Kisses

:)

My Daddy dressed me today.

These are a few of my favorite things...

So remember my ranting about a terrible day at the library? There was a positive that came out of the trip...sort of. Normally, Tyson does enjoy being read to. He sits relatively still with a few attempts at gnawing on the pages. All in all it's usually a successful experience. 

The book pictured above is loaded with images of different motor vehicles. Tyson sits statue still sporting a look on his face that's usually reserved for people viewing the Mona Lisa for the first time. The problem? My status as a girl genetically denies me the ability to correctly make the car/engine noises that are written to accompany the illustrations. It's a challenge for each of the 4-5 times a day that this book gets read. Though Tyson is luckily too young to correct me or tell me that I'm doing it wrong, I refuse to read it out loud when my husband is home. I have my dignity. 

Here are some more of his favorite things. 

Standing. It's a big hit around here...keeps him occupied for a very long time (well, a very long time in the world of babies). You can almost see the wheels turning in his not-so-little head as he tries to figure out how to negotiate getting from one place to another. So far, he's got some things to learn. 

Reaching/diving for things. Naturally, Tyson is more and more curious about his surroundings and can finally explore a little bit now that he's more mobile. Since he has yet to learn that it's easy to get hurt while diving off the couch in pursuit of some delicious looking toy, he attempts these feats on a daily basis. 

Turns out he also loves tall socks. Well, maybe it's me who loves them. I found out that if the socks go up to or above his knees, it's darn near impossible to kick them off. Maybe he will grow up to be a baseball player...or a roller skate/disco dancer. Either way, I will be there to support and embarrass him as any good mother would do. 

disclaimers and frozen berries...

So I got this great tip from my friend Maradee (another mom/nurse that I work with). She felt my pain in dealing with a teething child and told me about these little mesh bags with a handle on them. You can put anything inside but throwing a few frozen blueberries makes for one tasty, frozen treat that hopefully feels good on his poor, swollen gums. Also, it keeps him occupied for at least 10-15 minutes...what more can a girl ask for? 

Okay, so it can get a little messy at times but life with a baby is nothing if not messy! 

All in all, it was a hit. If only I could get him to gnaw on frozen green beans with such vigor. 

So the little man is now 8 months old and we are so happy to see month 7 in our rearview mirrors. Between croup, ear infections,  teething and developmental frustrations it was a tough month (as many of you are well aware from my rant a few postings ago). I want to point out that I love being a mommy and feel so lucky that I can work part time to stay home with him more. I just had some really tough days at the end of a really tough month. So far month 8 is already going much much better. Hopefully it continues:)

It's official!

This post will be a little different than normal. It won't be about the crazy antics of my family. Today's post is about me. After 9 1/2 years, I am no longer a member of the U.S. Military. The day that I have looked forward to for a very long time is here! 

It's an oddly bittersweet moment. On one hand I am so excited to not have to keep my uniform presentable or worry about passing my physical fitness test every 6 months or jump through any of the other proverbial hoops that the military is famous for. I won't have to fret over getting the phone call telling me I am leaving on another deployment. That's the best. I won't be forced to leave my little family while missing out on some crucial (aren't they all crucial?) part of Tyson's childhood. However, it's a weird feeling to no longer be a member of something that has been such a large part of my adult life. 

The other day I teared up during the opening ceremony of the superbowl. It's not abnormal for me to get emotional during the National Anthem. However, I was responding to seeing the Honor Guard presenting the flags. I was suddenly sad that I wouldn't ever be a part of the pomp and circumstance that often happens when you don your uniform...wierd, I know. 

Even with all of the challenges and difficulties that I have experienced, I have never ever regretted joining the military. It has shaped my character in such a way and introduced me to some of the most interesting people and experiences I have ever known. 

So here's to the next phase of my life. May it be just as interesting...but hopefully a little less action packed:)

Iraq pics...

So as one final homage to my military career, I thought I would put some pictures up from my deployment...in celebration that I will never have to go back. At least I won't ever have to go back as a soldier. I guess I could go back someday on vacation but they would have to build on helluva great amusement park to lure me. The top picture is me in front of one of Uday's (Saddam's son) 'pleasure palaces.' Basically it used to be a brothel. 

The picture that caused so much controversy in my little town. PS- I AM honored to have served my country...but a girls gotta have a sense of humor. 

On another convoy in Baghdad...and my weapon is perhaps aimed right at the photographer. Always at the ready!

I had someone take this picture because I was so darn excited to have something so yummy to eat. Thanks mom and dad for sending that great meal. You have no idea how much I enjoyed it. 

My living quarters...a tent...that I shared with 5 men. This is why I don't camp anymore. 

Saddam's throne. 

Is it just me or is that camel smiling?

my teammates/roommates.

What it looked like during a sandstorm. There is nothing wrong with the camera. It was really that orange outside. 

Happy Valentines Day!...almost.

So since Valentines day is drawing near I thought I would have a somewhat festive photo shoot. 

Okay, so maybe I lied. Basically, I was trying to play around with my camera and I thought I could pawn these pics off as seasonal since he's wearing his red "irresistible" shirt. 

Not all of the pics were very successful of course. Something shiny distracted him I'm sure. He's a bit like a puppy in that sense. 

He's finally starting to get the hang of smiling for the picture instead of immediately after it's taken. 

On another note, he's getting to be fairly mobile. Crawling is still hit or miss. However, despite all of my best efforts to keep anything camouflage out of sight, he's got a mean Army crawl happening. I swear I did not teach it to him. I hate the low crawl. I once got kicked in the face by this broad in boot camp while we were learning it...the relationship hasn't been the same since. Oh well. Tyson is also standing constantly and really attempting to cruise around the furniture but he's not very steady yet. He hates sitting still...hates it. I used to think I hated sitting still until the luxury was taken away from me. Turns out I was wrong.