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Hello to Daddy from Sarah and Abby...here's what we've been up to this week...We miss you!!

Taking a Sunday afternoon nap with Piglet...

Swimming at Aunt Nette's Pool (can't figure out how to rotate the picture) with Steph and Della Kate...

Goodmans Taking Off Again

The Goodman family is preparing once again for more travels-- I have made more trips to the airport than to the grocery store in the last 6 weeks. James is going to give a talk at a conference in Berlin, but Abby and I decided to just go cross-country, rather than around the world. We are headed back to Lakeland to visit Gramma and Granpa Sligh. Abby's trying on her warm weather clothes to get ready for the trip, and enjoying some time with dad before we have to say goodbye for a little while.

Visit from Granpa Sligh

Granpa Sligh came for a visit on his way to the LCS Sr. Trip in Seattle. We went for walks in the park, read familiar books (Richard Scarry) and sported the Gator gear to make him feel at home! It was very fun to have him here, and we'll be flying back to Lakeland with the seniors and him on Thursday...should be an adventure.

Bath Time!

Abby loves the bath...here are a few shots of her as she anticipates getting in the water!

Travelin' Baby

Five Things I've Learned While Flying With A Baby:

1. You DO have to take the baby out of the car seat to go through security, whether they are peaceful and sleeping or not.

1.5. You DON'T have to take the baby out of a sling or Baby Bjorn to go through security, making it the transportation mode of choice.

2. Many airlines allow someone to accompany a traveler all the way to the gate, if they have a "lap child" which is a big help in getting through security, etc.

2.5. If you do go by yourself, don't wear tie tennis shoes--too hard to untie, hold baby, collapse stroller, then tie while still holding baby, assemble stroller, etc.

3. Medela does not cover travel-related damage to breast pumps and airlines discourage you from checking them because they also will not be held responsible. Either carry it on board with you, or put it in a bigger suitcase with clothes around if for protection.

3.5. As you go through security, if you mention "breast" anything (pump, milk, bottles) to the male security personnel, they will move you through quickly, with a funny look on their face and no further questions asked. Perhaps the stressed out, pathetic look on your face also helps move the process along...

4. If you fly an airline with open-seating (Southwest), feeding your baby as the passengers board (or having the baby cry at the top of their lungs) ensures you get at least one open seat next to you. I've tried both (the 2nd scenario not on purpose) and it has worked on all eight flights I have flown so far.

5. There is no magic formula or strategy for getting your baby to sleep on a plane. Just when you think you've figured it out, they cry at the top of their lungs the next flight, just to remind you that you don't.

5.5. The liklihood of the baby having a blowout or throwing up is directly proportional to the amount of time you have to catch your plane, or the length of time still left on the flight. Changing a baby on the tray table is a skill they don't write up in the baby books, but it does work out OK.

Abby and Amy Caroline

Abby and I were in St. Louis last week and got to meet Amy Caroline Rauls. She was born about four weeks after Abby, and Amy and I enjoyed sharing notes (and aches and pains) through our pregnancies and labor.

Amy Caroline is a sweet baby and we barely heard her make a peep during our two visits. Abby was a little more vocal, and showed her affection for Amy Caroline by a friendly little punch when we put them side by side...I still think they'll be great friends, and hopefully can play together on our visits to Florida.

Abby's Heart

Last week we had our follow-up visit to the Pediatric Cardiologist to check out Abby's heart issues (ASD and VSD) the specialists spotted at 21 weeks, and again 24 hours after she was born. At the exam, neither her doctor, nor the senior specialist on staff could spot any problem with her heartbeat, so they concluded the problems have been healed and no follow-up is necessary!

The docs had expected it to take 1-2 years...it took eight weeks. Among the questions asked, "Is she lethargic at all?" To which we answered a resounding "NO!" We are so thankful for her healthy heart and continue to enjoy her enthusiastic personality.