Back from Anchorage

Our trip was a lot of fun, even though I had to work for half of it! We shopped until we dropped (literally) and we got to enjoy a nice change in scenery.

Esther did really well on the plane, considering it was her first experience. She even got her first set of wings! The trip up was pretty much a breeze. She fussed a little, but mostly played and slept. Nursing really helped. The flight home, however, was a little different. She was tired and she refused to suck on anything during take off. Her poor ears must have been hurting, because she screamed a lot. After a few seconds, though, I was able to get her to latch and that really helped her calm down (and even sleep a little).

In Anchorage, she enjoyed having her day with daddy Thursday and Friday. Tim loved it too! He really needed a break and I think he loved having that time to relax. He didn't have a car during the day, so he and Esther hung out in the room, sipped coffee in a cafe, and walked around the hotel. And they were able to catch some much needed Zs.

Tim is such a great daddy! My heart overflowed with love for him (and appreciation for traveling with me on such short notice. He's the greatest! He put up with my shenanigans up there - me getting stressed about driving. Me wanting to stop into every store imaginable. Me spending money on the tutu I had always wanted to get Esther).

Meanwhile, I got to wake up early, navigate the insanity that makes up the Anchorage roadway, and assist with a day-long training. As drab as that may sound, I actually enjoyed it for the most part (got a little bored on day 2).

In the evenings, we visited book stores, malls, and target, doing our best to stimulate the economy :). Esther did not like all the shopping. She would have rather been at home rolling on the floor, but she did okay with it. Our sling was a lifesaver. She was happiest when being carried. She'd get to pull things from shelves and chew on various items. She even picked out a few things for herself (note: we had planned on getting those items for her - she just picked which ones :)). She has now added a new book (Books are for Reading) and a new stuffed horse(selected by Tim, approved by Esther).

On the weekend, we raced from shopping center to shopping center (gosh, I do sound like a shopaholic!) and got some professional pictures taken of Tim, Baby, and me.

We visited Baby's R Us and loved it. It was only so-so until we discovered the nursing section. This section was a dream - giving us an opportunity to purchase items that we have desperately needed!

I was also able to get a new diaper bag, which I love, and some wall stickers for the nursery.

All in all, we dropped a bit on items for Esther. We got her a bathing suit and rain coat from Old Navy and a tutu from Gamboree. I love it all! It was worth it :)

We tried Esther in the hotel pool (we finally bought swim suits for all three of us...). She did not like it too much, which I think a part of it was because the pool wasn't very warm. Oh well!

Aside from that, we took it all easy and tried our best to relax. It was a blast having that time with Tim and Esther.

Overall, Esther did quite well, which is good considering her parents like to travel! Our next trip will be longer in duration, involve a new climate, and a longer stretch of airplane time, so that will be a better test of how she will do :). After that, who knows, maybe Tim and I will try her on an international trip! I can hear the jungles calling us :) :) :)

I did take a few pictures of Esther up north, but not many. I'll try to post them soon.

Anyway, this has become pretty lengthy and I apologize. I just wanted to update everyone on our trip.

Love you all!