Sleepless in Seattle

We came. We saw. We conquered. On very little sleep.

Luke's first airplane ride was a success! And, we did what we came to do -- found and bought the dress! Suzy looked beautiful, and I can't wait until August for the wedding.

Thursday

I didn't sleep very well the night before we left. Scratch that. I didn't sleep at all. I think I had a little anxiety attack -- I'd really worked myself up, thinking about what could happen on the plane ride -- will he cry the entire time? will his ears hurt? will everyone look at us like we're crazy? Finally got to sleep about 1a, Luke woke up at 2:30a, got up for the day at 6:30a.

Mom, Luke and I left Thursday afternoon, so I worked a half day, zoomed to the daycare, picked him up, finished packing, pumped and drove to the airport. There's a lot more you have to take when you're traveling with a baby! I took two bottles just in case I wasn't comfortable breastfeeding in front of 150 people. So, I wasn't surprised when they pulled me out of line to check my bags. Got through it fine and made it on the plane. He was great! Just fussed normally -- when he was tired or sleepy. And, his ears didn't seem to bother him when we took off or landed. I spent most of the trip nursing him though, and most people were really sweet about it. One lady told me that she thought it was great that I was nursing, and another told me she loved that I could nurse in public so modestly (I had the Hooter Hider on). The man next to me talked the entire time. Hey -- if he didn't care, I didn't care ...

When we landed, I got all the way to the baggage claim before realizing that I left the bottles on the plane! Argh! I had to go back through security to get them, but there's no way I was going to leave them -- that's three pumping sessions! And, damn the luck. When I finally got the bag back, the bottles had spilled anyway.

Friday

We shopped until we dropped. It was so much fun! Sue took us to three shops, we sipped champagne, and found THE ONE! It's gorgeous. No pics -- can't ruin the surprise! It was also my 32nd birthday, so we had a little dinner, then hit the sack. Luke slept OK this night, but still woke up a few times. I think sleeping in the pack-n-play threw him off a little.

(saw this little girl at brunch and her outfit cracked us up)

Saturday

We had brunch with Michael's family, went to a doll museum (Mom was in doll heaven), then saw the wedding venue, which is totally awesome! They're getting married at a lodge on Bainbridge Island, so you have to take a ferry to it:

(he saw a bird and wouldn't take his eyes off it)

Luke really didn't sleep well this night -- was up every 2-3 hours! Not sure why ...

Sunday

Fly back to Austin. He really wasn't having it this time. I spent most of the trip bouncing him in the flight attendant area by the bathrooms. And, he did not want to take a nap! At all. You'd think with as little sleep as he had, he would. Nope.

Overall, the flights weren't nearly as stressful as I thought they'd be. Definitely not worth the anxiety attack I'd worked myself into! By this August, it'll be old hat. But, I know I could not have done it without Mom's help! Thank you, Mom, for being the best Mom and Grammy!