Halfway-82 Days and Counting!!!

KIDDING! Not to worry-I wasn't tipping back the cocktails at our amazing halfway outing over the weekend... nor were Susanne and I as crazy as the last deployment halfway (she's reminiscing). We had a fabulous halfway celebration, complete with happy hour at the fancy, new Westin in Town Center followed by a private dining event at Ruth's Chris! The guys put together a great video for us with personalized messages and, of course, daily life on the ship with lots of jet airtime-it was very cool! Brent's message was sweet with a note to enjoy an extra bite of filet for the baby :) which, of course, I did! If only I had the flowing red wine or champagne to compliment it....

The green dress (compliments to Missi) got another wearing-not the last time you'll see it either-sorry, but the maternity wardrobe is limited...

The Skipper's wife, Andrea, outdid herself as usual and made the event super special-what a way to celebrate and get over the halfway hump! In addition to our roses and pics of the guys, we also got adorable favors with Blaster towels, flip flops and water bottles to prepare us for the next day's beach BBQ, again, thanks to Andrea-too sweet!

We're on the countdown now with only 82 days remaining! Oh, and yes, that is Andrea's Jag stuck in the sand...what a nightmare!

Dubai cut short...but well worth it!

Well, after the 14 hour journey to the Middle East with Susanne's son, Mitch (8 months-who was such a trooper by the way) in tow, we arrived to learn that our reunion with the guys would be delayed until late in the evening, essentially killing the first day together....BUT to top it off, we received a call around 5pm on Saturday only to learn that they were being recalled to the carrier by 8pm that same evening...

With all the let downs, the journey was WELL worth it! Brent was thrilled to see the preggo bump and feel the baby moving around too! SO good to see him and get over the halfway deployment hump!


We at least had one full afternoon to explore the local scene and made it to the gold souk market, haggled with an Afghan pashmina vendor and enjoyed a boat ride on Dubai Creek!

We had an amazing dinner on the 4th at Eauzone and enjoyed cocktails (water for me) on the rooftop bar. Even caught a glimpse of fireworks at the nearby Westin.















Our hotel-One & Only Royal Mirage was amazing and we had a great time contemplating baby names by the pool and relaxing in the extremely warm Gulf!


Instead of our last day together exploring the Burj area and enjoying the view from the skyview bar, I was able to join Brent on the Lincoln for a few final hours together!

After sweating to death (I don't know how he does it) on a rushed tour of the flight deck in search of his jet, we ended up finding it in the hanger for repairs-should I be worried? 407 will spend some time over Afghanistan in the next few months.


Brent couldn't get enough of little Mitch-he was truly a little Rock Star traveler!
On the countdown now...less than 100 days to go!!!

UppaBaby Has Arrived!

Whoever thought I'd be so thrilled with a new baby stroller?? Well, I am and I've been getting Soph used to walking with the soon-to-be new addition to our morning routine!
The UppaBaby has arrived and I love it! After agonizing over this decision, I'm certain I made the right choice (for once)! One item off the baby must have list-I feel like that is a big accomplishment for me-even matches my new diaper bag!