Vacation??

A picture of my beautiful daughter, who I love more than life itself... Decked out for the holidays!

So - we took a family trip to Florida for Thanksgiving. And it was wonderful to see the family, and for Jordan to meet them and vice versa. I truly miss my family... So much... To be so far from the people you love is cruel and unusual punishment. And it kills me to think that Jordan won't get the opportunity to know them all as well as I wish that she could.

So what did we do... We took a trip to a family gathering at Lake Weir, we spent lots of time playing and relaxing at Nandy and Grumpy's house, we had Xmas pictures made with Jordan's cousin Thomas, and had lots of visitors from family and friends. It was a fulfilling and relaxing trip, with good conversation, good food, and lots of love. :)

As wonderful as it was, it was also extremely hard. Especially the travelling! We started off on the wrong foot, missed our first flight and ended up spending 12 hours in airports and planes... A bad deal with or without a baby! Jordan did as well as a baby could - though I have to tell you, I hope to not travel with her again ANYTIME soon. It is unbelievable stressful and uncomfortable for both mommy and baby!! Trying to entertain her, and to keep her comfortable, and to nurse discreetly and comfortably in a tiny airplane seat is nearly impossible. My stress level was through the roof, and I'm sure that it rubbed off on Jordan. The worst part, I was watching the children who were a little older than Jordan, toddlers, and I don't know if they would be easier or harder?! The annual trips to Florida are bound to be challenging, each and every time.....

The poor baby girl is in the throngs of serious seperation anxiety - and she resisted spending any quality time in the arms of any of the rest of the family, as long as mommy was around. It is as if I have to be gone in order for anyone else to enjoy her - how is this fair?? This phase is especially hard, and painful for me... I feel like I must be doing something wrong... She is obviously OKAY, she has had food and milk and water, she is not hot or cold, she is dry... She is just throwing a fit because she wants to be in my arms! So do I take her when she calls? Or do I let her cry and scream since there really isn't any reason for it?? One of the many questions that I wish there were definitive answers for. In any case, it is no fun for anyone to hold her during this phase, and I will be very glad to see it pass!

The time difference is also a big hurdle. Jordan got adjusted to Florida time about the day before we left for home... So I guess it will be another week before she gets accustomed to Oregon time again! I never really realized how critical the "schedule" is! Routine is truly very important, something I think that I had taken forgranted!!

We also are having to work on crib training all over again, and she is crying in the carseat again... It is like the trip twisted her out of sorts, and we have taken steps backwards.

Sometimes I just want to cry........................

Why is it that the things that are the sweetest in life are sometimes the hardest ones to get through??

Anyhow, I just needed to vent a little, I'm so glad that there are so many people who listen (as I found out on our trip). :) In no way do I regret going, I would do it all over again to spend time with my family - but it was not easy!!!

Here is a picture of Jordan and her cousin Thomas. I will try to post some more pictures once I have a chance to sift through the ones off of our cameras.