...I was wishing that the day would just GET OVER so we could start our honeymoon at South Padre Island. (Have you read my wedding travails?)
Tonight, I celebrate 3 years of marriage with Christopher...and it's been a terrific three years. Between buying our house, having our baby, and weathering lots of interesting times together, I'm constantly reminded that I absolutely married the best man in the world.
Love you, baby!
Travels with Baby
Published on
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
in:
0 to Mom
,
Travel
You might remember my post from late March when I lamented knowing what to pack for our first trip with baby.
Well...we basically ended up taking everything but the kitchen sink. My poor husband...I was in charge of baby, baby carriage/car seat, baby bag, purse, and 1 other bag. He schlepped the rest.
Today, as I'm traveling for work all by my itty bitty self, I'm left thinking about how we will do things differently in our next trip, which will be later this month or early June. Here is some of what I learned:
What travel-with-baby tips have you learned along the way that you'd like to share?
Well...we basically ended up taking everything but the kitchen sink. My poor husband...I was in charge of baby, baby carriage/car seat, baby bag, purse, and 1 other bag. He schlepped the rest.
Today, as I'm traveling for work all by my itty bitty self, I'm left thinking about how we will do things differently in our next trip, which will be later this month or early June. Here is some of what I learned:
- I don't need 2 outfits for every day of the trip. There are washing machines even in Pennsylvania.
- I don't need to take enough food/juice for the entire trip. I need enough to travel with, and the rest can be bought/made there. That alone ought to save LOTS of room.
- I don't need enough bottles and spoons and bowls for a week. Texas isn't the only state with running water.
- I don't need 20 different baby toys. Baby doesn't notice if she has to play with the same, say, 4-5 toys over and over again.
What travel-with-baby tips have you learned along the way that you'd like to share?
And the Winner Is...
Published on
Sunday, May 03, 2009
in:
Life
Any Toastmasters out there?
Just over a year ago, I joined the Toastmasters club that meets at my office. For me, it was a great opportunity. I've been a speaker all my life...between just flat out chattering, to more defined opportunities in speech and debate, drama, etc. So this was a way for me to re-engage in speaking. I love it!
This spring, I qualified to compete in the District level competitions for both Table Topics and the International Speech Contest. The competition was this weekend.
Table Topics is a competition where you are given a question and have to answer it immediately within a 1-2 minute timeframe. I was extremely tickled to win 2nd place in the District competition this weekend. Yahoo!
The international speech competition is often used for inspirational type speeches. I gave a speech related to sharing memories - how you are remembered by what you share with others. I love my speech, and I love it all the more because my dad inspired it.
Unfortunately, I didn't win, or even place in the top three at districts, but I was able to reach many people in the audience, who shared memories with me after the competition. What a neat opportunity! I didn't realize that may be an outcome...but it was so neat to experience.
Any other Toastmasters out there?
Just over a year ago, I joined the Toastmasters club that meets at my office. For me, it was a great opportunity. I've been a speaker all my life...between just flat out chattering, to more defined opportunities in speech and debate, drama, etc. So this was a way for me to re-engage in speaking. I love it!
This spring, I qualified to compete in the District level competitions for both Table Topics and the International Speech Contest. The competition was this weekend.
Table Topics is a competition where you are given a question and have to answer it immediately within a 1-2 minute timeframe. I was extremely tickled to win 2nd place in the District competition this weekend. Yahoo!
The international speech competition is often used for inspirational type speeches. I gave a speech related to sharing memories - how you are remembered by what you share with others. I love my speech, and I love it all the more because my dad inspired it.
Unfortunately, I didn't win, or even place in the top three at districts, but I was able to reach many people in the audience, who shared memories with me after the competition. What a neat opportunity! I didn't realize that may be an outcome...but it was so neat to experience.
Any other Toastmasters out there?
Shout Out to Lansinoh
Published on
Thursday, April 30, 2009
in:
0 to Mom
,
Baby Food
As a nursing mom who works full time, an absolute essential in my life is my breastpump. Without it, I'd swell up like a balloon and baby wouldn't get fed.
Over at "How to Have a Baby," I've written of some of my initial struggles to get a breastpump that really worked for me. My Lansinoh double electric was my third option. (The expensive Medela pump I had at first was a total failure for me. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.)
So when my pump crapped out earlier this week, I panicked. My budget doesn't include buying a new one. But I need one. And then I remembered...the warranty.
I got on the phone to Lansinoh, and the line was ANSWERED by a REAL PERSON on the second ring. I was almost too shocked to respond to her cheery hello.
After a painless 5-minute phone call, I had a return number, and was promised that if I overnighted the broken unit to them, they'd overnight a new unit to me in return and I'd be back in business. Off to Fed Ex I went (thank GOD for my work discount) and off the broken pump went.
Yesterday afternoon, my new pump arrived. Not only is it a new pump, it's their new design. (My old one was purchased a month before their new design went out.) And it works like a charm.
Many, many, many props to Lansinoh for their awesome customer service. I only had to "make do" with my old pump for 2 days before moving back to a much preferred format.
I cannot say enough good things about this company.
YAY for Lansinoh!
Over at "How to Have a Baby," I've written of some of my initial struggles to get a breastpump that really worked for me. My Lansinoh double electric was my third option. (The expensive Medela pump I had at first was a total failure for me. Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch.)
So when my pump crapped out earlier this week, I panicked. My budget doesn't include buying a new one. But I need one. And then I remembered...the warranty.
I got on the phone to Lansinoh, and the line was ANSWERED by a REAL PERSON on the second ring. I was almost too shocked to respond to her cheery hello.
After a painless 5-minute phone call, I had a return number, and was promised that if I overnighted the broken unit to them, they'd overnight a new unit to me in return and I'd be back in business. Off to Fed Ex I went (thank GOD for my work discount) and off the broken pump went.
Yesterday afternoon, my new pump arrived. Not only is it a new pump, it's their new design. (My old one was purchased a month before their new design went out.) And it works like a charm.
Many, many, many props to Lansinoh for their awesome customer service. I only had to "make do" with my old pump for 2 days before moving back to a much preferred format.
I cannot say enough good things about this company.
YAY for Lansinoh!
Political FRAUD
Published on
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
in:
Politics
,
Tiffany Takes On
I'm from Pennsylvania. Almost seven years ago, I moved to Texas.
Back in PA, there is some political FRAUD taking place right now. Long-time Republican Senator Arlen Specter has decided to flip to the dark side and become a Democrat.
Fraud. FRAUD.
The people who elected you, Mr. Specter, are your Republican constituents. As a former member of that class, I'll tell you that we always knew you were a pretty left-leaning Republican, but you were a Republican nonetheless. You were elected time and time again INSTEAD of a Democrat.
My dad, who you knew for decades, liked a lot of your politics. I'm glad he didn't have to witness this debacle, however. I imagine he's just flipped over in his grave.
So thank you, Mr. Specter, for abandoning your electorate in an attention-getting move that shows your willingness to pander to our new administration.
And may you be soundly defeated in your next re-election attempt.
I'm ticked!
Back in PA, there is some political FRAUD taking place right now. Long-time Republican Senator Arlen Specter has decided to flip to the dark side and become a Democrat.
Fraud. FRAUD.
The people who elected you, Mr. Specter, are your Republican constituents. As a former member of that class, I'll tell you that we always knew you were a pretty left-leaning Republican, but you were a Republican nonetheless. You were elected time and time again INSTEAD of a Democrat.
My dad, who you knew for decades, liked a lot of your politics. I'm glad he didn't have to witness this debacle, however. I imagine he's just flipped over in his grave.
So thank you, Mr. Specter, for abandoning your electorate in an attention-getting move that shows your willingness to pander to our new administration.
And may you be soundly defeated in your next re-election attempt.
I'm ticked!
