Day 62 - overcoming infection.

I haven't updated my blog in more than a few days.
60 days have come and gone. We're almost done with day 62. 
Tomorrow will be the first day of August. Which means month two is down. 

 Our chain link keeps growing and growing.

Also, I should try to update them everyday because it's a pain to try to remember what I did when I have to add multiple links.

I discovered today, after all facts added up.. that I have mastitis. 
Mastitis is an infection in the breast. Commonly a lactation infection. That's the easiest way to explain it. It can cause pain and discomfort in the breast, and while nursing. And in some cases (in mine), it can cause ill like symptoms. Last night I bounced from having chills, fever, pain, headache, and nausea. And it continued throughout the day. I'm pushing through though. I'm still nursing. No matter the pain. I feel so ill. I hope it's short lived. After almost two years of great luck during breastfeeding, this is the first problem I've faced. I would say I wish I had my husband here to take care of me during this time. That's not possible though. Obviously. I have to take care of myself, and my kids at the same time. 


I was able to get out a few times during the day thankfully. I went out today with my friend and picked up the last of presents for Austin's birthday. Even though they didn't have any dinosaurs! After naptime we went to the park. I didn't get to nap because Peyton wouldn't when I laid down. We also made a trip to the exchange, and I bought my new camera. 

Pretty right? 

It's not super duper fantastic, but it will do me good I'm sure.

Austin will be turning two here in just a couple days. Hard to believe. And my sister will be out here, helping me, in just a handful of days.

 My adorable kid. 

Yawning haha.

I'm going to hope that this infection is short lived. The pain is better than what it was. Just the nausea and illness is what is beating me up right now. Must overcome this. Sorry I don't have much else to report on. I'm going to crawl into my bed, and hope my daughter continues sleeping peacefully. And hope that I feel better soon. At least deployment is coming into it's third month, which is closer to the end than what we started with.

- Rayne.

Environments in Our Home - AWS's Bedroom.

I'm always rearranging AWS's bedroom over and over. I'm pretty OCD about it. 

So here it is as of right now. I'll take you on a little miniature tour of "toddler/toy central" - AWS's personal environment.

 AWS ready to cause destruction.

 A view of his play environment. I also call it "toy central".

Bed, book case, toy box, colorful rug, and toys toys and more toys.

Dinosaur decor, balls (in a mesh bag for storage), and organizer (filled with toys and more).

 More views, and some reading.

Reading some books from the book case.

Other view: cubed shelf (cubes filled with toys, blocks of all types, and shapes), TV, disco light, and more.

 Spongebob decor, ball pit, and toys.

 Monkeys all tucked in and ready for "ni ni".

 Dinosaur wall decor. As AWS calls them, "saur saurs".

 Shelf with TV.

Container with different little odds and ends of figurines, 

xylophone, puzzles, and more.

 I adore puzzles!

Spongebob and more dinosaur decor!

 He's a fan of Spongebob clearly.

Backpacks and totes of different sorts.

 Window view.

 His name. Foam shapes and letters.

 Window sill. 

ABC window clings.

 Photo collage, created by myself.

 Destruction caused, books galore.

 Where Mom can be found lounging usually.
Shelf inside of closet: hats, painting supplies, and DVD collection.

 Clothing storage method.

"Saurs Saurs" are so neat Mom.

- Rayne.

7 weeks down! - another finished project too!

I know I just posted yesterday, but oh well. 

Today I've been handling this deployment for 7 weeks (that's 58 days). I have had ups and downs. I'm still going through them... I've had to figure everything out. I've done my best to make sure everything is taken care of. I have made several trips to the commissary and exchange with my stroller for items. I have tagged along with my friend to different stores, which is always a great get away from the house.. and I get things I need. I've taken every day, one at a time. I've struggled. I've made it through. 

Anyways.

Today we played outside. I rearranged the backyard again. I spoke to my husband and had a rollercoaster of a conversation with him... then we ended on a good note before he went to sleep. I painted a toy chest I found a few weeks ago. It's not perfect... but hey, it was free (well minus cost of spray paint and two screws to fix the locking mechanism).

Would look a lot prettier with some natural light, but it's night time.

It's holding stuffed animals.

And it matches the other project I finished, a little book nook.

Lots of books! And he'll end up with more for sure. We love books!

My friend I met via facebook left the area to move back home during her husband's deployment. I skipped naptime (though I needed it badly) to get some things done, and finish speaking with my husband. I started putting together the little gift baggies for AWS's party next weekend. Ramona, my aunt, made my day fantastic... she ordered some things for Austin's party that I could not get. I'm so excited for them to get here. And it was so nice of her. You'll see... We went to the park with my friend and her daughters, where we met a friend of hers. We came home, and that pretty much concluded the day's activities.

The month is almost over. Another month down. Can't wait. Even if my little guy is turning two.

Until another day... 7 weeks down, more than what we started with. Closer to you...

- Rayne.

Day 57 of Conquering Deployment.

Day 57. Three days shy of 60.
7 weeks ago we were holding eachother tightly. We were saying our goodbyes until we were reunited again.
Tomorrow, I'll have endured this all for seven weeks.


Seven weeks feels so small compared to how long it's felt. 
And how long we have remaining.


Today we did some outdoor play. Austin played in his splish splash center, even Peyton too (I held her). 
We also did some color exploring with water and coloring. Austin was very into swirling the water and making the color blend. 

 Arm's deep after swirling the colors around.

This are so neat, let me make more colors mom.

Last night I made two batches of play doh - green and yellow.

AWS had fun creating sculptures with it, exploring texture transfers, and more today. 

 After texture exploration and transfers.

So pleased with himself.

For my "trusted" play doh recipe see my other blog post: 

http://raynebery.blogspot.com/2011/07/homemade-play-doh.html

We went to the 99 cent store with my friend where I picked up some items for his little birthday party we're having soon. And we fit in dinner and some playtime at the park. Now I've got some editing to do on some photographs I took of some friends a few days ago. 


I'm ready to conquer tomorrow. I'm ready to say that July is over. That another month is over, and I'm closer to the end of this deployment.


Until another day...


- Rayne.