Fresno

 So last Thursday Juliette, Ava, and I all boarded a plane in Denver and flew on a two hour flight to Ontario, California. The flight wasn't too bad. It was the part before and after the plane that was challenging.

For weeks I had been thinking about my plan of action in regards to flying on a plane with two small children. I needed to bring a large suitcase, a backpack, a diaper bag, a stroller, a car seat, an Ava, and a Juliette. I decided to wear Juliette in the baby wrap on my front and put the monkey leash on Ava. I pushed the diaper bag in the car seat that sat in the stroller, and wheeled the large suitcase with one hand,and pushed the stroller with the other. I got a lot of looks and comments at the airport about how full my hands looked. Full indeed. I remember feeling some anxiety as we stood in line about to check in with the airline. I was glad Ava was on the monkey leash because if she had taken off, I would not have been able to run after her. I figured if I yelled "terrorist" maybe airport security could tackle her for me. Luckily, it never came to that. Ava was uncharacteristically well behaved and the baby was so fascinated by everything around her, she didn't fuss or squirm in the wrap.

Once on the plane, all of us did really well. The baby slept most of the time and Ava just sat there singing to herself while I peeked a glance at the neighboring passenger movie playing on his iPad.  We landed around 9 p.m. and it felt so good to get off the plane. I could feel the humidity and it was great.

Juliette was diagnosed with RSV (a respiratory infection) a few days before we flew out to California and her cough was just awful. She was so congested and miserable and the doctor had given us a nebulizer and Albuterol medicine for her so she could have some relief. It took about a day and a half and her cough was already improving. We have been out here for three days and it has almost disappeared. It's sounding more "normal" and she's sleeping better at night because she can breathe. I can almost guarantee you that it is because it's not so dry out here that she improved so quickly. The doctor made it sound like she would have this for months, as well as the story I had heard from fellow parents. So, awesome! A happy baby makes for a happy mommy. As well as a happy vacation.

We took this last weekend and drove up to Fresno to visit some of my extended family.

My cousin (holding Juliette) and her daughter

Cousin Tommy with Natalie being silly :-)

And they all got to see my kids, which none of them had ever met. I have been promising myself that I will NEVER let so much time go by in seeing my family ever again! I realize there are things like financial restraints and time limits and so forth but seriously?! Family is so important. I just really feel like it is. These people are special to me and I love them and want to know them and want them to know me and my family.

My cousin with my baby

New Cousin!!!!

So I originally thought I would drive up with my dad but ended up renting a car and driving myself up (Mazda 6, will you marry me?!). But my sister and my niece went with and it worked out so great! I had someone to talk to and help drive, and my 6 year old niece Natalie sat in the middle seat between my kids and entertained Ava and help immensely with the baby! She could give the baby a bottle and help her play with her toys and we had no crying until the last hour of our trip on the way back to Rancho Cucamonga. It was great! She was a wonderful little helper.

It was a whirlwind weekend but it was so nice seeing my family. I heard my grandma's voice waver when we were hugging goodbye, and I teared up. As quirky as she is sometimes, I am so blessed to have a really involved, concerned, and loving grandma on my dad's side. I often feel really guilty for going 7ish years without seeing her. Never again. Life is too short.

My grandma, with some of her great-granddaughters :-)

Ava and my niece Natalie had a great time with their uncle and it was nice for me and my sister to catch up on the family gossip and laugh and be together with everyone. These are memories I will cherish forever.

On our way back from Fresno we stopped briefly at a lake I have passed many times in my life but never got out and looked at. It was Pyramid Lake and it was very pretty. And windy. And kind of cold, according to the kids.

Ava, me, Juliette, Natalie

Ava, Jennifer, Natalie

So now that we're back, I officially have one week left in California and I'm hoping to visit my Great Grandma's grave, see some more family who lives in the area, visit some friends, and continue being in a place where my main responsibility is to have a good time and try to relax.

My uncle, their great-uncle took the kids for a wheel barrel ride in the backyard.  

Happy cousins