Rash update

So those of you who saw us when we were in Missouri saw Aidan's terrible rash. I took him to the pediatrician on Tuesday, and she said it's definitely an allergic reaction to something. Now it's my job to figure out what it is. My thoughts: cerael, formula or MY detergent.

I've eliminated all three and plan to reintroduce each individually so I can figure it out. It doesn't seem to bother him, even though it's all over his poor little body. Jeez, it's always something with him, isn't it? Poor baby. He looks like he has a disease.

Anyway, I don't have any photographs for you, so here are a few old ones to tide you over.

We're back

Aidan and I made it back from MO. Our trip went very quickly, but I must say it was a bit stressful travelling with Aidan by myself. The trip back home was easier because the plane was bigger and not very crowded. We had 3 seats to ourselves, and I was allowed to take his infant carrier on the return flight. Aidan slept and I even had a little rest. Here are a few photographs from the trip. I didn't take as many as I wanted, but I was pretty much exhausted the whole time.

Vietnam Wall Photographs

A Vietnam traveling wall (3/4 the size of the original in D.C.) came to Killeen recently. Here are a few of my photographs...

Oh- and by the way, we're in MO until Sunday! We got here yesterday. It was was Aidan's first time on an airplane and he was FANTASTIC. So many people stopped us to comment on how cute he is.

Thank you!

I'd just like to say thanks to everyone who sent me sweet Mother's Day wishes - from the comments here, to emails, cards and phone calls - it was a great first Mother's Day for me. John and Heleena came to visit Aidan and me, which was a nice treat. Heleena took me for a pedicure last Saturday and then we all went out for breakfast on Mother's Day.

It's been a busy week at work, so that's why you haven't seen any updates. I also spent Mother's Day doing something NOT so fun. They recenty changed policies regarding the arrival of fallen soldiers, and we had our first arrival Monday. Sunday was spent at an interview with his widow. Luckily, I was just photographing the event and nothing more. I don't think I could have done much of an interview because I was bawling the entire time. Poor Heather (the one doing the interview) WAS crying. Anyway, it was very emotionally draining. Then the next afternoon, his body arrived at the military airport. I have lots of photos and I'll post a few later. It was great to see these guys getting the honors they deserve. Please keep his wife in your thoughts, I can't imagine what she's going through. Poor woman was highly medicated through the whole thing. She was fully cooperative with all members of the media because she said she wanted to spread the word about what a good soldier he was.

Well, on to less depressing updates. This weekend, Aidan and I went to the park at a local college. I wanted to feed the ducks and had a loaf of bread ready, but apparently everybody in this town had the same idea. Needless to say, none of the ducks were hungry and our bread went uneaten.

We also went to the Traveling Vietnam wall that came to our area for the weekend. On Tuesday, I also photographed its arrival. The wall travels in a semi truck, but it was accompanied by at least 500 Patriot Guard Riders. (If you don't know what those are, you should google it. Very cool guys.) Anyway, it was an amazing sight to see hundreds of motorcyclists go by. I had goosebumps. So today, Aidan and I went to photograph the actual wall after it was put up. I've been to the one in D.C., and it's an amazing sight. So was this. We have many local vets because they like to retire here. It was heartbreaking to see them tracing the names of their friends on the wall. I spoke with a few of them. Many of them were very emotional about it. Many had never seen the actual wall, so for them it was hopefully a bit theraputic.

Anyway, I hope to post some photos tomorrow - I have the day off to get a few things done around the house. Here's a sneak peak of what you're going to see! Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

More pics, and I'm even in one

He found his feet

I know I've been a bad, bad blogger lately. Sorry. So last week Aidan found his feet. He loves to suck on his toes now, and it cracks me up. Oh - and he also had his first real laugh. Instead of a little squeal, it was a real belly laugh. It's amazing how those little things can make a parent so happy.

Anyway, here are a bunch of photographs I took over the weekend. Sorry it's taken so long. Enjoy.

Notice the new banner?

I figured I'd try to put something a little more creative, so this is a trial banner until I come up with something better. What do you guys think?

355 days and counting

That's the number of days I have left in the Army! Yay for me.

So in my free time, though nearly obsolete, I have been pondering my post-Army life. There are so many questions and so many decisions our little family must make in the next year. I must say I've been pondering continuing my time in the Army - but don't freak out. I would re-enlist into the National Guard. (You only serve 2 days a month) I'm hoping in the near future they'll approve medical coverage for National Guard and Reserve soldiers. That would definitely make it worth it. Oh - and I would only do that as an officer. This enlisted crap is for the birds.

I see these little brand new lieutenants who know nothing about anything and I have to salute them and call them ma'am and sir. Ugh, I'm so thorougly sick of it. It's time for somebody to salute ME! :)

Aidan seems to be feeling a little better. He actually graced me with a few smiles today. I must say though, it's so sad to put his little baby inhaler on his face. Plus, he really hates it. I think it scares him to have the mask on his face.

Aidan's first trip to the ER

So Aidan has been sick for a while. This weekend his cough got so bad he was having a difficult time breathing. So I took him to the ER at 5 a.m. After 3 breathing treatments, a chest x-ray and several hours of monitoring, he was released. They think he *might* have pneumonia. Thet gave him an inhaler, prednisone and amoxicillin. Poor baby - he hates all 3. Sometimes he pukes when he gets the medicine. Not so fun. They said they saw a spot on his chest x-ray, but it was too small to tell if it was pneumonia or not, so we go back to the pediatrician on Monday.

And - he's been sleeping terribly this week. I'm so exhausted I can't even think straight most of the time. Oh - and to top it off, I think I might have pink eye. I need to go to the doctor, but I don't have time.

Anyway, I can see you! Ok, no really, but I have tracking software in my blog that tells me how often my blog is looked at, which is pretty interesting. It makes me post more, since I know people are actually looking at it. You guys are all lazy and don't leave comments, so I never know if anybody really reads this mumbo jumbo.

Dan has landed at his final destination. For security reasons, I was told not to put his location on this blog. Certain people have been known to find out details about Soldiers' lives and put their families at risk. Sooo, let's not specify. OK? Ok great. Thanks. He said it's beautiful and that he doesn't think it will be too bad of a mission. Better than many of the alternatives I suppose. I haven't had a chance to talk to him much, he doesn't have enough phone card time. Hopefully he'll get some more soon so I can give you guys more details. One big bonus is I'm allowed to visit him. I can't wait!

Our 3-year anniversary!

I'm a little late posting this, but Dan and I have been married 3 years! Yay for us! Dan sent me some beautiful roses. I'm sad we couldn't be together, but hopefully he'll be back for our 4-year anniversary next year.

Aidan and I are doing fine, except he's been sick. It started out as a little cough. Now it's a really bad cough that makes him cry sometimes. He's been running a slight fever and he just looks miserable. He did calm down enough to sit outside this afternoon. It was a very pretty day, even though it did threaten to rain - though it never did happen. It took him forever to fall asleep because he keeps waking himself up when he coughs. The other day I had to pick him up from daycare early because he was too sick. They called and said he only ate 1 ounce of milk the entire time. I immediately went to pick him up. Poor little Aidan. I put him in the bathroom with steam, I ran the humidifier and finally I rubbed Vicks Baby Rub on his chest. Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow.

Lots of photos from the weekend

It's been a good weekend (for the most part) for Aidan and me. Yesterday we drove to Austin to have a playdate with my friend Belinda and her daughter Katherine (who is 3 weeks younger than Aidan). We had so much fun with them. We went for a long walk in a park by her apartment. There was a really pretty creek where you can rent kayaks and there were so many TREES, which we don't have many of here at Fort Hood. We also went to Babies R Us (they have a fabulous one in Austin) where I spent lots of money on Aidan. Well, not too much, but he got some new clothes, a toy and a new swaddler. It was so nice to get out of this crappy place.

Anyway, Aidan and I had a long overdue photo shoot today. I finally got out the good camera... Hope you like them. Vote for your favorite!