Little Laughter is the Best Laughter

Just like little toes, little fingers, little hiccups, little sneezes, and little smiles, little laughter is by far the best kind of laughter there is...

If you feel like smiling today, take a minute and watch this video.

Have a wonderful day!

A Very Special Mother's Day

Not only was it my first Mother's Day, but I was able to spend it with my wonderful little Momma, my brother and sister-in-law and their puppy, my little pumpkin pie, my uber-thoughtful hubby, and my Dad.

I don't think I could have asked for anything more.

Thanks to everyone for making it so special, from my card in the morning to my flowers at the airport, it was the perfect day.

Happy Mother's Day (belated) to all the Mothers and Soon-to-be-Mothers I know and love! 

Here are a few pictures from our very special weekend. 

Abigail's First Flight...a Success Story

Even with two blown out diapers (through her clothes and onto Daddy's pants and Mommy's breastfeeding cape while the 'fasten-seat-belt-sign' was illuminated due to turbulence), I'm extremely  happy (and proud) to say that Abigail is a wonderful jetsetter.

If we were to have changed anything about our trip, it probably would have been her diapers. Two blow-outs on one flight?  Really?  Good thing Mommy over-packed the diaper bag with three extra outfits (I knew this so-called flaw of mine would come in handy someday!).  

Other than the blow-outs, both flights were a monumental success.  And thank goodness that's the case considering Abigail and I will be flying again (this time with KiKi) on Thursday.  Had it not gone so well, I'm pretty sure I'd be freaking out right about now. 

As I said before we left on Thursday, thanks again for all your tips over at Seeking Advice: Flying with a 3 Month Old.

And as promised, here are a few tips of my own:

Arrive Early 

I'm sure some people might disagree with me on this (as they wouldn't want to spend a bunch of extra time at the airport with a newborn), but I'm a strong believer in having extra time for peace of mind.  We were at the airport two hours before our flight and it gave us plenty of time to check in (which is much more complicated with a baby in tow), get through security, get to our gate, and have time to feed and change Abigail.  By the time we were boarding, Abigail was soundly asleep on my chest in the Baby Bjorn (where she slept peacefully for the first two hours of the flight).   

She was obviously very excited to be at the airport

Wear Comfy and Easy Clothes 

This goes for Mommy and baby (Daddy can wear whatever he wants as long as he's okay with getting pooped on).  A flight is not the time to put baby in their cutest outfit...it's the perfect time to have them in their EASIEST outfit (think long sleeve onesie with a zipper).  You won't have much space or much time to change diapers so keeping things easy is extremely important.  And Mommies, if you're breastfeeding it's much easier to navigate your favorite sweatshirt than your favorite fashionable blazer...think COMFORT.  My limbs are long so it was a bit of a struggle getting comfortable while feeding Abby on the plane...I couldn't imagine wearing anything that was difficult to move around in.  And good thing I was elbowing my husband and not some total stranger.  

Wearing our travel "uniforms"

Pack Extra Clothes

Pack extra diapers and wipes too...more than you think is necessary...but packing extra baby clothes is just as important.  You never know what might happen.  I was not expecting Abigail to soil, if  you will, two outfits on the way there but I'm SO glad I packed all the extra items I did.  We would have been pretty far up $hit's Creek (pun intended) had I not. 

Remain Calm

This may seem obvious, but don't underestimate the power of calm parents.  And I'm not just talking about remaining calm for baby...I'm talking about remaining calm for each other.  When Abigail blew out her diaper(s) and we were stuck in our seats due to turbulence, Travis and I took a few deep breaths...we could have started freaking out but had we done that, Abigail would have (more than likely) freaked out as well.  So we just laughed.  What else can you do? A baby doesn't have an "on-off" switch and they surely don't have a "don't-poop-too-much" switch either (though wouldn't that be a wonderful feature).

Work as a Team

Travis and I made a promise to each other before we traveled that we were going to work as a team because that's what it takes - a whole lot of teamwork.   And while I know you're not always able to fly with your full team (husband, wife, partner, Grandma, Grandpa, friend, or whomever your teammate(s) might be), be sure to work as one when you can.  Remember that you're only as strong as your weakest link and if Mommy's having a panic attack because baby's crying, your team is going to suffer...big time.

Our Team

In closing, I'd like to quote Nike for my final thought on traveling with a newborn...

"Just Do It"

It's an adventure, yes...an adventure that no new parent is ever fully prepared for...but that's just what parenthood is all about.  Are you ever really FULLY prepared?  If you're being honest with  yourself, I would think the answer would be "HECK NO."  But if you're the type of person who wants to continue living your life once kids enter the picture, get out there and continue doing what it is you enjoy.  

Everything will be OK...even if you're covered in poop by the end of your first flight.

As they say, $hit Happens. 

It's a Snap! (N Go)

Alright everyone...we're doing it!  

Abby and I are hard at work preparing for the first of three cross-country trips in the next six weeks.  Yesterday we kicked off our travel prep by making a purchase that we're both very excited about...

We decided the BOB was too heavy and awkward for travel (and we wouldn't want it to get destroyed by the airlines) so we took our 20% off coupon to Babies'r'Us and bought the Snap'N'Go.  I still can't believe how lightweight it is!  

Mommy just assembled it in the kitchen...

While Abby slept in the living room...she's obviously extremely proud of Mommy.

We're officially one step closer to feeling prepared...wish us luck!!!

Thank you ALL for your advice over at Seeking Advice: Flying with a 3 Month Old - I look forward to having some pointers of my own upon our return.

Seeking Advice: Flying with a 3 Month Old

Friends, Family & Followers:

In the next 2 months, I/we will be flying with little Miss Abigail 3 times.  And I'm not talking a quick 1 hour flight down to LA...I'm talking cross country trips.

In less than 2 weeks, we'll be on our way to Washington DC (YAY for Alice's Wedding!!!)...the following week, we'll be off to Atlanta to visit Abigail's Aunt and Uncle...and then less than a month after that, we'll be heading back to Atlanta for another summer vacation...

That being said, I need HELP!

I have so many questions about flying with a baby...we can't pack her up like we did for our first family road trip*...

And while I've perfected the cross-town trip to see KiKi (stroller for a walk on the pavement...baby bjorn for the walk in the woods...excessive amounts of laundry so we don't have to use quarters at our apartment...diaper bag...etc), I'm a little nervous about the cross-country flight.

My questions:

- What is absolutely essential (beyond clothes, diapers and wipes)?

- Would it be a terrible idea to leave our stroller behind or will our baby bjorn suffice?

- Do we check the car seat and carry her on? 

- What other general tips/suggestions do you have from your experiences?

These may be terribly dumb questions that even I will look back on and say "really!?! You couldn't figure it out on your own?" but I have this feeling I'm not the only person who will benefit from some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and like my post on Stretch Marks, I promise to summarize all your tips in a (hopefully) helpful future post.  Who knows, maybe I'll even have a few tips of my own after all these trips! 

*remember...that was a joke for anyone out there who takes things too literally...

Why is the Easter Bunny so HUGE?

When I was a little girl, I wrote a note to the Easter Bunny saying something along these  lines:

Mr. Easter Bunny...please don't come into my room tonight.  If you could just leave my Easter basket somewhere else in the house, that would be great. 

I posted it on my bedroom window so the Easter Bunny could read it as he hopped down the street and approached our house.

I'm not gonna lie...I was PETRIFIED of the Easter Bunny.  But not petrified enough to turn down his candy.

Yesterday I was reminded why I found the Easter Bunny so scary when we walked into a mall and saw this guy sitting there...

And even though he may have been a little frightening (at least to me), Abigail sat there like the three month old champ she is and stared off to the side while the not-so-friendly camera lady took her picture. 

I'd call this a success. 

I have a feeling this will be the first of many pictures with the Easter Bunny and the rest of the crew (you know, Santa and the others).  

So I'm curious...were you ever afraid of the Easter Bunny, Santa or anyone else?  Are/were your kids? 

A "First" We Could Get Used To

I'm not sure if I'd call it a First for Abby or a First for Mommy and Daddy, but we all enjoyed our First FULL night of sleep last night.  

And I'm not talking a solid 5 hour block...

At nearly 12 weeks old, Abigail slept from 10:00pm until 6:00am last night.  That would be EIGHT hours...and not weird hours like the time she slept from 7:00pm until 3:00am (which was a miracle at the time).  

Eight "normal" hours...the hours Mommy and Daddy enjoy sleeping during as well.  And since we most definitely were sleeping while she was last night, this is what I'm assuming she looked like in her bassinet...

And while I don't want to speak too soon or begin expecting this to be the norm from here on out, it's nice to see a light at the end of this sleep deprived tunnel.  

And just like her First Smile, we hope this First becomes an extremely regular occurrence we ALL get to enjoy!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

Mommy Challenge #5: Being a (Super)Woman

Yesterday morning I was watching my favorite guilty pleasure, the fourth hour of the Today show with Kathie Lee and Hoda, and a very interesting topic came up...Mommy Guilt.  According to a poll on Baby Center, "94 percent of moms say they feel guilty."

Let me repeat that...94% of Moms say they feel guilty.  The causes of that guilt?  Anything from not breastfeeding for 6 months to a year (or at all) to going back to work (or not).

So out of curiosity, how are we as women supposed to...

::Breastfeed for 6 months to a year

::While going back to work (hoping your milk won't dry up)

::Or not going back to work (and all the guilt that could be associated with that)

::While making sure your household is maintained

::The grocery shopping is done

::Your marriage/relationship is still fresh and exciting

::You're keeping up with Thank You's, Baby Announcements and other friend's life events

::Your social life doesn't die (completely)

::And oh ya...that baby weight?  That's supposed to melt away too...

As the article states, "Guilt is the great equalizer among all moms, regardless of how diverse our backgrounds or circumstances are."  True statement.

So how do we, as women and as Moms, help each other out?  Set realistic expectations? Realize that balance in life means something different to each and every person?  That we can't do everything? And that that's okay...

I'm not afraid to admit that I've been experiencing some of these guilty feelings and I'm still on Maternity leave!!! 

Abigail is only 10 weeks old and I find myself thinking far too much about working vs. not working...wanting to breastfeed as long as possible but being afraid that going back to work will be the end of it...wanting to be around as much as possible to help Abigail develop and still have something that's "my own"...

All these conflicting feelings and thoughts have been making me feel like a crazy woman lately.  Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to be superwomen?  To be perfect? To do everything?  

I think what we (ok, what I) need to work on is figuring out what works best for us...as individuals...being confident in our decisions...being realistic that we can't do everything...being okay with plans changing...and quite simply, being the best Moms we can be.  I think I can handle that much...

So what do you think?  Have you experienced similar feelings/dilemmas? 

Take Your Daughter to Work Day

OK, so she may be a little young for an official Take Your Daughter to Work Day, but Abigail and I ventured downtown last Friday to visit Daddy at work.

Not only did we get to meet and hang out with some of Daddy's awesome co-workers, but Abigail got to see her Daddy's new office and see the world through his eyes...

I so clearly remember visiting my Dad at work when I was a little girl...I attended the official Take Your Daughter to Work Day a few years in a row, but my absolute favorite visits were the casual ones.  The ones where I'd run around the halls and (probably) drive people crazy...well, the people who were actually trying to get work done.  

I was my Daddy's little buddy...sometimes I'd go in for an ENTIRE DAY and help him file papers (I wonder if that's when my intense organizational skills developed).  Sometimes I'd go in for an entire day and draw pictures on his giant white board (which was the absolute best part about his office...I think he had upwards of ten dry erase pen color options).  Sometimes I'd go in and say I'd help with filing but I'd really spend half the day at the vending machine (a novelty for an 8 year old who'd never seen such a thing in an enclosed building...my house didn't have one...school surely didn't either).  

All I know is that I thought my Dad's office was the coolest place to visit.  It was always an adventure and I thought my Dad was the most amazingly powerful dude around (and some things never change). It was a unique bonding experience that we shared and I know it helped make our relationship even stronger...here's a special picture of the two of us from back in the day.

I think it's safe to say that Abby and I will be making many more visits to Daddy's office over the years...it's an experience I hope she will enjoy just as much as I did.  

And while she may not remember this particular visit at only 2 months old, I have this sneaking suspicion that visiting Daddy during the day will soon become one of her favorite activities.  

Something tells me Daddy might be a fan those special days as well...

Those Are Some WHITE Legs!!!

Is this some kind of April Fools joke? 

No fog for multiple days in a row?

I'll take it because we're going on day three of the most amazing weather we've had in San Francisco since last year's "Indian Summer."  There's no rain. No fog. And not much wind (thank goodness). 

There's just a whole lot of heat, sunshine and really pale legs.

I mean, seriously...it's so nice out that I wore shorts yesterday and probably blinded everyone with my pasty legs.  I'm happy to report, however, that I'm obviously not the only sun deprived San Franciscan.

Believe it or not, it's even nice enough for people to head out to the beach! 

And while you may think that's a "normal" statement, it's anything but.  On a typical day, the beach is empty (something about 50 degree, foggy weather that seems to keep people away from the shore).  But yesterday, Abby and I went on our usual walk and as we approached Fisherman's Wharf we heard a new sound...kids laughing...

(side note, but it's kinda sad that the sound of kids laughing is not something I hear very often...that needs to change)

But there were kids laughing!!!  And when I looked to my right, the typically sparse beach was FULL of people!!!  It's been that nice in San Francisco.

So nice that my Mom, Abigail, Belle and I took advantage of a trail near their new place in the City...here's a look at our little adventure (and don't worry, I covered my pale legs...no sunglasses needed to view these pictures).

If you're in the City, get out there and take advantage of this amazing weather...I know Abby and I will!  We're heading downtown to have lunch with Daddy today...yay!

Maybe I should work on my tan while I'm at it...

Wish Us Luck...It's Vaccination Day

Our poor sweetheart has no idea what's coming...

Let's just hope the Infant Pain drops her pediatrician recommended help ease the pain...

Today is Vaccination Day for our little princess...her two month shots...good thing Mommy and Daddy will both be there to smother her with hugs and kisses when it's all over!  

Wish us luck!

A Sexy New Dress, a Hot Date, and a Breast Pump

For those of you who are curious, these are the ingredients that make up the perfect one year Wedding anniversary.

Well, I take that back.

It may not be the perfect combination for most people's one year Wedding anniversary, but it surely worked well for us.

Did I ever imagine I'd be packing a breast pump on this special occasion?  Heck no. But I did (and let me tell you...nothing makes you feel sexier before a special night out than using a breast pump!). 

Did I ever expect we'd be dropping our baby off for a slumber party at her grandparents house?  Not necessarily. But fun was had by all (as evidenced in this photo).

And did I ever think we'd be missing our 2 month old daughter while enjoying a delicious 5 course meal at Gary Danko?  Honestly, no.  But we wouldn't have it any other way.  Here's a little photo recap of our amazing night.

Happy Anniversary to my best friend and the most amazing Husband...and now Father...on Earth.  I love you!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 24: a Travel Story

I'm going to cheat on this one...I really want to complete this 30 Day Blog Challenge (I got a little distracted when Abigail was born), so I'm just going to use last weekend's trip as my "Travel Story."

In case you missed it, read about it here: {Our First Family Road Trip}

There...now I can move on to Day 25!

An Improved San Francisco

I can't even tell you how excited I am to make the following announcement...

My parents are moving to San Francisco!!!  

The big items were moved into their new place yesterday, but now they're in the middle of unpacking, getting situated, and trying not to get too overwhelmed (because we all know how stressful moving can be).

Abigail and I stopped by yesterday to help out a little and she found a comfy place to lay down...Belle followed her lead...

Now we're going to do our best to help them get 100% settled in.

Welcome to San Francisco, Mom and Dad...we're so excited you're here!!!

Our First Family Road Trip: a Recap

We did it!!!

We officially survived our first family road trip.  And I shouldn't say we survived because what we actually did was DOMINATE our first family road trip.  I'd love to take credit for the domination, but all we can really do is thank our precious daughter for being a little angel.

We departed early Thursday morning after packing (far too) thoroughly for a four day getaway.  We packed loads of diapers, too many baby clothes, excessive blankets, and we even managed to squeeze this little nugget into our suitcase... 

Totally joking of course, but she was definitely a good sport when Daddy tried to pack her up!  What a goof.  After this little stunt, Abigail put on her finest traveling outfit (and the first dress she's ever sported).  What can I say, she wanted to look her best on her first big family outing!

The first stop on our family road trip was San Luis Obispo where we visited with Abigail's great-grandparents, ate an amazing feast, enjoyed some glorious weather and took some fun photos...shockingly enough, Abigail slept the entire way from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo, making the first part of our trip even better! 

Pop-Pop & Shereen, thanks for a WONDERFUL time!  We love you guys!

After SLO, we continued on our adventure and headed down to Thousand Oaks where we spent more time with family (we love family!)...we stayed the night at "Hotel Sandman" with Aunt Lynn, Uncle Paul and Alix where we enjoyed a couple long walks (my fav!), more delicious food, totally sinful sticky buns and great conversation.  Oh, and yes...Abby slept the entire way from SLO to Thousand Oaks...once again, thank you Abigail!

And thank you Aunt Lynn, Uncle Paul and Alix (woohoo for you being home at the same time as our visit!) for an amazing time!

After a leisurely morning at Hotel Sandman (well, leisurely for some of us...Travis was working the entire morning), we loaded up the car and headed off to Santa Barbara for a weekend at Bacara {Check out our stay two years ago HERE}. 

Abigail wanted to be the first to test out the bed...

Then Mommy and Daddy joined her!

And although the weather only held up on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, we managed to venture back out to the beach where we took this picture two years ago...

Here's our updated version from this weekend...

And here are a few more pictures from Abby's first trip to the beach.

The rest of the weekend was wonderful.  Abigail continued to sleep well, eat well, and only cry a little bit.  She's becoming more aware of her surroundings all the time.  She even manged to be a little angel for the babysitter (yes, we had a babysitter...two nights in a row so we could attend the events of the weekend!). 

Here are a few shots from Mommy and Daddy's big night out!

And while Mommy and Daddy had a great time attending the Carnival themed event the second night, we were both more than ready to head back to our room and hang out with Abigail...as I said last week, it's amazing how much can change in two years.

We're so incredibly blessed and love our life more and more every day...Abigail has introduced a whole new dimension and neither of us could imagine our lives without her.  I mean seriously...look at this face!

After our amazing time in Santa Barbara, we made it home safely on Sunday afternoon and hung out with Abby...I think she had a great weekend too because she gave us this bigggg grin that could have made the grumpiest person on earth crack a smile.

Stay tuned for our next big travel adventure which will include a FLIGHT to DC! 

If you have any tips and tricks for flying with a 3 month old, we'd love to hear them!!!