I left her a long time on Sunday, like over 8 hours. She didn't even really want to nurse when I got home, but she was happy to see me.
[She insists on wearing her beads in the bath.]
I'm leaving for Nashville, Tennessee. For Blissdom, tomorrow. But I have to take her with me. I have to, I need to, and I want to.
Eight hours is one thing, FIVE DAYS is another. I just can't do it. She is still very much a part of me as I am a part of her.
And it's different,
when I already have three other children to leave behind in someone else's care (ok, it's my loving in-laws and Mimi for like a day and then Daddy the rest of the time) but it's not like I have just one or two kids to leave behind. Responsibilities, wants, needs, are all considered.
It's harder the more you have, I think.
I'm so thankful I'm able to take her. Otherwise I wouldn't go at all.
I'm thankful that Hallmark (who is generously sponsoring my Inspirational Writing workshop on Thursday with Casey and Hallmark writers Sarah & Molly) also bought Ivy her own seat on the plane. (How nice is that.)
I'm thankful @iatraveler sent me her CARES harness system for Ivy to use as her safety seat during the flight.
I'm thankful @rostitchery has offered to watch Ivy during my workshop and that Barbara & Alli from Blissdom secured childcare for Friday & Saturday (I'm going to use it a couple hours each day.)
I'm thankful my flightmate & roommate @sarahviola doesn't mind I'm bringing Ivy along. She knows we're a package deal for a little while longer. (And at least we get our own beds this time- at Cupcake '10 Sarah, Ivy, and I all shared the same bed!)
I'm thankful our hotel is the hugemongous Opryland Hotel. Plenty of opportunities for us to explore, chase, and photograph. :)
I also hear that all the #BlissdomBabies are like a super big deal. Ivy's packed her best and ready to go. Me on the other hand? That's another story.
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How adorable is it that she wears her beads in the tub?!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to squeeze you (sideways, of course) and love on Ivy again! Squee!!
i'm so excited to meet both you and ivy!
ReplyDeleteHave a great time! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove her necklace.
I feel the same way about leaving my kids. Mine won't take a bottle (not that I mind :) ) so I take my youngest with me everywhere. I love it b/c I know that it isn't going to last forever.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see you both. And you know if you need an extra set of hands I will steal that little princess any time.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful chance for you and Ivy to spend some time together too!
ReplyDeleteLove that everything has worked out smoothly for her to go with you.
And those beads in the bath? Precious!!
How cute! I am looking forward to meeting Ivy and you!
ReplyDeleteI have my daughter packed too. Well, most of it. My room looks like a mess from going through clothes, but I don't have a thing packed yet
I love that Ivy will be there! I wish I were brave enough to bring Jude alone but I'm just not, especially after BlogHer. This is the longest we'll ever have been apart and I'm scared, sad, and at times I waver.
ReplyDeleteOn another note: what a beautiful photo and it's so cute that she brought the necklace into the bath with her. :)
I wish I was coming, but hubby has a new job so he couldn't stay home and be teacher :) Remember though that we want pictures!
ReplyDeleteThat will be so fun! I am excited to hear about it!!
ReplyDeletePrecious post! I can't wait to meet both of you! TWO days! :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun! Love the beads at bath time!
ReplyDeleteI love it that you're taking her. I still take my 14mo with me everywhere which I was wondering if I was being silly about. He would be sad to be without me, even if he was with Daddy, and I don't like my baby to be sad... so I'd do the same thing!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time! I had the boys with me when we went to our Curves International training ... we were at Opryland for the convention, and my two year old had the best time exploring and looking at everything. I bet Opryland is all decked out for Valentine's Day; she'll have a fun time looking at everything, and you can even take her on a boat ride on the river that runs through the place. Fancy with a capitol F. lol. Sorry for the novel.
ReplyDeleteYou ARE lucky to be able to take her with you and have all those wonderful opportunities while she is with you at the conference. That's so awesome Steph. I hope you both have a great experience.
ReplyDeleteI love taking Baby K everywhere with me too! :)
She's just adorable- love her beads! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to bring my sweet little baby (5 mth old Johanna) with me to Blissdom as well. I can't imagine leaving her, either!
Looking forward to meeting both you and Ivy!
I am so excited to see you & Ivy!
ReplyDeleteBoth of the conferences that I've been to (Blissdom 09 and BlogHer) one of my favorite parts has been seeing you and that beautiful little girl! Can't wait to see you two this week! I'm also really excited for your workshop... I really need some tips on writing inspirational writing. :)
ReplyDeleteHow sweet! A package deal, I like that. Kam and I are definitely a package deal, though most of the time all three of my girls are ;) I just can't leave them. You are going to have such fun! Can't wait to see pics :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to do conferences but with te two baby girls I just don't see how it is possible. We are sort of a threesome these days and it is hard to do extra stuff. Have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! You're going to have such a fabulous time :)
ReplyDeleteHave fun for all of Mom's who weren't able to make it to Blissdom.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one with the song from "Grease" stuck in there head after reading your post title? I love that she wants to wear her beads in the tub, so sweet. I still take B with me most places too, and when I can't I always miss her like crazy:)
ReplyDeleteMy heart swelled and my face had the biggest smile reading this post. I hate that I had to back out of Blissdom but with the other two conferences just too much being away. Have a great time and I know Ivy will steal hearts there. So sweet. Can't wait to read about it and Good Luck in your workshop. It will be grand :)
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of Ivy with her beads on in the tub - precious. You will have so much fun, and it will be wonderful to have some one-on-one time with your sweet Ivy, too. Travel safely.
ReplyDeleteI posted just the other day about bringing Ryan with me:) I'm so excited... Precious one on one time that is such a rarity. I am, however, leaving my 2yo behind who is also nursing. I'm assuming it will be harder on me than on her!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet you and Ivy!
So wonderful that you had all of that come together! Have a great time, you will be so much more at ease with your baby there. :)
ReplyDelete-elizabeth
CAN'T WAIT!
ReplyDeleteI'm still a package deal with my little one, too, who's around one month older than Ivy. Sometimes I chafe at it, but mostly I feel blessed. Because I am SO going to miss this when it's over.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome that you're bringing Ivy. You guys will be the talk of the conference, I'm sure...mostly because you are so downright friendly and fun. :)
ReplyDeletestephanie@metropolitanmama.net
Have the bestest time! Hope Blissdom is a way better experience for you than BlogHer.
ReplyDeleteMy son is 2, and I still don't like to go anywhere without him (unless he's with my husband or his grandparents).
So jealous! Sounds like it will be fun. Travel safely and have a good time.
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How adorable is that photo? And I don't blame you, I couldn't leave my baby for 5 days either, not an option.
ReplyDeleteoh my, Ivy & Eliza & Nolia would be the best of friends! I can't wait to see them play together when we meet up again.
ReplyDeletehave a blast at blissdom, sounds delightful!
britt
She is sweet! I wouldn't leave her behind either! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI've often wondered how bloggers attend conferences when they have little ones at home. Do you bring nurslings? How do you focus on the conference? I can't leave my nurslings (not that I have anyone to leave them with anyway) so they'd have to come along. How does that work?
ReplyDeleteIvy in her own airplane seat!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see pictures and read about your trip!
Nashville is great...I live there and had no clue the event was being held there. But then again I am just a blog reader not very "in the know" of blogging events.
ReplyDeleteThe Opryland Hotel has lots of fun places to explore! Have fun!! My favorite is the path that goes under the waterfall. Very neat :) Ride on the boat if you can, it's pretty cool...for a boat ride in a hotel!
And I took mine everywhere with me and wouldn't have been able to bear leaving them for that long at that age. Glad she is able to come along!
Nashville is great...I live there and had no clue the event was being held there. But then again I am just a blog reader not very "in the know" of blogging events.
ReplyDeleteThe Opryland Hotel has lots of fun places to explore! Have fun!! My favorite is the path that goes under the waterfall. Very neat :) Ride on the boat if you can, it's pretty cool...for a boat ride in a hotel!
And I took mine everywhere with me and wouldn't have been able to bear leaving them for that long at that age. Glad she is able to come along!
Absolutely LOVE those bath beads!
ReplyDeleteAnd I couldn't agree more - I believe it does get harder to leave the more you have. Or at least that has been the case for me.
My little Blissdom Baby is here too! (Other two are at Nana's) and I am so blessed and thrilled that I get to see her little sweet face everyday!
Looking so forward to meeting you and squeezing your little one!
-Lauren