Clayton's First Visit to NC

We did it!  We successfully flew across the country with our infant!  He was SUCH a good baby during our travels (which is no surprise because he's a very good baby all the time).  We had smooth travels and there were lots of other babies and toddlers on our flights which made me feel better.

We saw LOTS of people and took LOTS of pictures...

THE DAY BEFORE WE LEFT...
I WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PACKING BUT
SOMEONE WANTED TO BE HELD. 

I THINK ZEPHYR KNEW WE WERE LEAVING AND
HE TRIED TO GET LOTS OF SNUGGLES IN BEFORE
WE LEFT

WE WISH WE COULD'VE TAKEN ZEPHYR WITH US TOO! 

 I finally got us all packed.  We left our house around 5 am and flew all day, landing in Raleigh around 6:30 pm.

GETTING SOME FLOOR TIME IN THE PHOENIX
AIRPORT

SLEEPING IN THE CARRIER ON THE PLANE

He slept most of the first flight which was a pretty short flight.  I was most nervous about the second flight because it was over 4 hours.  Luckily we got a row to ourselves and we were able to let Clayton stretch out on the middle seat occasionally.

HAVING SOME PLAYTIME ON THE PLANE

YEP.  WE CHANGED A DIAPER RIGHT THERE
ON THE EMPTY MIDDLE SEAT.  

STANDING ON THE TRAY TABLE. 

Our first night in NC we just focused on getting settled at my parents house and putting the baby to bed.  He did GREAT!  He slept so well through the night despite being in a new crib, in a new place.

The next morning we went to meet Grandpa Madden:

MEETING GRANDPA MADDEN

We got really lucky that Mike's Grandmother was traveling through NC at the same time as us so she got to meet Clayton!

MEETING GREAT GRAMMA

SWEET MOMENTS WITH GREAT GRAMMA

HE HAD SOME GREAT CAR NAPS DURING THE WEEK

We spent the week at my parent's house.  It was just easier to set up in one place and then travel to see other family.  That worked out well for us. 

MORNING PLAYTIME WITH JUJU...

...FOLLOWED BY A NAP

IT WAS SUNNY AND WARM IN NC!
PERFECT WEATHER FOR A WALK. 

WE DID A LOT OF SWINGIN' ON THE FRONT PORCH. 

SWINGIN' WITH PA

WE TOOK A LITTLE WALK BY THE
NEUSE RIVER IN RALEIGH...

...AND SPENT SOME TIME WITH BABCIA!

STANDING UP!  READY TO WALK!

HE SLEPT IN A CRIB BESIDE OUR BED.
IN THE MORNING, I WOULD FEED HIM AND
THEN HE WOULD FALL ASLEEP IN MY ARMS.

 Over the weekend, my brother and his family came to meet Clayton!

COUSINS!!! 

PLAYTIME WITH PA

CLAYTON'S FIRST EASTER BASKET!

CHECKIN' OUT HIS NEW BUNNY FRIENDS

HAPPY EASTER! 

SNUGGLES WITH BUNNY FRIENDS

READING OUR NEW BOOK! 

EASTER MORNING NAP!

THAT'S A LOT OF BUNNIES!

MY BEAUTIFUL NIECE 

ALL SPIFFY FOR CHURCH 

BABCIA AND JOHN CAME TOO! 

SWEET COUSINS

MY BROTHER'S SWEET FAMILY 

Sunday night we were able to meet up with some friends in Raleigh at Trophy Brewery.  We had a delicious meal, good beverages, with great company!  But, we didn't take a single picture.  

Monday before leaving to return to Tahoe, we spent the morning with Mike's dad, then we met Mike's grandmother and aunt in Raleigh for lunch.  

CLAYTON MEETS NANA!  

I'm so happy Clayton got to meet his extended family, including both great grandmothers!  He is one loved little baby, that I know for sure. 

Meanwhile, back in Tahoe, Zephyr was staying with our amazing friends and having the time of his life I'm sure!  It's so great to have such amazing people who help us out!  As much as we hate to leave him behind, it's so nice to know he's in great hands!  

ZEPHYR AND REY

SUNSET WALK TO THE BEACH

We had an amazing trip!  For those we didn't get to see, we hope to see you next time!  Next trip is already booked!  We will be back in NC in July!!!  

Jet-setting With an Infant

At this time next week we will be in North Carolina!  I'm so excited to fly with Clayton, mainly because I'm so excited for him to meet his extended family (including Mom and Dad's close friends).  But, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious already.  

I've been mentally packing for this trip pretty much since Clayton was born.  I've done lots of research for tips and travel advice.  I've got a running list of things to pack and I started a pile of stuff to pack weeks ago.  

If you look up jet-setting (which I had to do because I wasn't sure if it was hyphenated), the definition includes fashionable, luxurious, rich and successful.  Ok, so maybe "jet-setting" wasn't the best title for this blog because I'm sure travelling with an infant is anything but fashionable or luxurious.  All I really want it to be is successful.  I want to get from Reno to Raleigh without any issues - that's not too much to ask, right? 

I've prepped and planned as much as I can.  I've read lots of blogs and websites and I've gotten a lot of good tips.  We've applied for TSA precheck to make going through security quicker and easier (although we may not have it before this trip but no worries, our next trip is already booked and we will for sure have it before that one).  We're planning to put together little bags of ear plugs and chocolate for the people sitting around us... ya know, in case Clayton decides to scream for the entire duration of the flight.  We have all kinds of tricks up our sleeves to save space but still have what we need - example: we are taking an empty boppy cover (that's the cover that goes over the nursing pillow) instead of taking the entire boppy pillow (which is big and bulky), then on the plane, when we take our jackets off, we can stuff the pillowcase with them, or even ask a flight attendant for blankets/pillows to stuff it with!  Boom... now I have a boppy to nurse with!  This is still yet to be tried.  It sounds like a great tip and I'm hopeful it works out in real life like it does in my head.  

Anyway, we are excited to travel with Clayton and we absolutely cannot wait to see our friends and family!  Now, here's a look at what we've been up to lately (other than planning/packing): 

WE WENT FOR ANOTHER WALK IN GENOA AND THIS TIME, WE
TOOK ZEPHYR!

MOMMY GOT TO GO SKIING!!!!!!!!!!!
WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO HAVE A LITTLE DAYTIME LUNCH
DATE ON THE HILL!  THANKS MRS. WENDY FOR WATCHING
CLAYTON!

HE COOS AND GIGGLES AT THE MOBILE IN HIS SWING. 

WE ARE ROLLING TO OUR SIDE PRETTY EASILY
THESE DAYS

SLOW DOWN TIME

WE HAVE FOUND OUR FINGERS AND THEY ARE
DELICIOUS! 

STORYTIME! 
MOM DECIDED TO READ THE MAUI TRAVEL GUIDE!
TWO BIRDS, ONE STONE, RIGHT??? 

SWEET PERFECTION. 

THE SWEETEST, HAPPIEST BABY ON THE PLANET. 

Well, that's it for now.  Stay tuned for pictures and stories from our travels!  See you soon, NC!!!