Those People

I am horrifed. We were THOSE PEOPLE.

We are currently in Arizona enjoying a relaxing long weekend with friends. We left Thursday morning on a early flight that we almost missed. I grossly underestimated the time we'd need to get through the airport and as always, everything takes longer with Elliott.

We got to the airport at 6:30 am for a 7:20 am flight. I didn't even realize we were running late until the lady at baggage check told us we needed to hurry and gave us a special ticket to get us through security quickly.

We rushed over to the security line and gave the ticket to the first TSA agent that we saw who promply did.... nothing. He had no idea what the ticket meant and looked at us suspiciously and told us to get in the family line.

We waited in line to get through security and I nearly had a break down. I acutally started crying a little. By now it was 7:00 am and our flight boarded at 6:50 am. I was freaking out. We made it through (took off our shoes and all) and Jason was "randomly" choosen to be inspected. He seems to always be choosen. But finally we were through and off to Gate D5.

We were running and I felt like that family in the airport scene of Home Alone. We made it to the gate and it was shut. Panic. They must have just shut it (not "sealed") because they opened it and let us in.

So there we were. THOSE PEOPLE who walk onto the airplane late when everyone is seated, all bags are stowed and they are ready for take off. With everyone glaring at us we made it to our seats, only to find the flight attendants had moved someone to our seats because they thought we weren't coming. So there was this big scence of moving the people out of our seats and us searching for a spot in the overhead bins for our luggage (there wasn't any space left so we crammed all the bags under our seats).

Finally we were seated and we sat for a LONG time. I started to wonder what was taking so long and then it hit me: we were waiting for our luggage to be loaded on the plane. I was horrified.

Finally, we took off and Elliott settled in for a peaceful sleep on my lap. I thought our adventure was over. We even commented how good Elliott was (sleeping of course) and how this wasn't so bad after all.

But it was. I'll fill you in later on our actual plane ride. I have to go relax some more on our vacation first!

Elliott's Motorcycle

Elliott loves motorcycles and makes an adorable motorcycle sound every time he sees one.

And he saw one today. Well... sort of. It was actually a tricycle but that was close enough for him.

Jason proudly put it together during his nap today. It was a very special gift from Elliott's Grandma Julene.

The moment Elliott saw the tricycle/motorycycle in the back of our van, he was giddy with excitement.

Here he is enjoying his tricycle (nevermind that his little legs can't actually reach the pedals OR the ground). Jason had a blast pushing him around McCullum Park this afternoon.

Star Wars Espisode 7

Much to Jason's delight, Elliott has finally shown interest in Jason's lightsaber. Jason tried to introduce it several months ago but it scared Elliott quite a bit.

But things have changed and our boy is officially practicing for his part in the next Star Wars movie (and he has competition from a very talented 7 year old neighbor).




And in case you're not sure what the following picture is about, Elliott is hugging the lightsaber.


Oh, little boys are so much fun!

Snakes

Elliott has become quite the explorer. He holds our hands and walks around everywhere. He especially loves to go outside and go up and down the curbs, in and out of bushes & grasses. Every sewage drain, plant, and car is exciting to him.

We've encountered ant holes, sticker-bushes, and even a spider together. I can handle and even enjoy these adventures.

But I am terrified of snakes. And I have come to the realization that if I continue walking through tall grass, bushes, trees and dirt every single day, that eventually, I will run into a snake.

Just thinking about it makes me quiver, but I'm sure Elliott will be absolutely fascinated.

I'm sure I will post the traumatic day that it happens, whether it is next month or next year. It is inevitable. A snake is in my future.

I'm Not Superwoman

If I was, I would've remembered the meatloaf in the oven.

This afternoon, I was looking for a specific glass pyrex baking dish to soak rice noodles. And I finally found it.

In the oven.

Still holding Tuesdays (yes, that is 4 whole days ago) meatloaf. After dishing up generous portions for Jason and I, I put the leftovers back in the oven to keep warm in case Jason wanted seconds. While cleaning up the kitchen, I had intended to put the leftovers in the fridge for lunches (as usual). Apparently this never happened.

How on earth could I forget the meatloaf for FOUR whole days?

Gross.

Boys and the Beach

Yesterday, I went to Kristi's for some much needed Elliott-free sewing time. Jason planned to hang out with Elliott for most of the day. I assumed the boys would be hanging out at home as usual, chasing each other around the house, making a mess of all of Elliott's toys and perhaps going on a walk around the neighborhood.

Jason had other plans. I received a textpicture from him in the early afternoon of Elliott hitting a piece of driftwood with a stick.

Jason took Elliott to Picnic Point Beach. They played in the sand, waded in the water (in his nice clean, new shoes), and climbed over driftwood.

I have such a boy. Make that two boys. Boys who like to go on adventures and get dirty.

They arrived home a while later flushed from their adventure and they had this joyous energy about them. And of course sand. Lots and lots of sand everywhere. By the end of their time at the beach, Elliott was left in only a diaper (dirty of course) and a t-shirt.

(Oh and those of you anxiously awaiting the results of our poop test last week: that exact test wasn't so successful, but after a few other trials, I was persuaded to buy a set of cloth diapers.)

Let the Poop Begin!

We are in the process of trying cloth diapers. Right now Elliott is in his room pooping and I'm waiting for the results!

You might be wondering how I know he is pooping.
Well, every morning I nurse him and then he plays for about 1/2 hour in his room.
When I come back to get him, almost without fail, he has pooped.
Usually I rest, read or shower during this time, BUT
today I am so eager to see the results that I can't relax!

Before Elliott was born, I also considered using cloth. But that idea was quickly dismissed because my thoughts were "Yuck" and "How would I ever have time for all that laundry?"

Now, I'm thinking. . . "I could save A LOT of money" and "I feel horrible throwing away bags and bags of used disposable diapers that will sit for thousands of years."

So this weekend, with another brave, like-minded friend, I ventured to UVillage on a mission to but a single cloth diaper each. We had success! Emily bought the very popular Bum Genius brand at one store, and I bought Fuzzi Bunz at another.

These are FANCY diapers! I will post a picture later. (poop free, of course)
(and the diaper looks awfully cute on Elliott).


Yesterday's trail was positive. He wore the diaper for about 3 hours and when I felt the fleece that touched his skin, it felt slightly damp but not as wet as I expected. The liner inside (not touching him) was appropriately soaked.

So I washed the diaper last night (easier than I expected), and that brings us to the poop test.
Stay tuned for the results!