Family Photos

 One of the things I wanted to do while my family was here was have them snap a few family photos for us.

We didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for them and we were more comfortable with doing them at home in our own comfortable space. Thank you to my Dad for taking them and my sister for doing some editing. I am so happy with how they turned out.

I hope you all have a great day!

What I Miss: Army Edition

When Kyle and I moved to Fort Polk 2 years ago I had no idea how different of a military experience it would be for us. At first I was very excited at the idea of not having an FRG or much interaction with families, now I am realizing how much I miss it. I've had school to keep me busy and now E but I'm itching for that experience again.

Here are some things that I miss the most:

*I miss not having daily interactions with families. Family events here are few and far between. If they do happen they encompass all of Operations Group so it's hard to really get to know people. When units are here training soldiers within OPS Group are constantly working so most families stay to themselves.

*I miss FRG meetings (haha not something that most spouses would say). Getting information and hanging out for an hour or so with other spouses and family members was fun for me.

*I miss volunteering. I spent 2 1/2 years at Fort Bliss being both a company FRG leader as well as a BN Senior Advisor and while I was insanely busy it was one of the most rewarding experiences as a military spouse. It was the same at Fort Bragg, I spent 4 years volunteering with the FRG. Yes, I could volunteer in other capacities but the FRG was my jam.

*I miss the traditional unit structure. Operations Group and JRTC are so different from traditional units, there are no battalions or brigades. It's definitely an interesting beast.

*I miss coffee groups! I've been a part of some amazing coffee groups and while some people do not like that it encompassed a certain group of spouses I enjoyed getting to know other spouses whose husband had a similar rank and experience. 

We are a few months away from finding out if Kyle has been picked up for promotion and when that happens we will be off to our new home next summer, and we will only be at that duty station for a year and I know that there won't be an FRG.

I can't wait to get back into a traditional unit and pick back up with volunteering within the unit and getting to know families and be a part of real unit again. I know Kyle is looking forward to it as well.

It's amazing how you can miss something that you never thought you would.

Running for a Cure 5k!

Well, over the weekend was my first "race" back after having Emmy. I obviously can't run quite yet, I still have a few weeks before I am 100% cleared but it felt amazing to get out and sweat a bit. 

Emmy was sure ready for her first official 5k, she rocked her sunglasses for most of the race, you couldn't even tell that she slept the whole time haha.

I told Kyle to run off ahead of me because I knew that I would mostly be walking. I did speed walk/jog in intervals just to get a feel for my body again and it felt good but I knew I couldn't do that the whole time. 

We had a great time and this race is one that I dedicate to my Mom just as I did last year when I ran it because of her battle with cancer. 

I am loving our first family race photo!

I love that the organizers took a group photo, it wasn't a huge turn out but it was a lot of fun and everyone is always so encouraging and wonderful. I love this community that we live in.

Now to just get cleared completely and prepare for our next race which will be a 10k on November 5th (unless I find something sooner haha). 

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Thoughts on Thursday

I can't believe we are already almost to the end of September and that it's officially the 1st day of Fall!

After 10 days off Kyle is headed back to work today, now don't get me wrong we have loved having the family time together but I think we were both ready. We both thrive on routine and we need to figure out our new normal, when units are here training he works from 6am-10pm (sometimes later) for 3 weeks out of the month so it will be interesting navigating this for the first few weeks. A routine is going to be a must especially with Kyle and I both starting classes soon (well class for him since he is only 1 away from graduating with his Masters).

Today also marks 3 weeks of life for E! How is she already 3 weeks old?! We received her SSN and now we are just waiting on her birth certificate. She is such an easygoing baby, she loves to eat, she loves to sleep, and she loves to be cuddled. I know it could change but since we brought her home she sleeps 4-5 hour stretches at night and believe me I'm not about to wake a sleeping baby. She is a happy girl and we love seeing her look around and take everything in. She makes it easy when I need to get stuff done around the house, she doesn't need to be held all the time and will happily hang out in her bassinet. She has brought so much joy into our lives and we couldn't be more grateful. I mean how could this face not make you smile. We are so happy that we get to be her parents. 

I bit the bullet earlier this week and cut my hair, it was to the point where all I wanted to do was put it in a ponytail and it was driving me crazy. I am so happy with how it turned out, the color I chose matches my natural color that my sister had pointed out when she was curling my hair one day. I am so glad I listened to her! :)

Our weather here in Louisiana is starting to cool down and I am so ridiculously happy! I am not a summer person at all and seeing the temps go down each week is glorious. It makes me happy for all things fall, I am ready to break out the boots haha. Even though we likely still have a few more weeks of 80 degree temperatures with ridiculous humidity, I'll survive.

I hope you all are having a great Thursday!

I'll Get There!

Over the weekend, Kyle ran a 5k mud run on post and let me just say that standing on the sidelines sucked haha. Obviously I am 100% grateful and blessed that we have E but man not being able to do much physical activity has been really hard for me.

My recovery has been relatively easy but my doctor is really wanting me to wait the full 6 weeks until I get back into my normal running routine which I understand. However, one thing that people don't really talk about is how much your body really does change postpartum. I made the mistake of trying on clothes from pre-pregnancy a few days ago and all it did was wreck my self-confidence. Kyle and my sister have reminded me that I had a baby only 2 1/2 weeks ago and that I shouldn't be so hard on myself, which to be honest is easier said than done.

I did not gain a ton of weight but my body has changed, I am proud of what my body did, it brought a healthy baby girl into the world and that is amazing to me. However, I am happy that my body is mine again and that once I get the okay I can work my butt off to get back to where I was. It will take time but I know I will embrace how my shape has changed and I will have to work to be strong, healthy, and fit again. I have not been completely inactive though, we have been going on 1-3 miles family walks every night and it has felt good to at least get the legs moving. E and I will also be walking a 5k this weekend, she is perfectly content in her stroller with her fan blowing on her.

 I know that I will get back to where I want to be and that it will take time, I'm just anxious to start. I have to remember that it's a process and to not get down on myself. 

I'll get there, it will just take a little time. :)

Some Things

I have to say it does feel good to be back blogging! Here are some other happenings in our neck of the woods.

*I received my books for my next set of grad school classes! I start back on October 3rd and I cannot wait. I really never thought I would miss going to school. I know it's going to be a little bit more challenging now but I am ready for it, and still look forward to graduating in May.

*Kyle is running a mud run 5k this weekend and I'm super jealous haha, however I will be walking/jogging a 5k on the 24th and I can't wait. I won't be cleared to get back to my full running routine for a few more weeks but it will still be nice to get some physical activity happening.

*I have been working diligently on our budget and it really is starting to pay off (pun intended lol). We are focusing our efforts on making principle payments on my car and paying off our credit card plus still having regular deposits into savings and E's college account. I am hoping we will have my car paid off 2-3 years early. Being debt free in a few years is my goal!

*Kyle is home on paternity leave until the 22nd which is really nice, however, we both will be looking forward to getting back into a routine. 

*I am FINALLY getting my hair done on the 19th, I had planned to get it cut before E was born but quickly nixed the idea. I am now ready for a new short cut and darker color.

*Today, I'm getting back into my routine of eating in moderation and getting rid of all the junk. I had a serious craving for Dr. Pepper (I have not had soda in 3 years), so all that is leaving the house. I know I just had a baby and need to give myself time but I'm anxious to get the process started.

I hope you all have an awesome Thursday!

I'm Back!

I'm back!!! I took an unintended break from blogging for a week or so and to be honest it was really nice. We have been settling into parenthood and just getting our bearings.

We have also had family here and it has been great. My sister arrived last Wednesday and was wonderful enough to take Emersyn for a few nights so we could get some uninterrupted sleep and it was amazing and so appreciated. 

My Dad arrived with the kiddos a few days later and it was so sweet seeing them meet their new cousins, they wanted to hold her and love on her. My Dad stayed for a few extra days and she loved getting papa snuggles. He left this morning and we won't have anymore visitors until Kyle's Mom arrives at the end of the month for a few days. 

Here are a few photos of the happenings in our house!

It is still very surreal that this little girl is ours but we are loving every second of it!

I hope you all are doing well and I'm looking forward to catching up with all of you!

Emersyn's Grand Entrance

Well, I figured since it is still fresh in my mind that I would go ahead and share Emersyn's birth story. It definitely was a surreal experience!

As most of you know I was scheduled to be induced on August 31st at exactly 41 weeks. My doctor was okay with not letting me go further than that and believe me I was definitely thankful. However, Emersyn had other plans as far as how to get the party started.

Kyle was home early on Tuesday, the 30th, and we decided to drive up to Alexandria to make one last Sam's Club trip and have dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. We were home by 7pm and I hopped in the shower, we watched some TV and at about 9:30pm I started having pretty consistent contractions and after a steady hour of them pretty close together we opted to head to the hospital. We dropped out house key off to the neighbor, said goodbye to Emma and Fishy, and off we went.

We arrived and went to triage in Labor and Delivery, after an exam and some lab work they found that my water had broke. Here is the kicker, I had NO IDEA! It likely occurred in the shower (we later found out that it was a high break so that is why I was still not in active labor nor dilated). Due to my water breaking, I was immediately admitted at 11:30pm, and Emersyn was about to start her journey into the world.

I got set up in my room which was huge for a military hospital, private bathroom, bed for Kyle, and probably the best labor and delivery staff ever. At about 4:30am they started the pitocin to get the process going because I was not dilating, at 11:30am I was only 2cm, so they upped the pitocin again and they let me get the epidural at that point. OH MY HOLY GOODNESS!!!! I have no shame in saying that I am 100% glad that I got it, it was instant relief and amazing. By 3pm I was 6cm, but the process began to slow down, and the doctor broke my water completely. I began to feel pressure in my back and asked for more pain medication and I fell asleep right after getting it. I was woken up at 10:45pm to be checked again and to my surprise I was 10cm and ready to push. 

For the next 2 1/2 hours I did all I could to get that little girl delivered safely and boy was it exhausting, amazing, and just remarkable. Emersyn Kay Smith was born at 1:21am on September 1st, 28 1/2 hours after I was admitted.

I actually don't remember the moment she was born but I do remember seeing Kyle with her and feeling so content in that moment. All of the pain, heartache, and loss that we had experienced in the last 8 years just became even more worth it. 

We had the best labor and delivery staff, which made the experience that much better. We were discharged the next day and have been loving life as a family of 5. Emma and Fishy have been so good during this transition, it's almost like nothing has changed for them. Emma has showered her with kisses and Fishy gets very concerned when she cries. She has been such an easy baby, she loves to sleep, eat, and snuggle. We are head over heels in love with her.

 

 

 

We can't wait for our families to meet her and love on her!

Please Welcome!!!

Everyone please welcome Emersyn Kay Smith!!! Born on September 1, 2016 at 1:21am. She is 7lbs9oz and 20.5 inches long with a full head of light hair. We are so in  love with our little miracle!!! I can't wait to share her birth story! 

Thank you for all of the love and support these last 41 weeks.