Monday, May 17, 2010

Packing for our Trip

Our family is leaving Thursday for a trip "home" to New York. It is where both Eric and I are from and grew up. Most of our family and friends still live there, so it's a great escape to go back and reconnect :) Eric's brother and his wife are expecting their first child this summer and we are eager with anticipation to meet our little niece or nephew. They have decided to wait until the baby's birth to find out the sex, so that adds another element of excitement to it all. We are headed to New York because their baby shower is being held at my mother and father-in-law's house on Saturday. The shower is a co-ed shower. I've never been to one before, so it should be interesting :) We are hoping for good weather that day so we can have the shower outside, but you never know with Rochester weather. There's no place more unpredictable in my mind. I'm really looking forward to it and seeing everyone and being together with people I love and care about :) Carolyn, my sister-in-law, just means so much to me and she is so sweet. I always wondered what it would be like to have a sister growing up, and she is just the best sister I could ever hope for. I am so happy for her and her husband, they are going to be wonderful parents. I'm also really happy that Becca will have a little cousin that is close in age to grow up with. I've always been close with my cousins and I wished for Becca to have the same thing.
Eric and I know how much stuff a baby requires and it definitely puts a damper on your wallet. To help them out, we are loaning them a bunch of our baby stuff for them to use. We don't use them anymore so at least someone else can get some good use for it, while also saving them some money as well, or at least some extra room on their baby registry. Some of these things are....a baby jumperoo, baby bouncer, baby bjorn carrier, and a breast pump. I also threw in a few extra things because I want to help them any way I can. I only wish I could do more, but I couldn't possibly afford everything I would want to get for them. I think baby shopping is the most fun type of shopping there is!
Anyway, I had put all of Becca's newborn and infant stuff away in the back of the downstairs closet, so today I had to take everything out to get back there and sort through bins and bags. I sat there, lost in the moment, as I continued to look through all of her tiny belongings. Little booties....bonnets.....bottles.....rattles. It took me back to that place in time that seems so long ago, yet I can remember it like it was yesterday. I picked up a tiny bottle and thought back to when I cradled her in my arms and rocked her to sleep in the rocker we have in her bedroom. I would just watch her sleep and smell her "baby smell" wafting from her head for long after she fell asleep. She was just angelic. I miss those times. She was so tiny and delicate and fragile. She still is and always will be my treasured jewel, but there is something so innocent and magical about a newborn infant baby. Ahh, memories.
Well, there's not a whole lot of time to reflect on these memories right now, there is much to do. I need to finish the laundry so all the clothes are clean and ready to be packed. I have a list of things to do before we leave. I have to clean the house because I hate coming home from a trip to a mess. Yet, even though I sound organized, I always manage to forget something every time I take a trip.
We are leaving Thursday after Eric gets out of work, so everything needs to be packed Wednesday night. I have to start packing days in advance because I approach things very slowly. I over analyze everything. Plus, I pack three extra sets of clothes in case I don't feel like wearing the ones I already picked out. Then of course if the weather changes, then you have to start all over again. So, that's about all for now about that. Becca will be waking up from her nap in about an hour and then I have to feed her and then get ready to take Max to the vet to get his latest vaccine. Bye for now. :)

22 comments:

  1. Oh gosh, looking at those tiny tiny baby things it is so hard to imagine they were ever that small isn't it? Have a wonderful trip Laina, can't wait to hear all about it when you get back

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  2. Hello my sweet angel.....well, I can certainly understand how you won all those awards. Words are your gift to paper. You communicate very well in journal form. I love reading about all the ins and outs of your life. Getting ready to come HOME this weekend is equally exciting for me. I always look forward to a visit with you and Eric and the baby. I too am excited about Carolyn's shower. Funny how we all have blended into one big happy family. We are lucky. Not everyone blends as easily together as we have. Many young couples struggle with in-law issues and blended family issues. This is one area that we have breezed through. Take your time and get here safe. Once you're here, sit back and enjoy yourself. Can't wait to see you. And yes, I too remember like it was yesterday, when Becca was born...and even the planning that went into the baby shower we had for you. It was another hallmark moment in my life with you. And that just leads to more memories further back of when I had you. The very moment that changed my life forever. You are my greatest treasure. God greatest gift to my life...the greatest blessing of all. Thank you for being so wonderful. You are my everything. Mom xoxoxooxoxox

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  3. Enjoy yuour trip! Also I agree, baby shopping is a blast! My oldest is graduating from high school in 2 weeks and I can remember holding him in my arms, ever so tiny...It does not take long for them to grow up!! Shopping for him then was so much more fun than now!! HA!

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  4. enjoy your trip dear :)
    am now a follower of your blog..looking forward to hear how your trip went :)

    http://superchuboinkboink.blogspot.com

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  5. Have a great trip. It sounds like it will be great.

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  6. I love baby shopping! It's so fun!

    Have a fun and safe trip!!

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  7. Enjoy your trip! It's always nice to visit family...have fun at the baby shower!

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  8. Yay for visits home and seeing family! I'm a new follower :) I grabbed your button and linked you up cause I adore my milspouses :)

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  9. "Hi there! I found your blog through another blog that I read. I love your blog! I have only been blogging for a couple weeks now but have met some wonderful people through the blogging world. It's also great to meet other military spouses that I can relate to :)I will continue to check back for new updates and posts on your blog :)
    As for this post, I completely agree with you. I still can't listen to the song "God Bless the USA" without crying. Being married to a military man reminds us of our rights and priveledges we have that most Americans take for granted.
    http://reflectionsofanavywife.blogspot.com/"

    Thanks so much for stopping by and for the comment! I am so glad you found my blog! I know what you mean! The blogging world is such a wonderful way to keep up with others especially military wives, I love it!

    I know what you mean I love all the patriotic songs, and they make me want to cry as well!

    Have a wonderful day and God bless!

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  10. Have fun on your trip! My husband and I grew up in Rochester too! Both of our Dads worked at Xerox while we were growing up and we met at (Holt Road) Wegmans after high school :) Small world huh? Have a Zweigle's white hot or a trash plate for us while you're there and enjoy some "pop", lol.

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  11. "It took me back to that place in time that seems so long ago, yet I can remember it like it was yesterday."
    That just never changes! My daughters are now 21 and 24 and when I look at them, I see their whole lifetime all at once. It gives me just a slight understanding of how time doesn't exist for God...because to me, their entire lives happened yesterday. Great post! :o)

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  12. Co-ed showers are the best! I had one for my daughter! I also have to have the house clean before I leave....peace of mind I think:)
    Enjoy your trip and be safe!

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  13. I could get caught up in looking and holding their baby stuff forever. I would never get the packing done! I have their stuff packed away now but as soon as my friend gets pregnant and I have to go through it there will be much weepy sentimental remembering.

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  14. I love you too, Laina! I am so glad we've grown closer and closer over these last couple year, especially this past one. I look forward to our weekly chats on the phone and have loved sharing so many things with you. I do wish we lived closer together, but I have to say that I think we are making the most of the long distance between our families.

    Also, I can't thank you enough for making such beautiful baby shower invitations for us. I think I am going to frame ours and keep it in the baby's room for a while. It is so special to me. And your generosity is beyond words; the baby things you are letting us borrow will help us out tremendously, not to mention all of the advice I know I'll be calling you up for :)

    We can't wait to see you, Eric, and Becca (and of course the rest of the family too) this weekend. And your mom is right that we are very lucky to have such a close-knit blended family without in-law issues to tackle. I love knowing that our family is just a little bit bigger because we also have your mom and Joey to celebrate all of life's wonderful times.

    I could go on and on, since I am so proud of you for this blog and many other things as well, but I'll stop here for now. Never stop believing in yourself, Laina, and know that I'm always here for you, as a sister.

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  15. I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable vacation!

    By the way, you should look at your settings and make it so that your email address shows up when you comment on a blog. I keep wanting to reply to your comments but it your settings are set for "non reply blogger" :(

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  16. So excited!! Hope to see you and my precious niece!!!

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  17. I hope you have a wonderful vacation and enjoy your time with the family.

    You'll have to tell us all about your new niece/nephew :)

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  18. It's amazing how much stuff you need to pack once you have kids!!! Mine are now 3 and 6, and it definitely gets easier when they are older!

    I grew up on Long Island, and moved to Rochester for five years after college. Then I moved to Queens for four years, and now we're in Syracuse. So I guess you can say I know NY State pretty well! Have a great trip home!

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  19. What do you mean about Rochester weather being so unpredictable?! It was beautiful here this weekend...high 70's, low 80's...but then again it did snow a bit on Mother's Day and that was only 2 weeks ago! LOL Why do I still live here again?

    I hope you had a great time with your family, hopefully sometime we can all meet up when you are in town. Miss you girl!

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  20. Awww, I know what you mean. Once you start going through the baby clothes, its like having your own time machine. You are sweet to be so giving with your baby stuff. Hope you had a nice trip and visit with your family. I have goodies for you on my blog..http://motherhoodthetruth.blogspot.com/2010/05/so-much-bloggy-love.html

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  21. Found you through MBC...

    My kids are 9 and 11 now and I just can't believe how fast time flies!

    Following your blog. :)

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  22. Have a lovely trip home, I just know you will all enjoy it so very much. Our movers are here today...ah the drama and crazy times that await in the next few hours. Wishing you a safe journey.

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