Travel!

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!!!

I am SO ready for this trip. Literally I just keep thinking of going shopping with my best friend and get giddy. Last time we saw each other was her wedding in October and the poor gal was so busy we hardly got to actually spend time together so this? This will be epic hehehe :)

Today we finished packing. Oh Lord. Thank all that is Holy for THAT. Apparently since becoming a mommy I have begun to DETEST packing. I mean, I'm 99% of the time prepared enough for an apocalypse but this kinda sucked. Stupid airplanes and regulations.

First off, why would I spend another $400 so my 7 month old can sit in a seat in his car seat? It's not gonna be as secure as it seems like it should be and.... FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS! Yikes! To get to the point, I originally misread the TSA guidelines and thought that infants were allowed their own bag (aka diaper bag). Luckily today I had a strange feeling and double-checked. Turns out the bag is ONLY for ticketed infants (babies with their own seats). Le sigh. Fitting a purse filled with snacks for the plane, extra baby things, paperwork, wallet, etc. into an already overstuffed diaper bag is not the most fun thing ever.

So. This packing thing. We ended up with 7 bags between the three of us. One is a car seat carrier, one is a stroller carrier, one is a large suitcase we are checking, I have my duffel and Andrew's diaper bag and Jesse has his bag and a small duffel for A's clothes, etc.

Sorry for the poor quality photos!!!!

The suitcase holds:

• Travel Bassinet
• Bag-o-wipes
• Disposable overnight diapers
• Activity Gym
• Towels
• Extra bottles
• Swim gear
• Liquids
• Musical Frog
• Baby monitors
• Travel wipe warmer
• Infant life jacket
• Blankets
• Pack n' Play sheet 
• Wet Pad
• 6 Cloth diapers
• Books

Before the hubby worked his magic...

Andrew's bag holds:

• 7 days of clothes in baggies
• One set extra clothes
• Blanket
• Hygiene kit (incl. nail clipper, brush, ear swabs, etc)
• Baby powder\
• Sweatshirt
• Hats
• Shoes
• PJs
• Teething ring

The diaper bag holds:

• Powdered formula
• One bottle
• One sippy cup
• One spoon feeder
• Two pouches baby food
• Hand and face wipes
• Boogie wipes
• Paci wipes
• Paci on a string
• TOYS
• Swaddle blanket
• Thermometer
• Cards
• Travel wallet
• Bibs
• Burp cloths
• Wallet
• Plane snacks
• Wipes
• Changing pad
• Wet bags
• Extra clothes
• Books

Before needing to add in my purse contents

Each of our bags have some baby things as well, haha. I kept thinking "what could I get rid of?" but at least for our first trip with baby, I think we did pretty good only packing essentials.

Well, bags are packed and in the car, bathroom and kitchen have been cleaned, everything has been dusted and vacuumed, laundry and dishes are done... I even threw some bay leaves around and sprayed my homemade spider repellant. I think we are ready!

Tomorrow we leave at 7:30 ET, need to park, take the shuttle to the terminal, print boarding passes/ drop off the car seat and suitcase, make it through security, take the amtrack to our gate, hurry up and wait, our flight leaves at 11:55 ET and lands 2:21 CT. 

Wish us luck! We can't wait to see friends and family! And don't worry, there shall be many, MANY photos a week from now :)

Ta ta for now! <3

Andrew wondering what the HECK mama is doing and why she is making SUCH a mess.

Welcome, seven months

7 MONTHS!

"Babies this age love predictability (it makes them feel powerful and secure), so be prepared to croon "Itsy Bitsy Spider" a couple thousand times over the next several weeks. Seven-month-olds also love to explore, so expect some serious efforts (or attempts at least) by your little one to get around independently. That means it's time for a thorough babyproofing if you haven't already, and time to stay extra-vigilant about what your mini octopus can get his tentacles on.

By now, your baby might also be able to wave bye-bye, play patty-cake, or blow kisses. Along with new skills and burgeoning independence comes a whole new attitude: I want to be in charge of me! Don't be surprised if this shift results in some major meltdowns with Mommy (perhaps the first but certainly not the last!) especially during transition times, e.g., when you walk in the door from work. (Not to worry — there are several strategies to smooth your reentry.) Baby's appetite is on the uptick, so snacking now plays a supporting role to the three-meals-a-day plan. And while snacking in moderation is good, grazing (snacking all day with no real meals) is not suggested for a host of reasons, including the fact that grazing interferes with play, sociability, and proper nutrition. Finally, some moms may be wondering about weaning and that's fine. But if breastfeeding still works for you and your baby, keep it up!"

-What to Expect

Check out weebabyschmitt's TWITTER page!

Andrew is doing great, and we are so thankful everyday that he is a healthy, happy, growin'-like-a-weed baby boy!
The Broccoli is being eaten, not always happily, but daddy began eating bits of it and Andrew of course is mesmerized and eats it like a pro then haha! Such a daddy's little man :)
We tried Benadryl today-- SO glad we found time to give it a try pre-plane. Rather than helping him pass out, it made me squeal-y and hyper haha! Also on that note, we took A to the doctor today because he has been pulling on his ear a lot. First tests showed some fluid in the ear he was pulling and a TON of fluid in the other. Further testing... there is a tiny bit of fluid in the other but none in the one he is pulling on, whew! So nothing needed, just gotta keep an eye on it.

Beginning the packing tomorrow as we leave in just 3 days! Really looking forward to seeing friends and family AND to spend eight days straight with baby and hubby :-D

Ta ta for now! <3

Life is rough when you are impatient.

I. Love. Traveling. I am one of those weirdos who adores airports. Seriously unless I maybe flew somewhere all the time, I think I could almost live in them. I'd need to be rich of course, but that's beside the point.

My mother is also a big traveler. I think by the time I was 17 I had been to at least 40 states, Canada and Europe. I will also be a travel fanatic when it comes to our kids -- like at least one big trip a year. While we're living on the East coast I definitely want to take a train trip up to New York and maybe Maine. Stop in D.C., head over to the Hershey Factory and Nashville, etc. And hit up The Lion King on Broadway in my beloved Big Apple :) My mom blames our love for travel on our genes and I totally agree. It's the "gypsy" in us. Well, it's the Czechoslovakian in us... and I have MAYBE a drop of it... but whatever it's an excuse ;-P

Next week we take the little man on his very first plane ride! All the way from Florida to Minnesota. He will be thrust into a Florida winter in terms of temperature, and he will have his very first dip in a lake. He will, of course, have a fit and hate us for awhile (at least until we feed him next) but it's gotta happen. He spent his first 5 months in MN! Okay it was all in my belly but still. 

This is what he will probably feel like....

Have I mentioned I can't wait?? I've almost started packing about 10 times and have to exercise all of my self-control to not do so until at least Sunday. As most of you know, I am a packrat, but hopefully I can keep some of it to a minimum. Let's just say I'm glad we decided to check a big suitcase hehe.

Can I bring the kitchen sink, too??

We are heading to our first-ever parenting socialization/ play date/ whatever today and I am scared out of my mind. Probably doesn't help that I am a total introvert and homebody, but I am also a control freak and I don't know what these women are like, what their kids are like, what all this play date entails, if he is of an appropriate age for the activities....the list goes on. Thank goodness I have a somewhat fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants hubby who also is VERY sociable and charismatic. Where would I be without him?? 

Yes.

I am not a huge coffee drinker, but I am on my second cup of super strong french roast this morning and I am literally shaking a tiny bit. 

Man did I lose my tolerance for caffeine while I was pregnant! It doesn't help that it is combined with overwhelming excitement to see friends, family and my bestie next week, anxiety over this playdate thing and total anticipation to hear my friend's baby has been born! Can't wait to see the little cutie's face! :-D

Lastly, Happy Breastfeeding Week! Whether you chose to breastfeed or bottle feed, or were "forced" to do either, you rock mamas!

Alright, off to try to find some transcription work and try to organize this super messy desk/ do my menu planning and the dusting/vacuuming I neglected to do yesterday. Ta-ta for now! <3