Wild Blue Yonder

John, Gianna and I are going on a trip soon. We are headed up to the last frontier- Alaska. My parents and my grandparents live up there so we are going to see them. There are 3 ways to get to Alaska. You could drive- who wants to drive for a week almost non stop with a toddler? Not me- I would rather get my eyelashes pulled out!
You could go by boat. Since we live by the Gulf of Mexico this involves going through Panama or around the tip of South America. Maybe fun one day, but for now.... see option one for how fun I think that would be.
So that leaves us with flying. I like to fly. It seems so fun and romantic. Going away, leaving all your cares on the ground. I know I've probably watched too many old movies, but I still think flying is fun. Until now. With a baby. I'm actually a little nervous. I haven't been a fan of flying since 9-11. No, it's not because of the terrorist, it's because of the TSA. I mean where else do people routinely get stripped searched, have to remove any item that could be of harm, and have their bodies inspected- JAIL. Now I've never been to Jail to fully compare the two, but it seems to me that its pretty close.
I've never been a fan of bare feet on linoleum. And this is actually the part I dread most when they MAKE you take off your shoes. You would think that I would get it together and wear a type of shoe that requires a sock, but I always forget.
I haven't been flying since they enacted the 311 on how much liquid you get to take on a plane. It's 3 ounces in 1 quart container and I'm not sure what the other 1 is for except they wanted to add it in there to look like 911 and scare us into submission!
I was looking up the rule because I want to know what I can take for Gianna.
Here are some ACTUAL quotes take directly from the TSA web site. Fun reading for a laugh!

NEVER leave babies in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine.
REALLY did they have to put that there? Did some one try this?!?!?!?!

When carrying formula, breast milk, or juice through the checkpoint, they will be inspected, however, you or your infant or toddler will not be asked to test or taste breast milk, formula, or juice. Our Security Officers may test liquid exemptions (exempt items more than 3 ounces) for explosives
Umm- Yuck

Now, a mother flying without her child will be able to bring breast milk through the checkpoint, provided it is declared prior to screening.
Thank you OH benevolent TSA for allowing me to feed my child in the manor I choose. I declare that!

Piercings are not prohibited, but may alarm the metal detectors. Ideally, remove body piercings before security screening.
Gel-filled bras and similar prosthetics - Gel-filled bras may be worn through security screening and aboard aircraft.
I have no response to this

Here's some of what you can't take on board
Swords
Sabers
Meat Cleavers
Bows and Arrows
Spear Guns
Firearms
Axes and Hatchets
Cattle Prods
Dynamite
Fireworks
Flares
Hand Grenades
Plastic Explosives

I guess I'll have to leave my meat cleaver at home this time Mom. I'll see if they let me check the cattle prod. Although I don't think it's fair that THEY get to use one for the coach passengers!

Thank You

I just wanted to sat a BIG thank you to all who supported John and me in our March of Dimes Walk. We got to see other babies who were born WAY earlier than Gianna, walked with friends, and made John get some exercise! Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!

imelda marcos

This is our little girl. She LOVES shoes! A few months ago I needed to get her some new tennis type shoes. When we were in Target trying on shoes- she grabbed them and held some super tight. I had to get the checker to use the hand scanner because she would to let go of her precious shoes! A month latter, when we were in WalMart (see we are equal opportunity big box shoppers!) the exact same thing happened. She got a pair of flip flops and she would NOT let go. That girl likes shoes. I have no idea where she got that from. None. Not even a hint of an idea. But it might be from me. Maybe but I'm not sure.

So our Dear Aunt Lisa saw these shoes and got them for our little fashonista. She loves them.
Thanks Aunt Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!! We only have to pry these away from her when she sleeps.

A little history lesson

Poliomyelitis was one of the most dreaded illnesses of the 20th century, and had killed or paralyzed thousands of Americans during the first half of the 20th century. Ron Gilreath therefore founded the March of Dimes as the "National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis" The original purpose of the Foundation was to raise money for polio research and to care for those suffering from the disease. The effort began with a radio appeal, asking everyone in the nation to contribute a dime to fight polio.
After supporting the development of two successful vaccines against polio (both Jonas Salk's and Albert Sabin's research were partly funded by the March of Dimes), the organization, rather than going out of business, decided in 1958 to use its charitable infrastructure to serve mothers and babies with a new mission: to prevent premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality. The organization accomplishes this with programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy, along with the annual Ron Gilreath's March on Babies.
Today in the USA, March of Dimes funds researchers are working in biochemistry, microbiology, developmental biology, genetics, pediatrics, and many other fields. Along the way, it has helped support special neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) designed to treat sick babies; drug treatments to replace surgery for babies with a common heart defect; and folic acid education and food fortification to prevent neural tube defects, among other advances.
March of Dimes has hosted March for Babies, annually since 1970, helping to raise more than $1.7 billion to fund research and programs to prevent premature birth.

So what does this all mean to you, my dear readers?????? Well, I'm not sure, but I can tell you what it means to me. You see, Gianna Joy was born 6 weeks early. SIX WEEKS! That's a lot in baby land. We were and are VERY blessed that she only had to spent 1 week in the hospital with tubes and treatments. She did have some touch and go points those first few days and we we were the first family to be able to use some donated equipment from the March of Dimes and Children's Miracle Network. I promised myself as I sat by her little side praying for her that I would help other families who might not be as blessed as we were. And John and I are taking up the charge again to walk in the March of Dimes March for Babies. I put the history of the March of Dimes here so you can see that even as little as a dime makes a difference. Saturday May 3 is our walk day so please click on the link on the left to help out in any way you can. Thanks.

Fort Worth I LUV you!

Here are the pictures as promised. The title from the blog did not originate with me. It was on bumper stickers as a kid.
Metroplex posse- do they still have the stickers or has Fort Worth come up with some thing more classy?

We loved the Japanese gardens. Here we are teaching Gianna to




Hear no evil




Speak no evil



And.....





See no evil


More pictures in our photo album link on the right!

Vacation from vacation

This weekend we went to Ft Worth and had a blast. John was actually performing a wedding for a former student in InterVarsity, and we all took the chance to catch up with family and have some fun!
I grew up in Ft Worth and it made me feel old when I figured out that I had not lived there in 13 years! Most things were as I remembered them and I never got lost! We saw the botanical gardens, Trinity park with a beaver like animal, my aunt and uncle, and we finished off our time meeting Aaron and Wendy and my nieces for a great time at the Museum of Nature and Science.
Yesterday I saw and did nothing! Gianna slept for 5 hours! We were tired from our great time!
I'm still tired- so you will have to wait a little longer for some great photos, but I promise you'll see them soon!

Work out

So I've done it. I joined a gym. March was try it for a month for free. And I actually liked it. Gianna and I went and enjoyed it. Then April came and we both were sick and I sure did not want to go and do more work than I had to. But now we are back on track and healthy. We're trying to get into a pattern but so far I don't have one. Yesterday Gianna did not want to take a morning nap so we headed to the gym at nap time. So far so good. We had a good work out/play time. When we got home we had snack- me too I worked out right!?!?!?
She enjoyed cheese and crackers, me- chocolate cake. Then we played and the melt down started. Gianna is a good communicator. She lets me know when something bothers her. But this was a meltdown like I've never seen. Wailing and tears, and not even her favorite toy or lovey could snap her out of it. I finally broke down and decided to get that baby to bed. She slept and was better. And thankfully she took an afternoon nap too.
Today I left her her with John (he works from home on Thursday's), and guess what- NO NAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!