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Wednesday, May 06, 2009

So Many Changes

Joe has now been gone 3 months. We're half way to the half-way point of the deployment. Half way to the point of being able to see him again. It'll only be for 2 wks, but at least it's something.

Kids go through so many changes in a year and I think going from the age of 1 to 2 is one of the biggest changes they go through. They just learn so much in that 2nd year.

I knew Joe would be missing out on a huge chunk of Lucas' life - growing up and developing; but I didn't realize how much until these first 3 months passed.

It seems like once kids turn a year they have such a huge jump in their development...they just start doing so much more and understanding so much more. It amazes me how much receptive language they understand even if they don't verbalize nearly half that much.

Lucas is changing so much already...almost every other day I find myself telling Joe something new that Lucas is doing or saying or signing.

Since Joe left, Lucas ...
... runs
... is working on getting his 9th tooth in (he only had two 3 months ago)
... follows/understands simple directions such as: throw that away/put it in the trash, go get your diaper/shoes/socks/bus/block/book/cup, give that to mommy/grandma/Kayla, clean up, time to get pjs on, time to brush your teeth, time to eat
... says 'mmmmmm' when eating
... started signing eat, more, banana, all done, shoes, hungry, dog, and occasionally mommy and thank you ... speaks/approximates several words: uh oh, up (the 2 favorites to say), keeee-e (kitty), clean up, march, a'mon, hi, bye, no, all done, get it, did it, this, cheese (if there is a camera around)
... likes to hold a tissue up to his nose and blow
... will stop whatever he's doing (including throwing a fit) if you so much as just sign the word 'shoe' and run to the closet - he loves getting his shoes on to go anywhere. He'll get everyone elses shoes and give them to the right person too.
... is showing a strong preference for being a righty; odd considering the rest of us are leftys!
... points to his nose and ear
... gives high 5s
... actually sits and looks through books now
... has a mean overhand throw (maybe being a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox is in his future!)
... insists on feeding himself and throws a fit if you don't let him have his spoon and bowl (unfortunately he has a bad habit of throwing his food too)
... likes to hold hands and 'pray' with us at dinner (thanks to his sister!)
... like to tap his cup with yours for 'cheers' and attempts to say 'cheers' - also thanks to his sister
... brushes his teeth
... cleans up, he likes to throw his diaper away, put the wipes back up, picks up the toys
... wants a napkin/wipe to go around cleaning everything
... colors (he loves to imitate Kayla)
... waves his arm at you while saying 'mon' telling you to "come on"
... says 'march' and marches to the stairs when it's time to get pjs on
... likes to go around shutting doors if they are open
... likes to put dirty clothes in the basket and 'help' me transfer clothes to the dryer
... insists on having the broom so he can sweep up
... gives kisses

I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting but I can't keep up with this child!

This is probably one of the hardest things about deployments - knowing how much your child is changing while you're gone. I know it does help Joe to stay and feel connected when I tell him all the new things Lucas and Kayla are doing though; I just wish he could see it happen himself.

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31 comments:

Tina said...

How sweet! He's getting so big and he's SO, SO cute!

Sounds like some video taping of your sweet boy might be in order for his daddy to keep up :)

Beth said...

WOW - I don't think people who don't have to deal with deployment, etc can really understand what you guys go through! Even though my husband works ALL the time (including 5 nights a week until midnight) - he does get to see his kids every day! All I can say - is thank you for Joe's service to preserve our freedom!!!!

Nancy M. said...

I don't think I realized it as much with my first son, but you are right the second year is full of amazing accomplishments. My little one is always surprising me with the things he understands and learns.

Tausha said...

Wow, that would be hard to have your husband gone, you are a strong women, I admire you.

Bonita said...

How blessed Joe is to have such an observant wife who cares enough to record the tiniest details that she notices.

Sounds like you have a little left brained organizer/cleaner on your hands.

Melanie D. said...

Oh Michelle, your post made me cry! I pray that Joe will be able to come back at the 1/2 way point on time and that those two weeks go very sloooowly.

Blessings for you and your family.

Anne and Whitney: Up, Down and All Around said...

You are doing such an AMAZING job of documenting all that Kayla, Lucas and YOU are doing while Joe is deployed!!! The videos you take and post are also very good at documenting all that you guys are doing. Lucas is growing and changing so much right now- it is awesome that you are taking so much of it in and sharing it with Joe :)

Mom24 said...

I'm sorry that he's not here to share all these wonderful things with you. It is pretty cool that you chronicle things so thoroughly though.

I take it you decided to have Joe come home instead of meeting him somewhere?

Cathy said...

Aren't babies that age amazing? Lucas sounds like he is joy and so much fun to be around. And I bet big sister Kayla is having a great time with him now LOL

Anonymous said...

awww Lucas sounds so adorable!He is really growing up!It is sad that Joe can't be there now. I am sure with your blogs and videos it helps Joe a lot!Lucas is a cutie!

Melissa said...

WOW...I can't imagine how difficult this must be for you guys! You're doing SUCH A GREAT JOB with your beautiful kiddo's;)
{{hugs}}

Monica Crumley said...

He sounds like a little charmer. My bro-in-law was home from Iraq for only 17 days in January and saw his little guy turn 2. His son was only 14 mos. when he was deployed and the changes were huge! Luckily they were able to use Skype for video calls. Now he's in Basra and can't use video. I'm so sorry your husband is missing out on such exciting times. PS: I love that your little guy runs to get shoes -- too cute.

Lacey said...

Its got to be so hard having daddy gone. For him and you guys. I bet he misses his kidos so much.

A Captured Reflection said...

Time is running - this is Karen from NZ by the way with my new blog (s)! I have so enjoyed all your recent pics, I can't believe how Kayla and Lucas are growing so fast!

datri said...

They really do grow up so fast! Thanks so much to your husband and your family for his service. The sacrifices you all make for this great country blow me away.

Nicki said...

The year between 1 and 2 really is a HUGE year! When I look back at pictures of Pufferfish from a year ago, its like looking at a whole different baby! Luckily, we live in a time where it is so easy to share pictures, videos, and phone calls.. so even though Joe can't experience the changes firsthand with the baby, at least he can keep up with the changes as they happen!

chelle said...

awww what an amazing kid! I cannot believe how big he is! Joe will catch up ... it is different but he is so connected when he is there, that is what is matters :)

Mom/MIL said...

This entry gave me one of those happy/sad moments. I'm so thrilled to hear all that Lucas is doing and how "grown-up" he's getting but I'm so sad that Joe has to miss out on all of this. Of course his grandpa and I miss not seeing him grow but that's different, at best we saw the kids every 3 or 4 months anyway so there were always big changes when we visited.

Stephanie said...

WOW! Lucas is doing crazy things already! How old again?
I think you do a wonderful job of sharing everything with Joe from your blog, he is very lucky!

Jill said...

How true about the many changes kids go through in such a short amount of time! You're smart for keeping track of it - it's something I"m hoping to remember to do this last time around!

I give you so much credit for being so strong for these past few months - and so positive about the next 9. I keep asking myself if I could do it... and I honestly don't know!

much more than a mom said...

Are you able to send Joe videos? Your kids are so amazing, and they're so lucky to have not one but TWO awesome parents who love them so much! Whether near or far, that's truly lucky.

Sue said...

What a cutie. It must be so hard on Joe. But I know you do an excellent job documenting it all with photos and videos. I hope that helps him.

Unknown said...

That must be so hard for all of you. He's getting to be a big guy.

Killlashandra said...

I have to agree with you that the 1-2 year stage does bring on so many changes. I'm sad Joe isn't there too. But he'll experience them all at once when he gets back I'm sure. :) I'm finding it hard to believe he's gotten that big and my second one is almost here. Life just zips by on some days.

Linda said...

I have two brothers in the military. I am always in awe of their wives and families. The entire family makes a sacrifice when a parent is deployed. Thank you for the sacrifice your family makes so that my family can enjoy every freedom this country offers.

Happy Mother's Day!

Joyfulness said...

I wish he could see it himself too! Ack, deployments are so hard. I feel a small part of this with grandparents too. We see them so rarely and the kids change so much between their visits. At least the blogging helps them see a little part of them growing up.

Kim said...

What a great helper Lucas is! I know everyone misses eachother so much. I'm sure you will make every minute count for those 2 weeks. We can never thank our troops and their families enough!

Unknown said...

I have been crazy and not able to keep up with blogs and have been missing you and Miss Kayla [and Sir Lucas]

I just realized we might beable to have an IRL, as my Greta is going to college in Baltimore......

Thinking of you and hoping you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Ms. Kathleen said...

I know my Mom would certainly relate to you. I recall my Dad being gone for long and short periods of time when I was in my single digit years. I just pray this war gets settled and also that limits are placed on how many long term deployments a person has. I know when my husband was in VietNam they only had to serve one term. The second...was voluntary. That is how it should be now in my opinion. I keep you in my prayers. Hugs!

Theresa said...

My best friend had her first baby in February. Her husband leaves in Sept. for 15 months. It's just that elephant in the room that no one wants to acknowledge.

I hope that she will read your blog and be inspired by you...because you inspire me.

love T

Ellen Seidman said...

I can't even imagine how hard it is to have a husband whose deployed, and how sad it can feel that he is missing out on this stuff. But, it is wonderful that you can keep track of it all and he can read and see the blog--a medium that didn't even exist during the Gulf War. Joe has my eternal gratitude, too, for what he is doing for our country. And thank you, too, for being such an inspiration. You are a stellar mom.