Baby Bump

16 weeks & 1 day

A mom-to-be! Baby shower: Pre-Madeline

Baby Bump - 16 wks & 1 day

This whole pregnancy thing is crazy.  I just don't *feel* pregnant.  Hmmmm....what should "feeling pregnant" feel like??  I have no idea.  I have never been pregnant before.  But I guess I just imagined things to feel different.  Maybe if I were puking my guts out during the first trimester I would "feel" pregnant.  Maybe when I begin to feel the baby kicking my ribs I will "feel" pregnant.  But for now, I feel "normal".  In fact, there are small periods of time that I actually forget that I am pregnant.  And then I think about that little pork chop (the baby's pet name) in my tummy.  And what do I think of?? I think of the process of becoming a mom (again), worry about the baby, things to do to prepare for its coming, etc, etc, etc. With that said, aside from a growing waistline caused by the baby bump, I have to say that the ways I "felt pregnant" when I was "paper pregnant" (awaiting adoption) are the same aspects of "feeling pregnant" that I am experiencing now.....the baby-to-be (then and now) are what occupies/occupied my mind.  My thoughts of being a mom occupied my day dreams and the hope and wishes for all the best for the baby fill/filled my dreams and prayers.  I am living the proof and will continue to be living proof that adoptive moms are just as much of a mom as biological moms.

In Need Of Sex Education!!!

How did THIS happen????  Ok, certainly I know the answer to this question and so I do not really need a lesson in sex education but, WOW!  If you haven't figured out what I am talking about, I am pregnant!  Pregnant and totally shocked!

I have been dying to announce this to the world from the moment I found out, yet I wanted to restraint myself for the 1st trimester.  And so, I have secretly been keeping little notes, a diary of sorts, to share with you when I was ready.  Now, David, Madeline, and I await the arrival of a new addition and pray extra hard (especially since I am 40!) that the baby is healthy and that we do not encounter any complications.  In the meantime, you can see our family's journey thus far.

Dec 5th - based on prior months my period was due.  However, I am not necessarily "clockwork" in this area and so no suspicion arose when this day passed with out the arrival of my "friend".

Dec 8th - left for my annual trip to visit Marysia in Baltimore

Dec 10th - Lauren's birthday. Still no "friend" at day 29.  Hmmm.....maybe because I am traveling?

Dec 12th - In the past, the sure bet way to get my period was to take a pregnancy test.  It's almost as if purchasing the test scared my body into action.  Went Christmas shopping at Target and had to separate from Marysia in the store in order to sneak a test into my cart.  Purchase made = period in the AM.  No doubt!

Dec 13th - No "friend".  Test taken, result was positive.  Impossible!!  Maybe I am reading the test wrong.  Is one line of the plus lighter than the other??  Hmmm...that certainly looks like a "+", but that can't be!  Too bad the kit I bought only contained one test.  Maybe that one was faulty.  Marysia was at work but my nephew, Tommy, wasn't leaving for school until 12:30pm.  And so, I borrowed Tommy's car to go to the store to buy a different, easier to read pregnancy testing kit.  In order to not raise suspicions of why I needed to run to the grocery store, I came back with a Christmas flower arrangement for Marysia (since it was the last day of my visit).  Early pregnancy tests are most accurate first thing in the morning.  At 12:30pm, I was convinced this new test would read "Not Pregnant", but even before the 3 minute test period was over, the test screamed "Pregnant".  HOLY CRAP!  I wrapped these two tests up in tissue and kept retrieving them from my suitcase to look at in order to try to get this to sink into my head.  Oh....and don't think that I wasn't worried about all the spiked egg nog and wine we had earlier in my visit with my sisters.  OMG!!

Also, I so desperately wanted to tell David but I didn't want to tell him over the phone.  I had to keep my mouth shut (no small task for me) and wait until I got home.  I must've been acting weird because Marysia kept asking me, "What's wrong?" but I just responded that I was tired.  When I arrived at home, once we got Madeline settled into bed, David and I sat in the family room as I showed him all the Christmas purchases I made while at Marysia's.  The last bag I took out contained a gift that I brought back for David to let him know that I was thinking of him while at Marysia's -  a "Perry the Platypus" ornament (a favorite character on the Disney cartoon Phineas & Ferb).  Next, I said to David, "I have another souvenir for you.  Not sure what you'll think about this.  Actually there are two in here."  I handed David a bundle of tissue for him to open.  He opened up the two tests that gave the news.  It took a minute for David to process what he was looking at.  His expression was priceless.  Yes, he was just as surprised as I was!

Utter happiness over this surprise will come in time.  Both of our immediate reactions were concern over the baby's health (increased risks due to my age), my well being (again, due to my age) and of course, we were concerned about Madeline.  She will make a wonderful big sister, however, we never, ever, ever, want to have any notion in her head that she is loved any less because she was adopted.  Regardless of how God started our family, she IS OUR DAUGHTER and we love her more than anything.  Our fear is that she will someday doubt that.

Week of 12/13 - Ahhh...I guess that explains my fatigue!  Also, already feeling breast tenderness and small pangs of nausea - nothing unbearable.  Two blood tests to read HCG (pregnancy hormone) and progesterone levels.

12/23 - First doctor's appointment.

12/26 - Although things are early, we shared the surprise with David's parents while in Indiana for Christmas.  I must say, however, that I am really missing my mom now.

7 week sonogram - 1/3/11

1/3 - Second doctor's appointment.  Had a sonogram and saw the baby's heart beating!

1/31 - Another Dr. appointment with a "quick peek" sonogram.  Baby is growing, saw the heart beating away again and saw him/her swimming around in there. (No pictures were printed and I regret not asking for one. A LOT of growth since week 7!!)

2/7 - Slowly we were spreading the news with more and more friends and family.  Although we didn't want to make a huge deal about breaking the news to Madeline, we felt it was necessary because we didn't want someone to go up to Madeline and say, "Sooooo, I hear you are going to be a big sister" and Madeline have no idea what they were talking about.  Madeline had a lot of questions like, "How will the baby get out?", "How does the baby eat?" etc, etc.  She was very rapid fire with her questions and we answered them in as basic a way as we could.  Then in the blink of an eye she asked if we could watch some TV together.  And that was the end of that....  the rest, we will let come up naturally as more questions arise in her head.

Madeline's artwork of baby

2/18 - 2/22 - Ugh....terrible cold and recurring fever.  It has been awhile since I have been this sick.  No, this isn't pregnancy related - other than the fact that it has given me a reason to worry.  Despite the fact that the fever kept returning, I was lucky that it never rose too high.  Yet, I was not able to shake the illness until the doctor prescribed antibiotics. Still, I worry how this (fever and meds) may effect the baby.  David and Madeline did a great job nursing me back to health.  Madeline made me this picture on her Magna-Doodle for me......notice the baby in the belly?

2/28 - Another doctor appointment.  Madeline was supposed to be at school at the time of my appointment however her school was closed today due to a power outage.  I had no choice but to bring Madeline to my appointment but figured that all would be okay since we already told her about the baby.  Madeline was so interested in hearing the baby's heartbeat.  When the doctor told Madeline, "That is the baby making all that noise", Madeline's eyes were the size of saucers.  The doctor asked if I minded if he did a sonogram....of course not!  He got out the equipment and showed Madeline the baby.  He pointed out the head, arms, legs, elbows, knees, etc.  She was so interested in this and made the experience of this particular appointment so much more meaningful to Madeline and that much more enjoyable for me and David.  The doctor printed up a couple sonogram pictures for me.  Madeline got a kick out of looking at the pictures and wanted to hold onto them.  I told Madeline that I needed to put the pictures someplace safe for a scrapbook.  Madeline didn't complain or make a stink at all (thank God) but in two seconds flat, the doctor printed up an extra picture just for Madeline.  By evening, Madeline processed this and put together, on her own, the fact that puppies grow inside doggies and kittens grow inside cats.  Smart cookie!

Week 15 sonogram - 2/28/11

3/1 - I have a lunch date planned with a bunch of friends that I used to work with.  I get to share the good news with them.  Soon after, I will post this blog that I have been gradually composing since December.  Our family has all been told the news, and the majority of our friends now know about our "addition in the making".  Once I post this blog post, our news is officially announced to the world.  You too are now a part of this adventure as we grow from a family of three to a family of four. We'll keep you posted as we grow. (Due date 8/19)

Thank You Uncle Charles

Madeline made her selection - Hello Kitty

Waiting in line...

Picking out the kitty sound

Madeline was officially introduced to the world of Build-A-Bear.  Lately, when Madeline and I have been to the mall she has been begging me to go into the Build-A-Bear store.  I have been able to successfully walk out of the store without purchasing but I know Madeline was dying to experience the Build-A-Bear experience.  She loved window shopping all the stuffed animal choices and the huge selection of clothing and accessories for the animals.  David's Uncle Charles has been so thoughtful in remembering his great-niece, Madeline, for her birthday and Christmas. When sending a note of thanks to Uncle Charles we mentioned that we planned to put the monetary gift into Madeline's savings account until it was decided how to spend it.  Initially I figured we would wait until spring/summer time.  With a November birthday and Christmas following quickly afterward, Madeline is often in need (or want) of summer toys.  However, instead, we decided that the Build-A-Bear experience would be a real treat and something that Madeline would absolutely love.

Papa in charge of holding all the accessories

Hello Kitty coming to life!

Madeline chose a Hello Kitty to build.  Despite her wacky parents with our wacky sense of humor trying to talk her into equipping Hello Kitty with a dog sound or lion roar, Madeline picked out a kitty meow to be included in her Hello Kitty.  Madeline got a kick out of seeing her Hello Kitty come to life.  After a stuffed heart was placed inside the kitty and the stuffing was blown inside, Hello Kitty was stitched up and ready to go home.  Of course, Madeline also picked out PJ's slippers, blanket, pillow, shorts & shirt too.  Yep, Sunday, a Build-A-Bear junkie was created and Hello Kitty has not left Madeline's side since. 

Thanks again, Uncle Charles!

Hello Kitty's "bathtime" before she goes home.

Hello Kitty & Madeline in their PJs

Junior Fashion Designer

Madeline - Fashion Designer

David and I have this antique rocker in our family room.  The rocker itself is gorgeous.  The rocker and its chair's frame are a nice wood.  The upholstery, however, is in horrid condition and so I have just been hiding the "yuck factor" by covering it with a throw.  It doesn't sound pretty that way....because it is not.  Yet, it looks a lot better than exposing the true condition of the rocker.  For years, I have been meaning to take the rocker into get reupholstered but I just never seem to have that couple extra hundred dollars lying around the house.  There always seems to be more pressing issues for that "extra" money.  Since I successfully tackled recovering the chairs to my dining room set, I have become a bit more brave.  However, this rocker will certainly be much more difficult to revamp than those chairs were.  It will no doubt, be tricky!  Nonetheless, my thought is that I can't possibly make the rocker look anything worse than it already does.  And so, after a few yards of fabric are purchased and some time and muscle are invested, my goal is to have a "new" piece of furniture that I can (hopefully) be proud to show off.

Today, after picking Madeline up from school, we headed over to the local Jo-Ann Fabric to browse the home decorating fabrics.  Unfortunately, I didn't find anything I liked.  Not even the special order materials offered me a choice in which I was interested.  (It looks like finding the right fabric will be a bigger challenge than I anticipated)  Before entering Jo-Ann's I wondered how Madeline would do with occupying herself as I browsed.  What a boring shopping trip for a 5 year old!  Madeline, however, held her own.  She was fascinated by the free fabric samples tucked into a plastic sleeve at the end of each roll.  I didn't want her taking the samples from the sleeves because those were "for the grown-ups", yet, I let her keep any samples that had already fallen out of the sleeves and onto the carpet.  My time at Jo-Ann's became a scavenger hunt for Madeline.  By the time I was ready to leave, Madeline gathered a good handful of stray fabric samples.

Madeline's Pony Fashions

When we got home, I set out to finish what I had started while Madeline was at school - tearing apart and cleaning my family room.  As I worked, Madeline kept herself extremely busy with those fabric samples.  She sat the kitchen table with scissors, Elmer's glue and scotch tape and she created the most impressive dress collection for her My Little Pony toys.  Madeline was quite proud of her work (and so was Mama)!  Personally, I am glad this all worked out so well because with the rocker material still not found, I see many more trips to fabric stores in our future!!

Human Again

BEFORE - ugh!

I was long, long, long overdue for a hair dye.  In fact, I think I have been complaining about my hair since Christmas time yet for various reasons I wasn't able to get to a hair appointment until today.  I tried to book an appointment during the time that Madeline would be at school but I could only get an appointment for late afternoon. I wasn't sure how I was going to have Madeline occupy herself for a minimum of two hours at a salon while the stylist made miracles on me but I wasn't about to wait any longer to get myself put back together.  Despite NOT being an advocate of this, I was ready to stoop to the idea of bringing our portable DVD player and a movie for this period of time.  Thankfully, my friend, Kym, offered to watch Madeline while I went to the salon.  I was thrilled to have a peaceful salon experience and Madeline was thrilled to play with Kym's daughter Dani.

BEFORE - Close-up of my gray roots

BEFORE - Me trying to look presentable on date night

AFTER - A much happier Mama-Dirtyfoot

My cousins, Judy & Maryann, have been light-heartedly harassing me on Facebook about showing the world before and after photos.  This is quite a stretch considering that for the past week or so I didn't even like the idea of going out in public as a result of my gray roots and faded brassy ends.  But, I have given in and have decided to post some shots.  So, after a color (with a couple highlights), cut and waxing, I feel human again.  BUT...the absolute BEST part was the price.  I got ALL of that for $50 (plus tip)!!!  For you ladies, you know that it is not uncommon to spend $50 just for a cut!  I actually thought the lady was charging me wrong and so I reviewed the services that I got.  Nope, the price was not wrong.....which made my experience that much more enjoyable!

AFTER -Side View (please ignore triple chins & bags under eyes. Those weren't included in make over)

Happy Valentine's Day!

David kicked off the Valentine's Day weekend by coming home from work with two separate bouquets of flowers, one for me and one for Madeline.  David has accomplished two things with this spontaneous gesture of love.  First, David successfully spoiled his girls....once again.  Secondly, David officially turned Madeline into a full-blown mushy girl.  I don't know what I enjoyed more, the surprise of the flowers or watching Madeline's reaction to receiving her own flowers.  When she realized that we were both getting flowers, the estrogen kicked in and Madeline began squealing and jumping up and down.  Instead of combining the flowers into one vase, we decided to keep Mama's and Madeline's flowers in two separate vases.  Mama's flowers were placed on the kitchen table.  We let Madeline decide where she wanted her flowers and she decided to put them on the dresser in her bedroom.  Yep, David knows how to make his girls all mushy.  Yet, more important, he is inadvertently setting the bar high for any man in Madeline's future.  Some men might read this, roll their eyes, and think, "Madeline will undoubtedly grow up to be a 'high maintenance' woman."  However, I think, "Girl, don't settle for less than you deserve.  Papa set that bar high....don't go below it."
Thanks for your endless spoiling, David.  I couldn't ask for a better Valentine!

Dinning With The Elderly

Ahhhh.....kids say the darnedest things and there is certainly no exception to this rule at our house.  I usually plan something casual and fun for dinner on Friday nights.  Tonight, Madeline, David and I got out the making for pizza and we created our own individual pizzas.  As we sat together for dinner tonight, I see that Madeline is examining me as she is eating.  Yes, I am in terrible need of a hair dye and Madeline obviously caught onto this as she nibbled on her pizza.  A snippet of tonight's dinner conversation follows:

Madeline: Mama, you have some black in your hair.
Mama: I do? You mean brown?
Madeline: Uh-huh. And a little bit of black.....and gray.
Mama: (with resignation) MMmmmmm....
Madeline: Mama, are you getting grey hair like Grandma?
Mama: (trying to hold back laughter....and probably some tears too) Eventually
Madeline: Papa, when you go to Heaven will you have hair?
Mama: (practically rolling on floor)
Papa: I doubt it
Madeline: Is there more than one Heaven?
Papa: Nope, there's just one.
Madeline: Is it far away?
Papa: Yes, it is far away
Madeline: Far away, like Aunt Margaret's house?

Yep, kids say the darnedest things. I love this age!

New Orleans - The rest of the story

Katrina House

Seeing that we have been home from New Orleans for about a week and a half, I figured I should share the remaining narrative of our trip.  As previously mentioned, Madeline & I flew separately from David.  Due to the restrictions of the reward tickets of our different airlines and the fact that David wanted to avoid tacking on an additional vacation day from work, we decided that the best option for our situation was to depart a day apart from each other.  So, David flew out of New Orleans in the late afternoon on Monday while Madeline and I headed home the following morning.

We decided to squeeze in, as a family, a few last minute New Orleans activities during our morning before David left.  There was a brief discussion about what to do for breakfast but it didn't take long to decide that we, *once again* NEEDED beignets and cafe au lait.  That stuff is just too darn good and both David and I knew that this was the last opportunity to enjoy this treat.  We have visited Jon on numerous occasions over the past 15 years but I don't recall experiencing this beignet madness before.  Although I brought home a Cafe Du Monde beignet mix, I know it won't be the same.  Besides, David wanted to take home a Cafe Du Monde travel mug as a souvenir so...what a good excuse to catch breakfast while we were there!

Mama & Maddie silliness while Jon pretends not to know us.

Afterward, since the last time I visited Jon was pre-Katrina, I wanted to do a drive by of the areas that were hard hit by the hurricane.  I knew that would result in a major eye-roll from Jon, which of course it did, but Jon was a good sport and drove me around to "see destruction".  It has been five years since Katrina and although many of the residential homes have been rebuilt, the businesses are mostly gone.  We would be driving down a street that once had malls or strip plazas and there stood the vacant buildings that once held these retail centers.  And despite the fact that many homes were rebuilt, we drove passed numerous vacant lots where homes once stood.  Yet, the occasional "Katrina house" stood untouched, abandoned and marked with the spray painted markings made during the post-hurricane recovery period.

More shopping fun

Next, we headed to Manny Randazzo's to pick up a couple king cakes.  OMG! Yum!!!  I was lucky enough to snack on the one Jon bought for his house while David carted one home to take into work on Tuesday.  I was also happy to pick up a cake server (I really did need one so this wasn't exactly a frivolous souvenir purchase) that was decorated on the handle with beading in the Mardi Gras colors (purple, yellow & green).  Next time I pull that out to serve up some goodies for company, I'll have a pleasant reminder of our trip.

We also ended up grabbing some lunch.  Ahhh....gumbo and red beans & rice with andouille sausage.  Hmmm, I think I need to experiment with some of these recipes for our own at-home Mardi Gras celebration this March.  After lunch we needed to stop by Target to pick-up a couple items.  Madeline and I had some last minute New Orleans reveling as we got silly trying on the Mardi Gras hats in Target's seasonal section.  I particularly love the picture with both me and Madeline because the guy in the background is actually Jon trying to pretend that he doesn't know us.

Madeline peeking at my People magazine

Shortly after, David was off to the airport.  My last evening was laid back.  I spent the evening packing up the remainder of Madeline's & my stuff so that we would be ready for an early morning departure.  I also tried to help Jon pick out a few paint colors for his house but decided that I was way too indecisive and, thus, probably not much help.  Other than that, Jon and I watched a few DVRed shows on TV.  In the morning, we headed to the airport and I prepared for my flight back home with Madeline.  Prepared with my fully re-charged portable DVD player, a couple movies, some princess & My Little Pony figurines and a coloring book & crayons I was confident in my ability to maintain a well behaved child during a 4 hour flight home.  In fact, I consider the trip a success since I was able to indulge in reading a People magazine and I attempted to work on a few puzzles in a puzzle book as Madeline occupied herself.

We are now back home and are slowly getting ourselves back into a routine of our everyday life.  David had more travel for work upon our return home.  In the time that we have been home, David has already traveled to Boston and San Diego.  Me, well.....I am still trying to wipe that "vacation fog" off my brain.  I guess that is just further proof that I enjoyed myself in New Orleans.

Hangin' In The Big Easy

Madeline holding Uncle Jon's hand

Still hangin' here in New Orleans.  Although New Orleans is often a trip filled with tourist activities for many, our tourism agenda has been relatively limited.  It is, after all, my fifth (at least) trip down here.  However, despite the fact that we may have made many trips here, when an out-of towner is looking for something to do, the tourist traps are a natural pull.  "Cringe, cringe", thinks Jon yet he was a good sport and indulged our yankee spirit.

Friday, Jon had to go into work and so David, Madeline and I had a lazy morning at Jon's house. At lunch time we met Jon downtown.  Madeline loves to visit her papa at work and so she thought it was pretty darn cool to visit Uncle Jon at his work.  The ladies in Jon's office had followed our adoption story while we were in Russia and they were thrilled to finally meet Madeline.  Madeline was spoiled with candies from their candy jars and so she was in her glory.  We went to lunch at Dickie Brennan's Palace Cafe, which is located just around the corner from Jon's office.  I tried turtle soup and it was delicious!  The remainder of Friday was low-key.  I cooked up a home-cooked breaded pork chop meal for the guys and we enjoyed hanging out and visiting.

Madeline getting beads from a street entertainer

Parent-of-the-year award??

"Safer" shopping & God-awful shorts!! No, we didn't buy!

Balcony lunch - Decatur Street, New Orleans

On Saturday, we thought we would head out for a few souvenir items to bring home.  What better a way to start a morning in New Orleans than with beignets and cafe au lait?  Although the best known place in New Orleans for this treat is Cafe Du Monde, however Jon took us to a local spot called Morning Call.  They were sooooo good!  Instantaneously, I was convinced that I would *need* more beignets before we leave New Orleans!  After breakfast, David, Jon, Madeline and I headed down to the French Quarter.  There are many nice galleries and gift shops in The Quarter - and then there is Bourbon Street.  Well, since it was the middle of the day I figured it would be safe enough to take a quick stroll down Bourbon Street.  Keep in mind, that I was thinking more of shielding Madeline from the drunken antics that occur on Bourbon Street after dark.  Heck, we know all too well what too many Pat O'Brien's Hurricanes can do - been there, done that (pre-Madeline, of course!)  But like I said, it was the middle of the day and I figured we could hit some of the souvenir stores that line Bourbon Street.  Here is were David & I get "parent-of-the-year" award (not!)  Well, aside from this photo of Madeline posing with a completely inappropriate t-shirt, I had to depart from my shopping daze when David alerted me to the beads adorned with sets of boobies and the wind-up jumping peckers that were in this gift shop...and the next one...and the next one.  Okay, I guess on our previous trips to Bourbon street, we were too busy participating in our own drunken antics to do souvenir shopping.  Needless to say, it wasn't long before we removed Madeline from the jumping pecker scene and proceeded to more of the galleries and general souvenir shops.  Once the guys were "shopped out" (it didn't take long), we were ready for lunch.  The weather was nice enough to sit outside on a balcony overlooking Decatur Street and its horse-drawn carriages as well as a view of the Mississippi River.  I enjoyed another New Orleans treat, a shrimp Po boy and Madeline got a kick out of announcing the arrival of another passing horse as she nibbled on her fried shrimp.  The remainder of Saturday was pretty lazy.  The temperature was comfortable and we were able to sit outside as Jon grilled up some steaks for dinner.  Despite sitting under a patio heater and wrapped in a blanket, I enjoyed every second of the evening's fresh air because I knew that at home single digit tempts awaited us.

Jon, are you *sure* you want me to drive your car?!?!

One of our finds while out shopping

Sunday, we started out our day with more of those beignets that I *needed*.  This time we had them from Cafe Du Monde.  Again, yum!  Also, Sunday: playoff football.  With two guy friends, who have been friends for almost 20 years, do you actually think they wanted to do anything other than watch the games?  Need I say more??  That's okay - I totally didn't mind!  Jon, gave me the keys to his BMW and his credit cards and asked me to help him out with some decorating ideas for his house.  Really??  Go shopping and spend someone else's money??  Sure, no problem.  It was a win-win situation.  The guys had me and Madeline out of their hair for an entire afternoon while I got to shop, shop, shop....oh, and drive around New Orleans in a BMW.  By the time Madeline and I got back it was dinner time and Jon grilled out a delicious BBQ chicken dinner for us.

Our time here in New Orleans is winding down.  It is sad because we are really enjoying ourselves.  David heads home tomorrow evening and Madeline and I come home on Tuesday.  We will try to fit in as much fun as we can while we are still here and I will certainly keep you posted.

Journey To New Orleans

Here I sit in the kitchen eating area of Jon's house in New Orleans.  Who is Jon?  I am certain that I have mentioned Jon in numerous blog posts in the past but, Jon is David's best friend.  Jon really is more of a brother/brother-in-law to us, a true part of our family.  Anyway, we are here visiting Jon in New Orleans.  It has been many years since we have been here.  In fact, the last time I was here was pre-Katrina and David and I were kid-free.

Jon has been bugging us to visit and it has always been one thing or another that has prevented our travel here.  It also didn't help the travel cause when Jon was making fairly regular trips to Buffalo, as his mom used to live there and Jon was able to visit us and his mom in one trip.  Jon's mom, however, has since moved to Texas.   Jon recently bought a new home in New Orleans, a true dream home.  Also, Jon sweetened our incentive to get our butts down south by offering up two frequent flyer reward tickets on Southwest Airlines.  Even still, timing wasn't right. David had limited time off from work in 2010 due to his bout with pneumonia and frequent travels to Indiana.  Our New Year's resolution was to make the trip in 2011 and since the flight reward tickets that Jon offered up to us would expire in March, we had to move on these plans.

So, Madeline and I flew together on Southwest while David flew separately on Delta.  Why did we fly separately?  Well, due to an amazing fiasco of events while traveling on Delta last May (click here for that story) we had compensation vouchers that covered David's airfare to New Orleans.  So, for a total of $15 , the three of us were able to make our way to visit Jon.

Armed with a fully charged portable DVD player and a backpack of toys, I was ready to mange a 5 year old on, what I thought would be, a 4 hour flight.  Here lies the problem.  After we boarded the plane in Buffalo for an 8:45am flight, because of mechanical problems, we were delayed at the gate (sitting in the plane) for THREE HOURS!  Although this really sucked, Madeline and I were in a good spot.  Although many passengers were going to be missing their connections and many of them were given the option to leave the plane in order to take a later flight out of Buffalo, Madeline and I didn't have to because we were already on our connecting plane.  We weren't supposed to have to change planes when we landed in Baltimore.

David's flight left later in the day.  After dropping Madeline and me at the airport, David had time to take Sobaka to the kennel and get back to the airport for his later flight before we even left our gate.  In fact, David and I were talking on the cell phone and I was able to describe my position on the plan and David and I were able to wave at each other - he inside the airport awaiting his flight and Madeline and I STILL sitting and waiting to leave Buffalo.

All was going well and Madeline was actually holding tough.  However, I mentally thought ahead about the remainder of the day.  We would only just be leaving Buffalo an hour earlier than we should've been ARRIVING in New Orleans.  Without a connection in Baltimore would mean no opportunity for food in Baltimore.  We ate a quick drive-thru breakfast on the way to the airport and would not end up landing in New Orleans until 4pm EST.  Forecast: a grumpy mama and even worse, an even grumpier, ravenous Madeline.  Outlook: stormy!

Just then, while STILL sitting at the gate, I hear an announcement from a flight attendant, "Passenger Amy Gxxxxx, please indicate where you are sitting."  David, from inside the airport, obviously thought through the same scenario in his head and purchased Madeline and me sandwiches and drinks and asked the Southwest crew to pass the food along to me.  As pathetic as I am, I was ready to cry over these sandwiches.  My Prince Charming saved the day!!  I tucked away our lunches and was able to pull out our meal at lunchtime, right after we departed Baltimore.  David, you are THE BEST!!

What??? It's a new year???

Waiting to see the Buffalo Philharmonic "Visit With Santa" Holiday Pops

I have been quite neglectful of my blog lately.  Christmas came and went in the blink of an eye and we are already a week and a half into 2011!  I will have to write a novel to discuss all that has happened since my last post so, instead, I will briefly bring everyone up to speed and try to tell the rest of the story with lots of pictures.

The Christmas season is always hectic and ours was no exception.  After returning home from our visit to Marysia, we were busy with last minute preparations, school pageants, etc.  Certainly we understand and celebrate the "reason for the season" but we also get visited by Santa.  5 year olds are at prime Santa age and Madeline was bursting with excitement in her anticipation of Santa's arrival.  Madeline must've been a very good girl this past year because she got lots of goodies from Santa on Christmas morning.  We had a very quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas day celebration as it was just the three of us.  Christmas Eve's dinner was the traditional Wigilia (click here to read 2008's post for description of my Wigilia) and Christmas dinner was what is now a tradition for us - Beef Wellington.

Outside Kleinhan's Music Hall.  My great uncle sculpted this statue of Chopin

The day after Christmas we were on the road to head to Indiana to visit David's family. (Not sure how this happened but I can't seem to find any pictures from there!  Did we not take any?!?!)  David's mom is doing great.  It is amazing what a difference a year makes!  Unfortunately, our trip was quick and we were heading back home with another long car ride on the 29th.

New Year's Eve was also quiet and uneventful.  Madeline celebrated her "New Year" at 8:30pm, complete with noisemakers.  She didn't know any different and this allowed David and I a quiet evening in front of the TV, watching the ball drop and eating Ben & Jerry's ice cream.  Wow! I think we are getting old.....although, we DID still make it up 'til midnight.

We went to Mass at a gorgeous old church in downtown Bflo before the philharmonic.

David and Madeline watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Madeline's school's Christmas Program

After ringing in the New Year, I hosted a post-holiday Christmas party at my house last week......which is the ONLY reason my Christmas trees are still up!  By this time in January, they are beginning to look like an eyesore, however, we are so busy now and are preparing to leave for New Orleans later this week.  I am embarrassed to say that those trees won't come down until after we get home.

Last minute cookie baking

Wigilia table

Cookies and milk for Santa

Carrots and water for Santa's reindeer

Christmas morning

Wishing each of you a very happy and healthy 2011!

Ice Princess

I just thought that I would share the above video.  To think that a couple weeks ago, Madeline had never been on a pair of ice skates.  Now, only a handful of lessons later, Madeline has done away with the ice skating "walker" and is leaving the ice skating hockey-boy wanna-bes (you can see them at the far left when the video first begins) in the dust.  You go, girl!

Marysia's - Part II

Hot Tub Time With Lauren

Yesterday, Margaret had to fly home in order to be to work on Monday.  We had a lazy morning and it was nice to squeeze in one last bit of sister time.  Madeline also tried to squeeze out some extra quality time with her cousins. Madeline was in her glory to hang in the hot tub for awhile with Lauren in the early afternoon.  After taking Margaret to the airport, Marysia, Mike, Madeline and I watched my niece, Julie, play a Futsal (indoor soccer) game.  Julie did great!  Her team won and Julie scored 3 goals!

Slushies And Popcorn With Julie

After the game, we headed over to Target and a stop at Barnes & Noble for a little more Christmas shopping. Marysia and I were pleased that Julie was willing to keep Madeline occupied so we could do a little bit of undisturbed shopping.  Madeline was thrilled because I let her go with Julie to get slurpies and popcorn with Julie.  Madeline doesn't get this stuff at home so that in itself was a treat but going with her cousin made it that much more special.  Come to find out *after the fact*, the two of them were getting refills.  Oh well, that just meant wearing off a sugar high before bedtime.

P-U!

Dinner was barely over and Marysia and I changed into our matching PJ's again.  We joked that they were both pretty ripe by now since we have been wearing them the entire sisters visit.  Certainly, when I get home tonight, my PJ's will whimper and slither their way over to the hamper on their own.  I did, however, try to talk Marysia into ringing neighbors' doorbells and Christmas caroling IN OUR PJ's.  Although I still think that would have been a lot of fun, the idea didn't fly.  Instead, we laughed hysterically trying to pose for a picture where we were smelling our arm pits (in order to accentuate how yucky our PJ's probably were by then).

Playing My Little Pony With Tommy & Julie

Manicure From Lauren

Madeline further enjoyed cousin time.  She soooo looks up to her older cousins. Marysia's four children are so good with Madeline.  Where many teens might not want to be bothered with a 5-yr old, Tommy, Lauren, Andy and Julie take time to play with their younger cousin.  Yes, this is a picture of Tommy, a freshman in college, and Julie, a freshman in high school. taking a moment to play My Little Pony with Madeline.  Lauren even painted Madeline's nails.  But the funniest story (I took a video but it didn't turn out) is when Tommy was running around and hiding on Madeline.  Tommy ended up hiding behind the Christmas tree.  Any time Madeline touched the tree Tommy would say something in a deep voice, as though it were the tree itself talking.  This went on for quite a while and Madeline got quite a kick out of the "talking tree".  Madeline certainly knew it was Tommy making the tree "talk" but she played right along and had a lot of fun with Tommy's silliness.  Marysia, the rest of the cousins and I were also quite entertained by both Tommy and Madeline.  Finally, when it was time to put Madeline in bed for the night....that is, when the sugar high wore off, Madeline gave us all hugs and kisses.  She even hugged the talking tree.

Hugging The "Talking" Tree Good Night

Tonight we are flying home to Buffalo.  I am all packed up and just hanging out here the rest of this afternoon.  Although I love sister time and had (as always) a great time, I am looking forward to seeing David.  Certainly, the fact that David was in France right before I left for Baltimore and we were pretty much just two ships passing in the night before I took off to visit my sisters has accentuated how much I miss him.  So, although I will miss my sisters once I am home, I am looking forward to snuggle time with David this evening!