My Monday Musings

Today's musing is brought to you by the letter's T, S, and A. That's right I'm going to be talking about the T.S.A. It's the #1 topic on the national nightly news, no matter what anchor you choose to watch. I usually don't put my two cents in about things pertaining to flying because I have a different insight to those things. But with this one...I just couldn't keep my mouth shut. So bear with me, whether you agree or not.

The T.S.A was created after 9/11 and when you think about what happened that day, it seemed like a great idea. But honestly, it was probably created too quickly. Many of the agents didn't have to have ANY specialized training. And in certain airport they were on power trips, which I witness more than once. Also, nothing was ever the same depending on which airport you were flying in and out of. But as travelers we adjusted and grinned and bared it when travel rules changed.

Okay, no problem. I am all for safety when it comes to flying. It's my husband's job and I want him to be safe and in turn, all those that fly with him to be safe as well. I took pride in my fellow Americans and how no matter what the rules, if someone was going to be a douche on a plane - we weren't going to take it.

Sadly this doesn't apply to the T.S.A. When they are douchey, we can't disagree. And now? Now we are subject to some serious pat downs. And I'm okay with this, because it's all in the name of safety. I mean someone who is bold enough to put explosives in their freaking underwear, is hardcore. And a little stupid - but that's another post. So pat me down if you must and get your jollies if you're so inclined.

BUT, that's right there is a BUT. Let's be realistic T.S.A. Strip searching children? Embarrassing older folks? And my favorite that I've seen first hand, making an elderly woman in a wheelchair get out of her chair so she can go through the mega-scanner. The poor woman could barely stand on her own!

Profiling may be wrong but let's get real. Does a family with 3 children, baby bags, strollers and car seats warrant a pat down? Does a child? How about someone that can't even stand alone? How about we listen to the passenger that is trying to tell you that they have an outside urine bag? Let's use some commonsense, T.S.A. People are already on edge and you aren't making things better. I am all for the pat downs, I just think you need to use more commonsense when picking the passengers.

And people, having a pat down protest? All you are doing is creating even more traffic during a busy travel time. I understand your frustration but you will further frustrate your fellow man by being in THE WAY. Get your message across just get out of the way.

No matter what your opinion on this matter...you do have a choice. You can choose not to fly. Amtrak and Greyhound will gladly take your money. Not down with them? There's always the option to drive. Over the hills and through the woods to grandmother's house you go...

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

We flyin' first class up in the sky,
We flyin' first class, livin' the life
In the fast lane and I won't change
By the glamorous, ooh, the flossy, flossy


And so the dutchess,Fergie from BEP sang a few summers ago. I admit I loved that CD and played it nonstop as I drove around in the convertible I had at the time. Ah...life before baby. Glamorous...this is the life that people assume you have when you tell them your husband is a pilot for a big airline. This is what people think your life is like:

Trips to exotic places, vacations in far off lands, sitting in first class with a glass of champagne. A home full of decor from all the corners of the Earth. A husband that looks good in a uniform. Of all these statements...only 1 is true. Yep, my husband looks damn good in his uniform. The rest? Let me break down for you.

The most exotic place we've been is Maui and that was for our honeymoon. We loved it and have vowed to go back and see some of the other islands. Did we fly first class? Nope. Did they offer to upgrade us cause we were newly married? Nope. Did we drink champagne? Unless Coke is considered champagne somewhere, that is another no.

Decor from the corners of the Earth...try a few trinkets from the corners of America. Oh and coffee from South America. I do have a few pieces of rock from a beach in Maui and when I travel to a new place I try and buy something local. It's hard to do because it seems everything is made in China and is only local cause the city is somehow displayed on it. The only place I was able to get something truly made in the city, was San Francisco. And most of our decor? It comes from Ikea, Target, etc. I've come a long way from crates as tables and bookshelves. Made in Vietnam is about as exotic as our decor gets.

Oh sure, when we started dating and Hubbs had his 3,5, 7 year plan it included traveling to places we had only read about in books. And when we got married we thought Maui was just going to the first of many trips across an ocean. Then real life kicks in and work gets in the way. And his plan of being at a big airline went from "be there in 3" to "got there after 7." There never seems to be a perfect time to travel and when did hotels get so expensive? Now with a baby travel is not fun and I won't take a flight that is over 3 hours. Trying to keep a toddler occupied for more than that is torture. Glamorous? I don't think so.

One day the husband may change planes and decide to do the long hauls overseas and then, maybe we can get back on track with the glamorous life. Can your life be glamorous as you trek around with a kid or two?

Yeah...I guess it can be.

Day Trip to Florida

Last Friday we I decided we should take a day trip to see Spencer's godparents, i.e., my brother and his wife. After several weeks of cold, colder and snow I wanted to go somewhere warmer and they're in Florida so it was win-win for us.

I won't bore you with the details of traveling...suffice to say that the bigger car seat is a PITA. We will be re-thinking how we will travel with it in the future. What I did like was having Spence in his own seat and not having to share airplane space with a stranger!

We made it to Florida just before lunch and the weather was already warming up nicely. Florida had also been having some cooler than normal temperatures but it was nothing like we had been having, so we relished the sun and warmth. Spencer especially loves to be outdoors and so we were taken to a beautiful park by where the godparents live. The park is called Lettuce Lake Park and I was impressed with how big and clean it is kept. Spencer had a great time running around and enjoying the time outdoors.

We got back the same day and I have to admit that he did a wonderful job of staying happy even though his daily routine was ignored for the day. I have to wonder if he will be like me when it comes to change...I just roll with it.

I am thankful my husband has a job where we can do things like day trips and keep up with friends and family in other states. Not that traveling is always fun and glamorous but when it does work out, it's really nice.

One of my favorite pictures from the day:

Have suitcase will travel.

So this past week we headed down to Florida so that Spencer could meet his other aunt's and spend time with Abuela y Abuelo. (That's grandma and grandpa for those that don't speak Spanish.)

This time around he acted fussy as we boarded the plane and took our seats..can you see the annoyance on his face?


He got over it by the time we were in the air and on our way, thank goodness. I don't know what I would do if he decided to be mr. fussy pants the whole ride on a flight!

Spencer has Abuela eating out of his little hand...she set up a crib in the guest room so the little guy would have his own place to lay his head. She's mostly afraid one of us will roll over and suffocate him, but still having a safe place to put him was awesome. But the BEST part? Spencer slept in the crib from the first night to the last night, for 5 or more hours each night. Abuela is now called the Baby Whisperer! Here is the magic crib that started it all:




While that was awesome, what is even more awesome is the fact that the trend has continued and Spencer is now sleeping through the night! I begin to get him ready around 8 and by 9 he is usually asleep. I knew the trend of getting him ready for bed at 8 several weeks ago was a good thing!

The family cat, who was anxious to scope out the baby, did the next best thing...he got into the stroller and was none to happy when we asked him to get out:



I don't have any pics of Spencer's youngest aunt's holding him...because they were too scared to hold him! They thought they might hurt him and instead enjoyed watching him coo and smile...and fart. He's going to love when they tease him about that little fact.

Abuelo was able to get into the act of hanging out with Spencer...and accused me of not giving up the baby. I have to admit it, I don't freely give him up, doesn't matter if you are family or not, you basically have to take him from me! I think I have that disease...you know the one where no one does it as good as you? I think this is a common mom affliction though..oh well. Here is Spencer with Abuelo Joe:




We managed to snag this picture one morning and it's one of my faves, Spencer holding Daddy's hand:



And lastly, here he is trying to be a big boy and hold his head up:

Everyday I look at my little boy and am still amazed he is mine and my heart swells with pride and love.

Lastly I want to wish Spencer's Uncle Joey and very happy 22nd birthday!

Newborn no longer.

Today was a sad day as I put away Spencer's clothes from the dryer...it was time to put away the clothes marked NB...for newborn. All those items are now very tight on him and so it's time for him to move into the 3 month clothing. A moment of silence for the NB items, please.

He's almost 12 pounds already and growing bigger everyday. Where did the last 6 weeks go?? One day I will look back and wonder where the last 18 years have gone...which is such a scary thought!!

The 6 hours of sleep he did last week was a fluke. He's back to about 3 hours and two feedings a night. I think he slept so much that particular night because I was just getting over the stomach flu and he possibly had a bit of it too! I didn't put that all together until several days passed and he never attempted another 6 hour night. Oh well.

It's almost time for us to take our first airplane trip as a family, instead of a couple. I'm only nervous about how much more I have to pack and not about the traveling itself. And of course, no place we go will have all the comforts of home, so that will be a lesson. (I talk of baby comforts.) I'll of course post more about how it all goes, after we successfully take our trip.