Six weeks

We've reached the six week mark. And look at that, the entire month of June is over too. I wouldn't say that time is "Flying" by; I feel every second of it. But looking back, it is kind of amazing that six entire weeks have passed. I am now on a first name basis with two of the USPS postal workers because I visit them so frequently. Generally, I mail packages on Tuesdays unless I have something special that absolutely needs to go out on another day. This week I sent some snacky mcsnacks to a few of the other pilots that I've come to know...one of which can be credited with helping Will and I realize our blossoming love - that's another post.

Anyway, I sent them mail on Monday from the nearest post office. Today I put together Will's weekly love box and mailed it from a different post office down the road. Wouldn't you know, my main man Dave, USPS clerk extraordinaire was there to help me again. "Hey there, weren't you at Barracks Road yesterday?" I asked. "Yeah, so were you. I thought that was you in line," he replied. Then he proceeded to notify me that my flat rate box would cost me more than the package was worth in weight so we transferred the contents to another box right then and there. $2.55 saved thanks to my strong rapport with Dave. Maybe by the end of summer he'll be slashing stamp prices for me.

Things in the desert are heating up in more ways than one. It is getting hotter everyday which makes sleeping in tents a big sweaty mess. Will has a fan in his room, but that won't cut it, especially when he sleeps in his PT gear so he's ready to go at any second. And now that winter has passed, the bad guys are able to cross the mountainous terrain with greater ease. Those little turds are popping up everywhere and continuously causing trouble. My handsome fighter pilot (mustache and all) and the rest of the military are taking care of business.

My Friends are Mommies

I just got home from a quick trip to NJ to see two great friends and their new babies. Baby Owen and Baby Amelia are just a week apart and love may be in the air. It was so fun to see the new mommies in action and to hold their little bundles of joy. I was smitten, but happy to hand them back to their parents at the end of the trip. Amelia barfed after each feeding with no regard for her surroundings while Owen routinely ripped the loudest farts I've ever heard from something that weighs less than turkey. Quite the show off, he did spray me with pee to make sure I had the full baby boy experience before I left. They are so cute and snuggly though, it's all worth it.

Blossoming love between Owen and Amelia

Holding sweet baby Owen

Amelia zonked after eating

Katie the multitasking mom. Burping her baby, pumping breastmilk, writing thank you cards and checking email with a cup of coffee at hand. Of course she is supermom already.

Precious little nuggets

He's a boob man

Amelia cheering for the U.S.A in the world cup. GOAL!!!

Rapper baby Owen

Mommy and son

Chillin in his swing.

Today marks the five week point. While I haven't been able to see Will, I did get to spend some time with his family on Father's day weekend. It was really fun to see them and share stories since our trip to Italy together. We talked a lot about Will and started making plans to see him again this fall. It was really nice to feel supported by his family since they are missing him just as much as I am. I also got to pick up my new pillow cases made from his old flight suits! They are adorable and fit perfectly. I even found one entire side without zippers or velcro to sleep on so I don't wake up with scar tissue on my face. I also purchased this amazing tool at Michael's called the "Bowdabra." This simple piece of fabric feeds my desire to be creative even though I am not. I have become obsessed with bowmaking and have dedicated the outside of Delta Gamma to Will (see below).

We are planning lots of trips upon his return - why should a relationship that started overseas not continue to circle the globe?! Munich, Italy, Disney...can't wait. Planning trips gives him something to do on his days off and I don't mind the outcome:-) We are doing great and still getting to talk on the phone every night. Thanks for all the continued support!

Five weeks worth of marbles

Pool Day

David may not know it right now, but he is definitley living the life. On Tuesday, he got to go swimming with his mom, Aunt Lindsey and Aunt Barbara. Then he ate, pooped and fell asleep. When he is not playing in his jumper or learning how to roll over, he enjoys showing off his growing muscles for the ladies. At 7 months old, this hoss is growing like crazy and getting cuter by the second. Getting to spend time with him in the middle of the week is a pretty good deal for me too. Love him!

Sober Summer

This summer, I'm abstaining from alcohol. Of course, everyone wants to know why. I usually say "because I might be pregnant." This response is a.) apparently a valid answer and b.) it makes people question whether or not I'm joking.

You would think I'm going on a hunger strike or something by the way my friends are reacting. "Linds, I think you might need to break your drinking strike for the Lady Gaga concert," says my friend Sarah. First of all, no way, I'm going to be super sober for that concert because I need to make sure I don't miss any of her insane antics and costume changes. Secondly, would you really pressure a pregnant woman into drinking for a special occasion? Of course not. You would only judge me more than before for being unwed and irresponsible.

Then there are those who just throw it in my face. This is my mom on the phone the other day: "Guess what my beach week drink is this year? Sweet tea vodka!" That's only my favorite alcoholic beverage of all time. I introduced my entire family to Firefly and now they are just taunting me.

So the real reason I'm not drinking this summer is not because I'm pregnant, although I guess if I were this would be a healthy time to grow a baby. The reason is because Will can't drink this summer. We shared one last beer together in Italy and then when he was restricted by the Air Force, I went on sober summer vacation too. I'm not a crazy alcoholic anyway, so I really don't miss it as much as he does, but it is kind of fun to keep this small commitment in honor of him. Sometimes it would just be easier to partake in the poolside mojitos, the Fridays after five beers and the pre-concert tailgates. But Will is sacrificing so much more than a few beers this summer so the least I can do is meet him there. This is by no means a lifelong change. Our plan is to get smashed off one glass of wine when he gets back in the fall.

Keep the lemonade and diet cokes rolling. And if you need a DD, you know who to call:-)

Skype Date!

Today was one of the more successful skype dates Will and I have had since he left. We usually get kicked off after losing the internet connection twenty minutes into the conversation without being able to reconnect. Today, our skype sessions lasted anywhere between 2:48 and 14:39 at a time, but we reconnected four times! This is huge.

In order for us to get access to the "fast" internet, Will has to take his laptop and webcam to public places like the "gym." Today's angle was a little different and I noticed that there were pool tables in the gym. Doesn't look like too many calories are being burned in this gym. I also love skyping because Will wears this headset so that everything I say is not blasted through the place for all to hear. He reminds me of the Sham Wow guy and I hang up hoping that the next great infomercial item will arrive at my doorstep in a few days. So far he has suppressed his urge to tell me what's in the mail and let me be surprised by gifts I would never suspect.

After three days in a row of flying, today is his day off. He may actually get to eat in the chow hall for lunch instead of throwing down bags of beef jerky and pita chips in the plane. Although, apparently there is a lettuce shortage so hamburgers are not all that they can be. The Afghan locals must be crushed. Hamburgers are their fav. Today marks three weeks of deployment and we are both holding up pretty well. It helps that we get to hear each other's voice every night and occasionally see each other on video too! Next Tuesday, the four week mark is also Will's birthday. I'm bummed that he will be spending it in the desert without me or any family around but I'm grateful that he will finally join me at 28 and stop giving me such a hard time for being the older woman!

Brilliant and Romantic

This is the infamous marble calendar that Will gave me before he left. His jar is on the left, full of days we've yet to conquer. My jar on the right contains days that are merely memories already. 3+ months to go!

My marble jar has reached the second row! Let me explain...before Will deployed, he gave me two glass jars and a bag of marbles. One jar had his initials engraved on it and one had my initials engraved on it. He counted out as many marbles as days he will be gone and told me to pour them all in his jar. Each day I take one marble from his jar and put it in my jar to symbolize him coming back to me. Now you can ooo and ahhh and understand why he is so amazing. He was actually pretty proud of himself for coming up with that idea all by himself.

In any event, moving marbles for the first few days seemed insignificant, as if my jar would never fill up. But day by day it gets a little heavier and today, the marble I moved sat stacked up on a second row, atop the bottom layer! Will always says "we can't stop time from passing," so at least we know there is an endpoint in sight and we just keep holding on until we reach it.



When I spoke with him last night, he did say that these last few weeks have passed relatively quickly for him because they are so busy with a full schedule of flights. I was happy to hear that because I thought between the two of us, time might seem to pass a little slower for him since he's in a new place with less than Hilton quality accommodations.

The time has actually passed faster than I thought as well. I've had lots of post-move out responsibilities at the house, getting ready for a new group to rent, cleaning the left behinds, and preparing for reunions this weekend. Plus, the hospital has been busting at the seams with pregnant women so even my 12+ hour days at work fly by. On that note, if anyone in Charlottesville wants to use a condom, you can get them for free at Student Health. We only have one Target and one Babies R Us in this town - I'm sure the hospital is not the only place unable to handle all the baby making. Let's not forget my friends Kerri and Rebecca who work in the NICU - they are packed too!

Anyway, I'm glad the marble jar is finally stacking up. It's kind of like my heart, filling up with more and more love than ever before. I never thought it was possible to love him any more than I did in Paris but everyday I still fall more and more in love with him.

PS - The shower caddies arrived today - I'll keep you posted on the lucky winners!