NJ- September 2008

Leif and I flew up to NJ to visit family for 8 days. We went up as a family in May, but Charles' next planned visit is Christmas, and that was just too long for me to be away. I felt a little crazy traveling with a baby alone, and honestly the day before I left for the trip, if I didn't have a flight reservation, I probably would have chickened out altogether. Charles was able to escort me all the way to the gate. (which really helped- getting a baby, a stroller, a car seat, a car seat base, a carry on bag, etc, thru security was a daunting task) Many people must have been praying for me because on the flight up I sat next to the nicest woman, who didn't mind that Leif wanted to chew on her purse strap and grab at her colorful scarf. Also, my child who never ever falls asleep in our arms, slept on my lap for the last hour of the flight.





We made it to NJ in time for my niece Hailey's 3rd birthday party. It was great to arrive in NJ and see all of my close family the first day there. Leif was amazing our entire trip. He was very flexible- eating and sleeping in strange places without much struggle.
Heather and I met took the 3 kids (2 babies and a toddler!) up to my dad's place in NY state for the weekend. My dad and Patricia drove up to meet us. But, Heather and I arrived several hours before them and had some kid drama along the way.



When we arrived at the house, we couldn't get the heat to turn on. It was 60 degrees in the house, so we had all the kids bundled up, babies jumping in their jumpers while we carried all of the pack and plays, bags, etc. into the house. I reached my dad to ask him about the heat, and he says "I think I know what you can do. Go downstairs and-" his cell phone cut out. So, Heather finally got in touch with Pete who remembered a reset button downstairs and that worked to get the heat going. Saturday morning I did Hailey's 3 year pictures while Dad and Patricia watched the babies. And apparently they had so much fun doing that, they offered to watch all three kids so that Heather and I could go out to dinner together.









My mom and I got to go shopping together- and Leif was the beneficiary! He got an adorable outfit from Baby Gap for this winter, and two hats from Old Navy. Fun shopping with Nana!









We also got to visit with Leif's boy cousins Andy and Sammy. Leif really enjoyed watching them! And they were very good with him.







I got a chance to visit with my Nana who is very sick. It was a really hard visit. She has a tracheotomy, and was on a ventilator so she wasn't able to talk at all, although she tried. I cried a lot and told her as much as I could think to tell her about Leif and all of the wonderful things he is doing these days. It was really good, but the next day I felt as though I had run a marathon.
When it was time to return home, I was very torn. Spending time with my family is so wonderful, especially now to see Leif with his cousins. But, I was very ready to be back home with Charles (just wishing home was closer). Again, we had a wonderful experience flying home- the plane with only 3/4 full, so they gave Leif a seat next to me, so I was able to bring his carseat, and he slept thru take off. Flying into Atlanta was wonderful- and reminded me of all of the times I visited Charles when we were dating- he even had a bouquet of flowers for me.