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January 18, 2007
Well, Well, Well
Look who's alive. Yep, I survived the trip to Phoenix and the baby shower. I have pictures, but I've been a total slacker and haven't even downloaded them from my camera. I'll have to get that done this weekend because there are some I want to share. So, the trip was interesting. My flight was delayed for an hour and a half in Denver because the plane was late leaving Las Vegas due to weather. While I was waiting in Denver it started snowing really hard and there was some concern that we weren't going to be able to take off. But, after we finally got on the plane and got de-iced we were off to sunny Phoenix. The first bit of the flight made me kind of nervous. The whole plane was shaking and bouncing around because of the storm in Denver. Sometimes watching shows like Lost don't do you any good at all. I was imagining all these terrible things and you know if you're on a plane from Denver to Phoenix the chances of crashing on a tropical island are pretty nonexistent. I always laugh when they do their water landing spiel because there isn't a bit of water on that whole trip. However, after a bumpy start, the flight was just fine. I didn't get into Phoenix until 12:30 in the morning and my very pregnant friend Ashley and her hubby had to come pick me up. I felt terrible, but she swears she didn't mind. Luckily they don't live very far from the airport so they just left their house when I landed and it worked out perfectly.
The shower was Saturday and we had it at a great little restaurant. It was on the patio and there was a little lake with ducks and trees and everything. The only problem was it was about 50 degrees in Phoenix on Saturday. Let's just say it was a little chilly. They had heaters and that helped, but you definitely wanted a jacket. When you compare 50 degrees to the -20 it was at my house on Saturday it's pretty much a heat wave, but those poor girls from Phoenix were freezing. Anyway, the food was great, the cakes were wonderful (Ashley's mom made them), and the gifts were adorable. I had no idea how much crap you need when you have a baby. Wow - it was eye-opening. That, my friends, is a whole different world.
Sunday dawned even colder than Saturday. When we took Ashley's mom and sister to the airport at 8:00 it was 27 degrees and there was frost! I know it's winter, but come on. When I go to the trouble to fly to Phoenix I expect a little warm weather. Know what I mean? Anyway, Sunday was a great day. We shopped, and shopped, and shopped. We had baby stuff coming out our ears. We bought a trash can (with a lid, of course), a car seat/stroller thingy (after we did considerable research on safety and such), some cute clothes, and I went a little crazy in Pottery Barn Kids. Baby stuff is just so cute. And soft. And since I'm not having any babies, I figure I can get away with spoiling this one rotten. I don't think he'll care, do you? After we couldn't shop any more we went home and washed baby stuff and put everything away, took things out of boxes and made Ashley's hubby put everything together, organized, and generally got the nursery put together and ship shape. It was a lot of fun. The very best part was the time I got to spend with Ashley - just the two of us. We haven't done that in too long. I realized how much I miss her. I mean, I knew I missed her because we've been best friends since we were 13 years old and I live in Wyoming and she lives in Arizona. But, I really miss just having a girlfriend to hang out with. Someone you can go with to the mall, to lunch, and just hang around the house. I'm going to try to go back in March to help her out after the baby is born (even though I can't help with the baby I'm sure I can do laundry and cook). The little guy is due in late February and her mom is planning to spend a week, but I thought she might like more help than a week (what do you moms out there think about that?). I thought I might shoot for mid-March.
Knitting has been non-existant around my house. I knit a bit on the plane, but didn't knit at all in Phoenix, on the way home, or since I've been back. I hope things are a bit better today because not knitting for 5 days is kinda weird. I don't have a single thing planned for the weekend except to hang around my house, watch movies, knit, and maybe if I'm feeling really ambitious I might tackle cleaning out the pantry. No promises though.
Comments
It's wonderful that you got to spend time with your friend. I'm really, really glad for that.
I think a return trip is a great idea. I would have loved to have some help. And it sounds like you have the sort of friendship where you can just do what needs to be done and she doesn't have to think about entertaining you or taking care of you. Know what I mean?
Posted by: Carole at January 18, 2007 10:39 AM
So glad you had a nice trip. Hanging out with a girlfriend is definitely nice and relaxing, it's amazing how little we do that as adults.
When my aunt told me how cold it was in Pheonix I was amazed, I mean I know it's possible to get cold any where by Phoenix, that was odd.
Posted by: Rebekah at January 18, 2007 10:58 AM
That sounds like a wonderful trip and special friendship! I can tell you that as a mom of 4, having such a good friend to share that precious time with would mean the world to Ashley! I didn't have alot of help after my children were born(except of course my wonderful husband!) so I know she would appreciate it! glad you made it back safe!
Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl at January 18, 2007 11:00 AM
Sorry to hear about the bumpy flight (eek!), but it sounds like you had a wonderful visit. What a great time you must have had hanging our with your friend.
Posted by: diana at January 18, 2007 11:03 AM
sounds like you had a great time dispite the initial flight! (every time I fly I think of shows like Lost!) Ashley is lucky to have you as a friend - willing to spend a week to help out! I went and helped my cousin with her baby when the baby was about 3 weeks old - she said it was great, so I think your timing sounds good.
Posted by: Stacey at January 18, 2007 11:10 AM
New Mom's always need extra help. She'll love having your extra hands to do the cleaning and cooking so she can do the bonding. I thought of you when I heard it was cold in Phoenix. At least it wasn't WY and you spent time with your friend. Enjoy a quiet weekend.
Posted by: margene at January 18, 2007 11:34 AM
Welcome back, sounds like you had a wonderful, albeit chilly trip!
I really don't have one of those girlfriends handy either.........Bob is only good for so much shopping before he starts huffing and rolling the eyes.
Why can't you help with the baby when you go back?
Posted by: christine at January 18, 2007 11:42 AM
I loved people coming over to help or just to visit. 24/7 with a little guy that needs constant attention, like mine. It was relaxing and a relief for help. Even just help with the dishes. Or someone to watch so that I could have a nice long soak in the bath tub without worrying that he would wake up. But everyone is different. My brother's sister in-law would let anyone come over for over a month after the baby was born. GERMS! EEK!
Posted by: britt at January 18, 2007 11:55 AM
You can come over and play with us in San Francisco any day! =)
Posted by: yaiAnn at January 18, 2007 12:35 PM
I hate flying out of Denver in bad weather! Glad you made it safely.
The first week you pretty much just hold the babe and sleep. The next few weeks the babe becomes more active and you want to stretch your legs a bit and it is a total blessing to have friends and family there to help.
Posted by: Sylvia at January 18, 2007 12:54 PM
yeah, babies require a lot of stuff, no? :) i've already accumulated quite a pile of baby things and i'm not due for another two months! it's all cute stuff that i can't pass up!
glad to hear you enjoyed the trip despite the drop in temperatures. weather is just wacky in the US lately.
Posted by: gleek at January 18, 2007 1:50 PM
I agree with all the what-a-great-trip, what a wonderful friend to have. Yes, she will still love to have/need you to do much cooking/etc, because she will still be learning how to do the mom stuff, and it takes much time and energy. And you can start a bond with the baby that will facilitate spoiling.
otherwise...yes, I hear it's cold. My daughter, north of you, south of Cody, has had frozen water pipes for a week. I am sending warm thoughts to all of Wyoming.
Posted by: Judith at January 18, 2007 2:02 PM
She lives.
Posted by: claudia at January 18, 2007 2:44 PM
Yikes, the plane ride sounded scary. I hate turbulence, but I'm glad you were safe.
Sounds like you had some really great girl-time there! As we get older and busier, I think that time is harder to come by and thus even more precious. I think it's sweet of you to return and help Ashley.
Posted by: caitlyn at January 18, 2007 4:06 PM
I'm sure Ashley would appreciate your help. My mom came over to help me for a month when I had both my kids, and it felt great to have her close by.
Posted by: Siow Chin at January 18, 2007 8:09 PM
I do hate turbulence. I always tell myself, okay we aren't over the ocean so the plane can't crash like in Lost. However, when we fly to Hawaii this summer ... okay let's not go to that visual yet! Your upcoming weekend sounds good to me. I think that yes, you should help your friend. She's going to be tired and you can help out with the baby during the day just so that she can nap even though new moms sometimes think they don't need to nap. Helping with laundry is always good. In fact, I could use your help here with the laundry. Come on down to Texas but beware it's been icy and in the 20's but that isn't -12!
Posted by: Stephanie at January 18, 2007 8:24 PM
I had help for a month too, for each of the three boys. (I was so spoiled!) Maybe your maternal instincts will kick in when you help with the little one? ;-)
Posted by: joy at January 19, 2007 8:47 AM
I am expecting my first child, and I really hope that I have people come to help me out. We moved continents last year, so the closest family is 1200 km away. But oh they are excited and are planning... Either way, it is special to do that for someone. And yes, babies need so much stuff...
Posted by: Knittiana! at January 19, 2007 12:46 PM
New commenter here - you sound like a great friend! I just had a baby last year and would have loved to have someone come and stay and help out - I think that is a wonderful idea.
Meanwhile - I am a new mom in Phoenix myself, if your friend needs any baby knits - just let me know!
Posted by: Jo at January 19, 2007 2:45 PM
definately, new Moms need more than one week of help.They need encouragement to rest while the baby is resting - and they need help to get over the fears that naturally come the first time we do anything.
Go ahead and spoil her rotten - you'll enjoy it, and so will she :-)
Glad you had a fun trip. Connecting with dear friends is so precious.
Posted by: Teyani at January 19, 2007 10:33 PM
sounds like a fun little trip! old friends like that are the best...you can hang out and do anything together and feel so comfortable, like sisters. i am sure she will welcome your help once the little one arrives, even if you can't help too much with the baby. cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping- any and all help will be needed and appreciated!
Posted by: kaetlyn at January 20, 2007 6:55 AM
Sounds like you had a great trip. Hope you're enjoying your weekend.
Posted by: brooke at January 20, 2007 8:28 PM
