Lil's fever broke in the night! Yay!
And now she is snuggled in bed, sleeping in late, with her daddy. Awwwww.
Whew!
So we left off with Josh jinxing us, saying we should just reschedule our flight for the next day again. We were getting ready to load up the car to take us to the airport, when we checked our flight status one more time... only to find that our flight was now delayed from 11:20 until 1:00. With the intention of keeping Beth and the boys out of the weather we asked Josh to take us to the airport before he had to head in to work at 1:00. So we got to the airport just before noon and found a place to camp out.
Then we were delayed until 1:30.
Then we were delayed until 2:00.
Then we were delayed until 3:00.
We started boarding about 3:30 and made our way over to Dallas. Arriving at 4:35, we had already missed our connecting flight at 2:35. So the agent we spoke to re-booked us on the 4:30 flight that was delayed until 5:30 (but really didn't take off until 6:30). With all the melee, I couldn't resist adding to the fun by asking the agent if the flight was full, and if there was any possibility of taking the infant seat on board with us. She took my boarding pass and sent me away to get something to eat while she worked on it.
Sure enough, by some grace or magic, she was able to get the seat next to mine open! Getting on the plane was a little tricky; me and the baby, and our carry-on, and the backpack, and the infant seat. But once we got settled, I sat Lele in her seat and strapped her in and the blessed child fell right to sleep... and slept. She slept from before take off until I moved her seat to de-board the plane at 9:45! I have never been so comfortable on a flight! I put the backpack under the seat in front of Lil so I had plenty of room for my feet. Heck I could even cross my legs. And with out having to juggle the kiddo the whole time I was able to even close my eyes and take a little nap.
Anyway, once in Raleigh, we made our way to the meeting place for the park and ride, got to our car and drove home without any other excitement.
Whew!
Then we were delayed until 1:30.
Then we were delayed until 2:00.
Then we were delayed until 3:00.
We started boarding about 3:30 and made our way over to Dallas. Arriving at 4:35, we had already missed our connecting flight at 2:35. So the agent we spoke to re-booked us on the 4:30 flight that was delayed until 5:30 (but really didn't take off until 6:30). With all the melee, I couldn't resist adding to the fun by asking the agent if the flight was full, and if there was any possibility of taking the infant seat on board with us. She took my boarding pass and sent me away to get something to eat while she worked on it.
Sure enough, by some grace or magic, she was able to get the seat next to mine open! Getting on the plane was a little tricky; me and the baby, and our carry-on, and the backpack, and the infant seat. But once we got settled, I sat Lele in her seat and strapped her in and the blessed child fell right to sleep... and slept. She slept from before take off until I moved her seat to de-board the plane at 9:45! I have never been so comfortable on a flight! I put the backpack under the seat in front of Lil so I had plenty of room for my feet. Heck I could even cross my legs. And with out having to juggle the kiddo the whole time I was able to even close my eyes and take a little nap.
Anyway, once in Raleigh, we made our way to the meeting place for the park and ride, got to our car and drove home without any other excitement.
Whew!
Try Again
So here we are, attempting to make our way back to NC for the second day. We have checked in to our flight online and are watching and waiting to see what flights are being cancelled. The first flight out of Lawton was cancelled before I woke up and the 9:20 flight was just cancelled a few minutes ago. Our flight is supposed to be at 11:15 so we'll see.
Josh has already told us to just reschedule our flights for tomorrow... the jinx!
Attacked by the Weather
So you heard about the freak snow that hit NC the day Lily and I left to visit the Walters? Well today, as we are supposed to be headed back home, Oklahoma is having severe snow/ice. Three of the five flights out of Lawton have been canceled for today.
Will we make it home? Stay tuned for tomorrow's installment....
Attacked by the Weather... Part II
Josh had a "snow" day today. Ft. Sill was closed and so he was kind enough to load Lily and I up in the car and attempt to take us to the Lawton Airport. Not even a quarter of the way there my cell phone jingled (I had signed up for text updates) our flight had been cancelled. So we turned back around, rescheduled our flight for tomorrow and are now chilling for another night here with the Walters.
And tomorrow? Who knows....
Will we make it home? Stay tuned for tomorrow's installment....
Attacked by the Weather... Part II
Josh had a "snow" day today. Ft. Sill was closed and so he was kind enough to load Lily and I up in the car and attempt to take us to the Lawton Airport. Not even a quarter of the way there my cell phone jingled (I had signed up for text updates) our flight had been cancelled. So we turned back around, rescheduled our flight for tomorrow and are now chilling for another night here with the Walters.
And tomorrow? Who knows....
Lily and Deacon
When we found out I was going to have a girl, Beth and I decided she and Deacon would be a nice pair. Good family, similar backgrounds, etc. We even road tested her name to make sure it wasn't anything crazy-like when matched with Walter. (yes, we're a little bit weird)
Maybe we should have considered what the kids thought?
...naaaahhh!
Maybe we should have considered what the kids thought?
...naaaahhh!
New Dance Moves
Okay so I know this video is a little longer than I usually post, so I'll save the random pictures for tomorrow. :) Lily cracked us all up last night (after we watched WALL-E) with her new dance moves. I'm pretty sure she made them up all by herself....
A Little Bit of Everything
So a whole lot of fun has been had in the last two days! Here are a few pictures to illustrate.
Last night Lily had spaghetti for the first time!
.JPG)
Followed by some World of Warcraft with Ms Beth. Daddy's been trying to train her as a gamer, maybe he was just using the wrong gaming platform.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
Deacon to the rescue! "Let me help you pick those up... I'll just put them in my mouth."
.JPG)
Last night Lily had spaghetti for the first time!
Followed by some World of Warcraft with Ms Beth. Daddy's been trying to train her as a gamer, maybe he was just using the wrong gaming platform.
.JPG)
There was also a guitar lesson from Mr Josh.
.JPG)
Lily got into Zeke's abandoned snack cup when no one was looking. She proceeded to pour cereal all over the floor.
.JPG)
Deacon to the rescue! "Let me help you pick those up... I'll just put them in my mouth."
.JPG)
This photo is just because Deacon is sooooo darn cute!.JPG)
And last but not least, Lily still hasn't been able to figure out Zeke's fascination with the television, lol.
.JPG)
.JPG)
And last but not least, Lily still hasn't been able to figure out Zeke's fascination with the television, lol.
.JPG)
A Love Affair
Somebody I know loves Zeke's juice cup. Perhaps I should just give up on the sippy cup idea, since we still haven't mastered the ol' tilt the cup action, and it seems she is quite happy with a straw.
Lil is also thoroughly enjoying Ms Beth. She is so much fun! And she has the coolest toys at her house. Not to mention the best snacks ever!
Bathtime!
Lily braved a bath with the big boys! She held her own for a good five minutes before being overwhelmed by streaming cups of water.
She did so well yesterday. I thought perhaps a strange new place might be a bit much for her, but she loved it!
As a side note... Daddy, Lily might need a toolbench of her own.
She did so well yesterday. I thought perhaps a strange new place might be a bit much for her, but she loved it!
As a side note... Daddy, Lily might need a toolbench of her own.
We made it!
We're in the loving hands of the Walters and enjoying ourselves!
The snow was ridiculous on the way to the Raleigh airport! If you know anything about my travel anxiety you know I was not happy to hear that North Carolina was to be the focus of a one day snow storm... the day I was supposed to drive half way across the state! So I stressed, how early did I have to leave? How fast should I really be driving? Oh please, don't let some other idiot ruin my trip! No lie, I passed dozens of cars that had lost control and spun out or completely run off the road! And by the time I got to the park and ride I still had to worry about getting through security, etc. Thankfully there were no problems getting to our gate. We even managed to adopt a nice fellow who helped carry the infant seat since he was headed to Dallas with us. (Brett even bought us a bottle of water... he was on a business trip and charged it to the company along with his breakfast... weird but nice.) Then the delays began. Our flight that was supposed to take off at 11:35 got delayed until 11:55 and then 12:15 and then 1:00. We finally boarded at 1:30! I had initially cursed the three hour layover we were supposed to have in Dallas but boy was I grateful then. Lily was a good girl on the plane but only napped the last half hour. :( We landed at 4:35 and then we booked it through the terminal to our connecting flight scheduled for 4:55. Was that ever close! Another hour flight and we found ourselves in Lawton and who met us at the terminal but Beth and Zeke! Deacon and Josh were waiting for us back at the house. It is soooo good to see them!
At any rate I promised a few pics so these will have to tide you over until I can get more.
Here's Zeke and Deacon and Lily with Beth's Step-mom opening a new toy... looks like Christmas!
And here's Lil contemplating taking over Zeke's train set... look out.
The snow was ridiculous on the way to the Raleigh airport! If you know anything about my travel anxiety you know I was not happy to hear that North Carolina was to be the focus of a one day snow storm... the day I was supposed to drive half way across the state! So I stressed, how early did I have to leave? How fast should I really be driving? Oh please, don't let some other idiot ruin my trip! No lie, I passed dozens of cars that had lost control and spun out or completely run off the road! And by the time I got to the park and ride I still had to worry about getting through security, etc. Thankfully there were no problems getting to our gate. We even managed to adopt a nice fellow who helped carry the infant seat since he was headed to Dallas with us. (Brett even bought us a bottle of water... he was on a business trip and charged it to the company along with his breakfast... weird but nice.) Then the delays began. Our flight that was supposed to take off at 11:35 got delayed until 11:55 and then 12:15 and then 1:00. We finally boarded at 1:30! I had initially cursed the three hour layover we were supposed to have in Dallas but boy was I grateful then. Lily was a good girl on the plane but only napped the last half hour. :( We landed at 4:35 and then we booked it through the terminal to our connecting flight scheduled for 4:55. Was that ever close! Another hour flight and we found ourselves in Lawton and who met us at the terminal but Beth and Zeke! Deacon and Josh were waiting for us back at the house. It is soooo good to see them!
At any rate I promised a few pics so these will have to tide you over until I can get more.
Here's Zeke and Deacon and Lily with Beth's Step-mom opening a new toy... looks like Christmas!
And here's Lil contemplating taking over Zeke's train set... look out.
Lily decided to steal Zeke's juice cup instead.
We're off!
At this point Lele and I have have gotten ourselves to the airport, (throught the snow!) through security, boarded our plane and are somewhere over the southeastern states.
I packed my camera, extra battery and USB cord so hopefully I'll have some pics of Zeke, Deacon and Lily to share by tomorrow!!!
I packed my camera, extra battery and USB cord so hopefully I'll have some pics of Zeke, Deacon and Lily to share by tomorrow!!!
Getting Ready!
Lily and I are headed for Lawton, Oklahoma tomorrow! We're off to visit my friend Beth and her boys (all three, if you count Josh) for a week. Jacob will be out on a field tranning excersize until the 30th so we thought it was the perfect time to make a trip.
Did you know that active duty military get a waver on the checked baggage fee from most airlines? Military dependents, however, are not so lucky... so Lil and I will once again be sharing a bag (since I still won't buy her her own seat, thus she doesn't get baggage) and this time it will be my carry on. I can't stomach the thought of spending an additional 15 dollars either way just to bring my shampoo or toothpaste! Hear that Josh... I'm going to steal your toothpaste. ;) So we'll buy Lily diapers while there (actually I think Josh was already tasked with picking them up, lol) and wash laundry too. Thank goodness Beth loves us, or I might think we were a burden!
So I leave you with a mental picture. Me slogging through the Dallas Airport trying to make our connecting flight with Lily on one hip, the diaper backpack on my back, wheeling the carry on behind me. And the car seat? Well... I'll just have to figure that part out when I get there!
Did you know that active duty military get a waver on the checked baggage fee from most airlines? Military dependents, however, are not so lucky... so Lil and I will once again be sharing a bag (since I still won't buy her her own seat, thus she doesn't get baggage) and this time it will be my carry on. I can't stomach the thought of spending an additional 15 dollars either way just to bring my shampoo or toothpaste! Hear that Josh... I'm going to steal your toothpaste. ;) So we'll buy Lily diapers while there (actually I think Josh was already tasked with picking them up, lol) and wash laundry too. Thank goodness Beth loves us, or I might think we were a burden!
So I leave you with a mental picture. Me slogging through the Dallas Airport trying to make our connecting flight with Lily on one hip, the diaper backpack on my back, wheeling the carry on behind me. And the car seat? Well... I'll just have to figure that part out when I get there!
Backwards Rhyme
an American folk rhyme
One bright day in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys got up to fight.
Back to back they faced each other,
Drew their swords and shot each other.
A deaf policeman heard the noise,
Came and shot the two dead boys.
If you do not believe this lie is true,
Ask the blind man; he saw it too!
My mom taught me this rhyme, while driving in the car (on the 210 freeway if I am not mistaken) when I was a little girl. I have no idea where she learned it. Looking it up on the all-knowing-Internet I discovered many variations (some of which do not rhyme!) and even a prologue and four additional couplets. If you feeling geeky check it out here and here. I was tickled to find a similar rhyme, recited by British schoolchildren, that struck my fancy on the the first referenced web page.
I went to the pictures tomorrow
I took a front seat in the back,
I fell from the pit to the gallery
And broke a front bone in my back.
A lady she gave me some chocolate,
I ate it and gave it her back.
I phoned for a taxi and walked it,
And that's why I never came back.
Birthday Cake
Staci's birthday cake turned out okay. It was just my second time ever working with fondant, and I guess I must not have had much faith in my abilities to make marshmallow fondant because I didn't have a real design plan in mind when I got started. I know Stace likes pink though, so I went from there.I wish it had turned out a little more "Princess" (I tried to find a cute little crown or tiara to adorn the top, but no such luck.) and a little less "Uniqua." Guess that's what I get for using pink polka dots.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY STACI!
House
Do you ever watch House? Are you addicted to House like I am? Hugh Laurie is just amazing. And Greg House cracks me up, makes me cringe and sometimes I feel a little bit sorry for him.My Cousin Tim has a bit coming up in an episode of House. I believe the episode is called "Big Baby" and it airs January 26th. Hear that Beth? We are so watching house. So anyway, the episode starts out with a special ed teacher having a coughing fit and two young boys with Down syndrome run in to hug her. My cousin Tim is the first little boy. (I say little but if I recall correctly Tim is now eight... not so little anymore.) That is, of course, as long as his take didn't get cut. Cross your fingers... I want to see my buddy on TV!
Shots and Sugar
I'm a bad mom and was delinquent in getting Lily's last vaccinations done. Since her daddy had the afternoon off (after being in the field for a week) he decided to go with us to the immunization clinic. We're all up to date now, and even have an appt for another well baby, though we have a sad and whiny little snuggle-bug on our hands tonight.
In other random news, I attempted to make fondant tonight. But not just any fondant, marshmallow fondant. Have you ever had fondant? It tastes terrible! But it is an awful lot of fun to decorate cakes with. So I found a recipe for fondant that uses melted marshmallows as the base. I'm making a cake for my friend Staci's birthday party this weekend, so I'll have to let you know how it goes. Will the fondant be a bust? It's a good thing I know how to make butter-cream!
In other random news, I attempted to make fondant tonight. But not just any fondant, marshmallow fondant. Have you ever had fondant? It tastes terrible! But it is an awful lot of fun to decorate cakes with. So I found a recipe for fondant that uses melted marshmallows as the base. I'm making a cake for my friend Staci's birthday party this weekend, so I'll have to let you know how it goes. Will the fondant be a bust? It's a good thing I know how to make butter-cream!
Cream of Potato Soup
I just hosted a coffee, for those of you out there who know of what I speak. At least it was fairly small. Just nine ladies hanging out at my house.
I made cream of potato soup for dinner tonight. Mmmmm, comfort food. It's easy and it's always a hit when I make it so I thought I'd share:
2 cups beef consumé (or broth/stock)
three or four med-big potatoes peeled and cubed
1/2tsp dried dill
- boil until potatoes are tender
- puree potatoes and liquid, return to pot
add 1 cup light cream (or heavy cream, or half and half, whatever makes you happy)
Salt and pepper to taste.
I served it with a lovely garlic sour dough bread. You can of course serve with bacon bits or cheese or sour cream too!
I made cream of potato soup for dinner tonight. Mmmmm, comfort food. It's easy and it's always a hit when I make it so I thought I'd share:
2 cups beef consumé (or broth/stock)
three or four med-big potatoes peeled and cubed
1/2tsp dried dill
- boil until potatoes are tender
- puree potatoes and liquid, return to pot
add 1 cup light cream (or heavy cream, or half and half, whatever makes you happy)
Salt and pepper to taste.
I served it with a lovely garlic sour dough bread. You can of course serve with bacon bits or cheese or sour cream too!
10 Months
Lily is 10 months old today!
She continues to improve her balance, letting go more often and for longer periods of time. Today I actually counted to "five-one-thousand" before she decided to grab hold of the coffee table again. I hear the process of learning balance and then taking the first few steps takes a while. Which is good, because I am not ready to have a walker yet. I didn't walk until 14 months; dare I wish?
Just two more months and we're gonna have a birthday party.... Trouble is, I have no clue what to do for a theme. Any brilliant ideas out there?
She continues to improve her balance, letting go more often and for longer periods of time. Today I actually counted to "five-one-thousand" before she decided to grab hold of the coffee table again. I hear the process of learning balance and then taking the first few steps takes a while. Which is good, because I am not ready to have a walker yet. I didn't walk until 14 months; dare I wish?
Just two more months and we're gonna have a birthday party.... Trouble is, I have no clue what to do for a theme. Any brilliant ideas out there?
Poor Kid
Lily has a cold. She’s quite miserable today… that and with Jacob in the field, we didn’t even try to go to church. I’m a bad mommy.
Anyway, it was a rough night of not being able to breathe with intermittent snot sucking (aspirating), which she HATES. Today she just wants to cuddle. I finally got her to sleep in my bed at about noon and it’s been about two hours now… a record for Lil.
Anyway, it was a rough night of not being able to breathe with intermittent snot sucking (aspirating), which she HATES. Today she just wants to cuddle. I finally got her to sleep in my bed at about noon and it’s been about two hours now… a record for Lil.
Poor kid.
Another New Trick
Jeez, is Lily on a learning kick or what? Last night we went to our community center for Bingo night. A bunch of Mommies in the neighborhood got together potluck style so their kids could play Bingo, but more importantly so that we could have other Mommies to talk to.
Well, we were eating dinner and I had a box of Yoo-Hoo since I couldn't remember the last time I'd had it. I thought nothing of letting Lily chew on my straw as I sat talking with some other ladies. Little did I realize she was figuring out how to suck on it! She was quite happy with herself and later in the evening when I had a CapriSun... forget about it... she wasn't giving it back!
Uh, Lily has discovered how to use a straw. I hear they make juice boxes for toddlers with watered down juice? Any recommended favs?
Well, we were eating dinner and I had a box of Yoo-Hoo since I couldn't remember the last time I'd had it. I thought nothing of letting Lily chew on my straw as I sat talking with some other ladies. Little did I realize she was figuring out how to suck on it! She was quite happy with herself and later in the evening when I had a CapriSun... forget about it... she wasn't giving it back!
Uh, Lily has discovered how to use a straw. I hear they make juice boxes for toddlers with watered down juice? Any recommended favs?
Favorite Food?
Apart from the Gerber Yogurt Melts that Lily loves, her current favorite food is sweet potato. And she's had quite a few of them lately as she has decided to refuse just about any other food. (That is, unless I am eating it and then she wants a bite, but will refuse it immediately after.)
Myself, I am still partial to the other potato. Boil 'em, mash 'em, put 'em in a stew. And many other wonderful things you can do with them. Heck add some dairy (butter, cheese, cream, sour cream, etc) and I am quite the happy lady. The only other thing that tops potato in my head at the moment is chocolate... but we won't go there.
What's your favorite food?
Myself, I am still partial to the other potato. Boil 'em, mash 'em, put 'em in a stew. And many other wonderful things you can do with them. Heck add some dairy (butter, cheese, cream, sour cream, etc) and I am quite the happy lady. The only other thing that tops potato in my head at the moment is chocolate... but we won't go there.
What's your favorite food?
Peek-A-Boo
We had our dear friends, the Campbells, over for dinner tonight... just like we do most Thursday nights. I don't know how many times she did this before I had the good sense to go get the camera....
This is the first time we have played Peek-A-Boo with her hiding all by herself!
This is the first time we have played Peek-A-Boo with her hiding all by herself!
Another Kitchen
I don't know if you ever saw my kitchen but around the same time I did my friend Ruth's kitchen too and just today, I finally got around to taking a picture of it. I just wanted to share... but mostly I wanted my mom to see how cool I think I am. :D
My Little Ham... "Say Cheese"
Sorry to video you again so soon, but I had a talker on my hands this morning and just had to share.
Lily says thanks to her nino for the NAU t-shirt. It sure is soft!
Lily on the Mic
Lil learned how to use the mic on the tape player over at Grammy's house. Though apparently "Ha, huh, huh" was all she had to say....
That kid cracks me up!
Uncle Jake
So I'll be dragging out the Christmas pictures over the next few weeks.... Just FYI.
Today belongs to Uncle Jake, who happens to adore his niece. (Hard to blame him.) Here he is reading her the book Everybody Poops or something like that; can you see the incredulousness in her face. She's like, "Really? And somebody wrote a book about it?"
We love you Uncle Jake!
Today belongs to Uncle Jake, who happens to adore his niece. (Hard to blame him.) Here he is reading her the book Everybody Poops or something like that; can you see the incredulousness in her face. She's like, "Really? And somebody wrote a book about it?"
Of course, the adoration started long ago. Here he is holding Lily when she was six days old. Do you think he'll be embarrassed that I posted this picture? Somehow I doubt it.
We love you Uncle Jake!
Here they are...
The Whole Huerta Clan.
This is the group that gets together on Christmas morning to do gift exchanges and eat super-yummy-uber-good tamales! In the crowd are my Grandma, her five kids, and their spouses, and their children (and children-in-law) and, as of Lil' Miss Lil, grandchild. As you can see Lily is not too sure about it all, lol. No, I kid, she LOVED it!
And in case you're wondering, her shirt says "Santa's Favorite"
This is the group that gets together on Christmas morning to do gift exchanges and eat super-yummy-uber-good tamales! In the crowd are my Grandma, her five kids, and their spouses, and their children (and children-in-law) and, as of Lil' Miss Lil, grandchild. As you can see Lily is not too sure about it all, lol. No, I kid, she LOVED it!
And in case you're wondering, her shirt says "Santa's Favorite"
Christmas Morning
Lily got a really cute little walker/stroller from Santa this year. As I was putting it together for her Christmas morning she was getting impatient with me. If you can believe it, this is her expression when I wouldn't give her the screwdriver!
Did I ever tell you?
That I HATE to travel!
Okay maybe hate is too strong a word. But I really don't like it.
Cars don't bother me so much. With car trips I only worry that I might have forgotten to pack something.
I get really bad anxiety the night before I am supposed to get on a plane. With plane travel it's not even the small danger of flying that bothers me. No, with me it's the annoying need to be on time and in control. You just can't be in control of things like airlines and security check points.
That said, we fly back to NC tomorrow. Back to the land of high-speed internet and more regular posts. I just hope my nerves make it. ;)
Okay maybe hate is too strong a word. But I really don't like it.
Cars don't bother me so much. With car trips I only worry that I might have forgotten to pack something.
I get really bad anxiety the night before I am supposed to get on a plane. With plane travel it's not even the small danger of flying that bothers me. No, with me it's the annoying need to be on time and in control. You just can't be in control of things like airlines and security check points.
That said, we fly back to NC tomorrow. Back to the land of high-speed internet and more regular posts. I just hope my nerves make it. ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)