viva et al

I can't believe how stealthily it snuck up on us, but we leave for las vegas the day after tomorrow. friday. insane.

I had a panic moment today when I tried to envision me, sean, trent, bella in her carseat, our giant suitcase, our carry ons, and our full sized stroller in my car. it simply wouldn't work. I don't want to bring our umbrella stroller because it's going to be cold and that thin nylon isn't going to help keep bella's body heat in at all. in came nicole to the rescue, allowing us to use her super cool fold up jobby that will allow us to still fit all our luggage in the car. (it was either that, or strap sean to the roof.) I also checked with everyone I know who has ever flown with a baby about gate-checking strollers, changing tables, and on-board ettiquette (yes, we will be walking the aisle of the plane with bella because, well, it's either that, or hear her crying.) I even had a chat session with our airline about whether or not we'd have a problem with trent because his last name is different than mine and because sean is his stepfather. we had a hell of a time with him at the canadian border and I didn't want a repeat. so I think we're all set.

now we just have to pack, get the dog to kkkathy's house, and...that's it. I may have to take a tranquilizer because I'm sure I'm going to be freaking out. which may be good, since I'll be nursing bella on the plane and it'll pass through the milk.

I alternate between thinking that this is a supremely bad idea and thinking it's all going to be okay. of course I have to go with the being okay scenario, I'm not that much of a sadist.

good news - I won (finally) our department's football suicide pool after a grueling 12 week showdown. $400ish smackers. that at least pays for some of the plane ticket debacle, or our shittyass inflated hotel for friday and saturday nights.

as it relates to the blogosphere, I am sad that I won't be online when baby ellis is born. however, I am HYPER NEATLY thrilled that I will be meeting becca, katy, and kodi (and hopefully soph and kiri?) for lunch on either saturday or sunday. how fucking cool is that. you meet strangers online, you talk for months, and then you get to see them. in the flesh. because they are real people, not just typed comments in a blog. it is so exciting.