trip from hell

Sorry, N, but you know what I mean!!! Anyways, we're back from CA. Finally. I'm not really sure why I thought driving from Utah to California with a 1 year old was a good idea. Because it's really not. Paisley had just gotten over her stomach bug when we threw her in the car and drove to Vegas. As we were leaving I could tell she was getting a cold, but she was still in good spirits.



My friend N and her daughter A and P and myself drove to Vegas, saw my aunt and uncle, stayed the night there, then got up the next day and drove to Hesperia, where my friend's parents live. Stayed there for a night, then headed on to Carpenteria and the beach. We weren't sure if we wanted to camp, and I didn't know if P would do it or not, so we looked into getting a motel for the night (we already had access to one for the other nights) and got one for a good deal. The motel we were already staying at, Motel 6, had good rates so we just stayed there, but I had to take a picture of the bedspread and it's wonderful tackiness. They made these specifically for the hotel, because the sign is on the spread. I hope they fired that designer.




I have never been more thankful for anything in my life than that hotel room. Well, except for the epidural. Why? Because I woke up that night around 12:30 and puked and pooed for the next 12 hours or so. And if we had been camping? I don't even want to think about it. So as I lay ill in bed that first morning at the beach, N took Paisley with her to the campsite. Besides throwing up, I cried and cried and cried that I wouldn't be there to see my baby's first time on sand, or the first time to go in the ocean. Luckily, they ended up not going to the water and I was still able to experience that with her. Which she HATED. Not disliked, but HATED. Would not touch the sand, screamed when I put her in the water. See her face? That's pure terror.

By the last day, she finally decided the sand wasn't so bad and walked around on it, but still wouldn't go near the water.

The whole trip she seemed a little grumpier than usual, but I thought it was just being out of her element, new places, too much McDonalds, but I noticed today that both of her bottom eyeteeth have broken through. That probably explains why she was up for 2 hours in the middle of the night last night, and a few nights ago.

We still have a few days before we go home, and I've got more to update on, but I wanted N to know that we had a great time on this trip, thank you SO MUCH, and I apologize for the grumpy/whininess/crying. From P too. We're really excited to get home to Charles and our animals and our house and our beds and our car and all those little things that get so taken for granted but that we miss so so much.

Land of the odd

Having been away from Utah for over two years now, I've repressed forgotten just how strange of a place this is. Number one thing that I'd forgotten and noticed immediately? The overabundance of Hummers. One Hummer is an abundance, but these monsters are everywhere. Really? Because if you lived on top of a mountain then maybe, but only maybe, would a hummer be doable. But really? In the city? That block to church just won't do in a sedan.

I laughed out loud when I saw this yesterday. For those who aren't familiar with why there is a giant man in a suit holding a black book, it's a mormon missionary. Not at all uncommon in this area. Even funnier to me was when Karen (granmamama) told me he had been stolen awhile back.

This really has nothing to do with Utah, but was amusing nonetheless. Is that one word? We were driving along a fairly busy street, right by a senior activity center when this group of older folks started walking across the street. The woman in the black bermudas just kinda charged out. No crosswalk, no looking for cars, they just went. And they were SO. SLOW. Everyone saw them and stopped so there weren't any crushed wheel chairs, but I felt really bad because my first response was to laugh, but I didn't feel so bad when Karen started laughing at the exact moment I did.
And the best part...HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to Charles, Grandpa and Papa. There should be cards for the grandpa's, but honestly? I can't remember if they were mailed or not. No card for Charles. Maybe when I get a birthday card he'll get a Father's Day card. Love you anyway Charles. We miss you tons and hope that you getting to sleep to your heart's content for 3 weeks is a good present.
We're headed out tonight to Vegas, about 5 hours or so, and I'm not sure if I'll have computer access for the next week or so. Keep toes crossed that we're all safe and healthy. I can't wait to get to the beach! I'm sure I'll have tons and tons of pics when we get back.

You've got to be kidding

Last night I made plans to go out with an old friend of mine, and when I say out, I mean like no kids, to a bar, have some drinks and just have a good time. We decided to go to the Owl Bar at
Sundance, which unless you live in your ass everyone should have at least heard of. Anyway, it's GORGEOUS up this canyon, I just absolutely love it. It's probably one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. So we drive up to the Owl Bar (if you click on the link and look at the picture, that's totally where I sat. I'm so cool.) which is really cool and cabinny and homey, with lots of wood and a fireplace. And we had fun. I got to catch up with an old friend and talk to a tatoo artist about piercings (since I have 11-sorry dad, just ignore that part). There was no cell phone service though, but I figured it wasn't a huge deal, I'd put P to bed before I left, and I could just call Charles once I was in service. We left a little before 12 and I called Charles and the first thing he tells me is that he talked to his mom and Paisley was throwing up. Then I checked my messages, 2 of them about P throwing up. Luckily it's only about a 15 minute drive home, so I ran inside to see my daughter white as a sheet, and then proceeded to watch her dry heave for the next few hours. That has got to be the worst feeling in the world, not only to watch your children miserable, but to feel so incredibly guilty to not have known, to not have been there. Anyway, long story short, we have a rocky night. P finally fell asleep around 1:30ish, but I was awake at every sound she made, so I slept like crap, not to mention I was already not feeling hunky dory from my night out. P seems better today, but has a fever and won't eat. She's napping now. What I'm worried about is we were supposed to leave for CA tomorrow. Luckily my friend that I'm going with is completely flexible and we could leave Saturday if needed. There's my drama. Oh, and I was supposed to go to IKEA today. Oh well. I just can't believe that she's sick again, because she JUST DID THIS!!!!

Summer Vacation

Paisley and I decided last minute to take a trip to Utah/California (I decided and I'm the mom) to see family and crash another family's reunion. They're camping on the beach in CA, why not?

Anyway, we had to leave KC at 5:50 am (the shuttle came at 4:10!) and fly to Denver, switch planes, then fly into SLC, then drive from SLC to Orem, about 50 minutes away. We were soooo tired (we as in Paisley and me. Charles didn't come. He wasn't invited), but P did really really really well. I was so proud of her. No melt downs. I did buy her a harness, which when I was younger thought was evil and said I would never do that to MY child. There's a lot of things I used to say I wouldn't do as a parent and now find myself doing. Anyways, so she was harnessed and I had to carry a backpack of entertainment for her, a huge purse of food and diapers (for P as well) and the carseat. No way in hell would she stay on my lap. But people are really nice and someone ALWAYS offered to help me. Which I really appreciated. Now we're here, actually in another part of UT visiting Charles' sis Janet and children. I think we're going to Walmart soon (since I don't get enough walmart in podunk Kansas), then to dinner. We played outside for awhile, as Janet has a nice swingset and we all know how much P loves to swing. My 6 year old nephew kept telling me to take his picture while he batted, and he also "showed" me how to use his Wii, although he was a little stingy about letting me actually play and we had a little fight about it. I totally won.

Forgot to mention that I celebrated a bday last Saturday. I'm now the ripe old age of 24. Believe me? Charles slaved over a cake for me (nasty cake from Walmart. sorry Charles, it really was gross), and put lots and lots of candles on it. He did let me sleep in though, and brought me breakfast in bed. Our tiny little town had a parade and carnival for me (ok not really for me) where we watched random pickup trucks drive down the street and throw candy (which P and I loved) and we got cotton candy (which P and I also loved) and Charles spent a good $7 trying to win P a really cheap stuffed seal. It was fun, but hot, so we left before the tractor pull started. Then we went to the really classy steakhouse called Ramblers. Did I mention how classy it is? It's actually pretty good food though. What I'm really mad about though? Charles didn't get me anything. Well, I take that back. I got my hair done and that was my present, but he didn't give me a card. All I wanted was a card. When I asked him why not? He said he lost it. The truth, or a good cover up?

Paisley and cousin Leif

Ready for the drive thru, she's got her money out. Large diet coke, please!
This is why I KS is not my favorite place. It's missing mountains.

Toys

Has anyone been hearing about this girl that disappeared from Overland Park, KS? It's especially creepy because this girl just graduated from the same high school I attended, the same school that my dad still teaches at. She was abducted at the Target that was just built by my dad, by the mall that I grew up going to all the time. The same mall I was planning to take my friend tomorrow. The same Target my sister-in-law shops at because there was a shooting at the Target by her house. I NEVER would have imagined something happening there.

In Paisley news, she's been having some fun in the sun, as cheesy as that sounds. I painted her toes for the first time, which was a very proud moment for me. And I know that her shoes are too small, we got some bigger ones for her to wear.

I got a new toy, a little lion head bunny, whom I've named Rodrigo. I'm not sure yet if it's a boy or girl, but Roddy suits it just fine. We actually just call it bunny anyway. Or as P says, "Buh-ee."

Paisley also got a new toy this week. Remember when I made a silly little joke that her grandparents should get her a Little Tykes slide because she envied her neighbor's slide? Well, I opened the front door yesterday to this!! I think I actually screamed, I was so surprised.

And I set it up myself. Okay, I had a little help, but not much.

I also tried to teach P how to drink from a cup.
Didn't work so well.

Random pictures of Paisley getting more use out of the step than me, and the reason why she can't watch "shows" all day.

Orbitz SUCKS ASS

I booked a flight tonight to Utah for Paisley and myself through Orbitz. It was a decent price, although we have to leave at the buttcrack of dawn (5:50), so I went ahead and got it. Got an email confirmation (at least I THOUGHT it was), then I checked my email just now, hours later, to find this. Pissed off doesn't quite do me justice. Luckily, through www.Expedia.com I found the same flight, for $30 less. So there, Orbitz.

Dear Valued Orbitz Customer,
We regret to inform you that, due to limited availability, the airline was not able to confirm theflights you requested. Therefore, no tickets have been issued for this trip and your credit card hasnot been charged.Situations like this are rare; however, when they do occur we attempt to contact our customersimmediately as to avoid missing out on advance purchase opportunities.To help you understand how this situation could occur:Orbitz is a full service travel agency. Our advanced search engine searches two billion fareswithin seconds from over 450 airlines. Our secure on-line booking system accesses fares andavailability from the same central reservation systems that other travel agents and airlinereservation agents are booking from worldwide. As you can imagine, with the extensive volume ofagents booking flights at any given time, availability for a particular flight can be gone in aninstant. Therefore, when your ticketing request reached the airline, availability for the flight(s) youselected was no longer available.The confirmation e-mail that you may have received is only an acknowledgement that the flightsyou selected for purchase have been sent to the airline for approval prior to ticketing and doesnot guarantee ticket issuance.We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for your understanding.We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you in the near future.Please click on the following link to make your new reservation
Sincerely,Orbitz
Ticket Advisory Department !

20 months

Happy 20 months Paisley! That's so close to being (dum dum dum) 2 it's unbelievable. She's completely better, back to eating massive amounts of food and being totally into everything. She gets bored. How can she get bored? She has SO MANY TOYS, yet she still acts as if she's bored out of her gourd. Constantly asking for a show.

Paisley: "show?"

Mommy: "no"

Paisley: "peees?"

Mommy: "damn you're cute. ok."

If I say no to a show, she then goes to the door and asks "side?" "pees?" If I say no to that, she goes to the pantry and asks for "nack?" I can tell she'll be one of those people who eat when they're bored. She constantly makes me laugh, even when she's driving me crazy. She's so smart (of course) and is able to communicate most of her wants so that we understand. She's OBSESSED with stickers and coloring, although she'll draw a few squiggles and move on. Stickers? Oh, those can provide hours and hours of entertainment, because they stick. Everywhere. The very first thing she asked for this morning was "ticka?" She'll very proudly display them on her shirt and pants (and nose) without taking them off. Unless it's to put them on her friend Cobey.

Sorry about the thigh shot Charles. I can't figure out how to upload photos that I've cropped.

P's other obsession: shoes. If I leave mine out, she follows me around with them telling me. "Shoes! shoes!" She actually walked all the way from the kitchen to living room yesterday in these heels. I was quite proud.