Shopping Fun

     After nap I decided to pack the kids up and head out to the store since I wanted to get out of the house and was looking for yarn for a project I'm thinking about. Big Brother had still been awake when I drove through Starbucks to pick up some coffee and a sandwich and asked for "ice cream in a cup with a straw" (a frappucino). I had told him maybe later and only if he took his nap since he's to the point of occasionally refusing them. 

     Well he slept well and since I'd been thinking about going to the craft store I figured we would make a pit stop at Target and pick up his vanilla bean frappucino. Froggie had fallen asleep on the way there so this is how we shopped! I had forgotten my Ergo otherwise there wouldn't have been any dilemma as to where Froggie would go. The set up worked surprisingly well, the kids each got a little toy, valentines, and the clearance deals on lunch boxes and accessories were so good I got myself a new lunchbox.

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!

Adventures in Grocery Shopping

Things I had forgotten about switching from an infant carrier (carseat) to a “regular” car seat:

You seem to lose both hands to one squirmy baby

It’s nearly impossible to transfer a sleeping baby

Baby has to sit in the shopping cart or be carried

     Ok, so these really weren’t things I had forgotten but I had been living in the bliss of being able to cart Froggie around with one hand along with her blankie, binky and toys.

     Like I said, on Monday we removed Froggie’s car seat base from my car and moved her “big girl seat” in. It’s huge and purple and swallows her up but it keeps her safe. I survived going into work on Tuesday with the normal Monday armful of bedding, lunches, milk and the diaper bag. I, unwisely, thought that was the most difficult thing I had to do in the transition.

     Well, tonight we went to the grocery store…

     Big Brother decided he wanted to go in the Ergo so Hubby put him on his back and we figured Froggie would do just fine sitting in the cart. She loved it! She held on and swung her feet while she looked all around.

     This, of course, only lasted half of our shopping trip and then I ended up having to carry her. Every time I tried to put her back in the cart she cried. I don’t mind holding my Froggie though and the shopping got done regardless.

     After Big Brother went to bed Hubby baked cookies. It was an experience to say the least (he normally cooks while I do the baking) but the cookies are pretty tasty! Time for some cookies, milk and Duck Dynasty!

Checking everything out

Check out those swinging feet!

How Froggie slept this morning, just because it's cute

Bag Full of Bargains

     Twice a year there is a huge consignment sale at our local convention center and normally we go opening night to have the best opportunity to get what we may be looking for. They let the event volunteers shop an hour and a half before the doors open to the public are able to shop. This year they let military in half an hour before the sale started so we were able to get in and get a jump start on our searching - which is amazing since toting a 6 month old and a 2 year old through that kind of event once EVERYONE is through the doors gets tough!

The sale before the doors opened to everyone

The other side of the room

     We went in seeking cloth diapers, a toy for each kid, nursing covers, a few outfits and whatever other good deals we came across. There was a TON of stuff, most of which I would have loved to get for the kids but was not truly necessary. Hubby and Big Brother walked on one side of the table while Froggie and I walked on the other looking through the toys and baby supplies. Big Brother got a bag full of mini Cars (19 of them for $6! He has been carrying them around since we found the bag!). We then snagged a Little Tykes baby doll stroller for froggie to cart her baby dolls around in once she starts walking in a few months. I found a nice "new" nursing cover, a Taggies book and a Cars quilt for Big Brother. We struck out finding any cloth diapers but I think overall we got some great deals and a lot of fun stuff!

Racing his cars to our car!

The 19 new mini Cars

Nursing cover

Froggie Princess gloves and Taggies book

Big Brother's new quilt

Froggie's new shoes!

Aviation Gala

     Froggie woke up drenched in sweat and I checked her temp for the 3rd or 4th time this weekend. Several times she's been really sweaty or felt hot and clammy but every time I take her temp it's right around 96 degrees. Hubby and I have decided we think the sweatiness is a by product of her most recent tooth coming through.
     Our local airport extended their runway and to celebrate they held a free Aviation Gala so that the public could come and seen a variety of planes, cars and booths as well as some kid friendly activities. After we were able to get ourselves packed up and out the door we headed for the airport. It took us a little bit to get into the parking area and then out of the car but Big Brother continued to exclaim he wanted to go to the bounce houses first!

Plane bounce house

     When we got there and headed for the smallest bounce house (which would have been perfect for Big Brother) they deflated it. So we headed to a similar one and he excitedly got in; however, he wouldn't jump. There was a bigger kid in the bounce house who Big Brother was afraid of so he wouldn't jump. The other kid about his size just sat in the middle of the house as well, I don't know if he was scared too or just had no intention of jumping. So he climbed out and wanted to go in an obstacle course one but since he would have had to go in himself we decided to move on to looking at the planes.
     By this time Froggie was starting to fall asleep in the Ergobaby. It's so nice to be able to stick her in the carrier where she's

safe and comfy and doesn't complain about much.
     We walked around and got to see all of the military and non-military planes as well as the classic cars that were on display.

Family picture with the precursor to a C-130

Big Brother with a plane used by the Tuskegee Airmen

Another family shot

Watching a plane come in. 

     It was a ton of fun and I still got home in time for our friend's sample sale on her shop's Facebook page. Her store is called Joyful Creations by Leza and she makes ADORABLE kids clothes! Check her out she still has some samples left (the link above should go straight to the sample sale)! I'm super excited for Froggie to have her 1 year pictures taken in the dress I snagged for her today!
     Froggie also tried her first mixture of baby food. She had turkey and mixed veggies for dinner and loved it! She's getting so big and I don't know where the time has gone!

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!