I know the video is kinda dark but I hope you can see Kiran's face. Its taken us weeks to get her cat's meow on camera. Its one of our favorite things she does along with the pig- the uh constipated pig. We haven't managed to get that one on video yet but we'll keep working.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Our Nation's Capital
Actually, Kiran & I only drove through our nation's capital twice and did not spend any time there. We spent our time in Northern Virginia enjoying Brett & Merritt's new home and life. We didn't really do any touristy things but I figured that was ok since Kiran probably wouldn't remember it anyway. We shopped and took Kiran to the Tot Lot. I met my first federal judge and spent the afternoon with a bunch of hard core conservative DC lawyers. (I actually enjoyed myself- Brett- don't worry.)
Kiran & I did head out to Old Town Alexandria while Brett & Merritt had to work on Monday.
Old Town Alexandria was cute and quaint and all that jazz. We played at the waterfront park for a while and shopped up and down King Street.
I really enjoyed being a tourist in my own country. So much less stressful!
Kiran did great on the flights except she would scream bloody murder and stiffen her body when I tried to put her in her stroller. Lovely Kiran. But other than that, she did great. The flight up was easier because she got her own seat and loved that. Our flight home was entirely full so we had to share which was um crowded. I found people to be very helpful when you are pregnant and traveling alone with a toddler. Bless you people. I had many people offer to carry things or get doors but the ones who helped the most were the ones who complimented Kiran on her behavior, the ones who made me relax, the ones who shared stories of their kids and let me know that we weren't bothering them.
Thank you Brett & Merritt for hosting us! We really enjoyed our trip and your home is beautiful. We vote for our next trip with you guys to be to New Mexico!
Kiran & I did head out to Old Town Alexandria while Brett & Merritt had to work on Monday.
Old Town Alexandria was cute and quaint and all that jazz. We played at the waterfront park for a while and shopped up and down King Street.
I really enjoyed being a tourist in my own country. So much less stressful!
Kiran did great on the flights except she would scream bloody murder and stiffen her body when I tried to put her in her stroller. Lovely Kiran. But other than that, she did great. The flight up was easier because she got her own seat and loved that. Our flight home was entirely full so we had to share which was um crowded. I found people to be very helpful when you are pregnant and traveling alone with a toddler. Bless you people. I had many people offer to carry things or get doors but the ones who helped the most were the ones who complimented Kiran on her behavior, the ones who made me relax, the ones who shared stories of their kids and let me know that we weren't bothering them.
Thank you Brett & Merritt for hosting us! We really enjoyed our trip and your home is beautiful. We vote for our next trip with you guys to be to New Mexico!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I'm Here
I know I have a lot to update... we've had a busy few weeks. Unfortunately as soon as everything settled down, my belly started acting up. A lot of pressure, nausea, and a few contractions sidelined me for the last 24 hours or so. I took a day off today- I only took care of Kiran nothing else. I drank a ton of water and I'm feeling much better. Anyhow... I'll return to my regularly scheduled posting tomorrow.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
March Madness
Every year for the past 16ish years, my family has gathered to watch the Selection Show for the NCAA tournament and then afterward drawn- in many many variations- teams to pull for in the playoffs. I think dad concocted this idea to have an excuse to watch ALL the games during March Madness because someone in our family was pulling for the teams.
Will is always in charge of drawing a HUGE bracket on a piece of white poster board. Each person's teams are written in a different color. Then slowly we fill in the bracket towards the Championship Game. Every year we say the person that wins will get a steak dinner courtesy of the rest of us but to date, this has NEVER happened. This year the fam informed us we are all putting in a dollar. So at least someone will win $8.
After the tournament is over, the bracket goes on the wall next to Will's bedroom. I don't think there is room for any more so it might have to spill over into the bonus room. One of my favorite posters is I think 1992's. Will in his 6 year old handwriting wrote BEAT in big blue letters over every team that Duke beat on their way to the championship that year.
Jonathan was the first non-Fitzgerald allowed into the family drawing. However, he was put on double secret probation and had to have all the 16 seeds his first year (and second year too come to think of it). After the 16 seeds, he could draw with the rest of the family. Unfortunately for him that year, every team of his was eliminated in the first round. Even his high seeds got upset. He has since won back to back years with Maryland ('02) and Syracuse ('03).
This is the third year in a row we couldn't be at the Fitzgerald home for the drawing so we participated remotely by telephone. Brooks came out on top with both UNC and Kansas. Jonathan and I have so-so picks. We'll see how it all turns out. I sure could use $8.
Jonathan's teams Kelley's teams
2 Texas 3 Louisville
2 Georgetown 4 UConn
8 Miss St 7 Miami
8 Marquette 8 Indiana
9 Texas A&M 9 Kent St
13 San Diego 10 Arizona
13 Winthrop 15 Belmont
16 Portland St 15 American
Will is always in charge of drawing a HUGE bracket on a piece of white poster board. Each person's teams are written in a different color. Then slowly we fill in the bracket towards the Championship Game. Every year we say the person that wins will get a steak dinner courtesy of the rest of us but to date, this has NEVER happened. This year the fam informed us we are all putting in a dollar. So at least someone will win $8.
After the tournament is over, the bracket goes on the wall next to Will's bedroom. I don't think there is room for any more so it might have to spill over into the bonus room. One of my favorite posters is I think 1992's. Will in his 6 year old handwriting wrote BEAT in big blue letters over every team that Duke beat on their way to the championship that year.
Jonathan was the first non-Fitzgerald allowed into the family drawing. However, he was put on double secret probation and had to have all the 16 seeds his first year (and second year too come to think of it). After the 16 seeds, he could draw with the rest of the family. Unfortunately for him that year, every team of his was eliminated in the first round. Even his high seeds got upset. He has since won back to back years with Maryland ('02) and Syracuse ('03).
This is the third year in a row we couldn't be at the Fitzgerald home for the drawing so we participated remotely by telephone. Brooks came out on top with both UNC and Kansas. Jonathan and I have so-so picks. We'll see how it all turns out. I sure could use $8.
Jonathan's teams Kelley's teams
2 Texas 3 Louisville
2 Georgetown 4 UConn
8 Miss St 7 Miami
8 Marquette 8 Indiana
9 Texas A&M 9 Kent St
13 San Diego 10 Arizona
13 Winthrop 15 Belmont
16 Portland St 15 American
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Praying for Cohen
Oh I have been meaning to write this post for months...
..and the post I write today is very different than the one I would have written months, weeks, or even days ago.
We met Chris & Emily through Geoff & Brenna and then lived in an apartment building across the parking lot from theirs. Brenna & Geoff kept us up to date with them and so we were very shocked and saddened when Bren called to tell us that they found out their second son was diagnosed with Thanatophoric Dysplasia at their 20 week ultrasound.
We followed their story through their blog and through Brenna. A few weeks ago they had a Concert for Cohen and let me tell you, that was a powerful, worship filled night. I can't even begin to describe the love that flowed that night for a little boy who was about to born and his Heavenly Father who shaped him.
Emily was scheduled for a C-Section on March 21 but had to go last night because of high blood pressure. And well, I think you should just go to their blog and read the rest of the story. And believe me, you want to know the rest of the story.
..and the post I write today is very different than the one I would have written months, weeks, or even days ago.
We met Chris & Emily through Geoff & Brenna and then lived in an apartment building across the parking lot from theirs. Brenna & Geoff kept us up to date with them and so we were very shocked and saddened when Bren called to tell us that they found out their second son was diagnosed with Thanatophoric Dysplasia at their 20 week ultrasound.
We followed their story through their blog and through Brenna. A few weeks ago they had a Concert for Cohen and let me tell you, that was a powerful, worship filled night. I can't even begin to describe the love that flowed that night for a little boy who was about to born and his Heavenly Father who shaped him.
Emily was scheduled for a C-Section on March 21 but had to go last night because of high blood pressure. And well, I think you should just go to their blog and read the rest of the story. And believe me, you want to know the rest of the story.
Airplane Tips
As I began packing for my and Kiran's trip to DC tomorrow, I remembered that I had promised a post with tips about flying with babies.
My number one tip- and this is really for parenting in general- is to LOWER your EXPECTATIONS. If you expect your kid to scream through the whole flight and they only scream half the flight, you'll be relieved instead of frustrated. If you expect your kid to wake up 7 times in a new place and they only wake up 3, you are proud of them! I know this sounds a little pessimistic but honestly, it relieves a lot of stress and tension. You'll end up being more relaxed and able to deal with the situations you find yourself in instead of being unprepared and shocked at your angel child! I really learned this lesson through Kiran's napping. All these other babies were taking long naps- 2, 3 hours. Kiran mostly slept for 45 minutes but sometimes 1 1/2 hours and sometimes 3! I never knew when I put her down how long she would sleep. I used to get really frustrated when she would wake up about 45 minutes. Finally, I just started expecting her to wake up after 45 minutes. When she did, I was ready to welcome her because that is what I was expecting. When she slept longer, it was like a party!
Now for a few more practical things I've learned through the 14 flights with Kiran before she was 10 months old:
1. Arrive early. really early. You never know when your kid is going to have a blow out right before boarding or when your ticket is going to be screwed up and its easier to deal with if you are not pressed for time.
2. When you arrive early, ask for the bulkhead. We have gotten the bulkhead on nearly every flight. Also ask for a bassinet (you can request this ahead of time but its not guaranteed). Even if your baby doesn't sleep in the bassinet (Kiran rarely did although she got better about it as she got older), its a great place to put stuff :).
3. Bring your car seat. Ask at check in if there are any seats available and if you can put your baby in the empty seat. Sometimes you have to wait and do this at the gate. If they have an empty seat, most airlines are more than willing to let you use it. If they don't have an empty seat, you can gate check your car seat and it doesn't count as a piece of luggage. The best was the people at Lufthansa in Munich- they gave us 4 seats on the bulkhead for our flight back to India. Then they lost our luggage. But it was still good.
4. Bring your own baby food (within regulations of course). If you order baby food and they tell you it will Gerber Stage 2 and you are on a flight leaving India, it will be mashed up something from the kitchen that the air hostesses will beg you not to feed your child. By all means, order the baby food meal if available but have a back up plan.
5. A lot of parents get new toys for their kids for trips. I think the best is a combination of new and old. I think the best of the best is toys they already love that they haven't seen for a while. We regularly switch out Kiran's toys so I just go to the bin that she hasn't seen for two weeks and pull from it. For tomorrow I did get play-doh (new) and crayons and coloring book (old).
6. Babies' ears can hurt with the pressure changes of taking off and landing. Its best to let them suck on something to help release the pressure. However, if your baby is sleeping peacefully there is NO NEED to wake them to suck. If they get extremely uncomfortable, they will waken and you can offer them a paci, a bottle, a boob, etc.
7. Practice installing your car seat so you don't hold up the whole plane. Maybe this just applies to people who live in countries where they don't have carseats :). I do have to go practice putting Kiran's in forward facing since she is still rear facing in our car. I know it should be simple; I'd rather not test my luck.
8. If you are pregnant, wear clothes that accentuate your pregnancy. People love to help pregnant women.
9. Have a packing list. I keep a packing list for me and one for Kiran and I update it after every trip. This helps me cut down on time required for packing as well as giving me peace of mind that I haven't forgotten anything.
These are things that came to my mind today. I hope they are helpful.
For tomorrow, I'm planning to put our carry-on backpack on my back, my purse on one shoulder, the car seat with strap on the other shoulder and push Kiran in her stroller to get us from check in to gate. I have play-doh, crayons, coloring books, books, and a few other random toys for her to play with. I have cheerios, craisins, starburst jellybeans (who am I kidding? those are for me!) and suckers. She has only had suckers when she had to give blood at the hospitals and she loved them. The flight is only 90 minutes. I'm expecting for there to not be an extra seat and for Kiran to spend the whole time jumping off my lap and running down the aisles. I think actually there will be an extra seat, I can strap her in her seat and that she will be so enamored with all the new people and gadgets that we won't use half of the stuff I'm bringing.
I know many of you travel with your babies and toddlers often. Any tips you would like to share? I'm especially interested in traveling with toddlers for obvious reasons.
My number one tip- and this is really for parenting in general- is to LOWER your EXPECTATIONS. If you expect your kid to scream through the whole flight and they only scream half the flight, you'll be relieved instead of frustrated. If you expect your kid to wake up 7 times in a new place and they only wake up 3, you are proud of them! I know this sounds a little pessimistic but honestly, it relieves a lot of stress and tension. You'll end up being more relaxed and able to deal with the situations you find yourself in instead of being unprepared and shocked at your angel child! I really learned this lesson through Kiran's napping. All these other babies were taking long naps- 2, 3 hours. Kiran mostly slept for 45 minutes but sometimes 1 1/2 hours and sometimes 3! I never knew when I put her down how long she would sleep. I used to get really frustrated when she would wake up about 45 minutes. Finally, I just started expecting her to wake up after 45 minutes. When she did, I was ready to welcome her because that is what I was expecting. When she slept longer, it was like a party!
Now for a few more practical things I've learned through the 14 flights with Kiran before she was 10 months old:
1. Arrive early. really early. You never know when your kid is going to have a blow out right before boarding or when your ticket is going to be screwed up and its easier to deal with if you are not pressed for time.
2. When you arrive early, ask for the bulkhead. We have gotten the bulkhead on nearly every flight. Also ask for a bassinet (you can request this ahead of time but its not guaranteed). Even if your baby doesn't sleep in the bassinet (Kiran rarely did although she got better about it as she got older), its a great place to put stuff :).
3. Bring your car seat. Ask at check in if there are any seats available and if you can put your baby in the empty seat. Sometimes you have to wait and do this at the gate. If they have an empty seat, most airlines are more than willing to let you use it. If they don't have an empty seat, you can gate check your car seat and it doesn't count as a piece of luggage. The best was the people at Lufthansa in Munich- they gave us 4 seats on the bulkhead for our flight back to India. Then they lost our luggage. But it was still good.
4. Bring your own baby food (within regulations of course). If you order baby food and they tell you it will Gerber Stage 2 and you are on a flight leaving India, it will be mashed up something from the kitchen that the air hostesses will beg you not to feed your child. By all means, order the baby food meal if available but have a back up plan.
5. A lot of parents get new toys for their kids for trips. I think the best is a combination of new and old. I think the best of the best is toys they already love that they haven't seen for a while. We regularly switch out Kiran's toys so I just go to the bin that she hasn't seen for two weeks and pull from it. For tomorrow I did get play-doh (new) and crayons and coloring book (old).
6. Babies' ears can hurt with the pressure changes of taking off and landing. Its best to let them suck on something to help release the pressure. However, if your baby is sleeping peacefully there is NO NEED to wake them to suck. If they get extremely uncomfortable, they will waken and you can offer them a paci, a bottle, a boob, etc.
7. Practice installing your car seat so you don't hold up the whole plane. Maybe this just applies to people who live in countries where they don't have carseats :). I do have to go practice putting Kiran's in forward facing since she is still rear facing in our car. I know it should be simple; I'd rather not test my luck.
8. If you are pregnant, wear clothes that accentuate your pregnancy. People love to help pregnant women.
9. Have a packing list. I keep a packing list for me and one for Kiran and I update it after every trip. This helps me cut down on time required for packing as well as giving me peace of mind that I haven't forgotten anything.
These are things that came to my mind today. I hope they are helpful.
For tomorrow, I'm planning to put our carry-on backpack on my back, my purse on one shoulder, the car seat with strap on the other shoulder and push Kiran in her stroller to get us from check in to gate. I have play-doh, crayons, coloring books, books, and a few other random toys for her to play with. I have cheerios, craisins, starburst jellybeans (who am I kidding? those are for me!) and suckers. She has only had suckers when she had to give blood at the hospitals and she loved them. The flight is only 90 minutes. I'm expecting for there to not be an extra seat and for Kiran to spend the whole time jumping off my lap and running down the aisles. I think actually there will be an extra seat, I can strap her in her seat and that she will be so enamored with all the new people and gadgets that we won't use half of the stuff I'm bringing.
I know many of you travel with your babies and toddlers often. Any tips you would like to share? I'm especially interested in traveling with toddlers for obvious reasons.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Craig's List
We made our first purchase off Craigslist- an entertainment center!!! Thanks to Mom Fitz's little entertainment center, we were able to be patient and wait for the right piece to be listed.
We wanted a tall entertainment center that would allow us to have space up high to display things- places where little people can't get to. So I went to the Upstate SC Craigslist and typed in "entertainment center" in the search box. When that page came up, I subscribed to its RSS feed using my bloglines. My bloglines notified me every time a new listing for an entertainment center was made.
So we found one that we loved and it happened to live just 10 minutes away from us so we bought it.
Jonathan & I both said we feel like grown ups since our last entertainment center was so college dormish. But the best part is that we paid less than half of what we had saved up for this piece. So I'm trying to convince J to move the rest of the money from our entertainment center fund straight into our Hawaii 2009 fund. :)
We wanted a tall entertainment center that would allow us to have space up high to display things- places where little people can't get to. So I went to the Upstate SC Craigslist and typed in "entertainment center" in the search box. When that page came up, I subscribed to its RSS feed using my bloglines. My bloglines notified me every time a new listing for an entertainment center was made.
So we found one that we loved and it happened to live just 10 minutes away from us so we bought it.
Jonathan & I both said we feel like grown ups since our last entertainment center was so college dormish. But the best part is that we paid less than half of what we had saved up for this piece. So I'm trying to convince J to move the rest of the money from our entertainment center fund straight into our Hawaii 2009 fund. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)