The Man Boy Cub Has Arrived

My sweet angel!

Dad and his mini-me

My beautiful son arrived 6 weeks ago and life has been a roller coaster. Being a new mom is hard on so many levels that I didn't expect and just when I think I'm getting the hang of something or feeling balance in my life, a new curve ball hits me in the face.
I had so much support from family the first few weeks and it was wonderful. So many loving people to hold the baby and help me recover and then everyone was gone, including my husband, and I was left alone with an infant. Then we had a hurricane...
I'm so lucky that I didn't lose my home like so many others that were literally less than a mile away, but we did lose power and water for 3 days, and I also lost my mind. Looking back it really was just glamping with a newborn, but it felt so much heavier. Also, I reminded myself that this was normal not too long ago, and still is for many people in the world, but mixed with postpartum emotion, no rational thought can make you feel better.
Due to the storm, and some unforeseen circumstances, I quit breastfeeding and switched my angel to formula. Once things calmed down I decided to start back up and it didn't take long to get my supply back. Then very quickly I developed mastitis and an abscess. I'm talking 3 days and I had to have my boob sliced open to alleviate the swelling infected mass. The whole ordeal is nauseating and the pain has been some of the worst I've ever experienced, so at 6 weeks my baby is all formula fed. It had to happen before I went back to work but I am a little sad. I'm also a little happy because I feel like I have so much more time on my hands and I love that I can eat or drink whatever I want and my child will not be affected.
This has pushed my goal of returning to work in shape, back a few weeks, but all I care about now is mine and my baby's health. Oh how things turn out so different than we expect sometimes. I still think it's important to have goals and a plan, but I like to be flexible so I'm not too depressed when they don't work out. Like my goal to pump for a year...6 weeks'll do!
On to the pictures! I've taken a few ;)

Straight Outta Momma

Newborn photo session with J. Marie Photography

He was so skinny! He weighed 7 lb and was 21 in at birth

Sleep smiles

Happy boy

Sleepy boy

4 generations! I had lots of help

Pamela's first grandson

Goodbye Grandpa

I have been lucky enough to live to 35 with all 4 of my grandparents still here. Yesterday my grandpa passed away and even though he lived such a great and long life, it's still the worst. My grandpa was such a cool, fun and interesting guy. He had the cutest little sayings and was always so much fun to be around. I've never met a more relaxed and patient man. He was also hilarious. He loved getting my grandma all worked up about nothing and then leaving her to vent while he had a beer in the garage. We hung out in his garage a lot and he would let us fill shotgun shells and then ask us if we wanted a knuckle sandwich for lunch. "In other words" was his most popular catchphrase and always led into saying something outrageous. I will miss him so much and wish he could have lived forever.

He was also very handsome!

Grandpa & Grandma

Knocked Up

Corey and I just celebrated our seventh anniversary! We've had more exciting anniversary getaways but due to the false claim that "what happens in Colombia, stays in Colombia" we sort of stayed in where I could enjoy air conditioning since I am 7 months pregnant. 8 more weeks until we get to meet Johnny Lewis and I cannot wait. Pregnancy has it's good moments but overall I could do without. I truly enjoy feeling him move around and River Dance on my bladder, but I think I'm going to like having him screaming in my arms more. We'll see!

My first look at the cause of my nausea

We got to wear civilian clothes to my military ball!

I got promoted! Corey was there to pin me :)

He was not shy about showing off his gender

I take full advantage

Babyshower in Asheville, NC

Creepy 3D photo that shows off his cute lips!

Christmas in Colombia

We barely made it to Colombia this year. There was a 62 page leave packet submitted, terrible airline problems (I'm looking at you Spirit Airlines) and serious parental dislike in our destination choice. We made it though and we managed to return without being kidnapped, drugged or attacked in any way. Lucky us, right?
Colombia has a bad reputation but seriously, it was almost 30 years ago! Of course they have their problems still, but I highly endorse vacationing in this magnificent country. It is too large to explore everywhere so just start with the touristy cities and I promise you will not be disappointed.
Cartagena was our first stop and was incredible. Safe, beautiful, diverse and cheap! Cheap if you are making USDollar pay. We ate 3 course meals with a bottle of wine and paid $30 USD for both of us. The food is delicious, fresh and so flavorful. Bonus, neither of us returned with any stomach problems.

Cartagena from La Popa

La Popa Monastery

Old Town Cartagena

Entrance to Old Town

A day at La Playa Blanca

Pargo Rojo with coconut rice on the beach

The top photo is from this year at the pool, the bottom photo is 7 years ago on our first vacation to Mexico

Our next city was Medellín and we were blown away by how modern, clean and unique it is. It recently won the "Innovative City of the Year" and it's clear to see why. We went on a great Colombian street food tour, walked around some nice neighborhoods, rode on the cable cars and ate at so many great restaurants.

Botero Plaza

Botero Plaza

Arepas, empanadas, queso and more on the La Mesa food tour

Medellín from the cable cars

Typical lunch. Let me tell you about these avocados!!!

 Bogotá was our final stop and I was a little apprehensive about our safety in the city. I've read about the dangers hailing taxis from the street and being robbed at gunpoint, etc. We had no problems and the taxi situation turned out to not be a problem because it was so inexpensive to hire a driver. The hotels can also call you a taxi from anywhere you are to be sure you are getting a certified driver.
It's hard to say what my favorite part was, but I really enjoyed Bogotá. It may have been due to my lower expectations and initial fears. Then when we realized we weren't going to have any problems, it may have made this experience better than we imagined. Either way, this adventure was incredible and I am so glad we were able to go.

Bogotá from Monserrate

Graffiti in the city

Me & Corey on the mountain

New Years Eve on the small cities tour

  

Flight School Graduation

It's difficult to sum up the last year and a half so here are pictures ;) The main lesson I've learned from being here and struggling everyday, being tested on the reg and in a constant state of anxiety/panic, is that the time will always pass. I waited a little longer than the average to really follow my dreams and I almost didn't even do it. If I had just done nothing, the time would have still passed and I'd still be wishing I had done something more with my life. 

The world's most supportive husband pinning my Aviator Wings.

At the Aviation Museum after graduation in front of a Huey.

Outside trying to leave but the families wanted pictures with our berets on. I'm not good at the beret.

My graduating class 15-002.

I Almost Went to Honduras

I am 3 weeks, I repeat, 3 weeks away from finishing flight school. 15 more flights and I will be a Blackhawk pilot! I have to pass one last checkride so that technically still stands in my way, but I am about to leave Ft. Rucker. 2 months ago our class got orders and mine said Honduras. I was not happy since I've been geographically separated from my husband for the last 18 months and he was deployed for 8 months right before we left Germany.
Honduras is a year unaccompanied tour with the "guarantee" that I would get my follow on to Ft. Bragg. If I were to go, that would mean over 3 years of separation from my husband and I about lost my mind. It really did take all I had to keep myself together and let's just use that term loosely. Honestly it was hard to even think about it without tearing up, let alone try and talk to cadre who didn't care at all and told me to look on the bright side. I'm a "bright side" person and I am very good at looking on that side, but that was not even an option in my mind so I was not hearing any of it. I did everything I could to try and change my assignment but nothing was happening.
Fortunately my husband's unit came to the rescue and knew the right people to talk to the other right people to force an assignment change. I can't really describe my relief but I am ecstatic that someone out there cared enough about a family to do something. I consider myself a career-oriented person and I feel that I make a contribution to the workplace and I enjoy a great amount of satisfaction from working. However, I will always choose my family over my career or job. I never want to be poor and never want to rely on someone else for sustenance, shelter or any other provision, but I truly believe that families are worth more than careers.
Nothing is official yet, I only have verbal orders but I should be moving to North Carolina next month to finally live with my husband again in our beautiful new home. I am so excited to be a normal family unit and work in the yard and clean the house and enjoy marital bliss again. Maybe in a few years I'll get the chance to go to Honduras because that is on my radar, but not just yet. 

Burt Family Reunion

I had an ultra quick Fourth of July trip back to Roseburg, OR for a full Burt fam reunion. Every single family member made it and it was incredible. The weekend was pretty short because I only got 4 days off, but we packed it in as best as we could. The travel part was sort of difficult and frustrating (ie delayed flights, cancelled flights, terrible weather) but eventually I made it to Portland and met up with Corey to celebrate our 6th anniversary. We drove down to the Burg the next day and had all kinds of family fun.
My mom scheduled family pictures and they weren't as bad as I imagined. Corey and I are not what you would call good at taking pictures. Ours turned out as well as you would imagine for two awkward people who are trying to get photos done as quickly as possible. Luckily all of the grandkids made up for it with their adorable cuteness!

This is everyone! I am so glad we were all able to make it. 

My grandparents and all of my cousins. I can't tell you how much fun we all had together as kids, playing at my grandparents house in Cerritos. There was a pool and there were big wheels. 'Nuff said.

All of the spouses who were lucky enough to marry into the Burt fam ;)

My parents, siblings, spouses and nieces & nephews. My favorite group of people!

Corey is desperately trying to escape.

One more cousin shot with our Aunt Cindy. She was the one who spoiled us the most growing up :)