The babymoon

Finally, I'm able to share pictures from our babymoon! I just needed time to sit down and edit. And while I still have no time, I wanted to be able to share this on my little space on the web. At this point, I'm not really sure how to organize the recap of this trip. It truly was amazing. We slept, we ate, we relaxed, we had fun. Once my little girl gets a little older I'm going to do my very best for hubby and I to take an annual couples trip to getaway and reconnect. It did wonders for my spirit!

I guess I share share the highlights of our trip.

The Room

There's nothing like a good relaxing hotel room. I didn't plan to spend too much time in there but a comfy bed is a must. Hubby and I have a thing with out hotel room numbers. I'm not sure why but it started with our first overnight trip together and we kept it going. We can tell you the room numbers from every hotel (of major trips) we've stayed in. I also have the room keys for those rooms.

Weekend Recap: Lake George

We had the pleasure of accompanying really close friends of ours to Lake George for the weekend. I was honored that they invited us because they are a tight knit family and they consider us as such and invited us along for their weekend getaway. My son was thrilled because he loves their children and always looks forward to playing with them despite their age difference (around 8 years and less). I love it because they are old enough to not have to watch them like a hawk and the older two care for him so much.

Our rooms were suite style with a full kitchen and a grill outside our room. So we spent no money on food except the groceries we bought.

Okay, I take that back.

I had a craving for ice cream so we did make our way to Ben & Jerry's...twice. Don't judge me. We had such a good time relaxing with our friends, watching the kids enjoy themselves, and even listening to the stories/advice that their parents had for us. It was 10 people in total but it never felt like too many, but always just right. Hubby and I loved it so much we want to make plans to go back with our nuclear family.

So, here are a few pictures from that weekend. I wish we lived closer because there is so much that we didn't get to do. This was my first time at Lake George and I was pleasantly surprised by what it has to offer.

Babymoon!

This girl right here. Lucky. Very lucky I tell ya! Here are 5 wonderful reasons why I'm feeling so lucky right now!!

1. Hubby booked us a babymoon. Yep, a babymoon. Some refer to it as the time after which a baby is born when mom and baby bond together. Others refers to it as the 'last vacation' the parents take before baby is born. I'm going with the latter.

March recap: a week in NOLA

There was actually more to March than our big vacation. But the vacation is most note worthy.
We set out to New Orleans, Louisiana for a a week filled with (little did we know) sunshine. It was a welcome surprise considering the weather forecast was predicting rain the entire time, and the fact that it was still very much cold where we live.

Buggy is a champion flyer so

Disney: part 3

So after we spent literally ALL DAY in magic kingdom we were spent. We all slept in so late that we didn't even bother with any theme parks the next day (much to my dismay). We needed some "recovery time". So we spent the day lounging by the pool... I always underestimate how much relaxation is needed in life.


And when I say we spent the day I really mean we spent the day! We started at breakfast. Although it technically wasn't breakfast time- it was merely our first meal of the day.

Pastries and fruit always taste better by the pool!

Magic Kingdom in Pictures

I'm sure I've already bored you with all sorts of details that you honestly didn't care about. But I'm thorough and someday will look back on that and use it as reference. So today, it'll be Magic Kingdom in pictures.

I absolutely adore the top picture. I'm probably going to have it framed for his room or on our family gallery wall. The bottom picture is such a true depiction of his personality.

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

Because my son loves "MeeMee" I figured our first stop should be Magic Kingdom because that where Mickey lives!

But let me back up a bit first. I had the genius idea to get our plane tickets out of the major airport by my parents house.

Disney: part 1

Well let me start by saying we had such an unbelievable good time and I cannot WAIT to go back! I know even my little guy had a blast even though he's so young. I've heard people say they don't take their small children because there's nothing for them to do or they won't remember it. I'm here to tell you that wasn't our experience at all and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

I have so much information I want to share and so many pictures that I'm not sure how I will break up the posts! I know I definitely don't want to do a "how to do Disney with your baby post' because there were so many resources where I got my information that it would just be redundant. Instead, I'll just point you in the direction as to where I got my info. I will say this- a TON of planning goes into pulling off what could potentially be an expensive vacation but it is soo sooo worth it! But for real- check out my Disney Pinterest board because there are links to things like the number of visitors on Disney property in one given day. So you can choose a good weather week but low volume of people thereby reducing crowds and long wait lines for rides...genius!!


I knew we were going a year ago so this gave me TONS of time to prepare.

Impromptu

Friday afternoon I got a text from hubby asking me if I was down for a little overnight road trip. A colleague of his had some spare rooms available at a ski lodge and wanted to know if we wanted to come hang out... I immediately started packing.

Saturday morning after breakfast, we loaded up the car and took a 2.5 hour drive to the ski resort.

Last week on this journey...

In case you missed it we just got back from a wonderful vacation. I feel like it was the pick me up that I needed. I'm more tired than I was before I left but I got to spend some time with my little guy in the way that I did when I was on maternity leave. And you know what? It felt GOOD. Scratch that- it felt GREAT! We went on walks, played, hung out at the pool and the added bonus is that I didn't have to worry about my domestic duties because- we weren't home! So here's our little vacation recap:

This is the third state my little guy has traveled to in his short 6 months. Wow, he's averaging a new state every 2 months! Too bad he won't remember any of it. I was excited (and nervous) because it was also his first plane ride!!!

He did absolutely wonderful. He slept for the most of it which was great because I caught a nap too. I get antsy on flights over 3 hours so I wasn't surprised when by the third hour hit he started getting antsy. We took him for a walk about the cabin while everyone oohhhed and aaaahhhed at him. He soaked it all up smiling at everyone smiling at him. I was disappointed because airlines (that I know of) no longer give out "flight wings" (or whatever they are called). And I couldn't save his boarding pass. So these pictures will suffice as his keepsake of his first plane ride.

Then it was time to land. I didn't know how the change in air pressure would affect his ears so I offered him a bottle but he was kind of full from eating during the flight so I gave him a pacifier and hoped for the best. He of course took it out of his mouth and began to play with it. So I was prepared for a screaming fit. Instead I got this:

Pretty right? Can you see those mountains in the back? I've never seen a mountain live up close and personal (yea I'm a city girl who doesn't get out much) Oh, and the baby wasn't phased by the landing (or the landscape) at all! And that arrow is pointing to our hotel.


So what else:

1. I decided that since I was going to rent the "baby furniture" I would try a convertible car seat. We have been thinking about going to the convertible for some time now, mainly because he seems squished when he's riding in his infant bucket seat.

He did relatively well. I think he liked being more 'upright'. But we are going to hold off on this purchase (unless a really good deal comes along) for now because when he fell asleep in the car my poor baby guy was really uncomfortable. He still needs a bit more time to master sleeping 'upright' and holding his head. I know when we all fall asleep in the car our heads dangle in some sort of way but he hasn't gotten the head lean to the side while sleep thing down yet and it made him very uncomfortable.

So there is this crazy story about the car seat situation and why he is in two different car seats. First, I researched every last second of this trip. I was going to be in an unfamiliar location and most of the time by myself with my little guy (while my husband went to his sessions) so I needed to know stuff. I wasn't going t be caught in some tourist frenzy and danger the life of my child. Part of this research included how we were going to get around- safely. The hotel's website stated they had shuttle service to and from the airport. So, I would hold him on the shuttle to and from the airport because those things aren't car seat friendly (at least most hotel shuttles aren't It could just be where I 'm from). We had a rental car for one day in which he would use the car seat. Any other trip would be on foot. WELL, when we arrived in Phoenix and called for our chariot shuttle they told us they no longer offered the service. WTF!!! I should have called. So now we're screwed right? Well apparently the cabs there come with car seats in them. At least some of them do. I've never seen that before. Then again it must have been 10 years since I've taken a cab... okay maybe only two but still who knew?? I wasn't completely comfortable with this because who knows if the seat was expired, had been in an accident, or what else went down- but it was our only option. Actually I was going to suggest we take the light rail but the chaos that would have ensued with our luggage just wasn't happening. So I said a prayer and we made it back and forth from the airport and the hotel safely.

Moving along...

We stayed in a wonderfully beautiful hotel with a pretty good view.

Then once our "baby furniture" arrived- we were off to stuff our faces.

I must say. Initially I was very leery about renting baby stuff but it ended up working out really well. Everything was very clean and well maintained. Our other option was to bring our stuff and let's just say it was way more cost effective to rent it. I procrastinated with the rental for so long that some of the items I really wanted to rent were already rented (which I've should have known because there was something like 5,000 attendees at this conference).

And speaking of food- I gave up meat for Lent. I intended to blog about this a long time ago but never got the chance although it's not too late. When I say meat- I mean everything except fish. It's been a journey to say the least. But anyway. Hooters was the closest eatery - with the exception of the hotel restaurant- that we found right away so there we went. I really like Hooters... no really I do. I think the food isn't half bad. I just couldn't indulge in any of the wings and that made me kind of sad. My meal options have been pretty much the same- lot's of salmon and shrimp. Luckily, Hooters has shrimp.

The whole reason we where even in Phoenix is because my hubby was attending a work conference. Since we began seriously dating I almost ALWAYS accompanied him to work conferences. And although he is there for work- we do manage to squeeze in some play time. Which is how we ended up at the Grand Canyon. It was a bot of a drive but we managed. The drive there requires us to drive through mountains- which are up to 7,000 above sea level. WHOA! I couldn't get any real good pics of the mountains or the elevation because we were in a moving vehicle but you get the point:

Again my little guy did amazing with the ear pressure thing although we did have to stop once because he was wigging out and could not be consoled. After walking around at a rest stop and a diaper change we were good to go again. The Grand Canyon was absolutely amazing! I've always been in awe of the seven wonders of the world (I guess that's why they are named that!) but to my surprise- the Grand Canyon isn't on the list. Well it was, but now it's not- at least according to that website. We started out at Mather's point in the south rim and then made a [30 minute] journey to desert something or another also on the south rim. Here are just a few of the amazing pics we were able to get.

We were able to stay until sunset which was another beauty in and of itself. It did get really cold after the sunset. Normally I would enter an absolutely hilarious story about my husband and the shorts he decided to wear but I'll spare him. I think one of the coolest parts of visiting the grand canyon is that we actually got to drink Canyon water. It sounds kind of side eye-ish but apparently obviously before filtration systems this is how people drank water and it tasted like water really refreshing. I'm sorry I can't give a better description but I do have some left if you'd like to try it. It was the only souvenir we bought back actually. And because I didn't know you can get the water I did have to use one of the baby's bottles to collect it.

The rest of our vacation was spent hanging out. It was so much fun.

Then plane ride home went as smoothly as the ride there. I think most of it is attributed to the fact the this is what he thinks of plane rides:

with this trip being such a success I'm looking forward to the next conference (even with a toddler)... in ORLANDO!!!!!

Greetings!

From the Grand Canyon!!

We're popping in to say Hi!!

We're enjoying ourselves and can't wait to fill you in on all the deets! But for now here's a picture of me all excited and my little guy not caring about the HUGE hole in the ground behind him. Well, at least he can say he's been. So I'm going back to enjoy the scenic views and the warm weather. Catch up with you guys later (plus it's time for his 6 month post- can you believe it?!!!)!

Y3W: packing while pregnant

In case you you forgot what the heck Y3W is here's a refresh. Okay now down to business.

This week we are traveling to my annual family reunion with a few other stops thrown in along the way. So, in order to make these stops we left early and drove. We initially planned this trek when I was not pregnant- and when we found out we were hopeful that the pregnancy wouldn't throw too much of a wrench in our plans. My doctor gave me the a-ok to make the trip (so you can stop freaking out) and by the way things have been going I knew I'd be alright. Our 14 hour drive will be taken over the course of two days (on the way there). So I of course had to pack accordingly. My husband restricted my luggage to one suitcase (that I had to share with him :/) and a carry on.

I realize it's really difficult to see how this is numbered but bare with me anyway-

1. Pillow/blanket/sweater: for as much comfort as possible. I have a tendency to be colder than others so my sweater was essential -along with my blanket- for warmth. AND who likes falling asleep without a pillow?! Not me and I'm like a baby- I fall asleep on car rides longer than 2 hours.

2. The most recent picture of our little one (from Monday's ultrasound).

3. Laptop: for on the go access to the interwebs.

4. My phone: I actually had to make several important calls on the go.

5. Lots of reading material. I feel like I don't get to do this as much as I'd like.

6. Hubby's candy- it's his favorite... notice one of the boxes are already open :/

7. Lots of water for hydration.

8. My mom's candy- she made us take it so she wouldn't eat it all before we left.

9. My snacks, candy, and mints.

So that should've gotten us off to a good start. Well that was before my hubby stood me in front of the pantry and nearly cleaned it out bringing extras for our entire out of town stay.Then he got the cooler and loaded it with ice, water, and a few other beverages for himself.

Then comes the hard part- sharing a suitcase with my husband. It actually worked out better than I thought it would basically because I wear a lot of lightweight dresses during the summer.

This is my pool gear. I still don't have the guts to show my bare belly in public even with no stretch marks so the first outfit must be accompanied by the cover up- which is not actually a cover up but will be used as one while at the pool.

These are my travel outfits. We are going to be on the road quite a bit so I need something super comfy. My bottoms (which you can't see very well) are maternity gauchos from old navy.

These are random outfits that need to be thrown together. So far I've been away for 3 days and I haven't felt like getting dressed, putting on make-up, or accessorizing ( i think due to my inability to remain comfy all night) so I haven't had much decision making to do besides pulling something out of  a suitcase. I secretly wish I was way more fashionable than I am now but then moments like this happen and all of that goes out the window. I have this vision of 'mommy glam' when my baby will be a few months old and we go out and I am super cute- but somehow I think that will go out the window as well with spit-up accidents, sleep deprivation, and a screaming infant. I'm trying to start my healthy hair journey this month because it's a well known fact that all the beautiful hair you get during pregnancy will likely shed a few weeks after birth so I am trying to counter act that by starting my HHJ now. But more on this later.

Lastly, this is my outfit for the denim and diamonds banquet on Sunday. Every year our banquet is always themed and I love dressing up with that theme. I am so proud that I found a maternity outfit at a reasonable price that fits this years theme.


So all of this accompanied with endless jams, jellies, and  other toiletries rounded out my packing list and much to my surprise- it all fit in with hubby's stuff! Oddly enough there is a trip I want to take in March and while we wouldn't be driving- I can only imagine what my 'packing with a 6 month old' post will be like!