Friday 28 November 2008

Black Friday

Know what I did today? I slept in. Well, until 7:30, but on Black Friday, that's sleeping in. And know what? I don't feel a bit bad about it! I think that's because it's not Black Friday here in good ole NI.

But it IS Christmas decoration weekend, so I guess I'm not entirely off the hook.....

Thursday 27 November 2008

NKOTB update...

OK, I know it's gloating. But I'm really really really excited, and my hubby thinks I'm not playing with a full deck (if you know what I mean) when it comes to the concert, and my friends over here think it's just shy of stupid that we're going (they just don't get the thrill, but I can't blame them as they didn't grow up in the center of the NKOTB/Debbie Gibson/Tiffany hype) so I have to get all my excitement out somewhere!!!! So, in sheer concern for the preservation of current friendships, let this disclaimer be a heads up. I'm not gloating to rub it in, I just need an outlet for my EXCITEMENT!!!!!!! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now that we've got the disclaimer out of the way....

Jenn ordered our tickets Sunday afternoon, got them on Tuesday and they're.....4th ROW!!!!! Can we just say, I'm so excited. We splurged on the more expensive tickets (they really aren't THAT expensive) which sits us (yep, we get to SIT in SEATS that close to the boys, I think it's due to the average age of the attendies being late 20s +) 4 rows from all the action. The only tickets that are better are the Five Star VIP tickets (if you use the link, you have to "sign in" but you don't have to see what the offer is, just click on the icon), and they were going for 280 GBP + change. Matt and Brett offered to let us have them as our Christmas presents, Jenn and I agreed (after lots and lots of debate and true consideration of the offer) that we really only wanted the VIP tickets to go to the meet and greet. We were already sitting close enough to the stage to get sweat on with the tickets that were well over 200 GBPs less, and we didn't know what the Pre-party included (whether the guys would be there or not, and who wants to spend the xtra to party with a bunch of 30ish women if they're not), so really we only wanted the meet and greet, which, in all honesty, took a lot of thought about how bad we wanted the meet and greet (w/ photo op), and decided that it just wasn't worth it. I think the fact that we don't really have $500 for me to blow on NKOTB helped make the decision, too. Trust me, kids, I'm not that spoiled. :) But then I had to think, WHO DOES HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY? I mean, who, among the people that would go to the concert? So I'm more than happy with my 4th row. Really, no compaints here. :) It's still close enough to throw underwear at Jordan ;) (just kidding, my skivies belong to Brett).

In other, less spoiled news....

Hazel's booty and girl parts are clearing up nicely...thank heavens. The anti-fungal cream smells awful, but it's doing the job, so I'm happy with that.

There still seem to be little green men camping in my sinuses, and until I finish today's antibiotic, the dr. won't even talk to me about it. Never mind the fact that my sinuses hurt so bad last night that I got 1 hour of sleep. Yes, you read that right. 1 hour. Between my sinuses, and the nut waking up at 3:30, then staying up until 8:30, I've had 1 hour of normal sleep time, then I added 3 hours this morning after she fell asleep. But, back to the sinuses. I would think, that after 6 days of antibiotics the little green men would have packed up and moved elsewhere (hopefully to someone else's house, read NOT AT THE DAVIS'), but apparently this home is too comfortable.

Poor Daddy, Matt, Jenn, and Casey...they have to work today. Every other American today is sleepng in and getting ready for mass quantities of heavy wonderful food. But my guys and gal are busy slaving away at FG Wilson.

Well, my 1 year old is destroying the room, so I should get back to her....

Love you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday 26 November 2008

Sick and boring

Sorry there haven't been any new posts lately.

I've been sick and so we're pretty uninteresting.

I got pretty sick last week starting on Tuesday and by Wednesday it was pretty bad. Brett took Thursday and Friday off to help take care of Hazel while I slept away the flu and a sinus infection. He's been amazing. I'm feeling better this week, though not 100%, and I'm waiting for the dr to ring so I can find out why my SI is still hanging around despite antibiotics.

It's our first Thanksgiving in NI, and it makes me sad to think we'll be away from family, but atleast we have each other and friends. We're all heading to Matt and Jenn's this Saturday for a big feast (everyone has to work tomorrow) and I volunteered to make some of the goodies. Dear Lord, help us! :)

I think I'm on the menu for Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potatoes, and mulled wine and cider. I think that's all, but I should check. Jenn has got this enormous turkey ordered from the butcher's, so I'm hoping a large crowd turns up. She said Matt invited 22 people from work, so it should be a fair turn out! We'll see how things go!

Next Saturday is FG Wilson's Christmas party, and my dear friend Michelle offered to babysit Hazel for the evening. Matt and Jenn are our babysitters normally, but as they will be going to the party, Michelle kindly agreed to step it. Bless her!

After that, we have Beth's (Michelle's daughter) 1st birthday party in the afternoon of the 13th, then that evening, we're driving up to Glenarm castle to take Hazel to see Santa for a Christmas party in the Glenarm castle!!! We're really excited. She'll be in her fancy Christmas dress, and get a little surprise from Santa. I promise to take tons of pictures!!!!

The 14th brings Beth's Christening, which we've been invited to (I haven't broke it to Brett), and should be fun. Then Brett has one week of work left after that in 2008, Santa will come visit us on the 21st, and we fly out on the 22nd to Chicago!!!!!!!

Hey...I've got a really busy schedule between now and the 22nd, plus about 10 gifts to finish knitting by the time we fly out, and with a 1 year old...who knows where I'm going to find the time!!!!!!!!!!! Does anyone have extra to spare?

Sinus Infection

Know what sucks?

Sinus Infections.

Know what sucks more?

Sinus Infections on top of the flu.

Know what sucks even more than that?

Sinus Infections with the flu along side of your daughter having the world's worst diaper rash (read seeping and bleeding diaper rash).

Know what sucks most of all?

When creams and pills take care of everything EXCEPT the sinus infection, and you feel as though little green men have taken up camp in your sinuses.

And now, the little green men and I have to go clean for company tonight. Please excuse us....

Sunday 23 November 2008

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!! JORDAN!!!!!!!!!

I get to go to NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
I feel like a 10 year old again, screaming at the silly videos and swooning.
They're coming to the UK and stopping off for a show in Belfast at the Odyssey on January 20th and Jenn and I get to go!!!!!
I'm so excited. Can you tell?

Thursday 13 November 2008

Traveling with a little one....

This post has been a long time coming....and I know with many of you about to travel or thinking about it, I thought I would share my recommendations for flying with a baby or toddler! I've made 9 flights with my daughter in the past year, so I'm getting pretty close to perfecting the packing!
P.S. Bare with me about pictures, the camera died just as I was trying to upload pics, and we don't have any replacement batteries.....

Essentials for flying with a baby/toddler
aka. what to put in your carry-on
  1. This is my carry-on diaper bag. Note the difference between it and my everyday bag. I found that although it's heavy once loaded, there's rarely a thing that goes in it that isn't necessary. Plus, I never take a purse with me, so that bag holds all of MY essentials PLUS Hazel's necessaities. Therefore, the carry-on should be large and zippered. The zipper comes in handy more often than you'd realize. Keep in mind, the bag will go through the security x-ray machine, and they aren't exactly gentle...tie top bags are cute, make yours zippered.
  2. I never leave without a smaller bag folded and tucked inside the larger one. This bag is my catch all, or sometimes acts as the bag I use for anything that needs to be readily accessible as often the carry-on is thown into the overhead compartment and you will need something small and convenient to take to the plane toilet and such. This is the bag that often travels with us. I got it free out of a magazine here in the UK, but I've seen similar ones in the US at Wal-mart, or you can even make one if you're crafty. Trust me when I say, it's worth the $$$. It has held many things...e.g. extra clothes, dirty clothes, diapers, wipes, snacks, a bottle or sippy cup. This bag is something I will never again pack my carry-on without, and has come in handy more often than I can count. I usually fold it flat and tuck it in the side of the bag so it's out of the way but accessible.
  3. Diapers are the next to get packed. Now, I follow the general rule of 2 for every hour that you'll be traveling. I repeat, TRAVELING, not flying. Don't forget the layover time, time to and from the airport. I know it sounds like a lot of diapers, and yes, it is. But we've been through a lot of situations where having extra diapers has been a life saver. Our first flight, our daughter drank 16 oz of formula between boarding the plane and take-off. Now, she was just shy of 16 weeks old and that time span was about 15 minutes. So, our 4 month old drank about 1 oz a minute for 15 minutes STRAIGHT. That's a lot. Thankfully that flight was a short hour and 15 minutes, b/c when we landed for our first lay-over, we discovered that a fair amount of the formula went straightdown her shirt into her diaper, so there's one. Then 5 minutes after we changed that first diaper, the remaining formula that detoured through her body found it's way into the second diaper. There's 2. Two diapers in less than 2 hours. And that's just one situation. I keep in mind that there's always a possibility that we may have an extended lay-over should our flight get delayed or canceled. Or what if we should arrive safe and sound at our destination, but our luggage doesn't? Extra diapers are a blessing, trust me.
  4. Small Bags to through away dirty diapers or tie up soiled clothes. In the UK, you can purchase Nappy Bags which are essentially small scented trash bags. And they're really cheap for like, 500 bags. If you can't find them in the US, I know you can get small scented trash bags at Wal-mart. They're worth it if you find yourself in situations where you have a muddy diaper and no where to put it but your carry-on. And you WILL find yourself in that situation, if you don't ever, you're blessed.
  5. I always find room for an extra outfit for Hazel. And if we're traveling when she would normally be in bed, I add in a pair of PJs . She sleeps better on the flight when she's in jammies (duh). If we're traveling for longer than 2 hours, we ALWAYS find a need for that second outfit. I don't think we've ever not used it. I also pack atleast an extra shirt for Me. I've done one flight without a change of shirt for myself, and wound up being covered in baby food, formula, and sweat (carrying a baby through an airport is warm...everywhere). I smelled, was uncomfortable, and was just generally gross. Even if I never use that extra shirt, it's always with me. You will feel like a monster after flying any length with a small child, you don't want to look or smell like one.
  6. Baby Juice or formula. And I always make sure it's her favorite. This is not the time to experiment with a new juice or milk. I am still breastfeeding, but have always had a bottle/sippy cup and something to go in it for a flight. There have been many times when she won't feed b/c it's too cramped or hot on the plane. Or maybe b/c she wants to look around and not at my chest, whatever the reason, breastfeeding DID NOT cut it when we were flying. Now, yes, I have breastfed her on many flights, but I never know which ones she won't feed on, and I don't bank on her breastfeeding. Plus the circulated air on planes dehydrates you, and I don't ask my little one to go without hydration b/c I don't want to pack a bottle. Life is easier if you have it. And if you're worried about getting through security, don't worry. I've never been in an airport who wouldn't let it through. I've been in a few that make you open it and taste it, so make sure it's something you don't mind taking a swig of yourself and that is re-sealable.
  7. Next is 3-4 types of snacks if they're big enough to have small snacks. I think we started making sure there were snacks in the bag when we traveled in April...Hazel was 7 mos. Three to four seems excessive, but true to baby M.O., your little one will choose the most inopertune time to decide he/she doesn't like his favorite treat, and it always helps to have a back up.
  8. Toys. I know this one seems like a no-brainer. But I just wanted to let you all know what I bring with us. I usually pack a small soft animal, a learning toy, and a book. That usually does well for even long flights. I also have heard wearing jewlery that's large, plastic, and colorful can be a ready-made toy for them, but I can't bring myself to wear any. If you can pull off the look, major props to you!
  9. Antibacterial Hand Lotion. I like anything from Bath N Body Works as it makes me smell more lady-like and less monster-like, but any will do. On a recent trip home I found some individually packed antibacterial hand wipes in line at the check-out at Wal-mart. They work wonders and are so easy to pack, plus, the chances of them spilling all over your nicely packed carry-on is pretty slim.
  10. First Aid Kit. Let's hope you never need it, but, I always have one with me as everyone I know is accident prone. I found a cute compact one at Target when I was home. It had stickers and crayon band-aids in it...very child friendly. Plus the container was compact enough not to take up much room in my bag, but roomy enough to hold regular band-aids in it (my hubby seems to prefer the plain over the red crayon for some reason :) ).
  11. Facial Tissues. I always need them at the weirdest times, so it's just nice to have them handy.

I think that's it for now. If I should think of anything else I will update my post, but I believe that's all I make sure I have. The rest that I pack are odds and ends, like entertainment for me, although I rarely get to use it, so I leave that for magazines I purchase at the airport.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to leave me a message! And I hope your travels are safe and fun!!!!

Laugh Out Loud

I can't believe I haven't blogged on this in a month and a half. Sad.

Nothing exciting has happened lately. Went to Crete in October...Fabulous vacation.
Hazel exploring our room....
Getting ready for the pool!MOMMY!!!! Let me in the bathroom!Exploring the tiny mountain pub in Kritsa.Walking down Zeus' mountain with Daddy.


Nothing much has happened since then except goofing off....such as....

I put a beautiful little girl down for a nap and a crazy haired milk fanatic woke up in her place....Watching TV from the comfort of a plastic shoe box.....My Little Ladybug at Carnfunnock Park on Halloween.Who turned out the lights?????!!!!?????Mommy's hat is too big....Then we went to Cheeky Monkeys in Ballyclare for Emma (little one in lower right corner looking up with pacifier in mouth)'s 1st birthday party. Had a great time!!!!

Here's us all playing in the ball pit....


Hazel mastering the tunnels...Mommy and Hazel tackling the large slide...wheeeeeeeeee! Hazel and I went down the slide together a couple times before she went down the slide next to me by herself (my hand holding her of course). She is getting sooooooo big.I think the mommies had more fun than the kids! The playscape was 3 stories high and we had just the best time! We all decided to start going to the Mom N Tots group held there on Fridays so we can get a little exercise and wear the kiddies out!

Well, that's all my news for now!