Deployment Struggles

Anyone who said Deployments are cake lied so go ahead and throw that out the window because it is FAR from that! Let me tell you 1st hand you will go through a lot of trials and tribulations through deployment. As deployments come and go they get a little easier to handle w/ time BUT they never get comfortable to be unphazable. My 1st was crazy. Soon as I dropped him off I was screaming/crying uncontrollably. Then came the attitudes, fights, and neglect from both ends! Newly weds going at it from thousands of miles away. LOL! See I can laugh now but when it was happening Lord knows I was far from that I was like the Incredible Hulk. When it was over I was happy to have him back, well sort of. When you've been alone for so long it takes time to cycle back into how it was prior to deployment. Which is why they have to do re-integration class before the arrival. That way your prepared and know warning signs of needing help. Marriage counseling is NOt the enemy and if you feel you two need it by no means brush that off! 2nd deployment was a little easier but a LOT harder at the same time. When orders came down for deployment #2 I was pissed, to say the least LOL. Not only did he get a months notice, I was freaking pregnant!! I was about 4 months pregnant when he shipped out for the 2nd. Glory to God he was able to be home for the birth (this almost never happens) so don't get your hopes up, I didn't. This 2nd one I think was the hardest. I was going thru so many things. If y'all have been following me on YT (wwww.youtube/user/theinfertilefiles) then you know all the trials I went through in my pregnancy! So, with me sharing my experience w/ you on deployments and some of my struggles..... What were and/or are some of yours through deployments and times of separation for TDY's and training?? See y'all next time. Oh, be sure to subscribe to the YT channel. I update there more, due to convenience and time restraints <3!!!!!

Pro's & Con's of being a Military Spouse

Ok, so...... I was emailed a couple months back by one of my lovely subbies with a question about military life and what I feel are my pro's and con's of being a military spouse. At first I didn't know how to respond to this let alone blog about it but after thinking on it a while it finally came to me and was able to put it all together for you. Now, I'm not saying these will be your pro's and con's nor am I saying you will encounter any of the things I'll list. These are stipulations I've gone through and this is just my take on it. I'm not expert at the military lifestyle and I don't always agree with how things are or how the families can be. I'm just saying heheheeee!

PRO's:

• Awesome insurance for both medical and dental
• Choose between on base or off base housing
• Explore new places around the world
• Job stability
• Lots of functions/classes to waste time on base
• Make new friends who understand your lifestyle
• Awesome discounts and specials
• Shop tax free on base and off base @ certain locations

CON's

• Spend lots of time apart from SO (training or Deployments) remember deployments can change them good or bad
• Can be discharged for failed PT or conduct
• Living away from family
• PCS to base/location you do not like
• Military is 24/7/365 mission is first before family
• The wives are stereotyped as being lazy, gold diggers, and cheaters

Newborn Must Haves

Heyyyyyyyyyy!! I know your wondering what this blog is about. As you know I post them at random hahahaa. But seriously! Have you ever wondered what are some of the things you MUST have for newborns??! Well, Thanks to one of my subbies I put together a quick list of some of my must haves. It was hard to come up with this list LOL. I have so much that I use for baby but these are the ones that stood out to me most. Hope this helps someone who's curious or are really looking for help. Also, be sure to check out the vlog I put up on this. You can find it by going HERE.

Boppy: Boppy Naked Pillow w/ Slipcover

Burp Cloths: Gerber

Baby Sling/Carrier: Ergobaby Galaxy Grey

Carseat Canopy

Aveeno Baby: Calming Bath Wash - Daily Moisture Lotion

Diaper Pail: Arm & Hammer by Munchkin

Pacifier: Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature

White Noise app: in your app store search white noise and it should pop up. I have the free one

Hand Sanitizer: 36pk

Bags for stinky diapers: Arm & Hammer Diaper Bag w/ Dispenser


**DISCLAIMER**
I am NOT being paid for this. All items mentioned were purchased w/ my own money. I am in no way, shape, or form associated with any of the companies listed above.

It's a NEW year!

Why hello and welcome to 2014 :-) isn't it an awesome feeling to know that we've made it another year? I feel awesome and so enlightened that 2014 is among us. I have so much in store for you all this year. Loads of videos and blogs. I hope you all enjoy it all. Hopefully you haven't drank too much last night heheheeee. Love!!

Happy Holidays

It's what 3 days post Christmas?! Well darn..... Happy Holidays. I've been meaning to blog more but time has gotten the best of me. As you all know baby T was in the hospital for RSV. If you don't know what that is Google it heheheee. Anywho, he's out of the hospital and home acting himself lol. I was going to blog for Christmas but I figured I would just enjoy the holiday. Next year I plan to blog a lot more often as well as keep up with vlogging. Are you up for following that journey? I hope your enjoying following my journey. If there's anything you'd like for me to discuss or review please feel free to message me and I'll do my best to get it done. Also, be on the lookout for another Q & A both on the blog and Vlog. Take care!!

-NaNa

A Moment of Reflection

Today marks baby's 4th month of life. I'm still in awwe and shock that I am, now, a mum of a beautiful baby boy. I still can't believe it sometimes. I find myself looking at him a lot and just holding him. Whispering in his little ear saying I love you baby and I'm so glad your here. He has no idea how much life and joy he brings me. I'm sure my hubby feels the same. I'm always playing with him to try to put a smile on his face. His smile and coo's are EVERYTHING to me. If your like me, and have gone through infertility, you know the struggle. It's not an easy thing to overcome. I remember back in May 2012 going to this RE thinking it'll never happen. I won't ever be a mom and just have to face the fact that we'll have to adopt. Needless to say, my RE rocks!! We got our BFP and it was awesome. I called my RE right upon the test results, yes at 5am LOL! I just, I just can't believe I'm a mom FINALLY. After so many failed cycles, struggling with PCOS, and also not knowing I needed surgery because my tubes were blocked. Wanna see my Introduction or some of my most F.A.Q's about my Infertility Journey so far? Click the links!

So tell me....... What's your infertility story? Any updates on your journey so far?

See ya next time! -NaNa

All About OPSEC

What's OPSEC? It is keeping the our enemy countries from obtaining critical DoD information. It protects U.S. operations planned, in progress, or completed. Keep you and your SO information OFF any and all social medias such as Facebook, Twitter, etc. I know it's easy to just blurt out how many days or months until your SO returns home but you do not, by any means, want to do that. You don't want to risk the chance of orders being rewritten all because you opened your big mouth and said something you shouldn't have. I can't even count on my hands how many times I've seen milso's writting out their plans for when they come home as well as the exact time, date, and location of where they are or will be for the homecoming. That in itself is a BIG no no! I do not post anything about my husbands whereabouts while he's deployed. I just say the country tops. If it's getting closer to him coming home I don't say I have this many days, etc. I say something like "it's getting closer to hubby coming home and I have to start shopping." That does not disclose when he's coming home or anything like that. It's a very vague response that he's coming home. With that being said, I hope this blog helps you understand OPSEC just a little bit more because it's one of the failed things I see A LOT in the Military AND MilSO communities. It goes unnoticed and in reality the enemy is always watching!

So tell me....... Have you witnessed someone breaking the OPSEC rules? If so, what did you do to fix this situation?

See ya next time! -NaNa