A Deployment Birth Story: Part I

There are two sides to every story.

These posts are something I've been looking forward to documenting yet dreading. The details are still vivid now, but I know they won't stay that way as the years fade them. Unfortunately and honestly, the memories of our first baby's birth sometimes still feel like fresh, deep wounds that I am still desperately trying to lick clean. But when someone asks, "How did you do it?", my attitude completely flips. I feel like I am standing tall on the top tier of an Olympic medal ceremony when I tell our story. The heavy weight of the memory hangs around my neck, but I barely recognize it as a symbol of the pain in the journey because the immense pride I feel is overwhelming.

How did we do?

We just did it. Together. Yet apart. 

There were 7,412 miles between me and husband when Eloise Mae was born on January 3, 2015 at 2:55 pm...or January 4, 2015 at 1:25 am depending on which of us you ask. It was definitely the scariest time of my life but also the most exhilarating. Many moments were dark, yet my world had gained the brightest little light. Deciding how to convey all of my conflicting emotions appropriately made me realize that my muddled version isn't even the only tale that needs to be told. Brad witnessed his daughter's birth alone in pixels from a war zone. Hours after she was born, he led a platoon of combat engineers in a route clearance security mission. Let that sink in. Much of his perspective that you'll read here I had never heard before until I asked him to write about it. I'm so thankful that I did.

B Co. 2-327, Kandahar, Afghanistan 2015

So here it is. Eloise's birth story told from each of our perspectives and from two sides of the world. It is our family's unique story, and we love it in all of its messy beauty.

New Life

Bradford hadn't even taken his work books off tonight before I enthusiastically blurted out, "I'm going to start blogging regularly again!" He looked at me with that I'm-happy-for-you-but-I-don't-believe-you look that only comes from an adoring husband. A lot has happened since my last post...in 2014. Gasp!

Rather than write a novel trying to catch you up on the past year and a half, let me tell you why I'm finding myself right back here again. The blunt truth is I really need a place for me. A place to serve as my creative outlet. A place to document this fleeting season of life that is so beautiful but is quickly becoming a colorful blur as it speeds by. I love to write, and in the past few years, I've grown to love reading blogs. I appreciate the inspiration gained from a peek into the lives of friends and fellow bloggers. So here I am again, and I am here to stay. I have set a lot of goals I am ready to achieve to make this something I will be proud of and cherish.

Here we go.

Spring is just around the corner for us. One of the many things I love about Tennessee is that spring actually does arrive in March as opposed to the Michigan "spring" stumbling in late in May. There is nothing better than waking up to realize you can finally hear birds chirping outside. Bright green starts to poke up through the faded mulch of last year. Paired appropriately with Easter, spring always feels like the season of new life to me in so many ways. And given the new life I am aiming to breathe into my blog, I thought a glimpse at what the Easter bunny will be bringing Eloise would be a fun first post to dive back in!

Hide N Squeak Eggs // Bunny Crown Flutter Tee // Princess Bunny Sleep Set

I am definitely one of those moms who has gone all out for holidays since day one with Eloise. I know she won't remember it. I know it's more for us than for her at this stage. But it's never too early to raise a kiddo to crave the magic and joy of holidays like I did (ahem, still do), right? Not to mention the Easter bunny likes to slip in sweet treats like Bunny Bait for Mommy and Daddy...

If you haven't heard of Usborne Books and love building your kids' libraries as much as we do, shout and I'll hook you up with my great friend who is an Usborne consultant. I got That's Not My Bunny as one of tons of free books after hosting an online party a few weeks ago. Easter basket jackpot! Eloise is big into touch and feel texture books right now, so I know she'll adore it. When you say, "Where is bunny's nose?" now she will immediately point it out for you. I'm blown away by how smart she is and how fast she is absorbing. Where did my tiny baby go?

Brad and I will probably have more fun with the egg decorating kit than Eloise will, but I expect she will enjoy a good egg lick or two in the process. Maybe try to throw one at the dog. The possibilities are endless! Our local store also had princess and pirate themed kits, too. I let my kid-at-heart husband choose. Circus eggs it is for us this year.

Last but definitely not least, I must mention Eloise's beautiful Easter basket. My Grandma hand wove and painted Easter baskets for my sister and me when we were little. You could say I'm a bit of a basket snob, but I couldn't be more pleased with the hand made basket woven by sweet Jane from the Etsy shop jasperjane. It is just the right size for tiny hands and has accents of light pink and seagrass woven into the details. We will cherish it forever and on many egg hunts. I can't wait to order more from Jane and support a small business as our family gains more little chicks.

Here's to hoping sunny, spring days are coming your way soon!

Hey, Stranger!

Wow. To say I have neglected this blog would be a dramatic understatement. After looking back at my last post SEVEN months ago, I've determined the cause: work. Rather than drag on about all of the things that have happened in our lives, I will attempt to sum things up quickly.

1. We moved! I wrote way back in December about our new house we had just purchased. We are now all cozy in said house and frequently look around with our jaws on the ground in awe that we live here. Of course, we are still plugging along on our fair share of home improvement projects. I strongly suggest hanging laundry room cabinets with your spouse if you are on the hunt for a true test of the strength of your marriage.

Laundry Room Makeover: Before & After

2. I got a job! I began a new adventure as a Research Nurse at Vanderbilt's breast cancer clinic in Nashville. Research nursing is an entirely different world than my two years in acute care oncology. There are positives, like playing a small but important role in the completely fascinating and promising journey towards a cure. But honestly, the stationary desk time just really is not my cup of tea. Overall, it felt amazing to be back interacting with patients and great co-workers again at a place as renowned as Vanderbilt.

3.  We're expecting! Yes, you read that right. We found out on May Day 2014 that a mini Witt is joining us in January 2015! We had just reprogrammed our brains to focus on careers rather than babies after a few disappointing months when I landed my new job. Obviously our little one had a timeline all her own. It actually puts so much peace in my heart and mind knowing this little girl is absolutely meant to be ours at this exact time in our lives. I cannot wait to meet her, and feeling her dance around is simply the greatest (and freakiest!) joy I've ever experienced.

A smattering of the bump

4. Brad is deploying! Don't let the exclamation mark fool you, I am not in the least bit excited about this tid bit. Brad is headed to Afghanistan this fall for nine months as a platoon leader for a Sapper combat engineer platoon. Cue extremely proud wife moment. It is yet to be determined whether or not he will be given the chance to jet home to try to catch the birth of his daughter. We have good and bad days coming to terms with all of this, but ultimately this is the life we agreed to proudly live. I hope I will have the courage to face this first huge family sacrifice with grace, especially with a daughter depending on me to be strong for her too.

5. Hopes and plans! Our upcoming major life changes have led to the decision that I will transition into a new role: stay-at-home mom. I am excited about this opportunity but also nervous. Ever since we made the decision together, I have been brainstorming ways I can hold myself accountable for productivity. I do not want to fall into a bad habit of letting my creative drive go to waste. That being said, a few close friends and family members have fabulous instructional blogs of all sorts that I enjoy scouring for tips. I hope not only to continue to use my writing as an outlet for the happenings of our life but also to share fun crafts, recipes, style ideas, and all of the baby things I am learning (I apologize in advance). You can thank my lovely sister Whitney and friend and fellow Army wife Rose for this inspiration to share new things!

Whitney à la mode & H&R Blog

Consider yourself updated. Fingers crossed months don't go by before you hear from me again!