Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It's been an exciting past week or so.  We managed to make it up to Seattle and back in one piece, and without upsetting really anyone on either flight.  I spent the majority of the first flight standing up in the back of the plane with Jayden - we did not bring the baby bjorn on the plane, so by the time we got to Seattle my arms were dead tired.  Luckily the flight attendants were very friendly, and just about everyone was smitten with Jayden, so we were treated very nicely.  And the bottle/pacifier combination for take-off and landing seemed to work just fine; no ear pressure trouble as far as we could tell. 

In Daddy's arms on his first airplane.

The visit in Seattle was wonderful - and surprisingly involved very little rain! We mostly hung around the house on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Monday we ventured into downtown Seattle (and took advantage of the comfortable Nordstrom Women's Lounge for a couple of feedings and diaper changes). And Tuesday we were back home again. Between my mom, my sister and myself I have about eighteen gazillion pictures, so I'm just going to put up a couple from each day.

For any Duke fans - Jayden finally got appropriate Duke gear, and is SO happy about it! (Christmas eve)

Barb, Leigh, Ellen and Jayden went for a walk in the Grand Forest on Bainbridge on Christmas Eve.  Who knew Jayden loved the outdoors so much - he was smiling the whole time, until he fell completely asleep.  Thanks Nana Becky for the awesome (and really warm) outfit!



Some quality tummy time with Grandpa Allan on Christmas Eve.

Having a "moment" with Auntie Ellen on Christmas morning, in his cute Christmas onesie.  Soon after this there was a diaper situation and the onesie had to be retired.  Oh well. 



This was rotated properly, but when I uploaded it, it rotated back . . . I don't know what happened.  Anyway, this is Jayden with Nana Becky on Christmas night.

Family photo - Christmas dinner.  In the background - yay for the NBA season starting!

Another rotation problem.  Rockin' the super warm hat Jayden got from Mama and Daddy for Christmas (and really just for Seattle).  In the car on the way into downtown Seattle on 12/26/2011.

Meeting Auntie Maya on the day after Christmas - she was so cuddly and comfortable that Jayden fell right asleep.

Happily hanging out on a Nordstrom couch with Grandma Barb.  He truly is his parents' child.  12/26/2011

With Grandma Barb and Grandpa Allan on the ferry boat from Bainbridge to Seattle.  He is officially a Bainbridge boy with his Bay Hay & Feed t-shirt.  12/27/2011

Jayden has his track suit on, ready for his morning run with Mama.  (thanks Auntie Ellen)  You can guess who got more of a workout...  12/29/2011.

Last time Jayden met Aunt Stacy he was way smaller.  But now Jayden gets to grab her hair, which is super fun for everyone involved.  12/29/2011.



Jayden and Daddy in more Duke gear, while the Blue Devils destroy Western Michigan.  12/30/2011.

We were nervous about the trip home, because I'd somehow managed to book us on a 6:30 pm flight.  We thought it had the potential to be a disaster, since bedtime is usually around 7 or 7:30 pm.  Turns out it was ideal.  Jayden was fussy (because he was tired) for the first 15 minutes or so.  Then he passed out and slept in my arms until we were landing, when he gulped down a bottle.  He was then fine until we got home and put him right back to bed.  Perfect! 

It's been a good, but busy, week.  Carmen is out of town again, probably until Monday or Tuesday.  We're hoping for Monday so that I don't have to do my first day of work by myself, but we'll see what happens.  And yes, that's right, I did say my first day of work.  I go back Tuesday.  I can't believe it's here already.  I got more time than a lot of people, but it still didn't feel like enough.  If any of you happen to think of it, think positive thoughts on Tuesday and just keep telling me it's going to be okay and it will all work out.  Because I'm just not totally sure at this point.  As excited as I am to go back, Jayden just seems so small and it seems so wrong to leave him!  But it will be good for me, and for Jayden and you guys can just keep reminding me of that (please).  :)

A whirlwind of a holiday, but fun and so good to see friends and family.  For those of you we didn't get to see, hopefully we'll catch up soon, either in SoCal, or wherever you are located. 

Also, Jayden also got to meet Aunt Kelly and Uncle Mike on the 22nd, but I completely forgot to get a picture!  I guess they'll just have to come back another time...