February Trip to CA!

February 3 - February 8 Evie and I were in California!

It was a fantastic trip. Got to see family. Evie got to spend time with her Great Grandmother (Nana), her grandparents (my parents...they are still working on their names) for 3+ days straight!

The plane trip out was not bad. LOOOOONG. We flew southwest with a connection in Phoenix. Wow the flight to Phoenix seems to last FOR-EV-ER (say Sandlot style). But Evie was a trooper. We nursed well on the flight. She sucked on her pacifier up and down. She fussed while she was getting comfortable to sleep. The flight was packed, due to the snow storm the day before. But we survived. The flight from Phoenix to Oakland was not bad. Not as packed. I picked a spot next to a bigger lady in the window seat. People passed us up. Who wants to be in the middle seat with one side someone taking up the whole seat and a baby? Good job I thought. Was nice to have the empty seat. This flight was not as long, and went by quickly. But I was anxious and exausted and just wanted it to be done.

My parents were there and waiting. They were so excited to see Evie, more so than me, but I expected that. How can you resist such a cutie? I was very lucky my bags were some of the first out!

Was 7:30 when we landed. Went back to their house. Evie was still awake. She went to bed late that night but was a trooper.

My parents got a pack n play to keep there. It worked perfectly. Was not too expensive and makes it so easy when traveling. And they can use it whenever we or my sister (eventually? one day in the far future?) visits. We also got them a convertable car seat to keep there. Worked perfectly and will make our money back on a second trip. Rentals are expensive, dirty, and you do not know the history of them.

Friday we ran a few errands. Evie loved hanging in the stroller walking around. She just loves looking at people and being out! Could not ask for more. After errands we grabbed In N Out (had to!) and brought it back to the house. Sat outside on their patio and enjoyed the outside. We shared a beer. Evie was in my moms lap just playing and laughing. Evie had her first party foul! She knocked over a beer playing with one of her toys. We all laughed. Nothing was broken and no one got wet!

We picked up my grandmother that late afternoon from the train station. She was thrilled to see Evie. Her first great grand child - how could she not! Got back to the house and Evie and her just played and talked. Was great seeing them together.

Saturday was Evie party day! My other grandparents came out, and my aunt, uncle, and their kids. As well as one of my mom's co workers. Had a nice get together. We bbq fajitas, chicken, carne asada, shrimp. We had black beans, salad and potato salad. As well as alcohol. I had my first margarita since before I was pregnant. Wow it was tasty! We got some great pictures of everyone and her. Everyone cherished their time with her, and did not want to give her up when it was nursing time!  

Everyone loved Evie at the party. People keep telling me that I should look into getting her modeling since she is beautiful! Maybe. She went to bed around 7:30. And with all the commotion going on she slept soo well. She loves her noise.

My parents put a fire pit in their back yard and that was a hit come sunset. Everyone was hanging by it. Roasting marshmallows. Really warmed up the night. The tiles around it were warming up. Cannot believe I was outside barefoot at night in February!

Sunday we were debating about going to Napa. But know what, we opted to chill at home. Had leftovers. Hung out outside. Just cherished the sun, warm, and each other. How family is supposed to relax. Was rejuvenating. Evie loved her outside afternoon nap. Fresh Air!!!! Was so amazing! We took their two dogs on a walk. Awesome. I forgot the hood to the stroller, so we covered her with my nursing cover when the sun was shinning on her. Definitely a D'OH moment on my part. I also forgot her sun glasses. oops. I need to find her a hat for the summer. Not sure where to start looking for this.

Monday my mom had to go in to work for a meeting. She so didn't want to go - who could blame her. She got home right before lunch. Went out to Ford Point (during WW2 tanks were made there) and had lunch at The Boiler Room. Not the best food but Evie got to see the ocean and smell the ocean air! This place was kinda cool - you could see old boilers that were used to build the tanks. And there were tracks everywhere to load the ships up with tanks to take to The Pacific.  Then a quick shopping trip at a discount shoe warehouse like store. I got a pair of short boots to replace a pair that I have worn out. Also picked up a box of See's Candy. Something very important to bring back from California.

Thursday morning woke up early. Nana and Evie got some cuddle time. Left for the airport nice and early. Had time to grab breakfast and enjoy a cup of Peet's Coffee before the flight.

The flight home was a lot easier than the flight out. She was good up and down. The flight to Phoenix wasn't bad. It was full. Sat next to a family so they understood. But Evie was great. The flight from Phoenix to Manchester was not full. Got an empty seat next to me again. I used a nursing cover since I was sharing the row with a guy. It helped Evie calm down from being over stimulated, and getting distracted watching everyone. The extra seat was so nice to stretch out and find things easily. A must.

My parents have done a lot of work in their back yard. They tiled a huge fountain, with lights at night. OMG Evie loves it. During the day she loves looking at the shimmering light and the sun reflecting off it. Loves the sound. At night the lights are wonderful! She loved it. Was memorized by it. If she was fussy, just had to bring her by the fountain and she was as happy as could be. Wonderful.

It was so warm the whole time we were there! Evie rarely had socks on, and rarely had pants on! I was barefoot the whole time we were home (well except for evenings where slippers are awesome). The highs were in the 70s almost 80s! Yeah. Nice break from New Hampshire snow. Flowers were starting to bloom and trees were starting to bud! But one oddity we saw - people get so wimpy in CA sometimes when it is sort of cold or get in the mindset that it is winter. We were out on Friday at Berkley Bowl (awesome grocery store) and there were people in heavy coats. One woman we saw had a to the knee The North Face down coat on! Yeah. I don't get it.


Tips for traveling with a baby:

• Bring a nursing cover. Depending on who is around you, you may want to nurse covered. Also the baby may need it to help relax if over stimulated.
• Bring new toys. Evie was facinated by some of her new ones
• Change regularly. Don't want to risk a blowout or deal with a fussy baby for a slightly wet diaper.
• Bring many pacifiers. And offer it constantly.
• A pacifier clip is your friend. Use them for toys also. keeps things from falling on the floor. Lifesaver!
• Gate check stroller but have them transfer it to the flight. Especially if flying southwest and have a short connection. you do not want to wait for the stroller.
• Use a baby carrier to run between gates during connection. Evie fell asleep in hers.
• As the flight attendants for what bathroom has a changing table. One usually does. I found it helpful when i didn't want to leave anyone with Evie when I had to go to the bathroom. I put her on the changing table, pulled down my pants, held her, folded up the changing table, peed, put her back on it, pulled up my pants. Viola! Not my proudest moment but it worked with a small baby.
• Have baby wear footie PJs. Makes diaper changes easy. Don't have to fuss over socks. Makes it easy.
• I overpacked my extra carry on. I was afraid of getting thrown up on, so packed a change of clothing for me. Packed 2 changes for Evie. Brought soooo many diapers. Packed my breast pump in case. Yeah didn't need all that. Next time packing minimal on the overhead carry on.