Well, this wont be a long post but I wanted to share the news: The baby boy is here! After 18 hours of labor and 1.5 hours of pushing, little Grayson is here and is already spoiled completely rotten. This kid has my entire family wrapped around his little finger. Everyone says he looks like me, but all I can see are his dads features; little folde ears, expressive eyebrows, etc.
Poor little guy though; has jaundice and an infection, so they are keeping him in the hospital for 7 days to administer antibiotics. We are on day three right now, so only 4 more to go. They discharged me, but are letting me stay in an empty room so that I can feed and take care of Grayson. But if the maternity ward starts to fill up and needs the room, I get booted out, so hopefully the prego women in this town can wait a few days before going into labor. I can't leave my baby.
Funny fact though: Grayson sounded like a little duck when he was first born. So now he is my little gray duck and I have never been so in love.
As far as the husband goes: he is due home tonight for 10 days only. He DOES get paternity leave, but it is getting counted at the same time as his bootcamp leave. It doesn't seem fair to me, but who am I gonna go argue with? Danny said on the phone today that his plan to to come home and talk to his recruiter about getting some RA. More updates to come.
Showing posts with label bootcamp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bootcamp. Show all posts
Friday, July 27, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
T-55
I got a call from the husband today, which was awesome. It is always such a wonderful blessing to hear his voice.
The good news:
We have been being told, for three months, that Danny would find out on t-55 what job school he would be going to and for how long. He enlisted with a contract for Communications, but not for a specific job within that MOS. So we were expecting to get his specific information yesterday.
No Dice!
He called me and told me that the only information he had recieved was what he already knew. Just where and when he was supposed to report after his 10 days of leave.
So I was pretty upset and started bawling. I am not usually a crier, but the pregnancy horomones make me a little irrational. I was just so broken because I hate being in the dark. No one tells me anything and I just want to know where we are going after this.
I really need to work on not being a control freak. Granted, a baby wasn't in the picture when he enlisted, but we did sign for this, literally. When the husband approached me about joining the Marines, he told me that "hurry up and wait" would be the lifestyle. I guess I just didn't fully grasp what that meant.
I am not in control....
I am not in control....
I am not in control....
I am not in control....
Anyways, I called and talked to the recruiter and he explained that in the Communications MOS, everyone goes to the same school for 6 weeks, but could be placed in advanced classed for different jobs, depending on test scores. The way that I understood it was that the husband will be given apptitude tests in the first couple of weeks, and depending on how well he does, will be placed in his specialized Communications Job. However, the school for communications school will be 8 weeks at the max because a lot of the field is on-the-job learning. So the school is short, and they learn their jobs mostly at their PDS. Confusing, I know!
So- Communications Job School= 6-8 weeks.
I guess that isn't so bad. Not as bad as it could be. And I do believe that students get phone privleges, so it wont be as bad as Bootcamp, in terms of separation.
As an aside, if you have no idea what T-55 is, refer to this website for a detailed training matrix for San Diego. It will let you know what your recruit SHOULD be doing everyday. Training can get delayed a couple of days for various reasons, but they usually get back on track.
http://www.usmcgradsandiego.org/links/trainingMatrix.php
Don't forget OPSEC. DO NOT post specific dates on your facebook, twitter, etc. If you know for a fact that your recruit is moving to CP on a certain date, resist the temptation, and dont share online.
The good news:
- His bronchitis is cleared up (they caught it early, thank God)
- His platoon won Final Drill
- He got his orders
- His orders are complete bull.
We have been being told, for three months, that Danny would find out on t-55 what job school he would be going to and for how long. He enlisted with a contract for Communications, but not for a specific job within that MOS. So we were expecting to get his specific information yesterday.
No Dice!
He called me and told me that the only information he had recieved was what he already knew. Just where and when he was supposed to report after his 10 days of leave.
So I was pretty upset and started bawling. I am not usually a crier, but the pregnancy horomones make me a little irrational. I was just so broken because I hate being in the dark. No one tells me anything and I just want to know where we are going after this.
I really need to work on not being a control freak. Granted, a baby wasn't in the picture when he enlisted, but we did sign for this, literally. When the husband approached me about joining the Marines, he told me that "hurry up and wait" would be the lifestyle. I guess I just didn't fully grasp what that meant.
I am not in control....
I am not in control....
I am not in control....
I am not in control....
Anyways, I called and talked to the recruiter and he explained that in the Communications MOS, everyone goes to the same school for 6 weeks, but could be placed in advanced classed for different jobs, depending on test scores. The way that I understood it was that the husband will be given apptitude tests in the first couple of weeks, and depending on how well he does, will be placed in his specialized Communications Job. However, the school for communications school will be 8 weeks at the max because a lot of the field is on-the-job learning. So the school is short, and they learn their jobs mostly at their PDS. Confusing, I know!
So- Communications Job School= 6-8 weeks.
I guess that isn't so bad. Not as bad as it could be. And I do believe that students get phone privleges, so it wont be as bad as Bootcamp, in terms of separation.
As an aside, if you have no idea what T-55 is, refer to this website for a detailed training matrix for San Diego. It will let you know what your recruit SHOULD be doing everyday. Training can get delayed a couple of days for various reasons, but they usually get back on track.
http://www.usmcgradsandiego.org/links/trainingMatrix.php
Don't forget OPSEC. DO NOT post specific dates on your facebook, twitter, etc. If you know for a fact that your recruit is moving to CP on a certain date, resist the temptation, and dont share online.
Friday, June 15, 2012
That Power of Attorney sure was useful!
Before my husband left for bootcamp, we decided it would be a good idea to purchase a new vehicle when he got back because our 1994 Honda Accord wasn't really suitable for a newborn. We decided that we wanted to stick with Honda, but upgrade to a CRV. But we were going to wait until he got home so that we would have enough money to make a good down payment.
Well I have found the car a month early. Its a wonderful deal and its everything that I want. The biggest perk is that its RIGHT at our ideal price.
So of course I am trying to get it, but the dealership can only do so much when its me promising to have the money soon. Basically they are willing to give me the car if I can write a check for $3000 and let them cash it within 30 days.
But I dont have a check and I am not even sure that Danny will have that much money in his Marine Federal Credit Union account. So I am using my nifty Power of Attorney to add myself to my husbands account so that I can transfer money from his account to my account after seeing if there was enough to buy the car AND leave him spending money.
So I wanted to share that if you have a power of attorney for your recruit, you can contact MFCU and add yourself to their account. They will ask for your original PoA (they will return it), a copy of your ID and SSN card, as well as your recruits SSN. They don't need your recruits SSN card or a copy of it, just the number so they can look the account up and add you. Also, your address and phone number.
I suggest making a copy of your PoA before you send your original, just in case. I dont know if a copy will work for anything, but it cant hurt to have for your records.
Well I have found the car a month early. Its a wonderful deal and its everything that I want. The biggest perk is that its RIGHT at our ideal price.
So of course I am trying to get it, but the dealership can only do so much when its me promising to have the money soon. Basically they are willing to give me the car if I can write a check for $3000 and let them cash it within 30 days.
But I dont have a check and I am not even sure that Danny will have that much money in his Marine Federal Credit Union account. So I am using my nifty Power of Attorney to add myself to my husbands account so that I can transfer money from his account to my account after seeing if there was enough to buy the car AND leave him spending money.
So I wanted to share that if you have a power of attorney for your recruit, you can contact MFCU and add yourself to their account. They will ask for your original PoA (they will return it), a copy of your ID and SSN card, as well as your recruits SSN. They don't need your recruits SSN card or a copy of it, just the number so they can look the account up and add you. Also, your address and phone number.
I suggest making a copy of your PoA before you send your original, just in case. I dont know if a copy will work for anything, but it cant hurt to have for your records.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
I want him OUT!
I am thirty-four weeks along today and I am sick and tired of being pregnant. This kid constantly has his feet jammed into my ribs or his head pressing on my bladder and I am at the end of my rope! If this kid doesn't get out of me soon, Im going to blow a gasket. I am dying for a full nights sleep or even the ability to eat a meal without feeling urpy because there is no room in my abdomen for my stomach.
On a happier note, I finally got a letter from my hubby today. He is enjoying Camp Pendelton so far but is surprised how dusty and dirty it is. I suppose it makes sense since CP is partially in the Mojave Desert, but its unfortunate for him because he and his platoon have to do a ton of cleaning. He is starting to plan his way home though. He mailed both me and his mother concerning flight plans for his graduation date, even though its still about a month and a half away. His mother and I are butting heads about his travel though; she wants him to fly to where she lives and I want him to fly home. She has some baloney reason about money for it, but I know she just wants him to herself. Plus she was being really condescending tonight, not a way she usually treats me.
It was a really frustrating converstion. But the information to take away is that it is not up to the family to take care of travel for their recruit. He/she will have access to a travel agency and will either mail or call you to inform you of their travel plans, so you can plan accordingly.
On a happier note, I finally got a letter from my hubby today. He is enjoying Camp Pendelton so far but is surprised how dusty and dirty it is. I suppose it makes sense since CP is partially in the Mojave Desert, but its unfortunate for him because he and his platoon have to do a ton of cleaning. He is starting to plan his way home though. He mailed both me and his mother concerning flight plans for his graduation date, even though its still about a month and a half away. His mother and I are butting heads about his travel though; she wants him to fly to where she lives and I want him to fly home. She has some baloney reason about money for it, but I know she just wants him to herself. Plus she was being really condescending tonight, not a way she usually treats me.
It was a really frustrating converstion. But the information to take away is that it is not up to the family to take care of travel for their recruit. He/she will have access to a travel agency and will either mail or call you to inform you of their travel plans, so you can plan accordingly.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The End of Phase One
The husband is now officially no longer in the first phase of bootcamp. He has started phase II and is at Camp Pendleton for rifle training. Sounds like fun!
If he hadn't been dropped for pneumonia, he would actually be a month from coming home at this point. He was originally supposed to graduate on July 6th, but has been bumped back to July 27th.
So, I want to remind anyone who has a recruit that you should look at my link to what OPSEC is and remember to not post specific dates of troop movement. Yes, that includes the dates on which your recruit went to or returned from Camp Pendleton. Learn the OPSEC guidlines now, so you don't get chewed out later on when your recruit is a marine and he is leaving for or returning from a deployment. Facebook and Twitter is the enemy of OPSEC.
If he hadn't been dropped for pneumonia, he would actually be a month from coming home at this point. He was originally supposed to graduate on July 6th, but has been bumped back to July 27th.
So, I want to remind anyone who has a recruit that you should look at my link to what OPSEC is and remember to not post specific dates of troop movement. Yes, that includes the dates on which your recruit went to or returned from Camp Pendleton. Learn the OPSEC guidlines now, so you don't get chewed out later on when your recruit is a marine and he is leaving for or returning from a deployment. Facebook and Twitter is the enemy of OPSEC.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Little Things That Make Me Miss My Husband
Today, after finally recieving three letters from my dear dear husband, I was just sitting and thinking about all of the little things that I miss. So I decided to share some of them for funsies. Maybe they will make someone laugh.
- Certified Spider Killer- I realllly dont like spiders. My father made me watch Arachnaphobia when I was a little girl, so you can guess how traumatized I was by that. So it has been nice for the last three years to have a man that didn't mind taking his big shoe and smashing those creepy bastards.
- Foot Warmer- Does anyone else use their husbands as foot warmers? When it gets so cold at night that the blankets are enough and your husbands inner thighs are the only solution to frosty toes. No? Well I did. He generally let me, as long as it wasn't to close to his stomach.
- Calendar- My husband is the best at reminding me of things I need to do on any given day. My memory is comparable to a fly so it is really nice to have him there to remind me to take my vitamins, pay that bill, etc. Not that I didn't do the same for him. "Use the floss" is one of my favorites. Without the husband here, I keep forgetting the little stuff! I have gotten used to the crutch of his wonderful memory.
- Advocate- Anyone else have a family that is hyper critical and doesn't really care if they hurt your feelings? Well I have one of those. I love them regardless, but it is really nice when you have someone who is always willing to stand up for you. My husband is always willing to go to bat for me regardless of how it will make him look. Thats a man right there.
- Back Scratcher- I have an itchy back; dry skin probably. Danny is SUCH a good scratcher. He chews his nails, so he has really sharp nails that are wonderful at getting the itch beneath the skin. Hoorah for terrible habits!
- Tech Support- So my Danny is a nerd. Think collectible Halo paraphenilia. So you can imagine that we have plenty of electronics that tend to have issues that he doesn't bother to replace because he knows how to fix it. Like the xbox disc tray. He knows how to make it eject right. I can't do that without making the situation worse. He is my own personal geek squad.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Baby Shower Bash
If you have been keeping up with me, you are aware that I found out a month ago that I am pregnant. At the time, I was 23 weeks along. I am now 29 and really starting to feel it. Almost out of thin air, my belly popped out and I have started having all of the unpleasant symptoms of the third trimester. I wont go into them but its pretty irritating to get up every couple of hours at night to go pee.
So, what happens when you get pregnant? BABY SHOWER!!! All of the women in your family congregate to play silly games and offer lots of advice for new moms... plus gifts. Not that mine need an invitation, but its still a part of the pregnancy experience.
I am the first person in my family to have a baby in nine years (20 years on my husbands side). Can you imagine how excited people were? I immedietly got five different people wanting to throw the baby shower; my mom, sister, and aunt plus Dannys mother and sister. Its nice to have everyone being so nice and supportive.
So the way it has boiled down is that my aunt is throwing my baby shower with help from Dannys mother and grandmother while my mom has been made the organizer for my sisters Bridal Shower. The unfortunate thing is that since my due date and her wedding are so close, our showers have to be pretty close together. I have decided on June 16th for mine, but Amanda is having trouble deciding on hers.
Its hard to try to collect so many peoples information for invitations though. I had no idea so many people would have to be invited. I think the estimate at this point is close to thirty. That seems like a rather large party to me. And I might even be estimating low since my stepfathers family hasn't been counted yet.
If you knew me personally, you would know that I don't like letting other people be in control. So letting family members handle a party that I have a large interest in is very hard for me. I want to take over the whole thing and make sure its all perfect. Apparently that isn't allowed since I am the expectant mother. Its tacky I guess...
My aunt really does have it under control though. She asked me about some preferencs for food and such and we came up with some really easy and cost effective plans. The party is going to have a taco salad bar for food and a combination of Key Lime pie and Lemon Icebox pie. Green and Yellow; little boy colors! Its going to be at my mother and fathers workplace, where they have a large patio area and a entertainment room that is good in case the weather is bad. Plus, its free! Can't beat free.
I had a lot of fun putting together a baby registry. First I did it on amazon.com, which was really cool and had a great selection. Its a good place to do it if you have a lot of family members who are capable of using the computer. Mine, not so much. So i moved my registery over to Target.com. Less selection, but more accessible to people in general. Plus target.com is a pain to log into and try to manage. They did have a handy catagory function that allows you to see what type of items you have and haven't registered for.
I am very much looking forward to the baby shower. First, I get to see all of my family at once which is nice when we are all spread out so much. Secondly, the baby shower gifts allow to me to figure out what items Danny and I will have to purchase to get ready for the baby.
The sad part is that this is another thing Danny wont be home for. I am still proud of him and I appreciate his willingness to take care of our family.
So, what happens when you get pregnant? BABY SHOWER!!! All of the women in your family congregate to play silly games and offer lots of advice for new moms... plus gifts. Not that mine need an invitation, but its still a part of the pregnancy experience.
I am the first person in my family to have a baby in nine years (20 years on my husbands side). Can you imagine how excited people were? I immedietly got five different people wanting to throw the baby shower; my mom, sister, and aunt plus Dannys mother and sister. Its nice to have everyone being so nice and supportive.
So the way it has boiled down is that my aunt is throwing my baby shower with help from Dannys mother and grandmother while my mom has been made the organizer for my sisters Bridal Shower. The unfortunate thing is that since my due date and her wedding are so close, our showers have to be pretty close together. I have decided on June 16th for mine, but Amanda is having trouble deciding on hers.
Its hard to try to collect so many peoples information for invitations though. I had no idea so many people would have to be invited. I think the estimate at this point is close to thirty. That seems like a rather large party to me. And I might even be estimating low since my stepfathers family hasn't been counted yet.
If you knew me personally, you would know that I don't like letting other people be in control. So letting family members handle a party that I have a large interest in is very hard for me. I want to take over the whole thing and make sure its all perfect. Apparently that isn't allowed since I am the expectant mother. Its tacky I guess...
My aunt really does have it under control though. She asked me about some preferencs for food and such and we came up with some really easy and cost effective plans. The party is going to have a taco salad bar for food and a combination of Key Lime pie and Lemon Icebox pie. Green and Yellow; little boy colors! Its going to be at my mother and fathers workplace, where they have a large patio area and a entertainment room that is good in case the weather is bad. Plus, its free! Can't beat free.
I had a lot of fun putting together a baby registry. First I did it on amazon.com, which was really cool and had a great selection. Its a good place to do it if you have a lot of family members who are capable of using the computer. Mine, not so much. So i moved my registery over to Target.com. Less selection, but more accessible to people in general. Plus target.com is a pain to log into and try to manage. They did have a handy catagory function that allows you to see what type of items you have and haven't registered for.
I am very much looking forward to the baby shower. First, I get to see all of my family at once which is nice when we are all spread out so much. Secondly, the baby shower gifts allow to me to figure out what items Danny and I will have to purchase to get ready for the baby.
The sad part is that this is another thing Danny wont be home for. I am still proud of him and I appreciate his willingness to take care of our family.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Don't Know What to Say
Im not ashamed to admit that I lead a boring life. Mostly thats because I am unemployed.
I am very good friends with TLC and ABC Family, which is downright pathetic. I enjoy watching Secret Life of the American Teenager and I Did't Know I was Pregnant. Well, I dont really enjoy watching them, but I cant seem to look away. Like when your driving on the freeway and there is an accident and you actually slow down so you can watch whats going on. You WANT to look away, but you just can not.
Anyways, I find myself with nothing to write about in my letters to Danny. I tell him about the baby and what interesting articles I read about, but I am running out of material! Its not that I dont have anything to say ("I love you!"), its that I just dont have anything interesting to say. I could write pages and pages of sweet sentiments but eventually he is going to get sick of reading that.
I mean, I am sure he would appreciate every letter, but it wouldn't be the motivation that he needs. It wouldn't provide distraction from the pains of boot camp, which he probably needs a lot of at this.
So what do I write now? I dont have doctor appointments for another week for so and the news has been pretty boring.
Any ideas would be appreciated! In the meantime, I will simply keep telling him about my day. Maybe I will start writing down memories from our life together and just keep reminding him why he is doing this.
On a side note, when do I start to get celebrating mothers day? I know I am not one yet, but I am pretty sure that I am feeling the exhaustion levels....
I am very good friends with TLC and ABC Family, which is downright pathetic. I enjoy watching Secret Life of the American Teenager and I Did't Know I was Pregnant. Well, I dont really enjoy watching them, but I cant seem to look away. Like when your driving on the freeway and there is an accident and you actually slow down so you can watch whats going on. You WANT to look away, but you just can not.
Anyways, I find myself with nothing to write about in my letters to Danny. I tell him about the baby and what interesting articles I read about, but I am running out of material! Its not that I dont have anything to say ("I love you!"), its that I just dont have anything interesting to say. I could write pages and pages of sweet sentiments but eventually he is going to get sick of reading that.
I mean, I am sure he would appreciate every letter, but it wouldn't be the motivation that he needs. It wouldn't provide distraction from the pains of boot camp, which he probably needs a lot of at this.
So what do I write now? I dont have doctor appointments for another week for so and the news has been pretty boring.
Any ideas would be appreciated! In the meantime, I will simply keep telling him about my day. Maybe I will start writing down memories from our life together and just keep reminding him why he is doing this.
On a side note, when do I start to get celebrating mothers day? I know I am not one yet, but I am pretty sure that I am feeling the exhaustion levels....
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Post Pneumonia
I find myself lost all over again after having spent the last few days worrying every second of the day about my husband. Between calling him in the hospital and researching pneumonia, I haven't had time to be lonely. I have been so focused on him that I have completely forgotten how to be alone.
Let me explain...
In the last three weeks, I have mostly gotten used to practically being single. Sure, I spend time writing to the husband, but everything else in my life became solo. After he left, I eventually stopped crying and got on with life.
So when I got to opportunity to talk to my husband on the phone, all that coping was forgotten. I got used to talking to him again. Telling him about my day and asking about his. I felt married again even if he wasn't in the room with me.
Don't get me wrong; those phone calls are now some of my most precious memories. I wouldn't trade them for anything. It was amazing being able to hear his voice again.
Be warned though: by having the blessing of those phone calls, I was sent sprawling back to square one. I am depressed and lonely. It was like he had just left, all over again.
The good news is that, while he IS being dropped to MRP, it is only for a week. So unless he spontaenously gets sick again, his graduation should only be delayed by a couple weeks, max. This might be a blessing for us. It may be unpleasent for him now, but this could mean that he might be with me for the birth of our child.
God really must be watching out for us. There is no other explanation for how everything has been working out for the last two months. How I magically quit smoking when I was unknowingly two months pregnant or how Danny was able to slide into an earlier slot for bootcamp.
Thank you God for watching over my son, my husband, and even me. None of us deserve it, thats for sure.
Let me explain...
In the last three weeks, I have mostly gotten used to practically being single. Sure, I spend time writing to the husband, but everything else in my life became solo. After he left, I eventually stopped crying and got on with life.
So when I got to opportunity to talk to my husband on the phone, all that coping was forgotten. I got used to talking to him again. Telling him about my day and asking about his. I felt married again even if he wasn't in the room with me.
Don't get me wrong; those phone calls are now some of my most precious memories. I wouldn't trade them for anything. It was amazing being able to hear his voice again.
Be warned though: by having the blessing of those phone calls, I was sent sprawling back to square one. I am depressed and lonely. It was like he had just left, all over again.
The good news is that, while he IS being dropped to MRP, it is only for a week. So unless he spontaenously gets sick again, his graduation should only be delayed by a couple weeks, max. This might be a blessing for us. It may be unpleasent for him now, but this could mean that he might be with me for the birth of our child.
God really must be watching out for us. There is no other explanation for how everything has been working out for the last two months. How I magically quit smoking when I was unknowingly two months pregnant or how Danny was able to slide into an earlier slot for bootcamp.
Thank you God for watching over my son, my husband, and even me. None of us deserve it, thats for sure.
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