Ill get things started

[MQAAord]

My husband and I just had our first baby on 10 July, so we're just getting used to life with baby. I've been the one getting up with baby in the night, every night. When my husband is home, I want him to get sleep and rest up from his trip, so sometimes I've felt like I'm kind of going at this alone. But when he's here at least I can hand baby off to him during the day for a couple hours and get out of the house and go shopping or something.

[Kristie]

Hey.... Congratulations!!!

how's it going with new baby so far? is this your first?

just curious - but with new baby around, do you ever have the feeling of your hubby butting in when he comes home? kinda like taking over when you've got a systematic schedule going on with baby and all?

just wondered - have been thinking babies for a while myself but have put it off for 2 reason 1) not ready, still having fun 2) unsure about the whole stay at home, single parenting thing...

[TheWife]

Hi all! I have a son, 15 months and my husband is instrument rated, working his way up. Nice to meet you.

[MQAAord]

Well, I get a lot more sleep when the husband is on a trip. I also do fewer dishes! He likes to sleep in (so did I, with the emphasis on the past tense) and in fact he has trouble sleeping at all sometimes, and he ends up staying in bed until at least noon every single day he's off and at home. It gets irritating at times because I'm the one who gets up all the time with baby, and I feel like I have to tiptoe around the house being quiet all day while he sleeps. I feel a little like a single parent, when my DH is here he gives baby a bottle or two, maybe change a diaper now and then, but I am definently the primary care giver. That's just part of being a pilots-wife-mommy. I didn't have the whole missing my career issue, since I've been furloughed for almost a year now, and have no hope of getting recalled any time in the forseeable future. I did go buy a kick-butt jogging stroller the other day, and I get out and rollerblade again now, and that really helps, getting out of the house and getting some physical activity. Now that baby is sleeping little more, he's up to sleeping for 3 or 4 hours at a time now, I feel much better than I did when he was brand-newborn and only sleeping two hours at a time! But I wouldn't want to be without baby for anything now, he's so adorable and he smiles at me now, and he's just got the cutest little face! I can't imagine life without baby and my DH.

[TheWife]

Oh, that is so sweet! How old is your baby? I remember the pure heaven I was in when mine started sleeping through the night! It's amazing! You must share some pictures!

[Rachel]

Hi Everyone,
My name is Rachel and my dh is about to get his instrument rating. It has been a tough road for us because dh went to Airline Training Academy which closed it's doors without notice. So, he went back to work and is now progressing very slowly through Air Orlando.
We have two children. A daughter 4 1/2 years old and a son 6 months old. It is hard to have children when you dh is away a lot. (he flies after work) But, when he does get home, all he wants to do is be with the kids which gives me a nice break.
For a while, dh didn't fly because of lack of money. The school took all of his (and 300 other student's) money. But, now that he is back in the air, he is a different person. MUCH HAPPIER!
So, being a wife of a pilot and having kids is challenging, but, sooooooo worth it!!!!
I'm glad to be a part of this new (or not so new) group.
Take care, Rachel

[Kathleen]

Hi, Rachel! My hubbie was at ATA, too. How long was yours there before those crooks "took the money and ran?" Mine was there a mere 3 weeks, and we lost about $45k.

So glad to hear your hubbie is still flying, as so many students are just dead in their tracks right now or have lost their desire. Sounds like you're at least all together in Orlando. What was really hard for us is I had to stay behind in Colorado (because of my job), so hubbie was all alone when he got the news. Although I flew down there that weekend, it broke my heart not to be there with him when he found out.

We're lucky in that we were able to just get hubbie moved down to Vero Beach, and he's continued his training at FSI. He's due to finish his CME in the next few weeks, and he'll finally be coming home. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

For what it's worth, I think working through this crisis has really strengthened our marriage. We've only been married a few years, so it was nice (for both of us) to see how well we stick together and fight for our future. Plus, now that ATA's maintenance issues have come out, I'm glad he's not flying there. I think it was just a matter of time before they had a(nother) tragic accident. No amount of money is worth hubbie's safety.

Nice to have you here.

[Rachel]

Hi Kathleen,
It is great that you dh is continuing. What school is in Vero Beach? That must be hard for you to be away from him.
My dh was going to take his commercial ground exam the day the school closed. Also, the following week he was going to take his instrument single engine. It has taken him 7 months to feel comfortable again taking the exam. The instructor said he is completely ready. He just had such a bad experience with the school closing, he has to get back into the swing of things. It has been so hard. My son was born 6 weeks early on March 12th. I blame the Williams, of course, because of the stress. lol
I agree about the mechanical problems. I was so nervous everyday he flew in those planes.
I also agree that this experience has made us stronger. It has put a definate strain on us with 2 kids, but, all in all, we know we can get through anything.
We also lost around 50k. Dh started in April of 2002. He was delayed so much because of mechanical problems.
Is your husband's name Reilly?

[Kathleen]

My husband's name is Troy. He was at ATA for such a short time that he really didn't get to know anyone other than his roommate Paul (who was also just about to take his commercial exam).

The name of the school Troy is at now is FlightSafety Academy. He's been really happy with it -- it's sort of the opposite of ATA. You pay as you go, it's run very well, the aircraft (and maintenance) are top-notch, and they're a publicly traded company owned by Berkshire Hathaway (Warren Buffet) so they're not going to be disappearing in the night and ripping people off.

I'll bet having an early delivery added to your stress in March!

Wish your husband luck on his exam!

[Liz]

We are expecting our first baby in november, so this is all VERY eduacational for me to read. haha! Actually, DH is the same; sleeps all day, etc. so I am anticipating feeling like a single parent too. To add to that, right now we have only one car, so guess who's stuck driving him back and forth the 30 mile each way trip to the airport? Yup, me. I don't know how we're gonna manage all that with a newborn. It will be interesting. I also still work (part time in evenings) and will be going back to work after baby is born.
Any more pointers, advice, suggestions, etc would be VERY welcome here! Thanks!-Liz