tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-310773362024-03-07T18:04:46.294-05:00The Roaming SouthernerThe Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-81502585633669716662011-08-30T16:26:00.001-04:002011-08-30T16:27:35.149-04:00Some pics from EdinburghOur recent visitor has been kind enough to share some pics of C in Edinburgh:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEQV8Bohi10EoOv05fXDs-mhTcbYbXO4V5EzSitoBKdqa1czdSYDki8zsBdOLz-5jkRBqRt_UQ2P3_CTdgoATRhedd-0TFi_Nvu24rkamO18k42rKxPl4rkcnTKH_s9xpMhY/s1600/IMG_4539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEQV8Bohi10EoOv05fXDs-mhTcbYbXO4V5EzSitoBKdqa1czdSYDki8zsBdOLz-5jkRBqRt_UQ2P3_CTdgoATRhedd-0TFi_Nvu24rkamO18k42rKxPl4rkcnTKH_s9xpMhY/s320/IMG_4539.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">At Princes Street Gardens (you can see the Castle in the background), C has made much progress this summer...in May she wouldn't even touch the bouncy horse or dragon...now she likes it as long as it doesn't go crazy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yHRt1JTfGqvm8ayewh7KPAbnzFW2t0SQHAGo2DaFPiTpzTNrOdLxFcnYsz36DukxqVRz13XBGE3m30KUNsOeMkYKNnGpKTtnyA5OuKkQjZfwgUh2D1iG8UZ6f3WhjE1IVmo/s1600/IMG_4474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7yHRt1JTfGqvm8ayewh7KPAbnzFW2t0SQHAGo2DaFPiTpzTNrOdLxFcnYsz36DukxqVRz13XBGE3m30KUNsOeMkYKNnGpKTtnyA5OuKkQjZfwgUh2D1iG8UZ6f3WhjE1IVmo/s320/IMG_4474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At the Botanical Gardens...don't the hedges look like the maze from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! So flipping cool!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZTFuNYdIlicXrPkloOzZxIlMlSQqwO4nccAVuvCcaHWxZsvldVYrUpLyvRaxpr9cinGgAdhFs4yFM1RbdOx6CEZrnrCJcjEsZbgPQI4NHhQuqSG0WLf-8Fy9I12GJgj0In8/s1600/IMG_4451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZTFuNYdIlicXrPkloOzZxIlMlSQqwO4nccAVuvCcaHWxZsvldVYrUpLyvRaxpr9cinGgAdhFs4yFM1RbdOx6CEZrnrCJcjEsZbgPQI4NHhQuqSG0WLf-8Fy9I12GJgj0In8/s320/IMG_4451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Walking and holding hands at the Botanical Gardens. So flippin' sweet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fm46VS0kPGbt4m87eGEphh_oLuygy1NZwI2jS-XLiIq6ocabqHsetQ-SyuxNjRY7_xgawDVH7foAdDpoc8kO5E3opH9ylx54o8iV1crkMYhYhPUDz9UoMWChqjuhuzmTcPc/s1600/IMG_4389-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Fm46VS0kPGbt4m87eGEphh_oLuygy1NZwI2jS-XLiIq6ocabqHsetQ-SyuxNjRY7_xgawDVH7foAdDpoc8kO5E3opH9ylx54o8iV1crkMYhYhPUDz9UoMWChqjuhuzmTcPc/s320/IMG_4389-1.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">One of our fav. activities: Watching the inter-city trains and making them honk! Castle in the background!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJXetUyF96fiHY48mTrq6lxZo3faMwsuxTigZu0iEQQlM7A6ap6LPy627NB6KkIzpgv1zTjM5FOq0tiWz86upUzOOV5oWLcK0eFsx_ozd0JT-ctJCdhfsXcQnY0HKEuqoMw4/s1600/IMG_4381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJXetUyF96fiHY48mTrq6lxZo3faMwsuxTigZu0iEQQlM7A6ap6LPy627NB6KkIzpgv1zTjM5FOq0tiWz86upUzOOV5oWLcK0eFsx_ozd0JT-ctJCdhfsXcQnY0HKEuqoMw4/s320/IMG_4381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">YEA! The trains honked!!!! I have a ton of pics of her dancing with excitement! She loves it!</div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-75090274366711394512011-08-24T09:03:00.000-04:002011-08-24T09:03:37.072-04:00Toddler TraumaOh, we are hitting those fun toddler years, people.<br />
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We had a week long visitor from Austria with her child, who is 2 months older than Cdubs. She is more advanced in many ways and is usually a good motivator for Cdubs to walk, talk, and do more. However, this is biting us in the butt. With 7 days of nothing but whining and pitching fits from this kid, C has learned that this can happen?!?!?! While C was an almost perfect angel while the guests where here, now that they are gone, she has gone into meltdown mode. That might be part of the getting used to not having visitors around, some emerging molars, a cold or whatever...but it all boils down to<br />
<br />
NO FUN!<br />
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She is learning all about time outs<br />
and I am learning a big lesson in patience.<br />
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Kdubs came home from a trip (while our visitors were here) and said, "What happened to our sweet baby?" I said, "she's becoming a toddler, watch out!"<br />
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The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-73475262759384932432011-08-18T08:53:00.001-04:002011-08-24T08:59:38.276-04:00Answered PrayersSo my last post, many moons ago, was me whining about being alone. And anyone can scroll through my posts even when they are infrequent and see that our lifestyle can get a bit lonesome.<br />
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But the Monday after my last post, I decided that I would take Cdubs to the big kid park (which is usually too crazy for us) just to get some air. And I prayed and hoped for maybe a half talk with a mom or two. <br />
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Well, God was listening because I met two wonderful moms there that day with two great kids. And one of them has become a great source of entertainment for me and Cdubs. She invites us to many different play groups and outings, which is great...but even better? Her child and C get along like gangbusters. To the point where C goes to the door and knocks on it saying, "I WALK WITH *insert kids name* WALK!" The other bonus is that I love talking to this new friend and her friends because they actively work to talk about real things and not just mom war stories. <br />
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I am sorry for the lack of posts and the lack of pictures (they kind of go hand in hand)...but we left our camera hookup cord in Vienna. So no pictures of Edinburgh till then, I guess.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-8224082170514780042011-07-10T17:59:00.000-04:002011-07-10T17:59:00.520-04:00All by myselfDon't want to be All BY MYSELF-ANY MORE!<br />
(sing it!)<br />
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Okay, so Kdubs is off for another trip, and this is mine and Cdubs first time alone in a foreign country. I really love Edinburgh, and I am not nearly as paranoid as I get in other places...but I don't love it. For several reasons, #1 is the shower. I have a weird thing about showering by myself. It comes from too many friends/family having very bad, sometimes fatal accidents in the shower. So, to me, it is a justified fear.<br />
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I never give Kdubs a lot of credit for entertaining me all the time. He works from home and he works A LOT...by himself...secluded. But, now that he is not here...IT IS TO QUIET...even with my husband who is often called "quiet K," it just doesn't feel right. <br />
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We also have not met anyone here, really. And with all our travels and visitors, making friends in 90 days seems moot. But I do miss the social interaction.<br />
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So, for that and losing the baby weight. I have signed up for yoga and pilates classes (not that I can do them when Kdubs is gone this week). And I have to say, I am really enjoying yoga. Much more than I thought. I am such a spaz and so silly that I didn't think I could get into it. But 2 things have come to mind about that...1.) don't do yoga with a friend--it just gives me someone to laugh with and 2.) I think I may have matured and appreciate the finer points of my body after giving birth. That also said...I think that it will totally help me go complete med-free next time....that is if the next kid doesn't come out with her hand on her head like she is talking on the phone...cause that hurts mommy!<br />
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Cdubs is adorable and awesome...and tiring and ridiculous. But she is funny, and I love how she is talking and signing like crazy.<br />
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oh, yeah, I am teaching her baby sign language...a.) cause it helps with communication and b.) cause I loved learning it throughout my life and want to keep up and teach her.<br />
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Right now, she is getting down, "nice to meet you" and banana...even though no one but me would know what she is saying.<br />
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Also, she is going through a crazy shy phase right now. Most babies, i've read, go through the stranger danger phase at 6months. Not her. She has never met someone she didn't love to talk to, or wave to, or look at. It is still true, but if someone looks or talks to her...she gets all shy and hides behind me. Plus side: she is easier to keep track of walking around and I'm less scared she won't run away from into some strangers arm for just a smile.<br />
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Lots of other things going on...but that is more in depth. I should write more...and less extemporaneously...is that the word? sporadic? crazy? yeah...something like that.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-37918217102092541582011-07-05T17:08:00.000-04:002011-07-05T17:08:18.127-04:00Tips for Flying with infantIn the hopes that I will get to meet another <a href="http://jmfhomeawayfromhome.blogspot.com/"><b>blogger</b></a> IRL overseas, I have been refining my traveling with baby in airplanes tips:<br />
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I first made this list for a friend traveling with a 4mo old for a short 2 hour trip. But it holds for overseas as well.<br />
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1.) to help prevent airborne germs from getting all-up-on Cdubs, I do two things: a.) spray saline solution in her nose before and after the flight (several times after). You can get baby saline spray at babysrus or any drug store. They also have regular ocean spray saline solution. b.) coat the outside of his nostrils with vaseline before you take off. I put a few q-tips in a baggie with a dab of vaseline in the corner (I haven't found travel size vaseline yet). ***I have found travel size Aquaphor, which works great.<br />
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2.) Pack a diaper for every hour you are traveling. <br />
<br />
3.) receiving blankets are great for all sorts of things...spit up, cold, nursing cover. <br />
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4.) For a longer flight, i'd say take a boppy. I liked it for my long flights because she would sleep on it from nursing and on. <br />
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5.) a new toy is always good (he may be a little young to really know the difference but it does seem to hold the attention a little longer).<br />
<br />
6.) if you like your a baby carrier, wear it through security. It is super easy. I always use my babyhawk or Action Baby Carrier.<br />
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7.) Are you bringing a stroller? or getting him his own seat? There are some guidelines on those. If he is sharing a seat with you, ask for the baby seat belt when you board because 9 times out of 10 Cdubs was asleep when they handed me one, so I had to wake her to put it on. They may say, "in a minute." Just say, "oh I just wanted to get it before he falls asleep." they usually hurry it up then. <br />
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8.) I usually disinfect the whole seat with alcohol wipes...now that she is a toddler, I don't...cause she gets into everything anyways<br />
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9.) I find that the hanging make up bags are great to put all of the travel necessities things in because you can hang it up on the seat in front of you and you don't have to worry about diving under the seat or getting in the overhead if you need something fast. (I usually fill the pockets with a receiving blanket, diapers and a small pack of wipes, pacifiers, pacifier wipes (great for anything that falls on the floor), an extra onesie, socks, etc). <br />
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10.) This is a big one: they need to suck on something when taking off and landing, but here is the trick to know when to start (because in my opinion if they suck, esp. bfing or a bottle, too early then they will be full by the time they need to pop their ears). Once the flight attendents are told to buckle up, THEN give them something. I was and always will be tempted to start earlier but then I am forcing her to swallow by the time we are at cruising altitude or landed.<br />
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11.) I carry on a TON of stuff and never need it. But it always feels good to have it.<br />
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12.) I never used the bathrooms on the plane to change her, but if you want to, you should ask the flight attendant when you board which ones have the changing station. I just make Kdubs stand up and use his seat (and then he throws the diaper in the bathroom).<br />
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13.) Oh for international flights when you have/need to take a meal...it is almost impossible to get the tray down when you have the baby in your lap, so we had one of us hold Cdubs and the flight attendant put two dinners on top of each other on Kdub's tray: he ate and then we switched trays and I ate off of his tray table...we couldn't figure out the switch the baby and the trays. We are not graceful like that.<br />
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****4 mo. is probably to small to fall for the iphone but if you are traveling with him when he is older...it is gold!<br />
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if you ever travel with an infant hope these tips help.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-7290765728352354372011-06-25T03:23:00.002-04:002011-06-27T16:45:12.710-04:00To play catch upSince there has been some time between blog posts, I probably should play catch up...so I do not forget what happened (seems hard to believe that I would).<br />
<br />
We moved back to Vienna in early spring '11, we got hooked back up with our local babies group, and Cdubs kept on growing. It was hard to be away from home and always changing, as usual, but we were all doing pretty well. I did not blog because we were doing okay with each other but were at ends about what we are going to do next. They are looking at relocating Kdubs again because Austria will not give me a visa, and we have decided that being apart for long periods is no longer acceptable. So we were "discussing," more like fretting. We finally came up with the idea of coming to Edinburgh for the summer so we can still be legally not in Austria (or in the Schengen region) for 90 days. Not going home to the US meant not having to adjust time zones and not having to spend weeks apart. So now, we are officially living our lives in 90 day increments.<br />
<br />
90 days-Vienna<br />
90 days-Edinburgh<br />
90 days-Vienna<br />
90 days-States for Holidays +<br />
<br />
Next 90 days cycle--still unknown but probably not Vienna<br />
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Funny enough, in all our travels, Cdubs never really got sick. She would get snuffly from teething or have an ezcema flare up, but nothing worth a doctor's call. Until May...She had a bad night and seemed warm, but I attributed it to her sleep sack and the weird changing weather of spring. Woke up and she still seemed warm...so we took her temperature. between 100.5 and 101. All my books said, treat it and don't call the Dr. unless something else seems wrong.<br />
<br />
So we gave her some Tylenol and she took an easy day. Halfway through the day, Kdubs suggested putting her in a lukewarm bath, but I said, "oh it isn't that bad yet." I wish I had listened.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQOOifhU_z3Q49oMSUcqrNqdvpFE7hOZ3B6Zsz_P9IXkORzZ9o156NExcRWtCMUXNnPrd1vjzmjhFPJR7eqGSPYgRlfViHAGzOQy_xggiZVEL8B1ZaqwbpKdpaJOIPxrqZac/s1600/IMG_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQOOifhU_z3Q49oMSUcqrNqdvpFE7hOZ3B6Zsz_P9IXkORzZ9o156NExcRWtCMUXNnPrd1vjzmjhFPJR7eqGSPYgRlfViHAGzOQy_xggiZVEL8B1ZaqwbpKdpaJOIPxrqZac/s200/IMG_0110.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telling her peeps she is OK</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_yYdZyY4qtcDfajRBEDWXAFx9g89ABUiEvpxytS1bqXAk_Q9I1IcTYT7UXbKlFVm9eFQ3mypfryq0viGTHVOV9itX-wySPxZLzlsB9xIsgDNN_ETzrh6JzsPIrtIZuSgLns/s1600/IMG_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_yYdZyY4qtcDfajRBEDWXAFx9g89ABUiEvpxytS1bqXAk_Q9I1IcTYT7UXbKlFVm9eFQ3mypfryq0viGTHVOV9itX-wySPxZLzlsB9xIsgDNN_ETzrh6JzsPIrtIZuSgLns/s200/IMG_0117.jpg" width="150" /></a>It turns out our thermometer was not accurate. She was probably running a fever closer to 102 and 103. Around 4pm, she started having these little starts--she would fall and cry or convulse a little. It was so quick, I almost didn't catch it and Kdubs never did. But I knew something was wrong. So we ran to our Dr.'s office in Vienna (literally ran, since we didn't have a car)....and it was closed. I had called the wrong dr. So we took a cab to another dr that we found somehow (I really don't remember how I found the number). Again, Cdubs seemed okay but warm to Kdubs. We got to the new dr. realizing it wasn't our first dr. and begged her to see us. She examined her, said she had a bit of a fever but if she was having seizures, we should go to the hospital (which she wasn't sure of and Kdubs kept saying, "lets just go home"). Right then, she convulsed and bigger than ever. I panicked and probably yelled more than I should have at the dr. who was on the phone. They gave her an emergency seizure suppressant and called an ambulance. It took all I had to not say to Kdubs, "SEE? TOLD YOU!" We had several days in the hospital for monitoring. She would not break her fever and the worst of it was very scary...the best of it was endlessly watching Elmo (herefornow to be known as Red Devil) and Lady Gaga.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRbtVnIX9KPuiq5Qcz3o_-MO4ECF0H8NadmP7s5laB4GbXYcGMK3mm4p0Yg8eVgXENeFvUspItKuoGfUIIUL2l2u7hITrSKxi-Z3mA2LgsTl3muUAOrg_0JpdOtJUUJZpraw/s1600/IMG_0121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRbtVnIX9KPuiq5Qcz3o_-MO4ECF0H8NadmP7s5laB4GbXYcGMK3mm4p0Yg8eVgXENeFvUspItKuoGfUIIUL2l2u7hITrSKxi-Z3mA2LgsTl3muUAOrg_0JpdOtJUUJZpraw/s200/IMG_0121.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her Favorite: Daddy Recliner</td></tr>
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It was not a fun time, but it did teach us a few things:<br />
a.) that we can survive in a foreign hospital (one of my biggest fears)<br />
b.) that you should never take your family's health for granted (knew it but didn't KNOW it)<br />
c.) that prayer is a power thing (at the worst times, I had a peace that I can only attribute to God and all of our friends praying for us--my mom called my godmother and her daughter who have the largest prayer phone trees in the state).<br />
d.) To just appreciate being together and let God sort out the rest.<br />
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So that is what I am doing...and keep reminding myself to do. Every day.<br />
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Oh and it taught me to have and use several thermometers!!!The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-49948470350229982532011-06-12T17:08:00.000-04:002011-06-12T17:08:01.548-04:00Where in the World is TRS?I'm in Edinburgh<br />
<br />
It has been FOREVER! But I have been coming and going and finally settled in Scotland for the summer.<br />
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It is a long story of how and why, but the good news is that we all get to be together as a family for the whole summer. And it is an English speaking country...bonus!<br />
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Cdubs is huge and wonderful and EXTREMELY talkative...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvmzOmh6mRwLrJ5BQy3KVMksQqKXJWveP2Ntu-DkfJN7wdDmKnRIqNdfCoXeLhiSZSwwqEXkoNSBeXCDabl9HXoHWerWfc1I3aTORoS9AKi_RilVjQEz4gbtvztem-SXPXoc/s1600/IMG_0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvmzOmh6mRwLrJ5BQy3KVMksQqKXJWveP2Ntu-DkfJN7wdDmKnRIqNdfCoXeLhiSZSwwqEXkoNSBeXCDabl9HXoHWerWfc1I3aTORoS9AKi_RilVjQEz4gbtvztem-SXPXoc/s320/IMG_0138.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have gone through some medical stuff the past couple of months, but she is still huge and wonderful and crazy:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Favorite Words: No-No, Good Girl, and everyone in the families names (Lolly, Poppop, etc.)...and every character on Sesame street (Oscar, Abby, Elmo being favorites). turtle, door, Num-Nums...are others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She loves to say How big she is (raises her hands over head-SO BIG), how smart she is (pats her head-So Smart), how sweet she is (pats her cheeks-SO SWEET), how nice she is (hugs herself-SO NICE). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She is the best and sweetest and most dynamic little girl. I am one lucky mom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-49892799947461633722011-03-28T06:52:00.000-04:002011-03-28T06:52:52.776-04:00So rememberThat time when I said I was going to post all of February...I thought I did a good job, until I looked back and it was like 4...4 times. Wow.<br />
<br />
Well, we are back in Vienna again. And I wanted to wait awhile to post my feelings when I was sure of them.<br />
<br />
To be brief: it is better than I expected, better than last time.<br />
<br />
Kdubs is available more, Cdubs is able to do more, the acquaintances from before are becoming friends, and we are carving out a life here.<br />
<br />
Cdubs is walking and talking and being such a big girl. She is into EVERYTHING. Her current obsession is socks. She loves to get them out, carry them around, chew on them, pull them apart, try and put them on over her already socked feet...<br />
<br />
She loves to tear apart drawers that I just put together...she doesn't want to play with toys. She wants to play with rocks, straws, pot lids...and socks.<br />
<br />
She is building up quite a vocabulary. She says (in order of first said): Dada, Mama, Tickle, More, No, Yes, Sock, Shoe (both or just Sah and Shhhh), Uhoh, Pop Pop, Moo, Baybee, and Gaga.<br />
<br />
Gaga around here means 2 different things. It is what she calls my Mother in Law and how she asks for her favorite song:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/AbPCtwIQ63I?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We try and play just the lyrics now, because that video is FREAKY! I will admit, I am not a huge fan of Lady Gaga, but when my SIL played it for a 4mo old Cdubs...she went CRAZY. Jumpin' Dancin' and groovin'....now it is no different. And while I don't think it is a great song 'message wise' it has a beat and it kept Cdubs entertained while on the plane...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, did I not mention that? Yeah, she didn't sleep at all for the 20 hours of travel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thank you Gaga...for keeping us sane.</div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-65918857258649358342011-02-17T19:40:00.000-05:002011-02-17T19:40:37.773-05:00Burning a Hole in my Credit CardIn preparation to getting back to Vienna, I am buying so much stuff it is unbelievable.<br />
<br />
Seriously, I can't be stopped.<br />
<br />
To streamline the moving/flying process every 6 months, I have been winnowing down my possessions each time we land somewhere. So I am making up for lost items. AND...<br />
<br />
Cdubs is always growing and clothes here are so cheap and cute (comparatively)....so I stock up for 3 seasons and 2 sizes ahead of time! Grandma is always helping too. AND...<br />
<br />
Now that I am not in maternity clothes, nursing clothes, pre-pregnancy work clothes, and I can't fit a LOT of my pre-preggo casual clothes (stupid flub), I need new clothes. So the point comes:<br />
<br />
WHAT DO YOU WEAR!?!?! When you don't want to be this size, need to be able to run around with a kid, travel friendly, and still cute!?!?! <br />
<br />
I would appreciate any ideas.<br />
<br />
My wallet wouldn't.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-69448783473410363502011-02-15T08:38:00.000-05:002011-02-15T08:38:50.540-05:00Friend or MotherMy life seems to be doing a tango with these two roles of my life...in many ways.<br />
<br />
1.) Can you be a good friend and a mother to an old friend that isn't one?<br />
Yes, but it can be tricky.<br />
2.) Can you mother your friends? and is that not so good?<br />
Yes on both accounts. I am guilty of mothering everyone.<br />
3.) And this is the big one: Can you be friends with your mother?<br />
I so badly want to be, but I do not think that my mom and I will have that relationship. I have point-blank asked her, "can we be friends?" And she said, "No, I will always be your mother, and I don't want to be your friend."<br />
<br />
My mom and I have always had a more difficult relationship. She says it is because we are so much alike. I always thought that was untrue, until now. Because we are so alike, she wants to change me into a better version of herself. To fix all of the faults she sees in the both of us. I get this feeling, but I don't like it. While I don't like that, I also do not like that we are so alike because I don't want to do the things she does, I don't want to have her exact life. So part of our fighting is me rebelling against being "like her"...which probably makes me more like her...It is a vicious cycle.<br />
<br />
My mother and I will always have a difficult relationship because I will want to please her and be her friend and more than just her daughter, and she will not want those things.<br />
<br />
My question to the universe and my prayer to God is "can you be friends with your daughter?"<br />
<br />
I want to be a friend and a mother to my daughter. Not the Gilmore Girl version...that is weirdly co-dependent. But I want to be someone my daughter trusts, comes to for advice and not judgement, can feel safe with me and have fun too. I do not want to be the mom who tries to be a teenager friend...I will not try to be cool (I have never been that)...but I so badly want to find that balance.<br />
<br />
Do you have that relationship with your mom? your daughter? How did you get it? The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-30471425782367095522011-02-09T11:13:00.000-05:002011-02-09T11:13:42.812-05:00Getting Ready<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJdACuk6XmMJFvfTMp64N2-Lj1LBjqDs5mF8rf5BUFnzInyhrFB8_K1IkzwazyRFpmmOFV7EipJf9HZsZBDgC3IRjwalP-4u32MPRdxk41F0wsb0nwFvYOTEd779ieNHp-FI/s1600/IMG_8524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJdACuk6XmMJFvfTMp64N2-Lj1LBjqDs5mF8rf5BUFnzInyhrFB8_K1IkzwazyRFpmmOFV7EipJf9HZsZBDgC3IRjwalP-4u32MPRdxk41F0wsb0nwFvYOTEd779ieNHp-FI/s320/IMG_8524.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Flight back to Vienna: almost booked.<br />
Packing: to be commenced. <br />
Scared about going back: oh yeah.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-9955103184947573182011-02-01T22:32:00.000-05:002011-02-01T22:32:06.347-05:00Note to selfEven when you feel alone in this world and people don't seem to get you, there will be a friend out there who knows what you are talking about.<br />
<br />
When you say, "OMG, I am going through _______." They will understand your feelings and be able to verbalize it better than you can. And surprisingly enough it will not be the person you expect or who is in the exact same position as you...but you will feel validated and well....not crazy.<br />
<br />
While I know that God never gives us more than we can handle, I am learning that God gives us people along the way to make us happier, better, and stronger.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-55692387036073658662011-01-31T22:51:00.000-05:002011-01-31T22:51:13.935-05:0014 months old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqo8wMqRqR3yU9m0YffhEaqIU_E_qavta2oWfF0UyHfiEqUZ76PqNVAPhEBg_Adq7i0Cxj77ulutAYXLkS-f57jJU8n4bD5ugeoQBT-YMb-BRRmxVUgBc56ZzY-u4XYdNck8/s1600/IMG_8481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqo8wMqRqR3yU9m0YffhEaqIU_E_qavta2oWfF0UyHfiEqUZ76PqNVAPhEBg_Adq7i0Cxj77ulutAYXLkS-f57jJU8n4bD5ugeoQBT-YMb-BRRmxVUgBc56ZzY-u4XYdNck8/s320/IMG_8481.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Someone is 14 months old!!!!<br />
<br />
She is so much fun at this age. Here are her stats:<br />
-Around 26-27lbs.<br />
-Signs: More, Please, Thank You, All Done, Water, (we are working on Again), Love (looks like blowing kisses).<br />
-She loves to point to different body parts-Nose is a favorite, as shown above.<br />
-Babbles constantly, says Dada, Mama (rarely), Dog, Nice, Night Night (NI-NI), Val (my sister in law), and her favorite: Tickle. The girl loves to tickle herself, me, and everyone around her. <br />
-She loves to dance. Her all time favorite is still Lady Gaga's Bad Romance. I don't know where she heard it first, but it has always calmed her down. She loves to hear any music. She even loves to hear me sing, which is really something.<br />
-She is almost done with nursing (I think).<br />
-Loves to eat. Loves veggies and fruits and is learning about meats...still not sure about them.<br />
-She has 7 teeth. She got her 2 Top-Front first, her 2 Bottom-Front second, her next 2 uppers, and out of nowhere a molar. I am telling you, this girl does nothing by the book.<br />
-She mostly crawls or hangs on to walk everywhere. Likes to climb stairs...and wants to walk on her own, but she doesn't trust herself yet.<br />
-And as always clapping and peekaboo are the best amusement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDy1QA-TrWXJpft1oBci7BwL3GdiGJHM8rJfPbLmGjl99S6PtTVms_0UVvkuzm5Vi4TF0h7Tn8nJ2FBntd56QNm8H3rLHl7i6vJ9FoOjKfYMsfQ_0142pNF2k6P5lqAvKCc/s1600/IMG_8501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jDy1QA-TrWXJpft1oBci7BwL3GdiGJHM8rJfPbLmGjl99S6PtTVms_0UVvkuzm5Vi4TF0h7Tn8nJ2FBntd56QNm8H3rLHl7i6vJ9FoOjKfYMsfQ_0142pNF2k6P5lqAvKCc/s320/IMG_8501.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-82664279697350551952011-01-30T22:49:00.000-05:002011-01-30T22:49:50.748-05:00I'm an Ostrich<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVheX0rWkmHatKIAfJ8Bger5nzAdL7J1Si8ScNJAT5Sb_7i6ws4GEM1ApFz5x0fVpIXUUeWH9vTtuPq19QQwlnNZ5wcnWgzXBdkD_Zn7IYv-16ipQQhATcp-Xj1nt8a9baRQ/s1600/035ostrich_468x538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVheX0rWkmHatKIAfJ8Bger5nzAdL7J1Si8ScNJAT5Sb_7i6ws4GEM1ApFz5x0fVpIXUUeWH9vTtuPq19QQwlnNZ5wcnWgzXBdkD_Zn7IYv-16ipQQhATcp-Xj1nt8a9baRQ/s320/035ostrich_468x538.jpg" width="278" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ms. Nobody Care: "Why haven't you been posting lately TRS?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TRS: "Well, I have been hiding my head in the sand so I do not have deal with all the stuff that is going on."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
Mr. Ex-Reader: "Isn't that the point of a blog? To tell people who don't know you all your problems and thoughts and feelings?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TRS: "Yes, old friend, you would think so. But I can not do it. Half of the things that are going on are so up in the air that it isn't worth mentioning because it will probably not happen and the other half scares the pants off of me (which we've dealt with (controversially for me) <a href="http://www.roamingsoutherner.com/2010/11/cowardly-lion.html">here</a>). And when I get scared, I hide. Another reason I don't want to post is because I am not sure if anyone reading would be too close or would know people that I am dealing with (friends, family, inlaws) and be offended that I aired out my grief to the world. It is one reason I never put something on the internet about my parents or Kdubs or brothers when we are fighting (which happens) because eventually you make up and things are forgotten...except when it is read by the masses (all two of you). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mrs. Lone Reader: "But I want to know these things or at least have updates on Cdubs?!?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">TRS: "My big problem is that I am a go-big-or-go-home kind of person. And I have not been able to go-big on this blog. I haven't done the redesign I wanted to because I have lost access to my software (AHEM, Kdubs stealing my old computer to Austria--and I'm too lazy/busy when he is home to do it). I have so many projects that I want to do that I get overwhelmed and do nothing. And then I get upset and bury my head in the sand. Like I said, 'I AM AN OSTRICH.'"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But here, I am challenging myself for the month of Feb. (a small month) to post 5 days of the week. Doesn't have to be mind blowing, but it needs to be SOMETHING.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I am sticking my head out of the sand, cleaning out my ears, and stretching my fingers... </div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-63561049632817992702010-12-09T12:17:00.000-05:002010-12-09T12:17:13.709-05:00Got Milk?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEl4QKGEdQmvGl3lFVCFa4KGaYYHofXAxDTsTfNN42EZMyfgQsogs-Ol0fY9RfBcPJDW0oT1K4DwOOyRqD3D7kQ30XGol4d2egSTonO_UL_0hoyjmtxrKNmdEF4QKKXy9u00/s1600/gotmilk-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEl4QKGEdQmvGl3lFVCFa4KGaYYHofXAxDTsTfNN42EZMyfgQsogs-Ol0fY9RfBcPJDW0oT1K4DwOOyRqD3D7kQ30XGol4d2egSTonO_UL_0hoyjmtxrKNmdEF4QKKXy9u00/s320/gotmilk-1.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I went out and got organic whole milk to introduce the baby to sippy cups (we do straw cups with water). I was kinda hoping to lead her towards weaning. I really want her to lead the process, but I thought she might like a new option. <br />
<br />
So, I gave her a traditional sippy cup with milk...hated it. Then, her straw cup with milk...nope. <br />
<br />
I just gave her a snack and some water and hoped to try it again tomorrow. <br />
<br />
An hour later, she came up to me and laid her head down on my shoulder. There are many things my girl is: brave, strong, resilient, smart, curious. However, she is not cuddly. She likes to be held but rarely does she lay down on me. Instead, she wants to look around and explore. She has always been this way. So this sudden cuddliness was sweet but accompanying some moaning and whining got me thinking...what is up, Cdubs? <br />
<br />
All the sudden it hit me...SHE WANTS TO NURSE! She has never been really vocal about it because we have a schedule and on a rare occasion when teething and I'll nurse her to help a girl out. But it really hit me hard. SHE WASN'T READY!<br />
<br />
I think part of it is because she doesn't really have a lovey or attachment item. So, I guess it is me! Nursing is her safe base, her comfort, and her constant in a very changing world that the three of us live in.<br />
<br />
I didn't think we'd nurse this long...but on we go...nursing past 12 months!The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-42757958688148460012010-11-28T18:04:00.000-05:002010-11-28T18:04:22.065-05:00Happy Birthday Cdubs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A year ago today...we were blessed beyond measure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotw4u9DCZItfJ_h4OEVVME_xqwhULHUOB722BWLyP4m4sjU06ShX_Ve_JKuVhIRK49gQwHxSJDCaGwpDxXG_yl6euD37KUXZqpWJoqnS_8-jK6PHk-QfZFg9bzv8IZgvi90o/s1600/IMG_7845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiotw4u9DCZItfJ_h4OEVVME_xqwhULHUOB722BWLyP4m4sjU06ShX_Ve_JKuVhIRK49gQwHxSJDCaGwpDxXG_yl6euD37KUXZqpWJoqnS_8-jK6PHk-QfZFg9bzv8IZgvi90o/s200/IMG_7845.JPG" width="133" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsTMBULMyQRQ4S3_a1ktHwAwcZJVD2ldqUp2_Hb6-4GAIGEt1_ukZphxMPPRDirOfjVh5s4N0Z20jncp6FIWtvNL7c45E6KGEl8GtjS270-MsnBt1tmnmcwWrx__TMr9LKPI/s1600/IMG_7848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbsTMBULMyQRQ4S3_a1ktHwAwcZJVD2ldqUp2_Hb6-4GAIGEt1_ukZphxMPPRDirOfjVh5s4N0Z20jncp6FIWtvNL7c45E6KGEl8GtjS270-MsnBt1tmnmcwWrx__TMr9LKPI/s200/IMG_7848.JPG" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
We had a pre-birthday party after thanksgiving dinner. And my godmother made Cdubs the same birthday cake she made me for my first birthday. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyxgXTyLC996zfLrLBm_qx0uBTZ9oX3t5S_kOgUH9d6lUjNThi4IjePjhLocxSJevH5JlU1XDJQZum-8oE1oqC723YNEZFYeHEC9dDCKO1B_dOzjKRDx3YDyCdAGVFZQJZ_4/s1600/IMG_7879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyxgXTyLC996zfLrLBm_qx0uBTZ9oX3t5S_kOgUH9d6lUjNThi4IjePjhLocxSJevH5JlU1XDJQZum-8oE1oqC723YNEZFYeHEC9dDCKO1B_dOzjKRDx3YDyCdAGVFZQJZ_4/s200/IMG_7879.JPG" width="133" /></a></div>She was not in love with all of the sugar...and mess. She is her mother's daughter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To say that I am so in love with my life as a mom and my daughter is the biggest understatement.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-14685849323003652742010-11-18T21:59:00.000-05:002010-11-18T21:59:38.535-05:00The Cowardly LionThere are many reasons that I am cowardly. Many reasons that I don't do what I am supposed to do: trust in God.<br />
<br />
My cowardliness has and will take a toll on my relationships. So I am putting what I am scared of...out into the blogisphere:<br />
<br />
1.) Going back to Austria.<br />
Maybe our lifestyle will sound glamorous or exciting to someone. However, not sleeping for 5 nights in a row in a hotel, husband and wife being stressed at each other with getting around foreign cities, and a baby striving for routine, does not feel glamorous.<br />
<br />
I am scared to my core of going back. As much as I hate being away from Kdubs for many weeks, I and the baby have thrived being in a stable environment.<br />
<br />
2.) Not being a good mom.<br />
I, so much, want to be a good mom and role model to my daughter. And this takes a lot of thoughts, time, and energy...as it should<br />
<br />
3.) Not being a good wife.<br />
The balance between wife and mother is so hard. When the question becomes, whose needs become more important?!?<br />
<br />
<br />
There are many other things that I am scared of...but these are the top three.<br />
<br />
What are you scared of?The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-51728690518807773072010-11-14T09:46:00.000-05:002010-11-14T09:46:43.515-05:00Halloween 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-nYs1b4aij8InxSdjV2L_uC9sPiiT8rOMAg4L1eZsIlR2WVhFNJOQAc_nfshRmH8mOXHHa8JwaLG33Upk7_BPUnSp-Dv1RwTv2KuoOwg507j6Lr-QssQBJtwfeO1qMCGy20/s1600/149198_452642678864_507198864_5168063_7093532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-nYs1b4aij8InxSdjV2L_uC9sPiiT8rOMAg4L1eZsIlR2WVhFNJOQAc_nfshRmH8mOXHHa8JwaLG33Upk7_BPUnSp-Dv1RwTv2KuoOwg507j6Lr-QssQBJtwfeO1qMCGy20/s320/149198_452642678864_507198864_5168063_7093532_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJvPRf9aaphI4urLWCXqVBiPcf1SUJuRSzVAjmbh8fH_CZFjbcmj_NG1rY8fpFgKklSMqB6WrrngukEz2cUgnwQCFm4IWbYVydTWVdgirw38kE7IljEafuprmcw8F4V-jt4Q/s1600/74574_452645378864_507198864_5168157_1414443_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJvPRf9aaphI4urLWCXqVBiPcf1SUJuRSzVAjmbh8fH_CZFjbcmj_NG1rY8fpFgKklSMqB6WrrngukEz2cUgnwQCFm4IWbYVydTWVdgirw38kE7IljEafuprmcw8F4V-jt4Q/s320/74574_452645378864_507198864_5168157_1414443_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> I am a little late on updating about Halloween. Well, story of my life it seems. To play catch up:<br />
1.) Kdubs has been gone back to Europe on a 40 day work excursion around Central and Eastern Europe<br />
2.) Cdubs and I have been staying at my parents house in the ATL (we also spend some time with the in-Laws in SC). <br />
3.) We missed him, but we made it...<br />
4.) CAUSE HE IS BACK!<br />
(and there was much rejoicing...yea!)<br />
<br />
We were having a hard time picking out what Cdubs would be for Halloween, and by we, I mean me, my mom, my mother in law and my sister in law. Not Kdubs. <br />
<br />
Since I hate making choices, we did two:<br />
1.) (above) was the Monkey for the Monkey Baby, which is what my family calls her.<br />
2.) (to the right) is Dorothy using the dress that Kdubs bought her from Belgium when I was pregnant...yes, before we knew our baby was a girl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghy2IfmV_B_d20ayFy_V1cfC4y7ElHk7ZtLnN8_UfRVsAFMAVluOru9NKtOcIclNwwbZXeIEjYol83ZZwuQX-H6SHqJQC8_qd9hrFZsR5BnlDUFSzuAU_CXFFwNnX0DwVdDE/s1600/149078_452644293864_507198864_5168117_7095361_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghy2IfmV_B_d20ayFy_V1cfC4y7ElHk7ZtLnN8_UfRVsAFMAVluOru9NKtOcIclNwwbZXeIEjYol83ZZwuQX-H6SHqJQC8_qd9hrFZsR5BnlDUFSzuAU_CXFFwNnX0DwVdDE/s320/149078_452644293864_507198864_5168117_7095361_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> We already had red shoes and I fashioned a wig out of yarn and a headband...I couldn't figure out how to make the back. So it is like a reverse mullet.<br />
<br />
I was the cowardly lion....fitting, right?<br />
<br />
There is a whole post that needs to be written about my cowardliness at the moment. But I also need to write Cdubs' birth story (now that it is almost a year past), travel tips with a baby, and show you all the craft that has been going on here.<br />
I'll get to it.<br />
<br />
But again, I use the Cdubs to distract and entertain:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprTqPl9lDxfvYg1WqyL95rw6xYg3t-CeLlUvXlP1z7Lg2ShKzXIXNyafu9qa7wj0e5dN5j16tngt83KA5HenbnjCtbeplgNcrTFckTFpFBmsjG0w847o2YaDMLHg5QHcBOt8/s1600/75020_452644478864_507198864_5168126_4248327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprTqPl9lDxfvYg1WqyL95rw6xYg3t-CeLlUvXlP1z7Lg2ShKzXIXNyafu9qa7wj0e5dN5j16tngt83KA5HenbnjCtbeplgNcrTFckTFpFBmsjG0w847o2YaDMLHg5QHcBOt8/s320/75020_452644478864_507198864_5168126_4248327_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As RuPaul and my great grandmother demonstrated, no one looks as good when the wig comes off.</div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-89724001548467987082010-10-20T22:04:00.001-04:002010-10-20T22:09:58.958-04:00She always comes to my rescue<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PnkmwPAblUuR_vJJoKKHx-IxIG2GtQszdoXM_tkP9QicyR9K9jIMQ3u42x2JCQ3OeNRTwWsy191Fnu0m9ZodVp_PhLVeE3QkTGE-kj7gnLXATlcwbE0nq75YSL06nxCdgXs/s1600/38614_416844863864_507198864_4416100_3370236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PnkmwPAblUuR_vJJoKKHx-IxIG2GtQszdoXM_tkP9QicyR9K9jIMQ3u42x2JCQ3OeNRTwWsy191Fnu0m9ZodVp_PhLVeE3QkTGE-kj7gnLXATlcwbE0nq75YSL06nxCdgXs/s320/38614_416844863864_507198864_4416100_3370236_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This is my friend, Crouton. We have been friends since we were in eighth grade.<br />
<br />
We have done a lot of things together, but never on purpose.<br />
<br />
We chose to go to the same college (we didn't want to cling to each other so we did not room together), we got married a few years apart (she was my maid of honor, I was her matron), and then we had babies months apart.<br />
<br />
Through out our 15 years of friendship, we have had a very unique relationship. Today, while we were hanging out after several weeks of not being able to set a time (vacationing, sickness, etc), she summed up our relationship perfectly: We never spent all of the time attached at the hip together. We ebb and flow. We would hang out in the spring consistently because in the summer I was at camp and the fall she was doing band.<br />
<br />
We had other friends, some of them we didn't agree upon.<br />
<br />
But we always were there for each other. Bad times, good times, birthdays, medical issues. We know and love eachothers families. <br />
<br />
And now, having babies together, has cemented our friendship. I love seeing the babies together and imagining them being friends as they get older. <br />
<br />
Mainly, she is just a great person and a great friend...who has always been there for me. I am very lucky.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-56458292937680439422010-10-18T19:55:00.000-04:002010-10-18T19:55:32.446-04:00Best FriendsPart of my personality quirkiness is the need to have a best friend. Maybe it is part of being one of three kids (esp. the oldest with two brothers), but I always felt a little odd-person-out. And my family moved/I changed schools in those formative years 5th, 6th, 7th grades...so, growing up was a little like a "Where's Waldo?" in trying to find my best friend.<br />
<br />
College was wonderful. I found wonderful friends...almost a dozen best friends. And then my ultimate best friend: Kdubs.<br />
<br />
As much as I love having Kdubs as my best friend and now joining the moms club, I realize that I have isolated some of my old friends. <br />
<br />
Combine that with a six hour time difference and months of no-face-time...and I really have very few IRL (in real life) friends to speak of.<br />
<br />
I miss having girl friends, ones to shop with, ones to confide in, ones to be silly and girly with...however, I find incredible solace in creating my own little "friend." It gets lonely being a nomad.<br />
<br />
While she doesn't necessarily chose to be my friend, I love spending time with her. And my eternal best friend:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmfMwfOIZfWtkVAn_dL9vrozzwU8cdVhnXS2FFgm1XuIjLCYX_NjVoSyeuQ5GyDEyaE_4clwoO9Iuii2Xb5TJnNU4fQEqhSDhJNkHEnF-m5hL7ybROLOS9DxvaN9y0L-66Oc/s1600/IMG_7683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmfMwfOIZfWtkVAn_dL9vrozzwU8cdVhnXS2FFgm1XuIjLCYX_NjVoSyeuQ5GyDEyaE_4clwoO9Iuii2Xb5TJnNU4fQEqhSDhJNkHEnF-m5hL7ybROLOS9DxvaN9y0L-66Oc/s320/IMG_7683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-7522063863137244722010-10-08T21:24:00.000-04:002010-10-08T21:24:34.865-04:00A month gone, too much to postThere has been so much going on with our temporary move stateside.<br />
<br />
We are finally getting settled back in the ATL. It seriously took me almost 2 weeks to unpack.<br />
<br />
We have been visiting in-laws and getting our routine re-established. It has been a bumpy road.<br />
<br />
Add to that 2 more part time jobs and getting Kdubs ready to make a 6 week trip back to Central and Eastern Europe...and I am wiped.<br />
<br />
We have had a difficult time adjusting to living in a "community" setting again (read: live with my parents and new pseudo-adopted brother). and I have realized that I have lost a lot of my friends stateside. People have gotten used to not calling me and seeing me...and that makes re-inserting myself into their lives harder.<br />
<br />
I am also somewhat overwhelmed with all the things that I can do with my time here: take classes, start new projects, etc.<br />
<br />
And when I am overwhelmed, I hide like an ostrich. It is one of my lovely personality foibles.<br />
<br />
I really should use my blog to release some of that energy, but after hours of database and website work, I just want to be away from the computer.<br />
<br />
I would love to hear if anyone is still out there? Care to de-lurk?The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-2484755092531235642010-09-15T03:16:00.000-04:002010-09-15T03:16:05.734-04:00Homeward BoundHorrible movie (I hate movies with talking, real animals--freaks me out, please don't ask why).<br />
<br />
We are heading home in 4 days! 4 DAYS, people!<br />
And Cdubs and I will be there for close to 6 months.<br />
<br />
Part of my plans for being home include a bunch of classes.<br />
I am taking cooking classes with my dad (this was Kdub's gift to me for my birthday) and sewing classes with my sister in law. I have never sewn with a machine before and my mom is giving me one for the last couple of birthdays (she has wanted to give me one for years, but we haven't been in a place to get one before...now, I want to make stuff for Cdubs...so I said, "screw it, I'll just haul it around with me".)<br />
<br />
We have so much to do before we get home, and it is going to be a busy time after. But I am thrilled.<br />
Pictures from the past couple of journeys coming up.<br />
<br />
I also need to work on the site revamp and post more...I'm a true slacker.<br />
Please be distracted by the cheeks:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIdISI8uVdEdo_HGet7mmUtMgvNYqSGFe8PdYcZLiPOKJ4FkX4Qb6ufJqsBfRupkqDrmbO_YvPzgBI3gtK5KOfTaVrVCsA_BafCkirtEKFVPaYiQCUNXUz93XU7xUNJp4ghg/s1600/IMG_7592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIdISI8uVdEdo_HGet7mmUtMgvNYqSGFe8PdYcZLiPOKJ4FkX4Qb6ufJqsBfRupkqDrmbO_YvPzgBI3gtK5KOfTaVrVCsA_BafCkirtEKFVPaYiQCUNXUz93XU7xUNJp4ghg/s320/IMG_7592.JPG" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">let the checks mesmerize you </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7pc9WUdtIP6YuTv1itRRFvVbhU_fy11CnX5i-Wxk2fBjRmtCXbOt0LUOyNFw37qxxvo2SsinOac6Cl15yYw9rcWU2PNjOO2wyJmUUgs0tuTwgR04BSgoH1mGqMR6_nWDQVk/s1600/IMG_7558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7pc9WUdtIP6YuTv1itRRFvVbhU_fy11CnX5i-Wxk2fBjRmtCXbOt0LUOyNFw37qxxvo2SsinOac6Cl15yYw9rcWU2PNjOO2wyJmUUgs0tuTwgR04BSgoH1mGqMR6_nWDQVk/s320/IMG_7558.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">focus on the cheeks! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mEdV6h6ekDJm0B0-aJiyJ0X9awmrWHFQLcIdNiJmvQG3MmIQ64KtXIPGKBggMOhv4BmKVesr_QPsaroLALwelb7IGKOd1Cu8oxd600wxPIqIpvZm0k2PJ95IhIYBBS9qr84/s1600/IMG_7604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mEdV6h6ekDJm0B0-aJiyJ0X9awmrWHFQLcIdNiJmvQG3MmIQ64KtXIPGKBggMOhv4BmKVesr_QPsaroLALwelb7IGKOd1Cu8oxd600wxPIqIpvZm0k2PJ95IhIYBBS9qr84/s320/IMG_7604.jpg" /></a></div>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-29344754335505721582010-09-02T16:03:00.001-04:002010-09-03T05:53:16.533-04:00Another hotel room, another beer***aka. TRS and Google can't spellJust days after cutting a sliver of a tooth, Cdubs has loosely agreed to come on a couple of trips with us before we head home on Sept. 19th.<br />
<br />
Today, we are in Ljubjana*, Slovenia. And no, I can not spell that name without the help of Google.<br />
*<i>Kdubs just informed me that even Google got it wrong...it is Ljubljana....something like that.</i><br />
<br />
It is a very small but very pretty city. It is like all major European cities: it has a picturesque countryside, nice city center square, and a river in the middle.<br />
<br />
But Ljubs is like a European city meets Epcot. It is so clean and almost too picturesque. It seems like the metrosexual of all the Eastern European cities: well groomed to a point of questionability.<br />
<br />
However, tonight, Kdubs is out to a work dinner and I am in a hotel with a sleeping baby, my Kindle and the local beer: Lasko. It is pretty good. Def. in the top 5 beers of the Eastern bloc.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow, we leave for Zagreb. Until then, I bid you zbogom (goodbye) and <span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">srečno (good luck-in Slovenian).</span><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;"></span>The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-69756187048304036712010-09-01T04:45:00.000-04:002010-09-01T04:45:13.421-04:00DistractionsWe have less than 20 days until we go back to the States. This time for a LOOOOONG visit. 5-6 months! This means that I need to clean, clean, clean. I like to leave the apartment IMMACULATE so I can come back to a spotless (although dusty) place.<br />
<br />
Before we leave, we are hitting three more countries and the baby has decided to teeth and/or hit a growth spurt that means we are out many hours of sleep.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I have less time for blogging than I would like. However, I should do it...because I have time...I have just been spending it with my newest internet distractions:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/"><b>StumbleUpon</b></a>: Have you done this yet? It is crazy. You list your interests and then just hit Stumble! and you get tossed to all sorts of interesting and different sites. It is the most fascinating thing. I have found some weird sites, some great sites and some in between. But it is now this itch I can't stop scratching! The next stumble will be even better than this one...one more time...and then I'll clean...<br />
<br />
From Stumble, I have found the Gawker sites:<br />
<a href="http://craftgawker.com/random/"><b>Craftgawker</b></a>: A world of crafty cuteness. Since my mom is getting me a sewing machine for my birthday, I am on high alert for cute things to learn to create!<br />
<a href="http://weddinggawker.com/"><b>Weddinggawker</b></a>: My SIL is getting married this winter...and I am hooked.<br />
<a href="http://foodgawker.com/"><b>Foodgawker</b></a>: It is like asking the internet, "what should I make today?" With beautiful pictures. <br />
<a href="http://dwellinggawker.com/"><b>Dwellinggawker</b></a>: I don't have a house, I don't have anything to make beautiful, but I can NOT stop looking at ideas of what I might want to do for my dream home.<br />
<br />
So, I am sorry I am not posting (all 2 of my readers)...I will become more disciplined and stop hitting the STUMBLE button! Just after this next hit.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31077336.post-7639924375716328382010-08-20T05:10:00.000-04:002010-08-20T05:10:55.330-04:00We like to Party, we like we like to Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQIlDZUxp55LBE_Vkzpd-gBt1vPUet5qjo6rbtzAxLAlbBjjnYnt6VjD4-PrPWyO55Z19mm1t9bOGyBq9yEbPra_CwC3wupElBjBVZl1yGoL7dXvwxeEpD8RqV9kLabqsMQI/s1600/44687_424513288864_507198864_4608627_5683428_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfQIlDZUxp55LBE_Vkzpd-gBt1vPUet5qjo6rbtzAxLAlbBjjnYnt6VjD4-PrPWyO55Z19mm1t9bOGyBq9yEbPra_CwC3wupElBjBVZl1yGoL7dXvwxeEpD8RqV9kLabqsMQI/s320/44687_424513288864_507198864_4608627_5683428_n.jpg" /></a></div>My baby is about to turn 9 months old...<br />
<br />
...so I am doing what every mother would be doing...<br />
<br />
<br />
PLANNING HER 1st BIRTHDAY!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
I am trying to come up with some cute themes, and I need some help.<br />
<br />
My family calls her monkey baby, so I was going to do monkeys. (However, my sister in law is kinda claiming them for her son (who is a few months younger than Cdubs).) But then monkeys are not very girlie...and this baby is def. more monkey like.<br />
<br />
Then I saw a really pretty theme called, "You are my Sunshine." While yellow is not Cdubs best color, I still like it. But it might be too summery for November. All that yellow next to the beige of the GA after thanksgiving...CLASH!<br />
<br />
And then Kdubs suggested a 'round the world theme, which I brushed off as "too adult." But then I thought it would be super fun to do a "Where in the World is Cdubs?" ala Carmen Sandiego and dress her up in a red trench coat. While, I like this idea...it might be better for birthday #2 because we will have finished our travels then.<br />
<br />
Have you seen any cute girl themes that aren't too girly? <br />
<br />
A lot of the other ones I've liked would be great for when she is older--tea party, fairies, etc. <br />
<br />
I just want something cute and colorful.<br />
<br />
Open to suggestions below.The Roaming Southernerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12940822538686256260noreply@blogger.com8