Congratulations! You're life is about to take a turn for the better than you can't even imagine. There has been a lot of good advice given so far that I won't repeat, but I will say that I think your discussions regarding this issue will go much more favorably after your deployment. Discussions like you had do not go well with a pregnant or postpartum wife.
For me, the key has been to send my wife on a vacation while I'm hunting. Then she doesn't need to worry about the logistics of dealing with work, daycare, meals, etc. while I'm gone. I put all of my expenses throughout the year on a travel credit card and use that to send her off with her mom during my yearly hunting trip. That said, I did need to give up my trip out west this year since I welcomed a son in June and my wife had to use all her PTO for her maternity leave.
Before kids I probably went on 20 trips per year hunting or fishing. Most were for just a 2 or 3 day weekend. Now I'm down to maybe 3 trips per year with just 1 of them longer than a weekend. That will change as they get old enough to join me.
There will be sacrifices and it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. One big change is that I'm more excited to come home than I am to leave for a trip now.
For me, the key has been to send my wife on a vacation while I'm hunting. Then she doesn't need to worry about the logistics of dealing with work, daycare, meals, etc. while I'm gone. I put all of my expenses throughout the year on a travel credit card and use that to send her off with her mom during my yearly hunting trip. That said, I did need to give up my trip out west this year since I welcomed a son in June and my wife had to use all her PTO for her maternity leave.
Before kids I probably went on 20 trips per year hunting or fishing. Most were for just a 2 or 3 day weekend. Now I'm down to maybe 3 trips per year with just 1 of them longer than a weekend. That will change as they get old enough to join me.
There will be sacrifices and it won't be easy, but it will be worth it. One big change is that I'm more excited to come home than I am to leave for a trip now.