I just found out tonight that my husband is going to deploy just weeks or days before our DDs first birthday. This devastates me. Thankfully, it is close enough that we can have her "birthday" before he leaves, but I am still upset over it.
It's also our first deployment after 4+ years in the military. So I am already freaking out enough. I am just sad and needed to post someone, because we haven't told his or my family yet.
Re: deployment.
You'll get through it just fine. Keep your chin up, stay busy, and it'll be over before you know it.
And I'm not going to lie, I'm mega-jealous that you've made it 4 years with no deployments. I'm practically turning green over here.
As others have said, very lucky to have made it 4 years without a deployment and that he was there for her birth! DH has been gone for most of the last two years... and we were very worried he wouldn't be here for the birth of our first LO, but it looks like he will be! I'll be alone for most of the first year though. So many wives give birth and do the infant/toddler years on their own. It's amazing that they find the strength.
Deployments are hard, but they are MUCH harder when it's your first or your first after a long period together. We had about two years at shore duty after years of him being out to sea frequently, and I found that the first deployment afterward was so difficult compared to when he was constantly coming and going. On shore duty, I had become used to having him around, so that first deployment after a lengthy period without them was really hard. Now we're back in the rhythm of frequent trips out to sea. When he leaves it feels routine, and I just continue going about my business. The dread and anticipation before the deployment is the worst, as well as the 2 weeks immediately after he leaves... then it gets easier, and every day you are closer to seeing him again.