Winnie's First Road Trip

Our sweet pea had her first road trip to Delaware this past weekend to surprise my dad for his birthday! I could not be more proud with how well she did. God answered our prayers that she would do well/sleep during travel time. Winnie slept the entire 7 hours, with the exception of 1 feeding when we stopped for gas, on our way up to Maryland to my brothers. And slept for 7 hours on our way back to Charlotte, then off and on for the last 2 hours of the trip. We were amazed and so thankful!! 

Here are some simple tips I'd give when traveling with an infant:

1. Make a list. Check it twice! I end up making a general list a day or 2 before our trip and then add things to it as I remember what I need. This mommy brain works best with lists. haha

yes.. that says 'break milk'... clearly i was tired
when i started this list. haha

2. If you are breastfeeding, pump your milk to have a bottle or 2 on hand so you don't have to make multiple stops for feedings. We didn't need to use the milk I pumped until our ride back during the last 2 hours when she was starting to fuss. I was glad to have it on hand.

3. Change their diaper before you leave. This should be a no-brainer, but some may not think to do it.

4. Dress your baby in their "jamas". The goal was for Winnie to sleep, so it only made sense for her to be in her jamas ready for bed. (That is what I am calling her nighties, my nephew says jamas and I think it's adorable).

5. If you can, travel at night. We found it worked best to travel during bedtime hours. Winnie actually slept longer in the car than she usually does during the night at home. We left by 7ish pm and arrived at my brothers by 3am. With Winnie waking up once to feed. Such a blessing! Though, be prepared for your babe to stay awake for a little bit once you get to your destination.... Winnie was up until 5am.

all snug ready to go :)

6. Expectations. Expect your little one to not sleep and to fuss most of the trip. We really went into this hoping for Winnie to sleep majority of the trip, but expected her to stay awake the whole time, especially traveling during the day back to Charlotte. And when your babe ends up sleeping the whole time, thank God!

7. Be patient. It will serve you, your husband, and your baby.

8. Pray! Pray pray pray!!! God hears our prayers and wants to bless us in answering them. He was so kind to Taylor and I with Winnie. We felt so blessed and lucky to have such a good travel.

I am sure there are many tips with traveling a long distance with an infant... this is what worked for us. I hope these are helpful for you. :)

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Our trip in pictures:

meeting her Memaw

her other namesake :) 

meeting Aunt Beth

daddy's little girl

attention... this is worth noting!!!
i vacuumed out my own car.... by.my.self.

4-wheeling with my love

we had a blast!

Winnie's first time in a jumper

Trish's prego pillow... isn't that hilarious?!

getting their Winnie fix :)

i love my parents <3

celebrating my wonderful dad!!!

Happy Birthday!!

hanging with daddy on the beach

Winnie's first trip to the beach!!

we love the beach :)

We put Winnie's feet in the freezing water....
she wasn't a fan. haha

Taylor, Dad, & Ocean playing football

Winnie & Grandma Sandy

our cute beach babe <3

mom & dad going to dad's birthday concert :)

so happy!!!

CRABS!!!!!!!!

this is becoming a family tradition! 

Tay tay swimming with Cami

Yes, she has an Eagles & Panthers Jersey :)

Bumpa got to feed his girl <3

Real excited for baby tron-girl to arrive!!!!
WHAT'S HER NAME?????? ;)

We had a grand time in Delaware. I love being with my family! But now, we have a busy week ahead of us preparing for Jon, Julie, and Josh to MOVE IN!!!!! We know this move is bitter-sweet for them and Orlando, but we are thrilled. :) See you very soon!

Double Digits

10 weeks old. 

Winnie watches Taylor and I more and more which makes interactions with her so much fun. She has gotten better at following us or an object around, and though it doesn't happen often, she started sucking her thumb the other morning, it was extremely adorable.

She got to spend a couple days this past weekend with her Grandma Sandy and Bumpa!! It was wonderful seeing my parents, always is, but this visit was extra special. My dad hadn't seen Winnie since she was born, so it was sweet for them to get to see each other. :)

Winnie enjoyed seeing you Grandma and Bumpa! xoxo 

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One prayer request: Our Winnie has acid reflux. Please pray God would calm her belly, help her to keep milk down, and bring peace to her little body. Pray that her "flap" would mature so she can keep milk down. We are going to try to out grow it without giving her medicine unless it continues to get worse. Please pray for wisdom over us. Thank you!

TWO Months!

Can you believe it??? Our baby girl is 2 months old this past Saturday! NINE weeks old today.

The last 2 months have been such an amazing experience. Winnie has changed me. Changed us. Her joyfulness at such an early age leaks and leaks and reminds me every day of what God has done and is doing for us. She is our miracle baby and I will forever be grateful for her.

Over the last 2 months I have lost more hours of sleep than I ever imagined, and yet, feel more energized and full of life because of God's grace and blessing to me through our little girl. Every day I am reminded of how much I can love one tiny human. I think about how she is so dependent on me for her life... in every way possible. I am a round-the-clock mom who doesn't mind holding her baby when she cries and still feeds a few times during the night and rocks her to sleep and misses her the second I put her down. Yup. And I like it. Does it get hard? Yes. Am I exhausted? Most days. Do my arms hurt? Sometimes. But it's worth it. All of it!

There are days when I have to remember if I brushed my teeth or not. Where taking a shower or putting on makeup is a luxury. And getting to run an errand just at the right time so she isn't fussy while we're out makes me want to shout a big 'hallelujah'. When getting to the 4 day old laundry that's been sitting in the dryer means we wear wrinkled clothes for a little longer. When I get to stay through worship during church and actually listen/sing/be there, I am fed and so encouraged. Or when I hear bits and pieces of the message from the lobby or nursing moms room, I love how it seems to be just what I needed to hear. This is the life. This is my new normal. And I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. :)

Winnie is sprouting like a wild flower. Lately she has been trying to sit up on her own. I sometimes just gently push her back against the couch because it just looks painful- like she's doing an ab crunch. I hold her up and she stands strong. And sometimes I get a nice kick to my incision and I am reminded of her story- how much I love her story. She is holding her head up tall, sometimes wobbling it around. She is officially in her 0-3 month clothes, though I still put her newborn pants on her and call them capris. haha. She interacts with us. "Talks" to us more and more. Is starting to drool. And continually makes bubbles with her mouth. She loves getting baths and rocks mittens like no other. ;) Those nails are fierce. She laughs when I talk to her in funny voices through her stuffed squirrel Cole. And hasn't quite mastered holding her Jaundice ducky, but we're working on it.

At her 2 month check up she now weighs 12 lbs 10.5 ounces and 23.5 inches long. She got vaccinated via drops and 2 shots. I seriously think it's harder on mommy than it is on baby because that was tough. I wanted to burst into tears with her. I'm so proud of her. :) She is currently sleeping on me as I type this.... sweet snuggles. 

those eyes <3 

Oh and Winnie is a DADDY'S GIRL!!!! Who wouldn't be with a daddy like hers? Watching Taylor over the past 2 months has been life changing as well. Let me just say, I have fallen for him all over again! Since day 1 after her arrival to now, he continues to amaze me. Watching Winnie turn her head when he says "Hi it's daddy" or "Daddy's home" makes me want to cry with joy. He is so supportive and gentle and encouraging to both tired wife and tired baby, especially when he gets home from a long day at work. He comes home and holds his girl(s) tight and I melt. I absolutely adore seeing him play with Winnie and even more, being in the other room and listening to them both giggle. I am so thankful for a husband who sacrifices his time, money, luxuries, and sometimes even sleep on a work night- to be with his little girl or help me out. What a blessing! Thank you love, for everything! <3 

Here's a fun video of Taylor talking to Winnie about the Panthers and her cooing back. :)

We celebrated 2 months on Saturday with oatmeal smoothie making while daddy worked over-time. Then an afternoon resting before we headed off to the park to hang with our Community Group. We had a great day!

We are so blessed!!

Mommy and daddy love you little flower. You are a dream come true and we can't wait to do more of life with you. *hugs and kisses*