7 1/2 Months

I suck! I haven't updated in so long!!! Things have been crazy, insane, psychotic busy. Once we (finally) got our orders, we've been in full gear trying to prep for our move to GA. Okay, that actually only accounts for 50% of my excuse. Another huge occurrence that kept me from updating was Game of Thrones Season 5 started up a couple weeks ago. That meant I not only had to catch up on season's 1, 2 and 4, but I had to finish reading book 5 so there were no spoilers. Priorities.

We move on FRIDAY!!! That's like... 4 days away. I cannot believe how quickly time is flying. Tomorrow, we have our final inspection of our unit on base so we have been cleaning, cleaning cleaning that thing. I wish I could say we were finished, but we aren't. We're waking up early to try to do final touches before our 10am inspection. Ay ay ay. We moved into temp housing yesterday (cleaning with dogs in the house is impossible) and although it's a little creepy, bland, long and creaks like a haunted house, it gives us plenty of room. Ry has his own bedroom, there are two bathrooms, a sitting room with a fridge and microwave and coffee maker, and our own bedroom. Not too bad. The pups freaked out yesterday- being in a new environment and whatnot, but today they've calmed down and they're being little angels.

Ry's been a little on the cranky side. And by little, I mean lot. Poor kid. Not only is his environment constantly changing, but my milk supply has been on the low side. I can't help it. We've been so busy that I have no time to pump/hydrate/eat "enriching" foods. This little boy uses his sweet little fingers to push my boob to try to squeeze out as much milk as he can, but my sensitive skin can barely handle it. I am mutilated. My poor lady parts are completely red and scabby. His tiny nails have even drawn blood. I'm even starting to dread having to feed him-it's like those first two weeks all over again. But I want to breast feed. I don't want to have to go to formula. I like the convenience and the bonding time and the fact that breast milk is in fact the best thing for him. I just need to figure out how to power through these next 4 months.

Ryan got the second part of his flu shot today. Surprisingly, he hasn't been nearly as grumpy as I thought he might be today. It still broke my heart. I cannot look him in the eyes until it's over, because the most devastating part is having him break out into his huge, gummy smile then immediately seeing his face drop like I allowed the pain to happen. But the second I pick his sweet little body up, he stops crying and I get to wipe the tears from his face. It's quick-thankfully.

I can't believe how fast this boy is growing! He grew again a few nights ago. I think his height is catching up. His face is looking so much less like a baby and he's thinning out (although, he's still such a chunk!) I love him. He's been in a new phase of sleep where he tends to wake up at 2am needing to be flipped cause he's stuck on his tummy. When Ry turned 3 months, he learned to roll from his tummy to his back, but after he learned to roll from back to tummy, he stopped rolling the other way. He just decided he was over it. So now, when he's on his tummy and doesn't want to be, instead of rolling over, he just fusses until someone gets him. And he's been taking 2am rolls lately. What a stinker! I love him.

There really haven't been too many updates over here other than us prepping to leave. I've been so busy attempting to just get through each and every day that I haven't had time to stop and enjoy things one last time. I really hate goodbyes, so I kind of want to just dip out and avoid it, but people aren't letting me! I had a friend tell me she wanted to get dinner with us on Friday-when I got there, ALL of my fellow base Zumba instructors were there to surprise me and say goodbye and got me gifts. It was so amazing. I got home and cried-lol! I'm such a lame-ass but I'm really going to miss them. And my wonderful students. This is the place that I got licensed to teach Zumba. This is where I quit my job and tried to go for my dream of teaching. I did Zumba with these people all throughout my pregnancy (I took my friend's Zumba class the day before my water broke). My students have bought presents for Ryan and were there for me when G deployed. They watched me get back into shape these past 7 months. This has been such a giant part of my life that I can't believe I'm leaving them all behind and having to start it all over again somewhere new with a whole new group of people. But that's our life. That's how it goes. And guess what? It just gives me the chance to meet some more amazing people to impact my life :)

Okay, as much as I need to update everyone on my life, I'm too tired to continue. I'm starting to get sick so I need to try to sleep whatever this is off before our road trip. If I don't get to update again this week, I'm going to throw it out there that we'll be driving through Canada for about a week and we'll have no internet or phone service. Don't try calling or texting me and don't get offended if I don't respond. ;) And if you never hear from me again, send the Canadians to look for us.

I may type as we road trip via Microsoft word and copy and paste into posts as we hit internet. We'll see if I have time. Next time I update, I may be in the lower 48 :) :) Here's to new experiences, adventures and a  fresh start. Farewell, Alaska. This has been unforgettable. xoxoxo.