We Made It!

After 13 hours, door to door, we finally made it to my in-laws home in San Salvador. That was on Friday so this post is obviously a bit late, but I´m on vacation so...oh well. Here is a quick overview of our travels, which went very well:

430am - snacks for the plane rides, times 2

520am - Checking in. I didn´t know it yet but Billy had upgraded us to first class for our Boston Miami flight. Merry Christmas indeed :) Also, I highly reccommend the GoGoKidz travelmate. It really amde getting through the airport a breeze.


600am - Chillin´in the first class lounge before boarding

700am - Sleepy but happy in first class

Our flight to Miami went well, although there were some storms so we were a bit delayed. But that didn´t matter too much because our flight from Miami to San Salvador was delayed an hour and a half. Then it was delayed another half hour because they were still loading bags. Thank goodness for Goldfish crackers.

300pm - Up from our naps and ready to play on the plane

430pm - Our final descent

We got home at 545pm (Boston time) to make our day a whopping 13 hours. The twins did great. They had tons of fun on the plane and were in good spirits the whole trip. Hopefully things will go just as smoothly on the way back.

El Salvador or Bust!

We are leaving in less than 20 hours for the airport to get on a flight to Miami, to then get on another flight to San Salvador. And, even though I started packing over the weekend, there is still so much to do. Mostly we are worried about how to keep the twins entertained and well fed on the flights. We get to the airport so early that I'm not sure any shops will be open to buy last minute snacks. And even if they were, I doubt we would have time. Also, our Miami layover is only 90 minutes so if we are late getting in, we won't have much time to stop and eat either. I guess I should ask if a mini-fridge is allowed as a carry-on.

But in all honesty, I'm very excited for our trip - definitely more excited than worried. Once you are on the plane, there is no turning back, no matter how bad it gets. So, if/when it does get bad, you just grin and bear it and think about how sweet it will be to have doting family and friends for two whole weeks. With 80 degree temperatures. And beach houses. And lake houses. And mountain houses. Have I mentioned that I love El Salvador?

Also, Billy got me a new camera for Christmas. Its a Nikon Coolpix and I think will be able to get some better shots of my ever-moving targets (Sebastian, Collette) than my Sony Cybershot. I will try and post as much as I can from El Salvador. Especially pictures of their insane birthday party and of Christmas. And of them in the swimming pool, because who doesn't like to see a baby in a pool?

So, I'm off to pack and pack some more and run errands and try not to pass out from exhaustion (thanks baby #3). Wish us luck!!

They're Definitely Mine

Over the weekend, Billy noticed a peculiar way in which both Sebastian and Collette take after me: they both have an oversized labial frenum. It sounds gross but what it means is that the little piece of skin that connects your top lip to your top gums is too big and grows between the two front teeth. This is why I have a gap and why that gap never closed. I have some very mixed feelings about my gap - I have been teased plenty because of it but, almost as often, I get complimented on it. People seem to think it gives me character. So, I'm not sure what we will do if their labial frenums don't shrink. There is a pretty simply surgery they could undergo, one I may have had if I had known about it at a younger age. I think they do it on kids once they hit 10 years old. But, in a way, I kind of like that they have this little physical quirk of mine. I was almost positive they wouldn't get my red hair, so the gap is next best thing.

So, readers, what do you think? My guess is that, when the time comes, I will probably let them decide. Do you think cosmetic surgery for children is never ok?

H1N1 Bullshit

I am so pissed about this H1N1 vaccine crap. This whole idea that they are only giving it to "high risk" groups is such a crock of shit.

Yesterday, my aunt posted on FB that she got the vaccine. I was a bit surprised because she is not in any remotely high risk group. She is actually the least likely to get this virus and even less likely to get seriously/fatally ill from it. I asked her how she got it and she said "at work." And guess what: she works for the IRS. Yes, our lovely government, parading their statements that only at risk groups will get the vaccine, are handing it out to everyone at the IRS. And, if I had to guess, other government establishments.

But, last week, when I was at my pediatrician's office, they didn't have any vaccines. For my 2 12-month olds. They said, "Oh just call back every week. We'll get some eventually." WTF??!! I called back this morning and they said they'll have some next week, and made me an appointment for December 16th. So, yes, they are getting it. But I think it's ridiculous that I have to call and beg and wait while they are just SO stockpiled at government offices that they are giving it to low-risk people. It makes my blood boil.

Has anyone else encountered this? I know a lot of people had their kids vaccinated a while ago and, from people I know, they also had to jump through many hoops to get it.

The Littlest Nugget

I know it's not much but here is the ultrasound shot of our newest nugget. We could see, but not yet hear, the heartbeat so things are moving along just as they should. And my queasiness is a constant reminder that everything fine in there. Why couldn't X-ray vision or superhuman strength be an early pregnancy symptom instead? Thankfully the Saltines and Goldfish are doing their job. For now :)

Bah Humbug

A couple weeks ago, Billy and I decided that we would not be having a Christmas tree this year. Which officially makes me feel like a scrooge. But I have at least 2 very good reasons why a Christmas tree is just not in the cards for us this season.

Obviously, reasons 1 and 2 are Sebastian and Collette, not necessarily in that order. I know that there are lots of ways to "child-proof" a tree. We can anchor it to the wall. We can buy a superyard and put this around the tree (because Christmas isn't expensive enough already). But honestly, none of that will keep them from doing naughty things. Mostly, I am worried about them eating pine needles. Maybe that's not a big deal but I really don't want to find out.

Also, we are going to El Salvador for Christmas. We are leaving on December 18th. So, if we had put the tree up right after Thanksgiving (which is what we usually do) we would have the tree for about 3 weeks. And when we got home, we would have a dried out tree with a huge pine needle mess. No thanks.

Even decorating is posing a challenge. I can't hang the stockings with care because the twins will most definitely rip them down within seconds. I can't put up any of the garland I use around the doors and banisters for the same reason. Ditto the Christmas tablecloth. Sheesh. This is what I get for having an open floor plan...

Needless to say, my house is not feeling very festive. I miss the holiday spirit that comes with decorating but know this just a one time deal. Now I just need to focus my brain on shopping and wrapping - that should bring some Christmas cheer my way!!

Did anyone else have to pass on the decorations for a year when your kids were a certain age?

Month in Review

Dear NaBloPoMo,

I am sorry that I was not able to rise to the challenge and post 30 times in 30 days. I talked a big game of posting lots of pics and interesting stories about first birthday parties but the absent minded professor in me took over and these things did not happen.

In total, I ended up posting 23 times. I guess that translates to about a C average. Disappointing, I know.

Here are my goals for this next month, although it's not NaBloPoMo any more:

Post 20 times
Buy a new cord to connect to my camera OR
Buy a new camera
Figure out how to upload videos from the camcorder
Take better pictures of the kids despite their increasing mobility/decreasing attention span

So, NaBloPoMo, you have bested me in 2009. But I will be back in 2010. And I'll be ready :)