Yes, we made it! How we traveled across the country for the first time.

It has been a while since I shared my deep anxieties about traveling with my adorable, yet temperamental eight month old.  So, I thought I would give you a few of the highlights from our travels to and from the beach.  A better, longer vacation post will be coming sometime soon, hopefully.

Flying

This is how we fly. Sometimes.

Y'all this kid was amazing!  He was on a total of four flights and he did not have a melt down on any of them!  He slept on all of them, and was asleep the entire time for two whole flights!  I was shocked.  I was really worried about feeding him on the plane, but that came easy too.  Brecken loves books and sat and listened to us read to him for about 30-45 minutes on his first flight.  He was playful and a little loud at times (as all babies are).  I never got any dirty looks (that I noticed) and all the flight attendants were pretty much smitten by him.  Who wouldn't be?! His ears?  Well, on every take off or landing he was either asleep or he just sucked his thumb.  No screaming for this kid.

Sleeping the whole way from Chicago to Raleigh!

Sorry, Mom...no carrier!

I will say this:  the baby carrier was only successful about 50% of the time.  I'm thinking next trip we will just take the stroller and put the carrier in the suitcase.  He is heavy (23 pounds) and I about died toting him around the airports when he refused the carrier.

Also, security was very kind and understanding.  I was told in a nice way what I could do with him (they let you walk straight through with a carrier on) and his milk, food, etc.  No worries on that end either!

It helped a ton that I had my husband on the way there and my mom on the way back to help me, but I really do think I could take him solo now.  Who would have thought?!  Not me.



Driving

My son has hated being in the car for his entire life.  When he was a newborn he would scream just being put in the car seat.  Now, he has been much better lately, but not great.  When we landed in Raleigh we had to drive about three hours to get to the beach.  PERFECT ride.  Well, minus the roadside blowout pictured below.  He didn't cry and he even entertained himself and giggled the majority of the way.

Roadside blow out...CHECK.

He had to take another trip to and from the airport (6 hours) to drop my husband off.  Again, no tears. He would sleep, play, etc. We stopped a couple of times to feed him, change him, but that was it.

Riding, a lot. 

My Mom and I took him from the beach to her house (10 hours split into two days).  I was terrified we would be stopping all the time because we were cramped and he would have no one to sit with him in the back.  Basically he played with toys, took a nap, we stopped to eat/change him, repeat.  He was so good!  Sometimes I would play a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episode for him, but mostly he just kept himself entertained.  Can I just say that Micky Mouse Clubhouse has saved my sanity since he was about two months old.  It was the only way I could take a shower, make dinner, or just have a few minutes of not holding him.  Now, he loves it and will watch one episode a day so I can get a few extra things done.  Normally it is when I get dinner ready.

So I know that no child is perfect, but I was so impressed with Brecken being flexible on this trip.  He slept in a pack and play in three different places.  He napped pretty well.  We did have to spend hours in an urgent care because of some virus he had and teething wasn't all that fun.  All in all, it was not quite a vacation, but certainly not the trip I was expecting either.

Pure joy.

Here are a few adorable beach pictures because who doesn't love a chubby little baby at the beach? He LOVED the water.  He ate the sand (much to my dismay).  We went on many walks up and down the beach to take naps.  It was pretty much perfect.  More on that later.

Really? Another picture.  YES.

Mommy Style Monday: Diaper Bag Essentials

Ok y'all I am so excited to be joining a group of fantastic ladies in sharing some of our favorite things, styles, etc. I love reading about what works for other moms. This week we are sharing our diaper bag essentials. Everyone needs a diaper bag, or some sort of bag, when you take your baby out. I absolutely LOVE mine and am excited to share it with you! I am not sharing my wipes, diapers, and first aid necessities, but all those other must haves I keep with me. Enjoy!

Let me just start out by saying that I have carried Vera Bradley bags and luggage since I was about fourteen. That is half of my life! Every southern gal knows Vera is amazing. They are durable, easy to clean, and adorable! They add at least four new patterns each season and they have a bag for pretty much anything. So go check out what they have for you! 

This adorable pattern is called Flower Shower.

My hands are free to love on this kid! 

My first essential I want to share is my diaper bag!  Vera carries a few different styles.  I knew I wanted one and I also knew I wanted a backpack. If I had to take Brecken out alone, I wanted to be able to carry him (car seats are dang heavy!) and a backpack would make it easier. Now, I wasn't able to find my exact backpack on Vera's site, but they do sell them in other patterns. It is super cute and very lightweight.  

I love how much room there is and the organizational pockets

Perfect changing station!

The inside is all plastic so you can easily wipe away any spills. There is a large compartment with four mesh pockets, a smaller compartment that has a fold out changing pad and two mesh pockets, and the front pocket has a magnetic button. Also there are two side pockets perfect for a bottle or a drink for Mom. Now I am going to show you how I organize everything that Brecken needs on our adventures away from home. 

The Essentials: 

Most important thing in my bag is my covered goods nursing cover.  I had a few different ones and then my amazing sister-in-law showed me hers and I knew I had to have it.  It actually keeps you and the baby covered at all times while nursing!  It can also be used as a cover in a high chair, shopping cart, or over the car seat. I also love how soft it is and that it can be easily rolled up.

Next, a blanket.  Right now we are hitting our stride (finally) with warmer weather.  I usually take a blanket in case he wants to get down and play, especially at church.  This is a light muslin blanket. In colder weather I usually grab something a little thicker in case he needs to be covered more in the car seat.

Next up:  toys.  Until the last few months, they were pretty much pointless in my bag.  They might keep his attention for a few minutes and then be thrown to the side.  Brecken is at such a fun age where he will play and interact with toys.

His favorite toy is the VTech Musical Rhymes book that sings nursery rhymes and has some other interactive buttons and noise makers.  It is the only thing that he will look at sometimes, during church or at a restaurant.  Even without the sound on, he loves it!

The other noisy toy he has is a rainmaker shaker.  It has colors, movement, and sound which are basically his three favorite things.

The other toys I keep are what I call "chewies" (obviously not a real word). I bought both of these for Christmas and they have been life savers in the car and as he has started teething.  The rings come in a big set with many colors and we have a few in the diaper bag and a few at home.  He loves to chew on them and rip them apart.  The other favorite is Sophie the giraffe which is a great teether and has a little squeaker that Brecken loves.

Lastly, I always keep a small board book or two in the bag.  I'm a teacher, what do you expect?  Right now, he loves anything by the amazing Eric Carle.

I use my mesh compartments to roll up my burp cloth, nursing cover, and blanket.  Extra clothes are at the bottom and then the toys fill in the rest of the middle.  With all those things, there is still plenty of room to add more.  Sometimes I have a jacket in there too.  Best part is that it is so light carrying it on my back.  

My middle compartment organizes the perfect changing station with wipes, diapers, and the changing mat (now folded).  It has two snap buttons that keep it attached to the plastic front, if you want it to.

The very front pocket is perfect for my wallet, keys, and travel size hand sanitizer.  

Please check out these amazing diaper bag essentials from other moms: 

Kiana at Glitter & Donuts

Madeline at Casey Land

Kahana at A Beautiful Life

Monica it It's All About

Jen at Jam Tart Boutique

Chelsea at Tessa Marie

Lauren at The Andrew Life

If you would like to join in on Mommy Style Monday please get in touch with Kiana at Glitter & Donuts or 

Madeline at Casey Land

Packing for our family vacation . . . I mean trip!

A while back I read a hilarious blog about how when you take your kids with you it is no longer a vacation, it is a trip.  While packing the insane amount of things for our family trip to Myrtle Beach this week I started to see what she meant.

I get anxious and nervous about flying in general because of security, luggage and trying to check in immediately on South West so you can get on the plane and actually sit with your husband (seriously, one time we had to separate for four hours, it was the worst flight ever).  Add an eight month old who has never flown and who also decided that this week was the week to go ahead and cut three more teeth AT THE SAME TIME! We are in for quite the adventure on Saturday morning.

I remember the days of packing my little bag of swim suits, several outfit options, technology, and a neck pillow to sleep on the plane with.  HA!  Seriously y'all, I don't even have swim suit tops this year in my suitcase.  Thank you to my little sister who will let me borrow because I didn't have time to go and find any that actually fit my nursing mom body, if you know what I mean! Every inch of space that I can cram with books, toys, and anything else that will keep my child entertained is being used.  Sleep on the plane. . . as long as Brecken sleeps I could care less what I do.

I'm sure that sounded insane and completely overwhelmed.  I really am fine.  Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who can help me tag team if need be.  Brecken isn't a terrible teether, and I just hope he loves the fly on airplanes as much as I did as a baby and child.  Once we get to the beach I will be able to relax...maybe?...hopefully?

I will keep you posted on this vacation trip!  Hooray for summer!

Isn't he the cutest little helper?