M was only able to stay the weekend, so that he could get back to work, but we had a wonderful time. I'm not sure how the trip always seems to fly by. We were able to go see my MIL's place by Flathead Lake; she is renting, but it is so cute and view is gorgeous! Unfortunately, it's not the 10 minutes it used to be from my mother's house. Oh well.
The party for my Grandma was wonderful. I hired a photographer to take a few family photos, and they turned out great. Madeleine did wonderful being passed around. She was just such a doll.
My dad and step-mom came up to meet the baby, their first grandchild. We spent the day with them, enjoying the nice weather and just being outside. They are coming to visit us soon, and I can't wait for them to see how much Madeleine has grown!
After M left, we spent a lot of time just playing with Madeleine and snuggling her. We tried to do a little visiting, but she was HATING the car seat, so we didn't get up to visit everyone we wanted to. Next time!
I flew home with my sweet girl ALONE! Also, very nervous about this, but she did pretty well, and I sat next to the sweetest lady, who was pregnant with her own little girl and is due in January. We talked babies the whole way, and she even offered to hold Madeleine once we landed so I could get everything together. I hope we'll keep in touch. Such a blessing when your path crosses with someone so kind.
Some things that made traveling with a baby easier:
1) Pack light. I didn't have anything with me, but her diaper bag and a travel boppi. I had an extra pair of clothes, about 5 diapers (we had two flights with a three hour layover), pacifiers (although she won't take one), wipes, 2 blankets and a toy. I also had a large Ziploc, so if I needed to I could put a dirty diaper in there. I was so thankful to have the travel boppi with me. It was a comfortable place for me to lay her on the plane while she slept. Had she been older, however, I may not of needed it.
2) I didn't have a stroller or a carrier, which was actually much easier. Less to worry about and less to fumble around with. How did I go to the bathroom you ask? Well I had planned to lay her in the diaper bag, but the family restroom at DIA had a changing table with a way to secure the baby. I was ready with the diaper bad though. What about our three hour layover? After I changed her, I laid her on the other blanket I brought, while I ate some things and gave my arms a rest. Then I found a quiet spot, nursed her again, and she slept the remainder of the layover.
3) Nurse, nurse, nurse. I had heard that at 2.5 months her ears wouldn't be affected by the change in pressure, but I nursed her whenever I could on the flight. Surprisingly, once we got going she slept most of the flight. The lull of the engines really is soothing.
4) Be ready for some crabby people. I just kind of ignored them. I did the best I could, and I didn't want to miss my grandma's party because I was worried about some crabby people on our flights.
As with every trip back to Montana, it's so hard to leave, but it's so WONDERFUL to come home.
Love,
L
