Traveling Baby

I have a 13 month old baby who is in FULL force movement. He walks, he runs, he wobbles... and quite frankly he doesn't like to be held for too long (which is not such a bad thing since he's not quite as light as a feather!). We leave to go back home to LA tomorrow, and now that my LO is moving and grooving these days, I can't help but wonder what my flights will be like.

I've read about great tips to keep a LO occupied on a flight. So I thought I'd share some of my tricks I have planned to keep my LO happy (and I hope seated).

// NEW TOY
I think we all know it's not a surprise for babies to be amused with their toys for a good 2.5 seconds... then they're onto the next tupperware or spoon! I have a little non-electric (less noise) toy I haven't exposed to him yet so that he can have his first "oooh" and "ahhh" during our flight! Should buy me a peaceful takeoff...

// SNACKS
What baby (or adult) doesn't like FOOD?! I'm packing a few of his fave treats that he doesn't really eat on the regular... gold fish... fruit snacks... go-gurt! I'll be feeding slowwww and steady!

// NEW EPISODES OF SHOW
I know it's not ideal to utilize the iPad for screen time, but I really try and use it when I need to really get something done (shower, work, FLY...). So I downloaded a few new episodes of Blues Clues and another sing along so we can resort to if it gets too wild and crazy!

One other major thing is that I am still nursing, which will be a HUGE saving grace for my mover. I will definitely be relying on a good nurse as we take off and land to prevent any major ear popping!

I also have a stop to be thankful for... baby will get to walk/run and stretch his tiny little legs out while I chase after him like a mad woman in the airport!


What things have been a hit in your traveling books?

Fall-ing these days...

Fall is in full effect (with a few exceptions when the weather hits high 80's here in Nebraska) and we are happy campers! Without the insane humidity, we are out and about... walking on top of crunchy leaves... enjoying the pumpkin patch... swinging at the park... and of course, having a grand time at our Husker football games without beaming in the hot blazing sun!

Of all the stages I've been blessed to witness with my LO, this is by far one of my most fave stages! My baby boy is walking (sometimes running) all over these days! He absolutely loves being outdoors, which is fab for me. The hubs and I always reminisce over playing outside all the time when we were kiddos, and how we would hope our children have just as much love for the outdoors as we did! It amazes me to see my baby laugh when someone makes funny faces or noises to him... to see him mimic some of the words and sounds I make myself (gotta watch my language nowadays!)... to watch him RUN up to daddy when he walks in the front door... these things just baffle me because he's growing so much in such the little time he's been on this earth!

It feels good to be SO present in the moment, as I remind myself to be so I'm not rushing these precious moments. Life is good right now as we embrace a new season, new changes, and new baby (dare I say toddler) stages!

Learning

When I was a little girl, I would play teacher all the time... I had a chalkboard, clipboard, and little glasses to mimic my 4th grade teacher's reading glasses. Never did I think it would transpire to be real life for me! Next week starts a new adventure for me, and I can't be more THRILLED! I will start teaching my first class ever in a Master's program for a Psychology school based in Chicago. I've spent the past few months preparing by researching the school, reading the course readings, getting acquainted with the technology used, and logistics. I must say, it's an amazing feeling to be back in some sort of routine... and better yet, in an educational surrounding!

I love the art of learning [it's probably why I stayed in school for as long as I did]. I love it so that it became a part of my profession after graduating... to provide learning and development in the workplace to staff, faculty, employees and leaders.

The beauty about the world of education is that you are in an environment that provides different avenues to the latest research, the latest studies, the latest theories... the past, present and future all at your exposure. All you need is an appetite to want to know and learn more.

I challenge you, my friends, to ask yourself what can you learn more about today? Is it something in your profession? Culture? Sports? Dance?

Perception

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I never knew how mommies did it... raising a baby, working, being a wife to the hubs, and some even going to school! Having my LO has really opened my eyes to many different perspectives I would not have otherwise planned to see. Some of which I've been pondering on lately:

// I thought my LO would be in some sort of daycare [whether PT or FT]

I had a goal to make a transition back into the workforce in January... when baby would be about 3 months old. I thought maybe I can find a daycare that I trusted... that other mommies would recommend being one of the best! Indeed I did find a great in-home daycare, but turns out she expected the LOs to put themselves to sleep when she puts them down for a nap twice a day [we're on a nurse to sleep plan in this household!].

// I thought I would be able to work during nap time

I for sure was looking forward to all the nap times mommies talked about with their LOs. Nap times meant alone time... time to get things done uninterrupted. NOT! Nap times are unpredictable for the most part... lasting from a whopping half hour to 2-3 hours tops! During this time, I AM TAPPED! I use this time to shower, wash dishes, take the dogs outside, or watch some sort of reality tv. It's hard to start something on my computer, and not be able to finish it because baby woke up.

// I thought I can wake up earlier than bay to get my morning workouts done

No matter how early I set my alarm for, my LO has the SAME exact internal alarm clock and wakes up when I leave the bed. It can be 4 - 5 - 6 in the morning! When I'm up, he's up, and the entire household begins bright and early.

I thought a lot of things before my beautiful blessing arrived in my life... just like I thought a lot of things after I graduated, or when I got married, or when I started my first job in my career! Perception is reality and no matter what situation we are in, I'm pretty certain we can find something we love and something we loathe about it. Instead of dwelling on what I don't have or where I am not at, I choose to LOVE life today and appreciate being where I am today. A mother to my handsome outgoing baby boy, a wife to my hard-working coach, and on the road to being a member of the workforce once again!

Husker Birthday Party

It's been TOO long since the last post, and that's because we are in prime time of all times... football season! I had family visiting Husker Nation for the first three weeks of September, then baby and I went back home to LA the last week of September to celebrate his big ONE with family and friends.

It was only natural to have a football birthday party because again... we're in prime time of the season, and our lives are inundated with football! We went a step further and decided to GO BIG RED with the Husker gear, especially since Daddy wasn't able to be there (he was busy getting the W at Northwestern!). Everyone had their Husker best on, from smiles to jerseys and we had ourselves a FUNtabulous birthday party!

We had a great concession stand where Husker fans were able to grab chips, popcorn, cotton candy, and many more goods! It was easy (and cost effective) to make little football brown paper bags for peeps to store their yummy goodies in!

Centerpieces were simple but Husker'd out! My aunt made these cute mason jars, I made the flags, and with some gorgeous blooms and jumbo balloons, we had a cute simple centerpiece!

You know those signs at a high school football game that football players run through as they take the field? Well my sister got one made for baby's birthday party that was absolutely AMAZING! I had all the kiddos run through it as they took their very own field to play games!

You know having a piñata just made it complete! This one was full of all sorts of delish candy, including one of my faves, chico sticks!

As fans rolled in, they all signed the game ball for the birthday boy. I wanted a keepsake for my son when he gets older, and this was perfect for him to have forever!

I can't even describe how amaze balls this cake was!! Not only was it stunningly made, but it was SUSPER delicious!! The top layer was cookies and cream, and the bottom two were PBJ with a tiny thin layer of crust! Oh. My. Goodness. It was a HIT!

When it was time to sing happy birthday, I had passed out little game day pom poms and we all cheered on the birthday boy as he prepped to blow out his candle!

I have to say, this was much better than I had imagined it would be. The love filled the air and it was so good to be home with all of our loved ones to spend great QT and make Husker memories! Of course none of it would have been possible if it weren't for family pitching in to help with decor, goodies, cleaning and much more! It literally took a village... one that I will always rely upon forever more with my son.