Traveling with a 7 month old

Last Friday we flew to Detroit, Michigan (DTW) and then drove to Ohio. We were going up to Ohio for Wes and Holly's wedding, but what a great excuse to visit family. Scott and I were both anxious about flying with an active 7 month old. This wasn't Peyton's first flight, but he is 1000x more active now than he was at 4 months. We packed as lightly as possible. I even limited toys bc Peyton plays with everything other than his toys. 

One thing I HIGHLY recommend when traveling (especially with kiddos) is taking a picture of where you parked. So glad I did this. Even with getting to the airport with plenty of time, when you are traveling with a baby for some reason everything seems rushed.

I knew exactly where we were 4 days later 

We traveled with: 

1. 2 suitcases (my old flight attendant travel pro)
2. laptop bag (Scott ALWAYS has to have that)
3. Travel system -Stroller and car seat. Having that made it super easy to bring the carseat with us to the gate AND Peyton
4. diaper bag
5. boppy -loved having that, really helped with breastfeeding and Peyton sleeping

We brought all of this stuff on the plane and curb checked our stroller and carseat. Traveling to DTW was super easy.

our flight was delayed, so Peyton and I got comfy on the floor

Keeping Peyton entertained was what we did the majority of the flight as he did not sleep.

Yo Gabba Gabba, what would we do without you.

Peyton LOVED looking out the window

We made it!!

Scott's parents live 2 hours from Detroit. By the time we landed  (plus an hour time change) and made it to our rental car, it was late. Add a cranky baby, 2 hour drive to Norwalk, OH, and cold wet rain = NO FUN! I think I told Scott several times while he was driving to never fly us into Detroit again... He was a good sport and husband and rather than arguing back, he agreed. 

The following day, we drove to the Toledo area (which is less than an hour from Detroit) for Wes and Holly's wedding. The ceremony was beautiful. It was held outside in a park. It was cold, but the setting was perfect for a wedding. The leaves were turning to orange and reds. Holly was absolutely gorgeous.

So PRETTY!

Mike who was our best man and who also married our friends Carly and Justin, also married Wes and Holly. Holly's adorable kiddos (Ava and Blake) were her flower girl and ring barrier

I really believe that traveling helps with development. Peyton started fake coughing on the drive up to the wedding. I would cough and then he would mimic me. It was super cute and kept us entertained. I just wouldn't recommend teaching your baby to do this on your way to a wedding. Sure enough, during the ceremony, Peyton was doing his fake cough. He wouldn't stop, I had to take him to the side so he wouldn't ruin it!

The reception was held at the Toledo Zoo. Such a cool place for a reception. We rode on a golf cart through most of the zoo to the reception hall. 

Peyton was even dressed to the nines

Holly and Peyton

All the guys plus 2 new additions. Scott has known these guys for over 10 years

The rest of our stay was spent in Norwalk, Oh. I really love spending time with Scott's family and I think Peyton did too. He was busy getting into everything and going everywhere. 

he really wanted that light switch

Grammy even got him to take a nap on her lap!

Connie must have made 10 dozen of Scott's favorite cookies

While Peyton was busy getting into everything, Scott spent hours inventorying and looking at coins with his dad. They literally spent hours doing that. 

3 generations of Youngs

Peyton and I walked over to his Great Grandma Young's house while they looked at  coins

Peyton even crawled into the room to check out the coins

Oh and Peyton also learned how to clap

The last day in Ohio was spent with more coins, naps, Lunch at Great Grandma Young's house, visiting Grammy at work, and saying "Hi" to Great Grandma Hertenstein.

Peyton and Grandpa Bill

I was able to pick up lunch and flowers while Jimmy and Peyton napped

I sadly didn't get any pictures with Great Grandma Young this trip

Peyton's Great Grandma Hertenstein 

We made it back to Detroit with plenty of time. We had enough time to have a sit down dinner at the airport, which was nice.

TSA is so strict! ;)

After an eventful fun weekend, we made it back to TX late Monday night

DFW-CVG-NORWALK-DFW, road trip with baby

Thanks to my years spent as a Flight Attendant, I will (perhaps) remember most airport codes...NERD ALERT!

Scott and I recently ventured (I say that lightly) out to Ohio with our 5 1/2 month old. Our choice of transportation was our brand new Toyota Hybrid Highlander. We decided to leave at 8:30 pm on July 27, to drive STRAIGHT to Cincinnati....did I mention, with our 5 month old?? HA! I joke, but we honestly couldn't have left at a better time. So at 8:30 pm, with a sleepy baby, we embarked on a 16 hour drive to Cincinnati. Our drive took us from Texas-Arkansas-Tennessee-Kentucky-OHIO.

Peyton slept the majority of the trip. We were able to make it Ohio in 15 hours, 4 pit stops (gas, potty, diaper changes), and with the help of Yo Gabba Gabba (better known as baby crack). I pumped the whole way up and one of us was always in the back ready for a crisis. Oddly, Peyton who rarely took a binky prior to the trip, was not graciously accepting of one.

Ohio bound

We spent the weekend in Cincinnati and visited with Scott's (and now my) friends. Carly, Justin, and Kellen got to meet Peyton for the first time. And I got to visit with Kellen, whom I hand't seen in 9 months!

Kellen showing Peyton his Helicopter

Carly with the babies :)

One thing I have noticed since having a baby is, I'm so focused on getting cute pictures of my baby, I forget to get pictures of Scott and myself. I guess there are worse things in life. But I really wish I would have gotten a few pictures of Carly and me. I also got to see Paul and Tami's house and meet her for the first time! She was 9 months pregnant with Noah. Again, no pictures!! Thankfully, the last day we were in town, at  the Stone's cook out, Mike made sure we got a group shot.

left to right: Carly's parents, Ron and Carol, Megan, Casey, Kellen, Justin, Carly, Mike (kneeling), Scott, Peyton, ME, Timmy and Katrina. oh, and of course Odon's butt

We had fun visiting with everyone in Cincy, but I was eager to see Scott's family and introduce Peyton to everyone for the first time and to Connie again. I love my in-laws and wished they lived closer!

Uncle Jimmy first time meeting Peyton

Peyton's Great Grandma Young

I LOVE little cute things and absolutely loved this little chair at Grandma Young's house

this is precious. Grammy and Peyton

Grandpa Bill even got down on the floor to entertain Peyton. He's a lucky little guy

I spent the week in Ohio and because this was a working vacation for Scott (He took 2 weeks off work when Peyton was born.) he returned to Cincinnati to work. Peyton and I thoroughly enjoyed spending much needed time with the Youngs. One of the days, Connie, Peyton, and I also enjoyed brunch at Great Grandma Young's house, there eagerly waiting to meet Peyton was his Great Aunt Lizy. 

On a side note, where did "great" when referring to your parent's grandparents and aunt and uncle derive from?

Great Aunt Lizy got Peyton this laughing horse.
 I thought it plus his diaper box made for a good horse and carriage.

I feel like whenever we're in Ohio, we're always doing something besides just visiting. Scott and I got married there and I have been up there many times to do wedding related stuff (pictures, shopping for venues, showers, getting married, etc.) This trip included getting Peyton baptized. Peyton being baptized wasn't the initial reason for our visit, but with my sister coming into town (from NY), and Scott's parent's being there, this was the perfect opportunity to do it. Besides, this church has so much meaning to our family; it is the place we united our love, where Scott went to school, he was also baptized there, and his parent's were married there. With my nomad background, I always appreciate strong rooted families.

That weekend my sister and her family (husband and 2 kids) came down from New York. They stayed in the coolest loft condo in downtown Sandusky. It actually made me want to move to a loft condo.

Peyton's baptism was the following Sunday after we initially got to Ohio. His baptism couldn't have gone more smoothly! He was beyond good, he must have known God was watching him. His baptism took place during mass and the same priest who married us, preformed his baptism. It was very special.

all dressed in white

Peyton and his Godmother, aka Aunt Millie 

these pics are adorable 

My baby boy

Us with Peyton's God parents, cousins, and grandparents 

After Peyton's baptism, we went to the family cottage on lake Erie and had a light lunch, finger sandwiches, chips, and cake. We're simple people.

Connie got this cake for the occasion

The cool thing about the cottage is that the surrounding cottages are all family dating back 5 or 6 generations. This is Uncle David who is really like a 4th cousin...I think

Great Aunt Jeanne

kiddos playing frisbee

Vincent was so smitten with his baby cousin

The journey back to TX was longer 19 hours. YIKES! Scott and I have done this drive a couple of times, but attempting it with a baby was VERY scary. We decided to leave even earlier in the night. I think we pulled out of Scott's parent's driveway just before 7 pm. Peyton was a little fussier on the car ride home, and bc the first trip was so easy I neglected to pump prior. Lets just say, there were several instances I spent hunched over Peyton's carseat trying to nurse him. Needless to say, we made it back okay. Tired, but in one long stretch.