Here are some highlights from our phone conversations:
1) The stroller somehow missed the flight, despite being checked in with two other bags and a car-seat that all made it onboard. Ug, can you imagine having to deal with the airline people while a two year old is pulling on your pant leg?? At least it wasn’t the car-seat that turned up missing!
Southwest did assure my parents that the stroller would make the next flight, and they would send it to the hotel.
2) Sunday afternoon after they arrived, they hit the Philadelphia Zoo, taking advantage of our Houston Zoo affiliate membership. As the stroller was still in flight, they rented a stroller at the zoo.
Carissa rode in it for about ten minutes before she deemed it to be too dirty and refused to ride in it anymore. (I admit that this prissiness might come from me.) Luckily, her stroller did indeed successfully made the next flight and found its way over to the hotel along with a $25 voucher for a future flight.
3) Monday they went to Sesame Place. Mom said that Carissa was a little hesitant around the characters at first. I don’t blame her - they do appear to be about foot or two tall on the TV, so seeing them in full-adult-sized costume wear is bound to be a little overwhelming. But, she did warm up a little bit towards the end of the day after seeing them all in big parade.
Sesame apparently has some waterpark-type rides that they did on Monday. Carissa wouldn’t wear her life-jacket though so they were confined to the wading-pool area stuff. (Maybe the next time Carissa and Hunter stay at Grammy’s together, Hunter will inspire Carissa to wear a life-jacket… hinthinthint…)
4) Carissa is apparently not eating anything except for macaroni and cheese and candy. She gets this pickiness from her Daddy.
5) Tuesday, they went back to Sesame to do the non-water stuff. They experienced all the shows and kiddie rides. Carissa apparently really enjoys the tea-cup ride (her and Pa rode it four times) and the sandbox. Mom said that the park is really nice. Very clean, and the patrons are all young families that are all visibly having a fun time.
Today is the Day Out with Thomas. I can’t wait to hear how she liked it!
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This morning, Travis and I took my parents to the airport for “their” summer vacation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please note the quotes around “their”. They are planning to hit Sesame Place, Thomas the Train, the Liberty Bell, and all the other sites and sounds that Philly has to offer. Yeah, they are taking Carissa Ann with them… and not me.
It was really hard to send my little baby on vacation, and not just because I’m jealous that she gets to go and I don’t. She had some anxiety this morning about going on the airplane, kept asking for ‘five more minutes’, her tummy hurt, she needed something to drink, and wanted to just go and play at Pa’s house instead.
I told her that she had some new stuff in her Thomas backpack for the plane ride to hopefully dissuade a potential melt-down and rough start out for the week. A new stamper set that has her favorite Cars characters, a Mater book, and even some play-doh awaited her on the plane ride.
But, Travis said when he took her out of the car-seat she still asked him with a little whimper if he would go with her too. Can I please get an awwwww from all of you please?
Nevertheless, with Grandma leading the way with a car-set on top of a rolling suitcase and a purple backpack on her shoulder filled with goldfish, smarties, diapers, and DVD’s, and Pa pulling up the rear with Carissa’s suitcase piled on a stroller and a Thomas backback slung over his shoulder, my big girl turned toward the airport door… and, with her Big Brown horse and her whoobie, walked right through the door without a look back at her Momma.
I know that they will have a great time and, frankly, Travis and I will too. But, it will still be a long week without our sweet-pea.
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My Aunt Donna passed away last Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer. She is the wife to my mom’s brother Ben, and mother to Luke, Claire, and Mark. She is also my Godmother.
Donna Cegelski was probably the bravest person I have ever known. If you have ever wondered what is meant by the Christian adage ‘Carry Your Cross’, my Aunt Donna is the shining example.
She never complained about the cards that were dealt to her. If you asked her how she was doing, even up to the very end, she was always ‘just fine.’ She didn’t want people to worry about her or feel sorry for her. The pain left her practically unable to walk or do the simplest everyday things, but she still persevered and stayed true to herself and God the whole way through.
I truly think that she made a conscious decision that this ‘cross’ was not going to be the definition of her life, and God helped her to make and keep that promise. Aunt Donna believed and trusted that God can make good come out of any situation, even if you can’t tell what that ‘good’ is right away.
Somehow, someway she always came to the family birthdays and events, to Claire’s dance shows, to the superbowl parties at our house with guacamole in hand, to Christmas Eve at Nana’s with a little something for everyone, to the mall on Wednesdays with Debbie, coordinated the bridal and baby showers, etc etc.
She did more for her friends and family then most people ever will – and she had terminal cancer. Looking back on the last few years, I am truly amazed at what she was able to do in the face of dying.
When I think about Aunt Donna, I will most remember her innate ability to love, to care about others, to persevere, and to inspire others.
On October 4, 2008, is the annual Komen Houston Race for the Cure. I would like to encourage everyone to consider walking for my Aunt Donna and for the millions of other people that breast cancer has impacted.
Aunt Donna – I know you are looking down on all of us from heaven where your pain has been erased, your sickness has been healed, and the shining light that you brought to all of our lives will now be one of the brightest stars in the sky. Your spirit will live on in all of us – your children, your sisters, your nieces and nephews, your friends and family.
Your life was too short, and we will love and miss you always.
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Last week I was in California on business. It was a pretty good and productive trip if you take out the flat tire on the airplane getting there and a two hour delay getting home. Travis and Carissa enjoyed some daddy-daughter time by hitting Incredible Pizza twice, McDonalds, and an Astros game with Grammy and Johnye Leigh.
Happy Memorial Day – it sure was nice having a long weekend! America should have more mandated holidays in my humble opinion. I am always looking for an excuse to
On Friday night, we hung out at the house. I got to catch up on my Tivo, and Travis got to catch up on his Xbox. Saturday, we went over to Wal-Mart. Travis and Carissa had McDonalds for lunch while I did the shopping. Apparently, after lunch, T&C went over to the toy section to see her pink jeep that was stored high up on some racks. My understanding of what happened is that Carissa asked her Daddy to get it down for her, and he explained that she needed to go potty first. Once she did, he would then call the potty fairy, and she would get it down and bring it to Momma’s house. Carissa rolled her eyes at her daddy, pointed over to her right, and said “Just use that ladder Daddy.” DUH!
That evening, we went over to my mom and dad’s. I offered to bring over some hot-dog fixings, but dad said that they had already taken out some steaks. Hmmm, steaks or hot-dogs? Yeah, easy answer: We went with the steaks! Delicious.
We got there early so we could enjoy the pool a little bit. We got Carissa’s purple bikini out of the cabinet, and she promptly told us ‘I don’t want that, I’m just going to go naked.’ Yes, we apparently have a two-year-old nudist in the family. After much cajoling, the suit was put on, and we had a great time getting a break from the Houston heat which has definitely arrived in full force.
Sunday, Dee and Jake came by. We played a round of Loaded Questions, which I won (did you have any doubt?). We then looked over our game selection and somehow decided on Carissa’s Disney Memory Game. I can’t believe this game is meant for toddlers… a 30 year-old, two 28 year-olds, and a 25 year old (that’s me by the way) had a REALLY HARD TIME with it.
Monday, we had a big breakthrough. Carissa finally went ‘tee-tee’ in the potty. Hallelujah! After sitting on the pot reading books, watching movies, talking about things toddlers like to talk about, etc for what seemed like eternities, she finally ‘went’. Yes, the potty-fairy was called, and she brought Carissa the much-anticipated pink jeep. You should have heard her squeals. Travis and I looked at each other and smiled, thinking we had success and how great it is to be a parent.
Only thing is… Since receiving her jeep, she hasn’t wanted to go potty again. Grrr….
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There are not too many times that I willingly acknowledge being wr- wr- wro-… Ug, ‘wrong’ is just a difficult word. But, this is one of those times where I have to admit that I was… mistaken.
Joey and Loni are going to have a baby boy! They have already named him Parker Ray Cherry. I believe the due date is October 16.
I was really leaning towards a girl for them – I was probably subconsciously wishing for that so I would have someone to buy pretty dresses and PJs with princesses on them for. You know, since my little girl refuses to wear anything that doesn’t have a Mater or a Thomas or a Mickey Mouse on it. TPTB are definitely a sexist bunch in my opinion. Seriously, how hard would it be to print a Mater on a pink shirt? And, no, a pink Minnie Mouse is not the same thing.
Maybe Parker will like Cinderella and Snow White, though… I think I remember a story where Joey was playing with his brother and sister and ended up wearing a – No, I won’t embarrass him today!
But, I digress… Congrats to Joey and Loni! We can’t wait to meet Parker! The love you feel for your child will surpass any kind of love you have ever felt before. It is definitely a ride worth going on, and we couldn’t be any happier for you guys.
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