OMGoodness! The holiday season has come and gone, and Nyomi is yet another month old! Gosh, how time flies...
So, as you know, Nyomi took her first flight a few weeks ago. She was SO amazingly wonderful! Thank God her ears gave her no problems...it's as if the take off lulled her to sleep! I did nurse her upon take off and landing, as I've read that helps her ears pop. Otherwise, I didn't do anything special. The times that she was awake, she just sat quietly taking in all the sights around her. On one flight, she was sitting across from an 11 month old little girl, and she couldn't get enough of trying to make eye contact with her so they could giggle and baby talk to each other. It was super cute! Every guest in my vicinity, as well as the flight attendants commented on how good of a baby she is. I just smiled, and said, "Yep, I know." LOL.
What a relief it was though [that she proved to be a great flyer] , because you should have seen the people's faces when they realized I was coming to sit at their same gate. I can imagine it is the same face I've given dozens of time when I was "sans baby," and saw an infant boarding my flight. I mean, I'm not offended by it, because there is always that chance that your baby will be screaming the entire flight...but not my baby...Nyomi has proven to be the most spectacular little lady since conception.
But I digress...you guys know I could go on and on about her and never bat an eye. Travel with her was highly different than traveling alone; I didn't have more bags, but making sure what I needed was on board and not under the plane was key. After the flight to ATL, I pretty much had it down to a science of how I'd carry her (in a holster/sling), my baby bag on right shoulder, and my rolling carry-on in left hand. I was dressed to impress (in cute flat boots of course) and breezing through the corridors like a pro! I was right proud of myself [chuckle]. Okay, I'm gonna share this, and DON'T JUDGE ME! I pretended like I was a celebrity traveling, and I had to be on my A game [fashion-wise], plus successfully look like a caring, well-prepared, doting mother. Ha! It worked though, I felt the paparazzi at every turn, trying to snap shots of Nyomi, which is why I made sure her head was covered. She--being the star she is--was sure to look around the room giving the cameras her best angles! Bwahahaha...back to reality.
My imagination got a little carried away just now, but it's ok, that's how I stay young! I can't wait for Nyomi to get of age where we can pretend together, and frolic like I used to do as a little girl. But until that day...I will gladly just listen to her cooing, giggling and blowing bubbles.
Overall, our holiday break was fantastic. As soon as I walked through my mother's door, I smelled aromas of holiday food!!! For those of you who don't know what I mean...it was the smell of turkey, ham, mac n cheese, collard & mustard greens, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potato salad, sweet potato casserole, cakes and pies! OMGEEE if I didn't hurt myself that week. There is nothing, I repeat NOTHING better to me than holiday meal leftovers...I'll eat them till their gone; and that's exactly what I set out to do.
Christmas day was wonderful and it felt surreal being the parent for the first time in 30 years...smiling so hard because you see the pleasure on your nieces faces at their gifts, and not really caring that there are hardly any gifts for you...never thought I'd see the day. Nyomi racked up on clothes, but of course she enjoyed just sitting there looking around. LOL.
Next year we should get some delight out of her, even if it's just tearing gift wrapping paper. LOL. Well, gotta go...Nyomi's just awakened and given me that "goodmorning Mommy" smile. I can't resist her!
Until next time, remember you're only as old as you feel...use that kid-like imagination sometimes; return to a place where life was exactly how you created it to be--and enjoy the moment!
