Lately, the Hubs and I have been talking about having the third child. With all of the deployment babies popping up in our old unit, I've got some jealousy and baby fever. When it comes to our planning though, the military really has no effect on it. I honestly feel like if you wait for the perfect time with the military, you'll never have a kid. Field trainings and deployments have this habit of just appearing out of nowhere, and since we all know that nothing is concrete until it actually happens, you really just never know.
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| R&R August 2011 |
My littlest bundle of joy was born exactly three weeks before her daddy left to Afghanistan. She made her appearance a bit later than her due date, so we were worried about Hubster missing the birth all together. He was one of the lucky ones who had to go in advance, which made us more nervous about him missing it. I'm also super grateful that the unit didn't go to JRTC or NTC, each month-long pre-deployment trainings, because that could have also caused him to miss the birth.
Back before Adri even began to exist, there was talk about the unit deploying at the end of 2011, but no one really had any idea when. I'm pretty sure it wasn't until August or September that they had a clearer timeline. Had we waited and tried to plan around deployment and the Army, Veronica might still be an only child.
I really can't complain about having a newborn, a toddler, and a deployed husband. It truly was not that bad. I was the FRG (Family Readiness Group) leader for two years leading up to the deployment, and I kept the position throughout the deployment. Moving back to my parents' house wasn't an option for me. Keeping the three of us alive wasn't
easy, but military wives are tough, so I made it work.
All in all, I'm very happy with how it all worked out. No one is mentally scarred yet, and we're all well off and happy.
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You are definitely a strong military spouse. I absolutely agree perfect timing in the military doesn't seem to exist. Luckily, we manage and find support among our community!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck on what you decide. I love that picture of daddy and his girls. Perfect timing doesn't exist with baby planning.
ReplyDeleteawe, that's exactly right. if you try to plan anything, it will never happen. but you have two wonderful miracles because of it.
ReplyDeletelove this post.
-whit
You are an amazing mother! :) Planning almost never works haha.
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine the postpartum hormones, coupled with the now-we're-on-a-deployment feelings. Plus FRG? You rock!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with #3! I am still mentally scarred from deployment with 2.. can't even process the thought of a 3rd.
Planning in the military? whaaaat? haha! My husband missed the birth of our second baby despite our best efforts to "plan". We didn't really plan our babies off of the husbands schedule but more off of how close in age we wanted them. That plan actually worked :)
ReplyDeleteYou are a complete rock star! I find it hard to handle Reagan some days when Brian is gone at work all day. At least he comes home and helps with Reagan at night. But to go through deployments and be in essence a single parent? I totally admire you.
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It is really hard to plan. When we were deciding on a 3rd we knew we wanted to be out of Germany so waited until that happened. We didn't worry too much about future deployments. In the end because of my duedate my husband was able to stay back a couple of extra months which was nice.
ReplyDeleteI feel that way a lot, military aside. If I waited for that perfect moment, I'd be waiting forever - for a third kid, a dog, a cat, a job! I imagine the military adds a whole new level of complexities.
ReplyDeleteYou have a gorgeous family.
I don't think family planning around Army works for anyone! We "planned" so well our kids almost have the same birthday 2 years apart! Just because of his deployment cycle. Oh well, I wouldn't change it for the world.
ReplyDeleteGawd I need to keep your outlook and strength in mind if I ever decide to attempt being a mom! It doesn't hurt that your kids are drop dead gorgeous either!! Thanks so much for linking up :) Love that I'm finding other blogs to read through it & vice versa!
ReplyDeleteI freak out when my husband travels for business and he comes back on the weekend! I don't know how you do it.
ReplyDeleteAww I totally get the baby fever now and then too! Man, I can't imagine how much work you do with the hubs being gone off and on. You military wives are super talented, strong and awesome moms. Oh and love those babies curls!! My girl has curls but they are crazy out of control and not sure if I should try product to tame?? Do you use anything??
ReplyDeleteI love this!! You are right -- if you try to plan kids .. or anything, really ... around a military schedule, you'll never get what you are looking for!! They always have a surprise in store for you!! {Get on #3 ... your girls are beautiful! You need to make MORE!}
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures! We feel the same way about planning babies around the military. If you wait for the PERFECT time, it will never happen!
ReplyDeletehttp://kimbersnavyfamily.blogspot.com/
Love your view on military life and kiddos! Kudos to you for going through a deployment with an infant and a toddler - you're amazing! :)
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