B's first overnight

So we did it, we went away for a night and left B with my parents. For Christmas, I gave Eric tickets to the NHL's Winter Classic hockey game. Each year they turn a baseball field into an outdoor rink, and 2 NHL teams play hockey. This year was special because my Philadelphia born and raised husband, is actually a diehard Red Sox & Boston Bruins fan, and the Bruins were playing in Fenway Park. And of course who were they playing, the Philadelphia Flyers.


I was really nervous about leaving B. I don't know why, it is not like I think my parents couldn't handle him- of course they could- but I just was freaking out. No one knows my baby like me you know? To prepare- I had 3 pages of typed instructions with details on breastmilk and it's rules, daily schedule, nap routines, sleep routines, tips & tricks, and the works. Really I could have got away with a lot less- but let's forgive a first time mom leaving her baby for the first time- of course I was obsessive and trying to tell them everything.

We spent New Year's Eve with my parents- It was nice. We went into the hot tub with a glass (ok bottle) of wine. My Dad made a shellfish platter that he served with champagne at 11:30, and we watched the ball drop and Dick Clark miscount. We hit the sack immediately because our train to Boston left at 6:20 am and the station is 20 minutes away, plus it was snowing.

So anyway- We got up, I nursed B, and we left. I called at 6:40 (just to make sure my dad made it home ok from dropping us off cough cough). I think after that I called 5 more times that day (not great, not bad).

Brooks did fantastic at my parents- and I actually am happy we did it just to get a log of how much he was eating since he was taking bottles. They had no problems with him- he didn't freak out not nursing at night. He didn't sleep through, but he was not difficult. I think he had a ton of fun, and I think my parents and brother had a great time with him. I know that coming home to a happy, smiling baby helped ease my fears of leaving him. Prior to this I had only been away from him max of 6 hrs, and not since August.

The part that SUCKED about going away was pumping. I actually pumped in the bathroom of Fenway Park and a few times on the amtrak train. GROSS I know, but hey, what was I to do- I couldn't go 6 hrs, was worried about what a day away from the boy would do to my supply, so I was pretty religious. I also wanted to sleep- so didn't pump in the middle of the night until 5:30 am. I was impressed, in 28 hrs I pumped 44 oz! WOWZA.

The hockey game was really cool- talk about a once in a lifetime experience. We had a blast. The game was good- Eric is a Bruins fan and they won in overtime after tying it up in the last 2 minutes, so for him it could not have been more perfect. It wasn't even that cold out. We went out for drinks afterwards with an old high school friend of Eric's who lives in the Boston area and went to the game (not with us). I got a little tipsy-drunk for the first time in ages. It was fun (b/c I wasn't plastered, just happy!). We saw Dennis Leary in the hotel lobby before the game, and ran into Kiefer Sutherland at the elevators after drinks (I almost asked him to take a picture of Eric and I, I didn't even realize who he was at first LOL). We then went out to dinner just the two of us, and then called it a night. We went to bed at about 10pm, which is a little sad, but it was a long day and I LOVED IT.

Going home the next day was easy- and Brooks' reaction to seeing us made my heart melt. It almost made being away from him worth it. He was so happy. He was screeching louder than normal and smiling and cuddling, and wow... it just was special.

Besides our night away- other news is we began feeding Brooks food! He is just having cereal and oatmeal now, but I picked up a bunch of jars of baby food and we are going to start feeding him once a day. Once he is used to it, in a month probably, we will up it to 2 meals a day (cereal & fruit or veggie each meal).

Soooo pictures
First time having Rice Cereal:






New Years Eve- party like a rockstar!!!



Here is a closeup- if you look carefully you can see the whites of his two front teeth coming up the front of his gums. Also- can you please tell my husband he is nuts and our kids eyes are blue? He thinks they are hazel- but my eyes are the exact same way. Blue with a weird yellowish ring around the pupil.



And- The Winter Classic- us in Boston.