Monday, March 29, 2010

Happy 100th post! (and a serious question for you)


Edit: It's a 6 hr drive on a good day.

So, among my millions of questions and concerns about having a new baby, is one about the holidays. We will have a one month old at Thanksgiving and a 2 month old at Christmas. We always travel for the holidays, but I'm not so sure about this year. I don't have a single clue what my life will be like at Thanksgiving or Christmas. I don't know how I will feel or how the baby will be. When I expressed my concern to my mom she made me feel like an idiot. She told me, "Kacie, you don't let them hold you back. You just pack them up and go!" And I'm thinking...yeah mom...that's easy for you to say. You've done this before! A LOT! I'm pretty stinkin' sure that I have a super valid point and that you need to be thinking about the possibility of a different plan for this coming up holiday season. I told her that I didn't want to plan anything since I have no clue where we will be at that point. (and I super-super hate not planning...like tons...it makes me a nervous wreck) I may be overreacting and I'm for sure too emotional about it, but I need advice. What should we be thinking about traveling at Thanksgiving and Christmas with a new born?

4 comments:

Stefani said...

I'm so with you on this one, Kacie. Especially for Thanksgiving, I would plan on staying put! Doctors recommend you not even leave the house with a newborn the first two months and while that is impossible to follow, you probably don't want to make plans to leave town. Also, you will be totally exhausted and still healing - not to worry you because you will be totally in love and not mind the exhaustion and soreness. Also, if you are nursing, you will still probably be sore and trying to get the hang of it (side note - take a breastfeeding class - it will help tons!) and until you've got it down it is not a fun thing to do anywhere else but your own house because you pretty much have to bare it all! All that to say, a lot changes between month one and two and by two months you may be ready to leave. If it were me, I would tell mom and the fam to come to me for Thanksgiving and I'd see them at their place for Christmas. Compromise. Whatever you do, it will be one of the most memorable holiday seasons of your life and you will enjoy it!

The Fenner's said...

I agree with Stefani... I had a three week old, and didn't have to go but 30 min from home for Christmas, and it make me soo nervous. Granted, he slept the whole time, but it is just too much. Yes, it is possible to take the baby, but I would say since they will only be a week old for Thanksgiving, to sit at home. You'll be tired, and at that age, you need to be prepared for too much. I mean, if you parents are like an hour away, that might not be too bad, but anymore than that, just stay home! But really to be honest, the older they get, the harder it is to travel with them;) The first month, all they do is sleep so you don't have to worry about it too much! It's just really what you feel like doing. Having a baby isn't really going to turn your life upside down, I promise! You just do it and don't really think about it. ( In my opinion at least!!!) I can't wait to find out what you are having!

Christy said...

I don't agree with the not leaving the house part cause infants are crazy strong. We took our first to church when she was 1 week old and our second to a baseball gaem when she was 4 days old. Obviously you use your brain and dont just pass them around to people but they are tough. We were never paranoid about germs or dirt or anything as they were growing up & our girls are super healthy to this day and never had any problems. I DO agree however that being close to home or at least staying somewhere you can go to your room and rest is priceless cause girl you will be tired and still adjusting. If you are going to be at family though you can retreat to your room. :)

Miss G said...

I was *not* ready to travel with my little guy at first! Once he turned three months we went to Alaska then Colorado and then Pennsylvania (where he turned four months old). It wasn't as easy as traveling without a baby but was totally do-able even though I was nervous before the first trip. We didn't even take a ton of "gear" and the only things I missed were my boppy and a baby bathtub. It just takes time to make the adjustment to having a little one and getting confident and learning how you work as a family. Kelly