Wow! It's been how long?

Where has the time gone?  I really haven't posted on here for over a year?  The kids are so much bigger now and so much has changed.  I can't believe I forgot to do a post for when Roman started Pre-K.  But to say we had a lot going on would be an understatement.  It saddens me I haven't kept up with my blog.  Not for any readers I may have, which I'm pretty sure is non existent.  But its a diary of sorts, a way to remember what's been happening in our lives.  As one day runs into the next, it all becomes a blur and its really sad on my part I haven't been keeping track.  I mean, Roman is almost done with his first year of school, what?  Dominic starts Pre-K in the fall and just like that they are both out of the house.

The biggest change is we moved into a house with more space for everyone.  We were really starting to feel cramped in our first home.  We spent almost a year looking in and around the city we live in and would you believe we found a house in the exact neighborhood we were living in? We really were not trying to stay in the area, we wanted a change, but this is were we ended up, c'est la vie. And of course all this happened, the move, Roman's first week of school and Mike going to Italy (bad timing) the exact same week.  I would just like to say, never sell your house and buy a house at the same time.  Nobody needs that level of stress.  If we ever move again, we're selling the house, hiring movers and I'm not doing a thing.  I hired movers to unpack our POD (since Mike wasn't here) and that was the best thing ever.  I used the app VanMile and they had someone out the next day. So people, that's the way to go, don't try to do it yourself. 

Let's see, what else, Roman loves school.  I definitely like the structure it provides.  Since he's in PreK they provide the breakfast and lunch, so he's also exposed to different foods, which is good since he's such a picky eater.  He's getting better about talking to new people and not as shy.  A much bigger interest in reading than before.  He actually gets excited about reading.  I know it'll be good for Dominic to go next year as well, I just worry since he'll only just be 4 when he goes how he will react.  Roman was almost 5 when he went so he was more mature.  I guess time will tell and if Dominic is really struggling we can always pull him out and wait another year.

In other news we ended up giving Coco away.  The boys were just too rough and everyone was stressed.  We gave her to a friend and she is thriving where she is and I love seeing updates on her.  Such a sweet doggie.  Will there be another dog in our future? I don't know.  Its been over a year since having a dog and I still miss Leela but I don't miss the responsibility of dog ownership.  I think we'll just stay cat people for a while.  When that special dog comes along we will know it.

So that's about it.  Just been staying busy raising kids, working on the house (updating old fixtures, yardwork, etc), meetings and service, basically life.  I still try to take a portion of every day and just slow down for one minute.  If it means sitting on the couch when Dominic says, "mommy, sit" and points next to him because he wants to cuddle, or stopping whatever I'm doing to see whatever Roman wants me to look at because I know now, how fast it all goes.  Roman is constantly telling us he loves us and we have to say "I love you too" right back and he'll smile.  Dominic still says "I lo'l you" all the time but now punctuates it with sloppy kisses (probably why I've been sick all month).  I notice I don't pick up Roman as much as I used to, he's getting too long and gangly. I can only carry him for a short time now.  Just another part of growing up.   The current words he gets wrong are hamburger, hangabur and basket, backset.  Which are so cute, and don't nobody correct him, because I love it.

I have more things to post about the boys but I'll try and write another post devoted exclusively to them.  Becuase this post is turning into a novella.  Thanks for stopping by and catching up.  We are still here, just been busy.  Till next time...

Who is this kid?

Fly the Friendly Skies

After doing a whirlwind trip to California I came back with a couple of insights while flying with small children.  I don't really have an issue on the plane with my kids (the airport on the other hand, oy vey! Sometimes Roman just doesn't want to walk).  They have both been flying since a young age so they know the drill.  I usually have a car seat for Roman and as soon as we take off he usually knocks right out.  Course now that he is getting bigger he likes sitting in the regular seat too like a big person.  Dominic does best when he can get down after he wakes up.  He likes to stand and walk a bit in between our seats.  Gives him a little freedom and keeps him from getting antsy from sitting all those hours.  I like flying non stop because I don't have to worry about lugging the kids around an airport but when there is a layover its nice too because it breaks up a long flight and everyone can stretch their legs. Unless you have a short connection time and by the time you do a potty break you barely make it to your next flight which is in completely different terminal (true story, had ten minutes to spare before take off). I carry snacks and the kids tablets and now that they have wi-fi on planes I can play a movie for them on the airplane's entertainment page.  Finding Nemo was a big hit on the way to California.

What I did want to mention is if you are flying and see a parent struggling don't be afraid to ask if they need help.  This lady sitting two rows in front of me, her poor kid was cry/screaming for the whole first hour and a half of the flight.  I mean loud!  He woke Dominic up.  No one offered to help her or asked if she needed anything.  The lady right in front of me was all annoyed.  I got up and sat with her for a bit, asked if she needed anything and just talked to her for a few minutes.  I couldn't actually hold her son since I had Dominic but in those few moments, her son calmed down and at least she knew she wasn't alone.  Since I was traveling alone with the kids this time it was hard for me to walk on the plane carrying Dominic and a car seat.  The first flight, one of the flight attendants helped me, the second one, I struggled halfway down the plane before a nice gentleman got up and carried the seat the rest of the way for me and my last flight when we were in line to board a guy behind me carried the seat all the way on the plane for me.  That really helped me a lot.  I know, people with no kids wonder why people with kids have to be in the same space with them.  But try to put yourself in their shoes.  They don't want their kid screaming on the plane, they are probably embarrassed and tired and just wish they were in their final destination already.  Even if you can't help a kind word and a smile go a long way.  That's my little tip during this busy travel season.  Safe travels everyone!

Traveling with Kids

Hi, sorry I've been gone for a bit.  I've been busy (go figure) and I haven't had any ideas for the blog as of late.  As you  know, this is just my area where I give the odd update on the kids or talk about some random going ons in my life.  I'm woefully behind on updating the blog seeing as its almost September and the last update was in April/May?  I don't even know. So if you are a loyal follower thanks for sticking around or if your new here, Welcome!

I've had several ideas for blog posts floating in my head, how the kids are doing, the cute way Roman pronounces words wrong, he still calls water, wa-wee, sausage is saucy, hot dog is hogog (I could go on).  The day he pronounces them right I'll probably cry.  Or how he repeats me and when I tell him wait, he says wait and puts both hands up.  How he loves to march to some songs.  Or how Dominic gets on his little car and glides across the floor like a pro. Or whenever you tell him bye or he's leaving the room he'll wave to you and walk away.  Cute little things that they do that I'll forget when they get older.  Darn you bad memory.  See how I got sidetracked there...What I wanted to talk about today was traveling with kids, specifically small children.

So when we travel we tend to go all out.  Going to New York?  Great!  Lets do a road trip and stay in a different place every other night.  Going to California to see family?  Awesome sauce.  Lets do 2 days in LA, 2 days with family and fly over to Reno and drive to Lake Tahoe for funsies.   Yah, we do crazy things like that with an almost 3 year old and just turned 1 year old.  So how do we do it you ask?  Well, even if you didn't ask I'm going to tell you.  Determination.  Ha!  No, but seriously it involves planning.  If you have ever traveled with me you know I like to have my itinerary.  I plan each day out, where we are staying, sites of interest, optional travel routes if necessary.  But with kids its also important to be flexible.  Sometimes you get to your location and both kids are sound asleep in car seats.  Well, that's nap time then.  Or if you have been driving around for a bit and you see an awesome park, pull over and let the kids play.  The best moment from our recent trip to Malibu, stopping at Bluffs Park in  Malibu.  It wasn't scheduled, I just saw it while driving and since what we wanted to do was closed decided to take the boys there.  They loved it.  It had a great play ground and a really nice walking trail right on the coast overlooking the ocean.  And Roman only tried to walk over the side one time so its all good.

So besides my itinerary, with small ones, its important to have lots of snacks on hand.  Sometimes you can't stop for lunch or dinner is going to be late.  Well you can't tell them to just wait, especially a 1 year old.  I always have fruit pouches, crackers, lots of water, granola bar or nutri grain bars on hand to hold them over.  Now while flying, I can't bring a ton of these on the plane and suitcase, so I like to stop at a grocery store at some point during the trip and pick up some extra.  However, I don't like packing just a few diapers and having to buy some when we get to our destination.  I always pack diapers and wipes for the whole trip.  Some people like to buy those when they get where they are going but I don't like doing that.

Lastly, sleeping arrangements.  Roman is easy since he just sleeps in our bed.  Since Dominic is still little, we travel with his pack and play and he sleeps in there.  It really helps out even though its a pain to bring along.  Its a familiar place for him and it keeps a sense of consistency even though we are in a new place.  So those are my little travel tidbits for traveling with kids.  1) Have a plan but be flexible 2) lots of snacks and water 3) keep some sense of familiarity for the small ones.

As always, here's some photos from our most recent trip to California (August 2016).  Till next time!

This is how you get around the airport with two kids.

Roman looks so grown I almost cried.

Ready for takeoff!

Layover in Nashville.  Dominic checking out the planes.

Dominic always making friends.

Made it to Hollywood and the famous TCL Chinese Theater.

Hanging out on the pier.

That Roman is such a ham.

Fun at the playground.

Unexpected car problems, means shiny new playthings for baby.

Much needed break at winery for parents and children.

Breakfast with the grandparents.

Roman seriously was in love with this icecream cone.

He also loved the ocean.

Walking a million miles to the observatory.  Its in the far right hand corner of the photo.

Sometimes, kids get sick when you travel.  Be prepared with thermometer, home pediatrician's phone number and children's tylenol (which I always forget to pack).

Love our pack n' play.  Take a nap child!

Riding the gondola up the mountain

I was a nervous wreck in this picture, terrified Roman was going to throw himself out of Mike's arms over the side.  But had to play it cool and pretend I was totally chill.

Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe.

Super fun slide at playground in North Lake Tahoe.

Playground in North Lake Tahoe

Aren't I adorable?

Just the two of us acting like we are traveling alone.

Super fun time at the arcade in the hotel

Someone is glad to be home.