Getting Too Old for This

I've always loved roller coasters, or any ride that feels semi-dangerous were it not for the harnesses. I remember crying at Diseneyland when I was ten because my dad wouldn't let me get on Space Mountain by myself (he wouldn't ride with me). When I finally was old enough to ride it, I loved it and rode it as many times as possible. My dream back then was to be at an amusement park with just my family so we could ride all the rides as many times as we wanted without waiting in line. This weekend, that dream came true.

Eric's mom and her boyfriend were in town for Thanksgiving and we decided to take them to Sea World. Lucky for us, there were very few people there. We were able to catch every show and ride all the rides as many times as we wanted. Only problem was that I couldn't handle riding them more than once. The Steel Eel and the Great White did me in. I came off of them with both a headache and backache, not to mention the mild nausea. I can't believe it - I'm officially old. I even thought to myself "I'll never let Charlotte ride this" a few times, but I know I'll end up letting her. All I have to do is think of the young me.

Apology

This past Saturday night Eric and I went out on a date. We saw "Casino Royale", which is the first movie we've seen together on our own since way before Charlotte was born. I let Eric pick this one because the next time we go to a movie, I hope it will be to see "Dreamgirls", which will definitely be my pick, not his.

Anyway, we left Charlotte with my dad and went off to the neighborhood theatre only 5 minutes away. My dad actually gave us money for the tickets and we joked that he is the only babysitter we'll ever have who will pay US to babysit Charlotte. Anyway, Eric and I both enjoyed the movie, but I was constantly checking my phone for missed calls (even though it was on vibrate) from my dad about Charlotte. No calls came so I thought all was fine.

When we left the theatre, I called my dad to check in. He said he had been rocking Charlotte for over 2 hours because she cried and cried after we left, but that now she was asleep. I jumped to the conclusion that she had been in her mechanical swing for over 2 hours and got upset at my dad for leaving her there that long. I asked him why he didn't put her to bed once she fell asleep and he said he was afraid that she'd wake up again and start crying.

It was a long 5 minute trip home. I felt bad that Charlotte cried herself to sleep while we were at the movies. Once we got home, my dad had successfully transferred Charlotte to her crib without incident. He told me that he enjoyed rocking her for over 2 hours and I was confused. Wasn't she in the mechanical swing? How could you enjoy that? It turns out that I had misunderstood him. She wasn't rocked in the swing, she was rocked in the glider - in my dad's arms for over 2 hours. Now that's a completely different story. I immediately apologized to my dad for getting upset with him for not putting Charlotte to sleep in her crib.

I hope I didn't alienate the only babysitter that pays. I apologized again and again, and yet I still feel guilty for getting upset with him. He did us a tremendous favor and the first thing I did was criticize his care taking method. I over reacted and misunderstood the situation. I know my dad has forgiven me, but I thought I'd apologize yet again. It couldn't hurt. Sorry Dad.

More Adventure

Charlotte is taking a nap right now. I'm trying to be better about having her on a schedule. We've been moving around so much lately that I think she needs routines right now. We have no plans to travel anywhere for a long time, but we are accepting visitors (hint, hint).

There was another family wedding this past weekend by the water. My cousin Robbie married his longtime girlfriend Leslie in a beautiful ceremony at the church where his parents were married. We all thought that was a wonderful way to honor his parents and their marriage. I sang "Ave Maria" and "No Greater Gift" (1 Cor. 13 text) during the wedding from the choir loft. (I like singing but not being seen, especially when I don't have my music memorized.) Charlotte decided she wanted a solo of her own and could be heard through the cry room for a good portion of the service. I sat in the choir loft aching to comfort her, but knowing I couldn't until I finished the second song. My dad and Eric said that she stopped crying when I was singing, and that after she cried herself to sleep, she woke up again briefly when she heard me sing the second song. Isn't that sweet?

Sunday night Charlotte got sick for the first time. She vomited twice and it was pretty messy, but she didn't seem to care too much after we gave her a bath and settled her in again for the night, this time in our room. It was brief, but still awful. I hated seeing her sick.

On a completely different note, I saw for the first time since moving back to Texas a truck with a gun rack and rifle in the back. Frightening. We also drove by a store called "Guns and Gold." Even more frightening. You can go jewelry and gun shopping at the same time! I was reminded about a woman from Texas who called the Manhattan Church of Christ wondering if it was ok to bring a gun with her when she visited New York. I calmly told her that it wasn't. It's a good thing she couldn't see the look on my face.

Puttin' on the Ritz

That was the tune Eric and I were singing the entire time we were in Puerto Rico. You see, we ended up staying at none other than the Ritz Carlton - something we didn't plan on, but we were very happy to adjust our plans. Eric's dad had booked a room there and decided to let us enjoy it. It's a long story, but basically the wedding was moved from another hotel to the Ritz and all the guests who booked a room at the previous hotel were moved to the Ritz as well, at no additional charge. All I have to say is that there were many happy guests at Erika's wedding, and Erika got a dream wedding by the sea.

We took full advantage of the pool area and direct beach access. Charlotte swam for the first time and loved it. She started kicking instinctively and had a great time. All that excitement must have tired Charlotte out since she napped every afternoon for about 2 hours - and we napped with her.

We got back to Houston late Monday night and decided to stay in a hotel before traveling back to San Antonio. Any guesses to where we stayed? Motel 6. The difference in accommodations was stark. I have now officially been spoiled and will only accept 5 star accommodations in the future - yeah right!

Still Unpacking

Howdy ya'll. Just kidding.

We're still unpacking, but are nearly done. The main thing we have left to do is put up our pictures, which I think will make everything feel more homey. They're finishing putting in the grass today (finally), but the downside is that now we have to start watering it. I already got frustrated this morning with the hose because it sprayed me more than the yard. I've got to figure out how to get the hose better attached to the faucet. Ah, the joys of home ownership. I'm kind of missing co-op living at the moment - we had no yard to stress about.

In other news, we're leaving for Puerto Rico tomorrow for a wedding. Eric's sister, Erika (yes, she's named after Eric), is getting married on Saturday. We're looking forward to introducing Charlotte to her Puerto Rican relatives, and the Caribbean scenery will be pretty nice too.

Still haven't taken any pictures of the house, but I promise I will soon.