Passport Photos

I've been doing research lately to try to pick where to go on vacation this summer. Usually we go on vacation once a year. There were two years in our marriage where we went on two different trips in one year such as we went to England and France in June 2002 and then to Mexico 5 months later. There was one year where we didn't go on any trips. We had planned to go to Puerto Vallarta (we haven't been to the Pacific side of Mexico) in July 2007, but that week we paid for wasn't used as I was asked to teach another summer class, and even though we lost the money we paid for the resort, I made a lot more than that by teaching 9 credits that summer. Our last vacation did technically start in 2007 as we left in late December, but most of the trip was in January 2008 so I think of it as our 2008 vacation. So we have the itch to go on a vacation again as it's been a year! I am hoping to teach both summer sessions although I am only scheduled to teach the first session right now. My final exams will be given on April 27 & 28, but PSU's finals are May 4-8, and they don't post the final exam schedule until part way through the semester. My summer class starts the week of May 18. So to play it safe I figure we should plan the vacation between May 9-17.

Currently we are leaning toward Antigua with the Bahamas as our second choice. There are more interesting historical sites on Antigua such as Nelson's Dockyard, and the resort that we are looking at for that island is in a gated community with a one mile long beach. We asked Paul's parents if they'd like to join us. We said we'd pay for a 2 bedroom suite (living room, kitchen, and two bedrooms) that the 5 of us could use. They are interested as that means lots of time with Nadia! :-) Paul is checking with his advisor to make sure that week is okay. Assuming it is, I will be paying for our 7 night stay at the resort (May 9-16). So today I took Nadia to CVS to get her passport photos. I am sure I could have figured out a way to do it cheaper myself, but it's done. Tomorrow morning we have an appointment at our town's Post Office to turn in her application. Both parents must be present to get a passport for a child. I was impressed that our town's Post Office accepts passport applications (given our town has a population of about 2,200). It's exciting to think about taking Nadia on her first vacation although she won't remember it, LOL. We were talking about places we want to take her once she's old enough to enjoy things and San Diego was one we discussed - the zoo, LegoLand, Sea World, etc. Of course I am sure we'll be going to Disney World some day as well. :-) So I think my birthday wish list is going to contain things Nadia will need for our trip like a bathing suit and a swimming vest.

Last night Nadia went down at 7pm and got up at 7am. She only woke up once during that 12 hour span and that was around 3am. The poor thing had a very leaky wet diaper. That hadn't happened in a few months (never in this house) and never with this brand of diapers (Parent's Choice which is the Walmart brand). Her onesie and pjs were soaked. Poor girl! So I changed her diaper and pjs while Paul changed her sheet and matress pad and then I nursed her a few minutes and she went back down easily thankfully. The reason I think she is ready to sleep 12 hours without nursing is I am certain she is getting very little milk from me when I nurse her (probably 2 ounces at the very most). During the day she usually needs at least 6 ounces at a feeding. As for me, I drank 128 ounces of water yesterday and pumped 4 times and got more milk than the previous day when I pumped 5 times. I wish I had been better about pumping back when school was in session. I used to have enough milk. If I hadn't allowed her to have formula, I am certain my milk supply would be fine now. Basically I am trying to reverse the weaning process right now. I do feel encouraged that it's going back in the right direction, but I just have no idea if it can go back up to where it used to be or not. The one good thing about pumping is that at least she's getting some of my milk by bottle each day, plus I am still nursing her a little each day.

The other appointments on the calendar for this week are her 6 month shots (tomorrow afternoon) and my appointment for my left wrist on Wednesday morning. The pain level has gone down during the day, but it's much worse at night. Many times the pain keeps me awake, and now it shoots all the way down to my elbow. My fingers are numb in that hand when I wake up during the night.
Paul is at PSU today, but it's the only day he's going in this week. YAY! It's been nice to have him around the last 10 days. Well since Paul isn't home and Nadia's nap will end soon, I had better go pump while I have the chance...