Here we go again...

[DCJenn]

So, I'm planning the welcome home party (scary because I don't want to jinx things) and hopefully it'll be a good turn out.

I'm kinda sorta maybe teetering on the edge of possibly maybe perhaps allowing myself to think about letting myself believe that we're getting close to the end. But I don't want to commit...


in the meantime, Nikolai started at his new school today and was a rockstar. They finish at 3:00 and then are let loose in the playground. He was a sweaty mess when I picked him up. He was so tired that he practically fell asleep during dinner. And- there are no TVs there. So no more picking him up while he watching some crap show like a 3yo zombie. Yay. I'm so glad (so far) that we've made this switch.

I was so paranoid about oversleeping on his first day that I woke up repeatedly from about 5am on. I'm going to bed!

[DCJenn]

Today was a day of running errands at the military hospital-

First, I had my first mammogram this morning. (yay- turning 40 is great but all of my worries and concerns were totally unfounded. They have a completely separate area off of radiology just for mammograms. It's super-organized and efficient and no lie- I was out of there 20 minutes BEFORE my appointment was scheduled. The tech was fabulous and most importantly- it didn't hurt AT ALL. I was a big weanie all day yesterday, too.

Then it was back to peds to get Nikolai's shot records for school. Except he hasn't had any shots here (caths- yes, stitches- yes, x-rays- yes.). Over to Outpatient medical records I went. They send me to the Release of Information people. I told the nice lady that all I really needed were his labs and the American shot record (he had shots while we were in DC). She thought it was silly to have to go through this formal request so she called the medical records people, I went over there w/ a release, they pulled his chart, I handed the guy the 10 pages I needed copied and 1 minute later I was done.

Amazing. Everything done and I was out the door in an hour.

But- someone stole Rick's office while he was gone and the ladies at the front desk are all in a tizzy now that he's coming home. They're all annoyed at the doc who stole Rick's office because apparently that person told everyone that he (Rick) wasn't coming back to BAMC. Right. I mean he does share an office over at the AF hospital but really? The CN on staff for the Army doesn't need an office? At least I expressed his annoyance. He says that if they don't give him an office, he'll just run his clinics out of the AF hospital. I'm sure that there will be an office made available upon his return, however.

Jenn

[DCJenn]

This is going to be one LONG month.

To back track, as I alluded to in the parenting section, we attempted potty training bootcamp again. and once again, it was a no go. In fact I think if anything I just set him back even more as he woke up at 4am all stressed about pooping in the potty.

We're going back to low-key land and hopefully I can figure something out about the school. I may send pull-ups and ask them to help him change into a pull-up before the after school program starts. I mean even if we did get him successfully using the potty, I'm sure when Rick gets home everything is going to go to shit (literally) anyway.

As for me, I'm sick- again. This time it's a nasty cough. I have been sick more this past summer than I have in my life. Internalize stress? Nah. I got really light-headed at the gym on Friday and ended up just craving protein for the rest of the day. I felt better as the day went on but it's such an uncomfortable feeling- whooo- I might just pass out, don't mind me!

My house is a disaster- the bookcases need extra supports built in- (I TOLD them that the medical books were heavy) so I haven't finished loading the books into the book cases. Everything is all messy and it's making me nuts. I need to hire a baby sitter to get all of this stuff done. My parents were here last monday and tuesday but we mostly played. By the time we get to the end of the day most days, I'm just exhausted and a lot of the stuff has to be put away in the attic. Maybe I'll get it done in small amounts in the mornings between taking Nikolai to school and going to the gym.

My hours go back to 30/wk starting tomorrow, too. I'm not exactly looking forward to regular workdays but I can't get diddly shit done with 20 hours a week. My boss is a very sick man and his mental acuity is rapidly declining. It's scary to watch. It's getting so bad that most of us in middle management have taken to sitting outside while the smokers smoke and piecing together the partial bits of information that we all have.

Rick is getting ready to start shipping stuff back. He can't tell me exactly when he'll be leaving (I loved reading about the congresspeople's C-130 that went under attack while leaving Baghdad...) but I know when 180 days from the day that they landed in Kuwait is. That's what I'm basing my count on- hopefully I'm over counting by a lot.

It's going to be an interesting adjustment once the thrill of his return has worn off. He hasn't been around a fiesty 30 dude. (He missed his third birthday) We'll see.

Oh well, we'll worry about that when he gets home. Now we just have to worry about him getting home.

UGH.

[DCJenn]

Well, this deployment has had an impact that I hadn't prepared for:

"I don't have a daddy."

Yup, that's what he told me last night as we were reading books before bed. I went over it w/ him again- daddy is gone for work but he'll be home soon and he misses you, etc. and Nikolai just looked at me and said, "no, I don't have a daddy."

I have a feeling we're going to have some behavioral issues of the first degree.

J.

[DCJenn]

OMG-

First, I'm not sure how many of you recall the story about the Airman who duct-taped her kids together in their diapers, left them w/ sippies and went off to work because her babysitter didn't show? Well, I'm ready to duct-tape Nikolai in bed.

Second- he's started pooping in the potty but wetting his pants. Every day at school. The school he HAS to be potty-trained to attend. and today he didn't poop in the potty but apparently went at somepoint during the after school hours and by the time we got home it was from one end to the other.

He's defiant, he's angry, he's argumentative, he's basically an ass and quite the unpleasant person to be around. If I say the sky is blue, I'll hear 17 different times why it's not. and then he'll hit me. Yes, he's now kicking and hitting and throwing things.

I don't know if it's exhaustion from getting up every night and screaming for me about 15 times a night. He WILL NOT settle back down these days either. I don't know if it's anger about the deployment or Rick's arrival. I don't know if it's the potty-training. But he has me pretty close to hysterical every day. Today I was so pissed that my only recourse was to throw him in the bathtub to scrub off the poop and then I threw him in the stroller and grabbed the dog and took a long enough walk that I wasn't ready to give him to the nearest stranger.

Of course, it doesn't help that I'm exhausted- last night he was so hysterically mad because I wouldn't let him sleep in my bed (knowing that neither of us would sleep if he did) that it took me easily 45 minutes of holding him while he kicked and attempted to hit me. Yeah, it was really easy to get back to sleep after that. I'm sure our neighbors thought I was beating him. (not that the thought hasn't crossed my mind...)

I'm at a loss. We're just going to have to ride this one out for the next few weeks...

and then- I'm going for a spa day and then to the wine bar next door. the two of them can bond. and I'll call a cab to and fro.

Jenn

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

OMG-

It's really happening. Today we got the first of the boxes he's sent home! (and proof that just because they're smart doesn't mean they can't be dumb, too- 'so, it's the one with the coffee in it?' Me: I don't know, I don't have a key to the lock. Rick: oh. right.

But- uh, CRAP? The guys haven't fixed the bookcases yet and my house is a sty and I haven't magically turned into a supermodel.

J.

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

First- the party. This is turning into quite the social function for 2007. I rented a margarita machine (hey Kris- wanna come down?). For $119 they bring it, set it up, include the ice, salt, glasses, napkins, a skirt for the table and it will do 75 8oz. margaritas...

and I think I'm going to have to get a quarter keg or something.

I'm going to have it catered by Rudy's BBQ which is a personal favorite. and their creamed corn is so good you nearly want to roll around in it.

We're going to have Rick's colleague bring in his moon bounce. (yes, they have their own moon bounce) and I've hired my babysitter to come.

My BFF is flying in for the day and my cousin and her BF, my Bro/SIL/nephew, most of the peds department (Army and AF), bunches of the subspecialists....CRAZY! I was hoping for maybe 25 people- I'm at close to 50 now.

Wow.

and onto the rest of my life. Cat #2, Trouble is just a flippin' nightmare. I had to take her back to the vet as she's covered in open sores. I took her to a new vet that is a few miles closer so as to avoid the puking/pooping/peeing in the cat carrier routine. It helped. They still had to sedate her. and they want me to try to give her antibiotics in her food. They offered to have it compounded (chicken flavor) for me but I'm hoping I can convince her that orange flavored cat food is just dandy. She did a bunch of biopsies and labs to see what this nasty skin thing is. If it's 'just' dermatitis, then we're looking at a lifetime of monthly steriod injections. Great. She said she'd consider letting us do it ourselves though since we're accustomed to injecting cats and Rick's medical background. (I didn't even bother going into the fact that I'm the Cat Shot person. There are compelling reasons why he decided against vet school. Yes, he can give your newborn a lumbar puncture but he won't shoot up the cat. Ok- that's not true but he keeps wanting to alcohol swab the cat first. Idiot.)

Anyway, hopefully he's leaving the desert soon. I'm getting antsy.

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

Well...

I'm sooooo building this into something it won't be. Like the proposal that I had imagined/predicted... since we were IN Santa Barbara at some chi-chi on the water restaurant? Wouldn't THAT have been that place? Oh, no. Not for Richard W. Hussey. He waited until we were back in lovely Palmdale w/ all of the sisters and my MIL and FIL pacing. and it was 2am and I was brushing my teeth and taking out my contacts. But it is what it is and it's funny. (and pathetic. and wierd.)

In my head: We get the date for the return, we have time to blow up balloons and make posters and I'll wear my USA flag birks (Vishenka, bear w/ me, I'm old. Just remember that) We'll see Rick and Nikolai will jump from my arms and run to his daddy who will then meet me in some fabulous warm and sexy embrace.

The inevitable Hussey reality: It will be a delayed flight because they're going to be coming from GA. (oh, I think I mised GA on my list of states- my Dad's super wealthy and super cool cousin has a house on St. Simon's Island) It will be due in at 5:30 PM which any mother will tell you is PRIME tantrum time because they're hungry and tired and so are you. We won't even recognize him and he'll have to tap me on the shoulder. Nikolai will have a tantrum. Won't hug Rick... etc. etc.

and Right NOW- It's 9:30 AM in Baghdad.

May whomever you believe in help you read my ramblings from here on out.

I am big FAKER tough guy. I haven't cried but ONCE and then I decided I was just being stupid. But NOW? OMG- I'm losing it.

and really- It CAN'T be all that. I know this man. This man has annoyed me for 8 years. I love him. but seriously- I just opened his wardrobe tonight and it smells like fermented feet. I haven't missed that. Have I? My bathroom is pristine. My bed is made. My kitchen you could perform open heart surgery on (ok- not the floors but jeez- I have 3 cats and a dog and a kid!) But my counters- yeah baby- there's no MRSA on those counters...

I have done SO MUCH while he's been gone. OK, he's been 'at war'. but seriously, and I'm pretty sure I speak for all of the military spouses of deployed people- so have I. No- I haven't seen what they've seen. but crap- at least he's been busy w/ 'the mission'. (and I found out today what medals he's been given. He got another Army Commendation Medal. plus the Iraqi campaign medal and the overseas medal. So- I hought about going to get them and have them here when he gets back but I decided against it. He can go and get the medals and the oak leafs (when you've already earned a medal but are awarded it again, you wear an oakleaf for each time you'e been awarded the medal. bronze. Once you get to 5 you wear a silver oakleaf) himself.)

So. We have some days left, peeps. Carry me through and I'll be there for each and every one of you.

Jenn

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

He is in Kuwait!!!!!

Step One: ?
Step Two: Georgia
Step Three: HOME

Jenn

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

but just because we're on the home stretch doesn't mean that the flippin' dead animal convention is over at my house...



So, I let the dog out. He is kind of wierd but he's always kind of wierd. But in my head I'm thinking, "why has he not left the porch to pee?"

Because there's another flippin' DEAD possum on the front porch. What, I am I the Funeral Home for Dead Animals? and this is a bigger one. I know that when I let them in he wasn't there and I can't imagine that Petey offed a possum- although one never knows.

Hopefully the f-er is 'playing possum'. DAMN. I HATE DEALING W/ THIS!

This is a test of my fortitude. please, please, please let him not be dead. Because I so don't want to have to scrape another dead animal from my porch. I wonder if they're getting hit by cars or something and crawling up my sidewalk to die.

or my dog maybe has a thing against possums?

or who the hell knows.

ick.

Jenn

ETA: The F-er is GONE!!!! Whew. Maybe things really are on an upward trend.

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

He's still in Kuwait but should be leaving shortly. (yay!). They'll make two stops and then arrive at Ft. Benning about 3pm tomorrow afternoon. (15 hundred hours...I always have to count on my fingers to figure out military time)

I bought all of the cleaning supplies I needed and I'm slowly but sure cleaning up the first layer of clutter. The problem is that while the work was being done to the office, the dining room became the repository for all crap. I have a bunch of stuff to shred so I think I'll pop in the movie that I've had since July and shred old papers tonight. (also resorted to buying yet another Thomas video to appease the dude and keep him out of my way)

I also applied for membership into the Child Neurology Society for him and figured out when the oral boards are so at least one of us can start obsessing about it. The good news is that one of the sites is Baltimore which could be highly convenient for a family vacation. and if he doesn't pass the orals this year (Jeez, that would suck!) they're in San Antonio in '09.

Of course, we're supposed to go to Italy next year and the only one of the 4 adult nephews to actually do something w/ his life is getting married in Santa Barbara this spring. (you know, actually be OVER 21 before getting married...)

Off to clean.

Jenn

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

Well, he's in Georgia.

and could have been home tonight except that they screwed up his orders and now he has to get back in line w/ all of the other people tomorrow morning.

Needless to say, he's not a happy man. Everyone else that he left San Antonio with is probably already back here. Poor Rick.

Jenn

ETA: He was pretty funny though- bitching on about the REMFs. (Rear Echelon Mo-fos...the guys who push papers for a living- it's residual from his enlisted days)

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

and He's HOME!!!!!!!

Talk to you later...

Jenn

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

A quick report. He's at work- they have three days to in-process and then he's off for three weeks.

He's the same in a lot of ways. He makes me laugh still and I think he's quite possibly the most beautiful man in the universe. (and let me tell you- six-pack abs on a 39 yo man is Niiiiiiice)

and he was always a gentle person but had some underlying tension or anger. Now? He's just so happy to be home. He has a new appreciation for home and his family. and since his asshat family did nothing- and none of his siblings have so much as picked up the phone to welcome him home, he's effectively written them off. We'll go to the nephew's wedding because that nephew actually sent him emails.

the rest of them can rot.

It's been really nice getting reacquainted. and Nikolai is IN LOVE w/ his daddy. I'm sure we may see some behaviors down the road but right now, it's all about "my daddy."

It's awesome. and I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Jenn

ETA: He's 40. I forgot. His birthday was September 8th.

[DCJenn]

Re: Here we go again...

Here we are at the end of Week One.

It doesn't feel like he's been home for a week. It's been fantastic. I guess I didn't realize how stressed I've been. I feel like I've lost 500 pounds of mental weight. I'm sleeping better and as a result I'm a much nicer person to be near!

We spent the weekend just relaxing. On Sunday Rick was working on uploading a bunch of stuff to his iPhone (his welcome back present to himself) so I took advantage of his presence and went out to the pool w/ a glass of iced tea and a stack of magazines and sat there BY MYSELF for a couple hours. Then one of our neighbors came by w/ her daughter and a friend of her daughter which was great. Rick and Nikolai joined everyone in the pool for a bit.

I'm back at work and he's off for the next three weeks. I'm going to front load my weeks as much as possible and then spend some time w/ him.

Rick's trying really hard to not intrude into the routine but I told him that we're a united front as far as Nikolai is concerned and that he (Nikolai) needs to understand that. We've had a bit of him trying to play one of us off the other but we quickly put the kibosh on that. It's been nice to have another set of hands- like last night I made dinner while Rick gave Nikolai a bath (he was filthy after school).

Today I took him w/ me to the gym which was nice. We used to go to the gym together when we first got married (as much as possible since it was his intern year) so I'd like to get back to doing stuff together again. Of course, the Oral Boards loom in our future so we'll see.

and more people are coming to the Welcome Back Rick party- my room-mate from college just emailed me last night. and of course, his stupid sisters STILL haven't called to tell their baby brother that they're glad he's home.

We also had some good news that my brother and SIL are expecting. It's super fresh- I think maybe 5 weeks along? But it's cool, although Barb was lamenting the fact that she won't be partaking of the cactus margaritas. My mother is VERY excited. My mother is acting wierd- probably because of my dad and his resting heart rate of 24. She's worried and is trying to play it off but she's a terrible actress.

Oh well.

I'm still madly in love w/ my husband. and oddly enough, he appears to still be madly in love w/ me!