7.29.2011

"I am never flying again!"

On my way home from Utah, almost two weeks ago, I had a very humbling experience.  It has to do with Millie, the flight home...I'll stop there.

Now, before I begin let me give you a little background.  Millie has been and continues to be a fairly easy baby.  She has slept through the night (majority of the time) since 3 1/2 months, she has always been a good eater, she's not fussy...you get the picture.  I can count on one hand how many times I haven't known what is wrong with her.  Usually something fixes whatever problem she is having-whether it be a pacifier, food, a blanket, toys, kisses, etc.

Well this particular day was going well.  Millie took a nap on the way to the airport, which I was planning on her doing.  When we got to the airport, she was happy and content.  Checked through security, and ran into another mom with a newborn baby who was only 11 weeks old.  We got to talking and she said it was only her third flight with her baby.  She said that her baby had done pretty well on each flight, but she was nervous.  As I was too, but I was feeling pretty confident.  I have flown multiple times with Millie, and EVERY flight had been great. (key word. Had.)

We boarded the plane to Denver, and we sat by these two cute moms who were going to a graduation.  Millie played with toys, we enjoyed cookies, read books, talked with the ladies next to us, watched Backyardigans...ya know the usual.  We landed, and exited the plane.  It was about a two hour flight and Millie did great!

For the next flight, I planned ahead and asked one of the coffee shops for some warm water for her bottle.  I mixed the formula and water together so that it'd be ready for when we boarded the next plane.  Things were going well at this point.  Millie was getting a little fussy because it was bedtime, but once again, I had planned it this way.  I thought to myself, perfect she'll drink her bottle and fall asleep right when the plane takes off and sleep the whole way (or at least an hour) and be happy and great the whole time.

We boarded the aircraft, and watched as everyone piled in.  I was hoping there would be an empty seat next to me, as I'm sure most people hope for, but unfortunately there wasn't.  A young man sat next to me, who told the girl next to him that he was visiting family from Utah.  Hallelujah!  He knows what big families are like, babies, crazy houses, etc.  So I didn't worry too much.

The flight took off and as planned, I held Millie, put her blanket by her face, and gave her a bottle...

she pushed the bottle away.  No big deal.  Maybe she wasn't tired or hungry yet (although it was the right time for her to have the bottle and go to sleep).  We read a few books and then she got pretty fussy.  Annoying I know.  She was tired. Hungry. Sick of being on airplanes. And just wanted her own bed with her comfy jammies on and a warm bottle.

Still fussy.  I tried to give her the bottle again...but she didn't want it.  I pulled out toys, books, movies, food, etc...but each of these things only lasted ten minutes max and she'd be fussy again wanting something else.  I changed her diaper...fixed the problem for five minutes...still fussy.  We played with ice...again fixed the problem for seven minutes and she was soaked and still fussy.

Yes, I was the annoying mother who didn't know how to calm her baby.  I was the mom who everyone hates to sit by.  I was the mom whose baby fussed/cried pretty much the whole flight...and there was nothing I could do about it.

We stood in the back and I forced her to lay down in my arms.  Tried to give her the bottle and rock her to sleep, all while everyone towards the back end of the plane turned around and gave me looks.  Nothing worked.  I started to get teary eyed...What has happened to my baby??

Finally after those two and half hours were up trying to wrestle a tired, grumpy, hungry, fussy, baby, the pilot said his usual decent prompt and I sat in my seat.  Millie started crying...hard.  I was frantic and pulled out everything I had to try to calm her.  I am sure I looked like a mess.  Was it her ears?  I gave her a sippy cup, but she wouldn't suck.  Her paci?  Didn't work either.

So...I just let her cry.

Then, all my emotions let loose.  The lady next to me said that it happens to everyone (yah right!).  I told her that I was never flying again and how sorry I was, all while crying.

Crying mom.  Crying baby.  Bugged passengers.  Flight attendants who had parenting comments to say.
Not a good picture.

Right when we landed, of course, Millie falls asleep.  Figures.

The lights turn on, Millie wakes up from her 10 minute nap, and is all smiles and babbling.

I was humiliated!!  All my confidence from earlier on in the day was shot.

I walked straight out to Cason waiting at the curb, sobbing.  No baggage claim, bathroom stop, or anything.  I was so embarrassed that I asked him to go get my bag for me.

On the ride home, Millie went right to sleep.

Lessons learned that day:  Rarely anything goes as planned with a baby.  So, next time just go with the flow.  Don't be so confident.  And don't judge someone for not being able to calm their baby...it might just happen to you!

Ps. What would you have done??

7.26.2011

Conan vs. Millie


Who can pull off "the wave" better?



7.25.2011

Lake Powell 2011

While Millie and I were in Utah, we went to Lake Powell with my family.  
I was hesitant to go at first, because a baby at Lake Powell did not sound that fun.

But now I am so glad we went.  We had a blast and could have stayed a few extra days!

My handsome brothers Jeremiah and Josh.




My little water baby


She was all smiles when she was in the water.



One thing she did not love--the lifejacket.




poor little Owen was sick...but still as cute as can be!



Millie loved driving the boat with Grandpa.


This was her little cubby she would go hide out in.
to get away from the sun.
to take a nap.
or just to play with toys.



Thanks Aunt Debi for the hat!  





It was such a beautiful week!  
The weather was great and it was fun to be with family again!
Oh how we miss living close to family...

7.22.2011

C.A.L.I.F.O.R.N.I.A.

While we were back west, we went to California to visit Cason's family.  
We timed it just right so that we could see Cason's sisters-one who lives in Hong Kong and one who lives in Arizona.  
We had such a blast!

Here are a few things we did:

Beach.
pool.
You & I Sushi with friends.
Angel's baseball game.
Family style at Maggianos.
Mexican food.
runs in Coto.
Beach.
breakfast with friends.
Spent time with family.
Golf.















Millie loved the beach...water. sand. toys. cousins. what more could a baby want?
It was so fun to see (almost) everyone!  
We had such a fun trip and miss everyone.

7.21.2011

11 Months

Millie is now 11 months old...well, she's 11.5 but I am just now getting around to writing this up.  Better late than never right?

This little girl of mine has bright blue eyes, and dirty blonde hair.
Her hair flips out at the bottom-which I love.
She is turning into quite the little girl.

She claps her hands when you say "yay!",
she gives kisses, waves (when she wants), and pretends that everything is a phone.
She puts phones, remotes, hangers, toys...pretty much anything up to her ear and pretends she's talking on it.  She dances when music comes on and her new favorite show is Backyardigans.

She is my little water baby.  She loves the water!
She loves the bath and when you say "are you ready to get out?"  She cries.
We just got back from Lake Powell with my family and she never wanted to get out.
You say kickedy kickedy kickedy kick and she kicks her legs.
And splashy splashy splash and she splashes.
It's the cutest!

She loves to drink water out of a water bottle and a cup.
And she loves to play with and eat ice.
It can entertain her forever.

She crawls everywhere, on everything, and all over the place. 
She is balancing all by herself and thinks she's pretty big. 


Sometimes she does this cute little straight smile.  (pictured below)
And other times she cheeses it up!
She is obsessed with the camera and chases me to try to get it. 

Lets just say picture are not the easiest to take anymore.




She is mischievous.  
When she knows she's not supposed to have something, she sneaks slowly up to it and then bolts for it.  It is the funniest thing.  
All while she does this she has a grin on her face, like "my mom is not going to catch me this time!"

She loves to play with my curling iron, straightener, blow dryer, brushes, anything that has to do with hair that I use she plays with.  And they can keep her occupied forever.


Her little feet are a size 3.  They are growing too fast. 
My favorite shoes of hers are getting too small.  So sad.
She loves 'this little piggie' and loves when I clap her feet together.
She loves to play with shoes.  
My shoes, Cason's shoes, and her shoes.


She likes to play with my jewelry.  Eat it, I mean.
She won't wear it long.  It instantly comes off and into her mouth it goes.
Just like everything else!


She has six teeth.  Four on top, two on bottom. 
And two more are coming in on the bottom.
She has quite the gap between her front top teeth. 
I love those little white chiclets.


...except for when she can bite.
And the girl can BITE!
She thinks its funny to see me get mad at her.
So she'll do it again and again.
It's a funny little game to her.
(and I kinda think it's cute, except that it really hurts)

Her favorite foods are still blueberries, cheese and turkey.  
And she is still a pretty good eater. 
She has become a little pickier with what she eats, but still has a pretty big appetite.
She does NOT like watermelon, just like her dad.  
I think it's the texture that gets her. 

When anyone tells her "No!" she looks at you and smiles. 
Stinker.

But we love her!  She is determined but very sweet. 
We love our little Millie bug!

7.14.2011

4th of July

For the fourth of July this year, we went to Utah to enjoy the festivities.  
Julianne, Lindsay, My dad, Jeremiah, Cason and I ran the freedom run 10k race.  
We all finished!!


After, we enjoyed the parade with everyone.

Grandma, Charlie and Millie





The sweet Alexander Family



We came home and enjoyed a fabulous bbq and then Cason, Millie and I ventured up to Sundance to enjoy the mountains that we don't have in Michigan. 


Obviously, our Millie girl is our pride and joy...because majority of the pictures we take are of her.
But how can we resist?







Later that night we watched fireworks across the valley from our balcony and just chatted.
We  are very greatful for our freedom and the chance to be able to celebrate our country.


Hope you had a Happy 4th of July!
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