It's December!

I can not believe that it is December! It seriously amazes me how fast this year has gone. It's good of course because this is the month Eric will be home! It's also sad because Conner is growing up so fast, and this also means we'll no longer be living in Ohio. We'll miss my Family and Friends so much but are looking forward to our new life in 2011. :)

We arrived in MS on Sunday. We left Ohio Saturday afternoon. My Dad ended up driving with us which was nice because 1.) we had time together and 2.) he drove the whole way. Haha. We stopped in Tennessee and continued our drive Sunday. It went by pretty quick and was a smooth trip. Conner did so well and just hung out watching his DVD's. That DVD player was a life saver!

We got all of our stuff moved in on Tuesday. Dad and I moved some things in on Monday after we signed our lease. The house is small, only two bedroom, but it's a lot nicer then I expected and I am happy with it. I like being on base because it feels safer, and it's going to save us a lot of money. We only have to pay for our internet and cable. We'll lose all of our housing allowance but we did anyways in our old house we rented. We're so close to the commissary and Eric's works so we'll save on gas.

Eric is having his end of deployment party tomorrow so it's so real now! Time is coming to an end and our Hero will be home. I can't believe it! My friend I met through the NMCB 7 Facebook page text me today and said she'd be able to get off of work to come take pictures for me so that is even more exciting! I am so happy we'll have pictures to capture his homecoming.

So we're all doing great. Conner is handling the changes pretty well. He has his moments but he's 2, and has no clue what's going on so it's understandable. I just can't wait to see his face when he sees Eric for the first time. It's going to be amazing!

I've been busy trying to get the house together as much as I can before Eric gets home. We'll still have some stuff to do but for the most part it'll be all ready to go and we won't have to spend all of our time unpacking and doing things like that. It's just going to be the best! :)

Almost time to go!

So in less than 2 weeks we leave to head down to Mississippi. That also means SHORTLY after Eric will be home! I still have so much to do. I have to finish my Welcome Home sign, and get Conner's made. I gotta sort everything so I don't forget to take anything. Like our signs, banner, camera, and video camera. And Conner's welcome home shirt! I have to get the Taurus from my Brother and get it checked out, and the oil changed. I still need a car seat to put in it. I'm trying to decide on one but haven't decided on what to get. I don't want something to expensive because it won't be used much, but I also don't want something that's cheap and not safe for my Bugs. I also want to get a DVD player so if Conner is awake he can watch a movie or something. So much to do! It's creeping up on me FAST, but that's okay! I am excited!

Eric will be leaving Africa in a week or so. Then he'll get to Spain and be able to call more. Since they moved from their camp to a hotel he can't really call and it sucks, but at least he can get online and write me a message on Facebook. He's doing good, just getting anxious.

Conner is doing great. I can't believe how grown up my baby is. It's exciting and sad at the same time to watch him grow and change so much. Eric is going to be completely shocked when he gets home and realizes how much he really has changed. Pictures and phone calls just don't do it justice.

I'm so thankful for all of my support this deployment. I've had a few rough patches and luckily had a couple of good friends, and awesome parent's to helped me through. I got to take a cake class with my friend Megan and that was so much fun, and it was a nice couple hour break. Conner got to have lots of fun, and do more than MS has to offer. I am going to miss all my friends up here so much. I know it's going to be a big change going back down there. Last year was miserable because I didn't have any friends to lean on. This year will be different because I realized how much Eric does for me, and means to me and that he is all the friend I need.

2011 will be a year of change for me. I really want to work on the person I am. I want to learn to be more thankful for what I have, and not dwell on what I don't. I want to be thankful for the few good friends I have, rather then the crappy ones who have left me behind. I just have so much to work on and I hope that 2011 is the best year yet for my beautiful Family.

So that's, that. My Husband is almost home!!

November is the final month!

We have reached the final month of Deployment! We are getting so excited to have Eric home with us finally!

We're all doing pretty good. Conner had his first Dentist appointment. Sadly, he has a cavity that needs filled already. The reason is he has grooves in his teeth, which are like little holes so he is probably going to always have cavities but we are going to try our best to prevent them. Lots of water to flush the food out and such. Once he gets older and has all of his adult teeth he'll need to get his teeth sealed to fill in those grooves. So we have a LONG time before that can happen. Other then that though he looked great and did really well.

He also had his first cold. His immune system is so good though that it really didn't get bad. He still has a bit of a cough but other then that he was good. He is talking up a storm and I think he knows Daddy will be coming home soon. Whenever Eric calls Conner will say "Hi Daddy.. Home home home" asking him to come home. Kind of heart breaking, but so cute at the same time.

We also got a brand new, 2011 Escape! It's amazing and I LOVE it! The payments are a bit high, but we'll make it work. I feel like Conner is so much safer in there and it is so much easier getting him in and out of it. I clean it daily..lol I am obsessed with vacuuming it. I would wash the outside more because it drives me crazy when it's dirty but with the rain and everything it's pointless. I do need to buckle down and wash it good and get it waxed before Winter. I love it though and am so thankful Eric let me get it. :)



I am finishing up my cake class. It has been so fun, and I really hope to find the next class when we get back to MS. I know I'll have to go alone but I really want to. I'm not very good, but practice makes perfect. I'll have my last follow up from my surgery next Tuesday. My scar healed up so good. He did a great job. You can see it, but barely. He's amazing. I've lost all my baby weight, and then some. Just in time to trying to get pregnant again. ;) I am down to 112 and feel great. I am still self conscious about how I look without clothes but I am working on it. Conner is totally worth it but it's hard to get use to your new Mommy body.

Eric is doing great. Finishing up in Africa and then he'll head back to Spain, I'm thinking maybe mid month. They can't wait to get back there and eat real food and start packing up to come home. He's such an amazing, strong man!

Halloween just passed and Conner went as Daddy. He looked so stinkin' cute in his cami's. Best costume ever I swear! He did really good at trick-or-treating. He was afraid of people in masks, and even just face paint but got a little better as we went along. He got lots of goodies that I am hiding. With his cavity I really don't want him eating anymore sweets then he needs to. I also don't want to not let him have it because that's part of growing up! :)


So that's how we're doing. This deployment has flown by and it has been great. We've had so much fun being in Ohio and spending time with everyone. I've learned a lot about myself, and others. I plan on making the best out of 2011 and try to move past my own insecurities and just enjoy life. Try not to dwell on other people and just be thankful for everything I have in my life!

Happy October!

October is finally here! I am completely loving the Fall weather, and some leaves have started to change. I love the colors of Fall! I know a lot of people hate Fall because Winter is right behind, but it's my favorite season!

I'm really excited for Halloween. Conner is going as his Daddy. :) He got Cami's that look like Daddy's and they will even have his name tag on it like Daddy's. He's going to look adorable!

October also marks 2 months until Eric comes home! I can't believe it's been 8 months, and he'll be home so soon! I can't wait for my Family to be together!

Eric is still in Africa. They are doing good, but they are all ready for this deployment to be over. Especially being there. They just want to head back to Spain so they can prepare to head home. Exciting!

Conner and I are doing good. Conner is talking so much more now. I LOVE it! I love hearing the way he says things. Especially people's names. He's so smart, and so funny. He's our handsome little man!

I'm hanging in there. I am sick of the drama I've been dealing with, with 'friends'. I am ready to be far away from it again. I am completely okay with only having Eric. I don't need everyone's drama. Especially from friends who don't have kids, so they don't get that I can't just get up and go like they can. Yes, my Parent's will watch Conner any time, but he is MY child and MY responsibility! And honestly, I don't mind sitting at home with him all the time. Sometimes it's nice to have friends stop over and hang out to have adult conversation, but other than that I am perfectly content.

So that's how we're doing. Counting down the days and just trying to stay busy!


Oh and yes I stopped, and deleted the whole days thing. Got boring!

It's September!

I am so excited that Fall is almost here! Today it was nice and cool outside and felt like a Fall day. I love Fall for many reasons. The colors, smells and Halloween. I didn't care much for Halloween since I was little, but having Conner now I get excited to dress him up, and take him to pick out a pumpkin and all that fun stuff. I am excited to be in Ohio for Fall to see the leaves change.

September also marks another month closer to Eric being home. 3 to go. This is the longest deployment ever. Literally. 10 Months is to long without my Husband. I miss him more than words can say. I look forward to homecoming and throwing my arms around him and hearing Conner yell "Daddy!". It'll be simply amazing!

I've been trying to work on myself lately. Be a better person. To not let people get to me as much as I have always allowed them. I've really learned who my real friends are. There's not many. I have reached the point that I just don't care. I only need Eric, Conner and my Family in my life. Nothing else, no one else, matters. That will change. I'll reach a point where I just miss having close girl friends, but it's just not worth the drama, and stress. Women are so damn caddy. It's ridiculous.

Anyway... Eric is doing great. Just really ready to come home. Still in Africa working hard. They are hoping to get the fence done so they can head back to Spain. Conner is doing good also. Growing like crazy, and changing everyday. He's been working on his 2 year molars for a while now, and has one thru the gums. So he's been a bit cranky, but he's doing good. He's gotten more lovable which I LOVE! He's just amazing. When everyone else lets me down, he can make me feel better with one little hug. Just the way his Daddy always has. :)

So my little Family is doing amazing, as amazing as we can without being together.

Happy Birthday, Eric!

Today is Eric's 29th Birthday. Another milestone down in our deployment countdown. I really wish we were with him today to celebrate, but we're going big next year for his 30th! Sucks he has to spend his Birthday working hard in Africa, but he's doing good over there. They are working hard. Now they have to work from 5:30 am to 5:30 pm because they are behind on their projects. I guess the only good thing is it'll help time go by faster. We've got 25 weeks down. It's crazy thinking it's August 17 and Eric left February 18th. Sounds so far apart! Feels good to have this time under our belt and to be over half way done. I remember back to counting down to the half way mark.

So Happy Birthday Eric. We love you so much!

End of July update

Well July is finally coming to an end. I'm happy to see it go. It makes another month down of deployment, and that much closer to Fall, which is THAT much closer to Eric's homecoming!

Eric has finally moved to his new location in Africa and has started his work there. If you'd like to know more you can check out my Military Wife blog for details. He's doing good and says it's beautiful there. When he shares pictures I'll be sharing them here, and my other blog. I can't wait to see where he is living. They'll be there for 3 months, then head back to Spain to HEAD HOME!

Conner is doing well. Growing like a mad man. Changing daily! He's so grown up it scares me! He can now ride his bike all by himself! I'm thinking by the end of this week he'll be able to ride, ride it. Right now he goes a little then stops. It's so cute, but sad because he looks so grown up!

I'm doing well.. Just counting the days until Eric's return. I got a tattoo on July 12th. It's on my foot and is dog tags with Eric's name on them. I love it, and I am proud of it. Some people may think it's silly, or stupid to get a mans name on your body, but I love Eric and I plan on spending the rest of my life with him and don't regret it one bit. I am just living the days taking care of Conner and waiting for Eric's call.

So we're all doing good. Pretty much just sums up to... We want Eric home. :)

Life with a toddler

...Is full of so many different emotions!

I love watching Conner grow, and learn. I love hearing him say new words, especially the ones he says wrong. It's so cute. He has started to say bug, but most of the time he calls them momey's.. I have NO clue where he got that from but it's so cute. He also refers to himself as, Nonney. Whenever he wants something he'll say his name, he also talks in 3rd person a lot. lol

He's doing really well. Growing like a weed. We're missing Eric, and he asks about him a lot and will point out Daddy's things in my room. I love that it's been 5 months and Conner remembers him so well. He points him out in pictures all the time, and on my phone. He gets so excited. So I am holding hope that in 5 months he will still remember him and be excited to see him when he gets back, instead of scared.

Conner definitely has his moments (as do I). He gets mad and yells at the top of his lungs when he's mad. He's not a very good listener to say the least. He doesn't really throw tantrums, but he gets mad and just yells or throws things. He's VERY persistent when he wants something, which can drive you crazy. He's not at all interested in the potty, and I'm not pushing it yet. I fear that if I do we'll both just get frustrated and it's going to take longer then it needs to. So we're just taking it day by day. I'm hoping when Eric gets home we'll get him more interested in it and can work on it together.

Eric is doing well. He has moved to his new location and will be there for a couple of months before heading back to Spain to pack up to come home! I CAN'T wait for homecoming day. I get so excited just thinking about it. I think about our homecoming sign, and getting Conner a cute shirt made to welcome Daddy home. It's going to be one of the best days of our lives!I'm REALLY hoping that he comes home more towards the of November, but as Military Wives you learn to hope, but not expect, because in the end you can be left with a broken heart.

July '08, '09, and 2010

I always love going back and comparing pictures of Conner.
So here are pictures from the last three July's. He's changed so much!

July 2008

July 2009

July 2010

Time to update!

Well it's been a while since I updated on our Family!

We're all doing well. Eric is working hard on deployment and we're almost at the half way mark! I can't wait to finally be over the hump! He is getting ready to leave for Africa this week. He'll be there for 90 days and then head back to Spain to finish out deployment.

Conner is doing great. He's talking so much and really starting to put a lot of words together. He's definitely a Toddler and throws many tantrums/screaming fits. He's got a great personality though. He's so fun, and loves to make people laugh. He's a goofball really. He's still obsessed with Mickey Mouse. It's the only show he will watch. His favorite toy at the moment is a shopping cart our friends gave him. He pushes it everywhere he goes. He likes to sleep at night with his blankie, Dada Bear, and his mickey. Oh and of course his paci (yes he still gets it). He's really grown up.. It's amazing.

I'm doing well, also. My surgery went well and I have healed up really nicely. I have gotten back to pretty much normal the past week or so. My jaw was pretty tight for a while but now I can eat anything I want. I'm very excited because I've lost so much weight since Eric left. I am now wearing a size 5, sometimes 3. I have started riding a bike with Conner and he loves it. I really just need to tone up now to be where I want to be. I am only 3 lbs heavier then I was before I got pregnant. I've been keeping myself pretty busy. Hanging out with friends any chance I get. I am going to miss my Family and Friends so much when I go back to MS, but I am so ready to have Eric home and be a Family again. We love and miss him so much!

Oh yeah and at Conner's 2 year well baby he was 27 lbs and 34 3/4 in tall :)

Mommy's big 2 year old!

On May 24, 2010 my little man turned 2! It's kind of weird because I feel like he's been with us longer than 2 years, but also feel like there is no way he is 2 already! He had a Mickey Mouse Birthday party on Sunday before his actual Birthday. It turned out to be an amazing day! The weather was perfect ( a little hot actually), which was great because for a long time it was saying it was going to rain! It was at a park here in town. He also had a blow up jump house which he didn't really care for. He got tons of cool stuff! A new Mickey Mouse tricycle, swing set, sand box, a wagon and TONS of other toys. He also got some really cute clothes. We got his cake from Super K and it was soooo delicious! A lot of people cancelled on me, but he actually had a really great turn out!

On Monday, his actual Birthday we just hung out and played with his new toys. He also got to go to Applebee's for a Birthday dinner. :) He sat by Papa and ate really good.

It's hard to believe our little 5 lbs 15 oz baby boy is now a big boy! I haven't taken him to his 2 year well baby yet so I'll have to update with stats after that. But he's doing great. He's a skinny little man like I was when I was little. He's so active and loves to be outside all.day.long. He's smart as can be. He amazes me with how much he knows, and says. I love how he can tell me what he wants, but hate the toddler 'tude. lol But all in all he's a great boy. Has his moments, but all kids do!


Happy 2nd Birthday baby! Mommy and Daddy love you so much!

23 months old!

I can not believe my baby boy is 23 months, meaning next month he will be turning 2! It's amazing how time flies, and how much he changes daily. He talks so much now. I know once he starts sentences we'll never get him to shut up. But I'm okay with that. He's a smart little man, like his Daddy. :) He says things that I just adore. Like..

Bus- Buck (and he rolls the k)
His Uncle Mike is- Miney
Helicopter- Copta (you kind of have to hear him say it though lol)
He calls birds ducks lol

I'm sure there are plenty more but those are all I can think of. I just love him learning new words. It amazes me. He now has a size 8 foot! And is slowly getting into all 2t's. They are a little big still but almost there. He LOVES being outside, always has. He's our little explorer. I love when he says 'bess you'. He says it when you sneeze, couch, clear your throat, yawn or burp. 'Bess you' also means think you... Love that! He has really gotten into playing with his Daddy's old cars that we found in his Grandpa's things. He also loves being with balls, he has a billion of them. He is still obsessed with Mickey Mouse. He is learning all of the character names, which is so cute! So he will be having a Mickey Mouse birthday. I am looking and deciding on those now!

We are so proud of our little man. He is a really good baby. Other then whining almost all day, over almost anything. lol But all in all we are very lucky with him. We love you Conner Man!

April 2, 2010

I never thought when I woke up today that today would be one of the worst days of my life. It started out like a normal day. Conner woke up about 7:45, which isn't normal but oh well. We ate breakfast and hung out. My phone rang at 11:51.. It was my Brother in Law, Ed. I was confused on why he would be calling me, but never thought to much into it. I answered and then he said "My Dad died this morning" and my heart sank. I was sitting there completely speechless. Trying to find some words to say. When we got off the phone it all completely sank in and I lost it. I cried and tried to call Eric's cell phone. Thinking how horrible this phone call was going to be, how heart broken my Husband was going to be to hear that his Father has passed away, shortly after the anniversary of his Mother's death. It made me sick to think of Eric, Karen and Ed losing him. Of all of us losing him. I never got a chance to see him since I've been home. No one ever got the chance to say good bye, or to make sure he knew how much he was loved.

Eric never answered his cell. I had to call the Mississippi quarterdeck and have them call over to Spain and get to Eric so he could call me. When he called I was on the phone with the Red Cross already. Arranging them to call so that he could come home and be with his Brother and Sister and be here to lay his Father to rest. When I answered I asked him if he knew why I needed him to call.. He replied "My Dad died didn't he" and we both lost it. I never felt a feeling so horrible. I never felt so helpless because I just shared this news over the phone, I couldn't be there to hold him and hug him. I wanted to comfort him but all I could offer were words. Nothing can ever make that moment easy. Nothing.

I've never dealt with death that hit so close to home. My heart just broke as everything ran through my head. How hard this was going to be on my Husband and his siblings. How he will never see our kids grow up. How sad I was for all of us to be feeling these emotions and how sad I was that he passed away, alone.

Edward William Bayer - September 15, 1949- April 2, 2010. May you rest in peace and always know that you are loved and missed dearly. Please watch over your Daughter and Sons and help them find comfort in knowing that you are always watching over them. You will always be remembered. I promise to share everything with our kids so that you will never be forgotten. RIP.

21 months and an update

Well Conner is now 21 months old! I can't believe that totally slipped my mind with all of this deployment stuff and moving stuff going on. Wow.. In 2 1/2 months my baby boy will be 2 years old. I can not believe it! He is growing so quick and changing daily. I just watch him sometimes and can't believe how big he is and how smart my little man is.

Conner knows most of his body parts. He really likes singing "Head, shoulders, knees, and toes... Eyes, ears, mouth, nose..." He loves it. Although anytime he hurts anything he says "knee knee" even if it's his head...lol He can say most of them, but points to all of them. It's the cutest. He still isn't counting much.. He'll copy you, but he will always say "two three" on his own.

Conner has turn into the evil toddler...lol I think a lot of it has to do with Daddy being gone. He's just so angry and gets frustrated easily. I've been trying to just be supportive because I know he has went through so much with Eric leaving, watching his house be packed up, the travel up here, and living in a new place. Although he loves being with his "mawmaw" and "papa". He loves when my friends visit, he gets so excited to see everyone. So all in all he is doing good. Just a few bumps in the road but we're holding each other together.. for the most part. ;)

We are now 2 1/2 weeks into deployment. Longest two weeks ever. Sometimes it feels like so much longer, but other times I am like wow at least that much time has already past.

I've recently had some AMAZING women pull through for me, and show me how much support I truly do have. 16 women that I know online got together and sent me beautiful flowers (my favorite, stargazer lilies and tulips) and they got me this cutest journal that I can't wait to start writing in. I also received some amazing words of encouragement from them. I am so thankful to have all of them in my life. It truly helps waking up everyday knowing that I have these amazing women in my life there for me. Knowing I can go to any of them if I just need some support or someone to listen to me. It just leaves me speechless. They touched me more then they'll ever know.

So I guess we're all doing good. Eric is hanging in there. We all have our good days and our bad. He calls me everyday. Although the selfish part of me wishes it were more..lol.. I am thankful to have that 15 minute phone call everyday. Soon he will have internet so hopefully we can chat and do webcam more. We just love and miss him so much. He's our hero!

Daddy is on deployment

Well yesterday, February 18, 2010. We said our good byes at 6:45 and drove away. One of the hardest things I have to do. Watching Eric say good bye to Conner was really hard. They are so attached and love each other so much. I know over the next 10 months I will realize how much I take Eric for granted and how much I truly need him forever. He's an amazing Husband, and Father. He will be in Spain until June and then will go to Africa.. Which will be hard because it'll be harder to talk to him. So at least until June we can hear from him everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. He's amazing. We're so proud of him and everything that he does. You don't truly appreciate your spouse until you don't have him there. It's times like these I realize how lucky I am, and that I truly need him in my life until the end of time.

Conner misses him already. He cried last night for him. Broke my heart into a million pieces. He's such a Daddy's boy. He's at the age that he doesn't really understand. Which is good in someways but harder in other ways. But we're strong and we can stay strong for Daddy and let him know that we're missing him, but we're doing okay.

Our count down is 44 weeks or now 299 days. Day one was by far the worst day, usually is. Now it's time to move forward and just count down until he's home with us again. A little part of me hopes he comes home sooner, but I know that won't happen. We love and miss you Eric!

20 months!

On the 24th Conner turned 20 months old. You know what that means?! Yep! That means in 4.. Yes FOUR months my baby will be 2! That to me is just flat out insane!

He's doing great. For a while his right foot, well heel, was bothering him. We had no idea what was wrong so we went to the doctor and was sent for x-rays and blood work and even and ultra sound. He ended being put on an antibiotic and within a few days his heel wasn't red anymore and now he can walk normal again! It was so sad knowing my baby was in pain, and watching him limp around. Not to mention how cranky and unhappy he was. Now he is happy again and back to his normal self!

When he was at the doctors he was 26 lbs! He's thinned out so much in the past year. His little chubby cheeks aren't as big anymore. He's starting to look so much older. He's saying a lot more now. He's gotten really good with saying "pweese" when he wants something. He also says "bless you" for thank you. It's so cute! He's a goofy, silly boy and always has us laughing. He's just amazing!

To funny not to share!

So when we went home to visit one time Conner insisted that Grandma buy him this stupid fist toy from the party center.. Well he got it out the other day for the first time in a while and Daddy showed him how to do this.. It's hilarious and I was in tears laughing at him. Towards the end is the best part because he cracks up at himself... It's so funny! I love his goofiness!

Yelling at Daddy

So this all began when I was sitting in the living room while Eric was giving Conner a bath and I was yelling to tell Eric something about the game I was playing. Well then Conner started yelling back and forth with me. It was so funny! Well then Eric tried and I got a video of him doing it. It's hilarious when he does this!

Christmas 2009!

Santa was good to Conner this year! We all had a great Christmas. We drove to Ohio, which too 18 hours! But it all went smoothly. He got all kinds of great toys and some cute outfits! After about 2 present's he didn't care to much to open anymore so we did most of the opening for him. ;) But he loved all of his new stuff! Hopefully this Christmas he'll be a little more into opening things.

I was stressed about the drive but it went great. Conner did so good and slept most of the way. Hopefully all of this traveling will get him use to it. His favorite thing to do is hang out in the driver seat while Daddy pumps gas. He gets SO excited! He also likes when the car is on and will have the radio and heat blaring. He will have the wipers going full speed and we're usually turning left....lol He also likes to flash the brights. He's a goof! So 2009 was a great Christmas and I couldn't have asked for a better Family to spend it with!