Hasta Luego

Round 3 has begun for the Pinheiro household. We took daddy to the office to get together the rest of his gear before heading to the gym. Having a little one present in the mix definitely changes things up a bit. Cole and I both found ourselves "bucking up" a bit for Sierra's sake. She was feeling the pressure of the changes for sure as we attempted to take a nap earlier that afternoon only to realize she'd snuck downstairs and colored with permanent marker on the carpet! Ahhhh! (I did manage to get it out by scrubbing it with a toothbrush and some Clorox 2... then shampooing it for about an hour!) We enjoyed some yummy food at Outback and Sierra got a flower balloon for some pre-dinner entertainment. It didn't make it out of daddy's office that night as it kept running into objects that popped it a little bit at a time. The time spent in the office went well as there were several other wives and children around to share the experience with.

When push came to shove and it was time to leave Sierra panicked a bit so she ended up walking daddy (daddy carried her) over to the drop off area. When the real goodbye came Sierra was a mess. Daddy and I had to buck up... Cole had to go deal with some soldier issues and I had to remain calm enough to help Sierra through and drive safely home. She cried the entire way home wanting us to be together as a family. Broke my heart and kept me from focusing on my own sorrow and fears. After watching the stories daddy read, cuddling with her daddy doll, and lots of hugs she was out quick. Now we are working on the frustrations and emotions that manifest themselves and come out in the choices she makes and some of her behaviors.

After a few days of keeping busy tonight was the time to melt... The tears came as it was time to rest and daddy wasn't home... again. After getting her settled down... my tears started to flow. I cannot allow my mind to wonder to the what if's, the could be's, but do know they are there in the back of my mind. Right now it's time to take it a day at a time and a chunk of the deployment at a time. Time to focus on getting a good rhythm down, enjoying our Cali trip this summer and preparing for Weston's arrival.

If you are reading this I do ask that you pray over Cole and his units safety and the perseverance of the families back home.

Preparing to say Hasta Luego at the office.
Ready to go...

Holding on tight to daddy

Reading one last story with daddy.

Mommy's Little Helper

In so many ways Sierra is growing up and becoming so independent! She wants to help prepare the food, water the grass, hang up the phone, help brush her teeth, along with all the things we've been helping her prepare to do on her own as my belly grows! Just yesterday she buttered my toast for me all by herself... and did a great job! It makes my heart ache a bit to see that she's no longer my little girl and also helps be realize the beauty of the timing of her little brother.

She is going to be my little helper. I'm sure I will have help with diapers, baths, calming him when he's fussy... and perhaps making him fussy just so she has something to help with. I also know that there will be jealousy to come as whenever a friends little ones want to come sit with us in church she is quick now to jump on my lap and lay claim while he/she can sit with Cole or next to me.

Her little world is getting ready to change so drastically and she does not yet know. She doesn't understand days and weeks in time just yet so we haven't discussed just how quickly the deployment is coming upon us. Her beloved daddy is going to "take his turn" for a long while at work and then in only a few months she will have to share mommy with little brother. But in the meantime she has served as one of the greatest little helpers yet and doesn't even know it. In great effort to help keep her from anxiety, fear, concern and allow her to enjoy our family time we have kept the flood gates drawn and Cole and I have been able to enjoy the time with her too. I think I'm mostly just living in denial at the moment as there is so much still to be done in a short period. However, the reality is setting in and I am grateful to be enjoying some of these last nights together and not be quite the emotional basket case as I was while pregnant before the last deployment! My little helper and blessing so many ways... and she doesn't even know it!

Family Fun in the Sun

We just returned from a wonderful family vacation to Sunny San Diego! Sierra was a great age for traveling, seeing the sights, and bringing lots of smiles. We got to see all of the grandparents to add to the joy of it and I didn't (although I came pretty close…) lose my lunch on either flight! I will let the pictures tell the story for the most part, but we spent time in the pool, at multiple beaches, Sea World, the Zoo, and had way too much good food to eat! The scale is reassuring me so! Now we are back to reality as Cole officially goes back to work tomorrow and our days are few until we have to say "hasta luego." Cole and I are so grateful for the wonderful memories made. I know that I will hold on to them and cherish them and I hope that Sierra is at the age to remember them too while daddy is away. Hope you enjoyed the photos…

And we'll leave you with that for now folks as that is a whole lot to take in! Hope you are all having a nice spring where you're at =)