Memorial day weekend

For Memorial day weekend we went to Swarthmore. The trip was part fun (visiting my old roommate, Nina) and part work (I was an external examiner).

The plane flight went well, although Isabella's getting a bit more squirmy, and doesn't want to nurse so much, so keeping her entertained is a full-time job. Fortunately, the flight was fairly short (only a few hours). I find it hysterical that we have a little baby life vest in case of a water landing. She really liked the handle between the seat, and the airplane safety card.

In the wait room before the flight there were four (four!) babies, although only three of them were getting on the flight. One was a poor woman with a little, itty bitty baby traveling by herself. She'd been hassled by the security folks on the way through and was not feeling very happy. Another woman was actually another Kangaroo Kids mom - they were on their way to Rome for a conference, but she had cleverly brought along several additional adults. While waiting there was the inevitable older lady who just had to go around and play with all of the babies, without so much as a by-your-leave. Grrr.

We used G-diapers for the trip, which was nice because they hold a bit more pee and we can throw them away. No poopy diapers, though! Although we kinda lost the night time ECing thing, since getting her out of the diapers is not easy.

We spent Thursday night in the hotel at the airport. There really wasn't anything there (the hotel was right at the airport) so we ate in the hotel's restaurant, which was expensive and not very good. Isabella did sit in the high chair, though (yea!) and kept herself quite entertained with some crackers. We had some folks sit behind us that gave us dirty looks, but they also complained about everything so I didn't feel so bad.

It took a bit to get Isabella to sleep. We brought the bouncy chair, and she did nap in it for awhile while Bill picked up the rental car. But once she was asleep she was out for good. We got up a bit late, and tootled out to Nina's. We got lost - google maps, yet again, had us turning on a street that didn't exist. Should have listened to Nina's directions. And then the exits back the other way were different. But we made it there, and Isabella actually was good except for the last 15 minutes or so.

Had a great visit with Nina. She has a little girl around five, and a recently-adopted little boy (same time as Isabella was born) around a year and a half old. It's great visiting people who are set up for small kids - they have high chairs and bibs and such. Isabella chowed down on blueberries and an apple slice, and pancakes... fortunately, Darwin the doggy acted as a vacuum cleaner. Picked up yet more clothes, but at least these aren't pink! Nina seems to be doing well, and the little boy is very cute.

Spent the night with Bruce, the person who invited me as an examiner. He also does robots. It was a long drive, and again Isabella was good until about 10 minutes before we stopped driving. Bruce has two dogs and lots of cats. Isabella still isn't so sure about the doggies - got a bit nervous with them running around. She liked the cat, though (only one was brave enough to get close). We went out to eat and again she had a lot of fun sitting in her high chair and eating some bread and lettuce. She had a couple more adults to play with - our host and the department chair. The food was much better this time. Sent Bill home early, though, because it was getting past her bed time. It got past my bed time too, so, with Bill getting lost, we actually arrived home at the same time.

Bill took her most of the morning while I did my exam. She did come with us to the lunch, although she didn't last too long before getting fussy (although she did manage to knock plates, knives, cups, and napkins on the floor). Got a cute picture of her and Fox, Bruce's son, on one of the big chairs.

Managed to get her to sleep on the futon by nursing her to sleep. She didn't stay out for long, but it let me get some pictures of her sleeping. She always sleeps like a splayed frog. We set up the potty in front of the bouncy chair which doubled as a toy tray.

Fox was quite entertained, and entertaining. Isabella was just fascinated.

More pancakes and fruit for breakfast. Hopefully the dairy allergy won't kick in too badly (seems not to have). Ended up flying home on an earlier flight, just to avoid having Isabella stay up too late. Flight back was pretty uneventful - got some cute pictures of her playing with the in case of emergency card. Also got to hand her off to Bruce (yea!)