The big 100

It is hard to believe you have been away from us for 100 days. I got your email this morning and it made me so sad. Even though it seems like Autumn is growing up without you, she is still your little girl and we both are so excited to know that you will be on your way home soon.

Today is 25 weeks for me. Can you believe that???


Here I am in all my glory. Besides having some contractions occasionally and some back aches, this pregnancy has been going quite well.


Autumn looks really excited to be a big sister to a little ...... You might have to work for it, but read the sign!

I love you and miss you so much Sean.

100 days of missing you.

Chain of Love

Autumn and I have been working on a couple of projects. One of them is a chain of love.


I didn't know exactly what number to start with since we do not have an exact date, but I just made a guess and we will adjust the chain as it gets closer! Basically we made a link for each day that you have left until you get home and every night before bed time, we will tear a link off. We use to do this all the time when I was a kid and we were waiting for my dad to get home.


Autumn helped.


She did pretty good with the glue.


Writing the numbers, not so much.


The final product. You cannot really see it in this picture, but I placed a family photo of us towards the bottom (at Autumn's eye height). As we pull a link off each day, I will move the chain down and it will reveal the family photo.


We do not have enough family photos.


Autumn checking it out.

Our next project was baking. I wasn't sure if Autumn was really ready for this or not, but as you can see, she really had a good time. I think we should encourage this and do whatever we can to enable her to "cook" with us.


Adding the sugar.


Pouring the sugar in.


Ohhhhhhhh it looks good.


Adding the vanilla.


Taking another look.


Using the stand mixer. You see that egg in the little dish. I thought I was being smart breaking it ahead of time and putting it in that bowl. I didn't want Autumn to break the egg into the batter for fear she'd get egg shell in it. I wasn't quite prepared when she stuck her finger in that bowl then put it to her mouth. She just said, "Hmmmmm" and dumped the egg in. It was the only "mishap" we had while baking today!


Adding the salt.


Autumn being bossy. She was telling me to hand her something.


Adding the baking soda.


Getting the flour ready.


Pouring it in.


Adding the chocolate chips.


There we go.... A girl after my own heart.


Mean look!


Autumn finally got the bright idea to taste it!!


Big Bite.


Success!

99 days of cooking without you (aka Dad, you should see this crap mom is making me eat!).

Another snowy day.

Woke up this morning to yet more snow. As much as I don't mind shoveling, it is getting tiresome. Zaps all my energy for a little while. I knew once Travis left, us girls would be fending for ourselves. I'll be so glad when you get home and can help Angie and I take care of the snow removal responsibilities.

Autumn is really enjoying the snow now. I'm thinking her boots are fitting so much better now and it really leaves me wondering if earlier this winter she was so upset about being out in the snow because her shoes were ill fitting.


Kicking the snow around.


It amazes me that Autumn has the ability to look dainty no matter what it is she is doing or wearing!


Being a good girl and wearing her gloves. I haven't had to fight with her the last few snow outings to wear her gloves. She is fascinated with "touching" the snow. I need to upgrade to some better gloves for her now that she is getting the hang of it. Also, I figure her new snow suit can wait until you get home. We can look for one together.


Look at all that snow!


Autumn flinging snow at me.


Then so proud of herself for doing it!


The sun started to come out. Do you see it on the top of the trees?

I wanted to give you an idea of how snowed in the Jeep is on the one side.

Autumn was totally freaked out about me setting her in the snow like that!! You can see that she is nearly able to see over the top of the Jeep.


I told her to say hello to Daddy, but she said no! I want you to know that when we go and shovel the snow together, Autumn always cleans the snow off the Jeep. She talks about you the whole time she does it. It is so cute.

Autumn decided to take a little walk.

I decided to let her and snapped off this photo of her little foot steps. That speck way at the end of the photo, that is Autumn!


Your little clone in almost every way. The lone wolf.

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. Not sure if you knew that because you don't follow football. I have no idea who is playing or what we are going to do today. Autumn is still under the weather a little bit. I'm coming down with whatever it is she has. I think we will go to church tonight and just hang around the house. I love you and miss you so much it hurts.

Your favorite wife and Airman. xoxo


98 days of footsteps in the snow without you.

Keeping busy!

Seems like we have had a lot going on the last week doesn't it?? I guess I'm just trying to keep us preoccupied with activities so that we don't dwell on when is Daddy coming home.

It snowed last night. It looks like quite a bit, but that could be deceiving. At this point, I am just hoping it is a light snow and not a heavy one. My back is hurting for some reason and I just don't want to overdo it. I'll be sure to call someone for some help though if it looks like I cannot do it. STOP THE PRESSES! Aren't you proud of me?? Asking for help if I need it.

Today we are going to take it easy. Autumn was up so late last night. I think we are going to do some baking (Autumn involved kind of baking), then this afternoon we are going to H2Oasis. I love that the Army sponsors stuff like that so frequently. It really does help to keep distracted.

On to last night!

I am not really sure what it is about the combination of Autumn and Riley, but Autumn really misbehaves when she gets around Riley. Almost every time I have been with Angie, I have had to spank Autumn for acting up and I hardly ever have to spank Autumn. It stresses me out when she acts so badly and makes it really difficult to enjoy having some company. I don't know, hopefully it is just bad timing (for example, Autumn didn't get her nap yesterday, so maybe it has nothing to do with Riley???).

We started our evening off by enjoying a walk around the mall.


Autumn of course had her blanket and kitty cat.


We cannot leave home without those items.


Riley was looking cute as a button.


Angie snapped this picture at exactly the right time! Autumn totally did a face plant. She stood right back up and took of running again, so we had to laugh about it.

We walked over to the Atwood Concert Center and it was cold!!!


I took a few photos of Autumn sitting in the window. That is the ice rink and Towne Square behind us.


Not sure what she was looking at.


A nice gentleman took our photo. I don't think you can tell I'm pregnant when I have my coat on.


Autumn was so tired!


Big yawn!


We took our seat. Autumn sat by herself, she sat with me, she sat next to Riley and she sat next to one of Angie's friends.


When the girls are nice to each other, they are really nice and when they are mean to each other they are pretty mean.


Autumn giving Riley some love. Riley was tickling Autumn and Autumn was just a giggling!

At one point during the show the kids on stage ended a song with the word possible. Next thing you know, it is quiet in the theater and Autumn is belting out the word possible. Everyone around us was giggling and saying Autumn may have a future in theater. I would not be surprised, Miss Erica Kane!!


After the show we walked back through the mall to get to the car. Here are the girls at that brown bear. I think it is funny that saying everything is bigger in Texas.... Compete with that guy Texas!! I always say everything is BIG in Alaska. Autumn is at least 2.5 feet tall and look at how little she looks next to that guy!

I am going to take photos throughout the day of whatever we decide to do. I hope you enjoy these photos. I love you and miss you bunches.


97 days of playing dress up without you!

Seussical the Musical

Prepare yourself, this is going to be a long post and have lots of pictures.

Where does one start?

This morning we went to our play date at the Arctic Playgroundz. Autumn and I had a great time. We left about noon and headed home. On the way home I was involved in a 3 car pile up. I was the third car. I want you to know right now, we weren't hurt. No one was hurt, the car was not damaged, the police did not respond. We were sitting at a red light (the third car back), the light turned green. Everyone started to go, the lady up front slammed on her brakes in the middle of the intersection. It was snowing. Thankfully, we weren't going very fast, but I slammed on my brakes when I saw the truck in front of me getting ready to crash. It had been snowing, so when I hit the brakes so hard, we skidded right into the truck. The man in the truck made sure we were OK then began asking the lady at the front why she slammed on brakes. She was DRUNK as a skunk!! Since no one had any damage, we all left. Please don't give me a hard time about this and make me regret telling you.

Once we got home, the house felt cool to me. I realized it must be cold because Autumn brought me her jackets. That is right JACKETS!! That is why you will see that she is wearing two of them in the following photos.

While I was talking with my mom on the phone, Autumn was playing. I wasn't paying very much attention, but I asked her what was she doing. She said something in Autumnese, so I went to check.


What a bad girl!! Can you tell she was proud of herself?


Putting the oatmeal back.


Now the ultimate.... dancing in oatmeal. Guess I won't be making any no bake cookies for awhile- those were the instant oats.

After no nap, it was time to get ready for the Seussical the Musical. We are riding with Angie (plus Reagan) and Riley. I'll do my best not to wreck on the way there or home. We are heading out shortly, but I wanted to make sure I got an update post on here in case you are on at our normal time, but we aren't home. There will probably be more pictures. I want you to see how beautiful your daughter is, inside and out.


Pretty in pink (ps we need another one of those stools).

I needed better light, so I took the piano bench and put it in front of the window. Oh big mistake.


Autumn started saying Dad.


She insisted you were out there.


Autumn, daddy isn't out there. Autumn, "Oh no!"


Jeep, Jeep.


Mom are you sure?? Yes Autumn, I'm sure.


Looks like she is praying almost doesn't it?

She wanted to be 100 percent sure, so she:


Went to the door. "Daddy, daddy, home, home."


Still looking just to make sure.


Oh the disappointment when you aren't there. I cannot tell you how much it breaks my heart to go through this every single day. I'm just glad I didn't get the picture from the front.


It is cold out there.

I love you and miss you dearly. I think we will have a great time tonight.

Your Favorite wife and airman. xoxo


96 days wondering when you will be home.

Autumn's sick.

At least I think so. She is cutting a molar, so she may have a runny nose because of that, but I tend to think this is a cold. I can deal with a cold, but the lack of sleep might kill me. Autumn was up several times last night for several hours at a time. She refused to take a nap today, so I am just hoping that she doesn't get so tired that she doesn't sleep tonight either. Not much you can do for a cold. I did give her some Benadryl this morning and will probably give her another dose tonight. The problem really seems to be when she lays down.

We did manage to squeeze some fun out of our day.


By spinning in the chair!


This was a lot of fun for Autumn!


It was a lot of fun for me too. Her smile can make the not so fun evening we had just melt away.

I would like to take this time to point out Autumn's:

Curls! Mister she is going to have straight hair. Can you admit it now that there is at least a little of my DNA in there?!?!? I think back to poor Dylan, he had to date Autumn when she was bald!! I guess that is true love for you though!


After a few minutes of spinning, Autumn wanted to be tossed up. Where did she get an idea like that from???


Maybe it was you?


I don't know... What do you think??


It was definitely you!!!!!!!!! Baby tosser!!!


Holding on for dear life!


She really did have a good time.

I wanted to take Autumn for a hike today since tomorrow will be entirely to busy, but the temperature did not cooperate. It was 5 degrees on our way home from the gym and with her runny nose, it will just have to wait until next week. I am looking forward to our coffee house play date in the morning and not going to the gym. I am cutting my gym days down to 4 days a week and today I didn't get to go to spin class because our instructor, Heather, had food poisoning (from Anthony's Pizza at the food court!!!).

I started my book, 30 Days to Understanding the Bible by Max Anders. Some people may not know this about me, but I grew up in the Church and I have to say, I was quite surprised by this book. The first chapter talks about the structure of the Bible and I'm learning things I didn't know before. For example, the Old Testament can be divided into three sections consisting of 39 books- The historical section, the poetical section and the prophetical section. Anyway, I am enjoying learning things about the Bible and I am hoping that when you get home, you will join me for the class.

Angie told me the sex of her baby, but she hasn't made the big reveal (at the time I'm writing this portion of my blog). The big reveal is this evening, so I look forward to tell you when we chat!

I love you and miss you dearly. Your Favorite Wife and Airman. xoxo


95 days of spinning without you.

Singing and Dancing.

Autumn and I have been having such a good day today (even though I am still feeling tired!). I'm so glad it is February. It finally feels like time is moving again. Before we know it, it will be March and you will be home.

I must be talking about you coming home a lot because every day this week Autumn has gone to the front door to let you in. I open the door every time to show her that you are not on the other side of it. She seems confused. I just know though that when you do get home, this will be a ritual for the two of you- she will be so happy to see you! Can you picture it??


Autumn laughing.


Drawing.


This is where she started her dancing and singing.


More singing. You know Miss Thea at day care calls Autumn Miss Erica Kane!! I completely agree.


She was holding her little bear "Frostiness" and said "hat" then put him on her head.


Then the twirling!!


Thumb sucker!


Clapping.


Silly face.


Laughing.


Happy beautiful girl.

We got all our errands done today that I told you about. I still have to make the salad to bring to church tonight, but we have some time yet. I'm looking forward to going to church tonight. I hope that when you get home, we will all be able to go.

I love you and miss you so much. Your favorite wife and airman. xoxo


94 days of missing out on all the smiles and laughs.