Well, Finley and I are back as of midnight (this morning!). After getting home from the airport Finley decided he had to play with his toys and cats till about 2 am! I did not find time to post during the trip so this is going to be a LONG post to cover all the fun we had in New Mexico over the past 4 days!
I will start with the trip there... Finley did pretty good on the flights. Actually, he was a bit squirrely on our first flight but the second jump from Denver to Albuquerque we were on a bigger plane and had our whole row to ourselves and he highly enjoyed himself sitting like a big boy next to me and playing with his tray table! Finley even earned his wings on that flight. We were just so excited to get to New Mexico and see Nate!! Most people commented on how good he was and he was smiley and friendly to all. I guess the wiggling around in my lap didn't affect them... he never really cried or had any outbursts and napped for portions of the flights. After a slight delay in Denver we arrived on time (somehow) in Albuquerque to be greeted by Nate. Unfortunately my luggage did not arrive in ABQ. After having to get our rental carseat at the airport and stopping at Walgreens for formula and diapers (no luggage!) we didn't even make it back to our hotel until about 10pm. Somehow Finley was so pumped up to see Nate that he decided to stay up till about midnight!!
Delayed in Denver
Hello kiss from Daddy
Back together- my two boys.
The next day my luggage would not arrive till 2:00 pm (Thanks United...) but we had fun anyway- Finley playing around with Nate in the hotel etc. Sunday was kind of our catch up day and we just made a Target run for some supplies and later that night Nate and I and Finley found a diner on Route 66 (Route 66 Diner!) to have a casual dinner.
Route 66 Diner...mmmm
Finley eating his hands instead of his food
Bath fun with Daddy
Neat and Clean again
On Monday we headed out to Petroglyph National Monument to hike the trail and look at the rock drawings. It was a beautiful day and not yet too hot to do this. On the way back on the trail we almost walked right into a swarm of bees! There must have been thousands! It was scary as there is only one trail to get back so we weren't sure what to do at first! Nate ran back to keep Finley away and I checked about a minute later and they were gone! Apparently they were just flying through? Crazy Bees!
Ready to Hike
Finley seems unconcerned by today's Fire Danger status
Two Peas
We found a picture of Opsec from the Ancient people
Boys in the Desert
Happy Family
Car seat Cutie
That night we decided to seek out a Japanese Restaurant as Nate felt like having some Sushi and we figured Finley would get a kick out of the Hibachi chef. Well, Finley must have been too tired from our hiking trip etc (even though he napped) because he was pretty awful at the Japanese restaurant. Nate and I agreed it wasn't the most pleasant time but he did enjoy watching the chef and eating for about 20 minutes and the rest of the time at the restaurant he just wanted to crawl around not sit still!! Once we got back to our hotel though our little guy had a second wind and had his own fun in the room.
Finley's first Japanese Dinner... no he did not have sushi!
It's more fun smacking the toilet though
Wisconsin boys
On Tuesday we had a fun Zoo and Aquarium trip planned and after breakfast at the hotel we headed out. We even took a train ride between the Zoo and Aquarium. Finley enjoyed the Zoo and Aquarium - though whenever we pointed animals he could see out we had to call them "kitties" his favorite and recognizable word, to get him to look. People probably thought we were crazy... "Finley, look at the kitty, kitty, kitty, monkey" Hey, whatever gets his attention to look! He is still a little young to notice everything but he had fun and was pooped out by the end. It was a very fun day for all of us.
Quick bottle on the train
"Kitty" Fishes and Sharks
Big Shark behind the boys
Mom and Finley (there's a big Ray behind us)
Zoo Zonked
Finley and Daddy by the Gorillas
Giant Kitties...and a sleeping baby
Family with the Flamingos and a fading Finley
After a long day at the Zoo and Aquarium, Finley went swimming for the first time with Nate. He LOVED the water although the hotel pool's heater was broken and the pool was COLD, Nate took him for a quick dip in the cold pool and then into the hot tub which actually wasn't that hot? Either way it was swimming to Finley and he loved it. I was so happy that Nate got to experience this and take Finley in a pool for the first time!
We decided to go the more relaxing route of having dinner in our room that night. We found some great "New Mexican" takeout. Finley quite enjoyed it. We just enjoyed each others company hanging out and having fun.
First steps in the Pool with Daddy
Ummm.. this water is kind of cold!
Ok, the hot tub is much better!
Yummy "New Mexican" dinner
Wednesday... We couldn't believe it was here already! We spent the morning packing up and playing with Finley. Nate was supposed to be back to Bliss/McGregor by 6 pm (with a 4 hour drive to get there) but my flight wasn't taking off till 6:50pm. We killed some time after a late check-out at the hotel and then it was the dreaded time to part yet again.
Watching the wiggles while finishing lunch
Playing around in the room
Finley LOVES sitting at the computer with Daddy
The trip home went well although I am very tired of walking up and down airports. It was either keep walking while we were waiting for flights or Finley had to play on the gross floor... I opted for more walking... less gross airport floor time! Finley slept on our entire flight to Denver and half our flight back to Madison. He was a bit overtired on the way to Madison but nothing a sticky rice crispy treat in a shiny package couldn't fix (my awesome mom last-resort trick to keep him good!). Hey, whatever it takes. Other passengers commented on how great he was so that made me feel good. The Flight attendants were always great to us too although no one assists you much with the stroller and bags getting on and off the aircraft...
All in all we had a Fantastic trip. I learned that flying alone with a baby is tough at times and tiring but definitely doable.
Four days was not long enough to spend with Nate and we are sad to have had to say goodbye again. We miss him so much already! I got so used to having Nate there to help me with Finley in just the short trip that I don't know how I do it all by myself! Nate had so much fun with Finley- seeing how much he has grown and all of his antics and stunts. The two of them can just play for hours on the floor. They speak the same language so to speak. Just silly little games with Nate and Finley is all smiles and giggles. It makes me sad that they have to be apart but hopefully the rest of this deployment will go by fast so we can be a family again! We are also hoping for a mid-tour leave for Nate but it is not promised yet. Here's hoping!
On our way home...
Goodbye Albuquerque and see you soon Daddy!!