He's a Lover, Not a Fighter

Ok, he's a fighter too, but the boy has turned into quite the little sweetheart. When Gram was in town last weekend, as she was leaving she asked him for a kiss and to our SHOCK he leaned forward and gave her a big smooch. Well, the nerve. All I went through for that boy and gramma gets the first smooch!

We thought maybe it was just a coincidence, a lucky moment. That was until this weekend. If you ask him for a kiss you are 90% likely to get one. His favorite thing is going back and forth between his daddy and I giving us smooches. VERY sweet. Very cute. I think we'll keep him.

Also, he literally outgrew his shoes OVERNIGHT. Thursday night they fit. Friday morning I had a hard time getting those fat little feet in them. My Saturday it was hopeless. His $48 stride rites that we are forced to buy because his feet are so thick that only the extra wide (wide is not wide enough) will fit! SO he's on his 2nd pair of $48 stride rites. In a month! My gramma would be proud!

Back...mostly in one piece

We are back and we are mostly in one piece. Each one of us over the past couple of weeks has been sick in one form or another. Ella threw up in the middle of Magic Kingdom (not so magical she notes), Max seemed to have a re-flaring up of his ear ache, Hung was still nursing his coughing self and I survived all the way until the day after we returned when I was slain by a bug that sent me running for the porcelain! Alas, we all survived Disney. I would be happy to never return, but probably will go one more time for Max once we've all recovered. I am thinking 2012!

We're outta here...

Off to Disney World we go. Spring Break has officially begun. Ella is mostly looking forward to seeing this ... the pirate ship in our pool.

Yellow cab is picking us up in 45 minutes and we are fully packed. 5 checked bags later! It is impossible to pack lightly with a baby involved. Oh well.

Our flight departs at 5pm, we will be in sunny Florida by 7:10 if all goes according to plan. It's not St. John, but its sunny and its NOT work.

A Message From Max

I feel better, thanks for asking. And I can walk now. This video was taken when he was still cranky and sick.

3 Days...

Everyday after school I get a countdown ... 6 days till Spring Break, 5 days, 4 days ... today she says "3 days until Spring break" followed quickly by "What is Spring Break?" :) My ever so innocent girl.

AHHHHHHHH. That means I have to pack. And actually GO to Disney. Ugh. Sorry, but this is not the trip of my dreams. I am doing it because I am sure Ella will love and appreciate it and I truly do want her to have a magical experience. I just dread dealing with the screaming children and their parents en masse. I just do. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but at least I am honest.

The ONE huge highlight is I get to finally meet face to face a virtual friend with whom I have bonded over St. John and making fun of other people. She is the funnest person that I don't actually really know. I know, weird how connections are made in this web world, but I am very excited to meet her. We email almost daily and I feel like I know her, but still I am a little nervous & I hope she doesn't think I am a nut job. Wait...I am pretty sure she already knows I am a nut job but so is she, so I just hope we are similar nut jobs. I am truly looking forward to seeing her in real life.

On another note, I will not, for fear of totally jinxing myself, mention that one little boy that I happen to know quite well seems to be feeling better. I will not say that he has been sleeping well and having good days with full smiles!

Did I mention?

Today was another trip to the Doc. Max slept well last night but this morning was not so good. Grumpy monkey! Very clingy. So off to the doc we went. Thank goodness for generous sick leave and very good health insurance!

So he has a mild ear infection and a bad cold. Oh, and did I mention he is cutting 2 molars on bottom and 1 on top! FUN FUN FUN! So we are on antibiotics (and to think I had just said around his 1st birthday that he had only been on antibiotics once!) and tylenol. He was pretty good for the rest of the day. 3 hour nap, ate well, played well, smiled some! A welcome sight for his mama!

Is it me or do all sick 1 year olds look the same? This is Ella in the same state, at about the same age!

A Rough Couple of Nights

This boy doesn't feel so well.

Max, my little trooper & wonderful sleeper, has had a rough couple of nights. It started Monday night. He was very hard to settle and get to sleep. Usually even if he doesn't want to be in his crib (RARE), you can pick him up and he is instantly soothed. Always. Instantly. Bump the head? Pick me up. Soothed. Fall over? Pick me up. Soothed. Tired? Same thing. I don't think he has ever in his life cried inconsolably. Until Monday & Tuesday nights.

We finally got him settled Monday night though he woke and cried in the night. Also, extremely rare.

Then came last night. He had a great morning and a great day at Jeannies. Was happy at home. Had a nice dinner. Took his medicine and 20 minutes later we started heading south. It seemed like his stomach was bothering him. I suspect the Singulair. Top side effect is stomach pains. He cried and cried and cried from about 5:45 until 7:45. We called Dr. G at about 7 and he said to give him a 2nd dose of tylenol and give it 45 minutes. If he wasn't calmed in 45 minutes, we were to head to the ER. He continued to cry for about 30 more minutes before finally collapsing from exhaustion most likely and falling asleep. I was so rattled by the crying, and more likely the inability to help my normally placid little boy, that I was literally shaking by the time he fell asleep. He woke up this morning babbling and chipper as a jay bird!

We decided no more singulair. He got none tonight. He is fighting a cold as well, so he wasn't 100% himself but there wasn't any inconsolable crying.

I am usually not one to look at the medicine as a cause of any possible side effects. I know there could be a thousand things that caused his pain and suffering last night, but it just seems likely that it was the med. Hopefully, his wheezing will stay away and the weather and his health will hold until Spring!

Just listening to him cry for 2 hours shook me up, I can't imagine those parents who have to cope with a gravely ill and pained child. I just can't imagine the difficulty of dealing with that. And with that, I am grateful that my sweet boy seems to be doing just fine tonight. Tucked in and fast asleep.

For some reason it has me thinking about the lyrics of a song that I listened to over and over while I was pregnant, Chasing Cars. "I need your grace To remind me To find my own" So many lessons I have learned being the mom to this little one.

A Picture so cute it deserves its own post

Max's 1 Year Check-up

Does this picture look like I am in for some trouble or what? This was taken a little while ago .. but still is pretty representative.

We finally made it to the one year check-up. A little delayed due to ear infections, breathing issues, colds, etc. You see they like them to be as healthy as possible when they do all that they do at the 1 year check.

2 shots, 1 rectal temperature (he really didn't like that), a blood draw, weigh-in and measurements, and some tears we are pleased to report ... he's growing!

The Stats -

Height: 32 inches (90%)
Weight: 30 lbs (more than 90% --- ok off the chart but only barely)
Head: 19 1/4 inches (90%)

They like all of these things to track proportionately over time. They do. Yay Max. I was worried because he doesn't consistently respond to his name when called. Ok, I was freaked, as this is a marker for autism. There are a lot of markers and nothing else applied, but again, this is me and my Max so mama's mind goes crazy. So Dr. G says, "Max" and he turns on a dime and looks at him directly in the eye. I roll my eyes. Dr. G says, "Now you say it" so I say "Max" and after the 2nd time he turns and looks at me as if to say "What?" Dr. G says it seems like its a matter of compliance not nonrecognition of his name, in other words, when I usually say it if he's engrossed in something he's probably just ignoring me. SHOCKING, I know! My mind is temporarily at ease. Its one of those things where it could be one of two situations: 1) I am totally paranoid or 2) my intuition is telling me something is off. Each scenerio is equally likely, which makes it particularly challenging.

Max is laughing, babbling, telling Butter "ah ah" when she barks, repeating us when we say "mama" or "dada" and trying like hell to say "ella", he also calls most everything "Ga"! I think he's a genius. Oh, and he is totally WALKING! He's not 100% steady and he still chickens out from time to time but he can take 5-6 steps at a time.

Updates

Sorry its been a while. We've been busy busy busy.

In no particular order here are the goings on:

1 - We are having the hardwood in our house refinished. We had decided to let it stay wrecked until Butter (the dog) died, but we realized she's still acting like she's about 2 and is unlikely to die anytime soon and that the floor finish in the first place wasn't the best and perhaps with a better, i.e. thicker, finish it might withstand the kids and dog at least for a little while. All in all I was tired of the floor looking like crap!

2 - We've been back and forth with Max to the doctor. I am not sure what's going on with him. He is on singulair and there are lots of reports of not so great side effects with it. Today we go back for his 1 year check-up (yes we are about a month late).

3 - Ella finished her swim class! Yay, Ella!

4 - The nephew comes home from College for "Spring" break this weekend. It will be nice to have him around. I need to stock the fridge.

5 - We head to disney 2 weeks from Saturday.

6 - We owed the Feds almost $1900 in taxes. Me thinks this has something to do with the w-2 from hubby's brother that had NO federal withholding! Thankfully we are getting over $1200 back from VA so a loss of around $600 and I could pay with Amex so...I get miles!

7 - Speaking of, Hung has changed jobs. He is now back working for his bro's company full-time, consulting for the gov't again. So far so good. He's back on the contact that he left about 18 months ago - apparently they've been asking for him to come back for about 6 months.

That's all folks!

More on the W&M Flap

Over 300 faculty met yesterday to demand that BOV President, Michael Powell come and address the faculty and give more detail about the reasons for the firing (nonrenewal of contract) of College President, Nichols.

Nezlek, the Psych professor quoted, was the best professor I ever had and my senior thesis advisor. He was always a no BS kind of guy.

Ella's Version of Love

Me: "What do you think is an example of love?"

Ella: "When Daddy gets lots of extra gas to put in your car."

Me: "How do you know that Mommy and Daddy love you?"

Ella: "Because you tell me to eat healfy (healthy) and to eat lots of protein and because you want me to have meat on my bones. "

pause....

Ella: "Mama, what's meat on my bones?"

Love

I thought this was an appropriate post for today! A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, 'What does love mean?' My personal favorite is Karl's.
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'When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.'
Billy - age 4?

'Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other.'
Karl - age 5?

'Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.'
Chrissy - age 6

'Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss'
Emily - age 8?

'Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.'
Noelle - age 7

'Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.'
Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore.'
Cindy - age 8?

'My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.'
Clare - age 6?

'Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.'
Mary Ann - age 4
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Happy Valentine's Day all!

My ever so sweet husband had flowers waiting for me YESTERDAY when I got home. He got a headstart, or he could have been confused and thought yesterday was Valentines Day :) He also had gone out and picked up the makings for dinner tonight: Steaks, lobster bisque, salad. We are going to have a sweet, romantical (yes, I made that word up) dinner after the kiddos are in bed, luckily they are both asleep by 8. Reminds me of the Valentine's day dinner we had in my dorm room in 1992, except the kiddos in bed part. To me, Love is knowing, really knowing, because we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly, that this man is not going anywhere. He is a rock. His love may be quiet and simple, but it is strong and unyielding. As hard and steadfast as his head! (I also happen to think Love is having a sense of humor!) Honestly, when he's around I feel like Cindy explained above except the part about him being my daddy.

Love is knowing you are the person who least annoys me in the world, and wearing that like a badge of honor. I am not easy. I am a good person, a great mom, I like to think a loving and good wife, but I have my moments. He turns the other cheek without being a wimp and letting me walk all over him. He knows when my gripes are legitimate and owns up to it. He also has this look that puts me in line when I need to be put in line. Thank you honey, for annoying me least of all!

W&M

A sad day for William and Mary. Anyone who knows my husband and I know of our love of our alma mater. It is where we met, it is where we were taught to think and not just regurgitate, it is where our beliefs and values where challenged and where we went from children to adults. It was on that campus that we decided to marry. It is where someone like me from a tiny backward town and a boy who had come from a war torn foreign country at 2 both felt included, valued and wholly engaged in the community.

Yesterday the President, embroiled in controversy for the last year or so, resigned after being told his contract would not be renewed. In other words, he was fired. "He attributed the controversy surrounding his tenure to four presidential decisions — his decision to remove the Wren cross (more below), his refusal to ban the Sex Workers’ Art Show (a student council & women's studies sponsored event), his support of the College’s Gateway Program and his commitment to the College’s faculty diversity."

He has made some controversial decisions, not the least of which was the decision to remove the cross from the Wren Chapel, except upon the request of those using it. The logic was, ALL students attend events in the Chapel that are required by the college - the signing of the code of honor, for example - and that the space must be as inclusive as possible. Of course, religious groups and events using the Chapel could request the placement of the cross if they so desired. As a result of this decision, big money was pulled from endowments. Basically, he's a bit too liberal for the old guarde.

What disturbs me is that a small, handpicked board of visitors has the power and inclination to effectively fire the President of the institution for pissing off some well-healed donors. Yes, perhaps President Nichols should have treaded more lightly or been more open in the process of making and implementing the decision. Regardless, it troubles me greatly that the BOV has essentially fired him for pissing off big donors. Maybe I am niave, but I think the students and faculty (who by and large are outraged) and alumni should have some voice in the process.

Change is controversial and he was certainly trying to be an agent of change. I, personally, am going to have to think long and hard about my own financial commitments to William and Mary and weigh my support of the students and faculty against my desire to make a statement with my own meager dollars.

I think this faculty member said it best, "A prestigious university is supposed to be a bastion of inclusion and debate. How else do we learn other than by being challenged with different views? The BOV, under political and economic pressure, has decided to demote the academic and societal priorities of the College and voted to end the tenure of a College President who championed a diversity of views. A College President who welcomed the minority voice, even when they conflicted with his own personal views. This is a sad day, not only for William and Mary, but for the whole Commonwealth, as Virginia has shown it is a place of intolerance where centuries-old political will wins out over the education and betterment of our young citizens. William and Mary is a weaker institution than it was yesterday and I am shamed by the BOV’s decision."

Illness!

The saga continues.

First, the good news: Ella is P-neumonia free! Yay, Ella. She really turned the corner and is feeling so much better. I didn't realize how run down she was (it was so gradual) until she started feeling better. 10000 mamas later, she's better.

Now, for the not so good news: Max officially has "baby asthma" BOO! This is not the same as real asthma. Dr. G says most babies outgrow it by the time they are 3-4. That is a good thing, but still in the short term it means when he gets a cold it often becomes a breathing issue. Wheezing, difficulty breathing. Nebulizer treatments began today and run through Thursday. On Thursday, Dr. G will take another listen and we will most likely be putting him on a "maintenance" medicine through the rest of the winter. We'll know more then.

For now, he's still a trooper. He can handle one thing at a time ... Tired, no problem. Sick, ok. Bored, alright. But in a combination he's over his edge. Which to me seems perfectly acceptable. I mean I know adults who melt down when they are tired. Much less TIRED & SICK! He is such a sweet boy.

Did I ever mention that I HATE winter? This is just one more reason.

P-Neumonia!

So it turns out my little lovebug (Ella) has pneumonia. She's been complaining on and off for probably a good month that either 1) her head hurt, 2) her tummy hurt, 3) she's tooo tired. Usually these complaints come in conjunction with getting up and ready for school. SO I thought, she like me has an aversion to winter and just wants to hibernate. Actually, she said to me one day she thought that we should just hibernate like bears or move to St. John where it is always warm. I can't argue with her on either point!

Anyway, first she had a bug - threw up and basically feverish (about a month ago). Then she just seemed to have a cold. Runny nose this week, cough the next. The same thing that everyone around here seems to be fighting!

Well, we get two steps toward the bus stop yesterday and she says "Mama, my tummy hurts." Mama said Uncle! I was able to get in with Dr. G at 10:30 and upon looking at her he declared she's got a touch of pneumonia. BAD MAMA!

To look at her you would not have much of a clue and even he said she is a trooper. I just feel bad about the tummy ache she's had for a while now. She's home from school yesterday and today just to rest up. Rest really is the best medicine. Hopefully, she'll be back in the swing of things next week.

Happy 1st Birthday, Max!

What is better than a thumb in the mouth? A cake covered thumb that's what! Happy Birthday, baby boy. All of a sudden you have taken to sucking your thumb a lot more. It used to be just while you were falling asleep, now its more like anytime you are thinking "I'm sleepy" like after a big old slice of icing covered sugary cake.

Tomorrow Max hits the big 1. Just 1! Still I am dumbfounded at how this happened. A year ago today I posted this ... 1 week to go. Silly me. This time last year we had finished dinner and probably made it home. Ella had been tucked into bed thanks to Johanna.

I hadn't felt well all day but I kept thinking, oh I am just VERY pregnant. I tried to go to bed around 11 and tossed and turned and felt miserable until I gave up at 1 am and called my doctor. She told me to go straight to the hospital. I took a quick shower (knowing it could be the last of my mobility for a few days), called gramma to tell her what was what, and drug a very sleepy girl but quickly excited girl out of bed. I thought they would send me home. Instead at 4:50 am this little guy was delivered. Very tough pregnancy, very easy surgical removal. Thank you again, and again, and again, Dr. J-C. You truly rock. Also another big thanks to Dr. Ghidini. I love that sharp dressed italian. And thank you Dr. Poggi and your bundle of energy and all of those raw nerves. Quite the team it took to make this little man a reality in our family.

He is just the sweetest most delightful baby boy ever. He sleeps well, eats well and plays well. As long as his basic needs are met he's a happy boy. His favorite thing in the world is the remote control. He scrambles for it and upon grabbing it his entire face lights up like he just hit the lottery. Huge grin with big dimples! So far (except for the in utero part) he's leading a charmed life. 1 year down, hopefully 112 to go! Hung, Ella and I are incredibly grateful to have him in our lives!

Max's Youtube debut.

iPhone!

Yes, I know its wrong to covet or love things that are well, things. But I am quite enamored of my latest gadget. 1 gadget - three major, well loved and used functions - phone, pda and ipod! Plus, web browsing and all kinds of FUN stuff. LOVE IT. LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Now, if only I could figure out how to sync outlook contacts & email and my calendar!

Someone Stop this Man

Huckabee:

"I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution," Huckabee told a Michigan audience on Monday. "But I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living god. And that's what we need to do — to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view."

For anyone who thinks someone this crazy can't get elected, I have one name for you:

George W. Bush

I am so confused

So admittedly I have been a little out of the loop, having been in San Diego and all. Who knew in the time I was gone Hillary Clinton would be the front runner/one to beat, then the lost cause/when will she drop out, to the comeback kid. All on the backs of two states - Iowa with its crazy caucus system and New Hampshire with its population of 1.3 million white, cold people. Oh ok, to be fair 98.5% of them are white, but 100% are cold. How these two tiny and totally unrepresentative states can have such an impact is beyond me? I don't blame the states, I blame the way the pundits spin it. They don't care who is up or down as long as there is drama. They remind me of my sister in law. Sorry, I digress.

I really don't have a dog in this race yet. I like Obama. He seems genuine and like he could, emphasis on COULD, be an agent of change. He also could be an unmitigated disaster. I think many have a passionate love for him that is really not based on much reality. Just on the fact that he's different and Oprah likes him. As a matter of fact, my love for him declined in direct proportion to Oprah's inclination. Hilary is, if nothing else, a known entity. WHEN DID I GET SO JADED? I know some people hate her ... HATE her. I don't. I don't love her, but I wouldn't find it morally reprehensible or even mildly distasteful to vote for her. As far as I see it, its like getting 4 more years of Bill and I love me some Bill. No, I am not joking. His moral lapses aside, this country (in my humble opinion) was a safer, gentler, more prosperous place with him at the helm. Maybe it wasn't but at least it felt like it was. Edwards is fine. I have no problem with him. My guess is that we'll see a Hilary nomination but who knows. She's already won and lost the election in the past week. It is going to be a fun ride to August! Kill me now.

What I do know is that this moment, this situation, is unprecedented in this country's history. Hillary and Obama have by far out raised all other opponents. They also have far more money still burning a whole in their pockets than anyone else. Did you hear her money was DRYING up? I did. Good for her she's sitting on $50 million UNSPENT. I am thinking her dry spell ended with New Hampshire. Even Edwards, in 3rd place on the democratic side, has as much if not more money than any republican contender, except Rudy. McCain, arguably, this moment's republican front runner only has 1/2 a million right now...The money is fascinating to study. Money talks, and you know the rest.

What I really want to see is a Huckabee/Romney ticket. Now that would be good times! I especially like the "Sanctity of Life" constitutional amendment he has planned. Is it just me or is Huckabee terrifying on multiple levels?

United

There are few things in life that I love more than spending a week at a conference. I mean really, does life get any more fun than that? I think not. Between the unparalleled fashion sense and the great jokes, really ... I don't think its possible. Though we did have a blast.

On another note, I do love United ... getting up at 5am to get to the airport on time for my 8am flight to Dulles, only to find its been delayed 'indefinitely' due to a mechanical problem. The part is on the way. Hopefully we will leave by 10 am. I am NOT holding my breath. I just love traveling for work!

The good news is this should be my last work travel for the year until July when I go to Denver. Both of my big 2009 meetings are in DC. That will make one daddy I know VERY happy. And one mama too. I like going places but it will be nice to have a breather for a year. Though I will get to go to Vancouver for a site visit in '09. So I won't be totally without biz travel. Then we'll have San Fran and Vancouver in 2010. Hopefully. the whole family will make the August Vancouver trip. Who can pass up free accommodations?

On a personal note we are about 3 months from the trip to Disney! Yay. I am still working on the Mr. for a November trip to STJ preferably but really anywhere WARM will do!

San Diego

A few things a girl doesn't want to hear inflight:

1 - The visibility over San Diego is so bad that we are on a hold above the airport
2 - The fuel is low so we'll only be able to hold for a little while
3 - We are being diverted to the Ontario airport (wait I thought you said the fuel was low, isn't there a closer airport? - turns out there is an Ontario, California just 70 miles from San Diego)
4 - (when listening to the air control tower channel on the headseat) "We can't see you but you are clear to land"
5 - We are refueled but we are waiting to be cleared for takeoff as the skies are saturated with planes right now.

Visions of in-air collisions were dancing in my head. I will say the United people could not have been more helpful or informative. Instead of having no clue what was going on I think they erred on the side of giving a little more information than I really wanted! ;)

Finally, 12 hours after leaving my house at 4:30 am I arrived in San Diego at 1 pm, San Diego time. To what...clouds, rain and cool temps. I thought San Diego was supposed to be sunny and beautiful. This is SOUTHERN California right?

The only redemption last night was a great margarita, chips & awesome guac, and yummy fajitas in the Gas light (or is it Gas Lamp) district.

11 Months

I know I keep saying it but I really truly can't believe that we are now less than a month from having a 1 year old. Denial is not just a river in Egypt!

So here we have the "go ahead and pick me up mom or I am just going to practically climb up your legs" look. He's not really a clingy baby but when he decides it is time for some one on one with Mama he does this. He can be all the way across the house in the living room, I make a noise in the kitchen and its like "hey, it isMama..." and he crawls like a man on a mission to get to me. Of course, no sooner than I pick him up is he interested in everything but me. Typical man!

I would pretend to hate it but I love it.

So at 11 months he is a very fast crawler. He jibber jabbers and is getting really close to saying Mama and says Dada routinely but I don't think he really means Daddy when he does it. He eats EVERYTHING. Particularly likes food he can chew. Egg Rolls, noodles, rice, meat, cheerios, and goldfish. He is quite independent if it is his own idea. If you just sit him on the floor he doesn't like it. So I have learned to sit down with him on my lap. He realizes it is boring, climbs down and is off exploring. Of course, he is most interested in things that are not intended to entertain him. Item of most interest: the remote control. He is a man after all! Other things like Butter's toys and bits of paper and plastic are his favorites too.

He is getting to be a very steady stander and prefers crusing around the furniture to crawling now. He took a little step on New Year's Eve. I think he will be walking before his first birthday.

Happy New Year!

I can't believe 2007 is over, done, finito, finished! Wow, the biggest change for us in 2007 was the addition of our handsome little man, Max. After the insane highs and lows of my pregnancy with him, I can't believe he is here and healthy and almost 1! I am already telling people that even when they start to notice he's not a baby anymore that they are to shut it. I don't want to hear it. He's going to be my baby forever.

It is so different with the 2ND kid. With Ella I worried about everything. Don't get me wrong, I still worry about Max, but it is different. I have confidence. I know that if I do something wrong he won't be scarred for life. I know that kids are way more resilient than you think!

So a year ago, I was way preggers with a 4.5 year old who was still gloriously untarnished by school! Now I have an almost 1 year old who is THISCLOSE to walking and a girl who is half way through kindergarten. We had a great year. The highlights of course being Max's birth and homecoming, Ella going to school and our trip to St. John!

I am working hard to get back there sooner rather than later. I'll be heading to San Diego on Saturday. The whole family will be going to Orlando/Disney in March. That is as far as we've managed to plan. Our only goals are to enjoy ourselves and each other and to try to be healthy and active in 2008! I am going to try to enjoy the last throes of infancy that will grace our home. Knowing he is our last makes it bittersweet, though definitely more sweet than bitter.

Happy New Year! Have a great 2008! Nuzzle your babies more, Kiss the hubby often and keep those you love near!

Christmas Kids...Big & Small

A few pictures from the Christmas Festivities...

My Newest Boyfriend

My mom and I went to see a movie over the holiday weekend, P.S. I love you. I liked it. The critics are killing it but I thought it was sweet and sad. Made me laugh made me cry. I am a sap.

Anyway ... I found my new boyfriend.

Gerard Butler. Isn't he cute? Apparently he's been in other stuff. Tomb Raider, 300, etc....but oh my.

Merry Christmas

We are too busy playing with all our new toys to write much, but I wanted to say Merry Merry Christmas to all. Santa was good to us, we hope he was good to you too! Pictures to follow soon......

xo,

Flip-flop and fam

I like guys named Dave

Just another Dave I love. Dave Letterman. And no, not just because his mom lives about 1 block from my uncle. I love the midwestern humor. It reminds me of my favorite uncle.

"David Letterman is returning to TV!

The chat show host not only stars in his CBS talker but he also owns and produces it. Therefore, Letterman has just been able to negotiate an independent contract with the Writers Guild.
Dave himself is a WGA member.

His should could be back on the air in a matter of days.

Also, NBC is expected to announce today that both Leno and O’Brien will be back on the air by January 2nd, although they’ll be coming back without writers.

Jay and Conan are merely “hired help” and can’t negotiate their own deal with the writers guild. Their shows are owned by NBC, who are being dicks to the writers."

Go Dave - Bravo!

We have Tree!

We have a tree. It is all decorated. I am still not done with my shopping! WHY of WHY are some people so hard to buy for?

Happy Christmas

We made it to see Santa today! Now if only I could finish up my shopping.

Ella's Christmas List

She started out asking for a penguin and a wish box. What the heck is a wish box?, you ask. It is a box that you put your wishes in at night and in the morning they come true. She's a GENIUS. That's like asking the magic genie for 1000 more wishes. Where do you get a wish box you may ask. Well, according to Ella, "from Santa silly!"

But today she changed course. I told her the we would probably go tomorrow morning to visit Santa. Here is how our conversation went.

Ella: "Mama I don't need to go see Santa."

Me: "Well how will he know what you want?"

Ella: "Mama I'll take whatever that guy wants to give me!"

I am NOT making this up. She also gave me the chocolate out of her Advent calendar this morning. I do not think she is a normal kid. I know she is a better person than I am!

The Boy: Month 10

Enough with the kissing already Mama!

It is official. Ok, a week past official. The boy is 10 months old. Oh what a difference a year makes. I can't believe he is almost a year old! Less than 2 months away. A party in January! I don't know how to throw parties in January. I am usually so deep in my Seasonal Affective Disorder related depression that I don't really do much of anything in January or February for that matter.

Max continues to be just a great baby. He sleeps very well. A good nap a day and 6:30 pm to 7 am just about every single night. It is a very rare occasion that he's up in the middle of the night or is difficult to get to sleep. Yes I just probably jinxed myself.

He has got to be pushing 30 lbs now. He's a moose. He is crawling like crazy. He is pulling himself up to standing and scooting around the furniture. He isn't walking yet but he really wants to. I think he might beat the milestone Ella set of walking just after her first birthday. I am thinking we'll see walking before he is 1.

Talking! He is babbling away and grunting. More grunting than babbling really. Lately I've heard the beginnings of mama. Sounds like muhmuhmuhmuh. Usually used when he's frustrated. EVEN HE KNOWS MAMA FIXES ALL THINGS WRONG! He also is working on Daddy. Dadadadadadada. He's a little better at that one actually. Yes, the one who had needles in her uterus will most likely not be the first one he puts a name with!

This morning he was crawling all over and I looked at him and trying to get him to repeat me said "Mama" and he looked straight at me and said "DADA!"

Little gjk*(&#$!

Love him though! Wouldn't trade that boy for all the money in the world!

St. John Trip Report Day 10

Day 10: The Last Day has come! Bye Hale Lani, Thanks Conrad for a late return, Shopping at Mongoose, and Homeward Bound

We have had such a fun time but inevitably the last day must come. We are up early again. We don't have much to do today as we had packed the night prior. I was feeling very unready to go home. Oh how I would have loved a cancelled flight and to spend the rest of the weekend on St. John. I made a run to the Marketplace to do online check-in at Surf da Web. $2 for 15 minutes and .25 cents a page. $3 later we are all checked in. Surf da Web is great for anyone needing to access wireless or anyone without a laptop who just wants to check-in to their flight. Very competent, cheap and efficient.

We checked out the drugstore there in the marketplace and found it to be very well stocked with just about anything you would find in a local CVS. I also learned something new as I had never realized that there was a back parking area and entrance to the Marketplace!






Back to the house to load up the car. My husband, the pack master, managed to get all 5 bags, all of our carry-on, the stroller in the car with room to spare for the 5 of us! Good job, Mr. Flip-Flop. I have no patience for packing and would have just thrown stuff in there leaving no room for any of the people. We would have had to jog along side the car if it wasn't for him.

I am so sad to leave the house and inevitably St. John but my focus has shifted because now Flip-Flop has to face a 12 hour travel day home, actually make that 13! I had planted a seed with Mr. Sutton the day before asking for a late car return. Dohm's water taxi was supposed to meet us (SUPPOSED being the operative word here) at 12:30 to get us to STT in time for our 3:50 pm flight home. With 2 hours to kill I did not relish the thought of hanging around with our mountain of luggage and the kids for 2 hours. I head straight for Conrad's and hop out to see if I can charm him into a couple extra hours. No easy task. He knows what I am going to ask and tells me to be back by 12 noon. Perfect. Plenty of time to hit Mongoose Junction for a little more shopping and some breakfast. JJ's is our typical last morning breakfast but we had not had deli grotto all week so we headed in that direction.
Mongoose was also decorated for the upcoming holidays



Of course I now own the "If found please return to St John" tshirt. I never did find the Nice with a Donkey tshirt.



We shopped around and I picked up a tiny starfish pendant at RI Patton and a new chain to replace the one I had broken earlier in the week. I don't think I will ever take it off. I love it. Then we headed for Deli Grotto. I had a bacon and cheese quiche which was delicious, not very quiche like but great nonetheless and huge. The Mini Flip-Flop wanted pancakes which they cook to order. I can't remember what anyone else had, but the Mini and her little bro really enjoyed the pancakes. The time actually seemed to be winding down slowly and we had a very nice time wandering around Mongoose.

At about 11:45 we headed for the car and pulled into the National Park dock area to unload the car. Leaving crew and luggage there I was on my way to return the car to the Sutton's and be on my way. I thanked him for the flexibility and headed back to the National Park dock. To wait. And wait. And wait. And then start to worry. And I pace in and out of the VI Visitor Center.



Now in my handy dandy binder I had everyone on that Islands phone number EXCEPT Dohm's. Mistake #1. I realized that I had done all of the booking online and they too only had my email address. We were supposed to be picked up at 12:30. 12:30 came and went. Soon it as 12:45 and I started to worry that if they didn't show we would miss the 1:15 public ferry and thus miss our flight! As much as I wanted to stay there, this was not good.

The baby boy was over it!



Sweet Boy



I made the executive decision to head for the main ferry dock and we are off ... some extremely nice people help with some of our luggage and soon we are waiting with tickets in hand for the 1:15 ferry to CA. Still worried we were cutting it close. It all worked out fine but I was a bit irritated about Dohm's. I will say they did make it right. I contacted them upon our return and they took responsibility for the problem saying an earlier transport messed up their schedule. They showed up closer to 1 but we were already over at the other dock by then. I didn't expect it, but they also offered to refund our $100 transfer over to STJ earlier in the week. Works for me! I would use them again going to STJ but probably not returning to STT. Coming in the appeal is no lines no waiting. The boat leaves when you get there. On the return you have more control over what time you get to the ferry, so it would be less of a concern to have a water taxi at your beckon call.

Oh No we have to go home!



We get off the ferry and into a taxi and are on our way to the airport. We arrive, grab a porter, who takes us and our crap all the way through. He didn't really cut the line but it was the day after Thanksgiving so there wasn't really much of a line. He did see the speed at which I filled out my customs form and remarked, "This isn't your first time is it?" No, not my first and definitely not my last.

We made our way through customs and into the main waiting area with about 45 minutes to spare. Grabbed a couple of hot dogs (really your only choice while the restaurant is closed) and fed the baby boy while we waited to board. We were on our way on time and made our connection in Atlanta with no problem. We didn't even have to take the ATL airport train! Who hooo.

About 2 minutes into the flight to Dulles we passed out.



A tough trip to St. John really takes it out of you! We arrived at Dulles a little after midnight to find our much more reliable family taxi waiting, my nephew Andy. Who knew if he didn't show there would be no food for him over winter break! We finally arrived home at about 1:30am.

Thank you to everyone for all the kind words about my family and my trip report. I have enjoyed writing it at least as much as you have enjoyed reading it. It helps me prolong the experience. Only about 18 months to go. Though I may try to talk Gromit into a Thanksgiving trip. A year is a much more manageable countdown and the weather really is lovely this time of year!

The nitty gritty:
Airline: Delta with Frequent Flier miles, cost per person $10
Accomodations: The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas and Hale Lani St. John.
Rental Agent: Destination St. John (2nd time, LOVE them)
Transportation: Dohms Water Taxi & Public Ferry
Car Rental: Conrad Sutton Cars (LOVE him)
Spa Services: Nomadic Spa
Day Sail: Bread on the Water with Captain Gary & Joan

St. John Trip Report Day 9

Day 9: Gram's Birthday, Morning at Jumbie, Flip-Flop and her mama go to St Thomas, a Drive to the East End, & Thanksgiving Dinner at the Banana Deck

Warning: This gets a little sappy toward the end!Go ahead make fun, I can take it!

I simply am not able to believe this is our last full day on St. John. I am too sad to think about it all being over! Today is Thanksgiving & also Gram's birthday. Mini Flip-Flop was more excited than even Gram about this day. She had started counting the days down earlier in the week! She and I had done a little secret shopping at Big Fish and Wharfside, and had a few surprises waiting for her.






Come on guys, present time!



We all share in the birthday morning with Gram. She likes all of her presents - some new earrings, a St. John hat and a cd of Frank Sinatra tunes by some guy who lives in Coral Bay (sorry, I am terrible at remembering names).

Soon I am itching to hit a beach as it is our last full day, but I am finding no takers. Everyone seems to be in slow motion. One thing I definitely realized on this vacation is I am not a lounge around the house in the morning kind of gal. I can sleep when I am dead! Maybe it was the weather forecast calling for 40 or 50% chance of rain everyday that lit a fire under me, but if I saw sun I wanted to hit the road. Any beach would do & the pool would be there for lounging later.

Gram volunteers to watch the kiddos for the morning as we are planning on taking the 11:15 ferry (just her and I) to St. Thomas. I feel a little guilty being its her birthday and all, but I don't let that stop me!

All she wants for her birthday is lunch at Gladys' - I am not sure WHY she loves Gladys' so much, but she does and it is her birthday so what she wants she gets.

We are convinced and Mr. Flip-Flop and I are on our way. We hop in the car - alone I think for one of the few times during the day on this trip! I ask him where to. I was thinking Gibney since it was so early but he says, Jumbie. Perfect choice, Mr. Flip-Flop. I love Jumbie.

The road to Jumbie



Jumbie is another one of my favorites. It is not the most beautiful or the calmest. There is good snorkeling to be had but I had a nasty encounter with some fire coral on my first trip here. Still, it is simple, pure, to me the very essence of St. John. It could just be me. It was the perfect choice for this day. Jumbie is forcibly uncrowded. There are 4 real parking spots and 2 or 3 spots where you can create a space if you are brave. Naturally limiting the number of Jumbie goers. I did note that the sign is gone. Possibly removed by some crazy diehard like me who doesn't want it discovered by newbies LOL!

There are some stairs and a bit of a descent but after the Ram Head hike this feels like nothing! Still I make Mr. Flip-Flop carry everything. I lie, I do not have to make him. He knows this is his job. He happily does this for me.

We make our way down the path



And we are surprised to see that there is very little beach this morning. I am not sure if this is because of the almost full moon or just the nature of November. I don't care. Even in this state, it is perfect.



We settled in and watched a pelican working on his breakfast



When I say no beach, I mean no beach. This was with the wave out when it came in it would cover our legs and chairs. Not that we minded, even the slightest bit.



As the waves crashed in, the water came all the way up to us. About 6 inches below my bag, necessitating moving even my flip-flops higher!



If you twisted my arm really tightly behind my back and made me choose a favorite, it would be Jumbie. Again, I can't put my finger on it very precisely but it is St. John to me. Perhaps because in all my trips it is the one beach that for me is always the same. Perfect. Quiet. Lovely. Peaceful. We were completely alone for our first hour here.



After about an hour of just hanging on the beach I notice a guy come rolling down the path and diving right into the water. And he is swimming. No fins. Just hauling tail. Then another and another and another. Probably 10 or so swimmers in all. They were in, swam out, swam back and were gone. Some kind of swimming club? I don't know but it was a little odd.

After almost two hours it was time to head back to the house so I could get ready to head to St. Thomas with my mama for her birthday lunch. We were not entirely convinced anything was going to be open, but were pleasantly surprised to find the ferry was running a normal schedule and most things were open in CA until at least 2. Our plan was to take the 11:15 am ferry over and the 3 pm ferry back.

We headed through town and parked again in Mr. Sutton's lot. SO convenient! And headed to the ferry dock.



Having a little time to kill we wandered through St. John Spice. Again not asking if Ruth was there! Picked up a few goodies, and hopped on the ferry to CA. If it had not been my mom's one birthday wish, I would have not made it to CA to shop at all & would have been totally fine with that! But we enjoyed our day together. Our first alone time as well!



45 minutes later we arrive at the waterfront



And find much to our delight, Gladys' is open. She is open EVERY day of the year. Or so she says.



The menu



We started with Conch Fritters, which were yummy but a tad chewy. Maybe conch is always chewy.

The girls were singing...



I had the roti special, chicken roti. YUM!



Gram decided on the traditional thanksgiving spread



Followed by pumpkin pie, we ate 1/2 before I remembered to take a picture. Fresh, homemade, very creamy and delish!



After we finished stuffing ourselves, we headed out to enjoy a little bit of shopping.





It was only when I noticed the Christmas decorations that I remembered it was the start of the holiday season.



But soon Flip-Flop and her flip-flops were headed back to St. John



Every time the approach to Cruz Bay feels like coming home.



We get off the ferry and hit a few more of the shops. I was HELL bent on trying the
Cocoberry shake at Paradise. Thanks VickiH for planting this particular obsession. Remember this is my 3rd shot trying! The first time they were close and the 2nd time I had to settle for a Bushwacker. The lady who made me the Bushwacker several days earlier remembered me and smiled when I asked, almost pleaded, "Do you have cocoberry shakes today?" I think she thought I was a little crazy, but she was nice about it. I wandered into a shop or two while she was whipping it up. I returned and got my shake and my oh my Vicki doesn't not lie! This is one wonderful drink. I like the smoothies from the smoothie truck but this was better. And right in Cruz Bay. Much more convenient! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Rich, creamy, strawberry-full, coconut goodness! Much like a trip isn't a trip without Uncle Joes, I am pretty sure no future St. John trip will be complete without a cocoberry shake.

Cocoberry shake in hand, we head back to Mr. Sutton's lot. I take a moment to inquire about perhaps maybe pretty please dropping off the car a little late. He says he's not sure but to ask in the morning. I was pretty sure the answer would be no, but I wanted to plant the seed since our water taxi wasn't arriving until 12:30, but we were supposed to return the car at 10:30. I thank him, jump in the car and head for the house. Tonight we are having dinner at the Banana Deck. We get home and Gram is ready for a little quiet time, but I know that my time is slipping away and sitting in the house is just not in my plan. Mr. Flip-Flop agrees and we load up the kids and head off for a last drive to the East End.

They are always up for an adventure. The kids are awesome!



Especially if I tell them Donkeys are involved



Just an Ass, Keeping left



We keep heading out. Past the Donkey Diner and Sputnik, past Skinny Legs...





The road just seems to go on and on



Eventually we turn around and head back through Coral Bay, past my Church



For me as the dusk started to set, the serious melancholy was also setting in for me.



On our way back through town, we get a glimpse of Mongoose at night with decorations



And on our way back up Great Cruz Bay road, my husband insisted I get a shot of the nicest parking spot in the world



Back at the house we enjoy the tail end of our last beautiful sunset



Soon it is time to head to the Banana Deck for our last night out. Gram and Mini Flip-Flop on their way to the Banana Deck for Thanksgiving/Birthday Dinner.



Thanks Pia for the recommendation. The Banana Deck did not disappoint. A Full Thanksgiving dinner was available as well as their regular menu. We were all happy! While we were waiting for our dinner, I decided to walk the baby boy around a little to see if I could get him to succumb to sleep. No dice. But I did manage to catch Ruth and Ron on their way out from dinner. I instantly recognized her and felt like a nerd saying, "Hi Ruth, it's me Flip-Flop" but she was so nice and made me feel like less of a dork. We chatted for just a few seconds and she too got a good look at the chubby one - the baby, not me! Another highlight of the trip for me was just a few minutes with her. She truly is so so so nice.

Dinner arrived .. I picked the Thanksgiving Spread



Mr. Flip-Flop went for Steak and Scallops



Gram went for Steak and Shrimp



I am feeling like the Forrest Gump of Steaks...steak kabobs, steak salad...
And of course it is not thanksgiving without mashed potatoes!



After eating our hearts out, it is time to head back to the house. Most are ready to
hit the hay. Gram and the Mini Flip-Flop go to bed and the baby boy passes out on the way home, never waking between the car and the crib. Knowing it was the last night I was not ready to give in, and I put on my suit and headed for the pool for a last late night swim.



I've never been an "end of trip" crybaby but something in me had changed during this trip. I think I have changed a lot since my last trip 2 1/2 years ago. The baby boy gave us the scare of our lives and we have a keen sense of what does and does not matter. Many have commented about our family and how fun and laid back we seem. This is a pretty accurate representation of us. I am what I am, there are no hidden agendas. We have all seen how scary and fragile life can be and we try not to sweat the small stuff. And most of the stuff is small!

This was truly a journey for me, not just a vacation. Staring out at the moon in the still, cool water, I felt the tears begin to flow. Tears of sadness, tears of fulfullment, tears of relief and gratitude. This journey was not just about a trip to St. John, but about the long, long delay and all of the events of the past year for us. The intense personal highs and lows. The realization that no matter what I faced in life, St. John is there for me. St. John is it for me.

It is like meeting that person who really gets you, knows what makes you tick. I get it. I got it before, but I really get it now. For the first time I felt like this is a place I could live. I have long thought I would not want to live there because it would be way too much work and I would probably not feel the magic. But I really paid attention this time, not just to the beauty but to everyone and everything. The people who are making their way there. The ones living their dream, no matter how difficult it might be. Not one of them regretting it. Each trip my eyes are opened a little wider, I see the good the bad and the ugly. I am not blinded by the perfection of the beaches or the simplicity of Coral Bay. I see the big red trash containers and Lindy around town. I know this is not utopia, but like the love of your life, the more layers they allow you to peel away the more deeply you can love them. My priorities were different. My needs more basic. My desire to not leave, strong and deep in my core. I know it is not a realistic dream at this point in my life, but the possibility is enticing.

Tomorrow: Good Bye STJ, Walk of Woe ... final musings