You May think I'm Crazy

A couple of years ago I heard of a wife who had a life size cut out of her husband who was deployed and she would sit it at the dinner table in his chair every night so that her kids were sure to remember Daddy while he was away. Well when I heard this I thought, now I understand making sure the kids remember and everything but a cut out of Daddy isn't that a little extreme? Well today I am apologizing to whoever that woman was and I am eating my words.
 One of my main goals during this deployment is to make sure MaKenna knows who her Daddy is the first time she sees him in person. So we have a picture of Zach in MaKenna's room that we talk to everyday. And I am hiding my face as I type this next confession, b/c you will think that I am weird, We give the picture a kisses. We read his recorded books everyday, and I have sent more books to Zach for him to video himself reading. We mark off our day on our calendar everyday. We practice saying DaDa.
   I am constantly telling MaKenna what her Daddy would be doing if he were here, and what he would say to different situations. And yes I know what he would say, there I have been multiple times when I get to talk to Zach and I tell him about a particular situation he says the exact same thing that I told MaKenna he would. For example, "MaKenna does Mommy need this Dress? Well Daddy would say... yes but it!" :) On that note I constantly tell her what an amazing man her Daddy is and how much he loves us and spoils mommy, and how he is going to spoil her when he gets home. We plan what all we are going to do when Daddy gets home and what it will be like to be back together as a family again. Most of these conversations are when we are working around the house and she is in my sling (toting her in this thing is usually how I get housework and other things accomplished) So facing forward in her sling I will tell her that Daddy said to give her  Kisses She will look up with those adorable eyes and I will kiss her on the forehead, I will say "that's a Daddy kiss" and she will grin from ear to ear look back forward and then look up for another one. It is the sweetest thing.
   Some people may find it depressing all of the things that we do may seem just like reminders that he isn't here with us but for some unknown reason it gives us/me some form of comfort and it seems to lessen the physical distance between us.
   So yes you may consider me crazy now b.c I probably would have before. I tell myself at least I haven't gone as far as getting a life size cut out of him but then again maybe that is just b/c MaKenna and I don't eat at the Dinner table since she drinks milk and eats baby food and I am not cooking just for me.

Giving Daddy "Loves"

And just look at this big girl sitting up!!

  

First Day Of School

Ok well first day of Daycare. I didn't have to work on Monday but MaKenna went to Daycare for part of the day in order for Mommy to ease into it. I had planned on having her there by 0730 so we got up earlier than her typical 0800. She was very confused as to why I was waking her and forcing her to get dressed and then making her take pictures. You can see this confusion and the aggravation on her face in the pictures.
  All went well though I dropped her off and headed to spin class which might I add I have missed DEARLY and so have my thighs!! Then I went home and did a little sewing. And I was instructed by Mrs Debbie to not come back before 2:15 to ensure that all the kids were up from nap time. When I strolled in at 2:09 she just laughed and said "You couldn't stand it could you?"
  I think that I did really well considering. And MaKenna seems to love Mrs Debbie and all her friends at Daycare. THey were so welcoming they even shared their germs with her so that she could have a runny nose as well. And MaKenna was super generous and shared it with Mommy.
  I pray that we do not have this runny nose for the rest of our Daycare career but from what I have heard it may be a keeper. Fun times!

Family Time!

Yesterday Zach finally had an off day. (okay well actually it was about 2 weeks ago but if you noticed I back dated this post)  So he went to a spot with "American internet" And we were able to skype with video. It felt like forever since we had been able to do this. And it is amazing how much closer you feel just being able to see each other. Don't get me wrong it does not fix the longing I have to just touch him. What I would give. Although MaKenna tried to do just that. She couldn't really figure out the computer screen. She at first would try to grab him and put him in her mouth. She just couldn't figure the whole seeing him on the computer and not being able to feel his face like she does mine thing out. You could tell it really confused her. So then Saturday night when we were skyping she just held the computer screen and stared at him. And then we laid in the floor and played for a couple of hours. We really enjoyed getting to spend time with him, and to have more than a few minutes to just hangout and play in the floor as a family. Well maybe it wasn't like a normal family afternoon seeing as when MaKenna and I went into a different room I had to tote MaKenna and Daddy i.e. the Computer. But we loved every minute of it and cannot wait until we CAN have a normal family afternoon.

5 Months

MaKenna you are 5 months old today and Mommy cannot believe it. At 5 months old you way 15 lbs. unofficially and I haven't measured you to see how long you are I guess we will have to find that out at the Doctor next month. You Are still wearing mostly size 3 months. and some 6 months. Still in size 1 diapers although I think when we finish up this pack we will probably move to a size 2.
 You started eating solids this month!! So far you have had Bananas, pears, apples, prunes, carrots, sweet potatoes, yellow squash and field peas. The only thing you haven't liked so far is peas. Oh and on the cereal side We tried oatmeal and barley homemade. You were not fond of either one at first. Then I learned how to cook the oatmeal, you can't multitask you must stir it and cook it on low you can't rush it. Now you like oatmeal we haven't tried barley again yet.
  You usually sleep until about 7:30 or 8 when you are hungry you have a fruit. Then the next time you are hungry  which is usually aroung 1030 you have a 5oz bottle or nurse if you are with me. Then we hope that you go down for a nap although you are not a good nap taker. The next time you are hungry you have your vegetable which is usually around 2 or 3. Next you have a bottle and then around 7 we have your cereal and a little fruit and we read Daddy's book and head for bed. You very  good about going to bed at night usually you are out by 8:00 You still don't let mommy sleep all night we usually get up around 4 for a night time snack.
  You are getting a lot better sitting up with support. I don't think it will be long before you will be sitting up and crawling. I can't keep you on a blanket anymore you roll/scoot everywhere and super fast.
  You are still the sweetest little girl ever!! Very easy going go with the flow. But you are a little busy body, you are always doing something. THis month Mommy has had to get used to keeping you little hands under control, you want to touch an feel everything even germ infested buggies, tables, and menus.