Oklahoma 2008
Last week, we flew to Oklahoma to meet Baby Logan and to see my sister and her family. For the weeks leading up to it, the girls would talk to my sisters every day, making plans about what they would do when they got together.
And, they had a ball. While we were wandering around the Will Rogers International Airport (which, by the way, is smaller than my high school), J and I looked at the girls and then I suggested that we sneak off on a flight to the Caribbean because I don’t think we would have been missed even for a second. The Beans had their aunts. They had their cousin. They had Uncle Map. They were shy for a full thirty seconds and then they remembered that these women were the ones who call them every day and sometimes magically appear on Momma’s computer to wave hello and to sing a song with them. This was Jack’s home - the home of their hero, their buddy, their cousin. This was Baby Logan, the one they had been waiting for, the one who was in Reesa’s belly and then wasn’t. So, they decided to put up their feet and stay awhile.
We went to the Wildlife Refuge, the Oklahoma City Zoo and to one of Jack’s baseball games. The rest of the time was spent at home…or Sonic. I found the love of my life there, you see. A Diet Coke with a shot of vanilla. I’ve tasted heaven and it’s a thousand miles, roundtrip.
Pie proved yet again that she is a born caretaker. I’m thinking she’ll either be a rock star or a nurse when she grows up. She couldn’t keep her eyes off Logan, except to play Guitar Hero.
Peanut wasn’t as taken with LoLo but it was only because she’s just like me. Babies scare me. I forget that I had two at the same time. It took me some time to even hold him and once I got around to it, I was still sure that he was absolutely annoyed with me. Peanut kept her distance as well, only coming close enough to give him a peck on the forehead and to determine that he stinks. (She has a strong sense of smell. Everything insults her nose, so you can only imagine what she was like at the zoo.) She was appalled when she helped Dada change his diaper, peering into it an announcing to everyone that he has a boo-boo. I knew she would be shocked by what she saw and warned everyone in advance, but it didn’t stop us from laughing when she simultaneously pointed and cringed.
The plane rides, their second, were thankfully uneventful. Like before, I worried that, as soon as we boarded, we would be met with angry stares and angrier Beans, but we received nothing of the sort. J and I assigned ourselves a girl prior to the trip and we armed ourselves with new toys and two spiffy new sippy cups to distract them. We barely needed them on the way there and didn’t need them at all on the way back, as the four of us drifted to sleep as soon as the flight attendant brought us our requested blankets. On the way there, the girls were each busy looking out their own windows and marveling at the clouds around them. It was only when we began our descent that I began to get a little bit nervous. Not because they began crying, but because they began teasing each other and bursting into peals of laughter that vibrated throughout the fifty passenger jet. It was contagious though and everyone around us peered to see what was so funny and chuckled to themselves to see that it was absolutely nothing except for a couple of giddy sisters, excited about their new adventure.
This weekend, back at home and into our routine, A was bored. I was talking to them about what we should do that afternoon for fun and A promptly suggested from her car seat, “Let’s go to Reesa’s house!” A stellar review if I ever heard one.
Almost Paradise
Well, we survived! We had a wonderful time in Puerto Rico and I only cried three out of the four days we were gone. And, no, we did not talk about the Beans the whole time we were away. And I only brought out my photos once, but that doesn’t count because I was showing them to a woman who had twin daughters of her own.
The resort was gorgeous and deserved its five star rating. We spent a lot of time either by the pool, at the beach of the resort’s private island or eating. I gained back four of the eight pounds I lost for the trip! The rainforest hike was a bit disappointing and I think I would have rather gone to Old San Juan rather than to the rainforest. I was expecting to see exotic flowers and plant and possibly some birds and other animals. Instead, I seriously questioned whether I would make it back to the resort alive.
We hiked two trails. The La Mina trail is 0.7 miles long, and took us about 40 minutes. The trail is rated as challenging in difficulty and we spent most of the hike watching our feet to ensure that we didn’t trip along the 950 steps! At the end of the trail is the beautiful La Mina Falls. After soaking for a bit in the water, we took the Big Tree Trail back up to the tour bus. The Big Tree Trail is also 0.7 miles and took about 30-40 minutes to complete. The trail is rated as moderate in difficulty, and is very steep in some places. It was in the middle of this hike that I was sure that my lungs would burst.
Though it was nice for just the two of us to get away together and enjoy some time free from responsibility and duties, we agreed that we would have enjoyed ourselves more had we brought the Beans along.
Where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain.
So, our flight has been booked, we’re on our way to see the prairie dogs in 2 ½ weeks. My sister has been flooding me with information on what to do and where to go in her adopted state, but I’m more concerned about the trip there. In case you’re new or just new as AMD likes to say, I have twins. Toddlers, to be exact. Oh, and I forgot to tell you. A husband that doesn’t particularly care for those 27 ton (when empty) metal transportation devices. Anyone want to take my place? My sister has a nice house, her dogs don’t fight all the time and my nephew will teach you how to ace Zelda in one day. Anyone? Heeeellloooo?
Okay, so we’re taking them on their first flight. My first flight was not long after AMD was born. I was almost two and it was a twenty-two hour flight. Since then, I’ve been on many planes and, although I’m claustrophobic and afraid of heights, I really don’t mind it at all. I focus on the destination, whether it’s to the vacation spot or back home to my warm safe bed. Either way, I’m going exactly where I want to be. My mom will be with us and we’ll be holding the Beans in our laps for the duration of the flights. There is one layover each way, but we have an hour in between flights, which should give us ample time to find our gate and get settled.
Should be easy right?
I’m a great packer (well, except for the time we went to Chicago and I “forgot” a jacket and had to get a little denim one at The Gap) so I have no doubt about bringing more than what we’ll need, but ever so efficiently. I’m getting umbrella strollers to take with us, so we don’t have to maneuver the SBS through the crowd, and we’ll have to check the car seats. Will we ever see them again?
My primary concern is HRP. J is a little nervous, but he is sure that he’ll be fine, especially because the girls will be with us to distract him. HRP on the other hand…Well, she didn’t just get her looks from her daddy. She doesn’t prefer crowds. She’ll entertain you if she’s the one doing the entertaining, but if you enter her space, she’ll freak out on you. She does not like space invaders. (AMD knows all too well about this. When she was in town for Christmas, M would have nothing to do with her and we’re sure it’s because her auntie is a little…well…loud.) I don’t know how she’ll react on the plane, but I’m not liking our odds. Because, if she doesn’t withdraw into a pool of anxiety, she will do the opposite. She’ll squirm to get down and explore the new environment, she’ll squeal with delight at the silliest things and she’ll hoot and holler with abandon. To me, it’s the best – to see her full of life and mischief. To the baby-haters (you know the ones…when you sit down at your local Appleday’s, they glare at you with disapproving eyes and signal the waitress for the check), it means that they won’t get the power nap they were planning on or the flight attendants will be too busy oohing and ahhing over the Beans to promptly deliver the gin and tonic so desperately needed. Either way, it’ll be interesting.
I’ll be happy when we land in Buffalo Town, safe and sound. Until then, let the stressing begin.
By the way, did I tell you that the cost for the three seats was $666.30? I’m not superstitious or anything but…Yes I am. WTF? If anything happens, I hereby bequeath my books to Stacy and Miss E. to be split between the two and Annmarie can have my dogs. Her baby Y needs a snack.
