Call me crazy, but, on a whim, decided to take both kids to fl- alone. I planned on going with Mr. Cole, who is still free, to go meet my new niece, Mattie. My awesome brother-in-law got me great fares from his jetblue buddy (ummmm, less than $150 for 2 roundtrip tickets). Knowing that the tickets would be cheap, I asked if I could get two. Right after I regretted my impulsive move. The thoughts that rushed through my mind made me question myself. I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to do it. I imagined all the things that could go wrong or bad-
* What if nicolette or I had to go to the bathroom on the plane, what would we do with cole? (leave him chillin in he carseat. really, who is going to take him, on an airplane?)
* What if they wouldn't let cole sit in the carseat in nicolette's seat, even if they told me he could (no one who mattered seemed to care who sat where. It could also be that they look so close in age)
* How would I manage a (almost) 3 year old, an 18 month old, a stroller, a big old diaper bag, a carseat, our tickets, my phone, camera and money (it was a juggling act, but it worked out fine)
* What would happen if nicolette just took off on me (she was an angel, for the most part).
But, my brother-in-law came through and we were set to go. There was no turning back.
We got to the airport early, just in case. We fles standy by and there is only one direct flight in and out of Syracuse and Orlando a day. We didn't have seats, so we just weren't sure what was going to happen. Turns out, we were in row 25, the last row and had seats D, E and F. I almost kissed the gate employee right then and there. I was incredibily happy to have 3 seats and we weren't near anyone we could bother too much.
My mom got a gate tickets to help me until we went through the tunnel, which helped immensely. We had some time to kill, so we decided to try to fly our own plane.
So, we settled in, in row 25 and got comfy. Our flight left at 4 something so no one was tired, and plus, there was way too much to see and take in.
Traveling alone makes it hard to be in any photos. Really, who am I kidding, I'm not in photos anyways! Me and my babies... a trip I will remember forever!
We made it in safe and sound. Nicolette couldn't wait to wrap her arms around baby Mattie. I think she was in heaven. She even smiled for the camera. I think Mattie put a spell on her. I couldn't get over how good nicolette was with Mattie. She was gentle, and came and so loving. And, she.would.not.share. I swear I barely got to hold her because everytime I did, Little Miss Baby Hog came over wanting to hold her. Really, how could I say no to her? And, she smiled for pictures, which usually takes some coaxing.
We slept in Mattie's room- Cole in the pack n play and nicolette and I on the big air mattress. Good gosh, that girl moves around a lot while sleeping. Saturday we spent at home, all day. We relaxed and got caught up and took turns holding Mattie. Her other aunt, Erica, was there and it was nice to see her too!
"My turn to hold baby Mattie". Again.
Some cousin love. I wish they lived closer so the kids could grow up together. We won't be moving to Florida though, and I know they won't be moving to New York. At least Orlando is a great place to go visit!
Tuesday Mary had to run into work so she took Mattie, Chris went grocery shopping and Cole was sleeping. Because Nicolette is constantly asking play with my makeup, I decided to let her. We were still in jammies at noon, so what is the harm? What is the harm? Well, now she wants to put makeup on every.single.day. Hmmmmm... not the greatest idea!
The we got dressed and took some more pictures!
That night we went shopping at the Millenia Mall. I wish I won a shopping spree there. Holy, moly, are there some high end stores there. I would have just stopped at Lacoste, then at Louis Vitton and then we would have hit up Jimmy Choo, Anthropologie, Burberry and Crate and Barrel. Then...
maybe we'd stop at Gap and Ann Taylor Loft, ya know, for some cheap stuff.
We grabbed a quick dinner at California Pizza Kitchen. I don't know if I've been there, but it was great. Mary and I shared a pizza with black beans, lettuce, chicken, cheese, yummy salsa and some other things. The kids enjoyed great mac and cheese.
Me and the little guy.
And nicolette and Uncle Chris.
We tried to get a shot of all three kids. We were just missing Ethan.
Sleeping girl! Boy, do I miss newborns!
On Monday night we went to downtown Disney. We went so late all we had time to do was go to the Rainforest Cafe. It was fun, but I wasn't impressed. The prices were expensive, and I expected more. I wish we had more time to walk around and maybe get the kids something Disney, but it was late, and my babies were fading fast.
Cole was terrified of the gorilla (or whatever it is) when the animals started moving. It was so cute!
I cannot wait to come back here when the kids are older. They are going to love Disney. It'll be really nice that Mary and Chris are here and we are able to stay with them and probably get discounted Disney tickets. I want to come back asap, and of course, with Jon, but I want the kids to remember it and right now they are too young.
It was late, too late really, and this is what I looked back to before we even left the parking lot.
This picture cracks me up because Cole had this face the entire time he held Mattie. He was a little rough in the beginning and then really couldn't have cared less about her. It was like he was really mad, and confused at the same time. I love this picture!
There are np pictures from the trip home. Since we flew standby, we didn't have seats. Thr flight home was pretty full and there were only middle seats left. The guy at the gate wouldn't assign us seats until the flight was full, which irritated me to begin with. As people were boarding, Chris, who got a gate ticket, went to talk to anther guy. He gave us two seat, row 2B and 5B. Ummmmm, that was NOT going to work. I proceeded to tell him exactly why this wouldn't work to which he replied, "Mam, no one likes middle seats. Maybe someone will switch with you, but I don't know". I wanted to puch that guy in the face. Dude, you must not have kids, but you cannot put a 1.5 or almost 3 year old alone on a plane, seriously? Even just writing this I am getting worked up again. The problem was, we needed to be on this flight because it was the only direct flight home that day, and I really.really.really didn't want to fly through jfk. Chris convinced me that someone would switch with me, and thinking back, who wouldn't, right?
So, we boarded the plane and I told the flight attendant was we got on my situation. He didn't seem to care much either. He told me he could help me after everyone got on. Ummmm, what would you like me to do in the meantime?? So, we waited, and waited. The plane was filling up, except for people in rows 2 and 5. Finally, (and I'm just being factual here), this lady came on looking like she might be in row 2. She was skinny, and appeared to be older, bleach blonde hair, lots of makeup, and she had a little dog. I politely asked her if she wanted to switch and told her my problem. She said sure, although I don't think she got the whole story. I asked her if she had the aisle or the window. She said she wasn't sure and went to sit down. Ahhhh, finally we were set. I felt a million times better. I am my best advocate. Seriously, the jetblue people were so not helpful. I'm thinking of writing a letter. Turns out the carseat has to be by the window, so all that... for nothing.
We were really happy to be home and see Daddy!!
