Update from Home

Greetings all. Well, Abigail is now one week old and our family is settling in. It has been a busy week taking care of all the initial appointments and the normal activities of Madi and Andrew. Abigail has been pretty good, though she hasn't disappointed with multiple feedings during the night which is tiring - it is amazing how quickly you forget. Either that or it is that I was 8.5 younger last time :)

I am preparing to head back to school in a week or so. It has been nice to be home and be able to concentrate on getting tasks done, helping out with Abigail, and get back into the schedules of Madi and Andrew. It is time to get back to normal though.

Part of the more unpleasant but necessary part is to get all my doctoring done post deployment. I went to a new doctor, and by the time I left from my initial appointment, he said in a joking manner "man, you got alot of problems". I have been diagnosed with a dust induced asthma that has brought on a continual cough and some chest congestion. I am on medicine for it and the Dr says it should clear up over the next few months. I also had to go to an ENT for my ear that gave me trouble during the deployment. They orginally thought I had a ruptured ear drum due to a long bout with an ear infection over there. Turns out it is a layer of scarring from the infection that has no effect on my hearing, so that was good. I also had to go and have my big toe numbed and fixed. The new Dr is also looking at putting me on different age 40+ medicines for cholesterol and some other things based on the results of a blood test I had taken. All this has made me feel very old...then I return home to a new born - wild.

Here are some updated pictures of Abigail. A picture of her dressed, the traditional first bath picture and a picture with her siblings.




We have had many visitors and many people express their congratulations and express relief that I was able to make it home in time. So many people have been there for Rebekah and my family throughout my time away..it is truly humbling and a great feeling that so many people truly care about us here in our community. We are trying to keep up with all the phone calls and updates and look forward with connecting with everyone in the next few weeks and months as we get back to "normal".

Please keep the group of fine men and woman still in Afghanistan in your thoughts and prayers. My friend Maj Todd Graham has started a blog of his own if you are interested in following along:

http://toddsdeploymentadventures.blogspot.com/

Thanks again for following along and reaching out to me and my family. I look forward and am hopeful that I can maintain contact with you...so please keep in touch. Until next time...