Chicago & Las Vegas Trip

We visited Chicago for seven days, then from Chicago we flew to Las Vegas for a long weekend, and then we flew back to Alaska via a 5 hour layover in Seattle. I was a little nervous flying alone for the first time with a baby but it all went really well!

I only packed one suitcase. Since I was going to be staying with my grandma I knew I could do laundry and I could buy diapers and formula, so I tried to be careful about what I brought for myself because 70% of my bag was Serena's stuff. For future trips I will stick with the one suitcase approach but the suitcase was not big enough, I ended up mailing three boxes of gifts and other items that didn't fit before we left chicago. I'm proud to say that I packed well, and I didn't bring things we didn't need but in my quest to keep things simple I didn't leave room for any extras.

In my carryon backpack I had two receiving blankets, bottles and formula, enough diapers & wipes, a change of clothes for myself and the baby, and in the side pocket I put the camera, my cell phone, iPad, wallet, and a snack. Did you know if you travel with a iPad you don't have to take it out of your bag at security like you do with a laptop? Much easier.

Before we got on the plane I changed her diaper and I put on my Moby and popped her in. Then I walked around for awhile before heading to the gate. Since I am now a parent with a child we got to be one of the first to board so we could get settled. While boarding, the flight attendant told me 'you can't wear her in that when we take off or land'. I smiled and said okay but I ignored her and she didn't come over during take off to yell at me so I just kept her in it. In the end it didn't matter because she wanted out of the Moby about 45 minutes into the flight and started fussing. She was fussing because I could tell that she wanted to stretch her legs and as soon as I took her out of the Moby she was happy as can be. She fell asleep soon after, and I held her the entire 7 hour flight from Alaska to Chicago.

On the Las Vegas and Seattle flights she did stay awake through some of the flights, and was a little fussy but that was due, I think, to disrupting her sleep/naps, and therefore she was overtired. I kept her on Alaska time too which helped. All in all she was a really good flier and I can't wait until our next trip!

We had such a great time visiting friends and family. Serena behaved wonderfully being around all these people she had never met before, I was so proud of her. We had a pretty packed schedule, and sadly we didn't see all my friends and family but we tried. Next visit to Chicagoland I will try to visit over two weekends so I can see everybody and not be running around so much.

Friday - My friend Anna picked us up at the airport, we had lunch, then I picked up the rental car, and then we went to visit my Grandma.

Serena meeting her great-grandma for the first time.

Hanging out at Anna's house...

Saturday - Brunch with my friend Lisa and her son Anthony. We were so busy talking I forgot to take pictures. Oh well, next visit!

Sunday - Lunch with friends that I used to work with. They were so sweet and threw a baby shower for Serena along with a cake from one of my favorite bakeries!



Sunday night - Dinner with the Black family. Awesome time, and again, we were so busy talking I forgot to take pictures. Seriously what is wrong with me? Afterwards, we went back to Grandma's so she can sing to Serena before bedtime.

I ♥ this

Monday - Afternoon with friends and family at Pattie's house.



Tuesday - Lunch with Nicole & Loreal. It was nine months since we had last seen each other and it was like no time had passed.



Tuesday - Dinner at Maggiano's with my good friend Jennifer.


Wednesday - Visited my fertility doctor Dr. F. I brought cupcakes and got a chance to thank her and the staff for their care and support. Without them Serena would not be here.


Wednesday night - Too short of a visit with some of my cousins

Serena & cousin Grace

Thursday night - hanging with Grandma, running errands, very short visit with my cousins, and packing for leaving the next day...

Serena & cousin Greta

Friday thru Monday - Flew to Las Vegas for my sister-in-law's 40th birthday celebration.

Dinner with friend Tammy

C'mon Mommy, hurry up, I want to go to the pool!

Relaxing poolside

Hey Mommy, couldn't you tell that I have grown a lot recently and

my swimsuit doesn't fit?

Showing the love for my Auntie on her birthday.

Playing around with Auntie

Last day at the pool

The sun makes me sleepy

First Halloween

We were in Las Vegas for my sister-in-law's 40th bday (more on that trip later) and so we celebrated Halloween by dressing up on Saturday night. We had dinner at one of the hotel's restaurants and Serena was only awake for a short time before all the noises lulled her to sleep.

She fell asleep with her bib on but I didn't want to wake her...

3 Months Old

Today is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance day. With each new thing Serena does, I can't help but think of Ryan and Dylan. I miss them. I'm glad there are days that help everyone remember how life changing losing a child is. Those of us who have, never forget. And it's nice when others remember.

It's amazing how these three months have just flown by. She's a pretty good sleeper at night, she only gets up once to eat, but she only sleeps through the night if she is in MY bed, she does not want to sleep in her crib. Sleep training is definitely in our future.

She's a very happy baby and she loves to snuggle which I take advantage of every chance I get. Her smile makes my heart melt :)

12 Weeks Old

A few changes in the last week... developmentally, she's holding her head up more and she's tracking with her eyes. One day I was holding her and I look down and I realize she's looking at me, I mean really looking AT me. Amazing. She weighs about 12.6 lbs and wears 0-3 month clothes. Some brands in the 0-3 are too big on her especially in the shoulders, but newborn clothes are not long enough.

Also, she started daycare, but just two days a week for now. I need time to work on my resume, apply for jobs, and hopefully interviewing at some point. They recently opened an infant program at this daycare center near my home. A friend of mine had her kids there until they started school so I thought I would try it. I really like everything about the place, the only negative is the hours they're open - they close at 5:30! Wherever I end up working, I don't know if I'll be able to get off work and to the daycare by 5:30, seems pretty unrealistic. If I'm working close by okay, but generally it takes a while to get anywhere around here, not because of traffic, but because everything is so spread out.

Nursery Reveal

I finally finished the nursery! I had so much fun working on it. It's been a long time from start to finish but I'm happy with how it turned out.

The bedroom door...

View from the doorway...

Needlepoint my Mom made many years ago.


The crib was more than I wanted to spend but it was an investment, it's a lifetime crib which means it can be turned into a toddler bed and later into a regular bed. I took a chance and ordered a bedding set I found online and it was even better than I could've imagined. The bedding established the color scheme in the room. Because I live in earthquake country, there's not much I can safely put above the crib, so since the baby doesn't need the comforter, I hung it using a quilt rack that I bought & painted pink. My brother screwed the quilt rack into the wall so that is not going anywhere.


I inherited the dresser/changing table, it fits perfectly in the space and it can grow with her.

Above I added frames with pictures. I especially love the one of my parents, it's not the best picture of them but it's from a visit to Alaska so I thought it was perfect.


I love this corner of the room. I had trouble deciding whether to buy a new chair or use the rocking chair that my parents used to rock me. I decided to go the sentimental route and I added an ottoman that doubles as storage.

Close up of the metal shelf on the wall.

The awesome closet organizer.

Love this!