First flight and few tips for Mom....

Avery took her first flight to Tulsa, OK this past weekend.  We were excited and nervous all at the same time.  I did a lot of research and wanted to make sure we were prepared.  I had her cute Vera Bradley bag all packed and ready to go.

Avery's Flight Carry-On included:
Lunch-kit with graham crackers, club crackers, goldfish, cheerios, organic cereal bars, yogurt, spoon and two empty sippy cup.
Colors and ElmoColoring Book with stickers (blank paper too)
Brand new Magnadoodle
2 Favorite board books
Favorite puppy
Baby doll
Mini DVD player (courtesy of my sister - thank you Kris!)
2 Elmo DVDs and Finding Nemo (which she had never seen)
Headphones
4 Dum Dums suckers
5 pacifiers

By far, the hit was the Magnadoodle and was the best for pregnant mommy that had to bend over the carseat to get everything that fell on the floor.  The snacks were a hit too, but the best were the cereal bars.  Note:  goldfish and cheerios not a great idea since you would have to have cup or bowl to put them in (airplane drink cup works though).  Yogurt...really bad idea for a child that wants to eat it with her hands rather than the spoon. The two sippy cups were great because I put water in one and then added some apple juice to it.  She did not like it so I was able to get plain water in the other. 

The Dum Dums were also a lifesaver.  I gave them to her on the decent of both flights which really helped when she started hitting her head because her ears hurt.  I am not sure it took the popping of her ears completely away, but it sure kept her mind off it because she had never had one before. 

The multiple pacifiers were a huge help because once they landed on the floor it went back into the bag for cleaning.

We used the DVD player on the return flight as a last resort.  I didn't want to get it out, but the flight home was more difficult since she had only had a 45 minute nap that day.  She was beyond tired but didn't want to sleep.  She enjoyed seeing Elmo, but she didn't love the headphones too much.

Lastly, I would highly suggest paying for the Passenger Seat for an infant rather than carrying them.  We thought we might just pass Avery around since Josh, myself and his mother were all on the plane together.  I am so thankful we didn't.  She was so comfortable in her car-seat and never once tried to get out of it.  Thank you Grandma Judy and PaPa for the Passenger Seat for Avery!  It was a God-send!!!  Another note, if you do purchase a seat, pin a sign on your child that says "Paid Passenger."  We were asked three times on one flight if she had a paid seat.

When we arrrived in Tulsa, Avery was flirting with the man behind us.  I said to him "I hope she wasn't too loud."  He said "Did she sleep the entire time?"  She didn't sleep a wink....I was proud of my baby girl.  Return trip not so hot, but we forgive her!

Ok, I think I have shared enough of my little wisdom I learned.  Oh, one more thing...I am thinking of inventing some kind of net to catch all the things that fall during the flight so you won't have to bend yourself into a contortionist to pick everything up.

Here are some pics of our little Angel on her first flight.  Trip pics to come!  Just a little teaser...we went to Homecoming in where Josh's parent's grew up, Sallisaw, OK.  It was a trip!  I can't wait to share everything...it made me wish we lived in a small town. 

DISCLAIMER:  This is my old camera and the pics are horrible but none the less, I didn't want to lug the monster camera out of the bag while trying to balance keeping Avery entertained. 

The girl wouldn't leave the telephone alone behind the check-in counter at the gate. She almost threw a hissy fit and fell onto the nasty carpet.  Challenging twos are getting close...not going to say "terrible twos" because she is too cute and sweet to have that. 

Still chatting away!

To lure her away from the check-in counter...my cell phone.  Hard to believe that a 17 month old looks so comfortable using the blackberry.  Could it be that Mommy uses it a little too much?  By the way, don't you love her pigtails?  Her teacher at school put them in for her.  That is about the only way she will let me fix her hair.  No bows!

In her seat and ready to take off.  Pacifier is definitely a must for the flight so sorry moms that think I should break her of it.  I will do before two!

Doing a little Sky Mall shopping.

The Magnadoodle that saved the day!  Whoever invented this is my hero!

Doing some light reading. 

Last but not least...I thought she should eat something besides snacks for her dinner.  Smart mom got out her yogurt! 

Just a few things...

Well, hello there!!  I am trying hard to keep up with blogging and things just keep getting busy.  Josh worked a lot of overtime this past week so I was busy running around getting our family ready for our big trip to Oklahoma.  This was going to be Avery's first flight!  More to come in the next post for that.

I had some random pics that I wanted to post.  We celebrated Josh's mom's birthday a few weeks ago.  We went to a great pizza place in Town Center called Grimaldi's.  It is really cool for kids because they bring each child a pizza pan with dough and flour on it.  It kept Avery busy for quite a while.  This was the only picture I took before my battery died.  Judy will probably kill me for posting this, but I loved Avery's look on her face.  Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

On another note, take a look at Avery's cool, new high chair.  It is by Phil and Ted Me Too.  It was a birthday gift from one of my best friends, Brooke.  It just too cool, and she loves it.  It clamps to pretty much any table.  Avery likes it because it places her in the same level as those at the table instead of down lower.  Here is a link.  Thank you again sweet Wagner family.  They loved it so much that they have one in the car and one at home.  It is perfect for both!

Avery went to her friend, Riley's 3rd birthday party. It was such a cute Strawberry Shortcake party.  The kiddos destroyed her play area in the house.  Avery was mesmerized by the child's vacuum.  I didn't get a picture of Avery and Riley together, but Riley was dressed so cute!!

FINALLY COMPLETE!!!!   The stocking turned out better than I could have imagined.  My mom helped me get Avery's name on the stocking in sequins because the kit just gives you pseudo-instructions for how to plain embroider it on there.  I could get the most out of the space with a lower-case letter so I had to go with it.  I haven't started another one yet, but I am getting the itch to have something to do....oh, then I realized I have 92 days until Baby Girl is due, and I have a TON to do!!

Thursday is 3D Ultrasound and 1 hour gestational diabetes test!  Hoping and praying for the best!  Pics from Oklahoma trip to come. 

Where ya been??

If you want to know why I have been MIA to blogging, it is because I have spent all of my evenings and free time for the last month making Avery's Christmas stocking.  My mom made the felt/sequin stockings for our family growing up, and I always treasured seeing my personalized stocking come out of the box every year.  I bought Avery's stocking last year and was scared to actually start it.  I am proud to say I have done this all by myself and my mom hasn't helped a bit (besides some telephone moral support).

All that remains is embroidering Avery's name on the top and sewing the back of the stocking on.  I would say I have put at least 45 - 50 hours into sewing this ditty, but it will definitely be worth it.  I was working like a mad woman in hopes of making it in time for Christmas.  Now, Josh says I have a few months until Christmas so I can start on his..haha!  

Other news...all is going great with Baby Girl #2.  We think we have settled on a name, but I will wait a little longer before we share.  On Oct 14, I will have my appointment for the one hour gestational diabetes testing.  Please say a prayer that I don't have it with this child.  The positive part of this exam is my doctor does a free 3-D ultrasound so we will get to see our Baby Girl again.  Josh wants confirmation that she is still a girl.

Avery has been sick all week with diarrhea.  I am praying for normal stool by Monday so she can go back to school.  You moms know how important this is.  Our pediatrician said it can hang around for two weeks...Lord help us!  Avery is definitely keeping us on our toes.  Just this past week has she really started calling me, Mama!  She has been saying it for months if you ask her to repeat it, but she is just associating it with me now.  YAY!  She has also learned how to shut doors so she is constantly shutting herself in places.  Might be time to get one of those handy-dandy things where they can't shut the door. 
Until next time.  Oh, by the way....I haven't been a good photo mom lately...so sorry no recent pics. 

Lovin' the Popsicle

Well, what can I say...my little girl loves popsicles.  We have tried to limit her sugar, but there is no stopping her now when she sees a popsicle.  Just a cute pic of Avery with the old school push-up Flavored Ice. 

Labor Day Weekend

We had a quick night in Galveston for part of Labor Day!  It is always so nice and relaxing.  I hardly took any pictures.  Josh and my Dad had good fishing excursion in the surf.  Here are a few pics. 

Gorgeous sunrise.  We almost missed it because it came up more to the right than normal. 

Avery enjoying her morning milk on the deck.  She finally let me look in her mouth, and she has gotten one molar.  So far, four front top teeth, two bottom teeth and one molar.  Lots more to come! 

Josh and Dad's fish!  They were beautiful.  Speckled Trout and Mackerel.

My honey holding up his catch of the day! 

Two Delish Recipes to Share

I wanted to share two recipes that I have made recently.  They were both loved by my family...well, all but Avery since she is such a picky eater.

Shrimp Scampi (From Nun Better Cookbook - from Louisiana)

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup dry or cooking sherry
1 clove of garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup minced parsley
hot cooked rice
Parmesan cheese

In shallow pan over low heat, melt butter.  Add sherry, garlic (I chopped mine), lemon juice, sugar, mixing well.  Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the sauce.  Spoon sauce over shrimp.  Broil at low heat for 8 minutes.  Remove from broiler and let stand for 15 minutes.  Sprinkle parsley over the shrimp.  Broil at high heat for 3 minutes.  Spoon over hot rice and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 

**Josh and I both loved this, and it was so simple.  He said he would have liked it over pasta, but I loved the rice to soak up the sauce.  YUMMY!

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants when I lived in San Antonio was Los Barrios.  My Great-Aunt Bernadine took me there, and I fell in love with it.  Before I moved away, I got one of their family cookbooks.  I made this recipe for my father-in-law's bday and for 4th of July.  It is a great SPICY dip.  I think you can turn down the heat with less serrano chiles.  It has a kick for sure!

Cilantro Dip

Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream
One 8-oz package cream cheese, at room temp
1/2 cup mayo
1 bunch cilantro, tough stems removed, finely chopped
3 serrano chiles, finely chopped
3 scallions, chopped
Dash of soy sauce
(I put the cilantro, chiles, and scallions in my mini food processor to chop)

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until thoroughly mixed.  Transfer to serving bowl.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Service with Tortilla Chips, Crackers or Raw Veggies.

Enjoy!!!

Enchanted Day

We had such a beautiful morning here in Houston that we decided to take to our favorite nursery, Enchanted Gardens.  They have such beautiful scenery and fun animals for Avery to look at.  I also took a camera class this morning so I was trying out some new techniques.  Not sure if you see any difference, but I will continue to work on perfecting my pictures!  I have a great subject.