Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Still Going

This picture has nothing to do with anything other than that she is so frakking cute with her pigtails.

























We survived the flight, but only just. Sophie was most certainly NOT on her best behavior. There was chair kicking. There was screaming. There was the poopie diaper that required a change in the impossibly tight airplane bathroom.* There was food/toy/drink/iPhone throwing. There was NO sleeping. Basically, by the time we landed, I was done. D-U-N.

But arrive we did. We spent the first leg of our tour in Kansas City. It was there that the real reason for our trip resided. The passing of a beloved family member. I'm not really going to go into that much. It was my grandma. She was loved and will be most deeply missed.

Sadness.

But there have been some really lovely times with family mixed in here. I got to spend more time with my sister, Jonna, than I have in years and years. Our kids played together for hours. I simply couldn't stop smiling while I watched them. They do my heart good.

Of course, there has been some drama. Has there ever been a large family gathering, and in particular a funeral, where there wasn't a least a little? We all deal with our grief in different ways. Sometimes anger is the only emotion people feel comfortable expressing. But I was not the cause or the focus, for a change, so I came out unscathed.

Most amazingly, I have so far survived sleeping with my daughter every night. I thought I would hate it, but I'm surprised to admit that I'm actually kind of loving it. She is all over the place, but its so sweet to wake up to her arm or leg draped over me and to feel her sweet little warm body pressed up against me. This isn't something I want to do at home regularly, but it sure is nice for now.

We still have a couple of days and many miles before we will be home, but I have the very best of company and the weather is supposed to be good ...and you can't ask for much more than that.

*Seriously, Boeing, what the shit do I have to do to get a changing table in an airplane lav?

12 comments:

  1. She is adorable.

    And I totally agree with you, there is something awesome about watching cousins play together.

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  2. So sorry for your loss, Cara. And for the drama. Yuck.

    You are oh,so,right on the pigtails. She looks like such a BIG GIRL!

    Enjoy some more family time, and pray for a better trip home, right?

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  3. Dude, I loathe flying with my kid more than I loathe the maternity clothes that I'm still trying to avoid wearing...and I'm rounding the corner of 26 weeks. And I'm sorry about your loss, my dear. But for real, when are they gonna help a mama out and throw a changing table somewhere in those damn planes??

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  4. Wow, Sophie is really growing! She doesn't have that baby face anymore! Glad to hear your trip was on the better side despite your sad loss. And personally? I think first class is where parents should sit. Screw those people up there. I think first class should be a parent/kid area. PRivate area w/changing table, maybe take a row of seats or two out for a play space on the floor.

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  5. hey chiclet - not sure how long you are still in town but if you want to get together while you are here, let me know.

    - Melanie

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  6. So sorry for the loss of your grandma.

    through all this, you've not missed a beat with our WwF game. LOL! You're cool like that.

    I love pigtails on little girls as well. Camryn looked adorable with them ---- until she cut her hair off. Ugh!

    Flying with kids is just downright a pain in the arse.

    We do the family bed. We always have. We love it. My 12 old of course sleeps in her own bed now. LOL! She moved out of our bed at age 9 when Camryn was born. Camryn is 3.5. I know we have maybe another year and then they will both be in their own rooms. The time goes so fast. We haven't regretted it one bit.

    Glad it worked for you for your trip and you weren't miserable.

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  7. I'm so sorry about your grandma. :-(

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  8. I'm sorry about your Grandma, but I am glad you're getting the time to spend with family. That is always a treasure!!

    She IS Frakken cute by the way

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  9. How did you even begin to change a diaper in the airport potty? Come to think of it, what have I done with my kids' diapers on flights?

    So glad that you had some quality time with your sister and that Sophie had some cousin fun!

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  10. I'm sorry to hear your grandma passed. It's too bad that a sad time is what brought your family together, but it's nice to hear you are enjoying it (at least not the angry parts of it!) and sleeping with Sophie. She probably likes snuggling up with you too. :) You are intrepid, flying with a little one. I've avoided it so far! Hope your trip back is easier.

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  11. Oh, Cara, I'm so sorry about your grandmother. I hope your memories are bringing you some small comfort.

    On a lighter, bitchier note, if anyone on the plane gave you the stink-eye, I hope you stowed that poopy diaper under their seat for the remainder of the flight.

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  12. too friggen cute!! hoping for some hair on mine she still has wisps LOL
    sorry about the funeral never fun, but Sopie sounds like she had a bast with her cousin So adorable!

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Give me some sugar, baby!