Two Week Vacation

I took advantage of my maternity leave and loaded the boys us for a two week vacation in Wyoming and Nebraska.

(I need at least two weeks out of Montana every year.  I'd prefer 52, but we'll start with two.)

I DO NOT recommend driving 10 hours with a 3 1/2 year old and a 2 month old.
Without working A/C.

#babywigs nursed every three hours, which equaled a half hour pit stop.
Add in a toddler who wanted to run his energy off at each stop?  Just add two hours to the road trip.
Either would have been fine.  But both boys together?  It was rough.

As a side not - I didn't know the A/C wasn't working.  After 8 months of winter I hadn't really used it.  After driving for hours under a hot sun across the state of Nebraska, I was so glad that my destination included a family of mechanically inclined who could fix it.
Hallelujah.

Tip - don't drive during the 'witching hour'.  You'll regret it.

The itinerary was drive to my parents, stay for a few days, then drive to Lincoln and stay with my best gal pal and her son for 5 days.  Then drive back to my parents and Justin joined us for a week of CFD (Cheyenne Frontier Days) before coming home.

So here's a *short* photo dump:

Napping with MeMaw

Parade fun!

Henry Dorley Zoo:

SHARK!

Lincoln Children Museum
This museum alone makes me want to move back.

Lincoln, NE fun

Helping PePaw at work

It was an amazing time (minus my solo driving) and I WISH I could go back and do it again. 
And Again.  And Again.

Five on Friday - Hospital Bag Essentials

 With my first baby I read all the blog posts and pinned all the pinterest tips.

And laughed at myself in the hospital.

I overpacked and underused.  BIG TIME.

I have no desire to stay in the hospital 'as long as insurance will cover'.  Heck to the no.  I want out right away!  Though - last time my husband invited his entire family to meet the baby.

#nothappy

That also required me to get dressed and look "presentable" while everyone passed the baby around and wanted to chit chat.  All while I was sore, wearing a diaper, and trying to figure out how to nurse.

This time - no visitors.

I really don't feel like hosting guests in my hospital room while I'm trying to recover.

You mama's know what I mean - bleeding, sweating, nursing, and bonding with your precious new baby.

With that in mind I packed the following

1.

Coming home outfit - for me and baby - and pajamas for dad.

Gillian O'Malley nusring cami from Target

Mine consisted of stretchy yoga pants, nursing cami, cardigan (with no buttons or zippers!) and slip on shoes.  Baby had two outfits packed.  Depending on gender ;)

When Justin left to pick up #wiggydiggy to come meet his new brother, he stopped at home first to change his clothes.

Once I was admitted, I only wore the hospital gown they gave me (hello bodily fluids and such).

#meshpantiesforlife

2.

Boppy!

My favorite nursing friend and perfect pillow for dad to sleep on :)

3.

My travel bag of toiletries.

The hospital shampoo and conditioner leave a lot to be desired.  I only took one shower in the hospital, but it was so nice to use my own products.

Yes, I did pack make-up.  Just the bare bones - light foundation, concealer, and mascara.  Shout out to my favorite lipstick!  It stayed on through labor and delivery!
Even though I felt like I had been run over by a truck and finished off by a steam roller, I felt more like myself when I freshened up and got ready to head home.

4.

Phone charger

Between Justin and myself, at least one phone was plugged in at all times.

5.

My manila file of important documents

This included everything for insurance and work benefits that I needed my doctor or hospital staff to sign.  I also put in all of the documents I received from the hospital.

Everything was packed in our favorite diaper bag:
Pottery Barn Classic Bag

I don't use the bag on a daily basis - I have a insert for my purse with the essentials.  This bag is our standard travel baby bag.  We have it in gray and I LOVE it.  I can see the boys using it as a overnight or weekender bag when they get older.

Back at It

Yesterday was it.

The first day back to work.

How did 12 weeks fly by so quickly?!?!

#babywigs is home with a nanny for the rest of this month, then he joins big brother at school.

Cue ALL THE TEARS.

We celebrated my last weekend of maternity leave with a LONG walk Sunday morning and a drive through the mountains during nap time.

More updates coming soon!