I’m currently on my way to Dallas (yay American Arlines wifi!) for an overnight work trip- although I’ll be resting my head in Indy tonight – and flying back to CLE tomorrow night.

Before I was a Mommy, these trips were nothing. Pack a bag and leave the Mister, knowing he’d spend his evenings gaming it up and ordering pizza. When you are leaving a little Bean, however, things become a bit more complicated. Like making sure all the bottles are prepared and you have enough of his “preferred” foods on standby. And setting aside his favorite jammies, praying to the Gods that he sleeps well for his daddy.

And finally, preparing your nemesis — THE PUMP — to pack up and take the title of “carry on #1.” But you do all of this early the night before, so that when you wake up at 4:00 a.m. for your 6:40 flight, you minimize the “shuffling about” and the risk of waking the Bean.

And when he wakes up at 4:10 anyway, you try not to blame yourself.

Instead, you wake the slumbering Mister. Quickly collate your items and leave the house with wet hair, as you both pile the Bean into the car, where he falls asleep in 5 minutes, to drive Mommy to the airport.

You then kiss them both goodbye and try not to look back to realize what you are leaving behind.

I know it sounds dramatic, I know, I’m only gone for a day! But you mothers out there will understand. The feeling can’t be put into words. From the moment you leave them, you just don’t feel right – emptier, unbalanced. A tingling in your chest quickly shows its ugly face, so desperately trying to fill the little hole in your heart that remains until you are reunited with your little gremlins again, and all is right on the world.

Although I hear a good night’s sleep in a hotel to yourself helps, too

So here’s to an uninterrupted, warm bath and (at least) 7 consistent hours of sleep. That alone might just make this worth it.

Some people are really, really stupid.

I used to be one of them. I used to be one of those people who thought, “Ohhh I don’t need that, I’ll be fine, I never get sick.” Turns out you can eat healthy, do all the right things, and those little suckers called GERMS and VIRUSES can still get you. Who knew?! (Being a mother also makes you care a little bit more, too)

Without trying to sound too preachy, I figured I’d share the following from one of my favorite children’s health blogs, Seattle Mama Doc.

Things To Know About Influenza:

• Vaccination is the best way to protect you, your family, and your community from the flu.
• Children under age 5 are at higher risk from complications from the flu. Children under age 2 are at even higher risk. Children with asthma and with some underlying medical conditions are at high risk as well.
• Pregnant women are at exceptionally high risk from influenza and complications from the infection due to changes in their immune, cardiac, and pulmonary (lungs) systems. While pregnant women make up only 1% of the US population, they accounted for 5% of the country’s deaths from H1N1 (Swine flu) in 2009. All pregnant women are recommended to get a flu shot. However we know that only about 30% of moms are immunized at the time of delivery. The bonus of protecting themselves? New research shows how vaccinating pregnant women protects babies. When moms protect themselves by getting flu shot, they also prevent spreading flu to their babies. Babies born to vaccinated moms have a lower risk of flu (and hospitalization) under 6 months of age when they are too young to get the flu vaccine.
• The best way to protect a newborn baby from the flu is to have all caregivers (parents, grandparents, nannies) get the flu shot.
• People can spread the flu to others before they even know they’re sick. People also spread the infection after they have had it; they can continue to spread flu for 5-7 days in mucus, sneezes, and cough. The best way to protect yourself is to get a flu shot, and second to that: wash you hands, cover your cough, and stay home from school or work when sick with fever and cold symptoms.
• Each year 20,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized with flu or complications of the flu. 11 children died from influenza during the week of January 30-Feb 5th in the United states.
• Overall flu vaccination rates are less than 50% for people under 65 years of age. To best protect our communities, vaccination coverage rates should be about 90%. We’re not there. Immunizing yourself and your family protects those who are too sick (or too young) to get the flu shot and are also at higher risk of complications.

And finally, her Flu Shot Cliff’s Notes:

Influenza causes more hospitalizations than any other vaccine-preventable illness. It’s not just kids at risk for complications (asthmatics, diabetics, children with complex heart disease or immune problems) that die from the flu. Nearly 1/2 the children who died in this last year were well, healthy children. PREVENT influenza, get a flu shot for all the members of your family. Although the flu vaccine dose is the same as last year, it’s recommended we all get a dose this season. For children who didn’t have a dose last year under the age of 9: they need 2 doses this year, separated by 1 month.

The Mister and I went with Bean to get our family flu shots last weekend. Our little warrior took it like a champ and didn’t even cry!

Now if only I could say the same for the Mister….

What about you, are you getting the flu shot this year? Why or why not?

Last week, however, the Mister and I had our first brush with “right place/right time” greatness. We were quite enjoying ourselves in the nosebleeds at the Foo Fighters concert, when we were asked if we’d like to “move our seats.” Knowing they certainly couldn’t get any worse, we figured what the heck.

view from “before”

view “after”

Happy campers

Have you ever been in the right place at the right time? Share your stories!

I think this pic sums it up quite nicely.

Laughter and fun after the Yankee Peddler Festival, which in of itself was a bust, but I’d pay $20 for this picture, so it all worked out

Bean did love walking around the woods in his carrier, but I was really hoping to find some handmade toys — a $750 Noah’s Ark just didn’t fit in our budget.

Bean is now 2 for 2 with Browns wins ever since he started sporting his jersey. Although I fear that each week will become smellier and smellier, since I’m fairly certain the Mister isn’t going to let me wash the lucky garment.

How was your weekend?

Yesterday Bean and I had endless fun with one of his favorite toys, Mr. Bee. If you’d like a smile, join us in the fun!

Birthdays are a big deal around our house.

Bean was proud to show his spirit for Daddy this morning.

He gave Daddy the full Star Wars Saga on Blu Ray, and felt he should dress the part.

He did pretty good, no?

The force is strong.

We had an incredible weekend and I have lots of pics to share. But for now, I want to take this time to wish my husband the most incredible birthday he’s had to date — putting up with me and Bean day in and day out? I’d say he deserves it.

Jason, God couldn’t have picked a better husband, a better father, a better friend. I’m so lucky you decided to share your life with me.

happy birthday

While he always has the latest and greatest gadgets, I should consider myself lucky that I am worthy of his hand-me-downs. I’ve often wondered why this is. Is it because I’m the type of person who watches regular channels on our HD TV? Or maybe it’s because the words giga and byte aren’t in my daily vernacular? Is it because I don’t subscribe to the MacRumours RSS feed? Or cuz I don’t give my computer or phone the regular updates when prompted (sorry, but I don’t want to restart!)? I know – it has to be because I don’t attend LAN parties (don’t ask…).

NO, it’s because I do things like this…

(not my exact image, but you get the picture)

Bean was a world-class traveler and I’m putting together a “traveling with baby” post. I also have lots of yummy restaurantsto recap, as well as a Pilates class review! But in the meantime, here’s what I’ve been up to these past few days.

Now you know why you haven’t heard from me

My fridge is empty.

My house is in shambles.

And I’m currently questioning the state of my underarm region — did I remember to put on deodorant this morning?

Yes, I am packing. Because tomorrow the Mister and I leave for a four day Florida adventure!

(source)

We’re currently in the process of trying to figure out what we NEED to bring. To the Mister, this means EVERYTHING. Need I remind you that the Mister is the type of man that actually purchases and keeps emergency kits in the car/basement/everywhere JUST IN CASE. Please try to imagine packing for a trip with this person. (Love you, honey).

Anyway, while we argue over what toys and gear is necessary for Beanie, please share some of YOUR travel tips — we’ll take all the help we could get right now

And if you are travelling via plane this weekend, please, please don’t roll your eyes at the family with the screaming baby. Your efforts would be better spent sending them a complimentary cocktail

We were lucky enough to score tickets to the social suite through one of my friends at work. The Mister and I kept laughing that Bean is now going to demand first class treatment. It worked out perfectly because we had our own bathrooms, an air conditioned sitting-area, a DESSRT CART – the works! It really was an ideal first-game situation, as we wouldn’t have otherwise ever been able to take him (no thanks, rowdy fans!).

Bean made his presence official with a first-game certificate!

Unfortunately the game was forced into a rain delay and we left around the 7th inning to make it to dinner at The B-Spot (one of Michael Symon’s gems).

Daddy celebrated”his day” with a brew.

he was trying to be fancy. I will refrain from comment

Beanie took in the sights.

Including Daddy’s Bacon milkshake

Yes, you read that correctly — a Bacon Milkshake.

But more on that later

How did you spend Father’s Day?