Phone Photo Friday *Vegas Edition*

That's right ladies and gents, we just returned from Las Vegas!  And when I say we I am not including the kids!  Jeff had a big conference called the Mine Expo that is there every 4 years.  He still talks about all the shenanigans from the last one.  So this time I figured I needed to tag along, you know, to be sure he didn't get lost on his way back to the hotel one night.  So a week ago we drove the whole family down to San Antonio to Jeff's parents new house.

Along the way Jeff had to take a call so the kids and I expolored a back country road

So on Saturday morning we left the kids with the Grandparents and hopped on a plane with Jeff's sister, Michelle.  After a quick nap on the plane we were there and checking into the Monte Carlo resort.  After some dinner and a little gambling we were off to see Garth Brooks at the Wynn!  We are all huge Garth fans, but when I saw this video I was a little concerned

http://www.wynnlasvegas.com/Shows/GarthBrooks/Videos

He says something to the effect of "We're going to go through all the music that I grew up on and how it influeced my own"  I was thinking OH NO!  I want to hear my favorite songs, I'm not going to hear Garth sing some ye-ha song that his daddy sang him to sleep.  It was exactly what he said, and I loved it!!!  We did hear some of Garth's songs and he sang some that influenced him, but most of all it felt like he was talking to you over a dinner as a buddy.  And MAN, was he funny!  So if you get the chance, go see Garth at the Wynn!

 



 

The next couple of days we spent wandering the strip, seeing the attractions and going to promotional parties at night.  While Jeff was at the Expo on Monday, Michelle and I went out to the best buffet in town and majorly filled up our bellies!  I had to take a picture of this cute little fry basket and I was in my HTM element with all the bitesized food so you could try everything!



We also went to get shellac manicures that are supposed to last 2 weeks or more.  I am pretty thrilled because we got them on Monday and as of today I haven't even seen a bit of a chip!  We will have to see how everything goes over the next two weeks!

On Tuesday we went to the CSI exhibit.  We were about to pay at the cash register near the exhibit ($66 for the two of us) when they told us we couldn't use the discount down there.  So we went back upstairs and found that the discount was pretty substantial ($28 for the two of us!!!)  The exhibit was only okay so I would have been pissed if we paid more than $30 a piece.

So our days were mostly spent wandering around and taking in the sights, but at night we got to go out clubbing and invited to some nice parties!  We went clubbing at XS on Sunday night and Jeff and I have decided we can't figure out what distinguishes one of these techno DJs from another.  Before that we had attended a CAT promotional dinner where Jeff got pretty steamed that they changed the words of "he has the whole world in his hands" to make it an environmentally conscious song.  We were invited (sort of) to the Bridgestone Tire party at Pure nightclub another night.  It was pretty nice that most of these parties had free food and drinks (and cigars) to help out with our budget.  The last night we had to show Michelle the Bellagio fountains!

 

 

 

 

 

On the very last day we were there I was compelled to go out and take some pictures around the resorts we were staying in.  Most of these are from the Bellagio

 

When we returned home Jason was so excited to see us he almost hopped right off of his perch on Grandma's shoulders!  Elizabeth took a few minutes to really realize it was us, but when she did she was back to reciting "Daddy, Daddy, Mommy, Mommy, Brother."  We all drove home on Thursday and although Jeff and I are a little sleep deprived we are so thankful for a wonderful trip!

 

 

unsolicited advice

Both times I was pregnant I was on internet boards and occasionally moms would come on after having their baby and offer their advice.  This was even more laughable when I already had a toddler, but I still ended up checking it out.  This exercise always reminded me the cardinal rule that every baby is different.  For example baby swings: for Jason we got a used one at a consignment shop and Jason hated it.  I blamed it on the swing so for Elizabeth we got a nice new swing and she liked it okay, but not nearly as much as some of the other babies I heard about.  All the same here is a list from some of the moms in my online group and some from me.

• Don't worry about getting a bedding set.  You can't use the bumper for SIDS concern and you will get more than enough blankets that you don't need the comforter.  Go with some sheets that coordinate and spend more money on the room decor
• Learn how to swaddle!  I wish I had made a video of the unique way my mother in law taught me when Jason was born because the hospital way didn't work for very long.  I almost forgot between Jason and Elizabeth, maybe I will still make a video, check back for that.
• If your baby gets fussy during dinnertime try sitting them up with you.  Most high chairs or booster seats recline
• Go on a fun trip for just you and hubby.  In the first trimester with Jason we went on an Alaskan cruise with my parents and before we got pregnant with Elizabeth we went on a Mediterranean cruise (I wanted to drink that time) and it was really great to have that to reminisce about when I was up all night with a fussy baby.
• If you can't get away for a big trip at least go out to dinner and a movie!  Seriously, that is the thing I miss most about being without kids.  We rarely ever get to spend time together alone and I miss just being us some times!
• Don't buy a ton of bottles, pacifiers, whatever before the baby is born.  I breastfed, but planned on pumping and using bottles sometimes, until of course neither child would take a bottle.
• On that note, we have all heard that the breast is best and I was able to nurse for a year for each child, but if you have to do formula for your baby don't beat yourself up!  If you are determined you can breastfeed and there is lots of help that you can use if you want it. If you need to formula feed you aren't poisening your child, you are doing what is best for your family.
• Your life as you know it is over, but don't worry, you'll have a better one!
• Ask your partner for help and don't correct them unless they are doing something dangerous
• I'm so happy we didn't get a travel system!  We got an infant seat, snap and go and after about 6 months got a jogging stroller (that was the envy of all my walking buddies) and an umbrella stroller for smaller trips.  Thank you cheapskate hubby!
• Cuddle and kiss that little bundle because they grow up too fast and want to wiggle away!

Most importantly trust your gut!  You know your baby best and you can do this!

Parents, please add your tips in the comments!

Phone photo Friday!

It's fall, ya'll!  Geese flying away today.

Elizabeth ready to go down the slide with her balloon

I love this photo of Jason swinging

Just hanging out

Playing on the sand pile at Jeff's company picnic

Just dive right in Jason

 

Sweet girl was worn out!

 

In other news, Jason has been doing great at preschool!  The main purpose of sending him was to improve his social skills and that has been improving, but he has been impressing me!  On the way to church on Sunday he told me he was going to keep his mouth shut and his ears open (mind you, he didn't actually do that, but at least he knew that was what he was supposed to do)  He has also taken more interest in the days of the week and has started reciting them.  Elizabeth seems to be adding a new word a day!  I can't believe how quickly these two are growing up!

Big changes!

Jason's first day of school was today.  He is going to preschool 2 days a week from 8:30 until 2:30.  I can't believe my little boy is growing up so fast.  He has been doing great learning his numbers and letters, but he really needs some socialization.  He doesn't really know how to make friends or play with kids his own age.  This morning he begged me not to leave him.  He wanted me to stay or to come with me, but the teacher was able to help keep him busy as Elizabeth and I left.



This past weekend Jeff was helping move his parents into their new house and my mom came down to spend some time with us.  Everyone loved having her!  Jason even kicked me out of his room so that he could get all of Grandma's attention to play trains.  There was lots of book reading and train playing and wearing the kids out!





In fact Jason has been playing hard lately and has been falling asleep in lots of strange places.  We did away with his afternoon nap, but some days I think we should reinstate it.


Jeff and I also had a quite birthday here on Thursday, even if it was a very large one for me!



We just finished picking Jason up and I have to say that the house was so quiet while he was gone that Elizabeth got in a great nap!  When I came in Jason was happily playing with and putting away some blocks.  As soon as he saw me he yelled "Mommy" and ran over to me.  With a bit of a quivering lip he said he was ready to go home now, but after chatting a bit he said he had a good time and is looking forward to coming back on Thursday!