// Picture packed post! (Just a warning!)//
A month and a half ago, Emil was asked if he would fly out to Colorado for a business trip in June and he asked me if Liam and I would like to join him! Work paid for his expenses (flight, food, hotel, etc), so it was kind of a 50% off trip for us while Emil was working. I love visiting Colorado and was very excited to be going with Emil. This was our first big trip/vacation with Liam, also first family vacation for the 3 of us.
Even though we were getting a deal with work paying for Emil to go, we still tried to save money by packing light and only taking carry on's. No checked bags here! A week in Colorado, 2 adults and 1 baby and only a carry on each? Totally doable. It just took a little more planning. Here's a peak into my packing process.
Chaos.
I laid out all of the clothes that I needed to take. We were traveling out on a Tuesday, there for Wednesday - Friday and traveling home on Saturday.
~ Travel outfit - Same outfit for both the travel out there and the travel back. It had to be comfy and easy to nurse in. Also I wanted it to include my jeans so that I only had to pack one other bottom.
~ 3 more shirts and 1 bottom that matched each, I opted for bermuda jean shorts. And then an extra top, just incase.
~ Pajamas
~ A sweater that would double as my jacket if needed
~ The necessary under garments
~ chocolate.
I searched on pinterest for easy ways to travel with jewelry without it all getting tangled up. And I found the most brilliant option, I don't think I will every travel with out using this ever again! Click here for the link, it also includes tips for traveling with babies! Yes! Glad's Press'n seal, it worked fantastic! None of my jewelry got tangled, and it traveled flat and took up next to NO room! This was definitely a Pinterest win! I bought mine at Walmart in the paper products isle.
Packing for Liam came next... Its not like I could just pack his whole nursery into a carry on he was supposed to share with me... So I had to pick and chose.
This was his diaper bag pile. Literally, this was all that I put in his diaper bag. It would double as my purse while we traveled, and I had to contain everything I would need while on the plain. After reading about other Mom's experiences I came to the conclusion that it can be more painful to over pack than to under pack. There is nothing like being overwhelmed in the middle of a crazy airport with a diaper bag that is over flowing and a mess from going through security and you can't find anything. I was determined not to let that happen. And I am pleased to say that we survived without experiencing any stress or meltdowns on my or Emil's part. Now, there were 2 times on our way home that the little guy was over tired in the airport... but it wasn't too bad and Emil and I were able to keep our cool and get through it.
So the diaper bag contained....
~ A blanket that doubled as a nursing cover
~ only enough diapers and wipes for that day (didn't need to pack the weeks worth in the diaper bag) We planned on picking up the rest of the diapers he would need once we landed in Colorado. That we they didn't take up much needed space.
~ Hand sanitizer
~ 1 extra outfit (which we ended up using!)
~ a few favorite toys - not too many!
~ his puffs
~ My wallet, lips balm, sunglasses, keys
I packed everything into ziplock bags so that it was easy to stay organized. I expected things to be taken out and looked through when we went through security, so I tried to plan ahead and make it easy for them, and thus make it easy for me. And it worked! Security was a breeze every time. Liam flirted with all of the TSA agents and they just fell in love with him. They were very nice and patient both on the flight out there and the flight back.
It zipped up nicely and it was easy to access everything I need.
Anything extra that I wanted for at the hotel and while we stayed with friends went into the carry on suitcase. Liam and I were going to be at the hotel by ourselves all day on Wednesday, so I had to keep that in mind while packing for Liam, making sure I had things that would keep him occupied.
I packed all our clothes into labeled ziplock bags (I'm turning into my Mother!) so it was easy for Emil and I to locate and differentiate between my things and Liam's things. Its so easy for small items to get lost in a suitcase. That suitcase held everything that Liam and I need for the week.
We were packed and ready to go! Emil had his own carry on suitcase that held everything he needed along with all of our toiletries.
This little guy was a trooper the whole packing process! He had fun crawling between his room and the Master bedroom exploring.
Tuesday Morning came and we headed out to the van. I drove us to the Saint Louise airport because Emil had to be on a conference call that morning.
We were very excited to be taking off! Liam wasn't sure what was going on, but Mommy and Daddy were excited, so he was too!
Liam was great on the plane. A few fussy moments, but no out right crying or melt downs. He slept a bit of it, and nursed on take off. He never showed signs of his ears hurting or discomfort in that area, which made me quite relieved! He charmed all of the passengers around us, especially those sitting behind us. He made friends with all of the flight attendants, and they would always stop to talk and smile with him when they passed by.
Once we landed and got our rental car, did a little shopping, and checked into our hotel, we got together with some friends for dinner! It was a fantastic start to the vacation, and what a great time we had fellowshipping with Peter and Lenna! The little people enjoyed playing and smiling at each other as well.
The next morning Liam and I were on our own for the day. This was the only day that Emil had to work, so after we got through the day we were home free! Liam and I enjoyed lounging around in the morning, watching tv, eating breakfast, drinking coffee, sleeping...
We walked to a Walmart that was across the street later in the morning. We got more coffee and yarn... ;)
When Liam started to get a little bored I filled the bath tub with a tiny bit of water and let him splash around for a while. He loved it and it kept him occupied for a good 20 minutes.
Afterwards he was ready for a nap.
We had just started giving him the puffs... I'm not sure how much he actually likes them yet...
Emil and I ended the evening relaxing at the hotel eating Old Chicago pizza on the bed while Liam played on the floor. That is pretty much the perfect end of a day to me. Pizza in bed while watching a tv show and cuddling with my husband. No cooking, no dishes... just pajamas, pizza, and my husband.
Wednesday began the sightseeing! We were staying at a hotel in Denver for Emil's work, so had to drive an hour and a half to Colorado Springs to do the sightseeing that we wanted to do. Pikes Peak was first on the list!
After a little bit you can definitely feel the altitude change. We made sure we drank a ton of water and kept a snack with us. There is this awesome gift shop/donut and coffee shop at the top that we had fun at.
Emil was an amazing driver! He was focused and determined.
It was also very cold at the top of the mountain... The snow was taller than our car in some places!
We snatched some pictures at a beautiful lake near the bottom of Pikes Peak.
There were so many people that were more than willing to take our picture for us, which was so nice!
Next up was Garden of the Gods.
We had a lot of fun hiking it and drove around the whole thing. It was a pretty awesome afternoon.
And then on our way back to Denver, we stopped by Focus on the Family and visited Odyssey!
The day ended with dinner at Red Robbin and eating a ton of sweet potato fries. We then drove the rest of the way to the Sechrist's house where we were going to stay the next 2 nights.
Friday morning dawned and plans were made with Daniel Sechrist to go hike Saint Mary's Glacier. So we packed up the necessary items and Emil, Daniel, Liam and I headed out, but not before a stop at a local bagel and coffee shop!
On our drive out to the glacier we saw signs for Dinosaur Ridge, where dinosaur tracks were discovered in 1937. We had to stop by and take a look. So we walked up to the ridge and took a look. Sure enough, there were dinosaur tracks in the side of the ridge! Pretty crazy.
Liam enjoyed having me sit in the back with him while Emil and Daniel navigated and drove us to the the glacier.
Emil literally hiked the mountain with Liam strapped to him all the way up and all the way down while I carried our much lighter back pack with water and snacks.
I wore Liam for a little while when we got close to reaching the top. Emil and Daniel climbed the rest of the way, while Liam and I enjoyed the view.
Breath taking
We ended the day with exploring the little town at the base of the glacier and then calzones at a pizza place once we got back to Denver.
Saturday morning came all too soon and it was time to pack up and head out. We said our goodbyes and thanked the Sechrist's for hosting us, and for Daniel who took us up the glacier! But it was time to get home, we were tired, happy, and just ready to relax and sleep in our own bed again.
Jamb juice for lunch at the airport before catching our flight home.
Liam enjoyed getting his wiggles out before boarding.
He enjoyed watching the planes and busses out the window.
And then before we knew it we were homeward bound! Liam did great on the flight home as well. His melt down didn't come until after we deplaned. ;) He was ready to be home.
Till next time Colorado! <3
