A weekend in New Jersey

Last weekend we went to NJ to celebrate Howie's 60th Birthday. Howie is the biggest Yankee fan anyone could possibly be without actually being a Yankee, so the party was appropriately held at the Yogi Berra Museum. Everyone wore their Yankee outfits except for those of us who cannot bear the thought of owning Yankee paraphenalia. It was a great party and we were very happy to celebrate such a festive occasion with Howie.


All 5 grandchildren were needed to blow out the 60 candles-- though Alexey didn't run fast enough to get there in time.


Livia was so excited about celebrating Howie's birthday that she refused to go to sleep. Here she is at around 10pm. We spent the first 2 hours of the party trying to get her to fall asleep by putting her in the Ergo and walking around the party and then the parking lot, then we got really desperate and drove around. Finally we gave up and let her enjoy the last bit of the party. She didn't actually fall asleep until 40 minutes into our drive back.


On Friday afternoon we went to Grandma Mari's for a few hours. Livia got to meet Aunt Jessica, who came in from Arkansas. We also got to see Howie, Bob, Michelle, Alexey, and Gabriella. We didn't get any photos, but there wasn't a point where everyone was awake at the same time so I guess it's not surprising that Howie missed an opportunity for his famous group photo shots.

We spent the rest of the weekend with Grandpa Ron, Grandma Teri, and Uncle Steve. Livia loved seeing them and playing with some new toys. She observed some great meals and even tried gnawing on a watermelon rind, then proceeded to gag and throw up on her father.

The best part of any trip is traveling home. We are always concerned about how Livia will do on the plane after an exhausting weekend... but I also have to contend with Dan. My husband's favorite new appendage is the carseat bag, which can be worn as a backpack. Dan takes care of the carseat and I carry Livia in the Ergo. You would think that carrying a carseat would be the easy job, but Dan revels in how difficult this task is. On this last trip, we had the special privilege of checking in at the wrong terminal (note to readers: US Air has 2 different terminals in the Philly airport) and needing to take a shuttle bus. Here is Dan on the shuttle bus.

He was trying to act mad that I was taking photos of him but he couldn't help cracking a smile.

Here we finally arrived at the right terminal and Dan is trying to get as far away from us as possible.

Lucky for him, Dan did not have to worry about rolling our suitcase back at home while he carried this other stuff because US Air was kind enough to lose our luggage (probably a result of our check-in at the wrong terminal, but they did find it and deliver it later that evening). The moral is to be careful what you wish for when you complain about carrying too much stuff. Since we had the carseat on us and had not checked it, at least we were able to get Livia home. So despite the troubles of carrying a carseat, I stand by my argument that it is necessary to keep it with us.

Note from Dan to Readers - My thoughts on the carseat and Sharyn's message above

Sharyn states that she must "contend" with me. Let me assure you that "contending" with me is much easier than contending with this bag. Sharyn asserts, ASSERTS, that this bag is used by many, many people. We have been to some of the busiest airports in the nation LGA, JFK, Philly, Newark, and not once, ever, have I seen a bag such as this monstrosity ever lugged on the back of an individual. Also, when the personnel at both the baggage claim and security checkpoints ask you what is in the bag, if it will fit through the x-ray machines, and subsequently offer to let you through the handicapped security aisle simply because "you look like you are carrying so much stuff" this is a hint that they have A. Never seen a Bag like this attached to any human before and B. feel very sorry for the man that is carrying it. Flashback to the bus ride between terminals, Sharyn fails to mention that there were at least 40 - 50 people crammed on the bus. In this case, it was impossible for me to move, and Sharyn was only laughing because her lungs actually could hold enough air in the second to allow it. Me, on the other hand, had 30 pounds worth of carseat in my lap, could not turn, breathe, or see the person next to me (which is probably for the best considering we were in the airport). Think of being on a NYC subway in rush hour with a small desk attached to your back. The reason why I cracked a smile was simply because the women sitting next to Sharyn on the shuttle bus began laughing at me when she saw the bag that was on my lap. The reason why I was walking ahead of Sharyn was simply because I was afraid if I made any sudden moves, i would knock her, and Livia over. Finally, let me also mention that Sharyn does not have to deal with trying to get the carseat both in and out of our rental and home-owned cars, rather she waits until I get the carseat out of the car (10 minutes), watches as I try to figure out how to fit the carseat in the bag (10 minutes) then proceeds to fill any empty space left in the bag with various random items left in the car including toys, mirrors, and, if she could, the entire front passenger seat (10 minutes)...She doesn't like to mention these facts.

Fathers of little children everywhere, let me assure you that this bag is from the depths of hell itself. Under no circumstance, NONE, should you purchase this bag or agree to drag it around the airport. I don't care if it an alternative arrangement costs $300 - if you travel often (as we do), do not let your wife's view of you as her sherpa change overwhelm your desire to say "NO" to carrying this thing around....CHECK YOUR CARSEAT IN AT BAGGAGE CLAIM LIKE MOST NORMAL PEOPLE - if this is not an option, I have also seen individuals with carseats that fit into strollers and all of it folds up so you can check it in at plane-side. As your child ages over the course of years, the carseat must still come with you - plan ahead, and invest in something reasonable. I CANNOT STRESS IT ENOUGH, do not get this bag. Save your back and your pride....they're worth the money!