Another work trip

Although a little easier this time, I still did not enjoy being away for 3 days. Plus I had to leave the day we got another 8 inches of snow.

But everyone did great and I swear in the 3 days I was gone her hair grown inches.

Look at this face that I got to come home too!

Stubborn

What happens when 2 stubborn people have a baby... Well they make a very strong willed stubborn baby. Yes that's right Greta is not perfect. She's close. And boy is she stubborn!

Sometimes I think she's too young to have temper tantrum but I'm pretty sure she has them. She wants her way.  And she wants to do it when she wants to do it. 

Oh I can foresee fun times ahead. 

Her mad face

 

Day care also wrote on her chart that she has been throwing temper tantrums when not getting her way... is she doing this at home too? 

 

Unfortunately, yes.  How do I fix this??

I should be doing's

Yesterday as I sat holding Greta while she slept I kept think of all the things I should be doing... Finishing the laundry, unpacking, feeding the dogs, getting dinner decided, baking something, working on Greta's birthday party. The list goes on and on. 

But then I realized... I should be holding her because I missed her so much this week. I should be watching her sleep because she looks like an angel when she does. I should be rocking her because it's comforting for both of us. I should be not doing anything else because she's growing up too fast.

So here's to putting off the should be doings and enjoying the now.... Which happens to be watching this sweet face sleep.

Travel tips when breastfeeding

These are my travel tips to all you breastfeeding moms who have to travel without your baby.

1. Pumps are big and bulky and I have to ask why? I might have to invest in the bag free pump next time. 

2. Pumping in an airplane bathroom is not enjoyable. There isn't enough room to begin with much less add a huge bag and bottles, and tubing oh my! Did that!

3. Pumping in an airplane seat... A little easier than the bathroom and way less claustrophobic. Yup - I did that too!

4. Taking breastmilk through security isn't too hard. 

5. Taking all the breastmilk you pumped (or could fit) home with you  - a pain in the butt!

6. Pumping and dumping makes me want to cry. Do not like it at all - seems like such a waste.

7. It takes way tooooo long to set up the pump and start pumping.

8. Coordinating presentations around a pumping schedule is a challenge.

9. Pumping using the battery pack for power is soooooo slow!

10. People are really nice when tell them you have to pump and need a place to do it. Quite impressed! Late checkouts. Locating family bathrooms. Not letting people kill me on the plane when in the bathroom for 20 minutes.

And lastly... 

11. Breastfeeding moms shouldn't have to leave their babies until they are done nursing. Ever! (Unless they want to, but this mama doesn't)

3 of the longest days ever

This month is going to be very hard. I have 2 work trips - back to back weeks. First up was California. Left on Tuesday and took the red eye home Thursday and landed at 6:15 this morning. Going on no sleep but holding my baby after being gone that long was totally worth it. FaceTime was great while I was gone but almost made me miss her more. It was just so weird to not have the monitor next to me at night and see her little face in it. Or rock her to sleep or nurse her. By the end of the trip, moms with babies must have thought I was crazy because I just keep staring and thinking about Greta.

I hate leaving her and wish I never have to!

On the happy side, Ryan got some great help from his mother and dad who have been staying with us this week, giving Greta lots of extra love and cuddles. They helped get her ready in the morning, took and picked her up from day care and helped feed her dinner... Plus lots of play time. 

More pictures to come!

Missing her so!

Day care sent me this great email today...

Picture of Greta sleeping!  She's all tuckered out.  After lunch, she was standing at the top of the climber, bouncing and dancing to Latin music, shaking her little booty with a big smile on her face!

 - Ms. Jeanette

Sleeping on a cot

Greta has officially graduated and now sleeps on a cot like a big kid at day care. Where has the time gone!