LCBride2007

Quote: Originally Posted by Tlseege Okay... I have a few ideas... may seem crazy but, here goes. So, my family owns a class A RV. We've taken many, many, many cross country trips with this beast and my dad LOVES driving it. in fact the dork was just talking about how he wants to go out west. So... option A (obviously I haven't talked to my father yet... but he's always down for a good travel!). So, possibly we could drive out to California and pick you guys up and drive back home. Since we live in Wisconsin, MN isn't far at all. Obviously there is the cost of fuel right now, so you'd have to consider that, but I'd guess it'd be a lot cheaper than renting an RV! And since we'd make a vacation out of it, we'd need to know a little in advance so we can leave early and plan some stops on the way out to California! Or, you guys could take the train part way and we could meet you any where along the route. Option 2 via Trisha: We can drive our RV down to the Chicago train station and pick you guys up and take you home. I know it's not THAT long of a drive from Chicago to MN, but with a premie it might be. So, sadly those are all the options I have. I'm really sorry you are in this prediciment... but hopefully it'll all work out. PM me if any of these ideas are appealing to you. UPDATE - FYI: I have talked with my parents and they are willing to do this! It'd still be expensive though Around $2,500 just for gas! OMG - We so might take you and your amazing family up on this! Right now, the best price option seems to be a train, which is rougly $2000 I think, and that is a train direct from here to Chicago. Then we have to get home to Minneapolis - and that wouldn't be too big a deal, I am sure Paul's parents would drive us, it's about 6-8 hours w/o stops. But, this sounds a lot better ... not only could we go direct to Minneapolis, we'd have the ability to stop should we want to, or NEED to for medical attention. Wow. You are so generous! And we'd totally be willing to pay for your family's generosity, and gas! We're going to be spending thousands of dollars regardless, so this isn't that far off from what we'd be spending anyway! We will keep this option on our list, for sure ... how much notice would you need? We can always hang in CA a few more days too once we know more about when Gwen will get discharged. Regardless of whether or not we take you up on this offer, THANK YOU (and your parents!) so much for the offer.

you can't talk on a cell phone while driving in Chicago either, and I always forget! (you can hands free though) Hopefully I am not still here, but thanks for the reminder!

So, Leia, want a free trip to MN?

as long as you have a legal document (like passport for international travel, or DL for domenstic) in the same name you're traveling in, you will be fine!

Quote: Originally Posted by ChristinaH After reading your heart-breaking story, I remembered seeing a news piece not too long ago about donated flights and pilots' time to fly and did a quick Google. Here's what I came up with, Air Charity Network: Request a Flight If Baby Gwen is allowed to fly, in general - you, Paul and Baby Gwen sound like candidates to me! However, it does look like they network with limo companies and other modes of transportation - look under Partners and Patrons. Other similar charities: Angel Flight West Corporate Angel Network - Home I will definitely contact these organizations ... thank you!! Quote: Originally Posted by violethaze2b I like the RV idea but if you guys had a couple of friends/family help with the driving that would make it less stressful. We do have a couple family members that are ready and willing to fly out here and drive with us - and if we end up driving, you can bet we'll take them up on the offer!

Quote: Originally Posted by JessicaLovesBrian That video was adorable! She's so perfect. And it's so sweet because Paul just has this absolute look of being soooooo in love on his face. She is totally going to be the ultimate Daddy's girl. They are equally wrapped around eachothers fingers ... they are so madly in love with eachother! I mentioned to a nurse once, in Paul's presence, that Paul had wanted a boy. He looked at me like I had just just said the worst thing in the world!

I want to say thank you for all of the ideas, support, offers to help, etc. I will say that everyone on BDW has been more than generous, so I refuse to take any financial help from anyone! You all have done so much for us already. However, I may take you up on your offers of contacts, and ideas, and suggestions ... hopefully over the next couple of weeks we can come up with a good plan! YOU ARE ALL THE BEST!!!! Quote: Originally Posted by Nrvsbride Ouch this is tough. Hmmm...is there a train like Amtrack that is faster? You know how on the East Coast they have the Accelor (not sure if that's the name) train? You can get from NY to DC in like 1/4 of the time that it would take to drive. Is there anything like that? Didn't Carrie and Samantha take some train from NY to Cali? Is that just the regular amtrack train? I have no idea if there is a faster train, I didn't see anything when I searched for train options. But that doesn't mean I didn't miss something! Quote: Originally Posted by lambert13 I think taking a train as far as you can without transferring to busses and whatnot, and then driving or having someone picking you up would be a good option. One option we are considering is Amtrak from Sacremento to Chicago, direct. Paul's whole family is in Chicago. Then we could head to Mpls from there via car, and even stay in Chicago a little while if we wanted to. I just want to be home as fast as possible though! Quote: Originally Posted by TammyB Is their a baby mask or something you can put on her so the risk of flying is lower? The doctor did mention giving her some oxygen for the flight - we didn't go into detail though. But it's something to think about. Quote: Originally Posted by StephanieMN Honestly is seems like driving is your best option. Would it be possible for you 3 to drive the RV here and than ask someone else to help drive it back? Thank fly that person( people) home? Lots of fussing-I know. Someone has to work on that tele-porting thing. Good luck! That's something to consider - having someone drive the RV back. It does seem like a bit much though! But it's an idea ... Quote: Originally Posted by Morgan are there one way rv rental places that work like u-haul? how many hours is the drive? There are one-way places, they just all seem booked for the summer! But I haven't given up yet! Paul looked it up on Map Quest or something, and it came up as 2100 miles ... yikes! Quote: Originally Posted by Opice34 So, I just called FI and told him my "friend" Ann's story. He said "who is this again?" So then I explained that I've actually never met her but I know her from that wedding forum I'm always on. He laughed. Anyway - he said gas is going to be mighty expensive, but let us know if Gwen can fly and he'll give pilot-guy in California a call. Many people have questioned this, and it's a good point. I guess I assumed a smaller plane would fly lower, so the altitude issues wouldn't be as risky. But I guess I don't know that for sure! I will ask the doctor tomorrow and get back to ya'll ... I really appreciate all of the effort everyone is making here! Quote: Originally Posted by SusanK You probably already did this... but did you check with your insurance company to see if they would cover the cost of an air ambulance. My sister gave birth at 32 weeks in Oregon (she was living near Minneapolis at the time). My niece had several complications unrelated to prematurity that required immediate surgery. At 34 weeks gestational age my sister, BIL, and niece took a medical jet to MN so she could be treated at Children's Hospital in Mnpls. I believe their insurance covered most of the cost. I did call my insurance today - and basically they said they won't cover tranfering her from one medical facility that can meet her medical needs to another. Which makes sense I guess. The guy I spoke to was a complete ass, so I may call again just to see if I can get someone who will at least listen. Quote: Originally Posted by starchild My 3 suggestions: 3. Speak to your employer. I know you are independant contractors - but were it not for them having you work OOT so late in your pregnancy you would not be stuck in CA with the baby. You and Paul have been working there for years, right? They may just kick you down some money and right now you can't afford not to ask...good luck! We're really pretty self-managed ... it was my choice to travel, my company didn't even know I was traveling. I could have said no - it was totally up to me! We're a real small company (no HR department, for example), so I don't really think that's an option, unfortunately. I'm sure some co-workers would help on a friend level, but not in a corporate way.

Quote: Originally Posted by Christine how long is the flight home? there are no direct flights? The flight is about 4 hours, and there is a direct option on Northwest. The doctors here just don't recomend babies flying before 44 weeks (gestational), and since she will likely be discharged from the hospital at 37 weeks, we'd rather not wait another ~2 months to fly home. It would be ideal in terms of getting her home faster, but not sure we're willing to risk it. The doctors agree, that nothing would probably happen. But not sure that's a chance I am willing to take! It's the altitude, pressure, and recycled air they're most worried about. They even told us not to drive up into the mountains with her because of the altitude. Argh!

I need your help! Edited 6/11/2008: I realized that not everyone may have the back story ... here it is! http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t21453 Paul and I are researching all of our options to get us, and little Gwen home in the near future. The doctors aren't saying we CAN'T fly, but they're also not really too keen on her flying on a commercial plane, especially on such a long flight. So I got it in my head that I'd look into an air ambulance type of transport. When I started this post, I had no idea how much it would cost - but I just got off the phone with one company. THe gentleman was VERY helpful, even gave me some other ideas ... but also said it would probably cost $26K. Yea, we can't spend that! I am just dreading the idea of driving from CA to MN. We'd have to stop so often to feed Gwen, and change her, etc. It would take forever to get home! The thought of my first week as a new mommy (and caring for my baby not in the hospital) spent in a car is not something I am excited about. But if that's what we have to do, we'll make it work. We've also thought about ... - Amtrak: This could work, as long as it's not too many transfers, and no busses! One route had us on a bus for 10+ hours ... no thanks! We'd probably want to upgrade to a cabin room too. Not ideal, but might be the top contender right now - Renting a car/driving: We all know my thoughts on this! - Renting an RV: This is better than a car, IMO. And for either driving option, we have family that would fly out here and drive back with us if we wanted. We'd probably take them up on that offer. But the one big company I know of (Cruise America) doesn't do one-way rentals in the summer. My hunch is that we will see this at most places. Awesome. - Air Ambulance: YIKES ($$$$$)! Unless any of you have a plane we can use ... 2 of my friends are pilots! - Private Plane/Charter: The guy I just spoke to thought it would still be $10K - YIKES again! - Anything else? Basically, I am looking for ideas here ... does anyone have any good ideas on how we can get home? This is a brainstorming session! Please turn on the creative thinking caps!

in one answer - DO WHAT YOU WANT! lol seriously, there are no rules, so do what you want to do, ya know? But since my situation was the same (married before, Paul wasn't), here is what I did ... 1. Is it appropriate to have a reception/picnic AFTEr the wedding back in our hometown at a local park (cabin w/ fireplace/outdoor games, etc) and invite everyone to that? Yes, many girls on here have had an AHR (at home reception) varying in formality, etc. I didn't have one - but just because I didn't want to plan anything else! 2. DF wasnt ever married, so can we register and ONLY include the registry cards for people on his side of the family and friends? We weren't going to register at all, just because we had everything we needed. But since his mom insisted on throwing a shower, we did register. We didn't use registry cards though. People will want to give you a gift, even if they already have. I would either just share with everyone (about the registry) or no one at all - don't segretage people. 3. DO I walk down the aisle myself(second wedding, dad wont be there)? Again, do what you want! I walked down myself 1/2 the way, then picked up my dad, then a few steps later picked up my mom (they're divorced). In my first wedding, I walked alone.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Lindsay Oh my gosh - that is just too cute!! She is such a sweetie pie - I love her fuzzy hair after her bath!!! It's hard to picture how small she really is - until I saw Paul using the cup to wet her hair - and her little head is about the same size as the cup!! She's so precious! And what a good girl during her bath - she didn't fuss much at all! Lindsay I know, she is pretty tiny, even though she's growing a ton now. She's up to 5lbs, 10 oz! And when I am nursing her, I keep telling her I can't wait until my boobs aren't bigger than her head! Yikes, that's a sight to see. She never cries right now really, but the docs say she will grow into that. We were hoping it stayed! But Paul's mom wanted to hear her cry, so we were excited when we finally got it on video ... you even hear me saying "I got it!" and then "that's for you, Nana!" Silly. It was really more of a squawk.

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Lindsay Aww - what does the onesie say? I see Las Caletas - but I can't make out what the rest says!!! Jamy - where did you find it TOO cute! It says "My parents got married at Las Caletas, and yours weren't!" You can see it better in the video - at the end. Paul giving Gwen a bath - 6/8/08

Quote: Originally Posted by TA Lindsay Aww - what does the onesie say? I see Las Caletas - but I can't make out what the rest says!!! Jamy - where did you find it TOO cute! It says "My parents were married at Las Caletas, and yours weren't!" You can see it better in the video - at the end. Paul giving Gwen a bath - 6/8/08

Quote: Originally Posted by xandrafaye Okay, right now I'd kill someone for a cheesburger... so you can feel free to enjoy one of those for me! I got this one, Martha! lol I had one for lunch yesterday, with fries included.

i have this cute pair of bronze shoes that would look pretty cute with it. but my initial reaction was silver!

Quote: Originally Posted by Christine hmm doesn't really seem like it, but you know so many vendors are not active and I think Tammy said the people referred must have a certain amount of posts. I bet a lot of the referrals have been for people who have joined and just browse but don't participate. i've just noticed a lot of new vendors lately, so i was just curious. probably up to tammy. good point on the active thing!

Welcome to the forum, from another Minnesotan! Be sure to check these out ... http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t921

I love it, and I will do my part! We've had so many people go out of their way for us this past month, I'm happy to repay the favor(s) if I can!

i know! there are some things we have for her, and i will think it's not going to fit her - and she swims in it! she's just a little thing! or i will see a "normal" size term baby, and s/he just looks huge now. i just feel so silly sometimes in my maternity clothes - people must think i am a pregnant girl just super excited to wear the maternity shirts! lol

I LOVE your hair, Amy! What a great deal!

Welcome to the forum!

if you just get a bunch of vendors to join, does that count?

Quote: Originally Posted by Christine Happy Anniversary Ann and Paul, who knew you would be celebrating with your daughter in California! I hope you two at least go out to a nice dinner and spend some time with Gwen, you're package for her should be there anyday. We spent our usual day at the hospital with Gwen - and the nurses yelled at us for being there! lol They thought we should have gone out and enjoyed ourselves. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else! And then Paul and I went out to a nice dinner ... and I had my first glass of wine - YUMMY! We got the package!!!!! Thank you so much, Christine, and everyone. I still need to post my formal thank you to everyone - but I was so excited when we got back and there was a package waiting for us. Paul LOVED the books, and we can't wait to start reading them to Gwen. Quote: Originally Posted by Maura Happy Anniversary Ann & Paul! Hope you post some pics of Gwen in her onesie from Jamy Enjoy your dinner out together, I hope you have a wonderful day! As you wish! The onesie is a little big on her, and she already pooed all over it (sorry, Jamy! lol) - but here is a "before" shot. I look awful - I just don't spend any time on myself these days! And we're in the process of uploading a video (another bath!) where we're putting her in this outfit. Her hair is getting lighter every day - the highlights are taking over, we think we may have a blonde on our hands!

are you open to the idea of just walking down alone? this is really such a personal decision! you could do no one, and just mention you dad somehow. or your bothers and/or mother and again mention you dad. or any variation .,,

they look great. but before you kill yourself over it - remember that no one will have the invite at the actual wedding! but i do love them both! p.s. i put the pics directly in the post for you - much easier to see that way.