The Big Apple

I love NYC. I don't consider myself a traveler, although I would love to do it more often. Of all the cities in the country I've seen, NYC trumps them all. I love the smell. It's a dirty smell, but a smell that defines NYC. I love how busy and go-go-go the attitude is. So I was beyond excited when we made plans to go into the city for a day during our East Coast trip.

Friday morning, we (me, B and my most favorite cousin-who's-a-sister to me) woke up super early. The night before, we had been drinking in the hot tub for the third night in a row. My aunt introduced us to her friend Don and he works in the city. He volunteered to get us there, treat us to lunch, and get us home. We were elated! He picked us up and off we went to the city bus station a town away on the other side of the bay.

The sun was finally shining without a cloud in the sky. It was going to be a perfect day for walking the city! While on the bus, H and I talked. People, this girl and I are beyond besties. And we never see each other. And we like to talk. And we have loud voices. So there we were, talking about everything and we were shushed--twice! Note to self-no talking alowed on the early commuter bus to NYC! We laughed it off, called her the B word and kept talking, all while trying to lower our voices. It didn't work, but we didn't care.

We arrived at Port Authority, just off 42nd street and made our way to Times Square. H and B had never been before. I'm not sure how many times I've been to the city, but I was thrilled to be experiencing this with them! Their eyes were wide with wonder and minds open for the new adventure. It was intoxicating how excited we all were.

Times Square really threw me for a loop. It had been 6 years since a had last been and now with the pedestrian only areas, I was totally turned around. Regardless, we saw all the lights, the police men on their Morgan horses, and people speaking different languages. I don't think you can come any closer to a full blown cultural experience.

We made our way to FAO Schwarz, just for the heck of it, and then trecked through Central Park to the MET. If you're keeping tabs, then yes, we WALKED nearly 40 blocks in one morning. It was great, but our feet were screaming by the time we got home.

The park was beautiful. It was the last day of school for many kids so each playground and shadded grassy area were lined with strollers and filled with kids and their nannies. I saw not one, but two people taking pictures of squirrles. That made me giggle. We walked past the boat pond and finally arrived at the MET, our main goal for the entire day trip.

After two hours of paintings, furniture, and staged rooms, we were famished. We called Don and grabbed our cab to 55th & Park. Of all the times I had been into the city, I'd never been to Park Ave and I can honestly say it is my new favorite place in NYC. What a beautiful strip of lofty apartments, business buildings, and wide streets filled with hard working millionaires (or so I like to think).

Don took us to Cellini, a 5 Star Italian restaurant. I had the most divin lobster ravioli ever with a vodka sauce...It was heavenly.

Before we knew it, we were racing back to the Port Authority via subway to make the 330 bus and we barely did by 2 minutes. The day was incredible and the only bad part was how little time we had to enjoy everything. Regardless, it was a special experience and I can't wait to go back again.

List O Items Update

>Nearly two months ago I posted a list of all the fun things I want to accomplish in Colorado this year. Here is an update. Plain text indicates that it is still "to do", bold is "have done" and italics is "missed it". There are a few things on this list which I am sure we may never get to. For example, I despise Colorado Springs and Pueblo. They are quite literally the armpits of Colorado and while there are "hidden gems" in and around the area, taking a day's trip may not even be worth it. Do you have a list of things to do in your state? Share it!

1. Road trip on Independence Pass
2. Hike a 14ner
3. Have a beer at San Luis Valley Brewing Co
4. Take a ride on the Rio Grand scenic railroad
5. Go to Sipping n Painting (Feb 23)
6. Take a tour of the Red Stone Castle in Carbondale
7. Fly fish in the CO River.
8. Gamble in Black Hawk
9. Look for wild life in Rocky Mountain National Park.
10. Tailgate at a Denver Broncos game.
11. Go to the Mile High Music Fest.
12. Go to the Taste of Colorado.
13. Go to Comedy Works.
14. Go alpine sledding in Heritage Square.
15. Watch the sunset from Peaks Lounge in the Hyatt @ Colorado Convention Center
16. Brew at the Zoo
17. Bohemian Nights/New West Fest
18. St. Patty's Day Parade in Downtown Denver
19. Go camping in a State Park
20. See the aspens change on Trail Ridge Road
21. Take a tour of Celestial Seasonings in Boulder
22. Visit Garden of the Gods
23. Be in 4 places at once @ the 4 corners
24. Take Logan to Tiny Town
25. Go swimming in the Glennwood Hot Springs
26. Hike Hanging Lake
27. Visit the Great Sand Dunes
28. Visit Buffalo Bills Grave
29. Make Out on Lookout Mountain
30. Add a dollar to the Bonanza in Central City
31. Get a picture with the giant blue bear at the Colorado Convention Center (we ALMOST did this on Valentine's Day except I forgot my camera!! but there will be other opportunities)
32. Rent a B-cycle red bike in Denver
33. Go to a Nuggets game (edit: Aves game)
34. Buy a record at Albums on the Hill
35. Go to the Colorado Boat Dragon Fest
36. Tour the Denver Mint
37. Paddle boat at City Park in FC
38. See a concert at Red Rocks
39. Visit the Poo Yeti and stay in a Yurt
40. Zipline
41. Ride the Twister II at Elitches
42. Go wine tasting in Palisade
43. Take a tour of New Belgium Brewery
44. Take Logan to Boo at the Zoo
45. Take Logan to the Aquarium
46. Take the dogs to the doggie dips day at City Park
47. See a film at The Lyric in FC
48. Get a hug from Panda in FC
49. Take Logan on the train at City Park
50. Visit Mesa Verde
51. Eat sopapias at Fransiscas in Cortez
52. Watch the ice climbers in Ouray
53. Go to the hot springs in Ouray
54. Take the gondola in Telluride
55. Have 2 margs from the Rio in FC
56. Visit the Old Fire House #1 Children's Museum in Trinidad
57. Buy a beer from Captian Earthman at a Rockies Game
58. See a play at the Colorado Shakespeare Fest
59. Go dog sledding
60. Go to the first ever Chipotle on Evans in Denver
61. Go indoor skydiving
62. Take Logan to Black Barts Cave in Casa Bonita
63. Take Logan to the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver
64. Get dolled up and order bottle service at Suite 200
65. Go to Denver's Parade of Lights
66. Go to the XGames in Aspen (Jan 27-30) (our crazy busy new work schedules could not allow us to get the weekend off--maybe next year!)
67. March for March of Dimes in FC (April 30)
68. Buy a book from Tattered Cover
69. Take Logan to the Black Canyon
70. Check out the International Snow Sculptures in Breckenridge (Feb 4) (also missed due to scheduling conflicts and super bad mountain weather)
71. Go to the Denver Art Museum on the first Sat of the month for a FREE visit
72. Celebrate the first day of summer visiting the Colorado National Park for FREE (June 21)
73. Eat a Palisade Peach
74. Ride a historic carousel in Nederland
75. Take the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour in Cripple Creek
76. Visit the Fiske Planetarium in Boulder
77. Walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canyon City
78. Run through the human maze in Steamboat Springs
79. Go fishing in Bear Lake
80. Take a picture of Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride
81. Take a picture of the Maroon Bells in Aspen
82. Take a tour of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
83. Visit a Ghost Town in St. Elmo
84. Go on a sleigh ride
85. Take Logan to the Lee Martinez Farm
86. Take a tour of the Molly Brown House
87. Visit the Wildlife Experience in Parker
88. Visit Seven Falls in Colorado Springs
89. Visit Bishops Castle in Beulah 
90. Kit Carson Carousel in Stratton
91. Have a cup of tea at Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder
92. 4th of July at City Park
93. Recreate our first date: Bowling, dinner, etc on the 16th Street Mall (done! this was my Valentine's Day surprise that deserves it's own post) 2/14/11
94. Stop and see the buffalo on Floyd Hill
95. Run a 5K in Loveland
96. Have a beer at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park
97. Go camping in Red Feather
98. Cut down a Christmas Tree
99. Participate in the Tour de Fat
100. Take Logan to the Discovery Museum
101. Enjoy the best donuts from LaMars in FC (Logan and I did this just a few days after I made this post and OMG they are the best donuts ever!!) 1/1/11

2011 in Colorado

>No joke. I happen to live in the BEST state. Don't believe me? Why don't you try to come up with 101 things to do in your state THIS YEAR and we'll see who has cooler things. The only thing I would ever want to do in Texas is go to SXS shows with my bestie Heidi. I know, that was random. Here is my list. If I am unable to complete some of the things on this list for whatever reason, I WILL complete it eventually.

1. Road trip on Independence Pass
2. Hike a 14ner
3. Have a beer at San Luis Valley Brewing Co
4. Take a ride on the Rio Grand scenic railroad
5. Go to Sipping n Painting (Feb 23)
6. Take a tour of the Red Stone Castle in Carbondale
7. Fly fish in the CO River.
8. Gamble in Black Hawk
9. Look for wild life in Rocky Mountain National Park.
10. Tailgate at a Denver Broncos game.
11. Go to the Mile High Music Fest.
12. Go to the Taste of Colorado.
13. Go to Comedy Works.
14. Go alpine sledding in Heritage Square.
15. Watch the sunset from Peaks Lounge in the Hyatt @ Colorado Convention Center
16. Brew at the Zoo
17. Bohemian Nights/New West Fest
18. St. Patty's Day Parade in Downtown Denver
19. Go camping in a State Park
20. See the aspens change on Trail Ridge Road
21. Take a tour of Celestial Seasonings in Boulder
22. Visit Garden of the Gods
23. Be in 4 places at once @ the 4 corners
24. Take Logan to Tiny Town
25. Go swimming in the Glennwood Hot Springs
26. Hike Hanging Lake
27. Visit the Great Sand Dunes
28. Visit Buffalo Bills Grave
29. Make Out on Lookout Mountain
30. Add a dollar to the Bonanza in Central City
31. Get a picture with the giant blue bear at the Colorado Convention Center
32. Rent a B-cycle red bike in Denver
33. Go to a Nuggets game
34. Buy a record at Albums on the Hill
35. Go to the Colorado Boat Dragon Fest
36. Tour the Denver Mint
37. Paddle boat at City Park in FC
38. See a concert at Red Rocks
39. Visit the Poo Yeti and stay in a Yurt
40. Zipline
41. Ride the Twister II at Elitches
42. Go wine tasting in Palisade
43. Take a tour of New Belgium Brewery
44. Take Logan to Boo at the Zoo
45. Take Logan to the Aquarium
46. Take the dogs to the doggie dips day at City Park
47. See a film at The Lyric in FC
48. Get a hug from Panda in FC
49. Take Logan on the train at City Park
50. Visit Mesa Verde
51. Eat sopapias at Fransiscas in Cortez
52. Watch the ice climbers in Ouray
53. Go to the hot springs in Ouray
54. Take the gondola in Telluride
55. Have 2 margs from the Rio in FC
56. Visit the Old Fire House #1 Children's Museum in Trinidad
57. Buy a beer from Captian Earthman at a Rockies Game
58. See a play at the Colorado Shakespeare Fest
59. Go dog sledding
60. Go to the first ever Chipotle on Evans in Denver
61. Go indoor skydiving
62. Take Logan to Black Barts Cave in Casa Bonita
63. Take Logan to the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver
64. Get dolled up and order bottle service at Suite 200
65. Go to Denver's Parade of Lights
66. Go to the XGames in Aspen (Jan 27-30)
67. March for March of Dimes in FC (April 30)
68. Buy a book from Tattered Cover
69. Take Logan to the Black Canyon
70. Check out the International Snow Sculptures in Breckenridge (Feb 4)
71. Go to the Denver Art Museum on the first Sat of the month for a FREE visit
72. Celebrate the first day of summer visiting the Colorado National Park for FREE (June 21)
73. Eat a Palisade Peach
74. Ride a historic carousel in Nederland
75. Take the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine tour in Cripple Creek
76. Visit the Fiske Planetarium in Boulder
77. Walk across the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canyon City
78. Run through the human maze in Steamboat Springs
79. Go fishing in Bear Lake
80. Take a picture of Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride
81. Take a picture of the Maroon Bells in Aspen
82. Take a tour of Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater
83. Visit a Ghost Town in St. Elmo
84. Go on a sleigh ride
85. Take Logan to the Lee Martinez Farm
86. Take a tour of the Molly Brown House
87. Visit the Wildlife Experience in Parker
88. Visit Seven Falls in Colorado Springs
89. Visit Bishops Castle in Beulah 
90. Kit Carson Carousel in Stratton
91. Have a cup of tea at Dushanbe Teahouse in Boulder
92. 4th of July at City Park
93. Recreate our first date: Bowling, dinner, etc on the 16th Street Mall
94. Stop and see the buffalo on Floyd Hill
95. Run a 5K in Loveland
96. Have a beer at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park
97. Go camping in Red Feather
98. Cut down a Christmas Tree
99. Participate in the Tour de Fat
100. Take Logan to the Discovery Museum
101. Enjoy the best donuts from LaMars in FC

Ey-eye-ey-oh!

>Super fast.

I have like 48 seconds to type this out before I have to go hop in the shower and get ready for work.

How is everyone?! I miss y'all over the weekend! We had a blast in Junction and I was not my normal picture taking self so shoot me. No pics. However we did get some awesome videos of Logan being a goof. He and I have a new game. The paci game. I stick it in my mouth, he giggles uncontrollably, he takes it back puts it in his mouth and then 20 seconds later he takes it out and offers it back to me. So stinkin cute!

The drive was beautiful and last night we spent the evening with my parents trimming their awesome Christmas tree they cut down. It is so not a Charlie Brown tree (even though we love those!). Logan loves checking out all the lights and ornaments. We wants to still eat everything!

I am doing great. I felt like I was maybe getting a sinus infection for a day or so but I think it's just allergies. My girlfriend Ash informed me of a great way to squeeze a few runs in during the week: listen to a book on tape! Although they are now on MP3 Players...great idea! I just finished Water For Elephants b Sara Gruen and it was great! I had a hard time with some of the subjects of animal abuse but the story was very well written and I'd recommend it to anyone!

This week we have a few things going on: I start tutoring a new kiddo today, I have another new student tomorrow and Thursday night, and then our staff Christmas party is on Friday. YAY!!

Have a good one!

Thanksgiving, my fav.

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Thanksgiving is my most favorite holiday. Not because we are celebrating our so-called victory over those Indians (chill..I'm Cherokee!!). No, I love the holiday because two of my most favorite things come together one one day:

1) Family

2) FOOD!

I realize that these things come together quite often, but not in the same way and not with the same food. I am a Green Bean Casserole junkie. I happen to enjoy watching football and the smells! Oh the smells of baking pies and gravy flooding the house is just so delish. OMG.

Thanksgiving also happens to be one of the only holidays in which I have never really had a "bad" day from. It was almost ruined back in '04 when I was a junior in college. The weekend before I fell terribly ill. I had been dating this guy and I later found out he was playin me--loser. Anyway, he insisted that we go out on the Thursday night prior so I gave in and as he was dropping me off at my house (yes, house. not a dorm!) he wanted to kiss me. I had been having the most horrible sore throat all night but I did not complain about it once. I told him how I felt and that I didn't want to get him sick. I think he thought I was playing him so I never heard from him again. That's a good thing.

The next day (Friday) I woke up and could not swallow. My skin hurt to the tough. I had that nasty white shit on my tonsils. And my glands were so swollen I had no neck. This is one of the only times in my adult life that I truly wished my mommy was there to take care of me! But no, I was a good 5 hour drive away on the other side of the mountains.

So I went to the doc and was diagnosed with mono & tonsillitis. Double win! I can't remember if she gave me antibiotics or not, but by that evening I had not eaten anything all day. One of my roomies ran out to the store to buy me some pedialite because I could not eat or drink anything. I sipped on in through a straw. I tried to take a bath and my skin hurt so bad. That was the weirdest symptom...

Saturday morning I was beyond miserable and my roomie drove me back to the doc (campus docs on Sat-gotta love it!). She prescribed me vicodin and sent me on my way. The pain relief helped and by Tuesday I was eating normally. Thursday I was eating my beloved Green Bean Casserole, drugged up, but enjoyed it nonetheless. This is also how I found out I am allergic to vicodin.

So what is your favorite holiday?

30 Day Blog Challenge: Catch Up

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I know, I know. I have been a total slacker on this blog challenge but I honestly have no mojo to get 'er done. Every waking moment I am with Logan is spent with him. He is napping and now is the only time I have to write. I cherish every second with him more than anything.

This week has been rough. I won't lie. Lots and lots of contemplating and self-reflecting going on. I just want to be happy. If you came over to my house right now and asked me to my face if I was happy, I would shrug and say I don't know. Honestly, I'm not. My heart breaks every single time I pass him off into some other woman's arms and the remainder of the day is spent wishing I was with him. Sure, I'm the happiest when I am with Logan and his daddy, but the hours I spend with them is less than what I spend at work. That just isn't right. There will be some changes coming soon. Not sure exactly when, but B sees how much it is killing me to be away from Logan. I cry just thinking about tomorrow.

So here is a quick catch up. I am going to wake Logan up and take him swimming!

Day 21: A Picture of Me

There are not very many pictures of just me because I am usually the one behind the camera. I would love a new camera. Just sayin. Anyway, this was my wedding day, just before heading down to the gardens to say "I Do". The blue sky in the background is deceiving-it was rainy at that moment and it all cleared up once I started to walk down the aisle. It is, like I've said before, the most incredible happiest day of my life. And sunflowers are my most fav.

Day 22: Favorite Vacation

Cabo! We ventured our way to Cabo 9 months after our wedding day and it was perfect. Cabo in April is perfect. It's still just before the high season settles down and it was not too terribly hot. We had save for months and were able to do everything we wanted. B and I never fight and vacationing together is no different. We love being together and it was the last time we were just the two of us, literally.

Day 23: Favorite City (Yeah, I know I mixed that one and day 22 up--so what)

This is a tough one. I LOVE traveling. I absoultly love the city we live in and because this is the crazy interwebz, I will not be revealing where that is exactly but it is in my most favorite state, Colorado. Living here is perfect. We have mountains, rivers, lakes, and the occasional wave pool. Everything is just a days drive away. But wait, this was not about my favorite state.

The first city that comes to mind is New York City. I have been to the City countless times and I love it. I love how busy it is. I love the lights and the people and the culture. It is so invigorating and my dear hubs has never been. I HOPE to take him next year sometime. My favorite restaurant there is Ruby Foos, an ethnic array of everything. The best duck dumplings I have eva had in my life! I love shopping at H&M because I can afford it, but Saks 5th Ave is amazing. I love putting on a $5000 dress I'll never be able to wear just because. I love the smell. I know that sounds weird because the smell is a dirty smell. But it is so New York. If you blindfolded me and put me on a plane to La Guardia, I would know the moment I stepped off the plane that we were in NYC. I have met the Nake Cowboy a few times. I walked barefoot in Central Park. I saw Patrick Dempsy filming Enchanted (though, I did not know that was him at the time). I saw Kenny Chesney at Madison Square Gardens. My favorite bar is at the top of the Marriot Marque in the spinning bar. Best lemon drop martini ever!!

Ugh...that makes me want to go back BAD!!

Day 24 will come tomorrow...

Days 7 & 8: Places Traveled & Fav Movies

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Day 8: A Place You've Traveled

Cabo San Lucas!!! Best visit ever. I had been there when I was 15 as a nanny and yes, that was a fab experience. But nothing is nearly as fab as sitting on the beach all day long, eating the most amazing guac you've ever had, playing beach volley ball, kayaking with sea lions, snorkeling, happy hour drinks, poker by the pool, and a beautiful room overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Ask just about any of our friends and they will try to convince you that Cabo is where we conceived Logan since we found out just a month later that I was knocked up. Funny, I didn't know they were all there when that happened!! Lol...no, friends, Logan was not conceived in Cabo. It was AFTER Cabo.

Day 7: Favorite Movies

I could go on forever with this list but I will keep it short and sweet:

1. Knocked Up
2. The Hangover
3. The Notebook
4. Inglorious Bastards
5. The Hurt Locker

Traveling with a Baby 101

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Before I even started to pack for our week long trip away from home, I scoured websites and message boards, searching for the best advice when traveling with a baby and the best I found was on a blog. So I am here to pass on some of that advice and other things I have taken away from the experience. Overall, Logan did so well. He hardly cried and was content just rolling around in his stroller or crawling on the floor (more on this later). My worst fears of him taking the plane down with his ear-piercing cries did not come true and I will say that yes, I would do it again. Just give me a good month to recover from the complete exhaustion I am still experiencing.

• Packing. I pride myself on how good of a packer I am and I know I earned those qualities from my dad. I know how to pack quickly, efficiently, and easily so everything that I want or need to take, fits. HOWEVER, as much know how I thought I had about packing had no affect on my packing for not just two of us, but three of us and one of those being a baby. So the best advice I got from a message board was If it doesn't fit in the diaper bag, don't bring it OR check it instead. By the time I received this advice, I had already backed one bag too many. I stopped and looked over what I had packed and was able to condense everything into either our main bag or the diaper bag. So while we were in the airport, I only had Logan, the car seat, stroller and a diaper bag to worry about. I put my important documents in a clutch which fit perfectly in the diaper bag and packed a purse for later.
• Food. Babies eat and if you are not nursing, you need food. I discovered Happy Baby food which is in a pouch. You can twist the cap off and either let baby suck the food out (Logan's preference) or squeeze it out onto a spoon. He loved it and once I realized Logan could suck it out, the mess was not nearly as bad. When it came to formula, I bought the Similac premixed formula. You have to have a nipple that fits it or take a bottle with you to pour it into. I happened to have the playtex skinny nipples and they fit great.
• Security. This goes along with the food, kinda. Security is a bitch. Let's face it, they have to assume that even mommas with cute babies are packing something dangerous and you will get the third degree so BE PATIENT. Go through the family/medical side of security. The xray machine is bigger for car seats and strollers and they seem to be a lot more patient with you as well. Our first time through, there were a million people and I felt very flustered. I had to get Logan out of his car seat, break down the stroller, take my shoes off, and get everything into its own bin all while B is trying to do the same thing for himself and his carryons. I did not pull out the liquids I had for Logan and I am sure I would have saved myself a good 10 minutes if I had. Once they pulled us aside, I had to open a bottle of formula and the hand sanitizer. They checked it with a little tab thing for vapors and gave it back to me. All was fine, but then I had to use the milk up within the next two hours. Good thing Logan was hungry once we got to our gate. On the way home, I remember to be more prepared and put all the liquids in their own bin and the TSA folks were a lot more accomodating with us. I did not have to open anything and worry about it not getting used.
• Airplane safety. If you are not purchasing a seat for you wee one, then take the car seat with you to the gate, just in case there is an empty seat. I did not score any luck with this until our first flight home. Honestly, I would have just prefered to have him on my lap. It did not seem to make any difference to him whether or not he was in the seat or on my lap. He fell asleep in both places. I did have my hands free, but was without reading material due to not expecting to have that break. Don't let other people touch your baby. Everyone will ooh and aah over him, and that's fine, but there are some people who have no sense of a bubble and want to touch their faces and hands. This is the best way to go home with a cold. We kept our distance from the touchy people. HOWEVER, the one thing I was not so worried about was him crawling around on the floor. I know that might sound gross, but no blanket is big enough to keep him in one place. Logan is a crawling machine and he needed to get that energy out betwee flights. I just followed him around and made sure he didn't get stepped on.
• Traveling items. Things I could not have traveled without: an extra paci, paci wipes, diapers, new and interesting toys that did not make noise, the food, a snuggly blankie, and of course, my husband.
  

I am sure there are things I left out. But these were some things to note. Let me know if this comes in handy for anyone else!

What to do when you don't have a diaper...

>So I know I have not updated on Michigan and I will, in parts. On Thursday night, we were hanging out in the Grand Rapids airport and Logan needed a change. He was leaking out of his diaper so I went in search and realized I only had one diaper in our bag for the next 7 hours. I said a silent prayer that he would only need this one change and we would make it to Denver without any fuss. Cue prayer unanswered! Not ten minutes later, Logan had a giant poo in his diaper. And now that he is in serious teething mode, his poo is not so...together. It's total yuck. I tried to save the diaper and that was a lost cause. We had diapers in the bag we had to check, something we were not expecting to do but our bag was too big. So B begins to beg someone to get our bag for us so we can get some diapers. Meanwhile, I had to do something. So I had some pads on me and yes, ladies and gents, I stuck it in Logan's onesie until I could find a fellow momma with a baby the same size as Logan and beg for an extra diaper. She was so kind, giving us two. Logan only had to shame his daddy with a pad in his pants for about 20 minutes before I found the diapers. Needless to say, funniest moment all week.

Some Things to Look Forward to...

>I am sitting in the Grand Rapids airport waiting for our flight back home to Colorado. This has been an AMAZING vacation and I wish I had the time and concentration to summarize everything right here and now, but I don't. So here is a short list of a few of the things I will want to include in my vacation update:

• Wedding in Grand Rapids
• Meeting a bloggie friend ANNE!!
• Biking around Mackinac Island
• Sitting on the beach drinking beer and playing bocce ball
• Visiting an apple orchard
• Visiting grandparents in Alpina and Harrisville
• Visiting Logan's 2nd cousin who is just 2 weeks older than him
• Driving all over the Northern part of Michigan
• And a ton of other things!!

Disconnected

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Hi all. I am writing from a king sized hotel bed while Logan is fast asleep next to me. What a trip. He did better than perfect. My biggest fear was a screaming, inconsolible infant who would cause the passengers tremendous distaste for us and all kinds of other terrible things. I was ready to put on my mommy cape and defend his aching ears, but I didn't have to. The kid was a gem. Our flight to Detroit was a little over two hours and Logan slept most of it. He woke up about 25 minutes before ladding and began to fuss while we decended. He refussed his paci so his ears were totally bothering him and there was nothing I could do. Our quick ride from Detroit to Grand Rapids was well, just that. QUICK! Logan slept the whole time and I kid you not, barely slept three hours ALL DAY LONG! He was so tired tonight that I had to cuddle him to sleep. Something he never does and something I deeply miss from his newborn days. Overall, traveling with an infant so far has been painless and easy. He has adjusted well to the new people and is just tired. I am sure we will all be a lot more fun in the morning.

But here's the truth. I feel really disconnected from Bs family and he knows this. He knows that I have a hard time getting in on the jokes and conversations. I really don't know why. I have never had this problem with anyone, but for whatever reason, I have to literally force myself to enjoy whatever they are talking about. For one, I feel like they repeat the same memories over and over again, every single time we see each other. I love being nostalgic, but every time is a bit much. Not to mention I have NOTHING to do with any of those stories so yeah, I listen and laugh but the 3rd time Im hearing it is like....okay....and your point is??

B and I had a pretty nasty fight last night. It was about how lax his family was about traveling. I love flying. I have done it several times and even a few times with babies. Traveling with babies is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. It is unlike travling with a two year old. You can be an expert traveler but if you have never flown with a baby, then you're no expert on how long it takes to do simple things.

Getting through security was a nightmare. Although, I did a damn good job of being patient and cooperative. They had me empty his diaper bag of all the liquids. I had three bottles of premixed formula, Happy Baby food, and hand sanitizer. Then they asked me to open one of the baby items and the hand sanitizer so they could test the vapors. Awesome. So I chose the formula because I knew Logan was getting hungry and I would use it soon. Then we had to put our stroller/carseat ensamble back together (just like Momma Dugger does it with Josie--works like a charm!), put our shoes back on, and get to our gate with about 30 minutes to spare before boarding. I was so frustrated that B was not on my side. He almost always takes their side initially, telling me I am being irrational or whatever, and then after some more careful thought, says he's sorry and ha, I'm right. Well what do you know. DUH!

So we made up at 11pm last night. I got hardly any good sleep I was so excited to get her. But then the same thing started to happen again. I feel like the black sheep in the family. We were in the Detroit airport and there is a really cool fountain there. We were all walking past it and I kept walking towards our terminal. I was almost to the elevator and I turned around to look for them and they had all stopped to look at the fountain. I stood there, alone, for almost 5 minutes and none of them, even B, noticed that I was not standing with them. I turned Logan around so he could see the water and slowing approached. They hardly noticed I had not even been standing with them the whole time. I just felt so disconnected.

And now. Now I am up in the hotel room with Logan. Everyone else is downstairs getting wasted in the bar. Granted, this is my choice to stay up here. I was not at all comfortable leaving Logan asleep up here alone even with the monitor. And I'm still disconnected.

So my goal this week is to try to connect with everyone. I almost said reconnect, but there has never been a good connection to begin with. And just to keep it right here, I get along with everyone great. I just don't feel like I fit in.

Family Vacation

>In 4 days, we will be boarding a airplane together, headed to Northern Michigan to enjoy a wedding, sweet corn, Mackinac Island, ferry rides, and, from what I hear, some good 'ol rain. Something the good ol' Colorado has been sorely lacking. Read: wildfires galore.

I cannot wait for us to take our first family vacation together. It will be Logan's first plane ride and we have two connections (YUCK!), but we can't complain. The tickets were gifted to us and we will take what we can get. I just pray he will be a little gem and fall asleep on us. This is something he DOES NOT DO. He is a "lay-me-in-my-crib-awake" kind of baby and puts himself to sleep. Yes, dear mothers out there, this is a very good thing. However, it is a very bad thing when he must be forced to do otherwise. Like, for example, when we were in the ER at Children's and he had to fall asleep on me. He screamed for a good 20 minutes before finally giving in and oh my word if that happens on a plane I am sure we will be walking home.

Now I am just trying to clean house and get all of our laundry finished. I am dreading packing. I have never had to pack enough items for our family to last over a week and I really have no idea how I am going to get out the door without the kitchen sink. I mean really. Babies have a ton.o.stuff. Not to mention that if I leave the car seat in the car at the airport, we are royally screwed. So there you have it. My anxious thoughts are only plagued by what to bring and what not to forget. I have read some great blogs with lovely suggestions. For example, rather than carrying on a blanket for logan to play on in the terminals while waiting, we will bring a thin sheet. It's a lot easier and more compact and covers more dirty floor space. The last thing we want is for Logan, or any of us, to come home sick. No fun.

If you have flown with your baby, how did it go? What were your best and worst items?

A Mexican Getaway

>April 27, 2010

One year ago today, we packed our bags, drove through a snow storm, boarded a plane and landed in sunny and HOT Los Cabos, Mexico. We were one our long-awaited honeymoon, nearly 9 months after we said our “I Do’s”. This particular day is special for another reason and while one may think it’s just a little bit too much information, well then you can go somewhere else. In case you haven’t noticed already, TMI has become my middle name since I had a baby.

Anyway, while on our plane ride, I discovered something no woman wants to discover at the start of a very special vacation. That’s right, you guessed it! Mother natures special monthly gift showed up on our way to Mexico. Oh my eff. Are you kidding me? I was so upset! But as always, B comforted me and said it was okay. No big deal.

So I let it go. We had the best vacation we could have hoped for. We laid out in the sun every day, ate next to a gallon of guac, drank just as much, if not more in tequila (well, you know when Jose is ONLY $6 for a liter, you gotta stock up! Much cheaper than paying at the bar), went sea kayaking with seals, tried snorkeling, played poker, and fell in love all over again. I also watched Ghostbusters for the first time ever on the only rainy day (7 days in and our 8th day is rainy, I say that’s good timing!). I loved vacationing with B in Mexico and I hope we can do it again with Logan.

So why was my pointing out AF’s arrival on the plane ride over important? Well, because that was THE LAST TIME I SAW HER, AND HAVE YET TO SEE HER AGAIN! One whole year without a monthly nuisance. Can you say blessed?? YEP! Since I am still semi-nursing Logan, it could still be a month or two or three before that happens again. NO, it does not mean I’m prego again! That won’t be happening for a long time.

Until then, I am just going to enjoy the most special little gift I ever laid eyes on. Just wish we were in Mexico.