Our First Holiday Together

Breyten gets into everything now!

Mommy and Breyten

Wagon ride with friends/family.

Daddy swinging Breyten

Trenten, Ashton, and Breyten 

Memorial Day 2011 was our first ever holiday spent together! We had fun with friends, cookouts, and parks :)

Our First Family Vacation

Daddy and Breyten at Cracker Barrel

 Gatlinburg, TN was such fun! We enjoyed staying in a cabin in the mountains and exploring many different places! We were able to meet up with our good friends Brice and Anna. 

Mommy and Breyten at Ripley's Aquarium

Anna, Trenten, Breyten, and Brice

Silly Willy's

Long Family

Trenten, Ashton, Breyten, Brice, and Anna

Breyten riding in style!

Ashton and Trenten in the Smokies

Gatto Falls

Silly Breyten

Our "Coming Home" Episode

Our first sight of the USS Kearsarge

Trenten came home to us the morning of May 16, 2011. After not seeing him for almost 9 months straight, I really did not believe that I would be seeing him that morning. I kept asking my SIL Kendal if it were really happening today. She assured me that it was. Our first glimpse of his ship was so reassuring! Seeing all the sailors dressed in their summer whites and Manning the Rails was so amazing. Definitely will be the best day of my year! Transition into a family of 3 happened instantly. I really thought it would take a week to get reacquainted, but Breyten instantly recognized Trenten (maybe not as his dad, but at least someone he knew). It's been truly amazing having help with Breyten (I didn't know what that was like!) Trenten has jumped right in with diaper changes, feeding, bathing, playing (his favorite part!), and even getting up early with him in the mornings so that I can sleep in! What a great dad! 

Our 1st glimpse of Trenten!

Finally!

Hey, I know this guy

So Sweet!

Family picture

9 Months

Wow! It's hard for me to believe that I have gone the last almost 9 months without my husband. I can remember what it's like for him to be here with just me and him, but I don't remember what it was like with Breyten, me, and him. I am looking forward to being a family for the first time. I am looking forward to not having to deal with all the problems that arise by myself. I can't believe that Trenten has missed every one of Breyten's first holidays. Fortunately, those were not very hard for me because I had a lot of family and friends to distract me. But, they were much harder for Trenten having no family or close friends with him. I am thankful for all the friends and family who have been here for me throughout this deployment. There have been some really rough times when I just didn't think I could go one more day without him, but then, you do because there is no other option. The worst part for me was the 6 month point. Having gone 6 months and having 3 months to go, I felt as if it truly would never end. I can now see the bright light at the end of this long tunnel. I CANNOT wait for Breyten to have a new best friend (which Trenten will become just in a matter of days of being with him!) Bon Voyage Deployment, I will not miss you!!!

NC here we come!

Well, Trenten received his official orders today. We are moving to Camp Lejeune, NC in September. I am really excited for several reasons. 1) I have already lived in NC (as has Trenten) and really liked it. 2) My brother Austin is moving there in June :) 3) Kendal and Tavis have already lived there and after visiting them several times, I feel like I know the area. 4) I know people there already. 5) It's still close to Norfolk, so I can visit my friends and family here. 6) It's closer for traveling to both of our families in Ohio and TN. 


Yep, lots of reasons why I will enjoy NC. Oh, also, OORAH!

My First Mother's Day

Breyten is such a blessing to me. I often thank God several times throughout the day for allowing him to be my son, for allowing me to be his mommy, for giving me such an important gift. I am so honored to be this little boy's mommy. 

Notice how much he has grown! He will be 9 months this week! I can't believe it. The corsage in the Mother's Day picture is from my loving husband. He had it made for and sent to me. The orchid blossom represents Breyten's life, and the ribbon and greenery represent our baby in heaven. How thoughtful!

Our First Picture... 8/11/10

Mother's Day 2011

Coupons

So, random question, but have you ever given away your coupons to people? I usually give the ones I'm not using (usually baby stuff coupons) to friends and family, but lately I've been given them to people in stores. Tonight, I was at a Chinese place picking up food, and, of course, I had Breyten. I always get comments about how cute he is and so well behaved (because he is), and this always sparks conversation. Well, there was a mom that had a 7 month old and a grandmother to a 3 month old who were talking to me. So, I asked them if they would be interested in some diaper coupons. The grandmother was so excited and said yes. Then, I handed her about 10 diaper coupons ranging in price off from $1.00 to $5.00 off. I really made her day. She was so excited. Anyway, I have this habit of hoarding things (diapers, formula) because I can get really good deals from coupons. If I give the coupons away, I don't hoard and people benefit, a win-win situation!

This day one year ago...

May 1, 2010 was my last full day of work. I can't believe it has been an entire year that I have not worked. I remember well the 12 to 13 hour work days at the hospital, trying to not vomit on co-workers or patients, having trouble bending down, having to use the bathroom 150 times a shift, eating every 30 minutes... I know that I was not so pleasant to work with the last few weeks...


I was also wondering what it would be like to give birth to my son and what he would be like. Could I handle being a mother by myself for most of his first year? How would I handle being away from my supportive husband and my best friend for 9 months? 


I can say that God has blessed me so much financially this year, has given me a beautiful baby boy who is healthy and playful (although teething right now), and we are almost done with the deployment. I can finally say: HE IS COMING HOME SOON!!!