Preparing for baby's first plane ride

In a short amount of time, we'll be taking Elizabeth on her first flight.

Yikes. 

Tonight, I started looking up everything from "tips for traveling with baby" to "FAA Approved Car Seats," and everything in between. I just got done making sure our carseats were both approved (even though we are obviously only taking one).

I want to back up for a minute, and say thank you to our friends, family and neighbors, who will be driving our cars and house-sitting for us while we are away. We very much appreciate these kind gestures, and we feel so much better knowing that our home will be in good hands while we're gone! (Even though it's only a few days).

As for the packing - and if you know me, the lists - that are imminent...I'm starting to feel apprehensive.

I've got some lists started, and my goal is to complete them by tomorrow, specifically the ones for Elizabeth.

Here are my goals for packing:

• Pack light
• Don't forget anything (duh)
• Keep baby happy on the plane

I've read some horror stories - I mean really scary stuff - happening to moms, and I've also read some really encouraging stories about moms who travel with their babies (alone!), too. I've also found that Google has nothing on Pinterest when it comes to preparing for baby plane travel.

I've made a list of the items/ ideas for traveling with baby that I thought were genius, and that I hadn't thought of:

• Baby's birth certificate copy (to prove she's under 2 years old) 
• Ask for the bassinet seat on the airplane so she can sleep (I doubt she will; it's only a 2 1/2 hour flight, but I know it's available if we need it) 
• Bring 1 new toy, 1 familiar toy and a soft book for the plane
• Pouches of food (not containers) and plastic spoons

There are always the obvious items: diapers, wipes, sanitizer and comfort items, plus clothes (layers) for all.

So I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

Since this is a business trip for me, I'm having to do literally all of the planning and preparing myself. I am booked literally from 7:15am until 9:00pm every day of our trip. Thankfully, the only expense that we've had to incur so far is Robert's plane ticket, and I was able to get it for the best deal I've ever seen, directly through the airline. (Ellie is flying as a "lap infant," and is free.) We were smart, and booked our seats with one empty one in the middle, and have been checking every day to make sure that middle seat is still available. Since it is, (and if it remains that way), we'll be able to use her carseat on the plane. But because all carseats have to be FAA approved in order to allow the baby to use it on the flight, I had to look into all that. And it wasn't as easy as you'd think: The FAA doesn't actually stamp their "approval" on carseats. It's just the red lettering that says it's certified for motor vehicle and aircraft transportation.

I'm exhausted already, and I'm calling it a night.

More notes and details on our travel later, hopefully after I figure out what bags to take and such.

Pop Culture and Priorities

The above is a picture of what is, in my mind, nothing short of sad and pathetic. Someone idolizing another person is one thing (wrong). But someone idolizing a star and actually saying that they are "the source of their happiness," is just absolutely heartbreaking to me.

What has happened in our world that has turned America's younger generation into idolizing, pathetic fans? (I stopped short of adding "stalker-ish" here, but I feel like everyone has Twitter, Instagram and Facebook these days, and you can see for yourself and make your own judgments).

I'll tell you what: God. His absence. His banishment from schools, restaurants, and stores.

I'm so sick and tired of the retail industry banking on God, but not giving Him the credit. Example: Many stores put all of their faith in the "Christmas shopping season." Why? Because people will shop then. So they will (occasionally) use the word "Christmas" in their advertising - because they can make money off of it. This is why we don't support Black Friday as much as possible. (We did make some basic, needed purchases from Fred Meyer on Black Friday this year. But we purchased no gifts - therefore, we cannot be counted in true "Black Friday shopping" figures).

But this goes so much further and deeper.

For me, I'd rather read stories about God's glory being emulated through a construction manager and an extraordinary elderly woman. About a newborn being declared dead and shocking all human reason and doctor's logic and coming back to life. And of course, I'd rather read the Bible. (No link for the most important one, the last one? Intentional. Go grab your hard copy - you won't be sorry).

And I'd rather relish in the joy, delight, and heart-swelling love that is brought to me daily by my precious Elizabeth Johannah.

In our home, we do not allow Harry Potter books, witchcraft games, or anything related to Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus. Why? Because it's all the same - empty. That's not to say that we don't enjoy a good book (me; not Robert - unless it's a sports biography...and then all bets are off), or movie, or TV on DVD. We aren't perfect. But we've chosen specifically to withhold the things mentioned above (and some others) from our home because we feel the most strongly that they would hurt our child. We listen to secular music, we watch secular TV, and we let our daughter have exposure to a world bright and full of color, art, music and love. But we will not willingly and/ or knowingly let her have access to such emptiness, bleak and desperate attempts at fame, and completely worthless worldly fortune.

We're also realists. We know our daughter will one day ask to watch a movie we don't approve of for her. We know she'll have a crush. We know she'll get hurt. We know she'll lie. But we will not blame it on "oh, she's a typical little girl," because that will turn into "oh, she's a typical teenage girl," and that will turn into "oh, she's a typical, worldly, pathetic, empty, destined-for-a-life-of-sadness young woman who is desperate for attention because we didn't pay enough to her when she was growing up."

Let me tell all of my readers this: My daughter can watch Duck Dynasty, 19 Kids & Counting, The United Bates of America, Little People Big World, Sesame Street, Berenstein Bears, Elmo, and pretty much anything else on Sprout that she wants. You know why? These shows aren't just entertainment. A lot of them are Christians who refuse to hide their faith from reality TV cameras! There are even other shows on our list that we (Robert and I) watch that have similar themes, but totally different convictions than we have - and we think that's healthy. For us. Elizabeth won't be old enough to know and discern the differences for years. I want her to be a strong Proverbs 31 woman (you know, the one I still try to be?)

The bottom line here is that we refuse to let bad media, desperate "stars" and Hollywood ruin our baby's innocence. We want her to have a firm foundation in the Lord, have an appreciation for music and the arts, be a productive woman, and never settle for "just enough."

WHO IS WITH ME?

A First For Elizabeth

Today was a first in our house!! (I'm sure my daughter will someday roll her eyes and beg me to take these pictures off the blog, lol!) 

Elizabeth went potty in the potty! BOTH #1 and #2!! 

Daddy and Mommy heard her grunting, so Daddy rushed her in to the potty, and sure enough, she went! 

We had sat her on the potty a few times previously, but she never did anything. We were just wanting to get her used to the idea. 

Here she is flushing the potty with Daddy like a big girl! 

Daddy let her wash her hands (aka swish them around in the water while), and helped her dry them on the towel! 

Potty training isn't "full-speed ahead," but we like the idea of her getting used to it so she isn't afraid or embarrassed when she's done with diapers. We started at 6 months old, and we will now put her on the potty 1-3 times a day. 

This isn't for everyone. But it's what people do in other countries, and it seems to work just fine. So we're trying it out! 

Yay Elizabeth! 

DIY Headband Holder

Sometimes, I find myself saving random materials so that I can make useful products out of them later. It's rarely literal re-purposing, but tonight, I think I achieved it.

I've had this plan for the longest time - over a year, in fact - to make Elizabeth a headband holder out of a container, glue, and fabric. I had saved an old White Chocolate container from the espresso bar at church after one of my shifts with my sister-in-law about 3 months ago. Tonight, I finally brought this project to fruition.

To do this project, you will need the following:

• Round container with a lid (the circumference of mine was roughly 16", and it was about 6.5" high)
• 2 different fabrics, preferably one solid and one pattern
• Hot glue or Fabric Glue (or, in my case, Mod Podge, because our house is still full of random boxes, Christmas totes and toys, and I can't find my glue gun - we just moved in less than a month ago)
• Measuring tape
• Iron & ironing board
• Fabric scissors
• Ballpoint pen

Once you've gathered your materials, you can get started!

Measure the circumference of the container before you start. This will help give you a basis of how much fabric you need.

 Cut your fabric. In my case, since my circumference was about 16", I made sure I cut 17" long, so I could have clean edges that were folded over in the end. My trim pieces are the solids, and the main piece is the patterned one. The trim pieces were cut about 1.5" wide each, so I could fold over the edges and iron them down. The main piece was about 6" wide, so that I could fold over 1/2" on each side for clean edges.

Next, iron your fabric down. (I took my measuring tape with me so I could measure the width at both ends, and once in the middle as I went!) It helps to lay it out flat as it will look on the container, so that you get a good visual for any flaws in your ironed edges.

It's time to start gluing! If you're using Mod Podge, make sure you cover enough space with a straight line. You want about 1/2" width, so your fabric doesn't pull away as you turn and glue. If you're using hot glue, remember to have your fabric ready, and glue quickly, so that your glue doesn't dry before you get your fabric set!

Glue down the top border first. Use glue all the way around, turning the container as you apply glue and press down the fabric. Make sure your fabric lays straight, and flush against the container. For the clean finished edge, just fold over and glue down.

Glue your bottom border down. Again, make sure you get glue all the way around so you don't get fabric puckering.

When you're done, you should have the open edges pointing towards each other, and the ironed edges on the outside. (Yes, I fixed the little fabric pucker at the bottom of the container!)

Glue the main fabric down on top of the trim pieces. Ideally, you want about 1/2" of overlap, to fully hide the open edges of the trim pieces, and secure the main part down. Again, make sure you use glue all the way around.

To finish the gluing part of the project, just fold down the last open edge of the main fabric and glue down. Again, a good rule of thumb is about 1/2".

Now you're ready to trace your circle for the top of the container! It's a lot easier to get a clearer circle if your container is still attached to the lid.

Trace & cut out the circle. (It works best if you cut just on the inside of the line, so you don't have to trim off the edges).

Glue down your fabric on your lid, and you're done! I used the solid instead of the print on mine, but you could use either the pattern or the solid. You can also use a second accent color.

Ta-da! Here's the finished product with some headbands on it!

Looks pretty nice, right?

Of course, if you're my daughter, you have 20 headbands, need about 4 of these containers, lol!

Enjoy!

Ellie Jo's first haircut

It had to happen sometime! :)

This morning, I was the only one in our house who didn't get a haircut. Daddy and Elizabeth both got haircuts on Thanksgiving Day! 

Here's the video of me cutting Ellie's hair:

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Pumpkin Farm 2013

I was so excited to get to bring Ellie Jo to Craven Pumpkin Farm this year! Despite having a little cold (and not being able to hear out of my left ear), it still sounded like fun. I'm so glad we went, because the fresh air felt so good!

Robert is less excited than me about the pumpkin farm trips, but I love them. I've always gone every single year, and I've always gone to Craven Farm. I love everything they have there, from the "little" pumpkin patch, to the sweet little "Mouseville Mercantile" shop.

Ellie Jo was really good all day! We left right after church, so we got in early. We only anticipated being gone approximately an hour, but she did so well that we stayed longer and took a lot more pictures than planned.

After we had purchased our pumpkins (we only got one big one), Robert went to pay for them and take them back out to the truck like we usually do. He told me I could go look around in the little store, but I wanted to let him know that we were looking around outside the store (by the animals) first. I tried to find my phone, but I couldn't find it anywhere! It was crazy. I searched and searched, but it was just not anywhere I put it. Robert came back and I frantically had him call my phone (useless, because it's always on silent, but you just do that kind of thing when when you lose your phone), search the ground, retrace our steps - you name it, he did it. I was just sending him out to our car again when I found it - stuck in between the folds of the stroller cover! Yeesh. That was not fun. Judy just told me this morning to always put a passcode lock on my phone. (I don't, because it's annoying). But now, I just might have to, considering I do the toss-everything-wherever-and-sort-it-out-when-we-get-home thing, if I have the baby on an outing. I could easily lose my phone or purse! Better safe than sorry.

Anyway, we've also been working on our house every spare minute we've had. At the very end of the pumpkin farm pictures, you'll see a couple house pictures! I promise, we're definitely doing a "before" and "after" post. We're taking some progress pictures, but not a lot. I think the change is more noticeable with drastic pictures!

Here is our trip today - in pictures!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Happy baby with mommy!

..and one second later... lol

Loved being in her carrier today!

We thought we'd be good parents and lay down plastic
to prevent the dirt, bird poop, etc. from getting on her.
So naturally, she tried to eat the plastic, lol!

"Wow, look at this pumpkin, dad!"

"Oooooh pumpkin!"

Again with the plastic!

Precious sweetums

"Seriously, mom. Put the camera away."

"I don't go if Zoe doesn't go!"

Family picture (sorry it's crooked; I had to set the
timer and put the camera on the stroller!)

Another family picture

Actually the first family picture we took (with the
timer and stroller!)

"Look at these feet!"

Happy baby with mama

"How big is Ellie? SOOO BIG!"

She wasn't too sure about this. But it's tradition.

Can you see her little smile behind that binky?

My baby :)

Kale!

"Ahhhhmummummmummm"

My pumpkin is the best pumpkin!

I LOVE the face she's making!

This was after my cell phone crisis, and before her
meltdown...

"Thanks for the plastic, daddy!"

"Oooooh"

Daddy's girl :)

"I'm slouchin', guys!"

Hangin' out in a wagon with daddy!

"Please mommy, can we go home now?"

"My daddy bought me my very own pumpkin!"

"Thanks for the pumpkin, daddy!"

Eating daddy's nose, lol

LOVED this "Harvesting the Past" sign!
Totally true - this is a tradition!

Happy baby!

HUGE progress! This is what "Cup of Cocoa" and
"Toasted Marshmallow" look like in our n

Helping Daddy :)

Ta-da! No more ugly wall with pointless closets!
Almost ready for our custom entertainment center!

 Stay tuned for more family updates! :)