Colton is 8 Months Old!

"Obla di, obla da..." As the song goes, life goes on. And our life is doing just that, now that Aaron is deployed. And one sure sign of that is watching our little man grow. 8 months old, and ladies and gentleman, he is on the move! Colton is crawling everywhere, mostly to my plants and the cat's bowls. Getting a good picture of his 8 month onesie was a bit tricky since he wouldn't sit still long enough to click a good one! I ended up giving him the lense cap to play with and that made the little guy happy!

Besides crawling everywhere, Colton is doing some quite exciting things with his baby signing! He did his first sign a couple weeks ago; he signed "all done" when he was done with breakfast one morning. Now he is also doing "eat", "more", and trying to do "milk". It's so awesome! He doesn't do them everytime, but he's really getting the hang of it. Colton is also loving his big sister. It's so sweet! He follows her everywhere, wants to be with her, and does nothing but smile and laugh when she talks or sings to him. Colton is standing up everywhere and even beginning to cruise a little bit on the furniture. I'm so not ready for him to start climbing and walking!

This little man is a joy and a handful and I can't wait to tell you what he's doing next month!

Our Juggling Act

It's been two weeks since Aaron left for his second deployment in Afghanistan. The kids and I are getting into the swing of our new routine. I am quickly realizing, not surprisingly I'll add, that "single parenting" with one baby and one toddler is a heck of a lot harder than with just one baby. Juggling two dinner times, two bath times, and two bedtimes can be tricky!

I don't want to whine or cry that life is hard back home because all I have to do is think of my darling husband and all the "tough" things I have to do that don't even come close to comparing to his "tough" list of chores. Sure, I'm the one who is left back home worrying, rather, trying not to worry, but he's he one who has to watch our children grow up this next year via a blog, pictures and videos sent from 7000 miles away (and with luck a webcam, too). He's the one who is living in less than desirable conditions for the next 12 months, walking countless miles a day searching for the enemy who is likely disguised as the "guy next door". But, Aaron, and his comrades do this because they have felt a calling to defend the freedom of our beautiful nation. For that, his, their, bravery and courage, I am thankful and proud to call myself a supportive Army Wife.

Life can't be put on hold until Aaron comes home. Clara will continue growing into a beautiful young girl who amazes us with her wit, memory, and humor. Colton will begin talking, walking, and become less our little baby and more our little man. As we document our journey as a family over the next year I will be sure to reflect on the smiles, laughs, challenges and tears. Lots will change, but one thing will not - I will be missing my love and Clara and Colton will keep waiting for Daddy to come home from "Ghafghanistan".