I'm Back!

It has been a while since I have blogged because I was vacationing in Northern California and then my PC bit the dust!  Almost two weeks later and I am a more experienced sightseer and a proud Mac owner (I am typing for the first time on my brand-new Mac Book Pro)!

I want to address my last post "The Scaredy List"- where I posted a list of everything that I worried about before leaving for my trip to Nor Cal in an attempt to calm my fears before leaving and prove to myself that I had nothing to worry about.  Boy, was I wrong!  This strategy did NOT work- the list became a list of preconceived notions.  Below I have copied the list and in red I have written what really happened.

*  Did I forget something?- the number one fear that runs through my mind constantly!
Oh yeah, I forgot to bring my WALLET with my ID and every other essential document to bring on a trip!  I realized that I did not have my wallet at the airport, about 30 min. before our flight was to take off, right before going through security.  My DH and poor DFIL had to take a $150 cab back to where my car was 45 min. away just to retrieve my wallet.  In the meantime, I tried to hold back my tears as we missed our flight, were charged $50 per person to change flights, and the baby started getting fussy because we should have been already in the air by the time I got my wallet back and we checked out bags.   


*  Am I or someone I am traveling with going to get sick from the flight?
This luckily did not happen.  I researched how to stay healthy when traveling and found that you can keep your  nasal passage moist and prevent germs from invading by using a nasal spray before and after flying.  I tried to drink a lot of water and took Ester C all week to boost my immune system.  

*  Is my 11 month old going to scream the whole flight?  Will I upset other people on the flight?  Are her poor little ears going to hurt when we take off and land?  Did I bring enough to entertain her- will I be able to entertain her?
Due to the fact that I caused our flying to be prolonged (because we missed our flight we had to fly from Hartford to Minnesota, then to LA , and then to San Francisco) my DD did have a hard time on the last flight we took.  She would cry really hard and really loud the last 15 min. of every flight and then pass out in my arms, only to be woken up again to change flights again.  


Surprisingly her ears did not seem to bother her.  We found the iPad was extremely useful in keeping my DD entertained.  We downloaded an app called "baby paint" where she could finger paint on the iPad screen.  We also downloaded a couple of episodes from Mickey Mouse Playhouse and OSO from the Disney Channel (I know that there are a lot of moms out there who would be appalled that a baby watches television, but on a 4 1/2 hour flight, you gotta do what you gotta do!).  


We brought an entire carry on bag (because a diaper bag does not count as a carry on) filled with toys, but she was most entertained by a pair of $2 headphones- she has a weird fascination with wires!    

*  I hope the weather will be good- bad weather or too hot/too cold weather.
Weather was perfect- Sunshine everyday :)

*  I miss my golden retriever already!
We missed her a lot- especially in Napa where dogs are welcome pretty much everywhere and we were constantly reminded of our fur baby.

*  Will the hotels be family friendly with cribs and non-smoking rooms?
Yes, perfect- if you ever travel to Monterey, Napa, or San Francisco, email me and I will let you know where to stay!

*  Will I have a good time?  Will my family have a good time?
We did have a good time and I will have my first "Wordless Wednesday" this week where you can see for yourself!    


*  Will this trip meet my expectations (which are always very high)?
This trip did meet my expectations.  I did not adjust as well as I had wanted to the time change and wish I wasn't as tired as I was.


I guess this strategy was a good idea because although it seemed like all of my worst fears were coming true at the start of this trip, when reflecting in red here, I really didn't have anything to worry about.  I just need to make sure that I have my wallet with me at all times and I try to get as much sleep as possible to fully enjoy traveling!