I haven't posted in a while! Life has been a whirlwind the last few weeks. Audrey and I are back in Iowa for the duration of Brandon's deployment and it is so wonderful being home again :) So lets start where we left off last time shall we?
After Brandon left I started getting ready to head home. I had to wait on Audrey's passport and paperwork from Brandon's commander so I could fly Space A. After all the paperwork went through I was able to sign up for a flight. I was very lucky and was able to make the first flight I tried to get on! The trip home was very long and exhausting, but it could have been much worse. Audrey slept through 90% of our 8 1/2 hour flight to Baltimore. She didn't fuss once. I couldn't believe it. Once we landed I only had 1 hour to get through customs, get my bags, check in at Southwest, go through security, change Audrey, and get to the gate. It was quite the challenge. At baggage claim there was plenty of returning airmen willing to help me get my bags on the luggage cart. I tried to get them myself, but with Audrey strapped to my chest, it didn't work. When I got to the main part of the airport they had tons of people with the USO clapping and cheering saying, "Welcome home!" I felt pretty silly because I know they were there for the returning deployed airmen, but it was still pretty cool. Everyone was smiling and saying how cute Audrey was. After I got passed my little military community of people is when it got hectic. I had to run with a baby strapped to me to the complete opposite side of the airport to check in. I got charged a 50$ baggage fee for my bag being THREE pounds overweight. I tried to play the "poor me" card...husband deployed, traveled from Germany by myself...they weren't having it. Rules are rules I guess. At this point I was bawling because I was so tired and frustrated. Once I got to security I put my bag through and they had to rip it apart to inspect it, of course. Then they gave it back all jumbled, people were trying to rush past me, I was crying and probably looking like a crazy person. Traveling with such a young baby is NOT easy, but we made it and that is all the matters :) From Baltimore we flew into St Louis and my family met us there. It was SUCH a relief to see them and know that I had made it!
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| Keilan and Audrey on Halloween! |
Since being home we have visited with lots of friends and family. I have had so much fun showing off Brandon and I's little lady. I am so sad that Brandon can't be here to experience all the firsts, but it is nice that I can share it with my family. They are an acceptable replacement for the time being ;) It is also nice being in America! Ah! I had my first night out last week and realized I have turned into one of those people that goes out and can't talk about anything other than my baby. Ugh. It was a fun time though, love seeing people from high school! It made me feel like a normal person again ;) I struggle with feeling guilty when I leave Audrey, but that is normal...I hope.
The first week I was home I did not work out or watch what I ate at all. After the first week I got back into my workout routine and started watching my diet again. I am determined to get this weight off! I need to feel good about myself again. Being home has really helped me feel like myself again though. I haven't seen much progress yet, but I will get there!
Brandon has been gone for almost 1 month now, only 5 more to go! I am missing him so much, but it seems like he has gotten into his routine and seems to be doing well :) We email everyday and skype at least once a week. Thank goodness for Internet! I would go crazy waiting for a letter.
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| Trick or Treating! |
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| Picking pumpkins |
Audrey will be 3 months on Saturday! I cannot believe it! Time really does fly!
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