Mommy takes a trip to Florida

If you recall, I changed jobs this summer. My old role involved a lot of travel, and my new role has had measureably less trips. I had my first trip for a conference, and was lucky enough to have it be a trip to Orlando!

One perk was that I was able to meet Patrick Ewing...

Yeah, I pretty much came up to the man's elbow...

But the best perk was that I was able to have lunch with GatorGrandpa, GatorGrandma, GatorGirl and AuntSly.

It was so good to see them again... we don't all end up in the same place at the same time, so it is always a treat when we can get together. Having all his girls in one spot always does my Dad's heart good. GatorGirl looks so grown up now, I can't believe it has been a year since we saw her last at her graduation from the University of Florida.

After we ate, we headed outside to take some pictures.

Me, GatorGrandpa, GatorGirl and AuntSly

We found someone to take the photo of all of us...

Yep, we look a LOT alike!

Of course, we always have to have some silly ones!

After photos and hugs, GatorGirl was kind enough to drive me to the airport.

See, didn't I tell you she looks FANTASTIC?

B-Boy goes to the Beach

B-Boy got to go on a full fledged, fun filled vacation! We decided he had waited long enough, and booked a house down near Pawley's Island in South Carolina, just south of Myrtle Beach.

GranE arrived the night before we left, and B-Boy was really excited to see her the next morning! GranE was surprised to see that he remembered her right away!

We decided to take two cars down, since we had a lot to take- Neb and I were planning on taking advantage of the babysitting services of GranE so that we could go play golf. The clubs took up a lot of space, so we decided to go ahead and take both cars. B-Boy never did sleep- we have the only kid that doesn't sleep in the car!

Once we arrived, B-Boy thought it was fun to RUN AROUND the house we rented. He loved the screened porch, and we all liked sitting out on the deck to enjoy the view of the golf course. The community we were in was part of a larger resort with beach access just down the road, a golf course, and a community pool walking distance from the house we rented.

I have to say, B-Boy's favorite part of the trip was the pool. It was the PERFECT temperature, and it was not very crowded. There were just enough folks around for him to get in some fun people watching, but not too many as to overwhelm him. He liked the fact that the pool had really wide steps- and spent a lot of time crawling back and forth on them.

The beach, well, that was not his favorite. He more like tolerated it. We went every morning after we finished breakfast... which means that we hit the beach around 10:30am. B-Boy seemed excited the first day we got there, staring at the ocean from the steps in awe and curiosity.

Let's Go! Let's Go! 

Let's Go to the Beach!

See B-Boy, the ocean!

Yay!

B-Boy enjoyed playing in the sand with all the sand toys we brought, but enjoyed snack time the most.

This is much bigger than our sandbox at daycare!

The beach makes me hungry.

Mmmm, Cereal!

At first, B-Boy did not like the ocean. Neb and I carried him into the water to our hips so that his feet would be submerged, but he would know he was safe. As the waves would pass around us, we would rise and fall with the water making happy sounds to let B-Boy know it was fun.

It took the entire week, but eventually, B-Boy thought is was *somewhat* fun. But he did eventuallly walk into the water himself, allowing the waves to spread around his feet. As it did, he would say "YAY!" and then "Ga Done!"

Family time is fun Daddy!

B-Boy also enjoyed making sand castles with Neb, but I am not sure what he enjoyed more... destroying the structures that Neb built, or going with Neb to fetch water to make the castles. Although you know he just had to be the big boy and carry his own water!

Daddy, I can do it!!!

Ok, I know, I have peppered this post with lots of pictures, so I will share a funny story with you before finishing with what I think is my absolute favorite picture of the entire trip.

One day, we were at the beach, and had decided that B-Boy had probably had enough fun. While we started to put all the toys, chairs, and tents away... B-Boy decided he WAS DONE. He started to walk back toward the wood steps to head to the car. (Keep in mind we were pretty close, but with bare feet on hot sand, we weren't close enough for B-Boy to get all the way there without help.)

B-Boy took a few steps, cocked his head to the side, and with his back to us said "Ga Done!". He then took a few more steps, raised his arm up and waved as he said "Bye-Bye!". He did this several times in a row... all the while Neb and I are doubled over in laughter. "Yes, B-Boy, we get it, you are ready to go."

Before the week was over, I was able to snap a photo that is probably my favorite of the entire trip.

I love you GranE.

I love you too B-Boy!

Leaving B-Boy, finding "Mama!"

I knew it was coming. Even so, I couldn't prepare Neb, myself or B-Boy for it. I had to go out of town for my company's conference in Las Vegas, for five days. I would be back for a little over 24 hours before having to hit the road to Chicago. The next day, home again.

The conference was in Las Vegas, and I had to leave really early Sunday. I had to leave before B-Boy woke up, which was a bummer. I made sure to snap some photos of B-Boy before I left, and got lots of extra hugs.

I love Bath Time!

Goodnight! 

While I was gone, Neb was quite busy. Not only was he taking care of B-Boy, taking him to daycare, picking him up and handling swim class for two days... he was busy teaching something so valuable- I couldn't put a price tag on it.

He taught B-Boy how to say "Mama".

I know what you are thinking. He is 18 months- surely he says Mama, right? Nope. Dada, yes. Dad-dee, even more. But I got nothin'. That all changed when I got back from Vegas.

Neb said he was asking for me while I was gone, but I had no idea... and when I saw B-Boy for the first time Friday morning, he looked right at me and said "Mama!".

I must admit, it was the BEST welcome home present I have ever gotten. Neb was so sweet to work with B-Boy while I was gone, practicing saying "Mama".

But you know there has to be a funny end to the story, right?

You may not know this, but Neb's favorite southern word is Ragamuffin. His favorite pastime? Implying that I am a ragamuffin. And his favorite method to do so? To rewrite the lyrics of songs to include Ragamuffin and Eli in them. I could do an entire series on his favorite rewritten songs about his Ragamuffin wife... but I digress.

When I returned from Chicago, I got home really late. When B-Boy woke the next morning, he got to see his Mama again! Yay! Neb was getting him dressed. Neb asked B-Boy "Can you say Ragamuffin?"

And B-Boy's answer had us all laughing. He said "Mama!".

Neb swears he did NOT teach him THAT. I am not sure that I buy this "Happy Accident" theory.

Hmm. Not sure how I'll live that one down.

Neb's first trip away

This week, Neb had to go to San Diego for work. This was his first trip away since B-Boy was born.

I know how hard that can be, on both of us. So this week, I was on my own. B-Boy and I did fairly well, but he sure did miss his Dad. Every morning when B-Boy is getting changed, Neb will peek his head in the door and make a silly face at B-Boy, and then duck out. After a few moments, he will repeat the peeking. B-Boy is always thrilled, and gives a high pitch squeal every time.

Every morning this week, he looked for his Dad. :(

But he was fine, and did really well while Neb was gone.

 

One of the things we did was to go to 2 more swim lessons. Whew! That was fun, but I sure wished I had 2 more arms! We started using pool noodles, putting them under the baby's arm pits and looping the ends up toward the sky. We then held on to the noodles and pulled them around the pool, getting them used to less support and not looking at us.

Faster Mommy, faster!

B-Boy loved it. He kicked like crazy, resembling a frog. It was a lot of fun, but I will say holding an almost 25 pound child in the water by the ends of a noodle is not easy! He got heavier and heavier, and my arms are still sore! But as long as he was enjoying himself, we kept at it. I can't wait for Neb to get home to get THAT workout.

Water resistence + 25 pound weight = tired mama.

The good news is that once we got home, all I needed to do was:

1. give him some solids to eat
2. give him a bath
3. give him a bottle
4. read him a story
5. put him to bed without ANY trouble

The pool has a magic power, that zaps B-Boy... so it was quite easy to get him to bed. The unfortunate part is that the four steps before bed take some time... and so he was often a bit fussy. Not that I blamed him.

When Neb landed after a crazy flight that involved a Red eye to Newark, running to catch his flight to Raleigh, his plane turning around midflight due to a landing gear issue, and then having fire trucks line the runway while they landed...

He eventually made it home. B-Boy was napping at daycare, so we met for a nice lunch. It was nice to eat with Neb and to hear all about his trip. We then headed to the daycare so Neb could see B-Boy.

It was a touching reunion, and we played together for a while. Neb started getting really tired and so I sent him on home.

Holy cow, his hair grew! It's so long now!

Daddy, you look tired... want to use my crib?

My Daddy is home! YAY!

Knock knock... who's there?

My Daddy! He's home!

So happy to have him back, and B-Boy is back to his old self, squealing in delight at seeing his Dad peek in the door while he gets his diaper changed.

Leaving B-Boy with Neb, GranE and Pop-Pop

I knew this day would come... and it's just as hard as I thought it would be. Yesterday, I had to leave B-Boy. My first night away from him EVER. And although I know he is well taken care of, and loved to pieces, I miss him like crazy.

Yesterday, I boarded a plane for Seattle for a huge conference. One of the biggest parts of my job is this event. I knew it was coming. But knowing doesn't make it easy.

I dropped B-Boy at daycare, took some photos of him playing with a friend, hugged and kissed him good-bye and very reluctantly left.

I had 40 pictures printed and bought a photo wallet album to put them in. I looked at that book the whole way to Chicago, where I changed planes. I looked at it in the restaurant while I waited for my flight. It helped being able to see him, even if I couldn't hold him.

I got into Seattle at 11pm my time and with luck, was in bed in my hotel by midnight my time... B-Boy staring at me from the book propped by the side of the bed. And, yes, Neb is in there too. Holding B-Boy.

Today is a new day. I have already spoken to Neb twice. The work craziness starts at 2... I think things will get easier as I get busy, but you never know! I'll keep you posted.

I wonder how many times I will look at this book this week... let alone today! And how many folks will ask me to see pictures of him? MANY!

My first day away from B-Boy *gulp*

Well, I knew it would happen eventually... and I also knew it would not be easy. One day, I was going to have to leave my son. To not see him ALL day.

Today was that day. I had to go to the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia to give a presentation to some business majors. Fortunately, it is only 3.5 hours away from my house, so I decided to drive up this morning to minimize my time away. I am just not ready yet for an overnight visit away from B-Boy... and Neb too, yeah, Neb too.

I woke at 5am to get ready with the intention of leaving by 7am. I was sad to think that B-Boy might not wake up before I left. (The time change has him sleeping later, YAY!) Neb was to take all the "get ready for daycare" dutites today, and it's a good thing B-Boy looks up to him. It really keeps that kid in line. ;)

Happily, he woke in a good mood, and I could hear him singing from downstairs. So before I left, I snuck into his room, snatched his cute self out of that warm crib and got me some quality B-Boy snuggles. Let me pause here and just say that he gives the BEST BEST BEST snuggles. His cute arm swings around your neck like a muppet, his head snuggles into your cheek, and his soft hair just brushes against your face. Heaven.

So, I got me some love from B-Boy before I had to scramble out of the house. Three and a half hours later, I was in Williamsburg. It really felt like a whole different world. I had never been there before, and since I was early, I decided to park in the merchant square of Colonial Williamsburg and take a look around.

I'll pause to say this, when I was a kid, my Dad used to take my sister and me to historic places. He really had a passion for the civil war, and when we would visit him, it usually involved a road trip to get us from Lousiana to where he lived in Maryland. Since this was right through some interesting historical areas, he would stop to take in the sights. It was nice because the drive can tend to be a long cramped one, and getting out was always welcome. One of my favorite places was when we visited the plantations of Natchez, MS. My dad also liked to take TONS of photos. I guess that is where I got it from... if you couldn't tell, I love taking pictures. I don't have many photos of my childhood, but I will have to see if my dad has any from that time... When we take B-Boy on road trips, it would be fun to compare!

Aside finished. Back to today.

I parked and made my way back to the merchant area. I started to cross the street when I saw the store. Yep, I didn't know it was there, but once I saw it in front of me, I knew I HAD to go in.

Just in case you can't read that, click on the photo...

and if you don't want to click, it says "Quilts Unlimited"

So I went inside, and found a 100 year old quilt from North Carolina. In the same pattern and layout as the baby quilt I made my sister's first son. It was amazing, and it was on SALE, half price. I almost bought it, seriously. But, I could not think of a way to sell that I NEEDED it to Neb... even though I did. :)

So, the quilt remained in the store. However, I did find a cute purse to replace mine, and a cute toy for B-Boy. Sadly, he can't play with it until he is two, but it was so precious, I just had to buy it.

A recycling truck that runs on KID power!!!

I then scooted over to the book store to get a cup of coffee. They had the BIGGEST chocolate chunk chip cookies I have ever seen. So, I purchased one for Neb, a CD for the drive home, and some other goodies. It was a bit overcast, and the temperature was perfect to sit outside. I found a bench (there are tons of benches in Colonial Williamsburg) and sat down to enjoy my coffee and pumpkin bread.

The view from my nifty bench

I then headed across the street to the cheese shop, which is a cheese shop AND restaurant. You can tell because there are lots of tables with umbrellas in front of the shop.

I walked in thinking I would pick up lunch for later, when I saw the CHEESE part of the shop. If you remember from other posts, I LOVE CHEESE. So I was in heaven in this store. The woman behind the cheese counter asked if I need help. And then it hit me. I should ask if they have Mizithra cheese.

I expected her to say no. No one else has it, why should this be different? But the land of Williamsburg is enchanted, and I just had to ask. "I bet you don't have it, no one does. But I will take a stab. Do you have Mizithra cheese?"

"Yes" she replied, "we have two."

Another Aside: when Neb was a kid, his mom would take him to a restaurant called the Old Spaghetti Factory. His favorite dish was Old Spaghetti Factory's Spaghetti with Burnt Butter. Sounds gross, but it is not really Burnt. More like a brown butter. And a cheese was shredded on top. The cheese makes the dish, according to Neb. The cheese is mizithra, pronounced MIZ- ITH- RA. It is really hard to find, and I have been unable to find it in my area. What is it? According to Wikipedia, Mizithra is a traditional, unpasteurized fresh greek cheese made with milk and whey from sheep and/or goats. The ratio of milk to whey usually is 7 to 3. See, you learned something today.

So, when I heard they had this hard to find cheese, I HAD TO BUY IT. But, I asked them to hold it for me to keep it refridgerated. I planned to pick it up after my presentation.


After my presentation, I had lunch with the professor. We ended up at a restaurant called the Blue Talon... cue the mystery music! I had a blackend Tilapia reuben sandwhich, which was fantastic. The funny part about the place was that when I ordered water, she brought me a very short glass and a tall bottle. The bottle was labeled, well, see for yourself.

Hmm... tough to see...

Historic Tap Water

I kid you not. 

Apparently, the pipes are REALLY old. So they call it historic water. And bottle it.

And no, I didn't notice any difference in taste.

After lunch, I headed back to the cheese shop to pick up Neb's cheese. Once it was in hand, I hopped back in the car and hightailed it back home listening to my new CD. Driving into our neighborhood, I saw my hubby pushing B-Boy in his nifty stroller. What a happy sight to see! I missed them!

When we both got home, Neb asked me if I wanted to carry B-Boy back into the house. Which I did, and was sure to get some more B-Boy snuggles along the way. Heh heh.

Neb dressed him in a sweatshirt hoodie my mom gave B-Boy for christmas, to keep off the chill. I mention this because it prevented me from noticing...

That my son was wearing someone else's clothes.

HA! I am sure it will not be the last time. He was still wearing his pants, but I had never seen the shirt he was sporting. And even though he dressed him, Neb didn't catch it. Actually, he admitted later that he saw the bag of soiled clothing and thought he didn't want to know. Smart guy.

We weren't sure why or what happened until a little later when I fed B-Boy. He was almost done with the bottle when he coughed a big cough... and then preceded to spit up at least 3 ounces of his bottle. Poor guy. So I cleaned him up, snapped a quick photo of him with his toy (which he won't see for a year and a half) and then whisked him off to bed.

Um Mommy, I can expalin why I am wearing this shirt... um..

I am just glad I got through the day ok. I have a business trip in a few weeks that will take me to Seattle for a week. Not sure I am ready for that yet.

Baby steps right?