There are a few things I've learned as a parent. I'm sure there are plenty more to come...but for now the simple...
Always, ALWAYS put something under your infant when changing him/her at 3 am on the couch. Even though you've changed baby on that couch safely plenty of times...the one time you chose not to even put a diaper under the diaper, is the time that precious, helpless, little child will poop on the couch. And a 3 am, that does not equal a good start to the morning.
Anything can be food for an infant, especially for a teething, mobile, mini-omnivore. Kaylin's personal favorite, flip flops. I swear this child is worse than my mom's old dogs! She can sniff out a flip flop like a shark smells a drop of blood in the water. I totally get why she likes them when she's teething, but they've been outside and they are GROSS! I can't even count the number of times I've said, "Kaylin, GROSS" this week. So start hiding your flip flops now.
Lastly, watching your child's face when he or she is scared is without a doubt, the BEST thing ever. I'm not talking the crying upset face. I'm talking that horrified, going to pee your pants, white as a ghost look. I've only experienced it a few times in Kaylin's short life but every time its better and better.
Now you may call me mean, or think I'm a bad parent. But once and a while, its just down right funny to freak them out. The first time I took Kaylin to the zoo here was an experience. We went walking up the hill to the giraffe's and I asked Kaylin if she would like to feed the giraffe's. It's been one of my favorite things to do since I was little. Naturally she shook her head no, but then again she shakes her head no at EVERYTHING. I paid for a pack of crackers and unbuckled her from the stroller. I propped her up on my "mom" hip and handed her a cracker. She immediately went to put it in her mouth (see statement #2) and I moved it away "No, Kaylin we don't eat these. These are for the giraffe's." Meanwhile a friendly giraffe began to stick its nose over the railing to grab the cracker. Then suddenly, when Kaylin's just holding the cracker looking at me, the giraffe wraps its tongue around the cracker and breaks it. Insert Kaylin's panicked cry here. She had this look of, "that damn giraffe seriously just stole my cracker!!! MOMMMMMM!!" Oh boy, I wish I could have gotten a picture, because honestly, it was epic. I fed the rest of the crackers to our friendly giraffe and we went around the zoo as I laughed at Kaylin in my head. Well we went back this week and she wouldn't even HOLD the lettuce. She shook her head over and over and when I reached up to the giraffe I felt her arm tighten around mine, her legs grasped my hip just a little tighter and she cringed into me. Again, EPIC.
The other time, Dad was playing with her on the floor. I'm sitting there too but sort of back just watching. She's got a fascination with mouths. I'm sure its come from me constantly sticking my tongue out at her to make her laugh. So she puts this small ball on top of his mouth, he puts it into his mouth and she gets this look on her face. Oh man, that was a traumatized look if I had ever seen one! She looked at me, looked back at my dad, looked back at me again and her eyes were as big as a dime! I'm sure if she could have crawled back into my vagina at that point, she would have. She even scooted backwards away from him whimpering! We all laughed SO hard, it was great. Apparently she believes now my father is not only fun, but a toy consumer too.
Lastly was today. Again don't knock it until you've tried it...I had the house to myself, and usually I'd take advantage. But with Kaylin's teething and it being warm out, I decided to venture out of the house and take her to lunch. I text one of my best friends, and her and her daughter met us for lunch at Chuck E Cheese. We played and played and then the pizza came. The electronic Chuck E was on, and I had to test my theory once more. I took her up to it and she was okay from a distance and as we got closer the creep set in. She moved her head away, her arm gripped mine, and she even tried getting away. Not that I could really blame her, those things are creepy! Imagine if she saw what USED to be on stage (all the performers that were electronic...remember...the good old days?!). I wonder if this is were my fear of mascots comes from?? Anyways, she got that terrified, about to cry look again on her face so I took one last step forward and she wasn't having any of it. So I set her down and we walked for our pizza.
Sometimes though, its the weird things that freak kids out. I would have NEVER thought she'd be afraid of my dad, the toy consumer. So yes, parenting CAN be fun.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Busy is as busy does
This weekend was quite the busy one. We had Libby's birthday party on Saturday, and then Sunday-Tuesday we had Kaylin's grandparents (Dennis' mom and step-dad) visiting from Texas...
Sunday we headed to church and then came home to meet his family. They enjoyed spending some time with Kaylin, and she was relatively good for having no nap until 2 pm. She slept for a little bit and we headed up to see Auntie. We had a nice chit chat, ate some dinner and hung out for a while.
Monday after I applied at every single nursing home I possibly could, Kaylin woke up and we headed up to Babies R Us to meet his mom. We looked around the store, Kaylin got some new toys and things courtesy of her Nana and we headed to the mall. Now I don't know about you or your kids...but I've never seen a child eat the way Kaylin does. She finished a whole, yes whole banana at the mall. It was about snack time, but she'd also eaten mini ravioli for lunch! We walked around the mall, got her a few more toys and some clothes and by the time we realized it, it was almost 5 pm! Kaylin was in desperate need for a nap, so we made plans to head to the zoo Tuesday and said our goodbyes. Kaylin napped while I unloaded the car with all her goodies, and took them out of the box for her to play with.
We woke up later on Tuesday morning, which put us behind but we ate, I showered and were out the door in time to head up to the zoo. We met them up there around 10 and walked around for a few hours. Kaylin loves seeing the animals, she even got to ride the old fashioned carousel! She's still not a huge fan of feeding the giraffe's. The last time we went she'd hold the cracker but got mad when the giraffe took it, this time she wouldn't even HOLD the lettuce!!! By the time we left she was cranky and mad, but as soon as she sat in her car seat and it got moving, she was out like a light! We joined the in-laws for lunch while the kiddos took their nap and then headed downtown to walk around and get a Bubble Tea. Honestly I wasn't a huge fan of them. The tapioca balls were a little on the strange side (and anyone know knows me knows I've got texture issues...) but the coconut drink wasn't bad. We walked around downtown for a bit and then headed back to Wal-Mart. There we got a few minor shopping things out of the way and we said our goodbyes. It was hard to see them go, but we'll try to make it out there very soon!
Yesterday was also Libby's actual birthday. So we met up at the house and headed to Chipotle, did some shopping and then went to iTop it for dessert.
Now I need to get some of this stuff done for my CNA job, so I've gotta run. Especially now that Kaylin's sleeping!
Sunday we headed to church and then came home to meet his family. They enjoyed spending some time with Kaylin, and she was relatively good for having no nap until 2 pm. She slept for a little bit and we headed up to see Auntie. We had a nice chit chat, ate some dinner and hung out for a while.
Monday after I applied at every single nursing home I possibly could, Kaylin woke up and we headed up to Babies R Us to meet his mom. We looked around the store, Kaylin got some new toys and things courtesy of her Nana and we headed to the mall. Now I don't know about you or your kids...but I've never seen a child eat the way Kaylin does. She finished a whole, yes whole banana at the mall. It was about snack time, but she'd also eaten mini ravioli for lunch! We walked around the mall, got her a few more toys and some clothes and by the time we realized it, it was almost 5 pm! Kaylin was in desperate need for a nap, so we made plans to head to the zoo Tuesday and said our goodbyes. Kaylin napped while I unloaded the car with all her goodies, and took them out of the box for her to play with.
We woke up later on Tuesday morning, which put us behind but we ate, I showered and were out the door in time to head up to the zoo. We met them up there around 10 and walked around for a few hours. Kaylin loves seeing the animals, she even got to ride the old fashioned carousel! She's still not a huge fan of feeding the giraffe's. The last time we went she'd hold the cracker but got mad when the giraffe took it, this time she wouldn't even HOLD the lettuce!!! By the time we left she was cranky and mad, but as soon as she sat in her car seat and it got moving, she was out like a light! We joined the in-laws for lunch while the kiddos took their nap and then headed downtown to walk around and get a Bubble Tea. Honestly I wasn't a huge fan of them. The tapioca balls were a little on the strange side (and anyone know knows me knows I've got texture issues...) but the coconut drink wasn't bad. We walked around downtown for a bit and then headed back to Wal-Mart. There we got a few minor shopping things out of the way and we said our goodbyes. It was hard to see them go, but we'll try to make it out there very soon!
Yesterday was also Libby's actual birthday. So we met up at the house and headed to Chipotle, did some shopping and then went to iTop it for dessert.
Now I need to get some of this stuff done for my CNA job, so I've gotta run. Especially now that Kaylin's sleeping!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lemonade
Part of seeing the good is seeing the bad. If we weren't given the bad, we'd never know what good actually is. Yes the bad hurts, it sucks, and we'd all like it to come way less often. But how often do we stop mid-storm and actually be thankful for what we do have?
Right now, some days I feel like I'm surrounded by bad. If its not one thing, its another. The tears come more frequently than I'd like. And sure, I've got great days, and I've got days where its a struggle to even get dressed. But then I stop and watch Kaylin. I watch her learn, I watch her walk around the house. I enjoy imagining what her little brain is thinking.
People told me not to push Kaylin to talk, because once she starts she won't stop. She'll get into everything and cause trouble. Honestly, there is nothing more that I enjoy than watching that little one walk around the house. Down to how she pulls her diapers of out their spot and opens them all up. I love how when something is neat on the TV, she stops and looks up at the tv.
I'll be honest, it can be very hard to see the good in all that has happened over the last few months. However I do not pretend to understand why. Because I will never be able to understand why things have happened like they have. It took a while to accept that I probably never will understand it, but instead I leave it all up to God. He's got all of this in control, and I know that Kaylin was the good that was supposed to come out of this. Without her, I'm sure I would have spent way too many hours crying in bed, not eating. I'd end up like I was a few years ago, no focus...lost and hurt.
Instead, I now know that I want to be a better person for her. I want to give her the life I had, where she doesn't want anything and could be happy no matter what happens.
I guess all I'm trying to get at tonight, is when life gives you lemons...either make lemonade, or throw the lemons back. Holding those lemons only makes you sour.
Right now, some days I feel like I'm surrounded by bad. If its not one thing, its another. The tears come more frequently than I'd like. And sure, I've got great days, and I've got days where its a struggle to even get dressed. But then I stop and watch Kaylin. I watch her learn, I watch her walk around the house. I enjoy imagining what her little brain is thinking.
People told me not to push Kaylin to talk, because once she starts she won't stop. She'll get into everything and cause trouble. Honestly, there is nothing more that I enjoy than watching that little one walk around the house. Down to how she pulls her diapers of out their spot and opens them all up. I love how when something is neat on the TV, she stops and looks up at the tv.
I'll be honest, it can be very hard to see the good in all that has happened over the last few months. However I do not pretend to understand why. Because I will never be able to understand why things have happened like they have. It took a while to accept that I probably never will understand it, but instead I leave it all up to God. He's got all of this in control, and I know that Kaylin was the good that was supposed to come out of this. Without her, I'm sure I would have spent way too many hours crying in bed, not eating. I'd end up like I was a few years ago, no focus...lost and hurt.
Instead, I now know that I want to be a better person for her. I want to give her the life I had, where she doesn't want anything and could be happy no matter what happens.
I guess all I'm trying to get at tonight, is when life gives you lemons...either make lemonade, or throw the lemons back. Holding those lemons only makes you sour.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Apparently there's an art...
Its my friend's The Henry's son's birthday here soon, so Kaylin and I bought him a few presents to send back to Germany. Today I finally managed to get it wrapped up. Not knowing if the post office would ship a box just wrapped normally in wrapping paper, I wrapped the box twice. *Insert laugh here*
I got everything wrapped, labelled and filled out. I knew that I needed a customs form, so I figured that we'd go in there and it wouldn't be a big deal. BOY was I wrong.
Kaylin and I walked in, I had the package in one hand and held her hand in the other. We got in there and I found a customs form. Knowing from experience in Germany there are 2 different kinds of customs forms. The first one is small, easy to fill out and simple. The second one is big, has boxes that you do individual letters in each, and is massively confusing. In Germany I always preferred to fill out the first one, because its easier to write on. I don't have neat, tiny handwriting so the bigger form is hard.
I filled out my normal form and stood in line with Kaylin walking around the post office. We got called up and before I could even get my package to the counter the lady says, "Is that going to an APO box?"
"Yes, ma'am." I replied.
"That's the wrong customs form. Anything over 16 oz's has to have the big customs form." She replied, with an attitude. I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around and headed back to fill out a new form. There isn't a difference in Germany. She acts like everyone and their sister is supposed to know there is a difference. I filled out the new form, not as easily but it was done. I headed back up to the counter with Kaylin at my feet. I handed her everything and she looks over the box.
"Well its not taped right." There's an ART to taping wrapping paper on a box? WTF?!?! "You can't blame us if it doesn't get their because its not taped right."
"That's fine, I'm not worried about it." She gave me a nasty look and checked the dimensions of the box. She gave me a price for priority shipping, I said it was fine and asked her for 14 stamps as well. She rang everything up and I swiped my card.
"Is your card signed?" She asked in her snoody, mail lady voice. I nodded and showed her the back of my card and my military ID. I placed the stamps on Kaylin's thank you cards and she said that there is a difference in customs forms.
"Well I just got back from Germany and there was no difference in the forms." So how the heck was I supposed to know that there was this huge difference?!
"Well sweetie you're not in Germany anymore. This is America. We have a different system then they do." Thanks for clearing THAT up. I was convinced I was in Canada or Mexico. Its not like I run the post office to know there is a difference between the mail systems of APO and the US. I handed her the thank you cards, told her to have a nice day and walked out the door with Kaylin.
Apparently there is a lost art of customs form filling out that people need to be aware of now. *rolls eyes* I'm fairly certain that here in the US, there aren't many happy mail people anymore.
I got everything wrapped, labelled and filled out. I knew that I needed a customs form, so I figured that we'd go in there and it wouldn't be a big deal. BOY was I wrong.
Kaylin and I walked in, I had the package in one hand and held her hand in the other. We got in there and I found a customs form. Knowing from experience in Germany there are 2 different kinds of customs forms. The first one is small, easy to fill out and simple. The second one is big, has boxes that you do individual letters in each, and is massively confusing. In Germany I always preferred to fill out the first one, because its easier to write on. I don't have neat, tiny handwriting so the bigger form is hard.
I filled out my normal form and stood in line with Kaylin walking around the post office. We got called up and before I could even get my package to the counter the lady says, "Is that going to an APO box?"
"Yes, ma'am." I replied.
"That's the wrong customs form. Anything over 16 oz's has to have the big customs form." She replied, with an attitude. I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around and headed back to fill out a new form. There isn't a difference in Germany. She acts like everyone and their sister is supposed to know there is a difference. I filled out the new form, not as easily but it was done. I headed back up to the counter with Kaylin at my feet. I handed her everything and she looks over the box.
"Well its not taped right." There's an ART to taping wrapping paper on a box? WTF?!?! "You can't blame us if it doesn't get their because its not taped right."
"That's fine, I'm not worried about it." She gave me a nasty look and checked the dimensions of the box. She gave me a price for priority shipping, I said it was fine and asked her for 14 stamps as well. She rang everything up and I swiped my card.
"Is your card signed?" She asked in her snoody, mail lady voice. I nodded and showed her the back of my card and my military ID. I placed the stamps on Kaylin's thank you cards and she said that there is a difference in customs forms.
"Well I just got back from Germany and there was no difference in the forms." So how the heck was I supposed to know that there was this huge difference?!
"Well sweetie you're not in Germany anymore. This is America. We have a different system then they do." Thanks for clearing THAT up. I was convinced I was in Canada or Mexico. Its not like I run the post office to know there is a difference between the mail systems of APO and the US. I handed her the thank you cards, told her to have a nice day and walked out the door with Kaylin.
Apparently there is a lost art of customs form filling out that people need to be aware of now. *rolls eyes* I'm fairly certain that here in the US, there aren't many happy mail people anymore.
Across the Ocean We Go---Part 3
If you're reading part 3, I sure hope you've read Part 1 and Part 2.
I'll leave off from there. We had just made it through security at Denver International Airport. I pushed Kaylin into the elevator to head down to the waiting shuttle trains. Our flight was leaving from Concourse B, and everything at DIA is at Concourse A. Thankfully it wasn't along train ride, but still being exhausted didn't help. We manage to catch the leaving train by a hair. One short stop away from the Concourse, it was downhill from here. Which was a good thing because it was 5:10 and we had barely any time to stop and think. I managed to find the elevator, and got to the floor. I was not going to brave an escalator with that stroller packed full and everything else. We passed by the food court and my mouth watered. I was starving, and there was over priced American fast food. I was so tempted to stop and grab something, but I remembered that we're going to Chick Fil A right after we land. Instead of stopping, I pushed by all the tempting food and headed down the long concourse hall way. Our gate was at the very end of the concourse, our plane was so small. What did I expect going from Denver to Colorado Springs?
I found some pay phones close to our gate and call my parents. It was so good hearing my dad's voice on the other end of the line. I was actually calling him from the same time zone. (He was the one that noticed and asked, me I was not that clever at this point) I told him our flight was leaving on time and all the jazz of flying, hung up and let Kaylin walk around the gate area for a few minutes. Then we headed up to the gate to see if we could possibly be allowed to board early, like we did in Frankfurt. The lady said sure but then never called for it, which annoyed the crap out of me. We got in line just like everyone else and managed to get down to the plane. I'm not sure how many of you have ever flown from Denver to Colorado Springs, but the plane is tiny (which makes me nervous), the flight is short, and you walk out to the plane. There is no long tunnel, you hand your ticket to the person at the door, walk through the door out into the flight area and board the plane. I sort of felt like a super star boarding my own personal plane, until I remembered how much of a pain it all is. Its cramped and tiny. I push the stroller up to the gate people, they hand me a ticket, and fold up the stroller so it can be gate checked.
I wander up the tiny ramp carrying Kaylin, Lovey, the carry on, the diaper bag and the car seat. I manage not to hit anything and I'm sure I looked super awkward but whatever. I get to the plane and the flight attendant takes the car seat from me. She looks at the labels, looks at me and says, "Sorry you can't use this on the plane. Its not aircraft certified." Please remember, at this point it is almost 2 am in Germany. I am EXHAUSTED, stressed, hungry, and annoyed.
"What do you mean I can't use this? I used it on the plane from Germany no problems." You have GOT to be kidding me. This just gets better and better.
"I'm sorry ma'am, you can't use it. Its not airline approved." By now I was livid, on top of everything else. I shook my head, complaining to myself.
"Fine whatever, I'll hold her." I maneuvered my way to our seats which wasn't easy. The aisle was narrow and I had Kaylin on one hip and our carry on on the other. I finally managed to get seated and buckled. I chose the window seat so that we could look out at the window as we flew. We managed to make it the entire flight without much issue. Kaylin got irritated a few times but I just pointed out the window and described to her what we could see. It was nice being low enough to make out homes, stores, and hospitals. We landed and I just sat there with Kaylin, waiting for the plane to clear enough so that I could get out without whacking anyone.
A nice man offered to help carry a few things so that it was a bit easier. We got off the plane and this time we didn't have to walk outside. We waited at the end of the tunnel for the car seat and stroller. The car seat came, everyone else's stuff came and no stroller. You have GOT to be kidding?! At this point I'm beyond irritated. I ask the people where my stroller is, and they all shake their heads. One of the people says that it probably got sent with the luggage. WTF, I GATE checked it for a reason! She continued to explain that the tag probably fell off and they just sent it to baggage claim.
Thankfully the Colorado Springs Airport isn't big, but I'm not going to lie...trying to juggle an over tired 1 year old, a full carry on, a diaper bag, Lovey, and a car seat all while being completely exhausted yourself is just too much. I can't tell you the number of times I tripped on the strings of the car seat. Finally, after ending up in tears, a nice flight attendant lady was walking by and carried the car seat for me. We made the hike to where my family was standing and I was done.
10+ hours of traveling and I was FINALLY home. Kaylin got passed around my family, I got hugs and we were heading down to get our luggage. And look, there was my stroller going around and around, tag still in place and everything. Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if steam was coming out of my ears. I was still in tears and just finally home. We loaded up my parent's van got Kaylin all set and headed up for our first American fast food meal (well mine in 2 years), Chick Fil A.
Thanks for sharing this journey with me. It was long, exhausting and overwhelming, but I am so glad to be back home. I know that whatever I'll be doing, where ever it all ends up, I'm supposed to be there and I've got a beautiful little girl to accompany me on the journey.
I'll leave off from there. We had just made it through security at Denver International Airport. I pushed Kaylin into the elevator to head down to the waiting shuttle trains. Our flight was leaving from Concourse B, and everything at DIA is at Concourse A. Thankfully it wasn't along train ride, but still being exhausted didn't help. We manage to catch the leaving train by a hair. One short stop away from the Concourse, it was downhill from here. Which was a good thing because it was 5:10 and we had barely any time to stop and think. I managed to find the elevator, and got to the floor. I was not going to brave an escalator with that stroller packed full and everything else. We passed by the food court and my mouth watered. I was starving, and there was over priced American fast food. I was so tempted to stop and grab something, but I remembered that we're going to Chick Fil A right after we land. Instead of stopping, I pushed by all the tempting food and headed down the long concourse hall way. Our gate was at the very end of the concourse, our plane was so small. What did I expect going from Denver to Colorado Springs?
I found some pay phones close to our gate and call my parents. It was so good hearing my dad's voice on the other end of the line. I was actually calling him from the same time zone. (He was the one that noticed and asked, me I was not that clever at this point) I told him our flight was leaving on time and all the jazz of flying, hung up and let Kaylin walk around the gate area for a few minutes. Then we headed up to the gate to see if we could possibly be allowed to board early, like we did in Frankfurt. The lady said sure but then never called for it, which annoyed the crap out of me. We got in line just like everyone else and managed to get down to the plane. I'm not sure how many of you have ever flown from Denver to Colorado Springs, but the plane is tiny (which makes me nervous), the flight is short, and you walk out to the plane. There is no long tunnel, you hand your ticket to the person at the door, walk through the door out into the flight area and board the plane. I sort of felt like a super star boarding my own personal plane, until I remembered how much of a pain it all is. Its cramped and tiny. I push the stroller up to the gate people, they hand me a ticket, and fold up the stroller so it can be gate checked.
I wander up the tiny ramp carrying Kaylin, Lovey, the carry on, the diaper bag and the car seat. I manage not to hit anything and I'm sure I looked super awkward but whatever. I get to the plane and the flight attendant takes the car seat from me. She looks at the labels, looks at me and says, "Sorry you can't use this on the plane. Its not aircraft certified." Please remember, at this point it is almost 2 am in Germany. I am EXHAUSTED, stressed, hungry, and annoyed.
"What do you mean I can't use this? I used it on the plane from Germany no problems." You have GOT to be kidding me. This just gets better and better.
"I'm sorry ma'am, you can't use it. Its not airline approved." By now I was livid, on top of everything else. I shook my head, complaining to myself.
"Fine whatever, I'll hold her." I maneuvered my way to our seats which wasn't easy. The aisle was narrow and I had Kaylin on one hip and our carry on on the other. I finally managed to get seated and buckled. I chose the window seat so that we could look out at the window as we flew. We managed to make it the entire flight without much issue. Kaylin got irritated a few times but I just pointed out the window and described to her what we could see. It was nice being low enough to make out homes, stores, and hospitals. We landed and I just sat there with Kaylin, waiting for the plane to clear enough so that I could get out without whacking anyone.
A nice man offered to help carry a few things so that it was a bit easier. We got off the plane and this time we didn't have to walk outside. We waited at the end of the tunnel for the car seat and stroller. The car seat came, everyone else's stuff came and no stroller. You have GOT to be kidding?! At this point I'm beyond irritated. I ask the people where my stroller is, and they all shake their heads. One of the people says that it probably got sent with the luggage. WTF, I GATE checked it for a reason! She continued to explain that the tag probably fell off and they just sent it to baggage claim.
Thankfully the Colorado Springs Airport isn't big, but I'm not going to lie...trying to juggle an over tired 1 year old, a full carry on, a diaper bag, Lovey, and a car seat all while being completely exhausted yourself is just too much. I can't tell you the number of times I tripped on the strings of the car seat. Finally, after ending up in tears, a nice flight attendant lady was walking by and carried the car seat for me. We made the hike to where my family was standing and I was done.
10+ hours of traveling and I was FINALLY home. Kaylin got passed around my family, I got hugs and we were heading down to get our luggage. And look, there was my stroller going around and around, tag still in place and everything. Honestly, I wouldn't have been surprised if steam was coming out of my ears. I was still in tears and just finally home. We loaded up my parent's van got Kaylin all set and headed up for our first American fast food meal (well mine in 2 years), Chick Fil A.
Thanks for sharing this journey with me. It was long, exhausting and overwhelming, but I am so glad to be back home. I know that whatever I'll be doing, where ever it all ends up, I'm supposed to be there and I've got a beautiful little girl to accompany me on the journey.
Across the Ocean We Go---Part 2
Well first off, if you haven't read Part 1 make sure to check it out. I'll start from where I left off last time.
We got breakfast at the hotel and headed back to our room. I let Kaylin play while I finished packing everything up from the night before and making sure we had everything. Kaylin watched Playhouse Disney for the last time as I grumbled about Handy Manny. (Mr. Lopart REALLY needs to learn to accept Manny's offer for help) Soon it was 9 am, the hotel room was packed and Kaylin and I sat watching tv waiting for Correna to come by. Not long after, 9 there was a knock on my door. I took a deep breath answered, knowing this was the last time I would see Baumholder. Yes, I was excited but at the same time I was sad.
We drove to the Shopette so I could get another cup of coffee and pulled out some Euro so that Kaylin and I could eat at the airport. Since airport food is ALWAYS expensive no matter what airport you're in. Off we went, we trecked the familiar roads to the airport. The autobahn's I'd driven many times over the last 2 years. But instead of dropping someone off, I was the one going on the airplane.
Now here's where the story gets interesting. I don't have a huge fear of flying, but not being in control really bothers me. I started to think more and more about how this plane could crash over the ocean and all that. I took a deep breath and remember that God is in control. Also it helped that the only other person in the world that meant everything to me was going on the plane with me. If something did happen to the plane, the chances were good that she wouldn't have to live without me. (Yes I know, silly fear but its true) We get to the airport with a few hours to spare but not quite enough to eat with Correna and the boys. Saying "see ya later" to them was so completely hard. I depended on them so much without them even realizing it. In a way I was thankful to have to rush, it was the band aid effect again. But I would have loved to sit and have lunch with them, to smile and laugh and the kids one last time. Though we both knew what had to be done.
We hugged, attempted not to cry and I pushed Kaylin, her diaper bag, our carry on, and her car seat through the gate where they check passports. It really hit me then. We were leaving. Not visiting the States and coming back, but leaving. Not coming back, not planning on being there in the foreseeable future. I hand our passports to the guy sitting high up and have flashbacks of doing this 2 years ago to get into the country. He scans my passport and hands it back to me. Next comes Kaylin's passport, I tell ya..with me it is always something.
"Where is the SOFA stamp?" The man sitting in the booth asks me with his heavy German accent.
"I don't know, that's how it came from the US Embassy." I replied. Great, he's not going to let us past this point. We're screwed. All because the stupid Embassy didn't stamp her passport. WTF!! I swear, it is always something. Can't stuff just go easy ONCE? I thought as the adrenaline coursed through my body, I felt my heartbeat become faster, my palms began to sweat. He sort of glanced at me weird, closed Kaylin's passport and motioned for us to go through. Thank you GOD. That could have been much worse. We book it through the airport, trying to keep everything from falling off the stroller.
We manage to make it to the security check and I realize that I have to take out everything to get to my laptop which I had buried in our carry on. *Note to self, next time we travel take a backpack instead of of my cheer bag.* I do have this to say about the people at the airport in Frankfurt, they were extremely nice and accommodating. Through all of my traveling experience, the Frankfurt airport crew were definitely the nicest. (And I've been through that airport a few times) I head to get in one of the many long lines to go through security, when one of the ladies waves at me. She motions to go through the express lane, that hand barely anyone in there. Thank you Lord for opening that door for me! At this point I was starving, food was just on the other side of those metal detectors. I grabbed a few of those ugly gray trays removed my jacket, shoes, wallet and any other small items and placed them in one tray. I took a second and loaded Kaylin's diaper bag and lovey into it. The third was for my cheer bag carry on, however I had removed my laptop and placed that in tray number four. Finally I grabbed Kaylin out, set her on the floor and put her stroller up on the belt by itself. I picked her up, carried her through the metal detector. Thankfully we didn't set it off and as our stuff came out of the x-ray one by one, I was starting to breathe a sigh of relief. Once everything came out of the x-ray, I got Kaylin back into her stroller and packed everything back up. We found the gate, and I went in search for food. Though I learned quickly that there is not fast food once you pass into security. So I ended up getting a sandwich and some stuff for Kaylin. I fed her, figuring if all else failed I could eat my sandwich on the plane. Well she ate fast enough and I ended up managing to down half my spicy chicken sandwich before Kaylin started to fuss.
Thankfully a gate worker had heard Kaylin crying and came over and offered to get us boarded on the plane before the majority of the people. I thanked him as he carried the car seat for me as I lugged Kaylin, lovey, the diaper bag and over packed carry on bag down to the plane. I got Kaylin all buckled into her car seat on the plane, and I got myself settled and looked out the window. I looked out over Frankfurt and pointed out the window, "Kaylin wave bye-bye. Say bye-bye to Germany, we're going to America." She did her little princess wave and I just chuckled.
We were seated next to a lady who used to work as a flight attendant for military flights. She was the nicest lady I have honestly, ever met on a plane. However, I can't for the life of me remember her name. *blush* Anyways, the flight attendants on the plane were so nice! They had baby food ready for Kaylin and everything. Kaylin watched a few cartoons and drifted off to sleep after a quick bottle and I watched a few movies and couldn't sleep. I took some pictures of Greenland, because flying over that was neat and about an hour and a half before landing Kaylin woke up. She'd been asleep for most of the plane ride so we took a walk around the plane and let her stay up and watch some more cartoons. She did great on the plane, didn't scream and throw a huge fit at all. She was fussy when she got tired but that was about it. Honestly, I was surprised and grateful.
Once we landed in Denver the stress hit me. We landed around 4 pm, so it was midnight in Germany, I hadn't slept yet and I was exhausted. Our flight for Colorado Springs was to depart at 6 ish and board at 5:30. So I had an hour and a half to get through customs (which had a HUGE line), get our bags, do any declarations, go BACK through security and get to a different terminal. All in an hour and a half. So there I go, pushing an over tired, sick of sitting, fussy 1 year old around and around at the customs gate. We are about half way through the line at customs when one of the TSA officers asks if anyone has a connecting flight. I raise my hand and she comes over to talk to me.
"When does your flight leave?"
"Well it boards in about an hour..." I said pushing the stroller back and forth, anxiously. She looks at the line of people still in front of me, looks back at me and replies, "Well you'll have plenty of time." EXCUSE ME?! At this point I wasn't even aware I was going to have to go back through the security gate, and I was still panicked. My flight boards in about an hour, and I still have to stand in this line? You have got to be kidding me. I shook my head and finished waiting in line. I finally got to the guy to hand over my passport, he swiped them, made small chit chat and off we went.
Finally on the other side I see bags already out on the line. I find the nice lady that was sitting next to Kaylin, who has found me a cart and a nice TSA officer to help me navigate my bags to re-check them in. I grabbed our 2 checked bags from the belt, tossed them on the cart and the guy asked me if I had anything to declare. I remembered the check list they had given us on the flight. "No, I don't think so." He asked me about the baby food, but I told him that it was just the pasta that was on the flight back. So we skipped the declarations line and headed to re-check the bags. After the bags were rechecked, the TSA officer left, and I headed back to go through security. At this point I had 45 minutes before the flight was going to board. We barely made it through to the screening process and I remembered I had water in Kaylin's sippy cup. I chugged the water quick, and began to unpack all of our stuff again to go back through the x-ray. I was massively annoyed at this point. 3 people looked at our tickets and not one of them offered to get us through the gates any faster. I unloaded everything onto the belt, walked through the metal detector once again with Kaylin in my arms. Of course there was baby food in my diaper bag and naturally TSA wanted to test it.
I groaned, he wanted to open 2 of the baby food jars. And as many of you know, once you open baby food you've got a small window to either use it, refrigerate it, or throw it out. Thankfully he was nice enough to stick his little piece of paper in the 2 jars I had opened before the plane in Germany to begin with. Another TSA officer came up and offered to help me get everything situated again and once Kaylin was packed up I headed for an elevator go to down to the shuttles...
We got breakfast at the hotel and headed back to our room. I let Kaylin play while I finished packing everything up from the night before and making sure we had everything. Kaylin watched Playhouse Disney for the last time as I grumbled about Handy Manny. (Mr. Lopart REALLY needs to learn to accept Manny's offer for help) Soon it was 9 am, the hotel room was packed and Kaylin and I sat watching tv waiting for Correna to come by. Not long after, 9 there was a knock on my door. I took a deep breath answered, knowing this was the last time I would see Baumholder. Yes, I was excited but at the same time I was sad.
We drove to the Shopette so I could get another cup of coffee and pulled out some Euro so that Kaylin and I could eat at the airport. Since airport food is ALWAYS expensive no matter what airport you're in. Off we went, we trecked the familiar roads to the airport. The autobahn's I'd driven many times over the last 2 years. But instead of dropping someone off, I was the one going on the airplane.
Now here's where the story gets interesting. I don't have a huge fear of flying, but not being in control really bothers me. I started to think more and more about how this plane could crash over the ocean and all that. I took a deep breath and remember that God is in control. Also it helped that the only other person in the world that meant everything to me was going on the plane with me. If something did happen to the plane, the chances were good that she wouldn't have to live without me. (Yes I know, silly fear but its true) We get to the airport with a few hours to spare but not quite enough to eat with Correna and the boys. Saying "see ya later" to them was so completely hard. I depended on them so much without them even realizing it. In a way I was thankful to have to rush, it was the band aid effect again. But I would have loved to sit and have lunch with them, to smile and laugh and the kids one last time. Though we both knew what had to be done.
We hugged, attempted not to cry and I pushed Kaylin, her diaper bag, our carry on, and her car seat through the gate where they check passports. It really hit me then. We were leaving. Not visiting the States and coming back, but leaving. Not coming back, not planning on being there in the foreseeable future. I hand our passports to the guy sitting high up and have flashbacks of doing this 2 years ago to get into the country. He scans my passport and hands it back to me. Next comes Kaylin's passport, I tell ya..with me it is always something.
"Where is the SOFA stamp?" The man sitting in the booth asks me with his heavy German accent.
"I don't know, that's how it came from the US Embassy." I replied. Great, he's not going to let us past this point. We're screwed. All because the stupid Embassy didn't stamp her passport. WTF!! I swear, it is always something. Can't stuff just go easy ONCE? I thought as the adrenaline coursed through my body, I felt my heartbeat become faster, my palms began to sweat. He sort of glanced at me weird, closed Kaylin's passport and motioned for us to go through. Thank you GOD. That could have been much worse. We book it through the airport, trying to keep everything from falling off the stroller.
We manage to make it to the security check and I realize that I have to take out everything to get to my laptop which I had buried in our carry on. *Note to self, next time we travel take a backpack instead of of my cheer bag.* I do have this to say about the people at the airport in Frankfurt, they were extremely nice and accommodating. Through all of my traveling experience, the Frankfurt airport crew were definitely the nicest. (And I've been through that airport a few times) I head to get in one of the many long lines to go through security, when one of the ladies waves at me. She motions to go through the express lane, that hand barely anyone in there. Thank you Lord for opening that door for me! At this point I was starving, food was just on the other side of those metal detectors. I grabbed a few of those ugly gray trays removed my jacket, shoes, wallet and any other small items and placed them in one tray. I took a second and loaded Kaylin's diaper bag and lovey into it. The third was for my cheer bag carry on, however I had removed my laptop and placed that in tray number four. Finally I grabbed Kaylin out, set her on the floor and put her stroller up on the belt by itself. I picked her up, carried her through the metal detector. Thankfully we didn't set it off and as our stuff came out of the x-ray one by one, I was starting to breathe a sigh of relief. Once everything came out of the x-ray, I got Kaylin back into her stroller and packed everything back up. We found the gate, and I went in search for food. Though I learned quickly that there is not fast food once you pass into security. So I ended up getting a sandwich and some stuff for Kaylin. I fed her, figuring if all else failed I could eat my sandwich on the plane. Well she ate fast enough and I ended up managing to down half my spicy chicken sandwich before Kaylin started to fuss.
Thankfully a gate worker had heard Kaylin crying and came over and offered to get us boarded on the plane before the majority of the people. I thanked him as he carried the car seat for me as I lugged Kaylin, lovey, the diaper bag and over packed carry on bag down to the plane. I got Kaylin all buckled into her car seat on the plane, and I got myself settled and looked out the window. I looked out over Frankfurt and pointed out the window, "Kaylin wave bye-bye. Say bye-bye to Germany, we're going to America." She did her little princess wave and I just chuckled.
We were seated next to a lady who used to work as a flight attendant for military flights. She was the nicest lady I have honestly, ever met on a plane. However, I can't for the life of me remember her name. *blush* Anyways, the flight attendants on the plane were so nice! They had baby food ready for Kaylin and everything. Kaylin watched a few cartoons and drifted off to sleep after a quick bottle and I watched a few movies and couldn't sleep. I took some pictures of Greenland, because flying over that was neat and about an hour and a half before landing Kaylin woke up. She'd been asleep for most of the plane ride so we took a walk around the plane and let her stay up and watch some more cartoons. She did great on the plane, didn't scream and throw a huge fit at all. She was fussy when she got tired but that was about it. Honestly, I was surprised and grateful.
Once we landed in Denver the stress hit me. We landed around 4 pm, so it was midnight in Germany, I hadn't slept yet and I was exhausted. Our flight for Colorado Springs was to depart at 6 ish and board at 5:30. So I had an hour and a half to get through customs (which had a HUGE line), get our bags, do any declarations, go BACK through security and get to a different terminal. All in an hour and a half. So there I go, pushing an over tired, sick of sitting, fussy 1 year old around and around at the customs gate. We are about half way through the line at customs when one of the TSA officers asks if anyone has a connecting flight. I raise my hand and she comes over to talk to me.
"When does your flight leave?"
"Well it boards in about an hour..." I said pushing the stroller back and forth, anxiously. She looks at the line of people still in front of me, looks back at me and replies, "Well you'll have plenty of time." EXCUSE ME?! At this point I wasn't even aware I was going to have to go back through the security gate, and I was still panicked. My flight boards in about an hour, and I still have to stand in this line? You have got to be kidding me. I shook my head and finished waiting in line. I finally got to the guy to hand over my passport, he swiped them, made small chit chat and off we went.
Finally on the other side I see bags already out on the line. I find the nice lady that was sitting next to Kaylin, who has found me a cart and a nice TSA officer to help me navigate my bags to re-check them in. I grabbed our 2 checked bags from the belt, tossed them on the cart and the guy asked me if I had anything to declare. I remembered the check list they had given us on the flight. "No, I don't think so." He asked me about the baby food, but I told him that it was just the pasta that was on the flight back. So we skipped the declarations line and headed to re-check the bags. After the bags were rechecked, the TSA officer left, and I headed back to go through security. At this point I had 45 minutes before the flight was going to board. We barely made it through to the screening process and I remembered I had water in Kaylin's sippy cup. I chugged the water quick, and began to unpack all of our stuff again to go back through the x-ray. I was massively annoyed at this point. 3 people looked at our tickets and not one of them offered to get us through the gates any faster. I unloaded everything onto the belt, walked through the metal detector once again with Kaylin in my arms. Of course there was baby food in my diaper bag and naturally TSA wanted to test it.
I groaned, he wanted to open 2 of the baby food jars. And as many of you know, once you open baby food you've got a small window to either use it, refrigerate it, or throw it out. Thankfully he was nice enough to stick his little piece of paper in the 2 jars I had opened before the plane in Germany to begin with. Another TSA officer came up and offered to help me get everything situated again and once Kaylin was packed up I headed for an elevator go to down to the shuttles...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Across the Ocean We Go---Part 1
We've been in Colorado almost a month. I guess now its time to share the story of getting here...
Kaylin and I cleared housing on the 29th of August early in the morning. I packed her and all of the remaining stuff into our silver BMW and drove out of our parking space one last time. My left foot shook as I let off the clutch and pushed on the gas. It hit me then, and it hit my like a bag of bricks straight in the stomach. We're leaving here. Never again will I step foot in the home I brought my daughter to. Never again will I take her out of her first room at 7:30 in the morning. Tears began to fill my eyes but I continued to press the gas. I knew this day would come, whether in this situation or not being a military family, moving is part of the job description.
Kaylin had been eating banana puffs straight out of the can in her car seat, the genius found where I had stashed them and got the lid off. I chuckled at the fact that she had figured out how to open them and eat them one by one. Well as I'm having my emotional moment backing out of our parking space she decides to take that nice can of puffs and dump it all over herself and the car seat. DANG IT KAYLIN! Annoyance courses through me, not only can I barely keep the car running because my left foot is shaking so bad I could hardly back out. I stop, take a moment and breathe. Nothing is forcing me to back out right this second, but I knew it'd be like taking off a band aid. It'd hurt at first and then the sooner I got it over with the better I'd be.
I wiped the tear out of my eye and pushed the gas and let off the clutch. I backed out of our parking space for the last time. Not wanting to be completely alone, I headed to my friend Katie's to hug and say a few "see ya later's" (because as an Army wife I do NOT say good bye). I spent about an hour talking with Katie and Jen and watching Kaylin follow Piper and Tyler around. Kaylin hugged her friends, laughed and played while Jen took pictures. It was hard for me knowing that it was the last time I would step in my dear friend's house. Instead of focusing on what I wouldn't be doing, I focused on the fun I'd had and all the memories she created for me.
We gave our hugs and left to go to Kathryn's. I attempted to drop our stuff off at the hotel but the room we were staying in wasn't cleaned yet. So we went to Kathryn's and Kaylin desperately needed a nap. I checked with Megan and dropped Kaylin off with her so she could nap while Kathryn and I dropped off the BMW and grabbed some much needed lunch. We took the suitcases back up to the hotel in Kathryn's car and got all checked in. Once that was all said and done, I went and grabbed Kaylin and enjoyed dinner with Kathryn, Megan, Logan and Kat. :) Kaylin was extra fussy because of all the stress and everything so we ended up saying our "see ya later's" to Megan and Logan early and Kathryn took us up to the hotel. Kathryn and I said our "see ya later's", shed a few tears, and hugged.
Katie, Amber and Jen came by to give last hugs and love, Kaylin got a bath and headed to bed around 9. I followed a few hours later after a shower I crawled into bed. Kaylin's wake up call came very early when I didn't go to bed before midnight in almost 2 weeks. I put some clothes on, dressed Kaylin and we headed to the hotel's breakfast area. Breakfast for us consisted of bagels, yogurt, coffee for me and juice and water for Kaylin.
Stay tuned for the next part of our journey, taking us from the hotel back to the USA :) (mostly because I'm too tired to write it out tonight.)
Kaylin and I cleared housing on the 29th of August early in the morning. I packed her and all of the remaining stuff into our silver BMW and drove out of our parking space one last time. My left foot shook as I let off the clutch and pushed on the gas. It hit me then, and it hit my like a bag of bricks straight in the stomach. We're leaving here. Never again will I step foot in the home I brought my daughter to. Never again will I take her out of her first room at 7:30 in the morning. Tears began to fill my eyes but I continued to press the gas. I knew this day would come, whether in this situation or not being a military family, moving is part of the job description.
Kaylin had been eating banana puffs straight out of the can in her car seat, the genius found where I had stashed them and got the lid off. I chuckled at the fact that she had figured out how to open them and eat them one by one. Well as I'm having my emotional moment backing out of our parking space she decides to take that nice can of puffs and dump it all over herself and the car seat. DANG IT KAYLIN! Annoyance courses through me, not only can I barely keep the car running because my left foot is shaking so bad I could hardly back out. I stop, take a moment and breathe. Nothing is forcing me to back out right this second, but I knew it'd be like taking off a band aid. It'd hurt at first and then the sooner I got it over with the better I'd be.
I wiped the tear out of my eye and pushed the gas and let off the clutch. I backed out of our parking space for the last time. Not wanting to be completely alone, I headed to my friend Katie's to hug and say a few "see ya later's" (because as an Army wife I do NOT say good bye). I spent about an hour talking with Katie and Jen and watching Kaylin follow Piper and Tyler around. Kaylin hugged her friends, laughed and played while Jen took pictures. It was hard for me knowing that it was the last time I would step in my dear friend's house. Instead of focusing on what I wouldn't be doing, I focused on the fun I'd had and all the memories she created for me.
We gave our hugs and left to go to Kathryn's. I attempted to drop our stuff off at the hotel but the room we were staying in wasn't cleaned yet. So we went to Kathryn's and Kaylin desperately needed a nap. I checked with Megan and dropped Kaylin off with her so she could nap while Kathryn and I dropped off the BMW and grabbed some much needed lunch. We took the suitcases back up to the hotel in Kathryn's car and got all checked in. Once that was all said and done, I went and grabbed Kaylin and enjoyed dinner with Kathryn, Megan, Logan and Kat. :) Kaylin was extra fussy because of all the stress and everything so we ended up saying our "see ya later's" to Megan and Logan early and Kathryn took us up to the hotel. Kathryn and I said our "see ya later's", shed a few tears, and hugged.
Katie, Amber and Jen came by to give last hugs and love, Kaylin got a bath and headed to bed around 9. I followed a few hours later after a shower I crawled into bed. Kaylin's wake up call came very early when I didn't go to bed before midnight in almost 2 weeks. I put some clothes on, dressed Kaylin and we headed to the hotel's breakfast area. Breakfast for us consisted of bagels, yogurt, coffee for me and juice and water for Kaylin.
Stay tuned for the next part of our journey, taking us from the hotel back to the USA :) (mostly because I'm too tired to write it out tonight.)
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