It's been a while since we've posted. Busy month.
Natali has 21,000 "real" American Airlines Advantage miles. She's just 4000 miles away from Gold status. We have no more trips planned...but it would be funny for a year old to have Frequent Flier status eh?
Natali has a lot more "non rev" miles. Not sure how many.
Our most recent trip was to Frankfurt, Germany. Long flight. Almost 10 hours there....and 11 hours back. A long time on an airplane for an adult...an eternity for a 2 year old.
We are travel experts though.
Natali's previous longest flight was to Hawaii at 8 hours.
She did ok on the way to Frankfurt. A little fussy but not bad.
For the 8 days we were there we gave in on the pacifier usage. She was in a strange place...it comforted her. The time change was rough on us but it seemed to bother her the least . Frankfurt is 7 hours ahead of Dallas.
Natali did great all week. Minimal fussiness even though we were out and about all day long. We used the stroller some places and the backpack other places where strollers didn't work. We toured castles, a cocentration camp, car museums and more.
During the night she slept in our bed most nights. At one hotel she had her own bed. We are happy to say she did VERY well.
I thought she would be a little uneasy...nope. She loved it. We will be buying her a real "big girl" bed soon.
For the flight back...it was rough.
Natali slept the first hour or so. That was it.
About 8 hours in she turned to me and said ,"I want to go outside please." She was done being in the plane.
Her Ipad helped a bit...she walked around a bit. The last 15 minutes when the Ipad went away was rough.
She slept when we got home. The next two days were rough on her...and us....jet lag.
Before our trip I penciled in a trip to Japan next year. It's off the table now. The flight is almost 14 hours long to Tokyo. To long.
The trip to Frankfurt was likely her last flight in her car seat. Next time we will use the C.A.R.E.S harness. It's the only FAA approved child harness. The car seat will be checked.
More soon.
For now some photos from our trip.
[nggallery id=58]
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Swimming Lessons
Natali has been taking swimming lessons once a week for the last three months. I take her to a place called Emler Swim School. They have several locations throughout the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. They are more expensive than the city lessons, but the pool is indoor, which was very important to me for several reasons. We can do lessons year-round at an indoor facility and I don't have to worry about the weather. Our first lesson was back in early June. We did a free trial lesson and Natali cried the entire time. It was pretty awful, but I signed her up anyway. Darren came to that first lesson and he was ready to pull her out of the pool in the first 5 minutes. He hasn't been back since. He didn't quite understand my need to get her in lessons at such a young age, but I think it's extremely important for her to have an appreciation for water and to know how to not drown. While we don't have a pool at home, we do travel a lot near water and 2 of my siblings have pools in their backyards. I want Natali to be able to enjoy herself in and around the water. So, after that first lesson I was more determined than ever that she would do those lessons.
Natali was in a class called "waterbabies" and the kids could be as young as 6 months old. Her class was mostly kids in the 1 to 2 age range though. The parents are all in the water with the kids and we did a lot of songs. The goals of the class were to just get the kids comfortable in the water and to be able to start moving through the water on their own, mostly by kicking, and to be able to hold on to the wall and move along the wall and even pull themselves out of the water. All of these things together would hopefully allow the kids to be more comfortable and not drown if they ever somehow fell in. Theoretically Natali could move to the wall if she fell in and at least know how to grab it and hold on so she wouldn't drown. This is something that every child should learn. By the end of the 12 week class she was supposed to be able to hold her breath underwater for 10 seconds. I was really skeptical about that last part. Our first "official" class was the next week after the trial lesson. Natali did not want to go at all and she cried for the first 5 minutes. She finally calmed down though, I think when she figured out we weren't going to leave. Of course she didn't really want to do anything during the lesson and she clung to me like it was a life or death situation, but I was just happy to have the crying stop. Progress was made!
As the lessons continued each week got a little better. Natali started to get comfortable and enjoy herself. She really liked the songs and even started singing them throughout the week when we were just around the house. The underwater part was difficult though. We started off just having her jump to me without putting her head under. Then it progressed to just putting her mouth under, and then the next week she went fully underwater for the first time for 1 second. That really shocked her, but she did it and then kept progressing from there. I didn't think it would happen, but by our last lesson on Friday she actually did go underwater for 10 full seconds and she came up smiling! I was extremely proud of the progress she had made. I have of course signed her up for the next session. I was expecting to just put her in another session of the waterbabies class, but after a lengthy discussion with her teacher we decided we will try moving her up to super waterbabies. I am very nervous about this transition because I will not be in the water with her anymore. I did get the opportunity to watch a little bit of another super waterbabies class and it made me a bit more comfortable about it. I decided to go for it. I signed her up with the same teacher so the transition will be easier. She has an excellent teacher so I'm glad she will get to stay with him. Of course, if it doesn't work out in the new class we can always step back and do the first class again, but I think it will be fine. I'm excited to see how it goes.
While I wasn't sure at the beginning of this whole thing, I am extremely happy we stuck with the lessons. It has been a fun and valuable experience and Natali is better off for having gone through it. I think the first week or two in her new class might be a bit rough, but we will get through that too and she should be able to do a whole lot more in the water by the end of it.
Natali was in a class called "waterbabies" and the kids could be as young as 6 months old. Her class was mostly kids in the 1 to 2 age range though. The parents are all in the water with the kids and we did a lot of songs. The goals of the class were to just get the kids comfortable in the water and to be able to start moving through the water on their own, mostly by kicking, and to be able to hold on to the wall and move along the wall and even pull themselves out of the water. All of these things together would hopefully allow the kids to be more comfortable and not drown if they ever somehow fell in. Theoretically Natali could move to the wall if she fell in and at least know how to grab it and hold on so she wouldn't drown. This is something that every child should learn. By the end of the 12 week class she was supposed to be able to hold her breath underwater for 10 seconds. I was really skeptical about that last part. Our first "official" class was the next week after the trial lesson. Natali did not want to go at all and she cried for the first 5 minutes. She finally calmed down though, I think when she figured out we weren't going to leave. Of course she didn't really want to do anything during the lesson and she clung to me like it was a life or death situation, but I was just happy to have the crying stop. Progress was made!
As the lessons continued each week got a little better. Natali started to get comfortable and enjoy herself. She really liked the songs and even started singing them throughout the week when we were just around the house. The underwater part was difficult though. We started off just having her jump to me without putting her head under. Then it progressed to just putting her mouth under, and then the next week she went fully underwater for the first time for 1 second. That really shocked her, but she did it and then kept progressing from there. I didn't think it would happen, but by our last lesson on Friday she actually did go underwater for 10 full seconds and she came up smiling! I was extremely proud of the progress she had made. I have of course signed her up for the next session. I was expecting to just put her in another session of the waterbabies class, but after a lengthy discussion with her teacher we decided we will try moving her up to super waterbabies. I am very nervous about this transition because I will not be in the water with her anymore. I did get the opportunity to watch a little bit of another super waterbabies class and it made me a bit more comfortable about it. I decided to go for it. I signed her up with the same teacher so the transition will be easier. She has an excellent teacher so I'm glad she will get to stay with him. Of course, if it doesn't work out in the new class we can always step back and do the first class again, but I think it will be fine. I'm excited to see how it goes.
While I wasn't sure at the beginning of this whole thing, I am extremely happy we stuck with the lessons. It has been a fun and valuable experience and Natali is better off for having gone through it. I think the first week or two in her new class might be a bit rough, but we will get through that too and she should be able to do a whole lot more in the water by the end of it.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Swimming along
Natali has completed her first swim class.
Kelli and Natali have been going to swimming classes on Fridays for at least two months. Maybe more. Kelli knows more....but she's just about given up on blogging.
For the final class Natali did great. She was able to hold her breath for 10 seconds! She starts her next class next week...Advanced Water Babies.
I've accepted the fact that Natali is no longer my baby....she is a toddler.
Her speech is getting more and more advanced. Much like the two of us...Natali is hard headed.
When she wants to she will speak fairly clearly and concise. Other times she just mumbles.
As Natali gets tired she actually gets more coherent. She has counted to 14, all the ABCs, full ABC song, Happy Birthday song and more....all when really tired.
Natali is now in a preschool classroom. This means no more sippy cups at school and the start of potty training at school.
Kelli and Natali have been going to swimming classes on Fridays for at least two months. Maybe more. Kelli knows more....but she's just about given up on blogging.
For the final class Natali did great. She was able to hold her breath for 10 seconds! She starts her next class next week...Advanced Water Babies.
I've accepted the fact that Natali is no longer my baby....she is a toddler.
Her speech is getting more and more advanced. Much like the two of us...Natali is hard headed.
When she wants to she will speak fairly clearly and concise. Other times she just mumbles.
As Natali gets tired she actually gets more coherent. She has counted to 14, all the ABCs, full ABC song, Happy Birthday song and more....all when really tired.
Natali is now in a preschool classroom. This means no more sippy cups at school and the start of potty training at school.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Fire Truck!
Natali got a Fire Truck from her Grandpa Byrd. She loves to play with it....and dance to the music!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K43RarvXQBA
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K43RarvXQBA
Monday, August 13, 2012
Two!
I've been busy flying lately. I was home to celebrate Natali's 2nd birthday.
She KNEW it was her birthday. Natali walked around saying "It's my Birthday!" and "Birthday Cake".
We had a small party. Just us, her grandmother and our good friends Eric, Angela and Marin Bridges.
Natali got a Minnie Mouse rolling backpack from Kelli (Natali LOVES pulling it around) and a mini-trampoline (with a safety bar) from me.
I'll try to post more later...and more often.
-Darren
For now.... Click on the photo for a full size...uncovered view!
She KNEW it was her birthday. Natali walked around saying "It's my Birthday!" and "Birthday Cake".
We had a small party. Just us, her grandmother and our good friends Eric, Angela and Marin Bridges.
Natali got a Minnie Mouse rolling backpack from Kelli (Natali LOVES pulling it around) and a mini-trampoline (with a safety bar) from me.
I'll try to post more later...and more often.
-Darren
For now.... Click on the photo for a full size...uncovered view!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Going retro
We took our first family road trip yesterday...and it was a marathon.
My dad lives down in Houston. Even since October 2007 Kelli and I have flown down to see him. Natali has always flown down to see him.
Most of the time we fly up and down the same day. We have stayed the night at least once.
Yesterday some friends of ours were having a birthday party for their 3 year old. They just moved to Houston from the Dallas area.
We discussed the benefits of driving vs flying. Complicating things was the fact that I had to work tonight. If we stayed the night in Houston it would be a very long day for me traveling and then working later.
The last flight back to Dallas on Saturday nights leaves at 6PM. The party started at 3PM. Not a lot of time to enjoy the party. Flying wasn't an option.
I gassed up the car Friday night. At 5:01 AM I picked Natali up out of bed, changed her diaper and put her straight into her car seat. We backed out of the driveway at 5:04AM.
We thought for sure she would sleep....nope.
Long 4 hour and 30 minute drive. Non-stop. My 2004 Prius average 47.8 MPG while driving 75 MPH (the speed limit on most of I-45). If I had gone 65 MPH I would have easily cleared 50 MPG.
Early lunch with my dad. Natali had a ton of built up energy after having being strapped in for almost 5 hours.
We left his house just after noon with the intention of driving around so Natali would nap. It kinda worked.
Natali napped for just over an hour.
At the birthday party Natali was her normal self....being super shy. It took her about 30 minutes to warm up to the people at the party.
Our friends hosting the party, Chris and Wendy, are on the shorter side, thus their son is on the shorter side. Natali is a good 3-4 inches taller than the birthday boy, Liam. Another toddler there is 2 1/2 years old and is a good 5-6 inches taller than Natali. Kinda odd seeing the oldest kid in the room being the shortest.
After Natali warmed up she had a good time.
Wendy is very detail oriented and had lots of activities for the kids. In addition to having lots of toys around they all painted boxes, made their own magnetic picture frames and of course she had cupcakes in addition to birthday cake.
We left the party at 6PM. Natali watched Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on her Ipad for most of the ride home. We thought she would fall asleep. Nah. Not until we turned the Ipad off did she finally doze off. We did get 49.5 MPG on the return trip. I attribute the high MPG due to less AC usage (the Prius uses an all electric air conditioning system) and more highway driving vs stop and go driving.
[nggallery id=57]
My dad lives down in Houston. Even since October 2007 Kelli and I have flown down to see him. Natali has always flown down to see him.
Most of the time we fly up and down the same day. We have stayed the night at least once.
Yesterday some friends of ours were having a birthday party for their 3 year old. They just moved to Houston from the Dallas area.
We discussed the benefits of driving vs flying. Complicating things was the fact that I had to work tonight. If we stayed the night in Houston it would be a very long day for me traveling and then working later.
The last flight back to Dallas on Saturday nights leaves at 6PM. The party started at 3PM. Not a lot of time to enjoy the party. Flying wasn't an option.
I gassed up the car Friday night. At 5:01 AM I picked Natali up out of bed, changed her diaper and put her straight into her car seat. We backed out of the driveway at 5:04AM.
We thought for sure she would sleep....nope.
Long 4 hour and 30 minute drive. Non-stop. My 2004 Prius average 47.8 MPG while driving 75 MPH (the speed limit on most of I-45). If I had gone 65 MPH I would have easily cleared 50 MPG.
Early lunch with my dad. Natali had a ton of built up energy after having being strapped in for almost 5 hours.
We left his house just after noon with the intention of driving around so Natali would nap. It kinda worked.
Natali napped for just over an hour.
At the birthday party Natali was her normal self....being super shy. It took her about 30 minutes to warm up to the people at the party.
Our friends hosting the party, Chris and Wendy, are on the shorter side, thus their son is on the shorter side. Natali is a good 3-4 inches taller than the birthday boy, Liam. Another toddler there is 2 1/2 years old and is a good 5-6 inches taller than Natali. Kinda odd seeing the oldest kid in the room being the shortest.
After Natali warmed up she had a good time.
Wendy is very detail oriented and had lots of activities for the kids. In addition to having lots of toys around they all painted boxes, made their own magnetic picture frames and of course she had cupcakes in addition to birthday cake.
We left the party at 6PM. Natali watched Little Einsteins and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on her Ipad for most of the ride home. We thought she would fall asleep. Nah. Not until we turned the Ipad off did she finally doze off. We did get 49.5 MPG on the return trip. I attribute the high MPG due to less AC usage (the Prius uses an all electric air conditioning system) and more highway driving vs stop and go driving.
[nggallery id=57]
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Just a few weeks away
Can you believe we are just a few weeks away from Natali being 2?
Everyday she is changing. Sometimes I want to squeeze her tight to keep her from growing up.
Her speech and use of words is rapidly expanding. She often forms 2-3 words sentences and has started to use "Thank you," and "Welcome". She mastered "Please" a long time ago.
She is still very shy in public and meeting new people. Last night we went over to a friend of mine from work. He is also a pilot and is a bit senior to me. Another family came over with a 1 year old and 6 year old (the dad was also a pilot with my airline).
Natali was VERY shy at first. After about 40 minutes she warmed up to everyone. She played with the 1 year old quite a bit (the 1 year old weighed MORE than Natali...he was a boy though). At the end of the night Natali hugged everyone goodbye. Very cute.
The baby chair she's been using since she started eating solid foods still works...but Natali doesn't want to use it.
Natali has been climbing onto regular chairs for a while. Tonight for dinner she REFUSED to sit in her baby seat and instead sat in a regular chair. Guess we need to buy a booster seat eh?
[gallery link="file"]
Everyday she is changing. Sometimes I want to squeeze her tight to keep her from growing up.
Her speech and use of words is rapidly expanding. She often forms 2-3 words sentences and has started to use "Thank you," and "Welcome". She mastered "Please" a long time ago.
She is still very shy in public and meeting new people. Last night we went over to a friend of mine from work. He is also a pilot and is a bit senior to me. Another family came over with a 1 year old and 6 year old (the dad was also a pilot with my airline).
Natali was VERY shy at first. After about 40 minutes she warmed up to everyone. She played with the 1 year old quite a bit (the 1 year old weighed MORE than Natali...he was a boy though). At the end of the night Natali hugged everyone goodbye. Very cute.
The baby chair she's been using since she started eating solid foods still works...but Natali doesn't want to use it.
Natali has been climbing onto regular chairs for a while. Tonight for dinner she REFUSED to sit in her baby seat and instead sat in a regular chair. Guess we need to buy a booster seat eh?
[gallery link="file"]
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