Back to DC

Here is a photo dump. It is crazy the amount pictures I took. Considering I worked all day and had limited time actually sightseeing, it is really amazing how many I took. I really wish we had been here two weeks later. The trees were not really changing...just a few here and there. I have been in DC during the Peak time and it is absolutely gorgeous. 

I love this shot. If only the capitol wasn't having work done on it.

Sleeping baby. Walking around can be so exhausting to a baby.

Mom and I at the Lincoln Memorial facing the Washington Monument.

Addison got to see Thomas Jefferson. This guy was a fairly long walk from our hotel. 

We found this guy. He was Santa in disguise. He even gave us a card with him and Mrs. Clause telling Mason he is being good and should keep up the good work. I showed him the card on FaceTime that night and as soon as I walked in the door at home he hugged me and asked for his Santa Card. That kid. I love him, doesn't forget ANYTHING.

Girls Trip To DC

We are baaaaack!! I survived my first long work trip. My Mom and I survived a week in a hotel room is a baby. Addison survived DC. I have tons of pictures. Tons! I am going to break this up into a few posts to help with the pictures. 

Addison did GREAT on the plane. Mason did too when we flew with him, so I wasn't too worried. It was an early morning start and she slept in spurts on the plane and during the connections. We were upgraded all the way to DC and that helped with all the extra stuff we had for her. Several people commented on how good she was and how she didn't even cry. Come on people, this isn't my first rodeo. When we were getting off the plane in DC, Addison let out a whimper because she was asleep and got woken up briefly, the guy next to me goes thank god she waited until now. I really wanted to smack him. How rude. I fly enough, and I never ever get upset with anyone with a child on a plane. It is tough entertaining them and keeping them happy for any amount of time.

We were lucky going to DC we didn't have any delays. Always helpful when traveling with baby. I had to do some work Sunday when we arrived, but it didn't take as long as I thought it would. We packed the baby and dressed warm to head out to walk around and see where we were located. We were just about 2-3 blocks from the National Mall. We walked around for about 2 hours before we headed back so I could work some more. 

Addison spent the whole week super happy and smiley. She met and saw many many people and never stopped smiling. I thought several times to take her into the tradeshow I was working. I was pretty sure she could get us more traffic than I was getting alone. 

My Mom and I found the White House. Our hotel was right next door. 

We found our state at the WWII memorial. 

Honest Abe.

Work trips can be fun too. We did lots and lots of walking and I am exhausted. I think I should nap everyday this week to make up for working all day and sightseeing all night.

Flying with a Baby: Must Haves

Next week, I will be heading to Washington DC with my Mom and AddieMo. It is a long long work trip from Sunday-Friday. I was telling my Mom how I didn't want to be away from the baby that long and how hard I thought it would be for Michael. 2-3 day trips aren't horrible with two kids, but 5+ days can be rough. My Mom said she would love to come with me and we could take AddieMo. I was so excited. I love Washington DC in the Fall and I love that this will be our First (of many) Girl Trips!!

I thought I would take the time to write down all the items to take/pack/carry with you when traveling with a baby. We are taking Mason skiing in January, maybe I will do another about traveling with a toddler. When Mason was a baby we flew with him a few times. It was really easy, but I think it was because we were prepared.

Common items that most people traveling with babies may not know:

1. You can wear, in a carrier, your baby through security. I always take my Ergo. It keeps my hands free and it allows me to keep the baby close. I have never ever been asked to take the baby out to go through the metal detector. Oh yeah that's the other thing...you will walk through the metal detector not the x-ray. They will wipe your hands for whatever they are testing for once you are through. 
2. You can bring breastmilk or water for formula without restrictions on the 3oz rule. With my first, we formula fed when traveling and we carried bottles with water in them. At the time he was drinking 6-7oz, so that's how much water was in them. They will ask you to open each one and will hold a test strip over the bottle, without touching the bottles. Again testing for who knows what. 
3. The airlines will check under the plane your carseat and stroller for no charge. I fly American Airlines and that's what they have done for me. I usually keep the carseat in a bag to protect it and have them check it and I take the stroller with me. Taking the stroller is helpful. It can be a change of scenery for the baby when walking through the airports and it can hold bags and junk when carrying the baby. 

So, what am I taking on this trip. I feel like I am going to pack the house if I am not careful. AddieMo is an easy baby. We need bottles, baby food, diapers, wipes and clothes. Right? We are staying at a Marriott. I have already requested a Fridge. You have to tell them it is for Medical Reasons if the hotel doesn't have them in every room. I have requested a crib for the room. I was going to take the Pack N' Play, which is what we did with Mason, but I had Michael most of the time and he is a good mule of baby equipment. Mom and I...not so great. We are taking a crib sheet for that and blankets...of course her favorites. I am taking a small container of dish soap to wash the bottles and a sanitizing bag to make sure they are extra clean. I am taking a small container of laundry detergent, just in case. I don't want to pack 3 weeks of clothing, so the detergent might come in handy if she decides to spit up on herself like she has this week.

Here is my current list for Hotel:

PJs

Outfits

Crib Sheet

Coat and Sweater 

Diapers

Wipes

Lotion

Bath Soap

Food

Bottles

Sanitize Bags

Blankets

Car Seat and Cover

Dish Detergent

Laundry Detergent

Stroller

Ergo

Toys

Extra Pacis

Bibs

List for the diaper bag/plane:

3 Bottles with water

Baby Food

2 changes of clothes

Burp Cloths

Stroller

Ergo

Toys 

Paci

 

I am sure I am missing something. I still have to figure out what I am taking for myself. I am thankful this isn't my first time traveling with a baby. My Mom is nervous. She keeps calling me asking about taking items. Take this...don't forget that. I have laughed at her a few times, but she is the one going to be spending a lot of time with the baby while I work, so I will just smile and get our bags packed.