Do I Have to FLY Back?

We made it! It wasn't the most enjoyable trip ever to get here but we're here and at least there are 5 more days until I have to deal with the trip back. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

On Wednesday, we were busy getting ready to go but we did take some time to go the hospital for a going away party for my friend Tim Ko in Accounting. I worked closely with him for the last several years. Not only was he an awesome co-worker but he became a good friend as well. He got a job up in Kettering. They stole him away - - but honestly, I can't blame them. Let the record show that Tim was my inspiration to try Thai food (weird, since he's Chinese!)

Duncan drove us to the airport at around 5:00 pm. The flight left at 6:55. I didn't want to get there too late because I didn't want to have to kill a bunch of time beforehand. This was a different experience being on Delta as opposed to Southwest. For one, they didn't ask for Calleigh's birth certificate nor did they fill out any paperwork for her. Secondly, I had to pay $3 a bag to check in at curbside - - that didn't include the tip. Since I had two suitcases and Duncan dropped me off, we had no option but to do it. I suppose I shouldn't complain since the ticket was free using my frequent flyer miles. Anyway, security was quick and they even have a new family security line so at least the people behind you are in the same boat and won't be upset when you have to break down the stroller, take out the breast milk, etc. all while holding on to a wiggling baby.

When I got to the gate, I went up to the desk and asked if there were any empty seats in my row or if I could move to one that did. The gentleman told me they had oversold the flight by six seats. I knew I was in trouble! He was very nice though and moved me to the bulkhead row meaning there was no one in front of us which offered a little more room. That was something at least. Calleigh was very good as we waited to board. I fed her supper and she crawled around and looked out the window. We were the very last ones to board. And what do you know, I end up in a row with two men. I was hoping for a mother and a kid. I apologized in advance as I'm sure they were disheartened thinking about what was in store. They were very nice I have to say. Anyway, my thought was that I would nurse Calleigh right away as we took off in case she had any ear trouble. We had trouble, all right. It turns out that Calleigh is now too big to nurse on a plane without some part of her body encroaching on the seat next to us. The only way to get it to work is if she is basically half sitting up or with me twisting in a weird position in which case, she can't latch on well. So that put a kaboosh on the nursing. Thankfully, I had brought a bottle. I held off on that and tried entertaining her with various toys for a while. Oh, that was there other thing. Because we were on the bulkhead row, there was no seat in front of us to put my bag under so I had to put it up top. I had to quickly remove what I needed before they stowed it. So I was missing about half the stuff I was going to entertain her with. After about a half hour of playing with the ice cubes out of my soda, throwing her nubby a few times at the neighbor, and other antics, I finally got her calmed down sitting on my lap. She kept putting her head down on my chest and then getting back up and looking out the window. She would not settle down for good. I sang numerous songs but sleep did not overtake her. I tried nursing again but that was impossible to find a good position. Finally we began our initial descent and then all hell broke loose. She started screaming like there was no tomorrow. I could not get her to calm down. This was my worst nightmare - - being THAT person on a plane. The flight attendants scurried over and asked if there was anything they could do. Nope, not a thing. I kept trying to cuddle her and sing in her ear and FINALLY that worked. It seemed like forever to me but I imagine it was only a good five minutes that it lasted. And then, I would say about eight minutes before we landed, she fell asleep on my chest. She was just so tired she finally gave in.

When we finally got off the plane, it was a good 10 - 15 minute hike to get to the luggage. She did wake up when I put her in the stroller and she was just looking around. My dad met us there - - my mom was working late so she couldn't come. The plane landed at 9:35 and I would say we got to the car around 10:30. Calleigh rode home in her new car seat which faces forward. Apparently she liked it because she was wide awake the whole trip home. My mom got home about 5 minutes after we did and Calleigh acted like she knew her - - which she may well remember her from February. And then she went crazy. She suddenly was a ball of energy at 11:15 pm. She was crawling all over the house talking and laughing. She crawled into dark rooms without pause. She apparently got a second wind that did not bode well for sleeping. When I tried to go into our room and say goodnight to Gigi, she started crying like she didn't want to be separated. She was having too much fun! But we finally turned in. I nursed her until she fell asleep but when I tried to put her in her crib, she woke up. She finally went to sleep with me in the bed but it was well after midnight by that time. A very late night, indeed. I moved her back into her crib but she woke up again during the night and I moved her back with me.

The next morning, I woke her up around 9:15. I was trying to get back on schedule so I didn't want her to sleep too late. After a pancake breakfast, my mom took her to the grocery store while I did some work. She was very comfortable with Gigi and had no problem taking off with her. I was very happy to see that. We then left a little after one to drive up to Warner, NH to visit Shawn and Camille. Calleigh slept almost the entire hour and forty-five minute drive.

The first thing we noticed when we got there were some dogs barking. Shawn and Camille are watching Reeses and Snickers while Alison and Heath are on their cruise. We went inside and they kept barking. In fact, Snickers spent a good deal of the time barking at Calleigh while Reese just stayed on Shawn's lap. They sure are cute little dogs. Calleigh thought they were great. The fact that they were barking did not faze her in the least. I got some good video footage of the whole thing. Snickers finally would venture near Calleigh and smell her behind and then lick her ear, etc.

Shawn and Camille have a really cute place. Shawn thinks it's small but if you compare it to where Duncan and I first lived after we were married, I think it's fantastic. Everything is new and they have a nice wood floor downstairs. Their bedroom is upstairs with the only drawback being that there is no bathroom up there. That's a long walk in the middle of the night when you have to pee!

Camille was at a doctor's appointment so we didn't see her until later on when we drove to the Olive Garden in Concord for supper. By this time, I think Calleigh was getting tired and grouchy. She ate a few pieces of bread sticks and a little pasta and then she didn't want to be there any more. I had to take her outside and walk around. I was thinking she would fall asleep when we hit the car but it didn't happen. She was awake until we were about 30 minutes from home. And then she fell asleep just in time to ruin being sleepy for when we got home. I went to bed with her nonetheless but ended up having to get up with her after about an hour because she would not go to sleep. She came downstairs around 9:45 and crawled and played until about 10:30 when we finally went back to bed for good. She fell asleep with me and I moved her but this time, she slept the rest of the night in the crib. Yippee! I don't do well sleeping with a baby in my bed.

Today I was DETERMINED that we would be back on schedule after two late nights. So I woke her up at about 7:45 which wasn't too much later than usual. She nursed and had breakfast and then my mom took her to Hancock Park (her work to show her off) and did some errands while I got some work done. They were gone for nearly four hours and Calleigh was very good - so the report says. I fed her lunch and then I took her upstairs for a nap. I put her in her crib. After a good 30 minutes of her just sitting there and playing a little bit, she finally put her head down and went to sleep (I was lying on the bed the whole time). Victory! I was so excited that I got her to sleep in that crib (really a pack and play). She slept for almost two hours. When she got up, my Dad had arrived with Bob. Bob gave her a giant bear that is several times bigger than she is as you can see. She loved it!

For dinner, we had a nice gathering with Shannon, Bob, Kevin, the Irrgangs, and Rondinellis. Mom made a delicious meal as usual - - that is one of my favorite things about being home (can I still call it that now that I have my own child??). Calleigh was excited to see Bruno. She loves little kids. And Bruno seemed excited to see her too. He wanted to hold her and pick her up. He brought over a bunch of his old toys for her to play with since we don't have much here. Calleigh actually didn't have much time to spend playing because I wanted her to take a bath and get to bed at a reasonable hour tonight. It was a little after eight when I took her up. I put her in her crib and crossed my fingers. She was fine for the first ten minutes and then she cried for about the next fifteen so I finally took her out and put her on the bed with me. She fell right to sleep and then I moved her to the crib. By the way, I just have to say that Bruno is a SMART kid. He's only three and he can add 22 + 4. It's been a long time since I was three but that seems pretty good to me.

Wowzers, I think that's it. I had a lot to say I guess. One other thing - - as some may know, I have bad allergies here. My mom has a air purifier (don't know if that's what it's technically called) that she got from the Cases and I do think it helps. I'm still blowing my nose but I honestly think I have a cold because I feel it in my chest. Plus, the big indicator is my eyes. Usually my allergies cause them to get red and itchy and I can't wear my contacts. I've had none of that this time - thankfully. So I'm blaming my symptoms on a cold. Maybe Calleigh gave it to me? Her nose is still a little drippy.