To Florida and Back 10-23-07

I have been to Florida...and Back

What!?!?! I have to say it felt really weird not letting you all on the craziness that was my life. We got back from Covered Bridge last Sunday, and Thursday Noah and I flew to Florida to surprise my sister Jen for her baby shower. We DEFINITELY succeeded in surprising her...and it was SO much fun. About a month ago, my sister Kelly called and offered to buy me half of a plane ticket to come down to see her and to surprise Jen for the shower. I talked to Jon and somehow we swung it...my mom took Landon and we were off. Noah was a dream on the plane....both ways. It was so much fun traveling with him...people were SO willing to help and I got tons of ohhs and ahhs and many, "He is huge!" comments. I loved it. He did lots of smiling and sleeping on the plane...what a great kid.

I got there Thursday evening and Kelly and I hung out and I got to spend oodles of time with my beautiful niece. Oh man is she precious! She is so tiny compared to Noah and I just loved holding her and making her smile (she has the biggest beautiful smile!) Friday Kelly and I took the kids shopping, went on a walk (in reverse order), and tried to stay low-key and make the day go as slowly as possible. We also did some prep work for the shower. Saturday we packed up and made the three hour trip south to where Jen lives. I called her and told her a gift had been delivered, when she opened the door to check, there was Noah and I. She was shocked and it was so much fun!!!! Sunday was the shower where Jen got lots of much-needed fun new stuff for baby boy and looked as beautiful as can be. The girl is a gorgeous pregnant woman...and she has cute clothes too  It was so great to get to spend some time with her this close to delivery (she is 30 weeks).

Noah had the privilege of enduring a lot of pink while we were down in Florida. He slept in my nieces pink butterfly crib, wrapped up in her pink towels, and washed with pink wash clothes. I thought about dressing him in a dress, but decided against it. I almost forgot he was a boy, except for the very masculine burps the kid does and his new found ability to "yell" and "growl" at me. I think that kid has more testosterone than Landon or Jonathan. He is going to give me a run for my money when he starts walking...I just know it.

Unfortunately, Monday came all too soon. I knew it would. I had such a great time with Kelly and baby K. We had good talks, lots of good food, bonding time with each others kids...it was just fabulous. I am reminded though of how much I wish I lived closer to them. I am so in love with my niece and it kills me that I won't see her again for who knows how long, and it is really gonna get me when baby boy E gets here and I can't see him. I know this is how the world works nowadays, but right now it stinks. I miss them all!

Landon had a great time with my mom but he actually missed me a bit this time. He was so happy to see me last night and seems to have grown up like 6 months in the span of 5 days. In the course of three hours last night he said, "I hate to say it but...; Speaking of which...; and Ultimately, Mom..." all in the right context. What in the world. In other, not so great news, he is sick. Another cold...a pretty good one too. His nose is running, running running and his cough is loose and gross (guess that is good, right?). He seemed kind of quiet and lethargic this morning. I have to say that parenting just Noah for the past five days was fabulous. It was so easy!!! Now it is back to real life. Grad school started yesterday, my house is a tornado, Landon's party is this weekend and I have no idea what I am doing, and well, my head is going under  Just kidding. It is good to be home and back to my life. I just miss those sisters (and niece and soon-to-be nephew) who are a long, long ways away).

I have a thousand pictures to upload but the feature is not working, so look for a picture post coming soon  Off to catch up on your world's!!!