USS Nassau Making Headlines

Today Brian informed me the local news would be covering a heartwarming story from the USS Nassau (Wavy 10 and WVEC 13). A 2-day old Haitian baby who was delivered to Brian's ship for medical care was reunited with her mother last weekend after more than a week apart.

What the news article doesn't tell you is that it is even more of a blessing that she has been able to begin breastfeeding about 10 days post-delivery. As Brian pointed out to me, this is key because this poor baby would have had little chance for survival if the mom had not been able to breastfeed; typical resources before the earthquake didn't allow for the luxury of baby formula. So, I am relieved to hear his good news, in addition to the reunion news! The article also doesn't mention what a blessing Brian is to the Nassau and to Haiti, so I will! Keep up the great work!

Gearing Up at Home

If you'd have seen this image two weeks ago, maybe you'd have thought this was the flag of Japan. Nope, Brian whipped up this deployment calculator in Excel to help us track his deployment progress. I continue to find the red pie chart nothing short of alarming. It's only been 2 weeks since he left. But I imagine it'll get less overwhelming as time goes on; I guess it already is. Maybe it depends on how you look at it....after merely two weeks (and a day), Brian's chart informs me that the deployment is 8% over, which is more than half way to 10%, which just seems more substantial, so that's something, right?

Of course, I realize this logic assumes their return date isn't altered by any unforseen circumstances, such as their detour to Haiti...we shall see. I can't let myself get bogged down in the details.

At home, the girls and I have an old fashioned tool for counting down--a calendar, which Sydney crosses off each day with a pink marker, of course. Before he left, Brian also supplied us with some Hershey's kisses, and we filled a large jar with about 4 months worth of "kisses from Daddy" for both girls, with the assumption they won't get one quite every day...that'd be 209 pieces of chocolate each, which seems like too much. Besides, if these kisses are anything like vitamins, we're lucky if I remember to give them to the girls once a week.

The girls also have their "Daddy books," a photo flip book that I made with pictures we took with Brian while touring the USS Nassau to tell a simple story about where Daddy is (on his ship, the USS Nassau with Sydney's number, "4"), where he's going (Middle East), why (to help America and other countries), and when he'll be home (in the summertime, when we can go swimming).

And let's not forget their "Daddy Dolls," which generate quite a few snickers and jokes (I can still hear Jill laughing now...), but have seemed to offer quite a bit of comfort to the girls, especially with Brian's photo on the front and his 10-second voice message the girls can play on demand. They like to sit with "Daddy" in his favorite leather chair in the living room.

So, we are prepared and ready for the long haul, as much as we can be, anyway. In some ways, it's been easier than when Brian's coming and going, since I know I have to have stamina and patience to last 7 months and there's no one else who can do it for me. I don't find that the girls have been acting any differently (besides talking about Daddy's whereabouts in a good way, such as saying prayers for him). So I am thankful for that and it renews my confidence each day. But sometimes the usual daily challenges can still get to me, and family and friends have also been checking in on me quite frequently and giving me things to look forward to (like my cruise in 4.5 weeks!), which helps a lot and I really appreciate it!

"D (Deployment) Day"

Brian's deployment on the USS Nassau began two weeks ago, on January 18, 2010. Family members were able to board the ship the morning of his departure, which I didn't realize is a rare opportunity. Even though we've been on the ship before for a tour, it was nice being able to walk him all the way onto the ship and for the girls to see this is where he'd be for the next 7 months--not that they understand exactly how long that is.

After spending about an hour together, we said our goodbyes slightly before we were forced to, just to end the feeling of impending loss. I think I held it together pretty well, as I usually like to--despite the fact that I'm a sympathetic crier and there were many blubbering people surrounding us.

But I was surprised by the sudden lonely, sad feeling that swelled as I walked through the gangway on my way off the ship--alone and holding both tiny girls' hands, tears streaming down my face. Never before had we left the ship without Brian and it just didn't feel right. Luckily, the cold wind whipping down the pier between the ships crossed my face and dried my tears, slapping some sense back into me. I keep telling myself about the many other military spouses who experience deployments, some many more than we'll have to experience, so we, too, will get through this temporary situation...which hopefully is bettering the world, especially since the ship was diverted to Haiti to help with earthquake relief. So, I wish him fare winds and following seas, and lots of prayers.

I'm Back!

Don't know why I just haven't felt like blogging. Number one reason is, not sure my Norfolk life is all that worthy of a blog after having lived in Japan. But I guess I just need to get over that...it is what it is. Number two, if I'm honest, is too much FB! Also too busy with the girls maybe, or at least exhausted. And if I have down time after I get the daily housework done and allow myself some time, I want to spend it on my too many hobbies/projects that I've lined up for while Brian's gone. Usually I'd rather read my kindle (reading Shanghai Girls now, which is good, but a "harsh" reality), or figure out how to start sewing my first quilts/duvet covers for the girls' beds. Oh, and there's putting my past blog into book form for myself, that is definitely on my list of things to do. And I haven't even touched on the guilt I feel most days for not buckling down to earn my continuing education hours before tackling most of the above...

But I've been thinking that I've wanted to make a come back and blog to share about Brian's deployment, if for no other reason than as a keepsake for myself. And judging from the last blog, that's when I am most engaged in my blog, when I do it for myself and not for anyone else who may or may not be reading it.

But, in all honesty, thanks is in order to Kathleen, who recently pointed out that fall is long over, and winter is well on it's way, so I better get blogging...so, with a little fire under my butt, I'm back!

Fall is a Blur--Is It Over Yet?

I know there are still several weeks, even months, of fall left. But when Brian's only going to be home in time for Thanksgiving and then Christmas, it seems my favorite season is all accounted for, and in some ways, all over, since he left today for nearly a month.

It's kind of ironic that I'm all but wishing fall away this year, since I usually feel it passes too quickly. Some of my favorite things about fall are the warm days and cool nights, leaves as beautiful as a vibrant sunset, the smell and sounds of dried leaves under my feet as I enjoy being outdoors, a resurgence of apple and pumpkin foods, and the string of October and November birthdays that makes the season even more nostalgic for my family.

Of course life goes on when Brian's not here. Even some fun things, for the girls and for me. For example, we have 4 friends' birthday parties to go to in the next 3 weekends. Then there's Sydney's birthday, Halloween and trick or treating, my birthday, and Miranda's birthday. And I definitely enjoy spending my evenings reading a book or watching my favorite "chick show" (Brothers and Sisters on DVD, thanks Kathleen for getting me hooked!) But fall to me is just not living up to its potential when we're not getting out with the whole family for some outside fun, to make our own family traditions, especially now that both girls are more cooperative for outings.

Well, there's hope for us this weekend, since Nana and Aunt Laura are coming to visit (to celebrate their October birthdays!) As long as it doesn't literally rain on our figurative parade, we'll go to the pumpkin patch for hayrides, a petting zoo, and bouncey houses. No need for pumpkins though, I already have a couple--literally and figuratively.

First Days of School

Yes, I'm a little late to be posting about the first days of school (Sept 9 for Sydney, Sept 14 for Miranda). But we've been a little busy getting used to our new schedules and fitting in a few fun things that are new to us in the area. Not to mention the usual fights at nap time, which is my usual blogging time, along with unusually bad colds. Makes for some cranky kids and frankly, a cranky mom. But the good news is, Sydney and Miranda are both enjoying their new school, which is always a relief! Although besides a few details of her day, all I can get out of Sydney about her classmates so far, is that she plays with "two Jacks" in her class.

Here's the picture she drew on the first day of school. I thought it was awesome that she created a whole scene that went well together: sun, rain clouds, grass, flower. (I am ignoring the enormity of the flower, of course.) But I am so proud of her for attempting to write her name in freehand for the first time ever, instead of waiting for me to write it so she can trace it!

This is my favorite time of year, even before I had kids in school. So I'm hoping I'll be able to share some fun adventures with the girls even though Brian will be gone an awful lot, even missing all three of our birthdays. It's hard planning around his schedule, but we've managed to arrange some fun things to look forward to. Grammy and Grampy are coming from the Boston area to visit our home this week for the first time in more than 3 years. Then Nana's retiring at the end of this week and she and Grandpa will be able to visit more often, and they'll join us for an early birthday party for Sydney in 2 weeks.


And then there'll be a requisite fall trip to a pumpkin patch (and an apple orchard, per Sydney's request, if there is such a thing in this part of the country...although I don't think so...) And how about the annual VA wine festival in Norfolk, anyone?

Three Down...

Well, Brian's coming back from his third underway very soon. So far so good, although I know the Nassau will be stepping it up soon in terms of frequency and duration of the times at sea. We definitely miss him while he's gone, but I've also gotten the feeling I can swing it, especially now that preschool is starting next week.

Speaking of which, Sydney is nearly done being 3, but will still be in the 3-year-old class, 5 days a week due to her October birthday. I went to Parents' Night last night, and I've got to say Yokosuka Co-Op Preschool will be a tough act to follow. The girls' new preschool (Miranda will go one day a week) is supposed to be one of the better ones in the area by reputation. The teachers are very experienced and I know the girls will love it there. But having a comparison now, I really appreciate our Yokosuka experience--mainly in terms of the smaller intimate size of the school, great resources, and excellent communication.

Probably in part because I'm new to the school and relatively new to the area, I have felt a little in the dark. I feel somewhat better after receiving information at the Parents' Night. But to be honest, in new uncertain situations, I know me, and I sometimes tend to sit back, make my observations, assume some things for the worst, but hope I'm wrong.

So, I started sizing up some things during the Open House today. I was on a roll with mainly good or neutral observations. We were the first to arrive. Of course, Sydney impressed her teachers--using her good manners, recognizing her written name, and stunning them with her art (which they don't know, but has improved immensely over the past year). Some other observations: most of the kids in Sydney's class are boys, 7 out of 12 kids. And three out of a class of 12 kids have the name Jack, interestingly enough.

Then I couldn't help but notice one mom of a little boy (wearing that old-fashioned, or what I call "new country-club" wear, whose blond hair happened to be longer than any of the girls in the class). This mom arrived late decked out in a fancy pant suit and then monopolized the teacher with what I assume was a balanced mix of pride and flattery, interspersed with, "we like to do the Thomas the Train Edible Arrangement platters of fruit," when talking about what her snack contribution will be. OVER THE TOP, no?

I don't want to be like that. In fact, I can't help but put myself in the teachers' shoes and it almost makes me feel embarrassment on behalf of this mom. But...there's still this overwhelming sense of competition that people like that arise in me. It's part insecurity, in all honesty. But the other more productive part is wanting to be ambitious enough on behalf of my child--to advocate for her--so she will be recognized and get the attention she deserves.

Well, I only have "three down"--this is only preschool and the beginning of a long haul of wanting the best education for my children. I realize I will always have to stifle my insecurities and just be my plain, yet hopefully down-to-earth, self while some overzealous parents try to steal the show. It is at times like these when I can learn from my three-year old--who is outgoing, smart, and self-confident, with the perfect amount of eagerness to please. I know Sydney and Miranda will always be their own best advocates, making my anxiety a moot point, my job a lot easier, and my own pride bordering on obnoxious, I know.