A pregnancy is 9 months long and this deployment was only 2 1/2, but in a number of ways, the emotional cycles and the experiences as a whole are surprisingly similar!
THE FIRST TRIMESTER (The first two weeks of the deployment):
To the rest of the world, nothing has changed. You look the same and they expect you to act the same. But internally there's a lot going on! You don't feel so good, and every other thought is consumed with this big change in your life.
In the "first trimester" of the deployment, only my close friends realized that this would be different than Yoni's regular trips. Most people saw that he had left and thought he would be back soon. No one realized how long of a time we would have to go without him, yet every minute of every day it was on my mind.
THE SECOND TRIMESTER (The smooth sailing middle month):
This is the best part of the pregnancy! No more sickness, a cute little baby bump, and life goes on as normal...
Once our initial visits (which helped those first few weeks pass more quickly) were behind us and the kids finally kicked their little stomach bug, we had a good 3 1/2 weeks of routine and happiness! I got a lot of sleep, worked on creative projects, and time seemed to fly by!
THE THIRD TRIMESTER (Those last few weeks...):
This new part of your life is getting bigger by the day! You're starting to think, "Enough of this already. I'm ready for it to be over." That last week is the worst... everyone you see eyes you, wondering, "When's the baby coming??"
The last two weeks have seemed longer than the rest of the deployment put together. It's so close yet so far. And now, as we've entered the week window of his return, I almost feel like I'm at the end of a pregnancy. The whole community is alongside me, awaiting the reunion!
POST-BIRTH (Together at last):
You hold that sweet little baby in your arms, and the entire pregnancy fades into a cloud of memories...
(Looking forward to this stage, as it hasn't happened yet...)
I see him get off the airplane, he spends time with me and the kids and it's as if he never left...
