Mama Probs: In Flight.

It's Friday y'all, and I am almost, almost recovered from a flight I took the mini on last Sunday.

I mean, you laughed out loud, right?

I have five REALLY exciting things to share on today's Five-on-Friday and I'm once again linking up with The Good Life Blog and crew!

Remember that time I wrote some tips on flying with the littles? In case you missed it you can check it out here Flying with the Littles and throw it all back in my face here in a sec.

Well it finally happened.

After 14 flights we had the flight from Hades.

At one point I thought to myself, oh my gawd, I might snap at any. minute. Have you seen the show Snapped? There's nothing good about that show.

Here's what I (hypothetically) learned from this experience:

{one}

Early flights are not the way to go for toddlers. 

They get tired from the getting ready to fly part of traveling and by the time they actually get in the air they're awake and can't sleep. Which makes them mad.

Real mad.

{two}

They can hit you real hard when in close, contained quarters.

And when you hold their arms to stop from hitting your face they can then kick the seat in front of you. Hard and fast.

Then you gasp in horror and quickly hold their legs (which frees up their arms) and they begin hitting your face again.

Repeat.

{three}

The 'turn off electronics' rule is the devil.

When you finally get the toddler tornadoes calm and watching their most favorite episode of Curious George or Bubble Guppies, the flight attendants make you turn it off.

I'm getting a little clammy and short of breath thinking about it.

{four}

Strangers sitting in the same row don't stare so much. But they get really quite. And order hard alcohol.

At 8AM.

{five}

And when the plane is on its initial descent, the toddler will fall into a peaceful, beautiful, snuggly sleep. And you just can't remember what the big deal was in the first place.

 

Three generations and over 20 years of friendship right there. Mimosas were involved.[/caption]

Coop and I got to spend an awesome few days in Dallas with my mom, sisters, friends and their minis, which happens too few and far between.

Miller, 14 months, Betsy 15 months, Cooper and Brooklynn 19 months. Organized chaos.

 

Coopy and his BFF Miller.

And there ya have it. This week's Mama Probs.

Cheers to the weekend, y'all.

Lauren

WW: Proud of you.

Oh my goodness we have been busy since my last bloggy-post! I've finally fixed my computer and can share a few pics of life lately.

This has been on my heart lately: “I'm so proud of you that it makes me proud of me. I hope you know that.”  -John Green

Now this may sound braggy but it's really not. I ASSURE you, most the time I certainly do NOT say this to myself, but there are those rare occasions and lately, I've been so proud of Coop.

We started pre-school two days a week, and this is the first time he has consistently left me for a long period of time. Much like every change that I think will be CATASTROPHIC for my son (remember that time I was terrified to take the bottle away? Hah!), it was a breeze. Easy peasy. In fact he runs into the classroom and waves me the heck out of there. His teachers say he has an inner calm and relaxedness in the midst of upset kids. I'm proud of him. 

One of our primary goals as parents was to teach our baby how to be an independent toddler (and so on). We intentionally placed him in situations at a very young age that helped him learn that we would leave but always come back - and to trust other people. So seeing him run into preschool with such confidence is such a gift back to me and Jeff.

In other news, Coop is still pretty darn cute. Here are some pictures over the past month.

Playing the piano in Edwards, Colorado while celebrating Labor Day at the home of some of our very dear friends:

This picture has special meaning to me, as it was taken on the one-year anniversary of my Grandpa Bear's passing. My Grandpa, who taught me how to play piano and always played with joy. Needless to say, to see Cooper so happy sitting in that seat brought tears to my eyes. I see my Grandpa's love for music in my son and can only hope he's half the man that Karl Nann was. I think of my Grandpa all the time, but I know where he is.

Here are our dear friends in question, the Henning family:

This is Coop showing off his moves at dinner, dancing with the Live Band:

This face. This frustrated face handing me a washer with such intensity. No idea where he gets that temper.

And such innocence:

...oh, who I am kidding, intensity. "Mom, just throw the damn washer!"

The best we could do. Smiling pictures these days with Cooper are pretty nonexistent. Jeff looks cute though, no?

The weekend after Labor Day Jeff and I drove down to Telluride for a little getaway. Can I tell you, I have never seen a prettier part of Colorado and it is ALL pretty.

Hiking Hope Lake.

Cooper, you are ornery, independent and active. You love music, books, brushing your teeth and your monkey. You are my most grateful prayer and the reason I often pour a glass of wine at 5:01PM.

 

xo

Lauren