Mini Vacation: Day #1 Travel

     Today was our big travel Day! We got up a little early, got dressed and loaded the car before heading out to the airport. Once we got there and started unloading the car and ran into a snag in our plans. First, I struggled to get Froggie`s car seat unlatched and then our plan to strap the car seats to our luggage didn't pan out as expected. We ended up having to carry the car seats from gate to gate the entire day.

We found a dinosaur in the airport.

     I tried prepping Big Brother for security right off the bat in the morning and he was excessively concerned that he or his belongings were going to be squished during screening. He did well and had no melt downs (thank God for answered prayers!). We went through a new line in security where we didn't have to open anything or take off our shoes. I didn't even have to take Froggie out of the Ergo, which was a huge life saver. All the way through and Big Brother's only complaint was due to the fact that he wanted a snack thanks to not eating more than a few bites of breakfasts. So once we found our gate my mom stayed with our luggage while the kids and I went and bought some drinks and snacks.

Our first plane

The kids and their first plane.

The kids and their first plane.

     Our first flight went off without a hitch and our flight even landed early! Big Brother played with his Leap Pad 2 almost the whole flight and despite my typical views on children and over exposure to electronics I recommend some sort of tablet with games or videos to make the flight pass a little more quietly. Froggie nursed during take off and played at the window and with her new jellyfish toy as well as snacking throughout the flight and playing peek-a-boo with the couple behind us. I think the only issue we had that flight was that Big Brother didn't want to leave his seat belt on.

Nursing cover and suckers!

In flight entertainment.

Looking out the window.

Froggie`s view for flight #1

Froggie and I on her first plane ride.

She had a blast! 

The kids got jellyfish on the plane.

Flying with Grandma.

     After a very long walk carting our belongings across the airport in Charlotte, NC we made it to our next gate just before they began boarding. This was a smaller plane and we had to wait a little longer to turn stuff on (at least it seemed that way). Big Brother ended up watching Disney`s Planes during this flight (ironic right?) but got upset when we had to turn everything off to land. Froggie nursed again during take off and I think I forgot to mention Big Brother had a sucker and bunnies to combat the pressure change. Froggie REALLY wanted to take the kindle and headphones that Big Brother had so she played with a book an  had  a teething cookie which got EVERYWHERE!  In addition to the mini freak out about giving up the Kindle we battled the seat belt issue again and Froggie decided that just  about three quarters of the way through our flight would be a good time to poop. Let me tell you, there is nowhere to change a diaper on a plane not to mention we were told to put our seat belts back on. Needless to say our first stop in Pensacola was the bathroom. The young woman sitting in front of us noticed Big Brother's daddy doll and gave me a dog tag to give to him. It was a very nice gesture on the part of a stranger!

The kids and I on our second flight

Watching "Planes" on our second flight.

Looking out the window on flight #2

The view on flight #2

Gift for Hubby from a girl on flight #2.

     We walked, with car seats in tow to get our rental car. I think that process was the most frustrating, especially since  everything was already booked and confirmed online and I should have just had to show them my I'D and card and been given my keys. Big Brother ran around with his blankie tied around his neck like a cape and watched luggage come in. The blanket cape was done out of necessity since he wouldn't stop dragging it on the floor, but it kept him entertained. He was able to climb into a Blue Angel cockpit they had in baggage claim as well and was super excited about it.

Blanket cape!

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

Blue Angel cockpit at the airport.

     We packed up our rental and headed towards Hubby who, for the record, is directionally challenged and sent me in the wrong  direction numerous times. We got checked in, unloaded and settled in the rain but it cleared up by dinner and we were able to walk around (without coats!) after dinner.
     Did I mention that Zippy made the trip? Big Brother found him hanging from a lamp shade once we got settled.

Zippy came to Florida with us!

Froggie's First Parade

     Saturday was a day packed with things to do. October is always our busiest month and we typically have something (or multiple things) going on each weekend. This year is no different and we kicked off the month with Homecoming festivities, a fall festival, military ball and a birthday dinner.
     I think I've mentioned before that we live in a college town and it just so happened to be homecoming weekend. Hubby and I are both Alumni of the school and I've been attending homecoming parades since I was a little kid so we continue the tradition and head out to watch the parade and participate in the festivities. We met up with some of my familyat the parade route and ran onto some people I hadn't seen in awhile.
     This year the parade was an hour earlier but was still as packed as it's every been. Big Brother and Froggie got to watch and collect candy as it was thrown. Froggie did great for her first parade and was completely unfazed by the loud noises. After the parade we walked down the street to campus to see what was going on. Big Brother got some goodies, including a tattoo, and we all snagged a quick lunch before heading out to a fall festival. We walked around for a bit and I got some cute hair clips for Froggie and Big Brother got some sweets.
     It was a nice start to our day and we were able to get home and relax a little before getting ready for the Navy Ball.

Hubby and Big Brother

Watching the parade

Fire truck!

Family picture

Froggie and I

Hubby and Froggie

Baby's need to eat everywhere!

Big Brother showing Froggie his tattoo

Getting a ride with Hubby

Fall festival

Fall festival

Fall festival

Eruption Hematoma?

     It's time to add another oddity to our list of medical concerns/injuries. This time it's not Big Brother with the bruise - it's Froggie! My baby girl is 6 1/2 months old and has just had a rough go with teething (compared to Big Brother). Her first two teeth came in amidst a TON of drool and frequent orajel dosages but they have come in completely and she hasn't seemed to have a problem since they broke through. We've been expecting her top incisors to break through any day since she's got two big lumps where they should be, chews on EVERYTHING, and occasionally seems upset for no discernible reason. 

     Well, tonight she decided that she wanted to chew on me! She was sitting on my lap and kept leaning towards my knee. I would sit her back up and she would do it again. The last time she did this she actually reached my knee which startled me. Shortly after I lifted her up she cried for just a few seconds and that was that. 

     Until I noticed her gums about an hour later! She has a big purple spot on her upper gum where her right incisor should be coming through. First thing was first I had hubby hold her so we could check it out and take pictures. I typically take pictures of any injuries involving bruising so that I can monitor whether it's getting better or worse in the hours/day following the incident that caused it. I also decided to search the internet a little. 

     I found Eruption Hematoma and Eruption Cyst as results that looked like Froggie's mouth; however, the description of an Eruption Cyst didn't seem to fit since they seem to be "squishy" with fluid build up. For all I know they may be different names for the same thing... Since she seems to be unfazed by the bruising and is eating fine I probably will just take a "wait and see" approach since she has a doctors appointment next week unless, of course, the bruise gets worse or sticks around for more than a few days. 

     Anyone have any experience with something like this?

Froggie's First Day Trip

*** TONS of photos in this entry!***

Getting ready for our day.

On the road

     Today we did something that we haven't done maybe ever. We took off from work and went for a day trip on a week day as a family. We "slept in" till 8 and got up and packed our stuff up, ate breakfast and loaded the car. We headed south for Pittsburgh to spend the day in the city. Hubby is in the Navy so we took advantage of free Military admission to the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. We had a picnic lunch before heading in which was super simple.
     It was a blast! It was a lot of fun for everyone and there was SO much to do. Even Froggie seemed to enjoy it! (The only downfall was that at this point I realized I packed my Camera and extra lens but left the camera battery on the table. So all cell phone shots it was.... I'm kind of a picture snob so this was REALLY hard for me!)

the ceiling in the studio!

Big Brother wanted to paint first!

Mr. Rogers' sweater!

Feeding Clifford

Froggie & Big Brother with Clifford

Froggie having fun

Making bubbles with a new friend

Froggie and I in the garden

Hubby & Big Brother in the water play room

Big Brother found a boat

Filling a bucket

Watching the big kids play in the water

Drying off

Playing with sand

Froggie food break

Big Brother climbing in the wall

Neat video wall with letters

We parked in the fish lot!

     After we left the Children's Museum we had another quick snack in the car so that we could wait a little later to eat dinner at the game. Once we found parking and walked a block or so to PNC Park we strolled around a bit and got some free drawstring bags from the State farm table and headed for the river walk. It was also Free Shirt Friday so after we stashed away our shirts and acquired gear we actually got to check out the Riverwalk. We  were able to walk around there for a bit before the gates opened and even found a playground which was perfect for entertaining Big Brother.

     We had bought standing room only tickets so once the gates opened we headed for the main concourse to get something to eat. After a nice woman and her mother gave us their table we sat down to eat. We had to bribe Big Brother to eat a nugget and some Fries by letting him eat half a jar of Froggie's banana baby food - hey, whatever works right? 

     After finding a nice spot to watch the game we pretty much stayed put. Froggie did great until the very end and Big Brother had a few periods of being cranky that were quickly resolved by a snack or walk to one of the gift shops.

Froggie's finished shirt!

Welcome to the park

Hubby & Froggie

Playing in the park

Watching the Gateway Clipper

Dinner at the game

The Ergo works for Big Brother too

Froggie's 1st game

Family picture time

Cheese face!

Froggie and Big Brother showing off their new bats

Big Brother and his new bat

Froggie and her new bat

Froggie and Big Brother outside of PNC Park

     It was a GREAT day despite our late return home. We'll have to plan another day trip, maybe one including the Steelers 5K in a couple weeks!