He is getting 2 molars on the top, the bottom gums are swollen where his molars will be soon, and he is cutting 2 on the bottom. No wonder the little guy isn't sleeping well at night. But, the dentist said his teeth looked good and there were definitely more in there. Also a little random thing, but Ben and his mom both do not have the 2 teeth on either side of their front teeth. These on Harrison haven't tried to come thru and the dentist doesn't think Harrison has them either. He said it was no big deal but usually those come in before the bottom ones and he is getting the bottom ones now so we shall see. They won't do x-rays until he is 3 so we will just wait and see what happens. He did get a sticker even though he freaked out!

The Lives of Military Wives

14 Things we hate to hear....


1."Aren't you afraid that he'll be killed?"

(This one ranks in at number one on the "duh" list. Of course we're afraid. We're terrified. The thought always lingers at the backs of our minds ---but thanks brilliant, you just brought it back to the front. Maybe next you can go ask someone with cancer if they're scared of dying.)


2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."

(This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.)

3. "At least he's not in Iraq."

(This is the number one most annoying comment for those whose husbands are in Afghanistan. What do they think is happening in Afghanistan? An international game of golf?)


4. "Do you think he'll get to come home for Christmas/anniversary/birthday/birth of a child/wedding/family reunion, etc?"

(Don't you watch the news? No! They don't get to come home for any of these things. Please don't ask again.)


5. "What are you going to do to keep yourself busy while he's gone?"

(Short answer: Try to keep my sanity. Maybe there's a military wife out there who gets bored when her husband leaves, but I have yet to meet her. For the rest of us, those with and without children, we find ourselves having to be two people. That keeps us plenty busy. We do get lonely, but we don't get bored. Drinking massive amounts of wine always helps keep me busy.)


6. "How much longer does he have until he can get out?"

(This one is annoying to many of us whether our husbands are deployed or not. Many of our husbands aren't counting down the days until they "can" get out. Many of them keep signing back up again and again because they actually love what they do or they VOLUNTEER AGAIN and AGAIN to go back to Iraq b/c there is work that needs to be done.)


7. "This deployment shouldn't be so bad, now that you're used to it."

(Sure, we do learn coping skills and its true the more deployments you've gone through, but it never gets easier. And we figure out ways to make life go smoother while the guys are gone. But it never gets "easy" and the bullets and bombs don't skip over our guys just because they've been there before. The worry never goes away.)


8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."

(This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a ****ty Hyundai Excel with a Mercedes convertible.)


9. "Wow you must miss him?"

(This one also gets another big "duh". Of course we miss our men. There are some wives who do not and they're now divorced.)


10. "Where is he exactly? Where is that?"

(I don't expect non-military folks to be able to find Anbar Province on a map, but they should know by now that it's in Iraq. Likewise, know that Kabul and Kandahar are in Afghanistan. Know that Muqtada al Sadr is the insurgent leader of the Mahdi Army in Iraq and that Sadr City is his home area. Know that Iran is a major threat to our country and that it is located between Afghanistan and Iraq. Our country has been at war in Afghanistan for seven years and at war in Iraq for five years. These basic facts are not secrets, they're on the news every night and in the papers every day ---and on maps everywhere.)


11. "Well, he signed up for it, so it's his own fault whatever happens over there.

(Yes, ignorant, he did sign up. Each and every day he protects your right to make stupid comments like that. He didn't sign up and ask to be hit by anything, he signed up to protect his country. Oh, and by the way, he asked me to tell you that "You're welcome." He's still fighting for your freedom.)


12. "Don't you miss sex? I couldn't do it!"

(Hmmm, no, I don't miss sex. I'm a robot. Seriously...military spouses learn quickly that our relationships must be founded on something greater than sex. We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night. And the hard truth is, most relationships probably couldn't withstand 12 months of sex deprivation.)


13. "Well in my opinion....."

(Stop right there. Yo, I didn't ask for you your personal political opinions. Hey, I love a heated political debate, but not in the grocery store, not in Jamba Juice, not at Nordstrom, not in a bar when I'm out with my girls trying to forget the war, and CERTAINLY NOT AT WORK. We tell co-workers about deployments so when we have to spend lunch hours running doing errands and taking care of the house, dog, and kids, they have an understanding. We do not tell co-workers and colleagues because we are giving an invitation to ramble about politics or because we so eagerly want to hear how much they hate the President, esp. while we're trying to heat up our lean cuisines in the crappy office microwaves.)


last but not least....

14. "OH, that's horrible...I'm so sorry!"

(He's doing his job. Don't be sorry. Be appreciative and please take a moment out of your comfortable American lives to realize that our soldiers fight the wars abroad so those wars stay abroad.)


I got this from another military wife. It's so true and accurate of what goes on when our husbands deploy. While living in Spain, Ben has been with us and I'm thankful that Ben was here when Harrison was born and has got to spend the first year with him. This is very rare!!! Ben will deploy when we move to Virginia. It will be difficult for everyone and the most difficult for Harrison, but it's our life! It's a crazy life, but it's our life!

12 Weeks, but who is counting???

I was thinking yesterday that it really isn't that long before Harrison and I leave from Spain. It's so bitter sweet. I can't wait to go to Alabama. I miss so many people from there and I can't wait until I can go home, relax, and Harrison can meet more people. It's sad, but there are so many important people in my life that Harrison has never met. At the same time, we are leaving behind Ben who will be here for another month and a half after we leave. Harrison will definitely miss his dada!!! Also, we are leaving Harrison's birthplace and so many great people we have met while living here. It's sad to think many of these people we will never see again, but I'm sure some we will! I can't wait to see what the next 3 years in Virginia brings us...me a job (hopefully, but not looking promising), MAYBE another baby, deployment (which won't be fun), and hopefully more great friends and definitely many many more memories! Love to all!

Harrison walking

I know I have a lot to catch up on. It's been a while since I've posted anything on here. Thanksgiving was eventful! Ben was put in the hospital the night before. He had an abcess on his tonsil that caused major infection. Harrison had to have his first sleepover and he did great. He spent the night with the little guy that I keep during the day. So thankful for friends here that we can rely on just like family! Ben finally got out of the hospital the Monday after Thanksgiving. His antibiotics finally kicked in after 36 hours. It was a long couple of days! Those of you that live close to your mommas just don't realize how good you have it! Don't ever take your momma for granted!!! Ben's parents were here for the month of December. We had a good time with them. They were here for Harrison's birthday and then for Christmas too! Yes, my baby is 1 now. So hard to believe. He is a toddler now instead of a baby :(! He is so much like Ben. He is walking now, which there's a video of him walking. Now it is 2010 already. There is so much change that will take place in our family this year including moving back to the states. We are so ready! I've found us a house in Yorktown and now I just have to find a job. Looks like it's not the best time to be looking for a job, but hopefully I'll find something! Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2010 and I can't wait to be closer to everyone. I miss everyone so much! Love to all!

Blowing kisses!

This video is a little long, but I finally got Harrison to start blowing kisses and then I got it on video so I thought I would share.

What a month!

October has been a very busy month around our house. I have started watching another baby that is 2 months older than Harrison. It makes life very interesting around out house. They are so busy together! Here they are in their double stroller which they love. The just kick their legs and clap their hands while they are in it.

Ben also started school. He is now working on his associate degree. He is taking Biology and then a research class that is 2 weekends in November.

Here are some new videos of Harrison. Hayden brought over a toy one day that has a microphone and the boys figured it out very quickly. They were so funny playing with it.

In the next video, I didn't know whether to beat Harrison or laugh so I just started taking pictures and videos. When I feed the babies lunch, I give them something they can pick up with their hands while I warm up their warm food. Well on this day I heard a splashing noise and I knew both babies were in their highchairs strapped in so there was no way they got down. I walked out of the kitchen and I see Harrison just splashing away on his tray and juice was going everywhere. I guess he figured out how to take his lid off his sippy cup and proceeded to pour out his entire cup of juice and play in it. He had juice everywhere. I had to wash all the padding and straps to his highchair and then give him a bath because he was sticky. Oh the joys of little boys! He is 500% little boy!

One last thing...I guess the saddest part of our month. Today we had to put Abbie to sleep. We will truly miss her, but I'm so at peace with my decision because I know she isn't in pain anymore and I don't have to worry about her. My house is so quiet without her here and I think right now that is the hardest part. I miss her bringing me toys, running all around guarding her food, and playing with Dixie. It's hard to believe I've had that little dog longer than I have known Ben. She was my baby. My very sweet and spoiled rotten baby, but she was mine. I will never be able to replace her. I'll miss you Abigail Grace...

Wow she needed a haircut, but she was a happy girl!

We miss everyone back home! Love to all!

Videos of Harrison

Here are a couple of new videos of Harrison. Just a quick update on him. He is now 10 months old. He is doing everything he is supposed to be doing. He weighs 18lbs and is 28 in long. We are working on him drinking from a sippy cup and eating table food both of which he isn't crazy about. If you don't know by now, we did get orders to Yorktown, VA so hopefully around April/May we will be moving back to the USA. We are super excited and ready to go! Enjoy the videos. Love to all!