Thursday, January 7, 2010

Back

We made it home. I thought I had made it through the season avoiding the nasty colds the boys got over Christmas, but lucky me, it hit right before we had to fly home. So now I'm here, a little overwhelmed at remembering how to take care of my kids and my life all by myself again in a house that is in post-trip disaster mode and feeling terrible. And remembering that my husband shut the tv off months ago when all I want to do is sit and watch cartoons all day with the kids.

But other than that, I came home to 5 large paper bags full of oranges from our friend whose parents have an orange grove! I love freshly squeezed orange juice - it's the highlight of winter for me, so it was a nice surprise - especially since he even got us a juicer! But this morning I realized 5 bags may be a bit too much (since there's no room for them but on the kitchen table) when I heard an excited, "Ball!" thud, thud. "Ball!" thud, thud, repeated over and over and came out to find oranges rolled into every nook and cranny. I already have enough problems finding rotten bottles months later without adding moldy oranges to the mix. :)

And I have to thank my friend James who did a fantastic job taking Ashton on the flight! Even with a four hour layover. Did I mention I wasn't on the same flight? Yeah, I guess even Ryan didn't realize that. When I asked James if he'd bring a baby home for me, I meant he was rolling solo. Not even the same airline, same layover, nothing. He had a friend leaving on a flight near the same time he did so she was sitting at the gate with him. When he started boarding and she went the other way, a man in line behind him said "Oh, I see how it is - wife sticks you with the baby while she takes off somewhere else, huh?!" To which James said, "Oh, she's not my wife." And after another thought, "And this isn't my baby." After some confused/concerned looks, he just said, "Yeah, we don't have time to get into it." Then people on the plane would ask, "Were you that blond as a baby?" And he would say, "Well, yes, I was." Then later when they would ask if this was his only child it was a bit confusing when he'd say, "Oh, this isn't mine." I guess taking someone else's baby on the plane for them isn't that common a request, huh? Better watch out if you're a friend of mine. :)

It was funny to hear his first comment off the plane though - "Yeah, note to self, when you have kids don't take a lot of carry-ons." He even endured a few tantrums. He said, "You know that kind where they go really stiff and are super hard to carry?" Oh yes, all too well. Unfortunately he had to make it down to his gate trying to carry Ashton like that while he was screaming the whole way, dragging the stroller and all his luggage at the same time. He said, "I know it's the dead of winter, but you'd think I just stepped out of a sauna." But other than the few moments I think it went pretty well!

At least I gave him the baby that will wear shoes so he also didn't have to deal with all the "Where are that baby's shoes!?!" comments. I'll admit, it grosses me out too to see Phoenix running barefoot all over the airport, but what can I do when he just screams and throws a tantrum until he gets them off again? And then there was Cash, who happened to be coughing as we were boarding the plane and a few passengers start loudly saying, "Oh GREAT. Why don't you just cough all over the whole plane and infect all of us on your way back?" Seriously, why can't people just keep their thoughts to themselves?

One issue I have now is that my kids have developed a serious affinity for being naked over Christmas for some reason. I don't know how that came about while we were staying in below-freezing temperatures, but all they want to do is run around naked. (And pee on the couches. Um, sorry, mom.) So if I thought getting three boys out the door in the morning was hard before, it's disastrous now. They just scream and throw fits and do their worst to not let me get them dressed, ripping everything off as I'm putting it on and screaming for 10 minutes after. UGH.

And while I'm just trailing on with random thoughts I could mention that I attempted to do something to my hair and turned my roots orange the night before I left. Then a bluish/purple. Why, oh why do I think things like this are a good idea the night before I leave on a trip when I should be packing? It just looks like my hair is growing out bruised now. Ok, it's not so terrible and I'll probably fix it before anyone notices.

And in the way of firsts - we actually turned on the heat in our apartment last night! And set off the smoke alarms. :) But I can't believe it! We've never turned on the heat in a year and a half. I was just miffed that a cold spell in Miami dared start without me here! I hate to miss it! Weird though since it was 80s and still sweaty when I left. I guess it's been down in the 40s and 50s. Love it. Although I guess it will be almost back up to the 80s by the end of next week.

And yet I still managed to wake up with serious bedhead this morning. What is it about Utah that I just wake up with perfect hair every morning? (Not really perfect, just meaning it looks like it did when I went to sleep.) I'll miss you nice hair. And family. And not having cooked a meal for the last three weeks. Or cleaning. Or doing laundry. Wow, this is not helping to realize all that!

12 comments:

Carrie Richins said...

Wecome back to The Real World: Miami! Can't wait to see you and the boys again soon.

AnnaMarie said...

Your friend is amazing. I'm scared to take my own kids on the airplane. Glad you're having cooler weather, that must be nice. I'd like to have it a little warmer here. Twenty below is not ideal...

Aloha_Misty said...

We came back on Saturday and I feel the same way...I have to start cooking my own meals again and hold the baby while I am doing it??? I do miss all the extra hands...can't imagine trying to do it with twins.

Anonymous said...

Welcome to Miami! At least you can find humor in your life. That will keep you sane.

I am walking around in a little bit of a stupor still, missing everyone, yet having lots to do; but a good book "The Help" has slowed the progress (other than through the book).

You brightened all our days! All of you!

xoxoGrammy

Krista said...

who is this James guy? Its not Cannon is it? where was he when my twins were 2????? What an amazing friend to do that for you...He needs to be a Dad, he'll be an awesome dad if he will take a baby on a plane that isn't even related to him. You must be a good manipulator to get any one to do that, even if the baby is as cute as yours. nice job! ;)

The Spendloves said...

Seriously, James deserves a medal of some kind. I didn't realize you weren't on the same flight with him. He is brave!! And I agree with the previous poster, he will be a great dad. Sounds like a great guy... Does he need to be set up with my single sister-in-law? :)

The Freemans said...

So glad you had a great vacation...sorry we missed you while you were here....I seriously can't believe that you managed to find someone crazy enough to take a child (not their own) on the plane!!! That is a true friend and you should keep him around!!! Good luck finding all those oranges. But at least your house will smell nice until they rot :)

Safire said...

I'm so jealous of all your oranges (although we would have the ball problem here too.) THey sound divine.

And yay for surviving another plane trip! We're coming up on ours and I'm already slightly terrified. Lucky you had James. Does he want to come and fly with one of my twins?!

Melanie said...

Way to go James! I dont like traveling alone with H and he's my kid! Course, kids sometimes behave better for people who aren't their parents.
I heard about the cold snap in Miami and totally thought "Jen is going to be so happy!"
Glad you had a great trip home but Im so glad you are back to blogging!

Anonymous said...

We are not the naked heathens we may have sounded like, but what does one do with a baby with a bottom rash? Bathe him well and expose him to the healing air -- and we only did it twice!

Grammy

Corinne said...

Yeah, I actually noticed how great your hair looked on Christmas morning :)

Geoff and Bets said...

love it! so many things to say. i LOVE oj too and am sooo jealous. hillarious pictures in my mind of the trip. miss you jen!